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O’ahu Business Sues Hawaii Over State Hemp Laws

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O’ahu Business Sues Hawaii Over State Hemp Laws

An O’ahu, Hawaii business is suing the state over hemp laws that went into effect earlier this year, Aloha State Daily reports. The federal lawsuit claims the new rules have made it illegal for Lance Alyas, founder of O’ahu Dispensary and Provisions, LLC, to sell about 80% of the products that were previously allowed.

The suit claims the regulations place an undue burden on overseas commerce and that the state’s efforts to seize or destroy the property violate due process.

In 2020, state lawmakers passed a bill to align its hemp laws with those codified in the 2018 federal Farm Bill, which allowed hemp products with 0.3% delta-9 THC; however, in 2021, the state Department of Health (DOH) passed regulations defining hemp based on total THC concentration, rather than the 0.3% delta-9 threshold. In the lawsuit, Alyas claims the deviations from federal law criminalize products that would be legal under federal standards.

Last year, Hawaii lawmakers passed a bill that would require all hemp distributors to register with the DOH’s Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation starting in 2026. Under the law, businesses are required to register with the agency to sell any hemp products, and registered sellers who sell products that don’t meet their state testing standards can be fined up to $00 per 1 are suspended and their products destroyed by law enforcement.

Alyas claims that since the company was founded in 2023, it has been the target of “sting operations” by law enforcement, even though all of the products it sells meet the federal definition of hemp.

State Attorney General Anne Lopez and DOH Director Kenneth Fink have asked to dismiss the case, arguing that Alyas has no credible claim that he has been harmed by laws or regulations.

Last year, federal lawmakers passed a bill that will effectively ban most hemp products now available due to the 2018 farm bill. The new federal rules exclude products that include THC “synthesized or produced outside” of the cannabis plant with more than 0.3% THC and “any hemp-derived intermediate cannabinoid product that is marketed or sold as an end product or directly to an end consumer for personal or household use.” from the federal definition of hemp. These rules take effect on November 12.

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Kansas Governor Candidate Pushes Cannabis Legalization Platform

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Kansas Governor Candidate Pushes Cannabis Legalization Platform

The Democratic front-runner for governor of Kansas is calling for the legalization of medical and adult cannabis in the state. In one video posted on Facebook from the parking lot of a dispensary in Missouri — just across the state line from her Johnson County home, state Sen. Cindy Holscher noted that the place was “full of Kansas license plates.”

“That’s a lot of Kansas tax dollars going straight into Missouri’s pocket. Most Kansas voters think marijuana should be legal in our state, but because it’s not Kansas, we buy it out of state and we miss the opportunity to raise more money for schools and public services.” — Holscher in a video posted to Facebook

Holscher noted that last year Missouri collected $255 million in tax dollars from cannabis sales in the state.

“This is real money that can make a big difference for Kansans,” Holscher said in the video. “Legalization means we will build an industry in Kansas of farmers and small businesses and keep our tax dollars in the state to benefit our schools.”

Holscher added that legalizing cannabis is “common sense” and that adults should be allowed to consume cannabis “safely and responsibly”.

or last survey by Change Research, commissioned by Civic Clarity, which operates the Capitol Bee news entity, found Holscher with 37% support among poll respondents, while Johnson County state Sen. Ethan Corson received 10% support and Overland Park Mayor Curt Skoog at 7%.

or Kansas Speaks Poll published in February found that 70% of Kansans support the legalization of medical cannabis, while 60% support adult-use reforms.

Ganjapreneur: Providing everyday knowledge since 2014, the leading digital business magazine for cannabis industry professionals. to join our community of over 40,000 cannabis entrepreneurs.

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Cannabis Cultivation Workers at Ascend Wellness Strike In Illinois Over Unfair Labor Practices

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Cannabis Cultivation Workers at Ascend Wellness Strike In Illinois Over Unfair Labor Practices

More than 300 Ascend Wellness employees at the company’s cultivation site in Barry, Illinois, went on strike last week, alleging unfair labor practices. WGEM reports.

“We have filed charges against the company for violations of the National Labor Relations Act. They have failed to bargain in good faith with the union by refusing to bargain on key and mandatory bargaining points, they have fired one of our bargaining committee members during negotiations, we also have a ULP for this and we are determined to bring forward more ULP workers. — Kyle Bollinger, Vice President of Teamsters Local 916, in the report

Workers walked off the job last Thursday, saying the company refused to negotiate a fair contract for more than a year. According to the report, many of them went outside the building after leaving.

Due to the size of the facility and the number of workers involved, the strike could cause major disruptions to the state’s adult cannabis supply chain.

Matthew McKenna, Vice President of Public Affairs at Ascend Wellness Holdings, told WGEM in a statement:

“We can confirm that there is a work stoppage at our cultivation facility in Barry, Illinois, which remains open and continues to operate. Ascend Wellness Holdings values and respects the employees at our Barry facility and has bargained in good faith throughout this process. Our last, best and final offer includes a strong economic package and remains on the table while the union was not disappointed with the proposal to proceed with the vote. to ask the union to allow a ratification vote. We remain committed to reaching a fair settlement.

Ganjapreneur: Providing everyday knowledge since 2014, the leading digital business magazine for cannabis industry professionals. to join our community of over 40,000 cannabis entrepreneurs.

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New York Lawmakers Pass Bill to Prevent Inversion of Illicit Cannabis into Legal Market 

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New York Lawmakers Pass Bill to Prevent Inversion of Illicit Cannabis into Legal Market 

or bill The effort to prevent the diversion of illegal cannabis products into New York’s regulated market has been approved by both the House and Senate, moving it to Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) for final approval.

The legislation defines “illegal cannabis” as any cannabis product on which taxes have not been paid, or proceeds from unlicensed individuals or entities. The bill prohibits the practice of subversion by licensees and testing facilities and includes protections for whistleblowers.

In a statement, state Sen. Jeremy Cooney (D), the bill’s sponsor, said the state has made significant strides in building a successful legal cannabis market…but that market can only continue to grow if New Yorkers can trust the source and safety of their products.

“Illegal products are dangerous and unreliable, which is why this bill says enough is enough. It’s time to make sure only legal products hit our shelves, hold bad actors accountable, and maintain the integrity of our legal marketplace.” – Cooney in one press release

The bill would authorize the Office of Cannabis Management to seek suspension orders against licensees or laboratories suspected of diverting cannabis and creates civil penalties of no more than five times the proceeds of the prohibited sale of cannabis.

TG joined Ganjapreneur in 2014 as a news writer and began hosting the Ganjapreneur podcast in 2016. He is based in upstate New York, where he also teaches media at a local university.

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