Pennsylvania To Give $50 A Month For Medical Cannabis Costs To Low-Income Seniors
Medical marijuana patients who are also senior citizens with low incomes in Pennsylvania will receive financial assistance for medical cannabis via a new pilot program.The state’s Department of Health recently launched a program offering $50 a month in financial assistance to help nearly 1,400 senior citizens afford the cost of medical marijuana.
“The payments are the first step toward establishing a third phase for the financial assistance program authorized to help low-income medical marijuana patients afford the drug,” reported Capitol Wire. “Because insurance companies don’t include medical marijuana in their prescription drug coverage, medical marijuana patients are left to pony up the full cost of medical marijuana when they visit the state’s dispensaries.”
– Read the entire article at Benzinga.
Ireland Aims To Legalize Cannabis For Personal Use
Ireland joins the cannabis conversation in Europe, introducing a bill to legalize recreational cannabis for personal use.
The Irish Parliament (or Oireachtas) will discuss a bill introduced by the People Before Profit MP (or Teachta Dála, TD) Gino Kenny aiming to legalize adult-use cannabis for personal use.
The bill aims to modify the Misuse of Drug Act entered into effect in 1977 by allowing adults of at least 18 years of age to possess up to 7 grams of cannabis or 2.5 grams of cannabis resin (hashish).
– Read the entire article at Forbes.
9 Most Popular Cannabis Advocates in the World
The marijuana industry wouldn’t be the same without these activists’ efforts. Discover nine famous cannabis advocates who’ve contributed to weed legality.
9 of the World’s Most Influential Cannabis Activists You Should Know
– Read the entire article at GH Gossip.
South Loop Neighbors Vow To Block Opening Of Black-Owned Dispensary – Block Club Chicago
SOUTH LOOP — Some residents want to block a plan to open a Black-owned dispensary in the South Loop, saying the business would exacerbate crime and traffic.
Family Roots is proposing a $650,000 project to convert an old Potbelly’s into a dispensary at 1147 S. Wabash Ave. The proposal received key zoning approval in September but requires signoff from the Zoning Board of Appeals before it’s a done deal.
The project would create 30-50 construction jobs and 30-45 permanent positions, Family Roots CEO Matt Brewer has said. It would be one of the few Black-owned dispensaries in the city and the first in the South Loop. Another Black-owned dispensary, Ivy Hall, opened in November in Bucktown.
Brewer, a South Side native and Harvard Business grad, is working on the project with a team that includes Daniel Farrell, managing partner of Silver Star Protection Group. Farrell will oversee a security plan for the dispensary, which includes extensive camera surveillance and security guards.
But most residents attending a Tuesday community meeting were not impressed.
Residents from a neighboring building said the shop would only worsen traffic and safety issues that have plagued the area for years, from double-parking Trader Joe’s shoppers to delivery drivers clogging up
Washington Cannabis Update: Non-CBD Cannabinoid Additives
The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (“LCB”) has clarified what cannabinoid additives are allowed in Cannabis products in WA. The LCB recently published a notice that it had adopted interpretive statement IS22-01, “Use of Additives in Authorized Cannabis Products”. The adopted policy statement clarifies that non-cannabidiol (“non-CBD”) cannabinoids may be added to cannabis products in WA if they have been produced by or purchased from an LCB-licensed processor or processor within the I-502 (adult-use statute) system.
Cannabinoids
The cannabis sativa plant produces over 100 cannabinoids, not all of which have psychoactive or intoxicating effects. The two most common cannabinoids are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”) and cannabidiol (“CBD”). THC is the cannabinoid that has psychoactive effects resulting in users getting “high”, while CBD is not considered psychoactive and is used for a variety of purposes including as an FDA approved treatment for epilepsy (Epidiolex).
The Revised Code of Washington (“RCW”) chapter 69.50.326 already allows for the addition of CBD to cannabis products, but in 2020 the LCB became aware of other cannabinoids being added to cannabis products and has sought to provide guidance on the matter ever since.
Legalization of recreational cannabis in the many U.S. states has led to the development
Birmingham approves updated zoning for medical marijuana dispensaries – AL.com
The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved an update to zoning laws that will allow medical marijuana dispensaries in the city.
“I think it’s the right, progressive thing to do,” Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin told the city council before the vote.
The updated zoning also clears the way for opioid treatment centers. Not allowing such centers stigmatized people who got addicted to opioids through no fault of their own, often through prescriptions from their doctors, said council member Darrell O’Quinn.
“We’re correcting that wrong,” he said. “It was ostracizing people who had a disease. I’m glad we’re correcting it.”
The zoning ordinance amendment follows up on an ordinance passed last month that would allow medical marijuana dispensaries. The city is following requirements set forth by the state law passed last year to allow medical cannabis sales in Alabama. The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission is accepting applications for dispensary licenses until Dec. 30. Approved operators could begin operations as early as July 2023. The state commission oversees regulation of dispensaries.
Under state guidelines, Jefferson County could end up with as many as nine dispensaries.
Under Alabama’s law, medical marijuana can be sold in the form of tablets, capsules, tinctures, or gel cubes for oral use. They could
NJ legal weed: Dispensary wants to open by Flemington Circle – My Central Jersey
FLEMINGTON – Plans are moving forward for the first medical marijuana dispensary, which eventually could be an adult-use marijuana store, to open in the borough.
Aunt Mary’s Dispensary is scheduled to appear Dec. 6 before the borough Planning Board to receive minor site plan approval to open in a 5,200-square-foot space next to Panchero’s in the Shoppes at Flemington off the Flemington Circle.
Aunt Mary’s Dispensary, formerly known as Altus New Jersey, received approval to open the dispensary from the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission in October 2021. The Borough Council passed a resolution supporting the dispensary later that month.
No cultivation, manufacturing or packaging of medicinal cannabis would occur on site. The marijuana for the business would be grown in Franklin Township in Somerset County.
Mobile official raises concerns over Alabama law allowing medical marijuana dispensaries – AL.com
Mobile city officials are poised to support an ordinance next month that would allow for a medical marijuana dispensary.
But one council member is sounding the alarms over what he believes is a program, backed by Alabama state lawmakers in 2021, that will increase crime and usher in the beginning of legalized recreational marijuana.
Mobile City Councilman Scott Jones, following a Public Services Committee meeting on Monday, admitted that he does not have the votes to stop the council from approving an ordinance that could bring a medical marijuana dispensary within city limits.
But he said the intent of the committee meeting was to provide information on a system he believes will make Mobile less safe, while boosting revenue for those investing in the emerging Alabama industry.
“I’d like to have an honest discussion and debate,” said Jones, who argues that not enough information has been provided over how the industry will be monitored once the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission – the organization charged with implementing the state’s medical marijuana program – rolls it out in June 2023.
“Look at what happened today,” Jones continued. “No one asked any hard questions. I think minds are made up.”
Jones said he anticipates the council voting on the
Victorian Crossbench Contenders Vow To Push For Cannabis Decriminalisation If Elected
Despite premier Daniel Andrews refusing to budge on the issue, Legalise Cannabis party promises to push ‘forcefully’ on drug reform.
A group of progressive candidates that might hold the balance of power in the Victorian upper house have vowed to push for cannabis decriminalisation despite premier Daniel Andrews refusing to budge on the issue.
While the Legalise Cannabis party said it was too early to “count their eggs”, preliminary projections suggest they are in the running to win three upper house seats – but it is promising to push “forcefully” on drug reform if elected.
– Read the entire article at The Guardian.