PurePressure, Leading Rosin Press Manufacturer, Announces Launch of New Axis Trichome Separator

1/13/2021

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With the popularity of ice water hash exploding, the world’s leading manufacturer of rosin presses and bubble hash washing vessels meets the demand with an incredible new machine, dubbed the Axis trichome separator.

Already setting themselves apart from the competition with the manufacturing of the best rosin presses on the planet, PurePressure is proud to announce it’s automated trichome separator, the Axis. The Axis trichome separator gives cannabis processing labs the option for truly scalable ice water hash extraction with their new, revolutionary machine. The Axis is built entirely in the USA at PurePressure’s factory in Denver, Colorado. It provides unmatched control, throughput, and safety for large scale ice water hash production.

Key features of the Axis trichome separator:

  • With the Axis trichome separator, your facility will be able to wash 132 pounds, or 60,000 grams of fresh frozen cannabis or more in a 9 hour shift. This unparalleled daily output requires only two operators to achieve and removes the typical backbreaking manual labor that ice water hash washing can entail.
  • Offering unparalleled wash control, the Axis features a precise servo motor, coupled with a joystick and touchscreen interface enabling backwards and forwards paddle control. It also offers recipe saving functionality so that hash washing technicians can create their own custom wash styles, save them, and repeat them at will with the touch of a button.
  • The Axis trichome separator is backward compatible with its food safe Bruteless bubble hash washing vessels made by the experts at PurePressure. All extraction facilities owning 30, 44, and 65-gallon Bruteless vessels will be able to integrate their Axis trichome separators with the equipment they already have.
  • Even though the Axis boasts some of the highest production output in the game, the trichome separator draws a noticeably low amount of power. At 120v, it draws only 7 amps peak and just 2-3 amps continuously.
  • All Axis machines are outfitted with IP65 washdown rated electrical components that make for a simple and quick cleanup.
  • The wash arm that the Axis is equipped with is made of food grade stainless steel, which is easily cleaned and maintained.
  • Facilities with minimal space can operate the Axis with ease. The Axis requires as little as 550 square feet and can be used in places with ceilings as low as 7 feet and can fit through as small as a 30” wide door being rolled on a furniture cart.

Revolutionizing Ice Water Hash Washing

Thanks to the above-mentioned features, the Axis from PurePressure is poised to revolutionize ice water hash washing. The Axis trichome separator is unlike anything you’ve seen before, and the scalability that comes with this incredible device is unmatched. The Axis ice water hash washer is user-friendly, highly controllable, and is loaded with safety features, allowing solventless processors the ability to scale as they’ve never seen. By separating ice water hash washing vessels from the source of agitation, the Axis saves users time so that they can fill, soak, filter, and collect their hash without tying up their washer.

The Axis trichome separator is built in the PurePressure factory in Colorado. The revolutionary bubble hash washing device is made with premium materials, including stainless steel that makes cleaning and sanitizing a breeze. Professional hash washing is as simple as utilizing the user-friendly Axis joystick control panel and the intuitive and attractive touch-screen. Hash washing techniques can be tricky, but the Axis simplifies this process with its ability to save specific recipe sequences. True full melt ice water hash and six-star bubble hash is rare as these products require precision touch, experience, and extremely gentle agitation. The Axis machine also features a unique pivoting wash paddle head that allows processors to lift, lower and pivot with ease. The incredible functionality found only with the Axis hash washing machine allows you to immediately begin working on your next batch of bubble hash. The efficiency of the Axis gives users maximum machine usage from the moment the device arrives at their facility.

The Axis Trichome Separator is a Smart Investment

Most cannabis processing facilities that are washing hash buy an Axis will see ROI within two months or less. A single Axis machine is the equivalent of the output of roughly two machines from competitors, and as they say, the most expensive machine is one you have to buy twice. Purchasing an Axis trichome separator from PurePressure is one of the smartest investments that a processing facility will ever make. By adding an Axis hash washer, facilities place themselves ahead of the competition by saving tens of thousands of dollars in labor costs as opposed to doing traditional washing hash by hand. An investment in the Axis trichome separator will not only save facilities money in labor costs, but it can also help ensure greater hash SKU consistency.

Along with unparalleled functionality and output, any bubble hash washing operation can claim some impressive certifications with the purchase of an Axis trichome separator. Just a few of these certifications include a UL508 control panel and IP65 washdown rated electrical components. For customers who need a full electrical certification, they can be acquired in the field with ease.

Demand for Solventless Concentrates is Rising

As consumers get a taste for premium, top-shelf cannabis products, the demand for bubble hash concentrates like live rosin is more popular than ever. Vaporizer cartridges make up a large portion of the legal cannabis market and concentrates made from the ice water hash washing process lead the way in terms of quality. Hash washing results in the most attractive and highest quality products the cannabis industry has to offer. Consumer demand is high for solventless concentrates thanks to their natural, full-spectrum, terpene-rich and potent content.

The versatile practice of hash-washing lends itself well to commercial operations producing some of the highest quality cannabis products in the world. Although washing hash or hash washing is the most commonly used term to describe the process of producing these products, it’s not the most accurate. The most accurate term is trichome separation.

The quality of the bubble hash that consumers purchase depends on factors such as the source strain, the growing conditions, and the purity and potency of the source material. Concentrates are quickly becoming the preferred method of consumption for cannabis lovers. The time is now to enter the wonderful world of solventless cannabis concentrates, and the Axis trichome separator leads the way. Ice water hash is the most versatile solventless cannabis product on the market today, although it is not a new product. Vaporizer cartridges are easy to use and highly effective, requiring significantly less inhalation than the age-old method of smoking flower. However, cannabis extracts present their own set of concerns and potential problems – as does any other commercial product.

Producing solventless concentrates requires minimal startup costs, positioning itself as a favorite for many extraction facilities. Years ago, starting a cannabis extraction lab could cost processors hundreds of thousands of dollars in machine costs, with the cost of labor not even included. With solventless hash washing and chemical-free bubble hash, labs and processing operations don’t have to deal with the headache and extreme expense of C1D1 rooms, or having to add them for their solventless divisions.

Pre-Order Your Axis Now

The Axis trichome separator will be available for pre-order on January 5th, 2021, and orders are expected to ship out to customers in May 2021. For only a $9,995 down payment, customers will be locked in to receive the most versatile, highly functional cannabis hash washing machine ever made with a net price tag of $27,500 plus shipping.

About PurePressure

PurePressure is a USA-based manufacturer of solventless processing equipment. In addition to their revolutionary new Axis trichome separator, PurePress makes industry-leading rosin presses, hash washing vessels, and rosin filter bags. PurePressure customers also love the wide variety of solventless extraction operation accessories, like freeze dryers and sifters.

The PurePressure factory is located in Denver, Colorado. The PurePressure team has over 20 years of manufacturing expertise and 15 years of oil extraction experience. The PurePressure team shares a passion for cannabis and their dedication to their customers is the foundation of our success.

Press Contact

PurePressure
720-446-9565
sales@gopurepressure.com
https://gopurepressure.com/pages/contact-us

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Aurora Hacker Posts Data for Sale, Says Ransom Request Was Ignored

1/13/2021

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Hacked Aurora Cannabis data – including copies of passports, driver licenses, and credit card information – appears to be for sale on an online marketplace following a Christmas Day intrusion into the company’s Microsoft Cloud software, Yahoo Finance reports.

The breach was first reported by MJBizDaily who said employees indicated that home and banking information for both current and former employees were also unveiled.

Aurora spokeswoman Michelle Lefler confirmed the incident to MJBizDaily and explained that the Canadian company “immediately took steps to mitigate the incident, [and] is actively consulting with security experts and cooperating with authorities.”

“Aurora’s patient systems were not compromised, and the company’s network of operations is unaffected.” — Lefler in a statement via MJBizDaily.

The post attempting to sell the data – for one Bitcoin which is currently worth about $34,000 – includes 11 “proof of concept” sample images, including a passport apparently belonging to Chief Information Officer Darryl Vleeming and a driver’s license allegedly belonging to Amy Lamoureux, a supply chain manager.

The hacker’s forum post, attempting to sell the stolen data. Image credit: BleepingComputer.com

The hacker selling the data told BleepingComputer that there is 50GB of data in all and that they still have access to Aurora’s networks. The hacker said they contacted the company but “all them ignore this breach (sic)” and that a ransom was demanded but the hacker said, “all employs (sic) ignored me.”

Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada Senior Communications Advisor Vito Pilieci said the agency was notified of the hack on December 31 and has been working with the company on gathering information to determine the next steps.

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Mexico Unveils Rules for National Medical Cannabis Industry

1/13/2021

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Mexico’s Health Ministry on Tuesday made public rules for the medical cannabis industry and President Andres Manuel López Obrador signed off on a regulation allowing pharmaceutical companies to commence medical research on cannabis products, Reuters reports.

The rules for pharmaceutical firms require them to obtain permission from COFEPRIS, the nation’s health regulator. Under the guidelines, the research must be conducted by independent laboratories under strictly controlled conditions.

