By Madalynn Flynn
Following important cannabis news articles every day can be a real burn-out, we know. That’s why the Emerald rolls up a chronicle of the headiest news hits, and passes them to you at the end of each week. We Bring You: The Dime
Virginia just Decriminalized Cannabis
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed the decriminalization legislation into law last weekend. During his November 2017 campaign, Northam promised to decriminalize possession of small amounts of cannabis, Leafly reports. This isn’t full-out legalization, like the state’s Attorney General Mark Herring wanted. But, it’s a step in the right direction. Rather than charging offenders with criminal possession, the law states that those caught with cannabis must pay a $25 civil penalty fee.
Greenbits Raises $23 Million in Series B Funding Led by Tiger Global and Casa Verde
Despite current economic uncertainties, Greenbits announced that they raised $23 million in Series B, or second round funding. The company is recognized in the regulated market as the largest retail platform with leading technology, according to Business Insider. Funding was provided by Tiger Global Management and Casa Verde, Snoop Dogg’s venture capital firm. The company has, “more than 1,200 retail locations, including medical dispensaries and adult-use retailers, across 13 states,” according to LA Cannabis News. “Greenbits will use the new capital to accelerate sales, marketing, and product development while expanding product and service offerings to new geographic markets.”
Recreational Cannabis Won’t Make it Onto Missouri Ballots This Year
Unfortunately for pro-cannabis voters in Missouri, campaign officials put recreational cannabis on the back burner. MJ Biz Daily reports that,“Campaign chair, Dan Viets, told the newspaper the state’s COVID-19 lockdowns have made, “petitioning very difficult,” and that it was going to be virtually impossible to gather the 170,000 signatures needed to make the November 2020 ballot.” This came as a crushing blow for many as Missouri legalized medical use in 2018.
Campaigners are not going down without a fight, though. A group came forward and, “filed a lawsuit seeking the right to collect signatures digitally,” adds MJ Biz Daily.
Murphy Orders Jails to Release Some Prisoners to Cope with COVID-19
The coronavirus is spreading like wildfire amongst prisoners and guards. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is not taking that lightly. Heady NJ notes that, “Murphy recently signed an executive order that released “low-risk” inmates from state prison who were denied parole in the last 12 months or were scheduled to be free within the next three months.”
Many low-level offenders, including those with cannabis offenses, and elderly inmates are eligible for release. It’s worth noting that serious offenders are not eligible for parol.
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