Licensing

Idaho is now accepting applications for its hemp program after receiving federal approval on November 1. The program will exclude people convicted of a felony drug violation in any state or federal court in the last 10 years.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed legislation expanding the number of people eligible for medical cannabis licenses, including those with cannabis-related criminal charges.

Under a provision in Montana’s adult-use cannabis rules, licensed cannabis companies are not allowed to grow, process, or sell hemp products, which effectively relegates the retail sales of hemp-derived CBD products to gas stations, corner markets, and grocery stores.

The head of New York’s Cannabis Control Board said last week she does not anticipate the state will begin issuing industry licenses until the spring of 2023 at the earliest.

Adult-use cannabis home delivery began in Massachusetts this year but due to new regulations, namely requirements on drivers, vehicles, and surveillance, delivery companies are unable to earn a profit.

Oklahoma medical cannabis operators no longer need a processor’s license to prepare cannabis pre-rolls under a new state law that took effect November 1.

Rhode Island officials on Friday awarded five new medical cannabis licenses — one application was delayed by a lawsuit, while another was disqualified over a bribe paid to the former mayor of Fall River, Massachusetts.

Washington cannabis regulators issued the emergency license suspension of Okanagan-based Emerald Flash over allegations of cannabis product diversion, misrepresentation, and other concerns.

Cannabis regulators in Oakland, California have sent several of the city’s social equity licensees to collections over unpaid loans.

Michigan lawmakers are set to vote on a package of bills containing sweeping changes to the state’s 2008 voter-approved medical cannabis law.

The company hired by Missouri to handle cannabis licensing was successfully sued for $28 million by GMT Consulting, who said they were denied a license because the application scoring method was flawed and “corrupt.”

The executive branch and legislative negotiators in Rhode Island are close to reaching a deal on regulating adult cannabis use, but additional discussions are needed for agreement on issues including taxes.

Costa Rica’s Congress voted to legalize cannabis for medical use despite opposition from President Carlos Alvarado.

Muha Meds — a self-described street cannabis brand that is best known for the unregulated sale of THC-rich vape cartridges — has received a cannabis processor license in Michigan.

The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission last week licensed 14 new minority- or women-owned medical cannabis businesses. The licenses were part of a 2019 application round that was delayed by a lawsuit.

Alabama’s Department of Agriculture and Industries is now accepting applications for new hemp producers, processors, and university research facilities. The application period closes on November 29.

Keith Stephenson is the founder and CEO of Purple Heart, the longest-running cannabis dispensary in Oakland, California, and the country’s first Black-owned cannabis business.

Arizona has identified 87 zip codes where applicants for the state’s cannabis social equity licensed must have lived in recent years.

Connecticut’s Social Equity Council has asked regulators to charter new banks to support the state’s cannabis industry and give better opportunities for social equity applicants.

An Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission report found that 54% of registered hemp farms inspected in southern Oregon were growing THC-rich strains of cannabis.

The California Department of Cannabis Control released guidelines and application requirements for a new $100M grant program aimed at transitioning provisional licenses to permanent annual licenses.

The director of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority said the agency is going through a “hard reset” with plans to make compliance checks and public safety the priority going forward.

The cannabis brand Cookies is being accused of marketing to children due to the company’s name and brand colors.

Florida lawmakers questioned the state’s medical cannabis program director last week about the multi-year delay in licensing at least one Black medical cannabis farmer, which was required under a 2017 law.