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Social Equity Programs Marijuana

Vicente LLP

2026 Adult-Use Cannabis Business Opportunities in Virginia Under HB 642

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On January 13, 2026, the Virginia House of Delegates prefiled House Bill 642 (HB 642), which establishes a proposed framework for the creation of a regulated commercial adult-use marijuana market in the Commonwealth. Changes...more

Vicente LLP

Navigating Cannabis Regulation in Washington, D.C.: A Complex Market Shaped by Federal Oversight

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Washington, D.C.’s cannabis market operates under one of the most complex regulatory structures in the United States. Shaped by limited home rule, congressional oversight, and a series of evolving local reforms, D.C.’s...more

Carr Maloney P.C.

Virginia’s Cannabis Retail Roadmap: Key Proposed Changes

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In December 2025, Virginia’s Joint Commission released a draft of legislative changes to guide the state’s transition to a regulated adult-use cannabis market....more

Foley Hoag LLP - Cannabis and the Law

Update: Last Call for Rhode Island Adult-Use Retail License Applications!

In approximately three weeks’ time, the Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission’s adult-use retail license application window will close at 4:00 p.m. EST on December 29th, 2025. Interested parties that have not already filed...more

Harris Beach Murtha

Federal Court Rules NY Cannabis Licensing Preference for In-State Convictions is Unconstitutional

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On August 12, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled that New York’s adult-use cannabis licensing scheme, which gives “Extra Priority” to applicants (or certain relatives) with New York State marijuana...more

Fox Rothschild LLP

Minnesota to Hold Cannabis Retail License Lottery For Social Equity and General Applicants on July 22

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The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management is set to conduct its second lottery for Minnesota Cannabis Retail Licenses. On June 5, 2025, the OCM held its first round of lotteries, conducting social equity applicant lotteries...more

Harris Beach Murtha

Minnesota Finalizes Cannabis Rules and Orders Social Equity Lottery to Proceed

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On April 7, 2025, the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) received final approval from an administrative law judge (ALJ) for its comprehensive adult-use cannabis regulations. The finalized rules, which take effect...more

Fox Rothschild LLP

Minnesota Adopts Final Cannabis Rules

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Today, Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management announced that Minnesota’s final set of adult-use cannabis rules have been approved, will be publish in the State Register, and will go into effect later this month. After the...more

Vicente LLP

Rhode Island Cannabis Update: Current Market, Proposed Rules and New Business Opportunities

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Cannabis policy reform in Rhode Island has spanned nearly two decades, starting with the legalization of medical marijuana in 2006. Then, after years of determined advocacy and legislative debate, the Rhode Island Cannabis...more

Foley Hoag LLP - Cannabis and the Law

Governor Shapiro and Legislators Revive Push for Adult-Use Cannabis in Pennsylvania

Is this the year that Pennsylvania finally legalizes adult-use cannabis? While some battle-scarred skeptics remain, there is fresh optimism in the Commonwealth with both the Governor and several key legislators pushing for...more

Foley Hoag LLP - Cannabis and the Law

Last Call for Minnesota Social Equity and General Applicants for Cannabis Business Licenses – Applications Go Live on February...

We are now less than one week away from the long-awaited commencement of Minnesota’s adult-use cannabis business licensing round and prospective applicants are earnestly preparing to file business license applications as...more

Vicente LLP

New Jersey Cannabis Dispensaries Can Now Apply for Consumption Lounge Licenses

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The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) began accepting applications for cannabis consumption area endorsements on January 2, 2025. The Commissioners adopted the Notice of Application Acceptance for cannabis...more

Mandelbaum Barrett PC

New Jersey CRC to Open Applications for Cannabis Consumption Areas: Key Details You Need to Know

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Applications for cannabis consumption area endorsements are set to open on January 2, 2025, creating regulated spaces for adults aged 21 and older to consume cannabis products purchased at licensed dispensaries. The New...more

Foley Hoag LLP - Cannabis and the Law

New Jersey Opens Applications for Consumption Lounges

While the pace of adult-use applications in New Jersey has steadied from its initial peak between 2021-2023, a new wave of applications has just opened for consumption lounges in the Garden State. Who May Apply? Any...more

Vicente LLP

Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Releases Draft Social Consumption Establishment Regulations for Informal Public Comment

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The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (the “Commission”) voted on December 17, 2024 to release its initial draft amendments to the Social Consumption Establishment regulations and accept informal public comments on...more

Fox Rothschild LLP

Minnesota OCM Cancels Separate Social Equity Lottery

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As MinnPost reports, Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management cancelled its social equity lottery, which would have occurred separate from the general applicant lottery in 2025. A portion of the licenses remain allocated to...more

Husch Blackwell LLP

Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management Issues Rejections to Majority of Social Equity Applicants

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The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (“OCM”) has begun issuing final denials to the overwhelming majority of previously qualified social equity applicants (“SEA”s) ahead of its first statewide cannabis lottery on...more

Fox Rothschild LLP

Update: Maryland Cannabis Administration

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Adult possession and use of cannabis has been legal in Maryland since Maryland’s Cannabis Reform Act (“CRA”) took effect in July 2023. The CRA established the Maryland Cannabis Administration (“MCA”) and tasked it with...more

Foley Hoag LLP - Cannabis and the Law

Last Call for Delaware Applications: Some tips for Applicants

License hunters may have whiplash with state application processes in Kentucky, Minnesota, and Ohio (10(b) licenses) barely in the rearview mirror, but Delaware’s new license application deadline is fast approaching....more

Husch Blackwell LLP

Minnesota Cannabis Update: What’s Next?

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As the 2024 Minnesota Legislative Session came to a chaotic close on May 20, numerous changes to Minnesota Statutes Chapter 342 were sent to the Governor’s desk to build on the already existing cannabis regulatory structure....more

Fox Rothschild LLP

Minnesota Legislature Amends Cannabis Law, Accelerates Social Equity Licensing

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The Minnesota Legislature recently approved an amendment to its Adult-Use Cannabis Law, which accelerates the issuance of licenses to social equity applicants through a vetted lottery system, among other things. Gov. Tim...more

Foley Hoag LLP - Cannabis and the Law

Litigation Update: Maryland District Court Finds that ‘Dormant Commerce Clause’ Does not Apply to Adult-Use Cannabis in Maryland,...

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

Foley Hoag LLP - Cannabis and the Law

New Lawsuit Challenges Maryland Cannabis Administration’s Social Equity Program Under ‘Dormant Commerce Clause,’ Seeks Injunction...

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

Husch Blackwell LLP

Ohio Marijuana Legalization Hits Home

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On the heels of New York and Missouri legalizing adult use cannabis, on November 7, 2023, Ohio voters approved “Issue 2” – a citizen initiative paving the way for adult use marijuana legalization in the state, which according...more

Vicente LLP

New Cannabis Regulations in Massachusetts Are Now in Effect: What You Need to Know

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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

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