Farmers

New York Cannabis Farmers Sue State, Claiming Market Regulations Favor Illegal Operators Over Small Growers

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Syracuse, N.Y. – A coalition of New York cannabis farmers has initiated legal proceedings against the state’s Office of Cannabis Management and the Cannabis Control Board, alleging that the current regulatory framework has grossly disadvantaged local growers, leaving them to contend with severe financial hardships. This lawsuit, lodged in Onondaga County Court, underscores the growers’ claims that state officials have disregarded laws designed to safeguard smaller agricultural operations in the burgeoning market. Represented by the Cannabis Farmers Alliance, approximately 120 farmers across the state, including around 25 from Western New York, attest that the rollout … Read more

New York Cannabis Farmers Sue State Agency, Claiming Bias and Financial Hardship in Licensing Rollout

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ALBANY, N.Y. — In New York, a coalition of small cannabis farmers has initiated a lawsuit against the state’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), claiming that the agency’s approach to rolling out recreational cannabis is compromising their livelihoods. The lawsuit, which was lodged in Onondaga County Supreme Court this Monday, underscores a crisis in the nascent industry where promises of fairness seem unfulfilled. The group, identified as the Cannabis Farmers Alliance, argues that OCM has failed to adhere to legislative guidelines meant to create an equitable playing field, thereby placing small-scale owners at a disadvantage. … Read more

African Coffee Farmers Face Uncertainty as European Market Demand Declines

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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – African smallholder coffee farmers are facing a potential loss of income due to new mandatory rules established by the European Union (EU). The rules, implemented in 2023, aim to prevent the importation of commodities, such as coffee, palm oil, and cocoa, that originate from deforested land or involve labor and/or human rights abuses. To avoid heavy fines, companies must prove compliance by the end of 2024. Tsegaye Anebo, the general manager of Ethiopia’s Sidama Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union, expressed concern over the impact of the new EU regulations. He stated that … Read more

Nine Years in the Making: Farmers’ Lawsuit Finally Goes to Trial

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Brownstown, Indiana – After a nine-year wait, a bench trial in a civil lawsuit between two Bartholomew County farmers finally began this week. The plaintiff, Chad Sims, filed the litigation in 2015 against defendant Gregory W. Daily and his business, Daily Feed and Grain. The trial is being presided over by Jackson Superior Court AmyMarie Travis. The legal battle has faced numerous delays and changes in judges and attorneys over the years. These transitions have required additional time for newcomers to familiarize themselves with the case. Complicating matters further, the lawsuit involves multiple legal agreements, … Read more