Ohio Republicans have begun to propose legislative changes to the recently passed Issue 2, the Ohio Marijuana Legalization Initiative (Initiative), passed by over 57% of Ohioans in November. House Bill No. 341 (the Bill) was introduced on November 28 by Representative Gary Click (R) and does not currently have
Continue Reading Ohio Marijuana: House Member Introduces Bill to Amend Recently Passed Adult-Use Law
On November 7, 2023, voters in Ohio approved Ohio Issue 2, the Marijuana Legalization Initiative (the Initiative), which legalizes marijuana for recreational use in Ohio. Among its key provisions, the Ohio Initiative creates a new Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) within the Ohio Department of Commerce (DOC) to regulate marijuana
Continue Reading Ohio Legalizes Adult-Use Marijuana
The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) will open the application period for Social Equity marijuana retail licenses on March 1, 2023. The application period will close on March 30, 2023.
More than 40 marijuana retail licenses that were forfeited, canceled, revoked, or never issued will be made available to social equity applicants in specific jurisdictions across the state.
Continue Reading WA Application Period for Social Equity Marijuana Retail Licenses Opens March 1
In late October, the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) sent comprehensive License Application Forms to more than six hundred medical marijuana industry hopefuls throughout the state. The deadline to apply for one of Alabama’s 12 cultivator, four processor, four dispensary, five “integrated facility,” secure transporter, and state testing laboratory licenses is December 30, 2022.
Continue Reading The Marijuana Licensing Game is Officially Afoot in Alabama
On October 6, 2022, President Biden took his first steps to overhaul federal policy on marijuana. In doing so, he pardoned individuals with federal offenses for simple marijuana possession and initiated review as to how the drug is classified.
Continue Reading Biden Speaks Bluntly About Marijuana Reform
On its face, it appears to be counterintuitive: United States federal courts recognizing and enforcing workplace rights for employees working in an illegal industry. After all, we would not expect a judge to lend a sympathetic ear to the employee of an arms trafficker or an interstate fraud ring. However
Continue Reading Federal Discrimination Statutes and the Cannabis Industry: An Illegal Industry Still Subject to Federal Laws
With the anticipation of federal marijuana legalization, the cannabis industry rang in 2021 with sky-high equity values and anticipated social justice reforms seemingly imminent. However, differing ideas regarding how to legalize marijuana has left federal legalization in limbo and, 20 months later, the sector is still plagued by a myriad of factors that have effectively limited opportunities to succeed in the newly legal cannabis market: onerous capital requirements which can only be financed privately, prohibitions on granting licenses to drug felons, and other hurdles. While both chambers of Congress have made strides by passing bills addressing these issues, such as the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA), and the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, all have failed to secure enough bipartisan support to break through the stalemate.Continue Reading Cannabis and Social Justice Reform: Are We Doing Enough?
On Thursday, July 21, 2022, Senators Chuck Schumer, Ron Wyden, and Cory Booker unveiled the long-awaited Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA), which, if passed, would decriminalize marijuana at the federal level and require various federal agencies to establish rules for regulating various aspects of the marijuana industry.
Continue Reading Maybe This Time Will Be Different: Senate Unveils Legislation to Legalize Marijuana