Mississippi Lawmakers Seeking Special Session, Would Include Medical Cannabis Bill

9/27/2021

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Legislative leaders in Mississippi are asking Gov. Tate Reeves (R) to call for a special session in order to, in part, enact a medical cannabis program, CBS42 reports. Last year, Mississippi voters had approved a medical cannabis ballot initiative; however, the state Supreme Court in May tossed out the initiative, ruling the ballot process is out of state and the proposal was improperly on ballots.

The medical cannabis program backed by lawmakers is not the same as the voter-based initiative. State Rep. Lee Yancey (R) told CBS42 that the program would help patients with epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and cancer. The proposal, which would require a three-fifths majority due to its tax implications, also includes opt-out provisions allowing municipalities to ban cannabis industry operations within 90 days. Those bans could be overturned by voters in local ballot initiatives, the report says.

The plan could also face an uphill battle from the state Agriculture Department after Commissioner Andy Gipson said in a letter to state Attorney General Lynn Fitch last month that he didn’t believe his agency could help facilitate the state program because cannabis remains federally outlawed.

“If the Mississippi Legislature were to enact and the governor were to sign into state law a medical marijuana program, how would it be legal under the federal act to truck, ship, deliver, manufacture, distribute or dispense any part of the cannabis seed or plant as a Schedule 1 substance into the state of Mississippi?” — Gipson wrote in the letter.

Gipson has also said he has a legal challenge drafted in the event lawmakers approve the reforms.

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Washington No Longer Automatically Denies Cannabis Licenses for Felons

9/24/2021

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Starting next month, individuals with felony or misdemeanor convictions will no longer be automatically barred from receiving a cannabis license in Washington State, KOMO News reports. Under the new rules, felonies will still be scrutinized but will no longer be an automatic disqualifier.

Rep. Melanie Morgan (D), chair the state Social Equity on Cannabis Task Force, said officials “wanted to bring parity in the disproportionality” in the arrest rates between Black and brown people for cannabis crimes compared to white people.

“The bottom line is bringing parity to the industry and making sure that Black and brown people have equal access to this industry in ownership.” – Morgan to KOMO News

A Marijuana Arrest Research Project study found that although Black people and Latinos use cannabis at lower rates than white people, Black people were arrested for cannabis-related crimes at 2.9 times the rate of white people and Latinos were arrested at 1.6 times the rate.

According to the Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB), the board will now perform a “threshold review” of applicants’ criminal histories and will take into consideration time since the conviction, nature of the offense, the relationship of the offense to the nature of the work performed, number of offenses, and any relevant rehabilitation associated with the crime.

The rule has already been adopted by the LCB and takes effect on October 2.

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Law Enforcement Take Educational Tour of Tennessee Hemp Farm

9/24/2021

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The sheriff in Madison County, Tennessee recently hosted an educational workshop that highlighted the differences between hemp and THC-rich cannabis, or marijuana, according to the Jackson Sun. Focusing on the differences between the two plant variations and their cultivation, harvesting, and processing practices, the event hosted state agencies and concluded with a tour of Hemphill Farms.

“The conference was excellent. We had lots of feedback from across the state. This is actually the first time it’s ever been done in the state.” — Sherriff John Mehr, via the Jackson Sun

In addition to the state Department of Agriculture, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) attended along with the TBI lab and other local law enforcement agencies. According to Mehr, attendees learned skills that will help them differentiate between hemp, CBD, and THC-rich cannabis products and understand more about the new regulations.

The sheriff said officers can “run into problems” distinguishing hemp from cannabis, remarking, “When we’re out here making stops on the road, and sometimes getting several pounds of marijuana, someone could get stopped that actually has hemp.”

Mehr says another issue is when Tennesseans call law enforcement to report an illegal cannabis grow when in fact the plants are legal hemp.

“Lots of times these hemp farms are not huge,” the Sherriff said in the report. “Which makes them look less official … But you can’t just plant it anywhere, it has to be approved (by the state). And it’s up to us to educate our officers that these growers may be entirely legal — lots of times neighbors or somebody will see it and say ‘That’s marijuana growing!’ but it’s just hemp.”

The sheriff says he is enthusiastic for more events but will have to wait until new hemp and medical cannabis laws are passed in the next legislative session.

“The tour was great—people could see it first hand, and see the barns and learn the process they go through,” he said.

 

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Kansas City Ends Pre-Employment Cannabis Screenings for Most City Employees

9/24/2021

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The Kansas City, Missouri City Council on Thursday ended pre-employment screenings for cannabis for most city jobs, the Kansas City Star reports. The ordinance, which was approved 11-2, includes exemptions for police, positions requiring a commercial diver’s license, jobs involving the supervision of children, medical patients, the disabled, and other vulnerable people.

Applicants and employees can still be tested for other drugs under the ordinance.

