Marijuana - The Boston Globe

VAPING ILLNESSES

Michigan teen who had vaping illness received double lung transplant

A Michigan teenager was the recipient of what could be the first double lung transplant on a person whose lungs were severely damaged from vaping, health officials said Tuesday.

THE LATEST FROM THE CDC

More than 2,100 vaping illnesses, 42 deaths nationwide, CDC reports

Authorities said they believe vitamin E acetate is a main culprit behind the lung illnesses.

CDC finds one possible cause of vaping illnesses — but can’t confirm yet whether legal, regulated vapes are safeThird vaping-related death reported in Mass.Where have people died from vaping-related illnesses?

Massachusetts reports 5 new vaping illness cases to CDC

Massachusetts health officials have reported five new cases of vaping-related illnesses to federal investigators over the last week, bringing the total number of cases reported in the state to 73.

Cannabis commission quarantines marijuana oil vapes, effectively extending ban
The sale of nearly all marijuana vapes will remain prohibited in Massachusetts.

Coming up in Massachusetts

Hearing on vape ban planned by Mass. health officials for Nov. 22

SJC to hear vape ban case in December

The Supreme Judicial Court has agreed to hear arguments related to Governor Charlie Baker’s emergency ban on vaping products.

‘It’s honestly hell.’ Hospitals see rare vomiting syndrome in heavy marijuana consumers

The condition, called cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, can be horrific for patients, causing intense abdominal pain, nausea, and days-long vomiting episodes.

Starting your marriage on a high note: How to add marijuana to your wedding day

What etiquette needs to be considered? What will Pop-Pop think? What about the kids who come?

Here’s what to know about the new pot shop in Salem that opened this week

Salem officially has a second recreational marijuana store.

Across the country

Georgia medical marijuana program begins after 7-month wait

Georgia’s top elected leaders moved forward this week with a program to provide medical marijuana to the state’s 15,000 registered patients.

Top Alaska marijuana regulator fired from job

The board that regulates Alaska’s legal marijuana industry voted Wednesday to fire the director it shares with state alcohol regulators, a move director Erika McConnell maintained lacked justification.

Michigan opens door to recreational pot sales in December

The state of Michigan is opening the door to the sale of marijuana for recreational use starting in December, which is earlier than expected.

New England

Federal grand jury investigating municipal marijuana contracts

Prosecutors in the office of US Attorney Andrew Lelling have subpoenaed a number of Massachusetts cities and towns, seeking information related to so-called “host community agreements” signed with marijuana operators.

Maine towns mixed on votes to open up legal marijuana sales

Residents of several Maine municipalities voted to change local laws about marijuana as the state prepares for legalized recreational use of the drug.

Boston subpoenaed by grand jury in marijuana corruption probe

The demand makes the city the most prominent subject yet of a wide-ranging investigation into municipal corruption by the office of US Attorney Andrew Lelling — and promises to ratchet up scrutiny of Mayor Martin Walsh’s much-criticized system for picking cannabis operators.

Cannabis board declines to uphold Baker’s medical marijuana vape ban, but products may stay off shelves

A top state marijuana regulator said Thursday he may lift a ban on sales of vaporizers for raw cannabis flower for medical patients, but would probably not allow the sale of cannabis oil vaping products to patients to resume in the near future.

Third vaping-related death reported in Mass.

The person — a man in his 50s from Worcester County — reportedly vaped both nicotine and THC.

This Week in Weed

Finger-pointing as marijuana producers pressure CCC to loosen lab testing rules

The state’s dispensaries insist the problem is a backup at the two Massachusetts labs licensed to conduct required tests on recreational marijuana for potency and contaminants.

Nation

Megan Rapinoe speaks out about using CBD for pain management and pushing CBD into the mainstream

“I believe the power in the athlete in this particular field is incredibly strong because what we’re asking for is a better, safer alternative to pain management,” said Megan Rapinoe, who has become a brand ambassador for the CBD company cofounded by her twin sister Rachael.

World

Canopy slumps after ‘astounding’ loss, restructuring charge

Canopy Growth Corp. shares fell to the lowest in nearly two years after the pot company reported revenue that missed the lowest analyst estimate and a loss that one analyst called ‘‘astounding.’’

The essential guide to buying and consuming pot in Massachusetts

These are the most common questions marijuana budtenders get asked

Here are the recreational marijuana shops open in Massachusetts

The hidden titans of pot

Massachusetts legalized the sale of recreational marijuana with the ambition to be different — and better. But two years since the law went into effect, troubling signs loom. This three-part series uncovers stealth moves by large investors poised to dominate this nascent industry and outmaneuver regulators.

These companies test the limits — and brag about it

No firm is allowed to own or control more than three recreational marijuana stores. But two companies — Sea Hunter and Acreage — are testing the limits.

Inside one battle that could change the marijuana industry

The race to open Mattapan Square’s first pot shop raises questions about trust and who gets to cash in.

For sale in the pot industry: political influence

Marijuana may be the hot, new retail business in town, but it largely plays by the old political rules.

