Cannabis News

Alabama Regulators Approve Hemp Product Rule Despite Opposition From Key Lawmaker

Published

4 months ago

December 20, 2025

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“The enabling legislation does not provide for any responsible hemp consumable products program.”

By Anna Barrett, Alabama Reflector

Alabama’s Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board on Thursday approved an emergency temporary rule governing the sale of consumable hemp products, against a state representative who sponsored the law pushing for the regulation.

The rule creates the Responsible Hemp Consumer Product Program and establishes warnings and fees for violations of the rule.

David Peacock, general counsel of the ABC Board, told board members that for the first violation of the rule, retailers would receive a warning and distributors would be fined $1,000 on the first offense for selling a product not approved by the board.

“If the distributor were to purchase a product from a supplier that was a second time infringer, they would not be able to use that supplier unless they provide us with a corrective action plan that we accept,” Peacock said.

Peacock did not say which products would be banned or allowed, but there would be a list of products posted on the ABC Council website.

Peacock said the rule is required under HB 445, which passed the Legislature this spring from Rep. Andy Whitt, R-Harvest. The law that will enter into force on January 1 Requires testing and labeling of all THC consumable hemp products and caps 10 milligrams per individually wrapped product and 40 milligrams per package.

Additionally, the ABC Board requires licensing of retailers of these products; restrict retail establishments that sell hemp products and impose an excise tax on consumable hemp products. In October, the ABC Board approved a rule to implement the law.

The emergency rule was approved 2-1 with former state representative John Knight, a board member, voting against.

“I’m only against it because I have a problem with the way it’s done,” Knight said.

Whitt, who did not attend Thursday’s meeting, sent a letter to the commission on Wednesday stating his opposition to the emergency rule.

“Besides the concern about the failure to comply with the statutory guidelines for emergency regulations, there are other areas in the proposal that I am concerned about,” the letter said. “Nowhere in the enabling legislation does it provide for a responsible hemp product program, such as that authorized by Alabama Code Section 28-10-4 in connection with alcoholic beverages. Therefore, this proposed regulation appears to go beyond statutory authority.”

Whitt said in an interview Thursday afternoon that he had a good relationship with management, but reiterated his opposition to the rule.

“I think when it comes to emergency rulings, maybe it serves a different purpose than what’s transparent, maybe a stand-alone group,” he said. “I want to make sure it’s not and that the legislative process works.”

Curtis Stewart, the commission’s administrator, explained that the intent of the rule is to protect merchants.

“I think it’s important to remember that this rule doesn’t penalize, it doesn’t make anything more difficult for anybody. In fact, it gives the innocent, if you will, the merchant, a way to say, ‘Look, I tried my best to provide quality products,'” Stewart said.

Donna Alexander, executive director of the Alabama Wholesale Beer Association, spoke against the rule at the meeting.

“This emergency rule does not comply with the law passed by the Legislature sponsored by Rep. Andy Whitt,” Alexander said in an interview after the meeting.

Whitt wrote in his letter that the rule had more serious implications than the original bill.

“The penalties for violations of the proposed Emergency Rule do not match those found in the protected statute, but start at a lower level. Again, this is a serious concern,” Whitt wrote.

The rule will expire on April 16. The process for adopting the permanent version of the rule passed the board unanimously. The permanent version will be available for public comments and changes before final voting and implementation.

Melissa Morrissette, a board member, said the emergency rule was needed to protect retailers and consumers until the process for a permanent rule can take place.

“After Jan. 1, you have this window of time that’s like the Wild West,” Morrissett said.

Whitt said he doesn’t anticipate repeal legislation during the 2026 legislative session, which begins Jan. 13.

This story was first published by the Alabama Reflector.

Max Jackson’s photo.

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Cannabis News

Cannabis growth facility eyes new spot for growth facility near Crisfield

Published

12 hours ago

May 1, 2026

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The Somerset County Board of Zoning Appeals approved another special exception for a cannabis-growing facility after negotiations to purchase a previous location failed to reach an agreement.

