MjLink Cannabis Business News and Press

LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / February 3, 2020 / PRESS RELEASE - Planet 13 Holdings Inc., a vertically-integrated Nevada cannabis company, has announced that the company has received all building permits and has begun construction of the Orange County Cannabis SuperStore Entertainment Complex, located at 3400 Warner Ave Suite A, Santa Ana, Calif. The start of construction is consistent with the previously released timeline, with completion expected near the middle of 2021. 

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Two New Mexico senators introduced competing adult-use cannabis legalization proposals Feb. 1, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican.

Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto (D-Albuquerque) has sponsored S.B. 13, which would leave New Mexico’s existing medical cannabis program in place and establish a new Cannabis Regulatory Office within the state’s Regulation and Licensing Department to oversee an adult-use program, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported.

The legislation levies a 21% tax on adult-use cannabis sales, according to the news outlet, and revenues would be split evenly between the state, counties and cities.

Sen. Cliff Pirtle (R-Roswell) introduced a competing measure, S.B. 288, which would create the Cannabis Control Commission to regulate an adult-use industry in the state, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported. Dispensaries would have to be located at least one mile apart under Pirtle’s proposal, and adult-use cannabis would be taxed between 13% and 15%, depending on the rate set by each jurisdiction. The legislation would give cities and counties each 4% of the revenue, with the remaining funds directed to the state, according to the news outlet.

Additional adult-use cannabis legalization bills are expected in the coming days, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported.

The Virginia Senate Judiciary Committee has voted 9-5 to approve an adult-use cannabis legalization bill, sending it to the Finance and Appropriations Committee for consideration, according to The Center Square.

S.B. 1406, which is sponsored by Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) and backed by Gov. Ralph Northam, would legalize the production, sale and use of cannabis for adults 21 and older, The Center Square reported.

The bill originally allowed adult-use sales to launch Jan. 1, 2023, but changes have since postponed the market until 2024, according to the news outlet, in order to give the state more time to issue business licenses and prepare for legalization.

The legislation includes an automatic expungement process for past cannabis-related convictions, The Center Square reported. It also allows municipalities to opt out of the adult-use cannabis market if they want to prohibit sales within their borders.

Del. Steve Heretick (D-Portsmouth) has also proposed an adult-use legalization bill in that chamber, reintroducing a measure from past years.

LAS VEGAS, NV (February 3, 2021) – Cannabis Conference, the cannabis industry’s leading conference for cultivators, retailers, extraction specialists and hemp growers—will return to the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino from August 24-26, 2021. Presented by award-winning media brands Cannabis Business Times, Cannabis Dispensary and Hemp Grower magazines, Cannabis Conference will bring together current and prospective cannabis business operators, university professors, consultants, technology and solutions providers and more for three dynamic days of education and expo.

“We look forward to reconvening at our annual event in-person this August and offering valuable networking opportunities that will push this rapidly evolving industry forward,” Group Publisher Jim Gilbride said. “Our team at Cannabis Conference works diligently to offer the highest level of education for attendees, coupled with the most relevant exhibitors that will help improve their day-to-day operations and bottom lines.”

Cannabis Conference’s education program will address the most pressing issues plant-touching businesses face, as well offer tangible solutions operators can implement into their own businesses. Sessions are being crafted with the assistance of Cannabis Conference’s 2021 Advisory Board, including:

Salpy Boyajian – Executive Vice President/Board Chairman, Flower One Sjoerd Broeks – Genetic Development/R&D Director, THE PHARM Debby Goldsberry – Executive Director, Magnolia Wellness and Flor; Co-Founder, Berkeley Patients Group collectiveDavid Holmes – Owner & CEO, Clade9Colin Kelley – Operating Partner, Merida Capital; Board Member, LeafLine Labs  Emily Kowalski – Director of Cultivation, LeafLine Labs Claudio Miranda – Co-Founder, Guild Enterprises Kenneth Morrow – Owner, Trichome TechnologiesAlisia Ratliff, PMP – Chief Executive Officer & Founder, Victus Capital Ventures LLC Anna Shreeve – President, Urban Paragon, Inc., Targeted Intent, Inc. and The BakerééMason Walker – Co-Owner/CEO, East Fork Cultivars Hope Wiseman – Owner, Mary & Main Dispensary

