As the year winds down, many states continue to hammer out new cannabis regulations. California is just days away from legal retail sales of marijuana. Massachusetts may allow cannabis lounges for social consumption. The city of Denver is also making inroads into the on-premise consumption of cannabis. Read all about these developments and more in The Fresh Toast’s Marijuana Legislative Roundup for Dec. 18.
California:
On Thursday, California issued its first 20 temporary licenses for businesses to operate in the state’s new recreational cannabis industry when sales begin on January 1. The licensees included distributors, retailers, and some medical marijuana businesses, who will be regulated similarly to recreational businesses under California law starting next year. With time running short before the January 1 start of recreational sales, few counties and municipalities have begun issuing permits for recreational marijuana businesses.
-
Related Story: Is California Really Ready For Legal Marijuana?
Under California law, retailers are required to obtain local permits before they are eligible for state licenses and many local authorities have yet to enact the necessary regulations for retailers to apply for permits. With the holidays drawing near, it appears that few recreational marijuana retailers will be open for business on January 1. The state began accepting license applications the prior week.
Massachusetts:
In meetings last week, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission approved preliminary rules allowing cannabis consumption lounges, in addition to the sale of marijuana products at restaurants, movie theaters, yoga studios, and some other businesses. Businesses granted these “mixed-use” licenses could only offer single-serving portions of cannabis, which would have to be consumed on the premises. The Commission hopes to publish detailed draft rules by December 29 and enact final regulations by March 15. Recreational sales are set to begin in Massachusetts on July 1.
-
Related Story: 4 Things You Need To Know About Massachusetts’ Cannabis Laws
Illinois:
On Wednesday, Cook County Commissioners voted unanimously to put an advisory referendum to legalize cannabis on the ballot for the March 15 primary elections. Voters will be asked whether the state should legalize “the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, testing, and sale of marijuana and marijuana products for recreational use by adults 21 and older.” Such non-binding questions are often used by lawmakers to gauge public support on an issue before taking legislative action.
Colorado:
Last week, the city of Denver received its first marijuana social-use application from a business seeking to allow vaping and edible consumption on its premises. The application comes more than a year after Denver voters approved a pilot program for marijuana consumption lounges in the city. However, the rules are so restrictive that there has been little interest so far.
-
Related Story: Cannabis Lounges Might Be Coming To The U.S. Soon
The ballot measure requires applicants to obtain backing from a registered neighborhood organization and comply with Colorado’s indoor smoking ban. Marijuana growers and retailers in the city will not be eligible to apply, and cannabis cannot be sold on the premises. The regulations closely mirror those already in place for liquor and cannabis retailers.
Nevada:
On Wednesday, the Las Vegas City Council held a public meeting on a draft regulation allowing cannabis consumption lounges in the city. The rules would allow marijuana to be smoked or otherwise consumed but not sold in licensed lounges. The businesses would be allowed to obtain separate licenses to sell paraphernalia, merchandise, and possibly food. Officials will next address the issue at a meeting on January 2.
