Cannabis was one of the clear winners in the November 2020 ballot, with voters in five states approving legislation that allowed some form of cannabis use. Arizona was one of those states. Before to the elections, the traditionally red state had some of the most punitive cannabis policies in the country, with possession of even small amounts of marijuana classified as a felony. On Election Day, Arizonians voted overwhelmingly in favor of Proposition 207, a measure that would allow adults to possess a maximum of one ounce of marijuana as well as grow a maximum of six plants at a time for personal use.
A month later, state regulators have already released draft regulations to implement and run Arizona’s recreational cannabis program. The measure stipulates that the Arizona Department of Health Services, which would be in charge of regulating the cannabis program and issuing licenses, had to accept license applications starting Jan. 19, 2021. As such, regulators have been working hard to create guidelines for the state’s cannabis program within the relatively tight schedule that kicked off once the secretary of state officially certified the election results.
The Department of Health Services is expected to present at least one more version of draft regulations before finalizing the state’s cannabis rules. This version of draft regulations covers the timeline for license approvals, licensing fees, the state regulatory body’s structure, product labeling and other matters. Stakeholders will be able to submit feedback on the regulations via an online survey until Dec. 17, 2020. State regulators will use this feedback to amend and fine tune the cannabis regulations.
Thanks to the state’s experience with medical marijuana (Arizona legalized medical marijuana in 2010), regulators are confident they can draft cannabis regulations within the tight timeline outlined. Samuel Richard, executive director of the Arizona Dispensaries Association, has lauded the Department of Health Services for working hard to create an adult-use program “just a week and a half” after Arizona Governor Doug Ducey certified the election results. Medical marijuana operators in the state have an “open and collaborative” relationship with regulators, he says, and they hope the department will be receptive to their feedback.
The regulations are likely to be amended, he adds, with the Department of Health Services putting out at least one more draft based in the feedback it gets from the public. All in all, the cannabis regulations will not be finalized until early January.
Meanwhile, different cannabis products — not just those containing THC — are establishing themselves on the market elsewhere. For example, The Alkaline Water Company Inc. (CSE: WTER) (NASDAQ: WTER) sells flavored as well as alkaline water, together with products enriched with CBD.
About CNW420
CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.
To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)
For more information please visit https://www.CNW420.com
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer
Do you have questions or are you interested in working with CNW420? Ask our Editor
CannabisNewsWire420
Denver, Colorado
http://www.CNW420.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com
CNW420 is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork.
