Proposed Law to Stop Limiting Number of Dispensaries

 

Proposed Law to Stop Limiting Number of Dispensaries

by Ben Horner

Bipartisan bill HB 6337, and companion HB 6336, that was introduced in late June would prevent cities and villages in Michigan from allowing a petition question that would limit the number of dispensaries that could be licensed within its jurisdiction to be placed on the ballot. Local ballot initiatives have been the precursor for legalizing both medical and adult-use marijuana in Michigan. 

This move is seen as a way to curb smaller cities and villages from being able to use the petitioning process to allow citizens to set certain limits on the number of dispensaries. Small cities and villages may be less likely to opt in to the Michigan cannabis program and claim the potential tax revenue if there are too many dispensaries. Regardless, this seems like another legislative attack on Michigan home rule laws and direct democracy.

Representative Julie Calley is a sponsor on both bills. She was an active sponsor of HB 5512, which passed recently with bipartisan support. HB 5512 allows drug courts in Michigan to prevent medical marijuana patients in Michigan from being able to use cannabis while part of the court program. This bill gives judges, probation officers, and prosecutors the power to set aside the decision in many cases involving MMJ patients. 

These new bills relating to dispensaries are only in their very early stages, but with the lame duck period coming up after the November elections, it is possible that the bills will get bundled into a package of bills that seek to change the rules and laws related to marijuana in Michigan.

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Weed Found Growing at New Mexico Public Beach

 

Weed Found Growing at New Mexico Public Beach

by Amy Wilding-Fox

Just when it seems that cannabis is becoming as American as apple pie, something happens as a reminder the United States has not reached that level yet.

In early July, an eagle-eyed local news crew spotted what was thought to be a wild marijuana plant growing at Tingley Beach in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Located along a walkway near a pond, the shocked crew immediately alerted authorities of their find. Staff did not take long to respond to their call, and quickly removed the ill-fated cannabis plant.

Upon removal from the earth, the roots had shown evidence of being transplanted from a pot. Therefore, the authorities determined an unknown perpetrator purposely planted the cannabis in that spot.

The park officials issued a statement regarding the surprising discovery of the rogue cannabis plant, claiming that such incidents can be just as disruptive and harmful to the park as littering or stealing park amenities. The Botanic Garden and Heritage Farm manager said, “We really encourage our guests to come and recreate responsibly, certainly not plant their own plants of their choosing.” He went on to say, “Everybody’s actions definitely contribute to keeping Tingley so beautiful.”

Beach and park officials also ask if anyone knows anything about this incident, or if they see anything like this happening, to please alert authorities.

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Lume Shuffles the Deck

 

Lume Shuffles the Deck

by Ben Horner

With more retail locations in Michigan than any other retail cannabis store chain, Lume is the self-proclaimed largest single state operator in the country. Funded by the owners of Belle Tire, Lume has a solid footprint around the state. As the market prices of cannabis fall dramatically around the Great Lakes State, retailers are facing stiff competition to draw in and retain customers. In July, the company closed four stores in Bay City, Christmas, Cheboygan, and Southfield. Employees at the location report that they were not given advance notice, however they were offered a severance package and an opportunity to apply at other company stores.

The new Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids Lume locations opened in July. Lume is a vertically integrated cannabis company, so it makes many of its own products. This brings the new total of stores to 29. Lume is represented by Byrum & Fisk and is a member of the Michigan Cannabis Manufacturers Association (MCMA). Members of the competing cannabis lobby group, Michigan Cannabis Industry Association (MICIA), have called for a boycott of Lume, stating that they support legislation to attack the cannabis caregiver program that allows MMJ caregivers to grow up to 72 plants for their patients. MICIA has supported legislation that limited people’s right to make certain forms of hash oil extractions that patients use for cancer treatments.

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Oregon Leading the Way to New Frontier of Legal Psilocybin

 

Oregon Leading the Way to New Frontier of Legal Psilocybin

by Amy Wilding-Fox

Though still illegal at the federal level, psilocybin is getting the primary green light from the FDA by naming it a “breakthrough therapy for severe depression.” Communities across the country have begun to decriminalize psilocybin, but Oregon leads the pack in the legalization of the psychedelic drug also known as “magic mushrooms.”

Two years after voters approved the initiative, Oregon has finally begun drafting the final rules for their Psilocybin Therapeutic Program. This program will create licensed facilities for people twenty-one and over to safely consume magic mushrooms at an approved site while under the supervision of the facilitator. The new rules are not without confusion and questions from constituents and business owners looking to get in on this industry at the ground floor. 

