Empty I-71 store raided by ABCA and MPD, despite closing weeks prior
Peace in the Air, a well known D.C. cannabis “gifting” store, was officially closed and raided last week despite already closing weeks prior, according to the owner. Darel Dawson did not apply as a transitioning cannabis store in 2023. His gifting store received multiple warnings and then a cease and desist order from ABCA this fall. The Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration announced last week that it was the 14th illegal cannabis store to be padlocked since enforcement ramped up this fall. Dawson said the store had been closed weeks prior to the raid which ABCA confirmed resulted in no product confiscation. Every other padlocked and closed store has resulted in pounds of cannabis, edibles and often alleged psychedelic mushrooms being confiscated by police. Video footage shows an office confirming there was nothing but shirts left in the store after MPD broke down the door to gain access to the empty building. “They wasted a lot of people’s money yesterday, paying high taxes, to send all those fully geared up officers to raid an empty building,” Dawson said.
D.C.’s first cannabis biz grants awarded by DSLBD
The Department of Small & Local Business Development (DSLBD) in Washington, D.C. has awarded the first round of cannabis business funding through the FY2024 JustCannabusiness Medical Cultivators Grant program. This program aims to support local cultivators and manufacturers in transitioning from conditional licenses to open businesses. Despite facing challenges and budget cuts, the city has allocated $300,000 for these grants, with individual awards ranging from $2,000 to $50,000. One of the recipients, Samuel Futterman of Prophet Cultivation, expressed gratitude for the grant, highlighting the significant startup costs and competitive market. However, he emphasized the need for further support to ensure the long-term success of smaller, passion-driven cultivators.
- Next ABC Board meeting is Wed. December 4 at 10:30 A.M., watch here and agenda
- Most recent rule making can be read here.
Feds help Baltimore Police recover illegal drugs and cash from local gangs
A yearlong Southwest Baltimore gang investigation led law enforcement to recover 110 pounds of cannabis along with $400,000 cash, cocaine and other illegal substances. The investigation started with the Baltimore police investigating one gang and insufficient resources to investigate. With authorities leading deeper in investigation it was only a matter of time until the heavy surveillance resulted in a successful wiretap with 39 indictments out of the 15 warrants served.
ICYMI: D.C. smokes a lot of weed, according to new study and Oct. sales show hope
East Coast Roundup
A New Jersey UberEats driver stopped their delivery early because of a pungent cannabis smell coming from the food; police eventually uncovered about more than an ounce of cannabis wrapped inside a burrito wrapper.
In Schenectady, New York the father and son owned cannabis dispensary Grass and Goodness is set to open at the end of November leading with an education first approach to normalizing cannabis use and building a transparent community.
Since business in New York started two years ago, data from the Office of Cannabis Management stated there has been $863.9 million in cannabis sales, and the state is set to surpass a billion dollars by the end of December.
Culture & More
The Cannabis Information Sharing and Analysis Organization concluded the Everest Ransomware group is set on abusing the cannabis industry, emphasizing potential threats and openings within the industry’s cybersecurity.
Metrc, a cannabis software provider is releasing a new “Retail ID” product aimed at simplifying product labeling and inventory management, also providing reassurances and product transparency for adult use and medical cannabis patients.
Around the Country
Three Mississippi appeals court judges on the 5th US Circuit Court ruled that cannabis’s federal prohibition applies in regards to restricting medical cannabis advertisements.
Nebraska cannabis advocates’ two medical cannabis legalization initiatives recently circumnavigated a lawsuit with a district court’s dismissal that allows the state’s medical cannabis framework to continue.
The Illinois Department of Agriculture and a legislative committee recently pushed back finalizing new hemp production regulations because of provisions submitted in September including unannounced inspections and testing of hemp crops, restricting licensing and more provoking outcry from independent hemp cultivators.
From the swamp
Sen. Tina Smith recently aligned with finding new equitable regulations when asked about the Drug Enforcement Administration moving toward federal rescheduling cannabis.
Former Rep. Dave Weldon, President-elect Donald Trump’s selection to lead the Center for Disease Control and Prevention opposes cannabis reform, saying cannabis is a dangerous substance for the population and voted against amendments protecting medical cannabis.
FEATURED: Cannabis industry officials will be looking toward the first hearing to come in reclassifying cannabis from the most restrictive Schedule I to Schedule III being the least with no testimony to be heard in this initial step.
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