Pakistan Approves Government-Controlled Hemp Plan

9/04/2020

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Pakistan has approved the legalization of hemp for industrial and medical purposes, the Hindustan Times reports. In a tweet, Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry called the reforms a “landmark decision” which will “place Pakistan in the billions of USD CBD market.”

The nation’s first ever hemp and cannabis licenses were approved for the Ministry of Science and Technology and Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. The plants will be grown at an Herbal Medicine Park in Jhelum. Chaudhry said the government-controlled program will allow the research to include “adequate safeguards” through the Ministry of Narcotics.

The rules define industrial hemp as containing 0.3 percent THC or less, in line with definitions in nations that allow hemp production.

“CBD compound plays an important role in therapeutic medicine. After 2016, a breakthrough research was unveiled which prompted China to set up a cannabis research department and is now cultivating hemp on 40,000 acres, and Canada is cultivating it on 100,000 acres. … Worldwide, this fiber is replacing cotton. Clothes, bags, and other textile products are being made using this plant’s fiber. This is a $25 billion market and Pakistan can take a big share in this market.” – Chaudhry, during a press conference, via Hindustan Times

The plan is part of the science ministry’s broader initiative on niche projects focused on non-traditional agriculture.

Chaudhry anticipates Pakistan can generate $1 billion from the industry over the next three years. All cannabis use remains illegal in Pakistan.

Reports and Data estimated last year that the Asia-Pacific hemp market will grow 14.2 percent through 2026 – a rate higher than the rest of the world.

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Cannabis Licensing Investigation Finds ‘No Evidence of Bias’ In Maryland

9/04/2020

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The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission uncovered “no evidence of bias or undue influence” in last year’s industry application review process and that former Del. Cheryl Glenn did not influence the process, the Baltimore Sun reports. Glen was convicted in July for taking bribes for legislative favors, including from medical cannabis companies seeking a state license.

The report authors, law firm Zuckerman Spaeder LLP, said that while the revelations regarding Glenn “were troubling,” her communications with the commission “were quite limited” and investigators “found no evidence that she improperly influenced the review process.”

Glenn, who had been a staunch supporter for medical cannabis and social equity in the state’s licensing, admitted to accepting $33,750 in five bribes over an 11-month period from 2018 to 2019. The first was a $3,000 payment in exchange for voting favorably to increase the number of medical cannabis cultivation licenses from 15 to 22 and capping processing licenses at 28. She accepted another $20,000 in bribes for requesting a bill be drafted to create new liquor licenses, and another $5,000 bribe for introducing a measure to lower the number of years of experience required for a medical director of opioid clinics.

Glen was sentenced to two years in prison for taking the bribes.

The report did find that several independent application evaluators from Morgan State University – including Shelonda Stokes, a member of the university’s Board of Regents, Joan Carter Conway, a current university employee and former state senator, and Gonna Anyadike, a technical support specialist at the school – did have conflicts of interest due to their relationships with cannabis industry applicants.

“These affiliations arguably violated a provision of the Commission’s implementing legislation designed to avoid conflicts of interest for third-party evaluators; however, we found no evidence that these applications were more, or less, favorably by either the MSU evaluators or Commission staff. Indeed, only one evaluator noticed that an individual affiliated with MSU was referenced in an application.” – “Report on Investigation Into the Potential Bias or Undie Influence in the 2019 Medical Marijuana Grower and Processor License Application Review Process.”

The investigation did exonerate former commission Executive Director Joy Strand over allegations that she was closely related to one of the applicants and that no university staffers had improperly communicated with the commission during the scoring process.

The MCCC is still investigating claims that information included in some submitted medical cannabis license applications was inaccurate.

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Activists Use Drone to Drop Free Cannabis In Tel Aviv

9/03/2020

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Israeli cannabis advocates representing the “Green Drone” Telegram group dropped hundreds of plastic baggies containing two grams of cannabis flower over Tel Aviv, Israel, according to the Jerusalem Post.

Before the event, activists published a statement via Telegram, an online messaging platform, that hinted at their plan:

“It’s time my dear brothers. Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s the green drone, handing out free cannabis from the sky… Enjoy my beloved brothers, this is your pilot brother, making sure we all get some free love.” — “Green Drone” cannabis group, via the Jerusalem Post

Passersby were recorded picking up baggies off the streets and sidewalks surrounding Rabin Square in downtown Tel Aviv. Some even stepped through busy traffic to retrieve baggies from the street.

The activists hinted that this was only the first such cannabis airdrop. “We’re launching the ‘rain of cannabis’ project, that will include a weekly delivery to different parts of the country of 1 kilo of cannabis divided into free 2 gram bags,” the Green Drone group said on Telegram.

The group may face legal repercussions, however, and police said shortly after the incident they had arrested two individuals who were suspected of operating the drone.

Medical cannabis is allowed in Israel but adult-use cannabis remains illegal. Lawmakers, however, recently signaled support for proposed federal legalization policies.

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New Jersey Senator Accuses Colleagues of Delaying Cannabis Vote

9/03/2020

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New Jersey State Senator and Legislative Black Caucus Chair Ronald Rice accused Democratic legislative leaders of delaying a cannabis decriminalization measure, asking in a New Jersey Globe interview why it has taken “two years and seven months” to pass a law he called “common sense and compassionate.”

“Could it be a structural bias entrenched in our state systems of government and criminal justice? Could it have something to do with the greed of investors, ‘insiders’ and others who seek to profit by forcing the recreational marijuana industry into New Jersey – the nation’s most densely populated state and most ill-suited to absorb the projected harm?” – Rice to the Globe

In the interview, Rice describes the decriminalization proposal – for which he is a co-sponsor – as “not an earth-shattering pivot that would turn our state on its ear or hurl us into a chaotic upheaval.”

