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US (NC): Hemp growers worry their crops will soon be illegal

North Carolina hemp farmers and others navigating the rebirth of the state’s hemp farming and manufacturing industry face a nerve-wracking question, said a lawyer who represents them: Will harvested hemp become illegal after June 30? That’s when the state law that authorized North Carolina’s hemp…

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Hawaiian hemp farmers stop production, fed up with government regulations

Pioneers of Hawaii’s latent hemp industry are selling off land, laying off staff, and no longer planting after years of waiting for the state to ease regulations that they consider overly restrictive and expensive. The resignation hemp farmers feel comes after years of investment and soliciting funders…

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Contaminated cannabis in Arizona: Your questions answered

Arizona requires cannabis to be tested for pesticides, heavy metals, and other contaminants before it’s sold, but testing is not done by the state, granting a high level of trust to growers and testing labs, an Arizona Republic investigation found.  The Arizona Department of Health Services investigates the…

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US: Congressman says there's "tremendous momentum" to pass cannabis banking

A key congressman involved in bicameral negotiations on a large-scale manufacturing bill says he’s optimistic about the prospects of including cannabis banking reform in the final version of the legislation that gets signed into law. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), a longstanding champion of cannabis…

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US (CA): Governor Newsom moves forward proposal to simplify tax structure

The Governor’s Office released a revised 2022-23 state budget proposal, building on the state’s ongoing work to make historic investments in California’s future, including efforts to create a safe, sustainable, and equitable legal cannabis market. Governor Newsom delivered on his commitment to help…

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US: "Compliance in cannabis can be a painstaking task"

Compliance in the cannabis industry presents a different challenge in every state, with almost countless regulations and considerations waiting to upend operators and those who work to ensure them along the entire supply chain — licensing, equipment testing, distribution and retail sales, packaging, and…

Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

London mayor visits Californian cannabis facility while debating UK cannabis laws

The mayor of London has launched a new group assessing the effectiveness of cannabis laws in the UK. To accompany the announcement, he has been pictured visiting a cannabis farm in Los Angeles, California, in a set of rather artistic photographs. Sadiq Khan is considering a new pilot scheme in a small…

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Guam: "If nothing changes, our adult-use cannabis industry could lose to the black market"

Guam’s adult-use cannabis industry could lose to the black market unless the government allows residents to own more than one type of cannabis business, a prospective business owner told lawmakers Thursday morning. At the very least, businesses should be allowed to grow and also manufacture cannabis…

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US (CA): "A lot of growers aren't going to make it, some businesses are already collapsing"

Many cannabis companies across the state are struggling with high taxes, most of which come from the state. At the Woodlake City Council meeting last week, cannabis cultivator 7 Points presented the council with information regarding cannabis taxes and their effect on the industry. They proposed…

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FDA issues first warning letters targeting Delta-8 THC products

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued its first set of warnings to companies over the allegedly illegal sale of products containing the increasingly popular cannabinoid delta-8 THC. FDA sent five warning letters to companies that are marketing products with the intoxicating compound and…

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US (CO): Cannabis and hemp industries strike tentative deal over Delta-8 THC and modified cannabinoids

This state's hemp and cannabis businesses want Colorado to create a task force to smooth a rift between the two industries. Last month, a bill introduced in the Colorado Legislature would ban any intoxicating cannabis product that isn't produced by a state-licensed cannabis business or sold at a licensed…

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Lebanon to legalise hemp to prevent "scourge" of cannabis

Lebanon's parliament has passed a law allowing for the cultivation of hemp, the Minister of Agriculture, Abbas Hajj Hassan, said on Monday, though implementation mechanisms had yet to be specified. Hassan called hemp a "lifeline" for the Lebanese economy, saying that it has the potential to generate at…

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US (VA): "More action is required to shape policy on the newly legalized plant"

Cannabis regulation met the stopping power of partisan politics during the 2022 Virginia General Assembly session, but lawmakers said more action is required to shape policy on the newly legalized plant.Out of more than 25 cannabis-related bills filed by state lawmakers this year, only two passed the…

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US: "Biden finally grants relief to people with federal cannabis convictions"

After more than a year in office, President Joe Biden granted clemency to dozens of people with non-violent federal drug convictions on their records. The president commuted the sentences of 75 individuals who were previously released to home confinement amid the coronavirus pandemic. This marks the…

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US (CT): City poised to welcome cannabis cultivation

This month, the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission will consider new regulations permitting the sale and cultivation of cannabis in certain areas of the city. The move comes as the state, which passed a law last year that allows the retail sale of adult-use cannabis, has started accepting applications…

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US (GA): "We were cheated out of a chance to obtain cultivation license"

