Welcome back to The Week in Weed, your Friday look at what’s happening in the world of legalized marijuana.
Although marijuana is legal in California on the state level, that doesn’t mean it’s all smooth sailing for the industry.
- Chart: Breakdown of California marijuana companies that got cease-and-desist letters
(Marijuana Business Daily: News, 9 April 2018)
Nearly 1,000 individual cannabis businesses have been sent cease-and-desist letters or emails by California regulators.
- Ninth Circuit Burns Pot Growers in California Case
(FindLaw: Legal Professionals News, 7 April 2018)
Talk about a buzz kill. The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals gave the go-ahead to prosecute marijuana growers in California, where voters approved recreational pot nearly two years ago.
A lack of diversity in the marijuana industry has been a problem for the state of Maryland, but the legislature is seeking to address that.
- Maryland legislature passes MMJ expansion bill to address lack of minority-owned firms
(Ganjapreneur, 10 April 2018)
The bill includes language which would force regulators to consider race and barriers for minorities, including women, with the issuance of those licenses.
- Maryland to issue more medical marijuana business licenses
(Marijuana Business Daily: News, 10 April 2018)
Maryland lawmakers agreed to expand the state’s medical marijuana industry, in large part to resolve a conflict over minority representation in the business.
And finally, perhaps the future tagline will be, “Have a toke and a smile.”
- Legal cannabis on pace to match U.S. soda sales by 2030
(The Mercury: News, 6 April 2018)
The U.S. legal cannabis industry is expected to reach $75 billion in sales by 2030, according to research firm Cowen & Co.