When San Francisco’s shelter-in-place order was announced on March 16, many city residents ran to the grocery store to stock up on things like canned goods and toilet paper. Other residents went straight to their local dispensary. “The day of shelter in place was the busiest day we’ve ever had,” said Eliot Dobris, a spokesperson […]
California
Amid Coronavirus, San Francisco, New York, Deem Marijuana Businesses ‘Essential’
When San Francisco announced its “shelter in place” order this week, it said only “essential businesses” could remain open to support the public’s needs, such as grocery stores and gas stations. Missing from that list were marijuana dispensaries. But a day after residents were told to stay home, the city revised its position and deemed […]
Federal prosecutors investigate California marijuana companies in wide-ranging probe
Eastern District of California seeks documents on roughly 30 companies from cannabis-retail listing service Weedmaps, according to grand-jury subpoena Federal prosecutors have launched a probe of cannabis companies in California, seeking a batch of records held by a startup that functions as a Yelp for marijuana dispensaries, according to a grand-jury subpoena reviewed by MarketWatch. […]
Labor unions flex their muscle in fight with California cannabis industry
California’s largest marijuana association is in a bind after powerful labor unions accused the organization of distributing an anti-union document and asked Democratic politicians to “refrain from engaging with” the group in a display of organized labor’s immense political muscle at the state Capitol. The call to cut off the California Cannabis Industry Assn.’s access […]
Legal marijuana use still costs people jobs. A new California bill takes on the issue
California voters legalized pot in 2016. But for many seeking jobs in state government, cannabis use has become an obstacle to getting hired. Now, a spike in the number of job applicants disqualified by state agencies after failing tests for marijuana use has spawned calls for new legislation and debate over whether employment rules should […]
Los Angeles County to dismiss nearly 66,000 marijuana convictions
In a sweeping move, Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey announced Thursday that her office has asked the court to dismiss nearly 66,000 marijuana convictions going back decades, CBS LA reported. In a news conference, Lacey called it the largest such undertaking in state history. “We believe it is the largest effort in California to wipe out […]
California Cannabis: DCR Issues City of Los Angeles Licensing Update
By Hilary Bricken, Co-founder Harris Bricken On Friday, January 31, the Los Angeles Department of Cannabis Regulation (“DCR”) issued an updates bulletin to stakeholders via email that outlines some important highlights and reminders for licensees and would-be licensees in the City. Below are the key points, with analysis. 1. Round 1, Phase 3 license applicants […]
Dangerous Vaping Products Seized From Unlicensed Cannabis Shops During Major Enforcement Operation
Officials Urge Californians to Avoid Unlicensed Cannabis Retailers, as More Than 10,000 Illegal Vape Pens Seized SACRAMENTO – A random sampling of the cannabis products seized from unlicensed retailers during a major enforcement operation in Los Angeles last month were found to contain undisclosed additives, some of them potentially dangerous, and significantly lower amounts of […]
California legalized marijuana 2 years ago. So why is the state seizing so much of it?
California voters made marijuana legal to purchase and consume, but that hasn’t stopped state and local law enforcement from seizing tons of it from black market growers and retailers. By the end of 2019, agents at the California Bureau of Cannabis Control alone had seized nearly 24 tons of illicit cannabis, valued at nearly $133 […]
The California Bureau of Cannabis Control Declares Vaping Crisis Emergency and Reguires All Licensed Retailers to Display Quick Response (QR) Code Certificate to Confirm Legal Licensure
Bureau of Cannabis Control Finding of Emergency and Notice of Proposed Emergency Regulations – Quick Response (QR) Code Certificate Requirements for Cannabis Licensees The Bureau of Cannabis Control (Bureau) finds that an emergency, as defined in Government Code section 11342.545 currently exists. As such, the Bureau finds that immediate action to amend the Bureau’s regulations […]
