Justice

LOS ANGELES- The Louisiana House Health and Welfare Committee has unanimously passed House Bill 707, setting the stage for a comprehensive regulatory framework for recreational cannabis use. Introduced by Rep. Edmond Jordan, the bill aims to establish foundational elements for future legislation that would fully legalize and regulate adult-use cannabis in Louisiana. Although not legalizing ...

LOS ANGELES- Louisiana's legislative bodies are currently entangled in a debate over the future of hemp-derived THC consumables, with contrasting bills passed by the House and Senate. According to NOLA.com, the Louisiana House has passed a bill aimed at regulating the industry, while the Senate has pushed for a complete ban. The House's proposal seeks ...

NEW YORK- The Department of Health & Human Services is considering revisions to the federal drug testing panels, as detailed in a recent Federal Register publication. The proposed adjustments include the addition of fentanyl to the panel and the potential removal of MDMA (Ecstasy) and MDA. This proposal stems from the Fighting Opioid Abuse in ...

NEW YORK- North Carolina witnessed the opening of its first medical cannabis dispensary on April 20, a significant event as it marks the only legal, regulated, and safe sale of cannabis within the state. Located within the Qualla Boundary, the territory governed by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), the Great Smoky Cannabis Dispensary ...

LOS ANGELES- Governor Kathy Hochul, alongside New York City Mayor Eric Adams and other state officials, announced a comprehensive five-point plan to address the unlicensed cannabis market in New York. This announcement, made on Friday, introduces stricter enforcement measures and new legal tools designed to curb illegal cannabis activities, which have become a significant issue ...

LOS ANGELES- New York State is progressing in its efforts to expand the cannabis industry, with the Cannabis Control Board (CCB) approving an additional 101 adult-use cannabis licenses, bringing the total for 2024 to 403. Governor Kathy Hochul has expressed support for these developments, highlighting their role in bolstering the state's equitable cannabis market and ...

NEW YORK- New York has issued over 400 adult-use cannabis licenses this year, a significant step as the state addresses the slow initial rollout that led to widespread unlicensed dispensaries. The state Cannabis Control Board (CCB) added 101 new licenses on April 12, encompassing various sectors including microbusiness, cultivation, processing, distribution, and dispensaries. Governor Kathy ...

LOS ANGELES- In a recent development within Kansas legislative circles, a contentious amendment has been introduced that seeks to impose stricter penalties on hemp farmers whose crops test above a 1% THC threshold. This amendment, supported by law enforcement agencies and the lobbyist group Stand Up for Kansas, was initially presented during discussions on a ...

LOS ANGELES-  In an effort to resolve ongoing delays and legal complications in its medical cannabis program, the Alabama Senate Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee has endorsed Senate Bill 306, which proposes a comprehensive reset of the cannabis licensing process. This bill, introduced by Sen. Tim Melson, aims to discard all prior license approvals and ...

LOS ANGELES- In a recent development in Virginia's cannabis legalization movement, Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed legislation that would have established a legal marketplace for adult-use cannabis. This move has been seen as a setback for advocates of cannabis reform in the state, where adult-use possession and cultivation were legalized in 2021. Governor Youngkin, known for ...

NEW YORK- In recent weeks, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents have reportedly seized regulated cannabis products at least a dozen times at border checkpoints in New Mexico, impacting state-licensed cannabis businesses. This marks a shift from the previous hands-off approach by federal authorities in weed-legal states. New Mexico, which legalized medical cannabis in ...

LOS ANGELES- Ohio is on the verge of activating its adult-use cannabis marketplace following the state regulators' recent publication of the latest draft rules for the industry. This comprehensive framework, announced last week, introduces detailed regulations focusing on retail operations, including novel provisions for online sales, curbside pickup, and stringent waste disposal requirements. The newly ...

