Marijuana Business Magazine July 2019

Marijuana Business Magazine | July 2019 34 Industry Developments | United States Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds vetoed legislation that would have expanded the state’s medical cannabis market by eliminating the 3% THC potency cap for products. The bill also would have allowed nurse practitioners and physician assistants to recommend MMJ. Louisiana State legislators approved a bill that would allow medical marijuana dispensaries to sell cannabis inhalers to patients. The new, metered delivery method for patients should be a boost to retailers’ bottom lines. Although MMJ is still not available to patients, previous legislation allowed only medicinal oils, pills, liquids and topical applications. Maine After scrapping its $150,000 contract with Florida-based Franwell’s Metrc in March, Maine’s Office of Marijuana Policy announced it plans to deploy BioTrackTHC’s cloud-based software for the state’s recreational seed-to-sale tracking system. BioTrackTHC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Helix TCS. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan signed a provision to legalize the sale of edible medical marijuana products, which likely will provide a substantial revenue boost to MMJ businesses in the fast-growing market. Additionally, research institutions will be allowed to purchase medical cannabis for research. A related antitrust bill states that individuals may own up to four MMJ dispensaries and the state cannot issue more than one growing or processing license to each applicant. Massachusetts The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission approved a working group’s recommendations that the state should further explore licensing social MJ consumption sites. The recommendations allow for a test of social consumption sites in 12 volunteer communities. Data collected during the trial period will determine if—and when—social consumption sites would be allowed elsewhere in Massachusetts. The Legislature must also provide at least tacit approval for the plan.