The war to end cannabis prohibition rages on. Although we mark new progress daily, much work remains in the effort to liberate this particular plant. But the battle of ideas is over. On behalf of cannabis, I am formally declaring victory. It’s not just that 61 percent of Americans support legalizing cannabis for any purpose […]
Compliance and Regulations
The World’s Largest Standards Development Organization Becomes Significant Player in Cannabis Business
Earlier this year, the American Society for Testing and Materials International (ASTM) made an announcement that could one day be viewed as a turning point for the cannabis industry, second only to any future decisions coming from the federal government. In April, ASTM declared that it will create technical standards and guidance materials for the […]
Pharmaceutical industry lessons for cannabis
When it comes to developing and implementing an appropriately comprehensive security plan, the pharmaceutical industry knows what it is doing. You might say that this is not their first rodeo. That is not, however, the case with many cannabis businesses newly charged with mapping out security for the purposes of licensing and daily operations. The […]
When abnormal is the norm
Sometimes working in cannabis leaves me feeling like I’m through the looking glass. It’s not just that my job is federally illegal, or that we now offer receipts for cannabis after generations of lurking in the shadows. Often the strangest part of my day is when something “normal” happens. I was surprised and excited when […]
Municipalities “Opt In” Under Medical Marijuana Licensing Act
By Ben Wrigley The numbers of municipalities electing to opt-in under the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act (MMFLA) are growing in Michigan. According to a fact sheet from the Michigan Municipal League, on September 21, 2016, Governor Rick Snyder signed a package of bills (2016 PA 281-283) that significantly expands the types of medical marihuana […]
Florida Medical Marijuana Compromise Likely Won’t Allow Smoking
Florida patients may be able to vape or munch on medical-marijuana products but they almost certainly won’t be allowed to light up joints or take bong hits, under a compromise being worked on by House and Senate leaders. Lawmakers are trying to reach consensus on a proposal to carry out a constitutional amendment, overwhelmingly approved […]
Sec. Kelly: DHS Agents Will Enforce Pot Laws
Homeland Security will continue to make marijuana a major part of its criminal enforcement efforts, Secretary John F. Kelly said Tuesday, affirming the Trump administration’s policy and dealing a blow to legalization advocates who had hoped for a hands-off approach by federal authorities. Mr. Kelly, a retired Marine Corps general who as commander of U.S. forces in […]
From Farming to Regulations, Colorado Shares Its Pot Knowledge With Several States
North Carolina wants to know if marijuana could one day replace tobacco as a cash crop. Louisiana is wondering how cannabis holds up in high humidity. And Washington state has questions about water supplies for weed. Colorado agriculture officials this week briefed officials from about a dozen states – some that have legalized cannabis, others that […]
Cannabusiness Security Regulations: How the States Stack Up
As anybody with multi-state cannabis operations can attest, security regulations are inconsistent state to state. Indeed, as individual states adopt legislation that legalizes either medical or recreational marijuana, they often seem intent on re-inventing the wheel. And some of those wheels are better than others in their ability to sustain the momentum of the industry… […]
How Marijuana Businesses Fail
After conducting more than 450 compliance inspections on marijuana licenses and providing detailed compliance reports with scores for license owners, investors, banks, insurance and real estate providers, compliance data tells a compelling story. Where do marijuana businesses most commonly fail? Low-Hanging Fruit Low-hanging regulatory fruit are compliance areas where the most frequent violations occur, or […]
