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A Mississippi medical cannabis dispensary owner filed a federal lawsuit on Thursday challenging state rules on cannabis advertising that he argues censors cannabis companies and violates their First Amendment rights, the Associated Press reports. The lawsuit, filed by Clarence Cocroft II, owner of Tru Source Medical Cannabis, names the heads of the state Department of Health, Department of Revenue, and Alcoholic Beverage Control Bureau as defendants. 

“All I want to do, like any other business owner, is have the opportunity to advertise. If I pay taxes in this business, which I do, I should be able to advertise. All I’m asking from this state is to provide us with the same liberty that they’ve provided other businesses.” — Cocroft, during a press conference, via the AP 

During the press conference, Katrin Marquez, one of Cocroft`s attorneys, said her client “can’t advertise in any media” including in newspapers or magazines, on television or radio, or on billboards that he already owns. 

“The First Amendment does not allow a state to completely censor a legal business,” Marquez said. “If it is legal to sell a product, it is legal to talk about that product.” 

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A Mississippi medical cannabis dispensary owner filed a federal lawsuit on Thursday challenging state rules on cannabis advertising that he argues censors cannabis companies and violates their First Amendment rights, the Associated Press reports. The lawsuit, filed by Clarence Cocroft II, owner of Tru Source Medical Cannabis, names the heads of the state Department of Health, Department of Revenue, and Alcoholic Beverage Control Bureau as defendants. 

“All I want to do, like any other business owner, is have the opportunity to advertise. If I pay taxes in this business, which I do, I should be able to advertise. All I’m asking from this state is to provide us with the same liberty that they’ve provided other businesses.” — Cocroft, during a press conference, via the AP 

During the press conference, Katrin Marquez, one of Cocroft`s attorneys, said her client “can’t advertise in any media” including in newspapers or magazines, on television or radio, or on billboards that he already owns. 

“The First Amendment does not allow a state to completely censor a legal business,” Marquez said. “If it is legal to sell a product, it is legal to talk about that product.” 

Under

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Missouri cannabis regulators have revoked the manufacturing facility license of Delta Extractions – the company that, in August, was the subject of a near-63,000 product recall. In a press release, the state Division of Cannabis Regulation (DCR) said the revocation is meant to “ensure the health and safety of Missourians and the integrity of Missouri’s voter-approved regulatory program for cannabis.” 

Delta Extraction’s license was already suspended by the DCR after the company admitted to sourcing THC-A from outside the Missouri cannabis program, converting the THC-A to THC, and selling that THC within Missouri’s regulated market, which violates state law. In a statement, Amy Moore, director of the DCR said that while Delta’s use of out-of-state cannabis “has been well-publicized and is a critical issue” the agency “found numerous other violations of rules,” including failure to track products in the state’s seed-to-sale system, falsification of products put into the seed-to-sale tracking system, and vast failures with regard to facility security. 

“The Missouri Constitution charges the Department with ensuring the safety of marijuana product and the safety and security of marijuana facilities through enforcement of rules. We must be clear on this: Businesses that choose

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The University of Minnesota School of Public Health on Thursday announced the launch of the Cannabis Research Center (CRC) which will assess the impact of adult-use cannabis legalization and help inform future cannabis policies and practices in the state.  

The state’s adult-use legalization law includes a $2.5M annual appropriation from the cannabis sales tax to establish CRC. 

In a statement, School of Public Health Professor Traci Toomey, who will serve as the CRC’s first director, said the center will “conduct innovative research on the health effects of adult-use cannabis legalization on people and communities across the state, including prevention and treatment of substance use disorders, equity issues, education and decriminalization.” 

School of Public Health Interim Dean Timothy Beebe said the first priorities for the CRC include identifying key staff and faculty members with related expertise, establishing an executive committee to help guide center strategy, and identifying partners across the state to help advance the center’s work. 

The CRC has already established several core principles that will guide its work, including: 

Leading the scientific community in cannabis research. 

Upholding antiracist principles by prioritizing

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NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2023 – PRESS RELEASE – Ascend Wellness Holdings Inc., a multistate, vertically integrated cannabis operator focused on bettering lives through cannabis, announced the opening of an Ascend dispensary outlet, located at 39 W North Ave., Northlake, Ill. This milestone represents the company’s commitment to serving the growing cannabis community in Illinois and providing high-quality, affordable products to its valued customers. The dispensary marks Ascend’s 10th in the state and 32nd across its seven-state footprint. 

The Northlake Ascend dispensary outlet promises to provide the same exceptional experience, diverse product selection, and outstanding customer service that the company is known for. The spacious and modern store environment is designed to create a welcoming atmosphere for both experienced and novice cannabis users. The dispensary will be open seven days a week from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

This is Ascend’s second outlet in the state and will offer everyday low-priced products and “flower at a fraction” with products ranging from premium flower strains to edibles, topicals and accessories.

