Cannabis Pesticide Testing to Begin in Rhode Island
Beginning June 30th, all cannabis grown by cultivators in Rhode Island will be tested for pesticides. Testing labs and cultivators were notified that the mandatory testing is going to commence. The mandatory testing comes on the heels of Governor Dan McKee signing legislation to legalize recreational cannabis, making Rhode Island the 19th state in the U.S. to do so. The law allows for 33 cannabis retail locations, including nine locations that will be allowed to sell recreational and medical cannabis to patients and consumers. There are currently four independent testing labs licensed by the Department of Health to perform cannabis testing.
One of the Largest Cannabis Brands in CO Closes Cultivation Site
Veritas Fine Cannabis is one of the largest cannabis brands in Colorado. Unfortunately, the company was recently forced to downsize. Rumors were circulating across social media that the downsize was happening, and the company president confirmed that they laid off 33 employees and closed one of three cultivation sites. The layoffs accounted for about 25 percent of their total workforce. Veritas is the latest in a recent trend of cannabis companies that have had to reduce costs because of the overly saturated retail cannabis market. Companies in other states, including California and Oregon, have been impacted as well – all while the price of wholesale cannabis flower continues on a steady decline.
Illinois Officials Use Cannabis Tax Revenue to Support Communities Impacted by the War on Drugs
Last week, officials in Illinois announced that $45 million in grant money will be used for community reinvestment. The funds are from tax revenue from the state’s legal cannabis market. Under the legalization law, the state established what they are calling a Restore, Reinvest, and Renew (R3) program. This is the second round of funding that has been made available through the program. It is intended to help communities most negatively impacted by the War on Drugs. The money will go to supporting 148 programs currently operating on small budgets in areas that are socially and economically disadvantaged.
