Marijuana Business Magazine

New Mexico An Albuquerque medical marijuana dispensary had visions of advertising on the sides of buses, but local transit authorities rejected the ads, citing concerns about federal law and grant funding. The Ultra Health dispen- sary sought to place ads on the vehicles featuring photos of people of various ages and ethnic groups as well as the slogan “Your Health. Our Commitment.” The city’s legal department, however, said any marijuana-related ads displayed by the Transit Department are prohibited by federal law, regardless of New Mexico’s MMJ laws. Oregon Oregon’s secretary of state plans to audit the recrea- tional marijuana regulatory agency and how the program enforces cannabis rules. The audit announcement preceded a visit to Oregon by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who wrote to Gov. Kate Brown this summer expressing concerns the state has been unsuccessful in slowing its black market. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission – which manages the state’s recreational marijuana program – also was audited earlier this year by an outside group. New York The state is opening its ramped-up hemp program with a call for new growers and an offer of up to $10 million in grant funding. The grants come in two categories: $5 million will fund industrial hemp research, including nearly $1 million in partnerships with Cornell Univer- sity and Morrisville State College; $5 million will go to economic development opportunities for industrial hemp businesses. Ohio A second college in the state has put its name on the list to test medical marijuana. Central State University – a historically black college in Wilberforce – has joined Hocking College in Nelsonville in applying for a permit to test cannabis for the state’s developing program. Regula- tors gave Ohio’s public colleges and universities first crack at cannabis testing permits when it rolled out rules for the program last year, but few have shown interest. Pennsylvania Regulators approved two medical marijuana testing labs, marking another milestone for the state on its way toward rolling out a new MMJ program. Michigan-based ACT Labo- ratories and Pennsylvania-based Keystone State Testing received two-year licenses. Both labs are in the final stages of building out their operations and were hoping to be up and running by late October or early November. That would put them in position to start testing as soon as the state’s MMJ cultivators are ready to submit samples. Vermont A state commission formed to study the ramifications of legalizing recreational marijuana met for the first time and laid out challenges Vermont would face. According to state officials, the Marijuana Advisory Committee won’t debate whether the state should legalize marijuana, but rather will determine the practical challenges associated with adult use, including the best way to regulate and tax a recrea- tional industry, any public health concerns and highway safety. Three subcommittees will tackle the issues. 32 • Marijuana Business Magazine • November / December 2017