California Marijuana Cultivator Fined Over $300K
Cannabis regulators in Humboldt County fined a cannabis cultivator over $300,000. The North Coast Regional Water Control Board fined Szagora for not cleaning up runoff into tributaries of the Mad River. The board said the cultivator did not comply with an enforcement order to keep an access road available to protect water quality. The initial fine amount was 40 percent less, however, after company officials did not appear at a public hearing the board raised the amount of the fine. In addition to paying the fine, Szagora must correct the issue by fixing the road and creating stream crossings.
NJ Lawmaker Files Bill to Allow for Interstate Cannabis Commerce
New Jersey Senate President Nicholas Scutari filed a bill that would open the door for the state to participate in interstate marijuana commerce. The legislation would permit the governor to enter into agreements with other states that have legal cannabis markets. But, the agreements would only go into effect if there is a change in federal law or the Justice Department provides some directives for participating in such activity. As more states in the Northeast launch their adult-use cannabis programs, the hope is that such a bill would help connect the patchwork of state-legal markets and potentially help with supply and demand issues.
Colorado State Regulators Say Cannabis Shops Are 98 Percent Compliant With Checking IDs
According to state officials, Colorado marijuana retailers are 98 percent compliant with ID checking. As in many other states with legal cannabis markets, Colorado regulators have used undercover operatives to ensure that retailers are asking for ID to verify that patrons are at least 21 years of age before allowing them to purchase cannabis products. According to the data, state officials have performed 190 compliance checks thus far in 2022 and only four failed to require ID. The dispensaries that failed to verify IDs were not disclosed. But, the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) issued a bulletin reminding businesses that failure to comply with the law and check IDs will result in fines of up to $100,000 and possible license loss. MED also reminded retailers to be aware of the necessary steps if they suspect that an individual is providing fraudulent identification or an employee is not complying with the law.
