Congratulations!

[Valid RSS] This is a valid RSS feed.

Recommendations

This feed is valid, but interoperability with the widest range of feed readers could be improved by implementing the following recommendations.

Source: https://moderncannabislifestyle.com/feed/

  1. <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"
  2. xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
  3. xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
  4. xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
  5. xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
  6. xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
  7. xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
  8. >
  9.  
  10. <channel>
  11. <title>Modern Cannabis Lifestyle</title>
  12. <atom:link href="https://moderncannabislifestyle.com/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
  13. <link>https://moderncannabislifestyle.com</link>
  14. <description>All Things Cannabis and CBD</description>
  15. <lastBuildDate>Mon, 27 Oct 2025 11:01:34 +0000</lastBuildDate>
  16. <language>en-US</language>
  17. <sy:updatePeriod>
  18. hourly </sy:updatePeriod>
  19. <sy:updateFrequency>
  20. 1 </sy:updateFrequency>
  21. <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3</generator>
  22.  
  23. <image>
  24. <url>https://moderncannabislifestyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/cropped-mcl-favicon-32x32.png</url>
  25. <title>Modern Cannabis Lifestyle</title>
  26. <link>https://moderncannabislifestyle.com</link>
  27. <width>32</width>
  28. <height>32</height>
  29. </image>
  30. <item>
  31. <title>When will U.S. health insurance cover medical cannabis?</title>
  32. <link>https://moderncannabislifestyle.com/when-will-u-s-health-insurance-cover-medical-cannabis/</link>
  34. <dc:creator><![CDATA[MCL]]></dc:creator>
  35. <pubDate>Mon, 27 Oct 2025 11:01:34 +0000</pubDate>
  36. <category><![CDATA[What's Hot]]></category>
  37. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://moderncannabislifestyle.com/when-will-u-s-health-insurance-cover-medical-cannabis/</guid>
  38.  
  39. <description><![CDATA[Healthcare coverage for cannabis treatments is still a distant dream in the United States. But in some states,&#8230;]]></description>
  40. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>
  41. </p>
  42. <div>
  43. <p>Healthcare coverage for cannabis treatments is still a distant dream in the United States.</p>
  44. <p>But in some states, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/american-council-of-cannabis-medicine-unveils-major-industry-initiative-to-expand-medical-cannabis-access-302589742.html'">medical cannabis patients may soon be reimbursed</a> for doctors’ visits, cannabis products and other MMJ-related services via a workaround, one advocacy organization said this week.</p>
  45. <p>Participants in a recently announced reimbursement program called Elevated States could receive up to $175 per month in reimbursements for medical cannabis and related doctor visits, said Gennaro Luce, CEO of EM2P2, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.morningstar.com/news/business-wire/20251022271747/cannalnx-an-em2p2-service-launches-the-first-digital-health-care-platform-connecting-consumers-with-medical-cannabis-reimbursement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a digital healthcare platform</a>.</p>
  46. <p>The potential cost savings for cannabis-centered therapies <a target="_blank" href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/24/republicans-obamacare-subsidy-cliff-plan-trump-00620873" target="_blank" rel="noopener">comes at the same time as steep increases</a> in overall healthcare costs loom amid a squabble in Washington over Obamacare subsidies.</p>
  47. <p>“Insurance is going to skyrocket this year and next, and these plans are very competitive,” Luce said.</p>
  48. <p>Major insurers such as Cigna, Detego Health and Envita Health are offering the benefit in some of their healthcare packages in the 38 states where medical marijuana is legal, according to the American Council of Cannabis Medicine (ACCM), which is administering the arrangement.</p>
  49. <p><a target="_blank" href="https://dougbenns.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Doug Benns, </a>a consultant who is a member of the ACCM’s executive committee, estimates that 15 insurance companies will be part the program by the time open enrollment begins Nov. 1.</p>
  50. <p>The reimbursements will cover for a variety of MMJ-related services, he said.</p>
  51. <p>“Some will pay for the doctor visit, some will pay for expenses at the dispensaries, some for both,” Benns told <em>MJBizDaily</em>.</p>
  52. <h2 id="not-quite-insurance-coverage-for-medical-cannabis">Not quite insurance coverage for medical cannabis</h2>
  53. <p>Despite medical marijuana’s wide acceptance in the United States – <a target="_blank" href="https://riskandinsurance.com/6-states-require-workers-comp-insurers-to-reimburse-medical-marijuana-is-your-state-one-of-them/">and court decisions that have required</a> states to cover cannabis treatment in workers’ compensation cases – lingering federal cannabis prohibition <a target="_blank" href="https://fsastore.com/articles/learn-can-you-buy-medical-marijuana-with-hsa.html?srsltid=AfmBOoq5Ho55sxIQokLgkryIMmARsKigJj0_l7n1y1UBvDfqPj4b8LG7">means insurers are leery about touching cannabis. </a></p>
  54. <p><a target="_blank" href="https://fsastore.com/articles/learn-can-you-buy-medical-marijuana-with-hsa.html?srsltid=AfmBOoq5Ho55sxIQokLgkryIMmARsKigJj0_l7n1y1UBvDfqPj4b8LG7">That’s created difficulties</a> for cannabis patients seeking any kind of help from their insurance providers.</p>
  55. <p>The belief that insurance will cover medical marijuana will generate buzz. But to Steph Sherer, founder and president of MMJ patient advocacy group Americans for Safe Access, the reality doesn’t quite match the hype.</p>
  56. <p>While some companies are talking about frameworks for reimbursement and employee benefits, there’s no actual insurance company currently covering cannabis, she said.</p>
  57. <p>What’s being marketed as “coverage” often boils down to employee discount programs, similar to perks like gym memberships or acupuncture discounts, Sherer said.</p>
  58. <p>These programs might offer patients reduced costs at dispensaries or with cannabis specialists, but they’re far from the comprehensive coverage many are hoping for, she added.</p>
  59. <p>Workers’ compensation programs in a few states have piloted reimbursement models, but they are not indicative of a broader trend.</p>
  60. <h2 id="how-healthcare-could-revitalize-the-medical-cannabis-market">How healthcare could revitalize the medical cannabis market</h2>
  61. <p>Still, any reimbursement for MMJ patients is expected to give a much-needed shot in the arm to the medical marijuana industry.</p>
  62. <p>The number <a target="_blank" href="https://mjbizdaily.com/medical-cannabis-registries-show-steep-decline-after-adult-use-sales-begin/">of medical marijuana patients on average decreases</a> by roughly one-third after a market launches recreational sales, according to data from the Washington, D.C.-based Marijuana Policy Project.</p>
  63. <p>“This is going to add a lot of strength to medical cannabis to have big, branded insurance companies provide this offering,” said EM2P2’s Luce.</p>
  64. <p>One medical marijuana provider that’s signed onto the ACCM/EM2P2 platform – called CannaLnx – is Kolas, which operates six retail shops serving both MMJ patients and recreational customers in Sacramento, California.</p>
  65. <p>Medical marijuana patients account for about 5% of customers at Kolas, said Kevin McCarty, the company’s compliance director.</p>
  66. <p>McCarty projects the number of MMJ patients will increase by about 5% when they are able to be reimbursed for the products.</p>
  67. <p>“It’s going to be a big opportunity,” he said.</p>
  68. <p>“With the strain in the economy and people being tight with funds, being able to be reimbursed for medical cannabis … could be a game-changer.”</p>
  69. <h2 id="what-about-marijuana-rescheduling">What about marijuana rescheduling?</h2>
  70. <p>One of the biggest challenges to true insurance coverage is federal cannabis prohibition.</p>
  71. <p>Without clear regulations and measurable standards for doctor-patient-insurer relationships, insurance companies are hesitant to step in.</p>
  72. <p>Downgrading cannabis’ status under federal law, as <a target="_blank" href="https://mjbizdaily.com/when-will-president-donald-trump-reclassify-marijuana/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">President Donald Trump has promised to consider</a>, could help break the logjam in Washington blocking broader marijuana reform.</p>
