Washington DC’s mayor and District Council have proposed a pair of competing measures to create regulations for an adult-use cannabis marketplace in the nation’s Capital, Marijuana Moment reports.
Until now, progress on the issue has been delayed by a Congressional budget rider blocking the District from creating a regulated cannabis marketplace. Known as the “Harris rider” — named for sponsor Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) — its language specifically prohibits DC from using tax dollars to implement adult-use cannabis sales, which voters approved in 2014. The Harris rider, however, appears to be in jeopardy after Harris failed to introduce the measure in 2020 (although the rider made it into that year’s Appropriations bill via the Senate, which was ultimately signed by former President Trump). Now, cannabis advocates are hopeful that with Democrats back in control of the White House and both branches of Congress, and in light of a recent decision to let DC begin planning for the arrival of an adult-use system, the District might soon be moving forward.
“I think we’re ready from our end. We have a tax-and-regulates scheme. We’ve prepared our alcohol and beverage office to be prepared to implement regulation. And we have to get the hurdle of Congress out of the way.” — Mayor Muriel Bowser, in an interview with WAMU’s Politics Hour
Two separate bills have been proposed by Mayor Muriel Bowser and Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, according to the report.
Although the bills have the same objectives, they take different approaches to taxation and social equity: the Mayor’s proposal would place a 17 percent tax on cannabis, while Mendelson’s plan carries a slightly lower rate of 13 percent. Both bills prioritize the licensing of people convicted of cannabis crimes or who live in disadvantaged neighborhoods, and both bills favor long-time DC residents. The Mayor’s proposal takes a more nuanced approach to expungement and includes an exemption for those convicted of crimes involving guns or other illegal drugs.
Hazel Park, Michigan-based Steadfast Labs is offering an annual $1,200 scholarship for Lake Superior University students studying cannabis chemistry through the university’s Cannabis Center of Excellence. The cannabis-focused chemistry program launched in 2019.
Applicants must be at least sophomore status and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and preference will be given to students residing in Wayne and Oakland Counties – the service areas for Steadfast.
Dr. Steven Johnson, dean of the College of Science and the Environment at LSSU, said the scholarship “not only continues [LSSU’s] trendsetting ways” in the “vital new field” but helps make the university’s “already affordable tuition even more reasonable” for the students that receive the award.
“When our Cannabis Center of Excellence began operations, members from Steadfast Labs toured the facilities and conducted guest lectures for our students. By funding this scholarship, Steadfast Labs again demonstrates their commitment to supporting future chemists who will enter the workforce and provide public safety in the cannabis field.” – Johnson in a press release
Johnson told CNN that the cannabis chemistry program has been “growing exponentially.” Students who complete the program would be qualified for clinical chemist, food safety and quality assurance chemist, and formulation and process development scientist positions, according to the LSSU website.
Avram Zallen, founder and CEO of Steadfast Labs told CNN that the company believes that “education is the key to raising the level of safety and integrity in the industry.”
“Education of the consumer and education within the industry,” he said.
“It is our great pleasure to grant this unprecedented scholarship for a cutting-edge program in an innovative industry,” Zallen said in a statement. “This grant is another opportunity for Steadfast to help LSSU students pursue careers in this exciting and important industry.”
Seven years ago, while building an automated soft pretzel bake & vend machine, a team of 6 engineers realized that they enjoyed designing and building cool stuff together. After their break-out project in June 2013, they established Oat Foundry with a core focus of solving brands’ problems by designing, inventing, and building cool stuff. Now, they are applying their engineering and automation expertise to the cannabis industry.
“There’s always an element of each project where you go ‘Oh, that’s cool’, you know it when you feel it,” said CEO Mark Kuhn. “You could be building a better coffee extraction system or liquid nitrogen ice cream machine, but then you see it, you taste it and realize there’s an elegance in the solution that is really energizing. You look at your coworkers and smile and kind of shake your head and go ‘damn, that’s cool’.”
The in-house team at Oat Foundry consists of engineers who consider every aspect of creation, including design, specifications, requirements, problem-solving, and even the math and physics behind potential issues customers may face. “The core team here is excellent in multi-disciplinary system automation and turn-key machine design,” Kuhn said. “Ideation, planning, discovery, user experience mapping, and then moving into actual CAD modeling and putting the nuts and bolts together in a SolidWorks model, making the 3D tech, and even building out product landing pages for clients — storytelling is a huge part of any new venture, whether internally to the boss, or externally to the customers.”
In addition to mechanical engineering, the team’s work often includes electrical engineering to incorporate circuits and computer engineering for cloud integration and telemetry tracking. Their team is capable of sanitary welding, pressure vessel design, PLC ladder logic, and creating intuitive web apps, capabilities they have used in many machines and all of which have direct application in the cannabis industry.
While Oat Foundry’s original focus was on the foodservice and pharmaceuticals industries, their engineers have noticed that the desire to automate and scale is a core concept for cannabis as well. The technology for programmable logic controllers and industrial sensors is the same in cannabis as for any other industry — the only real challenge for cannabis is the industry’s burgeoning legal status. But while the legal challenges have changed how they work with their cannabis clients, it hasn’t hindered Oat Foundry’s abilities. “We love having everyone in the shop, but the pandemic moved everything to fully remote and zoom anyway. We haven’t even missed a beat,” said Kuhn.
Right now, Oat Foundry is building out an extraction machine for SC Botanicals, a South Carolina-based hemp company. The machine pulls THC from bulk plant extract and leaves the CBD, so as to meet stringent guidelines for hemp CBD products and nutraceuticals. For this THC remediation machine they’re shipping the machine designed in Philly to the SC Botanicals lab in South Carolina. This will open up the process to an entirely new set of scientists who will complete process testing while live streaming for the Oat Foundry team, providing real-time input and feedback. The final turn-key machine has increased output to 100L per run and dramatically cut processing time from over 48 hours in a completely automated and hands-off process. This is just their first step into the cannabis space, and the Oat Foundry team is looking forward to taking on more projects.