Mayor Quinton Lucas said on Twitter that the ordinance represents “one step of many in becoming a fairer city.”

“Opportunities should not be foreclosed unnecessarily. Glad to see passage of our law eliminating pre-employment screening for marijuana at Kansas City government for most positions.” – Lucas via Twitter

The ordinance aligns Kansas City’s hiring rules with the city’s cannabis laws, which were relaxed in 2017 when voters decided to decriminalize cannabis possession up to 35 grams. Cannabis possession under the decriminalization law can lead to a $25 fine.

In June 2020, the City Council passed an ordinance to remove cannabis and paraphernalia possession as a violation of the City Code of Ordinances, according to a press release from Lucas’ office.

In February 2020, Lucas implemented a Mayoral Marijuana Pardon Program which allows individuals previously convicted for low level cannabis and paraphernalia possession to apply for a pardon from the mayor. He issued his first pardon under the program in August 2020.

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Crain Communications Acquires Green Market Report

9/24/2021

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Detroit, Michigan-based Crain Communications has acquired cannabis industry news site Green Market Report, which was founded by Debra Borchardt, a financial journalist and former Wall Street executive, and Cynthia Salarizadeh, a public relations expert and legal cannabis industry insider, in 2017.

KC Crain, president and CEO of Crain Communications, said adding the cannabis-focused site is “a natural fit” with Crain’s other brands because of Green Market’s “focus on the financial, business and economic side of the cannabis industry.”

Green Market garners 150,000 monthly page views, Crain said in a press release announcing the acquisition.

“Crain is one of the highest quality business news organizations in the country. Their team, resources, and respected journalism will make the perfect partner as Green Market Report continues into the future. The combination of Crain’s experience and Green Market Report’s expertise will turn us into a leader in the industry, and I’m personally excited to be a part of that growth.” – Borchardt in a statement

The deal comes two years after Crain acquired GenomeWeb – an online news organization covering trends in genome sequencing. The company said both deals contribute to its “overarching goal of portfolio diversification.”

Crain also owns Automotive News, Ad Age, Modern Healthcare, Plastics News, and Pensions & Investments.

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. The deal is expected to be finalized by the end of the month.

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Bianca Blanche: Cannabis Retail Strategies and Industry Wisdom

9/23/2021

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In this episode of Fresh Cut, host Cara Wietstock meets with Bianca Blanche, a former budtender turned host of That Budtender Podcast. Bianca’s podcast is an inside look into life at the dispensary and “what really goes down in the back room.” Cara and Bianca discuss how the retail sector can improve, what attributes make a good budtender, and how to grow a career within the cannabis industry in a conversation between two former career budtenders that gets pretty real and pretty fun.

Check out more Bianca on her podcast That Budtender Podcast.

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Report: 2021 Global Cannabis Sales Will Near $31B

9/23/2021

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In a new report, cannabis industry data and insight firm BDSA estimates that global cannabis sales for 2021 will near $31 billion—an increase of 41% of last year’s sales. The analysts also suggest that global sales will reach $62.1 billion by 2026, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 15%.

In the U.S., BDSA forecasts cannabis will surpass $24 billion this year, a growth of 38% over 2020’s sales, and anticipates the U.S. to reach $47.6 billion in 2026, a CAGR of 14%.

Kelly Nielsen, vice president of insights & analytics for BDSA, said that the industry “continues to show exceedingly rapid growth, particularly within the U.S. market.”

“New markets, both medical and adult-use, are developing at a faster pace than observed in the past, and states are transitioning from medical-only to fully legal in a shorter time frame. … The industry continues to thrive, with sales exceeding expectations in several markets. This, compounded with more states passing legislation to legalize cannabis, drove the increase in BDSA’s outlook for the industry. The expansion and growth of adult-use markets in the U.S. continue to be the driving force of global cannabis sales.” – Nielson in a press release

In Canada, BDSA predicts cannabis sales this year will total $4 billion and will grow to $6.7 billion in 2026, a CAGR of 11%. BDSA estimates that Ontario, the largest cannabis market in Canada, will spearhead this increase, growing by almost 90% YoY in 2021.

According to the analysis, international cannabis sales will reach nearly $7.9 billion in 2026, up from $1.7 billion in 2021. BDSA said that international sales will be driven by medical cannabis markets in Mexico, Germany, and the U.K.

In June, Mexico’s Supreme Court decriminalized cannabis nationwide for adults but the order does not force the nation to allow legalized sales. In Germany and the U.K., non-medical cannabis use remains outlawed.

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Former Mayor Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Extorting Cannabis Brands

9/23/2021

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The former mayor of Fall River, Massachusetts, Jasiel Correia, on Tuesday was sentenced to six years in prison for extorting cannabis companies during his time in office. U.S. District Court Senior Judge Douglas Woodlock also imposed a three-year sentence of supervised release for the disgraced 29-year-old, who was convicted in May on charges of wire fraud and extortion.

