Ganjapreneur.com

Women- and Minority-Owned Cannabis Transport Companies Sue Regulators Over Discrimination

11/11/2024

a word from our sponsors:

Seven cannabis transport companies are suing the Illinois Department of Agriculture claiming that the agency’s licensing process favors larger white- and male-owned companies, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. The plaintiffs – ACC of Illinois Transportation, Runway Logistics Services, Hands to Heart, Reliavan, Fade Express, Piff Patch, and Moetta’s Transports – are majority-owned by women and/or minorities.

The lawsuit takes aim at custom “quickie” transporter license applications opened by the agriculture department in July 2021. Those applications gave lower compliance criteria to licensed medical cannabis cultivation centers and those larger companies are majority white- and male-owned. Those licenses were awarded prior to the agency licensing any independent operators which the companies said in the lawsuit was a “nail in the coffin for the minority and/or women-owned independent transporters, including the plaintiffs.”

“Without a customer base, independent transporters had no opportunity to achieve commercial success or to pay off accumulated debt related to applying for their license or running the business.” — Excerpt from the lawsuit

In a statement to the Sun-Times, attorney Alissa Jubelirer, who represents the plaintiffs notes that 68% of independent transporter firms in the state are minority- and women-owned businesses.

“This constitutes a clear case of disparate impact discrimination under the Illinois Civil Rights Act,” the statements says, “and the plaintiffs deserve to be compensated for the financial harm they’ve suffered.”

The lawsuit seeks damages for future lost profits as a result of the discrimination and attorney’s fees.

End

Arizona Company Awarded Patent for Child-Resistant Paper Tubes for Cannabis Packaging

11/11/2024

a word from our sponsors:

become a sponsor

advertise here

Arizona company DIZPOT has been granted a patent in the U.S. for a child-resistant, biodegradable, paper tube for packaging cannabis. In a press release, the company said, “the product was created with the need to provide operators sustainable solutions with environmentally friendly materials and child-resistant technology.”

In a statement, John Hartsell, co-founder of DIZPOT, said “Securing this patent is a testament to the creativity and technical expertise we foster at DIZPOT.” The company notes the product was conceived in 2022 and designed in-house by team members Charlie Dains and AJ Keller.

“As the regulatory landscape evolves, we are committed to delivering cutting-edge products that not only meet the highest compliance standards but also reduce our industry’s environmental footprint. This paper tube is just the first in a line of many patented designs we plan to bring to the market.” — Hartsell in a statement

According to a report from the Sustainable Cannabis Coalition, the U.S. cannabis industry used nearly 1 billion pieces of single-use plastic in 2020, much of which ended up in landfills.

DIZPOT’s paper tube package is U.S. Patent No. D1046623.

End

Los Angeles County DA Launches PSA Campaign Warning Teens of Cannabis Use

11/11/2024

a word from our sponsors:

become a sponsor

advertise here

The Los Angeles, California District Attorney’s Office is running a public service campaign about the potential risks of cannabis use by youths. The campaign includes multi-language billboards and bus stop ads near high schools and areas teenagers frequent.

In a press release, District Attorney George Gascón warned that “Today’s cannabis products such as edibles can carry serious short-and long-term mental health risks for our youth, including anxiety, depression, and potentially psychotic disorders, leading to negative outcomes with a far-reaching impact on communities.

According to a map of the advertisement placements, there are currently more than 150 ads running throughout Los Angeles County in English, Armenian, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese. The ads carry various messages, ranging from warning that teens who consume cannabis are at 11 times higher risk of a psychotic disorder and another claiming that cannabis products are “up to 23 times riskier than 50 years ago.”

“Teenagers and parents might not be aware of the potency and potential harms of these new products,” Gascón said in a statement.

The campaign, which features bright, eye-catching ads, will also be shared on official social media channels.

See below for some examples of the campaign ads:

End

New Jersey Begins Enforcing Ban on Intoxicating Hemp Products

11/11/2024

a word from our sponsors:

become a sponsor

advertise here

New Jersey cannabis regulators on Friday started to enforce state rules restricting the sale of intoxicating hemp products, the New Jersey Monitor reports.

The new rules, signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy (D) in September, banned the sale of intoxicating hemp products in the state by giving the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) licensing power over hemp-derived cannabinoid sales. The agency was charged with awarding licenses for the sale of such hemp products but officials were given 180 days to draft the rules, and it’s only been about a month. In the meantime, under the new rules, anyone caught selling the products without a license faces a $100 fine for the first offense, $1,000 for the second offense, and at least $10,000 for the third or subsequent offense, the report said.

