Legalizing Marijuana

[phkrause]

Votes won’t be counted for Arkansas medical marijuana ballot measure, court says

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas voters won’t get to weigh in on a ballot initiative to expand medical marijuana after the state Supreme Court ruled the measure didn’t fully explain what it would do, tossing out the initiative just two weeks before the election.

https://apnews.com/article/arkansas-medical-marijuana-ballot-measure-56f2afd1e8a61f0cb179618bc7c27d81?

[phkrause]

Which states are voting on legalizing weed? Here's where marijuana is on the ballot tomorrow

Election Day is Tuesday and in four states, voters will have the opportunity to cast their thoughts on the future of marijuana legislation.

https://local.newsbreak.com/nebraska-state/3660824147226-which-states-are-voting-on-legalizing-weed-heres-where-marijuana-is-on-the-ballot-tomorrow?

[phkrause]

Trio of ballot failures leads marijuana backers to refocus their efforts for recreational weed

The movement to legalize recreational marijuana has run into a wall of resistance, failing in all three states where it was on the ballot this year and leading proponents to weigh a tactical shift focused more on state legislatures and the federal government.

https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-legalization-florida-dakota-nebraska-52ea8e44e753efc70f537bd4d764d361?

[phkrause]

Cannabis critic warns lawmakers about dangers of today’s pot, urges against ever legalizing it

Dr. Jessica Spencer, who worked to defeat Amendment 3 last year, also called on the Legislature to fund education efforts about the risks of early marijuana use.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/02/11/cannabis-critic-warns-lawmakers-about-dangers-of-todays-pot-urges-against-ever-legalizing-it/?

[phkrause]

Hemp regulations hazy after House workgroup wraps up its business

The combined Florida House workgroup formed to study the hemp industry concluded its final meeting Thursday with two main conclusions:

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/03/08/hemp-regulations-hazy-after-house-workgroup-wraps-up-its-business/?

[phkrause]

Cannabis May Harm Your Heart: Key Data From Two New Studies

March 18, 2025 – Don't be surprised if your doctor specifically asks during your next checkup whether you use marijuana.

https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20250318/cannabis-may-harm-your-heart-key-data-from-two-new-studies?

How Marijuana Affects Your Mind & Body

Medically Reviewed by Shruthi N, MD on December 23, 2024

Written by Paul Frysh, Stephanie Booth

https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/marijuana-use-and-its-effects?

[phkrause]

? Potent pot-ables

Data: U Miss, NIDA Potency Monitoring Project via NIH; Chart: Axios Visuals Today's cannabis has way more THC than it used to, Carly Mallenbaum writes ahead of this weekend's other holiday. Why it matters: As more people go "California sober," new or returning cannabis users may underestimate its potency. ? By the numbers: In the 1990s, 5% THC cannabis was some of the strongest you could find. Today, "it's very difficult to find cannabis that's less than 20% THC" in a Los Angeles dispensary, says Ziva Cooper, director of the UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids. ?‍? Threat level: These high-potency products haven't been tested for safety. "It's very concerning," says Cooper, who recently co-authored a research paper on the issue. Go deeper.

[phkrause]

Hemp entrepreneurs object as regulation of THC products moves to full House

A measure that would regulate hemp-derived THC products in Florida passed unanimously in its second and final committee in the Florida House on Tuesday, but only after hemp entrepreneurs expressed their strongest criticism of such regulations this legislative session.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/04/22/hemp-entrepreneurs-object-as-regulation-of-thc-products-moves-to-full-house/?

[phkrause]

Backers of recreational pot in Florida join court fight against tougher rules for ballot initiatives

TALLAHASSEE — Backers of a renewed attempt to pass a recreational-marijuana constitutional amendment have joined a court challenge to a new law that makes it harder for groups to place initiatives on the ballot, saying the measure imposes “draconian restrictions on Floridians’ sovereign” right to change the state Constitution.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/05/12/backers-of-recreational-pot-in-florida-join-court-fight-against-tougher-rules-for-ballot-initiatives/?

[phkrause]

Smoking weed and consuming THC-laced edibles linked to early heart disease, study finds

“We’re looking at a window in the future, showing the early changes that may explain why smoking marijuana has been linked to later heart disease,” Springer said. “It appears the act of smoking and the THC itself both contribute to those changes in different ways.”

https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/28/health/marijuana-edibles-heart-damage-wellness?

[phkrause]

? 1 for the road: Boomer weed boom

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Marijuana use among Americans aged 65 and older surged nearly 46% from 2021 to 2023, Axios' Maya Goldman writes from new research in JAMA Internal Medicine. Why it matters: The rapid adoption of state marijuana laws and the commercialization of cannabis helped drive much of the increase. Changing social dynamics have also made marijuana more acceptable for dealing with chronic pain, stress and other conditions. Keep reading ...

[phkrause]

More people are addicted to marijuana, but fewer of them are seeking help, experts say

Pot use among young adults reached historic levels in recent years, according to a federally supported survey. Daily use even outpaced daily drinking, with nearly 18 million Americans reporting in 2022 that they use marijuana every day or nearly every day, up from less than 1 million three decades earlier. Read more.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤

They relied on marijuana to get through the day. But then days felt impossible without it It’s possible to get addicted to pot. Here’s what to know WATCH: A rising number of Americans are addicted to cannabis and struggling to quit

[phkrause]

US sees a big jump in nausea cases among frequent marijuana users in the hospital

NEW YORK (AP) — In the past year, the U.S. has seen a jump in frequent marijuana users going to the hospital with a nausea and vomiting condition, according to a report released Thursday.

https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-vomiting-nausea-cannabis-hyperemesis-syndrome-f8d270504b13614df87e45229b0acf93?