Congressional Research Service Reports on Federal-State Cannabis Policy Gap
By UCBA Team Congressional researchers released a new report that details the expanding policy gap between federal and state marijuana laws, emphasizing that states are continuing to move forward with legalization, regardless of whether Congress acts on a federal level. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) has released several briefings on the policy gap amid the […]
MJBIZDAILY: Los Angeles selects 100 cannabis social equity applicants after court victory
An additional 100 social equity applicants in Los Angeles will get an opportunity to apply for cannabis retail licenses after a U.S. district judge refused to halt the lottery selection. The application process in the nation’s largest marijuana market was the latest to face legal scrutiny when a Michigan man filed a lawsuit arguing the process was unconstitutional. Read […]
MJBIZDaily: Could an Oregon lawsuit legalize interstate marijuana commerce before Congress?
By Chris Roberts If not Congress, what about the courts? A not-too-distant future in which marijuana companies can ship products across state lines – if not “legally,” at least without interference from federal or state authorities – is possible if a recently filed lawsuit challenging Oregon state law is successful, legal analysts told MJBizDaily. Such an […]
POLITICO: What’s next for Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act?
Cannabis banking has one more logical chance for passage in the lame duck: the omnibus appropriations package. That assumes, however, that lawmakers reach agreement on an omnnibus. Bipartisan negotiations are mired in gridlock, POLITICO’s Caitlin Emma reports. Democrats are starting to work on their own plan — but it’s unclear if they can put such […]
Senator Richard Polanco (Ret.) To Serve On LA Mayor-Elect Karen Bass Transition Advisory Team
California Advocacy LLC’s Advisor, Senator Richard Polanco (ret.), has been tapped by newly elected LA Mayor-Elect Karen Bass to serve on her transition advisory team. The team is made up of individuals who work in the business, education and nonprofit worlds, as well as civic and religious leaders. Headed by famed civil and labor rights […]
GREEN MARKET REPORT: California Cannabis Industry Owes State a Quarter Billion Dollars in Taxes
With penalties and fees, the money owed to the state could top $500 million. By John Schroyer The California cannabis industry as a whole owes the state a quarter billion in unpaid taxes, according to state data and industry experts. With added fees, that total could easily balloon into a $500 million tax tab. To […]
THE HILL: Marijuana now legal in Missouri
By Gianna Melillo Missouri is the latest state to legalize possession of marijuana for recreational use, joining 20 other states, Washington D.C., and Guam in legalizing the drug. Although it is now legal to possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana in Missouri, recreational sales of the drug will not begin until medical facilities convert their […]
CANNABIS BUSINESS TIMES: California Judge Fines Illicit Cannabis Operators $128M
A group of four cannabis business entities and three individual owners in Southern California were issued $128 million in civil penalties Dec. 5 after admitting to illicit operations in court, according to a summary judgement ruling. The ruling by Judge Stephen Pfahler in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, stems from 2019 and 2020 […]
Department of Cannabis Control Introduces New Webpage to Help Equity Applicants
The Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) introduced a new section of their Equity webpage called “Promising Practices” that is filled with dynamic stories about local programs providing tools to help California’s equity applicants navigate the licensing process and achieve success in their cannabis business. They can be found on DCC’s website: www.cannabis.ca.gov/resources/equity According to their press […]
Newly Elected House Democratic Leader Says Marijuana Is ‘Opportunity For Common Ground’ Under GOP Control
Even with Republicans holding the majority in Congress, the newly elected House Democratic leader says he thinks marijuana reform is one area of policy where additional bipartisan progress can be made. On Sunday’s episode of “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” on ABC News, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) spoke about his goals for the 118th Congress. […]