Licensing

Washington state is one of the latest to address social equity in the cannabis industry, but business owners and potential social equity applicants say they have concerns about the state’s plan.

Washington state regulators have suspended the license of producer El Rey De La Kush for allegedly shipping cannabis products out-of-state.

Vermont is the 11th state to establish a legal cannabis marketplace after Gov. Phil Scott announced he would allow the tax-and-regulate bill to pass into law without his signature.

Oklahoma cannabis testing lab F.A.S.T. Labs has surrendered its license amid an ongoing investigation by state regulators.

Missouri House Democrats have accused the Department of Health and Senior Services of foul play during the state’s medical cannabis licensing process and of obstructing an investigation into the program.

A partner at one of the 21 companies chosen for Illinois’ upcoming cannabis license lottery is also an employee for the firm who graded the state’s cannabis license applications.

Nearly four years after its voters approved cannabis legalization, Maine has issued the state’s first adult-use cannabis licenses.

Maryland cannabis regulators have concluded their investigation into the state’s review process for medical cannabis license applications, finding “no evidence of bias” or influence by a former official who was prosecuted for accepting bribes.

Eight Canadian cannabis brands sent a joint letter to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police requesting law enforcement action against Weedmaps, who they say is hindering the legal industry by listing unlicensed dispensaries.

Oklahoma cannabis regulators plan to revoke the license of F.A.S.T. Laboratories, which they have accused of falsifying test results and putting patients’ safety at risk.

MAPS, the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies, issued a public response to the DEA’s repeatedly delayed licensing of additional research-grade cannabis growers.

A former Baltimore lawmaker admitted to accepting bribes related to cannabis, alcohol, and opioid regulations. She was recently sentenced to two years in prison.

Voters in Portland, Maine will decide this November whether or not to remove the city’s cap on cannabis business licenses.

Curaleaf has successfully completed its acquisition of Grassroots to become the largest vertically-integrated cannabis operator in the country.

Massachusetts regulators have issued $800k in fines to three companies for improper pesticide use and other regulatory infractions.

Social equity advocates who were suing the city of Los Angeles have dropped their suit after officials agreed to process additional applications.

The Los Angeles city council has unanimously approved new regulations that will tighten up the cannabis social equity program and create rules for licensing new dispensaries in city neighborhoods that have already reached their cap.

Colorado’s governor has signed legislation addressing social equity concerns in the cannabis industry — the new law allows for additional low-level cannabis possession pardons and sets aside business licenses for social equity applicants.

San Diego is the latest California city to establish a city-specific agency dedicated to licensing and regulating businesses in the cannabis space.

Medical cannabis firms in Oklahoma have filed suit against the state over new industry residency requirements and other rules which will spell trouble for some licensees who are already operating in the state.

New cannabis licensing and social equity recommendations from the Los Angeles Department of Cannabis Regulations are under consideration today by the City Council.

Illinois officials say the state is almost ready to begin awarding social equity cannabis licenses after Gov. J.B. Pritzker suspended the process in late April due to the pandemic-prompted shutdown.

Florida MCBD is suing New York-based Columbia Care claiming a pattern of wrongful interference as Columbia worked to secure a Florida cannabis business license.

The Maine Cannabis Coalition is suing the state over its recent decision to remove residency requirements for cannabis licensees.