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MediPharm Enters Medical Cannabis Partnership with German Pharmaceutical Firm

10/06/2020

European pharmaceutical company STADA has signed an exclusive supply agreement with medical cannabis company MediPharm for distribution in Germany along with manufacturing, logistics, and regulator support.

In 2018, STADA was Germany’s fifth-largest pharmaceutical company by sales, with more than 12,000 employees and reporting $2.4 billion in revenues, according to ePharma Insider. The company estimates Germany’s medical cannabis market to be worth $1.77 billion by 2025, it currently represents an estimated three-quarters of the European Union‘s medical cannabis market.

Pat McCutcheon, CEO of MediPharm Labs, called the partnership “exactly the type of business [the company] has been pursuing since its inception and a validation of [its] strategy to deliver [Good Manufacturing Practice]-certified cannabis products that can be used in multiple new products in multiple markets around the world.”

“This mandate has meaningful revenue potential for MediPharm Labs and we couldn’t be more excited to partner with a company that has the reputation and resources that STADA commands. As a powerhouse in sales and distribution of pharmaceuticals and non-prescription consumer health products, STADA has the ability to become a transformative force in European medical cannabis markets and we are thrilled to be their exclusive partner.” – McCutcheon in a press release

According to the Medical Cannabis Network, about 10 percent of Germany’s 20,000 pharmacies sell medical cannabis. They value the industry between $176.6 million and $206 million.

STADA CEO Peter Goldschmidt said the partnership “demonstrates STADA’s ambition to be the go-to-partner for generics, consumer health and specialty products.”

“With MediPharm,” Goldschmidt said, “we are collaborating with a very strong partner in the medical cannabis field.”

Note: All figures in US dollars.

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Aurora Cannabis Executives Get Raises Amid Losses and Layoffs

10/05/2020

Share and option-based compensation awards for six Aurora Cannabis executives jumped 58 percent to $9.8 million in the 2020 fiscal year, which ended June 30, despite mass layoffs at the company and losses exceeding $3 billion, according to a proxy circular by the firm outlined by Marijuana Business Daily.

Aurora executives also saw cash bonuses amounting to $700,000.

Terry Booth, who retired in February as the company announced a “business transformation plan,” was awarded a compensation package worth nearly $5 million, including a $458,911 salary, almost $2 million in shares and option-based awards, and two bonuses amounting to about $2.4 million, the report says.

Michelle Lefler, Aurora’s vice president of communications, told Marijuana Business Daily that executive bonuses “are administered in line with company performances” and executive compensation was determined by the company’s board in agreement with good corporate governance practices.

Chief Legal Officer Jillian Swan saw the largest salary increase – 16 percent – to $286,538. Former President Steve Dobbler and Chief Financial Officer Glen Ibbot each saw an 11 percent pay increase to $368,750. Chief Operating Officer Allan Cleiren saw a 9 percent increase to $318,269.

Over the last fiscal year, Aurora cut about one-third of its workforce as part of a “corporate reset,” the report says.

The circular also lists nine key performance indicators (KPIs) related to its corporate objectives, including European Union strategy (20 percent), partnership strategy (20 percent), U.S. strategy (25 percent), Latin America and Australia strategy (10 percent), and revenue and market share (12 percent). The circular says Aurora failed to meet objectives for six of the 11 KPIs, exceeding expectations for just one.

The circular was released ahead of its annual general meeting which is scheduled for November 12 via webcast.

Note: All figures are in Canadian dollars.

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New Arizona Polls Show Narrow Support for Legalization

10/05/2020

Arizona voters will likely support cannabis legalization during November’s General Election as a new Suffolk University/USA TODAY Network poll found 45.6 percent back the reforms with 34.2 percent opposed, AZ Central reports.

The poll comes about one month out from the election.

The poll did find 19.2 percent of respondents were still undecided – a large enough cohort to defeat the initiative. In 2016, Arizona voters narrowly rejected the reforms 52-48 percent.

The poll found 59 percent of Democrats support Proposition 207, with 20 percent opposed and 21 percent undecided. Just 30 percent of Republicans said they supported the reforms, with 50 percent opposed and 20 percent undecided.

A separate poll by Smart and Safe Arizona – the campaign behind the initiative – released last week found 50 percent support and 34 percent opposed, according to the report.

If approved, the measure would allow adults 21 and older to possess up to 1 ounce of cannabis and the state’s existing medical cannabis dispensaries would be allowed to sell to non-patients. The measure includes provisions allowing people previously convicted of crimes that would no longer be illegal under the act to have their records expunged.

Under the act, recreational sales would include a 16 percent excise tax. Twenty-six social equity retail licenses would be created. Health officials would create the criteria the state would employ to issue those licenses.

The Suffolk University/USA Today poll included 500 likely Arizona voters and was conducted between Sept. 26-30 with a 4.4 percent error margin. The Smart and Safe Arizona poll included 800 likely voters with a 3.5 percent margin of error.

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French MPs Write Anti-Cannabis Legalization Letter

10/05/2020

In a letter opposing cannabis legalization, French lawmakers say that were the nation to enact the reforms, they would also need to “legalize arms dealers, fiscal fraud, prostitution, and no longer punish excessive speed on the roads,” according to a Connexion France report.

The letter, signed by 80 members of parliament, was published Sunday in the newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche in response to three of their colleagues calling for legalization in an op-ed in the newspaper last week. In the op-ed, the lawmakers argued that cannabis legalization is “the best way to eliminate selling and ruin drug dealers.”

“Legalizing the sale of cannabis will make current dealers turn towards other, even more dangerous substances,” the anti-legalization MPs argued. “Just because law enforcement struggles to keep up with dealers, doesn’t mean that we should legalize the practice.”

The letter contends that cannabis and other illicit drugs cause “psychosis, schizophrenia, depression, school failure, dropping out of school, dropping out of society.” They end the letter quoting Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin: “Drugs are shit.”

Darmanin made the comment last month, adding that he would not support legalization.

“There is no ‘soft drug.’ Drugs are a poison, a plague that we must fight. … We see in our constituencies, parents who are overwhelmed by seeing their child addicted, their families destroyed, friendships disappearing because of drugs. People lose their jobs and young people fall into delinquency to get cannabis.” – French MPs in the Sept.4 Le Journal du Dimanche op-ed

In July, French Prime Minister Jean Castex adjusted enforcement protocols for possessing certain drugs – including cannabis – opting instead for €200 on-the-spot fines. While the new policy appears to be a step toward more rational cannabis laws, activists claim that the ticketing policy has led to increased enforcement efforts.

In January, the Agence Nationale de Sécurité du Médicament is set to begin testing medical cannabis for the treatment of epilepsy, neuropathic pain, multiple sclerosis, and chemotherapy side effects.

Editor’s note: This piece was updated to better reflect the reality of France’s cannabis enforcement. While penalties for possession have been technically reduced, overall enforcement efforts have increased dramatically.

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Vermont Gov. May Veto Adult-Use Cannabis Sales Bill

10/02/2020

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) said during a gubernatorial debate on Tuesday that “a lot of groups” – including racial equity groups – are asking him to veto the bill legalizing cannabis sales in the state, according to a Marijuana Moment report.

