MJBizMag February 2023 - 28

INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS State by State
Utah
Regulators say they're pushing for new rules governing the presence of delta-8 THC and other hempderived
and synthetic cannabinoids allowed in the state's medical marijuana supply.
Utah law currently allows " THC analogs " in edibles, vaporizer cartridges and other products sold in
state-licensed pharmacies.
Analogs are defined as " a substance that is structurally or pharmacologically similar to, or is
represented as being similar to, delta-9-THC. "
State officials admit this has made it legal for MMJ pharmacies to sell products that contain delta-8
THC as well as other controversial synthetic derivatives with unknown safety profiles, including
delta-6 and delta-10 THC.
Underscoring concerns from researchers and advocates, Utah patients have reported adverse effects
such as blackouts after using products containing delta-8 THC, which other states have banned.
Although to date " no public health body has recognized a synthetic cannabinoid as a toxic or
deleterious substance, " the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food is asking for changes to state
law " that would allow us to restrict the presence of synthetic cannabinoids in products in Utah, even
if they have not been demonstrated to be toxic, " said Brandon Forsyth, the director of the agency's
Cannabis and Hemp Division.
Vermont
In the three months after regulated recreational marijuana sales began in the state, the number of
stores operating jumped from a handful to about two dozen-and more are expected.
At the beginning of October, only four retail cannabis stores were licensed in the state, with three
open for business, the Associated Press reported.
As of early January, 25 stores around the state were selling adult-use marijuana, and another four
were slated to open within a month, according to Vermont's state marijuana regulatory authority.
Seven more retail stores received licenses, and about 50 retailers overall were prequalified for
licensing as of October.
Regulated marijuana sales are projected to reach $40 million-$65 million in 2023 and hit
$120 million-$145 million by 2026, according to the 2022 MJBiz Factbook.
Washington state
Regulated cannabis sales slowed last year, for the first time since the state began legal adult-use
marijuana sales in 2014.
Retail marijuana sales declined 8% from 2021 to 2022, a loss of about $120 million in revenue, The
Seattle Times reported.
Brian Smith, spokesperson for the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board, characterized the
dip in sales as returning to normal after the boom times of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.
Similar sales trends are playing out in other recreational marijuana markets, including California,
Colorado and Oregon.
In Washington state, Seattle-based data analytics firm Headset found the average consumer
purchase of marijuana dropped from $34.14 in July 2021 to $31.41 in July 2022.
Note: Entries sourced from MJBizDaily and other international, national and local news outlets. These developments
occurred before this magazine's publication deadline, so some situations might have changed.
28 February 2023 | MJBizMagazine

MJBizMag February 2023

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