New York, NY: The adoption of statewide adult-use marijuana legalization laws is associated with declines in illicit market cannabis seizures by law enforcement and likely reduces the size of the unregulated marketplace, according to data published in the International Journal of Drug Policy.
Researchers affiliated with Columbia University and New York University assessed the relationship between legalization laws and annual changes in cannabis seizures by state and federal law enforcement from 2010 to 2023.
Investigators determined that adult-use legalization “was associated with a significant decrease in cannabis seizures,” both in the short-term and long-term.
The study’s authors concluded: “Findings showed a 45 percent relative reduction in mean counts of state law enforcement cannabis seizures in states that adopted RCL [recreational cannabis laws] in addition to MCL [medical cannabis laws], even after controlling for secular trends and pre-existing state differences. … Taken together, findings from this study support the possibility that RCLs, beyond only MCLs, may help to reduce the size of the illegal cannabis market.”
In Canada, which legalized marijuana sales nationwide in 2018, nearly 80 percent of cannabis consumers have transitioned from unregulated markets to the legal market. According to a 2023 survey of US consumers, 52 percent of adults residing in legal states said that they primarily sourced their cannabis products from retail establishments.
Most recently, data provided by the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission reported that over 70 percent of consumers purchase their cannabis at a store. “Residents turn away from the illicit market when safe, well-regulated options are available,” the Commission’s Executive Director Travis Ahern said.
Full text of the study, “Cannabis legalization and law enforcement drug seizures: A state-level analysis of cannabis policy effects on cannabis seizures in the United States,” appears in International Journal of Drug Policy.
Analysis: Cannabis Use Associated With Significant Reductions in Patients’ Daily Anxiety
Fort Myers, FL: The consumption of state-authorized medical cannabis products is associated with significant decreases in daily anxiety levels, according to longitudinal data published in the journal Nature: Scientific Reports.
Investigators affiliated with Florida Gulf Coast University assessed cannabis’ efficacy in a cohort of 416 patients with a history of anxiety. Participants’ anxiety levels were initially assessed at baseline. Daily shifts in anxiety levels were assessed for the following 45 days. On some days, subjects consumed state-licensed medical cannabis products. At other times, subjects engaged in meditation and other activities to moderate their anxiety.
Patients reported the greatest mitigation in their anxiety on the days they consumed cannabis.
The study’s authors concluded: “Results showed that across all 45 days and participants, MC [medical cannabis] use was the biggest factor in alleviating anxiety. … Investigating how participants administered their MC revealed no effect of route of administration on anxiety relief. … Future work should help paint a clearer picture of how initiating and maintaining MC use helps individuals deal with daily anxiety levels.”
In a previous study of state-registered medical cannabis patients, over 90 percent of respondents said that cannabis helped to relieve their anxiety. Survey data consistently reports that consumers are most likely to use cannabis for purposes of mitigating pain and anxiety.
Full text of the study, “Associations of cannabis use, other substances, and lifestyle choices on anxiety in medical cannabis patients across 45 days,” appears in Nature: Scientific Reports.
Florida: Supreme Court Sides With DeSantis Administration in Legalization Ballot Measure Fight
Tallahassee, FL: The Supreme Court will not entertain arguments challenging the DeSantis administration’s decision to invalidate tens of thousands of signatures in support of a proposed 2026 adult-use marijuana legalization ballot measure.
Election officials in February determined that petitioners from the Smart & Safe Florida campaign failed to turn in the necessary number of valid signatures to qualify for the November ballot. The campaign filed a legal challenge to that decision, arguing that state officials improperly dismissed tens of thousands of signatures that should have been counted.
Last week, the Court announced that it would not consider the petitioners’ challenge – stating, “No motion for rehearing will be entertained by the Court.” No further explanation was provided.
Petitioners qualified a similar measure on the 2024 ballot. That proposal gained 56 percent of the vote, shy of the 60 percent threshold required to pass a constitutional amendment in Florida. (Florida is the only state that requires citizen-initiated measures to gain more than a simple majority.)
The DeSantis administration vigorously opposed both efforts. In May, Gov. DeSantis signed legislation making it harder for parties to qualify measures for the electoral ballot. Earlier this year, state election officials audited the work of several counties, which they alleged had not properly verified voters’ signatures. State officials also launched a criminal probe to investigate the actions of various petitioners involved with the Smart & Safe campaign. Separately, the Attorney General’s office had previously challenged the wording of the proposed measure in court, calling it “unconstitutional.”
Historically, Florida has been among the states with the highest number of annual marijuana-related arrests. Under state law, possession of 20 grams or less of marijuana is a criminal misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Possessing greater amounts is a felony offense, punishable by up to five years in prison.
Georgia: Lawmakers Advance Legislation Expanding Medical Cannabis Access To Qualified Patients
Atlanta, GA: Lawmakers have amended and approved legislation, Senate Bill 220, significantly expanding the state’s limited medical cannabis access law.
Under existing law, qualified patients are limited to infused “low THC oil” products containing no more than five percent THC. The proposed measure allows patients to obtain “medical cannabis” products “containing a cumulative total of 12,000 milligrams or less of THC.” It also permits products to be available in formulations that may be consumed via vaporization. It also expands the pool of patients eligible to receive medical cannabis authorizations to include those diagnosed with lupus, severe arthritis, and severe insomnia, among other conditions.
Senate members initially passed the bill on March 6th by a vote of 39 to 17. House members amended and passed the bill days later by a vote of 138 to 21. The Senate signed off on the changes this week.
Georgia lawmakers approved legislation in 2015 legalizing the possession of non-herbal, low-THC oils for authorized patients. However, regulators failed to license dispensaries to provide these products until 2023.
Over 33,000 patients are currently enrolled in Georgia’s medical cannabis access program.
Mississippi: Bill Providing Doctors With Greater Discretion To Recommend Medical Cannabis Advanced to Governor’s Desk
Jackson, MS: Legislation (House Bill 1152) providing physicians with greater discretion to recommend medical cannabis has passed both legislative chambers with veto-proof majorities. The measure now awaits action by Republican Gov. Tate Reeves.
Under current law, patients are only eligible for medical cannabis therapy if they suffer from one of a limited list of qualifying conditions. Under HB 1152: The Right to Try Medical Cannabis Act, healthcare practitioners may submit a petition to the Department of Health requesting authorization for patients who are suffering from a non-qualifying illness. State officials will then have 45 days to either approve or deny the request. All decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
Members of the Senate initially approved the bill by a vote of 102 to 14. House members amended and approved the bill 34 to 7. This week, Senators concurred with the House’s changes by a vote of 102 to 14.
The Act is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.
Separate legislation (HB 895) extending the validity period of a practitioner’s medical cannabis recommendation was also sent to the Governor.
Mississippi lawmakers approved legislation in 2022 regulating medical cannabis access. Nearly 60,000 patients are currently enrolled in the program.
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