A medical cannabis company has filed a lawsuit against the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission alleging the evaluations and scoring of medical cannabis bid applications was clouded by "conflicts of interest" and licenses were "bought and sold through closed door politics and back room deals."…

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US (CO): "The need for an independent versus self-certification is imminent"

Upon the close of the Attorney General Alliance's (AGA) Cannabis Project Conference in Denver, attorneys general from across the nation have recognized the completion of a cannabis pilot and now launch of an official two-part cannabis certification program called "The Public Health & Safety Cannabis…

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US (AZ): County considers new zoning rules for cannabis cultivation

Pima County is set to consider changes to zoning regulations for cannabis dispensaries. The changes include opening industrial and commercial zones to potential cannabis cultivation and production sites, according to an April 13 memo County Administrator Jan Lesher sent out that outlines the changes in…

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US (MT): New functionality for cannabis cultivator licensees

The Cannabis Control Division (CCD) has completed a system update that will allow cultivator licensees to submit an update application to increase their cultivation by multiple tiers, up to a maximum of tier 5. This update took place after discussions with the Economic Affairs Interim Committee (EAIC)…

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US (MI): Detroit announces opening of adult-use licensing program

The Detroit Department of Civil Rights, Inclusion and Entrepreneurship’s (CRIO) Office of Marijuana Ventures & Entrepreneurship announced an open online application process for those licenses that are Unlimited (Marijuana Growers, Processors, Transportation, Safety Compliance, and Event Organizers).…

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US (CA): Cannabis business owners argue for lower taxes

Local cannabis business owners pressed Cathedral City officials during a special meeting on Wednesday to consider changes to the city’s cannabis regulations and taxes or risk losing the industry to surrounding cities. Cannabis businesses in Cathedral City collectively paid a total of $4,971,001 in taxes…

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US: "As Oklahoma implements seed-to-sale cannabis tracking system, major changes are expected"

For the first time since voters approved Oklahoma's medical cannabis program law, regulators will be able to track cannabis as it travels from where it's grown, to where it's processed and finally, to dispensaries where it's sold to medical cannabis cardholders. The "seed-to-sale" tracking system is…

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US (OH): MMJ regulators to change the definition of THC to include new cannabinoids and close loophole

State cannabis regulators are changing the definition of THC -- the psychoactive substance in the drug that produces a “high” -- to include more cannabinoids, including those traditionally found in hemp. Under current state regulations, cannabis products, such as oils, edibles and patches, allow THC from…

© Ryland Zweifel Dreamstime.com

US (OR): CERF program provides a safety net for the Portland's cannabis industry, but raises questions about transparency

This month, a group of nonprofit organizations began distributing $1.33 million in taxpayer funds to Portland cannabis businesses.  The program and its financing, called Cannabis Emergency Relief Fund (CERF), are unconventional, for the beneficiaries—cannabis-related businesses—, for the relative speed with…

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US (MN): Hemp growers and processors must apply by April 30

Those wanting to grow and process hemp in Minnesota in 2022 must apply for a license with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) by April 30. To date, over 200 people have applied for an MDA license. The online application for growers and processors can be found on the MDA website. Along with the…

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Switzerland to launch 1st cannabis sale pilot in summer

Swiss health authorities on Tuesday approved the launch of a pilot project for the recreational consumption of cannabis in Basel this summer. About 400 people in the city will be allowed to buy cannabis from select pharmacies in Basel in late summer, the city's government said. They will be questioned…

Cannabis licenses in Illinois: could hopeful social equity applicants see relief Soon

The 2019 Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act provided the authority for the Illinois Department of Agriculture (the “IDOA”) and the Illinois Department of Financing and Professional Regulation (the “IDFPR”) to issue additional adult-use craft grower, infuser, transporter, and dispensary licenses. Each…

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US (NV): Org files lawsuit against state agency over cannabis scheduling

State law — and the will of Nevada voters — is clear that cannabis is legal to possess and use for medicinal and recreational purposes. Yet state agencies, including the Nevada State Board of Pharmacy, continue to list it as a Schedule I substance alongside meth, heroin, and cocaine. Instead of treating…

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DE: Hemp Association suggests licensed shops should sell MMJ instead of pharmacies

In the coalition agreement, the Ampel parties have agreed on the legalization of recreational cannabis. The German Hemp Association (DHV) has presented its legalization concept for the upcoming political discussions on implementation. One position: Not the pharmacies should take over the sale, but…

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Malaysia: MMJ Caucus meets PM to discuss policy issues

The Medical Cannabis Caucus (MCC) today held a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to discuss policy issues related to the hemp industry, medical cannabis and ketum for use in Malaysia. The caucus in a statement today informed that during the meeting, the prime minister had given a…

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US (NY): First round of cannabis cultivation licenses approved

