[author: Susan Ryan]
Welcome back to The Week in Weed, your Friday look at what’s happening in the world of legalized marijuana.
Circle K convenience stores might get into the medical cannabis business in Florida. Tourists in Washington, DC can self-certify to obtain medical marijuana in the city’s dispensaries. Germany considers cannabis legalization. And finally, hemp may be the future of Arizona houses.
FLORIDA
Late last week, Green Thumb Industries announced a partnership with the Circle K chain to open medical cannabis dispensaries adjacent to the convenience stores. There are about 600 Circle K locations in Florida; no specifics about which stores would host the RISE Express dispensaries were released. Earlier this week, Florida Health Department officials pushed back on the announcement, stating that the deal had not been approved. Further bulletins as events warrant.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
As we reported last summer, District of Columbia residents can self-certify to obtain medical cannabis. Now, the District will allow tourists to do the same. Note to out-of-towners: many of the attractions you may wish to visit sit on federal property, and marijuana is still illegal there. In case you were wondering, self-certification has increased the number of medical cannabis patients – there’s been a 90% jump since October 2021.
GERMANY
Germany’s Federal Cabinet has approved a plan to legalize adult-use cannabis. This is step one of a multi-step process, so we won’t see full legalization any time soon. The plan now goes to the European Commission for its approval, and certain treaty obligations must also be considered. At some point, the plan will become an actual bill that the legislature will take up. Germany has the largest population in the European Union, so if this actually happens, it would be a major step forward for the cannabis industry.
AND FINALLY
If you’re looking for a building material that is easy to heat and cool, resists fire and is made from a sustainable crop, hemp may be your answer. At least, that’s what builders in Tucson, Arizona are hoping. If hemp was good enough to build the Great Wall of China and the Pyramids of Giza, why not homes in the desert Southwest?
Stay safe and be well everyone – we’ll see you next week!