This sentiment brings us to their core values, the first of which is simply (and understandably): “Build Cool Stuff.” That is followed by Give a Damn – Oat Foundry signed up for food rescues and a zero-waste partnership in their home city of Philadelphia; they also track their plastic use and compost and focus on building products that can be tied back to reducing human carbon output. As they enter the cannabis space, and as part of this core value, Oat Foundry plans to donate funds to organizations set on decarcerating and expunging the records of cannabis prisoners. They live to Grow Purposefully by investing in their employee education with regular innovation missions, thought leadership book clubs, and their innovation podcast Goat Factory. (The podcast has already had some amazing industry guests such as Rosie Mattio of Mattio Communications and Nicole Brown of Open Book Extracts). After these three values, their last core value is to Have Fun, because, according to CEO Mark Kuhn, “We get one life — without the levity of fun, what’s the point?”
In addition to the “Turn Key Automation System” division, the product development team also designs and builds products in the “Kinetic Interactive Sign” division. Their current flagship product is their smart analog signage, a Split Flap display (typically referred to as a departures board, or affectionately as a clack clack clack flippy-flappy board) that adds mesmerizing sound and visual input to any space.
Their Split Flaps have maintained international popularity across a variety of industries — including installations from Azerbaijan, to Hong Kong, to San Diego, in the foodservice, hospitality, retail, office, and hotel industries. The signage is designed after old train station boards that were fed by punch cards, but the Oat Foundry Split Flap can be controlled by a smartphone or point of sale system, allowing it to update in real-time. Their Kinetic Interactive Sign division also created Picture Flap, which is built on the same platform as Split Flap but much larger and to display full-color images.
These signs can also be customized to the client’s desire, creating a uniquely brandable moment. In one case, a bar near the San Diego airport has tapped into the airport data stream to update patrons of flight arrivals and departures. Customers might see a plane fly overhead and know where it is coming from based on the display, or they can also use the tool to make sure they can make it to their gates on time. One of their MLB clients has a sign linked into MLB.com to display real-time sports scores for stadium goers and at a famous NYC noodle bar, the Split Flap design features their “going, going, gone” menu items.
As Oat Foundry enters the cannabis space, they’re confident that their signs can contribute to cannabis dispensaries in new and exciting ways. Modern dispensary design is expensive and intentional, and adding an LED screen menu can bring a lot of extra blue light into a space. Instead of fatiguing customers with the starkness of LEDs, a Split Flap or picture-flap display sign can bring whimsy, entertainment, curiosity, and even fascination to a retailer. Not to mention the sound of the changing letters or images mimics a soothing rain stick or waterfall. Their displays are new to cannabis retail design, so the Oat Foundry team is continually working to understand that which is most important to dispensary owners and operators. This curiosity is a driving force at their Philadelphia headquarters and is essential in their primary mission to build cool stuff and solve problems for their clients.
As Oat Foundry grows, they will continue providing best-in-class kinetic signage like split flap and picture flap, while substantially expanding their automation business. They pride themselves on strong customer relationships — they are the type of company where new and old clients alike can text the CEO and they have their sights set on growth in cannabis. “Let’s leverage our product design, engineering design, programming, automation, and innovation mentality for solving some interesting problems,” said Kuhn.
As spring emerges, Illinois continues to set new cannabis sales records, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
With $109 million in March sales — up from $80 million in February and shattering the $88 million record set in January — Illinois is poised to sell over a billion dollars worth of adult-use cannabis in 2021, recent figures from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations reveal. The figures translate to $3.5 million in daily sales, a $600,000 increase from February’s daily sales numbers of $2.88 million.
Illinois was the first state in the country to establish its adult-use cannabis market via the legislative process. Since its roll-out in 2020, the state has repeatedly exceeded sales expectations. However, the sales records come as the state works to open its cannabis industry opportunities to include more people who were disproportionately affected by cannabis prohibition, all amidst accusations of pay-to-play schemes in the mostly white-dominated industry.
Rep. LaShawn Ford (D) is spearheading the state’s social equity effort with legislation that seeks to expand the program and hold two fresh license lotteries.
“The work continues until we can get people in the house to vote for it, people in the senate to vote for it and the governor to sign it and Black people and Brown people start making money.” — Rep. Ford, in an interview last month
Illinois joins states like Oregon and Colorado in repeatedly breaking sales records. According to a new report by BDSA, the COVID-19 crisis has actually helped to spur more cannabis sales than usual, bringing the national total for medical and adult-use cannabis sales in 2020 to $17 billion. The report puts Illinois at the top of the sales gains for 2020, with an average increase of $784 million (up 46% from 2019).
Kelly Nielsen, the Vice President of Insights & Analytics for cannabis sales platform BDSA, said in an interview with Forbes, “We expected more potential impact from an economic downturn, but the industry has proven to be resilient. It’s potentially recession-proof.”
The Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee last week approved a measure that includes an amendment to outlaw Delta-8-THC and Delta-10-THC, according to Alabama Political Reporter. Both cannabinoids can be derived from hemp.
The bill’s original intent was simply to add the synthetic opioid tianeptine to the state’s controlled substances list. The amendment was added to the bill by Republican Sen. Arthur Orr.
In a blog post, the Alabama Cannabis Industry Association rallied against the proposal.
“It’s premature to outlaw these potentially beneficial treatments for very serious conditions until research has been done. What we do know is that there have been no deaths attributed to delta-8-thc and cannabis is generally safer than even some over-the-counter medications. The Alabama Senate has the opportunity to regulate delta-8-thc and delta-10-thc in The Compassion Act so it is controlled but still accessible to people who will benefit from it in reducing suffering and improve quality of life.” – the ACIA in a blog post
ACIA President and Executive Director, Chey Garrigan, told the Political Reporter that the organization is “not opposed” to the original intent of the bill – to ban tianeptine – but stands opposed to “the criminalization of Delta 8 and Delta 10.”
In the blog post, the ACIA said that in addition to their public and individual health concerns brought by the amendment, the state would incur costs to enforce the ban.
“That’s tax money that could go to roads,” the organization said. “But, if it is included as a medical cannabis product and is legalized and controlled through The Compassion Act, the state will receive taxes from the sale of it.”
