US (OR): Lawmakers seek tighter restrictions on hemp-derived products

Lawmakers in Oregon are trying to regulate a lesser-known compound derived from cannabis. It’s an artificially derived product from hemp that produces a high but which is sold with few restrictions. House Bill 3000 targets the compound known as Delta-8-THC that’s extracted from hemp. Right now,…

US (NJ): Mount Laurel company that tests hemp gets approval for cannabis testing

With the decriminalization of cannabis in New Jersey, a company that tests the THC levels in hemp will expand its operation to include the testing of marijuana. Trichome Analytical appeared before the township zoning board Wednesday seeking approval to allow for the testing of medical and recreational…

US (TX): Texas House committee passes bill to expand MMJ program

The Texas House Committee on Public Health passed a bill Wednesday that would include more patients in the Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP) for medical cannabis. House Bill 1535, authored by Fort Worth Republican Rep. Stephanie Klick, would grow the Texas Compassionate Use Program by including…

US (AR): Suit filed over grower's site relocation

The mayor of Newport and several other entities sued the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission, the Alcoholic Beverage Control and one of the state's five operational medical cannabis cultivators this week over the grower's decision to relocate its facility. The suit, filed Monday in Jackson County,…

US (CT): Lawmakers approve governor's cannabis legalization bill in committee

A bill to legalize cannabis in Connecticut that’s being backed by the governor was approved by a key committee on Tuesday—but it “remains a work in progress,” the chairman said. The legislation, which has been amended since its introduction to include a series of new social equity provisions, advanced…

US (MA): Cultivation permit issued for Mashpee-based grower

The Mashpee Board of Health during its meeting last Thursday, April 1, conditionally approved the cannabis cultivation permit for Aspen Blue LLC at 14 Wags Road, provided the recommendations the board made are met. First among the health board's recommendations are that the conditions, recommendations…

US (WI): Fewer hemp cultivation licenses have been issued this year

Wisconsin might have fewer hemp growers in 2021. Wisconsin’s agriculture secretary-designee says the number of hemp grower licenses issued so far is less than last year. Randy Romanski says, “We’re seeing the numbers being down a little bit compared to previous years.” Romanski says like other states,…

US (CA): Black entrepreneurs say proposal to freeze cannabis permits for part of Sacramento will hurt equity progress

Sacramento City Council is considering an emergency cannabis dispensary permit use freeze in North Sacramento. Black cannabis entrepreneurs are speaking out against the possible freeze, saying exceptions must be made to ensure equity.  In the ever-growing cannabis industry, few people look like Maisha Bahati,…

CH: Switzerland released draft ordinance on adult-use cannabis pilot

The Swiss parliament passed regulations in September 2020 which allow for the initiation of pilot schemes wherein adult-use cannabis can be legally produced, imported and distributed to registered users. The FOPH released a draft of the regulation today, the 31st of March, divulging further details on…

AR: Corrientes approved state production of MMJ

The governor of the province of Corrientes, Gustavo Valdés, announced the approval of the start-up of the State Society for the Production, Promotion and Research of Medicinal Cannabis in Corrientes through decree 635/21. Valdés expressed through his social networks: "It will allow us strategic advances…

US (NV): Should Nevada remove the Radura symbol from irradiated cannabis?

Despite the lack of federal guidance, Nevada’s cannabis product testing regime for both medical and adult-use cannabis is arguably the most comprehensive and stringent in the nation. Cannabis testing in Nevada is validated and monitored on an ongoing basis by an independent third-party. All cannabis in…

US (OK): MMJ tracking system to begin by end of month

A tracking system for medical cannabis will officially be implemented statewide by the end of April.  The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority said it will use a tracking system called Metrc to track a cannabis plant from when it's planted to when it's sold.  "The other thing that's going to happen is that a…

US (CA): Baldwin Park cannabis businesses owe the city $4 million in outstanding fees

Cannabis businesses in Baldwin Park owe nearly $4 million in outstanding fees to City Hall, but four companies are pushing back, arguing the fee is unevenly charged and improperly spent. Baldwin Park turned to cannabis starting in 2017 as a possible new revenue source. It has since struggled to persuade…

US (CA): Dispute continues in Sonoma County between growers and residents

Nearly 8 million Californians voted to make cannabis cultivation, sales and consumption legal in 2016, and the following year more than 360 farmers sought permission to farm in Sonoma County. Since then, only 184 permits have been granted in a county that at that time was home to about 3,000 growers.…

US (MI): Cannabis application period open in Detroit, legacy Detroiters first in line for consideration