Correia was arrested in 2019 for extorting cannabis companies in exchange for non-opposition letters, which are required under state law in order for cannabusinesses to open in a municipality. He was initially indicted in 2018.

Woodlock on Monday overturned tax and wire fraud convictions related to bilking investors in his SnoOwl app. The judge determined that prosecutors didn’t prove those charges but left the extortion convictions in place.

Correia had solicited bribes ranging from $75,000 to $250,000 in cash, campaign contributions, and other payments from cannabis industry operators and in exchange provided the non-opposition letters.

Nathaniel R. Mendell, acting U.S. attorney for the District of Massachusetts, said that the former mayor “lied to investors, sold his office, and has no remorse for his crimes.”

“Jasiel Correia was a corrupt and deceitful politician who could only be stopped by federal prosecution. Now he is a felon and will be a federal inmate.” – Mandell in a press release

Joseph R. Bonavolonta, special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, described Correia “as a pervasive liar who has shown absolutely no remorse or empathy for his victims.”

“Jasiel Correia’s conscious decision to fleece investors, extort hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes, and cheat on his taxes has now cost him his freedom,” Bonavolonta said in a statement.

Corriea had maintained his innocence even after his conviction and has said he would file an appeal.

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Ohio Details Licensing Info for Additional 73 Dispensaries

9/23/2021

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Ohio has released information related to the 73 provisional medical cannabis licenses it plans to issue in the coming months, according to JD Supra.

The license application window will be held from November 4-18, 2021, and each license carries a $5,000 application fee. In order to qualify for a license, applicants must have a location already secured for their dispensary and must submit a site plan and have local zoning approval.

Geographically, Ohio is divided into 31 dispensary districts. License winners will be chosen by lottery and the license expansion in any given district will be approved according to the number of “available provisional licenses” in that district. Licensees are limited to owning a maximum of five dispensaries. Assuming all 73 licenses are awarded, Ohio could have up to 130 medical cannabis dispensaries.

Dispensary drive-through windows will also be permitted under the regulations released by the state, according to the report.

The Ohio Board of Pharmacy approved the expansion in April, which essentially doubles medical cannabis access in the state. The Board felt the expansion was necessary due to the number of registered patients far exceeding their estimates.

Of the initial 60 dispensary licenses, only 57 have been approved to date. The state planned dispensaries for between 12,000 and 24,000 patients registering over a two-year period. At the time the expansion was approved, there were 92,772 registered patients in Ohio. The Board believes each dispensary can serve up to 600 patients.

Activists hope that by expanding the number of dispensaries, Ohio’s high medical cannabis prices will fall. A 2020 survey of Ohio patients found that 58.4 percent believed that high medical cannabis prices were an issue for the program.

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‘NJ Weedman’ Going to Try for State Cannabis License

9/23/2021

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Ed Forchion, better known as “NJ Weedman,” is going to try to get a license to legally sell cannabis in his home state, he said in an interview with Politico. Forchion has been selling cannabis, illegally but openly, in Trenton since at least 2016.

Forchion estimates that he has already served between 1,100 and 1,200 days of incarceration for selling cannabis. His storefront was most recently raided in 2016 and he spent more than a year in jail awaiting trial on witness tampering charges, for which he was acquitted. The related drug charges were dismissed, the report says.

Forchion said that with the state’s regulations allowing micro-businesses—those that sell less than 1,000 pounds of cannabis per month—he believes that officials “are trying to bring the black market” into the legalized market.

“Up until recently, I was having a nightmare that rich white guys were capitalizing off what the legacy market built as far as our base of customers—that they were going to walk in, pay our politicians and get this industry created for them. In the last few months, I’m believing.” – Forchion to Politico

Forchion added that the state’s rules will not disqualify him from the legal market because of his cannabis-related criminal history. The rules state that the state program is “expected to offer some economic benefit to people from communities that have historically been excluded from economic opportunities, particularly those with prior criminal convictions, people of color, and disabled veterans.”

Forchion, who ran for governor in a write-in campaign, said he wants to keep his shop in Trenton open as a celebration of the “culture of potheads.”

The state’s licensing process is already behind schedule as officials missed last week’s statutory deadline to begin accepting industry applications.

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Kristi Price: Black CannaBusiness Magazine & The Black CannaConference

9/22/2021

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Between ambitious entrepreneurs, investors, and a hungry consumer base, the cannabis space is chock-full of eagerness for this industry to succeed—but that energy has so far failed to cultivate an equitable and diverse space, which is unacceptable considering that the industry was built on the backs of social justice advocates and the over-incarceration of minority communities.

