Cultivation News

Vermont Legislature Votes to Legalize Marijuana

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Today, the Vermont Legislature became the first state legislature in the nation to approve a marijuana legalization bill and send it to a governor’s desk! The House voted 79-66 to concur with the Senate’s amendment to S. 22, which means the next step will be the governor’s office! Governor Phil Scott will have three options when the bill arrives on his desk: sign it into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without his signature.

The amended S. 22 represents a reasonable compromise between the House and Senate. As amended, the…

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Vermont House Approves Bill to Legalize Possession, Home Cultivation

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Late Tuesday, the Vermont House of Representatives made history by voting to legalize marijuana. H. 170, which would eliminate penalties for adults’ possession of one ounce or less of marijuana and limited home cultivation passed the House in a 74-68 vote. If the bipartisan measure is approved at a third reading, which is expected this week, it will advance to the Senate.

H. 170, sponsored by House Judiciary Committee Chair Maxine Grad (D-Moretown), Vice Chair Charles Conquest (D-Wells River), and ranking Republican Rep. Tom Burditt…

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PA gets hundreds of applications for medical cannabis licenses

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Pennsylvania has received hundreds of applications from entrepreneurs interested in obtaining cultivation and dispensary licenses under the state’s new medical marijuana program.

In a live-streamed press conference, state regulators said Wednesday they had received more than 500 packages containing one or more grower or dispensary applications. The winners are expected to be announced by the end of June.

State regulators said 258 applications have been processed. They included 132…

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Ohio issues applications for medical cannabis growers

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Prospective medical marijuana growers can start applying for a license in Ohio now that the state has begun issuing applications for one of 24 available MMJ cultivation permits.

The Ohio Department of Commerce plans to issue up to 12 licenses for large grows totaling as much as 25,000 square feet of growing space and another dozen for small grows ranging up to 3,000 square feet.


MJBizConApplicants will be required to meet capital requirements and secure local zoning approval for the proposed…

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Oregon signals more inspections of marijuana cultivation sites

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An adviser to Oregon’s Gov. Kate Brown said state inspections of cannabis cultivation sites will become more frequent now that additional facilities have been licensed.


MJBizConSpeaking with local officials in southwestern Oregon, Jeff Rhoades didn’t offer any details about how inspections would be increased, the Grants Pass Daily Courier reported.

According to the newspaper, only 13 cultivation sites were inspected last year in Josephine County – where Grants Pass is the county seat – out…

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Oregon vineyard owners sue to halt nearby cannabis cultivation

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Oregon vineyard owners in the heart of the state’s wine region filed a lawsuit asking a judge to ban a neighbor from cultivating marijuana, complaining that the smell of cannabis could drift over and taint their grapes.

The suit could foreshadow a larger issue: Will expanding cannabis cultivation, particularly in states such as California and Oregon, cause conflicts with the already-established wine industry?


MJBizConThe Oregonian reported that Momtazi Vineyard – in Yamhill County, southeast…

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Canadian medical marijuana grower Aphria lands CA$100M

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Aphria, one of Canada’s largest licensed medical marijuana producers, announced it has secured 100 million Canadian dollars ($74 million) in financing.

The financing will be used mostly to expand Aphria’s production capacity, which “is expected to supply more than 75,000 (kilograms) of high-quality cannabis at one of the lowest costs in the industry,” CEO Vic Neufield said in the release.

According to the release, CA$75 million of the total funding comes from equity financing, while the remaining CA$25…

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Week in Review: 4 takeaways from Canada’s recreational marijuana plan

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By Omar Sacirbey

The biggest marijuana business development this week – and quite possibly this year – originated north of the border.

On Thursday, the Canadian government introduced landmark legislation to legalize recreational marijuana, giving entrepreneurs worldwide a look at how the country could regulate the first adult-use cannabis market in a G-7 nation.

Among the four notable business highlights:

  • The government hopes to fast-track the program and have it up and running by the middle of…

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Colorado cannabis cultivation curbs may benefit legal MJ firms

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Colorado lawmakers have passed two measures they believe will curb illicit marijuana cultivation and potentially send more consumers to legal cannabis retailers.

