Mississippi Cannabis News

Medical Marijuana | Pros, Cons, Debate, Arguments, Health Care, Cannabis, CBD, & THC

Published

5 months ago

April 24, 2025

The use of medical marijuana dates to ancient civilizations, though historians are undecided about whether the first medical use of cannabis was in China, where the plant is indigenous. [1]

Archaeologists unearthed traces of cannabis with high levels of THC (the main psychoactive component of cannabis) in wooden bowls dating to 500 bce in the Jirzankal Cemetery in China, marking the earliest instance of marijuana use found to date. This particular use of marijuana was more likely for a religious rite than medicinal purposes, though religion and medicine were not necessarily kept separate. Such use was described by Greek historian Herodotus: “The Scythians then take the seed of this hemp and, crawling in under the mats, throw it on the red-hot stones, where it smolders and sends forth such fumes that no Greek vapor-bath could surpass it. The Scythians howl in their joy at the vapor-bath.” [2][3][4]

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The mythological Chinese Emperor Shennong’s pharmacopoeia, Treatise on Medicine (which itself has disputed dates–2737 bce or 1ce and unknown authorship), included marijuana as a treatment for “malaria, constipation, rheumatic pains, ‘absentmindedness’ and ‘female disorders.’” [5][6]

From China, marijuana was introduced to Iran and Anatolia by the Scythians and then spread to India, Greece, Egypt, and throughout Africa. Evidence suggests Arab physicians used marijuana for pain, inflammation, and epileptic seizures, while in India marijuana was used for fevers, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), headaches, sleep, dysentery, digestion, and appetite inducement. In Rome, Emperor Nero’s private physician, Dioscorides, used the plant to treat pain in ears. Marijuana was similarly used in Africa, as evidenced by the Egyptian Ebers papyrus (circa 1550 bce), for fever, pain, infected toenails, and uterine cramps. Other Egyptian papyruses include cannabis as treatment for eye infections (perhaps glaucoma), cholera, menstrual ailments, headaches, schistosomiasis, fever, and colorectal cancer. [1][4][7][8][9][10]

The Moors brought marijuana to Spain during the 8th-century occupation. The Spanish, in turn, took marijuana to the Americas where it was mainly used as a cash crop for producing hemp fiber. Medical use followed quickly, with Mexicans using the drug for gonorrhea, menstrual ailments, pain, and toothaches. [10][11][12][13]

Robert Burton’s The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621) heralded the arrival of marijuana in medieval Europe by suggesting that cannabis be used to treat depression. Thereafter marijuana was recommended for inflammation (New English Dispensatory, 1764) and coughs, STIs, and incontinence (Edinburgh New Dispensary, 1794). [1]

Medical use of marijuana did not gain much popularity in the United Kingdom until W.B. O’Shaughnessy, an Irish professor at the Medical College of Calcutta, India, tested the indigenous Cannabis indica on animals and children after seeing how Indians used marijuana in medicine. O’Shaughnessy reported in 1839 that cannabis was safe and used marijuana to treat rabies, cholera, delirium from alcohol withdrawal, pain, rheumatism, epilepsy, tetanus, and as a muscle relaxer. He deemed marijuana “an anticonvulsant remedy of the greatest value” and brought the drug with him when he returned to England in 1842. [1][7]

The Provincial Medical and Surgical Journal (now the British Medical Journal) put medical cannabis on the front page in 1843, prompting popularity and regular use of the drug as a painkiller, with even Queen Victoria reportedly being prescribed marijuana postpartum and for premenstrual syndrome (PMS) by her private physician J.R. Reynolds. A tincture of marijuana, frequently added to tea, was used commonly in Victorian England. The 1894 Indian Hemp Drugs Commission stated marijuana was not harmful if used in moderation and could be particularly helpful in treating malaria. [7][14]

In 1860, American doctor R.R. M’Meens, crediting W.B. O’Shaughnessy, extolled the virtues of marijuana to treat “tetanus, neuralgia, dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), convulsions, the pain of rheumatism and childbirth, asthma, postpartum psychosis, gonorrhea, and chronic bronchitis” as well as the drug’s use for sleep-inducement and appetite stimulation. Other American doctors prescribed marijuana for restlessness, anxiety, “senile insomnia,” neuralgia, migraines, depression, gastric ulcers, morphine addiction, and asthma, and as a topical anesthetic. [1]

