Bad News For Marijuana Prohibitionists In Texas, Oregon's New Cannabis Coalition & Other Updates

Bad News For Prohibitionists As Support For Marijuana Decriminalization Grows 

Cannabis activists in Lubbock, Texas, have garnered enough signatures to put a marijuana decriminalization initiative on the ballot.

On Tuesday, which was the deadline for submitting signatures, they turned in 10,540 signatures, reported Marijuana Moment. Of that number, 4,800 need to be valid to formally move the cannabis decriminalization process ahead.

"This was a collective effort that could not have been possible without the more than 40 volunteers and the many other citizens that helped us collect these petition signatures and did the necessary work of notarizing, tallying and verifying," Adam Hernandez, communications chair for Lubbock Compact said earlier this week.

Long Island Cannabis Businesses Want To Kick Off Weed Sales

The Long Island cannabis advocacy group, the Long Island Cannabis Coalition (LICC), recently held a meeting on the same day the New York state kicked off general licensing, including five categories of cannabis businesses, for a two-month window.

Many have voiced their concerns about the program that has been stalling for months due to the judge's recent issuance of the injunction that put unopened stores on hold, among other things, reported Long Island Press.

David Tubens, a chiropractor turned cannabis retailer, said he spent a lot of money on his store's renovation but could not launch sales.

"We're in a holding pattern. I spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on renovations," Tubens said. "I'm paying rent and taxes. Right now, I'm at a standstill."

But, entrepreneurs like Paul Lepore, owner of the Happy Days dispensary, who has been paying rent for months, remain optimistic.

"We keep pushing forward," he said, noting he has a CAURD (Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary) license. "The state has to represent us. Hopefully, they can get us through the injunction."

Medical Marijuana Sales In Arizona Take A Summer Slump

Medical marijuana sales dipped over the past summer, reported High Times, citing recent data from the Arizona Department of Revenue.

In June, the sales decreased to $28 million, followed by a continued downtrend with $26.1 million in July.

While there have been gains in recreational sales, a persistent trend of diminishing medical sales has been evident for months.

Promising Partnership Forms In Oregon's Cannabis Industry

Meanwhile, in Oregon, two cannabis industry associations, the Oregon Cannabis Association and the Cannabis Industry Alliance of Oregon, are joining forces, reported Green Market Report. The new, merged organization will operate under the acronym CIAO.

Jesse Bontecou agreed to lead the new entity as its executive director.

"This merger makes a clear statement that the industry can, must, and will stand as one," Mike Getlin, CIAO's board chair, said in a statement. "We are proud to stand beside our colleagues from the OCA and look forward to working for a better future for all Oregon cannabis businesses and employees."

CIAO was initially formed last year when the Oregon Retailers of Cannabis Association, the Oregon Industry Progress Association and FARMS Inc. partnered under one umbrella.

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Photo: Courtesy of Matteo Paganelli on Unsplash