Thailand FDA to Propose Removing Cannabis from Controlled Substances List

1/18/2022

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Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is set to propose the narcotics control board remove cannabis from its controlled substances list, according to a Bloomberg report. Once cleared by the board, it would next have to be approved by Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul before taking effect.

Under current Thai law, cannabis is a category-5 narcotic and possession can lead to up to 15 years in jail. Withid Sariddeechaikool, deputy secretary-general of the FDA, told Bloomberg that if the nation is able to pass the reforms, the nation “will be able to benefit from all of the plant and not just parts of it.”

“The flower buds and seeds could be used economically and in compliance with the law,” she said.

Chaiwat Sowcharoensuk, an analyst at Krungsri Research, told Bloomberg that while the “law change will allow all parts of cannabis to be bought, sold and used,” adult use “will likely remain controlled” as cannabis extracts with higher THC concentrations “will still be regulated.”

“Producers of soaps, beauty products and cosmetics from marijuana will likely be the ones to benefit the most from the decriminalization.” — Sowcharoensuk to Bloomberg

In 2020, Thai officials approved allowing cannabis and hemp products in cosmetics and food and the following year started to allow hospitals to produce cannabis-based medicines. In 2019, the nation invalidated all cannabis patents following public outcry after patent applications for GW Pharmaceuticals and Otsuka Pharmaceutical were not immediately rejected, raising concerns over industry monopolization in the Thailand marketplace.

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New Mexico Doubles Cannabis Growers’ Plant Count Prior to Adult-Use Sales

1/18/2022

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An emergency rule change in New Mexico that doubles the number of cannabis plants the state’s licensed producers can grow at one time took effect last week, increasing the limit from 10,000 to 20,000, the Albuquerque Journal reports. However, the licensed producers say the change is too little, too late to meet the demand for the launch of adult-use sales in April.

Cannabis Control Division Director Kristen Thomson noted that the state’s medical cannabis supply “will become increasingly threatened without an adequate supply of plants.”

Ben Lewinger, executive director of the New Mexico Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, argued that the rule change “will only help the very biggest and well-resourced producers” and “won’t help medical cannabis patients and it won’t help new businesses trying to break into the industry.”

“Building the infrastructure to double plant count could take months to years for most operators, and plants put in the ground today won’t be ready in April.” — Lewinger, in a statement, via the Journal

Duke Rodriguez, CEO and president of Ultra Health, the state’s largest producer, called the rule change “great news” but said it wouldn’t change significantly the amount of cannabis available when adult-use sales are permitted on April 1.

“We’re probably not going to receive any relief in the remaining 74 days to April 1,” Rodriguez said in the report. He added that he would like the state to abolish plant counts and rely on a market-based approach which would “leave it up to the independent entrepreneur to determine how much financial risk they want to take.”

State officials issued their first adult-use industry licenses and program rules last month.

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Delaware Adult Use Cannabis Bill Features Revised Social Equity Program

1/18/2022

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A new bill to legalize adult-use cannabis has been introduced in Delaware, according to a Delaware Public Radio (DPR) report. Sponsored by Rep. Ed Osienski (D), the latest version of the bill scraps a dedicated fund to help social equity applicants for a “Justice Reinvestment Fund,” which will provide direct aid to communities disproportionately affected by cannabis prohibition. Proceeds for the fund will come from adult-use cannabis taxes, according to the report.

Known as the Delaware Marijuana Control Act, the legalization bill seeks to regulate and tax cannabis like alcohol. Under the proposal, possession limits are set at one ounce — only five grams of which can be concentrates — and homegrows are not allowed. People under 21 who are found with cannabis will be still subject to civil penalties. The Act also creates the Delaware Marijuana Control Act Oversight Committee, which will craft the state’s adult-use cannabis framework, according to the bill summary.

“So we’re really thankful that this thoughtful piece of legislation not only just legalizes cannabis, but it also begins to address the harms caused by prohibition and right those wrongs,” said Zoë Patchell, Director of the Delaware Cannabis Advocacy Network.

Patchell believes the change “strengthens the social equity component for disproportionately impacted communities” and the legislation now has “all the pillars of social equity,” including decriminalization and removing “barriers to create an inclusive and equitable industry.”

The money raised from legal cannabis sales will go toward helping with expungement, reducing cannabis arrests, and helping social equity applicants to start cannabis businesses, DPR reports.

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Ohio Gov. Reiterates Opposition to Cannabis Legalization

1/17/2022

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Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) last week reiterated his opposition to cannabis legalization in the state, telling editorial board members and reporters for Ogden News that with problems caused by other substances — such as driving under the influence — he thinks “it’s ridiculous to add an additional problem.”

DeWine added that he would not sign an adult-use legalization bill were one approved by lawmakers.

The governor said his two objections to cannabis legalization: that it would result in more children consuming infused edibles and that there would be more traffic accidents caused by people driving under the influence of cannabis.

DeWine did express support for potentially expanding the state’s medical cannabis program to allow patients with any medical problem access to the program as long as they have a physician’s recommendation.

The governor’s comments come as advocates in the state are campaigning to enact the reforms. Last week, the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol submitted 29,918 new signatures after the state Secretary of State’s Office told them on January 3 that they were short 13,062 signatures in their initial filing.

In Ohio, if a ballot petition is successful, it first requires lawmakers to consider the proposed legislation and if the bill does not pass, the campaign can collect more signatures to put the issue to voters.

Tom Haren, a spokesman for the coalition, told the Sandusky Register that the group is “confident” they will meet the signature requirements and “look forward to the legislature taking up an issue that a majority of Ohioans support this year.”