“This is a simple, common sense, compassionate law that protects many residents,” Rice said in the report. “It levels the playing field so that Blacks, people of color, and those unable to afford the same legal representation as affluent offenders do not find themselves arrested, incarcerated and rendered unable to obtain work, housing or even student loans.”

Rice, along with Democratic Sens. Sandra Cunningham and Teresa Ruiz, introduced a bill on June 4, while another decriminalization measure was approved by the Assembly June 18. Rice is also a sponsor of that bill.

The measure would need 21 votes in the Senate, and a Globe vote count found lawmakers who do not support broad legalization would support the decriminalization bill. The Senate is led by Democrat Stephen Sweeney who supports comprehensive legalization but last year indicated he was “very skeptical” of decriminalization plans.

Gov. Phil Murphy supports both decriminalization and legalization – which voters are set to determine in November. Last November, Murphy called for decriminalization in the state “as soon as possible.” Last year Murphy signed a bill allowing New Jersians to expunge low-level cannabis crime charges from criminal records.

Rice said he has requested a meeting with Sweeney and Senate Judiciary Chairman Nicholas Scutari to discuss fast-tracking the bill.

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Canadian Cannabis Brands Ask Police to Investigate Weedmaps

9/03/2020

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Eight Canadian cannabis companies signed a letter urging the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to crack down on Weedmaps, who they say are listing unlicensed operators, Bloomberg News reports.

“In view of Weedmaps’ unwillingness to delist illicit market services in Canada and to stop profiting from the proceeds of crimes committed in Canada, we ask that you direct your appropriate investigative units to immediately look into what enforcement action can be taken against Weedmaps’ Canadian operations.” – Letter to RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki and Deputy Commissioner Michael Duheme, via Bloomberg

A Weedmaps spokesperson ​told Bloomberg that making the transition to regulated cannabis markets is “inherently complex” but didn’t directly address some of the concerns raised in the letter.

“Safe and convenient access to cannabis for patients and consumers is essential for a functioning and thriving legal cannabis economy, and Weedmaps is committed to working with the federal and provincial governments to ensure this is prioritized,” the spokesperson said in the report.

Mimi Lam, CEO of Superette, which owns dispensaries in Ontario and is a signatory of the letter, said “being lumped in the same group as the illicit market is not beneficial for any legal operator.”

In the U.S., Weedmaps had come under fire in 2018 for listing unlicensed companies in California and in August 2019 said they would no longer advertise such businesses and would require a state-issued license number for all listings by January 1, 2020. By January 10, the company said it removed 2,700 California dispensaries that failed to provide a license number.

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Eaze Expands Social Equity-Focused Program to Los Angeles

9/03/2020

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California’s Eaze yesterday launched a menu expansion in Los Angeles featuring brands owned by Black people and people of color. The expansion also includes brands from its Social Equity Partners Program, which already features Cloud 9, KGB Reserve, and SF Roots in Northern California.

The brands featured on LA menus now include Dreamt, Blaqstar Farms – both based in the city – and Bay Area-based James Henry SF, and Oakland Extracts. Social Equity Menu brands must either hold a social equity license or be actively engaged in securing a license from a city or county.

Eaze’s Social Equity Partners Program provides brands with financial and operational support to help them scale and succeed on Eaze and beyond. Social Equity Partners are eligible for a variety of benefits, including, preferred financing and payment structuring; discounted access to Eaze Partner Portal data; incorporation into the company’s supply chain; and marketing and public relations support. To date, social equity brands have sold nearly $1 million worth of products on the platform, the company said.

Blaqstar Farms Founder and CEO Bryant Mitchell, the son of the first Black police officer in Orange, Texas, said that “cannabis is no exception” to the shift toward “thoughtful” consumer behavior.

“Eaze is an exceptional partner for Black-owned cannabis brands, allowing us to step into the spotlight and reach consumers who not only want a fantastic product but want to know their dollars are going towards a new generation of Black cannabis entrepreneurs.” – Mitchell in a press release

Last year, Eaze launched Momentum, a business accelerator “to cultivate the growth and success of underrepresented cannabis business founders.” The inaugural class of that program received a $50,000 grant along with educational tools and other resources.

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Malta Runs Out of Cannabis, Patients Furious

9/02/2020

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The nation of Malta has run out of cannabis – both medical and unregulated – leaving the country’s estimated 40,000 cannabis users with no options, Lovin Malta reports. This is the second medical cannabis shortage in Malta since 2018 – but two years ago the country didn’t face a shortage of illicit products.

Both of the country’s medical cannabis brands – Bedrocan and Pedanois – are out of stock and ReLeaf activist Andrew Bonello told Malta Today that the shortage is due to a delay in renewing medical cannabis import licenses. He told Lovin Malta that Bedrocan has been out of stock for “two or three weeks,” while Pedanois hasn’t been available for “around a month.” He said the illicit market has run dry, too, and Maltese consumers have taken to social media sharing memes poking fun at the desperate situation and calling for government action.

Maltese cannabis consumers took to social media to share memes and other images lamenting the shortage.

Bonello said “people are livid” at the situation as ReLeaf representatives are set to meet with the Medicines Authority today to try and get cannabis in patients’ hands and pass reforms that would prevent future shortages.

“We are calling for more accessible prices and better availability… we can’t have medicine being out of stock in Malta. We also have a lack of diversified products in Malta provided by only two companies, and this makes it more evident than ever than cannabis users need to be given the right to grow their own plant, or be allowed to find a compassionate grower.” – Bonello to Lovin Malta

On average, medical cannabis products in Malta cost €16 per gram (about $19). A 2 gram per day prescription runs €960 (~$1,138) per month, and €11,000 (~$13,044) per year. Bonello said many patients want to grow their own because of the cost.