“We simply would not be able to provide the level of programming we offer without the help of our esteemed and experienced advisory board members, who are constant sounding boards about the current challenges and opportunities in the cannabis industry,” Editorial Director Noelle Skodzinski said. “Whether you are planning to enter or new to the industry, or an experienced plant-touching business, you’ll come away with valuable lessons to help you and your business succeed by attending Cannabis Conference’s educational sessions.”

In addition to dozens of sessions on everything from cultivation to facility buildout, operations, and retail and cultivation business strategies, Cannabis Conference will also feature 100+ exhibitors on its trade show floor, including experts in: horticultural lighting, nutrients, growing media, pest control, structures, drying and storage, IT services, marketing solutions, accounting and finance, POS software, packaging and labeling, and much more.

For additional information about Cannabis Conference 2021, including registration information, a current list of exhibitors and sponsors and more, visit www.cannabisconference.com.

Minnesota House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler reintroduced an adult-use cannabis legalization bill alongside other Democrat lawmakers Feb. 1, according to a local KSTP.com report.

RELATED: Minnesota Lawmaker to Reintroduce Cannabis Legalization Bill

Lawmakers say the legislation is based on a series of public discussions that were held across the state to gather public input on legalization ahead of the 2020 legislative session, the news outlet reported, and the bill aims to address criminal justice inequities caused by prohibition.

“The failed criminalization of cannabis has resulted in a legacy of racial injustice that can no longer go unaddressed,” Winkler told KSTP.com. “Adults deserve the freedom to decide whether to use cannabis, and our state government should play an important role in addressing legitimate concerns around youth access, public health and road safety. Veterans and Minnesotans with serious illnesses like PTSD deserve better access to our medical program, which is not working well for most people. It’s time to legalize, expunge and regulate.”

Winkler’s proposal would expunge past cannabis convictions; direct funds to public health awareness campaigns, youth access prevention and substance abuse treatment; provide grants, loans, technical assistance and training for businesses; require the testing and labeling of medical cannabis products; place restrictions on product packaging based on dosage size; and allow home cultivation, according to KSTP.com.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has proposed that the state should legalize medical cannabis to expand the state’s Medicaid program, according to a local KSHB report.

Kelly said the tax revenue generated from a medical cannabis program could fund Medicaid expansion for low-income residents, a priority that has been blocked in the state’s Republican-controlled legislature due to concerns about the cost, the news outlet reported.

Meanwhile, lawmakers introduced a medical cannabis legalization bill last month in the hopes that a regulated cannabis market could help boost the state’s economy.

Alabama Sen. Tim Melson (R-Florence) is again sponsoring a medical cannabis legalization bill, according to the Alabama Political Reporter.

Melson announced plans last month to reintroduce medical cannabis legislation that he proposed in both 2019 and 2020. The Alabama Senate approved the measures both years, but the bills ultimately stalled in the House.

This year, Melson reintroduced his proposal in the form of S.B. 46, the Compassion Act, which would allow Alabama residents diagnosed with a qualifying condition, as well as designated caregivers, to access medical cannabis in the state, according to the Alabama Political Reporter.

The legislation would create the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, which would be charged with establishing and overseeing a patient registry; issuing medical cannabis cards; granting cultivation, processing, dispensary, transport and testing licenses for businesses; and outlining regulations for medical cannabis from seed to sale, according to the Alabama Political Reporter.

Melson’s bill would prohibit the smoking or vaping of cannabis, the news outlet reported.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 2, 2021 – PRESS RELEASE – Eteros Technologies, owner of Mobius Trimmer, a top brand of high-end cannabis and hemp processing equipment, has acquired California-based Triminator, a pioneer in harvesting equipment for professional growers of cannabis and hemp. The acquisition provides the Canadian-based Eteros Technologies with a broader product range and increased access to the U.S. market. Financial details were not disclosed.

