Cannabis News

Rescheduling appeal process ‘remains pending’ despite Trump’s executive order

Published

6 minutes ago

April 8, 2026

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The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) says the marijuana redistricting appeals process “remains pending” despite President Donald Trump issuing an executive order more than three months ago ordering the attorney general to pursue reform “as expeditiously as possible.”

The DEA and reform advocates filed a joint status report Monday on the agency’s interlocutory appeal of bias and improper communications with parties opposed to the redistricting.

“To date, the Movants’ interlocutory appeal to the Administrator on the Motion for Reconsideration remains pending with the Administrator,” said attorneys representing the DEA and cannabis reform advocates who are challenging the process. “No information schedule has been established.”

The agency is responsible for establishing the information schedule. But nearly a year after a former administrative law judge granted the appeal, the DEA is once again delaying the process. This is the fifth consolidated status report, with largely identical language, that the parties have submitted under the administrative litigation order.

Cannabis News

Massachusetts Lawmakers Unanimously Pass Bill To Double Marijuana Possession Limit And Restructure Cannabis Commission

Published

14 minutes ago

April 8, 2026

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Members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives have unanimously approved a bill double the legal limit for possession of marijuana for adults and revise the regulatory framework For the state’s adult cannabis market.

The House of Representatives approved the legislation in a 155-0 vote on Wednesday. If the Senate goes ahead, expected this week, the proposal would go to the desk of Gov. Maura Healey (D), who could sign it or veto it, making it law without her signature or proposing amendments for lawmakers to consider.

A bicameral conference committee spent months working on provisions of the legislation after the two chambers passed different versions last year, and the committee approved the compromise approach on Monday.

“The conference committee’s report lays out an excellent road map for the future structure of cannabis regulation in the commonwealth,” said Rep. Daniel M. Donahue (D), who chaired the bicameral panel, before the vote on the House floor.

Changes to the state’s cannabis regulatory structure will “create better accountability, better transparency and greater efficiencies in the oversight of our cannabis industry,” he said. “We also worked on some massive regulatory changes for the industry. I think some of these regulatory changes have been a long time coming, and that’s why we should be proud that we’re doing it to help our businesses.”

Donahue and Sen. Adam Gómez (D), who chaired the conference committee, said in a joint statement earlier this week that the agreement “charts a more hopeful path forward for the regulation of cannabis in our commonwealth.”

“The bill creates new opportunities for small businesses to grow, while providing temporary and exclusive access to those opportunities for those historically harmed by marijuana laws,” said the lawmakers, who also serve as chairs of the House Joint Cannabis Policy Committee. “This bill will allow them to realize their capital and achieve innovative models such as employee businesses.”

Among the revisions to the state’s cannabis law is a section that would increase the personal possession limit of marijuana from one ounce to two. Colorado enacted the same reform in 2021 after the state’s cannabis market matured.

H.5350 would reduce the size and reorganize the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), while also updating the limits on marijuana business licenses.

According to the versions of both chambers invoiceThe CCC would consist of three members instead of the current five. Conference committee the report It adopts provisions of the House measure that would allow the governor to make all the appointments, with the Senate approach giving the attorney general one of the appointments. Under current legislation, the treasurer also has a role in appointing committee members, but this will not be the case if the legislation comes into force.

The proposal calls for one member of the CCC to have a background in social justice, while the other two commissioners have a background in public health, public safety, social justice, consumer regulation or the production and distribution of cannabis.

The bill will also increase the number of licenses a single entity can hold from three to six, and also raise from 10 percent to 20 percent the threshold for how much of a company’s equity is considered property to count toward the license cap. It also removes a current requirement that medical cannabis operators be vertically integrated to simultaneously cultivate, manufacture and sell marijuana.

It also empowers regulators to choose dispensaries to advertise sales, discounts and customer loyalty programs at retail locations and via email, and specifies that marijuana dispensary operators can deliver to any municipality unless local officials proactively ban cannabis businesses and stop delivery.

The measure creates a new portal for reporting illegal behavior and directs regulators to create a list of cannabis companies that have not paid their debts to other operators for more than 60 days and prevents regulators from doing business with other operators until the debts are settled.

