Justice

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued a reminder that cannabis remains classified as a Schedule I controlled substance and is subject to the limitations of Internal Revenue Code Section 280E until any final federal rule is published. Despite ongoing legislative discussions and proposed changes, the law regarding the classification of cannabis has ...

NEW YORK- Gov. Ron DeSantis has launched a new political committee to target a pair of ballot initiatives on abortion access and legalizing cannabis in Florida. The committee, named the Florida Freedom Fund, was quietly launched late last month with James Uthmeier, the governor’s chief of staff, serving as its official chair. The creation of ...

LOS ANGELES- Maryland is set to launch a new Cannabis Workforce Development Program, aimed at supporting residents interested in joining the state's expanding cannabis industry. The program will prioritize individuals and communities directly impacted by the War on Drugs, with a focus on those with a history of cannabis-related offenses. The initiative is a collaborative ...

LOS ANGELES- The North Carolina Senate has given final approval to a medical cannabis legalization bill, sending it to the House for consideration. This move marks a significant step toward legalizing medical cannabis in the state, though the bill does not extend to adult-use cannabis, even if federal laws were to change. Key Provisions and ...

LOS ANGELES- Recent cannabis policy reforms in the United States have resulted in approximately 2.5 million pardons or expungements for cannabis-related convictions, according to a tally by the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) reported by the Associated Press. Despite this progress, Paul Armentano, NORML’s deputy director, emphasized that this figure is ...

LOS ANGELES- The Dutch government's ongoing trial to regulate the adult-use cannabis industry has been expanded to include eight more cities, bringing the total number involved to ten. Initially launched in Breda and Tilburg in December 2023, the trial aims to replace the current system of tolerance, which overlooks the illegality of soft drug possession. ...

LOS ANGELES- For the second consecutive year, the North Carolina Senate has approved language to legalize medical cannabis, the Associated Press reports. Despite the Senate's approval, the bill's future in the House remains uncertain, as last year’s similar effort failed to pass. On Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee appended the 35-page medical cannabis language to ...

LOS ANGELES- The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) is in such disarray that lawmakers need to appoint a receiver to manage the regulatory agency, according to a recent letter from the state's inspector general. Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro characterized the commission as “rudderless” in a press release, urging legislative leaders to take responsibility for the ...

LOS ANGELES- Since its inception three weeks ago, New York’s task force dedicated to shutting down illegal cannabis dispensaries has closed 114 storefronts. The enforcement actions, which have led to the seizure of more than $29 million worth of products, mark a significant step in the state's efforts to regulate the cannabis market. According to ...

LOS ANGELES- A Texas judge has dismissed a lawsuit by Attorney General Ken Paxton that sought to nullify voter-approved local cannabis decriminalization ordinances in Austin, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and San Marcos. Last week, a Texas district court judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by state Attorney General Ken Paxton, which aimed to overturn cannabis decriminalization ordinances ...

LOS ANGELES- Vermont Governor Phil Scott allowed cannabis bill H.612 to become law without his signature, marking significant regulatory changes to the state's cannabis landscape. The bill, which aims to improve regulations surrounding cannabis and hemp-derived products, includes measures to ban psychoactive hemp-derived products. Scott highlighted that the bill presents both advantages and drawbacks, noting ...

LOS ANGELES- In 2022, Mississippi passed a restrictive medical cannabis program. Two new bills aimed at enhancing patient access to cannabis care and expanding research capabilities will take effect on July 1. Senate Bill 2857: Improved Patient Access Senate Bill 2857 focuses on improving patient access by allowing them to possess a 30-day supply of ...

LOS ANGELES- New Hampshire lawmakers in the House and Senate are reportedly close to reaching a compromise on a cannabis legalization bill, according to the New Hampshire Bulletin. With the legislative session ending on Thursday, negotiators have limited time to finalize the agreement. Last month, the state Senate approved a bill allowing adult-use cannabis sales ...

LOS ANGELES- The Canadian government has proposed a series of amendments to federal cannabis regulations to alleviate some of the regulatory burdens faced by producers and distribution companies. These changes aim to streamline processes ranging from packaging to reporting requirements. Health Canada announced that the proposed amendments could yield approximately $41 million in annual administrative ...

NEW YORK- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed a legislative package aimed at banning products containing hemp-derived delta-8 THC and other intoxicating cannabinoids, according to CBS News. The vetoed legislation, Senate Bill 1698, sought to regulate hemp products more strictly. However, DeSantis argued that the bill would impose undue regulatory burdens on small businesses and likely ...

LOS ANGELES- A Vermont man is appealing the denial of a portion of his unemployment benefits to the state Supreme Court after being terminated from his job for using medical cannabis. Ivo Skoric, 59, who represented himself during the hearing, explained that he is legally prescribed medical cannabis by a doctor. He asserted that his ...

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 ...