The North Carolina legislation faces long odds in the Republican-controlled General Assembly. A Democratic lawmaker in North Carolina on Monday introduced a bill that would legalize the sale and possession of recreational cannabis for adults in the state. State Sen. Toby Fitch’s proposal focuses primarily on “the sale, possession and use of marijuana,” according to the Winston-Salem Journal, “although a section covers the legal use of industrial hemp.” As in other states and cities that have lifted the prohibition on pot, Fitch’s bill would apply to individuals who are 21 and older. Under the proposal, those adults could “possess up to two ounces of marijuana on their person,” the newspaper reported, but there would be restrictions and penalties tied to consuming pot in public. According to the Winston-Salem Journal, anyone “who possesses more than two ounces on their person in a public setting could be subject to a civil penalty of up to $25,” but “anyone possessing more than one pound of marijuana—not including a marijuana licensure—could be found guilty of a Class F felony and face a fine of up to $250,000.”

420 Intel – Marijuana Industry News, 05/24/2022 20:00:00

Open article: https://420intel.com/articles/2022/05/25/north-carolina-lawmaker-introduces-legalization-bill

Connecticut legalized adult-use cannabis last year, but it’s still unclear when recreational marijuana will be available to buy without a prescription. Existing medical-use cultivators and retailers could be the first to offer recreational products in the market, but only a handful have applied so far to convert their operations to a “hybrid” model — producing or selling both medical and recreational pot. Under the law, the fee to convert is $1 million for retailers and $3 million for producers, which could be prohibitive for many businesses. That rate is discounted for operators who form 50/50 “equity joint venture” partnerships with a person or business that meets certain income or residency criteria. Another potential hitch: retail sales can’t commence until there’s an aggregate of 250,000 square feet of grow and manufacture space in Connecticut that’s devoted to the adult-use market. Officials with the Department of Consumer Protection, which administers licensing, are working with producers to track the industry’s footprint as many medical-use cultivators expand their operations.

Cannabis Business Executive – Cannabis and Marijuana industry news, 05/24/2022 07:46:00

Open article: https://www.cannabisbusinessexecutive.com/2022/05/when-will-you-be-able-to-buy-recreational-marijuana-in-ct-its-unclear/

The legalization of recreational marijuana may end up on the November ballot after the petition format was approved late last month. Now, the sponsoring group is gathering signatures. For years, North Dakotans have considered the issue of legalizing recreational marijuana. Residents have opinions across the board. “I think, you know with regulation, people should be able to choose what they want to do. And if they are practicing whatever they want to do safely, that’s fine by me,” said Bismarck resident Romeo Norris. “I don’t have no opinion on it,” said Bismarck resident Mike Roll. Others said off-camera that they’re against it. Now, sponsoring committee New Approach North Dakota is working to put marijuana on the November 2022 ballot by collecting 15,582 voter signatures by July 11. “It’s going good. We have internal metrics and quotas we manage, and we are at or above all of our metrics,” said New Approach North Dakota campaign manager David Owen.

Cannabis Business Executive – Cannabis and Marijuana industry news, 05/23/2022 10:51:00

Open article: https://www.cannabisbusinessexecutive.com/2022/05/north-dakota-group-gathers-signatures-in-attempt-to-get-recreational-marijuana-on-2022-ballot/

A comprehensive marijuana legalization and regulation bill was introduced in the N.C. Senate on Monday that would allow for individuals age 21 and older to legally possess a small amount of the drug. Senate Bill 765 was submitted by Sen. Toby Fitch, D-Wilson. At 69 pages, it is more in-depth than House Bill 617, a 19-page bill introduced in April 2021 with Rep. Pricey Harrison, D-Guilford, as one of four primary sponsors and Rep. Amber Baker, D-Forsyth, as one of 13 co-sponsors. HB617 was sent to the House Rules and Operations committee, where it was shelved for the 2021 session. SB765 is likely to face a similar fate given stiff Republican leadership opposition to legalizing marijuana in North Carolina.

Cannabis Business Executive – Cannabis and Marijuana industry news, 05/24/2022 07:30:00

Open article: https://www.cannabisbusinessexecutive.com/2022/05/north-carolina-senate-bill-would-legalize-marijuana-use-possession-for-those-ages-21-and-older/