The Mississippi Department of Health (MSDH) recently halted the sales of products tested by Rapid Analytics due to concerns about regulatory compliance. Rapid Analytics, responsible for testing most medical marijuana products in Mississippi, addressed the issue for the first time on Tuesday.
Mami Henry, the owner of Rapid Analytics, revealed that MSDH received an anonymous tip alleging improper pesticide testing for cannabis products. In response, the company submitted all original samples tested in the past two months to MSDH, which then hired another company for re-testing. Henry expressed frustration, stating that Rapid Analytics has all the necessary resources and is willing to provide additional samples to the state.
In New Jersey, a bill aimed at aiding law enforcement in handling underage alcohol and marijuana possession and use has been approved by the state legislature and awaits the governor’s signature. The bill addresses concerns about the deprivation of civil rights penalty threat against officers, which previously discouraged them from enforcing underage drinking laws.
Under the current law, officers who detain or search minors for alcohol or marijuana risk prosecution since minors cannot legally consent to searches. This could result in imprisonment for three to five years, fines up to $15,000, or both. The proposed bill requires proof of intent to violate a minor’s rights, offering protection for officers and ultimately benefiting juveniles in the long run. Additionally, the legislation proposes reinstating a civil penalty of $50 per violation for underage alcohol use.
In Delaware, State Rep. Edward Osienski (D) introduced House Bill 285 to amend the Delaware Medical Marijuana Act. The bill seeks to remove the requirement that patients have a debilitating medical condition to qualify for an MMJ card. Instead, healthcare providers would determine if a patient has a diagnosed medical condition that could benefit from medical marijuana use. This amendment aims to expand access to medical marijuana for patients with various ailments.
In New Mexico, two lawmakers are working on legislation to amend the state’s Cannabis Regulation Act. The proposed amendment would empower the state Regulation and Licensing Department to temporarily halt the issuance of new marijuana retail licenses. This development follows concerns raised by over 100 marijuana businesses and supporters regarding market oversaturation.
