MjLink Cannabis Business News and Press
Legislation that aims to restore voter-approved access to medical cannabis in California is making progress in the state’s Senate.
Senate Bill 1186, introduced in February by Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, passed the Senate Governance and Finance Committee April 20 in a 4-1 vote, according to a press release from Wiener’s office.
The legislation would require all cities and counties to provide medical cannabis access through brick-and-mortar dispensaries or delivery services.
The California Cannabis Industry Association is sponsoring the legislation, which is also supported by California NORML.
For the past several years, cyberattacks on private businesses and public agencies alike have been on the rise. What that means, specifically, varies from case to case, but generally these events compromise a company’s data or hold certain information “hostage” for a proposed ransom.
With the ratcheting war in Ukraine, warning signs are flashing over the threat of even more cyberattack activity in the weeks and months to come.
Businesses remain vulnerable to attacks that remain hard to predict and hard to perceive.
Michael Sampson, partner at Leech Tishman and member of the firm’s litigation practice group, says that cannabis businesses (and businesses of all stripes) would do well to assess the risk of those attacks to the best of their ability—and to prepare. He outlines three ways to think about that.
“Cyber risk remains very significant across the cannabis industry and across the U.S. commercial landscape generally, because this is really an area where the cannabis industry faces the same types of risks that many other businesses face,” he says. “The risk to the cannabis industry may be greater in some respects, but it's certainly no less than any other business.”
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Legal Missouri 2022 has reached the signature requirement to put adult-use cannabis legalization on the state’s November ballot.
The group announced April 19 is has gathered 200,000 signatures supporting its constitutional amendment, according to the Associated Press.
Legal Missouri 2022 plans to continue collecting signatures ahead of the May 8 deadline to ensure the issue can go before voters this year, the news outlet reported.
Petition gatherers in Missouri must collect signatures from 8% of voters who cast ballots for governor in the previous general election in six of the state’s eight congressional districts, amounting to about 170,000 total signatures for an initiative to qualify for the ballot, according to AP.
“While the number of signatures collected already exceeds the legal minimum required to qualify for the ballot, our campaign will continue to collaborate with voters in the coming days and weeks to collect the tens of thousands of additional signatures needed to ensure our proposal exceeds the required threshold,” John Payne, campaign manager for Legal Missouri 2022, told KMOV.
Open for business on 4/20 for the first time, New Mexico’s adult-use cannabis retail market cashed in with more than $1.1 million in sales on Wednesday, according to figures from the state’s Cannabis Control Division (CCD).
That one-day total represented a roughly 85% increase from the more than $600,000 adult-use retailers recorded the previous Wednesday.
Since commercial adult-use sales officially launched on April 1, licensed dispensaries have sold more than $15 million of cannabis throughout New Mexico, KRQE reported. That’s in addition to more than $11.5 million of medical cannabis sales since the start of the month.
“Legal cannabis sales have brought 420 out of the shadows and into the mainstream of our state’s economy,” CCD Director Kristen Thomson said in a press release. “From a strong opening and reliable supply to the sales bump on 420, New Mexicans have worked together to create a thriving industry that is part of the state’s diverse economy.”
While that $1.1-million figure was notable for April 20, it wasn’t the state’s largest grossing day this month.
New Mexico dispensaries participating during the state’s opening day on April 1 recorded $1.96 million in adult-use sales in 24 hours, according to the CCD.
As the Kentucky General Assembly—specifically the Senate—has sat idle on enacting medical cannabis policy reform for yet another session, Gov. Andy Beshear said April 21 that he’s considering taking executive action to effectuate change.
House lawmakers cruised to passage of a bill that aimed at allowing doctors to prescribe medical cannabis to patients for six qualifications by way of a 59-34 vote on March 17. The legislation was sponsored by GOP Rep. Jason Nemes and attracted the co-sponsorship of 22 Republicans and 20 Democrats.
But the Senate killed the bill, again—an earlier version of the legislation passed the House in 2020, before stalling in the Senate, which continued to resist consideration of the issue in 2021 and now in 2022.
Beshear called out that inaction by the upper chamber in his weekly news conference on Thursday.
“This session, like the last one and many before it, the General Assembly did not get the job done despite broad support from the public,” he said.
According to a February 2020 Kentucky Health Issues Poll, nine out of 10 Kentucky adults favor legalizing cannabis for medical purposes.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is funding research projects aimed at "creating knowledge that will help make hemp a viable and lucrative crop in the U.S."