The state Senate unanimously passed a bill Monday prohibiting people in co-ops from growing recreational cannabis for others, the Associated Press reported. The House already had passed the legislation.

The bill now goes to Gov. John Hickenlooper. The governor supports the measure, according to the news service, but it’s unclear…

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Ohio to accept medical cannabis grower applications in June

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Ohio regulators will begin taking applications for its 24 available cultivation licenses in June and review them in July.

According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, winning applicants will have nine months to meet the program’s requirements. It’s not clear when regulators will choose the winning applicants.


Mirth ProvisionsThe Ohio Department of Commerce is expected to release application forms and instructions in the next couple of weeks, the Plain Dealer reported. Officials will then host a webinar to…

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Arkansas moves from lottery to merit-based MMJ licensing system

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The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission has had a change of heart.

Instead of picking MMJ business winners and losers by random through a lottery, the commission will instead use a merit-based scoring system to award dispensary and cultivation permits.

The change was made to a draft regulation after pushback from stakeholders at a public hearing, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported. In other states, lottery permitting systems have commonly resulted in lawsuits.


Mirth ProvisionsThe commission has yet…

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Report: Marijuana warehouse sales booming, pushing up prices

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Indoor cannabis cultivation may well have a limited future, many marijuana professionals say, but it’s booming right now based on demand by commercial growers for warehouse space.

That has pushed up prices for such properties, meaning that MJ entrepreneurs seeking to build indoor cultivation centers will have to pony up more to pay for real estate.

This is particularly true in states that passed recreational marijuana measures last year, namely California, Maine, Massachusetts and Nevada,…

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Seven firms apply to run LSU’s medical marijuana operation

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Seven Louisiana companies have applied to run a new medical marijuana operation overseen by the Louisiana State University’s AgCenter, moving the state another step closer to a functional MMJ system.

According to The Advocate of Baton Rouge, the applicants include Columbia Care Louisiana LLC of New Roads; CB Medical LLC of Alexandria; GB Sciences Louisiana of New Orleans; Citiva LA LLC of Mandeville; Southern Roots Therapeutics LLC of Baton Rouge; Terah Holdings LLC of Shreveport; and…

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Canadian marijuana grower strikes deal to enter U.S. market

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Aphria – one of Canada’s largest medical marijuana producers – kicked off a U.S. expansion plan with an investment of 25 million Canadian dollars ($18.63 million) that will lead to the purchase of a licensed CBD business in Florida.

When the complex deal is done, Aphria will have established a foothold in Florida with the goal of eventually extending its reach to other medical marijuana markets in the United States, according to a news release.

Aphria plans to put the CA$25 million into private holding company…

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Hemp cultivation in Minnesota sees major growth spurt

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Minnesota’s hemp crop has grown exponentially and the number of farmers cultivating the crop has increased sixfold as the state’s pilot program enters its second year.

This year, 42 farmers are growing hemp on roughly 2,100 acres, Minnesota’s Alpha News reported. That’s a huge increase from 2016, when Minnesota’s hemp cultivation program launched with seven farmers growing the low-THC plant on 37 acres.

Farmers who want to cultivate hemp must apply for a license with Minnesota’s…

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West Virginia appears poised to legalize medical cannabis

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West Virginia, one of only six states left in the nation with no form of legal cannabis, could soon become the latest state to approve a functioning medical marijuana industry.

Senate Bill 386, which already passed the state Senate in a lopsided vote, is slated for a possible floor vote in the House on Monday, according to MetroNews. The bill was fast-tracked in the House, the Herald-Dispatch reported, in a move to force members to vote on the issue instead of letting it expire when the…

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Groups working to develop standards for cannabis businesses

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By Bart Schaneman

Cannabis trade groups, state officials and marijuana industry leaders are pursuing the development of standards and best practices covering organic certification, labor practices and energy use in a bid to further legitimize and professionalize the industry.

These efforts could bolster both the marijuana sector’s image among consumers and MJ companies’ bottom lines.

Organic certification, for example, could allow cannabis companies to shore up consumer confidence about the safety…

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DC’s medical marijuana program progressing, though more change in store

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By John Schroyer

The District of Columbia’s medical cannabis companies have been ramping up in the past month, largely because of new business-friendly regulations that have reshaped the future in terms of possible market size.

