Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen hosted a panel Thursday night on cannabis enforcement in the District of Columbia. Seven different agencies were present to answer questions about how, when and why unlicensed cannabis shops are facing consequences in the city. Both the legal market and constituents have been frustrated by the slow pace of enforcement as the legal market struggles and unlicensed “gifting” shops continue to operate. A law that passed in July gave the Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Administration more power to go after unlicensed shops, but closures did not start until September.
D.C. hemp businesses sue District for alleged unlawful enforcement
Two local businesses, Capitol Hemp LLC and District Hemp Botanicals LLC, filed a lawsuit on Oct. 18, 2024, against the District of Columbia, alleging that the city’s officials are unlawfully targeting them for selling federally-legal hemp products.
The businesses claim that the District is applying outdated cannabis laws to hemp, despite the clear distinction between the two under federal law. This has resulted in unlawful inspections, embargoes and the threat of business closures. As D.C.’s enforcement against unlicensed and even illegal cannabis gifting shops escalates, these hemp businesses say they are unfairly being swept into the mix.
- September sales report looks bad, like really not good.
- Mayor Bowser has until the end of the month to sign a new bill addressing unlicensed closure and new transitioning shops deadlines.
- ABC Board meeting Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. Watch. Agenda.
Maryland Cannabis Administration to conduct 2024 medical cannabis patient surveys
The Maryland Cannabis Administration recently announced a patient survey in an attempt to mold future cannabis education and to protect public health. Certified medical cannabis patients can participate, in the 10-20 minute anonymous survey, around 15,000 patients will be selected. Patients also have the option to enter a raffle at the end of the survey for a chance at one of the five $100 visa gift cards from the administration.
Cannabis company plans to expand in Virginia faces potential legal setbacks
In Virginia, multi-state cannabis operator AYR Wellness is dedicating a $20 million in capital investment to the state subsidiary. However their plans to expand are being held back by licensing challenges. The setbacks leave Virginia’s medical cannabis patients in limbo, with the company struggling to settle dedicated cultivation and retail spaces.
Understanding medical operators’ federal civil lawsuit in D.C. | Cultivated Interview
ICYMI: Firearms found at multiple gifting shops and night club in D.C.’s newest effort to shut down illegal cannabis shops
East Coast Roundup
Six hemp companies won a temporary reprieve against New Jersey’s attorney general, allowing intoxicating hemp products to stay on shelves temporarily in the state. The court order in favor of hemp comes despite a law signed last month by Gov. Phil Murphy that prohibited hemp product sales without establishing regulations through the Cannabis Regulatory Commission.
Massachusetts regulators fined New York-based multistate cannabis operators Ascend Wellness Holdings and Curaleaf for a combined $165,000. $85,000 being for Ascend leaving out nearly 900 products from the state’s tracking system and $80,000 from Curaleaf failing to limit pesticides during cultivation.
In preparation for Delaware’s adult-use market launch, Gov. John Carney has given the final “okay” to a measure giving protection to financial institutions like banks and credit unions when working with cannabis companies. The measure comes to give dispensaries a secure playing field for banking and compliance services.
Culture & More
A recent study in the use of insecticides to control mosquito population has found that hemp leaf extract high in CBD kills yellow mosquito species as larvae even those that may have developed resistance to insecticides.
The cannabis brand Black Tie CBD announced the launch of a new balanced hybrid THCA strain called “Jealousy”. The newly harvested, indoor-grown strain claims a 28.48% THCA content and experience that could serve any time of day.
Oregon-based edibles company Wyld has sold around $250 million in regulated cannabis products since January and is on the way to being the top selling edibles brand as adult use markets grow. Wyld is the top selling brand in more than half of the 13 adult use markets analyzed in a study
Around the Country
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This month, Nebraska state officials will be expected to prove a number of signatures obtained for the states cannabis legalization ballot initiative were fraudulent. Medical cannabis legalization in the state is expected to be halted through election as a result of the issue not being resolved according to a Lancaster county judge.
Tennessee Department of Agriculture officials recently released new rules regulating sales of hemp derived cannabinoids like delta-8 and THCA in regard to the total THC in products when burned. The regulations said to take affect in December endanger business potentially carrying stock of non-compliant products.
From the swamp
The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in a case where Douglas Horn, a trucker sued Medical Marijuana Inc. after being fired due to positive results in a THC test. The trucker claims the result is from consuming a CBD product derived from hemp claiming “0% THC”.
Federal lawyers are warning that if legal challenges to an appeals court case centered around cannabis rescheduling succeed this could potentially retract progress on the Biden administration’s plan to end cannabis prohibition.
Askapol exclusive with Sen. Amy Klobuchar says she supports the SAFER Banking Act.
