Cannabeat is a weekly digest of news, business, and culture in the cannabis industry curated by members of Emerge Law Group’s distinguished Cannabis Industry Group.
Federal Legalization
Legalizing Marijuana Would Be Rare Bipartisan Win for Congress, So What's the Holdup?
NEWSWEEK
Congress has a rare opportunity this year to pass a bipartisan piece of legislation that could increase federal tax revenues, promote the creation of small businesses, create jobs and enact criminal justice reform—all with broad public support from Americans across the political spectrum.
Congress has a rare opportunity this year to pass a bipartisan piece of legislation that could increase federal tax revenues, promote the creation of small businesses, create jobs and enact criminal justice reform—all with broad public support from Americans across the political spectrum.
Big Weed is on the brink of scoring big political wins. So where are they?
POLITICO
Competing agendas have stifled the effectiveness of the burgeoning industry on Capitol Hill. Marijuana advocates are stuck in the weeds.
Competing agendas have stifled the effectiveness of the burgeoning industry on Capitol Hill. Marijuana advocates are stuck in the weeds.
Flaws in Federal Cannabis Bills Threaten the Legal Market
BLOOMBERG
Flaws in proposed federal marijuana legislation threaten the legal cannabis market, especially failure to pause the Dormant Commerce Clause, say Shaleen Title, the distinguished cannabis policy practitioner in residence at the Ohio State University Drug Enforcement and Policy Center, and Andrew Kline, who co-leads the cannabis practice at Perkins Coie. They suggest some changes.
Flaws in proposed federal marijuana legislation threaten the legal cannabis market, especially failure to pause the Dormant Commerce Clause, say Shaleen Title, the distinguished cannabis policy practitioner in residence at the Ohio State University Drug Enforcement and Policy Center, and Andrew Kline, who co-leads the cannabis practice at Perkins Coie. They suggest some changes.
Why Amazon is ramping up its push for legalizing marijuana
THE WASHINGTON POST
Amazon is channeling its influence in Washington to drum up bipartisan support for an unlikely cause: legalizing marijuana. The company on Tuesday endorsed legislation by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) to end the federal prohibition on pot, as Forbes reported, the first time it has backed a GOP-led bill on the issue.
Amazon is channeling its influence in Washington to drum up bipartisan support for an unlikely cause: legalizing marijuana. The company on Tuesday endorsed legislation by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) to end the federal prohibition on pot, as Forbes reported, the first time it has backed a GOP-led bill on the issue.
Marijuana legalization push increasingly unites unlikely political bedfellows
MARIJUANA BUSINESS DAILY
Marijuana legalization has long been viewed by many as a left-wing cause, in part thanks to the political divisions of the Nixon era and the U.S. war on drugs in the 1970s. But that has changed in recent years. And it has accelerated even more in recent months, boosting reform efforts at the state and federal levels.
Marijuana legalization has long been viewed by many as a left-wing cause, in part thanks to the political divisions of the Nixon era and the U.S. war on drugs in the 1970s. But that has changed in recent years. And it has accelerated even more in recent months, boosting reform efforts at the state and federal levels.
Social Equity
California promised ‘social equity’ after pot legalization. Those hit hardest feel betrayed
LOS ANGELES TIMES
The very thing that had once torn Ingrid Archie from her daughters and led to her incarceration now made her bubble with unbridled optimism. It was early 2019, a year after recreational pot sales began in California under Proposition 64, and politicians and activists were proclaiming that Archie and others who grew up in communities disproportionately criminalized by the “war on drugs” could now profit off the legal cannabis industry as entrepreneurs.
The very thing that had once torn Ingrid Archie from her daughters and led to her incarceration now made her bubble with unbridled optimism. It was early 2019, a year after recreational pot sales began in California under Proposition 64, and politicians and activists were proclaiming that Archie and others who grew up in communities disproportionately criminalized by the “war on drugs” could now profit off the legal cannabis industry as entrepreneurs.
Congressman Is ‘Outraged’ Over Lack Of Diversity In Marijuana License Approvals In New Jersey
MARIJUANA MOMENT
A U.S. congressman wants answers from New Jersey regulators about why none of the 56 marijuana retailer licenses that state regulators have approved have gone to black business owners from communities most impacted by prohibition.
A U.S. congressman wants answers from New Jersey regulators about why none of the 56 marijuana retailer licenses that state regulators have approved have gone to black business owners from communities most impacted by prohibition.
California
Starting the New Year in California Cannabis
EMERGE LAW GROUP
There hasn’t been a dull moment in the California cannabis industry since the passage of Proposition 64, and rolling into 2022, this year doesn’t look like it’s going to be any different. The sunset process for provisional licenses begins and cannabis taxes were raised as the market continues to fall. On the bright side, licensees…
There hasn’t been a dull moment in the California cannabis industry since the passage of Proposition 64, and rolling into 2022, this year doesn’t look like it’s going to be any different. The sunset process for provisional licenses begins and cannabis taxes were raised as the market continues to fall. On the bright side, licensees…
2022 brings new markets, opportunities for California marijuana firms
More than a dozen California cities are opening new recreational cannabis licensing opportunities this year, either by embracing the legal marijuana industry for the first time or by increasing the number of available business permits.
