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California Regulators Determine National Agricultural Workers Union Not a Bone Fide Labor Organization
The California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) on Tuesday clarified that the National Agricultural Workers Union (NAWU) is not a bone fide labor organization and that cannabis licensees required to have labor peace agreements in place who entered into an agreement with the NAWU are out of compliance with licensure requirements.
The state had been investigating the organization as a “fake” union and had received a complaint from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters in July, according to an MJ Biz Daily report. The NAWU had entered into labor peace agreements with licensees under the Caliva brand name, the report says.
An investigation into the Teamsters’ claims by the Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB) found that the NAWU had “no employees,” only one member, and that the NAWU’s total receipts for three years, including union dues, amounted to zero.
“NAUW claimed that after it was founded as a ‘grassroots’ labor organization in early 2020, it attempted to organize workers using volunteers, but was met with obstacles such as the COVID-19 pandemic and cannabis workers’ lack of interest,” the ALRB said in its decision. “However, NAWU did not provide any evidence to support its claim
Award-Winning Documentary ‘Cannabis + Creativity’ Lights Up the Film Festival Circuit
“Cannabis + Creativity,” a documentary examining the role of cannabis in the artistic process, has claimed two prestigious awards at film festivals this past month. At the Catskills International Film Festival on October 22, 2023, the film was honored with both Best Documentary and Best Documentary: Audience Selection. Continuing its successful run, it also secured the Best Documentary award at the Montreal Women Film Festival a mere week later.
Directed by Elana Frankel with executive producers Etain, a woman-owned cannabis brand based in New York, along with Dr. Nancy B. Austin, “Cannabis + Creativity” spotlights the personal and professional insights of artists who incorporate cannabis into their creative workflow. Assistant Director Kassia Graham and Cabin Creek Films contribute to a film that features a prominent lineup, including scientist Miyabe Shields, PhD, Chef Ali, jazz singer Kaya Nicole, musician treya lam, creative director Sam Jones, and poet Jasmine Mans.
The film’s exploration of cannabis’ impact on creativity has resonated with audiences and critics alike, generating a buzz on social media and earning positive reviews: Cara Wietstock of GreenState praised the documentary for providing “a full meal for thought in a short time frame.”
This documentary’s success is reflective of a
Washington DC Opens Licensing Window for Unlicensed Cannabis Operators
In a much-anticipated development, the third licensing round for D.C.’s expanded medical cannabis program officially kicked off last week, as highlighted by reporter LJ Dawson for The Outlaw Report. The Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Board reported receiving a total of 20 applications for retail licenses and one application for an internet retailer license on the very first day of the application period.
This licensing round aims to address the longstanding issue of unlicensed operators, including the various “weed-gifting” shops that have operated throughout the city. These shops have ranged from legitimate retail stores that gifted cannabis products after the purchase of other items to out-of-state operators setting up temporary shops to distribute illicit market products without adhering to any gifting protocol.
Key points applicants need to know:
Location: Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, but shops cannot be within 400 feet of an existing retailer, which could be a deciding factor in obtaining a license. Social equity: The application process includes both social equity and standard licenses. Unregulated shops can still apply for an equity retail license during this period if they were operating in 2022 and can provide evidence. New retailer social equity applications will
Medical Cannabis Patient Counts in New Mexico Fall to 85k
Patient counts in New Mexico’s medical cannabis program have dropped significantly from the May 2022 peak of more than 135,000 to about 85,000, KRQE reports. According to Duke Rodriguez, president and CEO of Ultra Health, the loss of patients equates to the loss of around $85 million in cannabis demand.
“The concern that we should all have is 50,000 New Mexicans felt like they got priced out of the market. It wasn’t available, it wasn’t affordable and the biggest concern we should be concerned about is what are they seeking in lieu of cannabis for their treatment.” — Rodriguez to KRQE
New Mexico lawmakers legalized cannabis for adult use in April 2021 and sales commenced in April 2022.
According to state Regulation and Licensing Department figures, adult-use sales in the state for October totaled about $34.6 million, with medical cannabis sales reaching about $12 million, losing about $600,000 from the previous month.
In a statement to KRQE, the Department of Health indicated that they expected a reduced medical cannabis patient count in the wake of adult use legalization.
According to state data, in October 2022, patient counts in
Florida Court Ponders Cannabis Legalization
On November 8, 2023, the Florida Supreme Court held oral arguments on the validity of a constitutional amendment initiative to legalize adult-use cannabis (case number SC2023-0682). The Florida Constitution requires the state’s attorney general to request an advisory opinion from the Court on the validity of any ballot initiatives. The Attorney General has taken the position that the proposed amendment does not meet statutory requirements.