In this Q&A, we ask Kristi Price about her efforts through KRMA Media and the Black CannaBusiness brand to educate and inspire Black and Brown entrepreneurs who are considering entering the cannabis industry. We also discuss the upcoming Black CannaConference in New Orleans this November, The Black Fridays Podcast—which Kristi hosts to highlight successful BIPOC entrepreneurs and industry allies conducting equity work—and more!

Check out the full interview below.

Ganjapreneur: What career sector did you work in before moving into the cannabis space, and how has that experience helped as you build KRMA Media Inc.?

Kristi Price: Prior to cannabis I was a consultant in other previously prohibited/highly regulated industries of alcohol and tobacco. I also spent some time in the energy drink industry. There are certain nuances to doing business in highly regulated industries. We are limited in the ways that we can market so being creative and knowing how to create the box for others to think of it becomes a mantra. It’s not enough to just be creative, you have to introduce new concepts.

What inspired you to work in cannabis publishing and events?

I recognized that there was a void in both spaces of B2B content curated for people of color. I wanted to take the conversation about Black and Brown community beyond the social equity conversations and the “there are not enough people of color in the industry” statistics…I wanted to do something about it.

When did you found Black CannaBusiness Magazine under KRMA Media, and how does it serve the company mission?

I founded KRMA Media in February of 2019 and the Black CannaBusiness brand is our flagship. KRMA is an acronym for the four pillars of Knowledge, Resources, Minority Curation, and Allyship. These pillars are the foundation of everything that we do, and they are constant reminders of our mission to create a more inclusive industry while helping our allies to practice “actionable inclusion “ by providing them with an opportunity to build authentic relationships within the BIPOC cannabis community.

How do you choose guests for The Black Fridays Podcast? What topics do you and will you cover on the show?

The team and I keep our fingers on the pulse of the community to keep up with all of the amazing individuals and brands that are doing their part to build great BIPOC businesses. We also seek out industry allies that are leading the DEI charge through their equity programming and commitments. It’s important that BIPOC professionals are amplified as well as the organizations that are “walking the inclusion talk”…

Who makes up the target audience for the Black CannaConference, and what can they expect to gain from the event in New Orleans?

Our target audience is definitely BIPOC professionals, owners, and advocates. But we also target organizations that are seeking to create a more diverse workforce or developing initiatives that will level the playing field for people of color in the regions that they do business.

How many attendees and exhibitors are projected to attend?

We are expecting 2,000 attendees and over 100 exhibitors.

What kind of exhibitors will have booths on the expo floor?

Cannabis businesses, businesses that are adjacent to cannabis like wellness centers and salons.

Why was New Orleans the right location for this B2B conference? Will the event be hosted in more locations in the future?

The national conference will be held on NOLA every year. I chose New Orleans because it’s everybody’s favorite southern city that just happens to be predominately Black and Brown. It is also close to my alma mater and HBCU, Southern University, that happens to be leading the charge in cannabis education and awareness in the HBCU network and academia et large.

Why is it essential to provide an event like the Black CannaConference where Black entrepreneurs can connect and do business?

The Black CannaConference is essential simply because we are the first and only national event for people of color, so first it’s about representation in the professionals’ cannabis conference space. Events like this are critical to helping the BIPOC community network, learn and plan for the future of cannabis from a different perspective. It’s the only way to ensure that as a community, we are on the same page about what we hope to accomplish collectively and as individual professionals .

Are there any speakers in place yet for the 2021 CannaConference? Where can people apply if they’d like to speak?

We will have over 40 speakers speaking on topics ranging from Cannabis 101 to Dispensary operations and everything in between. From seed to sale we will have dynamic speakers presenting on business topics, agricultural and hemp, technology, Black politics, and cannabis policy, raising capital, and more. We have 6 powerful keynote speakers: Wanda James, Al Harrington, Dr. Chanda Macias, Karim Webb, Dr. Rachel Knox, and Jesce Horton.

What topics will speakers cover for the 2021 conference? Will the programming be relevant to a nationwide audience or be regional?

The topics that will be covered will be a mix of regional and national content. We have 10 “focus” areas found on the site: https://www.blackcannaconference.com/program-overview/.

Are there any after parties or networking events planned for the conference weekend?

Yes, we do not have the final list but there will be a VIP reception on the day before the conference, November 17th, and a leadership breakfast for equity non-profits and associations on November 19th.

How can allies best support the conference and magazine?

The best way to support the conference and the magazine is by connecting with us and letting us know that they are interested in partnering with our efforts through sponsorships and advertising. It’s also important that allies support us through sharing our mission with like-minded organizations.

Thank you, Kristi, for answering our questions! To learn more, visit BlackCannaBusiness.com.

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U.S. House Approves SAFE Banking Act… Again

9/22/2021

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The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday again approved the SAFE Banking Act which would allow banks to work with cannabis firms without fear of penalty, Bloomberg reports. It marks the second time this year—and the fifth time since 2019—that the chamber has approved the legislation, which has yet to be considered in the Senate.

