Maine Switches to Metrc, GW Pharma Expands, and British Columbia Sales Fall

RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Jan. 20, 2020 - PRLog -- After ending the state's track-and-trace service contract with cloud-based software company BioTrackTHC, regulators look back to their original choice of vendor. Metrc, which currently operates in 14 states, was initially pegged for the contract, but was dropped due to worries over delays in Maine's rec program rollout. BioTrackTHC reignited those concerns when they missed the scheduled launch of a user portal in October. Despite the transition, state officials still expect adult-use cannabis sales to begin by spring of this year.

A measure legalizing recreational cannabis qualifies for the 2020 ballot. The proposed constitutional amendment would allow possession and distribution of up to an ounce of marijuana, and home cultivation of up to three plants for adults 21 and older. A medical cannabis initiative is also up for vote, making South Dakota the first state with both MMJ and adult-use legalization proposals on the same ballot.

In Texas, marijuana possession cases are on the decline after hemp was legalized in the state last June. Without additional funding to test THC levels of cannabis, many law enforcement agencies are simply choosing not to prosecute. In fact, the number of marijuana-related charges dropped from approximately 5,600 a month the first half of 2019, to less than 2,000 in November. While many Texans see the change as a positive step in the right direction, others say the lack of action ignores residents who oppose any type of legalization.

Health officials announce the 10 winners of medical cannabis dispensary licenses, including multistate operators Columbia Care and Curaleaf, to operate 14 sites across the state. The licensees could end up paying between 50 and 70 thousand dollars in fees, and may start opening locations as early as March.

GW Pharma announces preliminary fourth quarter results, exceeding analyst projections. The company's anti-seizure CBD epilepsy medication, Epidiolex, was responsible for 104 of the 108 million dollars earned over the fourth quarter of 2019. GW plans to continue to expand and continue developing new formulations for the treatment of a variety of conditions.

British Columbia's regulated market isn't living up to projected estimates, reaching only 12 million Canadian dollars this past August, despite opening the second most cannabis retail stores in the country. In response to the province's still-thriving illicit market, Premier John Horgan is looking at possible policy changes, such as enabling farm-gate sales and tax revenue incentives for municipalities.

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