The Weekly Roll - March 28th 2025

Happy Friday!

Welcome back to The Weekly Roll. I hope everyone had a lovely week! Here is what’s happening this week in cannabis and art:

France Advances Medical Program : France is moving forward with medical cannabis legalization by filing a formal notification with the European Commission, signaling a significant step towards creating a regulated medical cannabis access program. The country's existing medical cannabis pilot program, which began in 2021 with 3,000 patients, has been extended until March 31, 2026, as officials continue to work on developing comprehensive regulations and insurance coverage. While cannabis remains strictly prohibited outside of medical use, this move represents a progressive approach to potentially integrating medical cannabis into France's healthcare system. Article

Virginia Vetoes Again : Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has vetoed legislation to create a regulated adult-use cannabis market, arguing that legalization poses risks to children's health and public safety. Citing an 85% increase in youth cannabis-related overdoses since possession was legalized in 2021, Youngkin claims commercialized cannabis is a "failed experiment." Legislators counter that the veto will continue to fuel an unregulated, illegal cannabis market in the state. Article

Interesting Number : 93%. The Decline in Federal Cannabis Trafficking Charges since 2012. The U.S. Sentencing Commission reported that federal cannabis trafficking charges have plummeted, with fewer than 500 people charged last year—a stark 93% drop from 2012. Cannabis offenses now represent just 2.6% of federal drug cases, with an average sentence of 36 months compared to longer sentences for other drug trafficking offenses. Article

Inaugural Meraki Artist Award : The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) Boston has launched the Meraki Artist Award, a $100,000 prize for women visual artists, with Sarah Sze as its inaugural recipient. Funded by Fotene Demoulas of the Market Basket family, the award celebrates women's achievements in the arts and will be presented annually for the next decade. Sze, a Boston-born MacArthur Fellow known for her intricate installations exploring technology and memory, will receive the award at the ICA's annual women's luncheon in May. Article

Have a great weekend! 

Aidan