This past week in weed featured a flurry of legal activity in America and abroad. Meanwhile, the benefits of social equity, medical cannabis, and consumer awareness were all on full display. 

All that and much more happened in the week that was in weed. Catch up before this week heats up even more. 

Monday, July 8

• As Thai lawmakers push to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic, advocates are pushing back. 
• United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 555 has submitted over 160,000 signatures supporting a November ballot question mandating labor peace agreements in the cannabis industry.
• North Dakota activists also submitted ballots, this time totaling over 22,000 signatures, in an effort to put legalization on the November ballot. 
• Germany approved its first social club, allowing members to grow cannabis legally. 

Tuesday, July 9

• A spending bill approved by a GOP-led House committee aims to block the DOJ’s rescheduling efforts while also adding penalties for sales near parks and schools. 
• Cathy Jordan, a Florida-based nearly 30-year ALS patient and cannabis activist, passed away at 74 on July 4th, 2024.  
• Conservative states such as Arkansas, Nebraska, and North Dakota are advancing legalization efforts with seemingly successful ballot drives. 

Wednesday, July 10

• Extract lovers across the world celebrated OIL Day on 710, with copious dabs consumed and plenty of discounts offered by most brands. 
• Illinois crossed the $1 billion sales threshold in 2024, and the state touted its growing economy and equity initiatives. 
• Kansas lawmakers are prepping for two days of hearings surrounding medical cannabis during the upcoming 2025 legislative session.
• New York regulators eased marketing rules, allowing brands to use billboards, promotional items, and mascots.

Thursday, July 11

• Delta Extraction faces a $20 million lawsuit from SND Equipment Leasing over unpaid invoices and revenue loss following a massive Missouri marijuana product recall.
• Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida Republicans, and the hemp industry are said to be uniting to defeat a November recreational marijuana ballot initiative 
• As Thailand’s Pheu Thai party pushes for recriminalization, the opposing Bhumjaithai are resisting. 
• New Jersey’s Stockton University will become the first in the state to offer undergrads a degree in cannabis studies with a focus on business management starting this fall.

Friday, July 12

• Ohio’s medical board opted not to add autism and female orgasmic difficulty disorder to its medical marijuana eligibility list. 
• Sports Illustrated asked if  NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) partnerships between athletes and cannabis companies are on the horizon. 
• Pennsylvania’s 2024 state budget does not include adult us marijuana legalization, putting a stop to potential legislation until at least the fall session
• Alabama medical cannabis advocates are calling for expedited access, citing patient needs amid legal delays.

That’s a bit of what went down in weed last week. Did we miss anything? Send us a message, and we’ll do our best to round up all the essentials next week.