Customers were lined up Monday morning outside The Artist Tree, a cannabis store that had its grand opening at Palm and Nees avenues. For many, the opening was long in coming. Although California voters legalized recreational marijuana use in 2016, the city of Fresno delayed granting licenses for dispensaries,...
See Why Customers Flocked to Fresno Cannabis Store on Day 1
Customers were lined up Monday morning outside The Artist Tree, a cannabis store that had its grand opening at Palm and Nees avenues. For many, the opening was long in coming. Although California voters legalized recreational marijuana use in 2016, the city of Fresno delayed granting licenses for dispensaries,...
Fresno’s ‘Social Equity’ Cannabis Licenses Only for Rich Folks: Opinion
There is nothing equitable about California's cannabis Social Equity program for the people that were harmed by the War on Drugs. The regulators have over-regulated the cannabis industry right out of the hands of the people that brought the industry here. Their application processes in local jurisdictions are breaking the...
Hanford Cannabis Hub is Company’s ‘Fastest Growing” Delivery Outlet. Now Offers Jay-Z Brand.
If you like your cannabis with "notes of grape, diesel and citrus," rapper Jay-Z can hook you up — and you won't have to leave home to get it. Jay-Z, also known as Shawn Carter, has created the Monogram line of cannabis products that's been selling out at Caliva retail locations...
Is a Marijuana Shop Coming to Your Neighborhood? Fresno is Reviewing Proposals.
More than 110 companies are vying to become the first legal retail marijuana dealers in the city of Fresno. But navigating the process and regulations can be "very complicated" one applicant said. "It does make it more costly and difficult to operate than if you like to just be open...
Clovis, Other Cities Battle State Over Marijuana Home Deliveries
California faced off in a Fresno court Thursday against Clovis and 24 other local governments that want to overturn a rule allowing statewide home marijuana deliveries. Clovis officials have said that every community should be able to decide how to handle the legalization of recreational marijuana in California. In a potential...
4/20 Fizzle: Pot Industry Tested as Virus Slams Economy
LOS ANGELES — The unofficial holiday celebrating all things cannabis arrives Monday as the nation’s emerging legal marijuana market braces for an economic blow from the coronavirus crisis, with many consumers reducing spending or going underground for deals. It was supposed to be a long weekend of festivals and music...
Los Angeles Uses Tech to Wipe Out 66,000 Old Pot Convictions
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County prosecutors are joining other district attorneys to use technology to wipe out or reduce as many as 66,000 old marijuana convictions years after California voters broadly legalized the drug. The county is working with the Code for America nonprofit tech organization, which uses computer...
California Tests Find Illegal Vapes Tainted With Additives
LOS ANGELES — California officials announced Monday that marijuana vape cartridges seized in illegal shops in Los Angeles contained potentially dangerous additives, including a thickening agent blamed for a national outbreak of deadly lung illnesses tied to vaping. Officials also found that the illegal vapes confiscated in the December raids...
Mayor Brand Vetoes Cannabis Business Regulations
Mayor Lee Brand vetoed the Fresno City Council's plan for recreational cannabis business regulations on Monday. The council long debated the plan, which included several social equity components, for stores to conduct business in Fresno. The final vote took place on Dec. 12, passing 4-3. A veto needs five council...