New York regulators on Thursday voted to grant conditional cannabis cultivation licenses to a number of hemp businesses as one of the first steps toward ensuring an adequate supply of cannabis when the state’s adult-use market launches later this year. And separately, the Cannabis Control Board (CCB)…

US (PA): Senate approves cannabis banking bill, sending it to the house

The Pennsylvania Senate on Wednesday approved a bill to safeguard banks and insurers against being penalized by state regulators for working with state-legal medical cannabis…

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Medical cannabis to be sold at pharmacies in Greece

Greece expects big investments in the production of medical cannabis which the government hopes would add up to 1.5 billion euros ($1.67 billion) annually to state revenue, Minister for Development and Investment Adonis Georgiadis said, according to greekreporter.com. Speaking exclusively to Greek…

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CAN (ON): Cannabis-growing rules set by Niagara Falls council

The City of Niagara Falls will permit cannabis cultivation and production in select industrial zones, subject to several conditions and regulations. Coun. Vince Kerrio said city council received “overwhelming objections” from residents who have “filled this council chamber, filled our computers or…

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US (PA): Cannabis banking bill heads to Senate floor

A second Pennsylvania Senate committee has approved a bill to safeguard banks and insurers against being penalized by state regulators for working with state-legal medical cannabis businesses. The Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously passed the bipartisan legislation from Sens. John DiSanto (R)…

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"We face a tough climb on winning Senate approval of legal cannabis"

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) is facing significant obstacles in his legislative push to legalize cannabis, with resistance from Republicans and members of his own party threatening chances of passage in the upper chamber. Schumer has said that his aim is to bring a comprehensive…

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US (AZ): Zoning problems plague cannabis social equity program

When she was in high school, Arianna Muñoz was charged with possession of narcotics because she was carrying a vape cartridge and a gram of wax concentrate. Despite being a medical cannabis cardholder in 2019, once Muñoz set foot outside a dispensary, she was illegally in possession of narcotics. “That’s…

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US (MI): Council sets municipal cannabis license fees to $5,000

Two months after paving the way for medical cannabis dispensaries to open, members of the Greenville City Council have taken another step toward finalizing the process. On Feb. 1, the council approved a set of five ordinances that will allow medical cannabis dispensaries to operate in a designated area…

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US (MS): Medical cannabis program rules and regulations released

Since the passage of the Mississippi Cannabis Act, SB 2095, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) has been working to craft guidelines for the program. In fact, much of the work began after Initiative 65 passed in November 2020. On Monday, MSDH released beginning measures, including…

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US (CT): City aims to make cannabis businesses feel more welcome

Norwich City Council this week unanimously approved zoning language that is expected to make the city more approachable for cannabis businesses. The Council's vote follows the path of clarifying the definitions of manufacturing, like precision manufacturing and advanced manufacturing, which the city…

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Italy: What you need to know about the medical cannabis cultivation notice

“The expression of interest has been published for identifying companies and economic operators capable of cultivating cannabis plants for use in the manufacture of medicines and pharmaceutical raw materials. It is already possible to apply by filling out the form on the website of the Ministry of…

© Andrii Zorii Dreamstime.com

US (PA): Cannabis banking bill could expand access for businesses, patients

While medical cannabis is legal in Pennsylvania and there's an ongoing push to legalize recreational use, federal prohibition makes banks and insurance companies hesitant to do business with cannabis companies. The risk of following state law but violating federal law complicates efforts to redirect…

US (CA): Cannabis cultivation pending in El Dorado County

A county commercial cannabis use permit applicant is proposing a 10,000-square-foot cultivation operation in Pilot Hill. Behind this application is Chamy Lee, owner of Green Valley Farm and retired Caltrans employee, who applied to cultivate cannabis at 4921 Rattlesnake Bar Road on a 178-acre parcel…

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State officials to do regulatory review of $247 million purchase of Etain Health

State officials promised a full regulatory review of the proposed purchase of medical cannabis company Etain Health, which has a dispensary in Ulster and a growing operation in Chestertown, near Lake George, by a Canadian cannabis acquisition and investment firm RIV Capital for $247 million. “As per New…

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US (PA): Philadelphia will opt out of medical cannabis

The city of Philadelphia will opt out of medical cannabis. Aldermen voted 3-2 Tuesday night to announce their intention to opt-out and hold a public hearing on April 19. Ward 1 Alderman Justin Clearman and Ward 4 Alderman Shaun Seales voted for medical cannabis. Ward 2 Alderman Jim Fulton, Ward 3…

More than half of Europeans support cannabis legalization, report says

More than half of the European population support legalization of adult use of cannabis and around 30% of them are interested in purchasing it, according to polling data by industry consultants on Thursday. Europe's liberal approach could reap multiple financial and economic benefits as seen in the…

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US House of Representatives passes medical cannabis research bill