The framework includes rules allowing the importation of cannabis seeds into Mexico and the use of cannabis derivatives and cannabis-based medications, Mexico News Daily reports.

The regulations do not cover adult-use legalization. In 2019, Mexico’s Supreme Court declared cannabis prohibition unconstitutional and required lawmakers to implement laws allowing adult-use possession and sales by October of that year but were given an extension by the court. Last November, the Senate approved a legalization measure but the following month the Supreme Court again granted an extension until late April in order for the lower chamber to debate the reforms, which they described as complex.

The bill approved by the Senate allows personal possession up to 28 grams, home cultivation up to four plants, and taxed-and-regulated sales, and THC caps. According to the bill text, the reforms would “improve living conditions” and “contribute to the reduction of crime linked to drug trafficking.” The measure does include social equity provisions, including requiring at least 40% of industry licenses are awarded to indigenous, low-income, or historically marginalized communities for the first five years. Public consumption would be permitted but not in places where tobacco use is banned or where people under 18-years-old could be exposed. Driving under the influence of cannabis would be outlawed.

Once the reforms are approved, Mexico will join Uruguay and Canada as the only nations to legalize cannabis for adults. The Mexican market would be the world’s largest by population.

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Federal Prisoner Andy Cox Freed After Serving 13 Years of Life Sentence for Cannabis

1/13/2021

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Andy Cox, who was convicted in 2005 and sentenced to life for conspiracy for manufacture cannabis, has been freed from prison after serving 13 years behind bars, according to his attorneys at Goodwin and the Last Prisoner Project.

Cox was convicted on federal charges in 2009 for cultivating cannabis in Georgia’s Chattahoochee National Forest, which buttressed his father’s land. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cox had been previously convicted twice for drug trafficking – once in 1991 and again in 2000.

During their original investigation, U.S. Forest Service agents discovered 724 seedlings in the yard of Cox’s father’s property and another 594 plants at three separate grow sites in the adjacent forest, ranging in maturity from three to four inches to more than 4 feet tall, for a total of 1,318 plants, the FBI said. Cox was originally indicted on the charges on Jan. 11, 2005 but fled after the indictment and remained a federal fugitive until he was taken into custody in 2008. His co-conspirators, Jose Quexadas-Fierros, Paciano Vargas-Hernandez, and Mayolo Vargas-Villenueva were sentenced in 2004 and 2006 to three-, two-, and five-year terms in federal prison, respectively.

Goodwin brought Cox’s motion under the 2018 First Step Act, arguing that the coronavirus pandemic presented an “extraordinary and compelling” basis for his release, and Cox’s age and health made him susceptible to COVID-19. The attorneys also argued that the life sentence was handed down under an outdated sentencing regime that imposed mandatory minimums no longer in place and that his crime of cannabis cultivation is now legal in many states.

“Me and my family are forever indebted to Goodwin, they saved my life. I am so blessed to have such an amazing team work so hard for my freedom.” – Cox in a statement

Cox was released January 6.

Sarah Gersten, executive director and general counsel of LPP, said the organization is “thrilled” at the efforts of Goodwin, which “have allowed Andy to reconnect with his family after serving 13 years of an unjust sentence.”

Goodwin previously worked with LPP to secure the release of Philong Chong in September 2020. Chong had served five years of an 87-month sentence for non-violent cannabis and money laundering charges.

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Farmington Research: Helping Cannabis Beverage Pioneers Find Success

1/12/2021

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Consumers‌ ‌across‌ ‌the‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌are‌ ‌searching‌ ‌for‌ ‌delicious‌ ‌and‌ ‌effective‌ ‌cannabis/hemp‌ ‌beverages‌ ‌and‌ ‌the‌ ‌market‌ ‌size‌ ‌for‌ ‌infused‌ ‌beverages‌ ‌is‌ ‌set‌ ‌to‌ ‌grow‌ ‌exponentially‌ ‌through‌ ‌2027.‌ ‌This‌ ‌projection‌ ‌has‌ ‌attracted‌ ‌many‌ ‌manufacturers‌ ‌but‌ ‌creating‌ ‌a‌ ‌palatable‌ ‌beverage‌ ‌remains‌ ‌a‌ ‌unique‌ ‌challenge‌ ‌with‌ ‌a‌ ‌steep‌ ‌learning‌ ‌curve.‌ ‌‌Farmington‌ ‌Research‌‌ ‌founders‌ ‌Breck‌ ‌Speed‌ ‌and‌ ‌Cameron‌ ‌Meshell‌ ‌came‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌cannabis‌ ‌space‌ ‌with‌ ‌a‌ ‌lot‌ ‌of‌ ‌experience‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌traditional‌ ‌beverage‌ ‌industry‌ ‌—‌ ‌now,‌ ‌the‌ ‌duo‌ ‌uses‌ ‌insights‌ ‌gleaned‌ ‌from‌ ‌their‌ ‌previous‌ ‌careers‌ ‌to‌ ‌help‌ ‌cannabis‌ ‌beverage‌ ‌manufacturers‌ ‌fine-tune‌ ‌their‌ ‌products’‌ ‌taste,‌ ‌solubility,‌ ‌bottling,‌ ‌and‌ ‌aroma.‌ ‌ ‌
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“The‌ ‌beverage‌ ‌segment‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌cannabis‌ ‌market,‌ ‌which‌ ‌includes‌ ‌RTD‌ ‌beverages‌ ‌and‌ ‌powders,‌ ‌is‌ ‌expected‌ ‌to‌ ‌be‌ ‌one‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌top‌ ‌market‌ ‌segments,”‌ ‌Chief‌ ‌Operating‌ ‌Officer‌ ‌Breck‌ ‌Speed‌ ‌told‌ ‌Ganjapreneur.‌ ‌“Consumers‌ ‌are‌ ‌looking‌ ‌for‌ ‌healthier‌ ‌alternatives‌ ‌to‌ ‌alcohol‌ ‌capable‌ ‌of‌ ‌delivering‌ ‌similar‌ ‌relaxation‌ ‌effects,‌ ‌and‌ ‌beverages‌ ‌are‌ ‌a‌ ‌trusted‌ ‌format‌ ‌and‌ ‌have‌ ‌dependable‌ ‌dosages.”‌ ‌
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Because‌ ‌of‌ ‌their‌ ‌expertise‌ ‌in‌ ‌beverages,‌ ‌the‌ ‌pair‌ ‌found‌ ‌they‌ ‌were‌ ‌being‌ ‌frequently‌ ‌approached‌ ‌about‌ ‌making‌ ‌hemp-‌ ‌or‌ ‌THC-based‌ ‌drinks‌ ‌but‌ ‌they‌ ‌also‌ ‌identified‌ ‌common‌ ‌issues‌ ‌with‌ ‌the‌ ‌products‌ ‌that‌ ‌were‌ ‌already‌ ‌being‌ ‌marketed.‌ ‌The‌ ‌most‌ ‌prominent‌ ‌problem‌ ‌they‌ ‌identified‌ ‌was‌ ‌that‌ ‌it‌ ‌was‌ ‌hard‌ ‌to‌ ‌find‌ ‌an‌ ‌extract‌ ‌that‌ ‌was‌ ‌both‌ ‌suitable‌ ‌for‌ ‌the‌ ‌manufacturing‌ ‌process‌ ‌and‌ ‌that‌ ‌could‌ ‌retain‌ ‌a‌ ‌desirable‌ ‌end‌ ‌product.‌ ‌Ultimately,‌ ‌Speed‌ ‌and‌ ‌Meshell‌ ‌set‌ ‌out‌ ‌to‌ ‌make‌ ‌that‌ ‌extract‌ ‌themselves.‌ ‌This‌ ‌decision‌ ‌brought‌ ‌them‌ ‌down‌ ‌a‌ ‌two-year‌ ‌path‌ ‌of‌ ‌research‌ ‌and‌ ‌development.‌
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Many‌ ‌manufacturing‌ ‌companies‌ ‌at‌ ‌the‌ ‌time‌ ‌were‌ ‌still‌ ‌trying‌ ‌to‌ ‌perfect‌ ‌the‌ ‌solubility‌ ‌of‌ ‌their‌ ‌products‌ ‌so,‌ ‌after‌ ‌failing‌ ‌to‌ ‌get‌ ‌their‌ ‌desired‌ ‌results‌ ‌with‌ ‌what‌ ‌was‌ ‌available‌ ‌at‌ ‌the‌ ‌time,‌ ‌Meshell‌ ‌learned‌ ‌how‌ ‌to‌ ‌weld‌ ‌in‌ ‌order‌ ‌to‌ ‌build‌ ‌specialized‌ ‌manufacturing‌ ‌equipment.‌ ‌Utilizing‌ ‌their‌ ‌new‌ ‌in-house‌ ‌technology,‌ ‌Meshell‌ ‌was‌ ‌able‌ ‌to‌ ‌deliver‌ ‌a‌ ‌lightly‌ ‌colored‌ ‌and‌ ‌water-soluble‌ ‌full-plant‌ ‌extract.‌
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Now‌ ‌that‌ ‌they‌ ‌had‌ ‌their‌ ‌product,‌ ‌the‌ ‌pair‌ ‌next‌ ‌started‌ ‌working‌ ‌on‌ ‌a‌ ‌hemp‌ ‌extract‌ ‌business,‌ ‌eventually‌ ‌relocating‌ ‌from‌ ‌Los‌ ‌Angeles‌ ‌to‌ ‌Shreveport,‌ ‌Louisiana,‌ ‌where‌ ‌the‌ ‌University‌ ‌of‌ ‌Louisiana‌ ‌offers‌ ‌an‌ ‌entrepreneurial‌ ‌incubator‌ ‌through‌ ‌the‌ ‌hospital‌ ‌biomedical‌ ‌research‌ ‌foundation,‌ ‌leasing‌ ‌out‌ ‌labs‌ ‌to‌ ‌various‌ ‌companies.‌ ‌Through‌ ‌this‌ ‌opportunity,‌ ‌the‌ ‌team‌ ‌worked‌ ‌to‌ ‌perfect‌ ‌their‌ ‌proprietary‌ ‌technology‌ ‌and‌ ‌product.‌
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Farmington’s‌ ‌pilot‌ ‌extract‌ ‌was‌ ‌made‌ ‌using‌ ‌hemp‌ ‌but‌ ‌the‌ ‌proprietary‌ ‌process‌ ‌is‌ ‌just‌ ‌as‌ ‌effective‌ ‌with‌ ‌full‌ ‌cannabinoid‌ ‌extracts.‌ ‌In‌ ‌fact,‌ ‌the‌ ‌company‌ ‌is‌ ‌currently‌ ‌working‌ ‌with‌ ‌several‌ ‌THC-focused‌ ‌clients‌ ‌to‌ ‌shape‌ ‌and‌ ‌perfect‌ ‌their‌ ‌technology‌ ‌for‌ ‌that‌ ‌side‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌industry.‌

While craft cannabis cultivators are popping up left and right with every new market, it takes a lot of technical finesse and expertise to create cannabis-infused beverages.

‌The‌ ‌company’s‌ ‌initially‌ ‌tiny‌ ‌team‌ ‌of‌ ‌two‌ ‌has‌ ‌grown‌ ‌to‌ ‌three‌ ‌since‌ ‌their‌ ‌founding,‌ ‌but‌ ‌their‌ ‌focus‌ ‌remains‌ ‌on‌ ‌adding‌ ‌value‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌cannabis‌ ‌beverage‌ ‌market.‌ ‌Because‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌stability,‌ ‌clarity,‌ ‌lack‌ ‌of‌ ‌aroma,‌ ‌and‌ ‌neutral‌ ‌flavor‌ ‌of‌ ‌their‌ ‌product,‌ ‌Farmington‌ ‌Research‌ ‌is‌ ‌confident‌ ‌their‌ ‌extract‌ ‌is‌ ‌so‌ ‌far‌ ‌unmatched‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌industry.‌ ‌Additionally,‌ ‌after‌ ‌noticing‌ ‌the‌ ‌industry’s‌ ‌general‌ ‌lack‌ ‌of‌ ‌experience‌ ‌when‌ ‌it‌ ‌came‌ ‌to‌ ‌infused‌ ‌beverages,‌ ‌Speed‌ ‌and‌ ‌Meshell‌ ‌have‌ ‌made‌ ‌it‌ ‌a‌ ‌point‌ ‌to‌ ‌work‌ ‌directly‌ ‌with‌ ‌their‌ ‌clients,‌ ‌which‌ ‌means‌ ‌much‌ ‌of‌ ‌their‌ ‌time‌ ‌is‌ ‌spent‌ ‌helping‌ ‌others‌ ‌problem-solve.‌ ‌Many‌ ‌Farmington‌ ‌clients,‌ ‌for‌ ‌example,‌ ‌need‌ ‌help‌ ‌maintaining‌ ‌flavor‌ ‌profiles,‌ ‌which‌ ‌can‌ ‌be‌ ‌exceptionally‌ ‌challenging‌ ‌for‌ ‌novice‌ ‌beverage‌ ‌manufacturers.‌
‌
“Working‌ ‌as‌ ‌a‌ ‌team‌ ‌with‌ ‌a‌ ‌brand‌ ‌owner‌ ‌is‌ ‌essential,”‌ ‌Speed‌ ‌said.‌ ‌“We‌ ‌often‌ ‌spend‌ ‌more‌ ‌time‌ ‌mentoring‌ ‌new‌ ‌players‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌beverage‌ ‌world‌ ‌than‌ ‌we‌ ‌do‌ ‌selling‌ ‌them‌ ‌cannabis‌ ‌extract.”
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The‌ ‌founders‌ ‌said‌ ‌they‌ ‌even‌ ‌considered‌ ‌launching‌ ‌a‌ ‌separate‌ ‌consulting‌ ‌service‌ ‌but‌ ‌instead‌ ‌have‌ ‌decided‌ ‌to‌ ‌offer‌ ‌their‌ ‌insights‌ ‌as‌ ‌an‌ ‌all-inclusive‌ ‌Farmington‌ ‌package.‌ ‌Instead‌ ‌of‌ ‌gatekeeping‌ ‌their‌ ‌beverage‌ ‌aptitude,‌ ‌Meshell‌ ‌and‌ ‌Speed‌ ‌want‌ ‌to‌ ‌bring‌ ‌even‌ ‌more‌ ‌manufacturers‌ ‌into‌ ‌their‌ ‌world‌ ‌of‌ ‌making‌ ‌palatable‌ ‌and‌ ‌effective‌ ‌hemp/cannabis-infused‌ ‌drinks.
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While‌ ‌the‌ ‌beverage‌ ‌market‌ ‌is‌ ‌keeping‌ ‌the‌ ‌team‌ ‌busy,‌ ‌Speed‌ ‌and‌ ‌Meshell‌ ‌have‌ ‌also‌ ‌been‌ ‌considering‌ ‌additional‌ ‌applications‌ ‌for‌ ‌their‌ ‌extract‌ ‌—‌ ‌for‌ ‌example,‌ ‌because‌ ‌liquids‌ ‌are‌ ‌so‌ ‌heavy,‌ ‌shipping‌ ‌costs‌ ‌are‌ ‌consistently‌ ‌a‌ ‌major‌ ‌issue‌ ‌for‌ ‌the‌ ‌cannabis‌ ‌beverage‌ ‌market.‌ ‌Farmington‌ ‌is‌ ‌working‌ ‌with‌ ‌clients‌ ‌to‌ ‌solve‌ ‌this‌ ‌issue‌ ‌by‌ ‌formulating‌ ‌drops‌ ‌and‌ ‌powders‌ ‌that‌ ‌could‌ ‌be‌ ‌mailed‌ ‌separately‌ ‌and‌ ‌added‌ ‌to‌ ‌water‌ ‌after‌ ‌they‌ ‌reach‌ ‌the‌ ‌consumer.‌ ‌Hemp-infused‌ ‌powders‌ ‌and‌ ‌drops‌ ‌have‌ ‌already‌ ‌made‌ ‌great‌ ‌replacements‌ ‌for‌ ‌a‌ ‌ready-made‌ ‌can‌ ‌or‌ ‌bottle‌ ‌of‌ ‌infused‌ ‌liquids‌ ‌and‌ ‌the‌ ‌team‌ ‌has‌ ‌been‌ ‌playing‌ ‌with‌ ‌how‌ ‌to‌ ‌innovate‌ ‌the‌ ‌idea‌ ‌even‌ ‌further.‌
‌
Meanwhile,‌ ‌lines‌ ‌between‌ ‌the‌ ‌many‌ ‌beverage‌ ‌markets‌ ‌continue‌ ‌to‌ ‌blur‌ ‌as‌ ‌beer‌ ‌brands‌ ‌craft‌ ‌non-alcoholic‌ ‌drink‌ ‌options‌ ‌and‌ ‌seltzers‌ ‌continue‌ ‌a‌ ‌slow‌ ‌but‌ ‌apparent‌ ‌takeover‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌alcohol‌ ‌market.‌ ‌Speed‌ ‌said‌ ‌the‌ ‌blurring‌ ‌of‌ ‌these‌ ‌lines‌ ‌could‌ ‌be‌ ‌a‌ ‌perfect‌ ‌opportunity‌ ‌for‌ ‌hemp-infused‌ ‌drinks‌ ‌to‌ ‌gain‌ ‌traction‌ ‌with‌ ‌consumers‌ ‌and‌ ‌match‌ ‌the‌ ‌industry’s‌ ‌projected‌ ‌growth‌ ‌margins.‌
‌
Despite‌ ‌their‌ ‌many‌ ‌innovations‌ ‌and‌ ‌forward-looking‌ ‌ideas,‌ ‌Speed‌ ‌and‌ ‌Meshell’s‌ ‌passion‌ ‌for‌ ‌solving‌ ‌problems‌ ‌has‌ ‌persisted.‌ ‌As‌ ‌they‌ ‌continue‌ ‌to‌ ‌grow‌ ‌and‌ ‌innovate,‌ ‌Farmington‌ ‌Research‌ ‌remains‌ ‌a‌ ‌solid‌ ‌choice‌ ‌for‌ ‌brands‌ ‌who‌ ‌are‌ ‌looking‌ ‌to‌ ‌expand‌ ‌into‌ ‌water-soluble‌ ‌hemp/cannabis‌ ‌extractions‌ ‌and‌ ‌the‌ ‌infused‌ ‌beverage‌ ‌market.

