
Marijuana use by US college students up, highest in 35 years
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. college students are using marijuana at the highest rates in 35 years, according to a report released Thursday.
About 43% of full-time college students said they used some form of pot at least once in the past year, up from 38%, a University of Michigan survey found....
Man sentenced for large-scale pot trafficking conspiracy
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut man has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison for his role in a large-scale marijuana trafficking operation.
Federal prosecutors on Wednesday said the 40-year-old Ansonia resident Scott Bodnar was part of a drug operation that had a pilot fly...
Mayor charged with taking bribes to help pot businesses
BOSTON (AP) — A young Massachusetts mayor's tortuous tenure took another strange turn Friday when he was arrested on charges he conspired to extort hundreds of thousands of dollars from companies seeking to operate marijuana businesses.
Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia, who became the old...
Dank, the brand that isn’t, scrutinized amid vaping illness
LOS ANGELES (AP) — It's a widely known vaping cartridge in the marijuana economy, but it's not a licensed brand. And it's got the kind of market buzz no legitimate company would want.
The vaping cartridges that go by the catchy, one-syllable name "Dank" — a slang word for highly potent...
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Oregon imposes temporary ban on some vaping products
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon's governor ordered a temporary ban Friday on the sale of flavored vaping products amid an outbreak that has sickened more than 1,000 people nationwide -- and killed two in Oregon.
Several other states, including Washington, New York, Michigan and Rhode Island,...
What we know about the US vaping illness outbreak
U.S. health officials continue to look for patterns in the hundreds of serious lung injuries reported in people who use electronic cigarettes and other vaping devices.
A look at what we know so far about the outbreak and the investigation:
Greek authorities seize drug stash on Aegean islet, arrest 4
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek officials say they have seized 1.2 tons of marijuana stashed by a smuggling gang on a remote Aegean islet and arrested four suspected gang members following a high-speed chase at sea.
Authorities also confiscated two high-powered speedboats allegedly used in the...
US probe of vaping illnesses focuses on THC from marijuana
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. health officials said Friday that their investigation into an outbreak of severe vaping-related illnesses is increasingly focused on products that contain the marijuana compound THC.
Most of the 800 people who got sick vaped THC, the ingredient in marijuana that causes...
Panel recommends allowing medical marijuana for chronic pain
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut is moving closer to adding two more medical conditions to the list of ailments eligible for medical marijuana.
A board of physicians voted Friday to recommend allowing doctors to prescribe the drug to adults with chronic pain that's lasted at least six...
Marijuana vape sales lag as lung illnesses rise in US
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Vaping products, one of the fastest-growing segments of the legal marijuana industry, have taken a hit from consumers as public health experts scramble to determine what's causing a mysterious and sometimes fatal lung disease among people who use e-cigarettes.
US House passes bill giving pot businesses access to banking
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday that would grant legal marijuana businesses access to banking, a measure that would clear up a longstanding headache for the industry.
The bill, called the SAFE Banking Act, passed 321-103 on the strength of near-unanimous support...
NY, CT governors plan to work together on marijuana, vaping
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The Democratic governors of New York and Connecticut said Wednesday they plan to work together to regulate both recreational marijuana and vaping products, saying it makes no sense to have different rules in neighboring states.
The Latest: NY, CT governors to work together on pot, vaping
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The Latest on meeting between governors of Connecticut and New York (all times local):
1:20 p.m.
The Democratic governors of New York and Connecticut say they plan to work together on regulating recreational marijuana and vaping in their neighboring states.
Uruguay makes first commercial marijuana export shipment
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Uruguay has made its first commercial export shipment of marijuana since legalizing the drug in 2013, sending 10 kilograms of cannabis to Australia, where its medicinal use is lawful.
The Fotmer company made an earlier shipment to Germany, but officials say that...
US awards $3M to fill gaps in medical marijuana research
The U.S. government will spend $3 million to find out if marijuana can relieve pain, but none of the money will be used to study the part of the plant that gets people high.