Beginning April 1, anyone interested in obtaining one or more of the 10 different types of cannabis-related licenses will be able to submit an application for review as part of the city’s Adult-Use Marijuana program, approved by the Detroit City Council late last year. More than 300 Detroiters will be…

US (AK): Cannabis growers behind on their taxes by a total of more than $2M

Dozens of Alaska cannabis growers are behind on their taxes by a total of more than $2 million, according to a March 18 letter by the Alaska Department of Revenue’s Tax Division.  Some cannabis cultivators owe less than $200. Others owe tens of thousands. One company listed has a bill in the high hundreds…

US (PA): Department of Agriculture funds hemp market projects

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is funding three projects aimed at increasing awareness of hemp and hemp products as well as increase the market for hemp growers in the state. Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced that $157,735 in state funding will go towards the projects. The money…

How to obtain a license in Oregon

Oregon was one of the first states to legalize recreational marijuana in 2014, and the first state to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes in 1998. While some barriers to licensing still exist, Oregon has taken steps to establish more user-friendly processes and applications to obtain a cannabis…

US (CA): Santa Barbara County planning commission denies appeal of Cuyama Valley canabis operation

The impact of a 34-acre cannabis cultivation project on an overdrafted groundwater basin, and whether an offset agreement would mitigate that impact, became the central issue in an appeal of the permit for the Cuyama Valley cannabis operation. Marc Chytilo, representing farmer Jean Gaillard, asked the…

New York legalizes recreational cannabis

After an agreement was reached on Friday over the text of the cannabis legalization bill, yesterday night lawmakers passed it by a vote of 100 to 49.  This bill opens up a market that is supposedly going to be one of the biggest in the USA, with expected revenue topping $300 million a year.  Governor Andrew Cuomo…

US (CO): Pueblo County amends code for cannabis cultivation facilities, adds odor reduction requirement

New cannabis cultivation facilities in Pueblo County must have proper ventilation systems to mitigate odor if they are close enough to another business or home.   It’s one of the amendments to cannabis regulations in the county code that the Pueblo Board of County Commissioners approved on March 25, mostly related…

US (NE): Lawmakers approve MMJ legalization bill

A Nebraska committee on Tuesday approved a bill to legalize medical cannabis in the state. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Anna Wishart (D), would allow patients with certain qualifying conditions to purchase and possess up to two and a half ounces of cannabis from licensed dispensaries. It would not…

US (KS): MMJ legalization bill cleared for Senate floor

A Kansas House committee on Monday adopted another set of amendments to a medical cannabis legalization bill and approved the overall measure, clearing its path to a floor vote. The legislation, which was introduced last month in the House Federal and State Affairs Committee, has been the subject of…

France launches 2-year MMJ experiment

France’s government launched a two-year nationwide experiment with medical cannabis Friday with a view to its eventual legalization. Some 3,000 patients around the country will be given medical cannabis treatments and their health will be monitored by the national medicines watchdog, the Health Ministry…

US (CA): Oceanside sets annual fees for cannabis businesses at $8,850

Cannabis business owners will pay a total of $8,850 annually for inspections, audits and license renewals under fees approved this week by the Oceanside City Council. The city…

Liz Krueger

US (NY): Final bill introduced to legalize, tax, and regulate adult-use

After rumors over the text of a cannabis legalization bill in the state of New York, an agreement was finally reached that allowed the release of the long-awaited legislation, the vote for which is expected in the coming week. According to a press release by Governor Cuomo, the industry is estimated to…

US (SD): Governor wants lawmakers to change medical cannabis rules

Gov. Kristi Noem on Friday pitched lawmakers a proposal that would limit parts of a voter-passed law legalizing medical cannabis in South Dakota, but she conceded that the drug will become legal for patients on July 1. The Republican governor previously pushed the Legislature to delay implementation of…

US (CA): Banning takes a step towards accepting cannabis microbusinesses

Last November as a couple of outgoing members were finishing up their terms, Banning’s city council requested its staff to see what it would take to allow microbusinesses in the city. Cannabis microbusinesses, specifically, are boutique businesses that provide cultivation, distribution and retail all…

US (MO): Missouri appeals ruling that forced state to award MMJ licenses to companies

Missouri regulators aren’t giving up a legal fight with two applicants seeking licenses to grow medical marijuana in the state. Following adverse rulings at the Administrative Hearing Commission in February that forced the state to award cultivation licenses to Heya Kirksville and Heya Excello, the state…

US: First order issued against credit union for cannabis guideline noncompliance

The federal National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) Board last month issued its first-ever administrative order against a financial institution for non-compliance with Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s (FinCEN) rules for serving the cannabis industry. The order against Michigan’s Live Life…

