British Columbia cannabis stores can now receive samples from producers
Federally licensed cannabis producers are now allowed to provide authorized stores in British Columbia with product samples for a nominal fee to help them promote products.
Montana marijuana lab closes over compliance-software concern
Owners of a marijuana testing lab in Montana said they’ve shut down out of concern that regulators are more focused on tax revenue and less on a concern that the state’s compliance software could lead to untested cannabis.
Cannabis banking reform bill passes key Senate hearing
The latest push for federal cannabis banking reform in the United States passed a markup hearing in the Senate Banking Committee on Wednesday, demonstrating bipartisan support for allowing state-legal marijuana businesses to access financial services and setting up the bill for a full vote in the chamber.
Marijuana producer Organigram files CA$500 million shelf prospectus
Marijuana producer Organigram Holdings filed a preliminary short-form base shelf prospectus to raise up to 500 million Canadian dollars ($370 million) by issuing securities over a 25-month period.
How labor unions can benefit cannabis operators
Conventional wisdom contends that businesses and labor unions are naturally adversarial. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Wisconsin Democrats launch new marijuana legalization campaign
Wisconsin Democratic legislators have renewed their push to legalize medical and adult-use marijuana in the state, one of 10 without a legal MJ program of some form.
Applications for hemp-derived business permits surge in Minnesota
More than 1,000 companies and entrepreneurs have applied for business licenses to be part of Minnesota’s booming low-dose, hemp-derived products market.
Alaska eases rules on marijuana ads and sampling, eyes tax reform
Alaska is easing restrictions on marijuana advertising and product sampling, the latest step toward liberalizing the state’s cannabis program as state lawmakers also contemplate MJ tax reform.
Cannabis banking outlook bright in Senate, but federal shutdown looms
Long-awaited federal cannabis banking reform is expected to sail through a key U.S. Senate panel hearing Wednesday, which would be the first time the landmark legislation has secured a yes vote in the upper chamber of Congress.
Relative of deceased Alabama marijuana licensee defends family, Curaleaf
The granddaughter of a deceased applicant named on an Alabama medical marijuana license form defended her family and its joint venture with multistate operator Curaleaf Holdings.
Leafly wins temporary relief from third-party cannabis marketing ban in NY
The New York attorney general’s office and a state court have granted a temporary exemption for cannabis e-commerce platform Leafly Holdings to continue operations in the state.
Minnesota’s brand-new chief marijuana regulator resigns amid allegations
Erin Dupree, who was appointed the first director of Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management only last week, has resigned before even starting her role after a local media report that raised questions about her background, including an allegation that her business previously sold prohibited hemp-derived products.
Wholesale cannabis prices rise in key states, but downward pressure expected
Wholesale cannabis prices stabilized or rebounded in some key markets through the summer, but cultivators should brace for renewed downward pressure as the fall harvest boosts inventories through the end of the year, experts say.
PA advances bill allowing marijuana growers, processors to sell direct
Pennsylvania’s Senate approved a bill allowing medical marijuana growers and processors to sell product directly to patients.
Erin DuPree hired as first chief regulator for Minnesota’s cannabis industry
Erin DuPree has been appointed as the inaugural director of Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management as the state prepares to launch its regulated adult-use marijuana market.
Republican marijuana banking sponsors introduce bill to halt MJ rescheduling
Two key Republican senators sponsoring cannabis banking reform are now pushing new legislation to thwart the Biden administration’s historic marijuana rescheduling efforts.
Widespread product recall upends Missouri’s cannabis industry
A widespread recall targeting tens of thousands of infused cannabis products in Missouri has led to millions of dollars in lost sales and inventory for retailers and manufacturers, according to industry sources and court documents obtained by MJBizDaily.
Judge orders Rhode Island grower to halt marijuana sales amid allegations
A major marijuana grower in Rhode Island has been ordered to stop selling products while regulators consider alleged violations by the company.
State regulators want Congress to redefine, regulate hemp, delta-8 THC
An association of state cannabis regulators is asking Congress to include in the next Farm Bill new rules governing hemp and hemp-derived cannabinoids, including a new definition for what constitutes “hemp” versus marijuana.
British Columbia court tosses suit over cannabis store enforcement on reserves
A group of licensed cannabis retailers in British Columbia lost their bid to be compensated for the province’s alleged failure to “adequately” enforce provincial licensing requirements on Indigenous reserves.
Oregon regulators to allow marijuana products with aspergillus
The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission will allow the sale and transfer of marijuana products that have tested positive for aspergillus, a type of mold that has led to product recalls in several markets.
Thailand plans cannabis law rewrite to allow only medical sales
Thailand’s new prime minister said the Southeast Asian country plans to rewrite its cannabis laws to allow only medical use, a move that would halt widespread recreational sales and fundamentally alter the industry.
Missouri marijuana sales slip in August, but Montana sets monthly record
Monthly marijuana sales in Missouri shrank slightly to $119 million in August, but sales in Montana reached a high of nearly $28.7 million.
Cannabis tech company GrowerIQ wins CA$1 million government grant
Cannabis technology company GrowerIQ received a grant worth 1.08 million Canadian dollars ($790,000) to enhance its cannabis tracking system and broaden its reach as a global player in the industry.
Importance of reliable payroll provider highlighted by vendor aversion to marijuana clients
A marijuana company’s payroll provider should focus on cannabis and not also serve mainstream businesses, MJ executives agree.