  73. <p>Officially accepting marijuana as a medicine, as moving cannabis to Schedule 3 of the Controlled Substances Act would do, could encourage the significant regulatory changes needed for Medicaid or the Veterans Health Administration to cover MMJ.</p>
  74. <p>That in turn could pave the way for private insurers to follow. But in the meantime, practical options are limited.</p>
  75. <p>“There’s a lot of people talking about what insurance coverage would look like, but the only place it’s happening is in a few states that have worker’s comp reimbursement,” Sherer said.</p>
  76. <p>While Sherer hopes to see insurance coverage for cannabis in the future, she remains skeptical that the current players in the market will deliver.</p>
  77. <p>For now, she said, the focus should remain on integrating cannabis into the broader healthcare system and ensuring that patients – not just businesses – benefit from any progress that’s made.</p>
  78. <p>“People aren’t asking, ‘What about the patients?’,” Sherer said.</p>
  79. <p>“But the patients are why we’re here – all of these businesses are a byproduct of patient advocacy.”</p>
  80. <h2 id="true-medical-marijuana-coverage-could-save-lives-slash-costs">True medical marijuana coverage could save lives, slash costs</h2>
  81. <p>ACCM and EM2P2’s announcement of the Elevated States effort comes just a few weeks after Trump <a target="_blank" href="https://mjbizdaily.com/cannabis-stocks-and-marijuana-rescheduling-hopes-high-after-donald-trump-social-media-post/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted a video</a> produced by The Commonwealth Project, another MMJ advocacy organization, on his Truth Social site.</p>
  82. <p>The video highlighted the endocannabinoid system and the potential benefits of cannabidiol (CBD) for senior healthcare and suggested that the U.S. healthcare system would save $64 billion in cannabis is fully integrated into the healthcare system.</p>
  83. <div class="columns col-lg-12 col-md-12 col-sm-12 con_cta_wrapper">
  84. <h3 id="subscribe-to-the-mjbiz-factbook"><b><span data-contrast="auto">Subscribe to the MJBiz Factbook </span></b><span data-ccp-props="{"> </span></h3>
  85. <p><span data-contrast="auto">Exclusive industry data and analysis to help you make informed business decisions and avoid costly missteps. All the facts, none of the hype.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
  86. <p><span data-contrast="auto">What you will get:</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
  87. <ul>
  88. <li>Monthly and quarterly updates, with new data &amp; insights</li>
  89. <li data-leveltext="?" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="9" data-list-defn-props="{" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Financial forecasts + capital investment trends</span></li>
  90. <li data-leveltext="?" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="9" data-list-defn-props="{" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">State-by-state guide to regulations, taxes &amp; market opportunities</span></li>
  91. <li>Annual survey of cannabis businesses</li>
  92. <li>Consumer insights</li>
  93. <li data-leveltext="?" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="9" data-list-defn-props="{" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="7" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">And more!</span></li>
  94. </ul>
  95. </div>
  96. <p>Not only would covering the cost of medical marijuana save the healthcare system money, but it would also save the lives of at least 50,000 patients a year who are prescribed prescription drugs, said Dr. Mikhail Kogan of the GW Center for Integrative Medicine in Washington, D.C.</p>
  97. <p>Kogen points to CBD drug Epidiolex, a pharmaceutical-grade cannabis product used to treat seizures that costs $30,000 per year. I<a target="_blank" href="https://www.epidiolexhcp.com/getting-epidiolex/access-and-coverage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">nsurance covers</a> Epidiolex for 97% of patients with Dravet syndrom and TSC.</p>
  98. <p>In contrast, high-quality CBD from reputable distributors can cost as little as $300 annually.</p>
  99. <p>“Even if I’m off tenfold and it’s $3,000, it’s still 10 times cheaper,” Kogan said.</p>
  100. <p>The steep cost makes medical marijuana inaccessible for many ill people on Medicaid and fixed incomes, despite its potential to replace costly and dangerous medications.</p>
  101. <p>“We can leave the infrastructure the way it is and put the burden on the patients, but we’ll have an increase in mortality every year,” Kogan said.</p>
  102. <p><em>Margaret Jackson can be reached at </em><a target="_blank" href="https://mjbizdaily.com/when-will-u-s-health-insurance-cover-medical-cannabis/mailto:margaret.jackson@mjbizdaily.com"><em>margaret.jackson@mjbizdaily.com</em></a><em>.</em></p>
  103. </div>
  104.  
  105. <br /><a href="https://mjbizdaily.com/when-will-u-s-health-insurance-cover-medical-cannabis/">Source link </a></p>
  106. ]]></content:encoded>
  110. </item>
  111. <item>
  112. <title>Hemp THC cafes thrive in Wisconsin as lawmakers debate MMJ</title>
  113. <link>https://moderncannabislifestyle.com/hemp-thc-cafes-thrive-in-wisconsin-as-lawmakers-debate-mmj/</link>
  115. <dc:creator><![CDATA[MCL]]></dc:creator>
  116. <pubDate>Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:57:50 +0000</pubDate>
  117. <category><![CDATA[What's Hot]]></category>
  118. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://moderncannabislifestyle.com/hemp-thc-cafes-thrive-in-wisconsin-as-lawmakers-debate-mmj/</guid>
  119.  
  120. <description><![CDATA[While Wisconsin lawmakers drag their feet on legalizing medical cannabis, a new wave of entrepreneurs is building businesses&#8230;]]></description>
  121. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>
  122. </p>
  123. <div>
  124. <div class="bialty-container">
  125. <p>While Wisconsin lawmakers drag their feet on legalizing medical cannabis, a new wave of entrepreneurs is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/2025/10/24/cannabis-bars-and-cafes-in-milwaukee-aim-to-create-a-judge-free-zone/86689890007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">building businesses around hemp-derived THC products.</a></p>
  126. <p>Canna Bloom Farmacy in Milwaukee is one prominent example of the cafes, bars and other businesses serving <a target="_blank" href="https://mjbizdaily.com/wisconsin-republicans-want-to-ban-hemp-derived-thc-products/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hemp-derived THC</a> products, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.</p>
  127. <p>Canna Bloom’s hybrid bar, retail and social space is one of several spaces centered around hemp-derived THC that have opened in the Milwaukee area in the past few years.</p>
  128. <p>The emergence of hemp-derived THC businesses is happening amid legislative pushes in Madison to legalize medical cannabis – and to restrict hemp-derived THC.</p>
  129. <h2 id="wisconsin-republican-push-to-finally-legalize-mmj">Wisconsin Republican push to finally legalize MMJ</h2>
  130. <p>On Oct. 22, dozens of people <a target="_blank" href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2025/10/22/wisconsin-medical-marijuana-bill-draws-strong-support-from-the-public/86833169007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">testified at the state Capitol</a> in support of a bill to legalize medical marijuana.</p>
  131. <p>Wisconsin remains the only state in the Great Lakes Region without legal regulated cannabis access.</p>
  132. <p>The Republican-sponsored bill would “tightly regulation the cultivation processing, testing and dispensing of medical cannabis to ensure patients have legal, safe and reliable access to a consistent product without breaking the law to obtain it,” according to a September co-sponsorship memo.</p>
  133. <p>The <a target="_blank" href="https://mjbizdaily.com/will-wisconsin-finally-legalize-medical-marijuana/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bill would authorize</a> the creation of an Office of Medical Cannabis to manage the patient and caregiver registry and dispensaries.</p>
  134. <p>The legislation proposes implementing a seed-to-sale database and an inventory tracking system. It also includes a ban on dispensaries advertising to the general public.</p>
  135. <h2 id="wisconsin-hemp-thc-cafes-stores-at-risk-of-ban">Wisconsin hemp-THC cafes, stores at risk of ban</h2>
  136. <p>In the meantime, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wpr.org/news/wisconsin-lawmakers-hemp-producers-regulations-thc-brill-tabease" target="_blank" rel="noopener">another bill in Madison would effectively ban</a> psychoactive hemp-derived THC – such as the products sold in Milwaukee in a fashion similar to regulated cannabis in other states.</p>
  137. <p>Merchants and producers of hemp-derived products are pushing instead for regulation.</p>
  138. </div></div>
  139.  