According to a NIFA press release, the organization has invested over $20 million in fiscal 2021 and 2022 years for hemp-related research.
"From large multistate efforts to grants supporting small businesses developing innovative technologies, these projects are seeking to develop the know-how that will help producers, processors, regulators and officials make the best decisions about cultivating industrial hemp," NIFA stated in the release.
According to the release, NIFA is funding four projects aimed at looking at the economic opportunities and risks associated with cultivating hemp. These projects will be led by professors and researchers at North Carolina A&T University, Bay Mills Community College in Michigan, Oregon State University and the University of Vermont.
NIFA is also assisting projects focused on filling the gaps around the knowledge of hemp production in the U.S. These projects will be conducted by researchers at the University of Kentucky, the University of California, Rutgers University in New Jersey, Auburn University in Alabama, Utah State University and Cornell University in New York.
In addition, NIFA is funding a handful of other projects that explore ways to "extract value from the plant beyond its traditional utilizations,” according to the release. These projects will be led by researchers at Central State University in Ohio, North Carolina A&T University and Oregon State University.
Nevada adult-use consumers and cannabis companies have been patiently waiting for consumption lounges to come online in the state, and they may have to wait a little longer.
After years of setbacks, Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak signed Assembly Bill 341 into law in June 2021, authorizing the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board (CCB) to license and regulate consumption lounges across the state.
In Clark County, which houses Las Vegas, officials are working to establish ordinances for consumption lounges, and the county Commission held a public input meeting Tuesday to discuss regulations.
But News 3's Steve Wolford, who attended the public input workshop, said it's pretty clear from the meeting that there's "still a long way to go to get these finalized."
One challenge Clark County faces is staying in tandem with the CCB, which has yet to finalize consumption lounge regulations from the state level, News 3 reported.
"The key, I think, is to have the local governments and the state government work in tandem," said District E Commissioner Tick Segerblom. "We don't want to get too far behind and have this thing delayed, so hopefully, we can get on board, work closely with the state and make sure that we aren't the delay. We want to get this moving as fast as possible."
New Jersey launched commercial adult-use cannabis sales April 21, 534 days after the state’s voters passed a legalization initiative in the November 2020 election.
Now that this long-awaited market is up and running, the state’s 13 operational adult-use dispensaries, which are owned by seven of the industry’s largest companies—Acreage Holdings, Ascend Wellness, Columbia Care, Curaleaf, Green Thumb Industries, TerrAscend and Verano—have much to consider as they transition from medical-only sales.
RELATED: New Jersey Adult-Use Cannabis Sales Have Commenced
HR and employment issues should not be at the bottom of this list of considerations, says Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr Partner Ruth Rauls.
“It’s something to be top of mind for companies and businesses that are setting up,” she tells Cannabis Business Times. “That can’t be the bottom of the list or one of the things that you’re going to deal with later. There are a lot of laws in New Jersey for employees that employers need to know about, and so it’s better to educate themselves now and be aware of what those obligations are going into it as opposed to dealing with it later.”
As the U.S. business sector heightens its focus on tracking environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics, a growing number of cannabis companies are beginning to factor sustainability and other social goals into their business plans. Unfortunately, in their race to gain ESG bona fides, some are engaging in “greenwashing,” a mistake commonly made by consumer-facing companies across a variety of industries.
Greenwashing is typically defined as making exaggerated marketing claims about a company’s sustainability ethos or distributing misleading information about the environmental impact of the company’s products or services. The definition has recently been expanded to include a broader set of false or misleading statements, and activist investors and state and federal agencies are taking notice—and action.
Greenwashing in the cannabis industry often involves companies branding corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs as ESG initiatives without any real understanding of what an effective ESG program entails. In some cases, companies simply name a diversity and inclusion officer their de facto head of ESG. Claims of “sustainable packaging” based on misrepresentations and misinformation are another common example.
If your company is putting out an “ESG report” with flowery language about its community work and philanthropy or about how it recycles and uses LED lights in its nursery, but it fails to include any real data, benchmarking, third-party assurance, and reporting to regulatory agencies, you might be guilty of greenwashing.
On top of massive reputational risks, there is a host of legal risks for companies that misrepresent or fail to disclose material ESG issues to investors and government entities. State and federal consumer protection laws often pose ESG legal risks to offenders, and the Federal Trade Commission (through its Truth in Advertising and Green Marketing guides) and the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) have been clarifying disclosure requirements over the past few years.
