Legislative and Licensing Update: June 30, 2021

Federal cannabis prohibition mentioned by SCOTUS and continued progress at the state level across the U.S.

 

At the federal level,  Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in a recent statement that the federal prohibition on intrastate use or cultivation of marijuana may no longer be necessary or proper. 

 

Mexico’s Supreme Court struck down cannabis criminalization and the President is floating the idea of putting a marijuana legalization referendum on the ballot. 

 

In Delaware, the marijuana legalization bill is dead for now. They’ll revise and reintroduce it in 2022.

 

In Connecticut, possession is legal starting July 1. Sign up for our July 13 Webinar Blitz to get the rundown on the Connecticut cannabis licensing application process.

 

New Mexico’s law legalizing adult use and home cultivation of marijuana officially took effect. Under a timeline published by the Cannabis Control Division, regulators must establish an advisory committee and begin accepting certain marijuana business licenses no later than September 1.

 

Virginia legalization goes into effect this week as well (but remember, we have a long wait until retail sales can begin). 

 

In Florida, the licensing process is getting back underway after the Supreme Court ruled last month to allow the program to continue as is. At this point, the number of licensed operators dramatically lags behind part of the 2017 law requiring additional licenses as the number of qualified patients — now nearing 600,000 — increases. Under the law, Department of Health officials are required to add 15 MMTCs to the 22 existing operators. When the number of patients tips the 600,000 mark as expected in the coming months, the number of new licenses will increase to 19.

 

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey made appointments to the state’s new Medical Cannabis Commission. 

 

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said he has been talking with lawmakers who are crafting medical cannabis legislation to replace the voter-approved program that was overturned by the state Supreme Court. 

 

Denver, Colorado officials will host a webinar on the marijuana business licensing process on Thursday, July 1. 

 

Checkr launched a tool that automates the process of expunging marijuana conviction records.