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Missouri Marijuana Businesses Fined For Bringing Clones Across State Lines In Violation Of Rules

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3 months ago

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“Some licensees believed they were allowed to bring in clones or tissue cultures and seeds on an ongoing basis.”

By Rebecca Rivas, Missouri Independent

At least seven Missouri marijuana growers have been fined in the past year for violating what’s known in the industry as the “immaculate origination rule.”

Marijuana cannot cross state lines because it is still illegal, and state law dictates that all marijuana must be grown within the state.

However, a year passes when a licensee passes an initial inspection when the state essentially turns a blind eye and puts its hands over its ears to how a cultivation facility begins its inventory.

It’s called the clean conception rule, and last year six facilities were fined $500,000 for breaking it.

A spokeswoman for Missouri’s Division of Cannabis Regulation said regulators “found that some licensees believed they were permitted to bring in clones or tissue cultures as well as seeds on an ongoing basis. However, this practice violates the seed sales tracking regulations.”

To keep up with customer preferences and demand, these companies brought in clones or starter plants and tissue cultures, a form of in vitro propagation, of popular plant varieties from other states.

“In lieu of penalties or other enforcement actions, these violations were settled for amounts ranging from $50,000 to $500,000, depending on the situation,” said Lisa Cox, a spokeswoman for the Missouri Department of Health and Aging Services, which oversees the cannabis regulatory division.

Licensees who have seen the largest fines are major players in other states, including the companies behind Good Day Farm and High Profile.

The combined fee for the four cultivation licenses representing Good Day Farm and Codes, shared management, was $347,495. Facilities are located in Columbia, Carrollton and Chaffee.

For High Profile, it was $500,000 at its O’Fallon cultivation facility.

Two smaller growers also saw fines of $20,000 and $50,000.

None of the licensees fined by the state returned The Independent’s request for comment.

‘mother plant’

Missouri cultivation facilities are approved to grow marijuana plants, and the harvest is sent to a manufacturing facility, which is then made into pre-rolls, edibles and other products.

Often, growers will develop a “mother plant” to collect clones or cuttings from the plant and put them in their pots. These are genetically identical to the plant from which they are cut.

But where does the mother plant come from?

In the first year of a facility, “the rules and the law are silent on how that happens,” Cox said.

After that, facilities can apply to the state for permission to bring in seeds for “continuing inventory needs,” or they can obtain clones from other licensed growers located in Missouri.

But the state fined several licensees last year for not following those rules, sending a clear message to all Missouri businesses that they must grow plants from seed or get starter plants from competitors.

Ryan Schepers, St. Louis Community College’s cannabis program professor, said that as a “plant nerd,” he doesn’t think starting from seed is necessarily difficult or a bad thing for industry innovation.

“I think a lot of cultivation centers are set up to take care of plants that are already established, and that would be a bit of a challenge,” he said.

But there’s nothing that “well-versed” plant growers working at the cultivation centers can’t handle, he said. He said the main challenge is the delay in production. It will take about a month to six weeks for a cannabis plant to start getting well established, he said, but they will be “pretty hardy plants.”

“Clones are obviously much easier to deal with,” he said.

But tissue cultures involve a small number of cells to begin with, he said, and that process can take as long as seeds to germinate.

He understands that it is difficult for companies to align the growing season of plants with the need to keep up with trends in other states. If a product sells very well in California, he said, “of course we’ll try to get the same thing in Missouri.”

However, he said the cultivation center can discourage him from trying new things. For the sake of his students, he hopes the emphasis will shift to growth and innovation.

“We at St Louis Community College really emphasize that our students are plant scientists who focus on cannabis,” he said.

Innovation can be difficult when federal and state laws are changing rapidly, he added.

The Independent asked if the state would consider allowing licensees to obtain clones in the future to continue popular varieties.

“The department was looking at the DEA’s guidelines that state that clones are not considered marijuana under federal law because of the low concentrations of Delta 9 (THC),” Cox said.

However, recent changes in federal law “may change the status of seeds and clones,” he said. He was referring to the hemp restrictions that were passed as part of the federal spending package last year and will go into effect in November.

“So the department will have to follow federal guidance,” Cox said, “and interpret how it develops over the next year before making any changes to rules or processes.”

This story was first published by the Missouri Independent.

Photo by Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.

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NC lawmakers revisit marijuana policy following reclassification

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10 hours ago

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April 28, 2026

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North Carolina lawmakers say they’re fueling debate over the state’s marijuana laws — a move by the Trump administration to reclassify it as a less dangerous drug.

