Justice

Washington D.C. - President Joe Biden, a figure once notorious for his stringent anti-drug stance, has evolved into an unlikely catalyst for the most substantial overhaul of federal cannabis policy since the Controlled Substances Act was enacted in 1970. This shift could mark another surprising twist in his extensive political narrative. The Genesis of Change ...

NEW YORK — Sanctuary Cannabis, a player in Florida's medical cannabis industry, has initiated legal proceedings against the state, challenging a dramatic rise in biennial licensing fees. Under Governor Ron DeSantis' administration, the fees escalated from $60,000 to a staggering $1.33 million in December. The suit criticizes the fee increase as "exponential" and contends it ...

LOS ANGELES- Ohio’s medical cannabis industry is looking toward the upcoming ballot with a mix of hope and caution as Issue 2, which would legalize adult-use cannabis, approaches a statewide vote. Operators in the sector anticipate a positive outcome, yet remain wary of potential legislative hurdles post-election. Issue 2, a statutory measure awaiting a simple ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a significant policy shift, the U.S. Senate has passed a bill that, among other directives, authorizes Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) physicians to recommend cannabis to veterans for medical purposes. This legislation, part of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilConVA) appropriations bill, was approved by a vote of ...

NEW YORK— A consortium of Massachusetts-based cannabis companies have taken the unprecedented step of suing U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland over the federal prohibition of cannabis. The plaintiffs argue that these laws not only infringe upon state rights but also detrimentally impact their businesses due to obligatory cash-only operations, stemming from federal restrictions. The companies ...

NEW YORK — With the Canadian government anticipated to greenlight MDMA-assisted therapy in 2024, two pioneering Alberta-based companies are proactively paving the way for a broader acceptance of psychedelic therapies. ATMA Journey Centers and Cena Life have publicly disclosed their "strategic partnership", a union of their resources aimed at connecting an increased number of patients ...

NEW YORK - Atlanta-based multistate operator Parallel's subsidiary, Goodblend Pennsylvania LLC, a medical cannabis grower, has been directed by an Allegheny County Court to vacate its Pittsburgh facility and pay $15.5 million. The decision comes after Goodblend reportedly accrued $5.8 million in unpaid rent since October 2022. The verdict, sanctioned by Judge Christine Ward, responded ...

LOS ANGELES— As the drive for medical cannabis intensifies nationwide, Idaho finds itself as an island of resistance in a sea of relaxed cannabis regulations. Kind Idaho, a determined advocacy group, is fervently seeking to change that dynamic by ensuring medical cannabis becomes accessible to Idahoans. They are currently gathering signatures to position their proposal ...

ALBUQUERQUE — New Mexico regulatory authorities have dealt a significant blow to Albuquerque's cannabis industry, revoking the license of local firm Golden Roots and imposing a nearly $300,000 fine. This punitive action is the result of allegations that the company, operating under the name Cannabis Revolution Dispensary, had both unlawfully procured and improperly transported cannabis ...

LOS ANGELES- Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) has reintroduced federal cannabis reform to the forefront, two years after she became a prominent Republican voice on the matter. On October 24, Mace unveiled a new cannabis legalization bill, echoing her previous attempt with the States Reform Act filed in November 2021. This earlier effort sought to deregulate ...

LOS ANGELES- The New Mexico Department of Taxation and Revenue announced an enforcement drive on Wednesday, highlighting that over 100 cannabis license holders in the state have failed to meet their tax obligations. According to a recent news release by the agency, 80 cannabis businesses settled their tax dues when contacted by the department over ...

LOS ANGELES- A legal battle between Tilray Brands Inc. and Docklight Brands concerning an agreement to market Bob Marley-branded cannabis products in Canada has come to a close. U.S. District Judge Tana Lin, located in Washington state, has ruled the case be dismissed. Neither party is required to bear the other's legal costs, as per ...

