Making Homemade CBD Oil with The MagicalButter MB2e

4/14/2020

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The MagicalButter Machine MB2e is unique both for its niche abilities and the ease with which it performs. MagicalButter was created in 2012 by Garyn Angel, and it quickly became popular. In 2019, Angel made the High Times Top 100 Most Influential People in Cannabis. The infuser, with its sleek and simplistic design, can make tinctures, oils, and cooking butter. They even have a base recipe on their website called CannaSugar. Their website is aesthetically pleasing, user-friendly, and chock-full of recipes you can attempt at home with basic ingredients.

How To Make CBD Oil

For my first infusion, I decided on the MagicalButter Cooking Oil. When I say this product is easy to use, I am not exaggerating — the necessary ingredients were cannabis flower, coconut oil, and lecithin. Sunflower or soy lecithin is an emulsifier commonly used in cooking as a binding agent. In this case, it increases the bioavailability of compounds in cannabis, meaning it can help increase the potency of the extract.

I bought liquid sunflower lecithin at my local food co-op. I used standard coconut oil and picked up some CBD-heavy cannabis at the dispensary. I also added some rosemary just for fun.

Decarboxylate Your Flower

It’s important to decarboxylate your cannabis before adding it into the machine in order to activate the compounds in cannabis. To do this, simply separate your flower into smaller bits (grinding is unnecessary) and bake in the oven at 250°F for thirty minutes. Make sure you allow the flower to fully cool off before using it in the recipe (you can put it in the freezer to expedite this process).

Personally, I am not big on THC’s effects but that is why I loved the Magical Butter machine. CBD-heavy cannabis can be used the same way; the site just recommends you decarboxylate it at a slightly higher temperature and for longer than what the manual says. I used the strain Sour Tsunami which has a CBD content of 13.7%, a relaxing and stress-free THC content of 1.9%, and a terpene profile rich in myrcene and alpha-pinene. Both of these terpenes are said to help with anxiety, a benefit further expressed by cannabidiol’s own anxiolytic properties. Sour Tsunami is a strain of cannabis commonly used for treating pain, inflammation, and anxiety, which I felt was perfect for this infusion if I wanted to use the oil as a topical salve.

You simply pour all ingredients into the MB2e and press the corresponding temperature and cooking time buttons located right on the lid of the machine (for oil it is 160°F and a one hour cook time), much like a crockpot or pressure cooker. And that’s it! It will automatically turn off and beep similarly to an oven timer when your concoction has finished brewing. Then, put on the included silicone Love Glove to protect yourself from the hot machine parts and pour your mixture into the filter bag. What you’ll get is a beautiful amber-colored liquid that can be used topically for soreness, pain, and even tattoo healing or as an add-in for butter or oil in many household recipes.

make CBD Oil

Some unique features of this machine are the rim, decked with LEDs that flash rainbow when in use, and the very-bright-green and almost comical Love Glove that comes with. There is no other product in this market so user-friendly and versatile in its abilities than the Magical Butter Infuser. I had absolutely no issues with it and I am eager to discover all the new possibilities of infused cooking that MagicalButter has made available.

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Maryland Town Must Pay $600k to Feds Over Cannabis Tenant

4/13/2020

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The town of Hancock, Maryland is being forced to pay back a $600,000 federal grant for rehabbing a building after the town rented the facility to a medical cannabis company, according to a Herald-Mail Media report.

At issue are Community Development Block Grant funds, which are distributed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, that were given to Hancock to rehab the former Fleetwood Travel Trailer building. After Fleetwood left the site, the building was rented to Evolve Composites, but that company would ultimately close its operations at the site and in the town. Subsequently, it was rented to medical cannabis firm Harvest of Maryland but, because cannabis is federally outlawed, the funds cannot be used for the project.

Mayor Ralph Salvagno told Herald-Mail Media that the town will use rent proceeds from Harvest to pay back the loan and that, long-term, Harvest is expected to buy the property from the town.

The federal and state government also demanded that the town repay an additional $324,000, which Salvagno called “something of a surprise,” noting that officials have “never doubted” that they would have to repay the $600,000. The state, federal, and city governments came to an agreement that only the $600,000 would need to be repaid and the town would pay back the grant at $200,000 a year over three years.

Harvest has been operating at the site since 2017. The town owns a 5 percent stake in the company.

