Catch the Smoke: Nov. 13, 2023
First unlicensed shops receive licenses
After a scattering of applications in the first week of the unlicensed operator round, four businesses received placards during last week’s Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Administration board meeting. However, five businesses that were listed on the meeting agenda were not discussed.
Twenty other businesses were awarded conditional licenses for cultivation or manufacture, and two more received placards for a manufacturer and cultivation license on Bladensburg Road.
The current license period is open until Jan. 29, 2024. Read application instructions here.
Yet again, a GOP-controlled House committee blocked an amendment to the spending bill that would allow D.C. to launch a legal cannabis market.
Maryland new cannabis business license period launches
The state opened its new business application period today. The application will be open for the next 30 days, closing Dec. 12 at 5 P.M. There are 179 licenses available for separate categories in this first round.
October sales in the state hit $90 million in medical and adult-use cannabis. Medical sales were outpaced by retail sales.
Prince George’s County Council unanimously created a cannabis reinvestment and restoration board on Tuesday to support people disproportionately harmed by the war on drugs.
Eddie Osefo from the reality T.V. show Real Housewives of Potomac, launches cannabis product “Happy Eddie” with Curio Wellness.
Formerly incarcerated entrepreneur runs Upling, a cannabis delivery startup looking to increase cannabis access.
A brighter day, but clouds still loom
Virginia democrats won control of both chambers of their state legislature setting them up for a standoff with cannabis-averse, Republican Gov. Youngkin. He remains at the helm of the state for another two years and has frozen the cannabis market despite legalization in 2021.
East Coast Round Up
Vermont’s Cannabis Control Board is limiting new licenses for large growers to protect small farmers.
New York hemp farmers won an injunction against the state trying to implement restrictions on the industry. This follows recent victories in Maryland and other states.
The New York State Cannabis Advisory Board released a transparency plan outlining data it plans to make public and community outreach. OCM also released its first weekly report on enforcement against unlicensed cannabis shops.
New York budtender is finally released from jail in Pennsylvania after spending three weeks imprisoned at Rikers on out-of-state weed chargers. PA is currently debating a recreational market launch.
New Hampshire’s lawmakers are struggling to come to agreements in launching a state run adult-use market.
Fire Ganja agreed to pay over $600k in fines to Rhode Island for hundreds of pounds of unlicensed cannabis.
Maine continues to go after alleged Chinese-owned cannabis operations with legislation and pressure at a federal level on the Department of Justice.
Culture Corner
A record high of 70% of Americans think cannabis should be legal, according to a new Gallup poll.
Magic Johnson talks about his cannabis strain on Jimmy Kimmel.
Ohio legalized cannabis, joining 23 other states.
From the Swamp
An amendment to block the rescheduling of cannabis and another to protect states who legalized the plant will be considered in Congress.
A congressional committee wants the Department of Justice to study the effectiveness of state weed laws and address federal research barriers.
Even if the DEA approves marijuana rescheduling, lawsuits and an election year could delay implementation.
SAFE Banking got one new Democratic sponsor. SAFER added none last week.
Shrooms
House lawmakers will hold the first-ever congressional hearing on psychedelic-assisted therapy for veterans on Tuesday, after its original October date was postponed.
Don't miss this week
Joint Venture: Operation ARTS Foundation Inc hosts a community conversation combining art and cannabis in Baltimore, Maryland. (Nov. 18; $20-$100)
Please submit your upcoming cannabis event here.