Latest news with #OfficeofCannabisManagement
Associated Press
25-04-2025
- Associated Press
Illegal Out-of-State Cannabis Products Discovered for Sale in Licensed New York Dispensaries, Undercutting Local Equity Operators, Farmers & Processors
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 25, 2025-- An alarming new investigation released by members of the New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association has uncovered that illegal cannabis flower - smuggled in from the West Coast - is being sold in licensed dispensaries across New York State. Lab-verified findings confirm that at least two widely available brands, Heady Tree and Runtz, were not grown in New York and entered the state illegally. Bulk quantities of out-of-state products easily made their way into New York and on to the shelves of legal stores because New York regulators have not implemented a track-and-trace system. Advanced testing from a fully accredited Office of Cannabis Management lab in conjunction with academic partners analyzed the cannabis flower to identify pesticides, soil type, and metals and determined with high probability that the cannabis from these brands was grown on the West Coast. Findings can be found here. Additional testing is ongoing to verify other brands suspected of nefarious activities. While cannabis is legal in a growing number of states, it is still illegal federally, meaning that cannabis cannot be distributed across state lines. All cannabis sold in New York must be grown and processed within the state's borders - a regulation designed to support local farmers, protect public health, and ensure legal tested, products generate tax revenue that benefits all New Yorkers. 'Even one product from out of state ending up on a licensed dispensary shelf is unacceptable,' said Ngiste Abebe, spokesperson for the New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association. 'The fact that multiple brands were found at multiple stores shows we have a systemic failure. The lack of a standardized track-and-trace system is directly enabling this problem. The Office of Cannabis Management has had over two years since adult-use sales began, but we still don't have BioTrack fully implemented. That's inexcusable, and its hurting compliant businesses most of all.' This growing problem - known as 'inversion' - occurs when cannabis grown in oversaturated markets like California, Oregon, and Washington is illegally diverted into newer markets like New York where cannabis processors and distributors purchase it for heavily discounted prices. It undermines the integrity of New York's regulated cannabis system, robs compliant businesses of shelf space and sales, and cheats the state out of vital tax dollars. To stop inversion, the OCM must immediately implement and enforce the BioTrack seed-to-sale tracking system, a system selected by NY State, to safeguard the legal market, protect consumers, and support licensed New York operators. Transcripts from a February 2023 OCM Control Board Meeting discuss the anticipated availability of BioTrack in March 2023 with a 60-day implementation period. Nearly two years later, BioTrack is still not in place. Without the urgent implementation of BioTrack, the illicit market will continue to grow inside the very system designed to replace it. Every day that the illicit market is allowed to grow has devastating consequences for the whole cannabis industry. The illicit market is actively harming cannabis sales which slows down the opening of new dispensaries and the diversification of legal products, stalls job growth, and harms patients in New York by curbing growth of the medical market. The chief priority of the OCM should be implementing BioTrack to stop illegal cannabis from making its way into New York. About The New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association (NYMCIA) The New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association is comprised of Columbia Care, Cresco, Curaleaf, Green Thumb Industries, The Botanist and Acreage NY, iAnthus, and Pharmacann. Our mission is to protect and serve the patients in New York's medical marijuana program while leading the way for the adult-use industry across the state. Learn more about NYMCIA at View source version on Media Contact: Samantha [email protected] KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA NEW YORK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT CANNABIS SPECIALTY LAW ENFORCEMENT/EMERGENCY SERVICES WHITE HOUSE/FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGRICULTURE STATE/LOCAL NATURAL RESOURCES PUBLIC POLICY OTHER POLICY ISSUES ADVOCACY GROUP OPINION RETAIL PUBLIC POLICY/GOVERNMENT SOURCE: New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association (NYMCIA) Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 04/25/2025 12:38 PM/DISC: 04/25/2025 12:38 PM
Business Wire
25-04-2025
- Business Wire
Illegal Out-of-State Cannabis Products Discovered for Sale in Licensed New York Dispensaries, Undercutting Local Equity Operators, Farmers & Processors
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--An alarming new investigation released by members of the New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association has uncovered that illegal cannabis flower - smuggled in from the West Coast - is being sold in licensed dispensaries across New York State. Lab-verified findings confirm that at least two widely available brands, Heady Tree and Runtz, were not grown in New York and entered the state illegally. Bulk quantities of out-of-state products easily made their way into New York and on to the shelves of legal stores because New York regulators have not implemented a track-and-trace system. Advanced testing from a fully accredited Office of Cannabis Management lab in conjunction with academic partners analyzed the cannabis flower to identify pesticides, soil type, and metals and determined with high probability that the cannabis from these brands was grown on the West Coast. Findings can be found here. Additional testing is ongoing to verify other brands suspected of nefarious activities. While cannabis is legal in a growing number of states, it is still illegal federally, meaning that cannabis cannot be distributed across state lines. All cannabis sold in New York must be grown and processed within the state's borders - a regulation designed to support local farmers, protect public health, and ensure legal tested, products generate tax revenue that benefits all New Yorkers. 'Even one product from out of state ending up on a licensed dispensary shelf is unacceptable,' said Ngiste Abebe, spokesperson for the New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association. 