U.S. House of Representatives passed on Monday, April 4, a bipartisan cannabis research bill that would remove barriers to conducting research on cannabis and allow scientists to access cannabis from dispensaries of legal cannabis states. The Medical Marijuana Research Act passed the House in a 343-75…

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US (MS): County supervisors set vote on medical cannabis

Lauderdale County supervisors will vote April 18 on whether or not to opt-out of the state medical cannabis program. In a meeting Monday, the Board of Supervisors discussed the program and outlined their concerns with how it could impact the county. Supervisor Jonathan Wells said one of his concerns is a…

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US (RI): Budget plan includes more funding for Office of Cannabis Regulation

The number of employees working out of Rhode Island’s Office of Cannabis Regulation could more than double in the state’s next fiscal year budget, based on a proposal on the table. Gov. Dan McKee’s budget for the Office of Cannabis Regulation for fiscal year 2023 is $5.6 million and represents a total of…

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Bahamas: "Cannabis ambitions damaged if too hasty"

A cannabis advocate is warning that ambitions to develop medical cannabis and industrial hemp industries could be endangered if “long overdue” legislation is not implemented effectively. Terry Miller, chairman of the Bahamas Cannabis Research Institute (BACARI), told Tribune Business that industry…

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US: "Legislators have nipped Virginia's budding cannabis industry"

Jacob Williamson grows, makes and sells hemp-based CBD products through his family’s Hens and Hemp farm. He went through the permitting process to be a hemp farmer when it became legal in 2019, but now he is leaving the industry. “We can't keep up with the multimillion-dollar cannabis industry coming…

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US (MD): Lawmakers officially put cannabis legalization on the ballot

Maryland voters will get the chance to decide on legalizing cannabis following approval of a constitutional amendment in the legislature on Friday that puts the question of reform on the November ballot. Separate legislation to lay out initial rules for the program if voters opt to end cannabis…

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US: House to vote on cannabis research bill

Just days after passing a far-reaching bill to federally legalize cannabis, the U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote Monday on separate legislation to remove barriers to conducting research on cannabis, including by allowing scientists to access products from state-legal dispensaries. The Medical…

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US: House passes federal cannabis legalization bill MORE Act

Last Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the MORE Act, a Dem-sponsored bill to federally legalize cannabis. The first and only time the bill made it this far was in 2020, after which it stalled in the Senate. Yet again, it is expected that the bill will face a challenging course in the…

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US (WA): "Other states need to pressure congress to pass cannabis banking bill"

Washington State’s treasurer is calling on counterparts in other states to pressure Congress to take action on pending cannabis banking reform legislation, writing in an open letter to colleagues that recent violence at mostly cash-only cannabis retailers—including a spate of deadly robberies in…

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US: "Federal cannabis legalization would add billions in revenue"

A bill set to go before the U.S. House of Representatives this week to federally legalize and tax cannabis would add billions in revenues and reduce prison costs over the next decade, according to a report released by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) on Wednesday. Overall, the office said that it…

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US (KY): "Bill to legalize medical cannabis appears dead"

A bill to legalize medical cannabis in Kentucky appears to be dead for the 2022 session of the General Assembly. The measure won approval in the House, but the Senate hasn’t brought it up for a vote. Advocates like Julie Cantwell say they’re furious. She says her son used to have 100 small seizures every…

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US (MO): House committee approves GOP-led cannabis legalization bill

A Missouri House committee on Thursday narrowly approved a GOP-led bill to tax and regulate adult-use cannabis in the state. The legislation from Rep. Ron Hicks (R), titled the “Cannabis Freedom Act,” cleared the House Public Safety Committee in a 5-4 vote, with amendments. It now heads to the Rules…

DesignLights Consortium seeks input on next version of horticultural lighting technical requirements

The DesignLights Consortium (DLC) today released for comment the first draft of Version 3.0 of its Technical Requirements for Horticultural Lighting. Scheduled to take effect…

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US (IL): State facing trust issues with cannabis

There are growing issues of trust with how Illinois is managing its legal cannabis industry. Illinois legalized adult-use cannabis beginning in January 2020. Since then, the state’s limited number of dispensaries have sold nearly $2.3 billion worth of cannabis products. Taxes collected by the state,…

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US: Key House committee formally clears federal cannabis legalization bill

A key House committee on Wednesday formally advanced a bill to federally legalize cannabis to the floor, making in order a number of amendments and blocking others as part of a final rule. A full chamber vote is expected on Friday. The House Rules Committee took up the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment…

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US (AZ): Cannabis social equity program faces new legal challenge

With less than two weeks remaining before the state of Arizona plans to issue 26 “social equity” cannabis licenses, a new lawsuit over the program could delay the drawing. The lawsuit was filed last week in Maricopa County Superior Court on behalf of three social equity applicants. It alleges that the…

