Best of the Week: May 2 – May 8, 2025

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

1. Mississippi Medical Cannabis Advertising Ban Challenge Declined by US Supreme Court

The US Supreme Court decline to hear a challenge involving Mississippi’s medical cannabis advertising ban. Led by Clarence Cocroft, owner of Tru Source Medical Cannabis, he expressed in a statement how, “Tru Source is tucked away in an industrial park with no foot traffic and hardly any vehicle traffic, so not being able to advertise has been truly detrimental to finding customers.” Cocroft added, “I was hoping the Supreme Court would hear our case so my business could be treated just like any other legal business in the state of Mississippi.” Cocroft argued that due to this ban, his first amendment right of free speech was violated.

2. Industry Reform Urged by the Cannabis Council of Canada

With the departure of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Canada is going through changes in leadership following the recent election where Mark Carney won to become the new Prime Minister of the country. Following the election, the Cannabis Council of Canada is urging for new cannabis reform to “address glaring gaps and shortcomings in the legal cannabis industry.”

Paul McCarthy, president of the Cannabis Council of Canada, expressed in a recent press release, “With a new government in office, it’s time for action. The cannabis industry deserves the same attention and support as any sector of our economy.” McCarthy further added, “Canada likes to position itself as a global leader in legal cannabis – but since legalization in 2018, the federal government has failed this industry and the tens of thousands of hardworking Canadians it supports.”

3. From Eczema to Parkinson’s: The Latest Healer Webinar on Recent Cannabis Research

Led by Dustin Sulak, DO, founder of Healer, a cannabis education and product resource, this webinar covered five studies on cannabis for hypermobility-associated chronic pain, eczema, Parkinson’s disease, and inflammatory bowel disease.

4. Study Explores Impact of THC on Driving-Related Cognitive Skills in Medical Cannabis Users

A recently published study examined the effects of THC on cognitive functions needed for driving. Separated into two studies, researchers in Australia analyzed the effects of both orally ingested oil and vaporized cannabis flower for adults prescribed medical cannabis and compared their neuropsychological performances with and without ingesting cannabis. Tolerance of THC was also considered, as the population in the study had a history of long-term frequent use of cannabis. The study, “Elucidating the acute effects of medically prescribed oral and vaporised delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on cognitive functions important for driving,” was published in Drug and Alcohol Review in April 2025, and was funded by the Motor Accident Insurance Commission.

5. Intoxicating Hemp Products Bill Passes Ohio Senate

The Ohio Senate recently voted to pass Senate Bill 86 unanimously. In this legislation, intoxicating hemp products will be mandated to only be sold at state-licensed adult-use cannabis dispensaries.

These types of hemp products are currently purchasable at smoke shops, gas stations, convenience stores, and cannabidiol (CBD) stores. According to Senate Bill 86, “The bill would prohibit sales at any establishment outside of the state’s adult-use dispensaries. It would also impose a 10% tax on intoxicating hemp products, set an age requirement of 21, and impose testing and labeling requirements.”