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, the Sunshine State’s only statewide elected Democrat, has announced plans to sue the Biden administration over federal rules that govern medical cannabis and firearms.
Fried announced the lawsuit April 20, taking aim at a federal requirement that bars medical cannabis patients from purchasing guns or maintaining concealed-carry permits, according to an NBC News report.
The lawsuit centers on a federal form that asks whether a gun buyer is an unlawful drug user and specifies that cannabis is federally illegal, the news outlet reported. An individual enrolled as a patient in a state-legal medical cannabis program must check “yes” and the purchase must be denied, and checking “no” constitutes making a false statement on a federal form, an offense that carries the threat of a five-year prison sentence, according to NBC News.
“No patient should have to choose between their medicine and employment, or a roof over their head, or access to capital—or their constitutional rights,” Fried said in a public statement. “While we continue to call for full cannabis legalization to resolve the many issues caused by irrational, inconsistent, and incoherent federal cannabis policies, we are here today to announce we are filing suit against the federal government over its violation of patients’ Second Amendment rights due to federal law deeming it illegal for a medical marijuana cardholder to purchase a firearm.”
It’s been 534 days since New Jersey voters passed Question 1 to legalize adult-use cannabis in the November 2020 election.
Today, April 21, 2022, New Jersey became the 14th state to officially launch commercials sales at 13 dispensaries operated by seven of the largest companies in the industry: Acreage Holdings, Ascend Wellness, Columbia Care, Curaleaf, Green Thumb Industries, TerrAscend and Verano.
Many New Jerseyans would have liked to have seen a faster rollout of the program, Gov. Phil Murphy said during a press conference Thursday morning in front of a Zen Leaf dispensary operated by Verano.
“I know there are some who expected to vote for legal cannabis on November 3, 2020, and be able to purchase it on November 4. If it only were that simple,” he said. “The overriding need was for us to make sure that we got this right the first time. It took long hours of working alongside our extraordinary legislative leaders and partners to ensure the statutory backbone for this industry was sound.”
Thursday’s launch came after numerous delays involving the application and licensing process that were loosely tied to self-imposed deadlines by the state’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC), including a missed Feb. 22, 2022, deadline to open dispensaries.
RELATED: New Jersey Misses Cannabis Launch; Governor Says Adult-Use Sales to Begin ‘Within Weeks’
SAN FRANCISCO, April 21, 2022 - PRESS RELEASE - Treez, an enterprise cloud commerce platform that powers retail and supply chain operations for the cannabis market, announced the completion of a $51 million Series C funding at a valuation in excess of $260 million.
The round brings new investment from Long Ridge Equity Partners, a New York-based growth equity fund focused on high growth software and fintech companies, Kayne Partners, a Los Angeles-based growth equity group, and Synchrony Financial, a consumer financial services company. Existing investors also participated in the round. JMP Securities LLC, a citizens company, served as exclusive financial advisor to Treez.
Treez will use the funding to fuel its aggressive sales growth and accelerate product innovation, which include developing new payments and advanced analytics solutions, enhancing the functionality of its open cloud commerce platform for single-store and multi-store operators, and expanding its geographic reach. Already, Treez has unveiled new integrations that enhance online ordering and delivery options for retailers. Treez was also one of the few cannabis technology companies to achieve a successful SOC 2 Type 1 audit earlier this year, demonstrating the company's commitment to compliance and customer data security. The company has recently expanded into two state-regulated markets and now supports retailers in eight states.
As part of the funding round, Treez named Angad Singh, partner at Long Ridge, and Gowri Narayanan, an experienced FinTech investor and global leader, to the Board of Directors. Nishita Cummings, managing partner and co-head of Kayne Partners, the growth private equity group of Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, and Josh Aycock, principal at Synchrony, were named as observers on the Board of Directors.
"We look forward to working with a renowned group of investors and new board members with deep fintech expertise," said John Yang, Treez CEO. "They are very excited about this space, aligned and supportive of our vision to deliver the most innovative open cloud commerce platform that powers retailers' growth as the industry moves forward."
This latest funding round follows Treez's 82% revenue growth in 2021, where it was recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies by Inc. 5000 and Deloitte Technology's Fast 500. Last year, it expanded its workforce by 40 percent across 19 states and three countries.
