Tag: Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Senate Passes Bill Letting Medical Marijuana Growers Sell Directly To Patients, With House Considering Home Cultivation Amendment

September 21, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

The Pennsylvania Senate has overwhelmingly approved a bill to allow all licensed medical marijuana grower-processors in the state to sell their cannabis products directly to patients—and there’s talk of potentially expanding the legislation in the House to allow for personal home cultivation as well. In a 44-3 vote on Wednesday, the Republican-controlled Senate advanced the measure from Sen. Chris Gebhard (R), who first previewed plans to file the reform bill late last year. Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana law currently says that only… Read more.

Allen Iverson to Introduce Viola to Philadelphia This Weekend

September 2, 2023 · Green Market Report

Viola is coming to Pennsylvania. The city of brotherly love will welcome former NBA stars Al Harrington, who is Viola’s CEO, and Allen Iverson on Saturday, Sept. 2 for the launch of their cannabis strain “Iverson ’01.” The launch event is part of Viola’s introduction to the state market and will be held at Green Thumb Industry’s new Northeast Philadelphia RISE dispensary location. Having Iverson as a business partner in New Jersey and now Pennsylvania has created an “unbelievable turnout,”… Read more.

Judge orders former Wrigley-connected medical marijuana company dissolved

August 29, 2023 · MJ Biz Daily

A Pennsylvania judge has ordered the dissolution of a heavily indebted, state-licensed medical marijuana company that was once part of former chewing-gum magnate William “Beau” Wrigley Jr.’s fledgling cannabis empire. Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Judge Christine Ward issued the dissolution of Goodblend Pennsylvania on Aug. 21, according to Green Market Report. The judge’s order, first reported by Law360, is the latest marijuana-sector setback for Wrigley and his former company. Wrigley took over as the CEO of Florida-based cannabis company Surterra Wellness in 2018. Rebranded… Read more.

Pennsylvania Vape Shop Sues County After Hemp-Derived Cannabis Products Seized Without Warrant

August 25, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

A Lancaster, Pennsylvania vape shop is suing the district attorney and other law enforcement officials claiming they searched the business without a warrant and seized legal hemp-derived THC products, FOX43 reports. The lawsuit by Smooth Vape, LLC names District Attorney Heather Adams, a lieutenant with the Lancaster County Drug Task Force (LCDTF), three unnamed members of the LCDTF, and Lancaster County itself.  The lawsuit alleges that Adams ordered the LCDTF to carry out raids on smoke shops and vape shops and that… Read more.

Cannabis offers cues when it’s time to harvest – along with historical data and testing

August 10, 2023 · MJ Biz Daily

Nic Robertson, vice president of operations in Massachusetts for 4Front Ventures, said commercial growers have moved away from eyeballing the color of trichomes and squeezing buds to gauge moisture content in favor of scientific methods to evaluate when cannabis flower has reached an optimal point for harvest. “Over the last seven or eight years, I have been proven wrong by my aesthetic view of how mature I think that plant is at that time,” Robertson said. “Getting those test results… Read more.

Fetterman Shows Support For Wiz Khalifa As Rapper Gets ‘Stoned AF’ On Marijuana And Psilocybin To Throw Opening Pitch At MLB Game

July 21, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) tacitly endorsed rapper Wiz Khalifa’s plan to get “stoned af” on marijuana before throwing the ceremonial first pitch at a Pittsburgh Pirates game this week. But the artist’s plans apparently involved cannabis and psilocybin mushrooms. Khalifa first said that he planned to get high before the game on Monday, and Fetterman quoted the tweet with a photo of him holding up his flag that says “It’s 420 Somewhere.” The senator has been known to use flags to promote his… Read more.

Cannabis Legalization Bill Introduced in Pennsylvania

July 11, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

A bill to legalize cannabis for adults was introduced in Pennsylvania last week. The bipartisan legislation would legalize cannabis possession and retail sales and includes expungement provisions for nonviolent cannabis criminal charges.  The measure was introduced in the Senate by Democratic Sen. Sharif Street and Republican Sen. Dan Laughlin.  In a press release, Street described the bill as a “singular opportunity to correct decades of mass incarceration, disproportionate enforcement against marginalized communities, the criminalization of personal choice, and the perpetuation of violence.”  “Legalizing the adult… Read more.

Pennsylvania Committee Advances Expansion to State Medical Cannabis Program

July 8, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

The Pennsylvania Senate Law & Justice Committee has approved a measure that would allow physicians to certify patients for the state’s medical cannabis program for any condition they deem suitable, Pennlive reports. The measure will next move to the full Senate for consideration.  The bill would effectively eliminate the state’s list of 24 qualifying conditions, and leave the decision to doctors and their patients. The legislation would also end the expiration date for medical cannabis cards.  Committee Chairman Mike Regan (R), who sponsored the… Read more.

Bipartisan Pennsylvania Senators Unveil New Marijuana Legalization Bill

July 7, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

Bipartisan Pennsylvania senators have officially introduced a new bill to legalize marijuana in the state. Sens. Dan Laughlin (R) and Sharif Street (D) filed the legislation on Thursday, about two months after first announcing their plans to team up on a reform push again after their joint cannabis efforts in prior sessions. “Legalized adult use of marijuana is supported by an overwhelming majority of Pennsylvanians and this legislation accomplishes that while also ensuring safety and social equity,” Laughlin said in a press… Read more.

Pennsylvania Awards More Than $390K in Grants for Hemp Industry Awareness Projects

June 21, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

Pennsylvania on Sunday awarded $392,265 in grants to three agriculture non-profits to fund fiber and food hemp market awareness in the state. Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said the grants will “feed the growth of an industry that was once a staple of Pennsylvania’s economy and is once again growing opportunities for new businesses, farm income, jobs, and climate-smart, environmentally sound products.”  Vytal Plant Science Research received the largest grant – $315,765 – to introduce a STEM curriculum to high schools and… Read more.

The Women of Color Cannabis Business and Wellness Experience

June 20, 2023 · Cannabis Now

In an effort to further diversify the cannabis market and welcome more women of color, Sheena Roberson, founder of Cannabis Noire, is hosting the inaugural Women of Color Cannabis Business and Wellness Experience: “High-er,” taking place June 24-25 at the StoryFactory and Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. The conference aims to create a secure and supportive environment where Black and brown women can amplify their voices, gain valuable insights and forge new opportunities. The event draws women from all corners… Read more.

Pennsylvania Awards Nearly $400,000 To Support Hemp Industry And Teach Students About The Crop’s ‘Many Uses’

June 20, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

Pennsylvania’s agriculture secretary announced on Thursday that the state will be distributing $392,265 in matched funding to promote the hemp market—including by creating a curriculum to teach high school and college students about the “many uses” of the cannabis plant. The bulk of the grant funds ($315,765) will support the student initiative, with money being used to create a STEM curriculum “to effectively engage in industrial hemp production, management, and cultivation by promoting and marketing industrial hemp for its many… Read more.

Pennsylvania Bill Would Protect Cannabis Patients from DUI Just for Testing Positive for Cannabis

May 23, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

A bill proposed in the Pennsylvania House last week would protect medical cannabis patients from being charged with driving under the influence charges simply for testing positive for THC, Capitol Wire reports. The measure only covers Pennsylvania-registered medical cannabis patients and does not protect drivers who ate impaired by cannabis whether they are medical cannabis patients or not.  In a cosponsor memo, state Reps Chris Rabb (D) and Aaron Kaufer (R), said medical cannabis patients “regularly” contact their offices “concerned that state… Read more.

2 Minutes With … Holly Teegarden, Founder of Moodporium & Cannamood Apparel

April 20, 2023 · Muse by CLIO

On starting over and pivoting toward passion Holly is on a mission to change the representation of women, particularly over the age of 30, within the cannabis industry. Four years ago, she started Moodporium, a hemp dispensary in Pittsburgh that ships across the country. In 2022, Holly discovered that the cannabis merchandising sector didn't have apparel that spoke to her middle-aged, low-key self and cannabis lifestyle. She asked around, and others agreed. So, Cannamood Apparel was born. Now, Holly collaborates with female artists to create clothes… Read more.

Where’s Snoop’s BIC EZ Reach Lighter? Where’s Willie Nelson?

April 20, 2023 · Muse by CLIO

Add Martha Stewart and it's cannabis celebrity overload When Snoop Dogg's BIC EZ Reach lighter and Martha Stewart's favorite scented candle go missing, who's your prime suspect? Spoiler: It's Willie Nelson! BIC launched its first official campaign for 4/20, although we all know this brand leans heavily into the market and embraces the many uses for its popular lighter. When Snoop's unable to find his fave lighter, he video calls Willie, to find the beloved octogenarian denying knowledge of its… Read more.