Prior to the House vote, U.S. Cannabis Council Chief Executive Steven Hawkins noted that most of the legal cannabis industry’s 2020 transactions—more than $17 billion—were cash sales.

“Forcing legitimate, well-regulated cannabis businesses to conduct most of their business in cash is anachronistic and a clear threat to public safety.”—Hawkins via Bloomberg

Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) said that allowing the industry access to normal banking services would drive money into the economy and offer good-paying jobs.

“[The SAFE Banking Act] will strengthen the security of our financial system & keep bad actors like cartels out,” he wrote on Twitter following the bill’s passage on a voice vote. “Most importantly, it will reduce the risk of violent crime in our communities. It’s passed the House 5 times. We cannot wait any longer to address this public safety threat.”

While technically controlled by Democrats, the Senate is split 50-50 between the parties and the legislation would require support from either some Republicans or conservative Democrats in order to pass the chamber.

In the Senate, the bill is in the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

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90% of Maine Towns Prohibit Adult-Use Cannabis Sales

9/22/2021

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A new report by Maine Public Radio reveals that 90% of Maine towns do not allow adult-use cannabis operations within their borders.

Although cannabis receipts have steadily increased since adult-use sales began in the state last October, only 47 of Maine’s 500 towns and cities permit any adult-use cannabis activity. These communities comprise just 29% of the state’s population, MPR reports.

Curiously, some communities, like Etna, have banned retail stores but permit cultivation operations. Bradford, Corinna, Corinth, Dixmont, Glenburn, and Millinocket have all passed ordinances outlawing retail stores. Dover-Foxcroft passed a ban in 2017 but has a non-binding question on the November ballot asking citizens if adult-use cannabis is right for the largest city in Maine’s most conservative county, Piscataquis, according to the report.

“The measure on the ballot is to see if people want the activity at all,” said Selectboard Member Stephen Grammont. “The weird thing about Maine is that it’s conservative but also libertarian.” He told MPR that the referendum is not binding but if it passes but the city will be “obligated” to follow the outcome.

Other Maine towns like Stacyville, which has a population of just 380, have embraced adult-use cannabis for its economic impact, Stacyville Selectboard member Alvin Theriault said in the report.

“We don’t have any industry here. We don’t have anything. So why not?” — Theriault, via MPR

The industry’s slow rollout could be due to a fear of change, or because cities and towns do not see much in it for themselves. After all, cannabis tax revenues go to the state, according to Joel Pepin, President of the Maine Cannabis Industry Association.

“It takes time for stigma to change, and it takes time for operators to jump in and participate in the market,” Pepin said in the report. “But I mean, the market’s been launched now for a year and it seems to have already made a tremendous amount of progress.”

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Pennsylvania Bill Would Protect Medical Cannabis Patients from DUIs

9/22/2021

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A bill introduced in Pennsylvania aims to protect the state’s medical cannabis patients from driving under the influence charges. The bill includes both a Democratic sponsor, Rep. Chris Rabb, and a Republican sponsor, Rep. Todd Polinchock,

The bill would offer protection from DUI charges for patients enrolled in the state medical cannabis program who are not impaired when they are pulled over—the same as any other prescription medication, the sponsors said in a March 12 memorandum attached to the bill.

In a statement, Rabb said that medical cannabis patients “can take a minuscule amount of medicine for their ailment and weeks later, with traces of cannabis still in their system, be subject to arrest on a DUI charge if pulled over—not because they’ve driven impaired, but because our state laws haven’t caught up with the science.”

“And, if you think you don’t know someone who falls into this category—a person who has been prescribed medical cannabis and who drives and is fearful of the potential DUI charge they could face—you’re wrong. I am a card-carrying medical cannabis patient, and I drive regularly, including in and around Philadelphia and to Harrisburg conducting the people’s business.”—Rabb in a press release

Polinchock noted that the legislation “puts medical cannabis on the same level as other prescription pain relievers.”

“It helps many Pennsylvanians, including many of our seniors,” he said in a statement. “It’s time to remove the stigma and treat this drug as we do others.”

The bill is currently in the House Transportation Committee.

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Medical Cannabis Patients in Connecticut Can Cultivate Cannabis on Oct. 1

9/22/2021

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Beginning October 1, medical cannabis patients in Connecticut can grow their own medicine, the Hartford Courant reports. Patients 18-and-older will be allowed to grow six plants individually and up to 12 plants regardless of the number of adult occupants in the home.

The reforms that take effect October 1 also outlaw giving cannabis “to a domesticated animal” and violating those provisions could lead to Class C misdemeanor charges.

The law is separate from the state’s adult-use legalization law, which was approved by lawmakers in June and will allow adults 21-and-older to grow their own cannabis starting in July 2023.

