Licensing Blog

During the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority’s (“VCCA”) meeting on January 31st, 2024, members officially addressed their proposed timeline—albeit very aggressive timeline—to grant the one (1) remaining pharmaceutical processor license. Let’s delve into what is next for Virginia’s medical cannabis program as recreational sales is right on its tail: Background of Virginia’s Medical Cannabis Program Virginia’s cannabis laws date back all …

Multiple states have potential to make changes to their state cannabis laws. Although big changes happened in 2023 for a few states, like Delaware, Ohio, and Minnesota, eleven others should be on your watchlist for 2024.  It is probable for some states to legalize cannabis, some are still a ways away from deciding, and others are somewhere in the middle.  …

Earlier this week, Governor Ron DeSantis made a groundbreaking announcement revealing that he believes the Marijuana Legalization Initiative is on track to reach the November ballot. DeSantis anticipates approval from the Florida Supreme Court, marking a significant milestone in allowing Floridians to decide on the issue of recreational marijuana legalization. The proposed Florida Marijuana Initiative seeks to legalize recreational marijuana …

In late 2023, multiple governors sent another push for the Biden administration to reschedule marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act by the end of the year. But since the 2024 presidential race is coming up, reform progress may be waiting in line at the polls with the rest of us. However, that doesn’t stop …

On January 2nd, 2024, Drug Enforcement Agency (“DEA”) representative, Terrence L. Boos, Ph.D., responded to an inquiry from Michael McGuire from New York Cultivation PLLC regarding the federal legality of “magic mushroom” spores under the Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”). Although the psychoactive components of magic mushrooms – psilocybin and psilocin – are listed in Title 21 of the United States …

On May 11th, 2023, Arizona’s Governor signed Senate Bill 1720 into law, setting forth state funding of psilocybin research in the Copper State. Rather than enact a standalone psychedelics bill such as House Bill 2486, the Governor and state lawmakers agreed to incorporate the proposal into a general appropriations bill. Although it set a lower funding level compared to the …

California’s cannabis businesses may take on an “Amsterdam cannabis café style-approach” in the near future if Governor Newsom signs Assembly Bill 374 into law. In summary, Assembly Bill 374 would authorize a local jurisdiction to allow the preparation or sale of non-cannabis food or beverage products by a licensed retailer or microbusiness in an area where the consumption of cannabis …

As marijuana legalization continues to blaze through the nation, a new movement has garnered significant traction due to latest research discoveries on its ability to combat the national mental health crisis – psychedelics. Psychedelic plants have been used by non-Western cultures for sacramental purposes for thousands of years. It wasn’t until 1940 that psychedelic drugs were beginning to be rediscovered …

After existing Maryland medical cannabis businesses elected to convert their licenses by July 1st to be authorized to cultivate, manufacture, or dispense cannabis or cannabis products for adults twenty-one (21) years or older, the Maryland Cannabis Administration (“MCA”) has been hard at work striving to implement a prompt timeline to begin accepting applications for the 1st round of licenses, which …

On September 7th, 2023, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians passed a referendum in favor of legalizing marijuana for adults twenty-one (21) years and older – the only jurisdiction in the “Tar Heel State” to commit to such marijuana reform. The passage of adult-use comes just two (2) years after the tribe approved medical marijuana, as well as decriminalization of …