However, the arrival of marijuana wasn’t lauded by everyone. Mark Stewart, a member of the UK Parliament, complained in 1891 that “the lunatic asylums of India are filled with ganja smokers.” Along with negative associations with mental illness, marijuana was also attacked with racist political commentary. In the United States, the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN) Commissioner Harry Anslinger claimed there were “100,000 total marijuana smokers in the U.S., and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz and swing result from marijuana use. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers and any others.” Additionally, the agency was concerned that “marihuana leads to pacifism and communist brainwashing.” [1][7][13][15] [16]

By the 1890s, marijuana was falling out of favor among doctors, and U.S. states were working to ban marijuana because of the drug’s association with Mexican immigrants. Massachusetts led the charge, passing a ban on the drug in 1911. [7][10]

The FBN, which would merge with other departments to form what is now the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), worked to pass the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937. While the law only taxed marijuana, it effectively banned the drug as well as industrial hemp. The Marihuana Tax Act survived until 1969 when it was declared unconstitutional. However, President Richard Nixon would reinstate the marijuana ban in 1970 with the Controlled Substances Act, which classified cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug (“drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse”), beginning Nixon’s “War on Drugs” and effectively ending medical research on the drug. [7][10][16][37]

In the United Kingdom, the Misuse of Drugs Act was passed in 1971, declaring marijuana to have “no known or limited medical use.” The law now classifies marijuana as a Class B drug, which are considered less dangerous than Class A drugs including cocaine, ecstasy, and crystal meth. Class B drugs include amphetamines, barbiturates, and ketamine, along with marijuana. The possession of any Class B drug carries a penalty of up to 5 years in prison. [7][17] [18]

While the American federal war on drugs would continue, U.S. states began legalizing medical marijuana in the 1990s. California was the first to legalize cannabis for medical use in 1996, quickly followed by Alaska, Oregon, and Washington state in 1998, and Maine in 1999. By Dec. 2022, 37 states and DC had legalized medical marijuana, leaving only 13 states where medical marijuana is illegal: Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. [19]

While states were legalizing medical marijuana, some of the earliest adopting states also began legalizing recreational, or adult-use, marijuana. Colorado and Washington legalized this in 2012—19 other states and D.C. had done so by December 2022. Only states with legal medical marijuana have thus far legalized adult-use marijuana. [20]

An Apr. 2021 Pew Research Center poll found that 91 percent of Americans believed marijuana should be legal for medical use (60 percent for medical and recreational legalization; and 31 percent for only medical legalization). Only 8 percent believed marijuana should not be legal for any reason, and 1 percent did not answer the question. Support for marijuana legalization has steadily increased over the years. [21]

Pro 1: Marijuana is beneficial as a medicine with fewer risks than opioids and other prescribed drugs.

Medical marijuana is most commonly used for pain in the U.S. “While marijuana isn’t strong enough for severe pain (for example, post-surgical pain or a broken bone), it is quite effective for the chronic pain that plagues millions of Americans, especially as they age,” explains primary care physician and cannabis specialist, Peter Grinspoon. [22]

Marijuana also offers pain relief for patients who are suffering the pain of multiple sclerosis or general nerve pain. In contrast with marijuana, the commonly prescribed drugs for these ailments are often heavily sedating, which can impair quality of life. [22]

Marijuana, particularly CBD (the main nonpsychoactive component in cannabis), has also shown potential to treat high blood pressure, inflammation and related neuropathic pain, anxiety disorders (including generalized anxiety, panic, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and post-traumatic stress disorders), gastrointestinal (GI) disorders (including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s, and ulcerative colitis), epilepsy and other seizure syndromes, as well as the prevention of drug and alcohol addiction relapse and alleviation of the effects of chemotherapy. [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30]

“Medical marijuana” also includes drugs chemically derived from marijuana, rather than only preparations of the plant itself. According to the National Institutes of Health, “THC itself has proven medical benefits in particular formulations.” [31]

In the U.S., the FDA approved THC-based Marinol and Cesamet to treat nausea in chemotherapy patients and for appetite stimulation in AIDS patients. Also FDA-approved is the CBD-based Epidiolex, which treats Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes in children. Sativex, a THC- and CBD-based drug for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, is approved for use in the UK, Canada, and some European countries. [31]

The bottom line: marijuana has been used as medicine for thousands of years. The drug should be legalized and studied to reap the full benefits.