Trilogy Group LLC was granted a license to grow by the Maryland Cannabis Association, with the condition that the business be operational by July 2026. Trilogy Group wants to operate on the county-owned, undeveloped industrial site on Revell’s Neck Road in Westover. However, this project time frame does not coincide with the license term.

In September 2025, the producer was approved for a special exception for a facility at 4630 Crisfield Highway. The existing building houses Jed’s Auto Refinishing, which would be renovated to accommodate the growing operations. When the sale of that property ultimately failed, Trilogy Group purchased the land at 4381 Crisfield Highway and obtained another special exemption.

Jesse Drewer, Somerset’s Director of Technical and Community Services, said: “They looked for a site they already owned before coming to us and working through the process. “They are landlords and developers all in one.”

Cannabis News

Trump’s New Surgeon General Pick Said Using Marijuana Can Give You ‘Man Boobs’

Published

12 hours ago

May 1, 2026

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President Donald Trump’s new surgeon general nominee has raised concerns about marijuana, at one point saying its use is linked to the development of large breasts, or “man boobs,” in men. However, he also admitted that medical cannabis has “potential benefits”.

Trump announced Thursday that he would tap Nicole Saphier, who is now the director of breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering, to be the surgeon general of the United States.

Saphier has repeatedly discussed what he sees as the dangers of marijuana use, and has been more open to the potential benefits of its non-intoxicating ingredient CBD.

“There is a common misconception that marijuana is safer than alcohol and other drugs,” he wrote on Fox News in 2019. “As a doctor I know that marijuana is not harmless and can have serious adverse effects on the health of users.”

“And as a mother of three (one in college), I’m concerned that legalizing the drug for adults sends a clear message to kids that they can get pot without negative health effects,” she said.

Saphier went on to criticize the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates who supported marijuana reform, saying it’s “politically a popular cause, especially among young voters.”

“These candidates are more interested in how legalization of pot will affect their electoral prospects than how legalization will affect public health,” he said. he wrote.

Among the health concerns he has raised is that cannabis use is “directly linked” to “man boobs”.

“Physically, we know that marijuana is directly linked to respiratory problems (if smoked), cardiovascular disease, and gynecomastia (“man nipples”). As a breast radiologist, the first question I ask men when they come in for breast augmentation is whether they currently smoke marijuana or have smoked it in the past. Often, the answer is “yes.”

Trump’s appointment of Saphier comes just as his administration is moving forward with federal rescheduling of marijuana.

Although the surgeon general has no formal involvement in the drug program, which is administered by the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services, the position is seen as “America’s doctor” and plays a role in addressing health issues on behalf of the government.

In a podcast earlier this year, Saphier admitted that there are “potential benefits” to medical cannabis.

“Of course, there is evidence supporting cannabinoids for chemotherapy-induced nausea, certain seizure disorders, chronic pain syndromes, multiple sclerosis,” he said. “But that’s very different than, you know, the general normalization of high-potency recreational cannabis on a daily basis, especially in developing brains, which doesn’t happen until age 25.”

In the same podcast, he said that he personally “doesn’t like” and has “never tried” cannabis.

“I think CBD products are probably significantly less harmful if they don’t have THC. I’m not a fan of THC,” Saphier. he said. “I think if people are trying to get away from alcohol and want to take low doses of CBD, not inhale it, not smoke it, I’m sure it’s probably less risky than some of the other things out there.”

“Let’s be honest, today’s cannabis is not your parents’ marijuana. The potency of THC has increased dramatically over the last two decades. High-concentrate products, vapes, dabs, edibles, what the kids are doing these days, I don’t even know.”

In another interview focused on concerns about cannabis use by pregnant women, Saphier he said “As we continue to legalize marijuana, people are equating that to, ‘it has to be safe.'”

In a separate interview, he suggested that the legalization of cannabis is increasing its use among young people, which he said increases rates of addiction and psychosis.

“One in six children who try it, becomes addicted. Cannabis use in children, the risk of psychosis is four times higher,” he said. “What have we done? Legalize. Normalize.”