The Mobius and Triminator product lines combine to form the world’s largest manufacturer of cannabis and hemp harvesting and processing equipment. Eteros Technologies, parent company of the Mobius line, plans to retain Triminator employees and leadership, and the company said both brands will continue to operate independently. Working in synergy, each will marshal greater engineering, sales, training and support resources to offer customers a comprehensive suite of processing solutions. This acquisition also means that the full Canadian designed-and-built Mobius line and full U.S.-built Triminator product line will be stocked and available across North America.  

“Just like Mobius, Triminator has built an amazing business from the ground up,” said Aaron McKellar, CEO of Mobius Trimmer. “Using innovation and ingenuity, Triminator’s team created machines that helped define the post-harvest process in modern cannabis and hemp agriculture. We look forward to building upon each other’s strengths to help even more farmers increase the efficiency of their harvest.”

The two product lines complement each other precisely because of their differences. Each is focused on providing full support to a specialized market. Triminator is committed to the cannabis and hemp farmer by building a community of hands-on brand ambassadors who have their own farms and can mentor other end-users on the craft of processing. The Mobius line has been focused on equipping and supporting growers who are operating in a large-scale, highly regulated environment, where SOPs and often GMP requirements drive processing operations and investing heavily in developing the training resources and technical documentation necessary to serve these end-users.

“This acquisition could not be a better fit from our perspective,” said Dana Mosman, CEO of Triminator. “We equip some of the most advanced farms across the globe and maintain our commitment to supporting farmers. Now our options to help these cultivators just increased exponentially. We look forward to continuing to meet the needs of the farming community, to help growers increase productivity and profitability in the rapidly evolving cannabis market.”

Each brand serves different customer segments. Mobius is one of the most technologically advanced harvesting options available, holding a number of patents in trimming technology and the largest market share in Canada among large-scale cultivators. Triminator has focused on the agricultural sector and small-to-midsize cultivators. The acquisition will give Mobius access to these businesses while providing Triminator access to Mobius’ customer service and technology.

Idaho lawmakers voted Jan. 29 to advance a joint resolution that would implement a constitutional ban on cannabis, according to an AP News report.

The Senate State Affairs Committee voted 6-2 to approve the proposed constitutional amendment, which would ban all psychoactive drugs that are not already legal in Idaho, the news outlet reported. The list of banned substances could then be adjusted if drugs are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to AP News.

The amendment’s supporters argue that neighboring states have legalized cannabis through voter-approved initiatives, which could also happen in Idaho, while those opposed said medical cannabis should be available for residents suffering from chronic or terminal illnesses, the news outlet reported.

The joint resolution needs to pass the Idaho Senate and House with two-thirds majority in each chamber, according to AP News, and would then go before voters in the 2022 election.

The New Jersey Assembly Community Development and Affairs Committee voted 4-2 on Jan. 29 to advance a new adult-use compromise bill, according to an NJ.com report.

The legislation is lawmakers’ second attempt to pass an adult-use implementation bill that Gov. Phil Murphy will sign into law, the news outlet reported.

Murphy refused to sign an earlier version of adult-use legislation until lawmakers added penalties for underage cannabis use, but that attempt at a “cleanup bill” fell apart when Black lawmakers voiced opposition to the proposal, arguing that the penalties outlined in the legislation would disproportionately impact minorities, according to NJ.com.

While the first version of the bill would have imposed a fine of at least $250 for those ages 18 to 20 who possess up to 6 ounces of cannabis, as well as a fine of $500 or more for those who possess more than 6 ounces, the new legislation lowers the fines to $50 for the possession of less than 6 ounces and $100 for the possession of more than 6 ounces, the news outlet reported.

The legislation would also prohibit law enforcement from stopping and searching a young person solely based on the odor of cannabis, according to NJ.com.

The Mississippi Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments in a lawsuit filed by Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler that challenges the initiative process that legalized medical cannabis in the state, according to an AP News report.