The bill, which passed the committee 6-3, could be considered by the Senate this week.
Hemp cultivation permits in Wisconsin are down significantly so far this year as the state Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has issued 340 licenses in the first three months of 2021, while there were 1,301 licenses issued in all of last year, Brownfield News reports.
In 2019, the state issued 1,325 hemp licenses.
Processor licenses are also down from 619 in 2020 to 248 so far this year. And while the state is still accepting industry applications, DATCP Secretary-designee Randy Romanski indicated the numbers are “down a little bit compared to previous years.”
“The goal with this being a pilot was that we would see some of these markets develop as time went on here, and I think the market is trying to find its way.” – Romanski to Brownfield News
Wisconsin still operates its hemp program under provisions of the 2014 Farm Bill despite federal hemp reforms in 2018. The DATCP last month said it was working on emergency rules to update the state’s hemp regime following a U.S. Department of Agriculture Final Rule in January that changed some federal requirements, including raising the THC limits for plant eradication from 0.3% to 1% and increasing the testing window for hemp crops.
In 2020, the state licensed about 14,100 acres for hemp cultivation, a decrease from the 16,000 acres licensed in the state in 2019.
The sponsor of South Carolina’s medical cannabis legislation believes the reforms will pass this session after the bill passed the Senate Medical Affairs Committee last week by a 9 to 5 margin, the Associated Press reports.
Sen. Tom Davis (R) said he plans to meet personally with every senator that remains opposed in order to build support for the reforms.
“We cannot wait any longer for these people to have their suffering alleviated. It is immoral. … They are howling in pain and we are deny them something that their doctor wants to give them because of some political reason back in 1971 that President Nixon wanted to stick it to a bunch of hippies.” – Davis to the AP
Davis said he has refined the proposal to appeal to conservative lawmakers, including requiring physicians to meet with patients in person before recommending them to the program, checking potential patients for a history of substance abuse, and having a written treatment plan. The bill includes just five qualifying conditions: cancer, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, sickle cell anemia, and autism. Davis also indicated he removed the smoking provisions included in the original version of the bill, which now only allows the use of oils.
Senate President Harvey Peeler said that while Davis “has been tugging at [his] heart” and “makes some very, very good points,” his “head tells [him] to vote against” the proposal.
Gov. Henry McMaster (R), a former prosecutor, said during a Post and Courier of Charleston podcast last week that Davis “makes a very convincing argument” on medical cannabis legalization.
“I try to keep an open mind. There may be a way to do it, I don’t know,” McMaster said in the interview. “But I’m open to hearing more about it because it’s clear that it alleviates a lot of suffering. The trick is how to keep that from turning loose marijuana production in the state that would cause damage.”
The bill is also opposed by the South Carolina Medical Association and the State Law Enforcement Division.
The Senate must approve the legislation by next week if it has any chance of getting through the House before the session ends.
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul (R) has reintroduced the Hemp Economic Mobilization Plan (HEMP) Act which would raise the federal definition of hemp from 0.3% THC to 1 percent THC and require testing of the final product derived from the plant instead of the flower or plant itself.
“For years, I’ve led the fight in Washington to restore one of Kentucky’s most historically vital crops by legalizing industrial hemp. We achieved a hard-won victory, but there is still work to do to prevent the federal government from weighing down our farmers with unnecessary bureaucratic micromanaging. My legislation will help this growing industry reach its full economic potential, and I am proud the bill has strong support all the way from local Kentucky farmers and activists to national groups.” – Paul in a press release
Additionally, the bill would change the documentation for hemp transporters to one of two types “easily accessible types” of tracking documents, according to the senator’s office.
In January, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released a final rule that raises THC levels that trigger eradication of crops to 1% but Paul’s legislation would codify the limits into law rather than relying on agency policy.
Patrick Atagi, chairman of the National Industrial Hemp Council, called the proposal “very timely with the state departments of agriculture’s passing policy that would re-define hemp at 1%.”
“We also are thankful for the Senator’s recognition of the importance of defining hemp in transit. We appreciate his willingness to engage with us and listen to our industry,” Atagi said in a statement. “We believe the HEMP Act is important for consumers and the consumer’s right to know and are proud to support Senator Paul’s efforts. If passed, the HEMP Act will help with the overall economy and providing jobs to Americans.”
The measure was referred to the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee.
In a memo to its departments, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) clarifies that police officers can no longer arrest individuals for consuming cannabis in public – as long as it’s in an area where tobacco smoking is allowed.
The memo also notes that officers can no longer use the smell of fresh or burnt cannabis as a reason to search a vehicle.
Both of the reforms were included in the cannabis legalization bill signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) last week. The memo says that vehicle searches related to cannabis can only be conducted if the officer believes the driver is impaired or if cannabis is being actively consumed in the vehicle by the driver.
Additionally, the NYPD memo says that the “hand to hand exchange of lawful amounts (3 oz or less” of cannabis “without compensation to a person 21 or over is not considered a sale” under the law and, therefore, not a crime – unless the officer sees money exchange hands.
The NYPD also points out that, under the terms of the law, “parolees are permitted” to use cannabis unless the terms of their parole specifically prohibits it.
In the memo, the NYPD describes the laws as creating “sweeping changes to the department’s enforcement of marijuana offenses.” An Innocence Project report from 2018 found that from January to March of that year 93% of people arrested by the NYPD for cannabis possession were Black. Of the 4,081 arrests for criminal possession of cannabis by the department, only 287 of those arrested were white people, compared to 2,006 Black, and 1,621 Latino people. The NYPD once used the controversial stop-and-frisk procedures, which allowed them to stop individuals and force them to empty their pockets. If the person pulled out an illicit substance – such as cannabis – it would be considered ‘in plain view’ and an arrestable offense. The NYPD disbanded a plainclothes unit last year described as the “last chapter” of the stop-and-frisk policy.
