Sep 09 2024

California: Lawsuit Dropped Against 13 Marijuana Testing Labs

Anresco Laboratories and Infinite Chemical Analysis Labs have dropped their lawsuit against 13 competing labs they accused of manipulating marijuana test results to attract business, MJBizDaily reports.

The two California-based labs voluntarily withdrew their complaint on August 3 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, according to court records. Josh Swider, co-founder and CEO of Infinite Chemical Analysis Labs, confirmed to MJBizDaily that they intend to refile the lawsuit soon. “We stand by our claims and plan to file a new complaint in the near future,” Swider stated via email.

Swider’s lab has been in the spotlight recently due to its role in uncovering pesticide contamination in California’s cannabis market. Infinite Chemical Analysis and Anresco were among the labs that reported the presence of illegal pesticides in cannabis products sold in the state, triggering recalls by the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC).
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Sep 09 2024

Texas Poll Finds 68% of Voters Support Decriminalizing Marijuana

A new poll reveals that a large majority of Texas voters, across party lines, favor decriminalizing marijuana.

According to the survey by the University of Texas/Texas Politics Project, more voters in Texas support decriminalizing marijuana than do relaxing rules on guns, gambling, or abortion.

When asked if penalties for cannabis possession or use should be downgraded to just a citation and fine, 68% of respondents backed the idea, with 42% expressing “strong” support. This reform received approval from a majority of Democrats (81%), Republicans (59%), and independents (61%).
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Sep 09 2024

Maine Marijuana Sales Break Monthly Record for Second Straight Month

In August, there was considerably more legal marijuana sold in Maine than any previous month.

(Photo credit: Vista).

According to the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy, there was $23,951,539 worth of legal marijuana and marijuana products sold throughout August. This is over $1 million more than the then-record setting $22,861,337 sold last month. The previous monthly high was $21.7 million set in August 2023.

The majority of sales were for “usable cannabis”, which is dried marijuana flower, prerolls, shake, etc., with sales at $13.8 million. Concentrates were the next biggest catagory with $6.3 million in sales in August. In terms of infused products such as edibles and capsules, there was $3.7 million in sales. Continue reading

Sep 09 2024

Trump Reaffirms Support for Florida’s Amendment 3, Endorses Federal Rescheduling and Marijuana Banking Legislation

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has confirmed that he will vote for Florida’s marijuana legalization initiative, Amendment 3. He also indicated that if he wins the presidency, he plans to work with Congress on federal marijuana reforms, including the SAFER Banking Act.

(Photo credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images).

In a recent social media post, Trump shared his belief that it’s time to stop arresting and imprisoning adults for possessing small amounts of marijuana for personal use. He emphasized the importance of smart regulations and safe access to tested products for adults.

Trump, a Florida resident, confirmed he will vote “yes” on Amendment 3, which is set for November, and as president, he will support rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III, a move pursued by the Biden Administration. He also highlighted his commitment to working with Congress on passing sensible laws, such as SAFE banking for state-regulated companies, while respecting states’ rights to enact their own marijuana laws.
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Sep 08 2024

Marijuana in the November 2024 Election: A Breakdown of State and Local Initiatives

The November 5, 2024 election, now less than two months away, is set to be a monumental day for marijuana law reform, with numerous state and local initiatives up for vote.

Multiple states and cities this November will consider measures that would either legalize medical marijuana, legal recreational marijuana, or decriminalize marijuana possession. Most notably, it’s possible that the 24 legal marijuana states could jump to 27 following the November election.

With that said, below is a look at each state and locality voting on marijuana measures this November.
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Sep 08 2024

North Carolina Marijuana Superstore’s First Two Days: No Reported Arrests, Over 1,000 Patrons

The Great Smoky Cannabis Company, located in North Carolina on the tribal land of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, is nearing the end of its second day open to everyone 21 and older.

Since the Great Smoky Cannabis Company, located at 91 Bingo Loop Rd in Cherokee, opened its doors yesterday at 10 a.m. to everyone 21 and older, regardless of tribal membership, the store has welcomed over 1,000 patrons.

Despite concerns that police might arrest those who purchase marijuana and then leave tribal land, since marijuana remains illegal in North Carolina, not a single arrests has been reported involving store customers.
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Sep 08 2024

Massachusetts Campaign to Legalize Psychedelics (Question 4) Raises Over $5 Million

The campaign in support of Question 4, an initiative on the November ballot that would legalize certain psychedelics, has raised over $5 million.

Mescaline (top left), ibogaine (top right), psilocybin mushrooms (bottom left), and DMT (bottom right). All four would be legalized under Question 4.

Question 4, put forth by the nonprofit Massachusetts for Mental Health Options (MMHO), would legalize the possession and personal cultivation of up to one gram of DMT, 18 grams of non-peyote mescaline, 30 grams of Ibogaine, one gram of psilocybin, and one gram of psilocin. Possessing up to twice this amount would be punishable by a fine of up to $100.

The initiative aims to “expand mental health treatment options in Massachusetts by providing new pathways to access natural psychedelic medicine therapy,” including “creating access to natural psychedelic medicine therapy and removing criminal penalties for personal possession of these medicines.” The law would allow licensed service centers to supply psychedelics, overseen by a newly-created Natural Psychedelic Substances Commission, modeled after the state’s Cannabis Control Commission.
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Sep 07 2024

North Carolina Marijuana Superstore Now Open, Hundreds Already Made Purchases

The Great Smoky Cannabis Company, the first legal marijuana store in North Carolina history, opened just a few hours ago to a line of hundreds.

The line outside the Great Smoky Cannabis Company just prior to its opening (photo credit: Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez).

The Great Smoky Cannabis Company, located in Cherokee (91 Bingo Loop Rd) on the tribal land of Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (three hours from Charlotte and 4.5 hours from Raleigh), opened this morning at 10am. The outlet is open to anyone who’s at least 21 years old with no requirement to be a tribal member, or a medical marijuana patient.

Prior to its opening, an estimated 300 people waited in line. The first person lined up at 1am.
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Sep 07 2024

U.S. House: Federal Legislation to Allow Marijuana Banking Gains New Sponsor, Bringing Total to 130

Congressmember Betty McCollum (D-MN) has joined as a cosponsor for the SAFE Banking Act, bringing the total number of sponsors for the measure to 130.

Congressmember Evans signed on as a cosponsor to the SAFE Banking Act (H.R. 2891) yesterday. The measure now has 130 bipartisan sponsors, more than any other marijuana-related bill in the U.S. Congress.

The SAFE Banking Act seeks to establish federal protections for banks and credit unions serving state-legal marijuana businesses. This includes thousands of dispensaries and retail outlets across the 38 medical marijuana states, and the 23 states that allow licensed recreational marijuana sales. The bill would also permit these businesses to claim standard IRS tax deductions, a benefit they are currently denied.
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Sep 06 2024

Florida: New Poll Finds 64% Plan to Vote in Favor of Amendment 3 to Legalize Recreational Marijuana

According to polling released today, a strong majority of likely voters in Florida support Amendment 3, which would make legal marijuana a constitutional right.

According to the new poll, “Support for the measure to legalize marijuana surpasses the 60% threshold: 64% plan to vote “yes” while 27% plan to vote “no”. ”

Amendment 3 would amend Florida’s constitution to allow individuals aged 21 and older to possess and use up to three ounces of dried marijuana flower and up to five grams of marijuana concentrates. These products would be available for purchase at licensed marijuana retail outlets and medical marijuana dispensaries with dual licenses.
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