Mary Jane Oatman: The Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association is fighting for Tribal sovereignty and economic opportunity
The Outlaw caught up with Mary Jane Oatman of the ICIA about the organization’s work to unite tribal communities. Tribal nations are sovereign entities that are allowed to legalize cannabis themselves no matter their state’s laws such as in North Carolina. It’s an interesting read about what other cannabis industries can learn from Tribes and what are the biggest obstacles facing Indigenous cannabis this next year.
D.C. smoke shop robbed for thousands in unlicensed cannabis and merchandise
D.C. police are offering a reward to people with information regarding a recent burglary at an unlicensed cannabis shop, the Creep Smoke Shop. Surveillance video shows three suspects going in and out of the shop, taking with them products and merchandise worth thousands. Fox 5 left out important information that Creep Smoke Shop is not legal, calling it just a recreational cannabis shop which, as we all know, does not exist.
- Two confirmations of ABCA board members were withdrawn before the three new members joined this fall: Bobby Cato, Jr. and Jamal Holtz.
- Vector4 LLC t/a Kush Embassy had a new license hearing Monday.
- ABC Board meeting is Dec. 11 at 10:30 AM, watch, agenda.
Maryland Department of Health data shows Carroll County cannabis related ER visits are on downward trend
Maryland Department of Health recently reported statistical data showing emergency room visits related to cannabis have decreased in Carroll County. The drop in visit correlates with legal adult use cannabis in Maryland.The department’s dashboard data shows Carroll county had 13 cannabis related emergency room visits in October of this year compared to a peak of 25 in 2019 and 2023.
Texas woman arrested at Dulles airport for smuggling 71 lbs of cannabis to London
A Texas woman was charged with felony possession with intent to distribute, transporting controlled substances and narcotics conspiracy after being arrested at Washington Dulles International Airport when U.S. Customs and Border protection officers found more than 71 pounds of cannabis in her luggage.
Southwest Virginia “adult share” cannabis stores doing well despite legislative blocks
Southwest Virginia cannabis operations are using a thriving “sharing” system when it comes to cannabis distributions at “adult share” stores throughout the state. Attorney General Jason Miyares has claimed the stores are a violation of the state’s policy and has sent warnings to several stores in different cities.
ICYMI: Empty I-71 store raided by ABCA and MPD, D.C.’s first cannabis biz grants awarded by DSLBD
East Coast Roundup
A recent East Village dispensary raid is a new example in New York Sheriff Anthony Miranda’s support and emphasis on the “Padlock and Protect” program’s importance with targeting illicit cannabis establishments with an aim to protect minors and the health and safety of the general public.
Pennsylvania Democratic State Representatives Rick Krajewski and Dan Frankel recently announced their co-sponsorship memo for legislation to legalize cannabis in the state with an optimism toward increasing state revenue, supporting those harmed by cannabis criminalization and centering around public health.
Thirteen New York organizations wrote the governor to air grievances about what they called services provided to big cannabis corporations which sacrifice equity outcomes.
Culture & More
Greta Gaines, a former world champion snowboarder, and Ricky Williams, a Heisman Trophy winner, are now cannabis advocates and entrepreneurs. Both have leveraged their athletic fame to promote marijuana legalization and advocate for its medicinal benefits, particularly for terminal patients.
Leaflink, a cannabis wholesale platform released data in a new report of state level sales across the country showing that the United States cannabis market is projected to scale to around $55 billion by 2030.
Grace Ling’s SS25 collection at The New York Fashion Week brought a handful of nods to cannabis combining legal cannabis and high fashion worlds with Butt Bags stuffed with joints and cannabis collaborations.
Around the Country
The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management recently shut down any new medicine delivery programs to medical cannabis patients in the coming year, pointing to their denial of petitions looking to add cannabis powders, concentrates and infused flower.
Hawaii’s medical caregivers network allowing up to 10 cannabis plats to be cultivated for medical-use patients who can’t themselves as an alternative to dispensaries, will be outlawed come January 1 under “sunset” provisions in state cannabis law; Hawaii House Public Safety Chair Rep. Della Belatti is pointing to failures from lawmakers after its announced that From the swamp.
From the swamp
FEATURED: The recent Drug Enforcement Administration hearing on reclassifying cannabis was a first step and an establishment of who’s allowed to testify. Most testimony will be from those opposed to the change to Schedule III. According to planned witness testimony, the DEA doesn’t seem in favor of rescheduling.
Read more via Cultivated, a 5-minute daily newsletter for cannabis industry and policy professionals. Subscribe today!
Sen. Ted Cruz said that rescheduling cannabis is a “disregard for the Constitution,” according to Ask a Pol, a Capitol hill based report.
Quinn Fox, staff assistant to the Chief Judge, Office of Administrative Law Judges signed this past week for the hearing to reschedule cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III will kick off January 21, 2025 and will continue through March 6.
In a recent prehearing DEA Administrative Law Judge John Mulrooney warned the agency for not providing evidence documents they plan to introduce before the upcoming cannabis rescheduling hearing, with testimony now set for Jan. 21, 2025.
Shooms
The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs recently announced backing the first agency-funded study into psychedelics since the 1960s with $1.5 million for affiliates from Brown and Yale University set to study the efficacy of MDMA-assisted therapy for veterans struggling with alcoholism and post-traumatic stress disorder.