But those companies still face big questions, especially with regard to expansion and uncertainty over the customer base’s potential size.

For instance, District Growers plans to increase its production space by adding 4,000 square feet to its existing 5,200-square-foot…

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Canadian producer invests $3M in Arizona medical marijuana grower

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Aphria, a federally licensed Canadian medical marijuana producer, increased its investment in an Arizona MMJ grower by $3 million.

Aphria now owns 5% of Copperstate Farms LLC through its subsidiary, Aphria (Arizona), and Copperstate Farms Investors controls the remaining 95%, according to a news release.


Mirth ProvisionsAphria, based in Leamington, Ontario, on March 22 became the third Canadian MMJ company to publicly trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Copperstate owns about 1.7 million square feet of…

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Nevada medical cannabis licenses fetch almost $2 million

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Oregon-based cannabis oil company Golden Leaf Holdings paid $1.925 million to acquire cultivation and extraction licenses from NevWa, a Nevada company that does business as Grassroots.

NevWa’s two licenses allow for distribution and sales in Nevada, including prominent tourist destinations Las Vegas and Reno, according to a news release.


Spring 2017 MJBizConGolden Leaf Holdings’ move comes as Nevada is preparing to introduce recreational marijuana into a state that already has a medical cannabis market.

A preliminary framework for Nevada’s adult-use…

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Ohio medical cannabis entrepreneurs seek residency rules

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Ohio entrepreneurs looking to venture into the marijuana industry are calling on state regulators to institute a residency requirement for those seeking cultivation licenses.

According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, several entrepreneurs spoke out during a public comment period this week and urged the Ohio Department of Commerce to require license holders to hail from Ohio.


Spring 2017 MJBizCon Up for grabs are 12 larger-scale grower licenses and 12 smaller-operation licenses. The applications favor proof…

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Key Committee Approves Marijuana Possession Bill in Vermont

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The Vermont House Judiciary Committee voted 8-3 to approve H. 170, a bill that would eliminate penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana and a small number of plants. Additionally, an independent poll commissioned by the Marijuana Policy Project and conducted by Public Policy Polling found that 57% of Vermonters support H. 170.

As amended by the committee, H. 170 would eliminate penalties for adults 21 and older who possess one ounce or less of marijuana, two mature plants, and four immature plants — as well as the marijuana…

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LSU extends deadline for medical marijuana cultivation applications

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Marijuana cultivation businesses hoping to grow cannabis for Louisiana State University under a new medical marijuana law have more time to make their case.

LSU extended the deadline for growers to submit plans on how they would run the university’s MMJ cultivation operation to March 31, The Advocate of Baton Rouge reported. The original deadline was March 21.


Spring 2017 MJBizConSchool officials did not say why the deadline was extended.

Last year the state granted LSU and another Baton Rouge-based school,…

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Cannabis public use measures could spur MJ sales, businesses

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By Bart Schaneman

From Alaska to Massachusetts, a number of states are weighing measures to allow people to consume cannabis in public places such as clubs and other venues.

Legalizing cannabis clubs and other venues for public consumption could spur MJ sales and create new business opportunities, said industry officials.

In particular, the move could lead to increased sales of marijuana flower. And it could give marijuana retailers an opportunity to add ancillary businesses – such as a coffee shop…

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An industry in flux: Cannabis mergers, acquisitions on the rise

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By John Schroyer

Cannabis industry mergers and acquisitions have been on the rise over the past year, and industry watchers say the number of sales and transactions is almost certain to continue as the marijuana trade at large matures.

A few examples from recent months:

  • One of the oldest marijuana dispensaries in Denver was sold to a Colorado chain.
  • The two top-selling recreational marijuana retailers in Washington state went on sale with an initial price tag of $50 million.
  • A 58,000-square-foot MJ…

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Canadian medical cannabis grower added to key stock index

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The Canadian cannabis industry has taken another leap toward the mainstream now that Canopy Growth Corp. is being added to the influential S&P/TSX Composite Index.

