Medical Marijuana As Workplace Benefits, Wyoming Gov Misled Legalization Advocates & More

New Bill Allows Medical Marijuana Patients To Submit Products Tor Testing Directly To Labs

A bill sent to Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser's (D) desk proposes that medical cannabis patients could directly submit products for testing to labs. Additionally, regulators could grant temporary cannabis patient registrations to non-residents, valid for a year, reported Marijuana Moment.

The measure from D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) and Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie (D) broadened the eligibility criteria for social equity cannabis license applicants in the region.

The bill ended up on Mayor Bowser's desk at the end of last month and needs her action on or before October 11.

Social Equity Cannabis Businesses Are First To Receive Loans From Colorado Agency 

The Cannabis Business Office (CBO) within the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT) announced last week the first recipients of the state's Cannabis Business Loan Program, implemented in partnership with mission-based lender NuProject.

Colorado marijuana transport company IDY Distributors and retailer Simply Pure are the first to be backed by the state program.

"Small businesses are an engine of Colorado's economy, and we are thrilled to promote greater equity in the cannabis industry while making it easier for these businesses to grow," Eve Lieberman, OEDIT executive director, said.

Wisconsin Senator Says Weed Legalization Could Benefit Agriculture

Democratic Senator Melissa Agard of Madison, who has been at the forefront of marijuana legalization, said that cannabis policy reform could benefit the state's agricultural community, reported WHBL.

"I've met with many hemp farmers in Wisconsin and other folks that want to be part of that industry," Sen. Agard said. "I know that if we were able to legalize cannabis in the way that our neighboring states, Michigan, Minnesota and Illinois have, we would be able to lift up our agricultural community. So many farmers are coming to me saying they want to be part of this industry."

California City Banning MMJ Establishments Allows Cannabis Delivery Because Of This Policy

A California city has adopted a new ordinance recently that prohibits medical marijuana establishments citywide but lifts the ban on delivery of medical cannabis products.

The city of San Marcos enforced the policy change according to Senate Bill 1186, known as the Medicinal Cannabis Patients' Right of Access Act, reported The Coast News. The legislation from state Sen. Scott Wiener (D) prohibits "a local jurisdiction from adopting or enforcing any regulation that prohibits the retail sale by delivery within the local jurisdiction of medicinal cannabis to medicinal cannabis patients or their primary caregivers by medicinal cannabis businesses."

Wyoming Marijuana Legalization In Limbo After Secretary Of State's Mixed Messages

Meanwhile, advocates pushing for the two initiatives that seek to legalize medical marijuana and lower penalties for those caught possessing or using marijuana on the 2024 ballot in Wyoming said the state secretary has allegedly provided conflicting guidance on the process.

According to The Casper Star Tribune, Secretary of State Chuck Gray led activists from Compassionate Options Wyoming, Wyoming NORML and the Wyoming Libertarian Party to mistakenly believe that they did not possess sufficient signatures, resulting in their failure to submit the initiatives in time for inclusion on the ballot.

Marijuana activists, thinking they had fallen short by approximately 6,000 signatures, were surprised to discover they had actually exceeded the threshold by several thousand, boasting nearly 36,000 signatures.

The groups have received information that they still have a chance to meet the eligibility criteria for the ballot. However, they must gather the signatures once again and ensure completion before the upcoming legislative session.

Gray told the Star Tribune that the organizers are making up "inaccurate excuses for the fact that they did not complete the statutory initiative process."

Discounted Medical Marijuana Is The Future of Healthcare Benefits In These States

A new partnership is seeking a unique benefits program to assist employees facing conditions like chronic pain, cancer, or mental health concerns by exploring the potential relief that medical cannabis may offer.

According to a recent press release, Bennabis Health and CannaCoverage opted to join forces following a recommendation by HHS to reschedule cannabis. These two organizations believe Schedule III will help normalize cannabis as medicine and the future of health care will include this new benefit option.

Bennabis breaks the mold of traditional insurance plans, offering patients access to discounted medical marijuana products in New Jersey, New Mexico and Washington, D.C. This additional perk can seamlessly integrate into existing health benefit plans, thanks to the expertise of CannaCoverage.

"The opportunity for cannabis to be rescheduled allows a pathway for medical cannabis as a multi-modal option and alternative to opioids and other synthetic prescription drugs," said Nichelle Santos, co-founder & CEO of Canna Coverage. "We have witnessed the destruction of lives and families with opioid abuse. Having medical cannabis as an option will improve health outcomes and workforce production, reduce addiction rates, and increase quality of life."

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