Last month a coalition of Vermont advocacy organizations – NOFA-VT, Rural Vermont, Trace, and Vermont Growers Association – released statements opposing the measure. Activists cite provisions of the bill such as new fingerprint requirements for medical cannabis caregivers and the nation’s first THC cap on cannabis flower and concentrates as primary issues.

“We come together to say ‘no’ to S.54 in order to ensure that the people most hurt by this history of policy and policing are the ones who will most greatly benefit from the legalization of cannabis in Vermont, and who will determine what that means,” the groups said.

The Vermont Racial Justice Alliance also came out against the measure, calling it in a letter to Scott “flawed from start to finish.”

“In terms of the pot bill, I haven’t made up my mind about that. I have received a lot of groups – racial equity groups – that are asking me to veto it. I was leaning towards letting it go, but I’m really questioning that at this point. I want to hear and listen from them.” – Scott during the debate via Marijuana Moment

His opponent, progressive Democrat David Zuckerman said during the debate that “there are many provisions in the bill that do address support for minority- and women-owned businesses. And there’s definitely more work to do.”

“We know in the next administration, we’ll have to work to improve on that bill,” he said. “But to delay it for another year is economic opportunity delayed, it is also criminal justice reform delayed, and we need to be moving forward and do more in the future.”

The measure garnered support from other groups, including the Marijuana Policy Project. MPP Executive Director Steve Hawkins, who is Black, said that if the legalization movement “insisted on every measure being perfect, Vermonters might still be criminals for possessing cannabis – medical or otherwise.”

“S.54 and S.234 represent incredible progress for consumer safety, Vermont’s economy, and racial and social justice,” he said in an op-ed published last week. “They deserve Vermonters’ support and Scott’s signature.”

The measure passed the Senate with a veto-proof margin but did not meet that threshold in the House.

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Civil Lawsuit Alleges Kushy Punch Distributed $64M of Unregulated Products

10/02/2020

A civil lawsuit in California alleges that cannabis company Kushy Punch was responsible for about $64 million worth of illegally produced cannabis gummies, concentrates, and other raw materials used for edibles and vape cartridges – about $43 million more than what was seized during a 2019 raid, MJBizDaily reports.

In a press release, the Bureau of Cannabis Control said that Vertical Bliss – doing business as Kushy Punch – “inverted illegally manufactured product back into the regulated market.” The agency said the 2019 enforcement action “revealed significant quantities of cannabis concentrates, edibles, vape cartridges and raw materials.”

“Seized records document the production of more than 3.3 million Kushy Punch brand gummies during an 18-month period, with an estimated value of $64 million.” – BCC in a Sept. 24 statement

Following the raid, Kushy Punch lost its cannabis business licenses and could be fined up to $498 million for 527 days of illegal manufacturing and distribution.

Kushy Punch did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In August, Lowell Farms reached a settlement with California regulators in its own case for operating without a license. According to MJBizDaily, the company agreed to pay the state nearly $550,000 but did not lose its business permits. Under the terms of the deal, $500,000 goes to the state, $33,560 is earmarked for the California Department of Food and Agriculture to cover attorney fees and investigation costs, and $12,852 goes to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for attorney fees, investigation expenses and the cost of destroying illegal cannabis that was seized during the raid.

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Physician’s Retirement Casts Doubt On Cannabis Access for Massachusetts Kids

10/02/2020

A prominent Massachusetts physician who helps children access medical cannabis is set to retire, creating uncertainty for pediatric patients in the state, the Boston Business Journal reports. Dr. Eric Ruby, 73, is the primary physician for 54 pediatric patients enrolled in the medical cannabis program and his retirement means those patients will have to find an entirely new team of doctors to manage their care.

Ruby told the Journal that the physicians caring for the patient’s underlying condition “need to be certified” to recommend cannabis in order for them to maintain their qualified status. Under Massachusetts law, pediatric patients must get a program recommendation from two state-certified physicians.

“The doctors know their patients are taking this medication, so those doctors need to push the agenda that they should be able to take care of a medical need. … The whole reason to have medicinal cannabis is so it is clean, monitored, so we know it’s not impure. This is why my retirement puts it in crisis mode.” – Ruby to the Journal

The Cannabis Control Commission is considering program reforms that would increase the number of certified cannabis providers able to work with pediatric patients from 15 to 79. Currently, there are 12 physicians and three nurse practitioners registered with the state to recommend medical cannabis to children. The CCC proposal would allow eight oncologists, 22 neurologists, and 49 family care physicians to work with children, the report says.

For his services, Ruby charges $75 a visit, but one parent told the Journal that she has spoken to other physicians who charge $200 to $300 per visit with check-ins required every three to six months.

Maryalice Curley, a spokeswoman for the Cannabis Control Commission, said caregivers or patients with concerns about future program access “should consult with their certifying healthcare provider or active patient advocacy organizations in the Commonwealth about resources for pursuing recommendations for medical grade cannabis.”

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David Kooi: Helping Consumers Achieve Their Goals With Cannabis

10/01/2020

One of the most interesting and exciting things about cannabis medicine is that, although it is one species of plant, there is an immense variety of different cultivars that result in different effects when consumed. The complexity becomes even more impressive when you consider all the different consumption methods that exist and the fact that one particular product may affect different people in completely different ways.

For consumers who are looking to use cannabis to help alleviate a specific condition or achieve a specific result, this reality can make the shopping experience unpredictable and at times disappointing. The fact is, as regulated cannabis markets have taken shape, the demand for knowledge about cannabis has significantly outpaced scientific research, and although there have been colloquially-established notions about which cultivars/cannabinoids/terpene profiles are helpful for certain conditions, finding reliable advice as an average consumer can be extremely difficult.

A recently-launched app named Jointly aims to change this, empowering cannabis consumers to build their own database of knowledge by recording their personal experiences. We recently connected with David Kooi, the CEO and Co-Founder of Jointly, for an interview about the company’s origin, purpose, and progress.

Ganjapreneur: You describe Jointly as “the tool that consumers need to get the results they want from cannabis and CBD.” Why do consumers need help shopping for cannabis and CBD, and what are some of the obstacles they face?

David Kooi: There are over 30,000 legal cannabis and CBD products in our database. If you tried one product each day, it would take you 92 years to try them all. We think that new cannabis consumers need a lot of help with the basics: How do you decide what to buy? How do you learn how to use it? How do you get consistent results?

We think of it this way: Cannabis is a medicine that can be used for many reasons. But do I take it on a full or empty stomach? With a glass of water? How much do I take? When do I take it? How long do I wait between doses?

Experienced cannabis users, while they often have their favorite flower strain or grower, are also faced with a dizzying array of new products from different brands. Plus, no one has a tool to help them really dial in their experience, other than trial-and-error and anecdotal advice.

The cannabis and CBD marketplace is evolving quickly with so many new products and new ingestion methods. You can eat it in increasingly delicious forms. You can put it under your tongue, put on a patch, lotion, smoke flower, smoke a pre-roll, or vaporize any number of different types of concentrates. If you’re a consumer, how do you know what to buy? And shouldn’t what I buy depend on my goals, and also the way my body specifically reacts to cannabis and CBD?

