Cannabis Grower In Arkansas Fined Over Odor, Gov Sununu Legal Weed 'Inevitable,' Hawaii AG's Plan

Hawaii: Attorney General Presents Plan To Legalize Recreational Cannabis

Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez issued a comprehensive plan to overcome difficulties that have been preventing the legalization of recreational cannabis use, reported Hawaii News Now.

Under the current law, the only way to legally purchase cannabis is from a medical marijuana dispensary. That’s why Lope drafted this plan that seeks to push the development of an adult-use industry while prioritizing medical dispensaries. House Judiciary Chair David Tarnas praised the AG’s effort.

“The attorney general has done a really good job pulling together all of the different input and providing a comprehensive bill,” Tarnas said.

Among key takeaways from the 294-page long proposal that looks up to the Massachusetts model are:

• 10% tax surcharge (only for recreational products) on top of the 4.35% excise tax on recreational cannabis;
• A way for legacy growers to join the legal industry;
• Promoting health education programs to protect youth;
• Placing the Hawaii Cannabis Authority in charge of regulating the businesses.

“The most important thing we can do is we can bring the people who have been growing and selling marijuana illegally into the legal market,” Lopez said.

Minnesota: Saliva-Based Roadside Impairment Tests And New Cannabis Research Center

Minnesota law enforcement is preparing to implement saliva-based roadside impairment tests for marijuana, reported Star Tribune.

Under the new recreational cannabis law, the state is required to launch a pilot project to assess if different oral fluid testing tools can accurately detect cannabis use. It is expected the state would roll out two different testing instruments in December, that would be used over the next year.

During the pilot period, test results may not be used as cause for arrest or as evidence in court. The tests would serve “the purpose of analyzing the practicality, accuracy, and efficacy of the instrument," and the results will be compared to laboratory blood testing, according to the statute. 

Meanwhile, the University of Minnesota confirmed the launch of the Cannabis Research Center (CRC) last week, reported CBS. 

Opponents of cannabis legalization in the state argue there’s not enough cannabis research, so the role of CRC would be to research the impacts of marijuana legalization. 

"CRC will fill this gap in Minnesota's public health infrastructure by collaborating with organizations, agencies, and people in the state on research to advance our understanding of the health effects of cannabis, including its impact on underage users and how it interacts with related substances, such as opioids and alcohol," a release from the university said. 

New Hampshire: Gov. Sununu Says Weed Legalization Is Inevitable

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu (R) said last week that cannabis legalization is coming, even though he is not in favor of it.

“We are looking at that,” he said, as reported by In Depth. “I’m not a huge believer in the idea. I understand that it is inevitable. And I think we have an opportunity to actually do it right.”

The governor further found it funny that the Cato Institute's metrics are proposing the idea that flexibility on cannabis is more important than flexibility on liquor, “which I thought was pretty interesting. But look, that is just the way a lot of things are going. So there is an opportunity there to make sure it is done right.”

The news comes as New Hampshire's cannabis commission starts to work on the possible draft of a bill to legalize cannabis sales via state-run stores.

Arkansas: Licensed Cannabis Grower Fined Over Several Violations Including Failure To Contain Odor 

Leafology, one of Arkansas' eight licensed cannabis growers has been fined by the state over several violations, such as improper record management, not having proper video surveillance and not containing odor as required under the law. Per the report, one woman at the apartment complex next door claims the smell is very, very powerful.

A spokesperson for Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) confirmed the cultivator on Amity Road in Lake Hamilton has been fined over $10,00 for those violations and that there was a consideration to suspend Leafology’s license, reports THV11.

"The board ultimately said, 'Okay, we're upholding the fine, we're going to find you $10,500,' and we're not going to uphold the suspension because the company said in the hearing, 'listen, this suspension, you know, we're really fighting to stay competitive. And this suspension could borderline put us under,'" Scott Hardin, ABC spokesperson said.

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