  140. <br /><a href="https://mjbizdaily.com/hemp-thc-cafes-thrive-in-wisconsin-as-lawmakers-debate-marijuana-legalization/">Source link </a></p>
  141. ]]></content:encoded>
  145. </item>
  146. <item>
  147. <title>Older Adults Increasingly Identify as Cannabis Consumers</title>
  148. <link>https://moderncannabislifestyle.com/older-adults-increasingly-identify-as-cannabis-consumers/</link>
  150. <dc:creator><![CDATA[MCL]]></dc:creator>
  151. <pubDate>Fri, 24 Oct 2025 13:41:43 +0000</pubDate>
  152. <category><![CDATA[Culture]]></category>
  153. <guid isPermaLink="false">http://moderncannabislifestyle.com/older-adults-increasingly-identify-as-cannabis-consumers/</guid>
  154.  
  155. <description><![CDATA[Nearly one in five middle-aged adults acknowledge consuming cannabis, according to data published in the American Journal of&#8230;]]></description>
  156. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>
  157. </p>
  158. <div itemprop="text">
  159. <div class="wp-block-image">
  160. <figure class="alignright size-full is-resized"><img data-recalc-dims="1" fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="730" height="411" data-attachment-id="60282" data-permalink="https://norml.org/seniors-cannabis-use/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/norml.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/seniors-cannabis-use.png?fit=730%2C411&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="730,411" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="seniors-cannabis-use" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/norml.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/seniors-cannabis-use.png?fit=730%2C411&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/norml.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/seniors-cannabis-use.png?fit=730%2C411&amp;ssl=1" src="http://moderncannabislifestyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/seniors-cannabis-use.png" alt="A senior woman uses a grinder to prepare cannabis for rolling into a joint" class="wp-image-60282" style="width:365px"  /></figure>
  161. </div>
  162. <p>Nearly one in five middle-aged adults acknowledge consuming cannabis, according to <a href="https://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797(25)00617-8/abstract" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data</a> published in the <em>American Journal of Preventive Medicine</em>.</p>
  163. <p>Investigators affiliated with Columbia University in New York analyzed results from the Health and Retirement Survey — a nationwide survey of older adults.</p>
  164. <p>Researchers reported that 19 percent of adults aged 50 to 64, and six percent of adults over the age of 65 acknowledge having consumed cannabis products within the past 12 months. The findings are consistent with <a href="https://norml.org/blog/2025/06/03/study-rising-percentage-of-seniors-acknowledge-regularly-consuming-cannabis/">data</a> published in July in the <em>Journal of the American Medical Association, </em>as well as with <a href="https://norml.org/blog/2024/09/13/survey-rising-percentage-of-older-adults-are-turning-to-cannabis/">separate data provided by AARP</a>, finding that rising percentages of middle-aged and older adults are consuming marijuana products.</p>
  165. <p>The study’s authors also reported that 75 percent of respondents favored the use of medical cannabis, a finding that is also <a href="https://norml.org/news/2004/12/22/older-americans-overwhelmingly-support-legalizing-medical-pot-aarp-survey-says/">consistent</a> with prior surveys, and that many older adults use cannabis therapeutically without consulting directly with their physician.</p>
  166. <p>“It is not surprising that a growing percentage of adults consider cannabis to be a viable option in their later years,” NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano said. “Many middle-aged and older adults struggle with <a href="https://norml.org/news/2023/04/13/study-cannabis-products-associated-with-improved-quality-of-life-reduced-opioid-use-among-chronic-pain-patients/">pain</a>, <a href="https://norml.org/news/2023/03/02/study-cannabis-use-effective-in-patients-diagnosed-with-chronic-pain-and-anxiety/">anxiety</a>, <a href="https://norml.org/news/2022/05/12/study-patients-with-insomnia-report-improvements-with-medical-cannabis/">restless sleep</a>, and other conditions that cannabis products can mitigate. Many older adults are also well aware of the litany of adverse side-effects associated with available prescription drugs, like opioids or sleep aids, and they see medical cannabis as a practical and potentially safer alternative.”  </p>
  167. <p>Separate survey data published last year in the <em>Journal of Primary Care &amp; Community Health</em> determined that most older adults <a href="https://norml.org/blog/2023/06/08/survey-older-adults-hold-positive-attitudes-toward-cannabis/">hold positive perceptions</a> about cannabis, and several recent studies <a href="https://norml.org/news/2020/09/03/study-medical-cannabis-use-by-seniors-associated-with-improved-quality-of-life/">show</a> that marijuana use is frequently associated with quality of life improvements among seniors.  </p>
  168. <p><em>An <a href="https://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797(25)00617-8/abstract" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">abstract</a></em> <em>of the study, “Epidemiology of cannabis use among middle-aged and older adults in the United States,” appears in the</em> <em>American Journal of Preventive Medicine</em>. <em>Additional information is available from the NORML Fact Sheet, ‘<a href="https://norml.org/marijuana/fact-sheets/cannabis-use-by-older-adult-populations/">Cannabis Use by Older Populations</a>.’</em>      </p>
  169. <div class="sharedaddy sd-block sd-like jetpack-likes-widget-wrapper jetpack-likes-widget-unloaded" id="like-post-wrapper-161076362-75115-68fb8215c9992" data-src="https://widgets.wp.com/likes/?ver=15.2-a.5#blog_id=161076362&amp;post_id=75115&amp;origin=norml.org&amp;obj_id=161076362-75115-68fb8215c9992" data-name="like-post-frame-161076362-75115-68fb8215c9992" data-title="Like or Reblog">
  170. <h3 id="like-this" class="sd-title">Like this:</h3>
  171. <p><span class="button"><span>Like</span></span> <span class="loading">Loading&#8230;</span></p>
  172. <p><span class="sd-text-color"/><a class="sd-link-color"/></div>
  173. <p><h3 id="related" class="jp-relatedposts-headline"><em>Related</em></h3>
  174. </p></div>
  175.  
  176. <br /><a href="https://norml.org/blog/2025/10/24/older-adults-increasingly-identify-as-cannabis-consumers/">Source link </a></p>
  177. ]]></content:encoded>
  181. </item>
  182. <item>
  183. <title>How cannabis cultivators can manage their energy costs</title>
  184. <link>https://moderncannabislifestyle.com/how-cannabis-cultivators-can-manage-their-energy-costs/</link>
  186. <dc:creator><![CDATA[MCL]]></dc:creator>
  187. <pubDate>Fri, 24 Oct 2025 10:40:17 +0000</pubDate>
  188. <category><![CDATA[Culture]]></category>
  189. <guid isPermaLink="false">http://moderncannabislifestyle.com/how-cannabis-cultivators-can-manage-their-energy-costs/</guid>
  190.  
