Marijuana Business Magazine

¬NDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS National & ¬nternational News Developments What’s Happening: Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment Extended Until December A key federal law protecting the medical marijuana industry from interference by the U.S. Department of Jus- tice has been extended until Dec. 8 under the provisions of an emergency aid package approved by Congress. The Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment – which has had to be renewed annually by Congress and was formerly known as Rohrabacher-Farr – was set to expire Sept. 30. However, it will now remain in place until at least early December. The amendment prohibits the U.S. Depart- ment of Justice from using federal funds to interfere with state medical marijuana programs, or from prosecuting MMJ businesses compliant with state law. Three Canadian Provinces Plan to Use State-Run Stores to Sell Recreational Cannabis Three Canadian provinces have announced plans to establish government-owned monopolies to handle retail sales of recreational marijuana, a move that excludes entrepreneurs from a significant sector in Canada’s new adult-use industry. Quebec – Canada’s second-largest province by popu- lation – in early October followed in the footsteps of Ontario and New Brunswick by turning to a government- owned corporation. Prince Edward Island is also expected to sell recrea- tional cannabis in government-run stores, while British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba might carve out a space for private businesses. Medical Marijuana Cultivation Now an Official Farming Sector in Israel Israel is classifying medical marijuana cultivation in the same farming sector as traditional agriculture. The Agricultural Ministry’s decision means up to 20 farmers will qualify for government aid in the form of grants, water quotas and training. The reclassification of Israel’s MMJ farmers follows an August announcement that the nation plans to begin exporting medical cannabis. The Agricultural Ministry hasn’t added a new farming classification since giving the nod to horse ranchers 10 years ago. Dana Rohrabacher