The court issued an order Jan. 28 that schedules the hearing for April 14, the news outlet reported.

Butler filed the complaint in late October, just one week before Election Day, to challenge the petition process that qualified Initiative 65, the state’s medical cannabis legalization measure, for the ballot.

The measure, which voters ultimately approved, requires the Mississippi State Department of Health to implement a medical cannabis program by the middle of this year, AP News reported, but Butler’s lawsuit seeks to block the program, arguing that the proposal should not have been on Mississippi’s ballot in the first place because the initiative process is outdated.

According to the state constitution, petitioners must collect and equal number of signatures from five congressional districts, according to AP News, but Mississippi only has four congressional districts following the 2000 Census. In her lawsuit, Butler argues that with four districts, more than one-fifth of the signatures must come from each, the news outlet reported.

Many might expect that the wine industry shares similarities with the cannabis market, from the strict regulations to brand development strategies, but few might think to compare cannabis with window treatments.

However, according to Allison Siegel, the former president of Next Day Blinds and a former information technology and marketing executive for Total Wine & More, both roles provided valuable experience and expertise that will serve her well in her new position as chief operating officer for CULTA, a Maryland-based, vertically integrated cannabis operator.

RELATED: How CULTA’s Jay Bouton Works: Cannabis Workspace

At Next Day Blinds, Siegel grew accustomed to owning the customer experience from manufacturing to sale to installation, which is not unlike overseeing the cultivation, manufacturing and sale of medical cannabis products. And, she adds, the cannabis industry is growing rapidly like the wine industry once was, which makes Siegel excited to lend her talents to another quickly evolving market. 

Here, Siegel shares more about her professional background, how her experience guides her perspective of the cannabis market and her overall goals for CULTA as the company continues to grow in Maryland.

SANTA FE, N.M., Feb. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PRESS RELEASE -- Ultra Health, a New Mexico-based cannabis company, won a favorable ruling on regulations promulgated by the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) in June 2020. The regulations – including the strictest testing requirements in the United States, arbitrary restrictions on hemp activities, and suspension or revocation of a license without notice – were all invalidated by Santa Fe District Court Judge Bryan Biedscheid.

Judge Biedscheid invalidated the rules after NMDOH failed to consult the Medical Cannabis Advisory Board regarding the new regulations and failed to provide substantial evidence to support the changes.

Ultra Health and several other medical cannabis industry operators filed a petition under Rule 1-075 NMRA, which authorizes appeals from administrative decisions. Rule 1-075(R) NMRA requires that the Court analyze whether the decision of the agency is supported by substantial evidence, or evidence that is relevant and that a reasonable person may accept as adequate to support a conclusion.

“Given the applicability of Rule 1-075(R)(2) NMRA, and the State Rules Act’s requirement that an agency ensure technical information is contained within the rulemaking record, the Court finds that Department’s decision to adopt certain provisions of the repeal and replacement of 7.34.4 NMAC is not supported by substantial evidence,” Biedscheid stated in the order.

Biedscheid also held that the NMDOH had not consulted with the Medical Cannabis Advisory Board as required by the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act, NMSA 1978, Section 27-2B-7(A) (2019). “There is insufficient information in the record from which to conclude that the Board and Department consulted about the full extent of the repeal and replace rulemaking,” the court’s order stated.

In 2017, West Virginia became the 29th state to legalize medical cannabis for residents with severe medical conditions. Now, nearly four years later, the West Virginia Office of Medical Cannabis (OMC) announced the approved applicants to receive a medical cannabis dispensary permit.

The notice states that “recipients of these permits can operate retail locations within West Virginia for certified patients.” 

Patient registration applications are set to open Wednesday, Feb. 3, at noon. Once applications open, eligible West Virginia residents can visit www.medcanwv.org to register. There will be no paper applications available.

Patient cards are only valid to use in West Virginia. They do not offer any legal protections for medical cannabis products obtained outside of the state, the notice states. 

To access a full list of dispensary permit holders and registered physicians in West Virginia, click here.

