MMJ Business Daily

CA Congressman Endorses Rec Legalization Initiative

California marijuana legalization proponents scored a major backer on Monday when they announced the formal endorsement of Los Angeles Congressman Ted Lieu, who signaled his support for a recreational cannabis initiative written by billionaire Sean Parker’s coalition.

The measure, called the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA), “creates a legal, responsible and regulated framework for adult use of marijuana that is fiscally responsible,” Lieu said in a press release.

“As a policy, marijuana prohibition has wasted taxpayer resources while failing to protect our communities,” Lieu said. “The (AUMA) represents a vastly superior and long overdue new approach.”

The AUMA has already gathered

…

CA Congressman Endorses Rec Legalization Initiative is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

Stayin’ Alive: Montana Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Still Open Despite Court Ruling

By John Schroyer

The medical marijuana battle isn’t over just yet in Montana.

Most dispensaries remain open despite a brutal court ruling nearly two months ago that threatens to gut the state’s MMJ industry.

Business owners are hanging on in the hopes that the industry can win a permanent stay of execution if the Montana Supreme Court agrees to a request to delay the ruling’s implementation. That would buy time to get a measure on the November ballot to establish regulations on dispensaries before they have to close down, which could save the industry.

The court could decide on the

…

Stayin’ Alive: Montana Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Still Open Despite Court Ruling is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

Coming to Vegas: A Casino That Serves Cannabis?

A well-known name in the cannabis world might offer cannabis enthusiasts in Las Vegas the ability to order more than a beer or bourbon while playing the slots.

High Times, the 42-year-old cannabis lifestyle magazine, is hoping to open a casino serving cannabis in Sin City if Nevada voters approve a ballot measure in November to legalize recreational marijuana, according to a recent piece in the New York Times.

High Times apparently is eyeing a location for its cannabis-friendly hotel and casino just off the Las Vegas strip.

“The company is deep in talks with partners to open a series of

…

Coming to Vegas: A Casino That Serves Cannabis? is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

Alaska’s Marijuana Clubs Dwindle

The number of marijuana social clubs in Alaska is shrinking amid confusion over whether they are indeed legal.

The confusion has led to a patchwork of conflicting local controls, according to the Alaska Journal of Commerce, which reported that Anchorage’s Pot Luck Events is the only marijuana social club still operating while not facing a legal challenge.

The Higher Calling in Fairbanks and Kachemak Cannabis Club in Homer have both shut down, and the city of Kenai is seeking an injunction against Green Rush Events.

The dues-paying clubs allow members to share and consume cannabis. But they don’t sell it themselves.

The

…

Alaska’s Marijuana Clubs Dwindle is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

Pennsylvania Officially 24th Medical Marijuana State

The seeds for a medical marijuana industry in Pennsylvania have been planted.

On Sunday, Gov. Tom Wolf signed a measure legalizing medical marijuana, opening up what could become one of the biggest MMJ markets in the country.

The bill signing came after Pennsylvania lawmakers last week approved the measure following years of negotiations and delays that held up MMJ legalization.

The bill, while limited to non-smokable MMJ, spells out 17 qualifying conditions for patients, including severe pain.

Twenty-five grower licenses and 50 dispensary licenses initially will be allowed, with each dispensary permit allotted up to three different locations

…

Pennsylvania Officially 24th Medical Marijuana State is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

Delaware Gets 11 Applications for Two Licenses

Delaware has received 11 applications for its final two medical marijuana dispensary licenses, according to a spokeswoman for the state’s health department.

Officials expect to announce winners in August.

The state is not allowed at this time to reveal details about the applicants, but a spokeswoman said some groups applied for a license in both Kent County and Sussex County.

The state charges an application fee of $5,000, and winners will have to pay a licensing fee of $40,000.

Under Delaware’s small but growing medical marijuana program, the state’s three counties – New Castle, Kent and Sussex – each get one

…

Delaware Gets 11 Applications for Two Licenses is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

Chart of the Week: Support for Medical Marijuana Legalization in Key States

By Marijuana Business Daily staff
If the latest polls are any indication, the cannabis industry will be celebrating the legalization of medical marijuana – and a host of new business opportunities – in Florida and Ohio this November.
Chart of the Week:…

Oregon Has Received Almost 900 Rec Applications

Nearly 900 recreational marijuana license applications have been submitted in Oregon so far, indicating intense interest from entrepreneurs.

According to data from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) as of April 14, the state has received:

• 589 applications for cultivation sites
• 151 for retail stores
• 67 for processors (infused products makers)
• 42 for wholesale business
• Four for testing labs

In addition, another 467 applications are still either in the “draft” phase or are incomplete, which means the total could soon jump to more than 1,300

Many of the 333 licensed medical dispensaries that have signed up

…

Oregon Has Received Almost 900 Rec Applications is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

Hawaii Delays Awarding MMJ Business Licenses

Hawaii’s state health department has postponed awarding eight medical marijuana business licenses until at least April 29, having encountered delays tied to the required fingerprinting and background checks of applicants.

The move adds some uncertainty to the licensing process, as it’s possible the delay could stretch into May or beyond. Many other states – most recently Maryland – have experience similar unexpected setbacks that have pushed back the start of their medical cannabis programs multiple times.

Hawaii was scheduled to announce the winners today. But not all applicants have submitted the necessary documents and paperwork.

“We have requested that

…

Hawaii Delays Awarding MMJ Business Licenses is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

Week in Review: Marijuana Legalization Developments in Pennsylvania, Ohio & Vermont

By Omar Sacirbey and John Schroyer

Pennsylvania becomes the first legalization domino to fall in 2016, Ohio lawmakers offer up their vision of medical cannabis in the state, and hopes for recreational marijuana in Vermont take a huge hit.

Here’s a closer look at several notable developments in the marijuana industry over the past week.

Pennsylvania Prelude?

When Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf signs a bill to legalize medical cannabis on Sunday, his state will become the 24th in the nation to join the MMJ club.

The move also could give other states some extra oomph to push through

…

Week in Review: Marijuana Legalization Developments in Pennsylvania, Ohio & Vermont is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs