This week’s newsletter covers California’s struggling legal cannabis market, a new study exposing synthetic cannabinoids in unregulated hemp products, a Nevada psychedelics therapy proposal, and a roundup of state-level cannabis legislation from Idaho, California, and Kentucky.
Noteworthy Read
California’s Cannabis Market: Growth on Paper, Decline in Reality (GreenState)
This op-ed by Tiffany Devitt examines the 2024 California Cannabis Market Report’s optimistic portrayal of the industry. Devitt argues that despite reported increases in biomass production and wholesale prices, the legal market is suffering due to illicit operations mislabeling THC products as “hemp,” leading to unfair competition and the collapse of licensed manufacturers.
More Noteworthy Reading
California Lab Tests Expose Massive Fraud, Illegal Products & the Cannabis Equivalent of Ultra-Processed Junk Food (Project CBD)
A new study from an industry advocacy group in California examines the content of dozens of unregulated intoxicating “hemp” products that are easily available in the Golden State despite being banned by state law.
The study’s findings indicate that many so-called hemp products are infused with synthetic psychoactive cannabinoids, which can actually make users feel loopier than natural Delta-9 THC. What’s more, synthesized Delta-9 THC is present in many of these products, despite being prohibited in both California’s cannabis and hemp programs. And finally, these products, mostly vended through websites, are effectively dodging the taxman — raising no revenues for state or local governments.
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View more in Synthetic Cannabinoids
Research Round-Up
Nevada Proposal Would Create Psychedelics Therapy Pilot Program (Ganjapreneur)
A new proposal in Nevada seeks to establish a state-run psychedelics therapy pilot program, allowing supervised use of substances like psilocybin for mental health treatment.
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View more in Psychedelics
Idaho Senate Passes Bill Asking Voters to Give Up Legalization Rights (Ganjapreneur)
Idaho’s Senate has approved a controversial measure that would put a ballot question before voters, asking them to relinquish their ability to pass cannabis legalization measures.
California Judge Allows Filing of Class-Action Lawsuit Against Cannabis Greenhouse Over Odor (Ganjapreneur)
A California judge has ruled that residents can move forward with a class-action lawsuit against a cannabis greenhouse, alleging that strong odors from the facility have affected their quality of life.
Kentucky Senate Approves Bill to Regulate Hemp-Derived THC Beverages (Ganjapreneur)
Kentucky lawmakers have advanced legislation to impose regulations on hemp-derived THC beverages, aiming to address safety concerns and establish clearer market guidelines.
A heartfelt thank you to all of the CBD brands whose generous support makes it possible for Project CBD to shine a light on the latest plant medicine research and policy developments — we couldn’t do this work without you.
