Florida Cannabis Company Seeks Court Appeal After Plans for Dispensaries Near Convenience Stores Denied

Tallahassee, Fla. — Florida-based Green Thumb Industries is gearing up for another legal battle, continuing its push to set up marijuana dispensaries next to Circle K convenience stores across the state, despite a recent legal setback. The cannabis company, known as GTI, operates Rise dispensaries in Florida and has indicated plans to pursue an appeal with the 1st District Court of Appeal following a decision that went against them earlier this month. In a defiant move, GTI filed their notice of appeal last Thursday, challenging the ruling issued by Administrative Law Judge Joshua Pratt on … Read more

Sacramento Gears Up for New Era: Cannabis Lounges Set to Transform Local Social Scene

Sacramento, Calif. — As California welcomes 2023, cannabis aficionados across the state are buzzing with excitement over a significant development in marijuana legislation that is poised to spur economic activity in the region. Following the recent legalization of cannabis consumption lounges, akin to the cafes seen in Amsterdam, Sacramento dispensaries are gearing up to embrace these changes. These lounges will not only allow the use of cannabis but also the serving of food and beverages, and even live music entertainment, thereby broadening the scope for business opportunities. Maisha Bahati, CEO of Crystal Nugs located in … Read more

High Stakes: Court Rules on Workplace Cannabis Protections, Leaving Employees in a Haze

Philadelphia, PA – As more U.S. states legalize cannabis, employers nationwide face new legal challenges in maintaining drug-free workplaces. This evolving landscape raises critical questions about employment rights and employer obligations. Recent legal decisions indicate that state-provided protections for employees using cannabis might not be as robust as initially thought. This perspective was notably supported by a decision from the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of Zanetich v. Wal-Mart Stores East, et al. The court’s ruling highlights a significant gap in employee protection under state statutes that lack explicit remedial provisions for … Read more

New York Cannabis Industry Stalls: Judge Halts License Processing Amid Legal Challenges

Albany, N.Y. — A recent legal decree has put a halt to the processing of business applications for New York’s adult-use cannabis program, further complicating a system already plagued by challenges. This decision stems from a lawsuit that accuses state regulators of flouting statutory mandates in the licensing process. Earlier this year, four companies — Organic Blooms LLC, Niagra Nugget LLC, Blackmark LLC, and Windward Management LLC — initiated legal action against the New York Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). They allege that the office improperly permitted potential cannabis retailers to apply for licenses without … Read more