The California cannabis industry is rejoicing over Gov. Gavin Newsom’s choice of Assemblyman Rob Bonta as state attorney general. “Bonta has tackled some of the major cannabis issues in the state, advocating for workers, patients and cannab…
Author: Terry Hacienda
Advocacy group for Hispanic marijuana entrepreneurs launches
The marijuana advocacy world just got another player: The National Hispanic Cannabis Council. The organization launched Thursday. According to a news release, the Denver-based group will be run by “Hispanic business leaders, legal professionals a…
Marijuana foes seek to impose THC potency caps to curb industry’s growth
Marijuana opponents, frustrated by the growing number of legalization victories across the U.S., are increasingly trying to rein in the industry by proposing state-level caps on THC potency. The push involves at least six bills introduced in four state…
US marijuana reform a ‘tall order’ for Congress, new MJ coalition chief says
The executive director of a newly formed alliance of business interests dedicated to influencing marijuana regulations believes full federal legalization remains years away and that it will be a “tall order” for the current Congress to get …
Pair convicted in bank fraud case related to cannabis transactions
Two businessmen indicted in 2020 for defrauding merchant banks on behalf of California cannabis delivery company Eaze have been convicted by a Manhattan jury. According to Law360, Hamid Akhavan and Ruben Weigand were found guilty of conspiracy to commi…
Cannabis banking reform reintroduced in US Senate
Less than a week after pro-cannabis banking legislation was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, a parallel bipartisan measure was revived in the Senate – a move that drew applause from marijuana industry advocates. Sens. Jeff Merkl…
Women’s History Month: Q&A with cannabis industry pioneer Lakisha Jenkins
Lakisha Jenkins isn’t one to seek the spotlight, though it’s difficult to find another longtime cannabis industry insider who’s more deserving of one. Jenkins – who holds a doctorate in naturopathy – is a legacy business o…
Court battle over one of Virginia’s five medical cannabis licenses
Illinois-based PharmaCann has taken Virginia to court over a medical cannabis business license that the company claims is rightfully theirs, even though state officials have solicited new bids for the permit. PharmaCann’s suit requests that the a…
California’s provisional marijuana licensing crisis resurfaces, possibly disrupting thousands of MJ companies
For the third time in less than four years, California lawmakers are revisiting the state’s marijuana licensing program, ostensibly to give businesses and regulators more time to get permits processed while allowing the industry to keep functioni…
California awards $15 million more in cannabis social equity grants
California is handing out $15 million in grant money to 10 cities and counties that have adopted social equity programs to help get minorities and those harmed by the war on drugs involved in the legal marijuana market. The new allotment, awarded by Go…