The law also includes new restrictions on tobacco use that ban smoking within 25 feet of buildings that cater to the general public, including restaurants and retail stores. Communities with more than 50,000 people must designate areas where individuals can consume cannabis, but the decision on where those locations must be is up to municipalities.

The law also bars smoking in hotels, motels, prisons, and psychiatric facilities, among others, and special smoking rooms that had been previously allowed by large employers will no longer be permitted, the report says. The general rule is that a person can smoke cannabis anywhere they can smoke cigarettes; however, towns retain the authority to make the final decisions based on local zoning rules.

Cannabis possession by adults under the broad legalization law took effect July 1. Those provisions allow adults to possess up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis.

Earlier this month, Connecticut Commissioner for the Department of Consumer Protection, Michelle Seagull, said that the timeline for adult-use sales may be delayed, noting that while officials have “been suggesting that there will likely be sales by the end of 2022” they would “have to see how things play out in the next few months.”

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California Cannabis Brand Sues Regulators Over High Taxes, Illicit Market

9/21/2021

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California licensed operator Catalyst Cannabis Co. last week filed a lawsuit against the state Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) over the agency’s failure to address so-called burner distributions which the company says are the result of the state’s high cannabis taxes.

In a press release, Catalyst CEO Elliot Lewis said that state cannabis regulators “know that burner distributions exist but will not admit it publicly because they want to pretend like this problem they helped create doesn’t exist.”

“I want to be clear—our goal is to outline a problem that the state has created by failing to work with the cannabis industry on fair taxes. The cannabis industry has the biggest potential for job growth and good paying jobs with tons of upward mobility since the tech boom. The burner distributions are a symptom of the state’s complete incompetence as well as their unwillingness to admit what they know, they have screwed up the entire legal cannabis market.” — Lewis in a statement

The state’s cannabis excise tax is set at 15% and municipalities can set their own rates.

Lewis further describes the state’s cannabis tax as “smothering” the industry and that the state is treating cannabis industry operators as “second class” members of the state’s business community. He added that the tax policy is “aimed to discriminate against the entire industry.”

“It’s laughable that the state officials want to talk about good-paying jobs, racial justice, social equity, and safe access while putting in place policies that will never allow any of this to happen,” Lewis said in the statement. “Congratulations California you have figured out how to continue the War on Drugs. Up your game!”

The goal of the lawsuit, which claims the DCC is not enforcing state law, is to reveal what the agency knows about the burner distributions and bring regulators to the table on industry tax reform.

This is not Catalyst’s first time taking legal action against government officials: in a February podcast interview, Lewis told Ganjapreneur that Catalyst has successfully litigated against cities in the past. “Look, there’s a lot of corruption that goes on in this industry,” he said. “It’s just a fact. We don’t engage in corruption.”

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California AG Approves Language for Psilocybin Ballot Initiative

9/21/2021

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California’s attorney general on Thursday approved language for a ballot initiative aiming to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms for those 21-years-and-older, according to NBC News San Diego. Activists are looking for the initiative to appear on the 2022 ballot. According to the report, backers would like psilocybin, an entheogen found in various species of mushrooms, to be sold in stores.

“I believe it is possible that eventually, a critical mass or even a majority of states will legalize or decriminalize some or all of these psychedelics,” acting director of policy and advocacy for the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) Ismail L. Ali told NBC News.

In addition to the initiative, legislators will be taking up a psychedelic decriminalization bill sponsored by Sen. Scott Wiener (D) during the 2022 session. The proposal passed some key hurdles last session, is backed by MAPS, and would decriminalize small amounts of psilocybin, psilocyn, ecstasy, LSD, DMT, and mescaline, the report says.

Although activists see these policy proposals as progress, Ali says much of the hard work for psychedelic decriminalization remains and that “policy change regarding psychedelics is not inevitable.”

“We are in an early and sensitive phase in the process, and much remains to be seen in how different states navigate the emerging policy landscape.”—Ali via NBC News

Opponents of the proposals view them as one more step toward legalizing drugs. Additionally, some advocates are cautious about psychedelic decriminalization —  Matthew W. Johnson, associate director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic & Consciousness Research, said that any decriminalization efforts should be paired with public education about the effects of the drugs.

“If someone’s using, the best way to deal with it is not to give them a felony or misdemeanor. I am supportive of decriminalizing drugs in general, but that doesn’t mean I want to encourage their use,” he said in the report.

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New Jersey Misses Deadline to Begin Accepting Industry Applications

9/21/2021

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The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) has missed a statutory deadline to begin accepting industry applications, NJ.com reports. The deadline had been set for September 18—30 days after the agency had adopted its initial rules.

The commission last week did approve a new licensing platform for cannabis permits. An unnamed commission source told NJ.com that, in addition to not meeting the deadline, officials had no immediate plans to open applications. The agency plans to publish notice in the New Jersey register that lists the application filing start date and clarifies what materials an applicant will need to submit, the source told NJ.com.