“We are incredibly excited to open our tenth dispensary in Illinois. This milestone is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, as well as the continued support of our loyal customers,” Ascend Chief of Stores Rick Wilkins said. “Our goal has always been to

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Hippos Marijuana Dispensary

Long-Awaited Customer Favorite Back in Time for Holidays, Sold Online and in Hippos Stores

VIENNA, MO, Nov. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — via NewMediaWire — Hippos, Missouri’s premier, modern cannabis company curating fresh experiences at retail locations throughout the state, announced today that the company is restocking their shelves with popular cannabis-infused OGYields’ Atta Brand Cherry Gummy Rings, now available in Hippos stores throughout Missouri.

Just in time for the holidays, these long-awaited customer favorite sweet gummy rings are packed with 150mg of THC per package for easy, worry-free dosing. Atta Cherry Gummy Rings are available online or sold in Hippos stores throughout Missouri. Atta Gummy Rings are also available in these flavors: Watermelon, Peach, Blue Raz, and Neon.

“Everyone’s asking for Atta’s Cherry Gummy Rings and it’s been a long-awaited customer favorite,” said Nicholas Rinella, CEO of Hippos. “Hippos is the go-to cannabis location across the state and we’re excited to bring back this crowd favorite at our convenient Hippos stores and online, so they can ring in the holiday season with cherry cheer.”

OGYield’s Atta brand is made with Ozark-grown cannabis. Situated between the Gasconade River and the Maries River in the Ozarks, OGYields’ one-of-a-kind cultivation facility is committed to

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NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ – Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc. (“AWH” or the “Company”) (CSE: AAWH.U) (OTCQX: AAWH), a multi-state, vertically integrated cannabis operator focused on bettering lives through cannabis, announced the opening of an Ascend Dispensary Outlet, located at 39 W North Ave, Northlake, IL, USA. This milestone represents the company’s commitment to serving the growing cannabis community in Illinois and providing high-quality, affordable products to its valued customers. The dispensary marks Ascend’s 10th in the state of Illinois and 32nd across its seven-state footprint. 

The Northlake Ascend Dispensary Outlet promises to provide the same exceptional experience, diverse product selection, and outstanding customer service that the company is known for. The spacious and modern store environment is designed to create a welcoming atmosphere for both experienced and novice cannabis users. The dispensary will be open 7 days a week from 9 am to 9 pm. This is Ascend’s second outlet in the state and will offer everyday low-priced products and ‘flower at a fraction’ with products ranging from premium flower strains to edibles, topicals, and accessories.

“We are incredibly excited to open our 10th dispensary in Illinois. This milestone is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our

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NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2023 /CNW/ – Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc. (“AWH” or the “Company”) (CSE: AAWH.U) (OTCQX: AAWH), a multi-state, vertically integrated cannabis operator focused on bettering lives through cannabis, announced the opening of an Ascend Dispensary Outlet, located at 39 W North Ave, Northlake, IL, USA. This milestone represents the company’s commitment to serving the growing cannabis community in Illinois and providing high-quality, affordable products to its valued customers. The dispensary marks Ascend’s 10th in the state of Illinois and 32nd across its seven-state footprint.

The Northlake Ascend Dispensary Outlet promises to provide the same exceptional experience, diverse product selection, and outstanding customer service that the company is known for. The spacious and modern store environment is designed to create a welcoming atmosphere for both experienced and novice cannabis users. The dispensary will be open 7 days a week from 9 am to 9 pm. This is Ascend’s second outlet in the state and will offer everyday low-priced products and ‘flower at a fraction’ with products ranging from premium flower strains to edibles, topicals, and accessories.

“We are incredibly excited to open our 10th dispensary in Illinois. This milestone is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, as

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Takeaways:

Ambiguities about sales taxes in the constitutional amendment legalizing recreational marijuana have led to disputes between counties and cities. In some Missouri cities, recreational marijuana customers face up to 20% in state and local sales taxes.  Dispensaries are taking legal action against the stacking of taxes, citing potential “irreparable harm.”

A little sales tax on the buds or gummies you buy at the neighborhood cannabis dispensary is one thing.

But another tax? And another?

Various state and local sales taxes lumped onto your recreational marijuana purchase can add upwards of 20% to the cost of legalized Missouri weed.

The state cannabis trade

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Wins more than $145,000 back pay for workers not yet union members; launches major regional cannabis organizing drive

By ED FINKELSTEIN
Publisher Emeritus

UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES: Employees and supporters working to organize at Shangri La cannabis dispensary picket against Unfair Labor Practices outside the Shangri-La South dispensary in Columbia, Mo. on May 16, 2023. – Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent photo

Columbia, MO – “We won’t back down, and we’ll fight for employees who are wronged.”

With that emphasis, UFCW Local 655 President David Cook announced an “historic,” unprecedented settlement of Unfair Labor Practice charges against Shangri-La cannabis dispensary here where the union was organizing its employees and the company engaged in egregious anti-union tactics that included firing 10 workers without cause and as Cook put it, “engaging in manipulation and intimidation.”

Local 655 filed for an election last April. When bosses discovered who signed the petition, firings began. As employees began picketing over the firings, Local 655 filed Unfair Labor Practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) based on a dramatic change in NLRB rules over how unfair company practices during organizing are resolved.

Under the new rules of the Cemex decision settled last August, just as Local 655

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