Pro 2: Marijuana is safer than some legal drugs and preferred by patients.

Many patients prefer marijuana for pain because it is less addictive and carries less risk of overdose than opiates. [22][32]

Three researchers from the University of British Columbia BC Centre on Substance Use in Vancouver, argue: “Although cannabis use is neither risk free nor a panacea, the risks it poses of physical dependence and accidental overdose compared with opioid use are substantially lower—indeed, fatal overdose with cannabis has never been documented and is thought to be impossible. Especially in the era of the opioid overdose crisis, the common sequelae [results] of opioid use disorder (e.g., fatal overdose, acquisition or transmission of blood-borne diseases) are hardly comparable to those of cannabis use disorder at either individual or population levels. The lower relative risks associated with cannabis are reflected in substantially lower rates of cannabis-associated morbidity, mortality and societal costs compared with opioids in Canada, despite much higher levels of exposure. Simply put: it is not perception that cannabis has fewer relative harms than opioids; it is evidence.” [33]

Marijuana can also be used instead of NSAIDs (Advil and Aleve, for example) if someone has kidney problems, ulcers, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), making it potentially safer for people with those conditions. [22]

Studies also show many patients prefer to use marijuana instead of lorazepam, clonazepam, and alprazolam for anxiety disorders and instead of sertraline, trazodone, or bupropion for depression. [34]

Pro 3: Americans have agreed for decades that medical marijuana should be legal.

Widespread American approval of marijuana is seen in the many states that have legalized its use. Since California legalized medical marijuana in 1996, 39 states and D.C. have followed suit as of January 2025. [19]

Additionally, polls and elections for more than 20 years have shown Americans united on the legalization of medical marijuana. Of 96 polls and elections collected by ProCon between 2000 and 2022, only three had less than 50 percent support for legalizing medical marijuana. [35]

Plus, a 2021 study found 70.7 percent of physicians at the 2019 American College of Emergency Physicians’ Annual Conference “believed that cannabis has medical value,” and, further, that 79.6 percent of the physicians would choose marijuana over opioids if cannabis were found to be more effective, and 52.3 percent would choose marijuana if it were found to be equally as effective as opioids. [36]

Approval of legalization crosses party lines as well as age and race demographics in what Pew Research Center deemed “overwhelming support” in an Apr. 16, 2021, poll. Among Democrats, 95 percent believed medical marijuana should be legal, joined by 87 percent of Republicans. [21]

92 percent of white Americans would legalize medical marijuana, along with 91 percent of Black Americans, 89 percent of Asian Americans, and 87 percent of Hispanic Americans. [21]

The largest support among age groups for medical marijuana comes from those aged 18-29 (94 percent) and 65-74 (93 percent). However, no age group dropped below 85 percent approval (those aged 75+). [21]

Medical marijuana enjoys so much support among Americans that many now approve of the legalization of recreational marijuana as well. [21]

Con 1: Medical legalization of marijuana makes a drug that is dangerous to children, teenagers, and young adults more readily available.

Whether medical marijuana is legalized for everyone or only adults, legalization provides everyone more access to the drug. [38]

“An ‘unintended consequence’ of marijuana legalization is the impact on the pediatric population. From prenatal exposure to unintentional childhood exposures, through concerns of adolescence abuse and marijuana use for medicinal indications in children, marijuana exposure can affect pediatric patients at every stage in childhood. Regardless of the stage or reason of exposure, concerns exist about short-term and long-term consequences in a child’s physical and mental health,” argues Sam Wang, Associate Professor of Pediatrics-Emergency Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. [39]

