D.C. transitioning gifting shop license revoked for illegal sales
Kaliiva, an Adams Morgan cannabis shop was raided this year by the D.C. police department and had their medical cannabis license stripped last month for selling unlicensed cannabis products. The Outlaw lays out the multiple raids and confiscated illegal cannabis products leading up to ABCA’s decision to revoke the gifting shop’s medical cannabis license
Congressman and D.C. officials want to loosen the district’s cannabis restrictions
At a recent hearing, Republican Governance Group chairman Dave Joyce and other Washington D.C. Council officials discussed oppositions toward the district’s current spending bill rider. The rider prevents local funds from being dedicated to a fully fledged cannabis market, encouraging “gifting.” Officials are advocating more strict enforcement for illegal cannabis operations and intoxicating hemp to make commercial legal cannabis easier to regulate.
- The ABC Board is in recess and will resume on January 8, 2025.
Maryland sales tax revenue makes over 18 million supporting Cannabis Reform Act
Maryland Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman announced the state accumulated over $18 million in recreational cannabis sales tax revenue between July and September of this year. Compared to the last quarter, sales tax revenue was down by 18% and went toward community reinvestment efforts, public health and more.
22 pounds of cannabis found and two arrested in Richmond police smoke shop search
The Richmond Police Department’s First Precinct Focus Mission Team arrested Lloyd McDaniels and Sidi Ahmed Boussat at a local smoke shop where a search warrant was being executed. Police recovered 22 pounds of cannabis and other THC products from the scene at Fairmount Avenue.
ICYMI: The Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association is fighting for Tribal sovereignty and economic opportunity, D.C. Smoke Shop Robbed
East Coast Roundup
The Dover City Council passed an 8-1 motion placing hard regulations on developing cannabis businesses. The new rules include a 750-foot regulation on cultivation, testing and manufacturing centers and 500-feet for retail spaces.
Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission officials released plans with three new industry licenses for cannabis social consumption. The new licenses are categorized for Hospitality, Event Organizer and Supplemental with more on finalizing regulations to come this month.
FEATURED: New York cannabis officials at a recent Cannabis Control Board said the state’s cannabis market is on track to reach $1 billion in sales since the market opened. The market is getting back on track after successful holiday sales and 261 growing dispensaries.
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Culture & More
Hemp derived infused cannabis beverages are growing in popularity in some bars and liquor stores as an alternative in the adult drink market. Simple regulation and low production cost for hemp beverages received growing investment that contributed to the ongoing conflict in cannabis and hemp coexisting.
In a new report ATP Capital Markets states the U.S. cannabis market shrunk by 0.2% this year, forecasted 3.2% growth in 2025 and accumulating $38 billion by 2029. Federal reform still remains the most viable option in reference to growth.
California cannabis regulators issued a recall on four vape cartridge batches from cannabis brand STIIZY. The Department of Cannabis Control didn’t specify what severe parasite was the cause for the brand’s half gram of Purple Punch and Pink Acai cannabis vape cartridges being pulled
Around the Country
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick revealed a plan to ban all consumable THC products behind his frustrations regarding the risks for youth and lack of regulation on the growing hemp market in the state.
Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman is looking to push back on the state’s cannabis legalization laws. Huffman takes over as speaker of the House next month with a power plan to decrease THC levels in products and reduce the growable adult plant amount.
Ohio hemp industry workers rallied for regulations opposing a bill that would ban intoxicating hemp in the state. At Ohio’s Senate Government Committee Meeting hemp workers insisted the ban would encourage a black market supporting a ban for those under 21.
From the swamp
President Joe Biden’s pardon for his son Hunter’s crimes has Democratic congress and Cannabis legal reform advocates waiting. President Biden is being called to expand on his plan to issue widespread cannabis clemency to those with federal convictions.
When it comes to federally rescheduling cannabis for adult and medical use, Florida, Arkansas, North Dakota and Ohio are the key states to vote in the coming November with cannabis medical properties and economic potential encouraging popularity.
Three judges in the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston expressed issues with cannabis businesses challenging federal cannabis prohibition, mentioning it’s unlikely they would side with them.
