Cleveland Mayor Files for Expungement of More Than 4,000 Cannabis Convictions

The expungements would be for minor misdemeanor possession cases dating back to 2017.

April 8, 2022

Cleveland residents with certain cannabis possession convictions may soon have their records expunged. They would no longer have criminals record for the convictions, and would not have to report them on employment applications, according to News 5 Cleveland.

On April 6, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, Chief Prosecutor Aqueelah Jordan, and Council President Blaine Griffin signed a motion calling for the expungement of more than 4,000 cannabis convictions, according to Cleveland news media.

“We are seeing progress in Washington on this issue, but it’s slow. There are immediate steps we can take right now in Cleveland to clear the names of over 4,000 residents who deserve a fresh start,” Bibb said in a statement. “This is just one way we can make progress on criminal justice reform to balance the scales and remove barriers to employment and re-entry.”

Cleveland Municipal Court Presiding Judge Michelle D. Early and the other judges of the court must sign to expunge the minor misdemeanor cases, according to News 5. The cases, dating back to 2017, are for possession of 200 grams or less.

In 2020, Cleveland City Council passed legislation to reduce misdemeanor possession penalties to include no prison time or fines. Since that legislation passed, 455 people were mistakenly charged, per the prosecutor’s office.

"This is a great day," Griffin said, according to the Cleveland Scene. "It has always been our intent to take the logical next step, after we decriminalized marijuana and made it zero jail time, to seal these misdemeanor cases in Cleveland. This is a natural progression of what we've been working on, and I'm happy that all of council can stand with the mayor today."

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Pennsylvania Senators to Introduce Legislation to Ban Delta-8 THC

The lawmakers noted the lack of regulation surrounding delta-8 is problematic, as these products are sold at neighborhood gas stations and corner stores.

April 8, 2022

Andriana Ruscitto

News Hemp State by State: Pennsylvania Legislation and regulation

Pennsylvania Sens. Judy Schwank and Sharif Street announced April 6 that they will soon introduce legislation that would ban the sale of delta-8 THC products.

In co-sponsor memorandum, they noted the lack of regulation surrounding delta-8 is problematic, as these products are sold at neighborhood gas stations and corner stores.

“What we are seeing right now is a completely unregulated market for these products, and they are becoming more popular with each passing day,” Schwank said. “I’m particularly concerned about underage teens using these products because we have no clue how they are manufactured. I’ve already heard about high school-age children in my district getting sick after using delta-8 THC, so they are finding ways to access it.”

She also noted that these products come in flavors that may be appealing to teenagers, the PA Senate reported.

Street also noted that consumers need to be aware of products they are purchasing that can cause ‘psychotropic effects,’ adding that it’s the government’s responsibility “to ensure safety and consumer protection.”

“This legislation fixes this problem and reminds us of the importance of a well-regulated and secure market for cannabis,” he says.

Jushi Completes NuLeaf Acquisition and Expands Vertically Integrated Operations in Nevada

The acquisition strengthens Jushi's retail footprint to four dispensaries in Nevada.

April 8, 2022

Posted by Andriana Ruscitto

Dispensary News News Mergers and Acquisitions State by State: Nevada

BOCA RATON, Florida, April 8, 2022 - PRESS RELEASE - Jushi Holdings Inc., a vertically integrated, multi-state cannabis operator, announced that it has closed its previously announced agreement to acquire NuLeaf, Inc., a Nevada-based vertically integrated operator, for $53.6 million. NuLeaf operates two adult-use and medical retail dispensaries in Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe, in addition to a 27,000 square foot cultivation facility in Sparks and a 13,000 square foot processing facility in Reno. NuLeaf also owns a third licensed retail dispensary located directly on Las Vegas Boulevard, which is expected to become operational in Q2 2022, subject to regulatory approval and other conditions.

