Justice

NEW YORK- In a notable lapse, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Attorney General Merrick Garland did not meet the February 12 deadline to answer critical inquiries from a group of 12 U.S. senators concerning the process of cannabis rescheduling. The missed deadline underscores the complexities and bureaucratic hurdles in the ongoing dialogue about cannabis ...

LOS ANGELES- In an ambitious move to address the growing mental health crisis, Illinois State Senator Rachel Ventura has introduced the Compassionate Use and Research of Entheogens (CURE) Act, a legislative proposal aimed at legalizing the supervised therapeutic use of psilocybin. This initiative represents a significant step towards incorporating psychedelic substances into mainstream mental health ...

LOS ANGELES- In a remarkable show of bipartisan unity, the New Mexico Senate has unanimously passed a non-binding resolution urging the state's Department of Health to consider the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin mushrooms. The move underscores an increasing interest among lawmakers in the medicinal prospects of psychedelic substances, traditionally sidelined from mainstream medical discourse. ...

NEW YORK — The New York State Cannabis Control Board (CCB) took a significant step forward in the state's cannabis industry development by formally awarding 109 new cannabis business licenses on Friday. This move, unanimous and comprehensive, encompasses a broad spectrum of the cannabis market, including 24 cultivators, 9 distributors, 12 processors, 26 microbusinesses, and 38 ...

NEW YORK- In a significant legal challenge within the cannabis industry, the state of Georgia has initiated a federal lawsuit against prominent California-based cannabis brands STIIIZY and Cookies, along with several other entities. The suit alleges racketeering activities centered around the sale of marijuana products falsely marketed as legal hemp, with claims for damages amounting ...

LOS ANGELES- In a landmark shift reflecting broader societal and legal changes, the U.S. Navy has announced a significant adjustment to its recruitment policies regarding cannabis use. This policy modification, aimed at recruits who initially test positive for THC—the main psychoactive component in cannabis—marks a departure from the strict disqualification stance traditionally held by the ...

LOS ANGELES- In a significant regulatory move, South Carolina has announced stringent restrictions on the inclusion of hemp-derived ingredients in food and beverage products, permitting only hemp seeds and their derivatives. This decision marks a notable stance within the ongoing national discourse surrounding hemp and its byproducts, some of which are known for their intoxicating ...

LOS ANGELES- In Ohio, the journey to fully implement adult-use cannabis legislation continues to encounter hurdles, despite the state's voters approving Issue 2 in November 2023. This initiative, which legalized recreational cannabis, came into effect on December 7, 2023, but lawmakers are still working to refine and add changes to the voter-endorsed law. House Speaker ...

LOS ANGELES- In an effort to uphold its stringent stance against cannabis, Idaho legislators are deliberating on a new bill aimed at prohibiting advertisements for cannabis products, especially those coming from out-of-state businesses. This legislative move comes in response to the growing visibility of cannabis advertisements, which, despite being legal in several neighboring states, remains ...

LOS ANGELES- In a controversial decision, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has reinstated the operational license of Morris & Dickson, a pharmaceutical company previously implicated in the opioid crisis. This move comes less than a year after the company's license was revoked due to its role in distributing suspicious shipments of opioids, marking a significant ...

NEW YORK- In the evolving landscape of cannabis legalization, Virginia has emerged as a pivotal battleground, illustrating the multifaceted journey towards establishing a regulated market. The state's House of Representatives has recently passed a bill indicating significant strides towards the introduction of retail cannabis stores by January 2025, marking a critical step forward in the ...

LOS ANGELES- In a significant legislative development, an Iowa subcommittee has advanced House Study Bill 665, aimed at establishing regulatory oversight for consumable hemp products within the state. Passed by the House Public Safety Subcommittee with a unanimous vote of 2-0, this measure grants the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the authority ...

LOS ANGELES- In a bold move within the traditionally conservative state of Kentucky, State Representative Rachel Roberts (D) has introduced legislation aimed at legalizing and regulating adult-use cannabis. The proposed "House Bill 420," aptly named for its cannabis connotations, seeks to create a comprehensive framework for the possession, cultivation, manufacturing, and distribution of cannabis products ...

LOS ANGELES- In a significant push towards cannabis reform, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, has called upon lawmakers to fully legalize recreational cannabis, emphasizing the economic and social justice benefits such a move could bring to the state. During his annual state budget address, Shapiro's proposal received immediate support from leading cannabis companies, reflecting ...

BERLIN- Germany is poised to make a significant shift in its drug policy landscape as the government coalition, known as the Traffic Light Coalition, has finalized its cannabis legalization policy. This development, reported by Forbes, marks a critical juncture in the country's approach to cannabis regulation, with the policy expected to be enacted and come ...

NEW YORK - In a preemptive move by Florida's lawmakers, a bill proposing potency caps on adult-use cannabis products has made progress within the state's legislative framework. The measure, known as HB1269, aims to establish THC limits for various cannabis forms, a step that comes in anticipation of a potential legalization of adult-use cannabis in ...

LOS ANGELES- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated legal action against five cities within the state, challenging their adoption of voter-approved cannabis decriminalization policies. According to reports from The Hill, the lawsuit targets city officials in Austin, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and San Marcos, accusing them of implementing policies that allegedly contravene both Texas laws ...

LOS ANGELES- In a significant development impacting Arkansas' medical cannabis landscape, the state's Attorney General Tim Griffin has called for revisions to a proposed ballot initiative aimed at expanding the state’s medical cannabis program. This initiative, if passed, would mark a substantial shift in the state's approach to cannabis policy. The proposal, as reported by ...

LOS ANGELES- In a significant turn of events, the South Dakota Senate Health and Human Services Committee, with a decisive vote of 5-2, chose to halt proceedings on a bill that threatened to restrict medical cannabis access for many patients. This development, as reported by NORML, reflects the complex dynamics at play in the state's ...

LOS ANGELES- In a surprising turn of events, Connecticut liquor stores have begun selling THC-infused seltzers by leveraging a legal loophole in the state's cannabis laws. This development, as reported by CT Insider, involves adjusting the serving sizes of these beverages to comply with THC content limits for non-licensed sales. The loophole comes into play ...

LOS ANGELES- In a recent online meeting, advocacy groups in Kansas intensified their call for the legalization of medical cannabis, highlighting personal stories and the urgency for legislative action. The meeting, originally planned as a "day of action at the Capitol" in Topeka, was moved online due to inclement weather, according to the Kansas Reflector. ...

LOS ANGELES- A recent federal investigation has unearthed troubling findings regarding the White House Medical Unit's handling of prescription drugs during the Trump administration. The Department of Defense's 80-page report, released on January 8, reveals a concerning pattern of lax pharmaceutical practices, particularly in managing scheduled narcotics. The investigation, which began in 2018 following complaints ...

LOS ANGELES- Maine legislators are currently deliberating on a significant bill that could pave the way for the establishment of cannabis social clubs and authorize on-site consumption at dispensaries. This initiative, highlighted in a recent Spectrum News report, marks a potential expansion in the state's cannabis policy. The bill, championed by State Representative David Boyer ...

NEW YORK– In a significant move towards reforming cannabis policy in New York, Governor Kathy Hochul has introduced pivotal elements in her Fiscal Year 2025 budget that could reshape the landscape of the cannabis industry in the state. The proposed budget, reflecting the discussions from the inaugural Senate Subcommittee on Cannabis hearing in October, includes ...