Report: DEA Sends Warning to Georgia Pharmacists Selling Medical Cannabis

According to a recent report from Atlanta-area news outlet 11Alive, The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) last month sent letters to pharmacies in Georgia telling them that selling medical cannabis products – in line with state law – runs counter to federal law. 

“All DEA registrants, including DEA registered pharmacies are required to abide by all relevant federal laws and regulations. A DEA-registered pharmacy may only dispense controlled substances in Schedules II-V of the Controlled Substances Act. Neither marijuana nor THC can be lawfully possessed, handled, or dispensed by any DEA-registered pharmacy. Under federal law, products derived from the cannabis plant with delta-9 THC content above 0.3% are considered marijuana, a Schedule I controlled substance. Further, products that contain any amount of a synthetically produced THC are considered tetrahydrocannabinols, likewise a Schedule I controlled substance.”

DEA Diversion Control Division letter via 11Alive 

Some pharmacies in Georgia started dispensing low-THC cannabis oils in October under a first-in-the-nation state law.   

Ira Katz of Little Five Points Pharmacy, who received a DEA letter, said the DEA policy “doesn’t make any sense … that people can go to a dispensary and not to a

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Colorado dispensary changes security practices after burglaries – CBS Colardo

A dispensary in Commerce City has added more security after being targeted by suspected members of a Colorado crime ring. A total of 23 people are facing charges after investigators say stole around $780,000 in cash, merchandise and other property from dozens of dispensaries.

Denver District Attorney Beth McCann said late last week that teamwork led to the arrest of 23 people who are accused of robbing the marijuana businesses.

“These arrests send an unmistakable message that law enforcement agencies throughout the Denver metro area are committed to working together to disrupt and disband dangerous criminal organizations,” McCann said in a prepared statement.

CBS

Rita Tsalyuk, CEO and founder of Yuma Way, owns nine dispensaries in Colorado including Stadium Gardens in Commerce City, which was targeted in June. She says she has become familiar with criminals breaking into her buildings; at this point it has become the norm.

“If it has happened to you for the first time, you are so traumatized that you cannot function for a month or two, but when it happens to you for the 50th time, you’re like ‘Okay, a couple of days are going to go down the drain, but we will live,'”

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Colorado dispensary changes security practices after being target of burglars – CBS News

Colorado dispensary changes security practices after being target of burglars – CBS Colorado

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A dispensary in Commerce City has added more security after being targeted by suspected members of one or two Colorado crime rings.

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Colorado dispensary changes security practices after burglaries – CBS News

A dispensary in Commerce City has added more security after being targeted by suspected members of a Colorado crime ring. A total of 23 people are facing charges after investigators say stole around $780,000 in cash, merchandise and other property from dozens of dispensaries.

Denver District Attorney Beth McCann said late last week that teamwork led to the arrest of 23 people who are accused of robbing the marijuana businesses.

“These arrests send an unmistakable message that law enforcement agencies throughout the Denver metro area are committed to working together to disrupt and disband dangerous criminal organizations,” McCann said in a prepared statement.

CBS

Rita Tsalyuk, CEO and founder of Yuma Way, owns nine dispensaries in Colorado including Stadium Gardens in Commerce City, which was targeted in June. She says she has become familiar with criminals breaking into her buildings; at this point it has become the norm.

“If it has happened to you for the first time, you are so traumatized that you cannot function for a month or two, but when it happens to you for the 50th time, you’re like ‘Okay, a couple of days are going to go down the drain, but we will live,'”

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Analysis | Alabama’s medical cannabis integrator applicants readiness – Alabama Political Reporter

In Alabama, securing a medical cannabis license is governed by stringent legal requirements, as stipulated in the Darren Wesley “Ato” Hall Compassion Act. Despite some inconsistencies acknowledged by the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC), the law, as passed by the state Legislature in 2021, establishes unyielding legal criteria for applicants.

A thorough investigation by the Alabama Political Reporter has shed light on the diverse pool of applicants vying for medical cannabis integrators licenses. This scrutiny, which includes assessments of company presentations to the AMCC and independent research, reveals the varied capabilities and shortcomings of various companies.

Upon examining the specific conditions of each applicant, a clear pattern of disparities and challenges surfaces. These findings prompt significant questions about the ability of several applicants to meet the exacting standards of the Compassion Act. The analysis below offers a detailed look at each contender, focusing on three key areas: infrastructure readiness, potential legal obstacles, and operational capability and strategies.

Infrastructure Readiness

The examination evaluates the physical and organizational structures of the companies, considering their capacity to cultivate, process, and distribute medical cannabis in compliance with state regulations.

Legal Challenges

The analysis assesses the legal hurdles faced by the applicants, including compliance with

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Cannabis workers across Missouri begin push to unionize dispensaries – News-Leader

The first day was a breeze. 

Sean Shannon and Danny Foster walked into several marijuana dispensaries around Missouri with their matching “Union For Cannabis Workers” shirts and talked to employees about the possibility of unionizing.

