Latest Cannabis News: August 3, 2021
Latest Cannabis News: August 3, 2021
Stay up to date with the latest legalization and cannabis news with the CB Advisors. Every week, we will release a snippet of what’s happening with each state in the cannabis industry. Did you miss last week? No worries – click here for last week’s cannabis news.
CBD
North Carolina: Last week, the Senate Finance Committee advanced a bill that would allow patients to use and safely access medical cannabis if they have a qualifying debilitating medical condition. The committee first adopted an amendment to direct medical cannabis sales tax revenue to fund the medical cannabis supply system and a cannabis research program at the University of North Carolina.
As you may recall, SB 711, otherwise known as the “NC Compassionate Care Act,” is sponsored by Rules Committee Chairman Bill Rabon (R) and has already advanced through the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill would establish a nine-member Medical Cannabis Advisory Board and a 13-member Medical Cannabis Production Commission. The Medical Cannabis Advisory Board would have the power to add new debilitating conditions to the program, while the Medical Cannabis Production Commission would regulate the supply of medical cannabis. You can check out a summary of the bill here.
Before SB 711 is considered for a Senate floor vote, it must win approval from the Health Care and Rules and Regulations committees.
Source: https://blog.mpp.org/medical-marijuana/nc-senate-finance-committee-advances-medical-cannabis-bill/
Medical
Mississippi: A Mississippi Senate committee is close to finishing draft legislation to legalize medical marijuana, two months after the state’s highest court struck down a voter-approved, business-friendly bill, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann said. The development leaves open the possibility that Gov. Tate Reeves could call a special session later this summer to address the issue, according to WAPT-TV in Jackson and other media. The governor might feel pressure to do so after voters in the Deep South state approved MMJ legalization by an overwhelming margin at the ballot box in November.
The measure, however, isn’t expected to be nearly as pro-business as the voter-approved version. Full details of the potential Senate bill weren’t disclosed.
Source: https://mjbizdaily.com/mississippi-lawmakers-drafting-medical-marijuana-measure/’
Ohio: Ohio lawmakers on Friday formally introduced a bill to legalize marijuana possession, production and sales—the first effort of its kind in the state legislature. This comes as activists are pursuing a separate ballot initiative that would effectively force the legislature to consider similar cannabis reforms. Reps. Casey Weinstein (D) and Terrence Upchurch (D) filed the legislation, weeks after circulating a co-sponsorship memo to colleagues to build support for the measure. The 180-page bill would legalize possession of up to five ounces of cannabis for adults 21 and older and allow them to cultivate up to 12 plants for personal use. It also includes provisions to expunge prior convictions for possession and cultivation activities that are being made legal under the measure.
Rhode Island: State regulators say the lottery to award licenses to operate six new medical marijuana facilities has been delayed due to an ongoing appeal of a rejected lottery applicant. The administrative appeal first delayed the lottery in the spring and now it will not happen the first week of August either, the Providence Journal reported.
Matthew Santacroce, chief of the Office of Cannabis Regulation within the Department of Business Regulation, said Tuesday that the lottery will not be scheduled until the appeal has run its course and it remains unclear how long that could take.
The new facilities will be dispersed around the state in six regions, joining the dispensaries in Providence, Portsmouth and Warwick. The push for more facilities comes as lawmakers consider legalizing recreational use. The state Senate passed a bill to do so last session, however, it was punted by the House.
Source: https://www.greenstate.com/news/rhode-island-medical-marijuana-lottery-delayed-16347048/
Recreational
Colorado: Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has announced the creation of a Cannabis Business Office to promote social equity, provide financial and technical assistance to entrepreneurs and create jobs in the state’s $2.2 billion marijuana industry.
The office was authorized by legislation passed during the Legislature’s 2021 session that provides an initial $4 million from the state’s marijuana cash tax fund for its operations.
In part, it will provide microloans and grants for seed money for capital and business expenses, as well as planning advice and other support for business owners, especially in economically disadvantaged areas. It will assist business owners, especially people of color, whose past marijuana arrests or convictions barred their entry into the industry.
Source: https://www.denverpost.com/2021/07/29/colorado-marijuana-social-equity/
Illinois: Illinois held the first of three lotteries for 185 new recreational marijuana dispensary licenses Thursday, awarding 55 new licenses across the state. The state will hold a drawing on Aug. 6 giving 55 licenses specifically to groups owned by someone or their family member who was arrested or convicted of a minor cannabis offense or people from communities most affected by the war on drugs. On Aug. 19, Illinois will also distribute 75 licenses to the 21 finalists who achieved perfect scores to qualify for the original license lottery last year.
Source: https://www.bnd.com/news/local/article253152168.html
South Dakota: The South Dakota Department of Health is holding a public hearing this month on the rules for the state’s medical marijuana program.
That hearing is scheduled for August 18th from 1:30 to 3:30 pm in the Kneip Building in Pierre. Anyone interested in testifying can do so in person or remotely. Those wishing to testify remotely need to register by August 13th. Individuals may also send written comments/materials to the South Dakota Department of Health at 600 East Capitol Avenue, Pierre, South Dakota, 57501.
For more information on the South Dakota medical cannabis program, visit medcannabis.sd.gov
Washington: The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board received many questions regarding the legality of manufacturing THC from hemp-based CBD. Some cannabis businesses wanted to know the specifics when it comes to manufacturing different marijuana products such as flower and concentrates. This created a need to address the issue, with assessments and analysis of statutory provisions related to the process. Following the thorough analysis, the board announced on July 23 its interpretive statement.
The statement declares, “Processors licensed under RCW 69.50.363 may not legally convert CBD into delta-9 THC, as the license privileges do not allow them to manufacture THC.” It goes on further to say, “As many producing of a THC product falls outside the license privileges of a processor licensed by the LCB, the manufacturing activity may be considered a controlled substances act violation, and a misuse of the processors license.” The document concludes, “Additionally, licensed processors may not sell or purchase any THC product not legally produced by a licensed marijuana producer.”
Contact Info@thecannabisbusinessadvisors.com for more information on how to apply for a cannabis business license.
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