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DENVER, Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- PRESS RELEASE -- GrowGeneration Corp., one of the nation's largest chains of specialty hydroponic and organic garden centers, has announced its acquisition of Grow Depot, a two-store chain in Auburn and Augusta, Maine. The acquisition brings the total number of GrowGen hydroponic garden centers in Maine to five, with locations in Auburn, Augusta, Biddeford, Brewer and York.

"It's a very exciting time in Maine's adult-use market, and we're pleased to expand our footprint in the state through our acquisition of Grow Depot, which has proudly served the Central Maine area for nearly a decade," said Darren Lampert, GrowGeneration's CEO. "With our expanded footprint, the Maine market is expected to generate 2021 annual revenues of over $20 million for GrowGen."

Founded in 2012 by Jim Parisi, Grow Depot carries a large catalog of equipment for indoor growing and hydroponic systems. As part of the transaction, both Jim and Anthony Parisi, with over two decades of experience in the indoor growing supply industry, and their 10 employees will join GrowGen's team of more than 450 grow professionals. 

The Grow Depot acquisition is the company's second of the year and follows yet another quarter of record earnings. Last month, the company pre-announced fourth-quarter revenues of $61.5 million, bringing full-year 2020 revenue to $192 million, up 140% from 2019. Same-store sales increased 63% for full-year 2020, compared to the previous year. The company also raised its 2021 revenue guidance to $335 million-$350 million and raised its 2021 adjusted EBITDA guidance to $38 million-$40 million. GrowGen plans to have 55 garden center locations by the end of 2021.

For more information about GrowGeneration, or to locate its stores, please visit www.growgeneration.com.

More than a dozen state legislatures are considering medical or adult-use cannabis legalization bills this year as momentum builds following the 2020 election, which saw five states pass legalization measures, and the U.S. House’s approval of the MORE Act, which would federally deschedule cannabis.

RELATED: 7 States That Could Legalize Cannabis in 2021

“The Election Day legalization victories certainly added to the momentum for other states to pursue marijuana reform, particularly in the Northeast, and lawmakers in several states have already taken action by introducing legislation to legalize marijuana,” Violet Cavendish, communications manager for The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), tells Cannabis Business Times and Cannabis Dispensary.

MPP is focusing its efforts on advancing legislation to legalize and regulate adult-use cannabis in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Rhode Island and Virginia this year, Cavendish says, adding that New York and New Mexico are also key states to watch as state lawmakers consider legalization proposals.

On the medical cannabis front, MPP is actively working with patient advocates this year to advance legislation in Kentucky and South Carolina.

More than a dozen state legislatures are considering medical or adult-use cannabis legalization bills this year as momentum builds following the 2020 election, which saw five states pass legalization measures, and the U.S. House’s approval of the MORE Act, which would federally deschedule cannabis.

RELATED: 7 States That Could Legalize Cannabis in 2021

“The Election Day legalization victories certainly added to the momentum for other states to pursue marijuana reform, particularly in the Northeast, and lawmakers in several states have already taken action by introducing legislation to legalize marijuana,” Violet Cavendish, communications manager for The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), tells Cannabis Business Times and Cannabis Dispensary.

MPP is focusing its efforts on advancing legislation to legalize and regulate adult-use cannabis in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Rhode Island and Virginia this year, Cavendish says, adding that New York and New Mexico are also key states to watch as state lawmakers consider legalization proposals.

On the medical cannabis front, MPP is actively working with patient advocates this year to advance legislation in Kentucky and South Carolina.

This week, U.S. Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) introduced the Marijuana 1-to-3 Act to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. At the state level, lawmakers in North Dakota and Florida introduced adult-use legalization proposals, while a Kentucky legislator put forth a measure to legalize medical cannabis.

Here, we’ve rounded up the top 10 headlines you need to know before this week is over.

