Happy Thursday Investors: In a groundbreaking collaboration that's making waves from Tokyo to Australia (and, no, it has nothing to do with Godzilla) a Japanese university is gearing up to dive into the green realm of medical marijuana.

And, in a lively debate that's shaking up the emerald isle, Irish doctors are taking a stand against the green wave, arguing that decriminalizing cannabis is a prescription for disaster. Is it a genuine health concern, or just a pot of controversy at the end of the rainbow?
 
Plus, a West Virginia Senator suggests using marijuana revenue to roll away government employee healthcare costs.

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What To Watch: Check out the newest episode of Cannabis Insider: Unveiling the Waves of Innovation in Cannabis. Also available on Apple and Spotify. 

TOP STORY

The Curious Connection: How Marijuana Determines National Elections

Briefly: Could the stance on marijuana legalization be the modern litmus test for political candidates?

So Basically: Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) believes so. “When we started this, decriminalization was controversial, and a minority position,” he said in a recent exclusive with Benzinga.

But Then: “As years rolled on, it became clearer to many that the hard stance against cannabis was self-defeating, unnecessary, and inhumane.” And while some voice concerns about potential societal challenges post-legalization, Blumenauer is resolute: “That train has left the station.”

So What? Blumenauer says the majority of citizens, including Republicans, now endorse legalization. He also reflected on the recent national elections, emphasizing how cannabis had been instrumental. “The Arizona win for Biden? He owes that to cannabis voters,” he candidly remarked.

What Next: Read the full interview here.

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FIVE ZINGERS

Cannabis Producer Nextleaf Reports 85% YoY Net Revenue Increase: '2023 Delivered Financial Stability'

DEA Agent Was Fired Over CBD Use, He Sued And Got His Job Back

Quality and Innovation: How Tech Meets Tradition In California's Booming Weed Sector

Cannabis Industry's Big Players Converge At Los Angeles Event Hosted By Benzinga: What To Know

Concerns Mount In US Hemp Industry Over Push For Higher THC Levels

ONE FOR THE ROAD

The Blunt Truth: Will The Collection of Demographic Data Reveal Disparities In Cannabis-Related Arrests?

Briefly: The NYPD is now required to document race and gender in all stops, sending ripple effects through the city's cannabis landscape.

What: The law’s passage follows a controversial incident when recently elected City Councilmember Yusef Salaam was pulled over by police without explanation several days ago.

Who: Salaam is a member of the exonerated group of men known as the Central Park Five.

Why: Data shows New Yorkers of color made up more than 94% of arrests and summonses issued for marijuana violations and offenses in 2020.

So What? The new legislation targets the NYPD, the largest police force in the U.S., compelling its 36,000 officers to log details of all investigative encounters.

What Next: Read more here.

KEEP READING

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