In Connecticut, #adult-use cannabis sales are legalized, following weeks of negotiations between the governor and state lawmakers over details of the legislation. During a special session called specifically to address the marijuana reform after it stalled previously, the proposal passed between both chambers before facing pushback from #democratic #Governor Ned Lamont for an added amendment expanding social #equity eligibility. The controversial provision, which was eventually removed, would have granted social equity privileges like reduced licensing fees not only to residents living in areas most affected by the war on drugs, but also family members of those with past cannabis-related convictions. Lamont argued the qualifications were too broad, and would have applied to too many people to be effective. Under the eventually successful, nearly 300-page #bill, #adults 21 and older will be allowed to possess up to an ounce and a half of #marijuana starting #July 1st. The comprehensive measure also includes a regulatory framework for businesses, a sales #tax rate of approximately 9 percent, consumer protections, and the ability for local jurisdictions to opt out of sales. #Connecticut’s 4 existing #MMJ producers and 18 #dispensaries, some of which are owned by multistate operators like Curaleaf, Green Thumb Industries and #Trulieve, will receive priority #business licensing. The new recreational #cannabis market is projected to reach as much as 725 #million #dollars annually within 4 years of its launch. While an exact date wasn’t included in the legalization legislation, sales are expected to begin as soon as next #May.
In #California, authorities arrest 37 people and seize nearly 250 #million dollars worth of #marijuana in Fresno County. The bust was the result of a week-long investigation dubbed “Operation Sentinel”, involving the local sheriff’s office, DEA, as well as the state’s #fish and #wildlife department, #cannabis #cultivation licensing division and national guard. Following the execution of multiple search warrants, narcotics detectives found and eradicated more than 73,000 #plants weighing almost 32 tons across 75 locations. In addition, they also recovered close to 3,000 pounds of packaged #marijuana, 21 jars of cannabis-infused honey oil, 10 #firearms, a stolen car, and 9,000 dollars in #cash. According to the #Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, most of the illegal grow-ops discovered were run by well-organized drug #trafficking organizations attempting to sell the #cannabis commercially. The 37 arrests included members of #criminal #cartels from #Mexico, #China, and #Cambodia, as well as outlaw #motorcycle #gangs. The state’s marijuana cultivation division, Cal Cannabis, is currently processing fines and penalties for the landowners responsible for the illicit production, which are so far estimated to surpass 5 #million #dollars.
#South of the border, Clever Leaves plans to enter Mexico’s medical #marijuana market through a supply #deal with emerging industry leader CBD Life Holdings. Under the agreement, the #NewYork based multinational cannabis operator will provide active pharmaceutical ingredients for the development and production of CBD Life’s #MMJ products. With initial arrangements to furnish CBD #isolate, #Clever Leaves aims to continue as CBD Life’s ongoing supplier of any other #cannabinoid ingredients, as well. The partnership represents the company’s first #commercial venture in the #Latin #American country, and is expected to facilitate significant growth, as CBD Life’s Mexican distribution network consists of more than 18,000 points-of-sale. While their current portfolio includes #hemp-derived CBD #topicals, #beverages, and supplements, they intend to work with Clever Leaves to develop cannabis-based #pharmaceutical medications. This comes after Mexico released a framework to regulate the nation’s #medical marijuana industry in #January, though sales have yet to begin and only products with less than 1 percent #THC are allowed. Even so, medical cannabis providers like #CBD Life will have a head start in the country’s upcoming recreational marijuana market, which has faced multiple delays since personal possession was ruled unconstitutional in 2018. Once implemented, #Mexico will represent the world’s largest legal #adult-use cannabis market.
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