Former Fall River, Massachusetts Mayor Jasiel Correia – who was arrested in 2019 and charged with crimes related to extorting cannabis companies – briefly served as a private consultant to cannabis firm Northeast Alternatives, the Herald News reports. The role was approved by the state Ethics Commission in 2018.
He only served in the capacity for one month and there is no evidence in court filings that he received any compensation in that capacity, the report says.
Correia had promised the consulting work would not include city business due to his obvious conflict of interest as mayor but just a week after the Ethics Commission approved the gig, he signed a non-opposition letter and host agreement with the company, the report says.
Four days after getting the approvals, Northeast Alternatives donated $20,000 to Correia’s legal defense fund, which he launched in 2018 as his criminal exposure became public.
Correia is accused of extorting at least four cannabis business operators by soliciting $250,000 each from them in exchange for non-opposition letters from his office. He is alleged to have illegally generated some $600,000 in the scheme as well as alleged arrangements for a future cut in some of the companies’ cannabis sales.
His third chief of staff, Genoveva Andrade, pleaded guilty last year to charges of extortion, bribery, and making false statements in connection with the former mayor’s plot. Andrade admitted to conspiring with Correia to extort a cannabusiness for $150,000 in return for a letter of non-opposition from the then-mayor, conspiring with Correia to extort a Fall River business owner and obtain a variety of benefits, including cash and a Rolex watch valued between $7,500 to $12,000, in exchange for official action and favorable assistance to the business owner, and admitted that as chief of staff she kicked back half of her salary, about $23,000, to Correia on a bi-weekly basis. She also kicked back nearly all of the $10,000 city-funded “snow stipend” that was approved by Correia.
Northeast Alternative CEO Christopher Harkins is expected to be called as a material witness in the federal case, the trial for which is set to begin April 20.
A new Hill-HarrisX poll found just 25% of U.S. registered voters wanted cannabis to remain outlawed, while 38% said legalization should be up to the states and 37% preferring the reforms to be enacted federally.
More Democrats (48%) preferred federal action to state-level reforms (36%), while 16% opposed legalization entirely. The majority of Republicans supported leaving the decision to the states (39%), with 27% preferring federal reforms, while 34% opposed legalization. Independents were split 38% to 36% for their support of federal legalization and state legalization, respectively, with 26% in opposing the reforms entirely.
A Gallup poll last year found its strongest support for broad, nationwide, cannabis legalization ever at 68% since the pollster began asking the question in 1969. That poll found support from 83% of Democrats, 72% of independents, and 48% of Republicans.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Wednesday that legislation would be introduced soon to decriminalize cannabis federally.
Several statewide polls this year in states where cannabis remains prohibited have also found strong support for the reforms, including an Elon University poll that found 54% support among North Carolina residents (34% opposed and 12% unsure); a University of Texas and Texas Tribune survey that found 60% of Texans support legalizing possession of either small amounts of cannabis or any amount for any use; and a JMC Analytics and Polling survey that found 67% of Louisianans backed the reforms.
Montana lawmakers are considering three bills that seek to determine the state’s cannabis regime ahead of its scheduled rollout later this year, KTVH reports. Montana voters approved the reforms during last November’s General Election 58% to 42%.
Under the voter-approved framework, recreational and medical cannabis licenses would be separated but the same person could hold both licenses and only current medical cannabis companies would be able to request an adult-use license in the first year. The tax rate would be set at 20% and revenues would be directed to wildlife habitat and other conservation programs, veterans’ services, and health care worker salaries. The measure also includes local opt-out provisions and allows home cultivation. It would also require the state to begin accepting industry applications by October 1.
The overhaul bill proposed by Republican Rep. Mike Hopkins would push back the timeline for the state to begin accepting recreational cannabis licenses until Jan. 1, 2022; allow only current medical cannabis companies to request adult-use licenses for 18 months; change the opt-out provisions to opt-in; allow municipalities to add a 5% local tax on sales; institute THC caps; prohibit people from participating in the industry if they had any drug-related convictions – including from other states – and would direct most of the revenue onto the state’s general fund and up to $6 million a year for the mental health and substance abuse treatment-focused HEART Fund.
The bills backed by Republican Reps. Derek Skees and Matt Regier would create a single license for both medical and recreational sellers. The bills would reduce the tax on adult-use sales to 15% while raising the tax on medical sales from 4% to 5% and direct one-third of those revenues to a trust fund, with the fund’s interest eventually being used to address any negative impacts from legalization and for the state’s pension liability.
The bill proposed by Republican Rep. Brad Tschida would set up the industry more like how the state regulates alcohol, including a three-tiered system that would require dispensaries to purchase from wholesalers, who would purchase it from cultivators; keep the 20% tax intact but charge it on the wholesale price and direct those revenues to the general fund; and require home cultivators to acquire a license.
The legislature must take action on the bills this session in order to make any changes to the law.
Detroit began accepting applications for Michigan’s ten different types of cannabis licenses on April 1, according to a press release by Mayor Mike Duggan.
The application round will give so-called “legacy” Detroiters first-go at the licenses, with a six-week exclusive application review period for people who have received a Legacy Detroit certification. Additionally, the 395 legacy applicants will receive a 99 percent fee discount and will be awarded a minimum of 50 percent of the total number of new licenses.
“The Legacy Detroiter program provides an equitable opportunity for Detroiters to own a legal marijuana business in the City of Detroit. I’m happy so many people have applied and look forward to welcoming many more entrepreneurs within city borders.” — Mayor Mike Duggan, in a press release
After the legacy application period ends on Mary 1, existing medical cannabis licensees will be next in line (until June 16), followed by general applicants (until August 1). The Detroit City Council passed the legacy legislation late last year in an attempt to head off social equity issues experienced by other cities.
Legacy Detroiters are also eligible to receive 25 percent off city property purchased for the purpose of operating a cannabis business and to receive technical assistance. To qualify for the program, applicants must have “lived in Detroit for 15 of the last 30 years; lived in Detroit for 13 of the last 30 years and are low-income; or lived in Detroit for 10 of the last 30 years and have a past marijuana-related conviction.”
