Author: buddigest

ALBANY, N.Y. — There are currently more illicit cannabis shops in operation than legal dispensaries in New York state.

Experts believe there are around 36,000 illegal shops currently operating across the state, while only 100 licensed cannabis dispensaries are in operation.

Many blame the slow rollout of licenses for the creation of tens of thousands of illegal cannabis shops. At the same time, only 14 investigators are employed by the Office of Cannabis Management to look into these illicit operations.

During a hearing in October, Chris Alexander, OCM’s executive director, said that the office is making progress through partnerships with the state Department of Taxation and Finance and the Attorney General’s Office to deter the illicit smoke shops, but asked for new legislation to increase penalties, claiming the $20,000 per day limit is not enough to deter some owners.

During the State of the State, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office shared that OCM inspectors were dispatched to 381 illicit cannabis shops, a drop in the bucket of an estimated 36,000 in operation. Despite this fact, investigators seized over 11,800 pounds of illicit cannabis worth more than $57 million.

Hochul revealed Friday that initiatives to shut down illicit cannabis operations were pushed through as part of the

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ALBANY, N.Y. — There are currently more illicit cannabis shops in operation than legal dispensaries in New York State.

Experts believe there are around 36,000 illegal shops currently operating across the state, while only 100 licensed cannabis dispensaries are in operation.

Many blame the slow roll-out of licenses for the creation of tens of thousands of illegal cannabis shops. At the same time, only 14 investigators are employed by the Office of Cannabis Management to look into these illicit operations.

During a hearing in October, Chris Alexander, OCM’s executive director, said that the office is making progress through partnerships with the State Department of Taxation and Finance and the State Attorney General’s Office to deter the illicit smoke shops, but asked for new legislation to increase penalties, claiming the $20,000 per day limit is not enough to deter some owners.

During the State of the State, Gov. Hochul’s office shared that OCM inspectors were dispatched to 381 illicit cannabis shops, a drop in the bucket of an estimated 36,000 in operation. Despite this fact, investigators seized over 11,800 pounds of illicit cannabis worth more than $57 million.

Gov. Hochul revealed Friday that initiatives to shut down illicit cannabis operations were pushed through as part of

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Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced on Thursday that officials will hold a lottery in October for awarding the state’s initial medical cannabis business licenses, according to the Associated Press.

Beshear described the lottery system as the best option for fairly distributing medical cannabis licenses ahead of the market’s launch, arguing that it would prevent hopeful licensees with deep pockets from lobbying to “get a leg up” on the competition.

“It reduces or eliminates litigation, and it creates a more fair process, not one where people bid against each other and only then the big companies can be a part of it. But one that provides at least a chance for everyone who can meet the criteria.” — Beshear, in the report

With the recent lottery announcement, Kentucky is on track to meet its goal of having an operational medical cannabis program by January 1, 2025.

Additionally, state lawmakers passed legislation on Monday to allow local jurisdictions to opt out of the state’s medical cannabis program, the Lexington Herald-Leader reports. Officials had also considered adding new qualifying conditions for the program but those expansions ultimately failed.

Kentucky passed its medical cannabis legalization bill in 2023; under the program, registered patients

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Local officials in Bavaria — the southern German state that each year hosts the world-renowned Oktoberfest — have banned cannabis consumption at outdoor festivals and in outdoor beer gardens, the Associated Press reports. The rules also extend to cannabis vapor products.

While Germany’s adult-use cannabis legalization policy took effect on April 1, Bavaria’s conservative-leaning state government was vocal in its opposition to the national reforms. Local officials said banning cannabis consumption at the world’s largest beer festival was necessary to protect minors from potential second-hand cannabis exposure. Under the new rules, officials will also be allowed to extend the cannabis consumption ban to include public areas including outdoor swimming pools and leisure parks, the report said.

“Our aim is to limit cannabis consumption in public spaces. That is important for health protection and especially for protecting children and young people.” — Bavarian Health Minister Judith Gerlach, via the AP

Under Germany’s new cannabis law, adults aged 18 or older can legally consume cannabis and possess up to 25 grams of cannabis flower. The federal legalization measure did not establish retail access but it will allow for non-profit cannabis cultivation clubs starting July 1, where individuals will be able to purchase

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Queen Hemp Company’s Nicole Burnette (left) and Gail Syfert. (Courtesy of QHC)

It was just five years ago that folks looking for CBD only had a few options for storefronts in the Charlotte area. Fast forward just a half-decade — as we’ve seen the evolution of the hemp industry capitalizing on the popularity of Delta 8, Delta 9, THCA and other similar products — and the city has seen a proliferation of businesses that have jumped into this fledgling market, each with their own offerings and atmosphere to set them apart. 

We picked out 20 shops that are worth checking out on this 4/20 holiday.