With some already investing heavily, the concern is caused by the caveat allowing counties to opt out of the new laws if voted on by constituents. This is not a new idea to cannabis advocates, as several states have enacted similar opt-out options on marijuana laws for local communities. There are already numerous counties, mostly rural, with such an initiative on the ballot for November 2022. Supporters have voiced concern on the outcome and fear having to move if they wish to continue investing in the new industry should their county get the votes to opt out.

With regard to the cannabis laws, advocates hope the counties that have chosen to opt out will eventually see the tax revenue that they will lose out on and reverse course—like many counties in Oregon did upon seeing the revenues from legal marijuana sales.

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Guam Finally Accepting Applications for Licensing

 

Guam Finally Accepting Applications for Licensing

 by Amy Wilding-Fox

In April of 2019, adult consumption, possession and personal cannabis gardens became legal in the U.S .Territory of Guam. Crossing that hurdle has been half the battle, as the exchange or sale of cannabis products is still unlawful leaving many residents without a safe and legal way to acquire marijuana.

The Pacific Daily News reports Guam will finally be accepting license applications for retail cannabis locations beginning August 29th. After three years of polishing the policy, The Guam Department of Revenue and Taxation released the general application guidelines which include these points:

• Only a “responsible official” approved by the Cannabis Control Board can submit applications, documents, and reports for a cannabis business, including applying for a license and permit to operate.
• Responsible officials must be at least 21 years old, own the business, or be responsible for operating the business, and cannot be convicted of manufacturing or distributing Schedule I or Schedule II controlled substances, except for cannabis.
• The responsible official is accountable for any actions by the business owners, officers, managers, employees, or agents that violate the adult-use cannabis law or industry rules and regulations.
• Responsible officials must pay a $1,000 fee.

Having begun the process toward a creating legal cannabis market, Guam is still trying to sort many issues out. For example, Guam—bound to uphold U.S. federal banking regulations—must navigate the myriad requirements of banking cannabis businesses. Currently, the banking and insurance commissioner is working closely with Guam’s financial institutions to create a  banking system specifically designed for the cannabis industry.

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Uncertain Economy Hits National Cannabis Industry Organization

 

Uncertain Economy Hits National Cannabis Industry Organization

 by Amy Wilding-Fox

Founded in 2017, a short-lived Wisconsin-based organization, the National Association of Cannabis Businesses (NACB), shuttered for good on July 31, 2022. The organization was open to cannabis businesses that included growers, suppliers, and legal distributors of THC, CBD, and/or hemp products. 

Headed by CEO Marie St. Fleur, NACB was a key contributor to the advocacy for a national standard in the cannabis business. Among their areas of interest, NACB lobbied for a national standard in testing, cash management and banking, cybersecurity, sustainability, and social equity guidelines to help those most affected by the drug war benefit from the budding industry. 

They were also a proponent for creating a standard for adult-use recreational cannabis. NACB provided consultation to multiple states on the topic of adult-use, including Illinois and New York.

In a statement on their website and in an email to its members, NACB stated, “Due to current economic conditions, the decision has been made to cease operations.”

Just how this decision will affect the advancement of federal legislation and new state laws remains to be seen, but this could foreshadow a trend, should our economy continue in the direction it is going.

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British Columbia Expanding Recreational Delivery

 

British Columbia Expanding Recreational Delivery

 by Amy Wilding-Fox

On July 8, it became even easier for residents of British Columbia residents to obtain cannabis products. On that date, it became to legal to deliver marijuana flower, concentrates and other THC infused products via common carriers which, by definition, includes Canada Post, among other delivery services. This is an expansion of the law already in place allowing businesses to deliver personally with the province.

Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth said in a recent press release, “Since federal legalization of non-medical cannabis, we have continued to look for ways to support the cannabis industry in our province while providing safe and accessible options for British Columbians. Expanding delivery-service options not only builds equality within the market, it also gives consumers one more reason to buy legal instead of illicit.”

Retail Cannabis Council of BC executive director Jaclynn Pehota responded on behalf of local retail cannabis businesses and their consumers. “Private retailers welcome this expanded delivery regime. This is a significant tool for our members. Government heard our request and responded. Knowing that the government supports and is creating parity within the legal cannabis industry will help retailers thrive and will continue to ensure British Columbians have a choice as consumers.”

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