US (CA): Contra Costa County approves indoor cannabis cultivation business

The Contra Costa Board of Supervisors has cleared the way for an indoor commercial cannabis cultivation business to operate on Sellers Avenue, despite vocal opposition from city officials and residents. The unanimous decision to grant Diablo Valley Farms a land-use permit appears to be the final ruling…

US (NY): Lawmakers reached deal to fast track cannabis legalization

New York is ready to legalize recreational marijuana. The state would impose special pot taxes and prepare to license dispensaries under an agreement reached by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders. “It is my understanding that the three-way agreement has been reached and that bill drafting is in…

US (OR): Commission to limit use of Delta-8-THC

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission has initiated rule-making for Delta-8-THC and other psychoactive components of hemp and cannabis that currently fall outside the adult-use cannabis market’s system of testing and labeling. At their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, commissioners expressed concern…

US: SAFE Banking Act reintroduced in senate

On Tuesday, a bipartisan group of lawmakers reintroduced the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act in the U.S. Senate. This legislation, which was introduced by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Steve Daines (R-MT) along with 27 original cosponsors, would protect banks and other financial…

TH: Hemp, cannabis seeds importers must seek permission from authorities

The Agriculture Department plans to regulate the use of hemp and cannabis seeds, saying importers must seek permission from the department. Pichet Wiriyapapha, the department director-general, said on Tuesday at a press conference that the department would announce its seed-control regulation plan in…

Authorities delayed cannabis legislation due to pandemic

Authorities have delayed a program to authorize doctors to prescribe cannabis describing it as “low priority” during the Pandemic. Health Minister David Ashford has said that the plan is still “on the agenda” but pushed because of the Pandemic. Ashford said that there were “greater priorities” than…

Himachal to legalize cannabis cultivation to boost economy

Himachal Pradesh hopes to earn ₹18,000 crore annually by undertaking the controlled cultivation of cannabis to ease its debt burden that has grown to ₹60,500 crore in the Covid-19 pandemic year besides generating job opportunities. Announcing the decision during the recent budget session of the assembly,…

US: Senator introduces insurance bill for cannabis businesses

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, a senior member of the Senate Banking Committee and chairman of the subcommittee that oversees the insurance industry, today announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation that ensures legal marijuana and related businesses have access to comprehensive and affordable…

US (ME): MMJ growers testify against proposed new industry rules

Donald Gardner, an independent medical cannabis provider in Knox County, told state officials that if the Maine Office of Marijuana Policy approves proposed changes to the state’s program, he’ll “be in the unemployment line.”  “It’ll be the end of my business, it’s that simple,” he said, “and I won’t be the…

AR: Río Negro and INTA to join forces to grow medical cannabis

The government of Río Negro, together with the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), began to outline the joint work for the cultivation of cannabis for medicinal purposes in the province, they officially reported today. The general idea of ​​the project is that the cultivation is carried…

CAN (NB): Provincial government to stop privatization of cannabis sales

The provincial government has discontinued the Request for Proposal (RFP) process for the privatization of recreational cannabis in New Brunswick. “I thank the staff of Cannabis NB and all of the proponents for their patience as we have navigated this process through the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Premier…

UG: State shuns private investors despite keen interest

Ugandan President Yuweri Museveni has allegedly manipulated the legal process to ensure his government enjoys a cannabis monopoly. It has emerged that he over-rode his own Health Minister who has the authority to issue licenses by using another government agency to grant the necessary permissions. This…

US (WV): Medical cannabis testing approved

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Public Health, Offices of Medical Cannabis and Laboratory Services awarded a laboratory permit for medical cannabis testing to Analabs Inc., of Crab Orchard, WV. The lab is expected to perform a broad range of testing to ensure…

US (MA): Medford opens applications for cannabis businesses

The city's Cannabis Advisory Committee has opened the application process for adult-use cannabis establishments. Licenses include cannabis retailer; cultivator; product manufacturer; craft cannabis cooperative; micro-business; delivery only; transporter; independent testing laboratory; and research…

US (AZ): Springerville orders halt to cannabis farm construction

The prospect of a cannabis cultivation and infusion operation near the Springerville airport which is being developed by a company called White Mountains Flower, L.L.C. took another turn last week when t he Town of Springerville ordered WMF to “cease and desist” building structures until the company gets…

US (CA): City of Brentwood urges supervisors to deny cannabis cultivation permit

Leaders in Brentwood are formally urging the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors to uphold the county planning commission’s denial of a cannabis cultivation permit for an…

US (CA): Cannabis cultivation could expand in San Francisco North Bay

Facing the question of whether cannabis cultivation rules should be expanded, reduced or left alone, counties and farm bureaus in the North Bay are all over the map. Marin County, the birthplace of medicinal use cannabis in the state, plans to continue banning cultivation in its unincorporated…

