Brittney Griner Sentenced to 9 Years for Cannabis Possession in Russia (Newsletter: August 10, 2022)
Thank you for tuning into the latest updates! In this week’s news roundup:
Table of Contents
NATIONAL CANNABIS NEWS
Brittney Griner Sentenced to 9 Years for Cannabis Possession in Russia
“Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) star Brittney Griner on Thursday was sentenced to nine years in a Russian penal colony for cannabis possession, the New York Times reports. Griner, 31, pleaded guilty to the charges in July. The court also fined her 1 million rubles, or about $16,400.”
Gay Flags Fluttering Less But LGBTQ+ Community Still Playing Essential Role In Cannabis Industry
“Now that the gay pride flags have stopped flapping in the breeze or have been removed from shop windows, might we gently remind everyone that the cannabis industry as we know it today – a booming multi-million-dollar enterprise – would not exist were it not for the work of LGBTQ+ compassionate care advocates.”
Why Demand for Tech Talent in Cannabis Cultivation Is at an All-Time High
“For cultivation businesses, information technology (IT) is more than just email administration and fixing security camera glitches. IT affects nearly every aspect of a cannabis cultivation facility, and it’s crucial to the success of any commercial growing operation.”
Arkansas board rejects recreational marijuana initiative that would have appeared on November ballot
“An Arkansas agency ruled against including a vote on recreational marijuana on the ballot this November. The secretary of state’s office had approved the initiative last week, saying supporters had gathered enough signatures to make the ballot.”
Olivia Newton-John and marijuana: What did the Grease star use the drug for?
“Olivia Newton-John, who fought cancer for the third time, revealed that after radiation therapy she used cannabis oil to treat cancer symptoms, such as pain. Cannabis oil, in certain quantities, is legal to grow in California, where she lives.”
Voters Across Wisconsin Will See Marijuana Questions On Their Ballots In November
“In recent weeks, local governments in the counties of Dane, Eau Claire and Milwaukee, along with the cities of Appleton, Kenosha and Racine, approved advisory referenda meant to gauge public opinion on legalization. While the results would cause no immediate change in law, they could send a message to state lawmakers about the popularity of marijuana reform with voters.”
MISSOURI CANNABIS NEWS
Missouri Marijuana Legalization Initiative Will Appear On November Ballot, State Announces
“Legal Missouri 2022 submitted about 400,000 signatures for a legalization initiative in May. They needed to reach a signature threshold in at least six of the state’s eight congressional districts to make the ballot, and it initially appeared that they were falling behind in two of those districts.”
ILLINOIS CANNABIS NEWS
Illinois Awards $1.4M to Help Expunge Cannabis-Related Criminal Records
“Eighteen Illinois organizations have been awarded $1.4 million in grants from the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation to help expunge cannabis-related criminal records, WGEM reports. Beth Johnson, project manager for New Leaf Illinois, which was created by the foundation to address the state’s previous drug laws that disproportionately impacted communities of color, said the grants “will provide resources to organizations that are making a real difference in communities statewide.””
Some look to streamline Illinois’ cannabis regulations with statewide commission
““It’s about centralizing things and time management,” Evans told The Center Square. “Business folks don’t need the confusion. Even some of us are confused because I don’t know which agency is which. I’ve got to try to answer folks and bring out a flowchart. Why make government difficult when it can be easy.””
As New Illinois Cannabis Dispensary Licenses Are Issued, Focus Turns to Industry Equity
“The applicants, all of whom qualify as social equity applicants, have 180 days to obtain a physical storefront location and the full adult use dispensing organization license. According to the state, of the business selected for the licenses, 41% are majority Black owned, 7% are majority White owned, 4% are majority Latino owned and 38% did not disclose the owner’s race.”
PENNSYLVANIA CANNABIS NEWS
More funding sought to subsidize Pennsylvania medical marijuana purchases
“Funding for the MMAP comes from a tax on growers/processors, but only 15% of the tax goes for financial assistance. The rest of the revenues go to research, operating expenses of the medical marijuana program, local police departments, and drug use prevention.”
NEW YORK CANNABIS NEWS
Cannabis sales to kick off in NY in 2022. How you can apply to sell it
“But as of now, it’s still illegal for New Yorkers to sell cannabis for recreational use. In July, the Office of Cannabis Management sent cease and desist letters to over 50 stores the state said were illegally selling cannabis.”
OKLAHOMA CANNABIS NEWS
Oklahoma Medical Cannabis License Moratorium Takes Effect This Month
“State officials had initially expected the moratorium to take effect on August 1 but erred in their interpretation of the effective date of the moratorium. Businesses will be allowed to submit license applications until August 26. The moratorium is still set to expire on Aug. 1, 2024, unless the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) director chooses to lift it prior to that date.”
MARYLAND CANNABIS NEWS
Maryland Reduces Cost of Patients’ Medical Cannabis ID Cards
“The changes approved by the commission will decrease the cost of patients’ medical cannabis ID cards from $50 to $25 and extend the expiration date from three years to six years, the news outlet reported.”
Marijuana Legalization Will Be Voted on in Maryland This November
“HB 837 would temporarily expand decriminalization from January 1 to June 30, 2023, if the amendmentIn cannabis cultivation, amendments refer to additional mate... passes. It would decriminalize the possession and use of up to 1.5 ounces of marijuana with a civil fine of up to $100. Currently, the decriminalized amount is 10 grams. It would also reduce the penalty for possession of more than 1.5 ounces but not exceeding 2.5 ounces to a civil fine of up to $250.”
