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Rick Egan: Vaporizer Innovations & White Labeling

6/16/2021

As more and more consumers choose to vape instead of smoke their cannabis, vaporizer manufacturers are motivated to improve and innovate their offerings. Today, there are myriad different methods for consuming cannabis concentrates but dabbing and vaping still reign supreme.

In this written Q&A, Rick explains how the vape manufacturer Ispire dreamed up their award-winning invention, The Wand, as well other hardware options by Ispire including the ubiquitous Ducore vape cartridges. The interview also covers the benefits of working with a white label vape manufacturer, the future of the vaporizer industry, how to improve consumer education, and more!

Scroll down to read the full interview.

Ganjapreneur: When was Ispire founded and what is the goal of the company?

Rick Egan: Ispire was founded in April 2020 with the goal of delivering elite quality life experiences and revolutionizing the cannabis industry forever through innovative solutions, technology, and hardware.

How have the Ispire R&D and engineer teams redesigned the 510 threaded cartridge design? What benefits does this design create?

Our team is the catalyst in designing the modern-day vape pen we all know and love, whose design was the blueprint for the standard 510 thread we see today used by Cannabis’s biggest brands. In the spirit of innovation, we transformed the carts with our patented Ducore Technology (TM) which uses our ceramic coil system with a leak-resistant design to prevent flooding and clogging, along with our chambered airflow system that on some of our carts is fully customizable to the user’s liking. The adjustable airflow controls allow for a tighter hit and large clouds for a seasoned consumer, or a smoother, more breathable hit that allows for easy consumption and minimal coughing.

Our tech and hardware is a game-changer for brands that are sick of their hardware leaking, clogging and simply not doing their product justice, and for the consumers sick of burning their concentrates or their lips and coughing every time they want a hit of their pen. Our cartridges are also universally compatible with all 510 threaded batteries.

What are the benefits of dabbing with The Wand? How does it differ from an e-nail or common dab rig?

The Wand is our latest innovation at Ispire, launching only two months ago and already 2x Award-Winning. We won the John McKay Award for Scientific Advancement and Innovation in the industry because this product has truly revolutionized the dabbing community—and cannabis industry as a whole—forever. The Wand is the first of its kind dabbing device that uses induction heating paired with our food-grade glass bangers and inner cups to allow users to dab without fire. No more smoking harsh chemicals, having cans of butane and a blowtorch lying around your house and needing to refill after heating two dabs, and no more e-nails with faulty wiring! As opposed to other e-nails that require you to put your concentrate directly onto plastics or metal to heat it up, The Wand uses standard 14mm food-grade glass bangers and inner cups to allow the safest experience possible and to get the tastiest flavor profile, every time.

The Wand allows for custom temperature settings in 5 degree intervals from 450-800 degrees, putting the power back in the hands of the consumer. This eliminates the need for a dab thermometer or other expensive, excessive tools. This also allows you to take either a low-temp dab or high-temp dab depending on your preference. We’ve created a true hassle-free dabbing experience that’s safer, customizable, and compatible with almost any bong or rig of your choice, making The Wand not only portable and convenient, but the clear best choice when it comes to dabbing.

The Wand and Ispire cartridges allow the consumer to vape at lower temperatures compared to comparable tech, what are the benefits of low-temperature consumption?

Lower temperatures allow for better flavor since terpenes burn at a lower temperature than THC concentrates. By lowering the temperature consumers are able to experience the flavor profile of the product which provides a better experience and allows for the consumer to taste each terpene at its intended temperature. Not only is it more flavorful and beneficial, it also allows for a smoother hit and puts less stress on the lungs/esophagus than a hot dab as the vapor is less hot when inhaled.

Can companies white label Ispire batteries? How can these products be branded and utilized as a marketing tool for brands?

Yes. All of our carts and batteries are fully customizable, and our brand partners are able to white label or create custom colors, proprietary molds, and custom packaging all through Ispire’s amazing Marketing and Business Development Teams. Brands can add their logo to our Batteries, and we work with them to create custom packaging which eliminates their need to shop around and find different vendor partners for each step of their supply chain.

Unlike many of our competitors, we are a team of US-based cannabis industry professionals able to see the needs of our cannabis community and meet them head-on while also remaining forward-thinking. This is what has allowed us to create innovations that have and will change the future of our industry forever.

Once a client chooses to use Ispire technology what kind of client support is provided to their team?

We offer white-glove service to our brand partners including co-branded Marketing efforts such as product and lifestyle photo shoots, space on our social media and website, and other digital and physical assets to help make our partners truly stand out.

We are in the business of long-term partnerships, and supply our colleagues with the best hardware and technology possible to ensure their top quality product gets into the hands of the consumer the way it should. It is our partnership promise that sets us apart from our competitors.

Does Ispire sell products directly to consumers? Where can people find the Ispire Wand, batteries, and other quality vape products?

We do currently sell only The Wand And its accessories directly to consumers! You can purchase The Wand and its accessories on our website or from our retail partners. Get yours today!

As far as our carts and batteries, we only provide these to our industry brand partners. The best way for brand partners, dispensaries, or wholesalers to find our carts and batteries to white label is through reaching out to us directly via our website.

Consumers often opt for lower-cost batteries for vaping — does this pose any challenges for high-end cartridge design?

In short, no. We are seeing the cannabis industry pivot to putting quality first and Ispire does just that. Anyone can buy cheap carts or batteries online for much less than they do in a store, but with that decision comes a heavy burden. They would be smoking heavy metals, using faulty wiring that could burn their lips, and have many other risks involved with the cheaper options.

We are seeing now more than ever that you can have the best concentrates in the world, but the minute you put it in sub-par hardware you degrade its quality. With Ispire, that’s something they never have to worry about.

Unlike our competitors, our batteries are built to last and come at a surprisingly cost-effective price competitive with others in the industry. The price is great, the quality is even better and the partnership will last years into the future.

How can the industry better educate cannabis consumers on the relevance of buying a quality battery for vape cartridges?

It all starts from within. We as a community can put a focus on creating educational content for industry professionals and consumers alike. It’s important that we educate ourselves and our colleagues, and then share that information with the world through our social platforms, websites, and beyond.

