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Progress in Expungement of Marijuana Convictions Across Multiple States
In a significant move towards cannabis reform, Louisiana and Rhode Island have taken steps to expunge marijuana-related convictions. Louisiana's Governor, John Bel Edwards, signed into law the House Bill 286, which allows first-time marijuana possession offenders to request an expungement of their records within 90 days of their conviction. Meanwhile, Rhode Island courts have expunged over 23,000 marijuana possession convictions in recent months, following an executive order issued by State Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul A. Suttell. These developments highlight the growing trend towards rectifying the consequences of past marijuana prohibition laws.
Maine Lawmakers Advance Legislation Protecting Cannabis Use While on Probation & Washington Spends $100 Million To Vacate 350,000 Marijuana/Drug Convictions
In a significant move towards cannabis reform, Maine lawmakers have advanced a bill that would protect the rights of individuals on probation or parole to possess or consume cannabis. The bill, LD 1311, prevents the legal cultivation, possession, or use of cannabis, or testing positive for cannabis, from being a violation of probation, parole, or release pending trial unless it poses a risk of danger to the individual or others. The legislation now awaits the signature of Governor Janet Mills. Meanwhile, Washington State has announced plans to spend nearly $100 million to vacate an estimated 350,000 prior drug convictions and reimburse legal fees to people who were prosecuted under laws that the state Supreme Court deemed unconstitutional in 2021. The state will provide $47 million in funding to facilitate a comprehensive review and vacation of hundreds of thousands of felony drug possession and misdemeanor marijuana possession records, and another $50 million will be used to reimburse eligible individuals for court-ordered fines and costs.
Vermont Increases THC Limits and Plant Counts for Patients; Minnesota Sets Home Limit at 2 Pounds
In a significant move for medical cannabis patients, Vermont has increased the number of cannabis plants that qualified patients may grow at home from nine to 12, and also doubled the permissible amount of THC in a single serving medical cannabis product from 50 mgs to 100 mgs. The law, which takes immediate effect, also expands medical cannabis access to patients with post-traumatic stress and increases the total number of patients that a caregiver may serve at any one time. Meanwhile, Minnesota, which recently legalized cannabis for adult use, has set the home limit at 32 ounces or 2 pounds, much higher than the limit in other states. However, given the state’s four-plant limit for growing at home, some people say even 2 pounds is not enough.
https://hightimes.com/news/minnesota-to-have-home-limit-2-pounds/
Oregon Cracks Down on Illegal Cannabis Cultivation by Holding Landowners Responsible
In an effort to combat illegal cannabis cultivation, Oregon lawmakers have approved a bill that holds landowners accountable for illicit cannabis operations on their properties. The new law comes in response to the seizure of over 100 tons of illegal cannabis across the state last year. The illicit cultivation sites often lead to environmental damage, which is not remediated by the criminal growers or landowners after law enforcement shuts them down. Under the new measure, local governments can file a lien against properties used for illegal cannabis cultivation if the owner does not pay for the cleanup. The law also prohibits the use of rivers or groundwater at the illegal sites and criminalizes the act of seizing the identity papers of migrant workers who tend the plants or threatening to report them for deportation. Despite opposition from some Republicans, the bill is expected to be signed into law by Governor Tina Kotek.
https://hightimes.com/news/oregon-aims-to-crack-down-on-illegal-cannabis-by-holding-landowners-responsible/ https://www.ganjapreneur.com/oregon-lawmakers-vote-to-crack-down-on-landowners-who-allow-illegal-cannabis-grows/
New York Regulators Crack Down on Unlicensed Cannabis Sales
New York regulators have approved emergency regulations to crack down on unlicensed cannabis sales in the state. The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) is now permitted to seize products from unlicensed cannabis retailers, including both hemp and delta-9 THC products. The new rules also outline the process for shutting down unlicensed cannabis sales, which includes affixing a notice of violation and order to cease unlicensed activity on the premises. Violators could face a fine of up to $5,000 for removing the notices. The regulations also grant the OCM subpoena power and the ability to bring the case before an administrative law judge. Currently, there are only 13 licensed adult-use dispensaries in the state, with four licensed as "temporary delivery only."
https://www.ganjapreneur.com/new-york-approves-emergency-rules-to-crack-down-on-unlicensed-sales/
New Cannabis Business Developments Across the United States
This week saw significant developments in the cannabis industry across the United States. In Santa Monica, California, the city's first licensed dispensary opened its doors, years after receiving approval. Meanwhile, San Francisco's Board of Supervisors approved a ban on new cannabis businesses through 2028, a move aimed at addressing concerns of oversupply and black market sales. On the other side of the country, Alabama awarded its first medical cannabis licenses, marking a significant step forward in the state's medical cannabis program.
https://www.ganjapreneur.com/alabama-awards-first-medical-cannabis-licenses/
Georgia Clears Way for Independent Pharmacies to Sell Cannabis Oil
In a significant move, Georgia's Board of Pharmacy has released regulations that will allow independent pharmacies in the state to dispense cannabis oil to eligible patients. The decision comes after the state granted manufacturing licenses to two companies, Trulieve Georgia and Botanical Sciences LLC, which have begun producing cannabis oil and have opened dispensaries in Marietta and Macon. The new regulations provide an opportunity for virtually every community in Georgia to have access to medical cannabis, expanding the reach of the state's medical cannabis program.