Nine research grants announced Thursday are for work on CBD, the trendy ingredient showing up in cosmetics and...
Knockoff pot vapes raise concerns for licensed companies
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A short walk from police headquarters in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, a cluster of bustling shops are openly selling packaging and hardware that can be used to produce counterfeit marijuana vapes that have infected California's cannabis market.
Some CBD vapes contain street drug instead of the real thing
Jay Jenkins says he hesitated when a buddy suggested they vape CBD.
"It'll relax you," the friend assured.
The vapor that Jenkins inhaled didn't relax him. After two puffs, he ended up in a coma.
Vaping illness in US gives Canada pause as legal sales near
TORONTO (AP) — The serious lung illness affecting hundreds of people in the U.S. who vaped cannabis-based oil is giving Canadian health officials pause as that country prepares to allow the sale of vaping products in its legal marijuana market.
Oregon pot retailers begin pulling vape brands in lung scare
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon marijuana retailers on Thursday began removing vaping products from their shelves and offering returns on previously purchased vape pens amid a nationwide scare over severe lung illnesses and deaths tied to electronic cigarettes.
Man sentenced for role in large-scale pot trafficking ring
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut man who prosecutors say was part of a marijuana trafficking operation that flew about two tons of pot into the state on a small aircraft has been sentenced to about 2 ½ years in prison.
Federal prosecutors say 34-year-old Terrell Givens, of Beacon...
What we know so far about the US vaping illness outbreak
U.S. health officials are investigating what might be causing hundreds of serious breathing illnesses in people who use e-cigarettes and other vaping devices. They have identified about 450 possible cases in 33 states, including six deaths.
A look at what we know so far about the outbreak...
Man calls police demanding they return his stolen pot
SHARONVILLE, Ohio (AP) — A man confused about Ohio drug laws has called a police department demanding that officers return the small amount of marijuana they "stole" from him.
WXIX-TV reports the man told a Sharonville police dispatcher in an expletive-laced call Tuesday that it's legal to...
Oregon death is 2nd linked to vaping, 1st tied to pot shop
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Public health officials in Oregon said Wednesday that a person who recently died of a severe respiratory illness had used an electronic cigarette containing marijuana oil from a legal dispensary, the second death linked to vaping nationwide and the first tied to a vaping...
More vaping illnesses reported, many involving marijuana
WASHINGTON (AP) — Health officials are recommending people who vape consider avoiding e-cigarettes while they investigate more cases of a breathing ailment linked to the devices.
While the cause remains unclear, officials said Friday that many reports involve e-cigarette products that...
‘This ain’t your mother’s marijuana,’ surgeon general says
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal health officials issued a national warning Thursday against marijuana use by adolescents and pregnant women, as more states legalize the increasingly potent drug for medicinal and recreational use.
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and Surgeon General...
Man pleads guilty to Hartford homicide during pot deal
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A 20-year-old Connecticut man has pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter with a firearm in connection with a fatal shooting earlier this year in Hartford.
The Hartford Courant reports that Ian Wilson Jr., of Windsor, was initially charged with murder and...
How much pot in that brownie? Chocolate can throw off tests
How much marijuana is really in that pot brownie? Chocolate can throw off potency tests so labels aren't always accurate, and now scientists are trying to figure out why.
In states where marijuana is legal, pot comes in cookies, mints, gummies, protein bars — even pretzels. These...
Editorials from around New England
Editorials from around New England:
Weedmaps to stop advertising unlicensed pot businesses
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The major online pot shop directory and cannabis marketplace Weedmaps announced Wednesday that it will no longer allow black-market businesses to advertise on its site, a decision that could boost California's efforts to rein in its vast illegal market.
Fate of legalized marijuana in Connecticut remains hazy
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — After coming close this year, Connecticut lawmakers have yet to decide when to make another attempt at legalizing and taxing recreational marijuana.