Mike McQueeny, a cannabis attorney with Foley Hoag, told NJ.com that there are few consequences for missing the deadline; however, someone could file a writ of mandamus which could compel a court order for a CRC to fulfill the licensing obligations. McQueeny added that by including deadlines in the law, “the Legislature loud and clear said: Let’s get this moving.”

The commission has still yet to issue 24 medical cannabis licenses approved in 2019—which the CRC source told NJ.com is the agency’s “highest priority” but added it “can do more than one thing at once.” In all, the agency had received 150 medical cannabis applications in the 2019 round.

Under the reforms approved by lawmakers, industry rules were required by the CRC within six months of the law’s signing and within six months after that, the agency was supposed to pick a date for the launch of sales.

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Ontario’s Niagara College Commercial Cannabis Program Receives Federal Hemp Cultivation License

9/21/2021

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Niagara College’s Commercial Cannabis Production program has received a license to cultivate hemp from Health Canada which will enable students a hands-on opportunity to learn about the crop. The program will teach students how to grow cannabis indoors, in a greenhouse setting, and outdoors.

Alan Unwin, Niagara College’s Dean of Business, Tourism, and Environment, called the license “a natural progression” for the program.

“The uses and the industries for the hemp plant and the cannabis plant are quite different so this will help them when they graduate. It’s staying on top of things that we’re seeing in the industry. Our responsibility as a college is to meet that demand for the labor market.”—Unwin in a press release

Over the summer, students enrolled in the program grew a small hemp crop from seed in the college’s hop yard.

“It provides students with an opportunity to gain hands-on knowledge of outdoor hemp production,” Laurie Zuber, horticulture technologist with the Commercial Cannabis Production program, said in a statement. “This is a good introduction crop.”

Niagara College has two campuses in Ontario. The Commercial Cannabis Production program is a one-year, post-graduate, program.

In Canada, industrial hemp contains less than 0.3% THC. According to a Hemp Industry Daily report, Canada hemp exports exceeded $110 million Canadian dollars (USD $85 million) in 2019, which represented an increase of more than 20% from the year prior.

 

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Study: Synthetic Cannabinoid Users Experience ‘More Severe’ Withdrawal Symptoms

9/20/2021

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A recent study published in the journal Psychopharmacology suggests that users of synthetic cannabinoid products—such as Spice or K2 —experience more severe withdrawal symptoms than cannabis users, according to an International Business Times outline of the research. It is the first study focused on the long-term and withdrawal effects of using synthetic cannabinoids.

The researchers found that the withdrawal effects from synthetic cannabinoids appeared more rapidly than those of cannabis with consumers reporting more severe symptoms of insomnia, irritation and bad mood, heart palpitations, and loss of appetite.

Sam Craft, the study’s main author and a Medical Research Council-funded doctoral candidate said that data demonstrates “that Spice is a significantly more dangerous substance and those seeking to quit are likely to face a range of severe withdrawal symptoms.”

“It is critical, then, that greater effort is made to ensure that Spice is not taken in place of cannabis or any other substance and that individuals suffering difficulties with Spice receive treatment.”—Craft to the International Business Times

The study conducted by psychologists from the Addiction and Mental Health Group in the University of Bath’s Department of Psychology included 284 participants in the Global Drug Survey who had previously attempted to abstain from Spice.

A previous study by researchers at the University of Birmingham purported that Spice could cause a variety of health problems, including seizures, abnormal behaviors, intoxication, heart and kidney problems, and death.

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Italian Cannabis Referendum Hits Goal of 500k Signatures in One Week

9/20/2021

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The campaign to decriminalize cannabis in Italy has gathered the 500,000 signatures required to put the issue to voters ahead of the September 30 deadline, CNN reports. The proposal must first be submitted to lawmakers before being sent to the nation’s Supreme Court of Cassation, which would have to approve the petition before it moves to the Constitutional Court which will determine whether or not it is constitutional.

The group collected half a million signatures in just one week, the campaign said on its Facebook page.

If it survives the process, the Italian president would set a date for the referendum, which would likely be next year, the report says.

Italy initially decriminalized cannabis possession in 1993 but a 2006 law tripled prison sentences for cultivation, sales, and possession until that law was reformed in 2014. Earlier this month, lawmakers decriminalized cannabis cultivation of small amounts for personal use while increasing the penalty for sales from six to 10 years, Ansa reports.

Campaign organizers said that legalizing cannabis in Italy “would put an end to unnecessary trials for small amounts of the drug and ensure that patients who use it to relieve their excruciating pain will never have to face a court again.” The group added that full legalization could lead to about 7 billion Euros in revenues (about $8.2 billion) for the nation, noting that there are about 6 million cannabis consumers in Italy.

If approved, Italy would become just the fourth European Union member state to pass the reforms, joining Portugal—which has decriminalized all drugs—the Czech Republic, and Estonia.