US (CA): Yoche Dehe looking to move cannabis cultivation out of Capay Valley

The Yolo County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to table the county’s new cannabis land use ordinance on March 9 for a few months at the request of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. The move happened after the Yocha Dehe proposed a plan to help relocate cannabis production out of the Capay Valley, the…

US (MI): First penalty for cannabis banking violations lands on credit union

A small credit union in Michigan was recently penalized in what’s thought to be the first example of U.S. regulators publicly calling out a financial institution for compliance failures involving the cannabis industry. Under the enforcement action, Live Life Federal Credit Union must stop opening new…

US: SAFE Banking Act to be reintroduced

A bill to protect banks that service state-legal cannabis businesses from being penalized by federal regulators will be refiled in the House on Thursday, multiple sources confirmed to Marijuana Moment. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), and a bipartisan group of cosponsors will be reintroducing the legislation,…

US (MO): Companies that didn't meet operating deadline are seeing their licenses to be revoked

Missouri health authorities recently began revoking a handful of medical marijuana business permits after most of the state's would-be cannabis companies weren't ready to open for business roughly a year after winning the licenses, which would allow them to grow and sell the plant for lawful patients…

US (OK): Bill limiting commercial medical cannabis licenses passed by OK House, moves to Senate

A new bill moving through the state legislature would limit the amount of commercial medical cannabis licenses allowed in Oklahoma for at least the next two years. Representative Josh West authored HB 2272 and said it’s an effort to slow down a growing criminal element in the state. “We do have a…

US (TX): Bill filed to allow local legalization of cannabis

State Representative Jessica González (D-104) filed legislation that would allow counties and municipalities in Texas to legalize the recreational use of cannabis by order or ordinance. On Monday, March 8th, Rep. González filed House Bill 3248, which would allow counties and municipalities to adopt an…

US (RI): Senate leaders propose recreational cannabis with 20% tax rate

Rhode Island Senate leaders have introduced a bill that would create a system to tax and regulate recreational cannabis, with potentially dozens of private retail stores across the state. The bill, introduced by Senate Health & Human Services Committee Chairman Josh Miller and Majority Leader Michael…

Navigating product recalls in California

Product recalls occur when the maker or seller of a cannabis good asks downstream sellers or consumers to return the product, usually after discovery of some defect or safety…

US (CA): California Cannabis Equity grants program provides $15 million in grant funding for local jurisdictions

The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, in partnership with the Bureau of Cannabis Control, today announced $15 million in grant funding through the Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions. This program seeks to advance economic justice for populations and communities…

CH: New amendment would make access to MMJ easier

According to the new amendment, doctors will in the future be able to prescribe medical cannabis directly on prescription. You remain obliged to report treatments to the FOPH. Today you have to obtain an exemption from the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) before prescribing. This makes access more…

US (CA): Humboldt County improperly expanded scope of cannabis cultivation tax, appeals court rules

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors improperly expanded the scope of the county’s cannabis cultivation tax, a three-judge panel affirmed Thursday in California’s 1st District Court of Appeals. The case involves amendments to Measure S, the county’s commercial cannabis cultivation tax, which voters…

GR: "Cannabis exports and investments are boosted by the new draft law"

The proposed bill is moving categorically in the right direction as stated by Mr. Konstantinos Vamvakas CEO of VK PREMIUM Business Consultants . In the draft law of the Ministry of Development and Investment: the safe and smooth production and distribution of finished cannabis medicinal products is ensured,…

US (OH): Justices rule regulators must decide on grower's request to expand

Ohio medical cannabis regulators must consider a cultivation company's request to expand, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday. Akron-based Fire Rock Ltd. sued the Ohio Department of Commerce last year after the agency ignored its expansion request for months. The Ohio Supreme Court on Thursday ordered…

US (MI): State to use $20M in cannabis tax revenue on medical research

The instructions from voters as to what Michigan leaders should do with the newfound recreational cannabis tax revenue were clear. After paying to establish the Marijuana…

Mexico approved bill to legalize cannabis

Lawmakers in Mexico approved a bill Wednesday night to legalize recreational cannabis, a milestone for the country, which is in the throes of a drug war and could become the world’s largest cannabis market, leaving the United States between two pot-selling neighbors. The 316-to-129 vote in Mexico’s lower…

US (CA): Napa County said timing is wrong to explore commercial cannabis cultivation

Napa County is in no hurry to debate whether and under what conditions cannabis might someday be grown commercially in wine country. County Supervisor Brad Wagenknecht brought up the issue last week to the Board of Supervisors. He expressed concern that, if the county doesn’t act, supporters might pass a…