Across the country, a set of laws and enforcements regulate marijuana. The drug is illegal under federal law, but dozens of US states have legalized it. And almost all states have legalized medical marijuana prescriptions for certain ailments. North Carolina is among the remaining states to resist any form of legalization. Republican politicians in North Carolina have resisted passing any bills to legalize or decriminalize marijuana, despite public opinion polls showing broad public support for such changes.

Senate President Phil Berger said he expects his chamber to revisit efforts to legalize medical marijuana this week. “We will have a conversation within our caucus if they are interested in whether we do something,” Berger told reporters Tuesday.

The recent actions of Republican President Donald Trump may add a new dimension to these conversations. Trump’s acting attorney general on Thursday signed the drug classification as a less dangerous and less strictly regulated drug than marijuana. Federal law does not legalize marijuana for medical or recreational use.

Read more at WRAL News










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Indiana GOP Governor Directs State Agencies To Meet With Medical Marijuana Advocates As Federal Rescheduling Takes Effect

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10 hours ago

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April 28, 2026

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Indiana state officials are holding a series of meetings with medical marijuana advocates at the behest of the Republican governor.

After a day The Trump administration announced that federal cannabis regulation is moving forwardOfficials from the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Health and other state agencies spoke with Hoosier Veterans for Medical Cannabis and Indiana NORML to discuss next steps at the state level.

The meetings, activists said, were at the request of Gov. Mike Braun (R).

“The governor has reached out to us to meet with other heads of his department to get their input on this move,” military veteran Jeff Staker, one of the advocates, told Fox 59. “Our next step, hopefully, will be in the governor’s office.”




Lucy Luman, who is also a veteran and serves as president of Indiana NORML, he said That federal reform “addresses major challenges our lawmakers have raised before.”

Advocates previously met with Indiana Secretary of Business Affairs Mike Speedy, they told WHTR-TV.

“It tells you that the governor has considered it well, and I hope that our organization and others will come into the governor’s office and discuss with him and brainstorm more,” Staker. he said. “You have to realize that a lot of our state legislators have been waiting for that to happen.”

“The feds have made their move, and now it’s time for Indiana to make ours,” he said. “And of course we want to do well.”




State Rep. Jim Lucas (R) said federal marijuana rescheduling “takes away the arguments that the opposition had in our state.”

State Sen. Rodney Pol (D) agreed, saying the Trump administration’s action has “helped get the ball rolling.”

last month, The governor said the “crescendo will rise” in the call to legalize marijuanaregional dynamics as well as law enforcement by opting for reform. But for now, he said, the GOP legislative leadership is “not interested in doing anything anytime soon,” even though “half of Hoosiers probably smoke illegally.”

Braun said he thinks lawmakers should take an “extra look” at medical cannabis and, while he’s personally “agnostic” about legalization, the reality is Indiana is “now surrounded by four states” that allow medicinal or adult use of cannabis.

“Probably half of Hoosiers smoke illegally,” he said, noting that suburban Kentucky allows patients to access medical cannabis, while Illinois, Michigan and Ohio have recreational marijuana laws.

“I’m going to listen to law enforcement. They’ve even changed their minds about legalizing and regulating,” Braun said, adding that he compared cannabis to gambling. The state was late to pass laws allowing adults to gamble, he said, but now ranks among the top three states nationally in terms of per capita revenue from vice.

“Some people won’t want to, just on principle. A lot of police and sheriffs in our state are willing to cross the border (to buy cannabis). It’s going to be a growing problem, so far, the way our state legislature has opposed it,” he said. “I’ve been more agnostic about it. I can see the points of view, and I’ve seen law enforcement move somewhat.”

“So that will give you the best description of where the dynamic is in our state,” the governor told WOWO. “I think the leader of the Senate and the Speaker of the House in particular are cool — and they control the legislative agenda — they’re not interested in doing anything anytime soon. But I think the crescendo will rise, and that pretty much describes where we are.”

Braun also addressed the issue in another recent interview, saying the state will “probably have to address” the issue and pairing cannabis reform with sports betting.

State legislators already He stated that there is no legalization of marijuana in the 2026 sessionThis is another year where Indiana will be left out as one of the few states without effective medical or adult use cannabis laws.

The governor said this separately in January He “fits in” with the idea of ​​legalizing medical cannabis in the state. Instead, Indiana lawmakers this session have focused on efforts to ban THC hemp products, though The fight for 2026 appears to be over after a last-minute push failed late last month.

Braun has previously said that federal marijuana reorganization He could add “some fire” to the local push to legalize cannabis in his state.