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Maine Delays Adult-Use Cannabis Sales Amid Coronavirus

4/13/2020

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Maine officials are delaying the rollout of recreational cannabis sales citing the coronavirus pandemic. In a letter to stakeholders, Office of Marijuana Policy Director Eric Gundersen called a spring industry launch “unrealistic.”

In the letter, Gundersen said that localities preparing for authorization to opt-in to adult-use sales have to postpone their actions amid the outbreak and that there are currently “sheer unknowns” such as when social distancing efforts will be scaled back.

“We are simply unable to provide any concrete timelines in these uncertain times. We cannot tell you with any level of certainty when towns will be able to take action to ensure there will be adequate testing to meet the needs of program, and we certainly cannot set a definitive retail sales launch date amidst a public health pandemic.” – Gundersen in the letter

Gundersen said that despite the pandemic, the agency is “continuing to operate at full capacity to be ready” for when the industry will be rolled out. He said that the OMP, along with Metrc, have “completed user acceptance testing, deployment certification, and have moved Maine’s track and trace system into a live production environment.” Additionally, the agency is still accepting industry applications.

Last month, officials announced they were delaying the start of recreational cannabis sales in the state until June – three months later than expected. It’s been four years and counting since Maine voters approved adult-use sales.

“If you had asked me a month ago if anything could have stopped our progress, I would have balked at the suggestion,” Gundersen wrote in the letter.

He did not offer a new timeline for the launch of the market.

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High Times CEO Announces Run for Utah State Rep.

4/13/2020

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Stormy Simon, the CEO of Hightimes Holding Corp. and former President of Overstock.com, has announced she is running to represent Utah’s 21st District in the state House of Representatives.

Simon unveiled her plan during an appearance on the TRICHOMES Podcast aired on Friday, saying she decided to run for office after the governor, lawmakers, and Mormon Church colluded in late 2018 to override voters on the issue of medical cannabis. Ultimately, officials gutted the state’s voter-approved initiative to legalize medical cannabis by slashing the number of allowed dispensaries, removing many of the program’s qualifying conditions, and stripping away access to most edible products.

“They took the people’s vote and they changed it, and that bothered me. That is really what triggered me to say, ‘I don’t think that’s okay.'” — Stormy Simon, via the TRICHOMES Podcast

Simon rises to challenge incumbent Rep. Douglas Sagers, a Republican who has held the seat since 2011. She is running as a Democrat but spent much of her life as a registered Republican and then Libertarian — primarily due to her beliefs on fiscal matters, she said.

“I call myself a Democrat in Utah and a Republican in California,” Simon said. “The parties don’t understand that but I don’t understand choosing one party. It really is based on the state you are in, and it varies greatly.”

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Virginia Gov. Signs Cannabis Decriminalization Bill

4/13/2020

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Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) has signed into law cannabis decriminalization reforms that include expungement provisions. The measure reduces the penalties for possession of up to a half-ounce to $25; previously, possession charges could lead to a $500 fine and 30 days in jail.

Northam signed the law along with a host of others aimed at reforming the state’s criminal justice system. According to Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission data, more than 15,000 people were convicted in the state for a first or second marijuana possession offense from July 2018 to June 2019.

“Every Virginian deserves access to a fair and equitable criminal justice system. These bills combat mass incarceration, increase support for returning citizens, and ensure that those who have paid their debt to society have a meaningful second chance. I thank the General Assembly for working with us to build a more just and inclusive Commonwealth.” – Northam in his signing statement

Jenn Michelle Pedini, NORML Development Director who also serves as executive director of the state affiliate Virginia NORML, said in a statement that Northam’s signing of the bill, “turns public opinion” — that cannabis should be decriminalized in the state — “into public policy.”

The bill requires that all previous convictions and records for simple possession be sealed but also includes provisions requiring substance abuse screening and loss of driving privileges for juveniles caught possessing any amount of cannabis.

The bill also requires the secretaries of Agriculture and Forestry, Finance, Health and Human Resources, and Public Safety and Homeland Security to convene a work group to study the impact of legalizing adult cannabis use. Under the law, that report based on the recommendations of the workgroup must be submitted to the General Assembly and the Governor by November 30, 2020.

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Maine Implements Metrc for Cannabis Seed to Sale Tracking

4/13/2020

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Main’s Office of Marijuana Policy (OPM) announced in early February they awarded a new contract to Metrc; the agency had just cut ties with BioTrack THC after an eight-month contract. The $540,000 contract is for six years and will use RFID chips to track cannabis plants and products throughout both Maine’s medical and adult-use markets. 