NZ: Medicinal cannabis scheme's transitional arrangements extended for six more months

In a statement today, the Medicinal Cannabis Agency has advised that transitional arrangements the country's Medicinal Cannabis Scheme will be extended for six more months. Extending the Scheme's transitional arrangements will give local producers and importers more time to comply with New Zealand's new…

Regulating a new export market on the Isle of Man

In January, after an extensive period of public and industry consultation, the Isle of Man embarked on a bold new regulatory journey. As a UK crown dependency in the middle of the Irish Sea, the island has a parliament (Tynwald) with its own legislative authority to enact laws and establish new…

US (MS): Mississippi's cannabis program might be overturned, but dozens of companies are starting anyway

Dozens of medical cannabis businesses and nonprofits are popping up around Mississippi even though the state’s regulatory system won’t be ready for months, and despite the fact that the Mississippi Supreme Court might strike down the voter-approved program. Companies can’t legally grow, process or…

US (OR): Judge sides against grower in lawsuit over Williams hemp raid

A federal judge has determined that the search warrant behind a Williams raid was lawfully served, dealing a major blow to a lawsuit filed by a Josephine County hemp grower who alleges that police in two counties seized and destroyed two tons of legal hemp rather than pot. U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark…

US (IL): Cannabis giant allegedly took products to Arkansas in Whole Foods salad containers, federal suit claims

Verano Holdings, a Chicago weed firm worth roughly $3 billion, was sued Monday in federal court as part of a sweeping racketeering complaint that accuses the company of…

Mexico’s cannabis decriminalisation bill on its way to becoming law

Two special committees of Mexico’s Lower House of Congress have approved a draft bill to decriminalise cannabis and sent it on to the full chamber, bringing it a step closer to creating one of the world’s largest markets for the drug. The bill, backed by the administration of President Andres Manuel…

US (OK): Deadline approaching for cannabis businesses to comply with seed-to-sale tracking system

On September 18, 2020, the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) officially partnered with Metrc, becoming the 14th state, along with the District of Columbia, to utilize the seed-to-sale track-and-trace regulatory cannabis system. With more than 10,000 active business licenses in the state, the…

USDA secretary gives final approval to hemp rules

The newly confirmed head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has given final approval to a federal rule laying out regulations for the hemp industry, despite outstanding concerns from advocates about certain provisions. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who is widely considered an ally of the…

CAN: Health Canada investigating complaints alleging inaccurately-labelled potency level

Health Canada is investigating complaints alleging inaccurately-labelled potency levels for some products sold by licensed cannabis producers, including industry leader Canopy…

US (AK): Houston-based grower charged for spraying pesticides on cannabis plants

The state is taking the unusual step of filing criminal charges against the operators of a Houston cannabis business based on accusations they sprayed potentially toxic pesticides on cannabis plants. A state environmental crimes prosecutor this week filed misdemeanor charges of pesticide pollution,…

Zambia to legalize cannabis cultivation

Zambia’s cabinet has approved the publication and introduction of a bill in parliament to legalise the cultivation of cannabis. On Tuesday, a government spokesperson, Dora Siliya, said the parliament made the decision during a virtual cabinet meeting held on Monday, March 1. She said in a statement that…

Morocco postpones discussions on cannabis legalization bill

Morocco’s Government Council has decided to postpone discussions on its planned bill 13-21 that intends to legalize cannabis production. The government has not stated when it aims to continue discussions.  The bill aims to permit the legal production of cannabis for medicinal and therapeutic use, to be produced…

US (CA): Sonoma County eyes ‘streamlined’ permitting of cannabis cultivation

The special status that cannabis cultivation permitting has enjoyed over the four years since it was legalized in the state of California by the passage of Prop. 64 may become a little less special later this year in Sonoma County, should a proposed General Plan amendment go into effect that will manage…

Health Canada approves chloropicrin fumigant for cannabis farms

Agriculture is a bug-filled industry that must put in work to remain clean. Soil fumigants are a major controversy in this regard. But, with outdoor cannabis cultivation license approvals now on the rise, Health Canada‘s Pesticide Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) approved a fumigant for cannabis farms…

US (MN): Senate committee passes bill that would legalize cannabis flower for medical use

For the first time in a decade, a proposed bill legalizing the use of cannabis flower for medicinal purposes has passed a Minnesota Senate committee. Advocates for the bill think it will eventually gain full approval from the Senate. Patrick McClellan told he was surprised the bill passed on a unanimous…

US (NJ): Mantua Township can't block MMJ growing facility, court rules

A state court has overridden a town’s decision to block a medical cannabis growing facility months after construction had begun at a former orchid greenhouse. The state Superior Court in Gloucester County ruled in favor of High Street Capital Partners, which does business as Acreage Holdings, finding…