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Nebraska Cannabis Association Forms and Plans Future Ballot Initiatives

9/20/2021

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A cannabis industry association last week launched in Nebraska, which is one of just two states that has neither medical nor adult-use legalization. The Nebraska Cannabis Association is the state’s first organization dedicated to lobbying for cannabis policy, advising on regulations, and supporting cannabis industry entrepreneurs, the Hastings Tribune reports.

John Cartier, president of the association’s board of directors, said the group was formed because “it is not unreasonable to predict that some form of legalization will happen before this decade is done.” He added that there are already “several ballot initiatives” planned for next year which could lead to some form of legalization in the state by 2023.

In 2020, the state Supreme Court struck down efforts to legalize medical cannabis ruling that the proposal violated the state’s single-issue rule for referendums but this year, advocates have launched two ballot initiatives in tandem to legalize medical cannabis. One question would require lawmakers to pass bills protecting physicians who recommend medical cannabis along, with their patients who possess or use the product, from criminal penalty. The second question would require the Legislature to enact measures protecting private companies that produce and supply cannabis for medical purposes.

Another petition to broadly legalize cannabis remains on file with the Secretary of State’s Office, the report says.

The Nebraska Cannabis Association’s board members include Cartier, who is also the director of voting rights for Civic Nebraska and a member of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana; Andrea Holmes, a Doane University professor of chemistry who created the state’s first cannabis studies program and co-owner of multiple CBD companies; Dr. Amanda McKinney, a physician and founder of the Institute for Human and Planetary Health; and Grant Wistrom, a former National Football League defensive lineman who owns two medical cannabis licenses in Missouri.

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Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Centers Cannabis in Bid for Senate Seat

9/20/2021

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Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman (D) is making cannabis legalization a centerpiece of his campaign for retiring Sen. Pat Toomey’s (R) U.S. Senate Seat, according to Forbes. Fetterman, a 14-year mayor and “populous” candidate, says he did not have to “evolve” into supporting legal cannabis.

“It’s always been the right thing to do,” the Senate candidate said in an interview with Forbes.

“It never should have been illegal in the first place. This is a plant with no known medical overdose. This is a plant now that’s helped 350,000 people, just in my state alone, with their medical issues.” — Fetterman to Forbes

Fetterman has been working to reform cannabis laws in Pennsylvania since his election in 2018. In 2019, he embarked on a 98-day, 67 county tour town-hall tour with only cannabis on the agenda. Additionally, Fetterman, as chair of the State Board of Pardons has worked with Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, to release dozens of non-violent cannabis offenders. Despite his efforts, however, the Lt. Gov. has been unable to advance adult-use cannabis legalization in the Republican-controlled state senate, but he tells Forbes the policy change is “inevitable.”

Removing cannabis as a Schedule 1 narcotic, reforming cannabis banking laws, and “mass expungement for every nonviolent offense”, are issues Fetterman says must be addressed at the Federal level. Commenting on the different paths to cannabis reform in Washington D.C., he said a group of Senators prefer to separate out decriminalization and other divisive issues from banking and insurance reform and other legislators like New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker (D) prefer a more comprehensive approach, Fetterman told Forbes.

“I support whatever gets it done. I’m not a purist in terms of the process.  I just have always run on this and know that it’s something that needs to happen,” he said. “There isn’t one justification not to support it, other than this vestigial reefer madness, or just the toxic political culture of opposing what we want just for the sake of opposing it.”

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Italian Cannabis Referendum Hits Goal of 500k Signatures in One Week

9/17/2021

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A referendum in Italy to decriminalize cannabis is on track to meet the 500,000 signatures it needs to be considered by lawmakers prior to the September 30 deadline, Euractiv reports. If approved, Italy would become just the fourth European Union member state to pass the reforms, joining Portugal—which has decriminalized all drugs—the Czech Republic, and Estonia.

The referendum has already garnered more than 420,000 signatures in just four days.

Under Italian law, possession of personal amounts of cannabis is punishable with the suspension of one’s driver’s license, while cannabis sales are met with two to six months incarceration.

Giuseppe Civati, founder of Possibile, a progressive party that is promoting the referendum alongside other groups, told Euractiv that Italy’s “politics has long been completely static on subjects that are considered taboo in a purely electoral logic, and the current government—including everyone from left to right—doesn’t help.”

“There are around a million cannabis consumers in Italy. The people who use it are not the kind of marginalized members of society as right-wing parties describe them, and many parts of the United States have made it legal through referenda too.”—Civati to Euractiv

He added that the referendum process in Italy “has become much easier” due to the introduction of digital signatures, “which seriously cut organization costs.”

The legalization of divorce and abortion in Italy was achieved through the referendum process. Another campaign to legalize euthanasia has already surpassed the 500,000-signature threshold.

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