Justice

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 ...

LOS ANGELES- Governor Kathy Hochul, alongside New York City Mayor Eric Adams and other state officials, announced a comprehensive five-point plan to address the unlicensed cannabis market in New York. This announcement, made on Friday, introduces stricter enforcement measures and new legal tools designed to curb illegal cannabis activities, which have become a significant issue ...

LOS ANGELES- New York State is progressing in its efforts to expand the cannabis industry, with the Cannabis Control Board (CCB) approving an additional 101 adult-use cannabis licenses, bringing the total for 2024 to 403. Governor Kathy Hochul has expressed support for these developments, highlighting their role in bolstering the state's equitable cannabis market and ...

NEW YORK- New York has issued over 400 adult-use cannabis licenses this year, a significant step as the state addresses the slow initial rollout that led to widespread unlicensed dispensaries. The state Cannabis Control Board (CCB) added 101 new licenses on April 12, encompassing various sectors including microbusiness, cultivation, processing, distribution, and dispensaries. Governor Kathy ...

LOS ANGELES- In a recent development within Kansas legislative circles, a contentious amendment has been introduced that seeks to impose stricter penalties on hemp farmers whose crops test above a 1% THC threshold. This amendment, supported by law enforcement agencies and the lobbyist group Stand Up for Kansas, was initially presented during discussions on a ...

LOS ANGELES-  In an effort to resolve ongoing delays and legal complications in its medical cannabis program, the Alabama Senate Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee has endorsed Senate Bill 306, which proposes a comprehensive reset of the cannabis licensing process. This bill, introduced by Sen. Tim Melson, aims to discard all prior license approvals and ...

LOS ANGELES- In a recent development in Virginia's cannabis legalization movement, Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed legislation that would have established a legal marketplace for adult-use cannabis. This move has been seen as a setback for advocates of cannabis reform in the state, where adult-use possession and cultivation were legalized in 2021. Governor Youngkin, known for ...

NEW YORK- In recent weeks, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents have reportedly seized regulated cannabis products at least a dozen times at border checkpoints in New Mexico, impacting state-licensed cannabis businesses. This marks a shift from the previous hands-off approach by federal authorities in weed-legal states. New Mexico, which legalized medical cannabis in ...

LOS ANGELES- Ohio is on the verge of activating its adult-use cannabis marketplace following the state regulators' recent publication of the latest draft rules for the industry. This comprehensive framework, announced last week, introduces detailed regulations focusing on retail operations, including novel provisions for online sales, curbside pickup, and stringent waste disposal requirements. The newly ...

LOS ANGELES- In a recent development within Hawaii's legislative process, a pivotal House committee announced it will not advance a bill proposing the legalization and regulation of recreational cannabis, effectively halting the legislation for 2024. Despite passing the Senate with a 19-6 vote and narrowly securing approval in a lower House chamber, the bill faced ...

LOS ANGELES- In a significant legislative move, the Council of the District of Columbia has unanimously passed the "Medical Cannabis Patient Card Extension 4/20 Medical Cannabis Sales Tax Holiday Week Emergency Amendment Act of 2024." This act amends Title 7 of the DC Official Code to implement three critical changes aimed at improving the medical ...