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French Constitutional Council: CBD Is Neither Addictive nor Harmful

1/17/2022

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France’s Constitutional Council earlier this month determined that CBD is neither an addictive drug nor has harmful health effects, RFI reports. The decision effectively overturns a government decree from December which banned the possession, use, and sales “of [CBD] flowers or fibers in all their forms on their own or mixed with other products.”

The ruling follows a similar decision in 2020 by the European Court of Justice which determined that the French ban on CBD was unfounded since the cannabinoid has no psychotropic or mood-altering effects and no negative impact on health, according to an RFI report. That ruling allowed CBD products to be sold throughout the European Union.

In France, CBD is estimated to have a potential market value of around 700 million euros, the report says.

Separately, French lawmakers last week discussed a cannabis legalization bill proposed by the hard-left France Unbowed Party (LFI) but the measure is not expected to find broad government support, the report says. LFI proposed a similar bill in 2014 but it was rejected.

A June 2021 Ifop survey found 51% of French citizens support cannabis legalization — the highest number since 1970, according to RFI.

Last year, Malta became the first E.U. nation to legalize cannabis, while Germany, Switzerland, and Luxembourg are expected to enact their own reforms this year. Italy is expected to hold a national referendum on legalization.

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Kalamazoo Valley Community College to Offer Cannabis Certification Program

1/17/2022

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Michigan’s Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC) will begin offering cannabis workforce training classes next month as part of its new partnership with cannabis education provider Green Flower. The college will offer cultivation technician, provisioning center associate, and advanced manufacturing agent certification courses.

In a statement, KVCC’s Vice President for Strategic Business and Community Development Craig Jbara indicated that the certificate programs “are designed to give participants the foundational knowledge needed to work in the rapidly expanding cannabis industry.”

“We try to provide the right on-demand type of training,” he told WWMT.

“The market continues to increase with new retailers requiring trained employees. … Similar training programs across the country have proven to be very successful for employers.” — Jbara in a statement

The college is the second Michigan institute of higher education to partner with Green Flower. In May 2020, Northern Michigan University announced its own partnership with the California-based education firm as part of its Continuing Education & Workforce Development program.

Each eight-week KVCC certificate program costs $900. A $100 discount is offered for employers sending more than five participants or for individuals wishing to self-pay and take more than one program, Green Flower said in a press release.

Green Flower now has partnerships with 15 colleges and universities throughout the U.S. KVCC is the only community college that has entered into an agreement with the company, according to the Green Flower website.

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Mississippi Senate Approves Medical Cannabis Bill

1/14/2022

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The Mississippi Senate on Thursday passed a bill to legalize medical cannabis in the state with only five ‘no’ votes, WLBT reports. The measure includes a 1 gram per day limit for patients which is less than the limit proposed by Gov. Tate Reeves (R), who has threatened to veto the measure over the initial 3.5 gram daily limits included in previous versions of the legislation.

During the two-and-a-half-hour debate on the bill, Sen. Kevin Blackwell (R) showed his colleagues bags containing hemp flower to illustrate the purchase limits included in the new version of the measure.

“‘Everybody must get stoned.’ You may recognize those lyrics from Bob Dylan. It’s basically to draw attention to that almost hysterical paranoid reefer madness, Chicken Little belief expressed by a few skeptics that if we pass a medical cannabis bill, the streets of Mississippi will be flooded by pot smoking zombies, crime will explode, planes will fall from the sky and the world as we know it will simply come to an end. Some of you may share illogical beliefs, but they’re simply not true.” — Blackwell during Thursday’s debate via WLBT

Bethany Hill, president of We Are The 74, said that Tate’s “descriptions of cannabis have kind of scared people” and that Blackwell’s visual aids were “needed” to help lawmakers “see the kind of medicine that they were going to be able to have in the amount.”

Mississippi voters approved a medical cannabis ballot initiative in 2020; however, the law was thrown out by the state Supreme Court which found issues with the state’s ballot initiative process. A June poll from Millsaps College and Chism Strategies found 63% of Mississippians wanted lawmakers to approve a bill that mirrored the one which was approved by voters but struck down by the court. Twenty percent of those surveyed indicated that medical cannabis legalization was the most important issue for determining how they would vote in this year’s midterm elections.

The bill moves next to the House.

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California Hospitals Now Allow Cannabis for Terminal Patients

1/14/2022

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A new law in California that allows terminally ill patients to receive medical cannabis in hospitals took effect on January 1, the North Bay Business Journal reports. “The Compassionate Access to Medical Cannabis Act,” or “Ryan’s Law,” was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) in September.

Under the law, smoking or vaping cannabis in hospitals is not allowed. Additionally, there are protections in the law for hospitals and caregivers who may be concerned about the conflict the bill has with federal law, where cannabis remains illegal as a Schedule I narcotic, according to the report.

These conflicts have led to wariness from hospital executives and other healthcare professionals. Jan Emerson-Shea, spokesperson for the California Hospital Association, told the Journal the organization was “opposed to it at first,” describing the issue as a “conundrum for hospitals” rather than an issue of federal law or efficacy.

“[Hospitals are] required to be in compliance with federal law (under) Medicare regulations.” — Jan Emerson-Shea via the Journal

Although the bill’s sponsor Sen. Ben Hueso (D) is working on a “clean up bill” and included a “safe harbor” provision in the original legislation, which allows a hospital to immediately suspend the program if any federal intervention was suspected, it is unclear how many hospitals and healthcare facilities will sign onto the program. Deborah Pacyna, a spokesperson for the California Association of Health Facilities, told the Journal that “no one will move forward” until there is further clarification.