Retailers were given 30 days to comply with the new law. A legal challenge brought by hemp companies last month temporarily delayed implementation but CRC officials said last week they would begin enforcing the ban on Friday.

The agency is likely “testing the waters” for a wider crackdown on all hemp products by targeting just synthetic cannabinoids like delta-10 THC at first, attorney Beau Huch said in the report.

“They’re sending a message, which will obviously have an intended chilling effect on bad actors. It also says they’re still paying attention.” — Huch, via the New Jersey Monitor

Proponents of New Jersey’s hemp product restrictions said the changes would protect children from being exposed to potentially unsafe intoxicants. It was reported earlier this year that hemp-derived THC seltzers accounted for 10-15% of total liquor store sales in the state.

End

Canada’s TerrAscend to Enter Ohio Cannabis Market

11/11/2024

a word from our sponsors:

become a sponsor

advertise here

Canada-based multi-state cannabis operator TerrAscend has agreed to acquire the Ratio Cannabis dispensary in Goshen Township, Ohio for $10.3 million.

Per the agreement, TerrAscend can purchase all of Ratio Cannabis’ assets. The sale includes $5.0 million in cash, $1.32 million in common shares, and a seller’s note for $3.98 million bearing 6% interest with a two-year maturity, according to a press release.

“Entering Ohio and expansion in the Midwest has long been a priority for us. With the acquisition of this well-situated and profitable dispensary, we will enter our sixth U.S. state through an accretive transaction at an attractive price. This acquisition is a great first step to becoming a leader in this emerging adult-use market.” — Jason Wild, Executive Chairman of TerrAscend, in a statement

TerrAscend also holds vertically integrated operations in California, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and retailers in Canada.

The sale remains subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval from the state.

Ohio’s adult-use cannabis market launched in August and, according to data from the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Cannabis Control, state retailers have sold $132 million worth of cannabis products during the first three months.

End

New Mexico Company Plans to Sue After Massive Police Raid

11/11/2024

a word from our sponsors:

become a sponsor

advertise here

New Mexico cannabis company NNK Equity LLC says it is filing a lawsuit against the state after police seized and destroyed tens of thousands of pounds of cannabis plants, the Associated Press reports. The October raid, announced last week by police, was the largest seizure and destruction of cannabis in New Mexico since the state’s legalization policy took effect in 2021.

To justify the raid, authorities said NNK Equity had failed to post its licenses on-site, failed to obtain water rights, didn’t have proper camera coverage of its grow operation, and had violated state sanitation, health, and safety requirements. The state Cannabis Control Division filed a noncompliance order against the company earlier this year and is in the process of revoking its license.

“The organization involved showed a blatant disregard for the laws of this state and we will prove that once this investigation is over,” said New Mexico State Police Chief Troy Weisler in a statement.

But attorney Jaco Candelaria, who represents NNK Equity, disputed those claims, saying his clients Irving Lin and Bao Xue speak Mandarin and have trouble understanding written English, and that they had asked for a translation but got no response. He said his clients will ask a judge to overturn the order to revoke the company’s license and call for a hearing.

“The idea that law enforcement officers can destroy public property based upon a temporary restraining order — which can be entered without notice to all parties and before a hearing on the evidence — which was the case here, should concern all of us who believe in the Constitution.” — Candelaria, via the Associated Press

Meanwhile, in another ongoing cannabis case in New Mexico, eight licensed operators filed a lawsuit last month claiming that federal agents had unlawfully seized state-legal cannabis products and cash.

End

Kentucky Voters Approve 100+ Local Medical Cannabis Measures

11/08/2024

a word from our sponsors:

become a sponsor

advertise here

Kentucky voters in 53 cities and 53 counties this week considered ballot initiatives to allow local medical cannabis operations. In each case, voters passed the initiatives with strong support, according to a Kentucky Public Radio report.

Approved by lawmakers in 2023, the Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program allows for the licensing of medical cannabis businesses but municipalities like cities and counties need to enact local ordinances allowing the industry’s activities. In the municipalities that considered this issue on Tuesday night, local officials opted to put the issue on the ballot for voters to decide.

Just 20 counties have opted to ban medical cannabis operations, according to the report, but many of the counties include cities that have adopted their own local rules allowing the businesses. Additionally, more than 40 cities have passed local bans on the industry.

State officials received nearly 5,000 business applications during the licensing window and the state’s first medical cannabis business license lottery was held last month covering cultivation and processing licenses. The next lottery, covering dispensary licenses in nine regions of the state, will take place on November 25, 2024.

