In the past week, an Alaska edibles manufacturer came under scrutiny for it’s product testing procedures, Ohio faced backlash after hiring a consultant with a drug conviction to help select the state’s medical growers, Los Angeles is on track to become one of the largest cities with legal recreational cannabis and Oregon’s medical sales are on the decline with the proliferation of recreational dispensaries.
- New Jersey Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco introduced legislation calling for “drugged drivers” tests if the state legalizes marijuana. Governor-elect Phil Murphy has promised to sign a bill legalizing marijuana in the first 100 days of his administration. Read more.
- Medical marijuana could be coming to Oklahoma. Gov. Mary Fallin announced her intentions to set an election date for a medical marijuana ballot measure after the new year. Last year, a petition obtained enough signatures to force a statewide referendum on the issue. Read more.
- The rapid growth of Oregon’s recreational cannabis market is creating problems for some medical dispensaries as medical sales continue to plummet in the state. Many medical dispensary owners are now scrambling to apply for recreational licenses. Read more.
- Frozen Budz, one of Alaska’s largest edibles manufacturers, has halted production of its consumables amid allegations that the Fairbanks-based company neglected to have its products tested. Production remain suspended until the Alaska Marijuana Control Board can complete its investigation. Read more.
- Canada’s Alternative Medicine Association (AMA), a subsidiary of Friday Night Inc., has agreed to produce concentrates for a popular Nevada dispensary chain. The chain will provide AMA with raw trim, who will extract and process the materials. Read more.
- Illinois Republican State Sen. Jason Barickman stated he wants to work with Democrats on a marijuana bill despite Gov. Bruce Rauner’s strong opposition to legalizing marijuana. Read more.
- Ohio is facing backlash over its decision to hire a consultant with a drug conviction to help select the state’s medical marijuana growers. Last week, Ohio selected 12 growers for 24 licenses. The CEO of a company not selected for a license made the consultant’s conviction public to protest the selection process. Read more.
- Los Angeles is on track to become one of the largest U.S. cities with legal recreational marijuana after the City Council approved a plethora of ordinances at its Wednesday meeting. L.A. plans to create a Social Equity Program that would give those previously incarcerated on cannabis-related charges an on-ramp to become employees or business owners in the new industry. Read more.
- Green Bits, a dispensary point of sale software company, launched in Maryland this week, making it the eighth state the Silicon Valley-based company is operating in. Green Bits aims to make it easier for medical marijuana companies to sell to and connect with patients. Read more.
- Massachusetts is considering allowing cannabis clubs once recreational marijuana is made legal. The clubs would operate like bars, except they would offer cannabis not alcohol. Proponents say the clubs could help keep marijuana out of the hands of children. Read more.
Top image: © Peter Kim | Dreamstime