In Malta, a medical cannabis prescription requires physician approval, a control card, and direct approval from the superintendent of public health.

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Oklahoma Activists Withdraw Legalization Petition Amid Pandemic

9/02/2020

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Cannabis activists in Oklahoma have withdrawn their legalization petition citing risks associated with signature-gathering during the coronavirus pandemic, the Oklahoman reports. Secretary of State Michael Rogers had paused signature collecting in March after the governor declared a stay-at-home order and the organizers said that action slowed the process and ultimately made it unfeasible to collect the 177,958 required signatures to get the issue on November ballots.

Campaign backer Ryan Kiesel said the earliest activists could make another push for a statewide referendum would be 2022.

“We have been put in a position of choosing between attempting to give Oklahomans an opportunity to adopt critical marijuana and criminal justice law reforms or protecting the health of ourselves and our fellow Oklahomans. As necessary as these reforms are for Oklahoma, we cannot in good conscience embark on a campaign that would require hundreds of thousands of interactions in the midst of a global pandemic.” – Kiesel to the Oklahoman

Kiesel, a former Democratic state lawmaker and current executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma, called on lawmakers to enact the reforms but warned against “half-steps that do not address the damage caused by decades of broken marijuana policy.”

This is the third failed attempt to put a legalization question to Oklahoma voters in as many years. In 2018, activists were unable to collect enough signatures by the deadline. Last year, the campaign withdrew its petition due to concerns that broad legalization would have a negative impact on the medical cannabis program.

During the state’s stay-at-home order, medical cannabis sales boomed, setting a sales record of $61.4 million in April.

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Maryland University of Integrative Health Launches Cannabis Science Program

9/02/2020

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The Maryland University of Integrative Health has launched its Cannabis Science program becoming the second university in the state to offer a graduate-level cannabis program, the Baltimore Business Journal reports. The 15-credit certificate program is approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission and will focus on the plant’s holistic uses.

James Snow, dean of academic affairs at MUIH, said the program fits into a broader spectrum of the university’s herbal and alternative medicine programs. He added that it would be a good fit for individuals interested in a job in the industry or those with clinical or industry backgrounds who want to expand their knowledge on the potential medical uses of cannabis.

“We want our students to leave this program understanding cannabis, in itself, is not a fix-all product. We want them to have critical thinking about the use of this plant, and a balanced perspective of what we currently know about cannabis, what we don’t know, what it’s limitations are and how we can have informed conversations about it with the general public.” – Snow to the Business Journal

The first class includes 20 students who can complete the coursework entirely online in about one year. Program tuition is about $13,000. Snow said in addition to learning about medicinal cannabis uses, the program will also feature classes on quality control. He expects a second class to begin the program in the spring semester.

Last year, the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy launched the nation’s first master’s degree program in medical cannabis.

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These Six Women Are Cannabis Pioneers In Nebraska

9/01/2020

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They are physicians, researchers, scientists, senators, professors, directors, vice presidents, deans, cultivators, entrepreneurs, and business owners from Nebraska — their backgrounds and training are varied. They are six inspired and mission-driven women who are leading the way and pushing the innovative frontiers of cannabis-related industry and education, not only in Nebraska but worldwide. Coincidentally, they also all have first names that start with the letter A!

Let’s take a closer look at the careers of these half-dozen cannabis entrepreneurs, educators, and innovators that are helping pioneer the Nebraska cannabis industry.

Dr. Andrea Holmes, Professor of Chemistry and the Director of Cannabis Studies at Doane University, is one of the co-founders and the Chief Growth Officer of Precision Plant Molecules (PPM) in Denver Colorado. PPM is a premier hemp extraction company that is focused on minor cannabinoids that are now being rapidly embraced by CBD companies in the emerging cannabis health-related market. Dr. Holmes is a national and international expert in cannabis chemistry, testing, processing, and in the cannabis industry in general. She has given local, national and international lectures, and appeared on radio and television broadcasts, podcasts, and webinars on these subjects. She has published articles on cannabis education, terpenes, the endocannabinoid system, major and minor cannabinoids, extraction methods, niche markets (including using CBD for the pet industry), personalized and bespoke cannabis-based applications, and other unique topics involving the rapidly emerging cannabis industry. In collaboration with Dr. Amanda McKinney, Dr. Holmes has developed and signed worldwide contracts with hemp companies interested in merging cannabis-related science with medicine.

Andrea has had an extremely distinguished overall career as an organic chemist. Besides her two positions at Doane, she holds courtesy associate professor appointments at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). Her pre-cannabis work with a variety of multi-application chemical detection methods won her millions of dollars in grants, contracts from (amongst other organizations) the United States Department of Defense (specifically the United States Army), and prestigious awards and recognitions from the Nebraska American Chemical Society, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Science Foundation.

Dr. Amanda McKinney is the Associate Dean of the School of Integrative Learning and the Division of Health Sciences at Doane University. Amanda is a triple board-certified physician in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, and Lifestyle Medicine. She also holds certifications in Herbal and Cannabis Medicine. Amanda teaches courses and gives lectures on medicinal cannabis as well as on Lifestyle Medicine– which concentrates, in large part, on promoting plant-based diets for prevention and reversal of the chronic disease. She was one of the main developers of Doane University’s online Prerequisites for the Health Professions (PHP) program that was the foundation of the university’s current keystone multi-million dollar OLA (Open Learning Academy) programs.