'The fact that multiple brands were found at multiple stores shows we have a systemic failure. The lack of a standardized track-and-trace system is directly enabling this problem. The Office of Cannabis Management has had over two years since adult-use sales began, but we still don't have BioTrack fully implemented. That's inexcusable, and its hurting compliant businesses most of all.' This growing problem - known as 'inversion' - occurs when cannabis grown in oversaturated markets like California, Oregon, and Washington is illegally diverted into newer markets like New York where cannabis processors and distributors purchase it for heavily discounted prices. It undermines the integrity of New York's regulated cannabis system, robs compliant businesses of shelf space and sales, and cheats the state out of vital tax dollars. To stop inversion, the OCM must immediately implement and enforce the BioTrack seed-to-sale tracking system, a system selected by NY State, to safeguard the legal market, protect consumers, and support licensed New York operators. Transcripts from a February 2023 OCM Control Board Meeting discuss the anticipated availability of BioTrack in March 2023 with a 60-day implementation period. Nearly two years later, BioTrack is still not in place. Without the urgent implementation of BioTrack, the illicit market will continue to grow inside the very system designed to replace it. Every day that the illicit market is allowed to grow has devastating consequences for the whole cannabis industry. The illicit market is actively harming cannabis sales which slows down the opening of new dispensaries and the diversification of legal products, stalls job growth, and harms patients in New York by curbing growth of the medical market. The chief priority of the OCM should be implementing BioTrack to stop illegal cannabis from making its way into New York. The New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association is comprised of Columbia Care, Cresco, Curaleaf, Green Thumb Industries, The Botanist and Acreage NY, iAnthus, and Pharmacann. Our mission is to protect and serve the patients in New York's medical marijuana program while leading the way for the adult-use industry across the state. Learn more about NYMCIA at
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
City of Sacramento adds more dispensary permits
( — The City of Sacramento announced that three storefront dispensary permits were added after a unanimous city council vote, bringing the total to 43. Video Above: How often are marijuana cases federally prosecuted? The permits aim to benefit participants in the Cannabis Opportunity Reinvestment and Equity program, along with advancing equity in the city's cannabis industry. The new changes include: A one-year timeline extension to establish a dispensary for three existing CORE permits. Three approved permit reservations for CORE applicants, bringing the total to 14. A five-year extension for the eligibility window for new CORE storefront permits. The approval comes as storefront dispensary permits were previously capped at 40 by the city, with 29 being for non-CORE and 11 for CORE majority-owned businesses, officials said. While the program offers business training, only a handful have been able to enter the storefront market. Cal Expo water park reopening delayed to 2027 to build 'whole new park' 'Expanding the number of permits reserved for CORE participants creates more equitable opportunities for those who have historically faced barriers in the cannabis industry,' said Al Romero-Gibu, who leads the City's Office of Cannabis Management. The next eligible applicants on the list will be offered the additional permits, officials said. City officials said there is a 4% business tax that all cannabis businesses in Sacramento are required to pay. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
24-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Budding small business owners stuck in limbo amid cannabis license delays
Minnesota legalized recreational marijuana in 2023, and estimates then said that recreational marijuana would be legal by March of this year. Eric Taubel, Interim Director at the Office of Cannabis Management, said licenses will be issued in the coming weeks, thanks to recently released rules. To the dismay of small business owners, retail shop licensing continues to be delayed. Andrew Caruthers, the owner of Twin Cities High in Golden Valley, opened his shop in 2023, selling CBD and THC products. In preparation to sell marijuana, he has spent $50,000 to get ready, but now it's the waiting game to start selling. "I initially was thinking possibly six months, you know, I thought summer of last year we would be open almost for sure" said Caruthers. When he gets a license, he worries about product shortages and high costs. All marijuana sold legally in the state must be grown in Minnesota. The Office of Cannabis Management estimates 1.5 million square feet of growing area is needed. Minnesota only has 69,000 square feet available. "I am anticipating a slow rollout. Maybe we will have product for a few days, and then sell out, and we may not get more for a couple of weeks." said Caruthers, "It's like that everywhere it's become legal, the prices definitely start out."
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Yahoo
Sacramento cannabis laws to know ahead of 4/20
( — The City of Sacramento's Office of Cannabis Management is reminding residents 21 and over to be safe, lawful and responsible during 4/20 celebrations. Video Above: How often are marijuana cases federally prosecuted? City officials provided a list of reminders to make sure residents follow the rules to prevent them from getting citations or receiving other consequences. No one under the age of 21 is permitted to legally purchase, possess or use cannabis. It is also illegal to provide cannabis to anyone under the legal age. For the average consumer, California law limits the legal possession of cannabis to 28.5 grams of dried cannabis flower and 8 grams of concentrated cannabis. Additionally, those looking to buy cannabis can only purchase it from properly licensed businesses. The city has provided a searchable map of permitted businesses on the website of the California Department of Cannabis Control. Despite the recently adopted ordinance to create a pilot program for cannabis social consumption lounges, consumption is still only allowed in private spaces. The city said consumption of cannabis is prohibited in 'public spaces, areas where tobacco smoking is banned, or within 1,000 feet of schools, daycares, or youth centers when children are present.' 'Even with social consumption lounges on the horizon, it's important for people to know the current laws haven't changed,' said Al Romero-Gibu, who leads the City's Office of Cannabis Management. 'Cannabis must still be consumed in private settings in a lawful and thoughtful manner.' Meanwhile, driving, boating or operating any vehicle under the influence of marijuana can result in a DUI. Open containers are also not allowed in vehicles, and any present cannabis must be in a sealed package or stored in the trunk, according to officials. Sierra retailer opens first California store in South Lake Tahoe Officials also remind the community that cannabis consumption events must be permitted by the City of Sacramento. The city said it is working to modernize local cannabis rules through its Title 17 Cannabis Amendments. This includes an effort to 'better align with policy goals around equity, access, and neighborhood compatibility.' 'While the policy work continues, residents should plan for a safe and responsible 4/20 based on current laws,' Romero-Gibu said. More information on cannabis laws can be found on the city's cannabis management website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