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US (PA): Senators approve cannabis banking protection bill

As federal cannabis banking reform continues to stall in Congress, a Pennsylvania Senate committee on Wednesday approved a bipartisan bill to safeguard banks and insurers against being penalized by state regulators for working with state-legal medical cannabis businesses. The Senate Banking & Insurance…

© Stefan Malloch Dreamstime.com

US (MD): Senators delay vote on cannabis legalization ballot bill

Maryland senators on Wednesday took up a House-passed bill to put cannabis legalization on the state’s November ballot—but the committee couldn’t reach a consensus and decided to delay a vote so members can sort out their concerns. The inaction in the Senate Finance Committee comes a day after members…

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US (VT): 427 seek prequalification for Vermont cannabis market

Vermont has started taking prequalification applications from potential cannabis growers, retailers, product manufacturers and others as it prepares for a retail cannabis market to open this fall. As of midday on Tuesday, 427 had applied for prequalification, including 66 potential retailers, according…

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US (VA): Hemp farmers say bill limiting CBD will destroy business, lawmaker calls that ‘misleading’

A newly passed bill could stop the sale of certain CBD products in Virginia starting July 1. Hemp farmers who fear the future of the industry is at stake are asking Governor Glenn Youngkin for help. Meanwhile, one lawmaker is calling their claims “categorically wrong” and “misleading.” In a letter, an…

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Bermuda House of Assembly passes cannabis legislation again

Bermuda’s House of Assembly has again passed controversial legislation making it legal to grow and sell cannabis in Bermuda, a British Overseas Territory, but it remains to be seen whether the Governor gives it the royal assent. Twelve months ago, the legislation was blocked in the Senate, but the Upper…

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US: Lawmakers file amendments to federal cannabis legalization bill

Congressional lawmakers on both sides are the aisle are already filing proposed amendments to a bill that would federally legalize cannabis that’s up for a House floor vote this week. Some of the proposals are related to researching the impacts of the policy change, though others would add restrictions…

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US (CA): City adopts tiered tax for cannabis businesses

Cloverdale’s cannabis businesses are going to see a decrease in city taxes, following a 3-1 vote by the Cloverdale City Council on March 23. The council gave the green light to a resolution that amends the city’s existing blanket cannabis excise tax rate of 4.5% for cannabis businesses in favor of a…

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US (NJ): "Cannabis sales only weeks away, despite delayed approvals"

New Jersey regulators said they’re not quite ready to start authorizing medical cannabis dispensaries in the state to begin selling to the adult-use market—but the governor urged patience, saying those shops will start serving adult consumers in a “matter of weeks.” Gov. Phil Murphy (D) responded to the…

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US (CO): County commissioners issue pause on new cannabis licenses

The Larimer County Board of County Commissioners voted to pause its issuance of new cannabis business licenses in unincorporated Larimer County until early next year. The board decided unanimously in a meeting last week to issue a moratorium on any new cannabis cultivation facility or dispensary opening…

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US: "We have never been closer to ending federal prohibition of cannabis"

The House sponsor of a bill to federally legalize cannabis that is scheduled to be taken up for a floor vote in Congress for the second time in history this week has partnered with a recently established cannabis-focused political action committee to get out the word about the upcoming action and to…

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US (MA): Cambridge eliminates tax on adult-use cannabis

The Cambridge City Council unanimously passed a policy order repealing a three percent “Community Impact Fee” tax on adult-use in a recent meeting. The policy order eliminated the tax, currently part of Massachusetts state law, in a move to “support the viability” of adult-use dispensaries in Cambridge,…

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US: Federal cannabis legalization bill scheduled for house floor vote next week

The U.S. House of Representatives plans to vote on a bill to federally legalize cannabis for the second time in history next week, congressional leadership confirmed on Thursday. The body will take up the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, a bill sponsored by House Judiciary…

© Roxana Gonzalez Dreamstime.com

US (MD): Senators raise questions about house-passed legalization bills

A Maryland Senate committee on Wednesday took up a pair of House-passed bills to put cannabis legalization on the state’s November ballot and set initial rules if voters approve the reform, with some lawmakers raising concerns about the limited scope of the implementation proposal and questioning why the…

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US (MD): Dearth of medical cannabis licenses concerns full legalization advocates

A proposed expansion into adult-use cannabis could be hampered by a limit on licenses in the medical cannabis industry. The issue of licenses is expected to be a flashpoint as lawmakers consider the growth of the legal cannabis industry. All but one available medical cannabis license in Maryland has been…

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US (OH): "Local zoning regulations aren't likely to attract medical cannabis businesses"

New zoning regulations will go into effect next month in Madison Township that could allow medical cannabis businesses to locate within the community. But it doesn’t seem likely that any of those businesses will be seeking zoning approval anytime soon to set up shop in Madison Township. That reality…

