Author: News Room

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has rehired and will provide back pay to a special agent who was fired after testing positive for THC that he attributed to CBD he was taking as an opioid alternative for chronic pain, with the agency reaching a settlement agreement in a lawsuit challenging the termination. After being fired in 2019 over the random drug screening, Anthony Armour filed suit against DEA in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit last year, asserting that the agency didn’t have grounds to remove him after using what he believed to be a federally legal…

Ohio regulators have released an initial batch of proposed rules for the state’s adult-use marijuana program, focusing on requirements for applicants seeking to become licensed retailers, as well as certain changes to the medical cannabis system. Nearly three months after Ohio voters approved a marijuana legalization initiative at the ballot, the state Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) announced on Monday that it is requesting stakeholder feedback on the rules that must be finalized before the adult-use market launches. However, the licensing application regulations that DCC is proposing may need to be amended in the coming weeks, as the Republican governor…

New York congressional, state and local lawmakers are teaming up to rally for the complete descheduling of marijuana, pushing the attorney general and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to end prohibition, rather than simply reschedule cannabis. As DEA considers a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommendation to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) held a press conference alongside advocates, New York state lawmakers and New York City officials on Sunday to promote broader administrative reform. “I think it’s clear: It’s time…

President Joe Biden is again inflating the impact of his pardons for marijuana offenses, falsely suggesting that his act of clemency “expunged” records and that people were released from prison. “A promise made and a promise kept,” he said during a campaign speech in South Carolina on Saturday. “I keep my promises when I said no one—no one—should be in prison for merely possessing marijuana or using it, and their records should be expunged,” Biden said. The president has routinely framed the mass cannabis pardon as an example of him fulfilling campaign pledges, but he’s also frequently misstated the practical…

Plaintiffs in a federal court case centered on interstate marijuana trade have voluntarily withdrawn their lawsuit against the state of Oregon, providing no public explanation for the move beyond saying that “big things are coming on this front very soon.” Jefferson Packing House, a state-licensed cannabis wholesaler based in Medford, filed suit against Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) and others in November 2022, challenging a state law that bans exporting marijuana across state lines. While cross-border cannabis commerce is also illegal under federal law, the company said at the time that its goal was to invite Oregon officials to join…

A serial fraudster from California has offered to pay $18.3 million in restitution to investors in three companies that were part of a hemp and CBD scam.Mark Roy Anderson entered into a plea agreement on one count of wire fraud, admitting he misrepresented Farm Harvest Group, a hemp farm; Bio Pharma Organic LLC, an edibles maker; and Verta Bottling Co. Inc. to investors. A federal grand jury originally charged him with five counts of wire fraud last May.Farming schemeProsecutors said Anderson ran a scheme under Farm Harvest Group from “at least” June 2020 to April 2021 in which he falsely…

The Horchata weed strain has been making waves in the cannabis community for its unique characteristics and effects. This article will delve into the appearance, aroma, and flavor of the Horchata strain, providing a comprehensive understanding of its sensory profile. We will explore the physical and mental effects, as well as the potential medical benefits that users may experience. Understanding its potential side effects and consumption methods will also be covered, ensuring a well-rounded insight into this popular strain. Readers will discover where to find the Horchata weed strain and explore similar strains that offer comparable experiences. Whether you’re a…

“While the state’s coffers continue to benefit from years of excessive revenue surpluses, and a property-tax increase is not needed at the state level, I realize some local governments are in desperate need of additional revenue.” By Randy Bracht, The Center Square Problem: Local governments in Washington state say they need more money to address affordable housing, public safety and other inflationary costs. Solution? Give cities and counties a bigger share of the state’s liquor and cannabis tax revenues. That’s the proposal of state Sen. Keith Wagoner (R-Sedro-Woolley) who has introduced two bipartisan bills as a counter-measure to calls by…

“FDA’s approach to nicotine vape approvals serves as a stark reminder of why we must have the right regulatory framework and oversight.” By Douglas Fischer, Advanced Vapor Devices A recent Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals opinion on vaping sheds light on why federal cannabis legalization must be accompanied by a sensible regulatory framework that is administered and enforced by the right agency. The court’s opinion in Wages and White Lion Investment LLC v. Food and Drug Administration excoriates the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its handling of flavored e-cigarettes and underscores the dangers to the public and…

If you’ve been paying attention to the top-shelf landscape over the past few years, it seems the largest problem plaguing our industry today is consistency. Sure, you can pop off a new cultivar and make some noise for a little while, but maintaining the pressure is difficult, and very few players have managed to stay on top for even a season, let alone a full year. You need to have all your t’s crossed, and your i’s dotted, all the time. While there are more competitors joining the game every day, none can touch the bar that The Ten Co.…