Justice

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 ...

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 ...