“We are excited to partner with Metrc,” said Maine’s Director of OPM Erik Gundersen in a press release. “Metrc is an industry leader, and their team is committed to delivering a product that will allow us to proceed with the launch of our adult use program later this spring.”

According to a Metrc press release, scheduled training “roadshows” were adapted statewide throughout March to follow new social distancing guidelines. Despite numerous challenges, the system was delivered in sixty days. 

“We appreciate Metrc’s ability to deliver a completed track-and-trace solution within one of the tightest timeframes imaginable.  Thanks to the dedication and hard work of the Office of Marijuana Policy and Metrc teams, this important milestone was realized as scheduled at the end of March. We look forward to a long, productive relationship and utilizing Metrc to help ensure the success of the programs we regulate.” — Gundersen, in a statement

Additional training will be provided to licensees prior to Metrc issuing user credentials.  The RFID chips cost $0.45 and $0.25 each, while licensees will pay a $40 monthly fee to access the statewide tracking system.

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Cannabis Industry Seeks State-Level Coronavirus Assistance

4/10/2020

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Six cannabis business groups are lobbying governors to provide state-based loans for the industry since cannabis firms are not eligible for federal coronavirus aid programs, according to The Hill.

In states that have legalized cannabis recreationally or medically the businesses are considered essential (except for recreational-use dispensaries in Massachusetts) and the organization say like other essential businesses, the cannabis industry is “facing significant uncertainty and costs to provide for our employees and to maintain the medical supply chain during this pandemic.”

“Yet, unlike every other essential business, there is an underlying federal-state tension which puts our businesses in a uniquely vulnerable and dire operational and financial position. This is particularly true of our small and minority-owned businesses.” – Cannabis industry letter to governors

The letter’s signatories include the Cannabis Trade Federation, Global Alliance for Cannabis Commerce, Marijuana Policy Project, Minority Cannabis Business Association, National Cannabis Industry Association, and National Cannabis Roundtable.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, provides loans, paycheck protections and other financial services to businesses to help keep them afloat during the pandemic which has forced the U.S. economy to screech to a halt. Not only are cannabis businesses that touch the plant shut out from the federal programs, but also cannabis adjacent firms including cannabis testing laboratories, equipment sellers, and consultants.

Hemp businesses are able to access the program if they are in compliance with state and federal laws.

In the letter, the groups ask the governors to speak with their Congressional delegation “about including a provision in the next COVID-19 legislative relief package that would make state-legal cannabis businesses eligible for [Small Business Administration] assistance.”

Last week a cohort of Democratic senators from states with some form of cannabis legalization sent a letter to senators on the chamber’s Appropriations, and Financial Services committees urging them to allow cannabusinesses access to the program.

“While the underlying federal issues with banking, taxes, and capital access remain, our businesses need access to some additional liquidity to ensure reliability in the medical supply chain for patient access and employee retention in these uncertain times,” the letter from the cannabis industry says.

The letter notes that cannabis companies have donated personal protective equipment to first responders and medical workers, produced hand sanitizer and hired laid-off workers from other industries.

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Study: Cannabis Shows Promise Against Chronic Insomnia

4/10/2020

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Researchers in Australia have uncovered evidence showing that cannabis could be an effective treatment against chronic insomnia, New Atlas reports. While there are heaps of anecdotal evidence suggesting that cannabis can improve one’s ability to fall and stay asleep, this is the first clinical study confirming the theory.

The double-blind, placebo-controlled study began in 2018 and featured 23 patients suffering from chronic insomnia. The study, which was conducted independently but was funded by medical cannabis company Zelira Therapeutics, measured the participants’ sleep quality with a combination of subjective responses, electronic sleep trackers, and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) — a clinical questionnaire that helps to measure insomnia symptoms.

Lead researcher Peter Eastwood said study participants were given either a placebo product or a proprietary cannabinoid formulation called ZTL-101, which contains both THC and CBD in an undisclosed ratio. Researchers noted a 26% reduction in ISI scores among the non-placebo group; the reduction was even higher among participants who doubled their dose of cannabinoids.

“This study represents the most rigorous clinical trial ever undertaken to assess the therapeutic potential of medicinal cannabis to treat the symptoms of chronic insomnia. The fact that ZTL-101 treatment achieved statistically significant, dose responsive improvements across a broad range of key insomnia indices is impressive, particularly given the relatively short two-week dosing window.” — Eastwood, via New Atlas

“Positive patient experiences with minimal side-effects are critical to the success of any insomnia drug and highlights the potential for ZTL-101 to address a key area of unmet need,” Eastwood told New Atlas. “It is likely that further improvements in efficacy could be achieved by dosing over a longer period and potentially at higher doses.”