Five locations in Charlotte, one in Cornelius

With a mission to deliver a safe and reliable product while maintaining its reputation through transparency and sustainability, Apotheca opened in 2019 as “a trustworthy source of reliable and sustainable cannabis, kratom and microdosing magic mushroom products.” The dispensary carries CBD and THC gummies, chocolates, delta-9 seltzers, taffy, caramels, pot brownies, cookies and more, including microdosing psychedelic mushrooms and kratom supplements like concentrated shots, powders and easy-to-dose capsules. 

4717 Sharon Road, 2B; 3020-C Prosperity Church Road; 601 S. Kings Drive, Suite FF

Owners Joslyn and husband Colby opened one of the first dispensaries in

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This Saturday, 4/20, North Carolina’s first marijuana dispensary will open in Cherokee on the land of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. While there are efforts underway to sell marijuana there for recreational use, the offerings, for now, will only be available for approved medical use.

Co-host Leoneda Inge is joined by Blue Ridge Public Radio’s Lilly Knoepp, who has been following the effort to get this enterprise off the ground in a state where selling marijuana is still illegal, and Politico’s Federal Cannabis Policy Reporter Natalie Fertig.

Guests

Lilly Knoepp, Senior Regional Reporter, Blue Ridge Public Radio

Natalie Fertig, Federal Cannabis Policy Reporter, POLITICO

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While Indianapolis was recently ranked one of the worst cities for marijuana use in the U.S., Hoosier stoners have a few other options for celebrating 4/20.

Here’s what to know.

When is 420?

420 Day is celebrated on April 20 (4/20) every year by cannabis enthusiasts and advocates.

While the exact origin of 420 becoming the codename for smoking marijuana, it has been used since the 1970s but became popularized by the Grateful Dead in the 1990s.

“Once an unconventional day, the day has become the rallying cry of those who seek to legalize marijuana for medicinal and recreational uses,” according to National Day Calendar.

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — Those people working in the medical marijuana industry say April 20, also known as 420, is their biggest day every year when it comes to sales.

The medical marijuana industry in Arkansas reached a new high in state sales in 2023, at $283 million.

That is according to a report from the Department of Finance and Administration.

Amy Dailey, Vice President of Marketing for Good Day Farm, a medical marijuana dispensary in Little Rock, said she agrees.

There are 38 medical marijuana dispensaries across the state, including Good Day Farm, are already gearing up for that predicted influx of people.

“The numbers have increased year over year and it has just been really great to open more dispensaries and be able to bring more products to Arkansas,” Dailey said.

“It definitely is our largest sales day,” Dailey said. “We do tons of promotions, different products that we introduce into the market for this day in particular so that we are able to give back to our patients in what they would like to see during this holiday.”

Scott Hardin, Spokesperson for the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission, said consumers spent $2.4 million on medical marijuana products across the state on April 20.

The Cabot Police

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Find out where to legally purchase marijuana in Brooklyn this 4/20.

File photo courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

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It’s nearly 4/20 — the unofficial but widely-celebrated holiday dedicated to marijuana – and for the first time ever, Brooklynites can buy their supplies legally at a local dispensary.

Legal complications delayed the debut of licensed cannabis shops in Kings County, but the borough’s first legal dispensary opened in Gravesend late last year — and there are now eight licensed and legal marijuana stores in the borough.

Illegal and gray-market dispensaries are a dime a dozen across the city, but marijuana sellers and government officials encourage Brooklynites to shop legal. 

Brooklynites can purchase legal marijuana right here in the borough for 4/20.Joe Rondone/Tallahassee Democrat via AP

As part of New York’s cannabis legalization law, all licensed dispensaries are at least partially-owned by justice-involved people who suffered disproportionately from marijuana prohibition — plus, all of their goods are regulated and standardized, so you know just what you’re getting.

Here are all of Brooklyn’s legal dispensaries — and a handy map

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SCHENECTADY — A second cannabis dispensary could soon arrive in Schenectady after the city planning commission unanimously approved a site plan application Wednesday night for the proposed Grass & Goodness cannabis shop at the Proforma retail complex at 1650 Crane St.

The plaza on the Rotterdam border includes Proforma, Lee’s Trophies and Twist’N Flip Gymnastics, and is located adjacent to Sportsman’s Bowl, which has a separate parking lot from the business plaza.

Upstate Canna Co., the city’s first cannabis retailer, opened on upper Union Street in March 2023 and quickly drew lines stretching down the block, with local businesses raising concerns about the disruption caused by the volume of customers at the cannabis shop.

Planning Commission Chair Mary Moore Wallinger said the planned Crane Street cannabis retailer is in a more remote location and should pose less inconvenience to nearby businesses, noting the lack of public opposition during Wednesday’s meeting regarding the dispensary.

Cannabicity officially opened its doors last month with a gamut of products that range from edibles to CBD-infused beverages, ointments and flowers that can be smoked. Shelves are also stocked with sleep aids and vape pens, and there’s

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