Missouri officials are busy revoking cannabis licenses from groups and individuals who used predatory practices to skirt the state’s lottery system.
Missouri regulators use a lottery system to choose which applicants can receive cannabis licenses, since the state limits the number of licenses allowed. The system is meant to allow small businesses and those in communities that have been negatively affected by antiquated drug laws to have an equal opportunity to participate in the market.
But the California-based Cannabis Education Project reportedly discovered that bad actors were handing out business cards that linked to an online form allegedly identical to San Diego County’s official application but had no connection to the agency. Applicants were also offered “assistance” in exchange for signing contracts promising 49% of their future cannabis business profits.
The advocacy group alerted applicants about the schemes, but some had already signed contracts.
Nearly half of the total licenses — 44 of the 96 — have been revoked or are being investigated by state regulators.
Concerns over predatory licensing tactics are not limited to Missouri. Similar complaints have come up in Arizona, where state lawmakers have claimed most social equity licenses in the state are now controlled by investors outside the program’s target demographic.
Florida congressman arrested for weed will vote against legalization
Florida Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) recently told a reporter that he would be voting against the ballot initiative to legalize marijuana in the state, despite the fact that he was previously arrested on a marijuana charge.
During an interview with Florida’s Voice, Donalds said the decision to legalize weed in the Sunshine State should be left up to lawmakers rather than a ballot initiative.
“This is something that the legislature should weigh in on, similar to what happened with medical marijuana about a decade ago,” he said. “It should not go into the Constitution.”
It’s unclear if Donalds was aware that Florida’s medical marijuana law was the result of a ballot initiative as well.
Ironically, Donalds was arrested on cannabis distribution charges in 1997, but the charges were dropped in 2000.
Nevada fighters allowed to use weed
Last week, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) officially removed cannabis from its list of banned substances, meaning boxers and mixed martial arts fighters will no longer face penalties for its use.
Before the rule change, cannabis use was considered a doping violation in Nevada. Fighters have had victories nullified or faced harsh penalties for failed marijuana drug tests. But the policy has been criticized by fans ever since fighter Nick Diaz was suspended for five years and fined $165,000 by the commission after failing a marijuana test in 2015.
Many fighters have been open about using marijuana to manage the physical pain associated with mixed martial arts.