Rather than focusing on the small, short-term savings provided by inferior products, we need to focus on the long-term benefits and reputability that come with choosing quality.

How does Ispire educate consumers and retail associates on the importance of purchasing a quality battery for vaping?

We create educational content around these topics that can be found on our social channels such as Youtube, Instagram, and Linkedin.

How do you continue evolving to meet consumers’ needs?

Our answer is simple; we care, we focus on innovation, and we think outside the box. Our owner takes pride in immersing himself in the industry to see what the current needs are, and then spends countless months researching and testing to create new, never before seen products that are the best in cannabis.

Combined with our white-glove service and partnership promise to always deliver the best quality experience to our partners and consumers alike, Ispire has taken the industry by storm and will always stand out from the rest.

Thanks, Rick, for answering these questions for us! Visit GetIspire.com to learn more.

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Study: More than Half of Delta-8 Products Contain Illegal Amounts of Delta-9 THC

6/15/2021

More than half—53%— of Delta-8 THC products sent for independent testing by Leafreport contained Delta-9 THC over limits allowed under U.S. federal law, while 68% contained less Delta-8 than advertised.

The study included 38 Delta-8 products in all with 12 products being deemed “excellent,” 10 rated “decent,” four considered “poor,” and 12 failing.

Products received their ratings based on how close Delta-8 levels were to the packaging. A product received an excellent rating if independent lab tests showed Delta-8 levels within 10% of what was stated on the label; products were considered decent if the lab tests showed Delta-8 levels within 20% of the label; poor products were within 30% of the label; while failing products differed from the label by more than 30%. Products with no information automatically received the worst rating.

At least one product contained 15.2% Delta-9 THC, which far exceeds the 0.3% federal threshold.

Just 12 of the 38 products tested had the advertised amount of Delta-8, the researchers found, adding that “the rest were off by 10.7% to 102.7% from the label.”

Leafreport also noted that Delta-8 pre-rolls and gummies were more likely to have inaccurate levels than tinctures and vape products and all of the products passed tests for heavy metals. The names of most products tested were obscured in Leafreport’s results, so it is unclear which Delta-8 brands contained Delta-9.

For clarification on the science involved, Ganjapreneur reached out to Kristen Goedde of Trichome Analytical, who did not test the products from Leafreport’s study directly, but who has tested numerous Delta-8 products for various manufacturers.

According to Goedde, nearly all of the Delta-8 products tested by Trichome Analytical have contained levels of Delta-9 THC that would make them illegal under federal law. She believes this may be due to the process by which Delta-8 THC is synthesized from CBD isolate.

“In the conversion process from CBD isolate into Delta-8 THC, other THC isomers including Delta-9 THC are created in varying amounts. At Trichome, we have yet to see a compliant, high potency Delta-8 product that can be manufactured on a large scale. It is quite likely that all Delta-8 vape cartridges on the market contain non-compliant levels of Delta-9 THC.” – Kristen Goedde, in a statement to Ganjapreneur

One way for labs to ensure they are detecting any Delta-9 THC in a product, Goedde says, is to implement an “orthoganal” approach when it comes to testing Delta-8 products — in other words, using two different testing methodologies to verify results.

However, Goedde believes that many Delta-8 brands may be intentionally working with labs that are not configured to thoroughly test for Delta-9 THC, in order to get compliant certificates of analysis.

If one lab tells a brand that their product is non-compliant, the brand can simply send their product to another lab that is less-equipped to handle such specialized testing, and they could still wind up with a compliant certificate to show retailers and consumers. As Goedde points out, this reality makes it “difficult for the consumer or store owner to figure out the true composition of these products.”

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Cronos Reaches Deal with Pharmacann That Would Allow 10.5% Ownership Stake

6/15/2021

Licensed Canadian cannabis company Cronos Group Inc. announced on Monday it had reached a deal with Pharmacann that would allow a subsidiary of the Toronto-based firm to acquire a potential 10.5% ownership stake Chicago, Illinois-based cannabis operator.

The option would be exercised based on various factors, Cronos said in a press release, including U.S. federal legalization and regulatory approvals in the states where Pharmacann operates. The company operates both medical and adult-use locations in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York, Illinois, and Maryland, according to the Pharmacann website.

Kurt Schmidt, president and CEO of Cronos Group, said the company was attracted to Pharmacann “because of their disciplined capital allocation, strong track-record, and compelling licensed manufacturing and retail footprint.”

“Our U.S. growth strategy focuses on delivering long term shareholder value by assembling a best-in-class brand and intellectual property portfolio and positioning to deploy our products in the U.S. market through investments and opportunities with U.S. leaders who share our vision and commitment to responsibly distributing disruptive cannabinoid products that improve people’s lives.”—Schmidt in a statement

Cronos paid $110.4 million for the option which will be distributed directly to Pharmacann shareholders, the company said.

Pharmacann CEO Brett Novey said the investment “validates [the company’s] position as a leading vertically integrated U.S. cannabis company” while highlighting the firm’s “ability to continue to expand and enhance” its asset base.

Cronos trades in the U.S. on the NASDAQ under the CRON symbol.

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California Ruling Prevents State From Disciplining Employees Over Positive Cannabis Test

6/15/2021

A California State Personnel Board (SPB) ruling limits using positive cannabis drug tests in disciplining state workers. The “precedential decision” determined that urine samples do not accurately reflect whether an employee is under the influence of cannabis while at work.

“…The Board notes that it does not take a position on whether using marijuana is a good thing or a bad thing. The voters have spoken and legalized it in the State of California. Given that reality, State Agencies are powerless to discipline employees, like Appellant, whose test showed only that marijuana had been ingested or used sometime in the past, but that Appellant was not under the influence of marijuana while on duty.” – California State Personnel Board decision No. 21-01, Darrin Harper v. California Department of Transportation

Darrin Harper, a Caltrans maintenance worker, brought the case against the Transportation Department after he was fired following a positive cannabis test. The SPB noted that Caltrans “did not contend” Harper was under the influence while on the job and Caltrans never made such allegations in their Notice of Adverse Action against Harper or during an evidentiary hearing.

The board further acknowledged that Harper’s behavior was “no different from the personal consumption of wine, beer, or other alcoholic beverages.”

“It is a social and recreational activity that is legal and permissible in California,” the board said.