Among Indiana residents, a survey released in January found that nearly three in five supported the legalization of medical and recreational cannabis.

Specifically, Ball State University’s (BSU) Bowen Center’s annual Hoosier Poll found that 59 percent of residents support the legalization of cannabis for medical and recreational purposes. An additional 25 percent return allowing patients to access medical marijuana, bringing total support for that reform to 84 percent.

—
It’s Marijuana Time tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelic and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters by pledging at least $25/month, you’ll get access to our interactive maps, charts, and audio calendars so you never miss a development.

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Braun, for his part, He previously said it is “probably time” to introduce therapeutic cannabis among state patients. The comments came alongside a separate poll showing that nearly 9 in 10 Indiana adults (87 percent) support the legalization of marijuana.

The main Republicans in the Legislature, however, They have openly opposed marijuana reform.

“It’s no secret that I’m not,” Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R) said at the end of 2024. “I don’t have people coming to me with really compelling medical cases to find out why it’s so beneficial. And any situation I’ve seen, it’s passing medical marijuana, it’s basically passing recreational marijuana.”

House Speaker Todd Huston (R) questioned any medical benefits associated with marijuana, calling the substance a “mental health deterrent.” He and others suggested that lawmakers in favor of reform simply want to increase state revenue.

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Oakland Launches Nation’s First Cannabis Equity Certification Mark

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1 day ago

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April 27, 2026

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In 2017, the city of Oakland made history by becoming the first city in the country to launch a Cannabis Equity Program, which helps those affected by the “War on Drugs” enter the cannabis industry and create thriving local businesses. The program changed policy conversations about cannabis equity in California and across the nation.

Now, in an effort to raise awareness about venture capital and help them survive and thrive, Oakland has launched the nation’s first initiative to promote city-certified venture capital businesses in the cannabis industry. The Oakland Legendary Cannabis Certified Equity Label lets buyers know they support businesses that invest in creating high-quality products by prioritizing equity. The label commemorates the city of Oakland as the birthplace of modern cannabis legalization and highlights its operators as legendary pioneers who define cannabis culture and set standards that are now accepted worldwide. Oakland currently has 50 licensed Equity cannabis businesses.

“Oakland continues to lead with courage and conviction. During my time in Congress, I chaired the Cannabis Caucus and called for cannabis equity programs to address the harm done to Black and Brown communities,” said Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee. “Today, the Oakland Legendary label puts power back where it belongs, helping consumers make informed choices and ensuring that those with the most influence lead and thrive in today’s economy. Oakland is proud to lead the way!”

“The City of Oakland is committed to fostering the economic success of local venture capital companies,” said Ashleigh Kanat, director of Oakland’s Department of Economic and Workforce Development. “The Oakland Legendary brand lets consumers know they’re supporting a certified Oakland stock business and getting a true Oakland experience: premium, authentic and locally produced with a story they won’t find anywhere else. This differentiation will increase the presence of cannabis products in the market.”

“The Oakland Legendary brand is the gold standard for quality,” says Dale Sky Jones, Executive Chancellor of Oakland University. “These are the ones who defined the culture and perfected the craft long before there was a legal market. When you buy Oakland Legendary, you’re not just supporting a local business; you’re getting the world’s most authentic, high-caliber cannabis. These brands are true trendsetters, and once you try them, you’ll understand why Oakland remains the epicenter of the world’s finest cannabis.”

“Root’d believes it is extremely important to highlight the brands of operators who were disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs and educate the consumer on the importance of protecting the equity brands that have shaped the culture and community of cannabis. These core equity brands are the root ecosystem of our culture; the bigger and stronger the roots, the healthier Root’d’s culture McCullough” 510 has a long legacy in the cannabis industry and has been featured on the front page of the New York Times for being one of the first dispensaries in the nation. “It’s important to us that we direct consumers to amazing products and also shop with a purpose.”

Consumers can easily identify Oakland’s legendary certified equity operators through the Oakland Legendary certification mark on packaging, advertisements, and certified equity dealer windows. In a nod to the resilience of the community, the brand’s official positioning is slightly tilted, with the word “Legendary” rising, symbolizing the upward trajectory and sustained growth of Oakland’s capital operators.

The Oakland Legendary awareness campaign includes exclusive use of the certification mark on packaging and marketing materials and “I Hella ♡ Oakland Legendary Cannabis” swag. High-visibility billboards are located along Highway 880 to publicize the program. The public awareness campaign is supported by the National Equity Trade Network.

Source: Oakland

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