Tag: Recreation

  • Maryland Starts Sales of Recreational Marijuana

    Maryland Starts Sales of Recreational Marijuana

    Credit: Federico Magonio

    Maryland began sales of recreational marijuana on Saturday, only eight months after the state’s voters approved a ballot measure to legalize cannabis for adults.

    The first day of adult-use cannabis sales brought out lines of customers eager to shop at the state’s medical marijuana dispensaries, which were given the first crack at the newly legal market for recreational weed in Maryland by a bill to regulate adult-use cannabis passed in the spring.

    In November, Maryland voters legalized recreational marijuana with the passage of Question 4, a state referendum that was approved with nearly two-thirds of the vote, reports Forbes.

    In April, lawmakers passed legislation to regulate adult-use cannabis production and sales beginning on July 1, followed by the signing of the bill by Governor Wes Moore in early May.

    Under the measure, all adults in Maryland age 21 and up with proper identification will be allowed to purchase regulated marijuana products including cannabis flower, vapes, gummies and others, with sales beginning at the state’s existing medical marijuana retailers.

    The legislation also changed the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission, which regulated the production and sale of medical marijuana, to the Maryland Cannabis Administration.

    Will Tilburg, the acting director of the new agency, said that regulated sales of cannabis in Maryland are expected to triple over the next year with the launch of recreational marijuana sales.

  • Delaware 22nd State to Pass Recreational Marijuana Bill

    Delaware 22nd State to Pass Recreational Marijuana Bill

    Credit: Mehaniq41

    Despite his opposition to the bills, Delaware Gov. John Carney on Friday said he would let two bills that legalize marijuana and create a recreational industry become law without his signature.

    He said he is standing down from his opposition to recreational weed that put him at odds with his party.

    Delaware is the 22nd state to legalize recreational marijuana, marking a milestone in President Joe Biden’s home state after a nearly decades-long fight by advocates and Democrats to loosen restrictions on marijuana.

    Carney, in a statement, said he still believes legalizing weed is “not a step forward.”

    “I want to be clear that my views on this issue have not changed,” the governor said in a statement, reports USA Today.

    Carney said he could not sign the bills because of his concerns about the consequences recreational marijuana will have on children’s health, as well as roadway safety. Along with Delaware House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf, the governor is the rare Democrat to oppose weed legalization.

    Marijuana, in the quantity of personal use, becomes legal starting Sunday. Delawareans will be allowed to smoke joints, eat gummies and consume weed as they wish in private. It will still be illegal to consume marijuana in public, and employers are still allowed to have a zero-tolerance policy. Recreational weed will not be available for purchase in the state for at least 16 months.

    The Delaware General Assembly in March passed two marijuana-related bills: House Bill 1 legalizes the “personal use quantity” of marijuana, which varies by cannabis form, for people ages 21 and older. This is defined as 1 ounce or less of leaf marijuana, 12 grams or less of concentrated cannabis, or cannabis products containing 750 milligrams or less of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol.

    The second bill, House Bill 2, creates and regulates the recreational marijuana industry in Delaware. Within 16 months of the legislation going into effect, the state will distribute 30 retail licenses through a competitive bidding process.

    There will be a marijuana-control enforcement fee of 15 percent on recreational sales. This money, lawmakers say, will create grants and services that focus on restorative justice and reducing the state’s prison population.

    Last year, Carney vetoed a bill to legalize marijuana that the legislature sent to his desk. He said at the time that the law wasn’t in “the best interest of the state” despite the issue’s popularity within his own party.

  • Report: Global E-Liquid Market to Reach $3.3 Billion by 2027

    Report: Global E-Liquid Market to Reach $3.3 Billion by 2027

    The global e-liquid market is growing quickly. New data suggests that the market could reach $3.3 billion by 2027. According to a new study by Grand View Research, the market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 13.4 percent from 2021 to 2027.

    man filling e-cigarette
    Credit: Vaporesso

    “The advent of e-cigarette products such as squonk mods and pod systems has increased its popularity and adoption in recent years. The rising demand for these products globally is expected to drive the market over the forecast period,” a press release states. “In addition, the general presumption that these products can reduce the risk of lung disorders is fueling the market. Moreover, the absence of the tobacco burning process that is often found in conventional smoking products is expected to drive the market in the near future.”

    In terms of flavor, the menthol segment is anticipated to register the highest growth rate over the forecast period owing to increasing adoption among young people, especially in students, coupled with its availability at affordable prices, according to the report.

    “In terms of type, the bottled segment is expected to register growth at a significant pace from 2021 to 2027. This can be attributed to the fact that bottles allow users to make their own e-juice by adding two or more e-liquids,” the report states. “In terms of distribution channel, the online segment is anticipated to register a significant growth rate over the forecast period as it provides customers with a wide variety of e-liquids.”

    Regionally, Europe is anticipated to register notable market growth from 2021 to 2027. This can be attributed to rising awareness among individuals about the tobacco-free formulation of e-liquids, according to the report.

    “Market players are focusing on mergers and acquisitions, collaborations, and partnerships in order to expand their distribution networks and build an international presence for their brands,” the reportstates. “For instance, in January 2018, Nicopure, a manufacturer of e-cigarette and e-liquid, announced a partnership with Vapоr Ltd., a distributor of e-cigarette and e-liquid in Bulgaria. Nicopure appointed Vapоr Ltd. as one of its distributors in Bulgaria. The partnership allowed the former to expand its brand presence in Bulgaria.”

    Key players are increasingly investing in the marketing and distribution of their products owing to rising competition in the market. For instance, in July 2019, Turning Point Brands, Inc., a manufacturer, and distributor of consumer products, invested $3.0 million in the Canadian distribution firm ReCreation Marketing. Through the ReCreation Marketing platform, the company launched RipTide, an e-liquid vape technology, and a variety of Nu-X products in Canada.