The Kentucky medical cannabis industry is expected to officially launch on January 1, 2025.

End

Texas Cities of Dallas, Bastrop, and Lockhart Vote to Decriminalize Cannabis

11/08/2024

a word from our sponsors:

become a sponsor

advertise here

Voters in the Texas cities of Dallas, Bastrop, and Lockheart on Tuesday approved local ordinances to decriminalize cannabis possession.

Dallas voters passed Proposition R with over 66% support. The proposal makes low-level cannabis possession local law enforcement’s “lowest enforcement priority,” decriminalizing the possession of up to 4 ounces of cannabis within the city limits.

Voters in Bastrop passed Proposition M with 69% support; the proposal also makes low-level cannabis enforcement the lowest priority for police.

In Lockhart, Proposition A won 68% of the vote. Similarly, the proposal makes simple cannabis possession the city’s lowest law enforcement priority. When city officials agreed to put the proposition to voters earlier this year, they briefly considered breaking it up into 13 separate questions. Following pushback, however, the wording was reworked to a single question.

The three Texas cities join five others — Austin, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and San Marcos — that have approved similar decriminalization policies. Meanwhile, two Texas cities recently considered similar reforms and rejected them: San Antonia last year and Lubbock earlier this year in May. Notably, the San Antonio proposal was tied to a larger criminal justice reform effort.

Meanwhile, a Texas Department of Public Safety report published last month found the state’s medical cannabis program to be inadequate, saying it does not provide the “statewide access” for qualifying patients outlined under state law.

End

Oregon Cannabis Sales in 2019 Exceed 700M

Oregon Voters Approve Protections for Cannabis Worker Unions

11/08/2024

a word from our sponsors:

become a sponsor

advertise here

Oregon voters on Tuesday passed Measure 119, which aims to protect the rights of cannabis workers in the state to join unions, OregonLive reports. The measure passed with about 55% of voters in support and 45% opposed.

The campaign behind the ballot initiative was organized by the United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) labor union after Oregon lawmakers considered but failed to adopt similar reforms earlier this year. Ultimately, lawmakers dropped the issue because state Rep. Paul Hovey (D) said the bill would likely violate federal law, so UFCW spent $2.24 million on a signature-gathering campaign to pose the question to voters.

“Workers across every industry should have the freedom to unionize if they so choose,” UFCW Local 555 President Dan Clay said previously about Measure 119. “This ballot measure closes an age-old loophole that deprives that right to thousands of Oregon cannabis workers. Shady cannabis tycoons have taken advantage of an outdated law to strip workers’ rights that are guaranteed to nearly every other American.”

End

Massachusetts Voters Reject Medicinal Psychedelics Measure

11/06/2024

a word from our sponsors:

become a sponsor

advertise here

Voters in Massachusetts on Tuesday rejected a measure to legalize medicinal psychedelics, the Associated Press reports. The measure failed 57% to 43%.

Opponents argued that the measure went too far by allowing would-be patients to grow psychedelic fungi and plants at home, while proponents said the measure would have opened a pathway for psychedelic therapies in treating depression, anxiety in cancer patients, post-traumatic stress disorder, and would have led to tax revenues derived from the industry.

According to AdImpact figures, Massachusetts for Mental Health Options, the ballot campaign, raised more than $7.5 million and spent nearly as much promoting the reforms, while the Coalition for Safe Communities, which opposed the measure, raised $107,000.

Voters in two states – Oregon in 2020 and Colorado in 2022 – have legalized psychedelics for medical use. In 2020, Washington, D.C. voters approved a measure that decriminalized psilocybin, psilocin, ayahuasca and mescaline.

The Massachusetts measure would have legalized psilocybin, psilocin, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), ibogaine, and mescaline for medical use for patients 21-and-older, but would have restricted access to those who could afford an expensive therapy session. The proposal would have allowed licensed “facilitators” to provide the psychedelics as part of a behavioral health or substance use disorder treatment. The substances are still considered a Schedule I drug under federal law, meaning they are defined as having “no accepted medical use.”

End

South Dakota Rejects Adult-Use Cannabis Legalization

11/06/2024

a word from our sponsors:

become a sponsor

advertise here

South Dakota voters rejected Initiated Measure 29, the state’s adult-use cannabis legalization ballot initiative, on Tuesday with about 56% opposed and 44% in favor, Keloland Media Group reports.

The proposal sought to legalize the personal possession, cultivation, and consumption of cannabis for adults aged 21 and older. The initiative would have set the legal limit on possession at 2 ounces, with a 6-plant cap on home grows.

