Representatives Andy Harris, Republican of Maryland, and Earl Blumenauer, Democrat of Oregon, agree on little related to the legalization of marijuana. Harris opposes it for recreational use and also thinks that as a medicine, it should be scaled back. Blumenauer is pushing for pot to be decriminalized. But the two agree on this — that researchers simply don’t have enough access to more potent, high-quality weed, and more producers should be able to grow pot for research. Their bill that passed the House Monday — after being introduced in several Congresses before — would ease the way for producers at a time when more states are looking at decriminalizing marijuana. The House last week passed a bill to legalize marijuana, although its fate in the Senate is more uncertain. Currently, researchers at universities and government agencies can’t just walk to a street corner or park to pick up some weed for their studies because it’s still an illegal substance regulated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. For years, the DEA has stipulated that researchers can only use marijuana from a single government site, which is located at the University of Mississippi.

420 Intel – Marijuana Industry News, 04/05/2022 20:00:00

Open article: https://420intel.com/articles/2022/04/06/lawmakers-opposite-sides-marijuana-debate-say-more-potent-pot-needed-research

Workers at a St. Louis medical marijuana dispensary have voted to unionize, becoming the first cannabis workers in Missouri to do so, a local chapter of the United Food and Commercial Workers announced on Monday. All eight workers in the bargaining unit at the Root 66 dispensary on South Grand voted in favor of the UFCW representing them in contract negotiations with management, a news release from the union said. “Cannabis workers across the country are voting to join a union because they know it’s the best way to secure good wages and benefits on the job,” said David Cook, president of Local 655 of the UFCW. “Workers need economic security and fair treatment in the workplace, and cannabis workers are no different,” he said. “We are committed to helping cannabis workers across Missouri.” Joseph Delia, chief operating officer of Root 66, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday. The official name of the company is GF Wellness. Local 655 said workers voiced concerns about wages, paid sick leave, and vacation time during the unionization campaign.

Jack Suntrup, stltoday.com | the #1 St. Louis website, 04/04/2022 20:07:00

Open article: https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/marijuana/workers-at-st-louis-medical-marijuana-dispensary-vote-to-form-a-union/article_d224eb8e-8b28-544c-ac61-bb507f32e270.html

Vermont has started taking prequalification applications from potential marijuana growers, retailers, product manufacturers, and others as it prepares for a retail cannabis market to open this fall. As of midday on Tuesday, 427 had applied for prequalification, including 66 potential retailers, according to James Pepper, chair of the state’s Cannabis Control Board. The application process for licenses starts later, opening first for small growers and testing facilities on Friday, all cultivators on May 1, product manufacturers and wholesalers on July 1, and finally for retailers on Sept. 1, according to the board’s website. Republican Gov. Phil Scott on Friday also signed a bill into law that establishes fees for cannabis retailers and cultivators. Vermont is among 18 states and Washington D.C. that have legalized cannabis for adults 21 and older, according to the Marijuana Policy Project. Currently, twelve states have retail cannabis sales for adults, the project said. But Pepper cautioned that as in other states it will take time for Vermont to develop its supply chain including cannabis product manufacturers and testing facilities.

Cannabis Law Report, 04/04/2022 21:04:00

Open article: https://cannabislaw.report/427-applications-seek-prequalification-for-vermont-retail-cannabis-market/