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Friday it is! Nicolás Rodríguez and Patricio Liddle here, helping you gear up for the weekend with must-read cannabis news. Illinois says the smell of weed alone won't cut it for car searches, Missouri's THC ban just hit a legal speed bump, and Georgia’s pharmacies are daring the DEA. Let’s dive into what’s shaping the industry this week.

Illinois Police Can Sniff Your Car, But Can’t Search!

The Illinois Supreme Court just rolled up a win for cannabis users, ruling that the smell of weed alone isn't enough to justify a warrantless car search. The court made it clear that even if your car smells a little toasty, it’s not a free pass for cops to go rummaging through your ride. Illinois officers will need more than just a whiff to go digging around.

PRESENTED BY CANNABIS CAPITAL CONFERENCE

Legal Pressure Makes Missouri Retreat In Flip-Flops From THC Hemp Ban

Missouri regulators are backpedaling on their blanket ban on hemp-derived THC products after facing a lawsuit from the Missouri Hemp Trade Association. Instead of an outright ban, they'll now target "misbranded" products that could appeal to children. This shift seeks to balance safety and industry growth, ensuring hemp-derived THC remains on shelves while keeping a close eye on product marketing. It seems like Missouri's Gov. Mike Parson (R) got a crash course in ‘choose your battles wisely’ from the industry’s legal pushback.

Could this be the start of more states —like California— rethinking their harsh bans on hemp-derived products?

Take That, DEA

Georgia, the first U.S. state to allow MMJ sales through licensed pharmacies, faced a program halt after the DEA's December threats. Despite federal pressure, Living Well Pharmacy in Augusta is blazing a trail by selling state-approved medical marijuana products.

But pharmacist Vic Johnson isn’t backing down. His pharmacy now offers capsules and tinctures to qualified patients, and finally, after seven years of legislative hurdles, Johnson is seeing an uptick in business, expecting up to 50% growth. Before you go, Georgia’s new hemp law kicks in on Oct. 1, banning sales to anyone under 21 and clamping down on store locations and advertising. CBD-infused chocolates are out, but gummies and oils dodge the axe—still on the shelves for now.

Coastal Comforts, Smart Investments

Tribal Fire, a Native American-owned cannabis delivery service, is shaking up the Massachusetts market with its focus on discretion and safety. Catering to a niche of privacy-conscious customers, the business is primed for growth in Cape Cod’s elite tourist market. Dive into the world of lobster rolls and cannabis delivery while the fall weather holds. 

Weekend Weed Reads:

• Alabama Marijuana Company Sues Medical Cannabis Commission Over Licensing Chaos, Seeks Program Overhaul As Patients Remain In Limbo

• D.C. Carries Crackdown On Cannabis Gifting Shops One Arrested

• Cannabis Multi-State Operator Ayr Wellness Seeks New CEO After David Goubert's Departure: 'Next Phase Of Growth' Coming?

• Flora Growth Cannabis Expands European Presence With Strategic Supply Agreement For Medical Marijuana

• Veterans: Cannabis-Based Drug As A Treatment, New Study - Jazz Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: JAZZ)

• Former Premier League Player Charged After Allegedly Trying To Smuggle 60 Kg (132 Lbs) Of Cannabis Into UK

• How This Cheese-Aging Tech Is Boosting Profits For Cannabis Growers: Stop Throwing Cheddar Out The Door

Our Writers Today

Nicolás holds a B.A. in International Relations, an M.A. in International Affairs, and an M.Phil in Public Policy. He is a doctoral student in Public and Urban Policy at The New School in New York City. After working for the United Nations in 2014, Nico pivoted his research to studying the relationship between the cannabis industry and economic development.

Patricio is a development economist with extensive experience in IT, finance, and banking. He writes about the economic and social opportunities obscured by over fifty years of drug prohibition. Beyond his professional expertise, Patricio is a committed advocate for social change, passionately working to promote harm reduction and reform drug policies.

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