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What Happened in Weed Last Week: Sept. 9-13, 2024 by Andrew Ward

It was another wild week in weed, with Donald Trump backing Florida’s legalization ballot initiative and Sally Duval, a Texas House candidate, making waves with a pro-pot ad featuring her smoking a blunt. Weed’s definitely not a backburner issue anymore, folks. 

Elsewhere, Michigan and Ohio are crushing it with sales, and the University of Illinois launched its Cannabis Research Institute, making for one gnarly acronym in the process. Meanwhile, Maine saw its first-ever cannabis product recall (welcome to the club?). Plus, the hemp loophole continues to close in major markets. 

That’s just a taste of what went down. Take a few moments to get caught up.

Monday, Sept. 9 

Donald Trump said he’d vote “yes” on Florida’s legalization ballot initiative. Prediction: This is definitely what everyone will be talking about Trump this week. Definitely. 

As first reported by Green Market Report, analysis from New Frontier Data found that Wyld, Incredibles, Wana Brands, and Kiva-Camino combined for 18% of the US edibles market. 

The University of Illinois System’s Discovery Partners Institute, the Cannabis Research Institute opened in Chicago. That’s UISDPICRI for short. 

Ohio rec sales pulled in more than $50 million in the first month of sales. Here’s hoping legal weed helps ease the likely woes of Browns and Bengals fans this season. 

Sally Duval, a Democrat running for the Texas House of Representatives, released a pro-pot campaign ad featuring her smoking a blunt and bong. Now, to speculate the first politician to do an on-camera dab…

Tuesday, Sept. 10

New York’s Cannabis Control Board approved 123 new adult use licenses across the supply chain. 

Maine issued the state’s first ever product recall, with Cannabis Cured brand pre-rolls pulled over alleged yeast and mold concerns.

A new Missouri task force hopes to tackle “the spread of unregulated psychoactive cannabis products.” 

Regulators in Rhode Island appear to be leaning toward a lottery licensing system. 

Wednesday, Sept. 11

Jennifer McCormick, Democratic candidate for Indiana Governor, revealed plans for legalization in the state if she were to be elected. Could weed swing Indiana’s Gov blue for the first time since 1997? We’ll see this Nov. 

Michigan hit a monthly sales record in August, totaling $295.4 million, with $294.1 coming from rec sales. 

Mammoth Distribution completed the acquisition of highly regarded California-based cannabis brand Papa & Barkley.

While Ohio’s raking in dough, one Columbus dispensary is on the hook for a $150k fine after offering free ice cream the first day of rec sales. NGL, I’d have gone for that. 

Thursday, Sept. 12

Speaking of surging Michigan sales, a recent survey reports 1 in 4 Michiganders use cannabis. Well, would you take a Michigander at that! (Editor Note: I’ll see myself out)    

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill limiting intoxicating hemp sales to licensed operators while promoting further enforcement from the state cannabis commission. 

Former Nebraska state senator John Kuehn has filed a lawsuit seeking to invalidate the state’s upcoming medical legalization ballot initiative, alleging signature fraud. 

Axios reported that Washington, D.C.’s Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration has just one person inspecting the entire medical market. Almost as shocking as the findings is another publication cliche-ily calling cannabis The Wild West.  

Friday, Sept. 13

A bipartisan group of lawmakers in Pennsylvania filed a new adult use legalization bill.  

Politico did a deep dive into the troubles surrounding the legal New York market. 

In more Nebraska signature news, AG Mike Hilgers announced felony charges stemming from alleged fraudulent signatures on legalization petitions.

Let us know what news caught your eye, and we’ll round it up next week.

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