Category: Featured
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Stakeholders press Virginia cannabis regulators on testing, licensing and equity rules
Ahead of its February meeting, the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority Board of Directors received written public comments urging revisions to testing standards, licensing caps, social equity criteria, workforce development policy, and insurance protections as Virginia prepares for adult-use retail sales in 2026.
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Virginia CCA launches public medical cannabis data dashboard
The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority has introduced a new Medical Cannabis Program Dashboard — an interactive, public-facing tool designed to give patients, providers, policymakers, and other stakeholders a clearer view of how the state’s medical cannabis system is performing. Housed on the CCA’s official website, the dashboard pulls from the state’s seed-to-sale tracking data to…
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D.C. finalizes medical cannabis advertising and signage rules after extended emergency rulemakings
The Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board has finalized new medical cannabis advertising and signage regulations, bringing permanent clarity to rules first introduced through emergency legislation in 2024. The amendments limit exterior medical cannabis signage to 10 square feet (excluding trade names), cap window signage at 25% of window space, prohibit cannabis-related signs on entry and…
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Maryland ends enhanced reporting for Seven Points Agro Therapeutics
The Maryland Cannabis Administration has terminated enhanced reporting requirements for Seven Points Agro Therapeutics, LLC, concluding oversight tied to a 2023 enforcement action. Under a December 2023 Consent Order, the company paid a $62,000 penalty and agreed to two years of additional reporting, including quarterly green waste and inventory logs. In a Feb. 2, 2026…
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New criminal sanctions proposed for unlicensed cannabis activity in Virginia
While some lawmakers push for restorative measures, a parallel effort in the Senate has moved toward a significant escalation in criminal penalties for unlicensed cannabis activity. Recent amendments added to Senate Bill 542, the primary vehicle for establishing a retail adult-use market, have sparked a debate over the potential return to “War on Drugs” era…
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New bill proposes restorative approach for Virginia youth cannabis penalties
HB1432 seeks to align cannabis penalties for minors with those for alcohol by replacing criminal charges with a restorative civil framework. Under this bill, individuals under 21 would receive a series of warnings and social service referrals rather than facing arrests, criminal records, or the loss of driving privileges. The goal is to prioritize education…
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Why some cannabis businesses say 280E no longer applies — and how operators are filing anyway
Tax experts and D.C. cannabis operators say Section 280E may no longer apply as written, pointing to new inventory accounting rules, HHS’s rescheduling recommendation, and pending tax court cases. While refunds face growing IRS scrutiny, forward-looking tax strategies — paired with strong bookkeeping and formal disclosures — are reshaping how cannabis businesses approach compliance ahead…
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Authorities padlock illegal cannabis operation in Northwest D.C.
ABCA and MPD closed an unlicensed cannabis retailer in Northwest D.C., seizing multiple cannabis products and arresting one individual. The action marks the 101st illegal cannabis business shut down since the District expanded enforcement authority under a 2024 emergency law.
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Virginia bill sets earliest cannabis retail launch for November 1, 2026
Virginia’s HB 642 would establish the legal structure for adult-use cannabis retail and specifies that no retail sales may begin before November 1, 2026. The eventual launch date will depend on legislative approval and the governor’s signature.
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Capitol Hemp closes Adams Morgan retail location amid escalating hemp enforcement
Capitol Hemp has voluntarily closed its Adams Morgan retail location after more than a decade, citing regulatory uncertainty and escalating enforcement affecting hemp retailers. The company emphasized the closure was not driven by enforcement at the property and said litigation challenging the District’s authority remains pending.
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D.C. cannabis board denies ANC 6A reconsideration in Proper Exotic protest
The D.C. Cannabis Board denied ANC 6A’s effort to revive its protest against Proper Exotic, ruling that the ANC failed to provide sufficient factual detail under updated medical cannabis protest laws. The decision reinforces tighter pleading standards and clarifies that many traditional protest grounds no longer apply to standard cannabis applicants.
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Maryland cannabis dispensary SweetBuds fined $15,000, ordered to increase oversight after state investigation
Maryland regulators issued a consent order against Frederick dispensary SweetBuds after an investigation uncovered seed tracking discrepancies in Metrc, improper storage and labeling, and instances of medical cannabis sold to adult-use customers. The dispensary agreed to a $15,000 fine and six months of enhanced compliance reporting and training.