LOS ANGELES- In a recent development within Hawaii's legislative process, a pivotal House committee announced it will not advance a bill proposing the legalization and regulation of recreational cannabis, effectively halting the legislation for 2024. Despite passing the Senate with a 19-6 vote and narrowly securing approval in a lower House chamber, the bill faced ...

LOS ANGELES- In a significant legislative move, the Council of the District of Columbia has unanimously passed the "Medical Cannabis Patient Card Extension 4/20 Medical Cannabis Sales Tax Holiday Week Emergency Amendment Act of 2024." This act amends Title 7 of the DC Official Code to implement three critical changes aimed at improving the medical ...

LOS ANGELES- The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has announced plans to hold a hearing regarding the proposed classification of two psychedelic substances, 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) and 2,5-dimethoxy-4-chloroamphetamine (DOC), as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act. This move comes in response to significant opposition from the scientific and research community, who argue that such a ...

LOS ANGELES- In a landmark reversal, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has endorsed House Bill 4002, reintroducing criminal penalties for possession of controlled substances such as fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine. This action marks a departure from the state's previously decriminalized stance on drug possession under Measure 110, a voter-approved initiative from 2020. The new law, set ...

NEW YORK- In a recent legislative development, Georgia is poised to enforce a new law restricting the sale of hemp-derived cannabinoid products, including CBD and intoxicating substances like delta-8 THC and delta-9 THC, to individuals under the age of 21. This initiative is part of a broader regulatory effort encapsulated in Senate Bill 494, also ...

LOS ANGELES- In a significant move by the Maryland Cannabis Administration, 174 social equity cannabis licenses were awarded through a lottery system, showcasing the state's commitment to diversity and inclusion within the burgeoning cannabis industry. This initiative marks a pivotal step towards ensuring equitable opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses in the sector. The lottery, ...

LOS ANGELES-  The Florida Supreme Court is set to make a pivotal decision regarding the appearance of an adult-use cannabis legalization amendment on the November ballot, according to ClickOrlando. This determination follows a challenge by Attorney General Ashley Moody last year concerning the amendment’s ballot language, pushing the court to scrutinize its clarity and legality. ...

LOS ANGELES- In a decisive move that prolongs the status quo, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has vetoed a bill aimed at legalizing the sale of adult-use cannabis in the state, citing concerns over public health and safety. This action effectively maintains the illegal market's dominance in cannabis sales, sidelining the establishment of a regulated legal ...

LOS ANGELES- In a significant development for Colorado's cannabis industry, Senate Bill 23-271, effective since January, has introduced new regulations allowing cultivators to source genetics from a broader array of entities. This legislative shift aims to rejuvenate the state's cannabis market, addressing sales slumps post-COVID-19 pandemic highs and fostering innovation within the sector. Previously, Colorado ...

NEW YORK- Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is intensifying efforts to advance the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFER) Banking Act, employing a public petition to highlight the critical need for banking access for cannabis businesses, which are currently encumbered by federal restrictions. This move signifies a proactive approach to navigating the legislative landscape, aiming ...

LOS ANGELES- An expert panel appointed by the government to review Canada's Cannabis Act has proposed several key changes aimed at refining the nation’s adult-use legalization framework. After 18 months of deliberation, the panel released a final report encompassing 54 recommendations and various observations for federal consideration. Among the notable suggestions is enabling pharmacy distribution ...

NEW YORK- In a recent development that underscores the intricate legal and regulatory landscape of New York's cannabis market, TJ's Cannabis of Liverpool has entered settlement discussions with the New York Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). The dispute centers around the prohibition of TJ's Cannabis from establishing a dispensary in the Syracuse suburb of Clay, ...

LOS ANGELES- In a recent encounter with cannabis activists, President Joe Biden reaffirmed his commitment to reforming federal cannabis policy. However, activists argue that simply rescheduling cannabis is insufficient to address the harms caused by prohibition. During a campaign event in Wisconsin, Biden responded to a sign advocating against incarceration for cannabis offenses by asserting ...