]]>The New Hampshire House passed legislation last month that would allow state-run liquor stores to sell adult-use cannabis, but lawmakers in the Senate aren’t as keen on the proposal.
The Senate Ways and Means Committee recommended killing the legislation in a 5-0 vote April 20, according to the New Hampshire Bulletin.
House Bill 1598, sponsored by Rep. Daryl Abbas, R-Salem, would legalize the possession and use of cannabis for adults 21 and older, and would allow the New Hampshire Liquor Commission to regulate and oversee the cultivation, manufacturing, testing and sale of adult-use cannabis in the state.
The legislation would also allow New Hampshire’s municipalities to limit or prohibit adult-use cannabis businesses within their jurisdictions.
The Ways and Means Committee deemed H.B. 1598 “inexpedient to legislate,” and the committee’s recommendation will appear before the full New Hampshire Senate for a vote in the coming weeks, the New Hampshire Bulletin reported.
Two weeks after Detroit City Council members voted, 8-1, to allow adult-use cannabis businesses to start operating in their jurisdiction, Michigan’s largest city opened its online application process.
Starting April 20, Detroit officials began accepting license applications from potential growers, processors, secured transporters, safety compliance facility operators (testing) and event organizers, offering a step-by-step guide with a checklist to assist in obtaining a license.
Those five license types are unlimited under the ordinance council members approved April 5.
RELATED: Detroit City Council Approves Adult-Use Cannabis Participation
Meanwhile, adult-use retail licenses will be capped at 100, half of which will be reserved for social equity applicants. The Office of Marijuana Ventures and Entrepreneurship, which operates under the Detroit Department of Civil Rights Inclusion and Entrepreneurship (CRIO), will provide updates on its website for when applications for those licenses will become available.
“We are so excited to announce the opening of our adult-use marijuana licensing program,” Megan Moslimani, director of Marijuana Ventures and Entrepreneurship, said in a news release. “We are confident and proud of the space that we have carved out for social equity applicants to take part in this billion-dollar industry.”
Tennessee is the latest state to grapple with delta-8 THC as lawmakers consider new legislation that would outlaw products containing the cannabis compound.
House Bill 1927, sponsored by Rep. William Lamberth, R-Portland, aims to regulate delta-8 by making it illegal except when present in trace-level concentrations, according to WBIR.
Delta-8 products are currently legal to sell and consume in Tennessee since the compound is produced from hemp, the news outlet reported, but lawmakers have expressed concern about the lack of regulations governing delta-8 THC in the state.
RELATED: Tennessee Lawmaker Files Legislation to Tax and Regulate Cannabis, Including Delta-8
H.B. 1927 has already been amended to include other hemp-derived THCs, including delta-9 and -10, as well as the derivative hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), WBIR reported.
East Fork Cultivars Launches Partner Trial Program to Provide Free Hemp Seeds to Licensed US Farmers
As the hemp farming landscape continues to shift, East Fork Cultivars CEO Mason Walker says growers are looking for more variety in their fields—and East Fork’s new Partner Trial program aims to meet their needs.
The Oregon-based hemp breeder and cultivator has launched a new Partner Trial program that offers up to 75 hemp seeds—25 seeds each of three of the company’s exclusive varieties—to state-licensed farmers in the U.S.
“It’s something that we’ve done on a very small scale in the past, and we decided to make it public this year,” Walker told Cannabis Business Times. “The response so far has been really good.”
The program aims to place new cultivars that are not yet commercially available in the hands of growers in exchange for insights and experiential data that will ultimately help East Fork fine-tune the varieties for commercial sale.
“Folks are looking for more variety in their fields, looking for different things … that are not widely available on the market,” Walker said. “As breeders, we do a lot of small-batch seed for folks. … We had a bunch of promising lines that weren’t quite ready for commercial sale this year, so we decided to massively expand our Partner Trial program, where we give free seed to folks of lines that are one step away from being commercially ready to sell.”
PORTLAND, Ore., April 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PRESS RELEASE -- Chalice Brands Ltd., a premier consumer-driven cannabis company specializing in retail, production, processing, wholesale, and distribution, has announced the signing of definitive agreements and services agreements to acquire two retail stores located in Bend and Corvallis, Ore., from Miracle Greens, Inc and two outdoor cultivation assets in Grants Pass, Ore., from Totem Farms, LLC for total consideration of US$2.63 million. The closing of the transaction is subject to approval by the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) and the satisfaction of other closing conditions.
