Omar Buddakey estimates he saves the equivalent of a paycheck each year by buying his weed on the black market © Robyn BECK / AFP Los Angeles (AFP) – Omar Buddakey emerges from a nondescript building in Los Angeles with a joint in his hand. Five years after cannabis was legalized in California, black market transactions like this one -- where no one pays any taxes, … [Read more...] about California’s cannabis black market thrives despite legalization
california
County projects a $10.5 million shortfall in cannabis tax revenue
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – The ongoing downward trend in tax revenues from the cannabis industry in Santa Barbara stands out as the dark spot in an otherwise bright financial picture, county officials said this week. While revenue from property taxes and hotel bed taxes is estimated to exceed county projections by $17 million and $2.2 million, respectively, for fiscal year … [Read more...] about County projects a $10.5 million shortfall in cannabis tax revenue
California launches $20M grant program to expand local retail cannabis programs
California regulators are rolling out a $20 million grant program to help incentivize dozens of counties and cities to establish or expand retail cannabis programs. The Department of Cannabis Control’s Local Jurisdiction Retail Access Grant, billed as the first of its kind in the United States, aims to provide local jurisdictions with resources to expand access to marijuana … [Read more...] about California launches $20M grant program to expand local retail cannabis programs
Businesses Are Leaving. Is The California Cannabis Industry Doomed?
As the saying goes, "The grass is always greener on the other side," but for California's cannabis industry, it seems the grass is greener everywhere else.Over the past few years, the Golden State has seen a mass exodus of weed companies leaving the state for greener pastures (pun intended). Some might say it's high time for California to take a long, hard look at why their … [Read more...] about Businesses Are Leaving. Is The California Cannabis Industry Doomed?
San Diego Receives Cannabis Equity Grant To Boost Local Weed Industry
At long last, San Diego is receiving grant money from the state as part of a program designed to help cities bolster their local cannabis industries. The southern California city announced last month that it is receiving $880,000 from the Governor of California’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) as part of a statewide grant program aimed at promoting equity … [Read more...] about San Diego Receives Cannabis Equity Grant To Boost Local Weed Industry
Last-known Californian in prison for federal cannabis charges released after 15 years
Medical marijuana has been legal in California for more than a quarter of a century, but the impact of the federal ban is still apparent all these years later. One Bay Area man is finally free after serving 15 years in prison for opening a licensed medical cannabis shop. Luke Scarmazzo represents the end of an era. He is the last known Californian to be released from prison for … [Read more...] about Last-known Californian in prison for federal cannabis charges released after 15 years
‘Oaksterdam’: New documentary tells the story of local underdogs who helped legalize cannabis
American Pot Story: Oaksterdam tells the recent history of how a small group of Oakland activists helped legalize cannabis in California. Credit: Courtesy of filmmakers Marijuana is legal in California, and Oakland is the reason why. That’s the bold claim of an important new documentary that chronicles the previously untold and fascinating story of how a handful of underdogs … [Read more...] about ‘Oaksterdam’: New documentary tells the story of local underdogs who helped legalize cannabis
‘Dream big:’ Cannabis workers search for new futures as Emerald Triangle economy withers
GARBERVILLE — Leann Greene’s rose-colored glasses are scratched, cracked, sitting askew, but still firmly planted on her face during her latest monthly open house for the Humboldt Workforce Coalition. For three hours this Wednesday afternoon in a sunny conference room at the public library, apprehensive cannabis workers, lured by a segment on the community radio station KMUD, … [Read more...] about ‘Dream big:’ Cannabis workers search for new futures as Emerald Triangle economy withers
Even If It Doesn’t Pass, I Think I Heard A Pebble Hit The Pond.
“You drop a pebble in a pond, you get ripples. Soon the ripples cross the whole pond.” - Bruce Lee I was scrolling through HighTimes, as one does on a snow covered Tuesday morning while smoking a joint and drinking coffee, and came across an article with a title so wild, I had to read it twice: "California Bill Would Ban Tobacco Sales to All Born After 2006." I mean, talk … [Read more...] about Even If It Doesn’t Pass, I Think I Heard A Pebble Hit The Pond.
Food and live music come to cannabis lounges under CA bill
“Activists and the industry are saying [that] it’s weird that you can go to a bar and get a burger and listen to a band, but the laws right now preclude making a grilled cheese sandwich and serving it to someone in a cannabis lounge,” says Leafly Senior Editor David Downs about the changes Assembly Bill 374 could bring if approved by California lawmakers.Photo by Jamie Soja, … [Read more...] about Food and live music come to cannabis lounges under CA bill
