Advertising and location of cannabis retailers influence adolescents’ intentions to use marijuana, according to a new study. The new study led by Washington State University researchers was published in the Journal of Health Communication.

The timeline of cannabis in America is certainly a tumultuous one. From being spiritually and ritualistically used by Native Americans, to being vilified and criminalized by early 1900’s government officials leading to a 75 year prohibition, to an explosive “war on drugs” that had a choke hold on American culture for over two decades, marijuana and its users have been on a seriously wild ride.

A new report from analytics company Headset found millennials to be the biggest category for cannabis consumption in California and their overwhelming choice for form factor is smoking. The latest report on August sales read, “Millennial Males contributed to the most sales with 37.5% of the market share.” Millennials in general spent 43% of their money on flower, 9% on pre-rolls, and another 23% on vape pens. Making almost two-thirds of all purchases in the inhalant category.

The history of cannabis laws and regulations in the United States is a complicated, convoluted affair that has arguably only gotten more confusing as more and more states launch legal medical and recreational marijuana programs. The result can sometimes be, well, a bit odd.

The following is a short list of some of the stranger cannabis regulations currently on the books in the US. 

1. Don’t transport marijuana by boat in California 

Make sure not to run fowl of the law in California. (wiroklyngz/123rf)

For the past century, America has been in a fierce debate regarding the legal status of marijuana. And while individuals on both sides of the issue are passionate about their positions regarding the morality and safety of cannabis, those against legalization have largely had their way— until very recently.

Cannabis is the new must-have product in legal States, opening up an industry that didn’t exist before, and diverting money from the longstanding cannabis black market. But change doesn’t always come cheap, and depending on where you live, the taxes are steep, and the price of cannabis is skyrocketing.

About 10 years ago I used to pay about $50 for an 1/8 of good stuff in New York. Around that time, I could get that same 1/8 in Oregon for $10-15 less, highlighting one of the big price differences that has often existed for cannabis between the East and West coasts of the US, a standard that could be changed or erased by the inclusion of a legal cannabis market.

According to a new study legalizing marijuana for all uses is not associated with an increase in crime in neighboring states. The study was published in The Journal of Drug Issues: Its full title is The spillover effect of recreational marijuana legalization on crime: Evidence from neighboring states of Colorado and Washington state.

On May 20, 2020, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) held a virtual listen and learn forum on 

Both Washington and Colorado saw a significant increase in tourism associated with the legalization of marijuana. This is according to a new study, titled (Pot)heads un bed: The effect of marijuana on hotel occupancy in Colorado and Washington, was published in the Journal of Regional Analysis & Policy.

For the study researchers compared rates of hotel occupancy in Colorado and Washington following legalization, and compared it with other states. They found a “large increase in hotel rooms rented in Colorado” following legalization.

For residents in states that have legalized marijuana, the grass is indeed greener on their side.

That’s the takeaway from new polling data released earlier this month. The survey, from pollster YouGov, found that in “many states where recreational cannabis is legal, a plurality of citizens believes these laws have been more of a success than a failure overall.”