MjLink Cannabis Business News and Press

A hands-on cannabis college focused on industry education, training, career placement, medical cannabis and more has expanded to central Florida.

Learn Sativa University's (SATU) hands-on program has been in operation for roughly four years. The university started in a 1,000-square-foot building, but has recently expanded to a 5-acre cannabis farm and training facility in Apopka, Fla., said Patrick O'Brien, SATU founder and CEO.

The primary purpose of the college is pretty "straightforward," O'Brien said. 

"We aim towards two paths, and we're looking for two types of individuals: either ones looking to land rewarding careers in the industry, or individuals looking to start businesses. Whether it be in cultivation, dispensary, or anything along those lines, we can assist with business plans, curriculum and everything from top to bottom," he said.

He said that the campus features an indoor climate-controlled grow and a 50,000-square-feet outdoor greenhouse where students can learn through hands-on training. The college also offers online training for those who cannot attend in person.

SATU's hands-on and online courses include Marijuana Cookbook, Marijuana Laws, Marijuana Careers, Marijuana History, Marijuana Growing and Dispensary Management.

CHICAGO – September 3, 2021 — PRESS RELEASE — Cresco Labs Inc., a vertically integrated multistate operator and a U.S. wholesaler of branded cannabis products, has announced the closing of the company’s previously announced acquisition of Cultivate. 

Transaction Highlights

“The closing today constitutes another important step for Cresco Labs as we deepen our presence in large, attractive states like Massachusetts and increasingly tailor and strengthen our state-level strategies to optimize growth and profitability. Expanding operations in the most strategic U.S. cannabis markets is at the heart of our growth strategy and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to show what can be achieved through a maximized footprint in Massachusetts,” said Charlie Bachtell, CEO and co-founder of Cresco Labs. “We have been thoroughly impressed with the Cultivate team and the quality of their operations. We look forward to a productive and efficient integration process to carry their historical strong momentum into the fourth quarter and beyond.”

DENVER (Sept. 2, 2021) – PRESS RELEASE – Wana Brands, an edibles manufacturer, is partnering with Medicine Man dispensaries along with CDPHE to host COVID-19 vaccination clinics throughout the Denver metro area during Summer of Quick Tour’s September stops.

“We are excited to partner with Wana and the CDPHE to host mobile vaccination events at every Medicine Man store,” said Sally Vander Veer, co-owner and CEO of Medicine Man. “The cannabis industry has a lot to be grateful for. As a business lucky enough to have been deemed essential, we feel a social responsibility to do our part by spreading awareness and making the vaccine easily accessible. It’s simply the right thing to do.”

RELATED: Wana Brands and The Green Solution Host Pop-Up Vaccination Clinics in Colorado

Wana Brands’ partnership with CDPHE and Medicine Man is part of the ongoing effort to make vaccination an easy, convenient option while increasing the state’s vaccination rate to protect against further outbreaks and deaths.

“While summer is winding down, the Delta variant is gearing up. It is more necessary than ever to provide access to the COVID-19 vaccine,” said Nancy Whiteman, CEO of Wana Brands. “We are using the launch of Wana Quick as a call to action to support issues important to the communities we serve, and we cannot think of a more important issue than protection against the coronavirus. We are grateful for the partnership with Medicine Man and the tireless public servants at Colorado’s health department, without whose help this effort would not be possible.”

November 2021 marks three years since adult-use cannabis sales launched in 2018, and already, the state’s dispensaries have reported more than $2 billion in sales.

The state’s seed-to-sale tracking system showed $2,009,007,478 in gross sales at the close of business Aug. 31, according to a MassLive.com report.

“This milestone speaks to the success of licensees that have interacted with the Commission from the application stage, maintained compliance with our strict regulations, and contribute every day to communities across the Commonwealth,” Cannabis Control Commission Executive Director Shawn Collins told the news outlet. “This number also underscores the entire agency’s tireless efforts, particularly those of our hardworking staff, to thoughtfully regulate a safe, accessible and effective adult-use marketplace that keeps critical tenets of our mission—public health, public safety and equity, among others—front of mind.”

The state currently has 165 adult-use retailers, as well as three delivery services, MassLive.com reported.