The decision does note that some state jobs are considered “safety sensitive” but state law only bars “the use, possession, or being under the influence of illegal or unauthorized mind-altering substances” while on duty or on standby for duty.

The SPB ruling does clarify that the decision neither covers federal government employees or federal contractors in California, nor law enforcement officers.

The decision was adopted at the SPB’s March 4 meeting.

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Montana Group That Brought Lawsuit Against Legalization Requests Dismissal

6/15/2021

Wrong for Montana last week filed a motion to dismiss its own lawsuit challenging the state’s voter-approved adult-use cannabis initiative the Helena Independent Record reports. The lawsuit challenged provisions in I-109 that allocated tax revenue to specific projects, which is not allowed under the state Constitution.

The lawsuit became irrelevant when Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) signed HB 701—the bill to implement adult-use legalization— into law.

Despite filing the motion, Steve Zabawa, founder of the anti-cannabis organization, maintained voters were “tricked” into passing I-109, but was “confident” in the bill signed by the governor.

“It seems like everything is side-boarded,” he said in an interview with the Independent Record. “I think we’re ready to move on to the next chapter.”

Prior to Wrong for Montana’s motion, the state Attorney General’s Office filed its own motion to dismiss on the grounds HB 701 had replaced I-109. In their filing, the AG’s office described the lawsuit as “moot.”

The group behind the successful legalization campaign, New Approach Montana—now known as the Montana Cannabis Guild—also filed a motion to dismiss.

Cannabis Guild President and CEO J.D. “Pepper” Petersen told the Independent Record that “the lawsuit never had any merit in the first place.” He added that he doesn’t “put any merit in” anything Zabawa says.

Although Zabawa is walking away from the lawsuit, he does not appear to be backing down—a message on Wrong for Montana’s website reads: “Let’s make 2023 the year we rectify the great wrong of 2020.”

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Review: Flavor Fix Handcrafted Stash Boxes & More

6/14/2021

Flavor Fix is a publishing platform working to bridge the chasm between cannabis and spirits. On their website, the Flavor Fix team provides education on cannabis strains, distilled spirits, recipes, dispensaries, distilleries, and recent industry news. They also make recommendations for pairing strains with specific spirits, and which activities and music might best complement said experience. The site promotes a lifestyle of responsibly enjoying legal beverages and cannabis products together in a way that is relaxing, fun, and/or creative.

To further promote these experiences and support their clients looking to advertise their brands, Flavor Fix makes and sells a variety of handcrafted products made from fine Canadian woods. The stash box can not only contain all of your cannabis accessories and products but it looks good on a coffee or side table. The rolling tray is so finely made it can double as a place to put a candle when you’re not rolling up. And on the spirits side of things, the cutting board looks beautiful alongside the flight paddle, which is outfitted with holes sized for Glencairn whiskey glasses — perfect for entertaining.

For brands that are looking for a classy but effective advertising campaign or promotional product, each item can be branded with their logo for the perfect subtle touch. If a brand is looking for an extra something special, Flavor Fix can utilize their master woodworker and source materials to make custom items similar to their other product offerings, such as wine boxes or containers for edibles.

Stash Box

The Flavor Fix stash box is crafted with Canadian walnut, accented with maple wood and outfitted with brass hardware that snaps it closed. Mine is currently filled with an array of things — personally, I was surprised it all fit. There is a jar that fits a quarter-ounce of cannabis flower, a dry herb vape, a vape pen, a couple of loose bowl pieces for the bong, and more. To add to the value, it looks so finely made that I’m just fine leaving it on the coffee table when my in-laws come to visit knowing it looks beautiful and intentional on our rustic wood coffee table.

Rolling Tray

Like each of the Flavor Fix products, the rolling tray has a classic look that integrates well into most living room designs. It is made with locally sourced Canadian walnut and the size allows it to be easily stashed away when not in use. To ensure nothing comes off on your bud, the rolling tray is finished with an all-natural food safe finish. For those who prefer to keep their accessories at arm’s length, it looks nice on a side table with a candle or small vase. Functionally, the tray works great whether you’re rolling up on your lap or a table. The edges catch errant buds and it’s big enough to fit a grinder, papers, tips and whatever else you prefer to use.

Cutting Board

A fine wood cutting board is both a necessity and a luxury, especially the one in the Flavor Fix shop. It is a top sought-after item and rightfully so as it is made with rich bands of Walnut, Cherry, Maple, and Bloodwood with an all-natural, food-safe finish. It’s also designed with thoughtful touches like small feet that ensure it won’t slide around or wobble on any surface. We love using it for slicing lemons, limes, and other cocktail garnishes but it also works beautifully for a charcuterie spread to serve alongside evening drinks and tokes. These can be branded on the bottom for a subtle but impactful touch that is sure to leave an impression.

Flight Paddle

Having a flight paddle at the ready can truly bring the VIP experience home. It is a wonderful touch when entertaining a spirit-enthused friend or just while tasting whiskeys with a partner. As legal social use becomes more prominent and infused beverages get introduced to the market, it will be an ideal promotional product for such infusions. The paddle has a gorgeous live edge and is made with Canadian walnut. Like the other products, the flight paddle can be outfitted with a logo just above the handle.

Each of these products can be purchased directly from the Flavor Fix site for any cannabis and spirits enthusiast to use at home. But they are also valuable for advertising and marketing clients of Flavor Fix to build out customized promotions using the stash box, rolling tray, cutting board, flight paddle, and even special items that can be made just for one company. Luckily, the team at Flavor Fix has extensive experience in marketing spirits and are well versed in how to make a lasting impression on the right consumer base.

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In Maryland, Dispensaries Are Healthcare Settings And Still Require You Wear A Mask

6/14/2021

This article was written by Meghan Thompson and originally published by Outlaw Report.

Last month, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan lifted the statewide mask mandate in Maryland with three exceptions: schools, public transportation, and healthcare settings.

This includes medical cannabis dispensaries. In Maryland, all dispensary visitors (regardless of their vaccination status) are still required to wear a mask while inside any cannabis storefront across the state. Maryland’s updated mask mandate states: “All persons in Maryland over the age of five (5) years old are required to wear a face covering when they are: obtaining healthcare services, including without limitation, in offices of physicians and dentists, hospitals, pharmacies, and laboratories.”