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New Jersey Cannabis Legalization Deal Implodes

1/12/2021

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The New Jersey lawmakers who introduced a so-called “clean-up” bill requested by Gov. Phil Murphy (D) in order for him to sign cannabis legalization bills have pulled their support for the measure with no plans to revisit it, Politico reports.

Murphy has delayed signing the voter- and Legislature-approved bill over technical issues that shield minors from cannabis-related penalties. Democratic Sens. Teresa Ruiz and Nicholas Scutari sponsored the compromise measure last week which imposed a $250 fine for individuals 18 to 20-years-old caught with up to six ounces of cannabis and a $500 fine for possessing more than six ounces. Those under 18 would not have to pay a fine but could face juvenile delinquency penalties, such as community service.

The state’s decriminalization bill – which is also being held up by Murphy as he wants to sign the reforms as a package – removed all penalties for those under 21 while the legalization bill only includes a petty disorderly persons offense for those younger than 21 caught with up to an ounce.

An unnamed administration official told Politico that were Murphy to sign the bills without the compromise measure, New Jersey would be “the only state to legalize marijuana for minors.”

Brandon McKoy, of New Jersey Policy Perspective, told Politico that the impasse has wound up “threatening the whole of cannabis legalization which has been worked on for so long.”

Ruiz explained that removing penalties for underage offenders was the lawmakers’ intent.

“This is a policy perspective. This is not a drafting issue or a regulation issue. That’s why the bills moved forward the way they did.” – Ruiz to Politico

During a Monday news conference, Murphy said he was “still optimistic” an agreement could be struck but that officials “got to somehow thread the needle” to address the concerns. He added that while he doesn’t want “more kids getting tangled up in the criminal justice system” the reforms were “never about legalizing marijuana for our kids.”

“That was never what this was about,” the governor said during his remarks. “That’s not what the voters voted on in the referendum. That’s not what we’ve felt strongly and passionate about.”

In November, New Jersey voters passed the Legislature-approved ballot initiative to legalize cannabis by a 2:1 margin.

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DC Capitol Rioter Has Ties to Cannabis Industry

1/12/2021

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A rioter who live-streamed herself partaking in the January 6, 2021 insurrection by angry supporters of President Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC has apparent ties to the cannabis industry, according to the Midland Reporter-Telegram.

Jenny Cudd is a former mayoral candidate for the city of Midland, Texas, where she owns the florist shop Becky’s Flowers. During her unsuccessful 2019 mayoral run, Cudd said that she owned a partial stake in an Oklahoma-based cannabis consulting company and, in July 2020, she appeared in a marketing video entitled “Cannabis Investment Opportunity – Summit Boys presented by Jenny Cudd.” In that video, Cudd said she has partial ownership in two Oklahoma cannabis farms and even helped raise $1.25 million in investor capital for one of the facilities. She also said she has interest in an Oklahoma-based dispensary.

Summit Boys — who did not respond to repeated requests for comment — is a California-based cannabis extracts brand that has announced plans to expand to Oklahoma.

Notably, Cudd is also listed as the contact for the Summit Boys Oklahoma profile on LiftOffCapital.com, a matchmaking site for investors and entrepreneurs. She also appears to be featured in a Summit Boys Instagram post announcing the company’s expansion to Oklahoma posted on January 5, 2020 (almost exactly one year before the recent insurrection).

Jenny Cudd was featured in a Summit Boys Instagram post on January 5, 2020, announcing the company’s expansion to Oklahoma.

Cudd was identified as a participant in the January 6 riots because she was live-streaming to her now-deleted Facebook page as she illegally entered and trespassed throughout the U.S. Capitol Building. At one point during the feed, she admitted to having helped a group of rioters break into House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office.

“We had to scale a wall to get there and we just pushed and pushed and pushed, and yelled go and yelled charge, and we just pushed and pushed and pushed and we got in,” Cudd said in the video. “There was a door that was open, we went through the door and we were inside.”

During a January 8 interview with NewsWest 9, Cudd said she did not regret her actions. “I did not break any laws, I went inside the Capitol completely legally and I did not do anything to hurt anybody or destroy any property,” she said. Cudd also said that she has received multiple death threats since partaking in the event.

The FBI — which has requested tips to help identify and arrest participants in the insurrection — says it is reviewing allegations of Cudd’s involvement.

During the insurrection, which has been labeled an act of domestic terrorism, pro-Trump rioters overwhelmed DC and Capitol police, breaking windows and doors, forcing entry to the building and lawmakers’ offices, and committing various other acts of vandalism. Five people died because of the riots, including an on-duty police officer who was struck in the head with a fire extinguisher and a woman who was shot by police while forcing her way through a barricaded door inside the Capitol.

Update: Jenny Cudd has been arrested by the FBI for her involvement in last week’s violent siege against the U.S. Capitol building, Newsweek reports.

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Michigan Cannabis Sales Increased 482% During 2020

1/12/2021

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Adult-use cannabis sales in Michigan jumped 482% in 2020 to more than $500 million, according to Headset data outlined by the Detroit Metro Times. Michigan voters approved the reforms in 2018 and sales started December 1, 2019.

According to the report, flower accounted for 47.8% of adult-use sales, followed by vape pens (20.6%) and edibles (14.9%).

During the first half of the year, medical cannabis sales were outpacing recreational sales; however, by the end of 2020, adult-use sales had surpassed medical sales by more than $32 million, the report says. According to state Marijuana Regulatory Agency data, in November alone – the last month reported – total cannabis sales in Michigan eclipsed $37.2 million.

For about a month last year, recreational cannabis sales in the state sustained $7 million per week. From April 13 to April 19, sales reached $7.2 million and remained above that mark through the week ending May 10, when sales topped $7.9 million.

Despite having legalized cannabis more than two years ago, sales have yet to commence in Detroit – the state’s most populous city. Officials only announced last month that licenses would be issued in the Motor City by the summer and will go online for applicants on January 19. Those licenses will, at first, only be available to so-called “legacy applicants,” meaning licensees 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.”

Legacy licenses will be eligible for a 25% discount of fair market value on city property and can access technical assistance and reduced fees. An ordinance by the city council requires half of all of the city’s cannabis licenses to be awarded to legacy applicants. Mayor Mike Duggan (D) has called the legacy rules “by far the most controversial provision” of the city’s licensing scheme and said officials “will not issue a license to any business unless 50% of the licenses in that category are Detroiters.”

According to state figures outlined by the Detroit News, more than 1,400 Michigan municipalities have opted out of recreational sales.

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3rd Time’s the Charm? Cuomo Includes Legalization in New York Budget

1/12/2021

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In his State of the State address on Monday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said the state “will legalize adult-use recreational cannabis” this session and included the reforms in his Executive Budget for the third consecutive year.

“This will raise revenue and end the over-criminalization of this product that has left so many communities of color over policed and over incarcerated.” – Cuomo, State of the State, Jan. 11, 2021 

A 2018 report requested by the governor outlined in the budget found that more than 800,000 people have been arrested for low-level possession in the state, the majority of which are people of color.

“Moreover, the report found that a regulated program would reduce racial disparities in criminalization and incarceration rates,” the budget states.

According to the governor’s budget, cultivators would pay a $1 tax per dry gram of flower, a $0.25 tax per gram of trim, and a $0.14 tax per gram of “wet” cannabis. Retail sales would be taxed 20% with another 2% tax “collected in trust for and on account of the county or a city with a population of a million or more in which the retail dispensary is located.”

The governor’s office estimates legalized cannabis would be worth $300 million in tax revenues for the state once the market is fully mature. In November, Cuomo said he expected the reforms would be approved in the 2021 session “because the state is desperate for funding” due, in part, to the coronavirus response.

The budget also includes funding for the Office of Cannabis Management – which he announced last week – noting that it would require staff from the state’s Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control and Department of Health.

In 2019, the first time Cuomo included legalization in the budget, he faced pushback from law enforcement, teachers’ groups, drug treatment advocates, a physician’s lobby, and downstate Democrats. Instead, lawmakers agreed to expand the state’s decriminalization law and allow expungement of low-level cannabis offenses.

Last session, legalization was pulled from budget talks amid the pandemic as lawmakers shifted their focus to coronavirus-related issues. Lawmakers and Cuomo also had disagreements over how revenues would be disbursed.