Bermuda govt. suffers cannabis law defeat

A controversial law to legalise cannabis will be sent back to the House of Assembly after Senators voted against the bill yesterday afternoon. The Cannabis Licensing Act, which sets out a regulatory framework for growing, selling, and using the drug, was passed by MPs two weeks ago. But senators rejected…

Zambia approves bill to legalize cannabis cultivation for research purposes

Zambia's cabinet has approved the publication and introduction of a bill in parliament for the legalization of the cultivation of cannabis, a government spokesperson said on Tuesday. Chief Government Spokesperson Dora Siliya said the decision was made during a virtual cabinet meeting held on Monday,…

PT: Medicine agency set retail price for MMJ

Infarmed, the Portuguese medicines and medical devices agency, has now set a reference retail price for medical cannabis patients in pharmacies that equals the black-market price – but still no word on whether health insurers will reimburse the costs. Portuguese patients can look forward to a more…

US (ME): Proposed bill would allow MMJ cooperatives

A bill that would let Maine’s small medical cannabis providers form cooperatives is running into resistance from opponents who say it could result in large operations that would be exempt from local regulations. Proponents, however, believe the bill would level the playing field for sellers of Maine’s…

US (MI): MRA reminds applicants of upcoming license eligibility changes

The Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA) today issued a reminder that, beginning March 1, 2021, applicants are no longer required to hold an active medical marijuana license to…

Morocco to legalize cannabis

Morocco’s Council of Ministers discussed a draft bill that is set to result in the legalization of cannabis, within tight limits. The government’s spokesman revealed that the council will approve the bill next week, confirming that Morocco will indeed legalize cannabis. Details of the draft bill have been leaked ahead of the…

US (RI): State seeks bidders to run lottery for MMJ business licenses

Rhode Island is looking for an experienced person or a firm to create and run a lottery in May to decide who operates six proposed new medical cannabis dispensaries. On Friday the state posted online a request for proposals to “design and develop the methodology for the random selection process,” that…

US (MA): Pittsfield bans future outdoor cannabis cultivations

The largest community in Berkshire County has outlawed all future outdoor cannabis cultivation following a city council vote this week. While Pittsfield, Massachusetts has two…

US (MA): Plans withdrawn for cultivation site in Chesterfield

Following a lengthy public forum Wednesday night, Ember Gardens has decided not to move forward with a proposed cannabis growing facility on Willcutt Road. Ember Gardens, a southeastern Massachusetts-based company, made the announcement Thursday in a statement to the Select Board and residents. “At Ember…

Switzerland to launch adult-use experiment

If there is one word to describe the European approach to cannabis generally, it has been so far, caution. If there was another, it would be regulation. There is nothing “casual” or indeterminate in every European national approach to a conversation that is now so overdue it is burning its way into…

US (MT) Bill to allow cannabis cultivation only indoors

Some proposed legislation could limit the business model for companies growing cannabis in Montana, restricting them to growing their product exclusively indoors. Proponents of the bill say this law would also protect the state's growing hemp industry. Senate Bill 209 is not a shock to the cannabis…

US (OR): Unlawful irrigation uncovered on Oregon hemp farms

Suspicions about unlawful hemp irrigation in Southwest Oregon proved to be well-founded after an audit uncovered violations at one-third of the grow sites visited. Officials from the state’s Water Resources Department reviewed 187 hemp farms in the region last year and determined nearly 33% ran afoul of…

US (NJ): Bills signed into law to permit and regulate adult-use cannabis

After years of false starts and failed attempts, Gov. Philip D. Murphy on Monday signed into law three bills that effectively permit and regulate the use of recreational cannabis in New Jersey, making it the most populous state in the Northeast to fully legalize the drug. New Jersey is now one of 14…

Thailand to buy cannabis and hemp from growers in Buriram for medicine production

The Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) has officially signed a purchase agreement with a community enterprise consisting of cannabis growers in Buriram province, securing local supplies for the agency to begin production of cannabis and hemp-infused medicine. Dr. Sopon Mekthon, Deputy Public…

US (MA): Hindsale grants special permit for cannabis cultivation

Leaders in a small Massachusetts town have granted a special permit for a 91,000-square-foot outdoor cannabis farm in the community after the company's president promised that neighbors’ concerns about odors, heavy water use and road dust would be unfounded. The Hinsdale Select Board granted the special…

US (MO): Missouri medical cannabis lawyers worry about discipline

Attorneys who represent clients in the medical cannabis industry are concerned they might face discipline under a state Supreme Court directive that appears to put federal law in conflict with state law. The directive, which took effect July 1, says attorneys cannot participate in — or advise clients how…

