Regulations

Missouri regulators say they will not be enforcing large parts of the governor’s recent executive order to ban the sale of intoxicating hemp products.

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson recently specified that non-alcoholic, hemp-derived beverages containing 0.3% or less THC are legal in the state despite a lack of legal “guardrails” for the products.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signed a bill Thursday to temporarily end the sale of intoxicating hemp products. Next, state cannabis regulators have up to 180 days to draft rules covering the sale of hemp-derived THC products by licensed cannabis retailers.

California lawmakers have passed a bill to legalize cannabis consumption lounges in the state; the proposal goes next to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), who vetoed a similar measure last year over concerns about violating the state’s smoke-free workplace protections.

Missouri officials announced a new joint task force aimed at reigning in the spread of “unlicensed psychoactive cannabis products” in the state.

Massachusetts State Treasurer Deb Goldberg announced this week the firing of Cannabis Control Commission Chair Shannon O’Brien, who was initially suspended from the position last September.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom last week proposed emergency regulations to completely ban the sale of any hemp-derived THC products in the state. The proposed rules would also set the minimum age to purchase hemp products at 21.

Ohio cannabis regulators last week issued fines totaling $212,500 to five cannabis companies for advertising violations including improper signage and offering free food and beverages from an ice cream truck.

Police in Allen, Texas said this week they raided nine hemp product retailers after an investigation found they were selling products containing an illegal amount of THC. An attorney representing the stores called the raid an intimidation tactic and said his clients had been operating lawfully.

Cannabis regulators in Rhode Island are considering changes to the state’s cannabis packaging rules, including allowing the use of color. Current regulations require only neutral colors to avoid attracting children.

Colorado officials recently released the state’s final regulations for its medicinal psilocybin program. Under the rules, psychedelic therapy centers will be cleared to open for business starting next year.

Missouri’s ban on intoxicating hemp products is in limbo after Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft last week rejected the governor’s executive order detailing the ban, arguing the emergency rules did not meet certain state law criteria.

South Dakota lawmakers this week voted to raise the price of a medical cannabis business license by nearly 70%. Officials say the change will cover the program’s administrative costs.

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) recently signed into law two bills expanding medical cannabis access for patients in the state.

New Jersey cannabis regulators have issued a product recall for cannabis flower sold by Green Medicine NJ after samples were found to include insects and human hair.

Virginia last year fined hemp product retailers collectively nearly $10.8 million for the sale of restricted products.

A federal judge has denied an injunction brought by a group of hemp companies against the Iowa law regulating hemp products and imposing THC caps on the products.

Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul this week signaled the government could drop its plans to re-list cannabis as a narcotic and opt instead for stronger cannabis regulations.

Oklahoma’s cannabis regulatory agency is laying off 10% of its workforce in response to the state’s shrinking medical cannabis industry. About 25-30 employees will be affected.

New Iowa hemp regulations restricting the sale and potency of consumable hemp products took effect on Wednesday. The rules are in place despite a federal lawsuit brought by a group of hemp companies seeking to block it.

A hempcrete wall product by Americhanvre Cast Hemp recently received a one-hour fire resistance rating, making the product more attractive for commercial construction projects.

A recent report by WeedWeek has revealed that a detective with the California Department of Cannabis Control faces federal charges for alleged illicit firearm sales.

Massachusetts Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro has called on state officials to appoint a receiver to oversee the Cannabis Control Commission, which is under scrutiny for regulatory delays and allegations of a toxic work environment.

A bi-partisan proposal in Michigan is seeking to ease the burdens of cannabis companies and “modernize” the state’s cannabis laws by merging its adult-use and medical cannabis regulations.