Hueso believes the risk of federal intervention is ” little to none” and healthcare facilities “have the necessary authority to implement” the bill.

The legislation was named after Ryan Bartell, who died of pancreatic cancer. His father, Jim Bartell, began lobbying for the change after he saw how much cannabis had improved his son’s end of life. Bartell hopes the new law will help “millions of families.”

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Kansas Attorney General: Delta-8 Is Illegal

1/14/2022

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Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt issued an opinion last month effectively outlawing delta-8 THC products in the state, saying they run afoul of federal law. The opinion came following an inquiry on the legality of the products by Kirk Thompson, the director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

“Delta-8 THC comes within the definition of a Schedule I controlled substance and is unlawful to possess or sell in Kansas unless it is made from industrial hemp and is contained in a lawful hemp product having no more than 0.3% total tetrahydrocannabinols (THC). Unlawful hemp products include cigarettes, cigars, teas, and substances for use in vaping devices. Delta-8 THC derived from any source other than industrial hemp is a Schedule I controlled substance and unlawful to possess or sell in Kansas. Other federal and state laws and regulations place additional limits on the legality of products containing THC and other cannabinoids.” — Schmidt in the Dec. 2, 2021 opinion

The opinion cites both the Kansas and federal Controlled Substances Acts and the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The state’s law bars a host of hemp-derived products, regardless of THC content, including cigarettes; cigars; chew, dip, or other smokeless material; teas; liquids, solids, or gases for use in vaporizing devices; and any “hemp product intended for human or animal consumption containing any ingredient derived from industrial hemp that is prohibited pursuant to the Kansas food, drug, and cosmetic act,” the opinion states.

Following Schmidt’s opinion, shops in Kansas have been told to turn over their delta-8 products or face criminal penalties, the Butler County Times-Gazette reports.

In a Thursday statement, the Kansas Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, the Kansas Cannabis Coalition, Planted Association of Kansas, and Kansans for Hemp said they “strongly believe the resulting persecution of Kansas citizens, retailers, distributors, and ancillary business owners is detrimental to our state and its people.”

Kansas does allow low-THC cannabis products in a limited program and a comprehensive medical cannabis bill passed the state House of Representatives last year. It is currently being considered in the state Senate.

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Ohio Advocates Submit Additional Signatures After Initial Denial

1/14/2022

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Cannabis legalization advocates in Ohio have submitted nearly 30,000 additional signatures to state officials on Thursday hoping to close the 13,000-signature gap in their petition filed earlier this month, Cleveland.com reports. In all, the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol submitted 29,918 after the state Secretary of State’s Office told them on January 3 that they were short 13,062 signatures in their initial filing.

Ohio law requires 132,887 valid signatures for initiatives but only 119,825 of the group’s original 206,943 submitted signatures were valid. The petition would not directly put the issue to voters but would force lawmakers to act on the proposed legalization bill in four months — or an amended version — and if they don’t, the coalition can collect another 132,887 valid signatures to put the measure on this year’s midterm election ballots.

The petition seeks to allow adults 21-and-older to buy and possess 2.5 ounces of cannabis and grow up to six plants per person, up to 12 plants per household.

In a statement, Tom Haren, the coalition’s spokesman, said the group is “confident” that the newly submitted signatures will meet Ohio’s requirements.

In October, Republican state Rep. Jamie Callender introduced adult-use legislation that mirrors the campaign’s proposal but has acknowledged that leaders in his party don’t support his proposal. The coalition has indicated that it would prefer the legislature to act on a bill based on its proposal.

Under the coalition’s proposal, cannabis sales would be taxed at 10% with 36% of the revenue earmarked for social equity and jobs programs, 36% for municipalities that allow adult-use cannabis operations, 25% for education and substance abuse programs, while 3% would be used for the administrative costs of implementing the system.

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Dab Rite Digital Infrared Thermometer Review

1/14/2022

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The Dab Rite infrared thermometer is out now for extract connoisseurs who want just the right temperature for their banger to get the perfect dab. The patented adjustable thermometer arm helps get the sensor in the right place for the exact temp reading. One cool feature is that the device outputs an audible alert when the desired temp is reached, which informs users who may have sensory issues, “It’s time to vape.”

If the temps get above 800 degrees Fahrenheit or below 200 degrees, the easy-to-read screen will flash “too hot” or “low.” Be sure to check out the user guide to find the suggested temperatures for various concentrate types including ice water hash and live resin.

Made by SoCal Dab Tools, the Dab Rite was in development for more than a year, according to a company press release featuring co-founder Dan Wynick. Its other features include an LED guide to line up the sensor perfectly on the banger. It also comes with the ability to select your banger type — quartz or opaque quartz. Dab Rite is rechargeable with the included USB-C charger. It comes in a durable travel case and is made of high-grade industrial materials, making it an accessory that should last for years to come.

Note on accessibility

Just a quick word about the audible “beeps” the unit makes when powering on, during menu navigation, and when the selected temperature is reached, from the perspective of a person with a disability (blindness). By having the audible alerts, Dab Rite becomes more accessible to people like me, who cannot read screens. The “beeps” during menu navigation help with menu memorization and allow people with sensory issues to use the Dab Rite more independently. At the same time, the easy-to-navigate menus and audible alerts help anyone using the unit have a better experience. It is nice to see cannabis companies like SoCal Dab Tools make their product more accessible for people with disabilities.