During the first year of adult-use sales, from November 2018 through November 2019, the state had 33 operational dispensaries that generated $393.7 million in sales, according to the news outlet. The state’s retailers reached $1 billion in sales in November 2020, despite being shut down for roughly three months at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

OTTAWA and TORONTO, Sept. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PRESS RELEASE -- HEXO Corp. and 48North Cannabis Corp. have announced that they have completed the previously announced arrangement, pursuant to which HEXO has acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of 48North by way of a court-approved plan of arrangement under the Canada Business Corporations Act.

Under the terms of the arrangement, each former shareholder of 48North is now entitled to receive 0.02366 of a common share in the capital of HEXO for each 48North Share held immediately prior to the completion of the arrangement. It is anticipated that the 48North Shares will be de-listed from the TSX Venture Exchange as of the close of trading on or about Sept. 2, 2021.

In order to receive the consideration, registered holders of 48North Shares will be required to deposit their share certificate(s) representing 48North Shares, together with a duly completed letter of transmittal, with TSX Trust Company, the depositary under the arrangement. Shareholders whose 48North Shares are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or other nominee should contact their nominee regarding the receipt of the consideration.

Further information about the arrangement is set forth in the materials prepared by 48North in respect of the special meeting of 48North shareholders held on Aug. 17, 2021, which were mailed to 48North shareholders and filed under 48North's profile on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com.

Warrants

A panel of South Dakota lawmakers recommended Aug. 1 that the state Legislature should prohibit patients from growing medical cannabis at home.

Initiated Measure 26, which voters approved in the November 2020 election to legalize medical cannabis in the state, included language to allow registered patients to grow a minimum of three plants at home, according to a KELO report.

However, the South Dakota Legislature’s Medical Marijuana Subcommittee voted 6-4 to recommend a ban on home cultivation, the news outlet reported. Now, the issue will go before the full Marijuana Study Committee, which is made up of eight senators and 16 representatives.

Any changes to Initiated Measure 26 that are ultimately approved by the committee will also need passed by the state Legislature, which has largely resisted making changes to the voter-approved initiative, according to an Argus Leader report.

“I don't think they have the votes to get anything like that done in the long run," Sen. Mike Rohl (R-Aberdeen) told the news outlet.

NEW YORK, September 1, 2021 - PRESS RELEASE - Ayr Wellness Inc., a vertically-integrated cannabis multi-state operator (MSO), has entered into a binding letter of intent to acquire PA Natural Medicine, LLC, an operator of three licensed retail dispensaries, deepening Ayr's presence in the rapidly growing medical market in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

"Our goal across our footprint is to develop scale and meaningful presence in each of our markets," said Jonathan Sandelman, Ayr Wellness founder, chairman and CEO. "[This] announcement builds on our already strong position in Pennsylvania, where we have built a tremendous foundation since entering the state just a few months ago. Our three Ayr Wellness stores, open an average of less than six months, are run-rating at over $7 million in annualized revenue per dispensary, and our cultivation facilities are producing some of the best-reviewed flower in the state."

"With such great momentum in this market, we are expanding our retail presence with the acquisition of PA Naturals, a three-store operation in central Pennsylvania with some of the best-operating metrics in the state and a complementary footprint to our existing six licenses. We look forward to welcoming the great people of PA Naturals to the Ayr team," he concluded.

PA Naturals has locations in the college towns of Bloomsburg and State College, as well as Selinsgrove, PA, and operates under the retail banner "Nature's Medicine." The acquisition is expected to close in Q4 2021, and the Company expects to rebrand the dispensaries under the AYR Wellness banner shortly after completing.

Ayr intends to purchase 100% of the membership interests of PA Natural. The transaction terms include upfront consideration of $80 million, made up of $20 million in stock, $25 million in seller notes and $35 million in cash. An earn-out of up to $40 million, based on 2021 EBITDA hurdles, is payable in Q1 2022 and includes a maximum additional cash payment of $10 million, with the remainder paid in stock and notes.

The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Operations of PA Naturals will remain unchanged pending the closing.

Panama has become the first Central American country to legalize medical cannabis.

The nation’s 44-member national assembly unanimously approved legislation Aug. 30 to legalize and regulate the medical use of the drug, according to a Reuters report.

