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The U.S. Bankruptcy Appellate Panel has found that an employee of a state-licensed cannabis business could not avail himself of Chapter 13 protection.

The debtor, Scott Blumsack, is a full-time employee of Society Cannabis Co., a Clinton-based retailer, wholesaler and producer of cannabis products. He manages one of its retail operations and supervises 19 other employees.

When Blumsack petitioned for bankruptcy under Chapter 13, he sought to fund his plan with income from his $75,000-a-year job with Society.

A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge dismissed Blumsack’s petition, finding that because the sale of cannabis is still illegal under the federal Controlled Substances Act, or CSA, Blumsack’s plan should not be confirmed and his petition should be dismissed.

While finding that the Bankruptcy Court erred in fashioning a rule that employees in the cannabis industry are flatly barred from seeking Chapter 13 relief, the BAP affirmed dismissal of Blumsack’s petition.

“[T]he nature of the debtor’s employment, by itself, does not render him ineligible to file a chapter 13 petition in good faith [but] his Plan would have funneled his income from the dispensary into the chapter 13 trustee’s office, and from there to creditors, bringing the proceeds of

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — Last week, the second breast milk dispensary in the state opened in Dayton. The dispensary supports mothers through breast milk donation and dispensing, plus lactation support.

Donor breast milk is a valuable resource for mothers needing to supplement their supply. It’s also a vital source of nutrients and immune protection for premature and ill infants.

“Just one ounce of donor milk can feed three NICU babies for an entire day. I’ve been able to donate. I can literally help hundreds of babies for hundreds of days, which is amazing,” said Erin Roe, local milk donor.

Obstetrics is multi-generational for local family

A milk dispensary allows those with the required prescription to pick up pasteurized human milk for their infants. Donated milk is pasteurized, frozen and distributed through a physician’s prescription.

First Steps Breastfeeding Support Center has received a significant grant from the Ohio Lactation Consultant Association to assist parents who may not be able to afford donor milk or simply need a helping hand.

“And that grant will pay for 78 bottles of pasteurized human donor milk to help reduce those inequities,” said Katy Boyd, lactation consultant.

Each bag is three

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A pair of companies with initial Illinois cannabis dispensing licenses hope to operate in Wadsworth within a few miles of the Wisconsin state line where no marijuana products can be sold but only one of them may get the final OK from the state.

Both Nature’s Grace and Wellness as well as Midwest G Holdings are currently trying to obtain final approval to operate cannabis shops near the intersection of U.S. Highway 41 and Illinois Route 173 in Wadsworth to take advantage of the Wisconsin market.

Wadsworth Village Administrator Pat DiPersio said Nature’s Grace was awarded a conditional use permit on March 18 to operate a dispensary as one of the stores in a strip shopping center at 41509 U.S. Highway 41.

Before Nature’s Grace can open, DiPersio said it must receive a building permit to renovate a space and both an occupancy permit as well as a business license from the village to operate.

DiPersio said Midwest G Holdings (Goodies) is in the process of applying for a conditional use permit. It must have a public hearing before the Plan Commission & Zoning Board of Appeals before it can go to the Village Board of Trustees for a conditional use

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SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — Jane Technologies, Inc. (“Jane”), a leading e-commerce provider, today announced Jane Gold, a first-of-its-kind consumer rewards program built to benefit the entire industry ecosystem. This patented technology allows cannabis brands that cannot ship direct-to-consumer the ability to provide exclusive cash-back rewards to consumers across Jane’s dispensary partner network.

Jane Gold makes getting cash back on cannabis purchases simple and personalized. By joining for free, consumers qualify to earn exclusive cash back from their favorite brands, discovering new and beloved products with a customized experience. Jane Gold enables consumers to quickly and securely link their bank accounts to receive cash-back rebates directly from the brands, without having to burden the dispensary. It is worth noting that due to current regulations, these bank-to-bank (or ACH) transfers are the only legal way to complete cashless cannabis transactions in the industry today.

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Brands that participated in the beta launch of the Jane Gold program saw an average increase of 7% in overall sales, with 60% of those sales coming from first-time shoppers. Dispensaries on the Jane Gold network received brand-subsidized discounts without reducing their margins, resulting in a 30% increase in average order value (AOV) per customer. Dispensaries that participated

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With festival season right around the corner, now is the perfect time to stock up on the “necessities.” From good-time gummies to cannabis-infused libations, Lighthouse Dispensary in Coachella has all of your favorite festival favors and more. Whether you’re a long-time cannabis connoisseur or are looking to take a break from the booze, these edibles, pre-rolls and even topical creams can give you the perfect buzz for movin’ and groovin’ to your favorite tunes.

If you’re headed to Coachella, Lighthouse Dispensary is an easy stop on the way, and their selection of products and knowledgeable staff make navigating each product easier than ever. That said, there are a handful of items you won’t want to miss out on. For the ultimate Coachella weekend, pick up these seven cannabis products from Lighthouse Dispensary and let the good times roll.