Galloway, New Jersey’s Stockton University has launched a Cannabis & Hemp Research Institute (CHRIS) building on its cannabis studies academic studies and efforts to provide education, research, and resources for the state and national market.
The announcement comes a little over a month after Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signed the state’s legalization legislation into law.
Professor of Biology Ekaterina Sedia, who also serves as coordinator of the cannabis studies minor, noted that Stockton University was the first in the state to offer the minor, which it launched in 2019.
“Stockton is poised to do important research into areas that can provide opportunities for our students and emerging industries and enhance the economy of the state.” – Sedia in a press release
The institute will focus on developing research focusing on hemp cultivation practices, non-medical cannabis research, lab testing, and the creation of hemp and cannabis educational material.
Initially, the CHRIS testing lab will focus on providing testing services to hemp growers, processors, and manufacturers. The university said that while New Jersey was the third state to institute guidelines for hemp cultivation, the state’s industry remains in the nascent stages.
Robert Mejia, an adjunct professor of cannabis studies, said that “Hemp was an important part of America’s past and we’d like to make it an important part of America’s future.”
“We used to know how to grow and process hemp, but because of cannabis prohibition, we have to learn all over again,” he said in a statement. “As we learn, we will be sharing these valuable lessons with our community and the nation.”
The institute’s first event, a virtual cannabis curriculum convening, will be held April 21 and 22. The event will bring together cannabis educators from across the nation to exchange ideas, network, and discuss strategies to enhance cannabis education in higher education.
In February, Rowan University, based in Glassboro, launched its own Institute for Cannabis Research, Policy, and Workforce Development
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said he and several colleagues will introduce legislation soon to decriminalize cannabis at the federal level, opening the door for states to establish their own legalization policies.
“I support decriminalization at the federal level,” Schumer told ABC News on Wednesday, “and we’ll be introducing legislation with a few of my colleagues shortly.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on decriminalizing marijuana: “I support decriminalization at the federal level, and we’ll be introducing legislation with a few of my colleagues shortly.” pic.twitter.com/fkc9HE2wQB
Marijuana Moment reports that the legislation — while still unrevealed — is expected to remove cannabis from the federal Controlled Substances Act and will likely include social equity elements, as well as restrictions to prevent large tobacco firms from overtaking the industry. The anticipated bill, according to the report, will instead prioritize small business owners and entrepreneurs, particularly individuals who have been most heavily affected by the oppressive drug war.
Sen. Schumer’s announcement came on the same day that Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed into law the formal legalization of adult-use cannabis in New York, the Majority Leader’s home state.
In January, Schumer hinted that lawmakers planned to merge several pieces of cannabis legislation in their quest for federal reform.
Earlier this month, members of the U.S. House of Representatives reintroduced the SAFE Banking Act, which seeks the normalize the relationship between financial institutions and state-legal cannabis businesses. The bipartisan bill was first passed in the House 18 months ago but it never reached a floor vote in the Senate.
Another bipartisan bill recently introduced to the House and Senate seeks to guarantee the cannabis industry’s access to typical insurance packages like property insurance and worker’s comp.
New Mexico lawmakers have advanced two cannabis reform bills to the governor’s desk: one to legalize the adult use of cannabis and another for the automatic review and expungement of low-level cannabis arrest and conviction records, CNN reports.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) — who brought state lawmakers back to the capital for a special legislative session dedicated to reaching a cannabis legalization deal — called the bills’ passage a “significant victory” for the state and said, “my signing pen is ready.”
House Bill 2, the legalization bill, allows adults aged 21 and older to legally purchase up to two ounces of cannabis flower and up to 16 grams of extract from licensed retailers, as well as grow up to six mature cannabis plants at home for personal use. Senate Bill 2, the expungement measure, sets up the automatic expungement of cannabis-related criminal records for offenses that would be legal under the new legislation. People currently incarcerated for a cannabis-related offense will be eligible to have their sentence dismissed.
New Mexico will be the next state to legalize cannabis, establishing a new industry that will create immense economic opportunity in communities both rural and urban while addressing and rectifying the harmful impacts of criminalization.https://t.co/zX7KMMpmeR
New Mexico is only the second state this week to establish adult-use cannabis legalization after New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) signed his state’s legalization bill into law yesterday.
“This is a historic day for New Mexico! These important policy changes will ensure that consumers going forward will no longer suffer criminal arrest and prosecution, while also remedying past injustices caused by the drug war. I commend lawmakers for working together to craft legislation that prioritizes social justice and inclusion.” — NORML State Policies Manager Carly Wolf, in a statement
Between the advent of CBD wellness and the crumbling of cannabis prohibition throughout the US, medical cannabis is an explosively popular topic right now. However, one major facet of cannabis medicine — how cannabinoids can be a useful and natural alternative for veterinarians and pet parents — remains largely unexplored.
Our latest Q&A interview features Dr. Trina Hazzah, a veterinarian and the co-founder/president of the Veterinary Cannabis Society. In this interview, Dr. Hazzah discusses her transition to first exploring cannabis as alternative medicine, her training in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the conditions for which she may recommend cannabis and/or hemp products. She also explains the Veterinary Cannabis Society’s work to advocate for and educate about the safe use of cannabis medicine for pets, offers tips for cannabis companies who want to create infused products for pets, and more.
Read the full interview below!
Ganjapreneur: What is your veterinary background? Do you have experience with large animals along with family pets?
Dr. Trina Hazzah: As a first-generation Egyptian, I come from a long line of animal lovers. From tortoises to dogs, my grandmother taught me to love and appreciate all animals. I got my first dog when I was 15, and I started cleaning cages at the vet hospital to cover the financial fees of being a dog-owner. Next thing I know, the veterinarian asked me if I could step in to help with a surgery.
Being born and raised in Washington, I have very little experience with large animals except for our family trips to the National Zoo. I received all my training with large animals in Veterinary School where I was in charge of caring for horses, goats, etc during my large animal medicine rotation and ambulatory farm calls.
Why did you transition from traditional medicine to an alternative approach?
