ALCE expands lawsuit to 173 more unlicensed D.C. dispensaries and landlords
The Alliance of Legal Cannabis Entities-DC, ALCE has named 173 more unlicensed cannabis gifting dispensaries in five more federally filed cases. ALCE is suing the landlords along with the entities associated with the gifting shops. The lawsuits come beside the most recent filings calling for paying back profits at around $12 million from gifting shops due to alleged violations.
Meth, Cocaine, cannabis and illegal gun seized in latest D.C. unlicensed cannabis shop closure
The Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration and the Metropolitan Police Department shut down Nomad Smoke Shop after continuing illegal activities regardless of cease and desist orders. DC police also recovered 36 lbs of cannabis, over 22 lbs of THC wax, 860 grams of THC liquid, cocaine, and other illegal drugs from the smoke shop.
In Maryland, a Thomas Stone High School student was apprehended after authorities found 28 grams of cannabis on him. School administrators and police received reports of cannabis sales taking place in the school’s bathrooms leading up to the student being charged on a civil citation for possession of cannabis.
Virginia Del. Paul Krizek and Sen. Aaron Rouse plans to revive their legal cannabis retail marketplace bills ahead of the 2025 General Assembly session. The bills come as their second attempt at regulations to the state cannabis market despite another expected veto from Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
ICYMI: Kaliiva loses its legal D.C. medical license for sale of unlicensed cannabis products
East Coast Roundup
New Jersey’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission voted to double an excise fee on cannabis cultivators selling to other licensees to fund social equity. Those social equity businesses will be the first to apply in the three round licensing run to operate consumption lounges in the state.
New York’s Cannabis Advisory Board is proposing a new notion to the state’s Cannabis Control Board to temporarily limit the number of adult-use cannabis licenses to 1,600 retailers in the state.
New York-based politically conservative think tank The Manhattan Institute, polled around 2,304 people in a post election survey showing only 12 percent believed that having and selling cannabis should be totally illegal.
Culture & More
In Rochester, New York two men aged 59 and 64 died after using a bat waste known as guano as fertilizer to grow cannabis. The men were hospitalized and given antifungal medication after developing lung infections and breathing in fungal spores.
The European Union Drugs Agency is looking at the growth surrounding drug sales through internet services. Their recent report found a growing relevance with open-air drug sales on Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and messaging services like WhatsApp and Telegram.
In a new study from researchers at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark tested 5,162 men around 65 years old, showing those who had ever tried or habitually used cannabis experienced less cognitive decline than those who didn’t.
Around the Country
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker wants to regulate the state’s intoxicating hemp market with a new bill. The House Bill 4293 would make all products containing intoxicating hemp follow the same regulations as the states Cannabis Regulations and Tax Act.
Attorneys representing Tennessee hemp retailers and producer associations are scheduled for court in a last attempt against a hemp rule to take effect later this month. The new legislation would include license requirements, taxes and age restrictions for hemp products in the state which some worry would make certain products illegal.
FEATURED: Texas Democratic State Rep. Jessica Gonzalez filed a bill to legalize cannabis in Texas set for consideration next year. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick are the individuals threatening Texas cannabis reform whether targeting cities or the state’s hemp industry in general.
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From the swamp
Drug Enforcement Administration judge, John Mulrooney claims the administration made a serious mistake when trying to order subpoenas onto FDA officials to testify in cannabis rescheduling hearings.
The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 is extended for a year while The United States hemp industry remains in limbo after five-years. Reauthorizing the 2018 Farm Bill is held up for some time but still included in a congressional spending bill from before seats turn over in government next month.
The U.S. Congressional budget proposal mentions nothing regarding the country’s cannabis industry and current congress is providing no protective measures for cannabis. The stalemate is showing what to expect out of congress when it comes to cannabis and the government’s transition in the coming months.