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Major Cannabis Events Announce Online 4/20 Festivities

4/10/2020

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In light of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, major cannabis events and festivals have announced online 4/20 celebrations where cannabis enthusiasts can come together from all over to celebrate the cannabis holiday while still honoring social distance and active stay-at-home orders.

The Seattle Hempfest, which is held every summer and billed as the world’s largest cannabis festival, has made the decision to take their annual Spring fundraiser online. Starting at 11am PST on April 20, 2020, the 4/20 Toke-a-Thon Multicast will be open to the public worldwide and will feature live games and “interactions with Hempfest Members” throughout the day until 6pm PST.  

“Throughout this virtual event Seattle Hempfest will present six hours of Hempfest content from our group and our affiliated partners. The public is encouraged to join us as we plan to keep our widespread cannabis community happy and safe in these trying times.” — Seattle Hempfest Executive Director Vivian McPeak, in a press release

The Hempfest Toke-a-Thon schedule will be announced soon but a performance by The Raelyn Nelson Band has already been teased on the Hempfest website. The event will also include 420 celebrations in all timezones, a bong hit championship, group Pictionary, and stoner trivia. Florida, Idaho, Alaska and Oregon Hempfest locations will be checking in with news and commentary throughout the multi-cast. The first 100 Hempfest “members” will be able to log in via Zoom and the stream will be available to the public on the Hempfest website and Facebook page.

Meanwhile, at least two other major cannabis cultural events — the National Cannabis Festival and the Emerald Cup — are also partnering to host a collaborative virtual event called the “Highstream 420 Festival.”

The event will feature important figures and performers from the cannabis community as part of a “coast-to-coast benefit supporting those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Forbes reports.

The free broadcast is set to air from 4pm EDT on April 20 through 10pm EDT.

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Texas Issues First Industrial Hemp License

4/10/2020

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Texas has issued its first industrial hemp license this week to a farmer in Killeen. The license will allow the famer to cultivate hemp in a “specified facility” for one year. Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller called the license “just the beginning for industrial hemp” in the state.

“I am happy that I can be the one to deliver it. I know Texas farmers have been eagerly waiting for a chance at these hemp licenses and now the wait is over. … Hemp offers Texas farmers a great new opportunity, but I want them to understand that with every promise of high profit comes the reality of high risk. My job was to get this program started, it’s now up to farmers and processors to build that Texas ‘hempire.’” – Miller in a press release

As part of the process, licensees must watch a 24-minute video that outlines the state’s rules and regulations.

The Texas Department of Agriculture has received a total of 546 industrial hemp applications including 458 producer applications, 58 handler applications, and 30 handler sampler applications.

Texas‘ hemp law was passed last year and includes legalization and regulation of CBD. All hemp-containing edible products produced in the state, including CBD, are regulated by the Department of State Health. The program was approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in January.

In all, 14 state hemp programs have been approved, while 17 states are still operating under their 2014 pilot hemp programs, and six state programs are still pending USDA review. Connecticut and Tennessee are listed as having submitted a plan to the agency that required resubmission. Other states not pending review are currently drafting plans, according to agency data. Regulators have also approved 14 tribal hemp production plans and list another 16 as under review.

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Eric Kaufman: Helping Cannabis Companies Secure Financial Services

4/10/2020

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We caught up with Eric recently to hear how Dama Financial helps cannabis companies access banking services, his take on the challenges that face the cannabis industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, and more. Check out the full interview below!

Ganjapreneur: How does Dama Financial serve cannabis businesses? What type of cannabis business does Dama work with?

Eric Kaufman: Dama Financial works with licensed cannabis businesses from cultivators, to manufacturers, to distributors, to dispensaries to delivery depots, and everything in between.  Dama collaborates with the cannabis industry and cannabis-related businesses by providing access to compliant and transparent FDIC-Insured banking. We partner with banks across the US that have made the risk-based decision to bank cannabis. Understanding that they either don’t have the intellectual capital in-house or the wherewithal or desire to manage it themselves, the banks partner with Dama to literally run their cannabis program on their behalf. As Dama Financial is a compliance-first organization, its services for its bank partners includes all compliance on the bank’s behalf, procuring of CRB customers, onboarding the cannabis-related businesses, all ongoing customer service, as well as the development of products. The Premier Business Bank Accounts we manage include access to armored car cash pick up, a 1% interest earning account, the ability to pay employees and bills online via ACH, check or wire, and invoice approved vendors.

