Ontario Wants to Double the Retail Cannabis Store Cap
The government of the Canadian province of Ontario is looking to make changes to current cannabis regulations to further crack down the illicit cannabis market. One amendment would increase the cap on retail cannabis stores in Ontario from 75 to 150. Officials say this step would combat the illegal marijuana market. CEO of Alberta-based retail marijuana store High Tides Raj Grover told MJBizDaily that they welcome the cap increase as many retail stores that utilize a franchise model have already neared – or even exceeded – the 75-store cap. Ontario also appears to want to amend the Cannabis Licence Act, 2018, and the Cannabis Control Act, 2017, to aid in negotiations with First Nations communities regarding the regulation of marijuana on reserves.
Minnesota Adds Dry Herb Vape Products to MMJ Program
The state health commissioner of Minnesota approved the addition of “fast-acting” dry-herb vape products to the state’s medical marijuana program. Beginning August 1, 2024, medical cannabis dispensaries in the state will be permitted to sell the products. Minnesota’s MMJ program currently has three other consumption options that are fast-acting: combustible smoking, oil-based vaping, and sublingual tinctures. While many supporters of the program consider the addition of dry-herb vaping to be a win, other delivery options such as concentrates and rosin were rejected. Also, while many are hoping to expand the medical marijuana program, the addition of ADHD, anxiety, and opioid use disorder as qualifying conditions were rejected. While regulators are making these changes to the state’s medical marijuana program, officials are also working to launch Minnesota’s recreational cannabis market after the governor signed a bill legalizing adult-use weed in May.
New Legislation in Ohio Would Allow Municipalities to Ban Recreational Cannabis
In November of this year, Ohio voters approved adult-use marijuana for their state. However, Republican Governor Mike DeWine sought to change the bill almost immediately after its passage. Now, a lawmaker in the state introduced legislation to permit individual municipalities to ban cannabis within their borders and impose additional taxes on marijuana products. The bill, known as HB 341, would eliminate two provisions of Ohio’s cannabis legalization law. According to The Enquirer, the intention behind HB 341 is to give more power to municipalities as far as how they want to regulate cannabis within their areas.
