Latest Cannabis News: July 24, 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.

Medical

Florida: Florida’s attorney general is asking the state Supreme Court for another extension to file briefs in a case that will decide whether voters can consider a marijuana legalization initiative on the 2024 ballot.

Attorney General Ashley Moody (R), whose office is seeking to invalidate the cannabis measure, is currently due to reply to recent briefs from the campaign and supporters on Wednesday. Now she and outside groups that want to maintain marijuana prohibition are requesting a one-week extension from the court. The attorney general’s office says they’ve discussed the deadline extension request with the Smart & Safe Florida campaign, which opposes a one-week extension but would accept a shorter two-day delay.

Should the initiative make the 2024 ballot, at least 60 percent of Florida voters would have to approve the measure for it to be enacted. The action would take effect six months following approval by voters.

Source: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/florida-attorney-general-asks-supreme-court-for-more-time-to-reply-in-marijuana-legalization-ballot-case/

New Hampshire: The New Hampshire Senate again voted to reject legalizing marijuana on Thursday, keeping New Hampshire the lone New England state that has not yet embraced recreational cannabis. This decision comes after the New Hampshire House passed a cannabis legalization bill to the Senate in a 272-109 vote that echoed a long history of unsuccessful attempts to legalize marijuana in the state.

Legalizing marijuana has once again been rejected by the New Hampshire state Senate. On a 14-10 vote Thursday, senators shot down the House bill, signaling their opposition to recreational cannabis. This development has created an impasse among New Hampshire lawmakers over legislation to legalize marijuana through a multitiered system of state-controlled sales.

Source: https://thecannabiswatcher.com/pages/articles/news/2023/7/22/hampshire-senate-rejects-marijuana-legalization

Recreational

Missouri: The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services will start accepting applications for cannabis-related microbusinesses this week.

According to a press release, the department’s application portal will open on July 27 and remain open until Aug. 10. The department will then award six microbusiness licenses in each of the eight congressional districts in the state. The Missouri Lottery will conduct the lottery to ensure the integrity of the process. The lottery will take place by Sept. 1, and the results will be available on the department’s website as soon as they become available.

Source: https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/marijuana/missouri-cannabis-microbusiness-application-process/63-f819959b-9716-4638-b1e2-b00a37d33f99

New Jersey: A recent move intended to increase the number of cannabis businesses run by people with prior convictions for marijuana offenses or who live in economically disadvantaged parts of the state was rejected by New Jersey’s cannabis regulators Tuesday in a stunning about-face.

The Cannabis Regulatory Commission voted in June to give social equity applicants the first shot at wholesale, distributor, and delivery services licenses for one year starting in September. But Tuesday, the commission voted to limit the period after critics said the June decision would hurt cannabis entrepreneurs harmed by the drug war but do not fit the definition of social equity applicant. Under the new rules approved Tuesday, starting September 27, social equity applicants seeking wholesale, distributor, and delivery licenses get priority for three months. Then for the next three months, diversely owned cannabis businesses—owned by women, minorities, or disabled veterans—get priority.

Neither the June decision nor Tuesday’s apply to applicants for cultivation, manufacturing, or retail licenses.

Source: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/new-jersey-marijuana-regulators-scale-back-rule-to-prioritize-people-with-convictions-in-licensing-for-a-year/

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.