Welcome back to The Week in Weed, your Friday look at what’s happening in the world of legalized marijuana.

This week, we look at the First Circuit’s decision on state cannabis regulation.  Then, we have a couple of state ballot initiatives to check in on.  We turn our gaze to Costa Rica, where cannabis legislation is on the agenda. And finally, would you buy CBD from a vending machine?

first circuit decision

Remember that old chestnut, the Rohrabacher-Farr amendment?  It prevents the Department of Justice from using its funds to prosecute state-legal medical cannabis businesses.  But apparently, that’s not all it does!  According to the First Circuit Court of Appeals, it also means that Congress has officially recognized that the medical marijuana industry exists.  And that means the Dormant Commerce Clause applies.  Without getting too far into the weeds (pun intended), this means that states can’t limit their markets to in-state companies.  Might it prohibit social equity programs as well?  Time will tell.Continue Reading The Week in Weed: August 26, 2022