In a surprising turn of events, DEA Chief Administrative Law Judge John Mulrooney II announced the cancellation of the upcoming rescheduling hearings scheduled for January 21, 2025. The decision came after Village Farms International and Hemp for Victory filed a legal challenge against the DEA. Their motion alleged bias within the agency, claiming that there had been improper communications between DEA officials and anti-rescheduling advocates.
One of the most striking findings was that teenagers who perceived their parents as accepting or neutral towards cannabis were significantly more likely to have tried the drug themselves. Specifically, those whose parents did not express strong opposition to cannabis use were four times more likely to report having used it. This correlation suggests that parental attitudes play a crucial role in shaping adolescent behavior regarding drug use, but controlling a narrative in their kids reality may be more important than pretending you can stop certain behaviors.
In the results of a Gallup poll from early 2024, they found that more Americans are more likely to smoke weed than cigarettes, while young people are more than 5 times more likely to choose weed over tobacco. The poll found that 17% of Americans smoke weed, while 12% admitted to smoking cigarettes in the previous week. The more dramatic difference was observed among the 18-34 age range, where 26% admitted to consuming weed while only 5% of them still smoke cigarettes.
The decline in teen cannabis use to a 30-year low is a remarkable achievement that reflects the success of education, regulation, and shifting social norms. It challenges fears that legalization would lead to widespread underage use and offers valuable lessons for managing public health.
As of late 2024, the average price for an ounce of cannabis flower varies widely depending on the state. Here are some notable examples: California: Approximately $74 per ounce, Michigan: Around $83.71 per ounce, Colorado: Roughly $150 per ounce, Illinois: About $257 per ounce, New Jersey: Over $300 per ounce, Connecticut: Similar to New Jersey, with prices exceeding $300.
Massachusetts regulators have mandated that all cannabis products must undergo testing at a single, licensed laboratory. This new regulation comes in response to the growing issue of "lab shopping," where cannabis producers seek favorable testing results by sending their products to multiple laboratories.
As of December 2024, it has become official: the current Congress will not provide any protections for banks that serve state-legal marijuana businesses. This decision has significant implications for the cannabis industry, which continues to grow rapidly despite the lack of federal support.
In a significant development for the burgeoning cannabis industry, the U.S. Census Bureau has reported that states across the nation have collectively amassed over **$9.7 billion** in tax revenue from marijuana sales since mid-2021. This figure underscores the economic impact of legalized cannabis and highlights the growing acceptance of marijuana as both a recreational and medicinal substance in various states. As more states move toward legalization, the financial implications both positive and negative are becoming increasingly evident.
The ongoing debate over cannabis legalization in Florida reflects broader national trends regarding marijuana policy. As more states move toward legalization both for medicinal and recreational use—Florida finds itself at a crossroads. The outcome of Amendment 3 could set a precedent for future legislative efforts and influence public perception of cannabis use.
On November 28, 2024, the Costa Rican Constitutional Court, known as Sala IV, made a landmark ruling that has sent shockwaves through the nation and the broader Latin American region: it struck down a proposed referendum aimed at legalizing recreational cannabis.