It was the third election in a row that South Dakota voters have considered the issue: voters approved an adult-use cannabis legalization initiative in 2020 but the measure was later struck down by the state Supreme Court, and voters rejected the reforms in 2022 with 53% of voters opposed.

Unlike previous legalization efforts, this year’s initiative would not have established a regulated cannabis marketplace — supporters previously said they would have worked with lawmakers to set up a distribution system if the initiative was approved.

The election results closely resemble polling results on the issue from earlier this year.

End

North Dakota Voters Reject Cannabis Legalization Proposal

11/06/2024

a word from our sponsors:

become a sponsor

advertise here

North Dakota voters on Tuesday rejected adult-use cannabis reforms in the state 53% to 47%, the North Dakota Monitor reports. It marks the third time in six years that voters in the state have voted down the reforms.

In an interview with the Monitor, Pat Finken, chair of the Brighter Future Alliance, which opposed Measure 5, said the results showed voters understood “that today’s marijuana is not safe and legalization will only add to the addiction and mental health crisis already punishing North Dakota families.”

“Once again, the voters of North Dakota have wisely rejected an attempt to legalize recreational marijuana.” — Finken via the Monitor

While North Dakota legalized cannabis for medical use in 2016, they opposed adult-use reforms in 2018 with 59% of the vote and again in 2022 with 55% of the vote.

Steve Bakken, former Bismarck mayor and chair of the measure’s sponsoring committee, told the Monitor that he is concerned that the next legalization attempt would come from out of state and that it won’t “be as conservative as the fabric of North Dakota.”

If approved, the initiative would have legalized possession of up to 1 ounce of flower, four grams of concentrates, 1,500 milligrams of THC in manufactured cannabis products, and 300 milligrams of edibles. Individuals would have been allowed to grow three plants with a limit of six plants per household.

End

Nebraska Voters Pass Medical Cannabis Reforms but Legal Challenge Remains

11/06/2024

a word from our sponsors:

become a sponsor

advertise here

Voters in Nebraska on Tuesday passed medical cannabis reforms with voters approving the legalization measure 71% to 29% and the regulation measure 67% to 34%, according to Ballotpedia data. Both measures needed passage in order for a medical cannabis industry to operate in the state; however, the final decision as to whether they will take effect will be up to a state court which has heard arguments over the last week about whether the campaign collected signatures in accordance with state law.

Lancaster County District Court Judge Susan Strong on Monday ruled that state officials must count the votes, but she could still rule in favor of Secretary of State Bob Evnen and John Kuehn, a former state senator and former State Board of Health member, who contend that the campaign violated state law during the signature gathering process.

According to the Nebraska Examiner, Strong could Side with Kuehn and Evnen outright, voiding the election results, side with Kuehn and Evnen but allow the ballot sponsors to try to cure the “invalidity” of enough signatures in a second phase of the trial, or side with the ballot sponsors, Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, which would end the lower court trial and leave the election results intact.

End

Florida Adult-Use Cannabis Legalization Amendment Fails

11/05/2024

a word from our sponsors:

become a sponsor

advertise here

Florida’s Amendment 3, the adult-use cannabis legalization constitutional amendment that required at least 60% voter support to pass, failed to garner enough votes on Tuesday, The Hill reports. With 95% of precincts reporting results on Tuesday night, only about 57% of Florida voters had supported the amendment.

Smart & Safe Florida, the campaign behind Amendment 3, noted that with a “strong majority” of voters supporting legalization, they remained eager to work with lawmakers to pursue adult-use reforms even though the campaign had fallen short of the 60% support threshold required to pass.

The campaign was primarily funded by Trulieve, the state’s largest medical cannabis company, and took in about $150 million during its run.

“Tonight, a strong majority of Floridians voted in support of legalizing recreational marijuana for adults. While the results of Amendment 3 did not clear the 60 percent threshold, we are eager to work with the governor and legislative leaders who agree with us on decriminalizing recreational marijuana for adults, addressing public consumption, continuing our focus on child safety, and expanding access to safe marijuana through home grow. We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the majority of Florida voters who voted yes on Amendment 3 and everyone who stood with us in this effort. We remain committed to advocating for a smarter and safer Florida and will continue to work towards solutions that benefit all Floridians.” — Smart & Safe Florida campaign statement

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) campaigned against the legalization amendment, arguing that adult-use cannabis would make the state too smelly and “reduce the quality of life” for Floridians, the report. In June, DeSantis earned some unlikely allies in the fight against adult-use cannabis reforms when he vetoed a bill to restrict the retail of hemp-derived intoxicating products. Following the veto, hemp retailers lined up to support the governor’s anti-cannabis campaign.

