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- Ohio's Weed Wars, Trump's Impact on Stoner Stress & A Thai Luggage Surprise
Ohio's Weed Wars, Trump's Impact on Stoner Stress & A Thai Luggage Surprise
Plus, the rescheduling saga continues (slowly)
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Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Benzinga Cannabis family!
It's Maureen Meehan with today's cannabis news, serving up some drama, policy battles and some seriously unexpected luggage surprises. Ohio's marijuana law is under fire from legislators trying to rewrite the rules, Michigan’s cannabis market might be cooling off and a poll suggests cannabis users are way more stressed than the general public—especially since Trump took office (surprised?). Meanwhile, a Thai couple found 24kg of weed in their suitcase—oops.
Let’s get into it!
In today's issue:
🔥 Ohio's Cannabis Showdown: Lawmakers vs. Voters
Ohio voters said YES to legal weed in 2023, but lawmakers are now scrambling to rewrite the rules—adding new restrictions, criminal penalties, and shifting cannabis tax revenue. Reform advocates aren’t having it. Groups like NORML, the ACLU of Ohio, and the Marijuana Policy Project are pushing back, calling these bills an attempt to undo democracy.
Paul Armentano, deputy director of NORML, put it bluntly: “It is a slap in the face to those voters—the 57 percent of Ohioans that voted for Issue 2—for lawmakers to come back and now play Monday morning quarterback.”
Adding to the chaos, Ohio is keeping $10.8 million in marijuana tax revenue from cities due to a technicality in the law. Governor Mike DeWine’s office claims Issue 2 didn’t explicitly allocate funds to municipalities—meaning that money is stuck in limbo.
Meanwhile, local governments are left wondering where their promised cash flow went.
Despite the legal mess, daily marijuana sales in Ohio are climbing. The market has been heating up since adult-use sales launched in August 2024, proving that demand is stronger than ever. The big question: will lawmakers let it thrive, or will political meddling choke the industry?
📉 Michigan's Market Slows: Has The Boom Peaked?
Michigan’s cannabis market, which has been on fire for years, might finally be cooling off. For the third straight month, sales are declining—raising the question: Has Michigan hit its saturation point?
Experts aren’t calling it a full-on slump yet, but with prices dropping and competition heating up, it’s a trend to watch.
😰 Cannabis & Stress: Is Trump Making It Worse?
A new poll shows weed users are way more stressed than non-users—especially since Trump took office.
65% of frequent cannabis consumers say their stress levels have increased
Compare that to 54% of the general public
Even occasional smokers (61%) and rare users (58%) report feeling more pressure lately
Between cannabis rescheduling limbo, shaky industry banking access, and uncertainty over policy, it’s no wonder people are feeling the heat.
Remember when Biden started the process of moving weed from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3? Yeah, that’s now stuck in purgatory under Trump’s watch.
Industry insiders are divided—some still believe Trump will make a move before the year’s up, but others fear the whole process could be scrapped altogether.
Rep. Dina Titus of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus isn’t feeling optimistic: “So far, the actions of this administration have not matched President Trump’s previous rhetoric in support of cannabis rescheduling.”
🧠 Good News for Former Teenage Stoners
Remember when your parents swore weed would turn your brain into mush? Science says not so fast.
A Dutch study tracking 5,162 men over decades found zero correlation between early cannabis use and long-term cognitive decline.
So, if you were a teenage toker, rest easy—your brain’s still got it.
🎤 San Diego's First Legal Cannabis Festival
San Diego just hosted its first-ever legal cannabis event, the Farmer’s Cup in Vista!
Live music
Cannabis competitions
Vendors from across California
Public cannabis consumption (legally!)
Darren Story from Coastal Sun summed it up: “It’s hard to believe this is the first event in San Diego County. I feel like the people [here] really love cannabis.”
Black- and Veteran-owned Silly Nice is teaming up with the Cannabis Justice & Equity Initiative (CJEI) to help those impacted by the War on Drugs get a fair shot in the legal cannabis industry.
The goal? Education, training, and job opportunities for justice-impacted communities.
Silly Nice has already made a mark, selling in 100+ dispensaries across New York since launching in 2024.
✈️ A Thai Couple's ‘High’ Stakes Luggage Surprise
Imagine picking up your suitcase at baggage claim—only to find 24 kilos (53 pounds!) of weed inside.
That’s exactly what happened to a couple in Thailand, where strict drug laws make this a terrifying mistake.
The real kicker? The luggage somehow passed through multiple security checks unnoticed. Major questions are being raised about airport security and drug trafficking loopholes.
That’s a Wrap!
From Ohio’s cannabis tug-of-war to Michigan’s market slowdown and a stress-filled industry under Trump, it’s been a wild one. Keep your eyes on the cannabis rescheduling saga, and if you’re in California, maybe check out a legal weed fest.
Stay lifted, stay informed, enjoy St. Patrick’s day and we’ll see you back here tomorrow. 🚀
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