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California Gov. Reconsidering State’s Cannabis Tax Structure

1/13/2022

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said in a recent budget proposal that he would support reconsidering the state’s cannabis tax structure, the Sacramento Bee reports. The governor “supports cannabis tax reform and plans to work with the Legislature to make modifications to California’s cannabis tax policy to help stabilize the market,” according to his proposal.

Newsom’s revelation comes with California’s adult-use cannabis industry already up in arms about the state’s out-of-balance cannabis tax structure.

Newsom expanded on the language included the budget at a press conference, saying “there was intention by having that language in the budget,” adding that it is his “goal to look at tax policy to stabilize the market.”

Out of the $787 million of cannabis tax revenue the state will potentially collect in the 2022-2023 budget year, Newsom’s proposal allocates $595 million to youth substance abuse prevention, illegal cannabis cultivation control, and other public safety initiatives. Additionally, noting a large number of California cities and counties that have implemented cannabis bans, he would like “to get these municipalities to wake up to the opportunities to get rid of the illegal market and the illicit market and provide support and a regulatory framework for the legal market.”

“I think Gov. Newsom knows and his advisers know that they can’t let the legal market fail,” Elizabeth Ashford, vice president of communications for Eaze, said in an interview with the Bee after Newsom unveiled his budget proposal. “It’s extremely important that the steps that state government can take are taken.

“This is a complex, important job creation ecosystem in the state,” she said. “So when we talk about the legal market potentially facing an existential crisis, we’re talking about thousands and thousands of jobs and also millions in revenue.”

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Canadian Airport Could Be World’s First With a Retail Cannabis Shop

1/13/2022

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A Canadian airport has received a business application from cannabis company Copilot to open a retail shop, Aviaci Online reports. If approved, Prince George Airport — which is located in British Columbia — would be the only airport in the world with a licensed cannabis dispensary.

Copilot is a project that aims to make air travel a less stressful experience for those who suffer from anxiety or fear related to plane travel.

Gordon Duke, CEO of Prince George Airport, said the airport would be “pleased to welcome Copilot if they receive a commercial license and provincial approval.” He added that the city council considered the application during their Monday meeting and that Copilot met the regulator requirements of the province and Transport Canada prior to that meeting.

“Obtaining a business license is one of the last steps before they can open their doors in [the airport]. Their products and services are in accordance with all federal and provincial laws and the store will operate just like other cannabis retail stores in Prince George. Copilot approached us in 2020 with an application to apply for lease space at our airport. They had a strong business plan that met our expectations for new business partners, and we welcome the opportunity to work with Copilot to expand the services available to our passengers.” — Duke to Aviaci Online

Copilot co-founders Reed Horton and Owen Ritz called the airport “the perfect place” to launch their first storefront and fulfill their mission “to make travel a less stressful and more pleasant experience” for their customers. They indicated they hope to open “in the coming year” pending regulatory approvals.

“[Prince George Airport] is large enough to showcase our innovative retail concept,” they said in a statement to Aviaci Online, “but small enough to build a close relationship with our customers and the community.”

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the airport served about 500,000 passengers per year.

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Nearly 90% of Patients Would Try a Medical Cannabis Treatment for Skin Condition

1/13/2022

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According to a survey conducted by the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and the University of Maryland, 88.8% of patients with a dermatologic condition would try a medical cannabis product for their disease if recommended by their dermatologist. Just 8% of survey respondents were currently using a medical cannabis product for their condition that would require registration with a state program.

Dr. Adam Friedman, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Dermatology at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, said the “study spotlights and provides supporting evidence that the skincare consumer is open to and interested in” medical cannabis products. He added that “consumers and patients are already using [medical cannabis products] to treat inflammatory skin conditions, such as acne, rosacea, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis, even without guidance from a dermatologist.”

“While acceptance was high, there were clear barriers reported limiting use and uptake, such as patient skepticism and a lack of understanding. This mirrors data our group published regarding the dermatology health care practitioner’s perspective and fund of knowledge, underscoring the need for more research and education for both dermatologists and the public. The future should be bright for [medical cannabis products]; we just need to show and disseminate the science.” — Friedman in a press release

The study, “Consumer Perspectives on and Utilization of Medical Cannabis to Treat Dermatologic Conditions,” found 17.6% of the 504 respondents used an over-the-counter cannabis product without dermatologist recommendation to treat a skin condition. Such products were most commonly used for acne (28.4%) and psoriasis (26.1%). Of those who had seen a dermatologist, 15.3% used an over-the-counter cannabis product, mostly for psoriasis (32%) and rosacea (30%). Just 7.8% were enrolled in a state-approved medical cannabis program per their dermatologist’s recommendations, mostly for acne (68%) and psoriasis (28%). Another 11.8% of respondents were not comfortable seeing a dermatologist who recommended medical cannabis products.

The study appears in the January 2022 issue of the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.

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Virginia GOP Proposals Would Undo Cannabis Social Equity Fund & Other Reforms

1/13/2022

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This article was written by Gaspard Le Dem (@GLD_Live on Twitter) and originally published by Outlaw Report.

As Virginia’s new legislative session gets underway, Republicans — emboldened after taking back the governor’s mansion and the House of Delegates — are taking aim at cannabis reforms passed by the General Assembly last year.

GOP state lawmakers have pre-filed several measures that would roll back provisions from last year’s legalization bill, zeroing in on social equity measures meant to address the negative effects of cannabis prohibition on communities of color.