Adult use of marijuana, medical or otherwise, during pregnancy can cause child development problems during and after pregnancy. If exposed to marijuana before birth, children may be more susceptible to “increased hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention symptoms” and problems with “visual-motor coordination, processing speed, [and] visual memory.” [31][39][40][41]

Any drug at home poses potential risks for children, but medical marijuana edibles look like regular treats (gummy bears, hard candies, and chocolate bars, to name a few), yet are infused with potent marijuana. And, unlike a regular treat, a marijuana infused edibles should be carefully portioned for the correct dosage. A child accidentally eating an entire marijuana candy bar could overdose and end up in serious medical distress. Within just five years, accidental cannabis exposures in kids aged one to six who ate edibles increased 1,375 percent from 207 cases in 2017 to 3,054 in 2021. [39][42][47]

The danger does not decrease as children age. According to the National Institutes of Health, “heavy chronic marijuana consumption in young people under the age of 25 has been associated with decreased cognitive and executive function.” Researchers are not yet certain whether the damage is permanent, but one New Zealand study found teens who smoked marijuana heavily and developed a marijuana use disorder lost 8 IQ points on average between ages 13 and 38. [40]

Con 2: Marijuana has dangerous side effects.

The National Institutes of Health offers a litany of negative mental side effects, including “altered senses (for example, seeing brighter colors), altered sense of time, changes in mood, impaired body movement, difficulty with thinking and problem-solving, impaired memory, hallucinations (when taken in high doses), delusions (when taken in high doses), [and] psychosis (risk is highest with regular use of high potency marijuana).” [40]

Physical side effects include breathing problems such as “daily cough and phlegm, more frequent lung illness, and a higher risk of lung infections,” an increased heart rate (which, in turn, increases the risk of heart attack), and Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (“regular cycles of severe nausea, vomiting, and dehydration, sometimes requiring emergency medical attention”). [40]

Further, between 9 percent and 30 percent of people who use marijuana are at risk of developing a substance use disorder. And, with THC levels steadily increasing, the potential for addiction only grows as users need more and more marijuana to feel the desired effects. [40][43]

Colorado legalized medical marijuana in 2000 and recreational marijuana in 2012. The state saw a 40 percent increase in cannabis-related emergency room (ER) visits between 2012 and 2014. Colorado hospitals have seen a 50 percent increase in marijuana-related cyclic vomiting syndrome. Burn admissions also increased. [44]

However, these are the known side effects. Because the drug has not been studied as thoroughly as other drugs, there may be unexpected consequences to medical marijuana use. [44]

A 2025 study of brain function found that 63 percent of heavy lifetime cannabis users and 68 percent of recent cannabis users had reduced brain activity during a working memory task. The study’s authors suspect that the negative effects of cannabis use could be long lasting. [48][49]

Con 3: While the effects of medical marijuana are studied, recreational marijuana should be decriminalized.

Decriminalizing recreational marijuana means possession of a small amount for personal use does not carry the risk of arrest, jail time, or a criminal record, but instead are ticketed like a minor traffic violation, according to NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws), which reports 26 states have partially or fully decriminalized recreational marijuana. [46]

However, the medical benefits and safety of marijuana have not been studied enough to determine if the benefits outweigh the risks associated with the drug. Additional study also allows more specific-use analysis (for example, does a particular marijuana derivative help a particular ailment, and does marijuana treat a condition not yet associated with the drug?). [38]

Sarah C. Hull, cardiologist at Yale School of Medicine, explains why we should not rush into legalization of medical marijuana: “Decriminalization of marijuana will create significant opportunities to conduct this research, but common-sense regulation based on science must be implemented simultaneously to create an ethical policy framework. This should aim to promote public health through comprehensive education programs and protection of vulnerable populations such as adolescents, while recognizing the right of autonomous adults to make decisions about their own health but not to act in a way that might compromise the health of others. [38]

Hull argues further that “significant criminal penalties” should not be attached to adult possession or use of marijuana as such punishments have “entrench[ed] systemic racism.” [38]

She concludes, “There is substantial need for more research to guide specific policy development going forward, and in the meantime, recreational use (though not medicinal use) should be generously taxed to fund research efforts as well as addiction treatment in order to enhance benefits to society.” [38]