Opposite DeSantis, however, was Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who said in September that he would vote ‘yes’ on the legalization amendment and that he supports the federal rescheduling of cannabis.

Dr. Jessica Spencer, the director of advocacy for the Vote No on 3 Campaign, said in a statement, “We are grateful for the unbending support of the Governor and First Lady of Florida, whose conviction, courage, and fearlessness – even in the face of Big Weed’s unprecedented $150-million cash bomb – was unwavering.”

Florida voters also rejected Amendment 4, which sought to codify women’s right to an abortion in the State Constitution.

End

Gallup Poll: 15% of Americans Smoke Cannabis

11/04/2024

a word from our sponsors:

become a sponsor

advertise here

In a Gallup poll released November 1, 15% of Americans said they smoke cannabis – a figure not statistically different from the 14% average found by the pollster in 2021-2022.

From 2017-2019, Gallup found an average of 12% of Americans said they smoked cannabis – the same figure from 2015-2016 – but up from 7% of Americans who reported smoking cannabis in 2013.

The recent poll found that men (17%) are more likely than women (11%) to say they smoke cannabis and adults aged 55 and older (10%) are less likely to report smoking cannabis than middle-aged (18%) and young (19%) adults.

Smoking cannabis is more common among adults without a college degree (17%) than it is among college graduates (11%), the poll found, with Democrats (23%) more than twice as likely as Republicans (10%) to report smoking cannabis, while the rates among independents (14%) fell in between them.

Regionally, the highest rates of smoking cannabis are in the West (19%), Midwest (16%) and East (16%) – rates are lower in the South (11%).

The rate of people who have tried cannabis fell slightly from 2021-2022 to 2023-2024 from 49% to 47% and support for broad cannabis legalization also ticked slightly lower from 70% last year to 68% this year, the poll found.

Gallup’s trend on ever having tried cannabis shows that experimentation increased sharply in the first decade after the initial reform measure in 1969. Between 1969 and 1977, the share of people who had tried cannabis jumped 20 percentage points, from 4% to 24%. It rose another nine points by 1985, to 33%, but then at under 40% until 2015, when it ticked up to 44%. It has since increased slightly but remains below 50%.

End

Ohio Adult-Use Cannabis Sales Top $131M in Under Three Months

11/04/2024

a word from our sponsors:

become a sponsor

advertise here

In under three months, adult-use cannabis sales in Ohio have totaled more than $131.8 million, according to Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Cannabis Control data. The total represents about $55 million in sales over the last month.

According to the agency, the state has sold 16,254 pounds of flower since the launch of legal sales along with 2,094,864 units of manufactured products. The average price of manufactured sales was $29.21 the week of Oct. 20-26, according to DCC.

The state’s total sales were $131,813,130 as of October 26, and although the agency does not report the tax revenues linked to the sales, Ohio taxes non-medical cannabis sales at 10%.

From the last DCC report, the average price-per-gram for flower fell from $8.39 to $7.67 and the average price for manufactured product sales dropped from $30.04 to $29.21.

There are currently 124 dual-use cannabis dispensaries in Ohio, but more than 100 cities or townships in the state have passed moratoriums banning adult-use cannabis sales, according to Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law.

Major cities in the state host the most adult-use dispensaries, according to the college: Columbus has 13, Cincinnati has 10, Dayton has six, and Cleveland has five.

End

Virginia Chooses Metrc for Cannabis Seed-to-Sale Tracking

11/04/2024

a word from our sponsors:

become a sponsor

advertise here

Virginia has tabbed Metrc as its cannabis seed-to-sale tracking software, the company announced last week. Metrc now has 27 government contracts throughout the U.S. tracking legal cannabis sales and providing businesses with tools such as inventory control and cultivation management.

“As Virginia continues to strengthen its medical cannabis market, we are excited to support and enhance its program through our state-of-the-art track-and-trace platform, which will enable regulators to conveniently and securely track, store, and retrieve critical data points from operators statewide,” said Michael Johnson, CEO of Metrc said in a press release. “Our team at Metrc looks forward to working alongside the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority and state licensees to ensure a regulatory framework where patients are guaranteed safe consumption and licensees are provided an environment to thrive.”

Metrc enables licensed operators to track all activities impacting the status of a plant or the creation of cannabis-based products, including origin, testing results, handling, and chain-of-custody information, through the company’s unique RFID tracking model and software-as-a-service system. The information is then accessible to state regulators who can quickly interpret data trends, make data-driven decisions, and implement effective strategies, the company said.