Canopy, one of Canada’s federally licensed medical marijuana cultivators, will be the country’s first cannabis company to be included in the index’s health care sector, The Globe & Mail reported.

The company, which trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange, will be added to the index prior to the start of trading next Monday.


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Week in Review: Los Angeles marijuana vote, Canada rec rollout & new cannabis standards

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By John Schroyer, Omar Sacirbey and Bart Schaneman

Los Angeles voters approve a groundbreaking marijuana initiative, Canada adult-use legalization may take longer than anticipated, and an influential standards-setting group eyes cannabis.

Here’s a closer look at some notable developments in the marijuana industry over the past week.

L.A. industry now hitched to uncertain city rules

Those outside Los Angeles may not have heard wedding bells for the city’s cannabis industry and local officials, but…

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MMJ grower plans $160M greenhouse on tribal lands

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A proposal to build a $160 million greenhouse on tribal land in New Mexico would create the largest grow operation in the United States.

The Associated Press reported that Delaware-based Bright Green Group of Companies is joining with Acoma Pueblo to build a state-of-the-art cultivation and research facility on a patch of tribal land in western New Mexico.


Spring 2017 MJBizConThe project is slated to include a research facility for medicinal plants. The entire project would span some 6 million square feet, with space for 40 million medicinal plants – not all…

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Louisiana could be producing medical cannabis by end of year

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One of the two establishments legally allowed to grow medical cannabis in Louisiana says it could have a grow operation up and running before the end of the year.

The state’s restrictive MMJ program permits only Southern University and Louisiana State University (LSU) to grow cannabis for legal patients, which has led many observers to conclude that the Bayou State’s MMJ program is not really viable and will never get off the ground.


Spring 2017 MJBizConBut Southern is planning to issue a call next month for bidders to run its MMJ grow for at least five…

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Week in Review: White House threat, CA growers at risk & unique cannabis investment fund

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By John Schroyer

The Trump administration hints at possible enforcement on recreational cannabis businesses, thousands of Northern California cultivation jobs are in jeopardy, and a new marijuana investment fund is in the works.

Here’s a closer look at some notable developments in the marijuana industry over the past week.

White House signals potential crackdown

The cannabis industry erupted when the White House press secretary on Thursday intimated the recreational market could be in for a serious fight.

During a news conference, Press…

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First license issued to grow, research MMJ in Australia

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Cann Group has received the first federal government license to grow medical cannabis in Australia and has submitted an application for a cultivation permit.

The new license permits the privately held company to legally grow medical marijuana and conduct research on how to use cannabis for medicinal purposes, according to Business Insider Australia.


Spring 2017 MJBizCon“The license allows us to apply for a permit to progress our research and development programs, which are particularly focused on the breeding, cultivation, extraction and characterization of…

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New Market: Once Maryland fixes problems, ample MMJ opportunities await

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This is the 12th article in a series looking at the potential cannabis market in states that are rolling out new marijuana programs. The first eight articles examined states that approved recreational or medical marijuana initiatives in the 2016 election. This new round of installments focuses on states that have approved new markets through legislation. Click here for previous articles.

By Bart Schaneman

Maryland’s medical marijuana program rollout has been rife with stumbles, delaying what could become one of the largest markets on the…

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Two MA lawmakers to rewrite rec marijuana law

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A pair of Massachusetts lawmakers have been appointed to apparently rewrite the recreational marijuana legalization law approved by voters last November.

The Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act is an initiated state statute, instead of an amendment to Massachusetts’ constitution. That means legislators still have the legal ability to make changes to the law, despite what was approved by voters.


Spring 2017 MJBizConAccording to TV station WWLP, pro-cannabis state Sen. Patricia Jehlen and state Rep. Mark Cusack, both Democrats, have been appointed to…

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Zoning law in CA county puts 3,000 growers at risk

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A new law in California’s Sonoma County that bans commercial cultivation in large areas outside of city limits has created an uncertain future for some 3,000 cannabis growers in that northern California region.

County officials approved the prohibition in December. It took effect Jan. 19, according to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. The law was implemented in response to complaints against 15-20 commercial cultivation operations in single-family homes.


