Justice

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 ...

LOS ANGELES- Nebraska's Attorney General, Mike Hilgers, has launched legal action against several local retailers for allegedly selling synthetic THC products to minors. The lawsuit, filed against entities including Midwest Smoke Shop, accuses the retailers of not verifying buyers' ages effectively and misrepresenting both the safety and the THC content of their products, which poses ...

LOS ANGELES- The investigation into the JuicyFields cannabis investment scam, believed to involve fraudulent activities amounting to nearly $700 million, has culminated in the arrest of nine individuals. This case, noted as one of the largest in the cannabis sector, was propelled by a collaborative effort among European law enforcement agencies, with coordination by Europol. ...

LOS ANGELES- The Louisiana House Health and Welfare Committee has unanimously passed House Bill 707, setting the stage for a comprehensive regulatory framework for recreational cannabis use. Introduced by Rep. Edmond Jordan, the bill aims to establish foundational elements for future legislation that would fully legalize and regulate adult-use cannabis in Louisiana. Although not legalizing ...

LOS ANGELES- Louisiana's legislative bodies are currently entangled in a debate over the future of hemp-derived THC consumables, with contrasting bills passed by the House and Senate. According to NOLA.com, the Louisiana House has passed a bill aimed at regulating the industry, while the Senate has pushed for a complete ban. The House's proposal seeks ...

NEW YORK- The Department of Health & Human Services is considering revisions to the federal drug testing panels, as detailed in a recent Federal Register publication. The proposed adjustments include the addition of fentanyl to the panel and the potential removal of MDMA (Ecstasy) and MDA. This proposal stems from the Fighting Opioid Abuse in ...

NEW YORK- North Carolina witnessed the opening of its first medical cannabis dispensary on April 20, a significant event as it marks the only legal, regulated, and safe sale of cannabis within the state. Located within the Qualla Boundary, the territory governed by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), the Great Smoky Cannabis Dispensary ...