Best of the Week: April 25 – May 1, 2025

Let’s dive into the top stories shaping the conversation this week. Summaries of each article are listed below.

1. Cannabis Science and Technology March/April 2025 issue

Check out our latest issue! You’ll find data interpretation of mass spectroscopy, phase one of the Science of Smokability study results, GC Injection set up and a guide on how to avoid peak splitting of cannabis pesticide samples, efficiency in indoor cannabis cultivation, result manipulation in laboratory tests, and topical cannabinoid applications!

Dive in to the columns, feature articles, and more!

2. Women in Grow: Leadership in Cannabis Genetics and Cultivation

Our latest supplement highlights the research and achievements in cannabis cultivation. Our interactive supplement features interviews with cannabis genetics expert and researcher Anna Schwabe, PhD and hemp specialist Daniela Vergara, PhD.

Dive in to read more and watch clips of the interviews!

3. Convincing the Squares: Why Bias, Not Science, Is Holding Back Cannabis Legalization

Despite strong science and widespread legalization, federal cannabis policy remains outdated due to cultural stigma. Our May blog by Kim Anzarut, CEO of Allay Consulting, explained how to move the industry forward by convincing skeptics of the legitimacy of cannabis.

Read more on how, in order to shift public opinion and policy, the industry must emphasize safety, standards, and professionalism—especially through practices like cGMP.

4. National Hemp Report for 2024 Released by National Agricultural Statistics Service

The 2024 National Hemp Report was recently released by National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), which collects agriculture-related data for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The report used the Hemp Production and Disposition Inquiry to collect information from all 50 states on acreage, yield, production, and price data from February to March for the 2024 crop year. The survey was completed with collaborative efforts from the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), Risk Management Agency (RMA), Economic Research Service (ERS), and the Office of Chief Economist (OCE).

The report highlighted that the industrial hemp value for 2024 totaled $445 million for hemp grown in the open and under protection, an increase of 40% from 2023.

5. Low-Level Cannabis Convictions in Maryland Automatically Shielded from Public View with New Legislation Signed by Governor

Maryland Governor Wes Moore recently signed into law SB 432 which will now mandate state officials to automatically shield records connected to past and low-level cannabis convictions from public view. SB 432 states, “in any way refer to the existence of records of a charge of possession of cannabis in a case with electronic records if the charge resulted in a conviction that was later pardoned by the Governor.” Additionally, the law will allow for some offenses that a person has served their sentence to be able to be eligible for expungement.

“Our strategy to make Maryland safer has centered on an all-of-the-above approach – prioritizing data, coordination, accountability, rehabilitation, and prevention across all parts of society,” said Governor Moore. “Today, we continue our work by cracking down on ghost guns, delivering real second chances, and expanding opportunities for expungement. We will continue to drive down crime. And at the same time, we will ensure Marylanders who’ve been successfully rehabilitated aren’t denied access to health care, housing, and employment.”