Cannabis Industry Sees Growth in Florida, Louisiana, New York
Cannabis Industry Evolves with Key Developments in Florida, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and New York.
- According to a Fox News poll, 66% of Floridians favor legalizing cannabis, surpassing the 60% threshold required for such measures to pass.
- Anthony Varrell emphasized, “I don’t think hemp’s going to go away anytime soon; it’s just getting more and more popular.” while discussing regulating hemp and medical marijuana in Louisiana.
- New Hampshire is poised to become the 25th state to legalize adult-use cannabis.
The cannabis industry is undergoing significant transformation, with key developments from Florida, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and New York. These developments highlight both the progress and the challenges within the cannabis sector.
The polling in Florida indicates strong support for the legalization of adult-use cannabis. According to a Fox News poll, 66% of Floridians favor legalizing cannabis, surpassing the 60% threshold required for such measures to pass. Anthony Varrell, co-host of “Trade to Black,” emphasized the significance of this development in cannabis industry, stating, “This is another step in the right direction… 66% is great. I want to continue to see that number going up.”
The poll further reveals a demographic breakdown showing support across various groups: Democrats at 76%, Republicans at 57%, voters under 45 at 82%, and voters 45 and older at 58%. This widespread approval underscores the potential for Florida to play an important role in the national movement towards cannabis legalization. Varrell highlighted the generational aspect of this support, noting, “It is a generational thing though. It absolutely is a generational thing. I think we’re going to see that in the data.”
Louisiana is making significant strides in regulating hemp and medical marijuana. The state recently passed Bill 952, which lowers the allowable THC content in hemp-derived edibles from 80 milligrams to 30 milligrams and limits hemp beverages to five milligrams per serving. Additionally, the sale of these products in gas stations is now prohibited, reflecting a move towards stricter control and safer distribution in cannabis industry. Anthony Varrell commented on these changes, stating, “I don’t think hemp’s going to go away anytime soon… it’s just getting more and more popular.” He also noted the importance of these products being sold in regulated dispensaries to ensure safety and compliance.
In a related development, Bill 228 transfers the state’s two medical marijuana licenses from universities to privately-owned enterprises. Varrell sees this as a positive step in cannabis industry, saying, “Getting the cannabis licenses out of the hands of the public institutions into private business is probably a step in the right direction and a step forward for their cannabis and their medical cannabis program as a whole.”
New Hampshire is poised to become the 25th state to legalize adult-use cannabis. A compromise between the House and Senate has paved the way for a bill that would allow possession and sales through privately-owned franchises starting in 2026. Decriminalization would take effect immediately upon the bill’s signing, reducing criminal penalties for possession. Varrell highlighted the significance of this potential legislation in cannabis industry, drawing parallels to other states: “I wish more GOP governors like Ron DeSantis would take the same tact as governors like Sununu and DeWine and just understand that it’s coming, whether you like it or not.”
New York City continues to face challenges in regulating its cannabis market. The city has seen a proliferation of illegal dispensaries, despite efforts to enforce compliance. Varrell noted the chaotic state of the market, describing how many illegal shops are being shuttered by authorities. He emphasized the need for better regulation to ensure safe, legal access to cannabis. Varrell also discussed the potential for improvement, citing his observations from visiting legal dispensaries in the city. He highlighted the importance of consumer education and the role of legal dispensaries in providing high-quality products.
The cannabis industry is experiencing significant legislative and market changes in key states. Strong public support in Florida, regulatory changes in Louisiana, potential legalization in New Hampshire, and challenges in New York City highlight its rapid developing nature.