Craft cannabis industry in California is 'on the brink of collapse,' advocates say
NBC NEWS
Small cannabis growers and operators say the state's hefty taxes are shutting them out despite promises to expand the industry and make it more inclusive.
Small cannabis growers and operators say the state's hefty taxes are shutting them out despite promises to expand the industry and make it more inclusive.
Capitol Rally to Bring Cannabis Tax Crisis to Doorstep of California Lawmakers
HIGH TIMES MAGAZINE
Organizers on how the #NODRUGWARV2 rally is being spearheaded by legacy farmers and BIPOC leaders in cannabis.
Organizers on how the #NODRUGWARV2 rally is being spearheaded by legacy farmers and BIPOC leaders in cannabis.
Los Gatos Town Council to discuss legalizing marijuana dispensaries
The town outlawed such businesses after cannabis was legalized in California. Los Gatos Town Council is scheduled to discuss making marijuana dispensaries legal at its next meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 18. The move would increase local tax revenue.
New Jersey
Dispensaries in NJ Ready and Waiting
NEW JERSEY BUSINESS TIMES
With rules set and applications open, adult-use cannabis is nearly a reality.
With rules set and applications open, adult-use cannabis is nearly a reality.
N.J. legal weed growers brace for layoffs, ‘destroying product’ if consumer market doesn’t open soon
NJ.COM
Like many of New Jersey’s residents who voted to legalize weed for adult consumers, the state’s largest growers say they’ve been eager for the market to open.
Like many of New Jersey’s residents who voted to legalize weed for adult consumers, the state’s largest growers say they’ve been eager for the market to open.
New York
POLITICSNew York Senator Files Marijuana Recycling Bill To Mitigate Environmental Impact Of New Industry
MARIJUANA MOMENT
New York senator filed a bill on Wednesday that would promote recycling in the marijuana industry once retail sales officially launch.
New York senator filed a bill on Wednesday that would promote recycling in the marijuana industry once retail sales officially launch.
Oklahoma
New York Senator Files Marijuana Recycling Bill To Mitigate Environmental Impact Of New Industry
MARIJUANA MOMENT
New York senator filed a bill on Wednesday that would promote recycling in the marijuana industry once retail sales officially launch.
New York senator filed a bill on Wednesday that would promote recycling in the marijuana industry once retail sales officially launch.
Oregon
‘Talk About Clusterf---’: Why Legal Weed Didn’t Kill Oregon’s Black Market
POLITICO
Legalization was supposed to take care of the black market. It hasn’t worked out that way.
Legalization was supposed to take care of the black market. It hasn’t worked out that way.
Southern Oregon’s illegal cannabis woes draw national coverage
OPB
The complex problem of illegal cannabis in Southern Oregon is the subject of a recent in-depth piece from POLITICO’s federal cannabis policy reporter, Natalie Fertig. Fertig traveled to Cave Junction, Grants Pass and the surrounding area at the end of harvest season last year. She spoke to frustrated and anxious residents and local law enforcement as well as economists, and licensed cannabis growers. We talk with Fertig about what she found.
The complex problem of illegal cannabis in Southern Oregon is the subject of a recent in-depth piece from POLITICO’s federal cannabis policy reporter, Natalie Fertig. Fertig traveled to Cave Junction, Grants Pass and the surrounding area at the end of harvest season last year. She spoke to frustrated and anxious residents and local law enforcement as well as economists, and licensed cannabis growers. We talk with Fertig about what she found.
The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission Has Passed a Slew of New Rules Affecting the Weed Industry That Take Hold This Year
WILLAMETTE WEEK
On Dec. 28, while many of us were enjoying a well-deserved post-Christmas chill, the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission was busy approving a new slate of rules that have not only changed what’s available at your local dispensary, but also what’s stocked in the wellness aisle at Oregon grocery stores.
On Dec. 28, while many of us were enjoying a well-deserved post-Christmas chill, the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission was busy approving a new slate of rules that have not only changed what’s available at your local dispensary, but also what’s stocked in the wellness aisle at Oregon grocery stores.
Virginia
Virginia Republicans push for changes in marijuana law
PRESS HERALD
At least eight bills call for amendments to the 2021 statute that legalized adult possession of up to an ounce and aimed for retail sales to begin in 2024.
At least eight bills call for amendments to the 2021 statute that legalized adult possession of up to an ounce and aimed for retail sales to begin in 2024.
Culture
Jim Belushi on ‘Growing Belushi,’ his Oregon cannabis farm, and marijuana as ‘spiritual medicine’
THE OREGONIAN
“I love waking up in Oregon,” Jim Belushi says, on a recent morning. He’s calling from his Southern Oregon property, to talk about Season 2 of “Growing Belushi,” the Discovery Channel series that takes a light-hearted look at life and business on Belushi’s Southern Oregon cannabis farm.
“I love waking up in Oregon,” Jim Belushi says, on a recent morning. He’s calling from his Southern Oregon property, to talk about Season 2 of “Growing Belushi,” the Discovery Channel series that takes a light-hearted look at life and business on Belushi’s Southern Oregon cannabis farm.
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