Justice

WASHINGTON — The Washington, D.C. District Council, in a decisive move, approved a measure on Tuesday to impose new penalties on unlicensed cannabis gifting shops. This bill, potentially effective this week, aims to regulate these businesses, which have largely operated outside the city's medical marijuana program. Initiative 71, passed in 2014, legalized recreational cannabis in ...

LOS ANGELES- In a significant move within the cannabis legislative landscape, Florida Representative Ralph Massullo introduced House Bill 1269, which proposes stringent limitations on THC potency in cannabis products. This bill, introduced on January 5 and read for the first time on January 9, is contingent upon the legalization of adult-use cannabis in Florida, a ...

LOS ANGELES- In a significant move towards criminal justice reform, U.S. state courts have pardoned or expunged over 2.3 million cannabis-related convictions since 2018, with about half a million cases resolved in the last year alone. This data, revealed in an updated analysis by NORML, underscores the shifting legal landscape around cannabis in the United ...

LOS ANGELES- In a move that could significantly impact the cannabis industry in Florida, State Representative Ralph Massullo has introduced a bill proposing to limit the potency of THC in cannabis products. This legislative effort comes amidst ongoing uncertainty about the legalization of adult-use cannabis in the state and debates over market control and regulatory ...

NEW YORK- In a striking development, Canadian cannabis operators have destroyed a record amount of legal cannabis in 2022 and the first half of 2023, as per data from Health Canada. This action highlights the ongoing adjustments in the country's cannabis market since its inception in 2018. The report reveals that a staggering 611.7 million ...

LOS ANGELES- HNHPC Inc., part of Long Beach-based Catalyst Cannabis Co., has initiated legal action against several state agencies, including the primary tax collection bureau. The lawsuit, filed on December 28 in Orange County Superior Court, accuses the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) and the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) of conspiring ...

LOS ANGELES— The 2024 legislative session in Missouri, convened in Jefferson City, has sparked significant discussions on cannabis regulation, with a particular focus on cannabinoid products and law enforcement practices. Senate Bill 984, championed by Senator Nick Schroer (R-St. Charles County), proposes a major shift in the state's approach to regulating cannabinoid products, such as ...

LOS ANGELES- In the evolving landscape of cannabis legalization, states across America are exploring innovative uses for the tax revenue generated from this burgeoning industry. New Jersey has emerged as a leader in this domain, opting for a community-focused approach rather than merely patching budget shortfalls or bolstering law enforcement budgets. In a pivotal move, ...

LOS ANGELES- In a landmark decision that is set to reshape drug policies in professional sports, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has removed cannabis from its list of banned substances. Announced in Las Vegas, Nevada, this move signals a significant shift in how sports organizations approach cannabis use among athletes. In 2021, the UFC began ...

NEW YORK— In a significant move for employment law, Washington State has implemented a new statute, Senate Bill 5123, effectively protecting job applicants from discrimination based on their off-duty cannabis use. Signed by Governor Jay Inslee in May 2023, the law, which came into effect this Monday, specifically prohibits actions against new employees who use ...

NEW YORK- The U.S. cannabis industry stands at a pivotal juncture as it anticipates the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) next step in the long-awaited rescheduling process. This move, set to unfold in 2024, could mark the most significant shift in U.S. cannabis policy in half a century. In a process initiated by the Biden administration ...

LOS ANGELES- In a significant development for the cannabis industry, Nevada has ushered in the new year with groundbreaking changes to its cannabis laws. Senate Bill 277, enacted on January 1, marks a substantial shift in the state’s approach to cannabis regulation. Initially passed by Nevada lawmakers in the spring and signed into law by ...

LOS ANGELES- In a landmark move, the Cherokee tribe in North Carolina has utilized its sovereignty to legalize medical cannabis within its territory, paving the way for significant economic and healthcare changes in the region. This development comes amidst the ongoing stagnation of Senate Bill 711, which seeks to regulate medical cannabis statewide but remains ...

NEW YORK- The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) finds itself at the center of a legal storm today as several companies challenge the process and decisions made in awarding medical cannabis licenses in the state. This legal dispute follows the commission's recent decision to award a crucial license to Trulieve, a Florida-based, publicly-traded company, sparking ...

LOS ANGELES- Wisconsin’s path to legalizing medical cannabis appears increasingly likely, as key Republican leaders, including Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, show a renewed interest in the initiative. A bill, mirroring the medical program approach of neighboring Minnesota, is slated for reintroduction in January 2024, marking a significant stride in the state's cannabis policy. Political Momentum ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In a groundbreaking move addressing the historical injustices wrought by the nation's approach to cannabis, President Joe Biden has wielded his executive powers to grant pardons to thousands ensnared in the web of convictions for cannabis use and possession this week. This significant executive action, targeting offenses committed on federal lands and ...

NEW YORK- In a decisive move by New York state authorities, Big Chief Smoke Shop, an unlicensed cannabis retailer operating in Brooklyn, has been forcibly shut down. This action, led by Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, and the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), aligns with the state's stringent regulations and the burgeoning legal ...

LOS ANGELES- In a recent development that has sent ripples through Massachusetts' cannabis sector, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission is grappling with internal instability following the suspension of two senior executives. This turmoil, underscoring potential management issues, comes at a crucial time for the agency responsible for the oversight of the state's burgeoning $5 billion ...

LOS ANGELES- A coalition of Democratic governors from six states has formally requested President Joe Biden to ensure the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reclassifies cannabis before the end of 2023. The group's call to action, detailed in a letter sent on December 5, reflects a growing urgency for federal alignment with evolving state-level cannabis policies. ...

LOS ANGELES- In a recent development within the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), Chairwoman Shannon O’Brien’s hearing, scheduled for Tuesday, has been deferred following a judge's intervention. This postponement arises amid accusations of racially insensitive remarks made by O’Brien, as stated by Treasurer Deborah Goldberg. Appointed just a year ago, O’Brien’s tenure as chairwoman has ...

LOS ANGELES- In a striking development, Ohio's Republican-controlled Senate has passed a bill that significantly broadens the scope of the state’s voter-approved cannabis initiative, Issue 2. Contrary to initial fears of advocates, the amended legislation, Senate Bill 86, enhances the initiative, allowing adults to purchase cannabis from existing medical marijuana dispensaries within just 90 days. ...

LOS ANGELES-The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has issued a stark warning to pharmacies in Georgia, stating that dispensing medical cannabis remains illegal under federal law. This warning comes nearly two months after the Georgia Board of Pharmacy permitted independent pharmacies to dispense THC oils, a move hailed as a historic milestone in the state's approach ...

LOS ANGELES- A significant development has emerged in Ohio's cannabis legislation landscape. Republican State Representative Gary Click of Vickery has introduced House Bill 341, a legislative proposal aimed at revising the voter-approved measure that recently legalized recreational cannabis in Ohio. This move potentially sets the stage for a legislative showdown regarding the future of the ...