More coverage

Eight takeaways from the Spotlight series on the state’s burgeoning marijuana industry

Marijuana company’s expansion plans test Mass. law

Massachusetts marijuana regulators investigating whether companies violated license limits

Beyond Massachusetts, states struggle to limit marijuana behemoths

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Special Report

Canada's lessons in legalizing cannabis

Reporter Naomi Martin takes a look at how Canada's legalization process is playing out. (Caitlin Healy/Globe Staff)

In legalizing marijuana, Canada did everything differently. Here’s what we can learn

Latest local headlines

Two pot shops opened in Mass. on Tuesday. Here’s what you need to know
Two more recreational marijuana shops will open its doors to customers this week, adding to the 30 adult-use stores that have already opened elsewhere across the state.

Maine will accept first marijuana business applications soon
Maine officials say the state will start taking applications to license recreational marijuana businesses before the end of the fall.

Ban on medical marijuana vapes to end unless cannabis commission votes to keep it, judge rules
The Mass. Cannabis Control Commission should decide by next week whether to keep, lift, or modify Governor Charlie Baker’s ban on medical marijuana vaping products, a judge ruled Tuesday.

Federal grand jury investigating municipal marijuana contracts
Prosecutors in the office of US Attorney Andrew Lelling have subpoenaed a number of Massachusetts cities and towns, seeking information related to so-called “host community agreements” signed with marijuana operators.

High court to hear vape sales ban case in December
The Supreme Judicial Court has agreed to hear arguments related to Governor Charlie Baker’s emergency ban on vaping products, elevating to the state’s highest court a legal argument brought by the Vapor Technology Association against the administration’s ban.

Recreational marijuana stores in Brockton and Millis get OK to open
Two recreational marijuana stores received final approval Friday to open as early as next week — one in Brockton and the other in Millis.

East Bridgewater vape company receives cease and desist for selling vapes despite statewide ban
An East Bridgewater vape business has received a cease and desist order from local officials after allegedly selling vapes despite a statewide temporary ban on the products ordered by Governor Charlie Baker at the end of September.

Mass. medical marijuana patients say Baker lacks authority to ban cannabis vapes
Only the Cannabis Control Commission has power over marijuana products, the patients argued in a new legal filing.

Here’s what to know about Curaleaf’s first recreational pot shop in Mass.
Curaleaf, one of the world’s largest cannabis companies, opened its first recreational marijuana store in Massachusetts on Friday, starting on an appointment-only basis.

‘They’ve blurred the lines’: Local retailers urge officials not to ban flavored tobacco products because of vaping illnesses
Organizers say that without being allowed to sell flavored cigarettes, many convenience stores likely won’t even make enough revenue to stay open.

Hearing on vape ban planned by Mass. health officials for Nov. 22
A Superior Court judge sided with Governor Charlie Baker Wednesday when he denied a motion by vape store owners to block the administration from enforcing its emergency regulation banning the sale of nicotine vaping products.

Second person dies from vaping-related illness in Mass.
A second person — a woman in her 40s from Middlesex County — has died from a vaping-related illness in Massachusetts, state officials said Wednesday.

Check your children’s trick-or-treating candy for marijuana this Halloween, regulators warn
Ahead of the first Halloween in Massachusetts with recreational marijuana stores open, regulators are warning parents to pay extra attention to their children’s candy and make sure none of it is laced with pot.

Here’s the latest from the CDC on the nationwide vaping illnesses and deaths
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a new report Monday with first-time details about some of the people who have died from vaping-related illnesses.

Ban could cost Mass. vaping stores up to $8 million in sales
The Baker administration projects that a three-month ban on retail nicotine and marijuana vaping products has the potential to cost businesses $7 million to $8 million.

Rental truck found in Connecticut filled with 420 pounds of marijuana
Two Los Angeles men face drug charges in Connecticut after troopers pulled over a rental truck filled with marijuana.

Mass. hemp farmers say they face ruin thanks to state ban on most CBD products
Farmers just harvested tens of thousands of pounds of hemp. But thanks to a surprise policy change by Governor Charlie Baker’s administration in June, the crop is worth a fraction of projections.

Baker bows to judge, submits vape ban as emergency regulation
The move will keep the country’s broadest ban on vaping products in place for at least three months. A Superior Court judge earlier this week had sharply criticized Governor Charlie Baker’s administration for implementing the ban without public input.

First Lynn recreational marijuana shop to open Saturday
The city of Lynn is getting its first recreational marijuana shop with the opening of Apothca’s adult-use store on Saturday.

Rob Gronkowski makes another pitch for CBD’s acceptance in the NFL
A company endorsed by the former Patriots tight end will have its brand and logos around Gillette Stadium, but not within it.

most read on bostonglobe.com

Are recreational marijuana shops preparing to open in your town? Check our maps

Data released by the Cannabis Control Commission show where marijuana operators have set up shop and where they hope to.

All 2020 presidential candidates now support marijuana legalization efforts — even the Republicans

Bill Clinton “didn’t inhale” marijuana, and it was Obama’s “mistake,” but now all 12 official Democratic candidates told the Globe they support full nationwide legalization, Canada-style.