Marijuana Business Magazine February 2020

Marijuana Business Magazine | February 2020 36 Maryland Former state legislator Cheryl Diane Glenn, a leading advocate for legalizing adult-use marijuana sales in the state, is facing federal charges for fraud and bribery, including an allegation that she voted to increase the number of medical cannabis grower and processing licenses available to an unidentified, out-of- state company. Maryland’s medical marijuana program has been plagued by licensing issues, including a situation in September that led state regulators to shelve plans to award an additional four cultivation and 10 processing licenses. Massachusetts State regulators found “impermissible levels of lead” in 13 of more than 100 marijuana vape products tested. Massachusetts’ Cannabis Control Commission tested 109 vape products—mostly to see if they contained vitamin E acetate, an additive linked to the lung illnesses associated with vaping. While none of the products contained vitamin E acetate, a handful had unacceptable levels of lead. Heavy metals such as lead “remain a concern,” according to the commission. Michigan Adult-use marijuana transactions in Michigan reached almost $6.5 million during the first month of legal sales in the state. Recreational sales in Michigan, which kicked off Dec. 1, are expected to grow quickly in 2020 as dozens more adult-use retail stores are licensed. As of Jan. 2, the Michigan Marijuana Reg- ulatory Agency issued 54 recreational cannabis business licenses, including 26 retail permits—that is almost double the number of licenses that had been predicted, according to the agency. Minnesota Regulators are expanding the state’s medical cannabis program to include chronic pain, a move that is expected to substantially boost sales since the condition is typically the leading driver for MMJ recommendations. Age-related macular degeneration also is a condition that for the first time can qualify for treatment. State regulators also announced they would allow more sites where patients can access medical cannabis, which is key for the two financially strug- gling companies that provide MMJ in Minnesota. Missouri State regulators have started issuing licenses for medical cannabis cultivation facilities. The Department of Health and Senior Services will notify applicants which 60 of the 554 medical marijuana cultivation applications have been approved. In other news, The Green Clinics, a medical marijuana business where patients are certified to apply for state MMJ cards, shut down its outlets across Missouri and blamed the state health department for the abrupt closures. Industry Developments | International & State