MARIJUANA

The ordinance provides an exemption for social equity applicants, who are those who have been disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs.

Cannabis growers in Massachusetts — already facing tough business setbacks in a competitive and volatile market — are scrambling to ward off a rapidly spreading and highly infectious crop disease, one with the power to wipe out entire companies.

Nine medical marijuana operators in Connecticut have successfully completed the steps needed to expand their businesses to include the new market for adults 21 and over.

Over the past year, a pair of cousins bought two vacant industrial properties in Vermont. And they believe they have the right business to bring new life to the spaces: Processing industrial hemp. But to be successful, the cousins will need more farmers to grow the crop.

The state will be the first of those with a legal recreational marijuana market to incorporate the lessons on cannabis-impaired driving.

State officials announced Friday that licensed hybrid retailers may begin selling cannabis products to all adults 21 and older starting on Jan. 10, 2023.

Gov. Charlie Baker said Massachusetts already has a system for clearing past marijuana convictions. But critics argue the expungement process is difficult for people to navigate, and a governor's pardon would be more efficient.

After giving hope to denied cannabis companies last week, Connecticut regulators said they sent feedback on Monday that would allow applicants another chance at licensure — at least one company is left waiting as the state’s marijuana industry grows.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said the violations are connected to the death of a Trulieve worker in January from inhaling ground cannabis dust. The company has contested the violations.