As with any drug, marijuana should be thoroughly studied for medical applications before being widely used as medicine. “Once we understand on the brain level what effect it is having on cognition, then we can see how it can be applied for all sorts of purposes, but first we need to know exactly what it’s doing. If it’s going to be introduced to society in a big way, we need to know what the potential harms and benefits are,” argues Earl Miller, cognitive neuroscientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Picower Institute for Learning and Memory. [44]

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Mississippi Cannabis News

Dozen arrested after south Mississippi bust for illegal sales to underage customers

Published

9 hours ago

September 14, 2025

mscannabiz.com

An investigation into south Mississippi businesses selling “alcohol, dangerous illegal vapes, THC edibles,” and other age-restricted or illegal items to underage customers has resulted in at least a dozen arrests with more possible, according to law enforcement.

An announcement by the Perry County Sheriff’s Office said deputies began an investigation in early 2024 after fielding complaints that some businesses in the county were purposely allowing individuals under the age of 21 to purchase age-restricted products.

Sheriff Jacob Garner said as the investigation unfolded, it quickly became clear that the issue was not restricted to Perry County. Law enforcement in nearby Forrest, Lamar, Marion, Greene, Jefferson Davis, and Jones counties had received similar complaints about businesses in their jurisdictions.

Local agencies teamed up with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency for over a year’s worth of identifying subjects, initiating traffic stops, and fielding more calls for service. It culminated on Sept. 11 after 20 search warrants were carried out, with 12 individuals being arrested for their involvement in the businesses selling alcohol, tobacco, and THC to minors.

“Anyone who chooses to open a business in Perry County for the purpose of selling illegal narcotics, vapes, or THC products to children or adults will be arrested and prosecuted,” Garner said. “These items – disguised as safe or legal – are destroying lives and endangering the health and safety of our citizens. Business owners profiting off the harm of our children and adults in our county will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Garner added that many of the defendants, while operating in different counties, were working in tandem. The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, and the Mississippi Highway Patrol aided in the investigation that remains active.

The following list of arrests and charges has been announced by the involved law enforcement agencies:

Khaled Alhamidi, 55, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance, trafficking while in possession of a firearm, and conspiracy to sell a controlled substance.
Akram Alhamidi, 25, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance, trafficking while in possession of a firearm, and conspiracy to sell a controlled substance.
Omar Obaid, 40, of Hattiesburg: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance.
Gaizan Abubaker, 37, of Houma, La.: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance.
Rami Selah, 32, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance, trafficking of a controlled substance while in possession of an enhanced firearm.
Bassel Saleh, 53, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance.
Mark Shaibi, 24, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance, trafficking of a controlled substance while in possession of a firearm.
Gabr Al-Gabri, 36, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance, trafficking of a controlled substance while in possession of an enhanced firearm.
Basel Rashad, 30, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance, trafficking while in possession of a firearm.
Anmed Elgabry, 30, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance, trafficking of a controlled substance while in possession of an enhanced firearm.
Mohammed Riyadh, 31, of Hattiesburg: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance.
Ahmedou Mohamedlaamar, 22, of Perry County: Aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance.

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Mississippi Cannabis News

US marijuana laws explained as Donald Trump reveals plans for change

Published

3 days ago

September 12, 2025

mscannabiz.com

Donald Trump is reportedly looking at reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug in the US.

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, the 79-year-old president is ‘looking at’ making a huge change, which would make it easier to buy and sell weed, making the multibillion-dollar industry more profitable.

The publication’s sources claimed that during a recent fundraiser held at his New Jersey golf club, where tickets for the event went for a whopping $1 million each, the Republican leader first spoke of the potential plans.

He allegedly said he was ‘looking at’ possibly changing the classification of marijuana from a Schedule I controlled substance to a Schedule III substance.

In simple terms, this doesn’t mean it would make the drug completely legal across the US, but it would help ease restrictions on it.

Donald Trump is reportedly considering whether to reclassify marijuana in the US (Bloomberg/Getty Images)

At the event, speaking of tweaking the federal restrictions for the drug, Trump allegedly said: “We need to look at that. That’s something we’re going to look at.”

