This Week in Cannabis News | Friday, October 6, 2023

Welcome to This Week in Cannabis News for Friday, October 6, 2023. Watch the full episode which originally streamed through Dutchie's LinkedIn page:

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New York’s General Application Licensing Begins

On October 4th, the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) expanded the number of available retail and processing licenses for cannabis. Specifically, they opened a 60-day application window for cultivators, processors, distributors, microbusinesses, and (of course) retailers. 

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Almost immediately after the applications were put online, Dutchie hosted a live stream with Kaelan Castetter of Castetter Cannabis Group and Dutchie’s Anne Forkutza to get their first reactions to the application. Watch the on demand live stream. 

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Florida Legal Battle Continues on Initiative

The Florida Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on November 8 regarding the state's proposed cannabis legalization ballot initiative. The challenge to this initiative is spearheaded by Attorney General Ashley Moody, who alleges that the measure is misleading to voters. Moody contends that the proposal isn’t legal since cannabis possession remains illegal under federal law. Smart and Safe Florida, the initiative's sponsor, dismisses Moody's claims as a thinly veiled policy agenda.

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Hawaii Makes History

A Hawaii-based cannabis producer and dispensary operator, Big Island Grown (BIG), recently achieved a significant milestone by conducting the first legal inter-island transfer of medical cannabis.

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City’s Approach in Minnesota

Officials in Cook County, Minnesota are contemplating the establishment of a municipally owned cannabis dispensary to introduce a new revenue stream for the county government. The county already oversees a municipal liquor store, and the proposed cannabis dispensary would operate under a similar framework.

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Cannabis Expert | Frederika Easley, The People's Ecosystem

For this week’s Cannabis Expert, we sat down with Frederika Easley from The People’s Ecosystem. She shares her insight into why Rescheduling - which is the recommendation from the US Department of Health and Human Services - at the federal level would be important for The People’s Ecosystem.

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As always, join us next Friday at Noon Eastern/9 AM Pacific on Dutchie’s LinkedIn page.

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