Trump’s predecessor, now retired Candidate Casey Means discussed his “significant experiences” with psychedelics beforehand Saying that marijuana “can greatly decrease your ability to generate good energy.”

Means himself said during a confirmation hearing in February he would not advise Americans to experiment with psychedelics as he has donebut noted that there is “exciting” research indicating that substances such as psilocybin can effectively treat serious mental health conditions.

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Cannabis News

Missouri cannabis growers file class action against Good Day Farm

Published

1 day ago

April 30, 2026

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CPC of Missouri-Smithville, LLC and GF Saint Mary LLC, licensed cannabis growers and manufacturers in Missouri, filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Jackson County on behalf of independent wholesalers, alleging that Good Day Farm (GDF) and its network of conspiring companies and investors were harmed by an intentional, coordinated and unconstitutional scheme. The complaint alleges that the “GDF Cartel” illegally controls or manages the state’s share of dispensary licenses and uses that market power to manipulate Missouri’s $1.52 billion cannabis market for its own profit.

GDF and its co-conspirators allegedly built the cartel by arranging for third parties to invest in limited liability companies (LLCs) that then acquire additional dispensaries, cultivation and processing facilities, all of which are owned, operated or controlled by GDF. The result: The alleged cartel exercises effective control over at least 61 dispensaries, nearly triple the 22 allowed by the Missouri Constitution, with more than 10% of dispensary licenses “under substantially common control, ownership or management.” With 224 dispensaries currently licensed statewide, the alleged GDF Cartel controls more than one in four dispensary licenses in Missouri. But its influence is even greater, with alleged Cartel dispensaries accounting for more than 40% of wholesale cannabis in the state, giving it significant — and illegal — influence over all independent growers and manufacturers forced to sell through its network.

To avoid the Missouri Constitution’s 10% licensing limit and avoid regulatory oversight, the alleged cartel operates under five different brand names:

Good Day Farm (21 dispensaries),
CODES (20 dispensaries),
Green light (10 dispensaries),
Fresh Karma (6 dispensaries), and
3 Fifteen Primo (4 medications).

But they’re all part of a single, coordinated operation, the complaint says.

Purchase cannabis products from non-Cartel wholesalers at artificially depressed prices;
They supply their 61 dispensaries with the same products—mainly those produced by Cartel growers—significantly excluding products from independent wholesalers;
Force independent drug wholesalers to purchase the Cartel’s finished products as a condition for their wholesale products to be placed on the Cartel’s drug store shelves; and
Boycott non-cartel wholesalers who refuse to agree to anti-cartel demands.

Bob Hoffman, one of the attorneys leading the case, said: “The GDF Cartel is removing competition from the wholesale cannabis market and enriching itself with illegal profits through a counterproductive, clandestine business conspiracy. Missouri growers and manufacturers have been suffering under this scheme for a long time; many of them know something is wrong, but we don’t realize how the cartel has manipulated the market through this manipulation framework. Missourians to approve recreational cannabis in 2022 They voted for a fair and competitive market. Missouri licensed cannabis businesses that have suffered these practices should join us because they may be entitled to substantial damages.”

The complaint alleges the financial toll the Cartel has taken: Since the Cartel began illegal price-fixing, it has used its collective market power to lower wholesale prices by more than 20%, and continues to squeeze wholesalers and threaten the viability of their operations.

The unconstitutional complaint alleges that GDF knew its plan to build cartels could create legal risks for the company under the Constitution’s 10% licensing limit. The complaint quotes from a document provided by GDF to potential investors: “There can be no assurance that the Missouri Department of Cannabis Regulation will not dispute the number of marijuana dispensaries operated or supervised by the operator or its affiliates…”.

This action is brought on behalf of a putative class that includes all licensed independent wholesalers in Missouri that are not members of the alleged GDF Cartel for purposes of injunctive relief. Wholesalers who believe they have been financially harmed by the alleged Cartel’s practices should join the case because they may be entitled to substantial damages. The putative class is represented by the law firms of Feuerstein Kulick LLP and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP.

Source: Feuerstein Kulick LLP and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP