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Connecticut Officials Working to Finalize Seed-to-Sale Cannabis Analytic Tracking System for Adult-Use Sales Next Year

The system will capture and maintain records of all legal adult-use cannabis in Connecticut from seed to sale and monitor licensee activity.

October 8, 2021

Andriana Ruscitto

State by State: Connecticut

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) is working with a local vendor to implement a cannabis analytic tracking system for when adult-use sales begin in the state next year.

The electronic tracking system will capture and maintain records of all legal adult-use cannabis in Connecticut from seed to sale and monitor licensee activity, according to recent regulations released from the DCP.

"The system will create a barcode-like identifier for each cannabis product on the market, and producers, delivery companies, and retailers will have to enter into the system every time the product is transported, and eventually sold, creating a documented chain of custody," the Hartford Business Journal reported.

According to the regulations, all licensed cannabis businesses will have an account within the platform; however, companies can use an alternative tracking platform if it complies with Connecticut's system.

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Ontario Government Introduces Proposal to Permanently Enable Cannabis Delivery and Curbside Pickup

The proposal would allow retailers to continue supporting physical distancing and general public health directives.

October 8, 2021

Andriana Ruscitto

Canada Distribution Dispensary News News

The Ontario government introduced the Supporting People and Businesses Act Thursday to provide continued support to citizens throughout the COVID-19 pandemic by modifying or reducing specific standards and regulations.

Part of the wide-ranging bill is a proposal to enable cannabis retail stores to offer delivery services and curbside pickup permanently.

According to the Ontario government website, the proposal would allow "retailers to continue supporting physical distancing and general public health directives."

High Tide, a Canada-based retail-focused cannabis company, announced its support of the government's proposal.

"Along with many other businesses, legal cannabis retailers have seen their bottom lines impacted by the pandemic," said Raj Grover, High Tide president and CEO, in a press release. "As lockdowns were put in place, the government of Ontario listened to legal cannabis businesses and allowed us to offer curbside pickup and delivery services to our customers on a temporary basis. This decision helped many smaller cannabis retailers stay afloat and limit layoffs, while providing the sector with an important tool to combat illicit market operators, many of whom began ramping up their unregulated delivery services as the pandemic hit.”

"I am pleased that the Ontario government has now decided to make the delivery allowance permanent," Grover added. "Through the pandemic, licensed cannabis retailers have proven that we can operate home delivery in a safe and secure manner that allows adults to have timely access to the regulated and quality-controlled products that they want, while ensuring that, unlike illicit market operators, access to youth is strictly forbidden."

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Michigan’s Marijuana Regulatory Agency Will Oversee All Cannabis-Derived THC Products Starting Oct. 11

The products, which have been sold outside of the state’s regulated cannabis market, will now only be made available through licensed cannabis retailers after proper testing and approvals.

October 8, 2021

Melissa Schiller

Compliance Legislation and regulation News State by State: Michigan

Michigan’s Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA) will oversee the sale of all cannabis-derived THC products in the state starting Oct. 11.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation in July to regulate delta-8 THC, which has been sold by gas stations, online vendors and other retailers outside of Michigan’s regulated cannabis market without the licensing, testing and other regulations that govern Michigan’s licensed cannabis businesses.

Under the new law, all cannabis-derived THC products will be covered by state law and regulated by MRA beginning Monday, and the products will only be sold through licensed cannabis retailers after proper testing and approvals, according to a local 9 & 10 News report.

Regulators will review and analyze all “intoxicating substances,” including delta-8 THC and THC-O-acetate, under the new law to determine whether they need to be safety tested through MRA’s statewide monitoring system and tracked through Michigan’s seed-to-sale tracking system, 9 & 10 News reported.

“Michigan’s approach to cannabis is a model for the nation in regard to protecting its residents and making sure that those who consume these products do so in a safe manner,” MRA Executive Director Andrew Brisbo told the news outlet. “Moving forward, these intoxicating products will be removed from the unregulated marketplace and placed in a well-regulated and licensed system, restricted to adults, and monitored for safety."

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Kentucky Lawmaker Revises Medical Cannabis Legalization Bill

Rep. Jason Nemes believes his legislation has the support it needs to clear the General Assembly if it comes up for a vote during the 2022 legislative session.

October 8, 2021

Melissa Schiller

Legislation and regulation Medical Cannabis News State by State: Kentucky

Kentucky Rep. Jason Nemes is working on a revised version of his medical cannabis legalization bill, which he believes has the support it needs to clear the General Assembly if it comes up for a vote during the 2022 legislative session, according to a WDRB report.

An earlier version of the bill passed the House in a 65-30 vote during the 2020 session before stalling in the Senate, the news outlet reported.

The legislation allows four qualifying conditions: chronic pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and nausea. It also bars patients from smoking medical cannabis.

Nemes told WDRB that some provisions previously included in the bill have been changed to increase its chance of passage, including more restrictions on who can grow, sell and prescribe medical cannabis.

“I don't know if I'm going to vote for it or not. I've told Rep. Nemes that,” Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Whitney Westerfield, who has worked through the bill with Nemes, told WRDB. “But I'm a lot closer to being able to support something based on what we've worked through.”

Nemes told the news outlet that more minor tweaks to the legislation are needed before he files a new version of the bill. Kentucky’s new legislative session kicks off in January.

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Oklahoma Group Files Two Initiative Petitions to Bring Cannabis Policy Reform to 2022 Ballot

One initiative petition would legalize adult-use cannabis, while the other makes changes to the state’s existing medical cannabis laws.

October 8, 2021

Melissa Schiller

Legislation and regulation Medical Cannabis News State by State: Oklahoma

Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action filed two initiative petitions Oct. 7 to bring cannabis policy reform measures to the state’s 2022 ballot.

One initiative petition would legalize adult-use cannabis, The Oklahoman reported, while the other makes changes to the state’s existing medical cannabis laws.

The adult-use measure would allow adults 21 and older to grow, purchase, transport, receive, prepare and consume cannabis, according to the news outlet. The proposal levies a 15% tax on adult-use cannabis sales and phases out the 7% tax on medical cannabis sales over the course of a year, The Oklahoman reported.

The adult-use proposal also allows those serving time for cannabis-related convictions to ask the court for resentencing or dismissal.

“Until we pass recreational [marijuana legalization] we will not be able to truly bring stability to our program,” Jed Green, who heads Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action and who backed the state’s medical cannabis initiative, State Question 788, told The Oklahoman. “Legalization prevents diversion. Folks have been and are going to use marijuana. Have been for decades. It is in the best interest of our state to get ahead of the curve on this issue. We must put this issue to rest.”

The medical cannabis measure proposes replacing the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) with a standalone agency called the Oklahoma State Cannabis Commission, according to The Oklahoman.

The proposal also gives the newly created Oklahoma State Cannabis Commission a seat on the governor’s cabinet, the news outlet reported.

If the petitions are approved, Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action will have 90 days to gather 178,000 signatures for each proposed constitutional amendment to qualify them for the 2022 ballot.

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