Do you think that cannabis retailers were prepared for the sudden surge in demand stemming from shelter-in-place orders due to COVID-19? How is Dama Financial contributing to their success and safety?

I don’t think anyone was prepared for COVID-19, one way or the other. When more and more COVID-19 cases were reported, I think cannabis retailers, like all industries and businesses, were understandably worried. They were happy to see the immediate surge in demand, but concerned that their businesses would be shut down due to ‘shelter in place’ restrictions. And some have, which is unfortunate and for them we have tremendous empathy. But, in states like CA and NY, where cannabis businesses are considered ‘essential businesses,’ retail sales are booming. As such, Dama is seeing increased demand for Paytender.

Paytender is our merchant processing and digital consumer wallet that allows customers to pay with their phones via a linked bank account or a debit card. To accommodate the surge in sales, retailers wanted to make their checkout processes more seamless by offering cash-alternative payment options. Not only is cash inconvenient, it’s inherently dirty. Given current concerns about COVID-19 transmissions, it’s a natural adjustment to move away from paper money, which can reportedly carry the virus for up to 17 days.

Additionally, many dispensaries have closed their in-store operations but ramped up delivery and curbside pickup.  Paytender works online and at delivery, which other payment methods do not. States like CO never allowed curbside or delivery before, but now with the new safety regulations, they quickly adapted and are looking to Paytender for help in getting them up and running. With Paytender, Dama provides same-day access to funds and does not require rolling reserves. With same-day settlement, Dama allows retailers immediate access to their funds, which is even better than cash as the funds are banked transparently and compliantly and available for immediate use. In addition to solving logistical problems, Paytender also helps keep the customers and employees safer by implementing contactless payments. No need to transfer money or cards from hand to hand, as it is scan-and-go payments.

What do you think cannabis retailers will learn from the rise in demand resulting from COVID-19?

I think they’ll learn how important transparency really is.  Many retailers use workaround solutions, which work until they get shut down. One such solution is accepting credit cards. No credit card company allows cannabis transactions, as it’s against their terms and conditions and such activity will trigger account shutdowns. And, we know from experience that if a retailer does not accept some form of electronic payment then sales drop off by roughly 30%. As such, enabling some form of sustainable and compliant electronic payment solution is integral to a retailer’s long term success. Retailers will also realize the value of having software that can easily function in multiple environments. COVID-19 changed consumer’s purchasing behavior. Many of the successful dispensaries quickly offered curbside pickups or delivery to offer contactless purchasing methods. It’s important choose software that doesn’t constrain you to selling in one place. Paytender can accommodate payments in-store, online, at delivery or curbside pickup.

How do you think COVID-19 will change consumer behavior in the future?

I have to assume consumers will be like myself, uneasy to touch dirty public surfaces, and try to carry as little cash as possible. I think consumers will prefer to purchase cannabis at delivery, through curbside pickup, or drive-through instead of in-store. Overall, contactless payments are not only going to become the new normal, but the expectation, no different than the Starbuck’s app or Apple Pay.

There are many difficulties that come with not being able to use banking services as a cannabis business. For those who are unitiated, can you describe some of the risks and challenges that are faced by cannabis businesses in the current climate?

Any licensed business that is compliant can get a bank account through Dama. But, it definitely is a heavy lift to get approved, because of the fact that we are a compliance first organization. Often, those that don’t want a bank account have been burned so many times that they don’t believe it to be possible. We’ve heard many horror stories of accounts getting shut down and funds suddenly held.  But not having a bank account will hinder businesses in the long run. First, having a lot of cash on hand is dirty, inconvenient, unsafe, and expensive. Having a bank account managed by Dama Financial gets you access to armored car cash pickup, which reduces public safety risk, reduces the possibility of theft, improves employee safety, and with funds available next business day you have quick access to your money. Secondly, having the tools from online banking allows for businesses to scale. To be able to invoice vendors, pay bills and employees, and accept payments online is the future of cannabis, and allows higher acceptance to expand vendors and customers. Finally, online banking and contactless payment services are what is expected from every other industry outside of cannabis. Why shouldn’t cannabis be able to operate the same? Customers and partners have come to expect that normalcy, which will allow business to flourish.

What was your career prior to your position at Dama, and how has your past experience helped accelerate the growth and development of Dama?

