Start your day with our News Update, where we bring you a comprehensive roundup of the latest headlines from the past 24 hours. In this edition, we cover latest regulatory changes in Nevada, where the long-awaited marijuana consumption lounges are moving forward, Teen vaping, Psychedelic science and more interesting headlines.
Join us as we dive into the latest developments and insights shaping the cannabis and psychedelics industry
Nevada Eases Marijuana Consumption Lounge Rules, Issues First Licenses
In a significant move, Nevada regulators have approved the loosening of air-ventilation standards for marijuana consumption lounges in Las Vegas and other parts of the state. This decision, coupled with the granting of the first three conditional licenses for such venues, provides more clarity for operators to move forward with construction and design plans. The changes are expected to lower the barrier to entry for consumption lounge operators, reducing the upfront investment and ongoing operational energy costs of running these ventilation systems.
The three companies that received conditional license approvals for marijuana consumption lounges are Planet 13, Common Sense Botanicals Nevada, and Cheyenne Medical.
Despite these developments, the widespread launch of dozens of consumption lounges still appears months away.
Wisconsin Supreme Court: Cannabis Odor Enough to Justify Vehicle Search
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled that the odor of cannabis alone is enough to justify police searches of vehicles. This decision was made despite the fact that legal substances in the state, such as hemp, can smell exactly like illegal cannabis. The ruling overturns lower court decisions that stated police officers could not be sure if what they smelled was not a CBD product and, therefore, could not use the odor of cannabis as a reason to search a vehicle. This ruling is significant as it highlights the ongoing debate over the legality and regulation of cannabis and its derivatives.
Denver Psychedelic Conference Focuses on Regulatory Processes, Science
The Psychedelic Science 2023 conference in Denver attracted 12,000 attendees from around the world, reflecting the growing interest in the potential of substances like psilocybin and MDMA. The conference host, the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), outlined its plan for a federally backed psychedelic treatment regimen, expected to launch next year. However, speakers highlighted the regulatory challenges and high costs associated with setting up large-scale treatment centers.
The MAPS Public Benefit Corp. is planning to submit a New Drug Application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration within a few months, with the hope of offering treatments by the end of 2024. The treatments, which could cost patients between $10,000 and $20,000, will focus on the 13 million patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Judge Cancels Tweaks of Arkansas Medical Marijuana Laws
In a significant ruling, an Arkansas judge has declared that 27 changes made to the state’s medical marijuana laws by the Legislature are unconstitutional and therefore “void”. The changes, which included regulations around advertising, the amount of THC allowed in edibles, and details around tax collection and use, were made after Arkansas voters approved legalized medical marijuana sales in 2016. The state attorney general plans to appeal the ruling to the Arkansas Supreme Court. Despite the legal dispute, medical marijuana will continue to be sold by licensed dispensaries in the state.
Teen Vaping Epidemic Sparks Global Action: US Faces Regulatory Dilemma
The rise of teen vaping has sparked global action, with the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia taking different approaches to address the issue. In the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has faced criticism for its failure to effectively regulate flavored vapes that appeal to children. Meanwhile, the UK and Australia are taking decisive actions, with the UK considering a ban on disposable e-cigarettes and Australia planning to ban all disposable vapes, restrict nicotine levels, and prohibit the importation of non-prescription vaping products.
Despite the different approaches, all three countries are grappling with the potential health risks associated with teen vaping and the challenge of regulating the rapidly growing e-cigarette industry.
Study: Illinois Teenagers Living Near Medical Cannabis Dispensaries Less Likely to Consume Cannabis
A study conducted by researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has found that teenagers living in ZIP codes with operating medical cannabis dispensaries are less likely to consume cannabis than those living in areas without them. The study, which used data from the Illinois Youth Survey, found that about 18.3% of the youths living in Illinois ZIP codes with medical dispensaries reported consuming cannabis during the prior year compared with 22.4% of those who lived in ZIP codes without the businesses.
The researchers called the study’s findings “good news,” but also noted that there are still reasons to be cautious and continue monitoring things.
Viola, a well-known name in the cannabis industry, is set to open a retail store in Broadview, Chicago, in the coming week. This is among the roughly two dozen new pot shops to open since Illinois awarded 192 licenses last year after lengthy legal delays. Viola Brands, which has operations in several states, is partnering with a Chicago company for this venture. The new stores that have managed to open have one thing in common: affiliation with established operators in the cannabis industry. Despite the challenges of raising capital and operational costs, these partnerships have proven to be a successful strategy for new entrants in the market.
Tina Turner’s Son Arrested on Drug Possession Charges
Ike Turner Jr., son of the late singer Tina Turner, has been arrested and charged with possession of crack cocaine. The arrest took place on May 6 in Alvin, Texas, when officers pulled over Ike Jr. for an “equipment violation”. During the stop, officers discovered 1.7 grams of crack cocaine and 0.7 grams of methamphetamine in his possession. In addition to the drug charges, Ike Jr. was also charged with tampering with evidence for allegedly attempting to consume the narcotics in his possession. He is currently being held at the Brazoria County Jail on $70,000 bail.
Colombian Senate Falls Short in Bid to Legalize Recreational Marijuana
The Colombian Senate failed to pass a legal framework to regulate recreational marijuana sales, despite a majority of Senators voting in favor of the measure. The bill needed a minimum of 54 votes to advance the constitutional reform, but it fell short with 47 votes in favor and 43 opposed. This makes Colombia the latest country to fail in its bid to regulate illegal cannabis sales, following Germany, Israel, Mexico, and New Zealand.
Despite the setback, the measure’s proponents, including Liberal Party Senator Juan Carlos Lozada, plan to reintroduce the measure in the next legislative session.
[Source: MJBizDaily]
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AI Disclaimer: Our Daily News Updates are created using AI tools. PsychePen is an AI author who is constantly improving. We appreciate your kindness and understanding as PsychePen continues to learn and develop.Please note that the provided information is derived from various sources and should not be considered as legal, financial, or medical advice.
