California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones has been on a mission to ensure state-legal cannabis businesses have commercial insurance coverage and with his announcement of the first California cannabis surety bond program on Feb. 21, 2018, he continues to make progress.
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Failed Applicants Sue Ohio Over Medical Cannabis Licensing Process
More strife is on the horizon for Ohio’s troubled medical cannabis program. On Feb. 20, 2018, a group of unsuccessful medical cannabis applicants, led by Jimmy Gould of CannAscend Ohio LLC, filed a lawsuit challenging the state’s medical cannabis licensing process.
Province of Newfoundland and Labrador Issues RFP for Cannabis Retailers
While the province of Newfoundland and Labrador has its key policies in place for recreational legalization and has secured a supply agreement with Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX:WEED) to provide cannabis for the province, it is now ready to hear from prospective cannabis retailers.
Judge Overturns Detroit Medical Cannabis Initiative
In the city of Detroit, the group Citizens for Sensible Cannabis Reform is weighing its legal options after Wayne County Circuit Judge Robert Colombo, Jr., overturned Measure B, a Detroit medical cannabis initiative aimed at relaxing local control on the city’s medical cannabis industry, on Feb. 16, 2018.
Connecticut Lawmakers Vote on Starting Recreational Marijuana Discussions
Connecticut lawmakers have put recreational marijuana back on the table — sort of. According to the CT Post, lawmakers are curious as to how they would successfully regulate the drug if it were ever to be legalized in the New England state.
New Brunswick Cannabis Stores to Have Refined Design Elements
While the locations for New Brunswick cannabis stores were only recently announced, the province is moving full steam ahead, completing design plans for the retail cannabis properties expected to open this summer.
Study Finds Alcohol is Worse for Your Brain Than Cannabis
Is alcohol worse for your brain than cannabis? According to a new study conducted by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder, the answer is yes.
Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Ready to Serve Patients This Week
While the Keystone State’s first dispensary held its grand opening on Jan. 27, 2018, it didn’t have medical marijuana available for patients to purchase, but now the wait to buy products from Pennsylvania medical marijuana dispensaries is almost over. Starting on Feb. 15, and progressing through the week, a handful of dispensaries will open with products available for patients to purchase.
Study: Medical Cannabis Treatment Significantly Reduces Chronic Pain in Elderly
Baby boomers have become a growing market segment in the legal cannabis industry as the acceptance of medical cannabis treatment continues to spread across the world, and now it appears that medical cannabis treatment may offer senior citizens a safer alternative to opioids in the treatment of chronic pain.
Ontario Selects Shopify to Run Mobile and Online Cannabis Sales
With Canadian cannabis legalization slated to commence this summer, Ontario has been proactive in its preparations, being the first province to issue its market regulations and now announcing a partnership with a popular ecommerce platform based in Ottawa to run mobile and online cannabis sales in the province.
City of Seattle to Erase Marijuana Misdemeanors
In a municipal move signifying the dying war on drugs, the city of Seattle is going to vacate convictions and dismiss charges for marijuana misdemeanors. Former U.S. Attorney and Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan and City Attorney Pete Holmes made the announcement during a press conference on Feb. 8, 2018.
MJIC Marijuana Index Gains 18% in January as Market Continues Rally
The North American Marijuana Index, a stock index that tracks the top performing cannabis stocks in the U.S. and Canada, increased 18% in January.
Enrollment Gaining in New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program
The New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program started 2018 on a high note, with the most enrolled patients it has ever had. As the month of January came to an end, the program had 47,840 registered patients, a nearly 50% increase from January 2017.
Oregon Audit Reveals Weaknesses in OLCC Cannabis Tracking
Oregon’s cannabis market has been scrutinized over the past year and with the recent release of a state cannabis audit, scrutiny of the state’s cannabis tracking and licensing systems has intensified.
Leafly Cutting Unlicensed Cannabis Companies From Dispensary Finder Tool
Prior to recreational cannabis legalization in California, unlicensed cannabis companies proliferated under a system that didn’t require state licenses to operate medical cannabis businesses; however, the opportunity for those operating under the guise of legality is over in California and a popular cannabis dispensary and strain review website is erring on the side of caution.
Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Seeking Input From Counties
In an effort to hear what the public thinks about the proposed recreational cannabis regulations, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission is traveling from county to county to gather feedback.
Medical Cannabis Exports Suspended in Israel
Israel has temporarily suspended medical cannabis exports. According to Haaretz, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was responsible for the suspension and has ordered a review from both the Health Ministry and the chairman of the National Economic Council.