So, what is Jointly and how does it help solve these problems?

As market researchers are getting to know cannabis users a bit more, the stoner stereotype has fallen away pretty quickly. Most cannabis users, even “recreational users,” use cannabis with some sort of wellness goal in mind – improved sleep, relaxation, stress relief, anxiety reduction, etc. I think a lot of cannabis and CBD users already knew that, but now the rest of the country is waking up to that as well.

Jointly is an iPhone app, and it starts with your goal. Why do you use cannabis?

Each time you use cannabis, you use Jointly to report on the product you used, the dose, and other factors known or suspected to impact your experience.

Jointly examines 15 different factors that can impact your cannabis experience and shows you which are having the biggest impact on your experience. Then, Jointly suggests actions you can take to improve your results. It helps you determine which products are best helping you achieve your goals – and it helps you find better ones.

Jointly takes time to do its work for you. As you submit more and more reports, your own in-app Wellness Center begins to blossom. It’s in your Wellness Center where you can discover the levers you can pull to dial in your experience. We are also working on a new feature in the app that will let you track your progress over time, too, so that you can easily see how your cannabis experiences are improving with practice and refinement.

What is the goal of the Jointly app?

Ultimately, we want the cannabis and CBD consumer to be able to easily identify the products most likely to be effective for their goals.

We don’t think products should be chosen because they have the best packaging, the best marketing, a sleek billboard in the right part of town, or the right celebrity endorsement.

When a person is using cannabis and they discover that “Goldilocks” feeling that is just right – not too much, not too little – they want to know how to get back to that place and that feeling more often. The goal of Jointly is to help them achieve that in the healthiest and safest manner possible, minimizing the risk of unwanted side effects.

Another great aspect of Jointly: as we all submit reports in pursuit of our own wellness goals, the ratings we make on products accumulate. As those ratings accumulate, trends develop and become noticeable. In this way, Jointly becomes a great way for us all to identify the products and brands most likely to help with our goals.

As more and more people discover Jointly and use it, it’ll get better at answering questions like “What are the best chocolates to improve my sleep that are available in California?” or “Which tinctures in Florida are best to manage chronic back pain?” The fact that we can help provide good answers to these wellness questions is really exciting for us at Jointly.

What inspired you to create an app to help consumers dial in their experience with cannabis?

When cannabis was illegal and the only accessible option was to smoke flower, I wasn’t into it. Plus I grew up in the 80s with the stigma fully ingrained into my childhood. When legalization came to California, I started to learn about all the many other ways you can enjoy it besides smoking. I also started to learn and experience how varying the effects can be.

I suffer from some anxiety. Not too severe, thankfully, but enough to cause me to lose sleep and sometimes to be uncomfortable in social situations. Like so many Americans, I thought people smoked weed to get high. But I was wrong. I honestly didn’t realize how much anxiety I had until I felt what it was like not to have it. When I started using cannabis under California’s medical program, I had an easier time relaxing in the evening and an easier time getting to sleep at night.

As I got to know cannabis a little better, I wished I had discovered it sooner. I was more relaxed, I was sleeping better, I no longer took Advil for my sore knees and back. It was easier for me to be around people, and I found that if I ate just a small amount of cannabis in the morning, it also really helped me focus and stimulate my creativity.

But getting to know how cannabis could help me was also a frustrating process. The feelings that cannabis gave me varied. The results varied. Two gummies from the same pack could cause an entirely different experience. It didn’t seem entirely correlated with the product I was using or the dose I was taking, and I wanted to know why.

I saw many new brands marketing and advertising their products based on the effect they produce – better sleep, bliss, relaxation, etc. And I like that idea. It makes cannabis more accessible to everyone – and connects it better with the problems it can solve. But how do we as consumers know if the products deliver on their promises? And how do we identify the good ones from the bad ones? And what’s with the inconsistent results?

I started to learn. I read what the experts had to say about strains and terpenes and cannabinoids. I asked budtenders and nurses and doctors. I read books. With the help and guidance of those experts, I learned there are at least 15 factors that are known or suspected to influence your cannabis experience:

Your own unique cannabinoid system

Your goals

The product you choose

The type of product

How much you take

The device you use (if you smoke it)

How long you wait between doses

Your hydration level

How full your stomach is

Whether you have exercised that day (and the type of exercise)

How much sleep you had the night before

The quality of your diet

Whether you have consumed any companion foods – tea, mango, dark chocolate, etc.

The setting you are in

The people you are with

So, I built myself a simple tool to help me figure it out. I began to track my usage in light of those 15 factors – and see how the quality of my experience was impacted by the various factors. And it was a fun process because, after all, I was consuming cannabis the whole time.

And you know what? It worked. Patterns began to emerge in the data. And while you have to be very careful about correlation and causation, I found the knobs I could turn to improve my experience and get the feeling I wanted more often and more consistently, and with a smaller dose, which was exciting to me because of the wellness benefit.

Then, I had a few friends try the tool. And it worked for them, too, but their answers were different. The knobs they found to turn to improve their experience weren’t necessarily the same as mine. Some were, but some were different. Why? We think it’s because their goals are different. And it’s because their bodies and brains are different, too.

You hear the experts talk about how everyone has a different endocannabinoid system and that’s part of why we each experience cannabis differently. I think they’re on to something. We’re already seeing it, too, with the early adopters of the Jointly app. People really do experience this plant differently – so each person needs to work to dial in their own experience.

What has the reaction been from consumers who use the app?

We’re just getting started with the public launch, but the early signs are positive.

The app has been popular, in particular, with cannabis nurses, doctors, and budtenders. We’re happy to see that. We got a lot of their input in the design of the app, so it’s good to hear we’re hitting the target or at least close to it.

I was speaking with a cannabis nurse last week who is having her patients download and use Jointly in conjunction with their prescribed cannabis. She told me that, “Jointly helps my patients learn how to take their medicine.” – and that’s about the best feedback we could receive at this point.

What do manufacturers and product brands think of Jointly? Are they open to the idea of a product recommendation system that is built on user data?

The brands that are excited about Jointly are the ones who know their products are better, but have been struggling to find the right way to let everyone know. They’re interested in working with us to improve their products and their marketing. They’re excited about potential new ways to engage with their customers and get feedback after the sale – something that’s hard for them to do right now.

We are talking with a vape oil manufacturer who wants to put out three different products– all based on different strains/formulations they believe will help their customers get a better night’s rest. They want to ask their customers to use Jointly to report on the effectiveness of each product. And then be able to analyze the data to understand if one of the three is best, or if different products are better for different segments of the market, or if there are best practices they can recommend to their customers for getting the best results. We think there are a lot of fun possibilities like this that we could pursue with growers and manufacturers.

How does Jointly interface with retailers and dispensaries?

After a Jointly user identifies a product that might work well for their goals – the next thing they want to know is where to buy it. We are building tools to interface with the most common cannabis point of sale software providers so that we can partner with stores and show their available inventory in Jointly.

