Justice

LOS ANGELES- Vermont Governor Phil Scott allowed cannabis bill H.612 to become law without his signature, marking significant regulatory changes to the state's cannabis landscape. The bill, which aims to improve regulations surrounding cannabis and hemp-derived products, includes measures to ban psychoactive hemp-derived products. Scott highlighted that the bill presents both advantages and drawbacks, noting ...

LOS ANGELES- In 2022, Mississippi passed a restrictive medical cannabis program. Two new bills aimed at enhancing patient access to cannabis care and expanding research capabilities will take effect on July 1. Senate Bill 2857: Improved Patient Access Senate Bill 2857 focuses on improving patient access by allowing them to possess a 30-day supply of ...

LOS ANGELES- New Hampshire lawmakers in the House and Senate are reportedly close to reaching a compromise on a cannabis legalization bill, according to the New Hampshire Bulletin. With the legislative session ending on Thursday, negotiators have limited time to finalize the agreement. Last month, the state Senate approved a bill allowing adult-use cannabis sales ...

LOS ANGELES- The Canadian government has proposed a series of amendments to federal cannabis regulations to alleviate some of the regulatory burdens faced by producers and distribution companies. These changes aim to streamline processes ranging from packaging to reporting requirements. Health Canada announced that the proposed amendments could yield approximately $41 million in annual administrative ...

NEW YORK- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed a legislative package aimed at banning products containing hemp-derived delta-8 THC and other intoxicating cannabinoids, according to CBS News. The vetoed legislation, Senate Bill 1698, sought to regulate hemp products more strictly. However, DeSantis argued that the bill would impose undue regulatory burdens on small businesses and likely ...

LOS ANGELES- A Vermont man is appealing the denial of a portion of his unemployment benefits to the state Supreme Court after being terminated from his job for using medical cannabis. Ivo Skoric, 59, who represented himself during the hearing, explained that he is legally prescribed medical cannabis by a doctor. He asserted that his ...

LOS ANGELES- Following the submission of a proposal by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on May 21, a 60-day public comment period was initiated, set to conclude on July 22. In the first 15 days, the proposal has elicited 11,100 comments, averaging nearly 800 submissions per day. Approximately 60% of these comments support the complete ...

LOS ANGELES- Despite the federal government’s estimate that 10,000 Canadians would be eligible for conviction relief following the legalization of cannabis in 2018, only 845 pardons have been granted since 2019. Data from the Parole Board of Canada, reported by the CBC, highlights the slow progress in issuing pardons for cannabis crimes. Since the pardon ...

LOS ANGELES- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is anticipated to veto Senate Bill 1698, which aims to restrict the sale of hemp-derived products containing delta-8 THC, delta-9 THC, and delta-10 THC. The bill has faced significant opposition from the hemp industry, which argues that it would effectively eliminate hemp businesses in the state. SB 1698 proposes ...

LOS ANGELES- A statewide poll in Texas has revealed that six out of 10 adults support legalizing cannabis, marking the first time the poll has shown a solid majority. The Texas Lyceum Poll, now in its 18th year, indicates growing bipartisan support for cannabis legalization across traditionally conservative and liberal states. According to the poll, ...

LOS ANGELES- An amendment to the House version of the Farm Bill aims to ban the sale of hemp-derived delta-8 THC and other intoxicating hemp products. Proposed by Illinois Republican Rep. Mary Miller, the amendment creates two categories of legal hemp: one for cannabinoid extraction limited to non-intoxicating cannabinoids and another for industrial hemp used ...

LOS ANGELES- The federal landscape surrounding cannabis usage in the United States is on the cusp of a historic transformation. The recent proposal to reclassify cannabis from a Schedule 1 controlled substance to a Schedule 3 marks the most significant shift in national cannabis law since 1970. This pivotal move initiates a formal rulemaking process ...

LOS ANGELES- Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a new bill that imposes strict THC caps on cannabinoid-infused hemp products, significantly impacting the industry. The law, effective July 1, limits THC content to 4 milligrams per serving and 10 milligrams per container. Industry Impact and Responses The new regulations have sparked concern among local businesses. ...

LOS ANGELES- The California State Assembly has approved legislation permitting licensed cannabis cafes to serve food and non-alcoholic beverages and host live events, such as music and other performances. The bill now advances to the Senate for consideration. Details of the Legislation The bill, Assembly Bill 1775, passed with a 56-5 vote. It allows cannabis ...

LOS ANGELES- The New Hampshire Senate has passed an adult-use cannabis legalization bill that includes a state-run dispensary system. The bill, favored by Republican Governor Chris Sununu, marks the first time the chamber has approved such reforms. The Senate's version of the bill differs from the House's, which passed last month and did not include ...

NEW YORK- Sponsored by State Representative Ed Osienski and Senator Trey Paradee, House Bill 408 aims to create a pathway for medical cannabis retailers in Delaware to obtain temporary conversion licenses, enabling them to legally sell adult-use recreational cannabis while maintaining their medical operations. “As Delaware moves closer to the launch of recreational cannabis sales, ...

LOS ANGELES- Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed multiple bills into law on Friday, including House File 2605, which aims to close loopholes in state and federal hemp laws. This bill imposes new restrictions on hemp-derived consumable products containing THC, such as Delta-9 drinks and gummies. New THC Limits Previously, Iowa residents could legally purchase hemp ...

LOS ANGELES- The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released its 2024 National Drug Threat Assessment (NDTA) on May 9, detailing illegal drug and trafficking trends in the United States. DEA Administrator Anne Milgram emphasized the shift from plant-based drugs, like heroin and cocaine, to synthetic drugs, such as fentanyl and methamphetamine, which she described as creating ...

LOS ANGELES- In a landmark decision, U.S. District Judge Myong Joun has mandated that the cannabis dispensary operator I.N.S.A. must negotiate with the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union, despite its employees voting against unionization. This ruling, issued on Tuesday in Boston, marks the first court application of a pivotal 2023 National Labor Relations ...

LOS ANGELES- In Minnesota, a legal battle is unfolding as four individuals who legally cultivate cannabis have initiated a lawsuit against state cannabis regulators. The plaintiffs argue that the Minnesota Constitution permits them to sell their home-grown cannabis without the need for a licensing process. According to a report from MinnPost, the lawsuit centers on ...

LOS ANGELES- Ohio is set to begin the transition to allow existing medical cannabis dispensaries to sell cannabis recreationally. The state's Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review has approved regulations for dual-use licenses, with applications expected to be accepted no later than Friday, June 7. This development follows the approval of the Issue 2 ballot ...

NEW YORK- New York's legal cannabis market has faced significant hurdles since the state legalized adult use in March 2021. The market's expansion has been stymied by numerous lawsuits and changes in leadership, contributing to a flourishing illicit market. Currently, illegal dispensaries significantly outnumber legal ones, complicating efforts to establish a regulated marketplace. In response, ...

LOS ANGELES- The Minnesota Senate has passed a measure aimed at advancing the regulation and legalization of cannabis, with a narrow vote of 34 to 32, following its approval in the House last month by a 69 to 62 vote. State Representative Zack Stephenson (D) introduced the bill, which now requires a conference committee to ...

LOS ANGELES- Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has signed into law a legislative package aimed at supporting the state's agricultural sector, which includes new regulations for the hemp industry. The laws introduce a comprehensive framework for the licensing, cultivation, manufacturing, and retail of hemp products in Georgia. The centerpiece of the legislative package, SB 494, empowers ...

LOS ANGELES- The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is reportedly planning to reclassify cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III substance under the Controlled Substances Act, a change confirmed by anonymous sources and first reported by the Associated Press. This change would significantly alter the regulatory framework affecting the cannabis industry. Before the ...