Latest Cannabis News: August 6, 2024

Stay up to date with the latest legalization and cannabis news with the C.B. 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.

No Legalization

Nebraska:

Two newly filed marijuana legalization bills in Nebraska had initial committee hearings on Friday. A fiscal note on McKinney’s bill estimates the measure would bring in $18.9 million in fiscal year 2025, which would increase over time to an estimated $98.0 million in fiscal 2028. Annual state expenses for operations, meanwhile, are expected to start at $1 million annually and rise to $2.5 million by fiscal year 2028. Five percent would fund business development grants “in disproportionately impacted areas and for social equity applications,” the fiscal note says. Beyond the two new legalization bills discussed this week, citizen activists are also hoping to change that, working to qualify two prospective medical cannabis initiatives for November’s ballot.

Source: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/nebraska-lawmakers-hold-joint-hearing-on-two-marijuana-legalization-bills/

Medical

Arkansas:

Advocates with the Arkansas campaign to expand the state’s medical cannabis program have been given more time to collect additional signatures. advocates submitted more than 108,500 signatures, of which 85% were valid, but not enough total to get the issue on ballots, Arkansas Advocate reports. In a July 31 letter to the campaign, Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston said organizers have 30 days to gather new signatures, which must be submitted by August 30. The campaign submitted at least 77,000 valid signatures – the required number of signatures is 80,704. 

Source: https://www.ganjapreneur.com/arkansas-campaign-seeking-to-expand-medical-cannabis-gets-more-time-to-collect-signatures/

Kentucky:

The window to apply for a medical cannabis business license in Kentucky closes at the end of this month. The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services said it has received around a dozen permit applications for medical marijuana businesses.

Source: https://nkytribune.com/2024/08/kentuckys-medical-cannabis-business-license-application-window-set-to-close-august-31/

New Hampshire:

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) has signed into a law a major medical marijuana expansion bill that will allow doctors to recommend cannabis for any debilitating condition they believe it would improve. Previously, patients needed to be diagnosed with certain specific conditions to qualify for legal marijuana access. 

Source: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/new-hampshire-governor-signs-bill-allowing-medical-marijuana-for-any-condition-a-doctor-thinks-it-can-help/

Recreational

Maine:

AUGUSTA — City councilors have decided it is high time for Augusta to allow adults to purchase recreational marijuana in the city. Councilors voted 5-1 Thursday to allow recreational cannabis businesses to open and operate in Augusta, joining neighboring communities including Manchester, Hallowell and Gardiner in allowing recreational marijuana sales since residents statewide voted to legalize the sales in 2016. Councilors also voted to remove the cap on the number of cannabis businesses that are allowed to operate in the city, where medical marijuana businesses have been allowed to operate for several years.

Source: Recreational marijuana now allowed in Augusta (pressherald.com)

Minnesota:

Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) unveiled new draft marijuana rules on Wednesday as part of preparations for next year’s formal launch of the newly legal industry.

Source: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/minnesota-marijuana-regulators-release-new-draft-rules-for-the-legal-cannabis-industry/

Nevada:

Nevada County is scheduling three public meetings in August on proposed amendments to its commercial cannabis cultivation ordinance as directed by the Board of Supervisors. The draft ordinance proposes the following general changes in addition to other minor clarifications:

• Allow a maximum of three retail cannabis dispensaries in select areas of the unincorporated county through a competitive selection process and use permit process.
• Allow for manufacturing, indoor cultivation, distribution, and testing laboratories in industrial (M1) zoning districts within the unincorporated county.
• Create an Exclusion Zone Combining District that would allow neighbors to apply to prohibit all commercial cannabis activities within neighborhoods.
• Allow temporary cannabis events/markets in commercial zones.
• Require all cannabis sold to be Nevada County grown only.
• Require all property taxes to be paid prior to issuing cannabis permits.

Source: 2024-Proposed-Cannabis-Ordinance-Amendments (nevadacountyca.gov)

Ohio:

Recreational marijuana sales will begin across Ohio on Tuesday when the state issues its first operating certificates.

Nearly 100 medical marijuana dispensaries will be able to begin sales immediately, although it’s not clear how many will be ready to open, the Division of Cannabis Control said Monday.

Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/recreational-marijuana-sales-ohio-start-tuesday-100-locations-112579847

The Cannabis Business Advisors have more than thirty years of combined industry experience, spanning across the U.S. and around the globe. C.B. Advisors offers a comprehensive suite of services, including application and licensing preparation, operational analysis, merger and acquisition support, policy and procedures, exit strategy guidance, and business development planning.

Contact Info@thecannabisbusinessadvisors.com for more information on how to apply for a cannabis business license.