Jamaica to finalize cannabis export agreements

Last summer, big players in cannabis agriculture, like the Canadian conglomerate Aphria Inc. (NASDAQ: APHA), couldn’t take the Caribbean heat and got out of the kitchen. Aphria, who acquired a Jamaican licensed cultivator in 2018 to get ahead of an expected production boom in Jamaica, left the island in…

US (MT): Hemp, cannabis growers speak on indoor grow bill

ASenate committee Thursday tried to hash out whether to approve a bill that would require cannabis growers to keep their grow operations indoors and reserve the outdoors for hemp farmers. Sen. Tom Jacobson, a Great Falls Democrat, told the Senate Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Committee his Senate…

US (NJ): State to resume issuing MMJ licenses

The state can resume its review of nearly 150 medical cannabis license applications that have sat untouched for more than a year, thanks to a ruling from a state appellate court Thursday. The court ruled against all but one medical cannabis license applicant rejected by the Department of Health in 2019.…

US (CA): California officially joins national Cannabis Regulators Association

The Bureau of Cannabis Control (Bureau) announced today that California has officially become the newest member of the Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA), a non-partisan organization created to facilitate information sharing amongst state regulators, develop more uniformity across state frameworks…

US (MI): Michigan cannabis may be contaminated with mold, testing labs warn

Cannabis for sale in Michigan is contaminated with mold and yeast, a group of cannabis testing labs is warning.  Moreover, the state is no longer allowing a specific cannabis testing method. But the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association said Wednesday it disagrees with the lab group's findings, saying the…

Assessing the shelf life of cannabis dried flowers

Every agricultural product is characterized by its shelf-life, which represents the time during which the quality remains intact. After this threshold, a given product starts deteriorating, resulting in a number of consequences. When it comes to cannabis, however, there isn’t still a commonly accepted…

US (PA): Agriculture Secretary seeks proposals for grants to boost hemp sales, exports

Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding called for proposals from nonprofit marketing and promotion organizations for projects aimed at increasing sales, export or consumer awareness of Pennsylvania hemp products. The department will award $253,000 in matching funds to reimburse up to half of project…

US (CA): Sen. Skinner announces bill to expand access to legal cannabis

State Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, announced the introduction of new legislation today designed to expand California’s legal cannabis market. Currently, many cities and counties have no legal cannabis businesses operating in their jurisdictions because those local governments don’t have the resources…

CAN: The AGCO now issuing 30 cannabis Retail Store Authorizations per week

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has continued working with the Government of Ontario to increase the number of cannabis Retail Store Authorizations (RSAs) that are issued each month. Effective today, February 16, 2021, the pace of store authorizations has increased from 20 to 30 RSAs…

Barbados locals to have a stake in cannabis industry

Officials are said to be considering ways of raising funds through the Barbados Stock Exchange (BSE) to help fund development and innovation in the burgeoning medicinal cannabis industry. Word of this has come from Shantal Munro-Knight, Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing…

Thailand encourages villagers to grow medical cannabis in Buriram

The Ministry of Public Health has delivered cannabis sprouts to a community enterprise in Buriram for cultivation and sale for medical use, as part of a campaign to kick start medical cannabis cultivation by villagers. The Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul delivered the cannabis sprouts to…

"Now, also for Italy important possibilities are opening up in an increasingly strategic international market"

The therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD), one of the main phytochemicals found in cannabis, has been largely ignored by doctors and scientists for decades. But in recent years, its ability to treat rare seizure disorders has come to light, leading to the first approval by the FDA, and later also by…

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Mississippi medical cannabis regulations to take effect in July

Regulations for a medical marijuana program in Mississippi will be in place by a July 1 deadline, members of the state Board of Health said last week. But they cautioned that it’s unclear how soon marijuana might be available to patients. Aug. 15 is the deadline for the state to begin issuing licenses…

US (RI): Cannabis legalization bill to be filed this month

A top Rhode Island senator says a bill to legalize cannabis in the state will be introduced this month, possibly as early as next week. Rather than wait until later in the session for budget negotiations, Senate Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey (D) told The Public’s Radio that he wants to put the…

CAN (BC): Cannabis facility proposed in Enderby

After a shaky start to the rezoning process, a local man’s application to house an indoor cannabis facility on his property is growing support within the Regional District of…

Pakistan to establish cannabis farms as alternative to cotton

Federal Minister for Science and Technology Chaudhry Fawad Hussain has said that farms for cannabis production are being established in Jhelum, Peshawar, Chakwal and Islamabad, highlighting that cannabis was an alternative to cotton and its production would immensely benefit Pakistan’s economy.…

