NYC Pride: ‘Weed Made Me Gay’ Fun, Ohio’s Legal Battles Persist, Texas' Psychedelic Push

Hey there, Cannabis Daily readers! Maureen here, bringing you the latest updates from the world of cannabis, psychedelics, and beyond. As always, the industry is buzzing with some pretty exciting (and sometimes unexpected) developments. Whether it’s states making major moves in the legal landscape, an unlikely player in the psychedelic space stepping up, or bold campaigns making waves during Pride Month, today’s roundup is packed with news you won’t want to miss.

So, let’s get into the top stories and what they mean for the future of cannabis and beyond! 🌿

🌈 Gotham Goes Bold for NYC Pride

In an unexpected twist, Gotham—an upscale cannabis brand—is ramping up its involvement in Pride Month with a bold campaign titled “Weed Made Me Gay.” This includes a float at the New York City Pride March on June 29. 💖

Founder Joanne Wilson explained, “Cannabis culture has a natural kinship with queer culture. Both have been policed, misunderstood, and marginalized.” It’s a campaign that’s sure to turn heads, and Gotham isn’t backing down from showing up in a big way this year.

🚨 Minnesota Ups Pot Taxes Before Even Rolling Out Licenses

Minnesota isn’t wasting any time in making a splash with its cannabis industry, but it’s not in the way you might think. The state has already approved a hefty tax hike on recreational marijuana sales, even though they’ve yet to issue a single license for businesses to start selling.

Lawmakers just passed a bill increasing the state’s marijuana tax from 10% to 15%. This puts Minnesota among the highest in the nation for cannabis taxes once sales officially begin. With the state already ranked as one of the worst for corporate and individual taxes, it looks like lawmakers are sticking with what they know best—taxing. The tax hike comes right after Minnesota’s first cannabis license lotteries, which are aimed at awarding hundreds of licenses to get the market moving. 🌱

🧪 Texas Bets on Ibogaine for Mental Health Treatment

Texas is making some serious moves in the psychedelic space. Governor Greg Abbott just signed a bill to create a research consortium focused on developing ibogaine, a psychedelic, into a treatment for opioid use disorder and other mental health issues.

“I think Texas is now leading the way in the United States for the evaluation of ibogaine,” Abbott said during the signing ceremony, highlighting the potential benefits for veterans and others struggling with mental health issues. The state is investing $50 million into the project, with private and federal funding expected to join in. If all goes well, ibogaine could become an FDA-approved medication in the future. 💊

⚖️ Ohio’s Cannabis Law Under Fire

Here’s a legal twist for the cannabis scene in Ohio: lawmakers are pushing to alter the voter-approved cannabis law from 2023, though some experts think they might not be able to. Legal scholar Derek Clinger argued that Ohio’s constitution could prevent lawmakers from making significant changes to the law passed by voters.

The bills in question, SB 56 and HB 160, are under scrutiny for potentially watering down key provisions like social equity funds and legal home-grow rights. Ohio voters are watching closely—this could get interesting! 👀

🎉 Ohio Cannabis Festival in Jeopardy

Speaking of Ohio, the Stargazer Cannabis Festival—a three-day event celebrating marijuana legalization—might be on the chopping block due to changes in both state and federal cannabis laws. With recent proposals to limit hemp-derived THC products, festival organizers fear they’ll lose vendors and participants.

“It would be very ironic that this festival was conceived out of a celebration for legalization, and then ironically, the law will make it illegal,” said organizer Chad Thompson. Looks like the future of this festival is uncertain as these legislative changes unfold. 🚨

🌱 Legacy Cannabis Genetics: A Call for Participants

A new research project is aiming to preserve and document the rich history of cannabis cultivation in California, and they want YOU to get involved! The Legacy Cannabis Genetics study is reaching out to growers, breeders, and culture-keepers to share their knowledge and help protect California’s historic cannabis cultivars.

This initiative is all about community-driven research, ensuring that the voices of those with deep ties to the cannabis industry are heard. The study is a collaboration between Cal Poly Humboldt, UC Berkeley, and several other groups. It will focus on herbarium science, oral histories, and ethnography—pretty cool stuff, right? ✨

🌿 North Carolina Governor Supports Legalization

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein is once again calling for marijuana legalization, pointing to the unregulated hemp market as a public health risk. He emphasized that many unregulated THC products are being sold with no quality control, and kids can easily buy them without any age restrictions.

“We need to create a regulated cannabis program to ensure safety,” Stein said. Looks like North Carolina might be moving closer to legalization as more officials join the conversation about consumer safety. 🛑

🏀 Fans Support Cannabis Sponsorship in Sports

Here’s a trend that’s picking up momentum: sports fans are welcoming cannabis sponsorships in professional leagues like the NFL, NBA, and MLB. A recent poll found that the majority of fans are on board with cannabis companies sponsoring teams, and there’s even more support for CBD-related partnerships.

Jed Pearsall, president of Performance Research, put it simply: “There’s no longer a justifiable reason to be shy about this.” Cannabis culture is now creeping into mainstream sports, and it’s about time!” 🏈

🚗 CBD Driving Simulation Study Needs Participants

Last but not least, a new study is seeking participants to test how CBD affects driving performance. The research will involve short cognitive tests and two driving simulations. It’s a crucial study to help determine if CBD affects driving and cognition, with results potentially shaping future CBD use regulations. 🚗

🌿 That’s all for today, folks! Keep your eyes on these developments as we continue to cover the ever-changing landscape of cannabis, psychedelics, and more. See you tomorrow! 🌱

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