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.
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Girl Scout Sells Over 300 Cookie Boxes Near San Diego Marijuana Dispensary
California’s recreational cannabis industry continues to march on in the face of federal uncertainties and even youngsters are finding ways to cash in on the green rush, including a Girl Scout who recently got a jump start on her cookie sales outside of a San Diego marijuana dispensary.
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.
Denver DA Charges 10 Sweet Leaf Dispensary Employees in ‘Looping’ Scheme
On Dec. 28, 2017, Denver District Attorney Beth McCann announced that charges have been filed against 10 Sweet Leaf dispensary employees arrested on Dec. 14 for selling unlawful amounts of cannabis to customers.
Colombian Medical Cannabis Lab Now Open for Research and Development
On Dec. 18, 2017, the Colombian medical cannabis market took a major step forward with the opening of a medical cannabis research and development lab.
First Sonoma County Medical Cannabis Cultivator Given Green Light
On Dec. 4, 2017, California’s Sonoma County announced that it had awarded its first cannabis business permit to Fiddlers Green, a Sonoma County medical cannabis cultivator.
Maryland Medical Cannabis Dispensaries Now Open to Patients
Patients in the Old Line State have been waiting for more than four years for the ability to purchase medical cannabis legally and now the wait is finally over. On Friday, Dec. 1, 2017, the first batch of Maryland medical cannabis dispensaries opened their doors to serve the state’s patients.
Three More Maryland Medical Marijuana Dispensary Licenses Awarded
With several Maryland medical marijuana dispensary licensees preparing to open their doors within the next week and certified patients ready to buy their products, the state has awarded three more dispensary licenses, giving Maryland a total of nine licensed dispensaries.
Santa Barbara to Welcome 5 Recreational Cannabis Shops
On Nov. 21, 2017, California’s Santa Barbara City Council approved an ordinance to amend the city municipal code to allow five recreational cannabis shops within city limits, as well as voting to ease requirements for onsite security officers, permit an unlimited number of wholesale cannabis operations and allow residents to cultivate one cannabis plant outdoors and five indoors.
Pennsylvania Medical Cannabis Patients Number More Than 6K
The number of Pennsylvania medical cannabis patients has been growing steadily since the patient registry launched on Nov. 1, 2017.
Seven Things California Cannabis Businesses Need to Know About Taxes
While prospective California cannabis businesses were notified recently by the Department of Tax and Fee Administration that they need to go ahead and register with the CDTFA for a seller’s permit, there are seven additional things California cannabis businesses need to know about tax rates and registration.
Jamaica Clarifies Requirements for Prescribing Medical Ganja
Training began this past summer in Jamaica for medical professionals to become certified in prescribing medical ganja; however, it appears that such training isn’t actually required by law.
Things to Know About the First California Cannabis Advisory Committee Meeting
On Nov. 6, 2017, the Bureau of Cannabis Control released details on the first California Cannabis Advisory Committee meeting, taking place in Sacramento on Nov. 16.
Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Registry Now Open for Patients and Caregivers
The Pennsylvania medical marijuana registry is now live, bringing patients in the Keystone State closer to medical marijuana access.
Provincial Crown Corporation to Sell New Brunswick Cannabis
With New Brunswick cannabis set to be cultivated by Organigram (TSXV: OGI) and Canopy Growth (TSX: WEED), the provincial government has now determined that a Crown corporation, not the private sector, will handle retail cannabis sales.
Nevada Recreational Marijuana Sales Topped $33 Million in August
While supply shortages may have hampered Nevada recreational marijuana sales when the second month of sales commenced on Aug. 1, 2017, the industry was able to rebound and close out the month of August with more than $33 million in sales.
Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program Accepting Processor Applications in Decemeber
On Oct. 19, 2017, the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program and the Department of Commerce announced that the application for prospective cannabis processors is now available, with the application period running from Dec. 4 to Dec. 15.
These Are the First Two Licensed Jamaican Cannabis Companies
While Jamaican cannabis has a rich history, the country of Jamaica hasn’t been at the forefront of the legal industry; however, that may soon change as the country has issued its first two Jamaican cannabis licenses.