Credit: Lighthouse Dispensary

Credit: Lighthouse Dispensary

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The District of Columbia’s medical cannabis market is facing a period of decline, with February dispensary sales reaching their lowest point in four years. This trend comes alongside a drop in the number of patients served and an expiration of nearly 1,850 patient certifications in the next three months.

According to newly released data from the District of Columbia’s Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA), dispensary sales in February fell significantly compared to both last year and the year before. This decline comes despite the cultivation and manufacturing sectors maintaining relatively steady sales figures.

The report reveals that a little under 9,500 patients were served in February, a 500-patient decrease from last month. The upcoming expiration of nearly 1,850 patient certifications within the next quarter could further erode the 25,228 currently registered patients in D.C.

While overall sales are down, the D.C. market is witnessing a shift in product preferences. Sales of flower bud have steadily dropped for the past five months, with February sales reaching a new low of only 346 pounds. But vape cartridge sales have seen a significant increase, more than doubling in volume since January.

Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina remain the top states for out-of-state patient registrations. But Out-of-state

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A new cannabis dispensary in Blackwood is opening Friday, it announced this week.

Flower & Flame is a minority- and women-owned recreational dispensary located at 601 College Drive in the community within Gloucester Township.

The exterior of Flower & Flame.

It aims to offer first-time or experienced cannabis consumers a unique retail experience, including high-quality products and knowledgeable cannabis consultants, it said in a news release.

“Walking into a dispensary for the first time can be daunting if the products are unfamiliar to you,” CEO Krystal Boodram-Wing said in a prepared statement. “We want every person who comes through our doors to feel welcome and comfortable. We encourage our customers to engage with our consultants, ask questions and explore which products may be right for them.”

The company said it intends to partner with both large wholesalers as well as boutique businesses in the legal market.

“Our work to launch Flower & Flame in Blackwood has been a labor of love,” Josh Wing, president and chief operating officer, said in a statement. “We look forward to being a strong contributor to the local community.”

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Medical cannabis patients in Minnesota would be allowed to grow up to 16 cannabis plants under a new proposal in the state House of Representatives, CBS News reports.

Under current Minnesota law, any adult aged 21 or older can grow up to eight cannabis plants (with a maximum of four flower plants at once). The proposal seeks to double that limit for people registered with the state medical cannabis program, and would also allow patients to designate caregivers to grow for them.

“As it stands, people with disabilities and conditions that qualify them to be on the medical program can only grow their own if they know how to, if they can afford to, if their condition or living situation allows them to or if they know someone who will gift them homegrown products.” — Rep. Jessica Hanson (D), via CBS News

Minnesota’s medical cannabis program launched in 2014 and covers 19 qualifying conditions including cancer, chronic pain, and post-traumatic stress syndrome.  Additionally, the state’s adult-use cannabis legalization policy took effect last year, although the adult-use cannabis market’s launch in Minnesota is not expected until next year at the soonest.

In the meantime, cannabis regulators recently announced new restrictions on

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The organizers of San Francisco’s annual 4/20 cannabis festival in Golden Gate Park announced Tuesday that this year’s event has been canceled. Event organizers cited low sponsorship from the struggling cannabis industry and staffing concerns due to recent budget cuts for the city’s Recreation & Parks Department.

For decades, cannabis supporters and enthusiasts have flooded Golden Gate Park’s Hippie Hill on April 20 — the event has historically drawn tourists from all over the state and beyond. In recent years, city officials have facilitated live music and allowed cannabis licensees to put up booths to serve the crowds.

“Unfortunately, the 420 Hippie Hill event in Golden Gate Park will not be happening as planned this year—due to city wide budget cutbacks, the climate of the cannabis industry & economy we have been unable to secure enough financial sponsorship to get everything required for a safe, clean, city & state compliant event. We encourage everyone to go support their local equity brands, dispensaries, and lounges on 4/20 as we all celebrate plant medicine. We will be back next year!” — Statement via 420HippieHill.com

The San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department confirmed the event’s cancellation in a press release, announcing the park

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Editor’s note: this article originally appeared in The Outlaw Report, and has been republished with permission.

After a 73-day delay, Maryland held its first cannabis lottery for adult-use licenses on March 14, 2024. The lottery awarded 174 lucky applicants dispensary, grower or processor licenses.

This was the first opportunity for new businesses to enter the market since adult-use cannabis was legalized last summer. Until now, only existing medical dispensaries that expanded to adult-use sales have benefited from the explosion in profit. According to reports, adult-use sales generated an additional $447 million in the first nine months.

Both Calvert and Talbot County were not included in the lottery due to pending litigation. 

Over 1,500 applications qualified for the social equity lottery, which was part of a larger pool of about 3,000 applications submitted last fall. Multiple lawsuits challenging the social equity requirements ultimately failed to delay the lottery.

Mainor Ramirez and his wife, Shalain, were among the lucky winners. They entered the lottery for a micro dispensary license in the Southern district where their chance of winning was less than 3%. Their business, ShayshayTreats and Delivery Service, was one of only two winners chosen from 71 applicants.

The Ramirez’s, who identify as

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