I knew there was more I could do to help my patients that expands beyond conventional medicine. I had been practicing oncology for almost 5 years before I took a step back and re-evaluated my approach. That’s when I started to integrate herbs into my practice, including cannabis. I also became certified in Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine. Currently, I’m one of the few Board Certified Integrative Veterinary Oncologists in the country who is trained in both Traditional Chinese Medicine as well as conventional medicine.
What Traditional Chinese Medicine herbs aside from cannabis can be used to treat our pets? Are there any herbs from this practice that are safe for humans but toxic to animals?
From reducing anxiety to supporting the immune system or even fighting cancer, there are hundreds of Traditional Chinese Herbal Formulations for essentially every disease or condition that exists in pets. Pet parents can visit the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association’s website to find a holistic practitioner in their area.
It’s important to work with a holistic practitioner to help find the best options when sourcing your pet’s herbal formulation. This also helps you avoid the Chinese herbs that are contaminated with toxic compounds such as aconite or strychnine. A practitioner can also help you steer clear from herbs containing undeclared plant material, heavy metals, pesticides, and microorganisms, which can cause serious side effects.
Where did you learn about cannabis therapies?
Overall, I would say it was my love and passion for science, integrative medicine and helping animals that drew me into the cannabis industry. I quickly dove into all available literature, started attending cannabis conferences and symposiums, while also absorbing everything I could from experienced cannabis physicians. I also immersed myself into organizations such as the Society of Cannabis Clinicians and the Canadian Association of Veterinary Cannabinoid Medicine just to surround myself with like-minded professionals. I later co-founded an organization of my own- the Veterinary Cannabis Society.
What conditions would you normally recommend treating with cannabis or hemp?
The two most common reasons why pets are introduced to cannabis is to help alleviate anxiety or pain. Gastrointestinal disease, neurologic disease, anxiety, cancer, and inflammatory skin diseases are a few other conditions where cannabis has been shown to be effective. The pharmacokinetics and safety of CBD and other cannabinoids in dogs and cats has been published across studies since 2018, along with a handful of clinical studies supporting the use of CBD-dominant hemp products for osteoarthritis and seizures in pets.
How are the dosing parameters and delivery methods different for pet vs. human products that are infused?
The first mistake pet owners make is assuming that products made for human medical patients or consumers are automatically safe for animals. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The major reason for that is because the contamination testing limits for human patients may be completely different from those that are safe for animals. Cannabis products for humans may also contain ingredients that are toxic for animals such as xylitol, chocolate, raisins, etc. It’s important to note that dogs, in particular, are much more sensitive to the effects of THC, because canines have a higher density of cannabinoid receptors in their cerebellum compared to any other species studied.
Essentially, infused human products are simply far too potent for dogs especially, but there are several different product formats with varying potency levels specifically developed for animals. There are tinctures, treats, capsules, you name it. The key is to understand the pros and cons of each, because every pet is unique, and one method may be more effective than the next. For instance, some cats might be turned off by the strong aroma of the terpenoids found in a tincture, but the same cat might enjoy an infused treat instead. When it comes to identifying the optimal dose, I’d say the “start low and go slow” process that’s often advised for human patients applies here for pets as well. If you are unsure about how many milligrams make an optimal dose, it might be best to use a tincture that helps quantify exactly how many milligrams a pet is receiving.
Do you have any tips for cannabis and CBD formulators for making effective and safe products for pets?
Focus on the science, and partner with cannabis veterinary experts to develop an unbiased, scientifically justified, and most importantly, undeniably safe pet product. Cannabis producers should follow a stringent set of quality control standards, which VCS is in the process of developing. We are currently working on a “Veterinarian Cannabis Society Seal of Approval” signifying certain product batches as meeting the highest standards of quality and safety.
Why don’t veterinarians feel comfortable speaking with pet parents about cannabis medicine?
Frightened by the possibility of legal ramifications and disciplinary action from their local veterinary board, most veterinarians struggle to discuss cannabis with pet parents. The majority of the state veterinary medical boards are not taking a solid stance for either hemp or high THC cannabis products, making it very difficult for veterinarians to understand the legal parameters within their specific state. California was the first state to pass a bill allowing veterinarians the right to discuss cannabis with pet parents without any fear of disciplinary action. Michigan recently followed in California’s footsteps, so there is some progress being made.
A 2019 study that surveyed 2,208 veterinarians who treat dogs revealed that 96% of veterinarians have been asked questions about safely treating their patients’ ailments with cannabis or hemp, but 55% of vets don’t feel comfortable discussing cannabis with patients. That leaves a lot of room for unanswered questions, which is where the Veterinary Cannabis Society (VCS) comes in as the first 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused on raising awareness of cannabis as a medicine for animals. The mission of VCS is to create lasting solutions that ensure the safe use of cannabis in pets through education, advocacy, and promoting product standards.
How is the Veterinary Cannabis Society currently working to educate and advocate for the safe use of cannabis in pet medicine? Can non-veterinarian advocates assist in this mission?
It is essential to remove the long-standing stigma and actively advocate for legislative change to improve access for patients. If we work together, form a strong community, and focus on furthering our cause, we can help keep our pets safe. Consistent and appropriate legislation addressing the use of cannabis in veterinary medicine will help alleviate confusing and conflicting information. Along with supporting veterinarians who are active in legislative efforts, VCS coordinates and offers legislative assistance to state legislatures, veterinary medical boards, and regulatory bodies on issues surrounding cannabinoid use and animal safety. We also collaborate with product manufacturers who are actively participating in advocacy and legislative efforts.
Another part of removing the stigma and keeping our pets safe is through education. VCS believes that cannabis education, guidance, and support should be readily available to all who need it. Our education program offers a variety of course content for veterinary professionals, pet parents, and product producers alike. We have a robust curated research library, including critically reviewed articles, podcasts, presentations, etc. We have plans to establish the first-ever veterinary cannabis education certification course as well as develop a forum for networking and collaborating on cases.
Recently, Michigan became the second state to grant veterinarians the right to discuss cannabis with pet parents, but what does that mean for other adult-use or medical states?