Amanda also founded and is the Executive Director of the innovative and highly interdisciplinary Institute for Human and Planetary Health (IHPH). IHPH’s research and educational mission is very broad and ranges from sustainable agribusiness planning and practices to Lifestyle Medicine certifications. IHPH also studies existential threats to humanity and our planet from disease, global warming, and other sources (ranging from historical to modern times). But the central confluence of the Institute’s mission is to present the evidence that the dietary pattern that best preserves both human and planetary health (particularly in relation to chronic disease, climate change, and resource depletion) is based on minimally-processed whole plant foods grown using sustainable and restorative agricultural practices. Amanda also co-owns the company A&A Apothecary where she and Dr. Andrea Holmes currently utilize their expertise in medicine and chemistry to create herbal and cannabis-based products that promote health and wellness. The company also provides sound, evidence-based lifestyle, and health information on which individuals can base their personal health and wellness decisions.

Dr. Arin Sutlief, Director of Cannabis Testing Laboratories (CTL), is an expert in cannabis testing methods. Arin built the testing laboratory for cannabinoid analysis and pushed the first hemp-testing lab in Nebraska through the rigorous ISO certification process in a short period of time with the help of a consultant, Kimberly Ross, and colleague and newly appointed quality manager Jennifer Lytle. Arin is also the course builder and teaching professor of the new online course Cannabis Testing & Instrumentation In Doane’s School of Integrated Learning (SIL). She is a public speaker traveling throughout Nebraska to help with cannabis education, understanding applicable laws and regulations, and cannabinoid analysis. Together with her colleagues, her research and peer-reviewed publications work towards advancing testing methods and the cannabis industry more broadly.

Andrea Butler is Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs (Online Operations) and Dean of the School of Integrated Learning. Andrea has a proven track record of success with program development and explosive enrollment growth. Andrea is spearheading Doane’s advancement in digital learning and has achieved stellar results as the guiding force behind online programs such as Doane University’s multi-million dollar and highly regarded Open Learning Academy (OLA). With programs such as DoaneX and the Cannabis Studies program, Andrea is continuing to create a digital learning ecosystem that is culturally responsive and equity-based.

Andrea, in a relatively short time and in response to the growing need in Nebraska, has successfully established and implemented a cannabis curricular architecture (in partnership with Dr. Andrea Holmes) for multi-modality, credit, and non-credit bearing cannabis courses, certificates, future minors, and degrees. Through the university’s School of Integrative Learning (SIL) Doane is creating partnerships to address the needs of learners across Nebraska, throughout the nation, and around the world, interested in understanding more about cannabis and hemp.

Senator Anna Wishart, is one of the leaders, in the Nebraska Unicameral, of the movement for the legalization of medical marijuana in Nebraska. She is also co-chair of the organization Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana. It submitted over 180K signatures in July to get the issue of medical marijuana on the state’s ballot. Anna has always attested that medical marijuana legalization is critical for many sick Nebraskans. She believes that along with child welfare and other important issues that she passionately believes in and works on, medical marijuana “just makes sense.” She has collected thousands of signatures, recruited hundreds of volunteers, and solicited millions of dollars in funding to run a campaign to put medical marijuana on the ballot for Nebraskans to vote on in November. The Senator states that “What we’ve seen with polling is resoundingly over 70 percent of Nebraskans across the state, across demographics, across age groups, rural and urban, support legalizing access to medical marijuana.”

Annette Wiles is the owner of Midwest Hop Producers. She was one of 10 growers in 2019 who were randomly selected by the Nebraska Department Of Agriculture to participate in the first year of the state’s Hemp Cultivation/Processing Research Program. Annette and her husband had been growing corn, beans, and hops, but there’s not a lot of money in those crops currently. That’s why they looked into alternative, specialty crops, such as hemp.

Federally-funded research in collaboration with UNL allowed Annette to conduct experiments on the family’s farm. These have included trials on the optimal spacing of plants, pruning techniques, ideal lighting and temperature conditions, and cannabinoid profiling during the growing cycle. Annette is spearheading educational efforts in cannabis, collaborating with universities, and was an instrumental partner in achieving enough signatures for the Nebraska for Medical Marijuana Initiative to qualify for this Fall’s ballot in the state.

These female cannabis pioneers haven’t built these foundations in the state alone but have received help, support, and guidance from a number of colleagues. President Jacque Carter at Doane University has been instrumental in creating the School of Integrative Learning, where many innovations like Cannabis Studies were created and where faculty and staff get encouraged to think outside the box to be relevant and modern. President Carter is also the main reason why Cannabis Testing Laboratories was created, an unprecedented move for a small, private, and rural University like Doane University. Julie Schmidt, Vice-President of Finance and Administration at Doane University and Dr. Allan Jenkins, former Professor of Economics at the University Of Nebraska-Kearney (UNK) also played key roles in the establishment of Doane’s CTL.

These half-dozen “As” have all been drawn to this emerging, if still stigmatized, field by their willingness to take risks and their strong shared belief in the multifaceted usefulness and beneficial versatility of the cannabis plant. They are succeeding in a seemingly unlikely socially-conservative Red State environment — in part due to their ability to work collaboratively and build bridges. Mutually, they have also seen and seized opportunities to apply science, as well as brought professionalism, rationality, and understanding to a still mysterious, controversial, and confusing subject. The newness/rebirth of cannabis in this exciting era of legalization has created opportunities for scientific discovery, pioneering education, further legalization, commercial success, and for the promotion and dissemination of broader social and health benefits from cannabis. These women have just started to scratch the surface of what is possible for the cannabis movement in Nebraska. Their skills and energy are great examples of what this emerging industry and educational field needs!