LOS ANGELES- October 17 marks a momentous occasion for Canada, as it celebrates the fifth anniversary of cannabis legalization, a pioneering move for an industrialized nation and one that has seen cannabis contributing roughly 0.5% to the nation's total economy. The Path to Legalization It was the Cannabis Act (C-45) that sowed the seeds of ...

LOS ANGELES-The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) finds itself amidst legal turbulence due to challenges related to its medical cannabis licensing process. Background: Verano Holdings Corp. recently took legal action against the AMCC, criticizing the commission's convoluted licensing procedure. This lawsuit is among several others filed against the AMCC. The tiff between Verano and AMCC ...

COLUMBUS– The Buckeye State stands on the precipice of a transformational decision. As early voting gets underway, Ohio residents are faced with a potential shift in their state's stance on cannabis. Public sentiment, shaped by intensive campaigning from both sides, tilts favorably toward legalization, but opposition tactics are intensifying the debate. Recent surveys present an ...

WASHINGTON D.C. — Recent optimism surrounding potential U.S. cannabis banking reform has encountered obstacles, with unrelated political issues clouding prospects for legislative passage. While there is hope for the U.S. Senate to pass the SAFER Banking Act, which would protect financial institutions serving state-legal marijuana businesses from federal prosecution, the political tumult in the House ...

LOS ANGELES — Governor Gavin Newsom has placed a halt on the proposed move to introduce Amsterdam-style cannabis cafes in California. Despite significant bipartisan backing, Assembly Bill 374, the bill that could have potentially transformed cannabis dispensaries into cafes with live performances, food, and cannabis products, met its end at the governor's desk this Friday. ...

ATLANTA- In a pioneering move, Georgia has become the first state in the U.S. to greenlight the sale of medical cannabis at independent pharmacies, with the objective of simplifying access for its registered medical cannabis clientele, reports the Associated Press. The Georgia Board of Pharmacy recently initiated the application process, and close to 120 pharmacies ...

LOS ANGELES-California Governor Gavin Newsom's recent actions on cannabis-related bills have left both proponents of cannabis reform and the cannabis industry with mixed feelings. While he signed several bills into law that will bring significant changes to the state's cannabis regulations, his veto of two crucial bills - one related to cannabis cafes and another ...

LOS ANGELES— Six decades of advocacy for psychedelic legalization in California might finally culminate with the passage of SB58, a landmark bill proposing the decriminalization of certain natural psychedelics for therapeutic use. Having cleared the state legislature on September 7, the bill now awaits Governor Gavin Newsom's signature or veto. However, nearly a month since ...

LOS ANGELES- In a historic move, Governor Gavin Newsom has put California at the forefront of the psychedelic medicine movement. The Democratic Governor recently signed groundbreaking legislation that would allow healthcare professionals to prescribe substances like MDMA and psilocybin, currently prohibited under federal law, once they are federally decriminalized. This state legislation, a potential game-changer ...

LOS ANGELES — A contentious ballot initiative that could legalize cannabis for adult use in Florida will be debated in the state's highest court. The Florida Supreme Court has slated November 8 for oral arguments concerning the proposed measure, as reported by WFLA. State Attorney General Ashley Moody spearheads opposition to the initiative, asserting that ...

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate Banking Committee's anticipated markup of the SAFER Banking Act took place on Sept. 27, marking significant progress in the upper chamber for the legislation. The bill aims to streamline cannabis-related banking, and its progress in the Senate has been watched closely by many in the cannabis industry. Despite numerous passages ...

LOS ANGELES- A significant judicial ruling in Arkansas has stalled the state's efforts to reclassify and criminalize hemp-derived THC products. U.S. District Court Judge Billy Roy Wilson issued an order preventing the enforcement of a law that sought to ban the sale and use of these products in the state. The ruling, seen as a ...

LOS ANGELES- In the ever-evolving landscape of hemp regulation, Texas has encountered more than its fair share of bumps. On Thursday, a significant turn took place as a Texas appeals court upheld a temporary injunction against the state's ban on delta-8 THC, marking a victory for a conglomerate of businesses and consumers challenging the ban's ...