Kansas Not Likely To Legalize Cannabis Any Time Soon And Other Marijuana Reg Updates In CT, NY & FL

Cannabis regulations in the US vary from state to state, as the federal government considers marijuana's status (illegal) under the Controlled Substances Act. These regulations encompass licensing requirements, taxation frameworks, product quality standards and restrictions on public consumption.

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While the Prairie State got its cannabis legalization program up and running in short order, other states are still figuring out how to implement the policy change. Let's scroll through the latest regulatory updates in the cannabis space.

Kansas Not Likely To Legalize Cannabis Any Time Soon, House Member Says

Cannabis is still illegal in Kansas, and it seems that it will continue that way, at least for now, according to House Minority Whip Stephanie Sawyer Clayton, reported KCTV.

Why?

Even though there is bipartisan support for the policy change, "ironically, there is some bipartisan opposition," she said.

Clayton targeted Senate president Ty Masterson, a Republican who remains "strongly against" legalizing cannabis, as a primary obstacle, adding that House members probably won't bring the issue up again this session, or at least until he changes his stance on the plant.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly earlier said she would not exercise her executive powers to permit medical marijuana possession or decriminalize cannabis in the state. But according to a recent tweet, she may change her mind.

"Three out of the four states surrounding Kansas have legalized medical marijuana," she tweeted. "Legalizing medical marijuana would boost our economy and provide relief to Kansans suffering from severe illnesses."

Three out of the four states surrounding Kansas have legalized medical marijuana. Legalizing medical marijuana would boost our economy and provide relief to Kansans suffering with severe illnesses.https://t.co/F3FKi9nv6H

— Governor Laura Kelly (@GovLauraKelly) August 16, 2023

Legal Battle Brewing in Connecticut City: Residents Sue to Halt New Cannabis Laws

The residents of Stamford, Connecticut took legal action earlier this month against city officials, seeking to halt operations at cannabis businesses both citywide and statewide, reported CT News Junkie.

The Stamford Neighborhoods Coalition and over a dozen individual plaintiffs filed a complaint in Superior Court on Aug. 9.

The lawsuit alleges that the state's recent law legalizing the possession and commercial sale of cannabis conflicts with the federal Controlled Substances Act.

"Under federal law, anyone involved in the growing, manufacturing, distribution or dispensing, or possession with intent to manufacture, grow, distribute or dispense marijuana is marijuana trafficking subject to federal prosecution under the federal Controlled Substances Act," attorney David Herz wrote in the complaint. "It is therefore unconstitutional and can not be relied upon by the City of Stamford or its Zoning Board to permit the illegal enterprise that is every Cannabis business."

Additionally, the plaintiffs in the case claim that licensed marijuana activity increases crime, leading to endangering children while decreasing local homeowners' property values.

Connecticut's recreational cannabis market officially rolled out in January.

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New York Cannabis Regulator Plans Thousands Of Weed Retailers, Once It Overcomes The Latest Setback

Meanwhile, documents related to the ongoing lawsuit filed by a group of four service-disabled veterans who against New York cannabis regulators for not giving them a priority in the initial dispensary licensing process that prioritized people impacted by prior marijuana convictions shed light on what Office of Cannabis Management had envisioned for the state in terms of recreational cannabis program.

According to a deposition affidavit from OCM Chief Equity Officer Damian Fagon, out of roughly 2,000 licensed retailers statewide, 125 service-disabled veterans will have a priority in the licensing process when it opens in October, reported Green Market Report.

"By the time the Office begins issuing non-conditional adult-use retail dispensary licenses … open CAURD retail dispensaries will account for less than 5% of the total number of adult-use retail dispensaries required to meet the total market demand in New York," he said.

However, on Friday, a New York judge has blocked the state from issuing new marijuana dispensary licenses on Friday, after ruling in favor of veterans who brought the lawsuit. The case is expected to continue for several months, representing another setback for the state's marijuana industry, which has faced numerous challenges already.

In addition, the injunction does not affect cannabis businesses that are already operating dispensaries or businesses that have met all requirements for licensing by Aug. 7.

GOP Duo Wants To Impose Restrictions On Hemp Products In Florida

The Republican push to limit total THC content in hemp products and likely prohibit delta-8 and most full spectrum hemp CBD products, as well as the marketing of hemp products to minors failed to get enacted. Still, lawmakers behind might address the issue in the 2024 legislative session, reported Florida Phoenix.

Polk County Republican Colleen Burton in the Senate and Manatee County Republican Will Robinson in the House have joined forces to regulate further the hemp space. This effort, according to some, threatens to end the hemp industry.

"This summer, we were hoping to see a reenactment of the farm bill [2018 US farm bill] at the federal level and perhaps change the definition related to hemp," Burton said.

Robinson seconded Burton. "We're hopeful that Congress can pass something regarding an update on the farm bill," he said.

Join us at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago this Sept 27-28 for its 17th edition. Get your tickets today before prices increase and secure a spot at the epicenter of cannabis investment and branding.

Photo: Courtesy of Ramdlon, ganjaspliffstoreuk by Pixabay