Justice

WASHINGTON — The Senate Banking Committee on Wednesday signaled a bipartisan move forward in the quest for federal cannabis banking reform. The committee's decision could enable financial institutions to service state-legal cannabis businesses, a monumental shift from the industry’s current reliance on cash transactions. The 23-member committee cleared the SAFER (Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation) ...

MADISON— Wisconsin Democratic representatives are bolstering their endeavors to legalize adult recreational cannabis, citing potential economic and social benefits. Senator Melissa Agard and Representative Darin Madison are advocating for legalization, asserting that it will enhance public safety through regulation, bolster state agriculture, and potentially generate billions in state revenue by bringing the industry "out of ...

LOS ANGELES- In a formal communication to Anne Milgram, Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), a group of 14 Republican lawmakers has voiced their concerns against a recommendation by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that seeks the reclassification of cannabis. The HHS has suggested moving cannabis from its current status as ...

SACRAMENTO, — As the California State Legislature session drew to a close on September 14, Governor Gavin Newsom received over 17 bills related to cannabis or psychedelics, all waiting for his potential signature. These bills encompass a diverse range of proposals which the Governor can sign, veto, or leave unsigned, letting them pass into law ...

CHEYENNE. — A draft bill recently introduced in Wyoming is proposing to ban products derived from hemp that contain detectable amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component typically found in cannabis. This initiative, if enacted, would also outlaw the production of any hemp intended for human ingestion. The proposal stems from increasing concerns about minors ...

LOS ANGELES- In a significant development in the business world, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has brought charges against Texas-based Rapid Therapeutic Science Laboratories Inc. and its founder, Donal Schmidt Jr., accusing them of orchestrating a multi-faceted fraud scheme that sought to deceive investors and inflate stock prices. According to a lawsuit filed ...

LOS ANGELES-- In a significant bipartisan move, the House of Representatives Oversight and Accountability Committee advanced the Cannabis Users’ Restoration of Eligibility (CURE) Act, a pivotal piece of legislation seeking to modify federal employment guidelines regarding cannabis usage. Introduced by Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD), the act garnered favorable votes with a 30-14 margin in the ...

LOS ANGELES- The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has formally accused Texas-based company, Rapid Therapeutic Science Laboratories, and its founder, Donal Schmidt Jr., of engaging in a multi-faceted securities fraud and violations amounting to millions of dollars. The suit, lodged on September 18 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, ...

OKLAHOMA CITY- In a significant development, the Oklahoma Supreme Court has decided not to hear a lawsuit challenging the hike in medical cannabis business fees, maintaining that the fees instituted by the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) are not to be classified as an illegal tax, but rather as a means to fund the agency's ...

CHICAGO CITY- In a bid to address what is being termed as "a public health crisis" related to the unregulated sale of hemp-derived products containing THC variants like delta-8, delta-10, and THC-O, the Chicago City Council is weighing a proposal that would significantly restrict the sales of these products. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the ...

LOS ANGELES --In a move signaling potential transformative shifts in federal drug policy, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has urged the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to revisit the categorization of cannabis under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). A recent elucidation by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) underscores that this suggestion, sparked by ...

LOS ANGELES- In a move that signals a potential paradigm shift in drug policy and mental health treatment, California stands on the cusp of decriminalizing several psychedelic substances, thanks to the persistent efforts of Senator Scott Weiner. The legislative journey of Senate Bill 58, which seeks to establish a structured framework for the facilitated use ...

LOS ANGELES- Verano, a player in the cannabis industry, has launched a legal battle against the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, following the revocation of its business license due to a discrepancy in the application score identified by the commission, as reported by WSFA. The company asserts that the commission overstepped its bounds, a move that ...

LOS ANGELES-- In a recent interview with Punchbowl News on Monday, US Senator Sherrod Brown, a Democrat and the Chair of the Senate Banking Committee, expressed optimism regarding the forward movement of cannabis banking reform, specifically highlighting the potential advancements of the SAFE Banking Act in the coming weeks. Despite the imminent threat of a ...

LOS ANGELES-- In a recent development, the United Kingdom's Home Affairs Committee has urged the government to broaden the accessibility of unlicensed cannabis-based products for medical use through the National Health Service (NHS) before the conclusion of the current Parliament's tenure. The NHS, England's publicly funded healthcare system, has been pinpointed as a crucial platform ...

LOS ANGELES-- In a significant legislative move, California lawmakers have granted final approval to a bill that seeks to decriminalize the personal possession and use of psilocybin mushrooms and several other plant-based psychedelics, including DMT and mescaline, for individuals aged 21 and over. The bill, which passed with a 21-3-6 vote, is now awaiting the ...

LOS ANGELES -- in a recent development that adds to the ongoing complexities surrounding the launch of licensed businesses in New York's adult-use cannabis market, Albany County Supreme Court Judge Kevin R. Bryant has reversed an earlier decision that allowed certain businesses to proceed with their grand openings. This decision comes amidst a lawsuit filed ...

WASHINGTON, D.C.–In a significant development for the cannabis industry and investors, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced on Monday that he has engaged in discussions with Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) concerning the progression of bipartisan cannabis banking legislation. Brown expressed his hopes to push forward this critical legislation, along with several other ...

LOS ANGELES-- In a significant move towards clarifying the legal landscape surrounding cannabis use in South Africa, the South African Police Services (SAPS) has recently issued a directive urging its officers to refrain from arresting individuals engaged in the personal cultivation and possession of cannabis. This directive, which took effect on August 23, 2023, aims ...

LOS ANGELES — Over the past two years, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN) has initiated aggressive enforcement actions, resulting in the shutdown of over 800 illegitimate cannabis farms that were operating under the pretense of the state's medical cannabis regulations. This crackdown has led to more than 200 arrests and confiscation of almost 7,000 ...

DETROIT — John Dawood Dalaly, a prominent businessman from the Detroit area, has pleaded guilty to bribing a leading state cannabis regulator, seeking approval for dispensary licenses. Federal prosecutors have recommended that Dalaly face a prison sentence ranging from 30 to 37 months. The recommendation was forwarded to Judge Jane Beckering of the U.S. Attorney’s ...

NEW YORK-- In a surprise turn of events, New York's journey to cannabis legalization faced a significant speed bump. A recent decision by a New York Supreme Court Judge has thrown the state's budding cannabis industry into turmoil, with ramifications that could reshape its very foundation. Justice Kevin Bryant, earlier in the week, had partially ...

LOS ANGELES-- On Monday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the Joe Biden administration formally recommended to its counterparts at the Department of Justice that cannabis be moved lower on the list of federally controlled substances, from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3, Bloomberg reported Wednesday. Such a move indicates a significant step ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. –In a recent development, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has proposed a relaxation of regulations surrounding cannabis, according to a report from Bloomberg News. The move comes as part of a letter obtained by the news outlet. In the missive, which was directed to Anne Milgram, the administrator of ...

LOS ANGELES-– Ohioans will have the chance to make their state the 24th in the U.S. to authorize adult-use cannabis, after state officials greenlit ballot language for a November vote. The Ohio Ballot Board, comprising Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose and members appointed by the state Legislature, gave unanimous approval on Aug. 24 to ...