US (TX): Court case challenging smokable hemp manufacturing ban

The Texas Supreme Court on Tuesday heard oral arguments concerning the state’s ban on manufacturing smokable hemp products—the latest development in a drawn-out legal battle on the policy first proposed and challenged in 2020. A lower court determined in August that a proposed ban on the manufacturing…

© Stefan Malloch Dreamstime.com

US (RI): House panel discusses competing cannabis legalization proposals

A Rhode Island House committee on Tuesday discussed a bill to legalize cannabis in the state, as well as the governor’s separate budget proposal that includes provisions to end cannabis criminalization and create a regulated market. The lawmaker-driven bill was introduced earlier this month following…

© Roxana Gonzalez Dreamstime.com

Rwanda approves 134 hectares for first medicinal cannabis production

Rwanda has dedicated 134 hectares to cannabis production, The New Times has learned. It was last year when the country publicly showcased its plans to start growing and exporting the plant and its products.To the effect of this, a Ministerial Order was gazetted in June, providing a framework for…

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US: Cannabis industry goes all-in on banking push before midterms

The cannabis industry is pushing lawmakers to get a cannabis reform bill to President Biden’s desk before the November midterms, fearing that a Republican takeover of Congress could doom its chances. In an in-person lobbying blitz last week, more than 20 chief executives of top cannabis companies urged…

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"Texas risks being left behind as U.S. cannabis industry blooms"

While Texas continues to resist making cannabis broadly legal, there’s little doubt it's being left far behind as much of the rest of the country moves on from that debate and works to foster lucrative cannabis industries. That’s the upshot of cannabis-related discussions during South by Southwest, where…

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US (NH): Lawmakers approve amended state-run cannabis legalization bill

A New Hampshire House committee approved an amended version of a bill to create a state-run cannabis market for adult consumers, sending it to the full House for a second floor vote. The House Ways & Means Committee met for the third time in the span of a week on Monday to discuss the proposal and gave…

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US: Congressional lawmakers want Biden to end international cannabis ban

A bipartisan duo of congressional lawmakers filed a resolution on Friday imploring President Joe Biden to wield his influence to get the United Nations (UN) to end the international ban on cannabis by removing the plant from the list of controlled substances in a global drug treaty. Reps. Nancy Mace…

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US (IL): Court ruling clears way for 60 new cannabis grower licenses

Illinois has won a court order to award 60 new craft cannabis growing licenses, allowing a major expansion of the industry to newcomers. The development came as a judge lifted the injunction that had held up awarding the licenses until litigation was settled.Sangamon County Judge Gail Noll restored the…

IT: Milan city council voted in favor of cannabis legalization

The City Council of Milan voted in favor of the 'legalization' of cannabis. The decision came at the end of a very heated session between the majority and the right-wing party the League. The motion passed thanks to the votes of the center-left majority and some more progressive parts of center-right…

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DE: Hemp cultivation remains a niche in Thuringia

Hemp cultivation for the adult-use market will not take place outdoors, but rather in strictly controlled indoor farms, said the consultant for crop production and environment at the Thuringian Farmers' Association, André Rathgeber. “The legal requirements for this will also be so high that you have to…

© Darren Dreamstime.com

Guam: "Banking remains hurdle for new cannabis industry"

The island’s adult-use cannabis industry is supposed to be regulated through the payment of taxes and fees to the local government, but it still is unclear if the government of Guam’s banks will accept cannabis money, according to the Cannabis Control Board. “From what (administration officials)…

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US (NE): Medical cannabis supporters host events to gather signatures

Medical cannabis supporters across Nebraska came together Saturday for over 100 events in 35 counties. It’s all in an effort to get enough signatures to let the voters decide if medical cannabis should be legal. But, there’s still a long road to get there. Up to this point, the efforts to get medical…

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US (KS): Senators hold first of three medical cannabis legalization hearings

Kansas senators held the first in a series of three planned committee hearings this week on a recently introduced medical cannabis legalization bill, discussing the key provisions and taking testimony from advocates and stakeholders. The hearing in the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee comes…

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US (CA): "We received 207 license applications, instead of the forecasted 25"

Encinitas forecasted that 25 cannabis businesses would seek to enter a city lottery allowing them to set up shop in town. Instead, it got 207 applications. In order to review them all and decide who will be allowed to enter the lottery for the four allowable retail sales licenses, the city will…

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US (CA): Long Beach to look at cutting cannabis cultivation tax

In a warehouse north of the 405 Freeway off Cherry Avenue sits a 35,000 square foot warehouse where the chief cultivator of Fresh Baked helps oversee the harvesting of nearly 6,000 pounds of cannabis per year.The bounty of dried cannabis flowers comes with a steep tax bill for KRD, the name of the lead…