Then, according to The Telegraph, speaking at a press conference on Monday, the US president affirmed: “We’re looking at reclassification, and we’ll make a determination over, I’d say, the next few weeks.”

He reportedly added that the decision is ‘very complicated’ – so, let’s break it down.

How do US marijuana laws work?

At a federal level, marijuana remains illegal in the US as per the 1970 Controlled Substances Act, however, many states have made their own rules for cannabis use.

As we mentioned earlier, it’s federally classified as a Schedule I drug – this means that federal law considers it to have a ‘high potential for abuse’ and ‘no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States’.

But, despite its federal classification, 24 states plus the District of Columbia have fully legalised weed, meanwhile others have opted to only allow it for medicinal purposes.

Cannabis legalisation in individual states can be done in a number of ways, ranging from fully illegal to legal for both medicinal and recreational use.

If you’re in a state that has completely legalised recreational marijuana and you’re 21 or older, you have the right to use cannabis products for your own personal enjoyment.

However, this doesn’t always mean it’s legal to purchase – confusing, I know.

For example, while it’s illegal to buy marijuana in Washington, DC, it’s legal for anyone 21 and older to possess up to two ounces of it and grow up to six marijuana plants in the district.

So essentially, it’s all down to the state you’re in and their specific regulations.

America’s cannabis laws can be a tricky subject to wrap your head around (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

What would happen if marijuana became a Schedule III drug?

If Trump were to go ahead and reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III drug, this would be a pretty big change up and down America.

According to the US government’s website, Schedule III drugs are defined as drugs ‘with a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence’ and their ‘abuse potential is less than Schedule I and Schedule II drugs’.

Some examples of Schedule III drugs are products containing less than 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage unit, such as Tylenol with codeine, ketamine, anabolic steroids, and testosterone.

Meanwhile, Schedule I drugs are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.

Some examples include heroin, LSD, ecstasy, and as of right now, marijuana.

It’s important to note that the switch up would not make marijuana completely legal – it would just help ease restrictions and create more opportunities for medical uses and possible tax breaks for marijuana companies.

The Republican leader is said to be ‘looking at’ possibly switching marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug (Emilija Manevska/Getty Images)

Which US states is marijuana currently legal in?

States where marijuana is fully legal:

Alaska
Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Illinois
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nevada
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Ohio
Oregon
Rhode Island
Vermont
Virginia
Washington

States where marijuana is legal for medical purposes only:

Alabama
Arkansas
Florida
Georgia (CBD oil only)
Hawaii
Indiana (CBD oil only)
Iowa (CBD oil only)
Kentucky
Louisiana
Mississippi
New Hampshire
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Dakota
Tennessee (CBD oil only)
Texas
Utah
West Virginia
Wisconsin (CBD oil only)
Wyoming (CBD oil only)

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Mississippi Cannabis News

D.C. board rejects ANC 5A challenge to new medical cannabis retailer

Published

3 days ago

September 12, 2025

mscannabiz.com

D.C. board rejects ANC 5A challenge to new medical cannabis retailer in Ward 5

The D.C. Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board has rejected ANC 5A’s bid to reinstate its protest against a new Clinical Solutions medical cannabis dispensary in Ward 5, ruling that the ANC’s objections about daycare proximity and safety lacked the specific statutory grounds required to proceed; the license application remains on track, though the decision can still be appealed.

Alt Sol was featured by wtop News.
Catch up on today’s ABC Board meeting: watch, agenda.
Sept. 24, Black Cannabis Week’s D.C. event, “From Prohibition to Policy.”
A GOP-led House committee is advancing a bill to repeal Washington, D.C.’s Second Chance Amendment Act—which automatically expunges past cannabis possession records—framing the move as part of a broader “restoring law and order” initiative.

Workers protest at Maryland dispensary grand reopening over labor disputes

Cannabis workers and community members protested outside The Apothecarium’s grand reopening in Cumberland, Md., on Sept. 5, alleging the company engaged in union-busting and stalled contract negotiations since employees voted to unionize last year. UFCW Local 27 says workers are demanding fair pay and just cause protections, while the company has not yet issued a response.

