Fully Illegal: For Now or Forever?

Fully Illegal: For Now or Forever?

With the rapid expansion of state-by-state medical and adult-use cannabis legalization, it will not be long before the entire U.S. has legal access to cannabis in some form or another. Many attempts to establish federal laws for cannabis have failed in the past, but with support for cannabis increasing, future attempts at cannabis reform may pass. Until then, it is …

Oklahoma Medical Cannabis: Blossoming Legal Market or Black Market Hotspot?

Oklahoma Medical Cannabis: Blossoming Legal Market or Black Market Hotspot?

The Oklahoma medical cannabis industry in 2021 is one of the hottest cannabis markets in America. The lack of regulations and cheap startup costs has made the medical market in Oklahoma grow significantly since its inception, with almost 2,400 cultivation licenses issued in 2020 alone. But how sustainable is Oklahoma’s success?  The Rise of Oklahoma Medical Cannabis Since Oklahoma passed their medical …

Opportunities in the New Mexico Cannabis Industry

Opportunities in the New Mexico Cannabis Market

New Mexico has long been at the forefront of the evolving cannabis since it became one of the first states to allow medical-use cannabis in 2007. Now, the state is fully entering the industry with the signing of legislation to legalize the recreational use of cannabis. The signing of the Cannabis Regulation Act in New Mexico follows the legalization of adult-use cannabis …

Cannabis california

California Establishes the Department of Cannabis Control

After delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, California has officially established the Department of Cannabis Control. While the Bureau of Cannabis Control previously oversaw most cannabis businesses, the Department of Food and Agriculture had jurisdiction over cultivation, and the Department of Public Health oversaw cannabis manufacturing. Now, these three agencies have consolidated cannabis aspects and the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) …

Cannabis Lounge

Cannabis Lounge: Restaurant or Dispensary?

Cannabis Lounge The idea of a cannabis “coffee shop” has been around for decades: a place where a person of legal age can go to consume cannabis while on-site in a relaxing environment, free from judgment. While the same base desires for a similar space still exist within the average cannabis consumer, the level of expectation and innovation for the …

New York Cannabis Industry

Opportunities in the New York Cannabis Market

Medical cannabis has been legal in New York since 2014, but the Marijuana Revenue and Taxation Act (S.854-A/A.1248-A) was only recently legalized by Governor Cuomo. Despite progress toward expanding access to cannabis in the state, a regulatory framework has yet to be established. Adults 21 years and older can currently possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis and up to …

New Jersey Cannabis Business Applications and Municipalities

Opportunities in the New Jersey Cannabis Market

New Jersey legalized recreational cannabis in November 2020 and the state is hopeful that New Jersey cannabis market will help boost their economy after COVID-19. The state has until August 21, 2021 to establish temporary rules for regulating cannabis businesses and will start accepting applications 30 days after.  New Jersey will not allow home grow, but the state will allow cannabis …

Cannabis Security Consultant Pawn Jewelry Tony Gallo

Nebraska: An Example of a Decriminalized State On The Verge of Change

Nebraska belongs to one of the first states that have put decriminalization laws in place to handle its cannabis. Decriminalization in Nebraska has delayed the legalization of cannabis but the efforts towards this direction remain persistent. There are a few initiatives with different agendas that are pushing for cannabis legalization, in particular, for medical purposes.  Unique Geographic Location  One of the factors influencing Nebraska’s open-minded attitude to embrace cannabis legalization is that it is surrounded by different states that either legalized medical …

Cannabis Security Consultant Pawn Jewelry Tony Gallo

2020: Medical Cannabis Legalization, Part I

This multi-part series will explore the states most likely to legalize medical or recreational cannabis in 2020. According to the National Institute of Cannabis Investors, 33 states have legalized cannabis for medical purposes and 11 states have legalized the plant’s recreational use. It’s only a matter of time before more states follow suit and legalize cannabis to treat medical patients …

Attention Illinois Cannabis Community: It’s Time for Round 2!

​Applications were released today for the Illinois Craft Grow, Infuser, and Transportation Organization Licenses. The Illinois Department of Agriculture will begin accepting applications on February 14, 2020, and all applications must be submitted by March 16, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. At Sapphire Risk Advisory Group, we assisted several clients with security plans for the Illinois Dispensary round. Now we are …