Medical dispensaries are considered healthcare settings and were deemed essential at the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

On May 21, the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission released a bulletin stating “dispensaries must continue to require face coverings,” though masks are no longer required in cultivation and processing facilities.

While vaccinated people are not required to wear masks while indoors anymore in most public places, Maryland’s vaccination rate is still below 50% and many medical cannabis patients are at an increased risk of death or hospitalization due to COVID-19.

“It’s extremely important for people to continue wearing masks in dispensaries because it’s still a healthcare facility,” Jessica Morgan, a dispensary manager in Towson told The Outlaw Report. “Every day we see patients with immunocompromised systems, whether it be from an autoimmune disease or chemotherapy.”

“At least one to three patients a day are struggling with a compromised immune system,” Morgan said. “This makes them susceptible to things like a cold, let alone COVID-19.”

In fact, many of the qualifying conditions to receive a medical cannabis certification from a physician are also common comorbidities for COVID-19. This includes cancer, dementia, and substance use disorder—conditions that many patients use cannabis to treat that also put them at greater risk of hospitalization or death should they contract COVID-19, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Morgan also noted that there are many patients and dispensary employees without compromised immune systems who are using cannabis to treat underlying medical conditions that could be exacerbated by the stress of contracting COVID-19. This could include anything from chronic pain to anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.

“[Dispensaries are a] medical facility, and you have to think about others who come in on their worst days who cannot afford to catch COVID-19,” Morgan said.

Existing COVID-19 restrictions vary in dispensaries across the U.S. An informal poll conducted by MJBizDaily of 163 cannabis retailers found that 50% still require masks and social distancing for customers in their stores. Conversely, 20% have no COVID-19 restrictions at all.

“You wouldn’t go see your friend on chemo without a mask—COVID or not—so you shouldn’t walk into a dispensary without one either,” Morgan said, “you have no idea whose life you could potentially be putting at risk.”

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Study: States With Legal Cannabis See Reduction in Workers’ Compensation Claims

6/14/2021

Researchers at Temple University found about a 20% reduction in the probability that a person reports having any income from workers’ compensation following statewide cannabis legalization, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. The study found a 7% reduction in states post medical cannabis legalization and 13.3% in medical cannabis states that provide employment protections for cannabis patients.

Professor Johanna Catherine Maclean, an economist who studies the impact of substance use on the labor market who authored the study, said the research focused on adults 40 to 62-years-old who self-reported workers’ compensation income. The study focused on workers’ compensation because the researchers “viewed it as one proxy for work capacity, which we define as the ability to work productively,” she said in an interview with the Inquirer.

“There’s also some literature from other economists that shows when you legalize marijuana either for medical or recreational use, we see changes in utilization of therapeutic substitutes, like opioids, in insurance claims data. That might mean, say, before you were using opioids to manage your chronic pain. But when we adopt a medical or recreational marijuana law, we see a reduction in prescriptions for refills for things like opioids.”—Maclean to the Inquirer

The researchers also found that non-fatal workplace injuries declined following recreational cannabis legalization.

Maclean added that fewer workers’ compensation claims likely means less workplace disruption as employees may have shorter—or no—work separation due to an injury and don’t require formal health care which helps employers reduce workers’ compensation-related costs.

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British Columbia Government Urges Cannabis Consumers to Use Legal Market

6/14/2021

The British Columbia, Canada government is urging cannabis consumers to purchase legal cannabis after finding contaminants in confiscated unregulated cannabis, Marijuana Business Daily reports. The issues were detected when the province’s legalization and regulation secretariat ordered the testing of dried flower seized from illegal dispensaries in Vancouver.

According to the report, legal cannabis sales in Vancouver are the lowest in Canada.

Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth told reporters last week that “the samples went to a federally licensed lab for testing, and the results are concerning.”

Farnworth indicated the tests found 24 distinct pesticides and “unacceptable levels of bacteria, fungi or heavy metals.” The testing was part of a pilot program by the BC Centre for Disease Control and the National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health (NCCEH). Just three samples of the 24 samples would have been acceptable for the legal Canadian market and only two of those had no detectable pesticide residues.

Farnworth said many consumers think the cannabis found in the illegal dispensaries is grown in organic clean environments. “The reality is, what we’re finding— it’s not, he said in the report.

“And the best way to avoid that is to shop at a legal retail store, where people are abiding by the rules, the product is tested, they pay the proper licensing fee, they’ve invested money into the business legally.”—Farnworth via Marijuana Business Daily

He encouraged consumers to avoid the illicit market and shop at legal cannabis stores.

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Staten Island MTA Employee Sues Hemp Tea Company After Failed Drug Test

6/14/2021

A former Staten Island, New York MTA bus driver is suing the makers of a weight loss tea after the product led to a failed drug test and subsequent demotion, according to an SI Live report. The former driver, Roy Hunter, filed his lawsuit against Michigan-based Total Life Changes over its raspberry flavored “Broad-Spectrum Hemp THC Tea Product,” which is advertised to assist in weight loss and contain zero percent THC.

Hunter was hired in 2012 as an MTA driver and last July failed a random drug test and was demoted to bus cleaner. As part of the demotion, he was subject to 64 drug tests over an eight-month period and passed each one. In April he sent individual tea packets for testing and found the product contained THC, which, he claims in the lawsuit, led to his positive drug test.

His attorney, Scott Richman, of Richman Law Firm PLLC, called the lawsuit “a classic case of a multi-million dollar company putting profits over people.”

“The misrepresentations on the packaging of the Total Life Changes tea product were clear, unequivocal, misleading, and with the sole intention to induce prospective purchasers to buy their product. … Now, instead of taking responsibility for what they did, Total Life Changes would rather take the position that these people ‘got what they paid for.’ We will not let that stand.” – Richman to SI Live

The lawsuit is filed in Brooklyn Federal Court.

The product is also subject to a class-action lawsuit over THC levels, which the lawsuit claims are “false, deceptive and/or misleading.” Total Life was also the recipient of a Federal Trade Commission warning letter in April 2020 for social media posts made by the company’s business representatives that “unlawfully advertise that certain products treat or prevent” COVID-19.

