Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday signed into law a bill that will legalize marijuana in Illinois next year, marking a momentous shift in how the state treats drug use. The bill will allow the licensed growth, sales, possession and consumption of cannabis for adults 21 and older. The signing ceremony, attended by several lawmakers, officeholders […]
Policy & Legal
Gov. Pritzker expected to sign bill into law Tuesday that would legalize marijuana in Illinois on Jan. 1
Gov. J.B. Pritzker is expected Tuesday to approve a plan to legalize marijuana in Illinois next year, marking a momentous shift in how the state treats drug use. The governor is set to sign into law a bill allowing the licensed growth, sales, possession and consumption of cannabis for adults 21 and over, according to […]
Oregon has too much cannabis. Two laws may help the state manage its surplus
Matt Miller’s family has farmed pot in Oregon since well before it became legal. But since the market flooded after recreational use was approved by state voters in 2014, prices have plummeted, putting strain on the operation he runs with his wife, Rhea. Oregon’s lush climate and weed-tolerant culture have long resulted in large and […]
Cannabis-Related Patent Strategies Pending Legalization
In speaking with clients and others in the cannabis industry, one question we increasingly hear is whether it is worthwhile to try to obtain a patent for cannabis-related inventions in the current uncertain legalization climate. The short answer to this question is yes. That said, there are numerous potential strategies that can be pursued to […]
Cross-border Cannabis: The Potential Impact of Anti-Money Laundering Laws on International Cannabis Deals
When it was announced in April 2019, Canopy Growth Corp.’s conditional deal to purchase Acreage Holdings Inc. raised eyebrows not only because of its price tag (potentially exceeding US$ 3 billion in total consideration), but also because of the transacting parties’ apparent willingness to test the boundary of U.S. anti-money laundering law (“AML”). Canopy is a […]
Minorities find themselves almost shut out of Michigan’s marijuana business
When Margeaux Bruner looked into the possibility of getting a license to enter the blossoming marijuana industry, she realized she would face some barriers that might be impossible to overcome. The Novi resident has bachelor’s and master’s degrees and worked in the logistics industry, which would be handy skills if she was able to get a secure […]
42,000 can buy medical marijuana in Ohio; about half have done so
More than 42,000 people can legally buy medical marijuana in Ohio with a doctor’s recommendation, but only about half of them have, state records show. When asked why they haven’t bought any medicinal cannabis, patients cited a common reason: cost. Marijuana is approved to treat 21 conditions in Ohio, including post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic […]
Bureau of Cannabis Control launches get #Weedwise Campaign Focusin On Consumer Education and unlicensed Cannabis Businesses
PRESS RELEASE SACRAMENTO, CA – The Bureau of Cannabis Control (Bureau) announced today the launch of a statewide public information program, “Get #weedwise”, encouraging consumers to only purchase cannabis from licensed businesses and warning unlicensed businesses to become licensed. The “Get #weedwise” campaign includes extensive outreach educating consumers about the risks associated with cannabis purchased […]
Virginia Attorney General calls for marijuana legalization in Virginia
Attorney General Mark Herring says he will push Virginia to legalize recreational marijuana use for adults — a first for a statewide official in the commonwealth, which has traditionally taken a conservative approach toward drugs. Other prominent Virginia politicians have previously called for decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana, including the two Democrats who […]
New York lawmakers strike deal to decriminalize marijuana possession
State lawmakers were poised to give final passage Thursday night to a measure further decriminalizing possession of marijuana and create a process that could lead to the clearing of marijuana conviction records for tens of thousands of people. A separate measure to greatly expand the state’s existing medical marijuana program — which suffers from high […]
House Would Block Feds From Interfering With State Pot Laws
The Democratic-controlled House has voted to block the Justice Department from interfering with states that have legalized marijuana for recreational use. WASHINGTON (AP) — The Democratic-controlled House has voted to block the Justice Department from interfering with states that have legalized marijuana for recreational use. The bipartisan 267-165 vote represents a breakthrough for advocates of […]
Same problem, different state start-up; A doctor’s OK is required for Missouri’s medical marijuana program, but many won’t write one
Eczema and glaucoma keep Juan Rosado awake at night. He thinks marijuana can help. But he said his University City eye clinic isn’t certifying people for Missouri’s medical marijuana program. “I just have to go a different route,” said Rosado, 65, of St. Ann. People across the state are looking for doctors to certify them […]
No Ohio marijuana legalization measure on the 2019 ballot
Ohioans will not vote in 2019 whether to broadly legalize marijuana in the Buckeye State, despite several recent reports to the contrary. Yes, there was a proposed constitutional amendment in the works last year, but that effort largely fizzled last fall. Ohio Families for Change, the group backing the Marijuana Rights and Regulations amendment, deactivated its Facebook […]
Recreational Marijuana Use in Las Vegas
On January 7, 2017, the use of recreational weed in Las Vegas, Nevada was finally legalized with the enactment of the Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act, when the voting populace voted favorably in an initiative petition for recreational marijuana use and was approved at the General Election held on November 8, 2016. A resounding […]
California Regulation Guidelines and Commentary
In January, three California cannabis agencies finalized their regulations. The Bureau of Cannabis Control (“BCC,” regulator of retailers and distributors), California Department of Food and Agriculture (“CDFA,” responsible for cultivators) and California Department of Public Health (“CDPH” responsible for manufacturers). Previously we wrote about disclosure requirements applicable to a licensee’s directors, executives, 20% shareholders, and […]
Legalizing marijuana in New York won’t happen in final days of legislative session
Legalizing marijuana in New York will have to wait until next year. Lawmakers and Gov. Andrew Cuomo are set to end the legislation session in the next day or two without an agreement to make New York the 11th state to allow marijuana sales and possession. Supporters scrambled this week to put together legislation that would satisfy undecided […]
Will Texans give up gun rights to get medical marijuana? Federal government says they have to
AUSTIN — For years, Joshua Raines has been using marijuana illegally to treat the epilepsy and PTSD he developed during his five years in the Army. His diagnosis was set off after suffering a traumatic brain injury during a bomb explosion while in Afghanistan. Raines, 31, has been eligible for a legal prescription of medical marijuana […]
Marijuana Legalization Isn’t Dead Yet in New York
Lawmakers in New York are mounting a renewed and frantic push to legalize marijuana before the legislative session ends on Wednesday, even as debates about revenue and political blowback that doomed an earlier attempt have threatened to derail the effort again. Staff members from the State Senate, Assembly and governor’s office met throughout the weekend, […]