By connecting a store’s inventory to the Jointly ratings database, stores will be able to quickly and easily recommend the best products in their store for their customers’ goals, help introduce their customers to new products and ingestion methods, and help put them on an iterative wellness journey that will help turn them into loyal, repeat customers.

We know a lot of store owners are really passionate about helping people with cannabis. Jointly is a tool that helps their customers get the most from the products they are selling. So, we share common goals.

How did you generate the database of products that Jointly maintains?

We knew that for Jointly to be a success, we needed to start with a comprehensive and accurate database of products. If you are a Jointly user ready to begin your first report, we want the product to be in the database ready and waiting for you. If it’s not – you can let us know and we’ll add it in 24 hours (if it’s a legal product). But it’s obviously a better experience if the product is already there waiting for you.

We searched around in the industry to see if there was a database of brands and products we could buy or rent access to. But we couldn’t find one. We looked at a couple options, but none were good enough. Too many missing products, missing attributes, incorrect information, and obsolete information.

We realized we needed to make our own – and it’s been no small undertaking. We’re up to 1,131 brands and 33,503 products at last count. And we’re still working on it. And that says something about the choices that consumers are faced with today. How do you choose when there are so many?

What are you going to do with all that data on product usage?

Well, first let me say that we’ve worked with the best of the best to make sure the data is secure and that personally identifiable information won’t and can’t be shared. Jointly users can use the app with confidence.

What we’re most excited about with the data is in paying it back to the community with really interesting, engaging cannabis content that is based on data and real life experiences. As the size and statistical significance of our data set increases, expect to see more of that from Jointly. Imagine an article about how the level of food in your stomach affects your cannabis experience, broken down by dose and by goal. Imagine knowing which strains are working best for anxiety reduction, broken down by dose and ingestion method – all based on authentic user experiences.

How does Jointly make money?

For now, it doesn’t. We are focused on building the best possible experience for our users. Our hope and plan is that the brands and stores will find value in what we’ve created for consumers, and the ways we can help them be more successful in their businesses. The early signs are good – and that’s encouraging because we think that Jointly can help a lot of people feel better. And I think we all need a little bit of that right now.

Thanks, David, for answering our questions and sharing your journey! You can learn more at JointlyBetter.com or click here to download the iPhone app and get started.

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Colorado Gov. Pardons 2,732 Cannabis Possession Convictions

10/01/2020

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed an executive order on Thursday to automatically expunge the cannabis possession convictions of 2,732 Coloradans who were convicted of possessing an ounce or less of cannabis.

The pardons were made possible under H.B. 20-1424, sponsored by state Rep. James Coleman and Sens. Jule Gonzales and Vicki Marble. Specifically, an amendment added by Sen. Gonzales authorized the governor to automatically pardon a whole class of defendants convicted of possessing up to two ounces 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. “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.”

Sarah Gersten, Executive Director for the Last Prisoner Project, said the mass pardoning, however, fell short of expectations.

“While this mass pardon is a step in the right direction, by limiting eligible convictions to possession of less than one ounce Governor Polis is only providing relief for a fraction of those harmed by unjust drug laws,” said Gersten.

“And we know in Colorado, as in the rest of the country, enforcement of these laws disproportionately falls on communities of color. Additionally, by time-barring who is eligible for an automatic pardon, the process will further leave out those (again disproportionately communities of color) who were unable to take advantage of the regulated market post-2012 due to the numerous barriers to entry into the legal industry.” — Gersten, in a statement to Ganjapreneur

Note: click here for help finding out if you received a pardon under the governor’s executive order.

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Study: Metal from E-Cigarettes May Contribute to Vape Illness

10/01/2020

A study published last month in the Journal of the American Heart Association suggests that the vape-associated lung injury (EVALI) condition could be produced by vape products that contain neither THC nor vitamin E acetate, pointing instead to the metals used in the products.

In rodent studies, the researchers “observed an e‐cigarette or vaping product use–associated lung injury‐like condition that occurred acutely after use of a nichrome heating element at high power, without the use of tetrahydrocannabinol, vitamin E, or nicotine.”

The study notes that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 82 percent of EVALI cases included THC use and another 57 percent of cases reported e-cigarette nicotine use.

The researchers said that while their studies are ongoing, e-cigarette users “should be cautioned about the potential danger of operating units at higher than recommended settings and be aware that adverse effects can occur without THC, vitamin E, or nicotine.” They added that the published study was limited since they did not include unflavored vape products and that “vaporization of propylene glycol/vegetable glycerin at a higher temperature may also have contributed,” but was not measured in the study.

“…However, the fact that the e‐liquid and flavoring was the same for both heating elements, but the EVALI‐like syndrome only occurred in the [nickel-chromium alloy] group, makes it unlikely that the tobacco flavoring used in the [e-cigarette] was the sole culprit.” – “E‐cigarette or Vaping Product Use–Associated Lung Injury Produced in an Animal Model From Electronic Cigarette Vapor Exposure Without Tetrahydrocannabinol or Vitamin E Oil,” Sept. 8, 2020, JAHA

The researchers caution that e-cigarette users “should be cautioned about the potential danger of operating electronic cigarette units at high settings; the possibility that certain heating elements may be deleterious; and that E‐cigarette or vaping product use–associated lung injury may not be dependent upon tetrahydrocannabinol, vitamin E, or nicotine.”

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Judge Opts for Harsh Treatment of Disabled Veteran Cannabis Patient

10/01/2020

An Alabama circuit court judge has denied a motion to release Sean Worsley, a disabled Iraq war veteran and Purple Heart recipient, from jail for cannabis possession citing previous convictions, failure to comply with “any condition of bond or probation,” Fox News reports.

In the denial, Judge Samuel Junkin noted that Worsley had previously “fled this jurisdiction both times he was released.” According to the report, following Worsley’s arrest in Alabama, he and his wife returned to Arizona where they faced homelessness and joblessness due to the case in Alabama.

The judge had received a community supervision agreement for Worsley, who is Black, that included an employment offer from BLOX LLC., an Alabama-based manufacturing, design, and construction company that included a promise from the company to help the Worsleys find stable, local housing. The agreement also included a letter of support from the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs promising to advocate for Worsley to the federal VA. The package to the judge also included receipts showing that Worsley’s court costs and fees had been paid in full.

Pickens County is notorious for its racist history — the city hall is even said to be haunted by the ghost of a Black man who was killed while fleeing a lynch mob. Notably, the father of Judge Junkin was also a Pickens County judge who caused a national outrage over his harsh treatment of two Black women who were registering voters in their neighborhood.

From 2006 to 2007, Worsley served in Iraq as a combat engineer during “the Surge” — considered the most intense days of the war — clearing roadside bombs and improvised explosive devices. He suffered a traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a 100 percent disability rating from the VA.

Leah Nelson, a lead researcher with the Alabama Appleseed, said Alabama’s justice system “worked exactly as it was designed to” in Worsley’s case.

“The arresting officer, judge and prosecutor each exercised discretion at various points, but ultimately, what happened to Mr. Worsley is a predictable outcome of Alabama’s grossly punitive drug laws and the United States’ refusal to meet disabled veterans where they are or provide them with the services they need.” — Nelson to Fox News

Beau Armistead, a certified trauma professional who has offered Worsley one free Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy session per week for as long as he needs it, said that prison will likely cause Worsley’s PTSD to worsen.