As California and Michigan set the tone, many other states will start to follow suit, making way for veterinarians to become bigger players in the field of cannabis medicine for pets. Right now, veterinarians are silenced in other adult-use or medical markets, but their voices need to be heard. After all, who else is more qualified to discuss and recommend cannabis to pets, if not the veterinarian?
A segment of the Veterinary Cannabis Society is dedicated to supporting veterinarians through various advocacy efforts, so hopefully, we will begin to see other states making waves soon.
If not from the vet, how can pet owners get the information they need and why should they be aware of these roadblocks?
That’s a great question. As I mentioned previously, The Veterinary Cannabis Society serves as a great tool for pet parents to obtain accurate educational material. VCS also offers a directory of veterinary practitioners who are knowledgeable about cannabis as a treatment option. Everything pet owners might find useful is on our website!
Thank you, Dr. Hazzah, for answering our questions! Learn more about Dr. Trina Hazzah and her group at VeterinaryCannabisSociety.org.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) proposed changes on Wednesday to the legislature-approved cannabis legalization bill that would let adult-use sales begin in July and allow home cultivation. As passed, the law would not allow sales to commence in the state until 2024 and home grows are prohibited.
“Our Commonwealth is committed to legalizing marijuana in an equitable way. Virginia will become the 15th state to legalize marijuana – and these changes will ensure we do it with a focus on public safety, public health, and social justice. I am grateful to the advocates and legislators for their dedicated work on this important issue, and I look forward to this legislation passing next month.” – Northam in a press release
Other changes proposed by the governor include industry labor protections, public health protections, and a process to seal cannabis-related criminal records immediately.
The labor protections would allow the Cannabis Control Authority to revoke an industry license for interfering with unionization efforts, failing to provide a living wage as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor, or classifying more than 10% of its workforce as independent contractors.
The governor is also calling for the immediate funding of a public awareness campaign focused on the health and safety risks of cannabis and funds to provide drugged driving training to the state’s law enforcement officers.
Northam is also proposing allowing adults 21-and-older to cultivate up to four plants – out of sight of public view and out of range of minors.
Delegate Lamont Bagby, chair of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, said he was “pleased” with the governor’s proposal.
“We are doing everything possible to repair and redress the harm done to communities of color most impacted by marijuana criminalization,” he said in a statement. “The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus stands in support of the Governor’s amendments because justice must not be delayed.”
Under the governor’s proposed changes, legalized possession would also take effect in July – under the legislature-approved version those provisions, too, wouldn’t have taken effect until 2024.
Denver, Colorado-based cannabis technology firm Veriheal is offering another $20,000 in scholarships to 20 students with the best ideas to improve the industry. Last year, the company awarded $10,000 to 10 students.
The scholarships are not limited to any academic concentration, open to high school seniors and college students of all ages in the U.S. Applicants are required to submit one 1,000-plus word essay describing their plans to improve the cannabis space. Winners will be chosen based on the best overall combination of knowledge, innovation, and passion for the future of cannabis as an industry and medical medium, the company said.
Veriheal co-Founder and co-CEO, Joshua Green, said the company is “fortunate to be in the position to support budding entrepreneurs from all walks of life and bring diverse, fresh perspectives to the cannabis field.” The company noted it has experienced “triple-digit growth over the past year.”
“With this scholarship fund, we’re putting $20,000 directly into the hands of a new generation of innovators who will help shape the future of our industry. The cannabis category is growing at an extraordinary rate, and there are many complex problems that must be solved across all sectors, from finance and technology to science and education.” – Green in a press release
Last year’s winners’ essays included business, agriculture, biochemistry, public health, pharmacology, medicine, and liberal arts topics.
The deadline for the 2021 scholarship is July 30. The winners will be announced in August.
North Dakota lawmakers are considering putting a cannabis legalization question to voters next year after the Senate defeated a reform package last week, the Bismarck Tribune reports.
The Senate Delayed Bills Committee on Tuesday approved 3-2 the introduction of a constitutional resolution by Republican Sen. Dick Dever for a June 2022 measure, allowing the bill to be heard by the chamber despite being introduced past the deadline for new legislation.
Dever, who voted against the legalization bill last week, told the Tribune that he would prefer a public ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote that sends a directive to the legislature, rather than an advocate-sponsored initiative.
The measure asks whether “the legislative assembly shall authorize and regulate the manufacture, sale, and use of adult-use cannabis in the state.”
Jody Vetter, chairwoman of the North Dakota Cannabis Caucus one of two groups seeking to put cannabis on ballots next year, told the Tribune that her organization is “still moving forward” with its efforts.
Legalize ND Chairman David Owen described the legislative action as “a cynical attempt to kick the can down the road” as it wouldn’t be considered until the 2023 legislative session. He did not indicate whether or not the resolution changes the group’s plans for a ballot push.
In 2018, North Dakota rejected a ballot initiative backed by Legalize ND 59%-41%. That proposal would have removed all cannabis penalties from state law and allow anyone 21-or-older to cultivate and sell the plant with no limitations, tax-free. The proposal remains the most progressive legalization reform to be put to voters in the U.S.
New York has legalized cannabis becoming just the fourth state to approve the reforms via the legislative process. The measure passed both chambers along party lines and was signed into law Wednesday morning by Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D).
Some aspects of the reforms took effect immediately, including adult possession, expungement of crimes now legal under the new regime, and the creation of the Office of Cannabis Management. The law allows adults to grow their own plants – three mature and three immature – but that provision doesn’t take effect until sales begin, which are anticipated in about 18 months.
#BREAKING: I just signed legislation legalizing adult-use cannabis.
The bill creates automatic expungement of previous marijuana convictions that would now be legal.
This is a historic day.
I thank the Leader and Speaker and the tireless advocacy of so many.
Rep. Richard Gottfried (D), a longtime champion of the reforms in the state, called the law’s passage “a milestone on the road toward a more rational drug policy in New York.”