Canadian Researchers Identify Optimal Rate of Organic Cannabis Fertilizer
With the recent publication of North America’s first scientific paper on advancing medical cannabis production, researchers at the University of Guelph in Ontario are investigating the brave new science of organic cannabis production.
What We Know About the Ousting of MassRoots CEO Isaac Dietrich
On Oct. 16, 2017, the Board of Directors for MassRoots (OTCQB:MSRT), a marijuana social media platform, ousted Isaac Dietrich as the company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Melissa Etheridge Busted for Possession in North Dakota and She’s All Smiles
Singer-Songwriter Melissa Etheridge has long been an advocate of medical marijuana and on Aug. 17, 2017, her advocacy met a prohibition reality when she was charged with simple possession in North Dakota, but Etheridge kept it all smiles for her mug shot.
California Company Giving $50K of Cannabis to Patients Displaced by Wildfires
While wildfires are wreaking havoc in Northern California, one California cannabis company is stepping up to help patients displaced by the devastation, as well as evacuees and first responders.
Things to Know About Washington Cannabis Consumers
While it has been established that Washington cannabis consumers still love flower the most, who’s buying all of this flower, how much are they spending and what brands do they prefer?
This Is the Second Dispensary Greenlit for Hawaiian Cannabis Sales on Oahu
While Hawaiian cannabis sales on Oahu started with Aloha Green in Honolulu on Aug. 9, 2017, the island of Oahu is now ready to welcome the opening of its second dispensary.
Kentucky Legalization Proposed by Senator Who Wants to Fix State’s Pension
While Bluegrass State hemp has been growing since 2014, Kentucky legalization has yet to take root; however, one state senator is hoping to change that.
This Is Why Atlanta Marijuana Decriminalization Passed City Council Unanimously
After months of local and committee debate, Atlanta marijuana decriminalization is now a reality in Georgia’s capital. The Atlanta City Council approved the decriminalization ordinance on Oct. 2, 2017, reducing the penalty of simple marijuana possession from a $1,000 fine and up to six months in prison to a $75 fine and no imprisonment.
Wiz Khalifa Endorsed Cannabis at Pirates Game and MLB Regrets It
On Sept. 27, 2017, recording artist Wiz Khalifa threw out the first pitch for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ last home game of the season against the Baltimore Orioles and he took the opportunity to let the fans know that he supports the legalization of cannabis.
Los Angeles City Council Committee Approves Revised Cannabis Regulations
On Sept. 25, 2017, a Los Angeles City Council committee approved revised draft regulations for the city’s cannabis industry. While the original draft regulations were released on June 8, the revised version wasn’t released until Sept. 22, giving industry members little time to prepare for the meeting on Sept. 25.
Report: California Cannabis Taxes to Keep Black Market Cannabis Alive
As the Golden State readies for the rollout of recreational cannabis on Jan. 1, 2018, some are preparing for a windfall of revenue from California cannabis taxes and others are preparing to continue competing with the black market.
British Columbia Cannabis Regulators Need Public Input Right Now
While cannabis regulations have already been proposed for Ontario and New Brunswick, British Columbia cannabis regulations have yet to take shape; however, on Sept. 25, 2017, the provincial government announced that it is now collecting public input on how it should sell and regulate the substance.
Survey: Canadian Cannabis Salaries on Par With Other Industries in Country
The legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada has the country preparing for unprecedented expansion and with that will undoubtedly come career opportunities, but what can job seekers expect in regards to Canadian cannabis salaries?
Ohio Medical Marijuana Dispensary License Application Now Available
On Sept. 19, 2017, the Buckeye State took a critical step forward for its Medical Marijuana Control Program by releasing the application for Ohio medical marijuana dispensary licenses.
LSU Medical Marijuana Contract Finalized With Public Company
On Sept. 18, 2017, the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center announced that it had finalized its LSU medical marijuana contract with GB Sciences Louisiana, a subsidiary of GB Sciences (OTCQB:GBLX).