“When you live with that level of hypervigilance and you’re in an environment that’s already stressful and chaotic and a bit scary, like prison, it just ramps that up and causes an extreme amount of stress,” he told Fox News. “In order to heal from PTSD, you have to be in a safe environment. If you don’t have a sense of felt safety, you can’t heal.”

Worsley’s wife, Eboni, said her husband has been “really, really, depressed” and urged people to “just to write to him if they can.”

He is currently in Pickens County Jail awaiting transport to state prison to begin serving a five-year sentence.

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Legalization Support Shrinks In New Zealand as Referendum Nears

10/01/2020

Support for cannabis legalization in New Zealand appears to be dwindling as a recent 1 News/Colmar Brunton poll found 35 percent supported the reforms, down from 40 percent in June, 39 percent in February, and 43 percent in November 2019. The poll found 53 percent oppose legalization in the country, up from 49 percent in June and 51 percent in February.

Another poll conducted by Horizon Poll last month found support split 49.5 percent to 49.5 percent. Previously, the firm found 56 percent support in June (43 percent opposed), 54 percent support in February (45 percent opposed) and 48 percent support in November 2019 with 38 percent opposed. The 49.5 percent opposition is the highest level seen by the company since it started asking the question in November 2018 – when support was 60 percent and opposition was just 24 percent, with 16 percent undecided.

New Zealanders will vote on the issue October 17 in a non-binding referendum. If approved, lawmakers will move forward with the legalization plan that would set the consumption age at 20, allow ‘coffee shops,’ permit personal cultivation up to two plants – four per household – and set purchase limits at 14 grams.

As the referendum looms, 60 New Zealanders – including former Prime Minister Helen Clarke – have launched a campaign urging support for the reforms.

“I think there’s everything to play for with this one. If you averaged out all the polls, it’s a tough race but it’s doable.” — Clarke to the Guardian

The opposition group – Smart Approaches to Marijuana NZ – said they will spend the electoral limit of NZ$300,000 plus tax on their campaign to defeat the referendum.

A report commissioned by the Ministry of Justice authored by BRML suggests New Zealand could see NZ$1.4 billion annually from legalized cannabis along with 5,000 new jobs.

During a debate this week, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern admitted to having smoked cannabis “a long time ago.” She stopped short, however, of endorsing legalization reforms.

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Researchers Reveal How Curing Cannabis Affects Terpene Levels

9/30/2020

Many cannabis flowers are dried and cured before going to market, but live products are crafted using flower that is taken fresh off the plant. The flavor and aromatic notes are robust and more closely resemble that of the live cannabis plant than other concentrates. This may be why live resin products are in such high demand in all adult-use cannabis markets. Consumers don’t just dab live resin, they are also buying live vape cartridges. According to statistics from the BDSA Green Edge platform, live resin captures a 22% share of California’s vape market.

Headspace technology

Research-focused terpene company Eybna Technologies noticed the market’s natural preference for live resin and sought to understand why these products were more desirable to the consumer. To do this, the terpene profile of a few cannabis plants were studied at three phases. The data was collected from the plant using the company’s proprietary Headspace technology which can provide insight into the chemical makeup of flowering plants. Headspace technology is a tool traditionally used in the fragrance industry to capture the makeup of plants at their aromatic peak. This is the first time the technology has been used for researching the cannabis plant.

All plants used in this study were grown in controlled conditions in a medical cannabis greenhouse. Researchers used Headspace tech to collect data from multiple top colas on the same plant to cut down the possibility for error. The study was focused on monitoring the patterns of terpene change throughout the cannabis life cycle in hopes of revealing the phytochemical difference between cured and live plant profiles.

The Headspace technology utilizes an adsorbent fiber located within a hollow glass dome to collect various volatile compounds from the live plant. Using this fiber, terpene content was collected at 3 stages: from fresh colas on the live plant, after they had been dried for one week, and again after being dried and cured.

The results

As expected, the results offer insight into which terpenes degraded/evaporated and which preserved at various points of production from the farm to the dispensary shelf. Findings show that at the fresh, planted state, a cultivar has the highest expression of monoterpenes like Beta Myrcene, Alpha Pinene, Beta Pinene, and Limonene. After one week of drying and curing, each of these terpenes decreased significantly — Beta Myrcene content decreased by 55%. While monoterpenes were decreased during the curing process, sesquiterpenes like Alpha Humulene and Beta-Caryophyllene were increased. Sesquiterpenes almost doubled in their ratio from the total terpene content in data taken after the harvest processes were complete, with Alpha-Humulene increasing 100% and Germacrene increasing 154%.

Many compounds in the plant are highly volatile, evaporating from plants with the smallest change in the atmosphere. Monoterpenes have a lower molecular weight and higher evaporation rate, the patterns shown by this research supports our current understanding of the volatile nature of cannabis compounds. The study results also showed the significant evaporation curve of some other highly volatile compounds responsible for the cannabis top aromatic notes.

For the industry, it provides scientific understanding into why many consumers prefer live concentrates to those extracted from dried, cured herb. Based on the data presented by Eybna, the depth of flavor and strong aroma of live resin may be directly related to the percentage of monoterpenes available at this stage in the plant cycle.

“By advancing our research tools to capture every single note the fresh cannabis flower produces, pushing each raw material to the highest level of purity, and the great passion of our team for the diversified cannabis aroma – we were able to make a new category of live botanical terpene profiles.” — Nadav Eyal, Co-Founder & CEO of Eybna Technologies

In response to the demand for complete flavor profiles in vape products, Eybna has used these findings to develop a “Live Line” based on the rare aromatic profiles of live cannabis plants. The company is offering a line of botanical terpenes in Cherry Kush, Sequoia, Forbidden Fruit, Alien OG, Orange Cookies, and Kush Note to assist cannabis brands as they answer the demand for more authentic, whole-plant cannabis products.

In the future, their data may be used to estimate the age of a plant, the date of harvest, and possibly even the length of the curing process.

Eybna’s new terpene formulations have a unique taste and smell profile but are not intended to replace the live resin products available on the market, and the company says it will ensure its products are not made with the aim of misleading consumers. The company intends to continue its research with the Headspace technology into the cannabis plant’s many fascinating and volatile compounds.

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Survey: Sex and Cannabis Being Paired More Often During Pandemic

9/30/2020

A recent survey by Playboy Enterprises and Eaze found that more than two-thirds of respondents said they had paired cannabis and sex during quarantine related to the coronavirus pandemic.

The survey found 32.9 percent said they “very often” paired cannabis and sex, along with 29 percent who said they did so “sometimes,” and 14.4 percent who said they “always” consumed cannabis before having sex.

The survey, part of a recently announced partnership between Playboy and cannabis advocacy groups and businesses, found a 5.6 percent increase in those who reported having more orgasms — versus pre-COVID — while using cannabis.