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Virginia Governor’s Race Offers Two Drastically Different Visions For Legalizing Cannabis

6/14/2021

This article was written by Gaspard Le Dem and originally published by Outlaw Report.

Terry McAuliffe cruised to the Democratic nomination for Virginia governor on Tuesday, setting the stage for what could be a close race between the former governor and Republican nominee Glenn Youngkin, a businessman with no prior political experience.

Polls show McAuliffe, an establishment candidate who is running for his old job—he was governor of Virginia from 2014-2018—is neck and neck with Youngkin. A darling of national Democrats, McAuliffe previously served as chairman of the Democratic National Committee and spearheaded presidential campaigns for the Clintons.

His opponent, a self-described political outsider, has never run for public office. But what Youngkin lacks in political experience he makes up for in money. The private equity executive, whose net worth is estimated at roughly $354 million, has used his personal wealth to flood Virginia’s airwaves with virulent attack ads against his rivals. Virginia Democrats meanwhile, call Youngkin, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump and Senator Ted Cruz, a “pro-Trump extremist.”

By the time the winner of November’s general election is sworn-in it will be January and Virginia will have legalized cannabis possession, while a regulatory framework for recreational pot sales—which won’t begin until 2024—is still being hammered out.

While the commonwealth’s next governor will have limited power to affect cannabis legislation, advocates say a cannabis opponent could slow the state’s progress on legalization at a critical junction.

McAuliffe and Youngkin seem to have diametrically opposed views on cannabis issues.

Though McAuliffe initially opposed legalizing recreational pot, he eventually became an advocate for the cause and is now placing it at the forefront of his re-election agenda.

In a November opinion piece published in the Washington Post, he embraced legalization as a “civil rights” issue, calling for the expungement of prior cannabis convictions, eliminating cannabis-related barriers to employment, and prioritizing the participation of people harmed by The War on Drugs in the industry.

“There is no question marijuana needs to be legalized in Virginia,” McAuliffe wrote in the piece, which was co-authored by Don Scott, a fellow Democrat in Virginia’s House of Delegates. “But we do need to challenge ourselves to do what is right, not what is easy. If we want to finally implement real criminal justice reform, we have to be bold, and this is a great place to start.”

Jenn Michelle Pedini, Executive Director for the Virginia branch of NORML, a national cannabis advocacy group, told The Outlaw Report that McAuliffe’s willingness to change his stance on legalization is the mark of a pragmatic politician.

“I think that that’s just another natural evolution that happens with lawmakers who are focused on sound public policy, as opposed to partisan talking points,” Pedini said.

During his prior governorship, McAuliffe signed several cannabis bills, authorizing the drug’s use for patients with epilepsy, and easing driver’s license suspensions for people charged with cannabis offenses.

Youngkin, meanwhile, has shown little more than aversion for cannabis legalization. In May, he told CNBC that cannabis legalization is a “mess” that he would “clean up” as governor, though he didn’t offer specifics.

“[Cannabis legalization] is going to be another problem that’s going to be dumped at my feet,” Youngkin said. “And the reality is, if I had a group of kids here that were asking me about marijuana use, I would tell them don’t use it. The reality is that the industry that everyone used as the rationale for legalizing it, has not performed in other states. They’ve already predicated a bunch of spending on it and the reality is I’m going to have to deal with this when I’m governor.”

Pedini said Youngkin is clearly uninformed on cannabis issues: “He doesn’t appear to be very well-versed in the need for a cannabis policy that is both fair and just, and puts cannabis behind an age-verified counter so as to be best regulated for public and consumer safety.”

Many of Virginia’s laws around legalization aren’t yet finalized. The General Assembly still needs to reenact parts of the 2021 law concerning commercial sales and criminal penalties during next year’s legislative session. If Youngkin were to veto the reenactment of those laws, it could potentially complicate the launch of a regulated cannabis market.

“Essentially, that would be the option he would have, to use his veto power to attempt to stop progress,” Pedini said.

Advocates have urged officials to expedite the launch of a recreational cannabis market, pushing for sales to start earlier than 2024 in order to shorten the awkward time frame during which possession and growing will be legal, but buying and selling won’t be.

“Ensuring a safe, regulated marketplace that can best provide for public and consumer safety is one of the primary principles of legalization,” Pedini said. “And until the Commonwealth does so, despite legalizing possession of personal cultivation, Virginians not participating in the medical cannabis program will still be engaging in illicit activity to access marijuana.”

On Monday, a government watchdog group published a report urging Virginia lawmakers to modify the timeline for the launch of a recreational cannabis market. The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission suggested moving up the date by which sellers can start applying for state-issued licenses from its current date of July 1, 2023 to the start of that year.

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Virginia Tech Updates Code of Conduct to Ban Cannabis on Campus

6/14/2021

Virginia Tech has updated its student code of conduct to ban the use and possession of cannabis on campus, despite the state’s legalization law set to take effect July 1, the Roanoke Times reports. The changes are similar to policies implemented by other colleges and universities that receive federal funding as allowing use could be a violation of the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act.

Off-campus cannabis use and possession is not included in the directive, so students 21-and-older who use or possess cannabis off school property would not be in violation of the new rules. Students are unlikely to face suspension for violating the policy, but could be subject to academic probation, have to meet with a drug counselor or write an essay about the incident and alcohol and drug safety.

Virginia Tech spokesman Mark Owczarski said that the school’s policies “must be aligned” with both federal and state law.

“In most cases, state and federal law is similar or the same, which aids in the clarity of university policies. In this case, state and federal laws will have differences, and when that happens, we still to have to make sure our policies align to both, even though they are different.”—Owczarski to the Times

Other colleges and universities in the state have not yet—or have no plans—to make changes to their codes of conduct, the report says.

Radford University spokesman Justin Ward told the Times that it is “evaluating appropriate sanctions and educational campaigns” to ensure its policies reduce “negative consequences related to substance abuse and promote student success.”

Virginia Commonwealth University spokesman Corey Byers indicated the school’s code of conduct already prohibits cannabis use and that university administrators will be reviewing the student code of conduct to reconcile unclear language regarding state [versus] federal law.”

The University of Virginia said it would review the implications of the Legislature-approved law and would make any necessary changes by July 1. James Madison University indicated it would remain in compliance with federal law banning cannabis on campus.

