In 2021, home delivery of cannabis rolled out in Massachusetts as the state’s industry surpassed $2 billion in gross sales and hit the fifth anniversary of recreational legalization. Despite those milestones, there’s still room for the industry to grow and become more equitable. The host community agreement process is cited by entrepreneurs as a major challenge. Though many have advocated for an equity fund or grant program, such dollars are not yet available. Cannabis delivery companies have been advocating for a change to the two-driver rule in delivery vehicles, saying it stands in the way of profitability. And then there’s stigma. Though cannabis retailers are now dotted across the state, some still view the consumption of the plant negatively. MassLive asked the state Cannabis Control Commission questions about successes in the industry so far, a pending bill, and predictions for the future. Here’s what the five commissioners and Executive Director Shawn Collins had to say: Executive Director Shawn Collins Q: Recreational cannabis has been legal for five years in Massachusetts and retail shops have been open for three. What are the biggest successes so far?

420 Intel – Marijuana Industry News, 12/07/2021 19:00:00

Open article: https://420intel.com/articles/2021/12/08/milestone-year-massachusetts-cannabis-industry-ending-what%E2%80%99s-next-see-our-qa

The Republican governor of Nebraska is partnering with a chapter of the nation’s leading marijuana prohibitionist group to run ads urging residents to oppose cannabis reform in the state. Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) was featured in a 30-second ad that was paid for by SAM Nebraska, an affiliate of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, and which began airing on local TV stations last week. He argues that marijuana doesn’t have medical value and that the industry is using the issue as a Trojan horse to ultimately get adult-use legalization enacted. This comes as pro-legalization advocates step up their reform push by circulating a pair of medical cannabis reform initiatives that they hope to put before voters on the 2022 ballot. Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana has until July to collect 87,000 valid signatures to qualify each of their complementary measures. Ricketts apparently wants to get ahead of the issue.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 12/07/2021 08:51:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/nebraska-governor-partners-with-prohibitionist-group-on-ad-opposing-medical-marijuana/

A new version of a congressional defense bill does not include marijuana banking reform following negotiations between the House and Senate. But there are still moving parts, and the lead sponsor of the cannabis reform has pledged to take committee action to add the language before the bill is finalized. While the House passed its initial version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in September with language to protect banks that work with state-legal cannabis businesses, those provisions are not attached to a new bicameral deal filed on Tuesday. There was an open question about whether the Senate would follow the House’s lead, with key leaders like Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) insisting that broad justice-focused marijuana reform should be addressed before passing something like the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act. But in a setback for advocates and stakeholders who hoped to secure the banking provisions, negotiators from both chambers circumvented the need for a formal conference and produced a bill without the cannabis language. This latest iteration will now go through both chambers again before potentially being sent to the president’s desk. That said, it’s still possible that the newly negotiated legislation could be further revised. The House Rules Committee is expected to take up the measure on Tuesday, and Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), the chief sponsor of the SAFE Banking Act, who is a member of the panel, says he will file an amendment to add his cannabis provisions to the bill.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 12/07/2021 12:11:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/marijuana-banking-not-included-in-congressional-defense-bill-following-bicameral-negotiations/

MJ Biz reports Mexico’s Supreme Court threw out barriers to low-THC cannabis production, just as the nation is moving toward full marijuana legalization. In a ruling issued Dec. 1, Mexico’s high court sided with Xebra Brands and its Mexican subsidiary, Xebra Mexico, and declared that laws against growing cannabis below 1% THC are unconstitutional. The ruling, which cannot be appealed, stipulates that a lower court now must ensure that Mexico’s national health agency, the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS), implements the high court’s decision. Xebra Mexico was challenging COFEPRIS actions to block cannabis production except for medical and scientific purposes. Xebra said after the ruling that it will now commercialize low-THC CBD and CBG products such as topicals, tinctures, oils, and beverages.

Cannabis Law Report, 12/07/2021 01:26:00

Open article: https://cannabislaw.report/mexico-supreme-court-paves-way-for-low-thc-cannabis-production-dec-1-2021/