  191. <description><![CDATA[Sam Milton (courtesy photo) (This is a contributed guest column. To be considered as an MJBizDaily guest columnist, please submit your&#8230;]]></description>
  192. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>
  193. </p>
  194. <div>
  195. <figure style="width: 236px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img decoding="async" src="http://moderncannabislifestyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Sam-Milton-headshot-100px-236x236.jpg" alt="Sam Milton (courtesy photo)" width="236" height="236"/><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Sam Milton (courtesy photo)</figcaption></figure>
  196. <p data-start="259" data-end="328"><em>(This is a contributed guest column. To be considered as an </em>MJBizDaily<em> guest columnist, please <a href="https://mjbizdaily.com/guest-columnist/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60cbc0c62fd8529850e4e373">submit your request here</a>.)</em></p>
  197. <p>The high price of energy is a threat to cannabis cultivators everywhere. Unfortunately, energy prices’ steady upward climb is likely here to stay even as wholesale cannabis prices continue to tumble.</p>
  198. <p>For operators on the edge of profitability, energy costs may be the difference between success and failure. The good news is that most cultivators can prepare for the worst and even come out in a better position.</p>
  199. <h2 id="the-perfect-storm-and-energy-prices">The perfect storm and energy prices</h2>
  200. <p>Electricity prices across the United States have been trending upward in recent years. Several factors are driving these increases. These include aging grid infrastructure requiring costly upgrades, geopolitical shocks to energy supplies, and extreme weather events that strain power systems.</p>
  201. <p>Supply chain disruptions have also inflated the costs of power generation equipment and materials. Meanwhile, increased demand from data centers, electric vehicle adoption and industrial growth has outpaced generation capacity in many regions.</p>
  202. <p>States with regulated cannabis markets also tend to suffer from high energy rates. For example, the Northeast consistently has some of the highest energy rates in the nation, often exceeding 20 cents per kilowatt-hour.</p>
  203. <p>California faces similar high costs due to wildfire mitigation expenses, renewable energy mandates and transmission investments. Industry experts predict electricity prices will remain elevated for the foreseeable future — creating challenges for energy-intensive industries.</p>
  204. <h2 id="why-rising-electricity-costs-matter-to-cannabis-cultivators">Why Rising Electricity Costs Matter to Cannabis Cultivators</h2>
  205. <p>Indoor cannabis cultivation is among the most electricity-intensive agricultural practices.</p>
  206. <p>Cultivators can consume between 2,000-5,000 kilowatt-hours per pound of finished product. Overall, cannabis growing accounts for <a href="https://www.ehn.org/cannabis-farmings-energy-use-now-rivals-major-industries-like-cryptocurrency" target="_blank" rel="noopener">as much as 1% of total U.S. electricity use</a>, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590332225000053">or $11 billion annually</a>, according to some estimates. This intensive use stems from the need to create optimal growing conditions in controlled environments.</p>
  207. <p>Sophisticated lighting systems typically account for roughly 40% of total electricity consumption. Cannabis plants require intense, full-spectrum illumination for 12-18 hours daily depending on their growth stage. Climate control and air filtration technologies operating continuously throughout cultivation cycles consume another 40% of electricity usage.</p>
  208. <p>In all, electricity costs can represent 25% or more of total production costs. In high-electricity-rate markets like California or the Northeast, energy expenses can reach $300 to $500 per pound of cannabis produced – particularly challenging given the ongoing price compression in many cannabis markets.</p>
  209. <p>The combination of rising electricity costs and falling cannabis prices creates a profit margin squeeze that threatens the viability of many operations. Growers who previously could absorb higher energy costs through premium pricing now find themselves in increasingly competitive markets where operational efficiency directly impacts survival.</p>
  210. <p>This economic pressure is forcing cultivators to scrutinize every aspect of their energy usage and seek innovative solutions to reduce consumption without compromising product quality or yield.</p>
  211. <h2 id="what-cannabis-businesses-can-do-about-it">What cannabis businesses can do about it</h2>
  212. <p>But energy rate hikes don’t necessarily need to doom your business. Unlike other business threats, electricity price hikes are largely predictable, and operators can take evasive measures to reduce their exposure to price fluctuations.</p>
  213. <p>And even those late to the game can still take meaningful action.</p>
  214. <div class="columns col-lg-12 col-md-12 col-sm-12 con_cta_wrapper">
  215. <h3 id="subscribe-to-the-mjbiz-factbook"><b><span data-contrast="auto">Subscribe to the MJBiz Factbook </span></b><span data-ccp-props="{"> </span></h3>
  216. <p><span data-contrast="auto">Exclusive industry data and analysis to help you make informed business decisions and avoid costly missteps. All the facts, none of the hype.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
  217. <p><span data-contrast="auto">What you will get:</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
  218. <ul>
  219. <li>Monthly and quarterly updates, with new data &amp; insights</li>
  220. <li data-leveltext="?" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="9" data-list-defn-props="{" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Financial forecasts + capital investment trends</span></li>
  221. <li data-leveltext="?" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="9" data-list-defn-props="{" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">State-by-state guide to regulations, taxes &amp; market opportunities</span></li>
  222. <li>Annual survey of cannabis businesses</li>
  223. <li>Consumer insights</li>
  224. <li data-leveltext="?" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="9" data-list-defn-props="{" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="7" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">And more!</span></li>
  225. </ul>
  226. </div>
  227. <p>First, businesses in <a href="https://www.cnet.com/home/energy-and-utilities/electricity-rates-massachusetts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">deregulated markets</a> can <strong>negotiate energy rates.</strong></p>
  228. <p>In much of the Northeast, the Mid-Atlantic, and parts of the Midwest, businesses can solicit bids from multiple energy suppliers rather than accepting the utility’s default rate. This competitive marketplace often yields lower rates, more predictable billing structures, and opportunities to source renewable energy.</p>
  229. <p>National energy brokers such as <a href="https://www.onpointpower.com/">OnPoint Power</a>, based in Dallas, also work directly with operators to analyze their consumption patterns, take into account their priorities – be it cost reduction, price stability, renewable content, or some combination – and request proposals from competitive suppliers.</p>
  230. <p>Cultivatiors have successfully reduced their electricity costs by 10-20% through this approach. Others have been able to lock in fixed rates that provide crucial budget certainty during periods of market volatility.</p>
  231. <p>All operators should <strong>understand their energy usage patterns. </strong></p>
  232. <p>Cultivators should pay attention to when and how their facility draws the most power. The local utility should be able to provide granular 15-minute power usage data that will show this. The next step is to identify equipment that can be turned down or off during peak system times.</p>
  233. <p>According to Michael Gillespie of <a href="https://www.gilliecs.com/">Gillie Consulting</a>, one Massachusetts cultivation facility implemented targeted light-dimming strategies during peak power demand periods and reduced its power bills by over $500,000 per year.</p>
  234. <p>Operators must also <strong>interrogate their facility’s technical performance. </strong></p>
  235. <p>If a cultivation facility is older than six months, there is a good chance that it is already experiencing some technical challenges. Most facilities three years or older suffer serious problems. As a result, many growers spend far too much time playing Whac-A-Mole with their facility, chasing symptoms of failure rather than pursuing their craft.</p>
  236. <p>Helpfully, a comprehensive cannabis cultivation facility evaluation doesn’t need to be disruptive or costly.</p>
  237. <p>According to <a href="https://cannadiligence.com/">CannaDiligence</a>, a service offered jointly by <a href="http://www.climateresourcesgroup.com/">Climate Resources Group</a> and <a href="https://www.gilliecs.com/">Gillie Consulting</a>, the return on investment of a technical evaluation can be staggering. Many of the interventions they recommend are cost-effective to implement and can increase the facility’s revenue-generating capacity while reducing energy consumption.</p>
  238. <p>Growers must also <strong>replace or upgrade equipment. </strong></p>
  239. <p>All grow room equipment will eventually fail and need to be replaced. In some cases, an operator may want to replace equipment that is underperforming. Thankfully, utilities in most U.S. states and Canadian provinces offer generous energy efficiency incentives to help pay down the cost of upgrading to more energy-efficient HVAC and lighting equipment.</p>
  240. <p>We at Climate Resources Group routinely see utilities giving six-figure incentives to growers, sometimes representing 50% or more of their total upgrade costs.</p>
  241. <h2 id="the-takeaway">The Takeaway</h2>
  242. <p>The cultivators best positioned for the next decade are those who understand how their energy systems work, closely monitor performance, and make data-backed decisions.</p>
  243. <p>Rising power prices may be inevitable, but their impact doesn’t have to be.</p>
  244. <p><em>Sam Milton is the founder of Climate Resources Group, a consultancy that provides energy and sustainability services to the CEA industry through its Enlighten Your Grow program.</em></p>
  245. <p><em>Jim Kordoban is founder and CEO of OnPoint Power, an energy broker who delivers expert energy consulting backed by years of market experience and deep industry knowledge.</em></p>
  246. </div>
  247.  
  248. <br /><a href="https://mjbizdaily.com/how-cannabis-cultivators-can-manage-their-energy-costs/">Source link </a></p>
  249. ]]></content:encoded>
  253. </item>
  254. <item>
  255. <title>Kentucky medical marijuana cultivation begins, but first sale awaits</title>
  256. <link>https://moderncannabislifestyle.com/kentucky-medical-marijuana-cultivation-begins-but-first-sale-awaits/</link>
  258. <dc:creator><![CDATA[MCL]]></dc:creator>
  259. <pubDate>Thu, 23 Oct 2025 19:34:23 +0000</pubDate>
  260. <category><![CDATA[What's Hot]]></category>
  261. <guid isPermaLink="false">http://moderncannabislifestyle.com/kentucky-medical-marijuana-cultivation-begins-but-first-sale-awaits/</guid>
  262.  