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Bronx DA Dismisses 6,000+ Misdemeanor Cannabis Cases

6/11/2021

Bronx District Attorney (DA) Darcel Clark on Thursday dismissed more than 6,000 misdemeanor cannabis cases where the primary charge was possession or sale, the New York Daily News reports. The sweeping dismissal of the cases — both past and pending — comes two months after lawmakers legalized cannabis for adult use.

“My office has long stopped prosecuting for these offenses, because they were not a direct threat to public safety, and they gave people a criminal record that had negative collateral consequences on employment, housing, education, immigration and other matters. … Mindful of these harsh realities for those affected, our application today is an effort to bring into effect my office’s shared purpose of pursuing justice with integrity aligned with the legislative goals outlined above.” — Clark, in court, via Daily News

The move follows similar motions by district attorneys in other New York City boroughs. Those 2018 actions by Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance and Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez preceded the broad reforms passed in March. Vance vacated more than 3,000 cases dating back to the 1970s and Gonzalez’s action affected more than 1,400 misdemeanor cannabis possession cases, the report says.

A spokesman for Staten Island DA Michael McMahon told the News that his office is in the process of dismissing more than 1,100 cannabis cases. Queens DA Melinda Katz has indicated she would expunge past cannabis convictions for crimes now legal under state law.

During Clarke’s court appearance on Thursday seeking the dismissals, Judge George Grasso, chief supervising judge for Bronx Criminal Court, noted that cannabis prohibition “resulted in devastating collateral consequences including mass incarceration and other complex generational trauma that inhibit an otherwise law-abiding citizen’s ability to access housing, employment opportunities, and other services.”

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Ohio Medical Board Adds 3 Conditions to Medical Cannabis Program

6/11/2021

The Ohio State Medical Board on Wednesday approved adding Huntington’s disease, terminal illness, and spasticity to the state’s medical cannabis qualifying conditions list, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. There are now 25 conditions for which patients can access the state medical cannabis program.

It is the second condition expansion this year by the board. In February, it added arthritis, chronic migraines, and complex regional pain syndrome to the list.

The board, again, rejected petitions to add autism spectrum disorder, restless leg syndrome, panic disorder with agoraphobia and spasms — as they did in February. In all, the board had received 30 petitions to add new conditions for medical cannabis access. Those applications must include evidence that cannabis can be efficacious for treating the disease or condition and supporting letters from physicians.

As of May 27, there are 197,816 registered patients in Ohio, according to state data.

In April, the state Board of Pharmacy approved raising the number of dispensaries from 60 to 130 as patient counts climbed in the state. The board anticipates each dispensary can serve 300 to 600 patients.

Last year, the Medical Board approved cachexia, or wasting syndrome, to its qualifying conditions list for medical cannabis — marking the first time the body would approve adding a condition via the petition process. The board had also rejected anxiety and autism spectrum disorder at that time.

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Wyoming Advocates Launch Ballot Campaigns for Medical Cannabis, Decriminalization

6/11/2021

Wyoming advocates are circulating two cannabis reform petitions for 2022 ballots—one to legalize medical cannabis and another to decriminalize possession, Fox 13 Now reports. The proposals are expected to be submitted to the secretary of state today.

To get an initiative on ballots during next year’s midterm elections in Wyoming, supporters must get 100 sponsor signatures. If those are validated by the secretary of state’s office, campaigners will have to get nearly 31,000 verified signatures across the state next year. The plan is being backed by the national Libertarian Party in addition to cannabis-focused organizations.

Wyoming lawmakers declined to advance a medical cannabis bill during this year’s session and is just one of six states that has not legalized cannabis in any form, along with Idaho, Kansas, Tennessee, Alabama, and South Carolina.

Christine Stenquist, the director of Together for Responsible Use and Cannabis Education (TRUCE) which sponsored Utah’s medical cannabis ballot initiative, is now working in Wyoming on the reforms. She told Fox 13 that while she expects opposition to the reforms in Wyoming, she doesn’t think advocates will “see the same fight.”

“I am not going to leave anything to chance. I’m not going to leave it up to legislators like we did here in Utah. I’m going to move forward on a ballot initiative and give the patients what they deserve. … We don’t have the same stakeholders in Wyoming that you do here. Specifically, the [Latter Day Saints] Church is not the big opponent we’re worried about in Wyoming.”—Stenquist to Fox 13

The Wyoming Medical Association and state law enforcement organizations opposed an attempted medical cannabis legalization initiative in 2016 and attempts to pass the reforms by lawmakers.

A University of Wyoming survey published last year found a supermajority of support for medical cannabis (85%) and decriminalization (75%), while 54% of respondents supported broad legalization.

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Study: Legalization Does Not Lead to Increase in Stoned Driving

6/10/2021

A study published last week in BMC Research Notes suggests that cannabis legalization does not lead to an increase in cannabis-impaired driving as 4.2% of drivers in states with legalized cannabis reported driving after consuming cannabis along with 4.3% of those from non-legal states.

The paper also found that cannabis users in states with broad cannabis legalization “self-reported driving after marijuana use less than their counterparts” from non-legal states and were “less likely to find such behavior acceptable.”

NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano said in a press release that the “findings ought to be reassuring to those who feared that legalization might inadvertently be associated with relaxed attitudes toward driving under the influence.”

“These conclusions show that this has not been the case and that majorities of the public continue to perceive drugged driving as unacceptable, regardless of marijuana’s status under state law.”—Armantano in a statement

The researchers, affiliated with The Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Ohio, found that younger, low-income, low-education, and male respondents more often self-reported driving after consuming cannabis and were more likely to find such behavior acceptable. The demographic also less often supported per se cannabis laws than their counterparts.

Per se limits allow individuals to be charged with driving while impaired after testing positive for any amount of THC in blood or saliva or its metabolite. The laws are controversial because people can test positive for THC several days after consuming cannabis but are no longer under the influence.

A strong majority of respondents—87.8%— in states where cannabis is legal for both adult and medical use supported per se cannabis laws. That share fell to 82.6% in states where only medical cannabis is allowed and 81.3% where cannabis remains prohibited.

