Latest Cannabis News: July 18, 2023

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.

CBD

North Carolina: A bill to legalize medical marijuana in North Carolina is likely dead for the session, the top Republican House lawmaker says.

House Speaker Tim Moore (R) said on Tuesday he will not break an internal rule that requires bills to have support from the majority of the Republican caucus in order to bring them to the floor. And while some GOP members back the cannabis bill, it doesn’t appear it will get that required majority this round.

Source: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/top-gop-north-carolina-lawmaker-signals-medical-marijuana-bill-is-likely-dead-for-the-year/

Medical 

Alabama: Last Monday the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission formally voted to delay granting licenses for the growth, manufacture and production of medical cannabis until a third party reviews how applications for the licenses were scored earlier this year.

The decision, following a June 16 meeting where the commission decided for delay amid controversy over the process, also signaled a rejection of calls to restart applications entirely. The Commission has contracted with an auditor KPMG, based out of Montvale, New Jersey, to review the tabulated scores.

Source: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/divided-alabama-medical-cannabis-commission-votes-to-delay-licenses-as-application-scoring-process-is-reviewed/

Recreational

Illinois: Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (“IDFPR”) announced today the results of the Social Equity Criteria Lottery (“SECL”) for 55 Conditional Adult Use Cannabis Dispensary Licenses. Almost 2,700 applicants participated in the lottery, which was held in conjunction by IDFPR and the Illinois Lottery. 

Before Conditional Licenses are issued, the Department will initiate a review process to ensure applicants selected meet all statutorily required rules. Once confirmed, the Department will issue a Conditional License. The results of the SECL may be found online here and below.

Source: https://www.illinois.gov/news/press-release.26715.html

Maryland: Governor Wes Moore today announced the appointment of Audrey L. Johnson as Acting Executive Director of the Office of Social Equity and Courtney Davis as Deputy Director. Johnson’s nomination will be submitted to the Senate for confirmation during the 2024 Legislative Session.

The Office of Social Equity, an independent agency established by the Cannabis Reform Act of 2023, is charged with providing resources and support for historically disadvantaged individuals and businesses seeking to enter the adult-use cannabis market. The vital responsibilities of the office include implementing technical assistance programs for qualifying social equity applicants and licensees, reviewing regulations and laws through an economic equity and social justice lens, and supporting key programs including the Community Repair and Reinvestment Fund and the Cannabis Business Assistance Fund.

Source: https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press/pages/governor-moore-announces-appointments-to-office-of-social-equity-and-cannabis-public-health-advisory-council.aspx

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