On December 7, the Connecticut Social Equity Council approved income and residency documentation requirements for social equity applicants and cannabis businesses seeking to operate as Equity Joint Ventures. The approval is contingent upon the Council’s acceptance of an implementation plan for the accelerator and technical assistance programs, which will provide important business support to potential applicants.

On December 8, the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) approved 30 additional medical cannabis business licenses. Since 2019, the 30 licenses had been frozen by a court order that lifted earlier this year. The CRC said the approval would double the number of medical dispensaries in the Garden State.

Five years after California voters legalized cannabis for adults, the San Jose City Council is considering taking a giant step backwards. It is considering including cannabis in a proposed ban on smoking and vaping in apartments and condos.

Congress is now negotiating the fate of a bill that would make it easier for cannabis businesses to get basic banking services. The SAFE Banking Act, which would allow banks to legally work with state-licensed cannabis businesses, was recently added to a must-pass piece of legislation currently under consideration — the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). We are asking for your help to ensure it passes. 

Exciting news! Just last week, a bipartisan pair of senators introduced a bill that would permit home cultivation of medical marijuana in Pennsylvania. Sens. Dan Laughlin (R) and Sharif Street (D), who also jointly proposed a separate legalization bill earlier this year, introduced the concept in a letter to senators calling on them to sign on as cosponsors.

Exciting news! On November 12, West Virginia’s first medical cannabis dispensary — Trulieve — opened its doors in Morgantown. A second location opened today in Weston.

Earlier this year, D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson introduced “The Comprehensive Legalization and Regulation Act of 2021," a bill to regulate and tax cannabis sales in the District. A public hearing, which will be conducted via Zoom, has been scheduled for this Friday, November 19 at 9:00 a.m.

The last day to vote in the 2021 Virginia General Election is Tuesday, November 2. Virginia has accomplished sweeping cannabis policy reform over the last few years—including legalizing cannabis for adults 21 and older.

Medical cannabis advocates in Nebraska are not backing down. Last weekend, volunteers from across the state mobilized to officially launch the #NMM2022 signature drive to qualify a pair of medical cannabis initiatives for the ballot next year.

Good news! As you may recall, as part of Connecticut’s legalization law, starting tomorrow, Friday, October 1, medical cannabis patients who are 18 or older will be allowed to grow cannabis at home!