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New Jersey Police Fired For Off-Duty Marijuana Use Still Haven’t Been Reinstated Despite Court Ruling In Their Favor

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1 month ago

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“We thought they were going to come in and do the right thing, and they didn’t. They’re doubling down, and they’re lying, and that’s even worse.”

Author: Sophie Nieto-Muñoz, monitor from New Jersey

Earlier this month a state appeals court ruled in favor of two Jersey City police officers, saying they shouldn’t have. they were fired for using cannabis outside of workBut it’s unknown what the next steps are in the year-long battle over New Jersey’s legalization of marijuana.

A spokesman for James Solomon, a Democrat who became the city’s new mayor in January, said the city is reviewing the policies of Solomon’s predecessor, Steve Fulop, arguing that federal law prevents armed police officers from using cannabis. But the officers’ lawyer, Michael Rubas, said that the council refused to return them to their old jobs, despite several judgments that they should be reinstated.

“I’m very upset with the way the Salomon administration is handling things. We thought they were going to come in and do the right thing, and they’re not,” Rubas said. “They’re doubling down, and they’re lying, and that’s even worse.”

Solomon’s spokesman, Nathaniel Styer, declined to comment on Rubas’ charges, but noted that the mayor’s view on off-duty police use of cannabis differs depending on the city’s operation under Fulop.

“We are reviewing these policies because they do not align with our views and values,” said spokesman Nathaniel Styer.

The dispute dates back to 2022, months after New Jersey’s legal recreational cannabis market opens. The state attorney general told police departments at the time that the state’s marijuana legalization law did not allow officers to be disciplined for off-duty cannabis use, but Fulop argued that federal law prohibits anyone using a controlled substance from possessing a firearm.

In September 2022, two Jersey City police officers, Norhan Mansour and Omar Polanco, tested positive for cannabis they said they purchased legally on the market. The city suspended and then fired them, but the administrative law judge and then the state Civil Service Commission he sided with the officers and ordered the city to reinstate them. The officers were replaced in their duties in 2024, but did not return to their previous positions.

The municipality appealed two judgments, and on May 1, the state appeals panel govern for the officers A separate decision involving a third police officer upheld that officer’s termination for purchasing cannabis from an unlicensed person.

Rubas said Mansour and Polanco are owed hundreds of thousands of dollars in back wages, and have not returned their firearms IDs or weapons.

Jersey City spokesmen did not respond to multiple requests to inquire about the officers’ weapons. The spokesperson of the General Prosecutor’s Office did not want to comment.

The officers still have to have their police licenses reissued by the state Police Training Commission, Rubas said, adding that if the city cooperates, the officers could return to their regular positions within a week.

Rubas said he contacted the Solomon administration several times, including shortly after Solomon took office, to try to resolve the issue. He said he hoped the city’s attitude would change after Fulop left office.

“Nothing has changed. It’s gotten worse,” he said.

This story was first published by the New Jersey Monitor.

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Massachusetts CCC pauses license applications

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7 hours ago

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June 17, 2026

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The Cannabis Control Commission, the government body that oversees the marijuana business in the state of Massachusetts (USA), has decided to temporarily stop accepting new license applications for growing marijuana, both indoors and outdoors. This hiatus officially began on June 16, 2026.

Anyone planning to apply for a new marijuana cultivation license after June 16, 2026 will not be able to do so while this suspension is in effect. The Commission will not accept such requests during this period.

There are two groups that can continue normally. First, anyone who submitted an application before June 16, 2026, will continue to review and process applications as usual. Second, applicants for specific programs designed to help communities historically affected by drug laws, known as the Social Equity Program and the Economic Empowerment Program, are exempt from this suspension if they apply for a smaller-scale “Microenterprise” license.

The suspension will be in effect for 120 days from June 16, 2026, which is currently scheduled to be lifted around mid-October 2026. However, the Commission has the power to terminate earlier or extend further, depending on market conditions.

Source: Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission










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Federal Marijuana Rescheduling ‘Does Not Appear To Apply’ To Washington Businesses, State Officials Say

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7 hours ago

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June 17, 2026

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Marijuana regulators in Washington say the Trump administration’s move to re-regulate cannabis at the federal level “doesn’t appear to apply” to the state’s businesses.

US Department of Justice in April He issued an order that immediately reclassified the state’s licensed medical cannabisas well as marijuana products approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under Schedule I through Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). A trial scheduled for this month will take place consider marijuana III.