  263. <description><![CDATA[Kentucky medical marijuana patients are still waiting to make the first purchase, but progress is being made towards&#8230;]]></description>
  264. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>
  265. </p>
  266. <div>
  267. <p>Kentucky medical marijuana patients are still waiting to make the first purchase, but <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wdrb.com/news/wait-to-buy-medical-marijuana-in-kentucky-continues-for-more-than-15-000-cardholders/article_611a25bf-eaf1-48bd-b402-29f42cb9101d.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">progress is being made</a> towards the first sale, officials said this week.</p>
  268. <p>Three cultivators are growing medical cannabis in Kentucky, the state’s Office of Medical Cannabis reported Wednesday, according to WDRB.</p>
  269. <p>And one of the growers – Armory Kentucky – is poised to launch Kentucky’s first processing facility by the end of the month.</p>
  270. <p>Officials did not specify when medical marijuana will be available for purchase.</p>
  271. <p>And they noted that only one of the 48 planned dispensaries has been approved to operate.</p>
  272. <p>“The expectation is, within the next month we’ll have more than one dispensary that will be ready to operate,” OMC Executive Director Cannon Armstrong told WDRB.</p>
  273. <p>Forty-six of Kentucky’s 48 dispensaries have secured permanent locations, with the remaining two expected to be finalized by the end of the year, Armstrong said.</p>
  274. <p>“That will be based upon the actual product that will be available for purchase,” he said.</p>
  275. <p>“I imagine once that happens, we’ll see more dispensaries come online.”</p>
  276. <h2 id="kentucky-medical-cannabis-program-rollout-delayed">Kentucky medical cannabis program rollout delayed</h2>
  277. <p>That represents a delay from an earlier timeline.</p>
  278. <p>In August, Gov. Andy Beshear <a target="_blank" href="https://mjbizdaily.com/governor-kentucky-medical-marijuana-sales-to-launch-this-fall/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">approved The Post Dispensary</a> in Beaver Dam, announcing it was expected to open sometime this fall.</p>
  279. <p>More than 15,000 residents have been issued medical marijuana cards.</p>
  280. <p>Kentucky prohibits medical marijuana to be smoked in its raw form, so patients will use edibles, pills, beverages and topicals.</p>
  281. <p>MMJ sales in Kentucky may reach $126 million in 2026, according to an MJBiz Factbook prediction.</p>
  282. <p>Meanwhile, a group of medical marijuana companies in Kentucky have <a target="_blank" href="https://mjbizdaily.com/kentucky-medical-marijuana-companies-sue-alleging-program-unconstitutional/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">filed a lawsuit</a> claiming the rollout of the state’s MMJ program is unconstitutional.</p>
  283. </div>
  284.  
  285. <br /><a href="https://mjbizdaily.com/kentucky-medical-marijuana-cultivation-begins-but-sales-await/">Source link </a></p>
  286. ]]></content:encoded>
  290. </item>
  291. <item>
  292. <title>Circle K to sell hemp THC beverages nationwide in 2026</title>
  293. <link>https://moderncannabislifestyle.com/circle-k-to-sell-hemp-thc-beverages-nationwide-in-2026/</link>
  295. <dc:creator><![CDATA[MCL]]></dc:creator>
  296. <pubDate>Thu, 23 Oct 2025 11:25:48 +0000</pubDate>
  297. <category><![CDATA[What's Hot]]></category>
  298. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://moderncannabislifestyle.com/circle-k-to-sell-hemp-thc-beverages-nationwide-in-2026/</guid>
  299.  
  300. <description><![CDATA[Significant things for the THC beverage sector are afoot at the Circle K. The ubiquitous roadside retailer and&#8230;]]></description>
  301. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>
  302. </p>
  303. <div>
  304. <p>Significant things for the THC beverage sector are afoot at the Circle K.</p>
  305. <p>The ubiquitous roadside retailer and convenience store chain plans to start selling hemp-derived THC beverages in as many as 3,000 stores nationwide sometime next year, company officials told <em>MJBizDaily</em>.</p>
  306. <p>That’s after Circle K rolls out hemp THC beverages produced by Horticulture Co. and branded by former NBA star Allen Iverson in North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida sometime in the final quarter of 2025.</p>
  307. <p>It’s the latest and most ambitious step into the cannabis space for Circle K, which made a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cspdailynews.com/cbdhemp/hemp-thc-retailers-suppliers-must-collaborate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">limited incursion into hemp drinks</a> earlier this year in Georgia.</p>
  308. <p>And it’s also the most recent and possibly the most prominent example of a mainstream retailer embracing a THC product.</p>
  309. <p><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">“This partnership makes the brand one of the most accessible in the space overnight and boosts awareness of the category within one of the most trusted retail environments, all while reinforcing both brand credibility and consumer confidence,” Saf Sadiq, Horticulture’s CEO, told <em>MJBizDaily</em> on Wednesday.</span></p>
  310. <p><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">“It’s about as close to a national rollout as the industry has seen to date – and the largest in scale by any chain retailer.”</span></p>
  311. <h2 id="national-rollout-for-a-cannabis-product-in-mainstream-retail">National rollout for a cannabis product in mainstream retail</h2>
  312. <p>Circle K’s partnership with Horticulture Co. also realizes a years-long effort by the Quebec-headquartered retail giant to add cannabis products to its shelves.</p>
  313. <p>A 2022 <a target="_blank" href="https://mjbizdaily.com/green-thumb-inks-deal-to-sell-medical-cannabis-at-florida-gas-stations/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">landmark deal to co-locate medical marijuana dispensaries</a> operated by major multistate operator Green Thumb Industries with Circle K gas stations in Florida fell apart after <a target="_blank" href="https://mjbizdaily.com/judge-nixes-green-thumb-plans-to-open-cannabis-stores-at-florida-circle-k/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">state MMJ regulators rejected</a> the idea.</p>
  314. <p>That shouldn’t be a concern for hemp-derived THC beverages, which for now lie outside of regulated cannabis channels in the United States.</p>
  315. <p>Circle K made limited incursions into hemp-derived THC in Georgia and Florida earlier this year.</p>
  316. <p>After launching the Iverson drinks in the Carolinas and Florida, Circle K plans to expand hemp beverages “across Circle K’s U.S. store network in states where THC products are authorized for sale” sometime in 2026, according to the company.</p>
  317. <p>Produced in partnership with Viola, the company founded by fellow former NBA star Al Harrington, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cstoredive.com/news/alimentation-couche-tard-thc-beverage-circle-k-iverson/803428/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Iverson THC drinks</a> will have 10 milligrams of THC per can, according to convenience store trade publication C-Store Dive.</p>
  318. <h2 id="major-milestone-for-hemp-thc-beverages-and-cannabis-industry">Major milestone for hemp THC beverages – and cannabis industry</h2>
  319. <p>If the nationwide expansion plans are realized, the potential is immense – as are the implications for the $32 billion U.S. cannabis industry as it exists.</p>
  320. <p>Circle K and its parent company, Laval, Quebec-based Alimentation Couche Tard, <a target="_blank" href="https://filecache.investorroom.com/mr5ircnw_alimentationcouchetard/1348/2026%20-%20Q1%20Quarterly%20Report%20-%20En.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">operate nearly 10,000 stores</a> in North America in 48 U.S. states and 10 Canadian provinces.</p>
  321. <p>Many observers believe that cannabis products sold alongside other consumer products on mainstream store shelves rather than in dispensaries or marijuana-only stores is the industry’s next major evolution.</p>
  322. <p>“Not only does Circle K’s adoption of Iverson’s product confer major legitimacy to the hemp sector, it’s a further wake-up call to the cannabis industry,” said <span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">Steve Schain, a cannabis-focused attorney and of counsel at Malkin Law.</span></p>
  323. <p>“Like it nor not, the marketplace embraces hemp-derived intoxicants as warmly as it does naturally occurring delta-9 THC.”</p>
  324. <h2 id="third-major-retailer-to-carry-hemp-derived-beverages">Third major retailer to carry hemp-derived beverages</h2>
  325. <p>Circle K is also at least the second major retail chain to jump into the burgeoning hemp drink sector in October.</p>
  326. <p>Earlier this month, <a target="_blank" href="https://mjbizdaily.com/cannabis-drinks-now-available-at-select-minnesota-target-stores/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">big-box giant Target announced</a> it would begin selling hemp THC beverages at 10 of its stores in Minnesota, where state law allows hemp products to be sold at mainstream stores.</p>
  327. <p>And that follows major liquor retailer Total Wine &amp; Spirits’ embrace of hemp beverages.</p>
  328. <p>Observers said the development is more confirmation that consumers want access to THC products regardless of whether state lawmakers can pass legalization.</p>
