Trump Takes Aim at Harm Reduction, KY First MedMJ Dispensary Approved, More... (8/8/25)

Delaware saw nearly a million dollars worth of cannabis sales on the first weekend of adult-use sales, Slovenian lawmakers push for legal marijuana, and more.

A medical marijuana dispensary. Coming soon to the Bluegrass State. (Sandra Yruel/DPA)

Delaware Sold Nearly a Million Bucks Worth of Weed on Opening Weekend. State officials reported combined adult-use and medical marijuana sales of $903,000 over the three-day weekend marking the beginning of adult-use marijuana sales in the state. That included roughly $625,000 in adult-use and $278,000 in medical sales at 14 retail locations.

The $625,000 in adult-use sales generated an estimated $93,700 in tax revenues, officials said.

"Delaware's first weekend of adult-use cannabis sales has shown that our state is ready -- and eager -- for a well-regulated, responsible market," Gov. Matt Meyer (D) said. "This moment reflects our commitment to growing Delaware's economy, strengthening our communities, and prioritizing public health. Now, we have a real opportunity to reinvest this revenue directly into neighborhoods across our state, ensuring Delaware becomes a national model for cannabis quality, innovation and fairness. I'm proud we're moving thoughtfully and deliberately to get this right for all Delawareans."

The most popular cannabis items were marijuana buds (accounting for 56% of sales), vapes (26%), and edibles (14%). Less popular products, accounting for less than 4 percent of sales, were pre-rolled joints with concentrate, liquid edibles (tinctures, elixirs, capsules), and topical lotions.

"Delaware's transition to adult-use cannabis sales has exceeded expectations," Delaware Marijuana Commissioner Joshua Sanderlin said. "More than $900,000 in sales over the first three days reflects not only strong consumer demand, but also the readiness and professionalism of our licensed operators to serve the public safely and responsibly."

"This successful launch positions Delaware to realize the economic benefits of regulated cannabis sales while maintaining our commitment to public safety and responsible implementation," said Joshua Bushweller, secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

Medical Marijuana

Kentucky Approves First Medical Marijuana Dispensary. State officials have approved the first of 14 expected medical marijuana dispensaries in the state, although there is no firm date for opening yet. The dispensary is located in Beaver Dam, between Evansville and Bowling Green.

The state legalized medical marijuana beginning January 1, but patients still have no legal access within the state, although an executive order allows them to obtain medical marijuana from other legal states.

Gov. Andy Beshear (D) said the dispensary is expected to open its doors in the fall.

By the end of May, the state had issued more than 10,000 medical marijuana cards to eligible patients.

Harm Reduction

Trump Takes Aim at Harm Reduction And Safe Consumption Projects. In a July 24 executive order, Ending Crime and Disorder on America's Streets, President Donald Trump moved to end federal funding for harm reduction programs in general and safe injection sites in particular.

The executive order directs secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) "ensure that discretionary grants issued by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery fund evidence-based programs and do not fund programs that fail to achieve adequate outcomes, including so-called 'harm reduction' or 'safe consumption' efforts that only facilitate illegal drug use and its attendant harm."

Another section directs that the HHS secretary and the secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to [end] support for 'housing first' policies that deprioritize accountability and fail to promote treatment, recovery, and self-sufficiency." Federal housing or homelessness grantees should lose funding if they "operate drug injection sites or 'safe consumption sites,' knowingly distribute drug paraphernalia, or permit the use or distribution of illicit drugs on property under their control," the order says.

The move is not going over well with drug reform and harm reduction advocates.

"If our leaders are serious about building safer communities and supporting people struggling with drugs, they must invest in what works: stable housing, overdose prevention, and accessible treatment," Maritza Perez Medina, director of federal affairs at the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), told Marijuana Moment. "Yet housing remains out of reach for many, and while it takes just 35 seconds to be arrested for a drug offense, it can take weeks to access treatment."

"This executive order is alarming -- it invites federal interference in local decisions and threatens to punish cities and community groups for pursuing proven public health solutions," she said. "The potential loss of federal funds to organizations distributing naloxone that reverse a fentanyl overdose, syringes that stop the spread of infectious diseases, or other life-saving overdose prevention tools will only increase the risk of overdose deaths or illness to our loved ones."

The president’s executive order "promotes the illusion of safety by criminalizing people for being visibly unhoused rather than addressing root causes like the dearth of affordable housing and accessible substance use disorder and mental health care," said Paul Samuels, president of the Legal Action Center. "The approach outlined echoes decades of failed 'tough on crime' strategies that have harmed already marginalized communities, especially Black and brown, and wasted huge amounts of money without making anyone safer," he said.

International

Slovene Lawmakers Push for Adult-Use Marijuana Legalization. The Slovenian parliament has approved a bill to legalize medical marijuana, but members of several parties are going a step further and have now introduced a bill to legalize adult-use marijuana.

The bill is a project of the Freedom Movement, The Left, and the Social Democrats. It would allow adults to grow up to four marijuana plants (no more than six per household) and possess up to seven grams in public and 150 grams at home per adult, with a maximum of 300 grams per household.

The bill would allow for marijuana sharing but not commercial sales or monetary exchanges.

The bill also contains protections for workers' rights: Employers would not be allowed to conduct routine, random drug tests -- only for cause.

"According to analyses, cannabis is no more dangerous than other already legalized drugs, such as tobacco and alcohol," said Natasa Sukic, a The Left MP.

There is public support for legalization. In a pair of non-binding referenda in June 2024, two-thirds supported medical marijuana and a narrow majority (52%) favored the idea of letting adults grow and keep their own weed.