Nov 15 2023

Oklahoma Has Highest Percentage of Medical Marijuana Patients, Followed by Maine and Pennsylvania

There are 39 states that have legalized some form of medical marijuana, but in some states it’s more prevalent than others.

In 1996 California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana. 27 years later and nearly 40 states have legalized at least some form of medical marijuana, while 24 have legalized marijuana recreationally.

Although some states don’t report medical marijuana patient counts, many states do, and in some instances it’s a mandatory reporting requirement for regulators. Using data from states that do report, the Marijuana Policy Project has compiled a list of medical marijuana states and how the number of medical marijuana patients compare to states’ total population.
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Nov 14 2023

Hawaii Approves 25th Medical Marijuana Dispensary, Ninth on Maui

The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) announced this week that it’s given approval to Maui Wellness Group to open a new medical marijuana dispensary on Maui.

(Photo credit: MJBizDaily).

The DOH announced that the new dispensary will open its doors on Friday, and it will be located at 1215 South Kihei Road. It is the ninth medical marijuana dispensary approved for Maui, and the fourth operated by the Maui Wellness Group. However, one of the Group’s locations in Lahaina was destroyed by wildfires in August.

“Maui Grown Therapies’ new dispensary will provide much-needed access to patients on Maui, especially as its Lahaina dispensary was destroyed in the Lahaina wildfires”, Liam Gimon, Dispensary Licensing Supervisor for DOH, said in a statement.
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Nov 14 2023

Oklahoma Extends Moratorium on Marijuana Licenses to August, 2026

Legislation signed into law earlier this year to extend Oklahoma’s moratorium (temporary ban) on new marijuana businesses is now officially in effect.

In May Governor Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 2095 into law, with the measure officially taking effect this month. The new law extends the state’s ban on the establishment of any new medical marijuana businesses by a full two years.

Prior to enactment of House Bill 2095 the state’s moratorium on new marijuana licenses – put in place by state lawmakers last year – was set to expire on August 1, 2024. Now, the moratorium will expire on August 1, 2026, a full 991 days away.
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Nov 14 2023

Detroit Issues 37 New Licenses for Marijuana Consumption Lounge and Retail Outlets

Detroit has issued a new batch of marijuana business licenses.

Detroit’s Office of Marijuana Ventures and Entrepreneurship announced this week that of the 65 applications it received for marijuana retail outlets, microbusinesses and consumption lounges, 37 have received approval and will soon receive their licenses.

“These individuals and organizations have exhibited remarkable potential and commitment to operate successfully, while honoring the city’s diversity and equity goals,” said Kim James, director of the Office of Marijuana Ventures and Entrepreneurship
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Nov 14 2023

56% of US Senate Democrats and 100% of Independents Are Sponsoring Marijuana Banking Act

A federal marijuana banking bill (the SAFER Banking Act) is now sponsored by a majority of the majority party, and all Senate independents.

Initially filed by Senator Jeff Merkley (D), the SAFER Banking Act (S.2860) is sponsored by 34 of the Senate’s 100 members. 27 of these sponsors are Democrats, representing 56% of all Senate Democrats (48 in total). The measure is also sponsored by all three of the Senate’s independents (who all caucus with Democrats), and four of the Senate’s 49 Republicans.

The widespread support indicates that it’s chances of passage through the Senate are higher than ever, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer vowing recently that the bill would receive a full Senate vote “very soon”. Schumer has also vowed to include provisions to allow for marijuana expungements and to establish gun rights for legal marijuana consumers.
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Nov 14 2023

Lubbock, Texas City Council Unanimously Sends Marijuana Measure to May Ballot

An ordinance that would make marijuana possession the lowest enforcement priority in Lubbock, Texas will receive a vote of the people in May.

Lubbock Compact, the group pushing the Freedom Act Lubbock, announced last month that it had collected more than double the required signatures to put their marijuana measure before the city council. The council had the option of passing it into law, or putting it before voters. Yesterday the council unanimously – 7 to 0 – rejected the measure, officially placing it on the May, 2024 special election ballot. The council had no option to reject it outright.

“The heart of our ordinance is pretty simple. We just don’t think people should go to jail for personal use of marijuana in Lubbock”, ” Adam Hernandez, communications chair for Lubbock Compact, said at Tuesday’s council meeting.
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Nov 13 2023

New Ohio Bill Would Fund Peace Officer Training With Marijuana Tax Revenue

Legislation was filed today in the Ohio House of Representatives to reallocate some marijuana tax revenue.

(Photo credit: Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy).

On November 7 Ohio voters approved an initiative to legalize marijuana. Portions of the law take effect on December 7, with the state required to issue licenses for marijuana businesses with nine months of passage.

As passed by voters, Issue 2 establishes a 10% tax on marijuana, with 36% going to a cannabis social equity and jobs fund, 36% to a host community cannabis facilities fund, 25% to a substance abuse and addiction fund and 3% to a division of cannabis control and tax commission fund.
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Nov 13 2023

New York Legislation Allowing Marijuana Businesses to Take Tax Deductions Sent to Governor

Roughly five months after its initial approval in the Senate, a New York bill to allow marijuana businesses to take standard state tax deductions has been delivered to Governor Kathy Hochul.

Filed by Senator Luis Sepulveda, Senate Bill 7508 was passed by the full Senate 43 to 18, and the full Assembly 116 to 29. Today the measure was sent to Governor Hochul for consideration.

Governor Hochul now has the option of signing the measure into law, allowing it to become law without a signature, or veto it. If Governor Hochul chooses the latter (she has 10 days to decide), the legislature could override the veto with a 2/3rds majority.
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Nov 13 2023

Ohio Senate President Suggests Increasing Marijuana Tax, Governor Promises to Respect “Spirit” of Issue 2

Ohio’s new voter-approved marijuana legalization law takes effect December 7, and lawmakers are deep in discussion on how to alter it.

(Photo credit: Pixabay).

After making comments to the press last week stating that he wants lawmakers to make revisions to Issue 2 prior to it taking effect, Governor Mike DeWine has promised to respect the “spirit” of the new law, without going into specific details.

“I don’t think there’s any surprises out there,” Governor DeWine told reporters today following a meeting with the leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives. “I don’t think any of the things that I have suggested that we do really flies in the face of the spirit of what people were voting for.”
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Nov 13 2023

Connecticut: Almost $25 Million in Marijuana Purchased Legally in October

Although legal marijuana sales in Connecticut fell short of reaching $25 million after topping it last month, recreational marijuana sales were at an all-time high.

According to data released by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, there was $24,865,870 worth of legal marijuana purchased in October. Although this is a roughly $340k from total sales numbers for September, recreational marijuana sales actually saw an uptick from $14.3 million to $14.7 million. Medical marijuana sales, however, dropped from $10.8 million to $10.1 million.

Over half of the marijuana purchased was dried flower at 53%, following by vape cartridges at 28%, infused edibles at 10% and marijuana concentrates at 6%.
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