“Now, the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act will take a giant step forward. It will create economic opportunities, including community reinvestment and social equity programs. As a result of MRTA’s passage, New York is projected to collect new annual state tax revenues of about $350 million, and to generate between 30,000 to 60,000 jobs.” – Gottfried in a statement
The final version of the bill earmarks 40% of tax revenues for reinvestment in communities most affected by the enforcement of cannabis laws, 40% for public education, and 20% for drug treatment, prevention, and education. The bill imposes a 9% state and 4% local tax on recreational cannabis sales along taxes based on THC content – 0.5 cents per milligram for flower, 0.8 cents per milligram for concentrates, and 0.3 cents per milligram for edibles.
The bill also allows for social use establishments.
Half of the licenses will be set aside for social equity applicants, including minorities, women, disabled veterans, and people most affected by the disproportionate enforcement of cannabis laws. Social equity programs are also included in the measure, including loans, grants, and incubator programs for small farmers and individuals from unduly impacted communities who want to enter the space.
Empire State NORML Deputy Director Troy Smit noted that New York was once the “cannabis arrest capital of the world.”
“This might not be the perfect piece of legislation,” Smit said in a statement, “but today, cannabis consumers can hold their heads high and smell the flowers.”
Chicago, Illinois’ Green Thumb Industries is reportedly under federal investigation for possible pay-to-play violations associated with the process of acquiring a state cannabis license, according to the Chicago Tribune.
GTI spokeswoman Linda Marsicano told the Tribune that the company was “not aware of any such investigation.”
“Green Thumb takes compliance very seriously and operates with the highest standards of ethical business conduct.” – Marsicano to the Tribune
Shortly after the report’s publishing, GTI pushed back harder against the claims in a press release in which the company demanded a retraction from the Tribune.
The alleged investigation is said to be focused on campaign donations and other actions by the company during the state’s initial retail cannabis licensing process; it’s thought to be the first federal inquiry of an Illinois cannabusiness. The reported investigation also comes at a time when Illinois is working to renegotiate its adult-use cannabis regulations to improve social equity ownership in the state. Many applicants have raised concerns about well-off and well-connected individuals and businesses wielding money and political influence to jump into the cannabis industry while those individuals who were most negatively affected by prohibition continue to struggle for a foothold in the now-legal industry.
GTI had been one of the state’s first licensed medical cannabis companies. The company, which operates in 15 states and trades over the counter as GTBIF, reported more than half a billion dollars in total revenues last year and an estimated market capitalization of $5 billion, according to financial reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission outlined by the Tribune.
Last year, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said it was aware of public corruption, including bribes, in the cannabis industry. Since the launch of the legal industry, the agency has made several arrests related to licensing bribes, including the arrest of three Michigan men in 2017 and the arrest of a Humboldt County, California Planning and Building inspector in 2018.
In one of the more high-profile cases, Genoveva Andrade, the third chief of staff to former Fall River, Massachusetts Mayor Jasiel Correia, pleaded guilty last year to charges of extortion, bribery, and making false statements in connection with Correia’s scheme to extort cannabis businesses. Correia is accused of bribery and extortion related to cannabis licensing.
In an unrelated lawsuit against GTI Founder and CEO Ben Kovler – which alleges that he stole his ideas for the company, including the name – he brags about his relationships with the “political world” from Chicago to Springfield.
Note: Lukas Barfield contributed to the reporting in this article.
Nebraska’s Legislative Judiciary Committee on Tuesday advanced medical cannabis legislation moving it to the floor for a vote, KPVI reports. The measure includes amendments outlining qualifying conditions for the program which narrows the initial version of the legislation.
The committee in 2019 advanced similar legislation but the measure died on the Senate floor despite the sponsor, Sen. Anna Wishart (D), agreeing to all of the opposition’s amendments. Wishart is the also sponsor of the legislation approved by the committee yesterday.
“One victory down, now on to the full Legislature for debate,” she wrote on Twitter following the committee’s approval.
Last year, advocates had successfully gathered enough signatures to put the issue to voters; however, the state Supreme Court ruled the question violated the one-issue rule for ballot questions.
Sen. Steve Lathrop (D), Judiciary Committee chairman, noted that there is a petition drive waiting to be circulated if lawmakers don’t act on the reforms and it would be “the most compelling argument” in favor of the legislation on the floor.
“The opportunity for us to regulate medical marijuana is strongest if we do it legislatively, rather than try to react to a constitutional amendment that comes to us by way of a petition initiative.” – Lathrop via KPVI
Wishart, a co-founder of Nebraskans for Sensible Marijuana Laws, indicated in December that she plans to work on a ballot initiative for adult-use cannabis legalization. Organizers would need 250,000 total signatures to put the issue to voters next year.
A bill to allow cannabis consumption lounges was proposed last week in Nevada, according to an 8 News Now report.
Introduced by Assemblyman Steve Yeager, Assembly Bill 341 would open the door for social use cannabis lounges across the state. The bill seeks to provide a solution to a problem that consistently vexes legal cannabis states — like many other jurisdictions, Nevada allows adults to purchase cannabis products but consuming them must be done on private property, out of public view. This is a big issue for tourist destinations like Las Vegas where visitors may buy cannabis, but then have problems finding a legal place to consume their purchase.
“The time’s just right, and the momentum is right. We have the Cannabis Compliance Board now, which is the regulatory agency for the cannabis industry. I think they’re going to have a large role to play in helping us make this happen.” — Assemblyman Yeager, via 8 News Now
If passed, localities would be allowed to opt-out of licensing any social use businesses.
David Farris, VP of Marketing and Sales for Planet 13 — which is billed as the world’s largest dispensary and is located near the Las Vegas Strip — said Las Vegas has been asking for social use cannabis lounges for “a long time.”
“We think it’s something that’s necessary in Las Vegas,” he said. “I think it’s the right thing to do to allow our local and tourist customers to consume cannabis products.”
Assemblyman Yeager said the legislation can address public concerns — particularly those related to intoxicated drivers — like they do with alcohol.
“As we work through the legislation, we need to make sure that we do this responsibly,” he said in the report. “We have a good model when it comes to alcohol. We allow alcohol consumption in bars, clubs and restaurants, but people have been trained to be able to identify the signs of somebody who is partaking too much.”
