Cannabis News Roundup: Week 2025-17: Cannabis in Crisis: Dementia Risks, State Battles, and Hemp Crackdowns

26 Apr, 2025

Cannabis risks and rewards collide this week: new studies reveal troubling links to dementia and pregnancy complications, while states like Maryland, Delaware, and Minnesota advance reforms. But chaos reigns in Alabama’s licensing system, Nebraska’s petition scandal, and Texas’s push to re-criminalize hemp products. Plus, big industry moves in Kentucky, Hawaii, North Dakota, and South Dakota highlight both growth and growing pains.

 

 

 

 

 

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DEMENTIA / PREGNANCY

This week, two major medical studies are raising fresh questions about the long-term health impacts of cannabis use.

In California, researchers from Columbia University examined nearly 900,000 pregnancies and found a steady rise in diagnoses of cannabis use disorder among pregnant women between 2015 and 2020. Although still rare — affecting about 1 in 400 pregnancies — the trend highlights growing use, often driven by women seeking relief from symptoms like nausea, despite doctors' warnings about potential risks to developing babies.

Meanwhile, in Ontario, a study published in JAMA Neurology tracked over six million adults and found that those hospitalized for cannabis-related issues faced a 23% higher risk of developing dementia within five years, compared to others — and a 72% higher risk compared to the general population. While researchers point to possible factors like brain inflammation and social isolation, they caution that the study doesn't prove cannabis directly causes dementia.

#CannabisNews #MarijuanaStudy #DementiaRisk #CannabisHealth #MedicalMarijuana #CannabisUseDisorder #BrainHealth #CannabisAwareness #JAMANeurology #CannabisPodcast

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DELAWARE

Delaware Governor Matt Meyer has nominated cannabis regulatory attorney Joshua Sanderlin as the state’s new Marijuana Commissioner, aiming to jumpstart the implementation of Delaware’s stalled adult-use cannabis market. Sanderlin brings over 15 years of cannabis regulation experience and, if confirmed by the Senate, will lead the state’s effort to launch its recreational marijuana market.

#DelawareCannabis #CannabisRegulation #MarijuanaCommissioner #AdultUseCannabis #CannabisMarket #CannabisLaw

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MARYLAND

Maryland has enacted a series of cannabis reforms aimed at expanding economic opportunity and addressing the consequences of past prohibition. Governor Wes Moore signed several measures into law, including the Expungement Reform Act, which automatically shields thousands of low-level cannabis convictions from public view — a step supporters say will ease barriers to employment, housing, and business ownership.

The new laws also authorize on-site consumption lounges, formally regulating spaces where adults may use cannabis socially, and allow individuals to produce concentrates and edibles for personal use under safety guidelines.

Additionally, Maryland will now permit faster ownership transfers of cannabis businesses, aiming to diversify participation in the industry.

#MarylandCannabis #CannabisReform #Expungement #SocialEquity #CannabisLounge #CannabisSocialUse #CannabisJustice #CannabisEntrepreneurs

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NEBRASKA

In Nebraska, a judge has reinstated criminal charges against notary public Jacy Todd, who was accused of improperly notarizing signatures for two medical marijuana ballot initiatives.

District Judge ruled Todd must face 24 counts of misconduct, reversing an earlier decision that notaries aren't public officials. Todd allegedly notarized petition signatures without witnessing them in person, which is a legal requirement.

The petitions helped legalize and regulate medical cannabis winning nearly 70% voter approval. Supporters call the case politically motivated while state officials say it's about protecting election integrity.

The outcome could