Licensing

Two of Iowa’s five licensed medical cannabis dispensaries were abruptly shut down without explanation from their operator nor state health officials, who said they will work to license two new retailers.

Maine cannabis company Wellness Connection has filed suit over the state’s residency requirement, claiming the rule violates the commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution.

City officials in San Francisco could consider a freeze on new cannabis permits amid plummeting sales at individual dispensaries and a flourishing unregulated marketplace.

The launch of Maine’s adult-use cannabis marketplace has been delayed for likely several months, with some officials predicting the first shop will open its doors in June.

Hundreds of rejected medical cannabis applicants in Missouri have filed appeals against the state’s cannabis licensing process.

The head of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission said he plants to cut the wait time for cannabis licenses in half for next year, from an average of 121 days to just 60.

The city of Cambridge, Massachusetts is petitioning to block a previous court ruling that would force officials to license non-equity cannabis businesses.

The Louisiana Alcohol and Tobacco Control Board has licensed some 1,500 businesses in the state to sell CBD products under the state’s industrial hemp rules.

Weedmaps is no longer allowing unlicensed Michigan cannabis businesses to list or advertise on its platform.

Some critics in Pasadena, California believe that local regulators violated their own rules when awarding six cannabis business licenses last year.

Activists in Chicago are pushing for the city to allow for cannabis “peddler’s permits,” which would enable cannabis sales in a similar manner to street food vendors.

An on-site consumption plan by Illinois Supply and Provisions in Springfield, Illinois has been approved by the city council; it’s the first time in the state that on-site cannabis consumption was approved by a municipality.

High Times has signed a deal to purchase dispensary licenses in Los Angeles and Las Vegas; the company plans to open two flagship stores that will sell local Cannabis Cup award-winning strains.

Weedmaps has unlisted 2,700 unlicensed cannabis dispensaries since January 1; the company had received a cease-and-desist letter from California regulators last year.

Utah health officials have announced the 14 locations that will house the state’s first medical cannabis pharmacies.

A Missouri lawsuit is challenging the state’s cap on medical cannabis licenses, arguing that the cap violates the state’s Right to Farm Act passed in 2014.

The application process for West Virginia medical cannabis cultivator, processor, and dispensary business licenses is launching this Thursday, nearly three years after state lawmakers first approved the reforms.

Pasadena, California has won a lawsuit against its own city clerk after they approved a successful but unconstitutional ballot initiative that would have grandfathered in dispensaries who were operating before the city’s strict licensing rules took effect.

Ontario will do away with the current cap on cannabis retail stores in January and is expected to open an application period for new private cannabis retailers starting January 6, 2020.

Green Leaf Health Inc. has reached a “host community agreement” with North Attleboro, Massachusetts. It will be the first cannabis company licensed for adult-use sales in the city.

California cannabis and CBD product manufacturer Kushy Punch has had its state cannabis license revoked over the alleged use of an unlicensed facility.

Humboldt County regulators are considering a plan to offer tax incentives for small and efficient cannabis farms that can meet energy, infrastructure, and footprint standards.

Illinois officials have awarded the state’s first adult-use retailer licenses — 14 dispensaries received “same-site” licenses, meaning they will be allowed to open their existing medical cannabis stores to anyone 21+.

California regulators suspended 394 cannabis business permits amid an ongoing crackdown on unlicensed operators; the suspensions include retailers, distributors, delivery services, and microbusinesses who were not seed-to-sale compliant.