Prior to Dama I spent roughly 20 years as a sports agent representing mostly NFL players and coaches. Over the years I was incredibly fortunate to have collaborated with professional athletes and coaches including Pete Carroll, Willie McGinest, Adam Vinatieri, and Laila Ali, among others.  As a recovering sports agent, I also worked at Bernstein as a financial advisor with a focus on sports and entertainment clients. Sandwiched between my sports career I went to business school at Thunderbird School of Global Management and upon graduation I went to work for Euronet Worldwide, which was co-founded by one of Dama Financial’s co-founders.  With a career filled with sales experience in an incredibly competitive industry, coupled with payments and banking industry knowledge, I feel I was well prepared and positioned to play a part in developing and executing Dama’s go-to-market strategy and success. In sales, we’re always competing, as each day, each month and each year are clean slates. It’s the ultimate “what have you done for me lately” role. However, I believe our charge is greater than simply selling a service or a product. We are creating the comprehensive critical financial architecture to empower the cannabis industry to operate as if it were a non-cannabis related industry. We’re providing access to solutions which CRBs desperately need. And, we continue to evolve by creating new products and services by listening to our customers and the industry at large and build solutions for their financial needs, which is both exciting and invigorating.

Thank you, Eric, for taking the time to share your thoughts! You can learn more about Dama Financial at DamaFinancial.com.

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Survey Finds Consumers Split on Stocking Up Cannabis During Pandemic

4/10/2020

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An AmericanMarijuana.org survey found cannabis consumers split on whether they stocked up on cannabis products amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, with 51 percent saying they did not stock up compared to 49 percent who did.

Among those who did stock up, 55 percent said it was to help calm them during the “pandemic chaos,” 23 percent said they stocked up out of fear of both the virus and cannabis scarcity, while the remainder said they “didn’t care” about the pandemic they “just wanted to chill out with some weed.” For those who didn’t stock up, 36 percent said they weren’t worried about a potential cannabis shortage, 35 percent said they were prioritizing toilet paper, face masks, and hand sanitizers, and 29 percent said there was no need to stock up on anything.

Two-thirds of respondents surveyed said they had not used more cannabis since the start of the outbreak and more than half (54 percent) said that everything would be “alright” at the end of the pandemic. Just 6 percent said they “didn’t care” about the pandemic, while 40 percent said they were “worried sick.”

The survey also found that food, face masks, hand sanitizers, and toilet paper were all more important than cannabis amid the pandemic; however, 28 percent of those surveyed said they would rather have cannabis than facemasks. Another 5 percent said they would rather have cannabis than food.

The study was conducted on March 24 and included 990 cannabis consumers.

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Study Confirms Effectiveness of Cannabis ‘Tolerance Breaks’

4/09/2020

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Researchers have uncovered evidence confirming the perceived tolerance effect of continued cannabis use, the PsyPost reports. The double-blind study — named “Reduced responsiveness of the reward system is associated with tolerance to cannabis impairment in chronic users” and published in the Addiction Biology journal — used brain imaging scans to measure the substance’s effect on 12 frequent and 12 occasional cannabis users.

Study co-author Natasha L. Mason said in the report there is “a growing body of evidence” that cannabis’ effects are less prominent in regular cannabis users.

“Although this development of tolerance is quite well established,” she said, “the neurobiological mechanisms underlying it are not.”

“These neurobiological mechanisms are important to elucidate, both in the context of therapeutic use of cannabis-based medications (e.g. deciding on dose in long-term treatment), as well as in the context of public health and safety of cannabis use when performing day-to-day operations (e.g. developing traffic laws).” — Mason, via PsyPost

For occasional users, the researchers noted that cannabis use altered the brain’s reward system circuitry. Chronic cannabis users, meanwhile, did not show specific brain changes or “any cognitive impairment.”

“Cannabis tolerance is not a final, permanent state that is achieved after chronic cannabis use, but rather a temporary state of decreased sensitivity to cannabis exposure that dynamically fluctuates across the spectrum of a full-to-no experience of cannabis effects, depending on the pattern of cannabis use,” Mason told PsyPost.

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Massachusetts Gov. Sued Over Dispensary Closures

4/09/2020

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Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) is being sued over his decision to shut down the state’s recreational cannabis sales as part of his coronavirus response. The lawsuit is filed on behalf of five dispensaries and a medical cannabis patient. It seeks a preliminary injunction on the order which would re-open that state’s 43 recreational dispensaries.

