Legislative and Licensing Update: Week of May 3, 2021
This week’s news covers cannabis legalization and regulatory updates from Alaska and Hawaii to Alabama and Rhode Island — and the “usual suspects” in between.
Tune in to learn the related impacts and opportunities for cannabis entrepreneurs.
Photo by Braden Jarvis on Unsplash
Hawaii:
The Hawaii House adopted a resolution last week that seeks an exemption from the DEA to run its medical cannabis program without federal interference. It’s a long shot, but it may open the door for increased federal pressure from other states that are on the fence about legalization who would also seek DEA reassurance.
Oklahoma:
Oklahoma’s Medical Marijuana Authority extended the date operators would need to start using the state’s seed-to-sale tracking system, Metrc, from May 1st to June 30th. This decision was made in accordance with a court agreement from an emergency hearing held last week.
California:
The federal government has asked a judge to sentence two former Calexico city officials to 2-and-a-half years in prison with three years of supervised release after they pled guilty last year to accepting a $35,000 bribe to expedite a cannabis business license.
Alabama:
Twenty-three (of the 42) Alabama district attorneys sent a letter urging lawmakers not to legalize cannabis–relying on outdated arguments. On the bright side, if you donate to support Alabama’s medical cannabis movement you can get an Alabama cannabis sticker from the Alabama Democratic Party.
New Jersey:
Earlier this month, Ocean City adopted an ordinance that bans businesses that cultivate, manufacture, test, or sell cannabis. Other Shore towns, including Stone Harbor, Sea Isle City, Wildwood Crest, and Cape May, are well along in the process of passing similar ordinances.
For more gritty details on NJ’s new cannabis laws, join me and Regulatory Analyst, Vince DiMichele this Wednesday for a free 30-minute webinar with tips and tricks for getting ahead in New Jersey.
Rhode Island:
Released the list of applicants that qualify for inclusion in the dispensary license lottery originally scheduled for May 14 (though it may face delays since the state has had trouble finding a company willing to run the lottery).
Alaska:
Regulators will consider marijuana business license applications at special meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 4th and 5th, this week.
Colorado:
Denver officials sent a reminder that they will not accept applications for new marijuana business licenses or transfers of location until June.
Washington:
State regulators approved a rule change to expand marijuana plant canopy square footage and adopted emergency rules on vitamin E acetate in vapor products.