MMJ Business Daily

Opiate ‘Crisis’ Hampering MJ Legalization in New England

Proponents for legal recreational marijuana in two New England states have run into headwinds because of the region’s growing problem of opiate abuse.

The opiate outbreak has made New England lawmakers and public officials more wary of legalization, posing a potentially serious obstacle to the marijuana industry’s expansion in the region.

Vermont, for example, was widely expected this year to become the first state to legalize rec through legislation – versus a popular vote. But a legalization bill has stalled in the legislature amid concerns over opiates, which have led to the deaths of more than 2,000 people in New England

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Opiate ‘Crisis’ Hampering MJ Legalization in New England is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

Small Steps Toward More Diversity in the Cannabis Industry

By Omar Sacirbey

The cannabis industry has begun taking steps to become more racially diverse, albeit baby steps at this point.

Whoopi Goldberg’s recent decision to jump into the burgeoning cannabis business is both a move in this direction and a stark reminder that the industry has a shortage of people of color.

The comedian and talk show host (pictured) disclosed at the end of March that she’s teaming with Maya Elizabeth, the owner of OM Edibles, a growing collective and infused products seller. The duo founded a separate company, Whoopi & Maya, plans to start

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Small Steps Toward More Diversity in the Cannabis Industry is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

Canada Rec Marijuana Legalization Bill Coming Spring 2017

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will make good on his promise to legalize recreational marijuana in Canada, but not for about another year, his health minister announced Wednesday.

The Canadian market potentially could provide enormous opportunities for U.S. cannabis companies.

“We will introduce legislation in spring 2017 that ensures we keep marijuana out of the hands of children and profits out of the hands of criminals,” Canadian Health Minister Jane Philpott told a special session of the United Nations focused on combating drugs, according to the Canadian broadcaster CBC.

At the same time, the Canadian government’s point man on

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Canada Rec Marijuana Legalization Bill Coming Spring 2017 is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

Canada Rec Marijuana Legalization Bill Coming Spring 2017

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will make good on his promise to legalize recreational marijuana in Canada, but not for about another year, his health minister announced Wednesday.

The Canadian market potentially could provide enormous opportunities for U.S. cannabis companies.

“We will introduce legislation in spring 2017 that ensures we keep marijuana out of the hands of children and profits out of the hands of criminals,” Canadian Health Minister Jane Philpott told a special session of the United Nations focused on combating drugs, according to the Canadian broadcaster CBC.

At the same time, the Canadian government’s point man on

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Canada Rec Marijuana Legalization Bill Coming Spring 2017 is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

MedMen Inks $15M in Financing for California Expansion

MedMen, a cannabis management consultancy in Los Angeles, said it raised $15 million in venture financing and will announce a “series of deals” in coming weeks as it expands its operations in California.

It marks one of the largest venture capital deals in the industry to date.

“With California being a central focus for us and a critical market in the U.S., we will continue to actively pursue management deals in California and expand our portfolio of facilities in the state,” a MedMen spokeswoman said in an email. The company helps cannabis businesses by managing day-to-day operations.

MedMen

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MedMen Inks $15M in Financing for California Expansion is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

Washington DC Permanently Bans Cannabis Clubs

City lawmakers in Washington DC voted to slap a permanent ban on private clubs catering to marijuana users, eliminating the chance for recreational cannabis business opportunities in the nation’s capital.

The D.C. Council’s 7-6 vote sends the measure to Mayor Muriel Bowser, who already has said she supports outlawing the clubs, Washingtonian magazine reported.

District voters approved a ballot measure in 2014 legalizing the possession, home cultivation and private use of cannabis by adults. But the referendum barred its use in public places like parks and restaurants, and Congress has prevented the city from starting commercial recreational marijuana sales (thought

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Washington DC Permanently Bans Cannabis Clubs is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

For Some Marijuana Businesses, 4/20 is Just Another Day

By John Schroyer

Sponsored block parties. One-day sales and steep discounts. Concerts headlined by Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa.

These are some of the ways marijuana businesses are celebrating – and hoping to profit from – April 20 this year. But not everyone in the industry is interested in marking the passing of the marijuana holiday.

Increasingly, many companies don’t do anything special for 4/20, saying it doesn’t align with their focus. This is especially in tightly regulated medical cannabis markets, where the focus is on patients with serious ailments.

“I think it depends on how truly medical the company

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For Some Marijuana Businesses, 4/20 is Just Another Day is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

Denver Council Moves to Restrict Marijuana Business Locations

Denver lawmakers tentatively approved a proposed ordinance to impose caps on the number of marijuana retail and cultivation sites in the proverbial capital of the cannabis industry.

The measure, approved Monday evening 8-3 by the Denver City Council, will become law if approved in a final vote next week. It would apply to recreational and medical businesses.

The vote came after lawmakers failed to reach agreement last week.

If enacted, the new legislation would cap the total number of cannabis shop locations at their current level, and gradually reduce the number of cultivation operations by 15, the Denver

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Denver Council Moves to Restrict Marijuana Business Locations is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

Mexico President Now Open to Legalizing Medical Marijuana

Mexico’s president – until now a vocal opponent of drug legalization – has reversed course, saying he is open to legalizing medical marijuana in Mexico and that his government will unveil new steps soon.

“I am giving voice to those who have (in public forums) expressed the necessity of changing the regulatory framework to authorize the use of marijuana for medical and scientific purposes,” President Enrique Pena Nieto told the United Nations Tuesday, Reuters reported.

Pena Nieto said he would also increase the amount of marijuana that would be de-criminalized for personal use, adding that drug use should be

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Mexico President Now Open to Legalizing Medical Marijuana is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

Cannabis Pioneer Asks Public for Money After Raid

A cannabis industry pioneer is asking the public to help raise $150,00 for a legal defense fund, saying law enforcement authorities raided his San Diego medical marijuana company and froze bank accounts as well as seized money, raw materials and computers.

James Slatic, CEO of MedWest and a board member of the California Cannabis Industry Association, is making his pitch via the crowfunding site Indiegogo. The posting on the Indiegogo website includes video footage and a detailed description of the raid, which occurred Jan. 28.

“Cash was seized. Bank accounts were frozen. Two employees of MedWest were handcuffed and

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Cannabis Pioneer Asks Public for Money After Raid is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs