[Webinar] Cannabis Real Estate 101: A Primer for Social Equity Applicants & Entrepreneurs
On June 10, 2024, H.612, An Act Relating to Miscellaneous Cannabis Amendments (the “Act”) became law, making a variety of changes to Vermont’s cannabis laws that will have significant implications for the state’s medical and...more
Congratulations to those who won a cannabis social equity license in the Maryland lottery! To take advantage of this exciting business endeavor, check out these suggested priority actions and read on for essential...more
We have an update about the recent lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Maryland Cannabis Administration’s (MCA’s) Social Equity Program. To recap, on January 26, 2024, a California-based attorney filed suit...more
According to a Complaint filed on January 26, 2024, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Maryland's adult-use cannabis licensing program, which is currently limited to applicants who qualified for...more
On November 7, 2023, voters in Ohio approved Ohio Issue 2, the Marijuana Legalization Initiative (the Initiative), which legalizes marijuana for recreational use in Ohio. Among its key provisions, the Ohio Initiative creates...more
After being signed into law on August 11, 2022, Chapter 180 of the Acts of 2022, An Act Relative to Equity in the Cannabis Industry went into effect on November 9, 2022. This new statute significantly impacts the $5 billion...more
An under-discussed aspect of Minnesota’s adult-use cannabis legislation is the grant programs established to help cannabis entrepreneurs understand the law and succeed in this nascent market. The legalization bill...more
Third in a series on the Minnesota Adult-Use Cannabis Law. Read our first look at the law and our review of local control and moratoriums. Recreational use of marijuana has been legal in Minnesota for people over the age of...more
Maryland Releases Cannabis License Application Details and Instructions- On October 13, the Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) released some much-anticipated details regarding the upcoming cannabis licensing round. The...more
On Friday, September 8, the Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) Office of Social Equity released additional information for its upcoming initial licensing round, including the social equity verification portal, application...more
Welcome back to The Week in Weed, your Friday look at what’s happening in the world of legalized marijuana. This week, we have an update on South Dakota’s ballot initiative. We note the introduction of the Stop Pot Act on the...more
Last week, New York Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled a noteworthy development regarding the New York State Cannabis Social Equity Investment Fund (the “Fund”), as it secured a substantial investment of $150 million from Chicago...more
Maryland House Bill 556 (cross-filed with Maryland Senate Bill 516), introduced on February 3, 2023, contains essential provisions for any person or entity interested in participating in the cannabis industry in Maryland....more
Social equity is an important part of any forward-thinking cannabis regime. Some states do it better than others, and not all social equity policies are equal – but any state wishing to move forward with a robust program that...more
On February 3, 2023, the Maryland Legislature introduced cross-filed emergency bills SB516 and HB556. The proposed legislation would impart licensing and regulation duties upon a renamed Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis...more
Maryland lawmakers are considering legislation that would regulate medical and recreational cannabis in the state. Here are a few takeaways from Senate Bill 516: •Emphasis on Social Equity: Within the Alcohol, Tobacco, and...more
Massachusetts Governor Signs Comprehensive Cannabis Regulation Bill - On August 11, 2022, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed a bill (S. 3096) aimed at advancing social equity and diversity within the state’s...more
The Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (“CRTA”), which was enacted in 2019, legalized recreational adult use cannabis in Illinois. The CRTA also created a Social Equity Program intended to offer disadvantaged people,...more
The Cannabis Control Board (the “Board”) held a public meeting earlier today during which it advanced several key components of the innovative Seeding Opportunity Initiative, which positions individuals with prior...more
On Thursday, March 10, 2022, the New York State Cannabis Control Board (CCB) of the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) held its seventh and longest public meeting to date, during which it made significant progress in...more
Connecticut's Social Equity Council (SEC), the organization tasked with ensuring that Connecticut's adult-use cannabis program is grown equitably, answered two open questions regarding Social Equity Applicant (SEA)...more
Last week, the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy (the “Committee”) released a new cannabis bill (H 174/S 72, the “Bill”) through the Committee without any opposition. The bill proposes major changes to host...more
In 1996, California became the first state to legalize medical cannabis. Since then, 36 states (and four U.S. territories) have followed suit, keeping pace with rapidly evolving policies and attitudes toward cannabis. In...more
The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (“DCP”) has announced the timeline for adult-use applications, signaling that the Connecticut adult-use marketplace is ready to grow. DCP will begin accepting applications...more