The bill, which Assembly President Crispiano Adames lauded as “innovative,” would allow registered patients with certain medical conditions to access cannabis for treatment, the news outlet reported. It also paves the ways for additional cannabis research in the country.

With the assembly’s approval, the legislation now awaits President Laurentino Cortizo’s signature.

BOCA RATON, Florida, September. 1, 2021 - PRESS RELEASE - Greenlane Holdings, Inc. and KushCo Holdings, Inc. announced the completion of their previously announced merger "the Transaction." The combined company, operating as Greenlane, brings together two of the pioneering cannabis ancillary product and service companies with more than 26 years of operating history to create an undisputed leader in the cannabis industry.

The Company's Class A common stock "Greenlane Shares" will continue to trade on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker symbol "GNLN." Each KushCo stockholder is entitled to receive 0.3016 of a Greenlane Share for each share of KushCo common stock held on Aug. 31, the transaction's effective date. Holders of Greenlane Shares before the transaction completion will continue to hold their Greenlane Shares with no adjustment as a result of the transaction.

KushCo's common stock has ceased trading on the OTCQX effective as of the close of trading on Aug. 31.

Management Commentary

"I am proud to announce the successful closing of our transformative merger and would like to thank our combined teams for all of their hard work over the past few months," said Nick Kovacevich, Greenlane chief executive officer. "As we turn the page to an exciting new chapter as Greenlane, I am more confident than ever in our ability to build the industry's leading ancillary cannabis company by leveraging our size, scale, strategy, and talent to take advantage of the significant growth opportunities that lie ahead. The substantial progress both companies have made in our combined 26 years of history positions us at the forefront of a rapidly evolving landscape. I look forward to the road ahead with our new colleagues and am excited to report our continued progress in the months and years to come."

"I am thrilled by the strong support our customers, employees, and shareholders have shown for this transformative merger and excited to welcome Nick and our new colleagues to the Greenlane team," said Aaron LoCascio, Greenland co-founder and president. "I am convinced that together we will continue to drive innovation and build the industry's leading ancillary cannabis company that is incredibly well positioned to provide both exceptional service to our customers and create long term value for our shareholders."

It took recently inaugurated New York Gov. Kathy Hochul less than two weeks do what former Gov. Andrew Cuomo failed to accomplish in the five months following his signing of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA).

Hochul nominated former Drug Policy Alliance staffer Chris Alexander for executive director of the new Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) and former New York Assemblywoman Tremaine Wright for chair of the Cannabis Control Board (CCB) during a special legislative session that convened Sept. 1.

Hochul, who became New York’s first female governor last week—after Cuomo resigned following months of sexual harassment allegations—called for the session the previous day.

Established within New York’s Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, the OCM will operate as an independent entity with exclusive jurisdiction to oversee not only the adult-use cannabis regulatory structure but also the state’s existing medical cannabis and hemp programs. The five-member CCB will govern the office.

Hours after Hochul announced her picks to head the OCM and CCB, the Senate confirmed her appointees. Now, after months of being stalled, MRTA’s authoritative arm is free to move forward with oversight infrastructure for licensure, cultivation, production, distribution, sale and taxation.

Drug Policy Alliance Executive Director Kassandra Frederique said in a statement she applauded the nominations.

The Michigan Regulatory Agency (MRA) released 116 pages of proposed rules Aug. 30 that would create new license types and reduce licensing fees for the industry.

The new regulations would establish an educational research license to allow educators and researchers to grow and purchase state-licensed cannabis for use in studies.

The proposed rules would also create a new class A microbusiness license to expand the state’s current microbusiness license type, which is meant for smaller, vertically integrated businesses. Only seven cannabis microbusiness licenses have been issued since 2019, according to an MLive.com report.

RELATED: Sticky Bush Farms Awarded Michigan’s First Cannabis Microbusiness License: The Starting Line

The new microbusiness license would increase the number of plants that businesses can grow from 150 to 300, and allows licensees to purchase edibles or concentrates from licensed processors. In-house processing would be prohibited under the new license, according to MLive.com.

The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) approved the first set of rules and regulations for the state's adult-use cannabis industry on Aug. 19.

At this time, it remains unclear when adult-use sales will begin in the state; however, the approved regulations lay out the requirements for those looking to apply for a New Jersey cannabis license.

The CRC will issue licenses for cannabis retailers, manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, cultivators and delivery services, according to the rules. During two years after Feb. 22, 2021, the CRC will not approve more than 37 cultivation licenses—excluding microbusinesses and expanded alternative treatment centers (ATCs)—however, the CRC may accept and review additional licenses during that time, as long as the issued license number does not exceed 37.

After 24 months, the CRC will review current cultivation license holders, accept new applications, and issue new licenses to meet market demands, according to the rules.

Priority applicants include diversely owned businesses, social equity businesses and impact zone businesses. 

Applicants with 50% or more ownership from someone who was previously convicted of a cannabis offense, has lived in a economically disadvantaged area for five years or makes 80% or less of the average median household income are considered part of the social equity business category.

LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / September 1, 2021 / PRESS RELEASE / Planet 13 Holdings Inc., a vertically-integrated national cannabis company, has announced that it has entered into a definitive license purchase agreement with a subsidiary of Harvest Health & Recreation Inc. pursuant to which a newly acquired subsidiary of the company to be renamed Planet 13 Florida Inc. will purchase a license to operate as a Medical Marijuana Treatment Center issued by the Florida Department of Health to the seller, and no other assets or liabilities, from the seller for US$55 million in cash.

Licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs) are vertically integrated and the only businesses in Florida authorized to dispense medical marijuana cannabis to qualified patients and caregivers. MMTCs are authorized to cultivate, process, transport and dispense medical marijuana. As of Aug. 26, 2021, there were 22 companies with MMTC licenses with 371 dispensing locations across Florida. License holders are not subject to restrictions on the number of dispensaries that may be opened or on the number or size of cultivation and processing facilities they may operate.

"Florida has long been one of our most coveted markets with over 20 million residents, 130 million annual visitors and incredible consumer demand already demonstrated in the medical program. It was important for us to enter the market prior to a transition to adult-use to put the pieces in place to capitalize on this market in both the short and long term," said Larry Scheffler, co-CEO of Planet 13. "We are excited to introduce our best-in-class retail experience and portfolio of popular products to the Florida market and to continue to build the Planet 13 brand across the United States."

"After a lot of planning on how we wanted to approach this market, now is the time for action. We are well capitalized to complete the initial buildout of our cultivation and retail plan which includes a network of neighborhood stores in priority metro areas to support future SuperStores in Miami, Orlando, and other tourist destinations," said Bob Groesbeck, co-CEO. "We have a successful track record of completing large retail and cultivation buildouts on time and on budget. This expertise combined with our differentiated, experience-driven retail and diverse product portfolio gives us confidence moving into the Florida market."

As consideration for the license, the company will pay US$55 million in cash to the seller, with an initial deposit therefrom of US$2 million to be delivered by the company and held in escrow by a third party escrow agent upon execution of an escrow agreement as promptly as possible after the date hereof. The transaction is subject to certain closing conditions including the successful close of the Trulieve Cannabis Corp./Harvest arrangement transaction, the Florida Department of Health's Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) approval for Planet 13 Florida to acquire the license and other customary closing conditions. If the foregoing regulatory approval is not obtained, the company and seller will have the right to terminate the agreement.

BOULDER, Colo. (Sept. 1, 2021) – PRESS RELEASE – As many as 70 million people in the United States wrestle with unsatisfactory sleep. But today, sleep sufferers across Colorado have a solution—Wana Optimals Fast Asleep gummies. Fast Asleep is the first product from Wana Brands’ new line of daily wellness products, Wana Optimals, that are steeped in science and crafted to help people achieve different health goals through the power of plants.

Leveraging proprietary encapsulation technology for quick onset in 5-15 minutes, the Wana Optimals Fast Asleep custom sleep formulation—powered by Wana’s ongoing research on minor cannabinoids and terpenes—is carefully crafted to address the root causes of sleeplessness, such as stress and physical discomfort, rather than simply inducing drowsiness, as with most sleep medicines. The majority of other products on the market are designed to knock a person out to sleep, while the Fast Asleep formulation is designed to get better sleep, faster.