Senate Minority Leader Tommy Norment (R-James City) has proposed legislation to delete language from last year’s bill that directs 30% of tax revenue from forthcoming retail cannabis sales to a fund created to reinvest in communities disproportionately targeted by harsh drug laws.

Norment’s bill would put money from the Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Fund back into the commonwealth’s general fund, effectively defunding the initiative and rendering it useless. (In July, Gov. Northam appointed Janice Underwood, his Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, to chair the reinvestment fund.)

The push to undo social equity provisions of last year’s legalization bill has raised the alarm among advocates, who just months ago were still reveling in the historic measure’s passage.

“It does feel like a punch to the gut to see how quickly this could all be deleted,” said Chelsea Higgs Wise, executive director of Marijuana Justice, a grassroots advocacy organization that played a key role in getting legalization passed in the commonwealth.

On Sunday night, Higgs Wise joined other advocates for a virtual “prep rally” to discuss strategies to keep pushing for reform during the 2022 legislative session.

“We are so much on the defense right now,” Higgs Wise said. “I’m really looking to make sure that we can protect a lot of the work that came out of the [legalization] bill last year.”

Last year’s cannabis laws aren’t the only ones in the GOP’s crosshairs. Another bill pre-filed by Del. Ronnie Campbell (R-Rockbrige) seeks to repeal a 2020 law that barred Virginia police from using the odor of cannabis as a sole pretext to conduct searches without a warrant. Advocates for criminal justice reform have long argued that police use the smell of cannabis as an excuse to make racially biased and sometimes deadly traffic stops.

André Hakes, president of the Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, said that rolling back protections against cannabis searches could lead to more arrests, prosecutions, and jail time for Virginians.

“It seems like a small thing, it seems kind of technical, but it’s something that affects a huge number of people,” Hakes said. “Anybody can get stopped for something very minor and then if you are a person of color, or if you are suspicious to the police for any reason, you can be off to the races there.”

Some Republicans are also looking to slow Virginia’s roll when it comes to launching a regulated market for recreational cannabis. The commonwealth legalized simple possession and home cultivation in July, but recreational sales aren’t set to begin until 2024 and legislators will need to vote again this year on authorizing a retail cannabis market.

Del. Lee Ware (R-Powhatan) has advanced a proposal to amend last year’s legalization bill to allow recreational sales “only in localities that have approved the operation of retail marijuana stores through a referendum.” As the 2021 bill stands, dispensaries would be allowed everywhere by default – except in localities that vote to opt-out of recreational sales by referendum. Ware’s bill would turn that exception on its head.

Efforts to roll back parts of legalization are likely to gain support from Republican Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin, who in a recent interview said “there’s a lot of work to be done” on retail cannabis laws and expressed concerns about social equity measures.

Still, Higgs Wise of Marijuana Justice said she isn’t deterred by the GOP’s efforts and will keep pressing legislators to make social equity and criminal justice reform a central part of legalization.

“It’s heartbreaking, but it’s not unusual for history to have these types of rollbacks when we’ve made so much progress in the last few years,” she said.

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University of Denver to Launch Cannabis Certificate Program

1/13/2022

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The University of Denver’s Center for Professional Development is the latest institute of higher education to partner with cannabis education company Green Flower on a non-credit cannabis certificate program. The new programs are the Business of Cannabis, Cannabis Law and Policy, and Cannabis Agriculture and Horticulture.

Each certificate includes three eight-week online courses that participants can complete in approximately six months.

In 2020, Colorado reported about 34,700 cannabis-related jobs, Green Flower said in a press release, adding that industry jobs nationwide are projected to grow by 250% by 2028.

Renae Jacob, executive director of the Center for Professional Development at the University of Denver, said that the industry “is constantly and quickly evolving” and the partnership will help the university to “provide quality, relevant training for those who want solid careers in the industry or to become better informed about the field in general.”

“We will also be integrating curriculum on social equity in the industry to educate students about the impact cannabis legalization has on communities and people of color.” — Jacob in a statement

Max Simon, CEO of Green Flower, said “it feels particularly powerful that the most respected and highly ranked university in the state is now on-board to help develop the industry by training the next generation of cannabis professionals.”

Green Flower now lists 15 partner colleges and universities on its website.

Registration for the University of Denver program is now open with classes set to begin March 7.

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Lo Friesen: Rare Cannabinoid Extraction with a Holistic Mindset

1/13/2022

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In this episode of Fresh Cut, host Cara Wietstock meets with Lo Friesen, Founder of Heylo, a licensed cannabis extracts processor in Washington State. Cara and Lo dive deeper into Lo’s experience as an environmental chemist, how CO2 extraction differs from other methods, and Heylo’s mission of helping people use cannabis to get more out of life.

They discuss Heylo’s approach to sourcing and vetting cannabis cultivators, the timeline from product development to product availability, Lo’s take on some of the lesser-known cannabinoids including Delta 10 and THCO, and more.

Learn more about Heylo!

Read more about Lo Friesen and Heylo’s Extraction Process.

Join in a yoga class Cara taught at Heylo.

 

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LA County Considers Fining Unlicensed Cannabis Operators $30K per Day

1/12/2022

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The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to introduce an ordinance that would implement $30,000 daily fines for illegal cannabis operations in unincorporated areas of the county, CBSLA reports. The vote comes as several California municipalities and state lawmakers are seeking changes to cannabis laws due, in part, to the thriving unregulated market.

The supervisors on Tuesday did not approve the ordinance, which requires another vote but that is seen as “largely an administrative matter,” the report says.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger, one of the co-sponsors, told the Board that in addition to outdoor grows, homes in the area “are being gutted and converted to indoor grows to grow hundreds of plants.”