Sexual satisfaction also improved during shelter-in-place months, according to the survey, with 22 percent of respondents saying they are “extremely satisfied” with solo sessions (up from 18.7 percent pre-COVID) and another 35 percent said they were “extremely satisfied” with partnered sex (up from 33.2 percent pre-COVID).

Post-COVID, the number of people who reported having no sex in a typical month increased by 110 percent, along with a 20.8 percent decrease in sex five or six times a month, and a 27.3 percent decrease in sex seven or eight times a month. Masturbation frequency and duration also decreased in conjunction with cannabis use. The survey found a 16.9 percent decrease in those who masturbated one to four times a month pre- versus post-coronavirus.

The survey also found an increase in cannabis use during lockdown and a decrease in alcohol consumption. Daily cannabis use increased by 3.2 percent, while weekly use decreased by 18.4 percent, and less than once a month cannabis use increased by 7.1 percent. Daily drinking among the survey respondents saw a 15.9 percent decrease pre-COVID versus today, with once-a-week drinking increasing by 24 percent. There was a 17.8 percent decrease in people who drink alcohol two or three times per week, and a 9.5 percent increase in the number of respondents who said, “I don’t drink.”

The survey found that during quarantine cannabis topical use increase 100 percent, along with edible use (13.8 percent increase), vaping (4.3 percent increase), and joint and preroll use (3 percent increase). Flower use among respondents decreased 10 percent, while usage rates for tinctures, capsules, and concentrates stayed the same.

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Mississippi Lawmakers Confuse Medical Cannabis Vote with 2nd Ballot Initiative

9/30/2020

The American Medical Association (AMA) and Mississippi State Medical Association are circulating a sample ballot encouraging voters to reject the activist-led medical cannabis initiative — Initiative 65 — in favor of Initiative 65A which was approved for ballots by the legislature, Marijuana Moment reports.

I65, which will appear on General Election ballots in November, is the product of a campaign led by Mississippians for Compassionate Care. The activists collected more than 105,000 signatures from each of the state’s five congressional districts in order to put the issue to voters. The proposal, a constitutional amendment, outlines 20 “debilitating conditions” that would qualify a patient for the program.

I65A would require lawmakers to enact a comprehensive medical cannabis program in the state. That plan, according to a Ballotpedia analysis, would only grant access for medical cannabis to terminally ill patients, require pharmaceutical-grade cannabis products, and leave tax rates, possession limits, and other details to the legislature.

Jamie Grantham, communications director for Mississippians for Compassionate Care, told Marijuana Moment that the issue “boils down to patients being able to have access to this through their physician.”

“They need to be able to have that conversation with them. If certain physicians don’t see a benefit to that, that’s fine. But lots of other physicians do, and that’s evidenced undeniably in the 34 other states with medical marijuana programs where patients are receiving relief.” — Grantham to Marijuana Moment

The question on ballots will appear as a two-step process. Mississippi voters who do not want medical cannabis legalized will vote “against both” but can still vote for the initiative they prefer in the event “approval of either” gets more votes than “against both.”

From Ballotpedia:

“Voting ‘either measure’ signals that the voter wants either Initiative 65 or Alternative 65A to pass, thereby allowing the use of medical marijuana by qualified patients. The voter must then proceed to the second question to choose their preferred version.

Voting ‘neither measure’ (against both) signifies that the voter wants neither Initiative 65 nor Alternative 65A to pass. The voter can then proceed to the second question to choose their preferred version in the event the ‘either’ option gets more votes.”

The medical associations are urging voters to vote against both but for I65A.

AMA President Susan Bailey called the advocate-led proposal “the wrong approach,” while MSMA President Mark Horne called the initiative “an effort focused on generating profits for an industry that has no ties to the medical or health care community in Mississippi.”

A recent FM3 poll found 81 percent of Mississippians support the reforms, including 89 percent of Democrats, 82 percent of independents, and 76 percent of Republicans.

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CBD, CBG & CBN: Intro to Non-Intoxicating Cannabinoids

9/29/2020

With so many different non-intoxicating cannabinoids on the market, it can be hard to determine the differences between CBD and newer cannabinoid contenders like CBG and CBN. In this brief guide, learn the basics of what CBD, CBG, and CBN are, and discover how premier cannabinoid suppliers like GVB Biopharma can help you use each of these hemp compounds to boost your brand.

What is CBD?

Next to delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) is the world’s most famous cannabinoid. Originally rising to prominence due to the near-religious reverence it received from parents of children with intractable epilepsy, CBD soon became popular with people all around the world suffering from pain, inflammation, or even neurodegenerative diseases.

While THC primarily acts as a powerful agonist at your endocannabinoid system’s CB1 and CB2 receptors, CBD bypasses these intoxicating neuroreceptors altogether to primarily bond with your nervous system’s 5-HT1A and TRPV1 receptors. As a result, CBD doesn’t get you high, but it does provide a feeling of profound relaxation. CBD has been researched for its usefulness for a wide variety of different conditions, and the FDA has approved a CBD-based drug for certain types of epilepsy.

Someone holds a small bottle and dropper full of oily extract next to a CBD-rich hemp plant.

What is CBG?

Cannabigerol (CBG) is the decarboxylated form of cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), which is the chemical precursor for many cannabinoids. If it doesn’t decarboxylate into CBG, CBGA can also transform into THCA or CBDA, the carboxylic acid precursors of THC and CBD respectively. As a result, cannabis scientists have taken to calling CBGA the “stem cell” cannabinoid, and this unique hemp constituent becomes even more fascinating once it stabilizes into CBG.

While CBG is similar to CBD in many ways, this cannabinoid also has unique attributes. CBG has been researched for its potential digestive benefits, for instance, and this cannabinoid has also been researched for its potential antimicrobial qualities. These unique potential attributes have already differentiated CBG from other cannabinoids and carved out an enduring place for this hemp compound within the wider cannabinoid market.

What is CBN?

Both CBD and CBG can now be derived from strains of Cannabis sativa that have been bred to be high in these cannabinoids. At this time, however, there aren’t any hemp strains that are high in cannabinol (CBN), and instead, this cannabinoid is converted from CBD.

As evidenced by the ease of converting CBD into CBN, these cannabinoids are relatively similar. In terms of chemical composition, however, CBN is actually more closely related to THC than it is to CBD. At the same time, CBN does not significantly stimulate the brain’s CB1 and CB2 receptors, so it does not have intoxicating qualities.

Where CBN shows its similarity to THC most strongly is in this cannabinoid’s potential impact on appetite. CBN has been researched for its potential ability to boost appetite and reduce nausea, which has caused scientists to wonder if this cannabinoid might serve as a non-intoxicating alternative to THC for these purposes.

A small amount of research has also been conducted into CBN’s potential sleep benefits, but so far, this potential application of cannabinol is backed more by anecdotal testimony than it is by scientific evidence. As time goes by, we’ll learn more about CBN and its potential usefulness for sleep.

CBD vs. CBG vs. CBN

Now that you have an idea of what CBD, CBG, and CBN are, let’s discuss the differences between these cannabinoids in more detail to help you choose which hemp compounds you want to use in your products. As you’ll discover, however, you might want to use all three of these non-intoxicating cannabinoids instead of sticking with just one.

