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Tuesday

Cannabis plants seen in the District Cannabis facility in Hagerstown, Md.

An assortment of aromas fill the air at the District Cannabis grow facility in Hagerstown, Md. Pien Huang/NPR hide caption

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Pien Huang/NPR

How safe is your weed?

Lavender, citrus and candy: Weed's signature aroma changes with the times

A tour of a grow facility in Maryland reveals the wide variety of scents from different cannabis strains.

WEED SMELL

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Wednesday

Officers with the law enforcement division of the California Department of Cannabis Control confiscate unlicensed marijuana plants in the Goldridge neighborhood of Fairfield, Calif., on Jan. 9.

Officers with California's Department of Cannabis Control confiscate unlicensed marijuana plants in the Goldridge neighborhood of Fairfield, Calif., on Jan. 9. Officers recovered 2,001 pounds of cannabis plants and 167.56 pounds of cannabis shake from three private residences. Maggie Andresen for NPR hide caption

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Maggie Andresen for NPR

How safe is your weed?

U.S. cannabis shoppers face market flush with illegal weed

In much of the U.S., illegal cannabis outcompetes legal weed sold in licensed shops. For consumers, it can be difficult to find regulated cannabis — but there are tips on how to do that.

U.S. cannabis shoppers face market flush with illegal weed

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In much of the U.S., illegal cannabis outcompetes legal weed sold in licensed shops. Officers with the law enforcement division of the California Department of Cannabis Control confiscate unlicensed marijuana plants in the Goldridge neighborhood of Fairfield, Calif., on Jan. 9.

In much of the U.S., illegal cannabis outcompetes legal weed sold in licensed shops. Officers with the law enforcement division of the California Department of Cannabis Control confiscate unlicensed marijuana plants in the Goldridge neighborhood of Fairfield, Calif., on Jan. 9. Maggie Andresen for NPR hide caption

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Maggie Andresen for NPR

National

U.S. cannabis shoppers face a market flush with illegal weed

In much of the U.S., illegal cannabis outcompetes legal weed sold in licensed shops. For consumers, it can be difficult to find regulated cannabis — but there are tips on how to do that.

U.S. cannabis shoppers face market flush with illegal weed

Listen · 4:32
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Tuesday

A vape pen is filled with a concentrated form of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in weed, along side marijuana buds.

A vape pen is filled with a concentrated form of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in weed, alongside marijuana buds. HighGradeRoots/iStockphoto/Getty Images hide caption

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HighGradeRoots/iStockphoto/Getty Images

How safe is your weed?

Vaping weed is very popular, but users should be aware it carries risks

Chemicals, pesticides and intense concentrations are all things that may be in the liquid versions of marijuana that are vaporized and inhaled.

Vaping weed is very popular, but users should be aware it carries risks

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Monday

Cannabis is legal in many states but not federally. As more Americans consume weed products, concern is growing about the risks of traces of contaminants such as pesticides and heavy metals.

Cannabis is legal in many states but not federally. As more Americans consume weed products, concern is growing about the risks of traces of contaminants such as pesticides and heavy metals. Cecilia Sanchez/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Cecilia Sanchez/AFP via Getty Images

How safe is your weed?

How safe is your weed? Patchy regulations may leave contaminants in the weed supply

Millions of Americans use cannabis and would like to think the products they buy are safe. But regulation is state by state and full of holes. NPR's new series digs into the risks and solutions.

How safe is your weed? Patchy regulations may leave contaminants in the weed supply

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Saturday

Monday

Inside the Chinese-funded and staffed marijuana farms springing up across the U.S.

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Lisk Feng for NPR

World

Inside the Chinese-funded and staffed marijuana farms springing up across the U.S.

Large numbers of migrants from China are crossing into the U.S. and finding work on marijuana farms. Some of the businesses are accused of exploiting workers and violating state growing rules.

State of the World - Chinese money and labor in U.S. marijuana

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Thursday

Friday

How Red Lobster got cooked and other indicators
(Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)/Getty Images

The Indicator from Planet Money

How Red Lobster got cooked and other indicators

Indicators of the Week is back! On today's episode, we discuss Red Lobster's bankruptcy, the rancid vibes of the U.S. economy, and a surprising shift in vices among Americans.

How Red Lobster got cooked and other indicators

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Friday

Scientists welcome new rules on marijuana, but research will still face obstacles

For decades, all research in federally funded laboratories had to use only marijuana grown at a single facility located in Oxford, Mississippi. Brad Horrigan/Hartford Courant/Tribune News Service via Getty Images hide caption

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Brad Horrigan/Hartford Courant/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Scientists welcome new rules on marijuana, but research will still face obstacles

When marijuana becomes a Schedule III instead of a Schedule I substance under federal rules, researchers will face fewer barriers to studying it. But there will still be some roadblocks for science.

Scientists welcome new rules on marijuana, but research will still face obstacles

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From left: Drake, SpongeBob, Kristi Noem

From left: Drake, SpongeBob, Kristi Noem Rich Fury/Getty Images for dcp; Hector Vivas/Getty Images; Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption

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Rich Fury/Getty Images for dcp; Hector Vivas/Getty Images; Scott Olson/Getty Images

The NPR news quiz

Which celebrity feud escalated this week? Find out in the news quiz

Where's the beef? What's the deal with marijuana? Why does this read like a '90s stand-up script? The answer to at least some of these questions can be found in the quiz. Were you paying attention?

Friday

Black market cannabis thrives in California despite legalization

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco says legalization has increased incentives for unlicensed cannabis farms and associated violent crime. Martin Kaste/NPR hide caption

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Martin Kaste/NPR

National

Black market cannabis thrives in California despite legalization

Marijuana legalization was expected to bring the industry out of the shadows. But in some states, the black market is alive and well.

Black market cannabis thrives in California despite legalization

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Friday

Friday

Amsterdam will ban cannabis outdoors in its red-light district

People walk through Amsterdam's red-light district shortly after it reopened in 2020, during the pandemic. The neighborhood attracts millions of tourists each year. Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images hide caption

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Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

World

Amsterdam will ban cannabis outdoors in its red-light district

The measure, which is set to go into effect in May, is an attempt to appease residents in the neighborhood, which attracts millions of tourists each year.

Monday

Voters in some of the most conservative states to weigh in on recreational pot

Jars of marijuana line a shelf at The Flower Shop Dispensary in Sioux Falls, S.D. on Oct. 14, 2022. South Dakota's legal pot industry has started with medical cannabis, but voters are deciding whether to also legalize recreational pot. Stephen Groves/AP hide caption

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Stephen Groves/AP

National

Voters in some of the most conservative states to weigh in on recreational pot

Voters in Missouri, Arkansas, North Dakota, South Dakota and Maryland will vote on legalizing recreational marijuana. Nineteen states and D.C. have approved adult cannabis possession and consumption.