Business
Businessman sentenced to prison for involvement in black market marijuana organization
A California businessman described as the mastermind behind an illegal marijuana trafficking organization was sentenced to 12 years in prison for conning people out of money and shipping drugs out of state.
Ticker: CCC says don’t change pot tax; Google selects Mississippi site; Mortgage rates hit another low
Changing the way Massachusetts taxes legal marijuana could produce more revenue for the state, but it could also disrupt the fledgling cannabis industry, a report found. In a report by the Cannabis Control Commission, regulators and state revenue experts considered taxing pot based on its weight or potency, rather than the current price-based tax. Although […]
The struggle to enter California’s cannabis market: ‘So much heartache, so much pain’
Linda Grant sold weed in the streets of East Oakland for 35 years before California legalized marijuana in 2016. She’s been “going through hell” trying to open a licensed business ever since. Five years and two frustrating partnerships later, Grant still has to get a loan to pay for a business storefront before she can even […]
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis says pardons for marijuana convictions can start in 90 days
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill into law Monday that allows him to mass-pardon Coloradans with minor marijuana possession convictions, although he has not said exactly how the process will work. Lawmakers passed House Bill 1424 on June 15, the last day of the 2020 legislative session. The bill aims to make the legal […]
Not your typical grow house: Bay Area buyers paid cash, moved in the marijuana
Custom-built house, wraparound porch, great views, perfect for … a grow house. A marijuana raid in Merced County allegedly found an extensive growing operation in an unlikely-looking home. Three buyers, from San Francisco and San Leandro, paid $590,000 cash for the house in April, the Merced County Sheriff’s Department said on Wednesday. Read the rest […]
2019 Monterey County Crop Report lists leaf lettuce in top spot, cannabis in fifth
SALINAS – The 2019 Monterey County Crop Report released Tuesday shows the overall production value of the agriculture industry in the county was up 3.5% to $4.4 billion. Leaf lettuce is the top crop followed by strawberries, head lettuce, and broccoli rounding out the top four in the main report. The Crop Report also includes, […]
Recreational marijuana laws may boost traffic deaths, studies say
By LINDSEY TANNER | The Associated Press Laws legalizing recreational marijuana may lead to more traffic deaths, two new studies suggest, although questions remain about how they might influence driving habits. Previous research has had mixed results and the new studies, published Monday in JAMA Internal Medicine, can’t prove that the traffic death increases they […]
Colorado lawmakers let governor mass-pardon marijuana possession convictions
The governor would be able to mass-pardon marijuana convictions for possession of 2 ounces or less if he signs a bill that gives him that authority. It was the last amendment to the last bill considered Monday before Colorado’s General Assembly ended its work for the year. Lawmakers added the mass expungement option to House […]
Buzz kill: Massachusetts’ pot shops reopen, but some fear another shutdown
BOSTON (AP) — Marijuana shops in many states have enjoyed brisk business during the coronavirus pandemic. In New England? Not so much. Recreational shops reopened this week in Massachusetts with strict regulations after being ordered shut down the past two months. Now, some worry that state officials could simply shutter them again if there’s a […]
Milpitas council kills cannabis sales tax measure proposal
MILPITAS — After briefly reviving the idea of potentially placing a cannabis business sales tax measure on the November ballot, the Milpitas City Council has killed the proposal. The council on Tuesday night was scheduled to consider both a cannabis business sales tax measure, as well as a general sales tax measure, but ultimately decided […]