In New York, Democrats hold the governorship and both chambers of the legislature.

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Study Investigates Cannabis Withdrawal Symptoms

1/12/2021

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A recent study published in the journal Addiction and led by a group of researchers from the University of Michigan and the VA Ann Arbor Health Care System highlights concerns around “cannabis withdrawal syndrome.” The study looks at two years of surveys from 527 registered medical cannabis patients in Michigan.

In order to establish a baseline for the withdrawal symptoms, participants were asked if they suffered from fifteen different symptoms like trouble sleeping, nausea, or irritability after going a “significant time without cannabis.” Then, based on the number of symptoms they experienced, Survey participants were grouped into three categories — mild, moderate, or severe.

According to the Michigan study, a “baseline” 41 percent were in the mild category, 34 percent had moderate symptoms and 25 percent had severe cannabis withdrawal symptoms.

Over the two-year period, the researchers found that patients who had mild symptoms usually stayed in the category and were less likely to have an increase in withdrawals. Researchers found that those in the moderate category were more likely to have a decrease in withdrawals over time and at the end of the two-year study only 17 percent remained in the severe category. Additionally, they found after the first year that 13 percent had moved up a category and, after the second year, eight percent reported worsening symptoms. The severe group was made up of younger participants, “long-term” cannabis users, and people with reported mental health issues. Older cannabis patients were less likely to report increased cannabis withdrawal.

“Some people report experiencing significant benefits from medical cannabis, but our findings suggest a real need to increase awareness about the signs of withdrawal symptoms developing to decrease the potential downsides of cannabis use, especially among those who experience severe or worsening symptoms over time.”  — Study lead Lara Coughlin, Ph.D., via Michigan Medicine

She says patients may perceive cannabis with drawl symptoms as part of their underlying health issue and suggests possibly talking to their health care providers about other pain treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy.

Some of the signs of cannabis withdrawal syndrome, besides a general craving, include, “anxiety, sleep difficulties, decreased appetite, restlessness, depressed mood, aggression, irritability, nausea, sweating, headache, stomach pain, strange dreams, increased anger and shakiness,” according to the report.

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South Dakota Gov. Joins Effort to Block Voter-Approved Cannabis Legalization

1/11/2021

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In an executive order issued on Friday, Republican South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem contends that the recreational cannabis ballot initiative approved by voters in November “was not proper and violated the procedures set forth in the South Dakota Constitution.”

The directive also states that Highway Patrol Superintendent Col. Rick Miller and Pennington County Sheriff Kevin Thom have legal standing to sue over the amendment because they are acting on Noem’s behalf.

In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs claim that the measure violates initiative one-subject requirements. Miller and Thom argue that the broad reforms – a constitutional amendment – need to be approved through a constitutional convention.

South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg’s (R) office and a pro-legalization group who led the campaign for the amendment argue that the amendment only covers one subject – cannabis.

Following the General Election results – when 53% of voters approved cannabis legalization and another 70% approved allowing medical cannabis – Noem said the reforms are “the wrong choice for South Dakota’s communities.”

“We need to be finding ways to strengthen our families, and I think we’re taking a step backward in that effort. … I’m also very disappointed that we will be growing state government by millions of dollars in costs to public safety and to set up this new regulatory system.” – Noem in an email to the Argus Leader

In 2019, Noem vetoed a bill to legalize hemp in the state, worried that it would legalize cannabis “by default.” She did sign a hemp legalization bill last year which included so-called “guardrails” she required including $3.5 million in funds to start the program, broad consent by growers for law enforcement inspections and a requirement they pay any costs associated with eradication of plants that test over the legal THC limits, and the banning of smokable hemp products.

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UK Police Commissioner Suggests Giving Cannabis to Prisoners

1/11/2021

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North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones is advocating for a plan that would see prisons give drug-dependent inmates cannabis to determine whether it could reduce overdose deaths and violence, and help with opioid addiction, the Guardian reports.

Jones said that synthetic cannabinoids – known a spice – are common in prisons and are deadly, whereas cannabis is not. He added that prisoners are given heroin substitutes, such as methadone and buprenorphine, and others are given strong pain killers which are addictive and potentially dangerous.

“If they’re on opioids, why can’t they be prescribed cannabis? At the end of the day, opioids are a damn sight more dangerous than cannabis. It would be an improvement on the illegal spice smuggled in by corrupt prison officers too.” – Jones to the Guardian

Last year, the Guardian reported that over the past five years, more than 300 prison officers and outside staff in England and Wales had been fired or convicted for smuggling in illegal items, including drugs.

Jones said that if “the aim of the game is to make prisons safer” and officials are “serious about reducing violence in prisons” plans should be in place to “address the causes and that’s psychoactive substances.”

From 2008 to 2016, there were 88 drug-related deaths in U.K. and Wales prisons, according to Office for National Statistics data outlined by the Guardian. The majority of those deaths were related to opioids, but deaths related to spice have increased in recent years, the report says.

Jones, who is not seeking re-election to his post, suggests that prison officials “supply cannabis in controlled conditions and see if offenses reduce.”

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Amsterdam Mayor Officially Proposes Banning Foreigners from Cannabis Coffee Shops

1/11/2021

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The mayor of Amsterdam has introduced a plan to ban cannabis sales to tourists and foreigners in the capital city of the Netherlands. Amsterdam has about 30% of all of the cannabis coffee shops in the Netherlands and in her announcement, Mayor Femke Halsema said she “wants to reduce criminal influences and bring the relationships between residents and visitors more into balance.”

The plan was first announced last year as Halesma said she wanted to clean up the city’s image and the over-crowded red-light district. In 2013, local officials passed a law making coffee shops residents-only but the law has not been enforced.

Joachim Helms, spokesman for the Bond van Cannabis Detaillisten, said that banning non-residents from the coffee shops will only turn them to street dealers and public consumption.

“A more transparent market is a good thing but at the same time this plan is hugely negative for livability in the inner city,” he told Dutch News. “That’s not a good swap.”

Robbert Overmeer, a bar owner and chair of the businessowners’ group BIZ Utrechtsestraat who organized a petition last year to ban non-citizens from coffee shops, told Dutch News that the coffee shops appealed to less desirable tourists. He noted that coffee shops don’t pat VAT and “many are in the hands of hardened criminals.”

“The coffee shops are one of the most important links in the chain of low-value tourism: Nutella pancake shops, cheap cafes and restaurants, souvenir shops that will take over the inner city. We don’t necessarily just want people with a lot of money: we say ‘come to Amsterdam for the museums, the food, for love or for friends, but not to sculk around, smoke dope and do drugs.’” – Overmeer to Dutch News

Don Ceder, a lawyer and city councilor, told Dutch News that the ban “is a very positive step when it comes to making the city livable.” He added that when tourism was restarted after the coronavirus lockdowns the majority of visitors were “people who came for drug tourism.”

“We need to change the international image of Amsterdam as the drugs capital of the world and if we do that I believe we will draw a different crowd and make sure the city becomes more liveable,” he said in the report.

A survey by the Guardian last year found 34% of tourists said they would visit the city less often if they were not allowed to use cannabis, while 11% said they would never visit again. Another 22% said they would have someone else go to the coffee shop to purchase products for them, and 18% said they would find another way to buy cannabis while in the city. In all, 57 percent of respondents said the coffee shops played an important role in their decision to visit Amsterdam.

Cannabis is not legal in Amsterdam, rather the city has a “policy of tolerance.”

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Colorado Gov. Asks for $5 Million to Boost Cannabis Social Equity

1/11/2021

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Colorado’s Governor is requesting $5,000,000 dollars to jumpstart the state’s social equity efforts by providing business assistance programs for cannabis entrepreneurs who were most affected by the war on drugs, Marijuana Moment reports.

Looking to mirror programs like the Federal Small Business Association and the State Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the state’s Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT) is asking for the one-time cash infusion to fund “a new cannabis advancement program, that will include workshops and other business development services.”

“The SBDCs provide candid, free advice on developing a business plan, how to access capital, how to market a business, etc.,” according to the proposal, “and unfortunately, marijuana businesses have not been able to take advantage of that assistance due to the federal prohibition.”

The governor’s proposal would provide technical assistance and establishes grant and loan programs for social equity applicants.

“Technical support and access to capital are key pieces of OEDIT’s programming to help businesses get off the ground and grow successfully, and a dedicated staff member can help cannabis entrepreneurs—some of whom may have been previously shut out—navigate this process.” — Excerpt from Gov. Polis’ budget proposal

Colorado began implementing its social equity program last year.

In October, Gov. Polis pardoned thousands of Coloradans who had been convicted of an ounce or less of cannabis.

“We are finally cleaning up some of the inequities of the past by pardoning 2,732 convictions for Coloradans who simply had an ounce of marijuana or less,” Gov. Polis said before signing that executive order.  “Too many Coloradans have been followed their entire lives by a conviction for something that is no longer a crime, and these convictions have impacted their job status, housing, and countless other areas of their lives.”

