Welcome to the latest edition of “Last week in Weed,” catching you up on the latest breaking news and industry developments in the world of cannabis.
Here’s what you may have missed over the last week:
New York’s Green Rush Gets Serious
In the Empire State, regulators dropped an annual report that reads like a Shakespearean saga of redemption and bureaucracy. Highlights included the halfway mark in expunging over 400,000 cannabis-related convictions and an influx of 6,934 applications for cultivator, processor, and retail licenses by mid-December. New York is clawing its way toward a billion-dollar cannabis market as monthly sales grew from a humble $2.2 million in January to $18.8 million by November.
The state’s social equity efforts also took a victory lap. Regulators proudly touted a mentorship program that boasted a 97.5% completion rate, with nearly half the participants coming from racially diverse backgrounds. Meanwhile, a “Cannabis Hub” provided pro bono licensing help to over 650 applicants. It’s a bright spot, but let’s not forget the long shadow cast by unlicensed shops still cutting into market equity.
New Jersey: Taking Bold Strides
The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) made waves last week by raising social equity excise fees on large cultivators, redirecting funds to communities harmed by cannabis prohibition. It’s a bold step toward balancing the scales in an industry often dominated by corporate giants. On top of that, regulators approved on-site consumption licenses, opening the door for cannabis lounges across the state. These changes signal New Jersey’s commitment to making its billion-dollar market equitable and inclusive while reshaping how cannabis is consumed legally.
Nevada and the Fight Game
Over in Nevada, where weed is practically a state pastime, the Athletic Commission adopted a rule that will stop penalizing MMA fighters and boxers for marijuana use. A win for athletes tired of ducking archaic drug policies while training for combat sports in the shadow of the Las Vegas Strip.
Snoop’s Smoky Revelation
In the week’s most quintessentially cannabis news, Snoop Dogg admitted he employs a full-time “safety officer” to ensure his smoking partners don’t get too high. This revelation came during a swirl of other industry announcements, but really, who’s surprised? Snoop continues to innovate in ways mere mortals can only aspire to.
Federal Progress? Don’t Hold Your Bong
While state markets thrive, federal cannabis reform remains stuck in purgatory. Lawmakers are still squabbling over banking protections and rescheduling cannabis—a saga that’s beginning to feel like a Cheech & Chong routine that never ends.
