Justice

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 ...

LOS ANGELES — Verano Holdings, a Chicago-based cannabis operator, has filed a lawsuit against the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) following the revocation of a business license that was initially granted to the company. This move comes less than two weeks after the controversial decision by the agency. Verano's legal action marks the second such ...

TORONTO — While corner shops selling recreational cannabis have become a familiar sight in most major Canadian cities since its legalization five years ago, the landscape appears significantly different in Quebec. Toronto, Canada’s largest city, boasts over 400 licensed cannabis retail outlets spanning its six boroughs. In stark contrast, Montreal — the nation's second-largest city ...

LOS ANGELES—In a move reflecting the growing significance of the cannabis industry in the Southwest, New Mexico's Cannabis Control Division has named Todd Stevens, a seasoned professional from Colorado's expansive cannabis market, as its next director. Stevens, who recently held the position of manager of training and development at Native Roots Cannabis Co., one of ...

LOS ANGELES-- The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission has overhauled its initial round of business licensing, with some of the original winners, including Verano Holdings Inc., ending up on the losing side. The reshuffling has led to confusion and frustration, with Verano declaring its intent to pursue legal remedies. The Licensing Reshuffle In June, Verano Holdings, ...

LOS ANGELES— In a move that could reshape the landscape of Alabama's burgeoning cannabis industry, the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) indicated in a Monday court filing its intention to nullify the licenses it awarded earlier this month. The decision comes amidst claims of violating Alabama's Open Meetings Act during the August 10th proceedings. This ...

LOS ANGELES-- A father-and-son investor duo are the latest to challenge state residency requirements for cannabis business ownership, a contentious issue facing multiple states. Two out-of-state investors, Tom and Jerry Reed, have filed lawsuits in Montana aiming to overturn the state's residency requirement for owners of cannabis businesses. The suit is part of a broader ...

LOS ANGELES- Several Arkansas businesses have initiated a legal battle against the state's recent ban on hemp-derived THC products, which took effect on August 1. The plaintiffs, including four local companies, assert that the prohibition infringes upon the federal Farm Bill of 2018 and interferes with interstate commerce protections. The ban encompasses various forms of ...

TORONTO — The Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS), Canada's largest adult-use wholesaler, has issued a position paper to Health Canada, urging the agency to reconsider the current THC limit governing cannabis edibles and to address the industry's environmental impact, particularly concerning packaging and single-use plastics. THC Limit Controversy The current cap on THC in cannabis edibles ...

LOS ANGELES-- Adelanto, California's former mayor, Richard Kerr, 66, was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison on Friday for accepting over $57,000 in bribes and kickbacks in exchange for approving ordinances and permits for cannabis-related businesses. The decision was handed down by U.S. District Judge John W. Holcomb, who considered Kerr's age, health, service ...

NEW YORK-- A group of disabled military veterans has lodged a lawsuit in New York against cannabis regulators, claiming that their licensing system for certain social equity applicants breaches the state constitution. The lawsuit, filed in the state Supreme Court in Albany, contends that the Office of Cannabis Management exceeded its authority under the Marijuana ...

LOS ANGELES--  MMJ International Holdings Corp, a cannabis research company, is gearing up to file a lawsuit against the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), accusing the agency of failing to adhere to federal law regarding the cultivation of pharmaceutical cannabis for research purposes. The impending legal action comes after MMJ's application to grow pharmaceutical cannabis to ...

LOS ANGELES— The Oklahoma Supreme Court recently heard arguments in a lawsuit filed by a coalition of cannabis companies challenging a large business fee increase that took effect in June. The companies argue that the fee increase, authorized by House Bill 2179 and approved by the Oklahoma Legislature last year, is equivalent to a tax ...

LOS ANGELES— The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has recently issued an updated directive reiterating its doctors' prohibition from issuing medical cannabis recommendations to military veterans. The revised Veterans Health Administration (VHA) guidance aligns closely with a previous version from 2017, which was updated at the end of 2022 to encourage VA doctors to ...

NEW YORK-- New York state authorities carried out a crackdown on what they deemed as seven unlicensed cannabis dispensaries in the western region on Monday. The establishments, known as the "I'm Stuck" shops, located in Cayuga, Oswego, and Wayne counties, were accused of operating without proper approval, selling cannabis products to minors, and organizing controversial ...

LOS ANGELES--Illinois has taken a significant step towards facilitating the reintegration of individuals who have been released from prison into society. Senate Bill 423, signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) on Friday, aims to lower the possibility of recidivism and enhance public safety by supporting the successful reentry of former inmates into their ...

WASHINGTON — Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO) has reintroduced a bill that seeks to pave the way for federal marijuana legalization. Titled the Preparing Regulators Effectively for a Post-Prohibition Adult-Use Regulated Environment Act (PREPARE) Act, the legislation, unveiled on Thursday, proposes the establishment of a commission by the attorney general to provide recommendations on a regulatory ...

MINNEAPOLIS — On Tuesday, Minnesota officially enacted its cannabis legalization law, granting adults aged 21 and older the right to possess and grow cannabis for personal use. This legalization, passed by lawmakers earlier this year and signed into law by Governor Tim Walz in May, marks a significant milestone in the state's approach to marijuana ...