From Our Writers

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is set to open North Carolina’s first adult-use cannabis dispensary, marking a significant development in the state’s cannabis landscape and positioning the tribe as a pioneer in the industry within the region.

Florida legislators have passed a bill to prohibit delta-8 and other THC products, imposing strict regulations on the state’s hemp industry, a move which could significantly impact local businesses.

Hawaii’s House has advanced a bill to facilitate state-led expungement of certain criminal records, potentially affecting over 36,000 individuals with minor cannabis possession charges.

Holistic Industries Inc., a Maryland cannabis company, was fined $55,000 for not obtaining prior approval for ownership interest transfers in its subsidiaries, a requirement under Maryland regulations.

The Virginia House of Delegates approved a bill enabling sentence modification for individuals convicted of felony cannabis offenses, a move aligning with broader adult-use cannabis reforms and potentially impacting hundreds of prisoners and parolees/probationers in the state.

A study indicates that beer sales in Canada dropped significantly following the legalization of adult-use cannabis, with a notable decline in canned and kegged beer but not in spirits or bottled beer, suggesting a possible consumer shift from beer to cannabis.

A new lawsuit against The Maryland Cannabis Administration could further delay the state’s cannabis license lottery, with a social equity applicant alleging exclusion due to technical issues and communication failures.

A new cannabis trade association, the Florida Medical Marijuana Trade Association (FMMTA), has been established by several of Florida’s leading medical cannabis companies to advance medical cannabis research and industry development. The state’s largest operator, Trulieve, is not a member.

Two former Jersey City police officers are suing the city for not reinstating them after being fired for off-duty cannabis use, challenging the city’s policy amid debates over state versus federal regulations on cannabis consumption and firearm possession for law enforcement personnel.

A bill sent to Governor Jay Inslee aims to allow Washington cannabis operators to repurpose green waste into commercial products like compost and hempcrete, shifting away from less eco-friendly landfill disposal methods.

Curio Wellness in Maryland was fined $26,000 after employees were caught on video putting cannabis products in a dumpster, retrieving them, and then selling them.

A proposed Kansas bill aims to lower hemp business licensing fees from $1,200 to $500 to encourage more farmers to cultivate the crop.

Since New Mexico legalized adult-use cannabis, retailers have sold over $1 billion in products, with two-thirds from adult-use sales.

Oregon is poised to end its landmark drug decriminalization initiative as lawmakers pass a bill to reintroduce criminal penalties for certain drug possessions, sparking debate over the measure’s impact on treatment access and the justice system.

A Pew Research Center analysis has revealed that 79% of Americans now live in counties that contain at least one legal cannabis dispensary.

The Michigan Department of Treasury is allocating over $87 million from cannabis tax revenues to various local governments, demonstrating significant financial impact of the legal cannabis industry on municipal funding, education, and transportation within the state.

Ohio is reducing the registration fee for medical cannabis patients to just one cent, with plans to eliminate the fee entirely, aiming to provide immediate financial relief while enhancing program accessibility.

Thailand’s health minister announced plans to make recreational cannabis use illegal again by year-end, while maintaining its legality for medicinal purposes.

Virginia lawmakers have passed bills to establish a regulated adult-use cannabis market by May 2025, aiming to transition from a $3 billion illicit market to a safe, regulated, and taxed environment.

Florida lawmakers’ attempt to impose THC limits on potential future adult-use cannabis sales has failed, leaving potency regulations unchanged as the state approaches a November ballot initiative on legalization.

A recent survey by the California Department of Cannabis Control reveals that 86% of Californians believe it is important to purchase cannabis from legal sources, highlighting a growing preference for the regulated market over unregulated alternatives.

Oregon’s legal cannabis market experienced a downturn for the second consecutive year in 2023, with sales dropping to $955 million from a peak of $1.2 billion in 2021, amid challenges of oversupply and stagnant retail prices.