“We are very excited to be able to serve the Bend and Corvallis communities as Chalice’s retail footprint expands to a total of 18 stores owned and managed in Oregon. This transaction is crucial to support our scale and strengthen our vertically integrated operations as we continue to elevate our brand presence on the west coast. Our team is energized to provide best-in-class product offerings and retail experiences as we execute on our collective vision of providing consumers with the next generation of plant-based medicines. We look forward to further capitalizing on significant expansion opportunities in the market as the pathway to full U.S. federal legalization gains momentum,” said Jeff Yapp, president and chief executive officer of Chalice Brands.
Transaction Highlights:
Under the terms of the agreements, Chalice will acquire 100% of the assets of two retail dispensaries from Miracle Greens located in Bend and Corvallis, Ore., and two outdoor cultivation assets from Totem Farms located in Grants Pass, Ore., for total consideration of US$2.63 million. Totem Farms, LLC’s, assets are being purchased for US$563,587 and Miracle Greens Inc.’s assets are being purchased for US$2,063,999.The purchase price will be paid 50% in cash due at closing, US$1,313,793, and the balance equally split between equity and a promissory note to be paid over 54 months at 8% interest (US$656,896.50 respectively) with each being prorated based on the purchase price of the entity’s assets.Upon signing, Chalice contracts to operate the Miracle Greens retail stores including staffing, pricing, and procurement, and the Totem Farms cultivation assets pending regulatory approval.Miracle Greens retail stores are expected to carry Chalice Brands products immediately upon commencement of services agreements, providing the opportunity to broaden the quantities and varieties of flower available to the existing footprint.Cultivation assets located in Grants Pass, Ore., will expand the quantities and varieties of flower available to the existing Chalice footprint and more than doubles our capacity by adding approximately 3,000 lbs. of additional capacity to current greenhouse grow, located at Bald Peak, which has approximately 2,500 lbs. annual capacity.“I am thrilled to have Totem Farms become part of Chalice Brands. Totem gives us our first two premier outdoor grows in Southern Oregon, one of the best locations for growing in the country,” commented Meghan Miller, chief operating officer of Chalice Brands.
“We are pleased to have completed the accretive transaction of Totem Farms and Miracle Greens to expand Chalice’s retail presence and cultivation capacity to bolster our market share in the Oregon cannabis market. Our growth strategy through opportunistic consolidation will provide accelerated revenue contribution and improve margins to drive shareholder value. The company will remain disciplined with our capital allocation strategy to support our long-term vision as a premier multi-state operator,” noted John Varghese, executive chairman of Chalice Brands.
NEW YORK, April 21, 2022 -- PRESS RELEASE -- Acreage Holdings, Inc., a multi-state operator of cannabis cultivation and retailing facilities in the U.S., today launched adult-use cannabis operations in two New Jersey locations. Acreage’s products, including its flagship brand, The Botanist, will be available for adult-use consumers at its Egg Harbor Township and Williamstown dispensaries in southern New Jersey.
Acreage is among the inaugural group of cannabis operators permitted to commence adult-use sales in New Jersey. As of April 21, the Egg Harbor Township and Williamstown locations will offer The Botanist flower, pre-rolls, vape cartridges and more to all adult-use customers who are 21+ years old. The Botanist dispensaries have served New Jersey patients for nearly five years and will continue to provide access to high-quality cannabis products for both medical and adult-use consumers amidst growing consumer demand. Additionally, with Acreage’s recent cultivation expansion, the company is uniquely positioned to become a significant wholesale supplier as the New Jersey market develops.
“After serving New Jersey medical patients for almost five years, we are thrilled to be among the first operators establishing New Jersey’s adult-use market. With New Jersey adult-use sales projected to reach $2.4 billion by 2026, The Botanist is well-positioned through our expanded cultivation capabilities to meet consumer demand and increase sales in the coming years,” said Peter Caldini, CEO of Acreage. “Our company has been committed to providing exceptional patient care since its inception, and we will continue to prioritize medical patients while providing the same level of care and expertise to our new adult-use consumers.”
To celebrate the first day of adult-use sales, The Botanist Williamstown will host an opening event attended by former NFL player and Last Prisoner Project ambassador Marvin Washington. The Botanist Williamstown is located at 2090 North Black Horse Pike and The Botanist Egg Harbor Township is at 100 Century Drive. The Botanist Atlantic City, located at 1301 Boardwalk, will continue to serve medical patients. The Botanist locations are open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with special hours for medical patients. Please visit shopbotanist.com for more details including hours specific to opening day.