  329. <p>“The cannabis community is resilient and resourceful, and Circle K clearly saw the opportunity to give the people what they want – just like Target and Total Wine have done in previous weeks and months,” said entrepreneur Josh Kesselman, the founder of RAW Rolling Papers, which are also found at Circle K locations.</p>
  330. <p>“The genie is not going back in the lamp at this point with consumer trends going towards hemp beverages and away from alcohol.”</p>
  331. <h2 id="hemp-thcs-popularity-continues-despite-lingering-questions-of-farm-bill-redo">Hemp THC’s popularity continues despite lingering questions of Farm Bill redo</h2>
  332. <p>Notably, neither of the Carolinas allow any regulated cannabis access outside of tribal areas, though hemp products can be found in both states.</p>
  333. <p>Florida has a relatively robust MMJ program where several MSOs active there have also branched out into the hemp space amid stalled efforts to pass a constitutional amendment legalizing adult-use cannabis.</p>
  334. <p>Major retailers are turning toward hemp-derived THC products in spite of strong signals from state and federal lawmakers that they’re not satisfied with the status quo for hemp products created by the 2018 Farm Bill.</p>
  335. <p>“Circle K has taken a great leap forward among very uncertain waters,” Schain said.</p>
  336. <p>The Farm Bill, signed into law in December 2018 by President Donald Trump in his first term, legalized hemp production nationwide – and led to an unintended and unexpected proliferation of intoxicating hemp THC products nationwide, including in many states where cannabis remains illegal.</p>
  337. <p>That’s led to prohibition-minded politicians in <a target="_blank" href="https://mjbizdaily.com/5-5-billion-reprieve-as-texas-hemp-thc-ban-fails/">states such as Texas to move to ban the products</a>.</p>
  338. <div class="columns col-lg-12 col-md-12 col-sm-12 con_cta_wrapper">
  339. <h3 id="subscribe-to-the-mjbiz-factbook"><b><span data-contrast="auto">Subscribe to the MJBiz Factbook </span></b><span data-ccp-props="{"> </span></h3>
  340. <p><span data-contrast="auto">Exclusive industry data and analysis to help you make informed business decisions and avoid costly missteps. All the facts, none of the hype.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
  341. <p><span data-contrast="auto">What you will get:</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
  342. <ul>
  343. <li>Monthly and quarterly updates, with new data &amp; insights</li>
  344. <li data-leveltext="?" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="9" data-list-defn-props="{" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Financial forecasts + capital investment trends</span></li>
  345. <li data-leveltext="?" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="9" data-list-defn-props="{" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">State-by-state guide to regulations, taxes &amp; market opportunities</span></li>
  346. <li>Annual survey of cannabis businesses</li>
  347. <li>Consumer insights</li>
  348. <li data-leveltext="?" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="9" data-list-defn-props="{" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="7" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">And more!</span></li>
  349. </ul>
  350. </div>
  351. <p>However, in that state, considered the largest individual hemp market in the country, Gov. Greg Abbott opted instead to impose regulations including minimum purchase-age requirements.</p>
  352. <p>Meanwhile, in Congress, hemp advocates like <a target="_blank" href="https://mjbizdaily.com/federal-hemp-derived-thc-protections-appear-safe-for-now/">Kentucky Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell are intent on closing</a> what they now decry as a “loophole” and recriminalizing product offerings like the Iverson beverages at Circle K.</p>
  353. <p>But with opposition from within his own party and state – one attempt to redefine hemp under federal law was thwarted earlier this summer by Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul – hemp products remain ambiguously legal in the U.S. and absolutely available.</p>
  354. <p>That should lead to more big chains following in Circle K and Target’s footsteps, Raw’s Kesselman predicted.</p>
  355. <p>“Until the Farm Bill changes, if it changes at all, expect more major retailers to open their shelves to cannabis products,” he said.</p>
  356. <p><em>Chris Roberts can be reached at </em><a target="_blank" href="https://mjbizdaily.com/circle-k-finally-enters-the-cannabis-space-with-hemp-beverage-deal/mailto:chris.roberts@mjbizdaily.com"><em>chris.roberts@mjbizdaily.com</em></a><em>.</em></p>
  357. </div>
  358.  
  359. <br /><a href="https://mjbizdaily.com/circle-k-finally-enters-the-cannabis-space-with-hemp-beverage-deal/">Source link </a></p>
  360. ]]></content:encoded>
  364. </item>
  365. <item>
  366. <title>Rhode Island cannabis chief exits as timeline for new permits unveiled</title>
  367. <link>https://moderncannabislifestyle.com/rhode-island-cannabis-chief-exits-as-timeline-for-new-permits-unveiled/</link>
  369. <dc:creator><![CDATA[MCL]]></dc:creator>
  370. <pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2025 19:08:33 +0000</pubDate>
  371. <category><![CDATA[What's Hot]]></category>
  372. <guid isPermaLink="false">http://moderncannabislifestyle.com/rhode-island-cannabis-chief-exits-as-timeline-for-new-permits-unveiled/</guid>
  373.  
  374. <description><![CDATA[Rhode Island’s top cannabis regulator is stepping down a day after indicating when the state would finally award&#8230;]]></description>
  375. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>
  376. </p>
  377. <div>
  378. <p>Rhode Island’s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/2025/10/21/ri-cannabis-control-commission-chair-resigns-what-to-know/86819381007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">top cannabis regulator is stepping down</a> a day after indicating when the state would finally award 24 new cannabis retail licenses.</p>
  379. <p>Kimberly Ahern, who chaired three-member Cannabis Control Commission since its inception in 2023, resigned on <a target="_blank" href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Kimberly-Ahern-letter.pdf?utm_source=www.cultivated.news&amp;utm_medium=newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=massachusetts-prohibition-push&amp;_bhlid=ad66c3bacacffcacbf44bb1a52ed0bee3ecc1e4d" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oct. 21</a> ahead of a rumored run for state attorney general next year.</p>
  380. <p>Ahern was appointed to the $204,069-per-year post in June 2023 by Gov. Dan McKee, whom she served as chief of staff.</p>
  381. <p>In her resignation letter, Ahern highlighted the recent creation of a social-equity program as well as the long-awaited launch of a new licensing window.</p>
  382. <p>“These milestones have laid a strong foundation for the careful expansion of adult-use cannabis retail licensing statewide,” she wrote.</p>
  383. <h2 id="rhode-island-cannabis-sales-flat-but-new-retail-opportunities-await">Rhode Island cannabis sales flat, but new retail opportunities await</h2>
  384. <p>Sales in the Ocean State began in Dec. 2022, when the seven dispensaries licensed to sell medical marijuana were allowed to open sales to adults 21 and over.</p>
  385. <p>Cannabis sales have been flat in 2025, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.golocalprov.com/news/cannabis-sales-flat-in-rhode-island" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a trend some observers say is attributable</a> to the lack of new retail outlets.</p>
  386. <p>Rhode Island is accepting applications for <a target="_blank" href="https://mjbizdaily.com/up-to-24-new-cannabis-retail-permits-available-in-rhode-island/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">24 new cannabis storefronts</a> through Dec. 29.</p>
  387. <p>Permits could be awarded via lottery in May 2026, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/r-cannabis-retail-licenses-could-211335066.html?guccounter=1&amp;guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmluZy5jb20v&amp;guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAAHMnQVULk2odP6QuVFhyywoJuE1XmN90lJpDNHaCx0pG1_SdxNILAPXyClCIzUVDMPKpf5gL-TSePECBO0mVocElCs3IEEnU-yJjd1BqoOfveEb3HBuI9p6RSdEkv3W4FuwyntPKcXrybduFWHz9KAbT0HEmD5UYhrQBQIchr1I" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ahern said during her final commission meeting</a> on Monday.</p>
  388. <p>Six licenses are reserved for social equity applicants, and six are available to worker-owned cooperatives.</p>
  389. <p>It’s the first time the state’s $124 million legal cannabis market is open to new retailers since legalization.</p>
  390. <p>The state began accepting applications for social equity retail licenses in August.</p>
  391. <p>In Ahern’s absence, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/2025/10/21/ri-cannabis-control-commission-chair-resigns-what-to-know/86819381007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">day-to-day operations</a> will fall to Cannabis Officer Administrator Michelle Reddish, Ahern told The Providence Journal.</p>
  392. <p>“Administrator <a target="_blank" href="https://mjbizdaily.com/oklahoma-regulator-nominated-for-rhode-islands-top-cannabis-post/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Michelle Reddish</a> has led with integrity, compassion and an unwavering commitment to success,” Ahern wrote in her letter to the governor.</p>
  393. <p> </p>
  394. <p> </p>
  395. <p> </p>
  396. <p> </p>
  397. </div>
  398.  
