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Audio transcript (~2 min read)
This is the New Realm Compliance Brief, Volume One, Edition Forty, for Wednesday, September twenty-third.
Our top story: Maryland's Cannabis Administration has posted draft amendments to its cannabis regulations covering license renewals, ownership transfers, advertising, employee training, packaging and product sales. Under the draft, the state could deny a license renewal if the licensee has taxes in arrears in any jurisdiction. Ownership transfers would face a codified review of criminal history and financial information, a new Cannabis Agent Training program would replace Responsible Vendor Training, and micro dispensaries could employ up to twenty people, up from ten. On fees, the draft adds a new one-thousand-dollar filing fee for declaratory ruling petitions, though annual license fees for grower, processor and dispensary tiers are unchanged. Informal comments are due September thirtieth, with a formal comment period to follow.
On the federal side: after April's marijuana rescheduling, roughly two thirds of Missouri cannabis operators declined to register with the Drug Enforcement Administration, and none who applied have been approved yet, according to the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association. Attorney Marshall Custer said operators who skipped registration made a mistake, because registration is required for Schedule Three tax advantages; trade association head Andrew Mullins said he reads rescheduling as extending the tax relief to medical sales regardless.
Around the states: Minnesota liquor retailers report continued growth in THC beverages. Top Ten Liquors said the category is up twelve percent this year and is now its fourth-largest department, even as the federal hemp redefinition remains set for December eleventh.
On the radar: September twenty-ninth, the presidential order excluding Canadian wine, spirits and beer from importation takes effect. October twenty-ninth, comments are due to the U.S. Trade Representative on foreign trade barriers, including alcohol. And December eleventh remains the federal hemp deadline.
Full details and source links are in today's email. This update is for general information only — it is not legal advice.