The acquisition of NuLeaf, along with the recently closed Apothecarium Nevada acquisition, expands Jushi's retail footprint to four dispensaries in the Nevada cannabis market, three of which are located in the Las Vegas area. In addition, NuLeaf's facilities strengthen Jushi's cultivation and processing capabilities in the state, providing a strategic opportunity to expand Jushi's ability to supply its best-in-class suite of branded products across its newly acquired Nevada stores and into the wholesale market.

"We are excited to announce the closing of our third acquisition in Nevada, a milestone accomplishment for our team," said Jim Cacioppo, Jushi CEO, chairman, and founder. "The acquisition of NuLeaf sets the tone for our growth plans in the state as we continue to scale and strengthen our operations in this limited license market. With our newly established vertically integrated footprint in the state, we look to gain market share of our brands and further capitalize on the significant opportunity in this market, aided by NuLeaf's premier retail, cultivation and manufacturing assets. We look forward to the immediate revenue and EBITDA contribution this acquisition will bring as we fully integrate NuLeaf into our business."

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New Zealand Government Provides Grant to Medical Cannabis Cultivator to Help Accelerate Industry

The $13 million in government funding will help Puro develop production systems, support skills and training, explore contract growing and identify pathways to market.

April 8, 2022

Melissa Schiller

Grower/Agriculture News International

New Zealand’s government is providing a $13-million grant to Puro, one of the country’s largest organic medical cannabis cultivators, to help accelerate the nascent industry.

The funding will help Puro develop production systems, support skills and training, explore contract growing and identify pathways to market, according to a company press release.

Puro Managing Director Tim Aldridge said in the release that “the grant is a gamechanger that will provide New Zealand patients with greater access to locally grown and manufactured medicine and pave the way for international export success.”

“Being one of New Zealand’s first medicinal cannabis companies has meant we’ve had to overcome some major challenges—it hasn’t been easy,” Aldridge said. “This program will see us create an organic production handbook that will be invaluable for Puro and our industry. The grant will also support Puro in developing post-harvesting processing technology and build the IP required to produce premium organic cannabis flower to meet increasing domestic and global demand.”

Puro was founded in 2018 and harvested its first medical cannabis crop last year, according to a government press release.

The funding will also allow Puro to develop unique cultivars and seed stock for New Zealand’s medical cannabis industry, according to the company’s announcement.

“Our cultivation team are researching and developing the strains of medicinal cannabis best suited for New Zealand’s unique climate,” Aldridge said. “The grant will see the acceleration of a large genetic database of cultivars to support the New Zealand industry and differentiate our cannabis products in global markets.”

New Zealand Agriculture Commissioner Hon Damien O’Connor said that the grant could help the country’s medical cannabis industry become as successful as its wine industry.

“Now is the perfect time to grow this high-value industry, as international demand for medicinal cannabis takes off while New Zealand is amid an export boom,” O’Connor said in a public statement. “This project will bring significant scale to this new industry, providing domestically sourced medicinal cannabis for Kiwi patients in pain and exciting export opportunities in a global growth market, providing further diversification of land use and export opportunities.”

The partnership between New Zealand’s government and Puro is a $32-million program that will run from 2022 to 2027, with the Ministry Primary Industries’ Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures (SFF Futures) contributing the $13-million grant and Puro contributing the remainder of the funding.

“The announcement of this large-scale industry development project is an exceptional example of government and business working together at a critical time for our sector as we prepare for a significant export opportunity,” Steve Wilson, chair of the New Zealand Medicinal Cannabis Council, said in a public statement. “Puro operates at the forefront of organic and best practice cultivation. Its collaborative approach to develop and fast track research programs will provide real and long-lasting benefits to all New Zealand cultivators, medicines manufacturers and, as a result, the New Zealand economy."

Cleveland Mayor Files for Expungement of More Than 4,000 Cannabis Convictions

Pennsylvania Senators to Introduce Legislation to Ban Delta-8 THC

Jushi Completes NuLeaf Acquisition and Expands Vertically Integrated Operations in Nevada

New Zealand Government Provides Grant to Medical Cannabis Cultivator to Help Accelerate Industry

Montana’s Adult-Use Cannabis Sales Reach Nearly $16 Million in March

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