The legislation also requires regulators to study and report on hemp-derived products, the public health impacts of cannabis, tax policy and workplace safety regulations.

—
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.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracking and become a Patreon supporter to gain access
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The passage of the cannabis regulation bill comes as the state’s marijuana businesses file a lawsuit to block it. initiative to roll back the legalization law approved by state voters from reaching the November vote.

If approved, the state would not return to general prohibition; rather, it would repeal the commercial recreational sales and home cultivation components of the law, while allowing adults 21 and older to possess one ounce of cannabis for personal use.

Possession of more than one ounce but less than two ounces would effectively be decriminalized, with violators facing a $100 fine. Adults can also continue to gift cannabis to each other without payment. The sale of medical marijuana would be legal.

The measure is before the legislature after supporters provided an initial round of signatures last year, and lawmakers have until May 5 to act on the proposal. If they decide not to pass it in the legislature, the campaign would have to go through another round of petitions and get at least 12,429 certified signatures by July 1 to get on the November ballot.

The promoters faced skeptical questions from lawmakers at a hearing of the Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions last month, with several. raising concerns about the motivations behind the anti-marijuana measure and the consequences for consumers and companies.

A Bay State Poll by the University of Hampshire State Opinion Project found that A majority of Massachusetts adults oppose the initiative to repeal the sale and cultivation of marijuana.

Meanwhile, in November, the legislature’s Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy advanced a bill that would have required a study. legal barriers facing first responders who want to use marijuana in compliance with state law.

Regulators should also examine marijuana’s effectiveness in the treatment of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In addition, police and first responders in other jurisdictions will review laws and policies regarding the use of cannabis and “any other matter deemed relevant by the commission.”

The bill was reported when lawmakers in another committee passed separate legislation employment protection for people who use marijuana. Another panel advanced a a bill similar to the employment protections for cannabis in September

Meanwhile, the head of Massachusetts’ marijuana regulatory agency recently suggested measures to effectively recriminalize the sale of recreational cannabis. dangerous tax revenues being used to support substance abuse treatment efforts and other public programs.

To that point, Massachusetts recently achieved another marijuana milestone, officials announced in February that the state has. Over $9 billion in adult cannabis purchases since market launch in 2018.

A report by the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) found that legalization is achieving one of its main goals: stopping the illegal sale of cannabis as adults move into the regulated market. It shows that among adults who used marijuana in the past year, a staggering 84 percent said they got their cannabis from a licensed source.

Massachusetts lawmakers recently joined a bicameral conference committee to hammer out a deal. double the legal limit for possession of marijuana for adults and review the regulatory framework for the state’s adult cannabis market.

In December, state regulators, too established rules for the halls of social consumption of marijuana.

CCC has recently launched a targeted online platform helping people find work, on-the-job training and networking opportunities in the state’s legal cannabis industry.

Separately, members of parliament are advancing the legislation establishing pilot programs for the regulated therapeutic use of psychedelics.

Marihuana Moment is made possible with the help of readers. If you rely on our pro-cannabis journalism to stay informed, consider a monthly Patreon pledge.

Cannabis News

Time to show us more

Published

1 day ago

April 7, 2026

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On its 125th anniversary, the Dutch company Albers Alligator has joined AVAG, the Dutch association of greenhouse technology suppliers. The decision reflects the intention of owners Michael van der Windt and Lennard Blijdorp to raise the company’s reputation in the market. The two friends took up residence in Wageningen two years ago. The company specializes in manure storage and covering for the agricultural sector, and is known in the horticulture industry for its water storage and water covering products.

Like many Dutch horticultural suppliers, Albers Alligator operates internationally. Van der Windt and Blijdorp saw a strong future in the business and acquired the shares of the previous owner Ronald Edel in 2024. “Global food production is increasing. Fresh water is a challenge in every country. It is an increasingly serious international problem. Producers around the world are increasingly recognizing the importance of good water management,” says Michael van der Windt.