“If it continues, this mandatory closure will cause profound and irreparable damage to the nascent adult-use marijuana industry; will deprive Massachusetts residents of safe access to regulated marijuana; and, will make it very difficult or impossible (e.g.,in Nantucket) for certain medical-marijuana users to obtain marijuana legally,” the complaint says.

Baker ordered recreational cannabis shops to close on March 24 as part of a statewide stay-at-home order but he included medical cannabis as “essential services,” which allowed dispensaries to remain open. The governor said recreational sales had to stop, however, because they would potentially draw people from neighboring states where cannabis is not legal and promote the spread of the virus.

“Many of the states around us, in fact I think all of them, have not legalized recreational marijuana. Making those sites available to anybody from the northeast would cut completely against the entire strategy we’re trying to pursue here in Massachusetts to keep people safe. And that’s why they’re nonessential businesses.” – Baker during a press conference via Patch, April 8, 2020

The lawsuit says that Massachusetts‘ recreational cannabis industry employs more than 8,000 people and generates some $13 million in weekly sales. If the injunction is denied, the stores will remain closed until May 4 – the end-date for the stay-at-home order.

The lawsuit argues the closures are a violation of the commerce and equal protection clauses “because, for purposes of combating the outbreak of COVID-19, there is no legitimate or rational basis to distinguish between adult-use and medical marijuana establishments; between adult-use marijuana establishments and liquor stores; between those who frequent such stores; or, between medical marijuana users who frequent adult-use marijuana establishments, and medical marijuana users who only frequent medical marijuana dispensaries.”

In a letter to Baker’s chief legal counsel, Kevin Conroy and Jesse Alderman, attorneys from Foley Hoag LLP – who are not involved in the suit – suggested that the challenge to the commerce clause would be dismissed because cannabis is federally prohibited and that even if that challenge was possible, the U.S. Supreme Court has held that temporary measures, including those taken during a public health emergency, do not violate the clause, according to a Law360 report.

Cannabis Control Commission member Shaleen Title has suggested that recreational shops could re-open to in-state residents only, but Baker voiced concerns about the legality of such a move and industry attorneys told Law360 that plan would be a potential “disaster” for businesses.

From March 23 – the day the stay-at-home order was issued –  to April 1, the CCC received more than 1,300 new medical cannabis patient registrations, the Berkshire Eagle reports. The agency also announced on Tuesday that they would allow nonmedical growers to transfer their crops to the medical supply chain.

Baker’s office said they do not comment on pending litigation.

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Iowa Regulators Say Licensing New Dispensaries Will Take ‘A Year or More’

4/09/2020

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The Iowa dispensaries that shut down without notice last week are closed for good and state regulators anticipate it will take a year or more to get two more online to replace them, Iowa Public Radio reports.

Owen Parker, manager of the Office of Medical CBD for the Iowa Department of Public Health, told IPR that there are no management agreements in the state that allow license transfers and that officials would start from “scratch” to issue new licenses. He said the process would begin soon.

“And then we will award the license to somebody which then is when they would move forward with their buildout. So from beginning to end you can’t really put an exact timetable on it.  It’s easy to say a year or more in all reality.” – Parker to IPR

According to the report, Have A Heart Compassionate Care, the operator of the shuttered dispensaries in Council Bluffs and Davenport, ignored the rules of its contract which required the company to give six months’ notice in the event of closure. The two dispensaries represented 40 percent of the state’s total.

MedPharm Iowa – the company that operates the only cultivation site in the state and other dispensaries – had tried to buy the two Have a Heart dispensaries last year but was rebuffed by the Iowa Department of Health, the Quad City Times reports. Lucas Nelson, general manager of MedPharm, indicated the company would “likely” apply for the vacant licenses.

Harvest Health & Recreation Inc., who through a subsidiary provided support services to Have a Heart, told the Times that the company elected to cease its operations after determining the venture was no longer economically feasible. Harvest Health said their subsidiary is terminating its support services agreement with the company following the closures.

Iowa patients now have only three medical cannabis dispensaries operating throughout the state.

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Report: Oceania Cannabis Market Worth $1.55B by 2024

4/09/2020

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According to a Prohibition Partners analysis, the cannabis market in Oceania – which includes New Zealand, Australia, Guam and other surrounding islands – could be worth $1.55 billion by 2024 with medical cannabis sales comprising nearly 40 percent of the market.

The cannabis market intelligence and strategic consultancy firm suggests that Australia would account for 79 percent of the region’s overall market by 2014 due to its larger population and higher household disposable income than New Zealand and the region’s islands.

