Regulations

The Maryland Hemp Coalition and others filed a lawsuit this week claiming that the state’s adult-use cannabis regulations are discriminatory and being monopolized against hemp companies.

A Massachusetts cannabis testing lab is accusing regulators of opening a retaliatory investigation into the company after their CEO suggested that “enforcement staff may be misusing investigations as a pretext to silence and harass licensees.”

Missouri’s new cannabis packaging rules limit companies to using just one primary color per piece of packaging. Additionally, packaging can contain up to two logos or symbols but they cannot be larger than the clearly printed word, “Marijuana.”

New Hampshire is now allowing reciprocity for its medical cannabis program to patients who are registered for medical cannabis in other U.S. states or Canada.

The Pennsylvania Senate Law & Justice Committee advanced a proposal that would let physicians certify patients for the state’s medical cannabis program for any condition they deem appropriate.

Medical cannabis advocates in Oklahoma have filed a lawsuit challenging recent cannabis industry fee increases in the state.

The American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp last week released a policy paper calling on Congress to regulate hemp-derived intoxicants including delta-8 and delta-9 THC products.

Jersey Hemp, the only farm in the British Isles that is licensed to grow hemp to manufacture CBD products, has shut down operations after the UK government said it found THC in the company’s CBD exports and declared their products illegal.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Tuesday to update the state’s regulations for hemp foods and other hemp-derived consumables.

A recent report by Whitney Economics found that just 24.4% of U.S. cannabis companies currently turn a profit, down 42% from the year prior.

California-based Glass House Brands has filed a defamation lawsuit against Catalyst Cannabis and its leadership in response to their claims — on both social media and in their own lawsuit — that Glass House is the “biggest black marketeer” of cannabis in American history.

Herbl, one of California’s biggest cannabis distributors, is shutting down operations and entering receivership. The well-funded brand’s collapse illuminates the unfortunate state of the nation’s largest cannabis market.

Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) signed into law an omnibus cannabis bill that more than doubles personal possession limits in the state, allows for felons to acquire cannabis industry licenses in some cases, and more.

New York regulators on Thursday shut down multiple unlicensed cannabis shops in Ithaca, Binghamton, and New York City. The companies now face fines of up to $10,000 per day they were operating without a license.

New York regulators have approved emergency regulations to allow the seizing of hemp and delta-9 THC products from unlicensed cannabis retailers in the state.

Public health officials in Ottawa, Canada are seeking to put graphic warning labels on cannabis packaging, similar to those on cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Federal investigators are looking into the relationship between Oregon’s former Secretary of State, Shemia Fagan, and the owners of cannabis company La Mota, who hired Fagan as a private consultant while her office was conducting an audit of the cannabis industry.

Cannabis compliance and financial services company Green Check Verified announced the acquisition of Komplyd, a compliance-focused cannabis business applications platform.

New York regulators announced the state will allow cannabis farmers’ markets this summer in an effort to help state cultivators offload their glut of cannabis products.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) signed a bill to extend the moratorium on new medical cannabis grower licenses and prohibit undocumented workers from working on state-licensed cannabis farms.

The Tennessee Legislature approved a bill to regulate hemp-derived cannabinoids including delta-8 and delta-9 THC, sending the proposal to Gov. Bill Lee’s (R) desk for his signature.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) signed a bill on Wednesday to implement the state’s adult-use cannabis legalization policy.

The Cannabis Industry Alliance of Oregon has asked state lawmakers to prevent the expansion of companies with “a flagrant disregard for state laws and fair business practices,” specifically calling out the cannabis retail chain La Mota for allegedly owing more than $1.5 million to other operators.

Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan said she canceled her side gig as a consultant to La Mota, an embattled cannabis brand, after days of Republican lawmakers calling for her resignation and after the governor requested an ethics inquiry into the role.