In the past week, California announced plans to allow banks to serve the cannabis industry, Louisiana saw more doctors apply for medical marijuana permits, U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, has cosponsored the Marijuana Justice Act of 2017, the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) issued policies making it easier for veterans who use medical cannabis to navigate the VA system, Hawaii approved medical marijuana for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and more.
1. Talks are underway in California on a plan to allow banks to serve the marijuana industry as the state moves closer to legalizing recreational marijuana. State officials believe that without an adequate banking system in place, dispensaries and their employees are an easy target for crime. Read more
2. As Louisiana edges toward the rollout of its medical marijuana program in Summer 2018, the number of doctors applying for medical marijuana permits is increasing. Three applications have currently been approved, none have been died and the rest are pending. Read more
3. U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, spoke out against the “regulatory acrobatics” required for cannabis research, stating that the application process alone can take more than a year. He went on to say the red-tape laden process is potentially delaying the production of life-changing medicine for many Americans. Read more
4. U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, has cosponsored the Marijuana Justice Act of 2017. The Act was first introduced by Sen. Corey Booker, D-New Jersey, and seeks to decriminalize marijuana nationwide and have the plant removed from the federal list of controlled substances. Read more
5. The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) issues policies making it easier for veterans who use medical cannabis to navigate the VA system. Providers and pharmacists now must discuss marijuana use with the veteran due to relevance to patient care and treatment. Read more
6. Hollister, Calif., will implement a minimum 45-day prohibition on recreational marijuana. The ordinance will prohibit the growing, processing or sale of adult-use cannabis. Read more
7. Adult-use sales in Nevada for October reached nearly $38 million according to the State Department of Taxation, which released the figures of Wednesday. It marks Nevada’s highest monthly sales since its adult-use program went live four months ago. Read more
8. Ohio received more than 100 applications for medical marijuana processing licenses prior to the Dec. 15 deadline. The state plans to issue up to 40 licenses. Read more
9. Hawaii approved medical marijuana for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Read more
10. Mexico has announced plans to legalize the sale of cannabis-based foods, drinks, medicines and cosmetics by early next year. Read more
Top image: © Jiri Hera | Dreamstime