“Washington does not issue licenses to producers, processors or retailers of medical cannabis,” the state’s Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) said in guidelines released Tuesday. “Instead, Washington has a single recreational market and within that market producers/processors can manufacture (DOH) compliant products, and certain retailers can sell DOH-compliant products to adult patients and all designated providers.”

“Therefore, Washington cannabis licensees do not appear to qualify as ‘state medical marijuana licensees’ and therefore may not be eligible for registration under the final Rule,” the agency said, referring to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Registration process for legal marijuana businesses in the state to take advantage of the federal benefits that come with the reform.

That said, the LCB “does not take a position if licensees decide to apply for federal registration,” the guidance continues. “If a licensee is seeking federal registration, we would be interested in learning about their experience and federal decisions.”

However, “based on our analysis, the federal reorganization in its current form does not appear to apply to cannabis licensees in Washington, primarily because of the legal framework governing recreational cannabis,” the LCB said.

The agency emphasized, however, that while it has consulted with the Cannabis Regulatory Association, the National Governors Association and industry stakeholders, its current opinion does not represent Washington’s formal opinion and “may not be our final interpretation as information is evolving and the decision may not rest with the state.”

“We await additional guidance from the federal agencies involved, new or updated federal agency processes and/or other federal procedures,” he said. he saidreferring to the next administrative hearing and Ongoing litigation calls into question the rescheduling of cannabis.

“The LCB recognizes that there are many cannabis growers, processors, and retailers actively involved in the production and sale of medical cannabis in Washington. These businesses may or may not be eligible to use the 280e tax deduction, and may also register with the DEA III. Ultimately, they have no input into whether their licensees meet the criteria for “state medical marijuana licensees,” as that determination can be made unilaterally by the DOJ within the meaning of the Final Rule. to reasonably interpret and determine that Washington cannabis licensees qualify as “state medical marijuana licensees.”

The US Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) said they plan to issued new tax guidelines for the marijuana industry after reprogramming. The reform will benefit state-licensed marijuana businesses by allowing them to take federal tax deductions that are currently prohibited under IRS Code Section III, known as Section 280E.

In California, regulators recently approved emergency rule changes to the state’s marijuana licensing process. to make it easier for companies to receive benefits In line with the Trump administration’s latest move to federally regulate medical cannabis.

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How New Zealand showed up in London’s cannabis industry

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1 day ago

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June 16, 2026

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The medical cannabis market is expected to grow from $47 billion to $149 billion by 2031, and New Zealand has a real role to play in that story. And thanks in large part to New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), the government’s international business development agency, Puro is starting to play.

At Cannabis Europa 2026 London, NZTE hosted an evening event at the City Arts Bar with Puro, New Zealand companies Bluelab, Rua Bioscience and CannFX. Puro called it The NZ Room.

Beyond all things Kiwiana – including Puro brand kiwifruit, Kiwi’d – the room was filled with some pretty amazing people: Ivy League scientists, company founders, patients, advocates, industry players, government officials, Maori tribal leaders and a tough Scotsman. All in the same space with the same true passion for where this industry is going.

It was one of those rooms where conversations went well when they had to end. That’s usually a sign of something well done.

Made possible by NZTE
For Puro, the NZTE relationship has been formative. With ongoing support, Puro has entered the Australian market with 47 unique product SKUs and signed a £7 million supply agreement with UK distributor IPS Pharma.

NZTE understands the potential of the New Zealand cannabis industry. The willingness to support this nascent industry and put New Zealand in the spotlight at events like Cannabis Europa is very significant. New Zealand is a small country and the country’s credibility in international markets is built from relationship to relationship, room by room. NZTE helps build those rooms.

© Cigar

what’s next
For the first time, patients in the UK have access to medicinal cannabis grown in New Zealand. That’s the direct result of years of work by Puro’s team, but it’s not worth much if you can’t connect with buyers globally. Creating international relationships that events like Cannabis Europa make this possible.

“We are grateful for the extensive support from the New Zealand Government that drives our progress, including the Ministry of Primary Industries’ support for our genetic breeding, product innovation and market access goals. This collective effort from agencies such as the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, NZTE and the New Zealand Export Credit Bureau ensures that Mail that started in London will continue to grow in Puro’s international goals,” he said. a statement

For more information:
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www.puro.co.nz

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