Each fast-acting gummy contains 10mg CBD for calming and relaxing effects, and promoting REM sleep; 2mg CBN, which can lower stress, relieve tension, and alleviate physical discomfort; 2mg CBG for its relaxing and anti-inflammatory effects; 2mg THC, which works with the CBD to help regulate the body’s circadian rhythm; 1mg Melatonin, a sleep hormone to enhance the effects of these powerhouse cannabinoids; 30+ Specialized Terpenes, chosen via extensive user research for their sleep-promoting properties. 

“At Wana, we are fully committed to harnessing the power of the cannabis plant and delivering on the many promises it provides for different consumer experiences and benefits,” said Nancy Whiteman, CEO of Wana Brands. “To do this, we are looking well beyond the two most well-known cannabinoids THC and CBD, at the many other cannabinoids and terpenes produced by the plant that are known to have their own pharmacological effects. Wana Optimals Fast Asleep is our first offering meant to achieve specific results like better sleep. Why use a sledgehammer when you can use a scalpel?” 

Fast Asleep is the first product in the Wana Optimals’ line of daily wellness products that leverage the power of a variety of rare cannabinoids, including CBG and CBN, for their unique effects. As consumer education about and research into cannabinoids grows, demand for these potent and dynamic plant compounds will continue to spike. Wana is at the forefront of cannabinoid research and development, and its Optimals line stands as a leading-edge product. Wana Optimals Fast Asleep Gummies are vegan and organically sweetened. 

Pacific Northwest heat waves have been challenging growers—and their plants—since June. What do these extreme heat waves mean for hemp crop harvest this fall?

Gordon Jones is an assistant professor of general agriculture based at the Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center for Oregon State University.  Jones says well established hemp plants, transplanted in good conditions with proper root growth, can withstand a fair amount of heat stress—as long as they have access to water. 

But with extreme heat come other obstacles like reduced access to water, wildfire smoke and declining worker morale.

“On some grand level, the smoke, the heat, and the drought are connected, and we could probably have a climate change discussion at the macro scale,” says Jones. These challenges make growing hemp in extreme heat a game of survival. However, there are steps farmers can take early on to prevent heat stress and still have a successful harvest.

What is an 'Extreme Heat Wave'?

The World Meteorological Organization states that a heat wave is when the daily maximum temperature exceeds the average maximum temperature by 9 degrees Fahrenheit for more than five consecutive days. From June 24 to June 29, Pacific Northwesterners experienced a 1-in-1,000-year heat event when temperatures peaked at 116 degrees.

In extreme heat conditions, hemp leaves droop and fold up in a protective measure. If the stress is not mediated, they will yellow and become crisp. Once a plant is matured, there’s not a lot of changes growers can make, warns Cedar Grey, founder of Siskiyou Sungrown, a CBD wellness product brand in Southern Oregon.

Mississippi lawmakers are working on legislation to legalize medical cannabis in the state after the Mississippi Supreme Court overturned a voter-approved legalization initiative in May, but Agriculture and Commerce Secretary Andy Gipson is wary of a proposed plan that would require the Department of Agriculture to license and regulate the industry.

During an Aug. 27 interview with SuperTalk Mississippi, Gipson expressed concerns that overseeing a medical cannabis program would distract the department from its primary focus of supporting the state’s farmers.

“Our farm groups do not want this program under the Department of Agriculture,” he said. “[We’ve got to] stay focused on supporting our farmers and legal agriculture, not this illegal substance that they’re basically asking me to bless. I’m not ready to do that.”

Gipson said he is hesitant to regulate something that remains federally illegal, and classified cannabis as a drug rather than an agricultural product.

Initiative 65, which passed in the November 2020 election before being struck down by the Mississippi Supreme Court, charged the Mississippi State Department of Health with regulating the program.

Consumption lounges are set to hit the Nevada cannabis market in 2022.

The consumption lounges became authorized after Gov. Steve Sisolak signed Assembly Bill 341 into law in June. The legislation established the licensing and regulatory framework for cannabis consumption lounges in Nevada and paved the way for an unlimited number of lounges to open across the state, Cannabis Business Times previously reported.

The final passing of the legislation came roughly four years after Nevada legalized adult-use cannabis and years after setbacks and debates about the bill from the rival gaming industry, Cannabis Business Times reported.

However, the wait for consumption lounges in Nevada is finally over. According to The Nevada Independent, consumption lounges are on track to set up shop in the state by mid-next year due to a recent funding boost from the states’ Interim Finance Committee (IFC).

Roughly two weeks ago, the IFC unanimously approved three items at the interim committee that would provide the states’ Cannabis Control Board (CCB) with funds to acquire more staff, administer cannabis revenue toward education funding and work with the states attorney general’s office to establish regulations, NI reported.

Tyler Klimas, CCB executive director, said the items passed by the IFC would “direct $10.9 million to fund 23 new full-time employees at the regulatory agency,” NI reported. Klimas also added that the employees hired would fulfill positions in control of the consumption lounges’ compliance and background checks, licensing, suitability determinations and criminal investigations.

Missouri did not launch medical cannabis sales until Oct. 16, 2020, but a report released earlier this month revealed the extent to which licensed patients were lined up for access.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) issued 56,448 new patient licenses and 12,062 renewed patient licenses between Dec. 6, 2019, and Dec. 5, 2020, according to the department’s second annual report of the Missouri Medical Marijuana Regulatory Program.

The DHSS approved 23,000-plus patients and caregivers in program year 2019—before commercial sales began—with roughly 33% also approved to home cultivate. That year, Missouri home cultivators were comprised of 7,276 patients and 298 caregivers.

But with the state’s first medical cannabis sales launching this past October, the number of approved patients grew by roughly 200% during 2020. In addition, approved caregivers grew from 563 to 2,146, and home cultivators grew from 7,574 to 19,831.

DHSS is required by law to annually submit a report to the governor regarding the efficient discharge of its responsibilities.

“It is an honor to be a part of the great success of this new medical industry in Missouri,” Lyndall Fraker, director of the section of medical cannabis within the DHSS, said in a news release Aug. 19, when the second annual report was published.

It’s been five months since former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) but little headway has been made on adult-use cannabis legalization.

Kathy Hochul, who became New York’s first female governor last week—after Cuomo resigned following months of sexual harassment allegations—plans to change all that by jumpstarting the state’s legal cannabis market through nominating appointees to the state’s management office and control board.

During a press conference Tuesday evening, Gov. Hochul called for a special session of the New York Legislature to begin at noon Sept. 1. The session will deal with freeing up the state’s “long overdue” cannabis program, as well as addressing the state’s rent and eviction crisis, she said. It will also address the state’s Open Meetings Law to allow more access to meetings.

When Hochul was sworn into the governor’s office last week, she said one of her top priorities was to get rental relief to families in need. But she said Tuesday that getting the cannabis program up and running is also one of her first concerns.

“I also have an agenda item that’s very important to me and that is to jumpstart the long overdue decisions pertaining to establishing cannabis in the state of New York,” Hochul said. “I’ll be appointing my nominations to start the process to legally produce and distribute cannabis in the state of New York.”

Hochul is tasked with nominating an executive director for the new Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) and naming three appointees, including a chairperson, to the Cannabis Control Board (CCB).

Columbus, OH – PRESS RELEASE – The Ohio Ballot Board certified the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol’s initiated statute language as a single issue Aug. 30. The certification means that CRMLA can begin the process of collecting the more than 130,000 signatures required to present the proposed legislation to Ohio legislators.

RELATED: Group Launches Effort to ‘Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol’ in Ohio

“We’re happy with today’s outcome and believe the ballot board made the right call on this one,” said spokesman Tom Haren. “We look forward to beginning the signature collection process and working with our state legislators to create a safe, legal, and highly regulated cannabis market in Ohio.”

After collecting more than 130,000 signatures to formally send the initiative to the Ohio General Assembly, the legislature will have four months to consider the proposed legislation. Should they opt not to pass the bill as is, the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol can collect an additional 130,000 signatures to present the issue to Ohio voters on the November 2022 ballot.

Haren also noted that the legislature can act now: “Ohioans overwhelmingly support cannabis legalization, and we’re ready to work with legislators to end prohibition today.”