Virginia’s 2025 gubernatorial race may decide future of legal cannabis market

Over half of Virginians have used cannabis, but the state currently lacks a legal retail market, though a bipartisan commission is studying its potential and the issue is expected to hinge on the 2025 gubernatorial election. Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger supports establishing a regulated retail market to boost revenue and public safety, while Republican nominee Winsome Earle-Sears opposes legalization, citing cannabis as a gateway drug.

ICYMI: D.C. Dispensaries Boom, Trulieve Expands, Virginia Cannabis Hits a Turning Point

East Coast Roundup

Once a dominant force in Massachusetts‘ cannabis industry, Fitchburg-based Rev Clinics supplied products to approximately 75% of the state’s dispensaries. However, the company has faced significant challenges leading to its collapse.

A CBD shop in Connecticut shut down following allegations of illegal cannabis sales. The owner has agreed to a settlement.

New York’s licensed cannabis sales surpassed $2.09 billion, with over $1 billion generated in 2025 alone, indicating a robust and expanding market despite market turmoil.

The New York State Office of Cannabis Management announced the transition to the Metrc system for tracking cannabis from seed to sale will start in 2026.

Delaware’s recreational cannabis market achieved $7.3 million in sales during its inaugural month, signaling a strong consumer demand.

The Massachusetts Attorney General certified 44 ballot proposals for the 2026 election, including one aiming to repeal the state’s 2016 law legalizing recreational marijuana sales. This proposal, led by Sudbury resident Caroline Alcock Cunningham, seeks to shut down recreational dispensaries and impose civil penalties for public possession exceeding one ounce.

Culture & More

A new report highlights a significant rise in cannabis use among Americans aged 65 and older, with a 46% increase between 2021 and 2023.

USF Credit Union has introduced ‘Verde,’ a cannabis banking program aimed at providing financial services to the legal cannabis industry in Florida.

A new study found that THC can reach the human egg and may affect female fertility. Women who had THC in their follicular fluid showed a small increase in egg maturity but a lower rate of healthy embryos.

Around the Country

Mississippi’s medical cannabis program is expanding rapidly, with an average of 50 new patient cards issued daily. As of August 2025, the state has approximately 50,000 active cards, up from 40,000 in June 2024.

Texas retailers are relieved after the state legislature failed to pass a ban on THC products during the second special session. Despite this, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick remains committed to a total ban, citing concerns over youth access.

California’s use of drones to monitor illegal cannabis cultivation led to unintended consequences, including the targeting of residents without cannabis operations. In Sonoma County, drone surveillance resulted in fines, evictions and legal battles for individuals who had no cannabis involvement.

From the swamp

Former Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway is reportedly a strong proponent of rescheduling cannabis, according to a GOP congressman. Her support adds a notable voice to the ongoing debate over federal cannabis policy reform.

OPINION: A Washington Post opinion piece argued that a loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill allows children access to psychoactive hemp-derived substances like delta-8 and delta-10 THC.

Employment Opportunity: DC Licensed Internet Retailer Dispensary Now Hiring. Contact info@getlocald.com to Learn More.

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Medical Marijuana | Pros, Cons, Debate, Arguments, Health Care, Cannabis, CBD, & THC

Pro 1: Marijuana is beneficial as a medicine with fewer risks than opioids and other prescribed drugs.

Pro 2: Marijuana is safer than some legal drugs and preferred by patients.

Pro 3: Americans have agreed for decades that medical marijuana should be legal.

Con 1: Medical legalization of marijuana makes a drug that is dangerous to children, teenagers, and young adults more readily available.

Con 2: Marijuana has dangerous side effects.

Con 3: While the effects of medical marijuana are studied, recreational marijuana should be decriminalized.

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Mississippi Cannabis News

Dozen arrested after south Mississippi bust for illegal sales to underage customers

Author: mscannabiz.com

Mississippi Cannabis News

US marijuana laws explained as Donald Trump reveals plans for change

How do US marijuana laws work?

What would happen if marijuana became a Schedule III drug?