The history of Albers Alligator dates back to 1901. The former family business began as a leather and tannery business. “The best leather at the time came from alligators,” explains Van der Windt, referring to the company’s distinctive name. “We have updated the brand over the years, but the name and the crocodile in the logo had to remain.” Innovation has been constant throughout the company’s history. “We experiment a lot and we’re not afraid of a challenge, how can you make something even better? That’s in the DNA of this company.”

Prefab at home
Recent product developments include SiloDome, a dome structure that completely covers water silos, if available, and Multi-F Solar, a floating photovoltaic installation that simultaneously covers water basins. Albers Alligator also handles basin installation. All components are prefabricated in house, and one or two supervisors travel with international projects.

International growth
Historically, the Albers Alligator was the strongest in the Netherlands and neighboring countries. Under the new management, the number of international projects will grow rapidly. “We are very ambitious. We have completed many projects in the United States, and we are active in Scandinavia, Japan and Canada, where we completed our largest project to date: a basin measuring 500 meters long and 150 meters wide. Projects in the Netherlands continue to be challenging and equally rewarding.”

‘Time to show more of ourselves’
As part of the partnership, Lennard Blijdorp focuses on internal operations, while Michael van der Windt takes on an externally-facing role. Increased visibility is a key reason for introducing AVAG. “In the Netherlands, many projects are entered through dealers and ground contractors; internationally, we work with large greenhouse builders and installers. Many of our dealers are already members of AVAG. That’s where your industry members are. We have a well-known name, they know Albers Alligator in the Netherlands and abroad. But we think it’s time to make ours even more visible.”

For more information:
ONE
(email protected)
www.avag.nl

Albers Alligator
(email protected)
https://albersalligator.com/

Cannabis News

Pennsylvania Governor Says Legalizing Marijuana Will Raise Revenue To Support Kids And Public Safety Programs

Published

1 day ago

April 7, 2026

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Pennsylvania’s governor is stepping up pressure on lawmakers to send a bill to legalize marijuana in the state, saying doing so would generate new revenue that could be invested in key programs.

“While some in Harrisburg say we can’t make bigger investments in our children, public safety and our economy, know this: If we were to legalize and regulate adult-use cannabis, we would generate $1.3 billion in revenue for our Commonwealth in the first five years,” Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) said in a social media post Tuesday.

“These are dollars that can be invested in our town and our communities,” he said. “Stop with the excuses. Let’s do this.”

At the beginning of this year, the governor once again included marijuana legalization in his budget request to lawmakersbut so far the parliament has not implemented the reform.

The House of Representatives approved last year a to legalize marijuana and put sales in state dispensariesbut the Republican majority of the Senate has criticized that plan, at the same time not advancing their own cannabis legalization model.

While some in Harrisburg say we can’t make bigger investments in our children, public safety and our economy, they know this:

If we were to legalize and regulate adult-use cannabis, we would generate $1.3 BILLION in revenue for our Commonwealth in the first five years.

Those are…

— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) April 7, 2026

The Independent State Fiscal Office (IFO) announced this in February Legalizing cannabis in Pennsylvania would generate nearly half a billion dollars in annual revenue By 2028, compared to Shapiro’s office projections, revenue is significantly higher.

With a 20 percent excise tax on wholesale cannabis, a 6 percent state sales tax on retail and license fees, the IFO said the governor’s legalization plan would generate $140 million in tax revenue in 2027-2028 and rise to $432 million in 2030-2031.

That’s much higher than what the governor’s office presented in the last executive budget. According to his office’s analysis, legalization would generate about $36.9 billion in tax dollars in the first year from a 20 percent wholesale tax on marijuana, rising gradually to $223.8 million in 2030-2031.

Meanwhile, a recent Quinnipiac University survey found just that A majority of Pennsylvania voters say they are ready for the state to legalize marijuana for adults.

In February, a coalition of drug policy and civil liberties organizations called on Shapiro to play a leadership role bringing together legislative leaders to work on cannabis legalization this session.

Last month, the Senate Law and Justice Committee amended and passed a bill The Cannabis Control Board (CCB) oversees the state’s medical marijuana program and intoxicating hemp products which may eventually regulate adult consumption if legalized in the state.

Marihuana Moment is made possible with the help of readers. If you rely on our pro-cannabis journalism to stay informed, consider a monthly Patreon pledge.