South County Mail

Missouri and the World

Drugs

DOJ eases federal restrictions on medical marijuana in major policy shift

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The US Department of Justice has announced a major shift in federal marijuana policy that could ease regulations for state-licensed medical cannabis businesses across the country.

Under a new order signed by acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, many state-approved medical marijuana products will move from Schedule I to Schedule III under federal drug classifications.

The change could significantly affect marijuana businesses in states such as Missouri, where both medical and recreational cannabis sales are legal under state law. [Read more…] about DOJ eases federal restrictions on medical marijuana in major policy shift

Missouri marijuana giant faces second antitrust lawsuit over alleged market control

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Missouri’s largest marijuana company is facing another antitrust lawsuit accusing it of using a network of affiliated companies to dominate the state’s cannabis market and drive up prices for consumers.

According to reporting by Missouri Independent, a Kansas City consumer recently filed a class-action lawsuit against Good Day Farm and more than 40 affiliated limited liability companies.

The lawsuit alleges the company used a complex structure of business entities to gain control over a large share of Missouri’s recreational marijuana industry while limiting competition from other brands and retailers. [Read more…] about Missouri marijuana giant faces second antitrust lawsuit over alleged market control

Missouri marijuana workers win union vote after two-year legal battle

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Workers at a marijuana cultivation and manufacturing facility in south St. Louis, Missouri have officially voted to unionize after a two-year dispute over whether they were legally eligible for federal labor protections.

Employees at the Sinse cannabis facility, owned by BeLeaf Medical, won the union vote 11-3 after sealed ballots were finally opened Friday following a ruling by the National Labor Relations Board.

The vote marks a significant labor development within Missouri’s growing marijuana industry, where workers and employers have increasingly clashed over working conditions, representation and labor rights. [Read more…] about Missouri marijuana workers win union vote after two-year legal battle

Missouri judge declines to immediately halt controversial kratom product sales

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Missouri’s attorney general has failed, for now, in an attempt to immediately halt the sale of controversial kratom-derived products sold by Kansas City-based CBD American Shaman, in a case that highlights growing national debate over the increasingly popular substance.

Jackson County Circuit Judge Charles McKenzie ruled Friday that the state had not yet presented sufficient evidence to justify an emergency temporary restraining order against the company and several affiliated businesses.

The lawsuit, brought by Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway alongside the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, specifically targets products containing “7-OH” – short for 7-hydroxymitragynine – a potent compound derived from kratom. [Read more…] about Missouri judge declines to immediately halt controversial kratom product sales