Week of October 7 - October 13, 2023
Do you love data and staying up to date with the latest cannabis-related headlines? Are you searching for industry news to inform your institution’s approach to cannabis risk and compliance?
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Hashing Out the Truth
CRB Monitor’s database growth by the numbers.
Tier 1 Marijuana-Related Business Counts
Weekly Summary (October 7 - October 13, 2023):
75,131 1A MRBs + 3,820 1B MRBs = 78,951 total
1A MRBs
Tier 1A defined: Businesses in this tier literally touch the cannabis plant at some point along the supply chain from "seed to sale," and are generally licensed by a government agency or regulator. Effectively all of their actual or expected revenue is derived from the cultivation, production, testing or sale of cannabis. For the week of Sept. 23, the jump in 1A MRBs was due to micro-business applications in Missouri.
1B MRBs
Tier 1B defined: Businesses that have a financial or controlling interest in a Tier 1A CRB. CRB Monitor generally considers 1B businesses as seemingly unrelated businesses highlighted as red flags by FinCEN in its marijuana banking guidance and are similar in nature to individual beneficial owners.
Marijuana Business Licenses
Note: Inactive licenses, unlicensed, and unknown licenses have been excluded. For the week of Sept. 23, the jump in pre-licenses was due to micro-business applications in Missouri.
Beneficial Owners Count
Beneficial owners defined: For beneficial owners, each economic owner or controlling person is classified into one or more categories based on their relationship to the linked CRB including: (1) Owner/Investor, (2) Board Member, (3) Corporate Officer, (4) Executive, (5) Non-commercial Registered Agent or (6) Senior Manager.
News of Note
A selection of relevant cannabis-related news. Items marked with 
indicate links to licensed business profiles in the CRB Monitor database.
Mergers & Acquisitions
Red White & Bloom Wins Top Bid for Aleafia
SNDL Affiliate Set to Acquire SkyMint Out of Receivership
Adverse Media
OK Cracks Down on Illegal Activity at Licensed Cannabis Businesses
Michigan regulators publish monthly report on disciplinary actions against marijuana businesses
Mold, labeling issues prompt cannabis recalls in Canada
Independent review: Secretary of State auditors failed to safeguard against Fagan’s moonlighting
Hemp Company Founders Plea Guilty To Conspiracy In $14M Investor Case
Litigation
Companies seeking Georgia medical marijuana licenses lose appeal
Licensed San Diego cannabis companies challenge hemp product sellers in court
Alabama judge tosses marijuana Verano's lawsuit seeking license
Maryland Judge Blocks Hemp Portion Of New Cannabis Law
SEC Denied Early Win In Fraud Suit Against CBD Firm's CEO
Trulieve Challenges $143 Million in Taxes
McCormick & Company sent a cease-and-desist letter to Crabcakes & Cannabis
Bankruptcy court refuses to dismiss marijuana industry debtor Chapter 11 case
Apogee Financial, Cannabinoid Research Company Settle Spoiled Acquisition Suit
Arkansas Takes Fight Over New Hemp Law To 8th Circuit Court
Legalization & Regulation
CA Governor Vetoes Legal Psychedelics, Decides Other Cannabis Legislation
New Calif. Hemp, CBD Rules Affect Nationwide Compliance
Missouri marijuana product recall hearing moved to December
Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission overhauls licensing process amid legal disputes
If OH Voters Approve Cannabis Legalization Measure, Senate President Says He’ll Repeal Parts
Industry experts say New Mexico’s cannabis industry is under-regulated
Illinois Rep. Ford Introduces Consumable Hemp Licensing Bill
D.C. Mayor Signs Cannabis Lab Testing, Visitor Permit Bill
Ohio Senators Pass Resolution Urging Voters to Vote No on Cannabis Legalization
Alaska Will Regulate Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid Products through Marijuana Control Board
California Governor Approves 3 More Cannabis Bills Regarding Regulation, Enforcement Funding
Licensing Related
NY Regulators Announce 5 New Dispensaries to Open
Higher Collective Opens First Two Dispensaries in Connecticut
Verano Expands Retail Footprint in Connecticut With the Opening of Zen Leaf Newington
Green Thumb Expands Florida Retail Presence
Hawai‘i Approves Medical Cannabis Retail Dispensary For Maui Pono Life Sciences
Last Available Medical Cannabis License in Virginia to Be Decided by the Cannabis Control Authority
Missouri Officials Say Microbusiness License Sales Must Comply with Ownership Criteria
Opening Up Pot Licensing Shakes Up NY Court Battle
New York regulators FAQ about the marijuana business licensing process
Judge rules Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission has authority to rescind license awards
Maine regulators posted guidance on cannabis testing requirements
Markets
U.S. Census Bureau Maps Out Cannabis Tax Contribution Across States
iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc. interim chief operating officer is leaving the company
Charlotte's Web Appoints Angela McElwee, Former CEO of Gaia Herbs, to Board of Directors
Canopy Growth Announces EU GMP Certification of Kincardine Cultivation Facility
Columbia Care Cannabis Cultivators Join UFCW Local 152
International
Israeli health officials to extend medical cannabis licences amid Gaza conflict
Ukrainian Lawmakers Approve Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill in Committee
Expert panel conducting the legislative review of Canada's Cannabis Act publishes report