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Good Life Collective, Rochester’s first and only licensed adult-use cannabis retail dispensary, has been opened at 155 Monroe Ave. by an established entrepreneur.

Hiram Hernandez Jr., Good Life Collective’s president, already owns a payment processing company in Rochester, as well as a cannabis retail location in Oregon.

The business is a family affair, he said.

“Good Life provides the opportunity for my family and others who we will be involved in this venture to experience just that – the Good Life,” Hernandez said. “We are excited to extend that good life to our staff, customers and the community at large.”

The dispensary offers a line of high-quality, New York grown cannabis products, handpicked to ensure the finest cannabis strains, edibles and accessories.

Hernandez said although recreational cannabis use was made legal in New York in 2021, the infrastructure for legal purchase took a long time to put in place.

And while it was a tedious process, it was a necessary one, he said, adding that it ensures the quality and safety of new dispensaries launching across the state.

Those in the industry say the state roll-out of retail cannabis operations has been anything but smooth, with

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New York has issued more than 400 adult-use cannabis licenses so far this year as the state begins to counteract the slow rollout that resulted in the proliferation of unlicensed dispensaries throughout the state. 

On April 12, the state Cannabis Control Board (CCB) announced it had issued 101 adult-use licenses, including microbusiness, cultivation, processing, distribution, and dispensary

In a statement, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) described the progress so far this year as “significant.” 

“Strengthening New York’s equitable cannabis industry and ensuring the hard-working small business owners operating in the legal market have the licenses to open are the best way to protect the integrity of sales in New York.” — Hochul in a press release 

The CCB last week also approved a resolution empowering the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) to issue provisional adult-use cannabis licenses, intending to expedite the licensing process.  

In a statement, CCB Chair Tremaine Wright said the resolutions “represent a significant milestone” in the agency’s “efforts to establish a robust and responsible adult-use cannabis market.”  

Last month, Hochul ordered an audit of the state’s cannabis program amid delays and rampant unlicensed sales. For the review,

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Europol last week announced the arrest of nine suspects accused of a cannabis investment Ponzi scheme that had at least 186,000 victims. Officials say the April 11 action included more than 400 law enforcement officers in 11 countries who conducted 38 house searches and ultimately seized or froze EUR 4.7 million in bank accounts, more than EUR 1.5 million in cryptocurrencies, EUR 106,000 in cash, and EUR 2.6 million in real estate assets. 

Law enforcement also seized several luxury vehicles, works of art, cash, and various luxury items, in addition to large numbers of electronic devices and documents.

The scheme involved a cannabis cultivation crowdsourcing platform that was advertised on social networks from early 2020 to July 2022. Authorities believe there could be as many as 550,000 victims worldwide but around 186,000 people actually transferred funds or cryptocurrencies. With a minimum initial investment of at least EUR 50 in the so-called ‘e-growing’ opportunity, investors were promised to be linked with medical cannabis producers. Upon the purchase of a cannabis plant, the platform assured investors – also referred to as e-growers – they could soon collect profits from the sales of cannabis to authorized buyers.  

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Electric motorcycle manufacturer LiveWire is using hemp in the design of its S2 Mulholland. The motorcycle’s front and rear fenders are made using CAP Hemp bio-composite. 

The company is using other sustainable materials in the production of the Mulholland, including HYLON OCEAN materials in the motorcycle’s radiator shrouds and wiring caddies. The HYLON OCEAN materials are created from discarded ocean fishing nets. The motorcycle seat is constructed from petroleum-free, recyclable silicone rather than leather or vinyl.  

The company notes that it is the first time it has used sustainable materials in key components.  

Several vehicle manufacturers are using hemp in their products. In 2022 BMW Group acquired a stake in Switzerland-based Bcomp, a company that manufactures high-performance composites made from fiber, including hemp. Other European car companies, including Volo, Porche, Mercedes, Audi and Volkswagen, and Peugeot use hemp composites in their vehicles for a variety of components, including body panels, kick pads, cup holders, wheel wells, dashboard panels, interior door panels, upholstery, seatbacks, door cladding, foam seating, floor insulation, panel trim, and center consoles, according to a 2016 Center for Automotive Research report prepared for the U.S. Economic

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Kentucky patients seeking to receive medical marijuana may be able to do so very early in 2025, helped in part by the passage of a bill Monday to move up the licensing timeline for the state’s new program.

The state’s medical cannabis program was created by Senate Bill 47 in 2023 and is set to go into effect Jan. 1, 2025. However, under the terms of SB 47, cannabis growers cannot begin planting seeds until they are licensed that year, meaning dispensaries would likely not have any marijuana to sell to patients until the spring or summer.

(Unsplash stock image)

Under the final version of House Bill 829 passed Monday, this timeline is moved up to allow businesses applying to be cannabis growers, processors or dispensaries to be approved for a license as early as this summer. The bill passed by a large bipartisan majority in each chamber, with only Republicans voting against it.