  399. <br /><a href="https://mjbizdaily.com/rhode-island-cannabis-chief-exits-as-new-retail-permit-timeline-announced/">Source link </a></p>
  400. ]]></content:encoded>
  404. </item>
  405. <item>
  406. <title>Effort to end legal cannabis sales in Massachusetts &#8216;on track&#8217;</title>
  407. <link>https://moderncannabislifestyle.com/effort-to-end-legal-cannabis-sales-in-massachusetts-on-track/</link>
  409. <dc:creator><![CDATA[MCL]]></dc:creator>
  410. <pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2025 21:42:31 +0000</pubDate>
  411. <category><![CDATA[What's Hot]]></category>
  412. <guid isPermaLink="false">http://moderncannabislifestyle.com/effort-to-end-legal-cannabis-sales-in-massachusetts-on-track/</guid>
  413.  
  414. <description><![CDATA[Advocates of a ballot initiative that would eliminate Massachusetts’ $1.6 billion annual legal cannabis industry claim they are&#8230;]]></description>
  415. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>
  416. </p>
  417. <div>
  418. <p>Advocates of a ballot initiative that would <a target="_blank" href="https://mjbizdaily.com/massachusetts-could-be-first-state-to-repeal-legal-adult-use-marijuana-sales/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">eliminate Massachusetts’ $1.6 billion annual legal cannabis industry</a> claim they are <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/us-states/massachusetts/news/15769726/massachusetts-ballot-campaign-to-end-adultuse-cannabis-market-on-track-to-collect-enough-signatures" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“on track” to qualify</a> the controversial measure for the November 2026 ballot.</p>
  419. <p>Representatives of the campaign behind the Act to Restore a Sensible Marijuana Policy have until Dec. 3 to collect roughly 75,000 signatures.</p>
  420. <p>In a recent interview with the Cannabis Business Times, Wendy Wakeman, a spokesperson for the initiative, said that the campaign’s goal is to collect 100,000 signatures – and that effort is “going well.”</p>
  421. <p>As <em>MJBizDaily</em> has reported, the ballot questions filed by lead sponsor Caroline Cunningham, a member of the state Republican Committee, seek to repeal Chapters 94G and 64N of the state’s General Laws.</p>
  422. <p>While that would still allow home cultivation and the “gifting” of cannabis between adults 21 and over, adult-use retail sales would be outlawed.</p>
  423. <p>Only medical marijuana sales would continue if the measure is successful.</p>
  424. <h2 id="will-adult-use-marijuana-sales-end-in-massachusetts">Will adult-use marijuana sales end in Massachusetts?</h2>
  425. <p>Even if the signature gathering effort is successful, the campaign to repeal legal cannabis sales in Massachusetts would face an uphill climb.</p>
  426. <p>Fifty-three percent of Massachusetts voters approved adult-use legalization in 2016.</p>
  427. <p>And since then, cannabis may have become more popular.</p>
  428. <p>Sixty-five percent of respondents to a <a target="_blank" href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5eb9fa2f8ac4df11937f6a49/t/6629c4b80c4c9a50d9bc34db/1714013368299/Topline+2024+04+MPG+Marijuana+Questions.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2024 MassInc poll said</a> adult-use marijuana legalization was the right choice, compared to only 22% who said it was the wrong move.</p>
  429. <p>Other sponsors of the measure include a leading psychiatrist and a pastor, who claim to be concerned about cannabis’ deleterious effects on youth as well as the illicit market that’s continued despite legalization.</p>
  430. <h2 id="familiar-republican-opposition-to-marijuana-legalization">Familiar Republican opposition to marijuana legalization</h2>
  431. <p>That echoes critiques made by other prominent anti-cannabis advocates, including those seeking to convince President Donald Trump to abandon his promise to consider downgrading cannabis’ status under federal law.</p>
  432. <p>Despite pledging to review the issue over the summer, Trump has yet to weigh in on marijuana rescheduling.</p>
  433. <p>Meanwhile in Florida,<a target="_blank" href="https://mjbizdaily.com/lawsuit-accuses-florida-officials-of-elections-tampering-to-defeat-marijuana-legalization/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> a recently filed lawsuit accuses Republican state officials</a> of tampering with elections in order to defeat legalization.</p>
  434. </div>
  435.  
  436. <br /><a href="https://mjbizdaily.com/campaign-to-end-massachusetts-1-6-billion-legal-marijuana-market-claims-early-success/">Source link </a></p>
  437. ]]></content:encoded>
  441. </item>
  442. <item>
  443. <title>Minnesota cannabis cultivation still lagging far behind demand</title>
  444. <link>https://moderncannabislifestyle.com/minnesota-cannabis-cultivation-still-lagging-far-behind-demand/</link>
  446. <dc:creator><![CDATA[MCL]]></dc:creator>
  447. <pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2025 17:38:37 +0000</pubDate>
  448. <category><![CDATA[What's Hot]]></category>
  449. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://moderncannabislifestyle.com/minnesota-cannabis-cultivation-still-lagging-far-behind-demand/</guid>
  450.  