https://hightimes.com/news/georgia-clears-way-for-independent-pharmacies-to-sell-cannabis-oil/
Americans View Cannabis as Less Harmful and Addictive Than Other Substances
A recent survey conducted by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and Morning Consult revealed that Americans perceive cannabis to be less harmful than cigarettes, vapes, alcohol, and both prescribed and non-prescribed opioids. The survey also found that respondents believe cannabis is less addictive than these substances, as well as technology. Only 13% of those surveyed reported daily cannabis use, compared to 21% for cigarettes, 8% for vapes, 7% for alcohol, 4% for prescribed opioids, 2% for non-prescribed opioids, and a whopping 67% for technology. These findings reflect shifting public perceptions as cannabis legalization continues to spread across the nation.
https://www.ganjapreneur.com/survey-cannabis-less-harmful-than-cigarettes-vapes-alcohol-opioids/
Twitch Bans Cannabis Sponsorships, Allows Alcohol Branding
Twitch, the video game streaming platform owned by Amazon, has updated its branding policy, prohibiting promotions of marijuana businesses and products while explicitly allowing alcohol partnerships. Despite significant pushback from the gaming community on other aspects of the new branding policy, Twitch is maintaining the cannabis ban. The policy covers product placements, endorsements, sponsored gameplay, paid unboxing, and branded channels. Streamers cannot be paid for promoting “cannabis-related products, including vaping, delivery, and CBD.” However, the guidelines carve out an exception for alcohol, allowing streamers to be paid for promoting alcoholic beverages as long as products are “marked as mature content.” The policy has been met with confusion and criticism from streamers, who argue that it will hurt their ability to make a living on the service.
State Policy Updates and Federal Cannabis Rescheduling
This week saw significant legislative developments in several states, including California, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Vermont. In California, Senate Bill 302, which expands the Compassionate Access to Medical Cannabis Act, or Ryan's Law, to allow more patients in California healthcare facilities the option to use medical cannabis, awaits a hearing in the Assembly Health Committee. Meanwhile, in Louisiana, House Bill 460, which allows for regulators to issue additional licenses to increase the number of available medical cannabis dispensaries, has been sent to the Governor. In other news, the Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra told Marijuana Moment that his department and the Department of Justice are aiming to complete a review of cannabis’s federal scheduling status by the end of “this year.”
https://norml.org/blog/2023/06/14/state-policy-weekly-update-6-14-2023/
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/fed-cannabis-rescheduling-update-newsletter-june-16-2023/
New York Lawmakers Approve Bill to Allow Farmers to Sell Cannabis to Tribes
New York lawmakers have approved a bill that allows farmers to sell cannabis to Native American tribes. The bill, which is awaiting Governor Kathy Hochul's signature, is intended to foster economic development and cooperation between the state's agricultural sector and tribal nations. The legislation also includes provisions to ensure that tribal cannabis operations adhere to the same regulatory standards as other licensed cannabis businesses in the state.
Maryland Suspends Cookies Dispensary License Over Controversial Video
The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission has suspended the license of a Cookies dispensary after a video surfaced showing cannabis smoke being shot from a gun-like device into people's mouths. The video, which was posted on social media, has raised concerns about public health and safety. The Commission is investigating the incident and has warned that such behavior could lead to further disciplinary action, including the revocation of the dispensary's license.
Proximity to Cannabis Dispensaries Not Correlated with Higher Rates of Youth Marijuana Use
A study conducted by researchers affiliated with the University of Illinois has found that the presence of medical cannabis dispensaries in a locality does not lead to increased marijuana use among young people. The study, which analyzed data over a three-year period, found lower rates of teen cannabis use in zip codes with medical cannabis dispensaries compared to those without dispensaries. The findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that marijuana can be regulated in a way that provides access for patients and adults while limiting youth access and misuse.
Pre-Roll Industry Sees Significant Growth
A new report by High Times examines the significant growth of the pre-roll industry. The report highlights the increasing popularity of pre-rolls, with sales reaching $941 million in 2020, a 46% increase from the previous year. The report also discusses the factors contributing to this growth, including the convenience and accessibility of pre-rolls, the variety of strains available, and the evolving consumer preferences.
https://hightimes.com/news/new-report-examines-pre-roll-industry-growth/
Leafwire Launches Largest Retargeting Audience in Cannabis B2B Industry
Leafwire, in conjunction with MediaJel and one of the world's largest ad networks, has launched the largest retargeting audience in the cannabis business industry. The 'Leafwire B2B Cannabis Omnichannel' has amassed an audience of cannabis business professionals consisting of more than 500,000 recognizable 'digital fingerprints', enabling advertisers to reach a true cannabis business audience across 10,000+ sites.
Anti-Drug Group Claims Marijuana Banking Bill Would Increase Car Crashes and Hospitalizations
The Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) claims that the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, a bipartisan marijuana banking reform bill, would lead to increased traffic fatalities and hospitalizations. The group argues that the legislation would make it easier for marijuana businesses to operate, exacerbating the negative consequences of marijuana proliferation. However, advocates strongly contest CADCA's argument, stating that improving access to financial services will facilitate the positive benefits that regulated cannabis systems have over underground markets.
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