The authors suggest that the higher support for per se impairment laws in legal states could be “due to a perception that [recreational marijuana] legalization makes them more likely to encounter impaired drivers.”

“Based on low overall personal acceptance of driving after marijuana use and high support for per se laws,” the authors wrote, “this study suggests that the public widely perceives driving after marijuana use to be a dangerous behavior.”

The authors also note that “not all studies support” that position and “experimental and driving simulator studies have shown that marijuana affects motor skills and executive function but this need not correspond to increased crash risk.”

“Based on self-reported behaviors and attitudes, certain demographic groups were more tolerant of driving after marijuana use than their counterparts,” the authors concluded. “In contrast, we found no predominant pattern suggesting that behaviors and attitudes were more tolerant in states with liberal marijuana policies.”

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Maine Recreational Cannabis Sales Surpass $5 Million in May

6/10/2021

Adult-use cannabis sales in Maine reached nearly $5.4 million last month, setting another record, the Portland Press-Herald reports. The state will receive about $536,000 in tax revenues from May’s 71,843 recreational sales.

The state has set successive monthly sales records since the launch of adult-use sales in October 2020—almost four years after the reforms were approved by voters. May sales outpaced April sales by more than $1 million.

In all, adult-use sales have totaled about $22.7 million, earning the state more than $2.2 million in tax revenues, according to state Office of Marijuana Policy (OMP) data.

Flower sales in the state far outpace concentrates and infused products, reaching nearly $3.2 million in May and almost $14.3 million since October. Concentrates comprised about $1.2 million in May sales—nearing $4.9 million since the market’s launch—while infused product sales in May didn’t reach the $1 million mark, totaling $963,798, and about $3.6 million since October, according to the OMP.

The average customer spends about $74 per transaction—which has remained steady as the price of flower decreases— from $16.68 per gram in October to $13.22 per gram last month.

No municipality in Maine has completely opted out of the adult-use market, with some allowing only retail sales, cultivation, manufacturing, testing, or a combination.

From January through November last year, medical cannabis sales in Maine surpassed $221.8 million making it the state’s most lucrative crop; outpacing potatoes, milk, hay, and wild blueberries.

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Connecticut Delays Legalization Vote to Special Session

6/10/2021

Connecticut’s legislative session ended last night before the House of Representatives could consider legislation to legalize adult-use cannabis but House Speaker Matt Ritter (D) said lawmakers will take up the bill in a special session, the Hartford Courant reports.

The bill had momentum going into the last day of the session after being passed by the Senate — the first time a legislative body of Connecticut approved sweeping cannabis reforms — but ultimately the bill’s progress was set to be stalled by debates with House Republicans. Speaker Ritter said he decided to delay the vote for a special session in order to avoid the lengthy fallout.

“It’s one thing to have an honest, robust debate on a complicated topic. The concern in my caucus is the four or five people that never want to stop and that goes into your calculation. If you had 36 people speak for 10 minutes, ask good questions — not the same questions — because they want to learn about the bill, that is an honest debate. The concern on my end is six people who want to go for nine hours each.” — Ritter via the Hartford Courant

House Republican Leader Vin Candelora said that talks of a Republican filibuster were “preposterous” because lawmakers were only given one day to consider the 300-page bill. “It was less the threat of a filibuster and more a reality of when midnight comes, the debate has to end,” he said.

The bill was approved 19-17 in the Senate early Tuesday morning.

Gov. Ned Lamont (D), who supports the legislation, was still confident that legalization would pass.

“We’re not going to lose momentum,” he said in the report. “It will pass. … We’ll vote when they’re tired of talking. … Look, if they want more time to read it, God bless ‘em — they got a little more time to read it.”

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West Virginia Advisory Board to Allow Doctors to Certify All Who Qualify for Medical Cannabis

6/10/2021

The West Virginia Medical Cannabis Advisory Board on Tuesday voted unanimously to approve a proposal that would allow physicians to recommend medical cannabis to any patient they think could benefit from it, WOWK reports. The plan still requires approval from the full board, but the reforms are supported by the state Office of Medical Cannabis.

Current state law only allows patients with one of 14 qualifying conditions medical cannabis access.

Jesse Forbes, the attorney member for the advisory board, argued that patients—rather than industry—are the ones that are supposed to benefit from the medical cannabis program. She added that if lawmakers “wanted to create an industry they would’ve passed a recreational bill.”

“To be clear doctors are not prescribing cannabis in West Virginia, they can’t as a matter of federal law. But what they can do is certify patients that need access. And right now as our list is written its very narrow.”—Forbes via WOWK

Rusty Williams, the board’s patient advocate, said expanding the list would “help everybody.”

“We’re leaving a lot of people out if we adhere to that list and not only are we leaving folks out,” he remarked during the meeting, “but also we’re putting barriers in front of the industry that’s making it hard for some folks to even get the doors open to the dispensaries.”

The West Virginia Senate has twice passed a bill to allow edibles in the limited program—both this year and last—but neither bill has been approved by the House of Delegates. Patients in the state only have access to pills, oils, topicals, and vape products and registration only began last month—four years after lawmakers approved the reforms.

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Minnesota Medical Cannabis Firm to Study Psychedelic Medicine

6/10/2021

Minnesota medical cannabis company, Goodness Growth Inc., is set to begin studying psychedelic medicine, according to a Twin Cities Business report. Using their subsidiary, Resurgent Biosciences, the company said it will research the effect of “naturally derived” psychedelics on a variety of psychological disorders.

Goodness Growth—formally known as Vireo Health and one of only two medical cannabis companies in Minnesota—said that prior to seriously beginning research, they were waiting for studies like a November 2020 Johns Hopkins University study that suggested psilocybin is an effective treatment for depression.

Goodness Growth Chairman and CEO Dr. Kyle Kingsley said he “wanted to wait for a kind of threshold of evidence to make sure this was a real opportunity, and that it would be real medicine for people.”

“It’s gone beyond that. It’s really sort of exceeded my expectations as far as the therapeutic potential of psychedelics.”—Dr. Kingsley via Twin Cities Business

Goodness Growth is not yet planning to manufacture or distribute psychedelics. However, Kingsley indicated they will focus on “research undertakings” and partnering with other companies in the U.S. and abroad. He is optimistic about the potential of psychedelics going forward, remarking in the interview, “it could change the paradigm from people taking a pill every day or multiple times a day to just sort of a few therapeutic interventions—as few as maybe one or two a year.”