Which US states is marijuana currently legal in?

States where marijuana is fully legal:

States where marijuana is legal for medical purposes only:

Author: mscannabiz.com

Mississippi Cannabis News

D.C. board rejects ANC 5A challenge to new medical cannabis retailer

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Author: mscannabiz.com

Curaleaf Opens Cannabis Dispensaries in Florida, Ohio

How to Protect Your Outdoor Cannabis Crops From Pests

Feds provide anti-cannabis group a platform to bash legalization (Newsletter: September 15, 2025)

Dozen arrested after south Mississippi bust for illegal sales to underage customers

The Toking Traveler: Why Amsterdam Weed Is Mostly Boof

Arkansas Medical Marijuana Sales Are On Track To Set A New Annual Record

When Cannabis Brands Blur Into Youth Culture, Regulators Notice: Lessons From Tobacco’s Past

Rhode Island Marijuana Dispensary License Application Process Officially Launches

Middle school student found with cannabis in bookbag, Charles County deputies say

Smugglers who brought drugs on an industrial scale into Wales jailed

Attorney pulls out bag of cannabis in NC Supreme Court hearing

WHO AM I? Man wanted for New Bern cannabis store theft

Cannabis packages under scrutiny

California authorities shut down nearly $30 million worth of illegal cannabis operations

A Green Light for Cannabis? Europe Waits While the U.S. Untangles the Red Tape

Move Over, Booze: Weed Drinks Pulled $1.1 Billion in U.S. Sales in 2024

Congressional Committee Votes To Repeal Marijuana Expungements Law In Washington, D.C.

Times Square Welcomed Its Brightest Cannabis Billboard Yet

Smoking Marijuana With A Water Bong Doesn’t Effectively Filter Compounds From Smoke, Study Suggests

A Beginner’s Guide for Watering Cannabis Plants

Massachusetts Lawmakers Approve Bill To Create Psychedelic Therapy Pilot Program

From the Dark Web to the Streets: Meet the Canadian Distributing Pure Cocaine to Save Lives

Congressional Committee Schedules Hearing On Chinese ‘Invasion’ Through ‘Illegal Marijuana’ Operations

Carmelo Anthony Marks Hall of Fame With Hall of Flame Cannabis Drop

Alert: Department of Cannabis Control updates data dashboards with full data for 2023

Connecticut Appoints The US’s First Cannabis Ombudsperson – Yes there is a pun in there and I’m Sure Erin Kirk Is Going To Hear It More Than Once!

5 best CBD creams of 2024 by Leafly

EU initiative begins bid to open access to psychedelic therapies

New Study Analyzes the Effects of THCV, CBD on Weight Loss

Free delta-9 gummies from Bay Smokes

Discover New York’s dankest cannabis brands [September 2024]

5 best autoflower seed banks of 2024 by Leafly

Press Release: CANNRA Calls for Farm Bill to Clarify Existing State Authority to Regulate Hemp Products

Curaleaf Start Process Of Getting Their Claws Into The UK’s National Health System – With Former MP (Resigned Today 30/5/24) As The Front Man

May 2024 Leafly HighLight: Pink Runtz strain

Local medical cannabis dispensary reacts to MSDH pulling Rapid Analytics License – WLBT

Recreational cannabis on ballot for third time in South Dakota

5 best THC drinks of 2024 by Leafly

Horn Lake denies cannabis dispensary request to allow sale of drug paraphernalia and Sunday sales | News

Mississippi city official pleads guilty to selling fake CBD products

6 best CBD gummies of 2024 by Leafly

Nevada CCB to Accept Applications for Cannabis Establishments in White Pine County – “Only one cultivation and one production license will be awarded in White Pine County”

The Daily Hit: October 2, 2024

5 best delta-9 THC gummies of 2024 by Leafly

Weekly Update: Monday, May 13, 2024 including, New Guide for Renewals & May Board meeting application deadline

PRESS RELEASE : Justice Department Submits Proposed Regulation to Reschedule Marijuana

5 best THCA flower of 2024 by Leafly

People In This State Googled ‘Medical Marijuana’ The Most, Study Shows

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