Flower Dominating the Washington Cannabis Market
From gluts to labeling updates and the combination of medical and recreational sectors, the Washington cannabis market has been on a rollercoaster ride, but flower has managed to remain king of the hill.
What We Know About the Cannabis Dispensary Abduction in Washington
On Sept. 10, 2017, at approximately 12:45 p.m., a man shot and carjacked an employee of Lucid Cannabis, a dispensary in Cheney, Wash.
This Is How Ontario Plans to Regulate Canadian Cannabis
On Sept. 8, 2017, Ontario became the first province to reveal its plans to regulate Canadian cannabis, proposing to handle it in a fashion similar to that of tobacco and alcohol.
House Rules Committee Opts Not to Protect Medical Marijuana
On Sept. 6, 2017, the House Rules Committee decided to block the House of Representatives from voting on an amendment to protect medical marijuana in states that have legalized it.
Study: Washington Youth Cannabis Use Hasn’t Increased
Washington has one more statistic to support the legalization of recreational cannabis in the Evergreen State: Washington youth cannabis use hasn’t increased since the enactment of Initiative 502, the measure that legalized recreational cannabis in the state.
The Rise of Labor Day Weekend Cannabis Sales in Colorado
With the Centennial State enjoying one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, workers in Colorado have a lot to celebrate, but so do the state’s dispensaries.
Cannabis in Canada: Prince Edward Island Legalization Survey Needs Public Input
While Prince Edward Island legalization will happen in conjunction with Canada in July 2018, the province is taking a proactive measure in the development of its jurisdiction-specific regulations.
For First Time Oregon Cannabis Pesticide Testing Required for All Product Batches
Oregon cannabis pesticide testing has undergone a rollercoaster of changes in response to the market, stakeholders and regulators, but permanent pesticide rules are now finally in place.
Cali Enforcement: San Mateo County Cannabis Raids Net Almost $23M
On Aug. 24, 2017, San Mateo County Narcotics Task Force announced that a series of San Mateo County cannabis raids eradicated 11,400 cannabis plants with a value of approximately $22.8 million.
Mile High City Now Accepting Applications for Denver Cannabis Clubs
The road to regulate Denver cannabis clubs has been a long one and while doors aren’t open quite yet, the city of Denver started accepting applications for cannabis consumption establishment licenses on Aug. 24, 2017.
This Is Why Illegal Sacramento Marijuana Grows Will Be Eradicated
With approximately 1,000 homes having been converted for illegal residential cultivation, illegal Sacramento marijuana grows have become a public safety concern for California’s capital city.
Michigan Medical Cannabis Program Needs Participants for Workgroups
On Aug. 22, 2017, the Michigan Bureau of Medical Marihuana Regulation announced that it has created five workgroups for the Michigan medical cannabis program and is in need of stakeholders to participate in them to provide input on the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act.
Here Are the Six Cannabis Products Recalled by Dixie Elixirs in Colorado
On Aug. 21, 2017, the Denver Department of Environmental Health announced that Dixie Elixirs had six cannabis products recalled because they had not been made with food grade essential oils.
Jamaica Making Progress With Dispensary Training Workshops
On Aug. 21, 2017, the Jamaican Ministry of Health announced that it has been making progress with its dispensary training workshops, teaching medical, scientific and health professionals how to properly dispense medical cannabis.
San Diego Police Raid Two Illegal Cannabis Dispensaries
On Aug. 17, 2017, the San Diego Police Department narcotics unit raided two illegal cannabis dispensaries, bringing the number of raids on illegal dispensaries to more than 60 since March 2016.
Federal Marijuana Impairment Report Finds DUI Tests Ineffective for THC
A federal marijuana impairment report has cast a shadow of doubt over the THC testing methods and regulations used by law enforcement officers in America, citing the inability to detect THC impairment from biological test samples and the worthlessness of establishing a “per se” limit to designate THC impairment.
These Are the 8 Newly Licensed Maryland Medical Cannabis Cultivators
On Aug. 14, 2017, the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission greenlit eight final cultivation licenses, meaning the newly licensed can finally start cultivating medical cannabis.