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Pesticide Triggers Oregon Cannabis Product Recall

1/08/2021

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Due to pesticide contamination, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) has issued an immediate recall of cannabis products. The recall was triggered when it was reported to the OLCC on December 29, 2020, that an extract failed its pesticide test. An investigation into the OLCC traceability database revealed the contaminated cannabis was initially transferred into the state’s adult-use system by a medical cannabis grower — medical growers in Oregon can sell up to 20 lbs of cannabis into the adult-use market each year — and then was mixed with other flower for extraction purposes and for products like pre-rolls.

According to an OLCC press release, Ecotest — whose laboratory license was revoked in September 2020 for a variety of violations — gave the hot batch the green light for sale in March 2020, allowing it to make its way into other products. However, none of the contaminated extract that failed tests in December made its way onto store shelves.

What to look for:

Emerald Extracts Purple Slurry

  • Manufactured by Emerald Treasure LLC (030-1008341A083)
  • Label Id = 2805
  • Made on 9/9/20
  • Tested by MW Labs (010-1008606C050) on 9/14/2020

Cannabis flower pre-rolls

  • Strains of “Qurkle,” “BP Oil Slick,” or “Green Crush”
  • Tested by Ecotest (010-1008170B3B6) on 3/12/2020
  • Sold from Bernie’s Universal Dispensaries in South Beach, OR

According to the OLCC, The analyte Abamectin was detected on the flower and extract. Abamectin is a general use pesticide with a toxicity class IV, or “practically nontoxic.” It is used as an insecticide, particularly for mites, and is derived from the soil bacteria Streptomyces avermitilis. It affects the nervous system of insects, according to the Extension Toxicology Network.

“Symptoms of poisoning observed in laboratory animals include pupil dilation, vomiting, convulsions and/or tremors, and coma. Abamectin acts on insects by interfering with the nervous system. At very high doses, it can affect mammals, causing symptoms of nervous system depression such as incoordination, tremors, lethargy, excitation, and pupil dilation. Very high doses have caused death from respiratory failure. Abamectin is not readily absorbed through skin.” — Excerpt from the Extension Toxicology Network Pesticide Information Profile

No adverse health effects have been reported but anyone in possession of the contaminated products should either dispose of them immediately or return them to the retailer where they were purchased, the agency said.

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Connecticut Gov. Calls for Cannabis Legalization

1/08/2021

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In his State of the State address on Wednesday, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) said he planned to work to legalize cannabis in the coming session.

“I am working with our neighboring states and look forward to working with our tribal partners on a path forward to modernize gaming in our state, as well as the legislature on legalization of marijuana. Sports betting, internet gaming, and legalized marijuana are happening all around us. Let’s not surrender these opportunities to out-of-state markets or even worse, underground markets.” – Lamont, January 6, State of the State

In 2019, Lamont and other regional governors, including New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D), Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D), and Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) announced a joint regional approach toward legalization. Since then, New Jersey legalized cannabis through a voter-approved ballot initiative in November.

Cuomo this week announced a proposal to create an Office of Cannabis Management – a signal that he would include legalization in his Executive Budget for the third consecutive year. In 2019 and 2020, state lawmakers rebuffed the governor’s move to pass the reforms via the budget.

In August, Wolf called on the Legislature to legalize cannabis for adults, saying the market “might be one way” to bridge the state’s budget gap.

Raimondo might not be around to join the regional push for legalization as President-elect Joe Biden (D) announced on Thursday her as his pick for commerce secretary, the New York Times reports. Raimondo had included legalization revenues in her 2020 Executive Budget and supported legalization efforts.

Lamont unveiled a broad legalization bill last year, which included possession limits up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis and 5 grams of concentrates. The measure would set THC caps, prohibit the use of vitamin E acetate in vape products, create a nine-member equity commission and a social equity licensing program, and allow industry participation for individuals with non-violent misdemeanor drug offenses.

Under the governor’s plan, flower would be taxed at $1.25 per gram, trim at $0.50 per gram, and “wet” cannabis at $0.28 per gram. Retailers would also be taxed 3 percent on total gross revenues. The proposal also includes product marketing restrictions – such as a ban on child-friendly shapes for edibles.

A University of Connecticut analysis last year suggested direct state revenue from cannabis sales in the state could be between $784 million and $952 million over five years, according to a Hartford Courant outline of the study. Professor Fred Carstensen, the study’s author who serves as director of the Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis at UConn’s School of Business, estimated that the number of jobs created by the industry would range from 10,424 to 17,462 by the fifth year.

Connecticut has a medical cannabis program and decriminalized possession.

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Nebraska Proposal Would Put Legalization Question to Voters

1/08/2021

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Nebraska State Sen. Justin Wayne (D) has introduced a measure to put a constitutional amendment to legalize cannabis to voters in 2022, the Omaha World-Herald reports. Previous legislative attempts to legalize cannabis for medical use in the state have failed.

Wayne’s proposal will be opposed by most Republican lawmakers – who hold majorities in the Legislature – along with Gov. Pete Ricketts and Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson, who are also Republicans. However, Sen. Adam Morfeld, a Democrat that has led previous cannabis-related petition campaigns – said a debate on legalization could help educate lawmakers and the general public about the reforms.

“It’s important that we have multiple approaches. If we can’t get it passed in the Legislature, we’ll collect another 125,000 signatures to get it on the ballot.” – Morefeld to the World-Herald

Democratic State Sen. Amy Wishart last month said she was working on ballot language for full adult-use legalization but has yet to unveil the measure.

In October, Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana launched a medical cannabis petition drive to put the issue to voters in 2022. The language of the proposal simply states: “Persons in the State of Nebraska shall have the right to cannabis in all its forms for medical purposes.” In September, the state Supreme Court threw out the group’s 2020 initiative ruling it violated the single-issue rule imposed on voter initiatives.

Wayne’s proposal would appear on ballots with the following language:

“A constitutional amendment to legalize cannabis for persons twenty-one years of age or older and to require the Legislature to enact laws relating to cannabis.”

Wayne told the World-Herald that he believes, if given the option, voters would approve the reforms and that there is no reason to wait for the petition drive to get the referendum on midterm ballots.

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Curaleaf Announces 16.5M-Share Stock Offering

1/08/2021

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In an effort to raise more than C$275 million, Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. is offering 16.5 million subordinate voting shares at a C$16.70 per share price, the company announced yesterday.

In a statement, Boris Jordan, Curaleaf executive chairman of the board, anticipated the results of Tuesday’s Special Election in Georgia – which gave Democrats control of the Senate – would accelerate federal legalization in the U.S. and “newly enhanced opportunities in the sector.”

Curaleaf, based in Wakefield, Massachusetts, operates in 20 states and is traded on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the “CURA” symbol and on the U.S. OTC market under “CURLF.”

“With the recent adult-use cannabis deregulation initiatives in New Jersey and Arizona, and New York announcing its proposal to legalize and create a comprehensive system to oversee and regulate cannabis as part of the 2021 State of the State, now is a pivotal time to raise additional capital to support our growth initiatives as we continue to build out our capabilities in these new markets. With the added balance sheet flexibility this offering will provide, Curaleaf will be increasingly well positioned to leverage potential high-return organic and well as inorganic growth opportunities going forward.” – Jordan in a press release

The company indicates it plans to use the net proceeds of the funds raised “for working capital and general corporate purposes.” Additionally, the firm said it intends to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 15% of the securities on the same terms and conditions as the proposed offering. Canaccord Genuity is serving as the lead underwriter for the offering on behalf of a syndicate of underwriters including Beacon Securities Limited, Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corp., Cormark Securities Inc., Eight Capital, and Haywood Securities Inc., the company said.

In November, Curaleaf reported record financial and operational results for the third quarter of the year with pro forma revenue of $215.3 million, and year-to-date managed revenue of $419.6 million, including third-quarter revenues of $193.2 million – a 164% increase.

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John Manlove: Supporting Cannabis Brands with Wholesale Solutions

1/07/2021

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Between strict regulations and steep competition, cannabis entrepreneurs face a lot of challenges when bringing products to market — platforms like Apex Trading, however, offer unique solutions for growing and maintaining professional relationships between members of the cannabis industry.

In this Q&A, John discusses his 2014 entry into the business of cannabis wholesale, the founding and goals of Apex Trading, and the company’s “Plant First” ethos — which prioritizes the responsible representation of the cannabis industry. Scroll down to read the full interview and learn about how Apex Trading helps cannabis growers, manufacturers, and retailers buy and sell their products, manage sales data, maintain regulatory compliance, and more!

Ganjapreneur: How was Apex Trading founded? Did the founders have backgrounds in cannabis prior to creating a wholesale marketplace?

John Manlove: Our founding story is a pretty interesting one. The founding members of Apex Trading came from Tradiv, one of the industry’s first wholesale marketplaces and an alum of Canopy Boulder’s inaugural cohort. While Tradiv was a first mover, its history was marred with poor executive decisions, both within the company and external. The downfall of Tradiv ultimately led to the founding of Apex Trading. We leaned on years of technical and distribution experience to develop a new platform that addresses the issues the industry has with open marketplaces while also increasing efficiencies through a robust inventory and business management suite of features.