Fourth Corner Credit Union Conditionally Approved by Federal Reserve
A Colorado credit union dedicated to serving the cannabis industry is one step closer to becoming fully operational. On Feb. 5, 2018, the Fourth Corner Credit Union was given conditional approval by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City for a master account.
British Columbia Marijuana Market Details Revealed
Canada is nearing its rollout of recreational marijuana this summer and while there have been challenges in keeping up with the federal deadline, the British Columbia marijuana market is taking shape.
New Mexico Senate Rules Committee Approves Legalization Bill
Recreational cannabis might be heading for the New Mexico ballot in 2018. On Feb. 2, 2018, the New Mexico Senate Rules Committee voted 4-3 to approve Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino’s Senate Joint Resolution 4, a measure which would allow state residents to vote on cannabis legalization in the next general election.
Alaska’s Marijuana Tax Revenue Falls Short Two Months in a Row
A new report has confirmed that Alaska’s marijuana tax revenue fell short two months in a row. The dip started in November 2017 and continued downward through December 2017.
Maine Governor Agrees to Delay Implementation of Controversial Medical Cannabis Rules
Controversial rules regulating Maine’s medical cannabis program will not go into effect as scheduled. On Jan. 31, 2018, Gov. Paul LePage agreed to delay implementation of the medical cannabis rules, which would have gone into effect on Feb. 1, 2018, until May 2018.
Bright Side of the Bay: 8 Winners Selected for Oakland Dispensary Licenses
In California, officials with the city of Oakland have been working for more than a year to create and implement the city’s Dispensary Equity Permit Program, and with the winners of Oakland dispensary licenses having been announced, the fruits of their labor are being realized.
Study: Cannabis Use May Reduce Risk of Alcohol-Related Liver Disease
Can cannabis protect individuals from alcohol-related liver damage? Maybe. According to a study published in the journal Liver International, heavy alcohol users that use cannabis on a daily basis have reduced incidence of liver disease than those that do not.
Here’s How U.S. Marijuana Prices Range From Coast to Coast
Not only do the rules for marijuana consumption vary from state to state, but so do the prices. From coast to coast, marijuana prices in the United States range from just over $7 in the west to nearly $18 in the east.
California Treasurer Studying Possibility of Creating a Public Cannabis Bank
United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions may have reversed federal marijuana enforcement policy, but that isn’t stopping the Golden State from studying how to move forward with creating a public cannabis bank to serve the state’s legal cannabis industry.
Legislative Committees in the Pine Tree State Vote to Delay Maine Marijuana Regulations
Two legislative committees in the Pine Tree State have decided that they need more time to perfect Maine marijuana regulations. On Jan. 25. 2018, the state legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee voted to approve a moratorium bill that would delay the implementation of new medical marijuana rules issued by the state Department of Health and Human Services.
Here Are the 9 Nova Scotia Cannabis Retail Locations
Canadian cannabis legalization is rolling out this summer and the country’s provinces are under a tight deadline to be up and running, but it looks like the legal Nova Scotia cannabis market may be ahead of the game as far as distribution goes.
Poll: Almost Half of Cannabis Users Admit Heading into Work High
While employers in states with legal cannabis may not want employees to show up to work high, almost half of cannabis users have admitted that they’ve gone to work high, according to new survey results.
Canadian Cannabis Consumers Spent Almost C$6 Billion on Product in 2017
Recreational cannabis legalization is on Canada’s horizon and as a means of understanding pre- and post-legalization markets, Statistics Canada has been analyzing historical data to get a sense of what the future of legal cannabis may hold for the country and if its most recent report is any indication, Canadian cannabis consumers are ready to open their wallets when it comes to cannabis.
Prohibitionist Poll Accidentally Shows American Opposition to Federal Marijuana Policy
A poll commissioned by the prohibitionist group Smart Approaches to Marijuana has accidentally shown how wildly unpopular cannabis prohibition is in the United States.
Keystone State Auditor General Advocating for Pennsylvania Legalization
While the Keystone State’s medical marijuana program has only just begun, Auditor General Eugene DePasquale is ready for Pennsylvania legalization to tap into the recreational market to benefit the state budget, reduce the costs associated with simple possession arrests, curb the opioid epidemic and create jobs.
Nevada Tax Department Taking Steps to Address Issues Surrounding Testing Facilities
The Nevada Tax Department is taking steps to address issues with state-licensed cannabis testing facilities. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, four of the the state’s nine licensed cannabis testing facilities have been suspended in the last five months.