“This motion is not about making cannabis illegal. This motion is about protecting the consumer and the community against the unforeseen impact of illegal cannabis cultivation.” — Barger via CBSLA

Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, the other co-sponsor, said the illegal grows and dispensaries “cause huge public safety and environmental safety concerns.”

“It includes water theft, damage to our fire hydrants, just stealing water to make this happen,” she said during Tuesday’s meeting. “This water is a great loss to our communities that are imminently threatened by wildfires.”

Supervisor Hilda Solis said there are at least 30 unlicensed dispensaries operating in unincorporated areas of the county. Supervisor Janice Hahn indicated she would like to see permitting options for unlicensed businesses, noting that a Los Angeles County workgroup tasked with making recommendations for cannabis licensing in the region had finished its work last month.

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Texas Gov. Expresses Support for Cannabis Law Reforms

1/12/2022

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During a campaign stop in Edinburg, Texas this week, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) expressed support for cannabis law reforms in the state, saying that low-level cannabis possession “is not the type of violation” that state officials “want to stockpile jails with,” according to a 25 News report. The comments come as one of the governor’s challengers, former Democratic U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke, has included legalization as part of his campaign platform.

“Prison and jail is a place for dangerous criminals who may harm others and small possession of marijuana is not the type of violation that we want to stockpile jails with.” — Abbott via 25 News

In his November announcement declaring his gubernatorial bid, O’Rourke said that cannabis legalization was an issue “most of [Texans] actually agree on.”

“Legalizing marijuana is the right thing to do,” O’Rourke said in a statement to 25 News. “We can stop locking Texans up for a substance that’s legal in much of the rest of the country and allow police to focus on violent crime.”

McLennan County Republican Party chairman Bradford Holland pushed back on the reforms, contending that Colorado and Washington state have legalized cannabis “even more so than tobacco.” He added that it would be “foolish” to follow the cannabis rules implemented in those states. Holland noted that his party recognized the medical benefits of cannabis and that minor possession cases aren’t worth jailing people for.

A 2020 American Civil Liberties Union report found Black people in Texas are 2.6 times more likely than white people to be arrested for cannabis possession.

A Quinnipiac University poll released last month found the incumbent with a 15-point lead over the challenger, with 52% of respondents supporting Abbott and 37% supporting O’Rourke.

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Arizona Adult-Use Cannabis Sales Reach a Record $60M

1/12/2022

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Adult-use cannabis sales in Arizona set a new record in November, topping $60 million for the first time, as the state Department of Revenue reported $1.23 billion in both medical and adult-use sales through the first 11 months of 2021, AZ Mirror reports. In November, medical cannabis sales reached $60,299,191, nearly matching the $60,365,545 in adult-use sales.

The state imposes a 16% excise tax on adult-use sales in addition to the state’s standard 5.6% sales tax. Medical cannabis patients pay a 6% excise tax and localities can charge an additional 2% for all cannabis sales.

In all, Arizona collected $5,055,950 in taxes from adult-use cannabis sales, with medical cannabis-derived tax revenues slightly lower at $5,026,317. The excise tax reached $10,110,032 for a total of $20,192,299 in combined tax revenues from November cannabis sales.

For the first 11 months of 2021, the state collected $196,447,570 in cannabis tax revenues – $58,916,172 in medical cannabis taxes, $44,533,436 in adult-use taxes, and $92,997,962 in excise taxes. In 2020, the first year of adult-use sales, the state had raised $106 million.

The state’s cannabis legalization law dedicates 33% of adult-use tax revenues for community college and provisional community college districts; 31% to public safety; 25% to the Arizona Highway User Revenue Fund, and 10% to the justice reinvestment fund, which provided public health services, counseling, job training, and other social services for communities that have been adversely affected by the previous disproportionate enforcement of cannabis criminalization. Last month, the state received more than 1,500 applications for social equity industry licenses which are expected to be awarded in the spring.

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Vessel: Taking On Sustainability In Cannabis Vape Tech

1/12/2022

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A California-based company is pressuring lawmakers to address environmental concerns around waste-disposal methods in the cannabis industry. They’ve even begun to help clean up the problem — literally — by taking the trash out themselves.

With the cannabis space rapidly growing, many remain unaware about properly disposing of batteries, lighters, and other products that may be harmful to the Earth. Add to that the massive 2.12 billion tons of waste we already dump on the planet each year, and an already detrimental problem is being accelerated. Enter Vessel, a community-led cannabis company focused on elevating the cannabis consumption experience which recently announced its partnership with GAIACA Waste Revitalization, the nation’s first licensed cannabis waste disposal company. Ganjapreneur spoke with Vessel’s CEO and founder James Choe to discuss how the company is working to combat sustainability issues in the cannabis space, the products they’re creating to support the cause, and their “why” for putting people and the planet first.

James Choe proves there’s no shortage of innovation, in and out of the weed space. Twenty years and over 100 products later, the Bay Area native, now living in San Diego, has a new mission and line of products aimed at helping operators and consumers handle and revitalize their waste “in an environmentally friendly manner.”

“A lot of people have been using aluminum pipes,” Choe said. “Science will tell you smoking out of aluminum, including cans, is terrible for you.” He’s right, and Vessel has created a much safer solution for those with can-related pipe dreams. The Helix, for example, is Vessel’s non-toxic brass one-hitter, which uses a patent-pending double helix design that offers filtering, cooling, and a debris-free experience. Their inverted refillable lighter, called Carbon, also addresses the waste issue by eliminating the need to consistently throw lighters out thanks to its durable design, and it’s pretty damn chic, too.