Spring 2017 MJBizConThe zoning law restricts cultivation to Sonoma County’s agricultural, industrial and…

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San Francisco mulls creation of ‘Department of Cannabis’

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San Francisco would have a “Department of Cannabis” if a member of the city’s Board of Supervisors has his way.

Supervisor Jeff Sheehy – concerned about the “onslaught” when recreational marijuana becomes legal in California on Jan. 1 –  sees the need for a department whose only duty is to oversee the city’s cannabis market, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. He has requested that the city attorney’s office prepare legislation to submit to the Board of Supervisors.


Spring 2017 MJBizCon The proposed agency would regulate recreational…

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New Mexico MMJ cultivator seeks to pare energy costs, footprint

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The Verdes Foundation, a high-grossing medical marijuana producer in New Mexico, installed an “energy filter” technology the company hopes will cut its electricity costs by up to 37% and also reduce its carbon footprint.

The sky-high energy costs of cannabis cultivation continue to be such a major financial drain and environmental stain for the industry that growers are looking to bring down those costs.


Spring 2017 MJBizConVerdes, a vertically integrated grow-retail marijuana business with two dispensary locations in New Mexico, on Wednesday installed…

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Jamaica grants conditional OK for three medical marijuana businesses

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Jamaica’s Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) has given initial approval to three medical marijuana business applicants, two for cultivation and one for processing.

But the actual launch of the island’s medical marijuana industry – ranging from growers to retailers – could still be months off.

A total of 160 applicants competed for the latest batch of business permits, according to the Jamaica Observer.

The handful of applicants chosen so far has touched off complaints on the island that the industry’s rollout is proceeding too…

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New Market: Ohio medical cannabis program set to be big, but license rules could curb growth

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This is the 11th article in a series looking at the potential cannabis market in states that are rolling out new marijuana programs. The first eight articles examined states that approved recreational or medical marijuana initiatives in the 2016 election. This new round of installments focuses on states that have approved new markets through legislation. Click here for previous articles.

By Bart Schaneman

Ohio’s medical cannabis program is expected to be large, generating up to $400 million in annual dispensary sales several years down the…

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WA rec cannabis cultivator closed, plants destroyed over tax issue

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Regulators closed one of Washington state’s early marijuana businesses for allegedly failing to pay taxes.

And, for the first time, state agents confiscated and eradicated all the plants belonging to the cultivator, Nine Point Growth Industries.

Agents with the state Liquor and Cannabis Board late last week shuttered the company, which has grown and produced recreational marijuana in West Bremerton since September 2014. It was the state’s second licensed cannabis business. An agency spokesman cited recurring tax issues as the reason…

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Another California town may allow huge marijuana grow

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The central California hamlet of Hanford, just south of Fresno, may become the state’s latest cash-strapped municipality to find refuge in the immense tax benefits from the cannabis industry.

Town leaders are reportedly “inching toward” permitting one of the largest indoor cannabis cultivation operations in the state, according to the Fresno Bee, signaling that more MJ businesses are finding allies in small burgs that view the industry as an economic driver.


Spring 2017 MJBizConPurple Heart Patient Care, a medical cannabis company based in the San…

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New Market: Fierce competition for licenses in Pennsylvania’s emerging MMJ program

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This is the 10th article in a series looking at the potential cannabis market in states that are rolling out new marijuana programs. The first eight articles examined states that approved recreational or medical marijuana initiatives in the 2016 election. This new round of installments focuses on states that have approved new markets through legislation. Click here for previous articles.

By Bart Schaneman

Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana market is positioned to become a large one, but the business opportunities will be limited with…

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Breaking down borders: The rise of U.S.-Canada cannabis partnerships

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The Green Solution, a large retail marijuana chain in Colorado, wanted a foothold in Canada’s expected recreational cannabis market. OrganiGram, among the growing number of federally licensed Canadian growers, needed know-how and a name.

And so was born a partnership indicative of the growing synergy between the U.S. and Canadian cannabis industries.

