Justice

LOS ANGELES- An expert panel appointed by the government to review Canada's Cannabis Act has proposed several key changes aimed at refining the nation’s adult-use legalization framework. After 18 months of deliberation, the panel released a final report encompassing 54 recommendations and various observations for federal consideration. Among the notable suggestions is enabling pharmacy distribution ...

NEW YORK- In a recent development that underscores the intricate legal and regulatory landscape of New York's cannabis market, TJ's Cannabis of Liverpool has entered settlement discussions with the New York Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). The dispute centers around the prohibition of TJ's Cannabis from establishing a dispensary in the Syracuse suburb of Clay, ...

LOS ANGELES- In a recent encounter with cannabis activists, President Joe Biden reaffirmed his commitment to reforming federal cannabis policy. However, activists argue that simply rescheduling cannabis is insufficient to address the harms caused by prohibition. During a campaign event in Wisconsin, Biden responded to a sign advocating against incarceration for cannabis offenses by asserting ...

NEW YORK- In a recent statement at the White House, Vice President Kamala Harris has labeled the federal classification of cannabis as “absurd,” emphasizing the administration's anticipation for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to reconsider its categorization. The comments were made during a roundtable discussion on cannabis policy, which included Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, individuals ...

LOS ANGELES- Wyoming's hemp-derived cannabinoid market faces significant disruption following the recent enactment of a law banning delta-8 THC products. Republican Governor Mark Gordon's decision to sign Senate File 32 into law marks a decisive move in the state's approach to regulating intoxicating cannabinoids, as reported by MJBizDaily. Effective from July 1, the law introduces ...

LOS ANGELES- The journey toward establishing a regulated adult-use cannabis market in Virginia is encountering significant political barriers, despite initial progress in cannabis legislation. The Commonwealth, which took initial steps towards a more progressive stance on cannabis by decriminalizing small amounts and acknowledging its medicinal use in 2021, finds itself at a legislative standstill. Governor ...

NEW YORK- In a significant legislative move, Washington State has taken steps to alleviate the financial strain on medical cannabis patients by abolishing the 37% excise tax previously levied on their medicine. This decision follows the recent passing of a bill aimed at exempting medical cannabis patients and designated providers from the hefty tax, marking ...

LOS ANGELES- In a significant move towards cannabis legalization, Arkansas advocates have filed a constitutional amendment aimed at legalizing adult-use cannabis. The proposal, now awaiting review by the state attorney general's office, could see the legalization question placed on the November ballot if it garners the required 90,704 valid voter signatures by July 5. The ...

NEW YORK- In a conflict highlighting the challenges of regulating the burgeoning cannabis market in New York City, Gale Brewer, an Upper West Side Councilwoman, has accused a local landlord of facilitating the operation of an illegal cannabis store. The store, situated in a bustling Manhattan neighborhood, has become the center of a controversy involving ...

LOS ANGELES- In a decisive move that could reshape the landscape of the hemp industry in Florida, the state legislature has passed a bill aimed at regulating hemp-derived products, including the prohibition of certain natural cannabinoids such as Delta-8 THC. Senate Bill 1698, which now awaits Governor Ron DeSantis's approval or veto, proposes stringent controls ...

LOS ANGELES- In Florida, a state on the cusp of major cannabis reform, recent legislative endeavors have sparked a complex dialogue about the future of cannabis regulation. Proposals for stringent THC potency caps, even before the legalization of adult-use cannabis, have ignited discussions that underscore the intricate balance between public health concerns and the burgeoning ...

LOS ANGELES- In a notable move within the state's evolving stance on cannabis, North York borough in York, Pennsylvania, is on the brink of decriminalizing possession of small amounts of cannabis. This initiative positions the borough among a growing list of Pennsylvania counties adopting more lenient policies towards cannabis use. Despite North York's modest population ...

The Maryland Supreme Court has decided against reviewing a case that challenges a provision of the state's adult-use cannabis legislation, effectively allowing the continued sale of hemp-derived THC products by unlicensed retailers across the state. This decision follows a lawsuit initiated by the Maryland Hemp Coalition and other hemp-related businesses against a specific prohibition within ...

LOS ANGELES- As neighboring states progressively embrace cannabis reform, Idaho is taking a contrary path with a legislative proposal aimed at intensifying penalties for cannabis possession. The proposed bill, which introduces a mandatory minimum fine of $420 for possessing less than three ounces of cannabis, underscores Idaho's steadfast stance against the wave of legalization sweeping ...

NEW YORK- In a significant push for cannabis reform, leading veterans organizations and U.S. law enforcement officials have rallied together, urging the Biden Administration to consider the rescheduling of cannabis under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This collective call to action underscores the growing consensus on the potential benefits of cannabis, particularly for veterans, ...

LOS ANGELES- In an effort to combat illegal cannabis cultivation, Oklahoma legislators have proposed a bill aimed at prohibiting foreign land ownership within the state. House Bill 3125, introduced to the Oklahoma House of Representatives earlier this month and recently advanced to the full Appropriations and Budget Natural Resources Subcommittee on February 19, represents a ...

NEW YORK- In a significant development for cannabis reform, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin approved a revised ballot initiative aimed at enhancing medical cannabis access in the state. This initiative, now set for a potential spot on the 2024 ballot, also includes a groundbreaking provision that would pave the way for the legalization of adult-use ...

LOS ANGELES- In a significant move aimed at supporting the cannabis industry, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee has unveiled a proposal to decouple state tax codes from federal tax regulations, specifically targeting the financial strains caused by IRS code 280E. This code currently prevents cannabis businesses from deducting typical business expenses due to cannabis's status ...

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 ...