L.A. Fire Department Investigates Vape Shop Fire

RIVERSIDE, Calif. - June 1, 2020 - PRLog -- The L.A. Fire Department is initiating a review of all smoke and vape shops in the city after a recent explosion at an unlicensed wholesaler's warehouse injured a dozen Los Angeles firefighters. While an investigation into the cause of the incident is still underway, authorities suspect the responsible business, Smoke Tokes, of supplying volatile solvents, like butane, to illicit marijuana vape product manufacturers. According to the DEA, another location owned by Smoke Tokes in the same area caught on fire in 2016.

In Michigan, the state's marijuana social equity program gets another revamp. As part of the new rules, regulators are offering an additional discount on application and licensing fees of up to 40 percent, expanded qualifying criteria to those with any past marijuana-related felonies, and increasing the number of participating communities from 41 to 184. Though 172 applicants have been approved, only 2 have taken advantage of the program to date.

The Red Lake Nation legalize the production, regulation and distribution of medical cannabis through an overwhelming 80 percent vote of approval. The tribe, which is the first in the state to legalize MMJ, will also be the only place in Minnesota to allow cannabis flower, providing a possible economic boost for the program.

In Ohio, a federal judge allows digital signature-gathering for local cannabis decriminalization. The Sensible Movement Coalition fought for the alternative method, arguing that not permitting it would be unconstitutional. The court further extended the submission deadline from the beginning to the end of July.

Aurora is set to enter the U.S. market through the acquisition of hemp-derived CBD company Reliva for 40 million dollars in shares, with an additional 45 million in cash and stock upon the achievement of certain milestones.The current deal is expected to close in June.

Manitoba is opening up its cannabis retail licensing process to all prospective owners, after previously limiting its amount of dispensaries to 30. New retailers will be prioritized, and only one location will be approved per applicant for now, which is expected to attract smaller businesses to the province's industry. Crown Services Minister Jeff Wharton hopes the move toward a more competitive cannabis retail market will support Manitoba's economic recovery in the wake of COVID19.

Fotmer Life Sciences completes what is believed to be the largest international shipment of medical marijuana, at more than 2200 pounds, from Uruguay to an undisclosed buyer in Portugal in late 2019. Industry experts suspect the 3.2 million dollar purchase was not destined for Portugal, as MMJ sales are not yet permitted there, and must have been shipped from there to another country. Though the company has refused to confirm, denial by other Portuguese importers had led some to assume that Tilray was the buyer.

Written by Jacqui Verdura and Micah Tatum

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