Virginia licensees will also have access to the newly launched Metrc Retail ID functionality, which provides businesses the option to generate compliant labels with QR codes for item-level identification and allows consumers with a smartphone to scan and access product information such as lab results and product origin.

End

Adult-Use Cannabis Delivery Services Now Legal In Arizona

11/04/2024

a word from our sponsors:

become a sponsor

advertise here

A new Arizona rule allowing cannabis dispensaries to provide delivery services for adult-use customers took effect on Friday, AZFamily reports.

The new rules require customers who are seeking adult-use cannabis delivery to set up the service in person, verifying they are old enough to purchase cannabis products, and then they can place orders online. Additionally, because the customers are pre-verified, delivery drivers must give all deliveries directly to the customers who placed the order — the deliveries cannot be left with an acquaintance or at someone’s doorstep or porch, according to the report.

The rules were implemented months earlier than expected, and industry representatives were excited about expanding the reach of cannabis retail in the state.

“We are thrilled that the Department of Health’s proactive approach and commitment to implementing a well-thought-out delivery program has helped us reach this landmark moment sooner than expected.” — Ann Torrez, Executive Director of the Arizona Dispensaries Association, in a statement

Delivery for medical cannabis products was already legal in Arizona.

Lori Hicks, owner of the Arizona Natural Concepts dispensary, told AZFamily she hopes the new delivery rules will make it easier for people who want to consume cannabis but might not be completely comfortable with it being public knowledge.

“We are looking forward to serving a community that feels a little inhibited to step into a dispensary,” she said in the report. “You know, doctors, school teachers, church members that are afraid they’ll see somebody they know. Now they’ll have privacy totally.”

End

Nebraska Will Count Medical Cannabis Votes Despite Last-Minute Legal Challenge

11/04/2024

a word from our sponsors:

become a sponsor

advertise here

A district court judge in Nebraska ruled that despite a last-minute legal challenge to the state’s medical cannabis legalization bid this year, officials will count votes for and against the state’s cannabis ballot initiatives and publish the results, the Nebraska Examiner reports. Whether the results will actually mean something, however, still hinges on the outcome of the ongoing legal challenge.

Lancaster County District Judge Susan Strong noted that early voting has already commenced in the state and that the “status quo” is to count votes on Election Day.

Nebraska voters are considering two medical cannabis ballot initiatives this year — advocates broke the issue into two initiatives after a medical cannabis legalization effort in 2020 was shut down by the state Supreme Court for violating requirements that ballot initiatives focus on a single issue. Following the 2020 court ruling, advocates then failed in 2022 to collect enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. But if both initiatives are approved this year by voters, they would together legalize medical cannabis access and establish a regulated marketplace for medical cannabis products.

Plaintiffs in the case argue that the campaign relied on an illegal signature-gathering process, and have called for the counting of votes to be blocked. Two witnesses said in court last week that they broke the law when collecting signatures for the campaign, and might have worked with notaries who also broke the law in validating the signatures, the report said.

Attorney Daniel Gutman, who represents the campaign behind the ballot initiatives, said “it would be a travesty of democracy to halt an election” off of the testimony of just two campaign workers, “and that’s essentially what the request is.”

End

Elevate Holistics Launches Special Holiday Deals for Black Friday and Cyber Monday

11/01/2024

a word from our sponsors:

become a sponsor

advertise here

November 2024 — Elevate Holistics, a leading telehealth platform for medical marijuana recommendations, is thrilled to announce special holiday deals for new and returning patients in celebration of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

From November 25th to December 2nd, Elevate Holistics is offering $5 off renewal appointments and $10 off first-time appointments, making it even easier for patients across the country to access the medical marijuana services they need.

This MMJ telehealth brand has already helped over 125,000 people nationwide obtain their medical marijuana certifications, offering a streamlined, convenient online experience. Now, patients looking to renew or secure their first-time medical marijuana recommendation can take advantage of these limited-time savings — just in time for the holidays.

“Cannabis access is important,” stresses Aspen Noonan, CEO of Elevate Holistics. “Ensuring patients have access to amazing providers, anytime, 100% online is our top priority.” With this in mind, Elevate aims to provide more people with cannabis support this holiday season than ever before.

The Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions are available in all states where Elevate Holistics operates.