  451. <description><![CDATA[Many adult-use cannabis retailers in Minnesota are still struggling to stock their shelves as cultivation output in the&#8230;]]></description>
  452. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>
  453. </p>
  454. <div>
  455. <p>Many adult-use cannabis retailers in Minnesota are still <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minnesota-cannabis-dispensaries-supply-chain-lags/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">struggling to stock their shelves</a> as cultivation output in the state continues to lag well behind demand.</p>
  456. <p>Eric Taubel, director of the state’s Office of Cannabis Management, told CBS affiliated WCCO that the state only has a “fraction” of the 1.5 million square feet of cultivation canopy needed.</p>
  457. <p>And it’s not totally clear when cultivators in the state will ramp up production.</p>
  458. <p>Although Minnesota <a target="_blank" href="https://mjbizdaily.com/minnesota-gov-signs-adult-use-marijuana-legalization-bill/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">legalized recreational marijuana</a> in spring 2023 <a target="_blank" href="https://mjbizdaily.com/recreational-cannabis-sales-begin-in-minnesota/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">and non-tribal sales began last month</a>, the business licensing process is still ongoing.</p>
  459. <h2 id="minnesota-has-only-two-licensed-marijuana-cultivators">Minnesota has only two licensed marijuana cultivators</h2>
  460. <p>Minnesota state marijuana regulators have licensed 60 businesses, but an additional 1,400 await final clearance, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://mn.gov/ocm/businesses/licensing/application-data.jsp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">state data</a>.</p>
  461. <p>Most of the licensed operators are microbusinesses with a retail “endorsement” that allows them to sell cannabis products.</p>
  462. <p>Meanwhile, only <a target="_blank" href="https://mjbizdaily.com/minnesota-adult-use-marijuana-sales-delayed-for-a-predictable-reason/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">two licensed cultivators</a> in Minnesota are growing cannabis plants. And the crops have not matured enough to supply retail shops with marijuana flower.</p>
  463. <p>However, there are some other potential sources of product.</p>
  464. <p>According to Taubel, 13 of the 52 licensed microbusinesses have a cultivation endorsement.</p>
  465. <p>And medical marijuana businesses have the option to wholesale their products, which could help increase supply.</p>
  466. <p>Minnesota also has agreements with three tribal nations after <a target="_blank" href="https://www.postbulletin.com/news/local/gov-tim-walz-signs-cannabis-compact-with-prairie-island-indian-community" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gov. Tim Walz inked a compact</a> with the Prairie Island Indian Community on Monday.</p>
  467. <h2 id="minnesota-at-most-challenging-phase-of-legal-cannabis-market-rollout">Minnesota at most-challenging phase of legal cannabis market rollout</h2>
  468. <p>These compacts allow tribal nations to grow and sell cannabis without a state license because of their status as sovereign nations. They’re also allowed to open up to eight retail locations off of reservations.</p>
  469. <p>But <a target="_blank" href="https://mjbizdaily.com/minnesota-oks-native-american-tribe-to-sell-adult-use-cannabis-off-its-reservation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tribal dispensaries</a>, both on and off reservations, also face supply shortages, and the limited cultivation capacity is insufficient to meet demand.</p>
  470. <p>Taubel acknowledged that this phase of the market rollout would be the most challenging, but said he’s confident the supply chain will improve as more tribal compacts are established, and additional businesses begin growing marijuana.</p>
  471. <p>Aside from the two licensed cultivators, 24 other businesses have received preliminary approval and are completing the paperwork for full licensure.</p>
  472. <p>Sales could reach $430 million in 2026, according to MJBiz Factbook projection.</p>
  473. </div>
  474.  
  475. <br /><a href="https://mjbizdaily.com/minnesota-cannabis-cultivation-still-well-behind-retail-demand/">Source link </a></p>
  476. ]]></content:encoded>
  480. </item>
  481. <item>
  482. <title>Urgent Action Needed To End US Marijuana Arrests</title>
  483. <link>https://moderncannabislifestyle.com/urgent-action-needed-to-end-us-marijuana-arrests/</link>
  485. <dc:creator><![CDATA[MCL]]></dc:creator>
  486. <pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2025 12:33:32 +0000</pubDate>
  487. <category><![CDATA[What's Hot]]></category>
  488. <guid isPermaLink="false">http://moderncannabislifestyle.com/urgent-action-needed-to-end-us-marijuana-arrests/</guid>
  489.  
  490. <description><![CDATA[Hundreds of thousands of Americans continue to have their lives disrupted by senseless marijuana arrests, primarily arrests for&#8230;]]></description>
  491. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>
  492. </p>
  493. <div itemprop="text">
  494. <div class="wp-block-image">
  495. <figure class="alignright size-full is-resized has-lightbox"><a target="_blank" href="https://secure.actblue.com/donate/marijuana-arrests?refcode=2025-10-21-blog" target="_blank" rel=" noreferrer noopener"><img data-recalc-dims="1" fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="730" height="411" data-attachment-id="71358" data-permalink="https://norml.org/marijuana-gavel-scale-handcuffs/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/norml.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/marijuana-gavel-scale-handcuffs.png?fit=730%2C411&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="730,411" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="marijuana-gavel-scale-handcuffs" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/norml.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/marijuana-gavel-scale-handcuffs.png?fit=730%2C411&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/norml.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/marijuana-gavel-scale-handcuffs.png?fit=730%2C411&amp;ssl=1" src="http://moderncannabislifestyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/marijuana-gavel-scale-handcuffs.png" alt="Handcuffs and a gavel sit on a table next to a small kitchen scale and two small bags of marijuana" class="wp-image-71358" style="width:365px"  /></a></figure>
  496. </div>
  497. <p>Hundreds of thousands of Americans continue to have their lives disrupted by senseless marijuana arrests, primarily arrests for low-level marijuana possession.</p>
  498. <p>According to the latest arrest data compiled by the FBI, state and local law enforcement made over 200,000 marijuana-related arrests in 2024. Ninety-two percent of those arrests were for possession only. </p>
  499. <p>While this annual total represents a 50-year low, it’s apparent that more work still needs to be done. While cannabis-related arrests in legal states have fallen nearly to zero, marijuana-related arrests — and minor marijuana possession arrests especially — largely continue unabated in prohibition states.</p>
  500. <p>For example, in <strong>Texas</strong>, police made 27,300 marijuana-related arrests in 2024. Ninety-eight percent of those arrested were charged with low-level marijuana possession.</p>
  501. <p>In <strong>Indiana</strong>, 96 percent of the more than 9,000 people arrested for cannabis violations were charged with possession only. Nearly half of all drug arrests in the state were marijuana-related.</p>
  502. <p>In <strong>Georgia</strong>, nearly 10,500 people were arrested for marijuana violations in 2024 — totaling more than 40 percent of all drug arrests statewide.</p>
  503. <p>In <strong>Alabama</strong>, 98 percent of the 7,500 people arrested for marijuana violations were charged with possession only.</p>
  504. <p>In <strong>Wisconsin</strong>, police made nearly 11,000 marijuana-related arrests; 95 percent of them were for minor possession.</p>
  505. <p><strong>The list goes on and on.</strong></p>
  506. <p>For more than 50 years, NORML has maintained that the greatest harm posed by cannabis is being arrested for possessing it. In nearly half the jurisdictions in this country, your generous donations have helped NORML bring about life-altering policy changes — expanding freedoms and liberties for tens of millions of Americans. But our work is not done until no responsible consumer faces the threat and indignity of a marijuana arrest. </p>
  507. <p>That is why we need your support today. We are living in uncertain political and economic times, and we need your help to navigate them successfully. We stand with you, the cannabis consumer and we are fighting daily to end decades of criminalization and stigma. The stakes couldn’t be higher. Help us continue to advocate for personal freedom and liberty, and help us work toward a future where no one goes to jail simply for the responsible use of marijuana. <a target="_blank" href="https://secure.actblue.com/donate/marijuana-arrests?refcode=2025-10-21-blog" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Please make a generous donation to NORML today.</strong></a></p>
  508. <div class="sharedaddy sd-block sd-like jetpack-likes-widget-wrapper jetpack-likes-widget-unloaded" id="like-post-wrapper-161076362-75035-68f77d15079f8" data-src="https://widgets.wp.com/likes/?ver=15.2-a.3#blog_id=161076362&amp;post_id=75035&amp;origin=norml.org&amp;obj_id=161076362-75035-68f77d15079f8" data-name="like-post-frame-161076362-75035-68f77d15079f8" data-title="Like or Reblog">
  509. <h3 id="like-this" class="sd-title">Like this:</h3>
  510. <p><span class="button"><span>Like</span></span> <span class="loading">Loading&#8230;</span></p>
  511. <p><span class="sd-text-color"/><a target="_blank" class="sd-link-color"/></div>
  512. <p><h3 id="related" class="jp-relatedposts-headline"><em>Related</em></h3>
  513. </p></div>
  514.  
  515. <br /><a href="https://norml.org/blog/2025/10/21/urgent-action-needed-to-end-us-marijuana-arrests/">Source link </a></p>
  516. ]]></content:encoded>
  520. </item>
  521. </channel>
  522. </rss>
  523.  

If you would like to create a banner that links to this page (i.e. this validation result), do the following:

  1. Download the "valid RSS" banner.

  2. Upload the image to your own server. (This step is important. Please do not link directly to the image on this server.)

  3. Add this HTML to your page (change the image src attribute if necessary):

If you would like to create a text link instead, here is the URL you can use:

http://www.feedvalidator.org/check.cgi?url=https%3A//moderncannabislifestyle.com/feed/

Home · About · News · Docs · Terms

 
Copyright © 2002-9 Sam Ruby, Mark Pilgrim, Joseph Walton, and Phil Ringnalda