We’re wrapping up a particularly busy week in weed as Missouri and Maryland voters said yes to recreational cannabis, marking the 20th and 21st states to legalize the plant. But that’s not all that happened this week. If you got caught up in the major headlines, we’ve got you covered. Read on to catch up on the latest cannabis news you may have missed.
Wana wants to give back. Nancy Whiteman of Wana Brands officially launched the Wana Brands Foundation (WBF) this week. The $50 million foundation will kick off with a $3 million gift to Johns Hopkins University to help fund cannabis, cannabinoid, and psychedelic research. Though the John Hopkins gift formally kicks off the foundation’s work, WBF has also made gifts to organizations working to end hunger, social justice nonprofits, and voter education organizations among others.
Boston is refunding more than $2 million in fees for cannabis businesses. A spokesperson said that nine Boston companies would receive checks totaling $2.86 million, following a decision to stop collecting impact fees. Since 2017, cities and towns have been able to charge local cannabis operators with up to 3 percent of their revenue so long as it was reasonably related to any negative impacts the facility puts on the community.
Illinois has given out two social equity dispensary licenses. Ivy Hall and Green Rose, two minority-owned businesses have been greenlighted to open a retail shop in Chicago. So far, the state has given out 190 conditional licenses to social equity applicants, and about 41 percent of those businesses with conditional licenses are Black-owned. Conditional license holders may not open shop until they’ve been issued an adult-use license.
Tokes for turkeys? Michigan dispensary Puff Cannabis is giving away 1700 turkeys to those in need this Thanksgiving. The generous move will take place in the seven communities Puff is located in, including Madison Heights, Utica, Bay City, Hamtramck, Traverse City, Oscoda, and Sturgis.
STIIIZY has launched a line of CBN-infused gummies for sleep. Available in Crimson Berry, Midnight Berry, and White Berry flavors, the gummies contain a 2:1 ratio of THC and CBN, with 10 mg of THC and 5 mg of CBN. The ten-serving packages will retail at $14.
