By Mayhah Suri
Lower Shore Pot Industry Begins To Take Shape Nearly two dozen companies are bidding to open medical marijuana dispensaries on Maryland’s Lower and Mid-Shore, state officials say. But only up to four will get the chance since state regulations limit the number of standalone storefronts to two for each of the state’s 47 Senate districts. The number of dispensaries could be higher than four because licensed growers may hold a dispensary license as well. To read the full article click here: http://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2015/11/25/lower-shore-pot-industry-begins-take-shape/76367764/
EPA head McCarthy Meets with Maine Farmers to Discuss Water Rules Gina McCarthy, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, met with Maine farmers to discuss the potential impacts of the proposed water rules on farmers. Federal courts recently suspended the rules in the face of several lawsuits and Congress has taken steps to block EPA actions on the basis of concerns about costly new permits. Administrator McCarthy told farmers they should not be subject to new regulations under the rules due to exceptions made for agricultural activities. Farmers representing small farms raised questions about how this rules may unfairly pose a greater burden on their operations. For more about the visit, please visit: http://www.pressherald.com/2015/11/30/head-of-epa-meets-with-maine-farmers-amid-rules-controversy/
Questions coming in about the pending Syngenta class action lawsuit In 2011, the U.S. approved Syngenta’s MR162 trait aimed at the control of armyworms in corn. The trait was not approved in China till December of 2014. In 2013, China rejected shipments of US corn due to finding traces of the MR162 trait in the corn and potentially caused a drop in the price of corn. Based on all this, corn growers who did not grow the MR162 trait corn have brought a lawsuit against Syngenta for this decline in the price of corn and the lawsuits have been consolidated into a class action lawsuit. Many of you in Maryland and Delaware are getting letters from attorneys looking to represent you in this class action suit. To gain a better understanding of the background of the litigation and the claims involved check out a previous post Are You Currently Suing Syngenta? Quick Overview of Current Agrisure Viptera ® Class Action Litigation http://www.aglaw.umd.edu/blog/are-you-currently-suing-syngenta-quick-overview-of-current-agrisure-viptera-class-action-litigation. Paul is working to update that post to reflect the current status of litigation, check for it in the coming weeks.
Official Number of Grower, Processor and Dispensary License Applications for Medical Marijuana Released The Natalie M. LaPrade Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC) today released the breakdown of dispensary applications by senatorial district as well as the official number of grower, processor and dispensary license applications received by the November 6 stage one submission deadline. Those seeking grower and processor licenses were not required to report the jurisdiction in which they propose operations during the first phase of the application process, but the Commission did release the entities seeking those approvals. For official documents visit http://mmcc.maryland.gov
EPA to Withdraw Approval of New Herbicide After approving Enlist Duo, manufactured by Dow AgroSciences, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has taken steps to withdraw approval of the product. Enlist Duo is a weed killer that works on glyphosate-resistant weeds due to an updated chemical formula. EPA has cited recently discovered information about the harm the chemical may do to non-targeted plants as the reason for this withdrawal. The agency maintains its conclusion that the herbicide does not harm human health. For more information, please visit http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/agriculture/2015/11/25/epa-nixes-approval-enlist-duo-weed-killer/76386952/ and http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/watchdog/ct-gmo-crops-pesticide-resistance-met-20151203-story.html
New Solar Farm to be Built on Virginia’s Eastern Shore Old Dominion Electric Cooperative has awarded Hectate, a national alternative energy development company, a 25-year power purchase agreement for a new solar farm. The land is currently zoned for agriculture but it has been on the market since 2010. According to Hectate studies, the land is suitable for the type of construction needed for solar energy. Construction is estimated to begin within the year. This is the second approved solar farm in the area. The first project is scheduled to begin construction later this year. For more information please visit: http://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/virginia/2015/12/03/northampton-co-leaders-learn-more-solar-farm/76687760/