Welcome back to The Week in Weed, your Friday look at what’s happening in the world of legalized marijuana. This week, we see Minnesota legalize adult-use cannabis. New Hampshire presses pause on their legalization effort. Illinois joins New Jersey in enacting changes to their tax code. And finally, farmers’ markets for cannabis are in the works in New York.
Continue Reading The Week in Weed: June 2, 2023The Blunt Truth® has long covered the intersection of alcohol and cannabis. For example, just last month we explored the potential for regulatory confusion that might ensue if states begin allowing the sale of cannabis in liquor stores. We also commented on the potential casual use of cannabis in the workplace, with some co-working environments expanding access to alcohol and more.
As more and more states legalize cannabis, regulators seem to be turning to a friendly source for guidance––the alcoholic beverage industry. While some remain cautiously optimistic as to the impact that regulation of cannabis might have on the alcoholic beverage industry, many industry leaders welcome the marriage of pot and potent potables, and are even exploring a whole new marketplace of cannabis-infused products, such as weed wine, beer, and spirits. Nevertheless, the overarching concern that the alcoholic beverage industry has from entering into the cannabis industry is that cannabis remains illegal at the federal level.
Continue Reading Cannabis Receives a Welcome Push from The Alcoholic Beverage Industry, Leaving Regulators BuzzingWelcome back to The Week in Weed, your Friday look at what’s happening in the world of legalized marijuana.
This week, the news is all on the state level. Minnesota is on the verge of legalizing adult-use cannabis. New Hampshire may have a commission to study legalization or it may legalize with state stores. Advocates in Nebraska are trying to get medical marijuana on the ballot. And finally, weed wine is now a thing.
Continue Reading The Week in Weed: May 26, 2023Welcome back to The Week in Weed, your Friday look at what’s happening in the world of legalized marijuana.
This week, the big news comes from Minnesota, where legislators are rushing to pass a legalization bill before time runs out on the legislative session. In New Hampshire, Governor Sununu appears to be re-thinking his opposition to cannabis. Meanwhile, in Florida, a familiar pattern seems to be playing out around a legalization ballot initiative. And finally, could marijuana be coming to the U.S. Botanic Gardens?
Continue Reading The Week in Weed: May 19, 2023Welcome back to The Week in Weed, your Friday look at what’s happening in the world of legalized marijuana.
This week, we have an update on the latest incarnation of the SAFE Banking Act. We look at the legalization signature drive in Ohio. We note that New Jersey has eliminated its version of 280E. And finally, Jack in the Box is partnering with WeedMaps.
Continue Reading The Week in Weed: May 12, 2023On September 18, 2022, California amended its primary employment discrimination law to specifically regulate the drug testing methodologies that employers may use when making hiring, termination, and other employment decisions relating to cannabis users. More recently, on May 9, 2023, Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed similar legislation relating to initial hiring decisions. Both laws, which will be effective January 1, 2024, are the first of their kind because they require employers to have a basic understanding of a somewhat complicated issue – the science behind cannabis testing.
Continue Reading <em>Clearing the Haze: The Method and the Madness Behind the New Cannabis Laws in California and Washington</em>Welcome back to The Week in Weed, your Friday look at what’s happening in the world of legalized marijuana.
This week, we see lots of action on the federal level. The SAFE Act is back. The CLAIM Act is SAFE’s insurance industry cousin. A bill that would have allowed cannabis research got voted down in the Senate. The states also made some news. Minnesota gets ever closer to legalizing. Maryland’s governor signs a bill implementing retail sales. And finally, people leave some mighty strange things behind when they take an Uber.
Continue Reading The Week in Weed: May 5, 2023Welcome back to The Week in Weed, your Friday look at what’s happening in the world of legalized marijuana.
This week, we have two main stories: Delaware and Minnesota. Starting on the East Coast, The First State in the Union became the 22nd state to legalize adult-use cannabis, after many years of struggling with the issue. In Minnesota, the legislative marathon continues, as the State House passed a legalization bill. And finally, we have a report on the effect of cannabis on earthworms.
Continue Reading The Week in Weed: April 28, 2023This 4/20, patent owners with Intellectual Property (“IP”) related to cannabis have one more reason to celebrate as they may be able to enforce their rights against infringers in federal court. IP rights may provide an enforceable protection against copycats and competitors in the market, and may provide significant value to a company’s balance sheet. This was demonstrated when Tilray Brands, Inc. announced its intent to acquire fellow cannabis company Hexo Corp., a Canadian entity with a large patent portfolio related to cannabis, for approximately $56 million. Previously, whether a utility patent related to cannabis could provide such value in the United States was hazy. A first-of-its-kind case in California shows that it may be more than a pipe dream for cannabis patents to bolster a company’s balance sheet. The Court held the illegality doctrine did not bar an infringement claim based on a valid cannabis related utility patent asserted against a cannabis company.
Continue Reading California Ruling May Sow Seeds of Cannabis Patent PrecedentWelcome back to The Week in Weed, your Friday look at what’s happening in the world of legalized marijuana.
This week, we start overseas, in Germany, where the government unveiled a new plan to allow some marijuana consumption. Back in the US, there are five (count ’em *five*) federal bills dealing with cannabis. Interstate commerce is a hot issue in the Western states. And finally, Carl’s Jr. offers a $4.20 snack sack.
Continue Reading The Week in Weed: April 21, 2023