While the federal government has regulated the sale of cannabis, states have the right to establish their laws for marijuana. Some states allow for the sale of cannabis to adults, while others have not yet passed laws. The legality of recreational cannabis dispensaries in the United States continues to evolve.
New York
The first legal recreational cannabis dispensary in New York was opened on January 24. A justice-involved individual will own it, and a nonprofit organization will support it.
There are nine marijuana licenses currently being issued by the Office of Cannabis Management. It includes a Distributor License, Cultivator License, Nursery License, Processor License, and Cooperative License.
While some have criticized the legitimacy of recreational cannabis dispensaries, there is no denying that they are operating in good faith. They are helping to create jobs and increase tax revenue.
In addition to the revenue generated from retail sales, a portion of the tax will go to a community grants reinvestment fund. The money will be used for adult education, job placement, and mental health care.
Guam
There are no recreational marijuana dispensaries yet open in Guam. However, there have been several applications submitted. Whether the government will accept them is up in the air.
According to the Guam Cannabis Control Board, it’s still too early to determine the exact rules and regulations for the new industry. The board met again on Tuesday and gave updates on the committee’s tasks.
While the legislature recently passed a law that allows for the legalization of recreational cannabis in the territory, the rules haven’t been written yet. Some of the issues include the lack of testing facilities and the absence of a dispensary.
Until these are in place, residents and tourists can’t purchase marijuana from dispensaries. They’ll have to buy it from licensed medical cannabis producers.
Michigan
It may seem hard to believe, but the legitimacy of recreational cannabis dispensaries in Michigan is still up in the air. The law passed last month was met with legal challenges from both sides. It was only this week that another lawsuit was filed.
Fortunately, the law allows citizens to petition local governments to ban establishments. It is known as the citizen initiative process. Typically, this is used for proposals to limit the number of marijuana establishments in a community.
But there are other ways to change the rules. For example, many municipalities have held public hearings or are scheduled to vote on the issue.
Whether or not you are a supporter of the industry, many legal and practical concerns must be addressed. Some of the biggest are sky-high taxes and a lack of access to essential banking services.
Connecticut
It’s been five years since Connecticut passed a law to legalize medical marijuana, and now it’s time to move on to recreational use. Connecticut residents 21 and older can legally possess up to one ounce of cannabis. They will also be able to grow up to three mature plants in their homes.
Earlier this year, the State Senate and House of Representatives passed a bill that will allow for the sale of marijuana by licensed retailers. The law will also provide for the expungement of prior low-level cannabis offenses. Sales are expected to begin in June of 2022, with the first dispensaries expected to open their doors to the public on July 1.
In addition, the legislature amended the Connecticut Family and Medical Leave Act to apply to almost all private-sector employers in 2022. It will provide additional protections against discrimination for individuals with debilitating medical conditions.
United States
A marijuana dispensary is a place to buy and consume marijuana, often in a retail setting. The legality of a dispensary varies depending on the State in which it operates. For example, in California, the State must license a dispensary.
In New York, a nonprofit can operate a dispensary. However, the State still needs to meet its goal of opening at least 20 legal dispensaries by the end of the year.
The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) approves dispensary licenses. Some permits are reserved for nonprofit groups serving individuals with cannabis-related arrests.
Under the State’s new law, a municipality has until December 31, 2021, to decide whether or not to allow dispensaries in its area. The municipality will automatically enter the regulated retail market if a city acts after the deadline.
