BOSTON -- The Cannabis Control Commission has an executive director, temporary office space and soon it will have the money it needs to build out a legal marijuana market in Massachusetts.

The Legislature on Thursday passed a supplemental budget (H 4052) appropriating $2.7 million for the operations of the CCC and sent it to Gov. Charlie Baker. The amount approved Thursday is less than the $3.6 million in operating funds the CCC had requested in early November but is expected to satisfy the commission's needs.

The House and Senate approved the bill during sessions on Thursday, and one senator used the lightly attending gathering to air some concerns.

Sen. Jason Lewis said he and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr plan to send a letter to the Senate Ways and Means Committee next week requesting that the next supplemental spending bill include funding for public awareness campaigns around drugged driving and youth addiction, efforts which are to be led by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security and the Department of Public Health.

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Two Republicans representing Morris County in Trenton are pushing back against the promise by Governor-elect Phil Murphy to sign a bill legalizing marijuana in the first 100 days of his administration.

Murphy and the Democratic majorities in the Senate and Assembly have said they want marijuana legalized in early 2018, which could generate up to $300 million in annual taxes to the state.

District 25 Sen. Joseph Pennacchio and District 26 Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco are against the legalization. Bucco said the issue needs to be debated.

To that end, Bucco announced Friday he introduced legislation that would require police to obtain blood samples from people arrested for drug-impaired driving.

"If we are going to see legalized marijuana in 2018, I think we need to be ahead of the curve," Bucco said. "We need to start thinking about how we are going to be able to enforce the laws we have, and how we're not only going to regulate its use, but also make sure that we have a way to make sure people aren't abusing it similar to alcohol."

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MIDWEST CITY, Oklahoma - Eastern Oklahoma County just welcomed the area's first store dedicated to selling cannabinoid-infused products.

Cann-Help Wellness opened its doors in Midwest City Friday, and the owners hope to battle the opioid epidemic in the state, one sale at a time.

RELATED: Wisconsin Stores Carry Version of CBD Oil

With the state attorney general cracking down hard on pain clinics prescribing opioids, many patients are looking for an alternative. Cann-Help Wellness's owners say CBD is the answer, and their mission is personal.

Offering a variety of strengths and formulas for a variety of needs and ailments, Travis and Lori Evans believe CBD is the wave of the future.

“They’re creating opportunities for people to get their lives back and we’re just thankful to be part of that,” said Travis.

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In the past week, Orlando welcomed its second medical dispensary, Hawaii is requiring medical marijuana patients to turn in their firearms, Canada moved one step closer to legalizing marijuana, Santa Barbara, Calif. voted to allow five dispensaries, Attorney General Jeff Sessions continued to make the industry nervous and more.

1. Floridian Michael Bowen, along with Miami-Dade based Bill’s Nursery sued Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s administration over the slow implementation of the state’s new medical marijuana law. Bowen suffers from epilepsy and needs medical marijuana to prevent seizures. Read more.
   
   
2. The Santa Barbara, Calif. City Council voted to allow five recreational dispensaries, but not everyone in the community, including some council members, are thrilled with the decision. Read more.
   
   
3. The first medical marijuana dispensaries opened in Maryland this week, nearly five years after medical marijuana was legalized. Read more.
   
   
4. Canada’s House of Commons passed Bill C-45, moving the country one step closer to legalizing marijuana by summer 2018. Read more.
   
   
5. U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said the Justice Department is looking for ways to work toward a “rational” marijuana policy. Sessions is a hardcore marijuana prohibitionist, making those in the industry nervous that a federal crackdown could be on the way. Read more.
   
   
6. Trulieve, run by North Florida's Hackney Nursery, held a grand opening at its new medical dispensary at 4544 N. Orange Blossom Trail. It is Orlando’s second medical dispensary. Read more.
   
   
7. Hawaii Medical marijuana patients are not permitted to own firearms or ammunition and have thirty days to voluntarily hand over their guns, according to the Honolulu Police Department. Read more.
   
   
8. A new bill requires all New York Medical Marijuana Program doctors to be listed on the state’s Department of Health website. The requirement will make it easier for patients to locate doctors. Read more.
   
   
9. Kentucky Secretary of State says cities and counties should endorse medical marijuana legislation. Grimes says medical marijuana can help Kentucky’s citizens, many who are veterans fighting physical and mental illnesses. Read more. 

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