New York Bill To Stop Illegal Weed Sales, Morocco Seizes Over 2 Tons Of Marijuana & More Reg. Updates

New York Bill Seeks To Put End To Illegal Weed Sales

New York State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin introduced a new piece of legislation to address the issue of the illegal sale of cannabis within the state, reported The Examiner News.

Under Paulin's new bill, businesses selling cannabis without a license would face a civil penalty of at least $2,500 for the first violation, $5,000 for a second violation and the potential seizure of their business for a third violation.

"To ensure the legitimacy of the adult-use cannabis industry, we must penalize bad actors in the same manner as we do for other legitimate industries in our state who operate without a required license," Paulin said.

New York became the 15th state to legalize recreational cannabis in March 2021, and ever since, illicit sales of buds and edibles have flourished in NYC. Moreover, stores selling a product or service to consumers and then giving them cannabis as a "gift" have become a thing in the Big Apple.

Interestingly, a recent study conducted by the New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association in arrangement with the NJ Cannabis Trade Association and Connecticut Medical Cannabis Council revealed that nearly half of all illegal cannabis products being sold in NYC are tainted with pesticides, salmonella, heavy metals, etc.

Moroccan Police Seize Over 2 Tons Of Cannabis Resin

Shortly after a group of people was arrested by Spanish police for smuggling cannabis camouflaged as aid for Ukraine, more than 2 tons of cannabis resin was seized in Morocco.

The country's security service detained five suspects on Tuesday for allegedly being a part of an international drug trafficking ring, reported Morocco World News.

The police seized 55 packs of cannabis in total. Now, investigators are searching for potential accomplices.

Moroccan authorities issued the first ten permits for the use of cannabis in industry and medicine and for export in October. Farming cooperatives in the northern mountain areas of Al Houceima, Taounat and Chefchaouen will gradually be allowed to grow cannabis.

Ohio Lawmakers Discuss Two Bipartisan Marijuana Bills

Ohio lawmakers heard about marijuana reform on Tuesday via two bills in particular - one backed by Democrats and the other by Republicans. Both were put before the House Finance Committee for review, reported a local NBC outlet. Both measures seek to tax and regulate recreational marijuana use for adults 21 and older.

The lawmakers discussed cannabis reform during the hearing, even though the legalization measure would be put before voters on the November 2023 ballot at the earliest.

"We've reached a point where a majority of states have medical programs, and nearly half have recreational programs. Action is being taken at the federal level and a citizen-initiated statute is most likely coming to the ballot in Ohio next November," said Rep. Casey Weinstein (D), one of the sponsors of HB 382. "We have the opportunity to take legislative action now to craft a program that works for our entire state rather than wait. Ohio is ready for this, and if we don't act now, we will be left behind."

Philippine Senators Urged To Rethink Bill Allowing Risk-Free Purchase Of MMJ

Philippine lawmakers held a hearing on Senate Bill (SB) No. 230, or the proposed Medical Cannabis Compassionate Access Act of the Philippines, on Wednesday, reported Inquirer.

Dr. Donnabel Trias-Cunanan, president of Cannahopefuls Inc., told members of the Senate committee on health and demography that the bill from Sen. Robinhood Padilla is seeking to allow the safe purchase of marijuana-based products for those suffering from epilepsy and cerebral palsy.

"We believe that this law would give us legal access — number one for affordable medicine not only for the rich but also for the poor patients," Cunanan said during the hearing. "Second, it would give us safe access — where we would not be arrested or jailed because we just want to obtain medicine good for our children, safe from pesticides and insecticides which can harm our children."

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