AUGUSTA, Maine — Recreational pot sales are getting closer to becoming a reality in Maine as state regulators open the licensing process for businesses Thursday. Business owners hoping to cash in can apply using an online form on the state’s website. The process for individual licenses began in November. All applicants have to go through […]
Policy & Legal
Missouri will license all marijuana businesses by Feb. 1, officials say
Missouri let hundreds of business groups know Thursday when they’ll find out whether they won one of the limited number of state licenses to grow, process and sell marijuana for medical use. The first licenses — for 10 facilities that will test marijuana products — will be awarded “approximately” Dec. 19, and all businesses will have been […]
Senate panel votes against New Hampshire marijuana legalization
One of New Hampshire’s top champions of marijuana legalization in the Senate changed his tune Tuesday, announcing it was not the right time to pass a sweeping legalization bill. “I don’t think the state is ready for legalization at this time,’ said Sen. Harold French, in brief remarks before the Senate Judiciary Committee, arguing the bill […]
Proposed federal hemp rules would hurt Maine’s fledgling industry, state officials say
State agriculture officials are saying new federal rules regulating hemp production nationally would hurt Maine’s rapidly growing hemp industry. The rules proposed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture are open for public comment, and Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Amanda Beal detailed the state’s concerns about them in comments released Wednesday. Hemp, […]
Intellectual Property in the Cannabis Industry – Protecting Innovations and Products, Part I: Trade Secrets
A cannabis product business is no simple venture. Cannabusinesses have to innovate to remain competitive just like any other company, but in an industry plagued by complex and changing federal and state regulations of marijuana (aka cannabis). At the heart of every innovation lies potentially protectible intellectual property (IP) rights and that is no different […]
Illinois Cannabis Activity Heating Up
While Illinois residents eagerly await the legal availability of cannabis for recreational use on January 1st, industry participants and state government regulators are scrambling to ensure a smooth licensure process ahead of the commencement of retail sales. While several incumbent medical cannabis cultivators and dispensaries have now received their “early approval” licenses and will be […]
A Chicago suburb wants to give reparations to black residents. Its funding source? A tax on marijuana.
In Evanston, Ill., city officials are hashing out a plan for racial equity — with emphasis on the hash. As Illinois prepares to legalize recreational marijuana, the Chicago suburb has voted to tax the sale of cannabis — expected to generate hundreds of thousands of dollars each year — to fund race-based reparations for its […]
Brazil approves medical marijuana rules, blocks cannabis cultivation
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – Brazilian pharmaceutical regulator Anvisa on Tuesday approved regulations for the roll-out of medicinal cannabis-based products but in a separate vote blocked a proposal to allow domestic medical marijuana plantations. Anvisa’s approval of rules to regulate the nascent medical marijuana market represents a major shift in a country that has suffered […]
How to Export Medical Cannabis Internationally
By Vince Sliwoski, Attorney at Harris Bricken Over the past few years, our international trade team has advised a rapidly expanding suite of clients on import/export issues related to cannabis. We regularly advise clients on manufacturing overseas, hemp import/export issues, and customs. Currently we are also working on heady questions surrounding international treaties and cannabis. One thing […]
A Glimpse Of the US Future: Shoppers Drug Mart expands medical cannabis online sales to Canadian East Coast
Residents of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and P.E.I. can now make purchases through pharmacy chain Canadian pharmacy giant Shoppers Drug Mart has expanded its online medical cannabis platform to Canada’s East Coast. As of today, residents of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island can go online on the company’s website to make their […]
Cannabis shops rake in $221,000 on first day of Michigan’s legal sales
Michigan pot shops generated $221,000 in sales Sunday during the state’s first day of legal recreational marijuana purchases — generated by three licensed facilities in Ann Arbor. The total on the first day of legal adult use sales in Michigan doesn’t include the $22,100 paid to the state because of the 10% excise tax on adult use […]
Weed-themed gifts are hot for the holidays, but the etiquette can be tricky. How to avoid an awkward Christmas morning.
Saint Lucia’s Smoke Shop in Bucktown has a colorful new display of greeting cards for shoppers this holiday season, and the wintry cheer they bring comes with a marijuana-themed twist. The $10 cards, as ornate and bright as any greeting card, have sayings like “Let’s blaze for the holidaze,” and “Ho-ho-high.” And instead of a […]
Sunday marks first day of recreational marijuana sales in Michigan, draws large crowds
Hundreds of people lined the blocks outside local marijuana dispensaries early Sunday morning as Ann Arbor businesses Exclusive Brands, Arbors Wellness and Greenstone Provisions opened sales of marijuana to recreational users for the first time. The stores are three of six retail shops in the state of Michigan licensed to sell recreational marijuana. Michigan passed Proposal 18-1 last November, […]
Finally, you’ll be able to buy marijuana the way you want it in Florida
Many of Florida’s marijuana dispensaries were not ready when Gov. Ron DeSantis made smokable medical marijuana legal in March.They were busy making oils, capsules, vape cartridges and other cannabis products. In recent months, dispensaries have been struggling to provide enough smokable whole flower, which is the entire marijuana bud, to meet patients’ demands. Some patients prefer smoking […]
Seattle metro area is one of just three in America where marijuana use tops nicotine, data shows
As more states legalize marijuana, the number of adult consumers has been on the rise. But there are only three major metro areas where cannabis is more popular than cigarettes and other products containing nicotine, according to new market-research data. And — you guessed it — Seattle is one of them. More than 700,000 people age […]
One month to go until recreational weed becomes legal in Illinois. Here’s what you need to know.
When the most popular medical marijuana dispensary in Chicago begins selling recreational pot on New Year’s Day, it will operate like a busy restaurant. Dispensary 33 plans to take names from those in line and page customers by phone when they can get in. The North Side cannabis shop will take that unusual step due […]
Recreational marijuana sales will begin after 10 a.m. Sunday in Michigan
LANSING, MI — The first commercial recreational marijuana sales in Michigan are expected to occur after 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 1. The Michigan Regulatory Agency on Wednesday, Nov. 27, announced it plans to officially transfer product currently licensed under the medical marijuana to the recreational side for sale at that time. Employees for the three […]
Cannabis Taxation: C Corp, S Corp, LLC, LLP, Partnership, Nonprofit, or Something Else for Your Cannabis Business?
By Jonathan Bench, Attorney at Harris Bricken One of the most fundamental questions facing any businessperson in the cannabis industry and every other industry is: “What type of business entity should I use?” This is such a loaded question that your lawyer or accountant will first respond with, “That depends,” and then they will need […]