What’s more, Apex Trading was founded on the principle of “Plant First.” We recognize that we wouldn’t be here without the plant or the pioneers who risked everything to allow so many of us the opportunity today to work in this industry. Each decision we make is guided by this ethos and is evident in our product and team.

What are some examples of how the ‘Plant First’ ethos has been put into practice?

Apex Trading did not come out of Silicon Valley or New York City looking to cash in on the blood, sweat and tears of those who built cannabis. Our team is made up of super talented individuals who have cannabis backgrounds or have a strong passion for the industry. Our product is designed to help cannabis producers focus more on what they love – crafting cannabis – and less on the trappings of mainstream business operations. In fact, everyone on the team, including me, spends time “in the field” – going to grows, extraction facilities, edibles makers, etc. – to ensure we have the best understanding of their specific needs.

Monetarily, we’re supporting members of organizations such as the NCIA, OCA and ORCA. We also make one-off contributions and sponsor, attend and promote local cannabis community events. As our revenue continues to grow, we’re looking for more ways to proportionally support organizations such as the Last Prisoner Project, Marijuana Policy Project, and Veterans Cannabis Project.

What’s more, when our cannabis community is in need, we step up and do what we can to help. With the challenging times of Covid or the recent wildfires that ravaged cultivations across the west, we’ve worked with some of our hard-hit clients to create deferred payments or discounted pricing.

Finally, we ensure that we present cannabis and the cannabis industry in the best possible light at all times. That means, we show up prepared, pay our bills on time, meet our deadlines with external companies, respectfully refer to the plant as “cannabis,” and we consume responsibly. The last thing we want is for mainstream business to view the cannabis industry as a bunch of stoner/slackers. This plant has given us so much and we just want to make sure we’re treating it with the respect it deserves.

Who is Apex Trading meant for, and how does the platform generate value for its users?

Apex Trading is designed for each business within the wholesale supply chain. This includes cultivators, extractors, product manufacturers, distributors and retailers. Each of these business types are able to manage every aspect of their wholesale operations within Apex Trading, from inventory and orders to sales and reporting. Through a robust set of industry tailored features, we are able to eliminate the manual processes teams go through while strengthening the relationship between the seller and their buyers.

What makes Apex Trading different from other wholesale platforms?

Our biggest differentiator is we’re not an open marketplace. While marketplaces are the norm, they don’t value the relationship between a seller and their buyers. A seller is consistently having to compete solely based on potency and price and unable to promote the other aspects of their products, which differentiate them from the competition. Additionally, in a marketplace, buyers are exposed to competing products and brands, which slowly disintegrates the brand equity of the seller. Early on, we realized just how important the relationship aspect is for the cannabis industry. Trust and communication between parties is the foundation on which legal cannabis was built and we carry that over into our tools today.

We have found that craft producers, established brands with sales teams, and states where demand exceeds supply need an alternative to an open marketplace and that’s our niche.

How do you continue to adapt to the rapidly evolving world of cannabis regulations?

This is a great question. Having been in the industry since 2014, I have experienced a ton of regulatory change. We’re lucky in that ancillary businesses aren’t typically as directly impacted by regulatory changes as license holders. That being said, we remain on top of federal, state and local regulatory changes and adjust our platform within a market to make sure our clients remain compliant. A basic example of this would be new testing regulations, such as microbials or pesticides. When these new testing mandates came into effect, we quickly added new document types and icons within the platform to allow sellers to easily provide buyers with these compliance docs both prior to and upon ordering.

Which markets does Apex Trading currently serve? Do you plan to expand to new territories in the coming year?

Apex Trading is available in all medical and adult use markets. Currently, the majority of our clients are within 7 states – Colorado, Oregon, Washington, California, Oklahoma, Massachusetts, and Michigan.

We’re rapidly expanding into new states and expect to have a strong presence in 20 by the end of 2021.

Given that Apex integrates with METRC, do you provide METRC customer support and/or troubleshooting?

Of course. We founded the company on the principle of responsiveness and providing clients with the best customer service possible. We offer free METRC implementation/training and constantly work with our clients to address METRC issues and provide them with solutions within Apex Trading. As a software company we are constantly evolving. A key aspect of our evolution is through enhancing our current integrations with systems like METRC and then ensuring our clients are taking advantage of the benefits.

What are some of the ways that your clients use the reporting and analytics features to grow their business?

Data is the driver of all decision making. From inventory and sales to team performance, we provide our clients with actionable data and insights they utilize to better manage their team and grow their business. We recognize that each business is different and what’s important to one client might differ from the other. To address this, we’ve built customizable reports where clients are able to decide what data they want to see and how it should be presented. Additionally, we are about to roll out a data partnership with a well-known retail analytics company to provide the market with actionable insights from both the retail and wholesale parts of the market.

From signing up to generating new leads, what is the onboarding experience like for Apex Trading users?

We try and make onboarding as simple as possible and recognize that new software can be daunting and change comes hard within the industry. When an account is created, users are taken through an onboard wizard, which simplifies the initial setup process. We’ve eliminated the data entry aspect through migration and upload tools, allowing new clients to get setup and go live within hours. During this process, our Client Success team schedules training sessions, which allows users to ask questions and familiarize themselves with the platform. What’s more. support doesn’t end after going live – we have online chat with tech support and our Success team is always available to assist clients.

What can you tell us about your wholesale hemp platform, Bushel 44? What facets of the hemp industry does Bushel 44 work with?

Bushel44 is very similar to Apex Trading, but designed specifically for the hemp industry. The hemp industry is flooded with marketplaces where Bushel44 is the only comprehensive hemp-specific inventory, order, sales and business management platform available. We work with the entire supply chain, with exception of B2C.

What do you think the next few years have in store for the cannabis and hemp industries?

I believe we will see federal cannabis decriminalization within the next few years. The House recently passed H.R. 3884, which if it gets passed by the Senate, will do just that. More states will continue to pass medical or adult use. However, if we reflect on previous comments made by President-Elect Biden and influential Republican Senators, I don’t think we should expect to see Federal Legislation or cross-state commerce anytime soon.

It will be interesting to see what happens within the hemp industry. There is substantial progress being made within the EU regarding CBD, and I believe this will continue resulting in substantial opportunity there. One somewhat neglected aspect of hemp are the industrial applications, which I find fascinating. Hemp has the potential to reduce dependence on plastic, provide more sustainable and durable building materials, and revolutionize the fabric and textile industries.

Thank you, John, for answering our questions! You can learn more about John Manlove and Apex Trading at ApexTrading.com.

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With Democratic Senate Majority, MORE Act Could Get a Vote

1/07/2021

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The Democrats who narrowly won their Senate races in Georgia both support federal cannabis law reforms, increasing the odds that the chamber will take up the MORE Act, which was approved by the Democratic-controlled House last month.

Senator-elect Rev. Raphael Warnock, a Black preacher at Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church, has said he supports federal decriminalization and criminal justice reforms. Warnock is the first Black Democrat to represent the state of Georgia in the Senate.

“Marijuana is seen as an illegal substance,” he said in a sermon last November. “It’s a terrible irony and we feel it, that right now in America there are some folks who are becoming billionaires for selling the same stuff that’s got our children locked up all across America. Where is the justice? It’s not enough to decriminalize marijuana. Somebody’s gotta open up the jails and let our children go.”

Senator-elect Jon Ossoff, a 33-year-old documentary filmmaker, said in July that he supports “nationwide legalization” of cannabis.

“The prohibition of this substance is irrational. It’s hugely expensive. It has a terrible human toll. The fact that there are people doing time for nonviolent marijuana-related offenses while others are getting rich in the cannabis industry is a grave injustice. I’ll fight for outright cannabis legalization, an end to incarceration for nonviolent drug offenses and expungement of records for nonviolent cannabis offenses.” – Ossoff to CNBC

Cannabis stocks were up following the announcement of the election results – which still require certification by state officials – as the 50-50 split in the Senate gives control to Democrats with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris serving as the tiebreaking vote.

Some pundits wondered whether West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin would either switch parties or become an independent and caucus with the GOP to keep control of the Senate under the control of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (KY) – who has blocked cannabis-related reforms from the chamber floor. Manchin on Wednesday told NBC News that he would stay “the most independent bipartisan member of Congress” and reaffirming that he is a Democrat.

Once Warnock and Ossoff are seated, which is expected later this month, Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (NY) will ascend to the role of majority leader and would certainly push the MORE Act – which he sponsored in the chamber – to a vote.

“I’m a big fighter for racial justice, and the marijuana laws have been one of the biggest examples of racial injustice, and so to change them makes sense,” he said in an October interview with Green Enterprise as reported by Marijuana Moment. “And that fits in with all of the movement now to bring equality in the policing, in economics, and in everything else. Our bill is, in a certain sense, at the nexus of racial justice, individual freedom and states’ rights.”

