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.
United States
Biden Pardons All Federal Offenses of Simple Marijuana Possession in First Major Step Toward Decriminalization
President Joe Biden is taking his first major steps toward decriminalizing marijuana, fulfilling a campaign pledge to erase prior federal possession convictions and beginning the process of potentially loosening federal classification of the drug.
Biden Health Secretary Has Already Talked To FDA About Marijuana Scheduling Review, Which Will Move ‘Quickly’
“The president was very clear—he wants this done as quickly as possible.” By Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra said in Tampa Friday that he intends for his agency to move “as quickly as we can” to comply with President Joe Biden’s directive to…
Explainer: What Will Change if Federal Marijuana Ban is Loosened
U.S. President Joe Biden has he would pardon people convicted in federal court of simple marijuana possession, and that his administration is reconsidering the classification of cannabis, which has been in the most dangerous category of drugs.
Colorado Governor And Top Officials Call On Congress To Pass Marijuana Banking Bill
The governor of Colorado and other top state officials are again pushing Congress to pass a bipartisan marijuana banking bill with what’s left of the session. Gov. Jared Polis (D), Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera (D), Attorney General Phil Weiser (D), Treasurer Dave Young (D) and Department of Public Safe…
California
California Funds Research On Blocking Marijuana Monopolies And Protecting ‘Legacy’ Cannabis Strains
California officials announced on Wednesday that the state will be awarding up to $20 million in marijuana tax-funded grants to universities that carry out research into cannabis science and policy—including studies on preventing monopolies in the legal industry and securing the genetics of “legacy”…
California: $15 Million in Grants to Support Social Equity Programs
On Monday, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) announced that it is accepting grant solicitations for the Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions for the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
New York
Gov. Kathy Hochul Confirms Marijuana Dispensaries Set to Open This Year
In an exclusive interview, the governor laid out what she expects to see NY accomplish with cannabis this year and in the first few months of 2023.
Hochul Hunts for Marijuana DWI Test as NY Opens Cannabis Shops
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration is scrambling for help to measure when stoned motorists are driving while under the influence of cannabis because no such valid test currently exists.
New Jersey
New Jersey Wants Social Equity To Be Part Of Its Cannabis Program, Are Big Weed Companies On Board? - Curaleaf Holdings
Even though marijuana sales are legal in New Jersey, members of the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) have made it clear that they are not satisfied with how things are shaking out.
World
No 10 Rejects Reports that Braverman Could Make Cannabis Class A
Spokesperson says ‘no plans’ to reclassify drug despite claims that home secretary supports move
Morocco Grants First Authorizations for Legal Cannabis Industry
The Cannabis Activities Regulatory Agency (ANRAC), a brand new organization to regulate the legal cultivation of cannabis, issued ten permits for processing and manufacturing cannabis in Morocco.
Business
Aurora Cannabis Repurchases $23 Million Worth of Debt
Aurora Cannabis reduced its debt load by repurchasing roughly 31.3 million Canadian dollars ($23 million) of its convertible senior notes.
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