Justice

LOS ANGELES- The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has initiated the first social equity business license application process for the state's adult-use cannabis market. The application window, which began on Wednesday, will remain open until 11:59 p.m. CT on August 12. This initiative aims to provide early access to the market for social equity ...

LOS ANGELES- Tilray Brands, Inc. announced that its German subsidiary, Aphria RX GmbH, has received a cultivation license under Germany's newly enacted adult-use cannabis legalization law. The facility, previously licensed in 2019 for Germany's medical cannabis program, can now cultivate a broader range of cannabis products, expanding from three strains to 31 under the new ...

LOS ANGELES- Dallas officials have finalized a petition allowing voters to decide on a cannabis decriminalization ordinance this November. The proposed measure aims to make the enforcement of Class A and Class B misdemeanor cannabis possession the city's "lowest enforcement priority." If approved, the ordinance would direct city resources away from misdemeanor cannabis enforcement to ...

LOS ANGELES- The rulemaking process for Ohio's pending adult-use cannabis program is progressing rapidly, with sales expected to start by the third quarter of this year. Following voter approval of Issue 2, which legalized cannabis possession, use, and home growth for residents aged 21 and older, the Ohio Department of Commerce's Division of Cannabis Control ...

LOS ANGELES- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are taking action against companies selling delta-8 THC edibles packaged to resemble popular snacks, often marketed towards children. Delta-8 THC is a psychoactive substance found in the Cannabis sativa plant, which includes both cannabis and hemp varieties. The FDA and FTC ...

LOS ANGELES- A key Republican-led House committee has approved a large-scale spending bill that would block the Justice Department from rescheduling cannabis. Additionally, the bill amends a longstanding rider protecting medical cannabis states from federal interference by introducing enhanced penalties for sales near schools and parks. This decision comes as part of a broader legislative ...

LOS ANGELES- The Senate Appropriations Committee has passed a measure allowing U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors to discuss and recommend medical cannabis to patients residing in states where it is legal. This amendment, known as the Equal Access Amendment, was introduced by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and approved through a voice vote on ...

LOS ANGELES- The House Appropriations Committee approved legislation on Tuesday that impedes the Biden administration's initiative to reschedule cannabis and relax federal restrictions. The Republican-led panel endorsed an amendment to a funding bill that prevents the Department of Justice from advancing the rescheduling plan, which is currently in a rulemaking process to move cannabis from ...

LOS ANGELES- Nebraska cannabis advocates have turned in more than 114,000 signatures for their petition to legalize medical cannabis in the state, according to the Nebraska Examiner. The campaign, led by Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, requires approximately 86,500 signatures from registered voters, including signatures from at least 5% of voters in 38 of Nebraska’s 93 ...

LOS ANGELES- Arkansas advocates have submitted more than 111,000 signatures to support a ballot initiative aimed at significantly expanding the state's medical cannabis program. This initiative includes provisions to eliminate application fees for patients and permit home cultivation. Last week, Arkansans for Patient Access (APA) submitted the signatures to put the initiative on the November ...

LOS ANGELES- A new poll indicates that Florida’s constitutional amendment for the legalization of adult-use cannabis has garnered support from 64% of voters, surpassing the 60% threshold required for passage, as reported by Florida Politics. The poll highlights strong backing across age groups, with 100% of respondents aged 18-29 and 82% of voters aged 30-39 ...

LOS ANGELES- Minneapolis-based Headflyer Brewing has begun offering hemp-derived, THC-infused beverages on tap under a new state regulation that took effect July 1. Hemp-Infused THC Drinks Now Available On Tap Headflyer Brewing in northeast Minneapolis is now serving hemp-derived, THC-infused beverages on tap, according to CBS News. This service is newly legal under a state ...

LOS ANGELES- Supporters of proposals to expand Arkansas' medical cannabis program and repeal a casino license have submitted thousands of signatures to get their measures on the November ballot. Initiative organizers, including efforts to modify the state’s abortion ban, claim they have enough signatures to qualify. However, groups advocating for education and government transparency, as ...

LOS ANGELES- Delaware Governor John Carney, who previously opposed adult-use cannabis legalization, now faces the decision of whether to allow the state’s medical cannabis companies to transition into the forthcoming adult-use market. The General Assembly recently passed House Bill 408, which aims to create temporary conversion licenses for existing Medical Marijuana Compassion Centers to operate ...

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued a reminder that cannabis remains classified as a Schedule I controlled substance and is subject to the limitations of Internal Revenue Code Section 280E until any final federal rule is published. Despite ongoing legislative discussions and proposed changes, the law regarding the classification of cannabis has ...

NEW YORK- Gov. Ron DeSantis has launched a new political committee to target a pair of ballot initiatives on abortion access and legalizing cannabis in Florida. The committee, named the Florida Freedom Fund, was quietly launched late last month with James Uthmeier, the governor’s chief of staff, serving as its official chair. The creation of ...

LOS ANGELES- Maryland is set to launch a new Cannabis Workforce Development Program, aimed at supporting residents interested in joining the state's expanding cannabis industry. The program will prioritize individuals and communities directly impacted by the War on Drugs, with a focus on those with a history of cannabis-related offenses. The initiative is a collaborative ...

LOS ANGELES- The North Carolina Senate has given final approval to a medical cannabis legalization bill, sending it to the House for consideration. This move marks a significant step toward legalizing medical cannabis in the state, though the bill does not extend to adult-use cannabis, even if federal laws were to change. Key Provisions and ...

LOS ANGELES- Recent cannabis policy reforms in the United States have resulted in approximately 2.5 million pardons or expungements for cannabis-related convictions, according to a tally by the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) reported by the Associated Press. Despite this progress, Paul Armentano, NORML’s deputy director, emphasized that this figure is ...

LOS ANGELES- The Dutch government's ongoing trial to regulate the adult-use cannabis industry has been expanded to include eight more cities, bringing the total number involved to ten. Initially launched in Breda and Tilburg in December 2023, the trial aims to replace the current system of tolerance, which overlooks the illegality of soft drug possession. ...

LOS ANGELES- For the second consecutive year, the North Carolina Senate has approved language to legalize medical cannabis, the Associated Press reports. Despite the Senate's approval, the bill's future in the House remains uncertain, as last year’s similar effort failed to pass. On Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee appended the 35-page medical cannabis language to ...

LOS ANGELES- The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) is in such disarray that lawmakers need to appoint a receiver to manage the regulatory agency, according to a recent letter from the state's inspector general. Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro characterized the commission as “rudderless” in a press release, urging legislative leaders to take responsibility for the ...

LOS ANGELES- Since its inception three weeks ago, New York’s task force dedicated to shutting down illegal cannabis dispensaries has closed 114 storefronts. The enforcement actions, which have led to the seizure of more than $29 million worth of products, mark a significant step in the state's efforts to regulate the cannabis market. According to ...

LOS ANGELES- A Texas judge has dismissed a lawsuit by Attorney General Ken Paxton that sought to nullify voter-approved local cannabis decriminalization ordinances in Austin, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and San Marcos. Last week, a Texas district court judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by state Attorney General Ken Paxton, which aimed to overturn cannabis decriminalization ordinances ...

LOS ANGELES- Vermont Governor Phil Scott allowed cannabis bill H.612 to become law without his signature, marking significant regulatory changes to the state's cannabis landscape. The bill, which aims to improve regulations surrounding cannabis and hemp-derived products, includes measures to ban psychoactive hemp-derived products. Scott highlighted that the bill presents both advantages and drawbacks, noting ...