Canadian Cannabis Research Banks $1.4M in Funding From Government
With the Great White North preparing to become the first G7 nation to launch recreational legalization, the federal government wants to inform its journey into uncharted territory by providing $1.4 million in funding to Canadian cannabis research projects.
Nevada’s Recreational Cannabis Sales Continue to Surpass Projections
It has been just over six months since Nevada began selling legal recreational cannabis, and sales continue to surpass the Silver State’s projections.
Illinois Judge: Add Chronic Pain as Qualifying Condition for Medical Marijuana
Illinois patients suffering from chronic pain may soon have a new way to treat their medical condition. On Jan. 16, 2018, Cook County Judge Raymond Mitchell ordered the Illinois Department of Public Health to add chronic pain as a qualifying condition for the state’s medical marijuana program.
AG Ferguson Wants to Know Sessions’ Effects on Washington Cannabis Industry
Since United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions first criticized the Washington cannabis industry in July 2017, Gov. Jay Inslee and Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson have defended the industry; however, Sessions’ memo on Jan. 4, 2018, announcing a reversal of federal cannabis enforcement policy, may have prompted the state to bolster its position.
Poll: Record Number Want Georgia Medical Marijuana Program Expanded
Support for expanding the Georgia medical marijuana program is at an all-time, according to a new poll released by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Vermont Recreational Marijuana Now a Reality
The Green Mountain State just got a little bit greener as Vermont recreational marijuana is now a reality. On Jan. 22, 2018, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott signed H. 511, legalizing recreational marijuana in the state. This makes Vermont the ninth state to legalize recreational marijuana and the first state to do so via the state legislature instead of a ballot initiative.
Arizona Dispensaries Sold Over 43 Tons of Medical Marijuana in 2017
While the Grand Canyon State may have failed to legalize recreational marijuana in 2016, Arizona dispensaries ran full steam ahead with medical marijuana sales in 2017, selling more than 43 tons by the end of the year, according to an end-of-year report from the Arizona Department of Health Services.
Nebraska Senator Introduces Cannabis Amendment Resolution
On Jan. 18, 2018, Sen. Anna Wishart introduced an amendment resolution that would call for Nebraska residents to vote on the legal status of medical cannabis in the November election.
Maine Medical Marijuana Caregivers File Lawsuit Against DHHS
In an effort to halt implementation of new regulations governing Maine medical marijuana caregivers, two medical marijuana shop owners, along with two unnamed patients in their care, have filed a lawsuit against the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the state medical marijuana program.
This Is Why the Colorado Cannabis Industry Makes the Grade in Education
When legal cannabis sales commenced in the Centennial State in 2014, some opponents were concerned that negative public health effects would outweigh any positives derived from tax revenue; however, under the state’s helm, the Colorado cannabis industry continues to make the grade in public cannabis education.
Maryland Report Suggests State Consider Race in Cannabis Licensing Process
Minorities in the state of Maryland are at a disadvantage in the state’s medical cannabis licensing process, according to the report of a state consultant hired to review a 2017 disparity study after controversy arose over the fact that no minority-owned businesses were awarded a medical cannabis license.
First Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Dispensary Holds Grand Opening
The Keystone State’s first cultivator was greenlit this past October and while Gov. Tom Wolf announced that the first Pennsylvania medical marijuana dispensary had been approved to start serving patients on Jan. 4, 2018, the dispensary wasn’t quite ready to open its doors until recently.
New York Governor Calls for Feasibility Study to Examine Legalizing Marijuana
Could New York become the next state to legalize recreational marijuana? On Jan. 16, 2018, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced his proposed FY 2019 state budget, which includes funding for the creation of a feasibility study aimed at understanding the social, health, and criminal justice impact of legalizing recreational marijuana in the state.
Fourth Company Named as New Brunswick Recreational Cannabis Supplier
With the Picture Province estimating that recreational legalization will create hundreds of new jobs and generate up to $150 million annually in recreational sales, the province has named the fourth New Brunswick recreational cannabis supplier.
Canadian Cannabis Company Scores Supply Deal With Eighth Province
On Jan. 16, 2018, Canadian cannabis company Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED) announced its arrangement to provide marijuana to the province of Prince Edward Island.
Federal Judge Lets Illinois Girl Use Medical Marijuana at Public School
Can children use medical marijuana on public school grounds? If you’re a particular 11-year-old girl from Illinois, then the answer is yes.
Multiple Oregon Cannabis Retailers Fail Latest Sting Operation
While central Oregon cannabis retailers passed the state’s sting operation on Dec. 19, 2017, with flying colors, retailers in the rest of the state didn’t fare as well in the latest sting operation.