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John Schroyer

A Sacramento-based journalist, John had focused on Colorado politics for most of his career, which included covering the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. In 2012, he covered the Amendment 64 campaign to legalize recreational marijuana for The Colorado Springs Gazette. As then-video editor for The Gazette, he was on hand for the first-ever legal recreational marijuana sale in Denver on Jan. 1, 2014. He’s been writing about the cannabis industry since joining Marijuana Business Daily over the summer of 2014.

Dozens of New Regulations on Colorado Cannabis Businesses

Published September 29, 2014

If you work in the marijuana industry in Colorado, brace yourself. The state’s Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) has finalized a set of roughly 30 new regulations including everything from testing standards to caps on outdoor marijuana growing production. The MED took industry feedback into account when crafting the new rules, though, and the cap on […]

Legal Hemp Harvest Underway in Kentucky

Published September 26, 2014

Remember that 250-pound bag of imported hemp seeds customs officials detained in Kentucky earlier this year, temporarily delaying a state-approved research program? Well, some of those seeds have grown into 10-foot-tall plants that were harvested this week and are now ready to be turned into everything from textiles to U.S. flags. The current crop being […]

Week in Review: 2016 on the Radar + Choice Words for Alaska TV Reporter & Eye-Popping Fees in MD

Published September 26, 2014

By Marijuana Business Media staff Efforts to legalize marijuana in 2016 heat up in several states, a television reporter’s on-air comments generate criticism, and Maryland considers lofty fees for MMJ businesses. Here’s a closer look at some of the more notable developments in the cannabis industry over the past week:

Casino Giant Files Trademark Lawsuit Against Nevada MMJ Company

Published September 26, 2014

The company that runs some of the most well-known casinos in Las Vegas has filed a lawsuit in federal court against a Nevada medical cannabis company, claiming trademark infringement, cybersquatting and unfair competition. In the suit, MGM Resorts International accuses M Life Inc. – which has filed an application to open a dispensary in Las […]

No Bankruptcy Protection for Cannabis Companies, Judges Rule

Published September 25, 2014

Marijuana businesses across the country, take heed: If your venture doesn’t pan out, don’t count on bankruptcy laws to help you out. According to a report in The Denver Post, at least four marijuana companies have had their bankruptcy claims thrown out by judges who have ruled that the entrepreneurs aren’t entitled to federal bankruptcy […]

Attorney General Holder Questions Marijuana’s Classification

Published September 25, 2014

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, who is resigning from his post later this year, suggested in an interview with Katie Couric that it’s time for the federal government to consider reclassifying marijuana. Reclassification could further open the door for medical and recreational marijuana legalization and the cannabis industry in general, though by how much is […]

Pennsylvania MMJ Bill Clears Senate, but Challenges Remain

Published September 25, 2014

Though a bill to legalize medical marijuana in Pennsylvania won overwhelming support in the state Senate this week, it seems unlikely to become law this year given two major hurdles. First, Gov. Tom Corbett has been very outspoken against marijuana legalization, and a spokesman for Corbett said on Wednesday that the Senate vote did not […]

369 MMJ Business Applications Submitted in Illinois

Published September 24, 2014

Illinois received 369 applications from entrepreneurs seeking licenses to open medical marijuana businesses, according to a preliminary count released Wednesday afternoon. That includes 158 applications to the Illinois Department of Agriculture for marijuana grow centers and 211 applications to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for dispensaries. The totals are much higher than the […]

Bogus Texas Marijuana Legalization Story Dupes Thousands

Published September 24, 2014

A fake news site duped thousands of online readers into believing – at least for a short while – that the deep red state of Texas had legalized marijuana use. The article on Newsbuzzdaily.com – titled “Texas to Permit Medicinal and Recreational Marijuana Use!” – sent the Twittersphere buzzing and garnered thousands of Facebook “likes” […]

Big Money Flowing Into Marijuana Ballot Measures From Businesses, Cannabis Execs

Published September 24, 2014

By John Schroyer Companies and investors have been throwing big bucks at the American political system for generations, pumping money into initiatives that will help their business prospects. But this hasn’t been the case when it comes to cannabis, where businesses have largely steered clear of providing financial support to legalization campaigns for one reason […]

Maryland Weighs $125K Fee for Cultivators, $40K for Dispensaries

Published September 24, 2014

A Maryland commission has proposed charging annual fees of $125,000 a year for cultivators and $40,000 for dispensaries – on top of up to $6,000 just to apply for a license. Commission members acknowledged that the numbers might price out mom-and-pop businesses from the industry. But they still need to figure out a way to […]

MMJ Sales Commence in Connecticut

Published September 23, 2014

Connecticut’s first two medical marijuana dispensaries have formally opened their doors to customers, ending a nearly two-year wait for patients. The Healing Corner in Bristol and Arrow Alternative Care in Hartford received their first shipments of cannabis – including pre-rolled joints, raw flowers and tablets that can be used in vaporizers – on Monday from […]