Global Ganja Report

New York state's second city of Buffalo has long been a national symbol of rust-belt economic and infrastructural decay. Now urban planners have approved a massive cannabis facility backed by California capital for the city's long-inactive waterfront. Buffalo's boosters say the project could turn the Great Lakes region into a leading global hub of cannabis output.

Insurance companies in Canada are starting to cover medical marijuana, but high costs continue to be an impediment to access in the United States. Even in states that have legalized medicinal use of cannabis, the insurance industry will provide no coverage. Advocates are now starting to demand legislation to address this contradiction.

With rival cannabis legalization bills now pending in Albany, New York state activists are demanding "Day One Equity"—legislation consciously crafted to correct the injustices of the War on Drugs. Advocates and politicians came together to give voice to this demand at a recent forum on Manhattan's Lower East Side.

Following the crackdown on CBD-infused foods and beverages by authorities in New York City and elsewhere, Capitol Hill lawmakers are formally calling upon the FDA to provide immediate clarity on the question. Meanwhile, New York, at least is starting to lift the pressure.

CBD-infused foods and beverages are the target of a crackdown in New York City, as well as Maine and Ohio. A budding business of cannabinoid-enhanced concoctions and libations is feeling a sudden pinch. But some media coverage is failing to make clear that what is at issue here is the FDA's failure to keep pace with federal law—not any inherent risks of cannabidiol.

The push to legalize cannabis in the Empire State got a significant boost on Election Day as Democrats took control of the state Senate—long controlled by Republicans. A re-elected Gov. Cuomo played to a progressive base on the campaign trail, and will no longer be able to blame GOP intransigence for lack of progress. Will New York become the 11th state to legalize in 2019?

Weeks after instating a new policy of not prosecuting for low-level marijuana violations, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr addressed a meeting of New York cannabis industry investors and entrepreneurs, where he discussed his vision for fairer policing in the city—and his study calling for legalization to be explored at the state level.

Mayor Bill de Blasio's new policy, discouraging New York City cops from making arrests for public cannabis smoking, is expected to further reduce pot busts in Gotham. But critics say that loopholes or "carve-outs" in the policy mean that the racial disparity in marijuana arrests could continue—or even get worse.