Legislators acknowledge it's doubtful there will be a vote this summer or fall. And despite a desire by proponents to...
Sanders’ criminal justice plan aims to cut prison population
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is proposing a criminal justice overhaul that aims to cut the nation's prison population in half, end mandatory minimum sentencing, ban private prisons and legalize marijuana. He says the current system does not fairly treat...
Java still a no-no for Mormons despite fancy coffee names
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has issued a warning to members that coffee is prohibited no matter how fancy the name, that vaping is banned despite the alluring flavors and that marijuana is outlawed unless prescribed by "competent" doctors.
Court rejects appeal of man convicted in drug deal killing
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut court has rejected the appeal of a New Haven man who is serving a 55-year prison sentence for killing another man during what was supposed to be a marijuana deal.
Three judges on the state Appellate Court ruled against Jaquwan Burton on Friday.
Is pot safe when pregnant? Study seeks answer, draws critics
CHICAGO (AP) — Pregnancy started out rough for Leslie Siu. Morning sickness and migraines had her reeling and barely able to function at a demanding New York marketing job, so like rising numbers of U.S. mothers-to-be, she turned to marijuana.
Dozens vie for chance to grow medical marijuana in Utah
NEPHI, Utah (AP) — The wide metal barn on the Utah alfalfa farm owned by Russell and Diane Jones will host their youngest son's wedding next month. By September, they hope the structure will be full of marijuana plants.
The Joneses are fourth-generation farmers, members of The Church of...
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jay-Z is heading into the legal marijuana industry as a chief brand strategist in partnership with a California cannabis product company.
The rapper said in a statement Tuesday that he entered a multiyear deal with San Jose, California-based Caliva. His role will consist...
Teen odds of using marijuana dip with recreational use laws
CHICAGO (AP) — New research suggests legalizing recreational marijuana for U.S. adults in some states may have slightly reduced teens' odds of using pot.
One reason may be that it's harder and costlier for teens to buy marijuana from licensed dispensaries than from dealers, said lead...
Italy’s ‘cannabis light’ creates buzz even if the pot won’t
ROME (AP) — It's been called the Italian "green gold rush." Mild, barely there marijuana dubbed "cannabis light" has put Italy on the international weed map, producing hundreds of stores that sell pot by the pouch and attention from investors banking the legalization of stronger stuff will...
Illinois becomes 11th state to allow recreational marijuana
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois' new governor delivered on a top campaign promise Tuesday by signing legislation making the state the 11th to approve marijuana for recreational use in a program offering legal remedies and economic benefits to minorities whose lives critics say were damaged by...
Millennial Money: How to join the cannabis business boom
Marijuana is having a moment. Experts recently dubbed cannabis the fastest-growing industry in the U.S. Legal weed generated $10.4 billion in the United States in 2018, and the number of "plant-touching" jobs is expected to pass 500,000 by 2022 , according to New Frontier Data, a cannabis market...
GOP lawmakers create hurdles for citizen ballot initiatives
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas voters have been active in recent years, passing ballot initiatives that legalized medical marijuana, raised the minimum wage and expanded casino gambling.
California to illegal pot shops: We’re coming for you
LOS ANGELES (AP) — California is planning to intensify its enforcement against the state's thriving illegal marijuana market, including launching an ad campaign Friday that urges consumers to seek out licensed shops with safe products.
Gee whiz: Testing of sewage confirms rise in marijuana use
SEATTLE (AP) — The proof is in the pee.
A federally funded study has confirmed, not surprisingly, that marijuana use went up in Washington state after its first legal pot stores opened in 2014. In fact, consumption appeared to double, at least in one major city, over three years — a...
Marijuana industry sets environmental, ethical goals
LOS ANGELES (AP) — An alliance of large marijuana businesses had a message for the public Tuesday: We're good corporate citizens.
The 45-member Global Cannabis Partnership, which includes Canopy Growth Corp. and other companies operating in the sector, issued guidelines aimed at minimizing...
