Ohio regulators are cracking down on two medical marijuana dispensaries, alleging the retailers violated state rules involving ownership issues. Greenleaf Apothecaries, which does business as The Botanist, and Harvest of Ohio, won’t be able...
Jeff Smith
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Congressional panel urged to support states-rights marijuana legislation
The head of a cannabis industry lobbying group urged U.S. Congressional lawmakers Wednesday to pass legislation to protect state-legal marijuana businesses and resolve the “untenable” conflict between state and federal marijuana laws. Neal Levine, chief executive...
Florida appeals court nixes medical marijuana caps, vertical integration
A Florida appellate court ruled that the state’s medical cannabis licensing system is unconstitutional, setting the stage for greatly expanded business opportunities in one of the country's fastest-growing markets. Found unconstitutional were legislative measures that...
Marijuana companies’ intellectual property is crucial – here’s how to protect it
Marijuana products are ineligible for U.S. trademarks because the plant is federally illegal, but that’s not keeping businesses in the marijuana and hemp sectors from filing trademark and patent applications.
In fact, protecting intellectual property in this manner is something many cannabis companies should consider doing.
Key congressional panel to hold historic hearing on marijuana reform
A key U.S. House subcommittee will hold a landmark hearing next week about federal cannabis reform, a pivotal step in potentially advancing legislation that's intended to protect state-legal marijuana businesses. “Marijuana Laws in America: Racial Justice and the Need...
New Jersey governor signs pro-business medical cannabis expansion bill
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday signed a bill to expand the state's medical marijuana program, a day after his administration announced plans to issue 24 additional MMJ licenses. The expansion plans will offer significant business...
Oklahoma’s medical cannabis program powered by rapidly growing patient pool
Oklahoma’s medical marijuana sales are exceeding projections, thanks to patient participation rates among the highest in the country. The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority has enrolled more than 3.5% of the state's population as patients in its first year,...
New Jersey adds 24 medical cannabis business licenses but falls short of initial plan
New Jersey is significantly increasing the number of business licenses in its medical cannabis program, with the announcement Monday that the health department will issue up to 24 new permits. But the number - which includes four vertically integrated permits - is far...
Small marijuana firms could get SBA loans under proposed congressional bill
Cannabis-related businesses, especially those from disadvantaged communities, would be eligible to get loans backed by the federal Small Business Administration for the first time under proposed legislation. The bill - introduced by U.S. House Small Business Committee...
Bipartisan lawmakers offer congressional bill to promote cannabis, CBD research
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced a federal bill to bolster marijuana and CBD research, a move that could encourage more doctors to recommend medical cannabis and expand legalization efforts. The bill also would amend the definition of marijuana in the...
US Supreme Court declines to hear 280E marijuana tax case
Marijuana businesses hoping to see the end of onerous 280E tax provisions were dealt a setback by the nation's highest court. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to review a petition brought by a Colorado medical cannabis dispensary challenging the authority of the...
West Virginia medical marijuana sales start delayed until 2021 or 2022
In a blow to businesses hoping to quickly enter the West Virginia medical marijuana market, it could take up to three years before the new cannabis program is launched, a state official confirmed to Marijuana Business Daily. Allison Adler, director of communications...












