Author: Marijuana Moment
[ad_1] The probe aims to determine whether cannabis regulators are operating “in a manner that is efficient, accountable and transparent.” By Jason Hancock, Missouri Independent Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick (R) has begun an investigation into the state’s marijuana program, vowing to assess whether regulators are operating “in a manner that is efficient, accountable and transparent.” The audit is not a routine, scheduled review. It was initiated by Fitzpatrick after he pledged last year during his campaign to look into how Missouri oversees legalized cannabis. It will cover both the medical and recreational programs, spanning back to when Missouri voters first…
[ad_1] “We have heard from many patients, some of whom are very sick, that the process of getting a medical card is long and cumbersome.” By Ross Williams, Georgia Recorder At 13, Darrell Johns of Macon weighed just 40 pounds and endured at least five seizures a week, said his mom and full-time caregiver Leslie Johns. “I was having to crush 17 pills a day to run through his G tube, and he was still having seizures,” she said. “And the Diastat, which is Valium, that I would have to give him as a rescue, it would make him sleep…
[ad_1] “We’re having to sell our farm,” said Federalsburg Mayor Kimberly Abner. “We’re not growing this year because basically they’re putting Maryland hemp farmers out of business.” By Bryan P. Sears, Maryland Matters The mayor of Federalsburg said Maryland’s legalization of cannabis is forcing her and her husband to close their business and sell their Eastern Shore hemp farm. Kimberly Abner, her husband Ken, and her brother-in-law have run a small hemp business making gummy and vape products for the last three years. The bill that legalized adult-use recreational cannabis is pushing them out of the market, she said. “I’m…
[ad_1] “It is therefore imperative that we have the necessary data before making a policy change that could be perceived as watering down the standards to become a law enforcement officer in the State of Nebraska.” By Paul Hammel, Nebraska Examiner Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (R) has rejected a proposed relaxation in drug-use standards to qualify for training as a Nebraska law enforcement officer, saying it could be viewed as a “watering down” of the standards. A panel of state law enforcement officials had recommended the change as part of a broader effort to qualify more applicants for the necessary…
[ad_1] “We will reevaluate, go through the investigative process and see where we are. So those of you who have not received a license today don’t lose heart. I think there may be another day.” By Alander Rocha, Alabama Reflector The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission Thursday re-awarded the licenses for the production and distribution of medical cannabis after questions about the evaluation of applications stopped the process in June. Nearly all the firms awarded licenses two months ago got them back, and the commission granted additional licenses to firms looking to grow medical cannabis. Rex Vaughn, elected chair of the…
[ad_1] “Why invest in a business that violates federal law and not act to change that law?” By Aaron Smith, National Cannabis Industry Association The cannabis industry is facing unprecedented challenges. People are losing money as an oversupply of product, labor shortages, supply chain disruptions and higher costs for key components like fertilizer, building materials and packaging are forcing companies to streamline operations as much as possible. Meanwhile, crushing regulatory environments and tax structures far more costly than any other industry continue to make finding financial success in cannabis very difficult. In an effort to save money, cannabis businesses are…
[ad_1] “The very people that are benefiting from the legalization of weed aren’t the people that were most affected by the prohibition.” By Christopher Shea, Rhode Island Current Roberto Pena knows firsthand the damage the War on Drugs has done to communities of color. “Their life gets on pause for something that is seemingly so minor as smoking weed, never mind selling it,” he said Wednesday. “I used to sell weed to get through college and was one of the few lucky friends that never got caught.” Though marijuana has been legal since last December, Pena said not much positive…
[ad_1] “It is no secret that New York’s adult-use cannabis rollout has been slower than expected, and now is not the time to stand in the way of progress made.” By Christian Wade, The Center Square A New York judge has halted new cannabis licenses under a program that favors people with previous drug conviction charges following a legal challenge by a group of veterans. The ruling by Supreme Court Justice Kevin Bryant blocks the Office of Cannabis Management from granting new conditional adult-use recreational dispensary licenses, or processing existing ones, while the legal challenge plays out. It comes in…
[ad_1] “One of the biggest problems is the lack of investment in this industry. So we have to de-risk it.” By Anthony Hennen, The Center Square A circle of farmers in Pennsylvania have embraced hemp as state and federal money encourages growth of the industry. With government support, farmers troubleshoot how hemp plays a role in the production of textiles, paper, automotive bio-composites and construction projects. The need, advocates argue, lies in more research funding and building new markets in the commonwealth to support the crop. “We really don’t know what varieties will grow best in Pennsylvania,” Geoff Whaling, chairman…
[ad_1] “In this particular case, it was a pretty blatant disrespect for the law.” By Max Nesterak, Minnesota Reformer Law enforcement raided a tobacco store on the White Earth reservation on Wednesday evening for suspicion of selling marijuana without a license, in violation of state and tribal law. The store, Asema Tobacco and Pipe, is owned by a White Earth band member and advertised on Facebook that it had cannabis beginning August 1, when it became legal to possess across the state. The White Earth Nation’s tribal council voted to legalize recreational marijuana last Friday. The raid was conducted by…
[ad_1] “If I did not step aside, then that process would probably be stopped until my issue was resolved. And I didn’t want to be the reason to stop the whole process.” By Alander Rocha, Alabama Reflector Dr. Steven Stokes, the chair of the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC), resigned from the commission Thursday morning. Stokes, an oncologist who had served as chair since 2021, said in an interview Thursday afternoon that he resigned to prevent the commission and the medical cannabis approval process from being tied up in a lawsuit alleging that his appointment to the commission violated state…
[ad_1] “This is just going way over the top, as we warned everyone. They’re fining people and they’re being very aggressive about it.” By Graham Moomaw, Virginia Mercury Several Virginia businesses have been hit with five-figure fines this month as state officials start enforcing stricter new rules on the contents and labeling of hemp products to try to crack down on alternatives to marijuana. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services had sent five non-compliance letters as of July 24, assessing penalties ranging from $13,000 to $97,500, according to the agency. The letters, sent under a new civil penalty…