cannabis

NYS: Native nations assert right to cannabis economy

Posted on January 31st, 2022 by Bill Weinberg and tagged , , , , .

New YorkNative American nations in New York state are eyeing the legal cannabis business, with some reservations already operating dispensaries. With state authorities yet to issue licensing regulations, the Shinnecock and Iroquois nations are asserting their rights under principles of indigenous sovereignty.

Thailand approves home cultivation —a first for Asia

Posted on January 27th, 2022 by Bill Weinberg and tagged , , , , , , , , , .

BangkokThere is jubilation among cannabis advocates in Thailand after authorities announced a change to the narcotics code allowing personal cultivation—a breakthrough for the Asian continent. But does the reform really presage full legalization?

NYS prisoners punished for 'false positives' —including for synthetic cannabinoids

Posted on January 24th, 2022 by Bill Weinberg and tagged , , , , .

prisonersAn official study in New York reveals numerous false positives in drug tests carried out by the state prison system, with hundreds of inmates punished (sometimes quite harshly) for imbibing that did not actually take place —including for cannabinoids. 

Expungement meets obstacles in Montana too

Posted on January 20th, 2022 by Bill Weinberg and tagged , , , , , , .

MontanaVoters in Montana approved a cannabis legalization initiative in 2020, which included language explicitly calling for expungement of past convictions. But the process has been meeting with some resistance from local courts—and plans for a special court to oversee expungement have been dropped.

Oooh, that smell: can it still get you busted?

cannabisWith growing legal and cultural space for cannabis, can the mere smell of the stuff still be sufficient cause for a search that could potentially land you in jail? The answer is that the courts are divided on this question. Meanwhile, cannabis attorneys warn against the fatal error of consenting to a search.

SAFE Banking Act faces battle in Senate —again

Posted on January 16th, 2022 by Bill Weinberg and tagged , , , , .

capitolCritical legislation that would allow the cannabis industry to access financial services has passed the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives for yet a sixth time—but will likely be killed once again by the Senate, where the Democratic majority is razor-thin.

Atlanta rapper faces sentencing on federal cannabis 'conspiracy' charge

Posted on January 13th, 2022 by Bill Weinberg and tagged , , , , , , .

raloAtlanta rapper Terrell Davis, better known by his stage-name Ralo, has been held for nearly four years on a federal cannabis “conspiracy” charge, and finally faces sentencing in March. He is potentially looking at up to 20 years in prison. Top names in the rap industry are mobilizing to plead for clemency in his case.

'Wild West' on the East Coast: post-MRTA free-for-all persists in New York

Posted on January 11th, 2022 by Bill Weinberg and tagged , , , , , , .

NYCThe boom in "gray market" cannabis street sales in the Big Apple since legalization took effect in New York state has now reached the point of actual unlicensed and unregulated storefront dispensaries—which are apparently tolerated. This development is raising skeptical eyebrows from aspiring cannabis entrepreneurs still waiting for Albany to put a regulation structure in place.

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