Plus, Ganjapreneur readers don’t have to wait until the 25th to save money, either. Elevate Holistics’ Black Friday deals are officially live for subscribers! All you have to do is head over to Elevate’s website, book your appointment, and enter the code ELEVATEBF or BFRENEWAL (for card renewals) at checkout.

Even before the promotion starts, you can continue enjoying Elevate Holistics’ affordable deals and incredible add-on options. After all, medical marijuana cards offer benefits all year round: from reduced taxes to higher allotments, getting your card online in minutes with Elevate can do wonders for your health and wellness.

For more information or to book an appointment, visit elevate-holistics.com.

___________________________________________________________________________

About Elevate Holistics: Elevate Holistics is a premier telemedicine platform dedicated to making medical marijuana more accessible across the United States. With a commitment to patient satisfaction and convenience, Elevate Holistics has been at the forefront of telehealth solutions, providing over 125,000 patients with medical marijuana certifications. The company serves patients in 20 states and continues to expand, offering compassionate, expert-driven care tailored to each state’s regulations.

End

Judge Delays DEA Cannabis Rescheduling Hearing Until Early 2025

11/01/2024

a word from our sponsors:

become a sponsor

advertise here

The much-anticipated December 2 hearing scheduled by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for expert testimony regarding the rescheduling of cannabis under federal law has been delayed until January or February of next year, Marijuana Moment reports.

DEA Chief Administrative Law Judge John Mulrooney ruled Thursday to delay the hearing, saying officials needed more background info about the experts who were set to testify. Earlier this week, DEA Administrator Anne Milgram approved over two dozen witnesses for the hearing. Mulrooney asked for additional details on the speakers, writing in his order that there was “no indication … as to whether the ‘participants’ support or oppose the [proposed rulemaking] or how the ‘participants’ satisfy the ‘interested person’ definition set forth in the regulations.”

“Indeed, the [Participant Letter] contains only a list of persons and organizations accompanied by one or more email addresses, without the benefit of notices of appearance, addresses, or even phone numbers.” — Mulrooney, in the ruling, via Marijuana Moment

Mulrooney also asked in the order for the participants’ potential availability for January or February 2025, the report said, and gave until November 12 to submit the requested information.

The December 2 hearing will still happen but without expert testimony.

DEA first announced the hearing in August and cannabis advocates were already concerned that the extra procedural step — scheduled for after the presidential election — would cause unnecessary delays to the Biden Administration’s rescheduling effort. Now, the hearing has been delayed possibly until after the next president’s inauguration.

Vice President Kamala Harris (D), the Democratic nominee, said recently she would move to federally legalize adult-use cannabis if she is elected president, a significant departure from the Biden Administration stance.

Former President Donald Trump (R), the Republican nominee, said earlier this year that he supports rescheduling cannabis under the Controlled Substances Act but did not specifically call for federal legalization. However, the former president did say he would vote “yes” on the Florida ballot amendment to legalize cannabis.

End

Texas Smoke Shop Wins $80k Settlement After Police Raid

11/01/2024

a word from our sponsors:

become a sponsor

advertise here

The Garza County Sheriff’s Office and the city of Post have agreed to pay $80,000 in settlements to a Texas smoke shop following an “illegal” raid on the location in February, Lonestar Live reports.

Per the settlement, the sheriff’s office and the city agreed to pay $40,000 each to Abdula Alshaif, owner of the Post-based smoke shop Smoke Scene. Additionally, police took more than $20,000 worth of hemp products during the “unreasonable search and seizure” and were required to return all of the seized products.

In making the settlement, the Garza County Sheriff’s Office and the city of Post did not admit responsibility, liability, or fault in the case; rather, they sought the compromise to avoid “the uncertainties of litigation,” the report said.

Attorney David Sergi, who represented Alshaif in the case, said the raid was “another example of overzealous action by local governments and law enforcement agencies.” Sergi is also representing other smoke shop owners with a similar lawsuit against Allen, Texas after police carried out raids against nine hemp shops there in August.

“We will continue to aggressively fight to protect the rights of hemp store owners, many of them minority businesspeople, so they can continue to supply needed hemp products to many of our neighbors here in Texas.” — Sergi, via Lonestar Live

Cannabis remains heavily restricted in Texas but hemp-derived products containing less than 0.3% delta-9 THC are legal under state and federal law.

End

ICBC Returns to Berlin in April 2025

10/31/2024

a word from our sponsors:

become a sponsor

advertise here

The International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) is once again bringing its flagship conference, Europe’s largest and longest-running cannabis B2B event, to Berlin on April 29th-30th, 2025. The event will be held at the iconic Estrel Berlin Hotel.