That’s what I’m excited about,” he said in the report, “these paradigm shifts.”

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How The Pandemic & Millennials Influenced Pre-Roll Sales

6/10/2021

We’ve all had our share of messy experiences rolling joints. You grab your rolling paper, take your fresh flower, and try to roll it properly. But unless you’re really experienced, it’s likely that you will lose some of the flower and end up with a wet mess of a joint. Luckily for you, pre-rolls and pre-rolled cones are more popular than ever! Not only do pre-roll cones, such as RAW cones, save you time, they also prevent you from wasting those precious buds. The pre-roll is one of the most innovative inventions to come into the cannabis community.

There’s a ton of different ways to roll a joint. You can try your hand at rolling a cross joint, or you can roll a classic doob. There are many different ways to roll and enjoy your weed. But lately, Millennials and Gen-Zers really don’t care about the different customizations you can have when it comes to rolling. This new generation is all about convenience! Convenience is king when it comes to the marijuana industry. Plus, those Millennials and Gen-Zers are the leading cannabis consumers in the nation. If you mix their demand with a decrease in supply during the pandemic, you’ve created a unique situation.

A young woman smokes a pre-rolled cannabis joint.

It’s much like the tobacco industry’s switch from selling packaged tobacco to selling pre-rolled cigarettes. The same trend is happening in the world of marijuana, led by the purchasing habits of Millennials and Gen Z. For pre-rolled cones, all you have to do is stuff your weed into the already rolled paper, twist the top closed, light it up, and voila! You’re all set to go.

Many companies use hand rollers to produce pre-rolled cones and pre-rolls. During the pandemic, regulations and social distancing rules led to a shortage of hand rollers being allowed into factories. This, in turn, led to a shortage in pre-rolls and cones all around the world. However, as supply fell, demand rose.

When you roll a joint or blunt, there’s quite a bit of saliva involved. Licking the papers can be a quick task, or a tedious one, depending on the roller and the paper. During a pandemic, people don’t really want to be licking and sharing joints. This only boosted the popularity of pre-rolls and cones. They are more sanitary and more efficient. In the instance where you DO want to share a smoke with someone, you wouldn’t have to lick the heck out of a paper and pass it. Instead, you can pack a pre-rolled cone, and each smoker could use their own mouthpiece.

As supply dwindled for pre-rolls and pre-rolled cones, demand kept going up. In fact, in 2020, pre-roll sales increased by 50% despite the pandemic (or most likely, because of it). And although many companies had shortages, RAW did not. They were able to keep the supply chain going.

Because of this, RAW cones has been able to capitalize on the market during this unique time. However, soon enough, competitors will take larger pieces of the market as well. As the years progress, remember this article. Rolling bud will be a thing of the past, and the pandemic helped fuel the demise of the personal roller.

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NFL and NFLPA to Award $1M in Grants to Study Cannabinoids for Pain Management

6/09/2021

The National Football League and its Players Association is providing $1 million in funding for research into pain management and cannabinoids through its joint pain management committee, the NFL announced on Tuesday. The league and union launched the committee last year and said cannabis would be included as part of its research into alternative therapies for pain.

Up to five grants are expected to be awarded by Thanksgiving as the league seeks to know more about the efficacy of cannabis and CBD and their potential as alternatives to opioids.

Dr. Kevin Hill, the co-chair of the committee, director of addiction psychiatry at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the author of Marijuana: The Unbiased Truth about the World’s Most Popular Weed, said “there is a need for better information, better science.”

“When we talk about having elite athletes use CBD to treat pain, we want to make sure it’s, number one safe, and number two efficacious. I don’t think we’re at that point yet.”—Hill in a statement via NFL.com

During his short-lived retirement in 2019, Rob Gronkowski credited CBD with being pain-free following his career and announced a partnership with Abacus Health Products. The tight end would ultimately return to the league last season and win the Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The most recent collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the NFL and NFLPA reduced penalties for drug tests positive for cannabis by removing the specter of suspension and raising the threshold for failing a test from 35 nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood to 150 nanograms.

Under the new rules, if a player tests positive for cannabis during the two-week training camp their test is reviewed by a board of medical professionals—appointed by the NFLPA and the league—who determine whether the player needs drug abuse treatment. That two-week window for cannabis testing was shortened from four months, which means that fewer players will be tested for cannabis.

Players suspended under the old policy may seek reinstatement following the CBA changes. In all, 14 of the league’s 32 teams play their home games in states that have legalized cannabis for adult use.

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Curaleaf Announces Partnership with Rolling Stone

6/09/2021

Massachusetts-based Curaleaf Holdings Inc. on Tuesday announced a partnership between its Select brand and music and culture magazine Rolling Stone, including products for Select’s first pre-roll offering and for Select’s proprietary pod system, The Cliq.

Both products will feature three strains and flavor profiles hand-selected by Rolling Stone: “Overdrive,” a berry-forward sativa; “Reverb,” a complex and full-bodied indica; and “Phaser,” a fruity and calming hybrid, according to a press release announcing the partnership.

Rolling Stone President and Chief Operating Officer Gus Wenner said the partnership gives the 54-year-old magazine, oft known for its counter-culture roots, “the opportunity to design a product that elevates the music listening experience and celebrates the deep connection between the two.”

“Music and cannabis go hand in hand. Rolling Stone has a legacy of celebrating this connection and a long history of reporting on the fight to legalize cannabis.”— Wenner in a statement

Joe Bayern, CEO of Curaleaf, described the magazine as “known for having one of the most authentic and discerning voices in modern journalism, and, as part of that, they’ve included cannabis in their coverage for the past 50 years.”

“Part of my job at Curaleaf is building brands people love,” Bayern said in a statement. “Select is a brand built around the relentless pursuit of progress and going to great lengths to create the best possible experience for our consumer. This is a synergy we are honored to share with Rolling Stone.”

Rolling Stone and Select also plan to open a “first-of-its-kind retail space” in Las Vegas, Nevada next year. The Rolling Stone-branded products are set to first be released in Vegas through Select’s wholesale partners and at Curaleaf retailers.

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