US (CA): Humboldt County supervisors ban industrial hemp

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a permanent ban on industrial hemp cultivation on Tuesday replacing the temporary moratorium that was set to expire May 10, 2021. Though the ban is “permanent,” the ordinance passed by supervisors will likely be amended at a future date to allow…

US (CA): 3-acre outdoor grow approved in San Luis Obispo County

A large cannabis farm proposed near San Miguel overcame a neighbor's appeal on Feb. 9—earning a 3-2 vote of support from the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors—but words exchanged during the hours-long hearing indicated a lawsuit may be coming next. SLO County supervisors narrowly denied Kenneth…

US (CA): Lawsuit by grower may be dismissed as cannabis is still federally illegal

Among the endless questions facing cannabis growers — or at least those who’ve actually made it through the regulatory tangle — is what rights they have to compensation if their product is seized and destroyed? And as with many things in this industry in flux, the answer is still being defined in the…

US (GA): State medical cannabis program working to license manufacturers

Nearly 70 businesses have applied for licenses to produce low-THC cannabis oil for medical use in Georgia, the commission in charge of the state’s medical cannabis program announced Wednesday. The companies are seeking either Class 1 or Class 2 licenses. Under legislation the General Assembly passed in…

US (DE): Three new medical cannabis production licenses issued

Three new companies will be entering Delaware’s medical cannabis industry as early as this year after state regulators recently issued additional licenses. Valor Craft…

US: Bipartisan cannabis research bill reintroduced in the senate

A bipartisan coalition of senators has reintroduced a bill that’s meant to promote research into cannabis. The Cannabidiol and Marihuana Research Expansion Act, which unanimously passed the Senate in identical form last year, would streamline the application process for researchers who want to study the…

Armenia plans to legalize industrial hemp cultivation

Armenia plans to allow cultivation of industrial hemp as a part of the recently announced ‘Economic Response’ programme. The recreational use of cannabis will remain illegal. ‘This will significantly activate the use of agricultural lands,’ Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan said during a government…

US (CA): State cannabis authorities receive approval for regulations to facilitate financial services for cannabis businesses

The Office of Administrative Law (OAL) approved the proposed emergency regulations, 2021-0122-01E, to implement processes for cannabis businesses to authorize release of information to financial institutions. Text of the Adopted CDFA Regulations The regulations were filed with the Secretary of State on February 1,…

US (VA): House and senate lawmakers approve cannabis legalization measures

Members of the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate, for the first time ever, separately approved a pair of adult-use cannabis legalization measures today. Senate Bill 1406 and House Bill 2312 legalize the responsible use and personal cultivation of cannabis by adults ages 21 and older, provide for the…

US (CA): Department of Health clarifies Coronavirus vaccine eligibility for cannabis industry workers

California has finally clarified that cannabis industry workers are generally eligible for the first round of coronavirus vaccines. At the same time, San Diego County is…

US (RI): Office of Cannabis Regulation has a new chief

The state Office of Cannabis Regulation, which is spearheading the effort to add six new medical cannabis dispensaries in Rhode Island, has a new chief, Matthew Santacroce, a former policy director for Gov. Gina Raimondo. Santacroce, who left the Raimondo administration in 2018 and most recently worked…

US (MI): Cannabis regulators warn licensee over scammers

Cannabis regulators in Michigan are warning stakeholders in the state’s medical and recreational cannabis industries to remain vigilant and be wary of suspicious, potentially…

US (MO): Administrative hold placed on harvests

Two facilities have received notice from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to hold product after a cultivation licensee failed testing for heavy metals. The Section for Medical Marijuana Regulation advised that the cultivator’s harvest was placed on administrative hold after test…

US (CA): Desert Hot Springs reduces cannabis cultivation tax

Desert Hot Springs officials have voted to lower the city's cannabis cultivation tax rate in an effort to keep the city's competitiveness as the cannabis industry expands throughout California.  It was one of the first cities in California to allow medical marijuana cultivation within its limits, but other…

US (NM): Department of Health seeks to revoke license of medical cannabis producer after fire

The New Mexico Department of Health is considering revoking the license of a medical cannabis producer over an October fire that seriously injured two employees at one of its…

US (MN): State's hemp industry still waiting to gain momentum

Six growers helped launch Minnesota’s hemp industry in 2016, through a pilot program that prioritized study alongside cultivation. Since then, that program is no longer…

US (WV): Medical cannabis program still needs testing lab

Growers, processors and dispensaries for West Virginia’s long-awaited medical cannabis program have been selected with patients able to register for the program as of Wednesday, but the state still needs a lab partner to test the product. A list of approved medical cannabis growers was released in…