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US (OK): "Clock is ticking to comply with seed to sale regulatory policy"

The efforts to wrangle Oklahoma’s medical cannabis industry is continuing to move forward with the implementation of seed to sale, a tracking system officials said will help regulators quickly spot suspicious activity and eliminate black market distribution, while ensuring that the industry continues to…

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US (GA): House and Senate pass differing medical cannabis bills to jumpstart stalled program

Some long-awaited relief through cannabis oil could be in sight for some Georgians with serious health conditions. State House lawmakers approved a do-over of the state’s medical marijuana program, which has been stalled in court. The measure passed 169-5 Tuesday, and a separate medical cannabis measure…

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US (CA): Sonoma County supervisors to consider cannabis tax relief options

The debate over tax cuts for California’s struggling cannabis industry is returning to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, where supervisors will consider a two-pronged tax-relief proposal. In the short term, county staff are recommending the cultivation tax on growers be cut by 10%. The board is…

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US: Growing number of Kansans want legalization of medical cannabis

A recent survey shows a growing number of Kansans say they want the legalization of medical cannabis. Most voters thought the issue was dead for the year, until a new bill showed up. This new senate bill gives new life to the fight for legalizing medical cannabis. It's never made it past the senate…

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US (MS): Legal gray area leaves potential cannabis growers in limbo

It’s been well over a month since the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act was signed into law. However, potential cannabis growers in Mississippi are hesitant on how to proceed in growing their product. Ambiguity in the signed legislation doesn’t specify if greenhouses are considered indoor or outdoor grow.…

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US (LA): Veterans ask for better access to medical cannabis

Medical cannabis is legal in Louisiana, but some veterans gathered at the Louisana State Capitol Monday asking for a better system. “It’s been a lifesaver for me,” said Joshua Moffett, a former army ranger specialist and owner of Accurate Empathy Counseling. Tony Landry, the founder of Louisiana Veterans…

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US (DE): Cannabis legalization bill fails in house, even though most representatives voted for it

A bill to legalize cannabis in Delaware failed to pass the House of Representatives, even though a majority of members voted for it. Two House committees had previously advanced the reform proposal from Rep. Ed Osienski (D) in recent weeks, but it was ultimately defeated by the full chamber in a vote of…

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US (KY): House panel advances medical cannabis bill

Medical cannabis advocates in Kentucky cleared an initial hurdle when a House committee advanced a bill to legalize the use of cannabis for medical purposes. The measure won strong bipartisan support to clear the House Judiciary Committee and move on to the full House, where a similar version passed two…

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US (LA): Legislators aim to expand state's medical cannabis program

Ahead of next week’s legislative session, several bills are being prepared that aim to improve the state’s medical cannabis program. According to the Medical Marijuana Legislative Study Commission, Louisiana has the fewest cultivation licenses and the highest prices for medical marijuana in the U.S.…

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US (OR): Bill proposed to raise cannabis taxes

Unless you are an MMJ patient or caregiver, you have to pay a tax when purchasing cannabis, and cannabis products, in Oregon. One of the selling points of establishing regulated cannabis programs is the tax revenue, and in Oregon the state collects a tax of 17% on a purchase, and cities and counties with…

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US (GA): Medical cannabis license winner gives $50,000 to Governor's committee

The CEO of one of only six companies in Georgia to be selected for a license to grow and sell medical cannabis gave Governor Brian Kemp’s Leadership Committee $50,000 weeks after his company was awarded a license.Last week it was showtime in Buckhead, as the audience flowed in, and the stage was set. But…

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US: With legalization looming, Missourians of color worry about losing out in medical cannabis industry

More than 2,000 applications were submitted for medical cannabis licenses in 2019, but fewer than 400 were ultimately awarded. And while the state doesn’t track the race of those who got a license, people in the burgeoning industry say few went to Black-owned businesses.Abe Givins sank into a leather…

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US (KY): Medical cannabis bill gains support of lawmaker who opposed it

Rep. Jason Nemes, a Republican from Louisville, who has been championing Kentucky medical cannabis legislation for the past few years, might have just achieved his biggest breakthrough yet — support from a powerful Senator who once opposed his bill. For the 2022 General Assembly, Nemes filed House Bill…

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US (NY): People with cannabis convictions to get retail license first

New York regulators are set to approve a rulemaking it so people with prior cannabis convictions, or whose family members have been harmed by criminalization, will get the first round of adult-use cannabis retailer licenses—ahead of existing medical cannabis businesses. The proposal to create the…

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US (MS): New medical cannabis law draw millions in investment