CBD is considered to be the gold standard among non-intoxicating cannabinoids, and it’s the hemp compound with which consumers are most familiar. Every good brand should offer at least one CBD product since consumers around the world reach for this cannabinoid.

CBG, on the other hand, is gradually gaining traction within the hemp market, and a significant fuss is being made over this cannabinoid’s potential digestive and antimicrobial attributes. Rather than being seen as an alternative to CBD, white label CBG is usually viewed as an add-on to the CBD experience.

Lastly, CBN is becoming popular among people who want to sleep better at night or overcome nausea. CBN isn’t as well-known as CBD or CBG, but the rising popularity of CBG has opened the door to acceptance of non-intoxicating cannabinoids other than CBD.

Cooperation instead of competition

While CBD, CBG, and CBN each have their unique attributes, they work best when used together. Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum extracts are usually only rich in a single cannabinoid, but premium cannabinoid suppliers like GVB Biopharma offer CBD, CBG, and CBN in isolate form as well, which is easy to combine with other types of hemp extract. Take advantage of the entourage effect today by blending all three of these non-intoxicating cannabinoids together.

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California Cannabis Farmers Refuse to Evacuate as Fire Encroaches

9/29/2020

Cannabis farmers in the communities of Post Mountain and Trinity Pines, California are refusing to evacuate their cultivation sites even as the August Complex wildfires close in and weather forecasters predict more fire-friendly conditions, the Associated Press reports.

The small towns are about 200 miles northwest of Sacramento.

Trinity County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Nate Trujillo told the AP that many of the residents that don’t want to leave the area because the cannabis farms are “their livelihood.” The communities – located in the famed Emerald Triangle – have about 40 legal farms. Authorities estimate there are as many as 400 unlicensed grows.

“There (are) millions of dollars, millions and millions of dollars of marijuana out there. Some of those plants are 16 feet tall, and they are all in the budding stages of growth right now.” — Trujillo to the AP

Mike McMillan, spokesman for the federal incident command team managing the northern section of the August Complex, said that while fire officials plan on going door-to-door to tell residents to evacuate they “are not going to die to save people.”

“…If they choose to stay and if the fire situation becomes, as we say, very dynamic and very dangerous … we are not going to risk our lives,” he said in the report.

At least 15 people have died due to the wildfires and a relative of two of the victims said the deceased chose not to evacuate despite the encroaching fire.

Weather forecasters are warning that the weather pattern this weekend will generate high temperatures and wind gusts that could reverse recent firefighting efforts that were assisted by low winds and normal temperatures.

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Thieves Mistakenly Steal Hundreds of Hemp Plants In France

9/29/2020

French law enforcement arrested a group of six men in the Nouvelle-Squitaine region of France after they spent two night stealing plants from an industrial hemp farm, The Connexion reports. The farm — located in Aillas, in the south of the Gironde department — reported that some 2,000 square feet of plants were stolen.

Prosecutors believe that the thieves thought they were stealing cannabis plants, not hemp. The thieves will be charged with aggravated theft and violence with a weapon after having fired a shotgun when they were discovered by farmhands on the second night of their operation. They were arrested the next day, and they will appear in court in November.

While cannabis remains illegal in France and the country established strict rules for CBD products in 2018, hemp grown for industrial purposes was never prohibited there. France, in fact, is the largest grower of industrial hemp in Europe. Hemp in France must contain less than 0.2% THC.

In 2018, France reduced penalties for low-level cannabis possession and a government report recommended replacing cannabis-related criminal charges with fines in order to free up police.

The confusion is not an uncommon occurrence — in the U.S., both thieves and law enforcement have regularly confused industrial hemp for THC-rich cannabis:

In 2018, a Tennessee hemp farmer was involved in a car chase/shootout with a group of thieves who mistook his hemp crop for cannabis.
In Texas, a hemp delivery truck driver was arrested and jailed for a month because police couldn’t tell the difference between hemp and cannabis.
In May, an Oregon hemp farm sued two different sheriff’s offices after law enforcement wrongfully seized and destroyed a crop worth about $2 million.

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Wisconsin County Lowers Cannabis Possession Fines to $1

9/29/2020

The Rock County, Wisconsin Board of Supervisors have reduced cannabis possession fined to one dollar, Channel 3000 reports. While the move stops short of decriminalization, it does significantly reduce fines in the county which previously ran from $150 to $500 depending on the offense.

Additionally, the change only applies to those charged by the county sheriffs.

Jacob Taylor, supervisor of the county’s 16th district and sponsor of the ordinance, said that in 2018, 70 percent of county residents voted in favor of a referendum on cannabis legalization. He said reducing the fine says that county officials are “listening to voters.”

“If a county sheriff pulls you over and you have cannabis in your car, you might get that one dollar ticket, but you’re still going to have a record.” — Taylor to Channel 3000

Tom Grieve, a defense attorney based in Wisconsin, said that while the move “wrinkles [him] the wrong way” because people from one county to the next “have radically different outcomes” from a cannabis arrest, “knocking $200 off a fine is real math” for people who don’t make a lot of money.

“Unless or until there is some sort of normalization across the state on this is what it’s going to be, there’s going to be patchwork enforcement,” he said in the report.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) supports cannabis decriminalization statewide and a functional medical cannabis program. Democratic lawmakers have introduced a measure that would decriminalize cannabis possession up to an ounce, expunge criminal records for possessing 28 grams or less, and prohibit police from searching vehicles based on the smell of cannabis.

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Pennsylvania Patient Sues Employer for Medical Cannabis Discrimination

9/29/2020

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania is allowing a medical cannabis patient to move forward with a lawsuit alleging her employer wrongfully terminated her for her cannabis use, Bloomberg Law reports.

Donna Hudnell, a former security analyst for Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals Inc., said she was fired after failing a drug test for cannabis despite being a lawfully registered patient. Her employer had argued that Hudnell’s medical cannabis patient card had expired and they had no way of knowing whether her positive test was from cannabis use for medical reasons, the report says. Hudnell was drug tested upon returning from work from spinal surgery and was ultimately fired on the same day her medical cannabis card was re-certified.

In his ruling, Judge Gerald J. Pappert said one of the purposes of the state’s medical cannabis was to protect medical cannabis cardholders from job discrimination and that the state Supreme Court would find the legislature intended to give workers that right despite it not expressly outlining such protections in the 2016 law.

Hudnell, a Black woman, also alleges that a white employee who failed a drug test for cannabis without a medical cannabis card was treated more fairly – allowed to seek drug treatment rather than be fired.

Pappert ruled that while her case can move forward, she must wait until the state Human Rights Commission finished investigating the bias claim or fails to do so for one year until she can refile her claims under the state’s Human Relations Act and Philadelphia’s Fair Practices Ordinance.

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Delta 8-THC: What Do We Know About It?

9/28/2020

Delta-8 THC has been growing in popularity for its touted array of benefits similar to our well-known friend Delta-9 THC, but with less intense side effects. Researchers are discovering more about minor cannabinoids in the cannabis plant and their potential role in producing the unique intoxicating sensations from consuming different cannabis strains. Could it be that we have found a molecule with all the good of Delta-9 THC and less potential for the paranoia or anxiety that can come from getting too high?