For years, Vessel has helped other brands with product development and managing e-commerce; however, in the last five years, Vessel created a formula to cater to the different types of consumers, fixated on solving a particular recycling issue. “Vessel was never designed to be a vape company, “ Choe told Ganjapreneur. “It was designed to be synonymous with the best experience,” which includes how consumers deal with dead vapes or get rid of no longer functioning products.

Most vape pens consist of a lithium battery, which is a fire hazard when placed in the garbage or recycled. It is also illegal to just throw away rechargeables and most batteries. Through GAIACA, a site-specific waste management plan is developed for the respective operator and is properly licensed to dispose of hazardous and non-hazardous cannabis waste. Vessel works at the state level to get support.

In comparison to what we’ve learned about the disposal of nicotine products and triple-A batteries, Choe passionately insists that, “It’s not an excuse whether you’re a large company, billion-dollar public, or a start-up to ignore certain things that socially and environmentally are going to impact our lives.” Vessel takes the responsibility of limiting how much waste goes into landfills very seriously by “designing better quality products that last longer so that people aren’t burning through batteries or other products so quickly,” by making fully recyclable and sustainable packaging, and through a partnership with GAIACA to affect change not bothered by legacy — which is why Choe is hoping to launch this program in New York.

Since kicking off the initiative, Vessel drafted a model bill proposing waste regulation avenues and retained a Head of Social and Environmental Impact named Mitchell Colbert, who has seen success in cannabis waste regulation in Colorado. With the passion, the players, and the products, Vessel is well on its way to ensuring similar policy language is incorporated in the Big Apple. Why is the language so important? Choe says that over the years, bills started conflicting with one another because there was no foresight to know what was coming. He added, “In spirit, our team has put together the thoughtfulness to say we would like to implement recycling efforts not only at dispensary levels, maybe even general drop-off centers, and the mail-in program.” Until that can be established, Vessel got creative and offered a few options to make the world a little better, including coming out of their own pocket to dispose of other brands’ batteries.

Through tons of research and trying different batteries on the market, Choe says they designed a product that checked the box of “lifestyle, creating an array of different voltage settings to accommodate all oils and flavor profiles. We spent more to build a better product that just wouldn’t fail as quickly as everybody else. If we could keep five batteries from entering the garbage because you bought one of ours, we’ve at least taken care of some statistic to say there’s a way to do better.”

With the health of this planet barely holding on, “Collaboration is key,” Choe said. “The mission is too big for any one group to tackle. We need to celebrate diversity and difference, meaning we’re not trying to be all things to all people. That’s the beauty of it, everyone gets to choose their lanes.”

To learn more about Vessel, its products, and its initiatives, visit VesselBrand.com.

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Chef Anna: Creating Social Media Hype With Viral Cannabis Gifting Videos

1/11/2022

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Chef Anna — who is neither a chef nor named Anna — is not your typical cannabis entrepreneur. Based out of Michigan, Chef Anna is an autoflowering cannabis seed breeder who is well-known for viral videos of him giving the gift of cannabis to complete strangers.

In this Q&A interview, we discuss breeding autoflowering cannabis seeds, the powerful role social media plays in connecting with audiences and displaying true cannabis culture, the joys of gifting cannabis (and seeing the resulting surprise and happiness light up someone’s face), and more!

Read the full Q&A below:

Ganjapreneur: Where does the brand name Chef Anna come from?

Chef Anna: Chef Anna is a character I created for social media. When I started building my presence online, I wanted my character to catch your attention and then leave you with questions once you see me. When you see the name Chef Anna, you expect to see a young lady maybe baking edibles. Then you see me and you’re left with questions. Who is this guy? Where’s Anna? Is that man Chef Anna? Is he even a chef? Why does he use a girl’s name?

Those initial questions and confusion are what creates the mystery and brings you back for answers. You want to figure it out, and once you spend time on my page trying to figure me out you’re getting hooked on the content.

The experience that you’re describing was my thought process when I became a follower a few years ago. Before starting the brand, did you have a background in marketing, branding, or a similar industry?

Yes, I’ve been working in marketing and advertising for some of the largest agencies in the world for the last 12 years. I carried that experience over into cannabis and building my own brand.

What challenges do you face posting cannabis content on social media platforms? How do you overcome these challenges?

Most platforms have established “community guidelines” to prevent the sharing of content that promotes the sale or use of cannabis, some more lenient than others. I have had my share of social media pages removed for violating those guidelines. The key is creating content that can exist within those boundaries and consistently sharing it.

Have you made a Chef Anna profile on all social platforms? Did you face the same issues with every platform?

If you search Chef Anna you’ll find me on just about every major social platform. While some platforms, like TikTok, have strict cannabis guidelines others allow cannabis content freely as long as I don’t promote the sale of a cannabis product.

What inspired you to start filming interactions as you give away jars of bud at stores like Walmart?

Reaction videos were becoming popular on platforms like YouTube. I follow several content creators outside of the cannabis space and drew my inspiration from their videos. I took some of their ideas and added my own cannabis spin and personality to them. The very first time I filmed myself gifting an ounce of weed to random shoppers I was surprised at how excited and happy they were. Not only that, I was surprised at how awesome it felt to be able to give. Aside from these candid interactions being my most engaged content, it became addicting for me to see how people from all walks of life respond when presented with weed at random. I get to be the guy the D.A.R.E. program warned you about but in a wholesome way.