“I think that’s going to have ripple effects for the whole state. That’s additional money in the budget. I know that’s the hope, that they can create new tax dollar revenue to give back to the people.”  DeAundrea Delaney built a hemp empire in Mississippi, but her sights have long been set on opening one of…

NZ: Medical cannabis regulations disguise solid progress

The cannabis industry is going strong in New Zealand. Yet, such progress is hidden behind a shroud of regulations that limit local producers’ freedom to share the significant progress that the sector has been making. During MedCan 2022, Health Minister Andrew Little acknowledged that, and said that the…

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US (NY): "Law that creates conditional license to grow cannabis is fantastic news"

A new law that creates a Conditional Adult-use Cannabis Cultivator license in New York represents a high note for private businesses, including Empire Hemp Co. in Batavia, that have found their niche within the guidelines of the state’s Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act. Late last month, Gov. Kathy…

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US (OK): Changes proposed to medical cannabis industry

Raids on illegal cannabis farms are more common in Oklahoma. Now a group of lawmakers hope a set of bills to change policies will help weed out the bad players. The policies will also benefit those who are following the rules. There are twelve points to this plan and nine of them aim to stop illegal…

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CAN: Online cannabis sales in Alberta move to licensed retailers

Online shopping and delivery of cannabis to Albertans’ doors will begin through some licensed cannabis retailers on Tuesday. The transition to a widespread online market comes three months after Bill 80, Alberta’s Red Tape Reduction Implementation Act, was adjusted for Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis…

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US (MO): House takes up cannabis legalization in push to sink ballot question

Cannabis activists lined up Tuesday to urge Missouri lawmakers to move quickly to fully legalize cannabis and derail a competing ballot initiative backed by existing medical cannabis businesses.The Cannabis Freedom Act, sponsored by Rep. Ron Hicks, R-Defiance, combines numerous cannabis-related bills…

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"Israel poised to decriminalize adult-use cannabis"

The Israeli government is considering decriminalizing adult-use cannabis and expunging the criminal records of those convicted of personal possession or use of cannabis, President Isaac Herzog and Justice Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced.On approval of the new regulations, those with adult-use convictions…

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US (ME): "We will work with industry members to draft a more palatable set of rules"

After a set of proposed rule changes to Maine’s medical cannabis program was met with weeks of push-back from providers and consumers, the Maine Office of Marijuana Policy has announced it is going back to the drawing board. The office will scrap the most recent proposal and work with the industry to…

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US (MD): Senate president says voters need to know what cannabis legalization would look like

With at least five competing cannabis legalization bills in play this session in Maryland, the state’s Senate president weighed in on Friday about how he’d like to see lawmakers proceed during the remaining weeks of the legislative session. The House of Delegates passed legislation the week before that…

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US (KS): Lawmakers seek solution to confusion over delta-8 and medical cannabis

Lawmakers are weighing how to dive into an increasingly contentious debate over the allowability of a class of certain cannabis products, known as delta-8, that have drawn legal scrutiny from local law enforcement across Kansas. Delta-8 products are on shelves across the state, but an opinion from…

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US (MS): Public forum to be held on medical cannabis in local town

Sumrall neighbors will have the opportunity to voice concerns and opinions about the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act at a public forum. Pine Belt News reported the Board of Mayor and Aldermen will host the meeting to discuss whether the town should opt out of the Act or not. The Act allows for cities…

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US (WA): "More than 1 in 5 cannabis products would fail a pesticide test"

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) which oversees adult-use cannabis in the state, voted unanimously to approve new regulations for quality control of adult-use cannabis. Adding to existing laboratory test requirements for cannabis products, the WSLCB will now require pesticide…

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UK: Government urged to take faster measures against peat use

35 key environmental organizations, including the National Trust and The Wildlife Trusts and over 150 high-profile names from horticulture and politics have released a joint statement urging the UK government to take faster, more effective action to ban peat in horticulture: Protecting our peatlands and…

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US (RI): Lawmakers unveil cannabis legalization bill after months of negotiations

Rhode Island lawmakers from both chambers unveiled a much-anticipated bill to legalize cannabis in the Ocean State—a move that comes about a month after Gov. Dan McKee (D) included a proposal to end cannabis prohibition as part of his annual budget plan. Sen. Joshua Miller (D) and Rep. Scott Slater (D)…

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US (SD): House panel rejects senate-passed cannabis legalization bill

A South Dakota House committee defeated a Senate-passed bill to legalize cannabis, and members also gutted a separate measure that would have set up initial rules for the market by replacing it with new language to eliminate existing protections for medical cannabis patients. The state Senate had…

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US (MA): City councilors question cannabis business selection process

A permit request to build a $20 million cannabis cultivation facility in East Springfield is back on the agenda for the City Council meeting. The introduction of the cannabis industry in the state’s third-largest city has stalled. The hearing on the special permit has dragged on for months as City…