ICBC Berlin 2025 could not be timelier, with Germany’s legal cannabis industry currently undergoing a historic expansion. Starting on April 1st, 2024, cannabis became legal for adults to cultivate, possess, and consume in Germany. Additionally, as of July 1st, 2024, aspiring cultivation association operators can apply with their local regulatory authorities in Germany.

Regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot projects are another major component of Germany’s legalization model and are expected to launch by the end of 2024. Associations and pilots will likely proliferate in many parts of Germany by the end of next year. Competition is going to increase significantly within Germany’s industry, and a great way to stand out in the crowd and establish your cannabis brand is to exhibit at and/or sponsor ICBC Berlin 2025.

“Europe is by far the most exciting place on the planet for cannabis policy and industry right now. Germany is leading a continental revolution and creating opportunities that we have never witnessed before and may never witness again. Entrepreneurs and investors who get in on the ground floor now could reap the benefits for generations to come,” says Alex Rogers, founder and CEO of the International Cannabis Business Conference.

Germany’s emerging medical cannabis industry was already the largest in Europe before the nation’s new CanG law took effect. However, since April 1st, the nation’s medical cannabis industry has already grown exponentially.

Who You’ll Connect With at ICBC:

Top Executives and CEOs
Investors and Venture Capitalists
Policymakers and Regulators
International Business Leaders
Industry Innovators
Leading Researchers and Scientists
Legal and Compliance Experts
Entrepreneurs and Startups

A main contributing factor to the recent growth of Germany’s medical cannabis industry was the removal of cannabis from the nation’s Narcotics List, which was a key component of the new CanG law. The removal of cannabis from the list made it easier for doctors to prescribe cannabis in Germany, in addition to improving the medical cannabis supply chain and boosting domestic medical cannabis production.

The emerging global cannabis industry is currently valued at 51.4 billion euros, with projections suggesting it could top 60 billion by 2025, according to Euromonitor International. Germany’s cannabis industry alone is estimated to be worth nearly 1.2 billion euros. The legal German cannabis market is projected to reach an estimated $4.6 billion in value by 2034, according to a separate market analysis by researchers at The Niche Research, which is an impressive sum. However, if Germany’s medical cannabis industry continues to increase at its current rate, this projection could prove to be too conservative as time goes on.

This is your chance to showcase your company to top industry leaders and important decision-makers. As a sponsor or exhibitor, you will gain valuable exposure and position your brand prominently in the cannabis industry. Spaces are limited and filling up fast. Contact ICBC today and reserve your spot at this major event!

End

Lawsuit: Federal Seizure of State-Legal Cannabis Products in New Mexico Violates Fifth Amendment

10/31/2024

a word from our sponsors:

become a sponsor

advertise here

A lawsuit filed on behalf of eight licensed New Mexico cannabis companies alleges that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) unlawfully seized state legal cannabis products and cash, violating the companies’ Fifth Amendment rights.

The lawsuit was filed by law firm Greenspoon Marder, which said in a statement that “The federal government is fully aware of the legitimacy and prevalence of state-legal cannabis, and these businesses are paying federal taxes like any other businesses.”

“Yet, despite this recognition, federal agents are unjustly seizing property without any regard for due process. This isn’t a legal gray area – CBP’s newfound policy is a blatant and arbitrary violation of rights and is completely unacceptable in a system that claims to respect state sovereignty and the rule of law.” — Greenspoon Marder’s cannabis team in a statement

Earlier this year CPB reportedly seized more than $300,000 worth of cannabis products from state-licensed operators in New Mexico during routine checkpoints in the state’s southern region. CPB contends that the seizures are legal under federal law because cannabis is a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act.

Gov. Lujan Grisham (D) has expressed concern over the actions of federal law enforcement regarding cannabis in her state, saying in a leaked call to an unnamed high-level federal official – presumed to be Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas – that she was “frustrated” by the seizures.

“Either we have to adjust it, or we have to send you a letter saying you’re persecuting a state,” she said in the call. “You are not using your discretion.”

Greenspoon Marder said that in one instance, an employee of co-plaintiff Royal Cannabis LLC was detained at a checkpoint for transporting state-legal, cannabis-infused beverages and held in a cell while the company’s products and her personal vehicle were seized.

The complaint further contends that not only are the seizures of the plaintiffs’ products, cash, and other property unlawful, but also contradict the federal government’s decision to not prosecute legal state cannabis operations, as established as precedent under the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment for the Department of Justice to not interfere in state-sanctioned cannabis activities.

End

Get the daily briefing