Republican Sen. Stephen West of Paris — the lead author of SB 47 last year — told committee members Friday this move was to ensure there was enough time to grow and process cannabis so patients could buy medication on the first available day when it became legal.

“It

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Rumors that a home decor store and a new marijuana dispensary are opening soon in Norridge are premature, Trustee Jack Bielak said last week.

However, developers are demolishing the former Putting Edge and Bed, Bath and Beyond on Harlem Avenue to create new spaces that are less massive and more marketable in order to attract single-story retail stores, Norridge Building Commissioner Patrick Gorski said.

“The old Putting Edge and Bed, Bath and Beyond had a lot of void space that was not desirable to retailers to come in,” Gorski said. “These units will be built out like the current Amazon Fresh, Ross (Dress for Less) and Bob’s (Discount) Furniture (and Mattress Store).”

Developers are demolishing existing structures between, but not including, the former HH Gregg/Spirit Halloween, both at 7100 Forest Preserve Drive, and Super China Buffet, 4125 N. Harlem Ave., Gorski said.

“The plan is to open single-floor retail spaces there,” he said. “They do not have buildout plans yet, so a HomeGoods is not confirmed. I don’t know where you heard that. It’s not true, though. The Building Department doesn’t even have a buildout yet.”

Trustee Debra Budnik also confirmed that the village has not yet approved the opening of

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Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes ofwebsite accessibilityEBCI will open historic NC medical cannabis dispensary, but is discussing adult use

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 21:50:19 GMT (1713217819114)

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CHEROKEE, N.C. (WLOS) — It’s a historic week for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) as their medical cannabis dispensary opens on Saturday, 4/20. It will be the only dispensary in the state where you can legally buy marijuana. Both medical and recreational cannabis remains illegal in North Carolina, but the Qualla Boundary is sovereign land.

During Monday’s work session to talk about the expansion of the program, Qualla Enterprises LLC General Manager Forrest Parker thanked tribal leadership for their work since 2021 to ensure the success of the seed-to-sale program. He told them as many as 3,400 individual products have been tested and are ready to be sold on Saturday when the medical dispensary opens. The dispensary will have between 38 to 40 different marijuana products to offer when it opens its doors.

EBCI Tribal Council’s second work session Monday was to discuss a recreation or adult use program approved by the membership last September. Over the nearly hour-and-a-half-long meeting, tribal leadership heard from school leaders, the hospital’s administration, tribal law enforcement and emergency management, and others including the courts about concerns increased accessibility may present, especially for community youth.

SEEING GREEN: EBCI PLANS RECREATIONAL CANNABIS WORK SESSION BEFORE DISPENSARY OPENS

Associate

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Attention all cannabis enthusiasts in Cheektowaga, NY! Get ready to experience a new era in cannabis culture as Silly Nice makes its debut at East Leaf Dispensary, located at 2442 Clinton St. Silly Nice’s arrival is sparking excitement and anticipation throughout the community, and for good reason.

As a media outlet dedicated to covering the latest in cannabis news and culture, we couldn’t be more thrilled to share this announcement with you. Silly Nice’s product line embodies the spirit of good vibes and good times, offering a diverse range of top-quality cannabis products designed to elevate your experience.

East Leaf Dispensary has long been known as a hub for cannabis enthusiasts, and the addition of Silly Nice products only adds to its appeal. Whether you’re a seasoned consumer or new to the world of cannabis, there’s something for everyone to discover at East Leaf.

But what sets Silly Nice apart? It’s not just about the products – it’s about the community. Silly Nice and East Leaf share a common goal: to break down the stigma surrounding cannabis and provide a safe and welcoming space for adults aged 21 and over to explore and enjoy cannabis culture.

If you’re eager to

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Recreational cannabis has been legal in Minnesota for nearly two years. State lawmakers took regulators — and some politicians — by surprise in 2022 when they legalized THC-infused edibles and beverages in 2022.

Gov. Tim Walz signed a full legalization bill last May allowing adults 21 and older to cultivate, carry and smoke marijuana flower. Saturday will mark the first 4/20 — the pseudo-holiday dedicated to all things pot — that weed has been legal in Minnesota.

The state is a year away from allowing recreational dispensaries to open; currently, two Native American tribal-owned dispensaries are up and running. Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management is still setting rules for the state’s legal market. Licensing should fully open sometime in early 2025. And even then, growers warn that marijuana flower may be in short supply if they don’t get the go-ahead to start cultivating plants soon.

So, where and how can you legally celebrate 4/20 in Minnesota? We’ve got you covered.

What can I legally carry?

Minnesotans 21 and older may legally possess up to 2 ounces of cannabis flower and 8 grams of cannabis concentrates. They can also carry edibles that contain up to a total of 800 milligrams of

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