Justice

LOS ANGELES- California's legal cannabis industry is confronting a potential tax increase that stakeholders warn could exacerbate existing challenges. Assembly Bill 564 (AB 564), introduced by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco), seeks to prevent the scheduled rise in the state's cannabis excise tax from 15% to 19%, set to take effect on July 1, 2025. ...

LOS ANGELES- Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers continues to contest the implementation of the state's voter-approved medical cannabis law, citing concerns over the legality of the ballot initiatives and the regulatory framework established by the measures.​ In November 2024, Nebraska voters approved Initiatives 437 and 438, legalizing medical cannabis use and establishing the Nebraska Medical ...

LOS ANGELES- Florida’s medical settlement funds are under scrutiny after a $10 million payment intended for charitable use was channeled to two organizations that later fueled a high-dollar campaign against adult-use cannabis in the state. The controversy centers around Governor Ron DeSantis, First Lady Casey DeSantis, and the Hope Florida Foundation—a nonprofit closely tied to ...

LOS ANGELES- TILT Holdings Inc., a provider of cannabis business solutions, has received default notices from Innovative Industrial Properties (IIP) concerning two properties due to outstanding rental obligations. ​ The properties in question are located at 411 Susquehanna Street, White Haven, Pennsylvania, and 30 Mozzone Street, Taunton, Massachusetts. The default notices were issued due to ...

LOS ANGELES- The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) is progressing with plans to establish regulations for social consumption of cannabis, aiming to balance industry growth with public health and safety considerations. Proposed License Categories In December 2024, the CCC introduced draft regulations outlining three distinct license types for social consumption establishments: Supplemental License: Allows existing ...

LOS ANGELES- The U.S. Sentencing Commission's 2024 Sourcebook of Federal Sentencing Statistics reveals a continued decline in federal cannabis trafficking cases. In 2024, fewer than 500 individuals were charged, marking a significant decrease from nearly 3,500 cases in 2015 and approximately 5,000 in 2013. ​ This downward trend aligns with the expansion of state-level cannabis ...

LOS ANGELES- Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has vetoed legislation aimed at establishing a regulated cannabis retail market and implementing a ban on assault-style weapons. These decisions are part of a series of 157 vetoes issued by the governor this year, surpassing the number of vetoes by any Virginia governor in the past three decades. ​ ...

LOS ANGELES- California has established a comprehensive regulatory framework to safeguard consumers from potential health risks associated with cannabis products. The Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) oversees the adoption and enforcement of regulations for commercial cannabis license holders, including cultivators, retailers, manufacturers, distributors, testing laboratories, and microbusinesses. To address concerns about contaminants, the DCC mandates ...

LOS ANGELES- The Idaho Senate has approved a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would grant the legislature exclusive authority over the legalization of cannabis and other substances. This measure, known as House Joint Resolution 4 (HJR 4), follows its earlier passage in the House of Representatives and is now set to be presented ...

LOS ANGELES- Following the November 2024 approval of Initiatives 437 and 438, which legalized medical cannabis in Nebraska, state legislators are now working to establish a regulatory framework to implement these measures. The approved initiatives permit qualified patients to possess up to five ounces of cannabis for medical use and establish the Nebraska Medical Cannabis ...

LOS ANGELES- Governor Phil Murphy has proposed raising New Jersey's social equity excise fee on cannabis from $2.50 to $15 per ounce. This proposal aims to generate additional revenue for social service and violence intervention programs. The social equity excise fee, paid by cannabis cultivators, directs funds to programs supporting communities disproportionately affected by previous ...

LOS ANGELES- The regulatory framework governing industrial hemp is currently under extensive review, aiming to address emerging challenges and align with evolving industry practices. This initiative seeks to refine existing policies to better support the hemp sector while ensuring public safety and compliance. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, commonly known as the 2018 Farm ...

LOS ANGELES- In a move toward legalizing recreational cannabis, Pennsylvania legislators have introduced proposals to establish state-owned dispensaries, mirroring the state's existing model for alcohol sales. State Representatives Dan Frankel and Rick Krajewski advocate for a system where cannabis is sold through state-operated stores, akin to the Fine Wine & Good Spirits outlets. They argue ...

LOS ANGELES- The New Hampshire House of Representatives passed House Bill 75, a Republican-sponsored measure that legalizes the personal use and possession of cannabis for adults aged 21 and over. The bill, introduced by Representative Kevin Verville, removes state penalties for cannabis use and possession but does not establish a regulated commercial market for cultivation ...

LOS ANGELES- In a recent interview following his confirmation as the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. addressed the issue of marijuana-related incarcerations. He emphasized the need to balance concerns over high-THC cannabis products with the reality that numerous states have legalized recreational use and that many individuals have been ...

LOS ANGELES- The Idaho House of Representatives has passed House Bill 7, which mandates a minimum fine of $300 for adults convicted of possessing three ounces or less of cannabis. Rep. Bruce Skaug (R-Nampa) introduced the bill, which aims to establish a consistent penalty for low-level cannabis offenses. Under the proposed legislation, individuals aged 18 ...

LOS ANGELES- A Republican lawmaker in Montana has introduced legislation that would require individuals aged 21 and older to register with the state Department of Revenue and pay a $200 annual fee to legally purchase cannabis. The proposed bill mandates that consumers obtain a registration card, which must be presented at the point of sale. ...

LOS ANGELES- New Mexico House Bill 331 was introduced, proposing that cannabis establishments with ten or more employees be required to enter into, maintain, and adhere to labor peace agreements with bona fide labor organizations. This requirement would become a material condition for licensing, with non-compliance potentially leading to license refusal, suspension, or revocation. The ...

LOS ANGELES- The Arkansas Senate has approved a bill to allocate revenue from medical cannabis taxes to fund free breakfasts for students statewide. The legislation, designated as SB 59, proposes supplementing federal meal programs with a state Food Insecurity Fund, financed by cannabis tax revenue, private grants, and the state's general fund. Introduced by Senator ...

LOS ANGELES- Tennessee legislators have introduced two separate bills aimed at legalizing both recreational and medical cannabis use within the state. Recreational Use Legislation: Senate Bill 0809, known as the Tennessee Cannabis Act, was introduced by Democratic State Senator Jeff Yarbro. The bill proposes establishing regulations for the production, distribution, and sale of recreational cannabis ...

LOS ANGELES- Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has designated the prohibition of all consumable tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products as a primary objective for Texas' 2025 legislative session. Senate Bill 3, introduced on January 29, 2025, aims to ban all forms of consumable THC in the state. This initiative responds to concerns that retailers have exploited existing agricultural ...

LOS ANGELES- On January 27, 2025, the Indiana House of Representatives voted down an amendment to House Bill 1056 that sought to remove cannabis from the state's list of Schedule I controlled substances. The amendment, proposed by Representative Kyle Miller (D-Fort Wayne), aimed to reclassify cannabis, thereby initiating discussions on its potential legalization within Indiana. ...

LOS ANGELES- The Tacoma City Council in Washington State unanimously approved a resolution to decriminalize natural psychedelics, including substances containing tryptamines, phenethylamines, and indolamines. This legislative action designates the enforcement of laws against these entheogenic substances as among the city's lowest law enforcement priorities. The resolution also advocates for decriminalization at both the state and ...