It reflects what’s expected to be a growing trend. Another U.S. cannabis brand, Snoop Dogg’s Leafs by Snoop, inked a partnership with Canadian medical cannabis cultivator Canopy Growth…

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Vermont House Judiciary Hearings on Marijuana Bill to Begin This Week

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The Vermont House Judiciary Committee will begin holding hearings this week on H. 170, a bill that would legalize possession and limited home cultivation of marijuana for adults 21 and older. This bill is sponsored by the committee’s chairman, vice-chair, and ranking Republican, and its prospects appear to be bright: Vermont Public Radio reported on Friday that the House “appears more receptive” to legalization in 2017, and Governor Phil Scott is “willing to consider the House plan.” 

Although this bill would not legalize and…

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LSU seeking contract growers for medical cannabis

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Louisiana State University, one of two institutions granted approval to grow medical marijuana under the Bayou State’s MMJ law, will soon start taking applications from cultivation contractors interested in doing the work.


Spring 2017 MJBizConThe Baton Rouge-based school said it expects to choose a cultivator by June and that the first medical marijuana crops could be harvested by the end of 2017, according to Baton Rouge TV station WBRZ. LSU officials projected in October that MMJ sales wouldn’t begin until 2018.

The contractor will be expected to foot…

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Canadian MMJ grower nearly triples production capacity with purchase

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One of Canada’s largest medical marijuana producers, Canopy Growth Corp., has increased a subsidiary’s production and processing capacity by almost threefold through the purchase of a former candy factory and the 42-acre site it sits on for 6.6 million Canadian dollars ($5.1 million).

In a news release, Canopy Growth said the entire facility, in Smith Falls, Ontario, is “by far the largest indoor cannabis production facility in Canada and likely the world.”

The company, which is headquartered in the building, had been renting…

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Maine Legalization Takes Effect

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A voter-approved initiative to end marijuana prohibition in Maine officially took effect Monday, making it legal for adults 21 and older to possess and grow limited amounts of marijuana.

Under Question 1, which voters approved in November and Gov. Paul LePage certified on December 31, adults 21 years of age and older can legally possess up to two and a half ounces of marijuana, grow up to six flowering marijuana plants and 12 non-flowering plants, and possess the marijuana harvested from those plants inside their residence. It will…

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Cannabis oil maker files trademark suit against WA grow

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Headspace, a multimillion-dollar marijuana oil company in Southern California that sells a product called The Clear, filed a trademark infringement suit against a Washington state MJ cultivator, Podworks, for using a the name Top Shelf Clear for one of its products.

The trademark suit is believed to be the first in Washington involving cannabis, according to KING5.com. It comes amid a growing number of trademark disputes in the marijuana industry.

Cannabis is illegal under federal law, which complicates efforts by MJ companies to secure a…

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Hawaii’s MMJ cultivators get go-ahead to start growing Feb. 1

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The Hawaii Department of Health’s seed-to-sale tracking software is ready to go online Feb. 1, which means licensed medical marijuana dispensaries finally can begin growing MMJ that day.

The state’s medical marijuana program has been delayed while the DOH attempted to link its tracking system with the software used by the eight companies approved to grow and sell medical marijuana, Honolulu Civil Beat reported. Hawaii’s legislature legalized dispensaries in 2015.

Heath regulators awarded eight licenses to dispensary operators last…

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New Market: Maine’s tourism industry a potential boon for rec MJ businesses

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Maine flag

This is the eighth article in a series looking at the potential cannabis market in each of the eight states that approved recreational or medical marijuana initiatives in the 2016 election. Click here for previous installments.

By Bart Schaneman

Buoyed by the state’s reputation as an East Coast tourist mecca with a dramatic coastline, the recreational marijuana market in Maine should generate plenty of opportunities for cannabis businesses – provided delays don’t hamper the industry’s rollout.

In a close vote last November, 50.26% of…

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Israeli government to finance 13 cannabis research projects

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Israel’s Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry plans to spend 8 million shekels ($2.1 million) on research into cannabis cultivation, biochemistry and medicine.

The government is hopeful the research will lead to cannabis-based therapeutic products, the Times of Israel reported.


Trump ReportTo start, the ministry is financing 13 projects, including seven in the fields of biochemistry and medicine.

Research topics include how cannabis can improve vision, fight colon cancer and treat multiple sclerosis, according to The Jerusalem Post. Other…

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