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THC May Mitigate Deadly COVID Symptoms, Study Shows

9/01/2020

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Top researchers at the University of South Carolina say THC may be effective at quelling cytokine storms, a potentially fatal symptom of the coronavirus, The State reports.

The cytokine storm symptoms, known as Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), essentially hijack the body’s immune system to use it against itself. Coronavirus patients are most frequently hospitalized due to COVID-19-related ARDS.

“The underlying mechanism is your immune system goes haywire and starts destroying your lungs and all your other organs,” said Prakash Nagarkatti, the study’s co-author.

According to the study, researchers were able to trigger ARDS among lab mice, which they then injected with THC. The researchers conducted dozens of such experiments across three separate studies and reported that 100% of the mice who were given THC survived the frequently fatal symptoms.

There is not currently an FDA-approved treatment for ARDS and Nagarkatti said that, based on the successful results with mice, he has recommended health officials begin human trials with THC. He warned, however, the research does not suggest that smoking cannabis might be beneficial for COVID-19 patients.

“I just want to make sure our research is not interpreted as marijuana is good for COVID 19,” said Nagarkatti. “If you start using THC early on it might worsen the effect because it suppresses the immune system.”

Cannabis advocates have called for more research and warned consumers to watch out for overzealous cannabinoid marketers.

“The data at this point is preliminary at best and the public needs to be vigilant against predatory marketers prematurely hailing certain cannabis or CBD-specific products as supposed COVID treatments or cure-alls.” — NORML spokesperson Paul Armentano, via The State.

Previously, pre-print studies (studies that were published before being peer-reviewed) have suggested that certain cannabinoid extracts and terpene solutions could prove effective at mitigating the COVID-19 cytokine storm symptoms.

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Indonesia Reverses ‘Medicinal Plant’ Designation for Cannabis

9/01/2020

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Indonesia’s Agricultural Ministry is reversing a decree from earlier this year that designated cannabis as a “medicinal plant” under the agency’s supervision the Jakarta Post reports. The February decree had put cannabis production under the supervision of the ministry’s horticulture directorate-general.

The decree reversal comes after the document went viral in an Instagram post by the Nusantara Marijuana Network (LGN), a pro-legalization advocacy group.

Cannabis had been listed as a medicinal plant since 2006 in an effort to help farmers shift to other crops. Vegetable and Medicinal plant Director Tommy Nugraha told the Post that the designation allowed farmers to research the plant but that the agency had no legal cannabis farmers on record. He added that the decree would be rescinded after coordination with the National Narcotics Agency, Health Ministry, and Indonesian Institute of Science.

Cannabis is a type-1 narcotic in Indonesia, listed alongside cocaine and opium, under the nation’s 2009 drug law. Possession of a type-1 drug in Indonesia carries a penalty up to 12 years in prison and an 8 billion rupiah (about $550,000) fine. If convicted of producing, exporting, importing, or distributing cannabis, a person can serve up to 15 years in prison and a Rp 10 billion fine (~$688,000). In 2015, a Bali court sentenced an Indonesian and Australian man to one year in prison for sharing a joint, according to the Post. The men, collectively, possessed less than 1 gram.

In 2017, a West Kalimantan court sentenced a man to eight months in jail and a Rp 1 billion (~69,000) fine for cultivating 39 plants and extracting the oil to treat his wife.

The Agricultural Ministry said the reversal is part of Agricultural Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo’s plan to “eradicate drug abuse.” A 2015 survey by the National Narcotics Agency found 63 percent of the nation’s 3.6 million illegal drug users consumed cannabis.

In 2019, Indonesia police seized 11.2 tons of cannabis in enforcement operations.

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Virginia Senate Passes Bill Preventing Vehicle Searches Based on Cannabis Odor

9/01/2020

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The Virginia Senate on Friday passed a measure that would prevent police from searching drivers and making seizures based on cannabis odor alone, WDVM reports. According to the report, the measure is intended to reduce the number of people of color searched by police during traffic stops.

A 2020 American Civil Liberties Union report found that Black people are three times more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession than a white person in Virginia.

“…No law-enforcement officer may lawfully search or seize any person, place, or thing solely on the basis of the odor of marijuana, and no evidence discovered or obtained as a result of such unlawful search or seizure shall be admissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding.” – Virginia Senate Bill 5029 text

Last year, courts in three states – Vermont, Maryland, and Pennsylvania – placed limits on police actions in cases involving cannabis odor. In the Pennsylvania case, it was determined that a search based on odor was illegal because the passenger was a registered medical cannabis patient. In the ruling, Judge Maria Dantos declared that “the smell of marijuana is no longer per se indicative of a crime.”

The Maryland Court of Appeals ruled that officers cannot make an arrest based on cannabis odor alone, but the court did not go so far as to prohibit searches based on odor.

Vermont’s Supreme Court ruling prevents officers from initiating a search based on burned or burning cannabis odor. The state legalized cannabis possession and use for adults in 2018.

Several law enforcement agencies in Florida also said last year that they would no longer detain people simply for cannabis odor because it smells the same as hemp, which is legal under both federal and state law.

The Virginia legislation also includes provisions downgrading some common infractions that can spark a vehicle search in the state, including a burned-out license plate, loud exhaust, and window tint.

The measure still requires approval from the House of Delegates and Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam before becoming law.

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Vibe Acquires Ventura Cannabis’ Cathedral Operations

9/01/2020

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California-based Vibe Bioscience Ltd. is set to acquire Cathedral Asset Holding Corporation and its cannabis distribution and manufacturing assets. Cathedral is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ventura Cannabis and Wellness Corp.

Both companies are currently traded on the Canadian Securities Exchange, but Ventura Chairman Lloyd Kaplan said the firm would soon delist from the market.