Delta (∆)-8 THC exists in the cannabis plant alongside other molecules like CBG, CBN, and various aromatic terpenes. Delta-8 THC is more stable than Delta-9 THC, but less potent. Like ∆-9, it binds to CB1 receptors but has a lower affinity for them, which may account for this lessened effect. Also, it does not exist naturally in large quantities in the plant, so it must be extracted from the plant or synthesized.

Hemp-derived cannabinoids were legalized under the 2018 federal farm bill.

Some benefits of ∆-8 THC include stimulating appetite and abetting pain and inflammation. With ∆-9 only recently legal in very small quantities, there is even less research on ∆-8 THC’s effects. However, the research that does exist shows results of eliminating nausea in cancer patients, increasing appetite in a mouse model, and successful conversion from other cannabinoids like CBD.

This praised cannabinoid has created a market for new product lines claiming to help with anxiety, nausea, or just to provide a nice experience for recreational use. Just like ∆-9, you can purchase edible gummies, vape pens, and extracts from different strains. The company LiftedMade recently released a Delta 8-THC hemp-derived tincture, containing 333mg of the cannabinoid per one-ounce bottle. These “nano drops” can also be enjoyed as a beverage additive, available in three flavors. Despite these exciting findings, because the molecule activates CB1 receptors similar to ∆-9, it is always a good idea to be careful with your consumption habits and to start low and slow if you are worried about anxiety being a possible side effect.

The DEA recently published an addendum to the 2018 Farm bill specifying some of its conditions. Initially, the bill stated hemp products were legal if they contained less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC. This led people to believe that because Delta-8 THC was not specified here, and is considered a minor cannabinoid, it is legal in any concentration. This DEA document now attempts to redefine “tetrahydracannabinols” in the eyes of the law, stating that any synthetically produced THCs are illegal: “For synthetically derived tetrahydrocannabinols, the concentration of Δ-9 THC is not a determining factor in whether the material is a controlled substance. All synthetically derived tetrahydrocannabinols remain schedule I controlled substances.”

We know ∆-8 THC only exists in the cannabis plant in small concentrations and in order to achieve more of an intoxicating effect, it must be extracted. If hemp-derived cannabinoids (remember, “hemp” is just cannabis that contains less than 0.3% ∆-9 THC) are legal because they are “natural,” does this make ∆-8 THC legal because it technically comes from the same plant? Or does the process of extracting it automatically make it synthetic? These are all good questions to be asking, and the consensus seems to be that as long as it is derived from the hemp plant, which follows the bill’s conditions of ∆-9 THC content, it is federally legal. Keep in mind this is always subject to change as policy adapts to changes in our society.

New light shed on ∆-8 THC has reminded us of the many working components of the cannabis plant that interact to create the positive effects we see for so many individuals. This minor molecule holds promise for treating a variety of conditions in ways that do not carry as many intense side effects as Delta 9, and we should keep an eye on policies as they adapt to shifts in demand and legality.

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Idaho Tribe Moves to Allow Hemp Production

9/28/2020

The Nez Perce Tribe has proposed an amendment to its Tribal Code to allow hemp cultivation, processing, and distribution, the Lewiston Tribune reports. The tribe is based in Idaho which currently does not allow hemp production.

Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee Law and Order Subcommittee Chairman Arthur Broncheau said tribal leaders identified hemp as a potential source of revenue for the reservation “due to its versatility and organic nature.” He added that part of the program would be to educate people about the differences between hemp and THC-rich cannabis.

“Because there is tremendous growth in sectors of the economy that rely on hemp, the Tribe believes hemp is an emerging market that can accomplish economic self-sufficiency and increase jobs in our region.” — Broncheau to the Tribune

Tribal Executive Committee Vice Chairwoman Chantel Greene said that the reforms would “help improve the soil that is used for agricultural purposes currently and reconnect with a part of [the tribe’s] culture that has been lost.”

“Our ancestors grew and utilized hemp for several reasons, including the creation of basic supplies, such as clothing and rope, and to support their health and wellbeing,” she said in the report.

The plan would have to be approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as required under the 2018 federal Farm Bill that legalized hemp production nationwide. The agency has approved 35 hemp production plans for tribes, while six more remain under review, according to the USDA website.

The Nez Perce Tribe is accepting community comments about the change prior to turning in a plan for USDA approval.

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Death of Legal Marijuana Now Party Candidate In Minnesota Delays Election

9/28/2020

The death of Legal Marijuana Now Party candidate Adam Charles Weeks is forcing Minnesota to delay its Second Congressional District election until February 9, the Star Tribune reports. Under state law, “if a major party nominee dies within 79 days of Election Day a special election must be held on the second Tuesday of February,” Secretary of State Steve Simon said in a statement following Weeks’ death.

Kevin O’Connor, the Legal Marijuana Now candidate for U.S. Senate, called Weeks’ death at 38-years-old “a sad and sudden thing.” Weeks, an organic farmer from Red Wing, was facing off against Democratic U.S. Rep. Angie Craig and Republican candidate Tyler Kistner in what is expected to be one of the more competitive congressional races in Minnesota.

In a statement, Craig said she was “deeply saddened to hear the tragic news” of Weeks’ passing.

Kistner called Weeks “a passionate advocate for the causes he believed in.”

Simon indicated the Legal Marijuana Now Party has until November 10 to choose a replacement for Weeks. Dennis Schuller, with the Legal Marijuana Now Party, said the party has not determined who would be the candidate on February ballots but that the party would meet in the next couple of weeks to choose a replacement.

Voters in the state can still cast their ballot for the U.S. House race on mail-in ballots or at the polls, but those votes will not count. Craig’s term ends January 3 and the seat will remain vacant until after the winner of the February election is sworn in.

In 2018, the Legal Marijuana Now Party garnered 5 percent of the vote statewide, pushing it to major-party status in the state.

A Minnesota Reformer report in June found that Republican operatives had recruited GOP-leaning candidates for the Legal Marijuana Now Party line – including Weeks who had supported President Donald Trump and Republicans in both the 2016 and 2018 election cycles. In an interview with the Reformer, Weeks walked back his support of Trump, saying he was “wrong” about his support for the president.

Legal Marijuana Now Party candidate for State Senate Robyn Smith, said that while she believes cannabis should be legalized, her social media campaign focuses on supporting Trump and other right-wing causes, according to the Reformer report. Tyler Becvar, who is vying for Democrat Sen. Dan Sparks’ seat under the Legal Marijuana Now Party banner is also a Trump supporter and his Facebook page contains posts attacking Democrats and spreading conspiracies about George Soros, a longtime donor to Democrats, and the party, according to the report.

Marty Super, outgoing chair of Legal Marijuana Now Party, said that the fledgling party was concerned about it being coopted once it achieved major-party status because anyone can file for candidacy under the banner without having to collect signatures to get on the ballot.

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Headspace technology

The results

What is CBD?

What is CBG?

What is CBN?

CBD vs. CBG vs. CBN

Cooperation instead of competition

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