A Weekly Roundup of Stories We Found Interesting – From The Profound To The Profane

2019 Explosion of Cannabis Mergers and Acquisitions Predicted
Large corporations, like those in the food, tobacco and pharmaceutical industries have mostly stayed on the sidelines, held back by regulatory concerns, but are now expected to enter the cannabis market.

24 Cannabis Predictions for 2019 That Will Come True
Legalization is going to rhyme with normalization, modernization, and Zkittlez, among other trends. Read on for 24 predictions that will most definitely happen in cannabis in 2019.

Thailand’s Parliament Votes To Legalize Medical Marijuana
In a region known for its harsh penalties for illegal drugs, Thailand is set to become the first nation in Southeast Asia to allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes. By a vote of 166 to 0, the military-appointed National Legislative Assembly approved legislation this week that would allow the use of cannabis under medical supervision.

Number of Teens Smoking Pot in Washington State Drops in The Years After Marijuana Legalization
The number of teens toking since recreational marijuana use was legalized for people 21 and older in Washington state six years ago has declined significantly, according to new research published in the journal Jama Pediatrics.

Marijuana Legalization Means Safer Borders and Less Smuggling
Smuggling has fallen 78 percent over just a five-year period. Because marijuana was the primary drug smuggled between ports of entry, where Border Patrol surveils, the value of the agency’s seizures overall — on a per-agent basis — has declined 70 percent.

Congressional Democrats Release Report On Marijuana Legalization’s Economic Benefits
Democrats on the congressional Joint Economic Committee published a report on Tuesday highlighting the “economic benefits of legalized cannabis at the state and national levels.” Titled, “The National Cannabis Economy,” the report finds that the marijuana industry brought in more than $8 billion in sales in 2017, with sales estimated to reach $11 billion this year and expected to soar to $23 billion by 2022.

How are Cannabis Seeds Created
It’s worth knowing how seeds are created if you intend to grow your own. An increasing number want to grow a supply of medical marijuana. Some want to grow as a hobby, to breed new strains, or just to save themselves some money.

Trinidad Hurries to Join Others Decriminalizing Weed
As the year comes to a close, there has been a welcome change of heart and attitude toward decriminalization in Trinidad. The island’s cabinet says it will move with haste in the new year to amend existing legislation to deal with the issue.