As we look at the past year, the landscape of the cannabis industry continues to evolve rapidly.
From record sales numbers to expanded legalization efforts, the new year promises even more changes and developments for consumers and businesses alike.
In our cannabis recap, we focus on:
- The latest news from the industry
- New statewide regulations
- Well-prepared research and surveys
- Significant advancements from around the world.
Buckle up as we dive into the most noteworthy cannabis news and the highlights 2023.
Snoop Dog Quit?
Wow, just what a year it’s been for cannabis! In the past year, we heard some shocking news.
The 52-year-old rap star Snoop Dog, known for his love of weed, has quit smoking.
He shared a social media post that says, “After much consideration & conversation with my family, I’ve decided to give up smoke. Please respect my privacy at this time.”
“I’m giving up smoke,” he added in the caption.
But after some subsequent posts, it got clearer.
Four days after the announcement, Snoop clarified that he is not quitting the kind of “smoke” he has been associated with.
It turns out that he is partnering with Solo Stove, a smokeless fire pit brand…
“I love a good fire outside but the smoke was too much. Solo Stove fixed fire and took out the smoke. They changed the game and now I’m excited to spread the love and stay warm with my friends and family,” Snoop said in a press release.
So, it’s all good.
Best Weed Cities of the Year
In 2023, America’s cities continued to enjoy cannabis for recreational purposes.
But which were the best weed cities?
To determine this, Real Estate Witch partnered with Leafly and published a comprehensive work that can provide beneficial insights into the current cannabis world.
They analyzed data from Leafly, the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Google Trends, Price of Weed, and Yelp.
The work survey ranked Portland as the number-one city for cannabis users.
They looked at 15 cities with some forms of regulated cannabis programs, and cited Portland’s 13.7 dispensaries per 100,000 residents (second only to Oklahoma City’s 48.7) and lowest prices for “high quality” cannabis at $210 per ounce among other factors.
California cities Los Angeles, San Diego, and Sacramento also took place in the top 10.
Adults Can Now Legally Possess and Grow Marijuana in Ohio
Ohio voters easily passed a marijuana legalization referendum. This makes Ohio the 24th state in the U.S. to allow recreational marijuana use for adults.
It indicates that even more conservative states are adopting legal marijuana markets. Now, 53 percent of the U.S. population lives in an area where individuals aged 21 and older can legally possess cannabis.
The recent law permits adults aged 21 and older to have up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and cultivate up to six plants. It establishes a Division of Cannabis Control to organize and oversee the adult-use cannabis market.
Sales are slated to start by the end of 2024 if the measure is implemented as written.
Ukraine Lawmakers Vote to Legalize Medical Marijuana
Ukraine’s parliament approved the legalization of medical marijuana, prompted by the aftermath of the war with Russia that left many dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The new law, set to take effect in six months, garnered 248 votes in the 401-seat parliament in Kyiv.
Prime Minister Denys Smyhal proposed the legislation, which not only permits medical cannabis but also allows its use for scientific and industrial purposes.
Bottom line?
The law includes stringent controls on cannabis production and distribution. A doctor’s prescription will be required to obtain any medicine containing cannabis.
Wisconsin Could ‘Potentially’ Legalize Medical Marijuana
Wisconsin’s top Republican senator said there might be a chance to pass a medical marijuana bill during the 2024 session.
Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu has expressed openness to a limited reform allowing marijuana access solely in pill form. He emphasized the importance of proper controls and doctor prescriptions for consideration during this legislative session.
“I think if it’s done right and if there’s good controls around it so it actually is being prescribed by a doctor probably in like pill form, I think there is a path to potentially getting it done this session,” he said.
Germany Will Likely Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis In 2024
The German coalition government is finalizing details for long-awaited cannabis legalization, specifying dates for cannabis cultivation and the setup of cannabis clubs.
Germany’s news agency, Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA), recently disclosed additional information on the country’s cannabis policy.
The coalition, comprised of the Social Democratic Party, the Free Democratic Party, and The Greens, has officially agreed on the regulations for cannabis in Germany.
Cannabis possession and cultivation will be legalized starting April 1, 2024, with the potential for cannabis social clubs to be established from July 1, according to various local news reports.
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