This week, the formal legalization of cannabis in Canada represented a major step forward for the global marketplace. South of the border, U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer laid out a blueprint to decriminalize marijuana across the U.S.
Here, we’ve rounded up the 10 headlines you need to know before this week is out.
- Federal: Edibles sales in the U.S. and Canada are on pace to reach more than $4.1 billion by 2022, and with consumer-packaged goods giants making sizable investments in cannabis companies—such as Constellation Brands’ multi-billion-dollar investment in Canada’s Canopy Growth Corp.—the category’s potential could exceed expectations, according to a new report released by Arcview Market Research in partnership with BDS Analytics. By employing naming, branding and product development strategies already common in the consumer-packaged goods industry, cannabis edibles companies are quickly gaining market share and helping to normalize cannabis, the report says. Read more
- In honor of Canada’s first day with legal adult-use marijuana, an optimistic U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) sent a letter to House Democratic leadership Oct. 17 outlining a plan to advance federal legalization measures with the goal of federally legalizing cannabis by the end of 2019. “Congress is out of step with the American people and the states on cannabis,” he wrote. “There is no question: cannabis prohibition will end. Democrats should lead the way.” Read more
- Oklahoma: Oklahoma lawmakers on a legislative working group have unanimously approved recommendations for medical marijuana testing standards. The goal of the 11-page proposal is to ensure medical marijuana products sold in dispensaries are safe, according to group co-chair Sen. Greg McCortney. Read more
- New Jersey: The state Department of Health received 146 applications for the six additional medical marijuana providers requested by Gov. Phil Murphy. But under that crush of paperwork, the DOH has delayed the selection process, which could push back the opening of the additional medical marijuana dispensaries. Read more
- On the other hand, New Jersey lawmakers say they may be voting on legalizing recreational marijuana this month. During a Facebook live interview, Gov. Murphy said legislative leaders may call for a vote to legalize marijuana as soon as Oct. 29. Read more
- Louisiana: Louisiana’s first legal crop of medical marijuana was harvested this week, but regulatory hurdles have slowed the process, making it unclear when medical cannabis will actually be commercially available. Namely, the state lacks a testing lab. Read more
- Utah: House and Senate Republicans appear to be on board with a proposed compromise bill for dispensing medical marijuana in Utah regardless of whether the ballot initiative passes next month. But those who support Proposition 2 say lawmakers are putting on a show and patients would never get medical cannabis under the proposal. Read more
- California: Sonoma County supervisors Tuesday voted to allow recreational sales to begin at marijuana dispensaries as early as mid-November and limited most cannabis-growing farms to properties at least 10 acres or larger. The size requirement eliminates more than 5,100 properties previously eligible for cannabis cultivation, county staff said. Read more
- Colorado: The adult-use marijuana industry in Colorado continues to grow, according to data in a trio of regularly issued reports released by the Colorado Department of Revenue and its Marijuana Enforcement Division. Marijuana sales, revenue and new business licenses increased, while average market rates decreased. Read more
- Canada: Canada’s long debate over cannabis legalization ended this summer with the passage of its new law, which went into effect Oct. 17. In one form or another, cannabis consumers were able to partake legally in the largest regulated market in the world this week. Read more
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