MMJ Business Daily

A breakdown of how Canada’s provinces are consulting the public to shape marijuana rules

By Matt Lamers

Canada’s 10 provinces and three territories are in various stages of conducting public consultations that have a major impact on the regulatory framework that governs recreational marijuana in the country.

Here’s how each province is approaching outreach to cannabis businesses, consumers, the general public and other stakeholders as they attempt to develop adult-use regulations.

A breakdown of how Canada’s provinces are consulting the public to shape marijuana rules is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

Maine edibles sales soared 66% in 2016

Medical marijuana patients in Maine spent $2 million on edibles products in dispensaries in 2016, making it the fastest-growing segment of the state’s MMJ industry.

The tally represents about 7.4% of the overall $26.8 million spent at Maine’s eight dispensaries last year, according to the Portland Press Herald.

By contrast, Mainers spent $1.2 million on edibles at medical marijuana dispensaries in 2015, or about 5.4% of the total purchases.

The figures don’t include sales by Maine’s 3,200 caregivers, some of whom are large enough to produce wholesale infused products exclusively for the caregiver and dispensary market.

Tim Smale

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Maine edibles sales soared 66% in 2016 is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

Exec advises Canada to increase marijuana production now

Licensed producers in Canada should ramp up production capacity in the next 12 months in order to meet consumer demand when the country’s recreational marijuana industry is expected to be legalized next summer, according to one cannabis executive.

“We need to expand our capacity right away simply to meet the demands of the rapidly growing medical cannabis system,” Cam Battley, executive vice president of Aurora Cannabis, told the Canadian Press. “When the demand of the adult consumer system is layered on top of that, it’s a rush to build as much capacity as possible.”

Canadian producers – including Canopy

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Exec advises Canada to increase marijuana production now is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

Coalition sues US government with aim of legalizing cannabis

A group of five diverse plaintiffs have filed suit against the federal government and two Trump administration officials, claiming that marijuana’s status as a Schedule 1 narcotic is unconstitutional and should be changed.

The 89-page lawsuit, filed in New York District Court, asks that the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 be declared unconstitutional and that the Department of Justice be barred from enforcing it as it relates to marijuana.

The plaintiffs range from a retired NFL player who wants to enter the medical marijuana business to an 11-year-old girl who moved from Texas to Colorado to treat her epilepsy with

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Coalition sues US government with aim of legalizing cannabis is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

DEA slow to move on marijuana research applications

Almost a year after the Drug Enforcement Administration pledged to grant more licenses to grow marijuana for research purposes, the agency has yet to authorize any such applications.

The DEA has received at least 25 applications from those interested in growing cannabis for medical research, but none have been approved or rejected, leading some to question whether last year’s promise was a red herring, according to STAT News.

“What has progressed with the DEA over the past year? Nothing,” said Rachel Gillette, a Colorado marijuana attorney. “I would be surprised if we had another conversation

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DEA slow to move on marijuana research applications is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

The future of cannabis is organic and ethical: Q&A with Dr. Bronner’s CEO David Bronner

By Bart Schaneman

Dr. Bronner’s has become a leading natural products company in the United States over the past three decades and a pioneering force in the hemp consumer goods space.

In 2000, Dr. Bronner’s started using hemp seed oil in its body care products, ranking as one of the first companies to do so.

Several years later, the company certified its soaps, lotions, balms and other personal care products under the USDA National Organic Program.

The moves landed the company in legal fights with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the USDA – battles Dr. Bronner’s ultimately

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The future of cannabis is organic and ethical: Q&A with Dr. Bronner’s CEO David Bronner is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

Provinces in Canada weighing feedback from MMJ businesses, public to craft cannabis regulations

By Matt Lamers

Most of Canada’s provinces are soliciting input from medical cannabis companies, the public and other stakeholders to help shape the regulatory foundations of the country’s recreational marijuana industry.

The results could have a profound impact on existing and future businesses.

Provinces in Canada weighing feedback from MMJ businesses, public to craft cannabis regulations is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

Cannabis delivery services in demand in Nevada after rec rollout

Marijuana delivery services are in strong demand since Nevada’s recreational cannabis sales began on July 1, with industry officials predicting even greater use thanks to the strength of the new adult-use market.

Armen Yemenidjian, owner of Essence dispensary in Las Vegas, told the Las Vegas Sun delivery orders have surged since adult-use marijuana became legal.

The majority of Yemenidjian’s deliveries are still to medical marijuana patients who would rather not travel to his store. But he’s anticipating more than doubling the amount of deliveries he’s making now by the end of the summer, according to the

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Cannabis delivery services in demand in Nevada after rec rollout is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

Alaska marijuana board proposes ban on certain rent deals

Alaska marijuana regulators have proposed barring marijuana businesses from giving landlords a cut of their sales revenue in lieu of rent, overriding objections from MJ industry officials.

In a 3-2 vote last week, the Alaska Marijuana Control Office (AMCO) cited concerns that the practice would give non-marijuana business license holders – the landlords – the power to “exert influence” over MJ firms, the Alaska Journal of Commerce reported.

The proposal now goes out for a 30-day public comment period. The board will resume debate on the issue at its Sept. 14-15 meeting.

Cannabis industry representatives argued the proposed rule

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Alaska marijuana board proposes ban on certain rent deals is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

Alaska marijuana board proposes ban on certain rent deals

Alaska marijuana regulators have proposed barring marijuana businesses from giving landlords a cut of their sales revenue in lieu of rent, overriding objections from MJ industry officials.

In a 3-2 vote last week, the Alaska Marijuana Control Office (AMCO) cited concerns that the practice would give non-marijuana business license holders – the landlords – the power to “exert influence” over MJ firms, the Alaska Journal of Commerce reported.

The proposal now goes out for a 30-day public comment period. The board will resume debate on the issue at its Sept. 14-15 meeting.

Cannabis industry representatives argued the proposed rule

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Alaska marijuana board proposes ban on certain rent deals is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs