August 4, 2020
Mississippi farmers can start applying for hemp license
Mississippi farmers, or those interested in becoming farmers, can now apply for a hemp grower license. The license application period began Saturday and runs through Oct. 31 through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Hemp is a member of the cannabis plant family used for textiles, fuels, clothing and other products. The new Mississippi law legalized the cultivation of hemp and allowed Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner Andy Gipson to create a state plan for hemp farming. State lawmakers did not appropriate the money for a state hemp program, so Gipson said he asked the USDA to handle the licensing for Mississippi hemp growers.
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July 31, 2020
This is now the biggest cannabis company in the world
The pandemic has dealt a blow to corporate dealmaking, but one company that you've probably never heard of has been on a buying binge. Curaleaf Holdings (CURLF), a Massachusetts company that grows, processes and sells cannabis through dispensaries in 18 states, last week bought the Chicago cannabis cultivator and retailer Grassroots for $830 million. That makes Curaleaf the biggest cannabis company globally by sales, with expected annual revenue of about $1 billion, executive chairman Boris Jordan told CNN Business.
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July 31, 2020
House Votes To Protect State Cannabis Laws
The House voted to approve Part B Amendment #87 Thursday evening, which is a provision to prevent the federal government from using any funds to interfere with state medical or adult-use programs or target individuals and businesses that are in compliance with state cannabis laws. The bipartisan amendment to the Commerce, Justice, and Science appropriations bill was introduced by Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Tom McClintock (R-CA), and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC).
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The U.S. House voted Thursday to ban the U.S. Justice Department from enforcing the federal ban on cannabis in any state that has legalized the drug for any purpose. The amendment to the legislation funding several federal agencies for the 12 moths beginning Oct. 1 passed, 254-163, with 31 Republicans voting yes.
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July 30, 2020
Democrats Reject Cannabis Legalization in Party Platform
The Democratic Party’s platform committee on Monday rejected an amendment to support federal cannabis legalization, Boulder Weekly reports. The vote was 50-106 with three abstentions. The committee did approve language supporting federal cannabis decriminalization and rescheduling, along with language calling for reforms on how drug-related crimes are prosecuted.
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The House of Representatives on Thursday debated an amendment to protect all state, territory and tribal marijuana programs from federal interference. The measure, which would prevent the Department of Justice from using its funds to impede the implementation of cannabis legalization laws, passed in a voice vote days after being cleared for floor action by the Rules Committee. It will receive a formal roll call vote later in the afternoon.
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The smoking of legal cannabis in Texas may go on. But as of this Sunday, stores that sell hemp flowers can only sell consumable versions of the plant. By state regulations, consuming does not include smoking.
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The Massachusetts law that legalized recreational marijuana was hailed as the first in the nation to create a path for people impacted by the war on drugs to enter the new industry. Four years later, that effort to diversify ownership has fallen way short. So much so that two members of the state's Cannabis Control Commission have expressed disappointment with the results and called for the Legislature to set up a loan fund to help those applicants obtain start-up money to launch marijuana businesses.
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July 29, 2020
Saint Lucia Joins the Race to Legalize Cannabis
The race to become the first Caribbean country with legal cannabis is turning into a sprint, with Saint Lucia announcing plans to join Bermuda, and the U.S. Virgin Islands in drafting adult use legislation.
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July 29, 2020
Hemp cultivation draws hesitation in Navajo Nation
Products containing cannabidiol, or CBD, are everywhere -- and their growing popularity means big business. The substance can be derived from both cannabis and hemp, which is also used to produce fabric and food. But one Navajo leader jumping at the business opportunity is encountering resistance from members of his tribe.
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