Justice
Michigan Transfers Hemp Regulation to USDA
LOS ANGELES- Michigan has concluded its state-managed industrial hemp program, transitioning regulatory oversight to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) effective January 1, 2025. This shift, prompted by the enactment of House Bill 5977, dissolves the state's industrial hemp fund and transfers cultivation and regulatory responsibilities to the federal level. Under USDA governance, hemp producers ...
Oklahoma to Launch State-Run Cannabis Testing Lab for Industry Oversight by February 2025
LOS ANGELES- Oklahoma is preparing to launch a state-operated cannabis testing laboratory in February 2025, aiming to enhance the accuracy and reliability of product assessments within the state's medical cannabis industry. This initiative addresses longstanding concerns regarding inconsistent testing outcomes and aims to standardize procedures across the sector. The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) has ...
Florida’s Cannabis Legalization Measure Fails Despite Majority Support
LOS ANGELES- In the recent election, Florida's Amendment 3, which proposed the legalization of recreational cannabis for adults aged 21 and over, received 56% voter support. However, it fell short of the 60% supermajority required for constitutional amendments in the state, resulting in its failure. The campaign for Amendment 3 was notably backed by Trulieve, ...
DEA Postpones Cannabis Rescheduling Hearings to 2025
LOS ANGELES-The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has postponed its hearings on the proposed rescheduling of cannabis under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to early 2025. The delay follows a preliminary order from Chief Administrative Law Judge John Mulrooney II, who identified deficiencies in the information provided about the 25 designated participants selected by DEA ...
Ohio Legislature Considers Ban on Intoxicating Hemp Products
LOS ANGELES- Ohio lawmakers are evaluating Senate Bill 326, introduced by State Senator Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City), which aims to prohibit the sale of intoxicating hemp products. The proposed legislation defines such products as those containing more than 0.5 milligrams of delta-9 THC per serving, 2 milligrams per package, or 0.5 milligrams of total non-delta-9 ...
Nebraska Judge Upholds Voter-Approved Medical Cannabis Initiatives
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 ...
Texas Attorney General Challenges Dallas Cannabis Decriminalization Measure
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 ...
Senate Farm Bill Draft Proposes Redefinition of Hemp
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 ...
California Cannabis Dispensaries Face New Tax Payment Rules
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. ...
FDA Approves Cannabis Trial for Treating PTSD in Veterans
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 ...
DEA Schedules Cannabis Rescheduling Hearings for Early 2025
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 ...
GOP Senator Calls for Comprehensive Cannabis Reform, Criticizes Partial Measures
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 ...
Trump’s Attorney General Pick Raises Hope for Cannabis Policy Reform
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 ...
Idaho Activists File Cannabis Decriminalization Measure for 2026 Ballot
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 ...
Florida Voters Reject Cannabis Legalization, Impacting Broader U.S. Legalization Efforts
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 ...
Mixed Results for Cannabis Initiatives in U.S. States
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 ...
Aurora Cannabis Reports Q2 Revenue Growth
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 ...
From Progress to Plateau: Democrats’ Shifting Gains on Cannabis Reform
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 ...
Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District Becomes Key Battleground in 2024 Presidential and Senate Races
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 ...
DeSantis Uses Opioid Settlement Funds for Anti-Cannabis Ads Ahead of Ballot Initiative
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 ...
Green Dragon and Eaze to Close Operations Amid Financial Challenges and Industry Downturn
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 ...
Massachusetts Ballot to Decide on Psychedelics Legalization in November
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 ...
The Rise of the Clean Label Movement in Cannabis
LOS ANGELES — Consumer preferences in the cannabis market are evolving toward healthier and more transparent products. By 2024, the global cannabis market is projected to reach $57 billion, driven largely by the increasing legalization and normalization of cannabis use across North America, Europe, and other regions. However, this rapid growth has also led to ...
U.S. States Prepare for Key Cannabis Ballot Measures in November
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. ...
Unlicensed New York Cannabis Retailer Hit with $9.5 Million Judgment
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 ...