Last Week in Weed: Feb. 17th-24th, 2025
Welcome to the latest edition of “Last week in Weed,” catching you up on the latest breaking news and industry developments in the world of cannabis.
Here’s what you may have missed over the last week:
New York’s Cannabis Tax Reform at a Crossroads
New York’s cannabis industry is grappling with a major challenge as operators call for urgent tax reforms that could determine the market’s long-term viability. Industry leaders are pushing Governor Kathy Hochul to sign bill A10196/S9359, which would shift the state’s wholesale excise tax payment schedule from a quarterly to an annual cycle.
The current system requires businesses to pay taxes upfront—often before they’ve even received payments from sales during that period. This creates significant cash flow issues in an industry still stabilizing and finding its financial footing. Additionally, the nearly 25% tax rate (including excise and point-of-sale taxes) further strains operators’ margins.
Vince C. Ning, CEO and Co-Founder of Nabis, emphasized the burden this system places on businesses:
“The current quarterly tax payment deadlines combined with the burdensome 9% tax rate place unreasonable strain on entrepreneurs and operators trying to establish themselves in New York’s emerging industry.”
Nicolas Guarino, CEO and Co-Founder of Jaunty, echoed those concerns, suggesting a solution that could help both businesses and the state:
“In addition to switching to an annual payment cycle, a distributor must submit monthly revenue reports to New York’s Department of Taxation and Finance. That way, the state agency knows how much money they’ll be receiving and can budget accordingly.”
Industry advocates argue that this reform is essential to create a sustainable legal market. Without it, operators fear that cash-flow challenges and compliance hurdles will hinder growth and allow bad actors to thrive in the shadows.
The industry now awaits Governor Hochul’s decision as the end-of-month deadline approaches—a move that could either ease financial pressures on legitimate businesses or prolong the challenges faced by New York’s nascent cannabis sector.
Senator John Fetterman Launches Petition for Federal Cannabis Legalization
Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) is reigniting his push for federal cannabis legalization with a new petition aimed at rallying public support. A long-time advocate for marijuana reform, Fetterman’s campaign highlights the benefits of legalization, including increased revenue, job creation, and social justice reforms.
The petition urges Congress to legalize cannabis nationwide, emphasizing the need to expunge non-violent marijuana records and release those incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses. While Fetterman has yet to introduce legalization-specific bills since joining the Senate in 2023, he has supported key proposals like the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA) and has pushed the Biden administration to expand federal pardons.
Study Finds CBD May Effectively Treat Common Vaginal Infections
New research suggests that cannabidiol (CBD) could offer a promising treatment for bacterial vaginosis, a common vaginal infection caused by an imbalance of bacteria. The study, published in the journal Antibiotics by researchers from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, highlights CBD’s antibacterial and antioxidant effects against Gardnerella vaginalis—the bacterium most commonly linked to the condition.
In lab tests, CBD not only weakened G. vaginalis but also disrupted biofilms, which are protective bacterial communities that make infections harder to treat. Researchers noted that CBD reduced both the metabolic activity and biomass of these mature biofilms, making it a potential breakthrough for treating recurring infections.
While the findings are promising, the study was conducted in vitro, meaning the effects were observed in a lab setting rather than in living organisms. Researchers caution that more studies, including animal trials and human clinical research, are needed to confirm CBD’s safety and effectiveness in treating bacterial vaginosis.
Daily Use of THCV and CBD Linked to Weight Loss, Study Finds
A new study suggests that daily use of a combination of tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) and cannabidiol (CBD) could aid in weight loss and improve metabolic health. Published in the journal Cannabis, the research involved 44 participants who took oral strips infused with THCV and CBD or a placebo for 90 days.
The results showed that those using the cannabinoid strips experienced significant weight loss, reductions in waist circumference, lower systolic blood pressure, and decreased cholesterol levels. Participants taking higher doses (16 mg THCV and 20 mg CBD) lost an average of 4.1 kg (9 lbs), while those on a lower dose (8 mg THCV and 10 mg CBD) lost 2.6 kg (5.7 lbs). In contrast, the placebo group lost only 0.1 kg (0.2 lbs) on average.
Researchers noted that participants were not asked to change their diet or exercise habits, highlighting the cannabinoids’ potential impact alone.
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