The Best Dispensaries for Legal Weed in Philadelphia

April 18, 2023 · Thrillist

Ever since medical marijuana was legalized in Pennsylvania in 2016—and first became available in the state two years later—dispensaries have popped up all throughout the city. From local outposts of national chains to independent shops selling CBD products, there’s a little something for everyone, from flower to lotions. Even with 4/20 soon approaching, keep in mind that marijuana for recreational use is not legal in Pennsylvania—just medical marijuana. So in order to purchase items containing THC, you need a medical marijuana… Read more.

Liquor Stores to Start Selling Cannabis? – The Future Endgame for Weed May Be Playing Out in Pennsylvania

March 31, 2023 · Cannabis.net

Pennsylvania legislators have developed three distinct proposals to achieve multiple objectives: legalizing recreational cannabis, delivering social justice to individuals with minor cannabis convictions, and maximizing the economic benefits of a billion-dollar industry. Their innovative plans will cater to various needs and objectives while paving the way for a more equitable and prosperous future. In a groundbreaking move, two co-sponsorship memos are currently making the rounds in both the House and Senate. The memos, backed by State Senator Marty Flynn of… Read more.

Pennsylvania Adult-Use Bill Would Put Retail Cannabis in Liquor Stores

March 27, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

A bill proposed in Pennsylvania would legalize cannabis for adults and sell cannabis products through the state’s liquor store system, Erie Now News reports. The measure would also expunge low-level cannabis convictions and allow individuals to grow up to six cannabis plants.  State Sen. Dan Laughlin (R) told Erie New Now that while he supports broad cannabis legalization, he does not support the proposal to sell it through the liquor store system.  Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro is including legalizing and taxing adult-use cannabis in the 2023-2024 executive budget. If… Read more.

Worker’s Comp Paying for Medical Marijuana? – Court Rules Insurers Can Reimburse Injured Workers for Weed Costs

March 23, 2023 · Cannabis.net

The Pennsylvania Appellate Court made a groundbreaking ruling, allowing workers' compensation laws to cover medical cannabis expenses. Paul Sheetz, the deceased plaintiff, treated his chronic pain with medical cannabis after a work injury in 1977. He also used cannabis to wean off prescribed opioids. The defendant, Firestone, argued that reimbursing medical cannabis costs would violate federal law, but the court disagreed. The court ruled that insurers are not recommending cannabis, so it is not a federal crime. This decision benefits those who… Read more.

Court Rules Insurers May Reimburse Injured Workers for Medical Cannabis

March 20, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

A Pennsylvania appeals court last Friday ruled that the state’s medical cannabis law does not prohibit insurers from reimbursing injured workers for medical cannabis in cases where it is used to treat accepted work-related injuries, according to a Business Insurance report. The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court decision found that the state’s Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board erred when it upheld a decision by Firestone Tire & Rubber to deny reimbursement for the cost of an employee’s medical cannabis.  The claimant, Paul Sheetz, who is now deceased, used medical cannabis… Read more.

Which States Could Expand Cannabis Legalization in 2023?

March 15, 2023 · MG Magazine

Oklahoma voters rejected a ballot initiative to legalize cannabis for adult use during a special election this month by a margin of 62 percent, surprising many advocates who saw the popularity of the state’s medical market as a promising sign for adult-use expansion. Ultimately, the state’s medical program proved to be good enough for a majority of voters outside Oklahoma City and Tulsa. But the push to expand domestic cannabis legalization in 2023 is far from over. “For 2024, we’ve calculated Virginia,… Read more.

Pa. lawmakers propose legalizing marijuana, selling it through state liquor stores

March 5, 2023 · Yahoo!News

Three separate proposals are planned by Pennsylvania lawmakers seeking to legalize recreational marijuana, provide social justice to those with low-level marijuana convictions and reap the tax benefits from a potential billion-dollar industry. Two co-sponsorship memos circulating in the House and Senate propose selling marijuana in state-owned liquor stores, restricting possession and use to adults at least 21 years of age. The memos respectively filed by state Rep. David Delloso, D-Delaware, and state Sen. Marty Flynn, D-Lackawanna/Lehigh, would also permit Pennsylvanians… Read more.

Pennsylvania GOP Senator Pushes State Police To Reconsider Gun Restrictions For Marijuana Consumers

February 27, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

A Republican state senator in Pennsylvania is calling on law enforcement to take steps to protect the gun rights of marijuana  consumers, particularly medical cannabis patients—pointing to a federal judge’s recent ruling that the U.S. government’s ban on gun ownership by people who use marijuana is unconstitutional. Sen. Dan Laughlin (R), in a letter to the acting commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, noted that the commonwealth currently prohibits people from obtaining a license to carry firearms if they acknowledge being… Read more.