Justice

LOS ANGELES- A Nebraska district court has affirmed the validity of two voter-approved measures concerning medical cannabis, dismissing allegations of fraudulent signature collection. The legal challenge aimed to invalidate Measures 437 and 438, which were approved by 71% and 67% of voters, respectively, during the recent election. Measure 437 permits qualified patients to possess and ...

LOS ANGELES- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated legal action against the City of Dallas following the adoption of Proposition R, a voter-approved measure aimed at decriminalizing the possession of up to four ounces of cannabis within city limits. The lawsuit, filed in Dallas County District Court, contends that the amendment contravenes state law ...

LOS ANGELES- The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee has released a draft of the 2024 Farm Bill, introducing significant changes to the federal definition of hemp. The proposed legislation aims to address concerns over intoxicating hemp-derived products, such as delta-8 THC, which have proliferated due to ambiguities in the 2018 Farm Bill. Under the 2018 Farm ...

LOS ANGELES- In November 2024, numerous licensed cannabis dispensaries in the Los Angeles area received notices from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) indicating a shift in their tax payment schedules from quarterly to monthly, effective January 1, 2025. This change is attributed to the increasing tax liabilities within the cannabis industry. ...

LOS ANGELES- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a clinical trial investigating the use of smoked cannabis as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in military veterans. The study, led by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), marks a significant step in exploring alternative therapies for PTSD, a condition affecting ...

LOS ANGELES- The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has outlined a schedule for witness testimony in the ongoing hearing concerning the potential reclassification of cannabis under the Controlled Substances Act. Chief Administrative Law Judge John Mulrooney II has scheduled the proceedings to commence on January 21, 2025, at the DEA's headquarters in Virginia. The hearing will ...

LOS ANGELES- In recent discussions on federal cannabis policy, several Republican senators have expressed diverse viewpoints regarding the regulation and legalization of cannabis. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) has advocated for treating cannabis similarly to tobacco, emphasizing the need for federal policies that allow a regulated market to develop. He stated, "I think we need to ...

LOS ANGELES- President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Florida Representative Matt Gaetz as the next U.S. Attorney General, a move that could significantly influence federal cannabis policy. Gaetz, a vocal advocate for cannabis reform, has previously supported legislation aimed at reclassifying cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. During his tenure ...

LOS ANGELES- In a strategic move following the rejection of cannabis legalization measures in three states during the 2024 general election, Idaho advocacy group Kind Idaho has submitted a ballot initiative aimed at decriminalizing personal cannabis use for the 2026 election. The proposal, filed with the Idaho Secretary of State's office, seeks to exempt adults ...

LOS ANGELES- In a significant setback for the cannabis industry, Florida voters rejected Amendment 3, which aimed to legalize recreational cannabis for adults 21 and older. While the measure received over 57% support, it fell short of the 60% supermajority required to amend the state’s constitution. Had it passed, Amendment 3 would have expanded Florida’s ...

LOS ANGELES- In the recent elections, U.S. states voted on a range of cannabis-related measures, with mixed results. Notably, attempts to expand cannabis access faced both advancements and setbacks, highlighting the varied landscape of cannabis policy across the nation. Florida’s Amendment 3 Falls Short of Required Supermajority In Florida, Amendment 3, which sought to legalize ...

LOS ANGELES- Aurora Cannabis Inc. announced a 29% increase in revenue for the second quarter of fiscal 2025, reaching $81.1 million. This growth is attributed primarily to the rising demand for its medical cannabis products in international markets, with the company forecasting continued strength in this segment as it moves into the third quarter. Medical ...

LOS ANGELES- The Biden administration has a significant record on cannabis reform, characterized by policy shifts that have altered federal attitudes toward legalization. President Biden's notable moves include an October 2022 executive action urging agencies to reconsider cannabis' status under federal law, which led to recommendations to reclassify cannabis from a Schedule I to a ...

LOS ANGELES- Nebraska's unique role in the 2024 presidential election lies in its allocation of Electoral College votes. Unlike most states, Nebraska, alongside Maine, uses a split system where two votes are awarded to the statewide winner, and one vote goes to the winner in each of its three congressional districts. This makes Nebraska's 2nd ...

LOS ANGELES- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' administration has drawn attention for using opioid settlement funds to finance an anti-cannabis campaign. The Florida Department of Children and Families reportedly allocated $4 million for advertisements discouraging cannabis and other drug use, coinciding with a broader push against Amendment 3—a ballot initiative aiming to legalize recreational cannabis for ...

LOS ANGELES- Green Dragon, a multi-state cannabis operator with facilities in Colorado and Florida, is set to cease operations by the end of 2024. This move will affect all 17 of its dispensaries in Colorado and 39 in Florida, alongside layoffs impacting 59 workers in Colorado and 113 in Florida. The shutdown follows Green Dragon's ...

LOS ANGELES- Massachusetts voters are set to decide on a significant measure this November with Question 4, a ballot initiative to legalize certain plant-based psychedelics, including psilocybin, mescaline, and dimethyltryptamine (DMT). If approved, Massachusetts would follow Oregon and Colorado in creating a regulated framework for adult psychedelic use, focusing on mental health applications. Proponents argue ...

LOS ANGELES- Voters in several U.S. states will soon weigh in on significant cannabis-related ballot initiatives, potentially leading to broader legalization nationwide. On November 5, 2024, Florida, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Oregon will vote on measures addressing either recreational or medical cannabis, adding momentum to the movement for reform across state legislatures. ...

LOS ANGELES- A New York Supreme Court judgment has ordered George West, owner of Jaydega 7.0 in Canandaigua, to pay $9.5 million after findings that his business sold cannabis products without the required state license. This penalty includes $1 million in profit disgorgement and $8.4 million in daily fines imposed due to ongoing sales following ...

LOS ANGELES- The European Commission has launched an investigation into the Italian government’s proposed ban on CBD and hemp flowers, following concerns that the move may violate EU regulations. Italy's far-right government, under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has adopted a two-pronged approach aimed at curbing the legal market for hemp flowers, which are primarily used ...

LOS ANGELES- Cannabis legalization advocates in South Dakota are facing an uphill battle ahead of the 2024 election. According to a recent Emerson College Poll, conducted in partnership with KELO-TV and *The Hill*, 50% of likely voters are opposed to *Initiated Measure 29*, the proposal to legalize adult-use cannabis, while 45% are in support, and ...

LOS ANGELES- A judge in Alabama has appointed a mediator to help resolve the ongoing legal dispute surrounding the state's medical cannabis licensing process. Montgomery Circuit Judge James Anderson selected retired Judge Eugene Reese to mediate between the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) and several companies that have challenged the commission’s decisions. These companies argue ...

LOS ANGELES- Tennessee regulators have introduced significant new rules for the sale of hemp-derived cannabinoid (HDC) products, which are set to take full effect on December 26, 2024. These regulations, overseen by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, establish stricter guidelines for businesses involved in the production, distribution, and retail of hemp products, including Delta-8, Delta-10, ...

LOS ANGELES- The 2024 presidential election is showcasing a diverse range of positions on cannabis and psychedelics reform, reflecting the evolving landscape of U.S. drug policy. Prominent candidates across both parties have taken varying stances, focusing on issues such as medical access, criminal justice reform, and veterans' care. Former President Donald Trump has shifted his ...