Justice
California Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Pesticide Use in Hemp Industry
LOS ANGELES- California regulators have intensified efforts to address illegal pesticide use in the hemp industry, underscored by a recent case involving Northern California hemp grower Bin Zheng. The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) found Zheng using banned pesticides, leading to a settlement requiring the destruction of hemp crops across 22 greenhouses. This enforcement ...
Alabama Judge Considers Easing Restrictions on Medical Cannabis Licensing
LOS ANGELES- A Montgomery County judge signaled Tuesday that he may consider easing some restrictions on the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) to allow limited vetting of cannabis license awards, potentially advancing the state’s delayed medical cannabis program. Judge James Anderson indicated that he may amend a temporary restraining order to permit some investigative actions ...
5th Circuit Court Rules Federal Ban on Cannabis Users Owning Guns Unconstitutional
LOS ANGELES- The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has declared that prosecuting a cannabis user for gun ownership under federal law is unconstitutional, marking a significant ruling that challenges longstanding federal restrictions. The decision stems from the case of Paola Connelly, a Texas resident who admitted to occasional cannabis use and was subsequently charged ...
Nebraska Certifies Medical Cannabis Ballot Measures for November Election
LOS ANGELES- The Nebraska Secretary of State has officially certified two ballot measures aimed at legalizing medical cannabis and establishing a regulated cannabis industry in the state. The measures, which will appear on the November election ballot, represent the third attempt by advocates to bring medical cannabis reform to Nebraska voters. The campaign, led by ...
Cannabis Industry Reacts to Trump’s Endorsement of Florida Legalization Initiative
LOS ANGELES- Former President Donald Trump's recent endorsement of Florida's Amendment 3, which seeks to legalize recreational cannabis in the state, has sparked immediate responses from key figures in the cannabis industry. The proposed constitutional amendment will appear on the November ballot and requires 60% voter approval to pass. Industry Leaders Respond Kim Rivers, CEO ...
DEA’s Postponement of Cannabis Rescheduling Raises Uncertainty for Industry
LOS ANGELES- The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has delayed the decision to reschedule cannabis under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) until after the 2024 presidential election, creating significant uncertainty in the ongoing cannabis reform debate. Cannabis has remained a Schedule I drug for over 50 years, a classification indicating high abuse potential and no accepted ...
Bipartisan Lawmakers Push for MDMA Therapy for PTSD as FDA Decision Looms
LOS ANGELES- In a rare show of bipartisanship, 80 members of Congress have united to urge President Joe Biden and the FDA to prioritize research on MDMA-assisted therapy for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The initiative, which seeks to fast-track access to new treatment options, is driven by a rising veteran suicide crisis and the ...
Maine Regulators Reject Plan to Report High Electricity Usage to Law Enforcement
LOS ANGELES- Maine's Public Utilities Commission has rejected a proposal that would have allowed electric utilities to report high electricity usage to law enforcement as a possible indicator of illegal cannabis cultivation. The measure, proposed by Versant Power, aimed to assist law enforcement by flagging unusual electricity consumption patterns that could be linked to illicit ...
California Seizes Over $120 Million in Illegal Cannabis Since January
LOS ANGELES- The Governor’s Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force (UCETF) announced this month that it has seized over $120 million worth of illegal cannabis since the beginning of 2024. The task force’s operations also led to the eradication of nearly 123,000 illegal cannabis plants and the destruction of more than 37 tons of unlicensed cannabis, ...
North Dakota Voters to Decide on Cannabis Legalization for Third Time
LOS ANGELES- North Dakota voters will have another opportunity to legalize adult-use cannabis this November after Secretary of State Michael Howe announced on August 12 that the necessary signatures had been validated for the measure to appear on the ballot. This marks the third attempt to pass such a measure following unsuccessful efforts in 2018 ...
Harris-Walz Ticket First to Support Federal Cannabis Legalization
LOS ANGELES- Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz have made history by becoming the first major party presidential ticket to endorse the federal legalization of cannabis. This move aligns with the growing national support for cannabis reform, with polls indicating a significant majority of voters favoring legalization. Harris, who has evolved her stance ...
Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation Recalls Over 2,600 Products for Inadequate Testing
LOS ANGELES- The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation (DCR) announced a recall on Tuesday for 2,649 cannabis products sold by NGWMO, LLC to dispensary facilities. The recall was issued because the products did not undergo the required final stage testing. According to the DCR, the products, which include flower, pre-rolls, and kief sold under the ...
DEA’s Proposed Rescheduling of Cannabis Sparks Public Response
LOS ANGELES- The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has proposed rescheduling cannabis under federal drug law, moving it from Schedule I to Schedule III. This shift reflects changing perceptions about cannabis, which is currently classified alongside drugs deemed to have "no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse," such as heroin and ecstasy. ...
Missouri Governor Signs Executive Order to Ban Intoxicating Hemp Product Sales
LOS ANGELES- Missouri Governor Mike Parson has signed an executive order banning the sale of intoxicating, hemp-derived products in the state, effective September 1. The order prohibits the sale of hemp-derived products containing delta-8 and delta-10 THC, hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-O), tetrahydrocannabiphoral (THCP), and tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) unless sourced from an approved provider. The governor cited ...
Philippine Lawmakers Push for Medical Cannabis Legalization
LOS ANGELES- The Philippines is making another attempt to legalize medical cannabis, with the House of Representatives approving a new bill on Tuesday. The measure, passed by a vote of 177-9, seeks to establish a medical cannabis office under the Department of Health. This office would be responsible for formulating regulations regarding the medical use ...
Texas Cities Advance Cannabis Decriminalization Efforts Amid Legal Challenges
LOS ANGELES- Activists in several Texas cities are pushing for cannabis decriminalization, with measures set to appear on the November ballot in Lockhart, Dallas, and potentially Bastrop. These initiatives aim to reduce penalties for possession of cannabis, reflecting a broader trend in the state towards relaxing enforcement despite Texas' strict regulations. In Lockhart, the city ...
DeSantis Criticizes Cannabis Legalization Initiative’s Ballot Inclusion
LOS ANGELES- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expressed concerns over the state's cannabis legalization initiative, known as Amendment 3, during a Florida Sheriffs' Association conference. DeSantis argued that the ballot summary for the amendment does not fully represent its content and that the Florida Supreme Court should have prevented it from appearing on the ballot. The ...
Minnesota Opens Social Equity License Application for Adult-Use Cannabis Market
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 ...
Tilray Brands’ Aphria RX GmbH Receives License Under Germany’s New Cannabis Law
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 ...
Dallas Officials Approve Cannabis Decriminalization Petition for November Ballot
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 ...
Ohio Accelerates Adult-Use Cannabis Program Implementation
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 ...
FDA and FTC Target Delta-8 THC Edibles Resembling Popular Snacks
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 ...
GOP-Led House Committee Approves Spending Bill Blocking Cannabis Rescheduling
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 ...
Senate Appropriations Committee Approves VA Doctors’ Cannabis Recommendation Amendment
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 ...
House Appropriations Committee Blocks Cannabis Rescheduling Efforts
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 ...
