Editor’s note: Last week’s election showed another headwind for the cannabis industry, potentially. President re-elect Trump signaled he supported cannabis legalization at a federal level. However, the man likes to talk so we shall see how much postering turns into policy and if his own party will cooperate with him.
What his election does not look favorably upon is D.C.’s efforts to set up its own adult-use cannabis market and control its current medical market. While implementing a nationally legal market will take years, meddling with D.C.’s independence could take a Republican led Congress just one session to start stripping away the few statehoodish rights the District holds. So we at the Outlaw will be on particular high alert to see what stances Republican lawmakers will take in regards to the Capitol city. – LJ Dawson, editor in chief
New Faces Join DC’s Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board
The District of Columbia’s Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board (ABC Board) welcomed two new members, Ryan L. Jones and David Meadows. Sworn in at the start of the month, they will serve terms ending in May 2027 and May 2028. Ryan L. Jones is a seasoned attorney with a legal background spanning corporate law, civil litigation and government service. David Meadows, a dedicated advocate for Ward 8’s LGBTQIA+ community, boasts 30 years of experience in leadership roles within the District government and civic organizations, according to the ABCA press release.
- D.C.’s bill to increase enforcement power and have a hard deadline for gifting shops that are transitioning, passed.
- ABC Board won’t meet until next week at 10:30 A.M. Here is the agenda.
- Reminder ABCA is moving Nov. 18.
Cannabis app founder brings conversation to DC tech conference
The intersection between tech and cannabis was highlighted at the recent DC Startup and Tech week discussing technology’s relevance to the young and adaptive industry. Industry professionals and leaders would go on saying tech is a necessity for successful cannabis business. After winning last year’s pitch competition at the conference, Colin Fraser, founder of the weed delivery app Upling decided to bring the conversation around cannabis to the event.
Maryland Cannabis Administration changing guideline for cannabis business
To give cannabis licensees in Maryland greater financial options when it comes to the state’s cannabis market, the Maryland Cannabis Administration released new guidelines. The new rules cover investment returns, a provision allowing cannabis licenses to be used as collateral, recognizing branding and licensing arrangements between cannabis businesses as well as secure loans for cannabis licensees. This is to create strategies that align with the state’s cannabis market regulations and give businesses leverage ensuring compliance among cannabis businesses.
Virginia Chooses Metrc for Cannabis Seed-to-Sale Tracking
Virginia has tabbed Metrc as its cannabis seed-to-sale tracking software, the company announced last week. Metrc now has 27 government contracts throughout the U.S. tracking legal cannabis sales and providing businesses with tools such as inventory control and cultivation management.
East Coast Roundup
Excluding new rules to further protect minors from intoxicating hemp products, New Jersey state amendments aimed at bringing tighter restrictions to intoxicating hemp distribution were struck down in the state’s Federal District Court. The Court found that the state violated federal law in giving different treatment to out of state products.
In Lambertville New Jersey, Cultivators, licensed operators, home growers and more gathered and tendered 21 different strains of cannabis to see who grew the best cannabis at the Tri-State Cultivator’s Harvest Cup Festival. Cannabis brand Garden State Collective won first place Harvest Cup for their Obama Kush strain.
Patients living in Pennsylvania taking medical cannabis are at risk of receiving DUIs under the state’s zero tolerance policy if they’re using medication while driving. With THC being detectable weeks or months prior to consumption, patients using detectable non-psychoactive medical cannabis can be subject to arrest and conviction.
Culture & More
Illinois based independent social equity cannabis transporters recently filed a civil rights complaint against the state Department of Agriculture for allegedly discriminating against them when issuing licenses to medical cannabis production centers.
Connecticut-based Curaleaf Holdings Inc. is being sued by their former vice president Khadijah Tribble, a Black woman claiming the company’s leadership pushed her into her sudden termination after she’d been sexually harassed, endured racial comments, panic attacks and sleep loss.
Cannabis professionals and experts in multiple states like Oregon, California and Vermont are agreeing that drying and curing are essential in improving the safety, user experience and shelf life of cannabis flower products along with flavor and potency.
Around the Country
In trying to inform public awareness and influence policymakers, California state medical cannabis experts and scientists recently shared a 42-page report discussing high potency cannabis risks and recommendations for product development, market restrictions and more for licensed cannabis operators.
Florida voters won’t be receiving recreational cannabis, with Florida’s constitutional amendment requiring 60% vote to be adopted, Amendment 3 which would allow for recreational adult cannabis use to be legal in the state received 56% vote.
In North Dakota, voters won’t be allowed recreational adult-use cannabis in the state after a little over 53% of voters rejected Measure 5. This is the state’s third rejection of a recreational cannabis market after 2022 and 2018.
From the swamp
The National Institute of Justice recently announced funding for research looking into cannabis and the differential factors between that and hemp to help policymakers and regulation authorities understand the plant’s identity for legislation and a flooding market.
FEATURED: With legislative cannabis losses in several states after Election Day with Florida being the greatest hit, cannabis investors have been putting their support behind Donald Trump coming off what they claim to be a lack of action on the part of leading Democrats and President Joe Biden. Read more via Cultivated, a 5-minute daily newsletter for cannabis industry and policy professionals. Subscribe today!
Cannabis stocks have been plummeting with increased Republican control in the Senate and several adult-use failures after Election Day in states like Florida and North and South Dakota. The American Cannabis Operator Index including US publicly traded cannabis brands, processors, cultivators etc reported an around 27% drop.
