Legislative and Licensing Update: September 15, 2021
Much-anticipated dispensary application news from Ohio and progress in Alabama’s medical marijuana process.
Plus, updates in cannabis regulations and programs in California, Illinois, Maryland, New Mexico, New York, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
Ohio – The Ohio Board of Pharmacy met on September 14 and announced the much-anticipated timeline and instructions for Medical Marijuana Dispensary Applications.
The Request for Application and required forms will be published on Monday, September 20.
From there, it’s a quick 59-day process. Other key dates:
First Q&A Period: September 20 – October 6, 2021
Second Q&A Period: October 17 – October 21, 2021
Application Acceptance Period Begins: November 4, 2021, at 8:00 am Eastern
Application Acceptance Period Concludes: November 18, 2021, at 2:00 pm Eastern
Alabama – Medical Cannabis Commission chose state treasurer John McMillan as their program’s executive director, and the Commission is pushing legislators to push up the timeline for rollout of the program, which is currently set to start licensing in September of next year.
California lawmakers sent Governor Gavin Newsom (D) a bill to legalize smokable hemp and allow CBD-infused foods, drinks, and cosmetics, as well as a separate piece of legislation to allow medical cannabis use in hospitals.
Also, regulators in California’s Department of Cannabis Control are consolidating the three former cannabis programs, which all had different regulations, into one.
Illinois – Chicago’s City Council’s Zoning Committee approved the mayor’s plan to ease marijuana business zoning rules.
Maryland – A ten-member panel of lawmakers is taking the first step toward putting marijuana legalization on the 2022 ballot.
New Mexico regulators filed emergency rules on cannabis manufacturing, in order to accept applications in the near future.
New York – Governor Hochul is moving things forward by quickly appointing the chair of the Cannabis Control Board earlier in September. With additional board appointments this week, there are only two remaining seats to be filled which will lead to the long-awaited regulatory system for the adult-use program.
The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe is accepting New York’s first marijuana retail license applications. Meanwhile, the state’s Cannabis Control Board has not yet been fully appointed.
South Dakota legislature’s Interim Rules Review Committee approved most medical cannabis regulations but rejected others.
Wyoming – The Secretary of State has provided official petitions for 2022 medical cannabis legalization and marijuana decriminalization initiatives. Activists held events in seven cities last weekend to collect signatures to qualify for the ballot.