Category: Cannabis Law News

A key U.S. Senate panel will meet next week to consider steps that could make it easier for marijuana companies to obtain banking services, a move that could pave the way for crucial MJ reform. Reports MJ Biz

Who’s been naughty, who might need a lawyer- look no further.

The Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA) have announced the details of the state’s  Social Equity Program. “The program is designed to encourage participation in the marijuana industry by those in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by marijuana prohibition and enforcement. “

“We believe FDA must act swiftly as a growing number of hemp-derived CBD products on the market, whether labeled as dietary supplements, food or cosmetics, can put consumers at risk due to poor quality or misleading claims.”

Interesting piece in Rolling Stone analysing who needs to be managed, persuaded, cajoled on the Hill into order to have any chance of getting Federal regulation for cannabis.

Marilyn Mosby the State’s Attorney for Baltimore, Maryland, United States and  the youngest chief prosecutor of any major American city has written an op-ed for The Baltimore Sun, in which she says. “Nevertheless, I went to Congress because I will never give up the fight for a more equitable criminal justice system. My hope is that members of Congress hear my plea for broad marijuana reform that encourages and incentivizes the states to create access to the industry for those harmed by prohibition, automates mass expungement and promotes community reinvestment from marijuana tax revenue.”

The Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs will hold a hearing Tuesday, July 23, on “Challenges for Cannabis and Banking: Outside Perspectives.” A variety of stakeholders have been invited to testify, including the bill’s sponsors, bank and credit union officials, and LivWell Enlightened Health CEO John Lord. Says a Cannabis Trade Federation advisory alert.

Republican Gov. Chris Sununu has signed legislation into law establishing procedures permitting those with prior, low-level marijuana convictions to petition the court to have their convictions annulled. Report NORML

Many in-house counsel according to the report having growing concerns over cannabis-related litigation. Jean Smith Gonnell, general counsel at STWC Holdings Inc., said she will not be surprised if more resources are spent on litigation. Writes Law.com

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips has become the latest Big Law firm to publicly join the green rush, announcing Monday that it has formally launched a cannabis-focused practice team.

Those of you who have been watching Green Flower recently will know that they just finished series A funding and are supposedly cashed up to the tune of $US20million thanks to Tuatara Capital, with additional funding from the likes of Poseidon Asset Management and Phyto Partners. Obviously they’ve persuaded the right people that they will be the education platform for cannabis.

If you need to get an idea of what’s currently happening in Montana, this is a good overview. They write, “The next 18 months are shaping up to be a time of upheaval and change for Montana’s chaotic cannabis space.’Tethering’ disappears in 2020: Patients will finally be able to buy from more than one dispensary.”

This is a little off topic for Cannabis Law Report but the settlement is so large it’s worth being aware. Does it set a precedent ? Are there other opioid producers out there about to countenance similar settlements?

We reported on the 2 Oregon’s reps mooted bill to try and engage the states into intra state cannabis commerce now Oregon has ratified its own legislation. Here’s ORCA’s (Oregon Retail Cannabis Assoc’s) take. Always worth a read.

This one isn’t getting past the post in most states. MJ Biz write, “Alaska regulators rejected a cannabis retailer’s application to permit customers to consume marijuana on the store’s premises, delivering a setback to the industry’s first attempt to win approval for on-site consumption.”

You can be given an ounce of cannabis but you can’t barter it and never more than 3 plants budding at any given time. Read on…..

As Congress considers the end of marijuana prohibition, the Marijuana Justice Coalition believes that any legislation that moves forward in Congress should be comprehensive. The provisions set forth below are agreed upon by the undersigned criminal justice, drug policy, civil rights, and anti-poverty groups as principles that should be considered as a part of any moving marijuana reform efforts in Congress:

Oklahoma’s News4 details the changes proposed.

MJ Biz Daily report on a ruling (assertion) that will force big changes in the state if no challenges or appeals are successful. Jeffrey Sharkey, executive director of the Medical Marijuana Business Association of Florida, concurred.
“If upheld, this ruling could dramatically change the medical marijuana regulatory landscape in Florida,” he wrote in an email to MJBizDaily.

Must read article. “Cannabis is a Schroedinger’s weed: simultaneously legal in many states and illegal to transport across state lines under federal law. As a result of this federalism quandary, it is unlike any other commodity in the United States: Businesses must vertically integrate all cannabis commerce within balkanized state marketplaces.”