Federal: U.S. Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) has introduced the Marijuana 1-to-3 Act to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. Although rescheduling would lift the burden of tax code 280E and make cannabis research easier, the move would not end federal prohibition entirely. Read moreCalifornia: The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has filed proposed emergency regulations with the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) to implement Assembly Bill 1525, which became law in September to provide the state’s licensed cannabis businesses broader access to financial services. The new law provides a safe harbor for banking institutions doing business with cannabis companies and essentially makes it easier for cannabis businesses to start relationships with banks. Read moreAfter a judge ruled that cannabis billboards are illegal on California roads that cross state borders, the Bureau of Cannabis Control (BCC) has issued a notice announcing new rules for the advertisements. Under the new regulations, cannabis companies cannot place new billboard ads on any interstate highway that crosses the California border, and businesses must remove any current billboards placed along these roads. Read moreNorth Dakota: Rep. Jason Dockter has sponsored an adult-use cannabis legalization bill, despite his opposition to legalizing cannabis in the state. Dockter believes legalization is inevitable as more states regulate cannabis within their borders, and says lawmakers should draft a legalization proposal instead of leaving the issue in the hands of a ballot initiative campaign. Read moreNorth Dakota lawmakers are also considering legislation to update the state’s medical cannabis program. Bills pending in the state legislature would expand the list of qualifying conditions and allow access to edible products, among other changes. Read moreKentucky: Sen. Steve West has introduced a medical cannabis legalization bill, Senate Bill 92. The legislation would allow practitioners to recommend medical cannabis to their patients, and would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, sale and delivery of cannabis products in the state. Read moreFlorida: Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith and Sen. Jeff Brandes have filed complementary bills to legalize adult-use cannabis in the state. Smith’s H.B. 343 would legalize cannabis for adults 21 and older, while Brandes’ S.B. 710 revises “the sales tax exemption for the sale of marijuana and marijuana delivery” for cannabis purchases. Read moreMontana: Rep. Matt Regier is drafting legislation to amend I-90, the ballot initiative voters approved in November to legalize adult-use cannabis in the state. Regier plans to introduce bills that would give more cannabis tax revenue to human services, as well as allow licensed dispensaries to advertise their products. Read moreTennessee: Rep. London Lamar introduced legislation this week to decriminalize the possession of less than one ounce of cannabis. H.B. 413 would essentially legalize the possession and the casual exchange of up to one ounce of cannabis, as long as no transaction is taking place. Read morePennsylvania: Gov. Tom Wolf called for adult-use cannabis legalization in his 2021 agenda. “The revenue generated from legalization will be used to support historically disadvantaged small businesses through grant funding and provide them the assistance they need to build back from the economic crisis and strengthen our economy,” Wolf said. Read more

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf called for adult-use cannabis legalization in his 2021 agenda, which was released Jan. 28, according to a local CBS 21 News report.

Legalization is part of Wolf’s economic recovery efforts as the state continues to battle the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the news outlet reported.

“The revenue generated from legalization will be used to support historically disadvantaged small businesses through grant funding and provide them the assistance they need to build back from the economic crisis and strengthen our economy,” Wolf said. “Additionally, a portion of the revenue will support restorative justice programs to help the individuals and communities that have been adversely harmed by the criminalization of marijuana.”

This is not the first time that Wolf has called for adult-use legalization to combat the economic fallout of the pandemic; the Democratic governor made a similar proposal last summer, which was met with mixed reactions from industry insiders.

Wolf will make his annual Budget Address Feb. 2, CBS 21 News reported.

The North Dakota Senate voted Jan. 28 to kill Sen. Oley Larsen’s S.B. 2234, legislation that would have allowed registered medical cannabis patients and caregivers to grow up to eight cannabis plants, according to The Bismarck Tribune.

RELATED: North Dakota Lawmakers Consider Legislation to Update Medical Cannabis Program

Larsen told the news outlet that the bill was meant to improve medical cannabis access in the state for patients who have trouble visiting dispensaries.

Opponents of the legislation, including law enforcement officers, expressed concerns about how growing operations would be regulated, The Bismarck Tribune reported.

Other medical cannabis-related bills currently pending in the state legislature would allow patients to access edibles, as well as restructure the state’s medical cannabis advisory board, according to the news outlet.