“The Board has continually analyzed the current and future cannabis market, VCAN’s current and prospective financial position, and it has determined selling the Company’s assets to another CSE listed cannabis company and delisting is the best path forward for the Company and most importantly its shareholders. I am pleased to be trading our cannabis assets into a better capitalized company with more revenues and a top flight management team and, more importantly, the deal is poised to be done at a premium to our current stock price,” – Kaplan in a statement

Under the terms of the all-share transaction announced on Sunday, Vibe will acquire all the issued and outstanding shares of Cathedral for $333,360, assume the lease obligation for Cathedral’s Santa Rosa facility, and obtain the company’s existing inventory of vape products. Ventura will also receive 12 months at the money warrants to acquire up to 800,000 shares of Vibe.

The deal still requires approval from California regulators, and other closing conditions, but is expected to be finalized on September 15.

Mark Waldron, CEO of Vibe said the deal positions the company to be a “true, vertically integrated cannabis cultivator, distributor, manufacturer and retailer” in the state.

“Vibe is singularly focused on developing cannabis assets that are cash flow positive, and we anticipate the acquisition will be highly accretive to Vibe shareholders within 6 months, Waldron said in a statement. “We could not be more pleased with the strategic and geographic fit of adding Cathedral’s distribution and manufacturing assets to Vibe’s growing, profitable cannabis portfolio.”

During the second quarter, Vibe saw an 85 percent increase in revenues from the same period last year; a 136 percent adjusted EBITDA increase from the first quarter of this year – a 600 percent increase from Q2 2019; and a 39 percent gross margin increase from Q1 2020 to Q2, representing a 58 percent increase from last year.

All monetary figures in Canadian dollars

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US House to Vote on Cannabis Legalization Next Month

8/31/2020

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The House of Representatives is set to hold a vote on the MORE Act next month, marking the first time either chamber of Congress will have voted on whether to remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act.

In an email to House members on Friday, Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC) said the vote would happen “during the September work period” but did not include a date.

In addition to removing cannabis from the CSA, the measure requires federal courts to expunge prior cannabis-related convictions and would authorize a 5 percent tax on sales to create an Opportunity Trust Fund. The fund would be administered by the Department of Justice and Small Business Administration to support those who have been adversely affected by the ‘War on Drugs’ by providing assistance to socially and economically disadvantaged small business owners and minimize barriers to cannabis licensing and employment.

State lawmakers would still have to pass legislation to legalize cannabis – and cannabis sales – in their state.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Or) told Politico that the bill would “finally align our cannabis laws with what the majority of Americans support, while ensuring restorative justice.”

The bill faces an uphill battle in the Republican-led Senate, where Majority Leader Mitch McConnell remains strongly opposed and could decide not to bring it up for a vote. Last September, the House approved the SAFE Banking Act – which would normalize banking for the cannabis industry – but the bill has not come up for a vote in the Senate, nearly a year later. Moreover, Senate Republicans are, by and large, opposed to cannabis legalization.

The measure’s lead sponsor in the Senate in Democratic vice-presidential nominee Kamala Harris.

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Study Finds 90% of Rolling Papers Contain Heavy Metals

8/31/2020

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An analysis by California’s SC Laboratories Inc. of 101 rolling papers found at least one heavy metal in 90 percent of the papers tested with 8 percent containing at least one heavy metal in “concentrations above the allowable limits” in the state for inhalable cannabis products.

Lead was the most commonly detected heavy metal in the products “by a considerable margin,” the report says.

Pesticides were detected in 16 percent of the samples with 5 percent containing levels over the allowable limits. In all, 11 percent of the 118 total rolling papers included in the study “would fail above the action limits for inhalable products” in the state.

The study included 70 rolling papers, 25 pre-rolled cones, 20 wraps, and three cellulose-based papers. Of the rolling papers and cones, just one each exceeded California action limits for heavy metals, while eight of the wraps – 40 percent of those tested – exceeded state limits. All three of the cellulose papers tested exceeded action limits.

For pesticides, none of the rolling papers or cellulose-based papers tested exceeded action limits, and just one of the 20 cones tested exceeded the limits. However, four of the 19 wraps tested 0 21 percent – exceeded state limits.

“Pesticide contamination was less prevalent in general. Just 5 of the samples tested over California action limits for a pesticide, and 18 samples had detectable levels of pesticides. However, at least 4 of the 5 samples that tested over action limits had pesticide concentrations that were significantly over the action limit.” – “Rolling Papers Tested for Heavy Metals and Pesticides”

The researchers conclude that “it is not surprising to find a prevalence of heavy metals detected in the rolling paper products and should not be considered alarming on its own;” the study, however, demonstrated “there is a wide range of concentrations of metals contamination in these products from a relatively low level to grossly contaminated.”

“While 11 percent of the rolling papers in this study would fail above the action limits for inhalable products in California, it should be noted that the paper constitutes only a fraction of the overall mass of a cannabis pre-roll product,” SC Laboratories President and Co-founder Josh Wurzer said in the report, meaning it is safe to assume that rolling papers combined with ‘clean’ cannabis would not cause a compliance failure under California rules.

The products used for the study were purchased from Amazon and various retailers in Santa Cruz.

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Sheriff’s Lawsuit Challenges Nebraska Medical Cannabis Initiative

8/31/2020

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Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner on Friday filed a challenge against Nebraska’s medical cannabis voter initiative, the Associated Press reports. The lawsuit, which will be heard by the state Supreme Court, argues that the measure poses two separate questions – whether or not to allow individuals to use medical cannabis and whether private companies should be able to grow it – and, therefore, violates state rules.

