The Golden State has come a long way to becoming one of the largest cannabis markets in the world. It was first to legalize medical marijuana in 1996, then, recreational use in 2016, and has been at the forefront of social equity policies. Despite being the oldest in the nation, the state is still working to revise its program. Illicit …
Texas Marijuana Update: 2022
While adult-use cannabis remains illegal and medical marijuana is still restricted, public sentiment continues to shift in a favorable direction for proponents of an expanded TX cannabis market. In addition to medical marijuana becoming more accessible and psychoactive cannabinoids like delta 8 THC being declared legal, more cities are pushing to decriminalize the possession of cannabis. While there do not …
New York Regulatory Update
This article was originally featured on the RDC blog here. Though medical marijuana has been legal in the state since 2014, recreational cannabis was only recently legalized in New York in 2021. The rollout of recreational cannabis has been slow in New York, but draft regulations were recently released and now the industry is gearing up for licensing. It is projected that the New …
Mississippi Cannabis Update
Mississippi has become the 37th state in the US to legalize medical marijuana and establish a program where people with debilitating conditions can purchase cannabis, doctors can be certified to prescribe the necessary medicine, and state-licensed businesses can apply to open cultivation facilities and eventually medical dispensaries. Though few states have legalized recreational cannabis in the southeast, several of them have established medical marijuana …
Vermont Cannabis License Update
This article was originally featured on the CB Advisors blog here. Seven more applicants were approved for recreational cannabis licenses this week as Vermont prepares for the start of retail sales to adults in October. All seven of the applicants were social equity or economic empowerment applicants. “The board is required to consider license applications from social equity or economic empowerment …
Washington Cannabis: 10 Years of Legal Cannabis but the Illicit Market Remains
Cannabis has been legal in Washington State now for 10 years, making Washington among the most mature cannabis markets in the country. In 2020 alone, Washington’s cannabis market generated over 18,000 jobs and over $600 million in tax revenue. So why is the unregulated market still thriving? Washington State Cannabis Excise Tax Despite beliefs that California holds the highest, most complex tax …
The History of Cannabis in New York
This article was originally featured on the Point Seven Group Industry News blog here. Though adult-use cannabis was only recently legalized in New York, the plant has had a long history in the state including cannabis decriminalization that started in the 1970s and a medical marijuana program that was established in 2014. Cannabis decriminalization efforts started early in New York …
Unlicensed Cannabis Cultivation in Oregon: Legislation is Bolstering Enforcement, but More Action is Needed
Regions of robust, legal cannabis cultivation, such as the State of Oregon, are seeing a surge in unlicensed cultivation activities that are threatening legal markets, harming the local environment, and creating serious labor and humanitarian concerns. Consequences of Unlicensed Cultivation in Oregon Unlicensed cultivation sites are rampant throughout the counties of Deschutes, Jackson, and Josephine in Oregon. Operated chiefly by organized …
How to Prevent “Wildings” at Your Cannabis Dispensary
In the past few years, retail stores across the United States have seen an influx in crime involving groups conducting smash and grab lootings, also known as “wildings.” Cannabis dispensaries have not been immune to these crimes and many of these “wildings” occurred in California. In most cases, the incidents were over in a matter of minutes – with looters …
Increased Security Requirements for Denver Dispensaries
As of January 1st, of this year, the city of Denver, Colorado has begun mandating cannabis dispensaries implement additional security requirements in response to recent increases in crime at cannabis businesses. There are over 200 dispensaries in Denver that produce an estimated $700 million in annual revenue that now must comply with regulations that bear additional costs and include the use of a secure storage …