marijuana

Cannabis sales in Arizona passed the $1 billion mark for the year in September, as the medical and recreational markets continued a familiar pattern that appears to have solidified over the past several months.

The decision temporarily blocks the State of Montana from assessing and collecting increased fees from businesses that operate multiple marijuana dispensaries across the state.

A bill introduced by Sens. Steve Daines, R-Montana and Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, would allow dispensaries to conduct modern commerce with actual banks – a move that would render cash nearly as obsolete as it is anywhere else.

Missoula County is backing federal legislation that would allow dispensaries and other marijuana retailers to utilize the U.S. banking system like any other business.

One of Montana’s few in-state laboratories that had participated in the roll-out of the recreational and medical marijuana programs said that it has closed its doors, largely based on concerns the owners have with scientific accuracy of testing the formerly banned substance.

Lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee took up legislation Wednesday that, if made law, would be a significant step toward relaxing the federal government’s policy towards marijuana use.

Arizona’s marijuana market trended downward in May, with recreational sales dipping to $82.9 million.

Arizona’s recreational cannabis sales hit the $100 million mark in March for the first time since sales began, while the medical market maintained a tenuous equilibrium around the $30 million mark per month.

An adult can legally buy cannabis from retail stores in California, but they can’t enjoy a soda or snack while smoking it on site.

It’s still unknown whether wildlife habitat and county roads will get more funding from Montana’s marijuana tax revenue, but legislators kept the possibility alive by overruling the governor on a related bill.