“The first day, there were 57 stops amongst the teams,” said Shannon, lead organizer with UFCW Local 655, which actually stands for United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. “Reception was out-of-this-world positive. Workers were so excited.”

Shannon had gathered together a dozen organizers to help Local 655 visit every one of the approximately 100 dispensaries in the eastern half of Missouri — twice.

Corning, NY cannabis shop plans move forward: What’s next – Corning Leader

The first goal of Union Chill Cannabis, a cannabis dispensary planned to open at the former Corning Leader building on W. Pulteney Street, is providing distribution services to people in the City of Corning and the surrounding areas.  

“Delivery is the first thing we will be working on,” said owner Josh Canfield, who also owns Next Level Wellness, a CBD shop in Hornell. “We plan to get that up and going before we get our retail open.” 

Canfield said Union Chill Cannabis is hopeful to meet with the City Planning Commission on Jan. 2, to receive site plan approval for the 12,000-square-foot building to convert the space into a dispensary. 

“From all the previous meetings we’ve met all the requirements they’ve asked of us,” Canfield said. “The only thing that was holding us back at that point was the zoning law was not in place.” 

City code amended to allow dispensary plans

The Corning City Council voted 5-4 in early December to amend a chapter of the city code, matching the New York State Office of Cannabis Management’s adult-use final regulations.  

Under the state cannabis law, a cannabis facility may not be within 500 feet, on the same road, of the nearest entrance building or

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Union Chill moves forward with cannabis dispensary plan in Corning: What to know – Yahoo! Voices

The first goal of Union Chill Cannabis, a cannabis dispensary planned to open at the former Corning Leader building on W. Pulteney Street, is providing distribution services to people in the City of Corning and the surrounding areas.

“Delivery is the first thing we will be working on,” said owner Josh Canfield, who also owns Next Level Wellness, a CBD shop in Hornell. “We plan to get that up and going before we get our retail open.”

Canfield said Union Chill Cannabis is hopeful to meet with the City Planning Commission on Jan. 2, to receive site plan approval for the 12,000-square-foot building to convert the space into a dispensary.

“From all the previous meetings we’ve met all the requirements they’ve asked of us,” Canfield said. “The only thing that was holding us back at that point was the zoning law was not in place.”

Union Chill Cannabis hopes to open a retail dispensary at the former The Leader location, at 34 W. Pulteney St.

City code amended to allow dispensary plans

The Corning City Council voted 5-4 in early December to amend a chapter of the city code, matching the New York State Office of Cannabis Management’s adult-use final regulations.

Under the state cannabis law,

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PACKS Weed Dispensary Orange County: Evolving the Cannabis Retail Experience – EIN News

A New Era of Cannabis Retail Excellence in Orange County, Emphasizing Customer Care and Premium Brands

SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, December 10, 2023 /EINPresswire.com/ — PACKS Weed Dispensary, a notable presence in cannabis retail, is shaping the customer experience in Orange County, California. Recognized for its dedication to customer service excellence and a curated selection of cannabis products, PACKS is actively engaged in the ongoing developments of the cannabis market in the region.

In Orange County, the cannabis industry operates under a comprehensive regulatory framework designed to ensure safety, quality, and accessibility. Current regulations in the county emphasize stringent licensing procedures for dispensaries, ensuring that only qualified retailers can operate. These regulations are part of California’s broader effort to create a responsible and sustainable cannabis market since the legalization of recreational marijuana in 2016. The county’s approach balances the need for accessible cannabis products while maintaining strict quality control and safety standards. This regulatory environment has been instrumental in shaping a market that is both consumer-friendly and compliant with state laws. As a result, consumers in Orange County have access to a wide range of high-quality cannabis products in a safe and regulated manner.

PACKS Weed Dispensary Orange County, located at

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Little Tokyo community rallies behind Suehiro Cafe, beloved restaurant facing eviction – KABC-TV

Monday, December 11, 2023 7:57AM

LITTLE TOKYO, LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Some members of the Little Tokyo community are hoping to save a long-time restaurant from being pushed out for a proposed marijuana dispensary.

Protesters on Sunday took over 1st Street outside Suehiro Cafe. The owner of the restaurant was served an eviction notice earlier this year.

Community members are now outraged after finding out the landlord did not renew the lease and filed paperwork to replace the restaurant with a marijuana dispensary.

The Japanese-American restaurant has been there since 1972.

Protesters held up signs that read “Little Tokyo is not for sale” and “Little Tokyo for the people not big business.”

“Unless we have the people here, it’s not Little Tokyo,” said David Monkawa, an organizer with Save Our Cities. “They can stick in as many murals, they can stick in museums and all kinds of things – and we love them – but if you kick out the people, it’s not Little Tokyo.”

Activists ask people to sign a pledge, launching a campaign to boycott businesses that they say are gentrifying the neighborhood. They say the fight is bigger than just one restaurant.

“We’re here to fight back and send a message to all of these

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