The lawsuit was filed the day after Secretary of State Bob Evnen approved the signatures collected by Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana to put the issue to voters in November.

In an email to supporters, the legalization campaign – headed by Democratic State Senators Anna Wishart and Adam Morfeld – said they “have no choice but to fight this in court” and have “assembled an experienced team of attorneys” to help fight the challenge.

Evnen, a Republican, had rejected the two-issue argument last week prior to validating the campaign’s signature requirements. In his determination letter, Evnen said that the “production and sale of medical cannabis has a natural and necessary connection to legalization of medical cannabis for individual use” and that private companies “are given the right to manufacture, sell and distribute the medications.”

“It is inherent in the legalization of medical cannabis that someone or some category of persons must be granted the right or authority to produce, sell, and distribute the medical cannabis. It is possible that some voters may not like all of the details provided for the Amendment related to legalizing cannabis in the state. These voters will be able to express their dislike in the polls, however, the possibility of other police choices does not in and of itself create a dual purpose.” – Evnen, Medical Cannabis Initiative Determination, August 27, 2020

In the letter, Evnen noted that the challenge came in the “eleventh hour” as the initiative must be approved – and not in legal limbo – by September 11 in order to qualify for general election ballots.

The legalization campaign said they would overcome the challenge.

“Common sense, compassion, and the law are on our side,” they said.

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Hemp-Based Burger Announced by Fake Meat Startup

8/28/2020

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Sustainable Foods, a New Zealand-based company, is planning to launch a hemp-based burger through its Craft Meat Co. brand next year, Food Navigator-Asia reports. The Craft Meat brand already offers plant-based mince, burgers, sausages, and ready-to-eat meals which company Co-founder Kyran Rei said already include some hemp for nutritional value, but the new product will use hemp for its base.

Rei said the total consumable protein of the hemp-based product is “higher than even that of animal-based protein sources” due to the naturally occurring high levels of protein in hemp.

“Hemp-based meat will also contain very high levels of dietary fiber, up to 19 percent of the recommended dietary intake, a benefit that is not available from traditional animal meat or in many other plant-based meats.” ​– Rei to Food Navigator-Asia

The company is partnering with New Zealand medical cannabis producer Greenfern Industries as their exclusive hemp grower, so the products will be made with “100 percent locally grown hemp,” Rei said.

Hemp seeds were legalized as food in New Zealand in 2018 and in Australia in 2017. Rei said the company has received inquiries about the hemp-based burger from Thailand and Singapore. He said he expected the product to be in a price range “affordable” to the average consumer.

The product was created with researchers from Massey University’s Riddley Institute.

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US Spent $1.49B On Cannabis Research from 2000-2018

8/28/2020

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The United States spent $1.49 billion on cannabis funding from 2000-2018, according to a Science report. The majority of the funds were spent on understanding potential harms from cannabis use.

Over the same 19-year period, Canada spent $32.2 million, while the UK spent $40 million. Canada’s funding was focused primarily on understanding the endocannabinoid system; like the US, the UK’s funding was focused on the plant’s potential for harm.

Just a fraction of US cannabis research funding was used for therapeutics; the country also spent funds researching attitudes, regulations, markets, and the endocannabinoid system.

The database was assembled by Jim Hudson, a consultant for medical research charities and government agencies, and published to his website.

Daniela Vergara, who researches cannabis genomics at the University of Colorado, Boulder, said the data confirms the “word on the street” that government grants are used predominately to study potential harms rather than benefits.

Daniel Mallinson, a cannabis policy researcher at Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg told Science that the data “says something” about how governments view cannabis, adding that “the government’s budget is a political statement about what we value as a society.”

The analysis does not include private research funding that is underway throughout the US, UK, and Canada. Hudson indicated he plans on expanding the data throughout the world.

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Cannabis Taxes Help Fund $5.7M In Grants for Colorado School District

8/28/2020

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Colorado’s Thompson School District has received $5.7 million in state grants funded, in part, by cannabis taxes for improvements at schools throughout the district, according to the Loveland Reporter-Herald. The cannabis-derived funds will be added to $12.2 million in grant money from a 2018 voter-approved bond for the projects.

The Build Excellent Schools Today is a statewide competitive grant program funded by cannabis taxes, the Colorado Lottery, and the Colorado State Land Board. The district will use the funds to repair roofs at four schools, secure entryways at four schools, and conduct mechanical work at seven schools, the report says.

In all, 36 projects totaling nearly $235 million will be funded by the BEST program; there were 67 total applications. Thompson was the only district to have three projects approved, Todd Piccone, the district’s chief operations officer, told the Reporter-Herald. He added that without the BEST funding, the district would have been unable to complete the entryway work at the middle schools, which cost $262,680.

In June 2019, Colorado surpassed $1 billion in revenue from cannabis-derived taxes and fees. Under the state’s adult-use law, 90 percent or $40 million – whichever is greater – of the 15 percent excise tax on wholesale retail cannabis is used for the BEST program. According to the state Department of Education, the state has dispersed $40 million each year since 2016. In the 2015-2016 year, voters approved an additional $40 million, bringing that year’s total to $80 million.

Of the 15 percent special tax on retail sales, 12.59 percent is diverted to the Public School Fund which is distributed to all of the state’s districts.

Additionally, cannabis taxes in the state have contributed $14.2 million to the Early Literacy Grant Program since 2016; $28.4 million to the School Health Professional Grant Program since 2016; and $6.9 million each to the School Bullying Prevention and Education Grant, and Drop-Out Prevention programs since 2015.

Since 2015, cannabis-derived taxes have contributed $230.8 million to Colorado Department of Education funding.

