GOP Gubernatorial Candidate In Indiana Says Cannabis Legalization Is 'Inevitable,' Local NYC Pols Are Against Licensed Pot Shops And More Reg Updates

Local Leaders In Queens Are Against Licensed Pot Shops, Here's Why

Some New York City politicians don't want any new licensed cannabis shops until illegal ones are eradicated, reported the New York Post.

Sherry Algredo, chairwoman of Queens Community Board 9 reached out to state regulators to address the issue.

"The Board received numerous concerns from residents regarding the proliferation of illegal smoke shops already operating in our district and the negative impact these establishments have had on our community," Algredo wrote in a recent letter to New York's Office of Cannabis Management. "Consequently, the Board will not support any new applications until these illegal operations are shut down."

New Jersey Cannabis Dispensary And Sales On Rise In 2024

Meanwhile, in New Jersey, recreational cannabis revenues topped $201 million in the first quarter of 2024, coming from 130 dispensaries and representing a 38% year-over-year increase, reported CourierPostOnline. However, New Jersey Monitor's Nikita Biryukov highlighted that the state's recreational marijuana sales grew slower during the quarter, as an uptick in sales could be mainly attributed to a substantial increase in the number of dispensaries.

Data from New Jersey's Cannabis Regulatory Commission suggest this year's 4/20 cannabis holiday saw "historically high" sales." Jeff Brown, the commission's executive director called it "our highest sales day of the year by almost double."

Recreational cannabis sales hit the $4 million mark on April 19, a Friday, and $5.2 million on 4/20. Combined with Sunday sales "the weekend closed out with approximately $12.5 million in recreational and medicinal cannabis sales," the commission said.

"New Jersey is only seeing the beginning of what is possible for cannabis," Brown added. "We anticipate that as even more dispensaries open across the state, new brands are introduced to the market, and cannabis becomes less stigmatized, sales numbers will continue to go up."

GOP Gubernatorial Candidate In Indiana Says Cannabis Legalization Is ‘Inevitable'

A Democratic lawmaker in Indiana said the state lawmakers should reevaluate its stance on marijuana legalization following the recent Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) decision to reclassify cannabis under federal law.

"Now that the Drug Enforcement Administration plans to reclassify marijuana to the Schedule III category of legal but regulated, Indiana should convene discussions to disclose resistance to legalization in our state. I believe it is time for Indiana to follow suit with decriminalization and legalization for adult use,” state representative Maureen Bauer (D) said, according to WSBT.

Cannabis rescheduling seems to be right around the corner. If you want to understand what this means for the future of the industry, hear it directly from top executives, investors, and policymakers at the 19th Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, coming to Chicago this Oct. 8-9. Get your tickets now before prices surge by following this link.

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb's stance on policy reform is clear, given that he previously said no to marijuana pardons.

However, the clear front-runner candidate for Indiana’s next governor is signaling a policy reform is possible.

"It’s inevitable. Now it's reaching our own state. It’s been precipitated now to do something more quickly with what the feds have just decided," Senator Mike Braun (R) said.

For now, he is open to the legalization of medical cannabis.

"I’m going to look at medical for sure," the front-runner said. "Recreational, I would lean heavily on what our state law enforcement folks think and police in general to make sure we’re not getting ahead of our skis."

Now read: Indiana Democrats Propose Bills To Legalize Medical And Adult-Use Cannabis