How did you learn to create autoflowering seeds?

Mother Nature was ready to do all the heavy lifting for me. The rest came from the trial and error of taking my cultivation experience into a new category.

What is the R&D process for breeding a new strain? How do you test it before it becomes available for sale?
I breed for the characteristics that I like in not only growing, but smoking the plant. I ‘m always looking for rare genetics to add to our library.  We grow our strains in house and in collaboration with our official tester group of growers from across the country. This gives us an opportunity to see how well each strain grows in different setups, environments and at different skill levels. We use that data to decide which strains will be carried on in our White Label collection.
What is the difference between Regular, Autoflowering, and Feminized seeds? How does a grower know which type of seed is right for their cultivation?

Traditional cannabis seeds produce plants that require a change in lighting schedule to trigger their flowering cycle. Autoflowering cannabis seeds grow plants that go into their flowering cycle without requiring a change in lighting schedule. They come in regular and feminized versions. I grow my autos under 24 hours of light with no dark cycle. This eliminates the need to separate plants that are in veg and bloom, they can all be grown in the same space.

Are you a caregiver in Michigan or do you grow solely for personal use?

I am a licensed caregiver, however, I grow for personal use and breeding new autoflowering strains.

What settings are you putting in place in the new custom grow space? Will this expansion allow for any new product offerings from Chef Anna White Label?

I think of my new space as the medium between a home grow and a commercial grow facility. The new spectrum tuned lights, environmental control and additional space will allow me to push my breeding projects to the next level for Chef Anna White Label.

How many strains does Chef Anna offer? Do they release in limited editions or are all seeds consistently available?

We carry a variety of Chef Anna bred strains as well as strains from some of our favorite breeders in the industry. Most strains are limited edition with our flagship and fan favorite strains returning into rotation periodically. Members of our website gain occasional access to strains that aren’t publicly released.

What are the other benefits of becoming a website member?
Our members also get access to giveaways and discounts not available to the general public.

How long have you been hosting live streams on Twitch? What kind of community have you built there?

I began streaming on Twitch in 2018 to celebrate our first Autoflower Day holiday. Since then, we have grown into a community of likeminded cannabis growers and enthusiasts. I stream gaming content as well which has allowed the Chef Anna brand to crossover to a new audience.

Does the community of cultivators that you’ve built help each other with questions that come up with their home grows?

Yes. Not only that, they challenge one another to become better cultivators via contests and grow-offs. It’s an amazing group of likeminded growers and enthusiasts.

One last, big thank you to Chef Anna for answering all of our questions! You can visit ChefAnnaWhiteLabel.com or follow Chef Anna on Instagram at @chefannawhitelabelstore to learn more.

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Mississippi Researchers Awarded $1.37M to Study Cannabis Pain Relief Potential for HIV+ Patients

1/11/2022

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A team of researchers from the University of Mississippi has been awarded a $1.37 million grant to study the pain relief potential of cannabis for HIV-positive patients, Ole Miss News reports. Awarded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), researchers are concerned with the non-addictive compounds in cannabis that help with inflammation and pain relief.

“Cannabis has hundreds of compounds in it other than THC and CBD, and we don’t know much about how these compounds might affect the human body. By exploring the effects of these compounds against HIV pain, we can gain insight into their potential benefits or risks in numerous other inflammatory disease states.” — Researcher Nicole Ashpole, assistant professor of pharmacology

Researchers say they are focusing on HIV patients because they “use cannabis more frequently than the uninfected population” and according to some patients, “cannabis manages their chronic pain.”

“Our preliminary data suggest that some of the nonpsychoactive compounds in cannabis can reduce inflammation in the central nervous system and HIV-related pain using in vivo models,” noted Jason Paris of the Department of BioMolecular Sciences.

The study will be conducted at the university’s National Center for Natural Products — the now-famous institution that had the only permit to grow cannabis for research in the U.S. for the past 50 years, the report says.

“Our research capability, our expertise, our knowledge in the areas of cannabis chemistry and production, our personnel and facilities — everything reflects our deep commitment to excellence in cannabis research,” said Mahmoud ElSohly, head of the university’s Marijuana Project and professor of pharmaceutics and drug delivery. “We are proud of the work we have done and continue to do as this field of research continues to grow.”

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Cannabis Ally Colorado Rep. Perlmutter Announces Retirement

1/11/2022

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Colorado Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D), a staunch supporter of cannabis legalization in Congress, announced Monday that he would not seek reelection. Perlmutter is the author of the SAFE Banking Act and sponsor of several other cannabis reform bills introduced in the House of Representatives during his tenure.

“There comes a time when you pass the torch to the next generation of leaders. I’m deeply gratified that our bench in the 7th District is deep and fortunately we have a strong group of leaders who are ready and able to take up that torch.” — Perlmutter in a statement

Perlmutter was first elected to represent the Centennial State’s 7th district in 2006 and is currently serving his eighth term. His district was redrawn in 2012 and again this year.

Perlmutter is the 26th House Democrat to announce retirement from the chamber.

Perlmutter’s SAFE Banking Act — which would give cannabis companies access to traditional financial services as it remains federally outlawed — has been approved five times by the House since its introduction but has never received a vote in the Senate.

In the statement posted to Twitter, Perlmutter said he was proud of “elevating the public safety risk of the cash-only cannabis industry” in Colorado and “across the country.”

In a tweet, the National Cannabis Industry Association responded to the announcement: “Thank you for everything, Congressman.”

The SAFE Banking Act remains in limbo in the Senate, where it is currently in the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

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