Oklahoma regulators close 5 operations, seize ‘untraceable’ cannabis
A multi-agency investigation in Oklahoma has resulted in the closure of five marijuana businesses and the seizure of thousands of pounds of untraceable cannabis.
Vermont marijuana entrepreneur sues MSO Slang for fraud in merger deal
Executives of Toronto-based marijuana multistate operator Slang Worldwide allegedly hid their financial challenges when negotiating to acquire a Vermont-based retail chain, according to a lawsuit.
Senate cannabis banking bill unveiled with key vote expected next week
Senate Democrats have released an updated and rebranded cannabis banking reform bill ahead of a long-awaited committee markup and expected vote scheduled for next Wednesday.
New marijuana ETF hits the market based on rescheduling hopes
A new cannabis exchange traded fund (ETF) has been launched by Subversive Capital Advisor based on the potential rescheduling of marijuana by the U.S. government.
Denmark has destroyed more than 145,000 kilograms of cannabis
Much of the medical cannabis produced under Denmark’s regulatory regime has never made it to market and was intentionally destroyed for various reasons, according to government data.
California marijuana businesses beg gov to veto product label legislation
California marijuana companies are asking Gov. Gavin Newsom to veto a recently passed bill that’s meant to deter children from using cannabis products, claiming the legislation would instead ban many existing brands’ current logos while doing nothing to curb the illicit market.
Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission chair suspended
Shannon O’Brien, the chair of Massachusetts’ Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), has been suspended without pay.
Leafly lawsuit challenges New York ban on third-party marijuana marketers
A rule banning third-party advertising and marketing services in New York’s fledgling adult-use marijuana market is being challenged in court.
Cannabis producer BZAM cuts 90 more jobs after TGOD merger
Canadian cannabis producer BZAM has slashed another 90 employees as part of its merger with The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings (TGOD), which closed earlier this year.
Marijuana operator Columbia Care rebrands as The Cannabist Co.
Major marijuana multistate operator Columbia Care has a new corporate identity after rebranding as The Cannabist Co.
Canadian cannabis retail evolving, consolidating 5 years after legalization
Nearly five years after legalizing recreational marijuana at the federal level, Canada is approaching 4,000 regulated cannabis stores spread unevenly across the enormous country, according to data compiled by MJBizDaily.
Curaleaf marijuana retail employees in Phoenix return to work after 1-day strike
Workers at a Curaleaf Holdings marijuana store in central Phoenix went on a daylong strike Friday to protest a wrongful termination and operational policies, organizers told MJBizDaily.
Canadian cannabis producer Canopy Growth raising $25 million
Canadian cannabis producer Canopy Growth Corp. entered into subscription agreements with institutional investors in a private placement offering for gross proceeds of approximately $25 million (33.8 million Canadian dollars).
Marijuana MSO Columbia Care raises $25 million in private placement
New York-based marijuana multistate operator Columbia Care entered into subscription agreements with institutional investors to raise $25 million (33.8 million Canadian dollars) in a private placement.
Aeroponic cannabis cultivation offers benefits, but high-tech method is rare
Aeroponic cannabis cultivation, combined with careful environmental controls, can accelerate crop growth.
DEA is ‘likely’ to reschedule marijuana, government analysis predicts
The Drug Enforcement Administration will “likely” reschedule marijuana, following federal health regulators’ Aug. 29 recommendation, according to a government analysis.
California warns labs to accurately report cannabis testing results
California cannabis regulators sent warning notices demanding that state-licensed testing labs accurately report test results or face stiff penalties, including potential license revocation.
Is 3rd time the charm for Nebraska medical marijuana advocates?
Medical marijuana advocates in Nebraska officially launched their third petition campaign, aiming to put legalization to voters on the general election ballot in November 2024.
Michigan businessman gets prison in sordid cannabis bribery case
A Michigan businessman has been sentenced to 28 months in federal prison for bribing a former head of the state’s now-defunct Medical Marihuana Licensing Board.
Wisconsin governor still dedicated to marijuana legalization
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is still committed to legalizing marijuana, even though his latest attempt was shot down earlier this year by state Republican legislators.
Cannabis retailer High Tide reports small loss, positive free cash flow
Canadian cannabis retailer High Tide reported positive free cash flow of 4.1 million Canadian dollars ($3 million) for its third fiscal quarter of 2023, an important milestone as financing becomes harder to come by in the marijuana industry.
Opinion: Marijuana rescheduling is positive, but we must go further and faster
Rescheduling marijuana is positive news in an industry desperate for good news. But make no mistake, it is not enough.
Oklahoma high court declines to hear challenge to medical cannabis fees
The Oklahoma Supreme Court declined to hear arguments challenging a new law that significantly raises fees for medical cannabis operators.
14 congressional Republicans oppose proposed marijuana rescheduling
Fourteen Republican federal lawmakers are voicing their opposition to a key federal agency’s recent recommendation that marijuana be rescheduled.
Cannabis producer Canopy’s subsidiary BioSteel enters ‘hibernation’ ahead of planned sale
Struggling Canadian cannabis producer Canopy Growth Corp. is ceasing funding of its BioSteel subsidiary and plans to conduct a court-supervised sale of the brand and its property, the Ontario-based company said Thursday.