 

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Florida Adds Edibles to Medical Cannabis Program

8/27/2020

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The Florida Department of Health quietly approved emergency rules on Wednesday night that establish a regulatory framework for the manufacturing and distribution of medical cannabis-infused edibles, the Miami Herald reports.

The edibles rules are reminiscent of other medical cannabis programs: products cannot be brightly-colored or made into shapes that could be considered appealing to children, they must be properly packaged, and they must not resemble any existing, commercially available candies or other products. The Health Department, which oversees Florida’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use, will require edibles manufacturers to acquire annual food permits costing up to $650 per year.

Allowed edibles products include lozenges, gelatins, baked goods, chocolates, and drink powders.

The edibles rules have been a long time coming — Florida, which voted to legalize medical cannabis four years ago, only just allowed for smoking cannabis products last year.

Cannabis company Trulieve, which operates dozens of dispensaries around the state, said in a Thursday morning press release that the company had prepared a 10,000 square-foot commercial-grade kitchen at its production facility in Quincy for edibles manufacturing. The release also announced new partnerships with specialty edible brands Binske, Bhang, District Edibles, and Love’s Oven.

“Similar to what we saw when flower was introduced in 2019, we expect that edibles will contribute to a sizable share of overall sales.” — Kim Rivers, CEO of Trulieve, in a press release

Ryan Scotson, the co-founder of CannaMD — a network of Florida doctors who can make medical cannabis recommendations — said Thursday morning that the company has already issued Florida’s first medical marijuana edibles certification and that they “couldn’t be more excited to finally make this route of administration available to patients.”

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RNC Chair: Cannabis Policy Should Be States’ Decision

8/27/2020

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Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair Ronna McDaniel said in Gray Washington News Bureau interview yesterday that the organization does not have an official stance on medical cannabis policy and that the issue should be left for states to decide.

The statement was prompted by reporter Alana Austin’s question about whether there was “a place in the GOP for folks who support medical marijuana.”

“I don’t address policy issues like medical marijuana, that’s left up to the states and there’s going to be variances between states. But that’s not something that the RNC puts forward as policy, that’s a legislative issue. We’re actually a body that helps elect Republicans and turn out the vote.” — RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel, via Gray Washington News Bureau

Despite the GOP’s reluctance to embrace cannabis reforms, legalization continues to enjoy overwhelming support among American voters. A recent Gallup poll found that 70 percent of Americans think it’s “morally acceptable” to use cannabis; an October 2019 poll, meanwhile, found that two-thirds of Americans support federally legalizing the plant. Those polls included majority support among Republican voters as well as Independents and, of course, Democrats.

President Trump, meanwhile, is reportedly concerned that cannabis initiatives on the November ballot are likely to drive up Democrats’ voting numbers, which is likely to further slim his reelection odds.

The Republican party did not create a new platform this year and intends to use the same official platform as 2016.

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Oklahoma to Revoke Testing Lab’s License Amid Scandal

8/27/2020

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The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) says it intends to revoke the license of Oklahoma City-based F.A.S.T. Laboratories amid multiple investigations into alleged misconduct, Tulsa World reports.

F.A.S.T. Labs and its owner-operator Kyle Felling are being investigated by the OMMA and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control due to allegations of falsified test results, including passing some samples that officials say may have contained unsafe levels of lead, mold, and bacteria. Regulators accuse Felling specifically of manipulating test results on about 40 separate occasions, some of which included products that failed testing due to lead, staphylococcus aureus, mold, or salmonella, according to the report.

“The investigation revealed widespread, flagrant, continuous and willful violations that place the public’s health and safety at risk.” — OMMA memo, obtained by Tulsa World

In a motion requesting an administrative hearing over the scandal, OMMA wrote that all of the lab’s toxicology testing data “went through Mr. Felling … even though Mr. Felling was typically in Arkansas and uninvolved with the actual testing of samples.”

The motion also says Felling admitted during an onsite investigation by officials on June 19, 2020, that he had, “altered microbial and heavy metal results.” Follow-up investigations in July, meanwhile, uncovered at least 26 instances in May where residual solvent testing did not occur but the testing lab reported the samples had passed, anyway.

F.A.S.T. Labs is one of 23 testing labs licensed for the Oklahoma medical cannabis industry.

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Warsaw Zoo Testing If CBD Can Treat Depression In Elephants

8/26/2020

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Zookeepers at Poland’s Warsaw Zoo are launching a project to test whether CBD oil can help reduce anxiety in animals, the BBC reports. Fredzia, a female elephant who is grieving following the loss of the herd elder, will be the first animal to receive the treatment.

Dr. Agnieszka Czujkowska, head of the zoo’s Animal Rehabilitation Department, told the BBC that Fredzia had “reacted strangely” when she saw the dead body of Erna, the herd leader and its largest female. Fredzia displayed signs of stress and depression and struggled to establish a new relationship with her female companion. Czujkowska said elephants are prone to stress but easy to monitor, making them ideal for the study.

The first part of the trial included collecting fecal, saliva, and blood samples to monitor the animals’ cortisol levels. Cortisol is produced by humans and animals when stressed. The oil will next be administered to the elephants via their food or directly into their mouths. The zookeepers will then measure their cortisol levels again to see whether the CBD is working to reduce their stress.

The results of the study are not expected for at least two years. If successful, the zoo plans to expand the project to other stressed animals, including bears and rhinoceroses.

While there are CBD products marketed for animals, there are no comprehensive studies showing efficacy for the cannabis-derived compound related to animals and stress. In February, researchers at Texas’ Tarleton State University’s Equine Center announced a study examining whether CBD can reduce anxiety for horses with plans to publish the results next year.

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