U.S. Hemp Industry Should Take International Approach, USDA Says
The nascent U.S. hemp industry still has much to learn, and should look outward when assessing the research needs required to advance development, according to a new paper from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Because prohibition shut down hemp in the last...
Bills Signed To Ban Nitrous Oxide, Expand Drug Courts
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed several bills into law last week. Among them was legislation to expand drug courts and bills to ban the sale of items some people use to get high on nitrous oxide, known as “whip-its.” SB 57 and SB 58 , sponsored by...
CRA Suspends Licenses of Lansing Cannabis Dispensaries Due To Sale of Illicit Products
The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency last Thursday announced that a Lansing marijuana business would surrender its medical and adult-use processor licenses because it had been mixing legal and illicit products for the retail market. CRA said it signed a consent...
New Buffalo Township Paused New Dispensary Applications With 35 Already In Hand
New Buffalo Township has paused considering more marijuana dispensaries after already getting 35 license applications. Currently, only two dispensaries are open in the township. If all 35 are approved that would be more than in Detroit. Although they would create a...
Cannabis Taxes Paying For Roads, Parks, Public Safety In West Michigan
Allowing regulated cannabis businesses is paying off for local governments across Michigan, where excise tax revenue is returning to fund projects such as road improvements and public parks. The $87.1 million in excise tax revenue generated across the state in...
Former NBA Player Al Harrington Closes Viola Cannabis Dispensary In Detroit
Former NBA player Al Harrington made a big bet on Detroit, choosing the city as the location of his national cannabis company Viola's only cannabis dispensary. About four years after the medical marijuana retail store opened, 4473 W. Jefferson Ave., on Detroit's...
White House Report Flags Law Enforcement Concerns About Marijuana Legalization For Congress
A new report sent to Congress by the White House’s drug office spotlights concerns of law enforcement agencies around that country that claim marijuana legalization has not diminished the market for unlicensed cannabis products from illicit sellers. The White House...
Michigan February Cannabis Sales $261.1 Million, Up 10 Percent From January
Michigan cannabis sales in February totaled $261.1 million, up nearly 10 percent from the $242.8 recorded in January. Total includes both adult-use and medical sales. Adult-use sales were $257.9 million, and medical only $2.2 million. For medical cannabis the average...
Michigan Tests First-Ever Free Cannabis Give-Away To Reduce Opioid Overdose Crisis
In a first for the U.S., a pilot program in rural Michigan is exploring the use of cannabis as a harm reduction tool. Researchers followed 10 clients who received free marijuana through a harm reduction organization, with promising results. Staff observed positive...
5 Students Suspended Over Bringing Marijuana-Laced Brownies To Bangor Middle School
Five Bangor Middle School students were suspended over an incident involving marijuana-laced brownies, school officials said March 7. One student brought the brownies to school, according to Bangor School District Superintendent Lynn Johnson. The student shared the...