To accommodate increased adult-use and medical operations, Acreage hired more than 25 employees and is actively seeking additional hires from economically disadvantaged areas. Acreage is committed to fielding a diverse team that reflects the communities the company serves.
WAKEFIELD, Mass., April 21, 2022 – PRESS RELEASE – Curaleaf Holdings Inc., a leading international provider of consumer products in cannabis, announced that it has been approved by the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission to commence adult-use cannabis sales. Starting April 21, 2022, the Curaleaf dispensary in Bellmawr will begin serving adult-use customers, with Edgewater Park and Bordentown to quickly follow.
RELATED: Adult-Use Cannabis Sales to Launch in New Jersey April 21
During this period of expansion, patient care for individuals licensed under New Jersey’s Medical Marijuana Program will remain Curaleaf's top priority at all New Jersey retail locations. In anticipation of increased demand, the company has tripled its cultivation capacity to ensure that medical patient supply is prioritized in the event of a product shortage. Additionally, Curaleaf will implement the following designated medical patient services for individuals who qualify:
Private consultation areasSecure online ordering systemsExpanded parking with dedicated spots for licensed medical patientsSeparate medical-patient only lines and check-outsTwo hours of operation every day dedicated solely to serving licensed medical patients, totaling 14 hours each week at each dispensary.On April 21, adult-use consumers 21 and older can purchase up to 1 ounce of cannabis per day at Curaleaf Bellmawr, located at 640 Creek Road. Adult-use customers can choose from a product assortment that includes innovative products such as Select Squeeze, a fast-acting THC beverage enhancer, as well as traditional inhalable products including Curaleaf 3.5-gram flower jar, the Curaleaf 1-gram preroll and Curaleaf 0.5-gram vape cartridge. Shortly after launching, Curaleaf New Jersey will also offer its expanded assortment of award-winning Select products, including Select Bites and Select Elite vape cartridges, pending regulatory approvals.
"The launch of New Jersey's adult-use marketplace is a major step forward for the cannabis industry and it is a privilege to be among the inaugural group of licensees that will mark the beginning of the state's adult-use market," Curaleaf CEO Joe Bayern said. "Our local teams look forward to building strong relationships with new consumers while deepening our ties with the medical community. Providing top-tier medical patient care remains our main priority and we have adopted considerable safeguards to make sure they can seamlessly access products to find relief. We thank you for your continued support as we join the state of New Jersey on this historic journey."
As New Jersey's cannabis market continues to evolve, Curaleaf will maintain a direct line of communication with members of the local medical cannabis community. For more information on Curaleaf's locations, patient resources and products in New Jersey, please visit www.curaleaf.com/dispensary/new-jersey.
Ohio state Reps. Casey Weinstein, D-Hudson, and Terrence Upchurch, D-Cleveland, are already sponsoring an adult-use legalization bill, but that didn’t stop them from filing similar legislation on behalf of those whom they represent.
The northeast Ohio Democratic duo filed bill language on April 20 to formally introduce the initiated statute sponsored by the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol (CRMLA), a citizen-led effort that met a 132,877-signature threshold to put its petition before state lawmakers, the Ohio Secretary of State announced on Jan. 28.
The coalition’s proposed statute seeks to allow adults 21 and older to buy and possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis (or 15 grams of extract) and grow up to six plants per person or 12 plants per household. In addition, the proposal aims to impose a 10% tax on cannabis sales, with revenue going toward state costs to run a legalized program; substance abuse and addiction treatment programs; supporting municipalities with dispensaries; and social equity and jobs programs.
If the General Assembly fails to act and pass the statute—or an amended version of the language proposed—within four months, as determined under the Ohio Constitution, then the coalition has the option to double its signature collection (roughly 266,000 total) by early July to put the proposal directly to the voters in November.
“Marijuana legalization is overdue in Ohio,” Weinstein said in a press release to announce the 4/20 filing. “The hundreds of thousands of Ohio voters who signed this petition—and millions more who support legalization statewide—asked for action from our Legislature. Instead, GOP leaders have ignored them.”
Specifically, Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman, R-Lima, told reporters Feb. 9 (less than two weeks after the Ohio Secretary validated the signatures) that he won’t act on calendaring the CRMLA citizen proposal to legalize adult-use cannabis for floor debate in his chamber.