Oral arguments largely centered on two issues, the first being whether the ballot summary is misleading for stating that it would “allow[] [existing] Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers [MMTCs], and other state licensed entities” to engage in the sale of and other activities involving adult-use cannabis. In the Attorney General’s view, as expressed during oral arguments by Florida’s Chief Deputy Solicitor General, this constitutes a “promise” that the amendment by itself cannot deliver, since additional legislative action would be required for “other state licensed entities” to exist. Stated differently, if adopted, the amendment would give rise to a new legal situation under which MMTCs could immediately sell adult-use cannabis, but any non-MMTC entity would still need to undergo a licensure process. As the passage of the amendment by itself would not bring about “other state licensed
Town grants permit for new dispensary – West Seneca Bee
The West Seneca Town Board on Monday voted to grant a special-use permit to James McGirr, co-owner of a cannabis dispensary he wants to call Devil’s Lettuce at 650 Orchard Park Road. McGirr had originally gone before the town board two weeks ago, but lawmakers had enough questions that kept them from granting the request at that time – chief […]
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Michigan dispensary not worried about legal pot in Ohio – WTVG
MORENCI, Mich. (WTVG) – Cannabis was a key issue on election day in Ohio, and Ohioans voted yes to Issue 2, legalizing recreational marijuana.
Just north of Ohio, the border town of Morenci, Michigan has seen an economic impact from dispensaries opening. Some dispensary employees say they are excited for the future of the cannabis industry in Ohio.
April Clark is the general manager at Ascend, a dispensary in Morenci. She says although she does see a fair number of out-of-state customers, she doesn’t believe Ohio legalizing recreational marijuana will impact her business.
“I think it’s really exciting,” Clark said. “I think it says a lot about where the industry is going. It’s done really great things for Michigan, so we’re excited to see how that affects Ohio as well.”
Clark said that she believes scientific research and changing attitudes have helped people open up to the idea of marijuana for medicinal and recreational use.
Personally, Clark wasn’t always interested in marijuana.
“Growing up I didn’t think it was anything I wanted to do, it wasn’t for me,” Clark said.
It wasn’t until she saw how marijuana helped her family member with anxiety live a freer life that she started exploring cannabis.
She said she’s seen how the
AYR Cannabis Dispensary Now Carrying Kiva Camino Gummies in … – Ayr Wellness Inc.
MIAMI, Nov. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AYR Cannabis Dispensary, a cannabis retail chain owned by AYR Wellness, Inc. (CSE: AYR.A, OTCQX: AYRWF) (“AYR” or the “Company”), a leading vertically integrated U.S. multi-state cannabis operator (“MSO”), today launched Kiva Confections Camino Soft Chews across its network of 62+ Florida dispensaries. The launch follows the Company’s entrance into a three-year, exclusive licensing and retail agreement in Florida with Kiva Confections, a global leader in cannabis edibles.
“I am thrilled that AYR Cannabis Dispensary locations across Florida will now be carrying Camino Soft Chews by Kiva Confections,” said Sevi Borrelli, AYR’s General Manager, Florida. “Our Florida patients have been asking for more options in the edible category, and the Camino brand encapsulates all of the qualities of a top-shelf edible: effective, consistent, and flavor-forward. AYR is the only dispensary carrying Camino Soft Chews in the state and we expect our patients will greatly enjoy this new offering.”
AYR Cannabis Dispensaries in Florida will carry five of Kiva’s popular Camino Soft Chews, including Sleep Midnight Blueberry with CBN, Balance Yuzu Lemon with CBD, Uplifting Pineapple Habanero, and Bliss Watermelon Lemonade, with Chill Wild Berry to come.
In the future, AYR locations will offer
AYR Cannabis Dispensary Now Carrying Kiva Camino Gummies in Florida – Yahoo Finance
Ayr Wellness Inc.
MIAMI, Nov. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AYR Cannabis Dispensary, a cannabis retail chain owned by AYR Wellness, Inc. (CSE: AYR.A, OTCQX: AYRWF) (“AYR” or the “Company”), a leading vertically integrated U.S. multi-state cannabis operator (“MSO”), today launched Kiva Confections Camino Soft Chews across its network of 62+ Florida dispensaries. The launch follows the Company’s entrance into a three-year, exclusive licensing and retail agreement in Florida with Kiva Confections, a global leader in cannabis edibles.
“I am thrilled that AYR Cannabis Dispensary locations across Florida will now be carrying Camino Soft Chews by Kiva Confections,” said Sevi Borrelli, AYR’s General Manager, Florida. “Our Florida patients have been asking for more options in the edible category, and the Camino brand encapsulates all of the qualities of a top-shelf edible: effective, consistent, and flavor-forward. AYR is the only dispensary carrying Camino Soft Chews in the state and we expect our patients will greatly enjoy this new offering.”
AYR Cannabis Dispensaries in Florida will carry five of Kiva’s popular Camino Soft Chews, including Sleep Midnight Blueberry with CBN, Balance Yuzu Lemon with CBD, Uplifting Pineapple Habanero, and Bliss Watermelon Lemonade, with Chill Wild Berry to come.
In the future, AYR locations will offer additional