The newly-Democratic Senate must also compete with the filibuster – which requires more controversial legislation to meet a 60-vote threshold to advance. It’s unknown whether Democrats would be able to find 10 Republicans to block the filibuster if it were used for the MORE Act or other cannabis-related legislation.

In September 2019, the House passed the SAFE Banking Act – which would allow cannabusinesses access to traditional financial services but that measure was blocked by current Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho). Crapo is likely to lose his chairmanship once Democrats take control of the chamber.

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New York Gov. Calls for Legalization & New Cannabis Management Office

1/07/2021

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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) on Wednesday announced a proposal to create an Office of Cannabis Management which would oversee the state’s medical cannabis and hemp programs, along with an adult-use cannabis regime once approved by lawmakers.

The move telegraphs the governor’s plan to include legalization in his Executive Budget for the third time – in 2019 and 2020 Cuomo had included the reforms as part of his annual budget request but both times was rebuffed by lawmakers.

Cuomo said that the coronavirus pandemic had created “many challenges” for the state but “also created a number of opportunities to correct longstanding wrongs and build New York back better than ever before.”

“Not only will legalizing and regulating the adult-use cannabis market provide the opportunity to generate much-needed revenue, but it also allows us to directly support the individuals and communities that have been most harmed by decades of cannabis prohibition.” – Cuomo in a statement

According to the governor’s office, once fully implemented, cannabis legalization is expected to generate more than $300 million in tax revenues for the state. In November, Cuomo said he expected legalization to pass during the next session “because the state is desperate for funding.”

In 2019, Cuomo had included the reforms as part of his budget platform; however, the plan faced strong resistance from the New York State Sheriff’s Association, the New York State Parents Teachers Association, a statewide physicians lobby, drug treatment advocates, Smart Approaches to Marijuana, and moderate downstate Democrats. Instead, lawmakers agreed to expand the state’s cannabis decriminalization thresholds from 25 grams to 57 grams and lower the maximum penalties for possession to $200. The measure also included provisions for expungement of low-level cannabis crimes.

Last session, the reforms were pulled from budget talks amid the pandemic, as Cuomo said the state would pass a “bare-bones” budget in the face of an extraordinary budget shortfall caused, in part, by the economic shutdown in the state. Using the budget as a vehicle to legalize cannabis was not a slam dunk for Cuomo anyway prior to the pandemic as the governor and lawmakers reportedly had disagreements over how the revenues would be disbursed.

Many expected that Cuomo would again push for broad legalization in the budget after voters in New Jersey approved the reforms in November. New York is also bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, and Canada – all of which have legalized cannabis for adults.

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Washington Cannabis Activists Pushing for Major Policy Changes in 2021

1/07/2021

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Washington state is gearing up for the 2021 legislative session and, despite challenges posed by COVID-19, cannabis organizers and activists are optimistic the state will enact some key changes to one of the country’s oldest adult-use cannabis markets.

Adult-use homegrows

Although Washington was one of the first states in the country to pass adult-use cannabis, it did not include homegrows when it set up its legal cannabis framework. Due to the previous bill’s sponsor Brian Blake’s defeat in the November election, a new bill, HB 1019, has been introduced. Similar to previous bills, HB 1019 would allow Washingtonians to grow up to six plants at home.

“Giving people the right to grow at home has multiple positive benefits for the individual as well as the industry,” Lara Kaminsky, a previous director of the Cannabis Alliance, told the Spokesman-Review. “We are the only legal state to not allow it – not only does it make sense on a practical level, but allowing people to grow at home increases their knowledge, understanding and interest in the cultivation of cannabis … making them more informed consumers.”

Medical cannabis excise tax

Washington state is the only state with a medical cannabis excise tax. Equal to the adult-use cannabis tax of 37%, activists say this is an undue hardship on patients. This year, state Senators Karen Keiser (D) and Judy Warnick (R) introduced SB 5004 which would overturn the tax for registered patients.

In an email, Bailey Hirschburg of Washington State NORML commented on Washington’s 37 percent medical cannabis excise tax.

“As a volunteer organizer for I-502, I know it wasn’t drafted or designed to be the primary option for patients to access medical cannabis. It is a terrible oversight that lawmakers required patients to pay a proverbial sin tax for medicine during the flawed merging of the medical and recreational markets in 2015. As a consumer, I dislike being taxed for things I want, but being taxed for health needs is completely abhorrent. I support the excise tax’s repeal.” Hirschburg, in an emailed statement to Ganjapreneur

Social Equity

Washington is also in the midst of holding “Social Equity Task Force” meetings. Due to delays from the coronavirus, however, the Task Force has not yet made its planned recommendations to the legislature about how Washington might fix its social equity issues.

Task Force Co-Chair Paula Sardinas told Ganjapreneur last month, “The Task Force should be recommending 2021 legislation that is both urgent and important. HB2870 has some serious inadequacies that cannot wait.”

“The Black and #BIPOC community has been waiting for years for equity,” Sardinas said. “A 2021 clean-up bill can address those inequities. Any politician not willing to draft legislation—is not advocating for the people, they are working for their own interest.”

Cannabis Commission

Looking to join other agricultural commissions like the Apple and Beef Commissions, the Cannabis Alliance is lobbying to establish a “Cannabis Commission,” the Spokesman-Review reports.

“The establishment of this commission helps us be on the forefront of best practices regarding growing methods, worker safety, crop protection and more, helping us achieve our goals for a vital and sustainable industry,” Kaminsky said in the report.

Meanwhile, Crystal Oliver of The Washington Sungrowers Industry Association told the Review that organization members hope to put more “responsibility” in the hands of Washington’s Department of Agriculture when it comes to things like pesticides. They are also hoping the Department will officially recognize cannabis farming as an agricultural activity, which would help with tax deductions and exemptions.

Speaking on the current COVID crisis and its effect on the upcoming session, Oliver says there will be challenges.

“It changes how and when we interact with representatives and senators. It’s no longer possible to pop into their office for 10 minutes between committee hearings, nor is it possible to have a brief conversation with a representative or senator as they’re walking down the hall. It really changes the dynamic of those ongoing conversations.” — Crystal Oliver, via the Spokesman-Review

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Montana Lawmakers Reject Cannabis Legalization Budget Proposal

1/07/2021

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Lawmakers in Montana have rejected a $1.35 million request from the state Department of Revenue for implementation of the recreational cannabis program approved by voters in November, the Independent Record reports.

The budget request asked the House Appropriations Committee for about $576,000 for 20 full-time positions, $250,000 for a “cash control room” – a secured room required as cannabusinesses must still rely mostly on cash – $112,000 for operating expenses, and $60,000 for other associated costs. The ask also includes cash requests for office supplies, vehicles, and other costs associated with building out a new office and government agency.

Rep. Bill Mercer (R), who pushed to pull the funding amendment which was approved by the committee 23-2, said that the voter guide on the legalization measure issued before the election didn’t say anything about “expanding state government.”

“I think the challenge for us is there are a number of different ideas people are beginning to think through in terms of how we need to take what the voters approved and decide how that’s actually going to work in terms of public policy.” – Mercer, during the committee meeting, via the Record

Kurt Alme, the governor’s budget director, said the $1.35 million is a “needed” expense for the agency to make the deadlines required under the voter-approved law. Mercer said lawmakers could delay that date.

Revenue Department Spokesman Sanjay Talwani said the agency is “committed to implementing the laws that are passed by the Legislature” but funding is “needed to support the initiative.”

Montanans approved the two ballot initiatives to legalize cannabis in the state by a 58% to 42% margin.

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South Dakota State Bar Says Lawyers Cannot Serve Cannabis Industry

1/06/2021

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The State Bar of South Dakota ethics committee said in the latest issue of the Bar newsletter that attorneys in the state may not provide legal services to cannabis industry clients, KELO reports. The guidance comes after voters approved both medical and adult-use cannabis legalization in the state in November.

The opinion cites the South Dakota Bar Rules of Professional Conduct which directs lawyers not to “counsel a client to engage, or assist a client, in conduct the lawyer knows is criminal or fraudulent. However, the rules do allow attorneys to “discuss the legal consequences of any proposed course of conduct with a client and may counsel or assist a client to make a good faith effort to determine the validity, scope, meaning or application of the law.”

“Rule 1.2(d) does not distinguish between client conduct that is illegal under South Dakota law and client conduct that is illegal only under federal law. It applies to any illegal client conduct,” the guidance states.

“Consequently, Lawyer may not ethically provide legal services to assist a client in establishing, licensing, or otherwise operating a marijuana business. Lawyer may only advise a client considering this course of action about the potential legal consequences of doing so, under either state or federal law, or assist the client in making a good faith effort to determine the validity, scope, meaning, or application of the relevant state and federal law.” – South Dakota Bar via KELO

Similar warnings have been levied in other states that have enacted cannabis reform laws but, in the majority of those cases, subsequent guidance has been issued to clarify that lawyers can work with industry clients.

In 2019, the American Bar Association issued a resolution calling for the federal government to allow state-approved cannabis programs to operate without interference.

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