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USDA announces hemp crop insurance

Agriculture Department officials today announced the availability of crop insurance programs to protect hemp producers’ crops from natural disasters and discussed what program regulations they can write and which ones would have to be changed by Congress.

In a news release and a call to reporters, officials said hemp growers may qualify for two insurance programs:

Connecticut Governor Calls On Lawmakers To Legalize Marijuana

Gov. Ned Lamont made it clear in his budget address Wednesday that he believes the time has come for Connecticut to join the growing list of states to legalize recreational marijuana.

In his annual address to the General Assembly, Lamont made legalizing recreational marijuana a priority for this session even though he pushed sales off until 2022. Lamont’s budget funds positions in the state Department of Consumer Protection to prepare for legal marijuana sales, but does not include any revenue from those sales.

Missouri Announces First Seed-to-Sale Cannabis Licenses

The winners will help provide the tech foundation supporting the state's medical marijuana industry.

The state of Missouri's Department of Health and Senior Services has published a list of the first six companies it is awarding medical cannabis "seed-to-sale" licenses to operate in the state.

The winners are MJ Freeway, Bio-Tech Medical Software, Swin, Artemis Agtech, Validated Housing, and Retail Innovation. There were also two companies turned down for permits: Leaf Logix Technologies and Canna Botanicals. All eight are privately held.

Massachusetts House OKs giving cannabis panel authority over pacts

Massachusetts House lawmakers approved a bill Wednesday that would tighten oversight of payments made by marijuana companies to the cities and towns that host them.

The bill, which passed by a 121-33 vote, would give the state’s Cannabis Control Commission the power to review, regulate and enforce host community agreements following criticism that some local officials have used the contracts to demand more money from companies than is allowed under state law.

Hemp bills get support in Florida House, Senate

Two bills that aim to fix “glitches” in the state hemp program passed their first committee stops unanimously Tuesday.

The bills allow licensed hemp growers to use any seeds deemed safe by the USDA, clarify that hemp products must be properly packaged and labeled and require that licensees who break rules while distributing or selling hemp extract complete corrective action plans.

Legal cannabis: becoming a ‘green’ industry

As sustainability missions crop up on every corporate radar across a diverse range of industries, the legal cannabis sector is no different.

In a previous CSO Magazine article, we discussed that, at a time when competition has never been higher, businesses are finding that taking superior measures to combat climate change can often be a decisive and enticing factor with consumers:

Pete Buttigieg’s Bold Stance on Marijuana Legalization

Marijuana legalization is getting attention again as the 2020 presidential election gets closer. The Iowa caucuses took place on Monday. During the event, Democratic and Republican voters decided on the candidates for the US presidential election. As a result, the candidates took some bold stances regarding marijuana legalization.

Colorado unveils plan to help bring banking to state’s cannabis industry

The state has “an obligation” to pioneer marijuana-related banking, Gov. Jared Polis says

With federal banking still out of reach, Gov. Jared Polis unveiled new strategies Monday to entice Colorado banks, credit unions and money transmitters to work with cannabis companies and become leaders in providing financial services to marijuana and hemp businesses.