The report anticipates that over the next five years the region would see a falling reliance on imported cannabis products and the shift to domestic production would lead to a sizeable increase in domestic revenue generated by legalized cannabis.

“The most transformative legislative change is emanating from the Australia Central Territory, Guam, New Zealand and the Northern Mariana Islands – while Australia is committing to further cannabis science research on a federal level.” – Prohibition Partners, The Oceania Cannabis Report: Second Edition

In a statement, Prohibition Partners’ Group Managing Director Stephen Murphy noted that there are now more than 30 publicly listed cannabis companies on the Australian Stock Exchange and that the region is taking steps toward broad legalization.

Murphy points out that Australia was “rocked” by wildfires at the start of 2020 and that the industry “could come to play a major role in helping counteract the economic impact of these wildfire.” He added that since the coronavirus outbreak, Australia’s cannabis stocks have “seen a double-digit fall” but “at present there appears to be no significant disruption to the industry’s production and supply lines.”

The Australian Capital Territory last year passed cannabis law reforms, including removing penalties and fines for low-level possession and allowing residents 18-and-older  to grow up to four plants per household and possess up to 50 grams of “dry” cannabis and 150 grams of “wet” cannabis. Adult cannabis use was legalized in Guam last April while medical cannabis has been legal on the island since 2015. In 2018, New Zealand amended its drug laws to allow broader access to medical cannabis and voters will decide whether to legalize recreational cannabis in November.

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Does CBD Help Promote Homeostasis?

4/09/2020

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The Importance of Homeostasis (The Milieu Interieur)

The importance of maintaining your milieu interieur, what is now referred to as homeostasis, was pointed out in the 19th century by Claude Bernard. It was his view that all living organisms, from plants to humans, to insects must maintain a specific internal environment in order to survive, function and thrive. Modern research now supports this perspective and establishes homeostasis as a critical element of health and wellness.

What is Homeostasis?

In simple terms, homeostasis is your body’s ability to maintain internal balance when confronted with external stress. Just like a car uses internal signals to make sure that it doesn’t overheat or run out of gas, your body uses internal signals to make sure your not too hot, too cold, or running out of fuel. When these signals are functioning optimally, so are you.

In the absence of homeostasis, your body is unable to overcome challenges and prevent damage from occurring: resulting in what we recognize as inflammatory disease. However, when your body is in a state of equilibrium, or homeostasis, it is able to properly mitigate the challenges that arise.

Homeostasis & The Endocannabinoid System

The endocannabinoid system, or ECS, plays a significant role in helping your body maintain homeostasis. Via cannabinoid receptors (CB1 in the central nervous system and CB2 in the peripheral nervous system), the ECS helps to regulate bodily functions such as immunity, mood, appetite, sleep, memory, digestion and inflammation.

Are you too hot or too cold? Do you need energy or rest? Are your hormones levels where they should be? If something is off-balance, the ECS jumps in to mitigate it.

How CBD supports the Endocannabinoid System

Recent research shows that CBD may support the biological activity of the endocannabinoid system by supporting cannabinoids signaling and their interaction with cannabinoid receptors. Depending on the concentration, CBD can activate, antagonize or inhibit cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2). This is significant because CB2 activation can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation – internal conditions that can negatively impact cell function and survival.

Homeostasis & CBD

While our bodies naturally produce a compound similar to CBD called endocannabinoids, supplementing your natural reserves with CBD may help to keep your endocannabinoid system functioning optimally. Just as you would take an iron supplement if you were iron deficient, you can take a CBD supplement to boost your natural reserves of endocannabinoids.

How To Take CBD

There are multiple ways to consume CBD. Because our bodies absorb and process CBD in different ways, it’s mostly a matter of personal preference.

Sublingual (Tinctures & Oils):

CBD Tinctures & CBD Oils come with measured droppers and thus allow for a very consistent dose. While CBD tinctures are generally alcohol-based, CBD Oils are generally oil-based as their name suggests. To use either an oil or a tincture, you simply squeeze the desired amount under your tongue. For optimal absorption, try to hold the liquid under your tongue for 60 seconds. While both tinctures and oils can also be used topically, CBD oil is generally easier to apply and less irritating. 

Topical (roll-ons or balms):

To use a CBD topically, apply the rollerball or balm on the desired area of application. Used topically, CBD operates as a local anti-inflammatory, rather than being absorbed into the bloodstream. Many topical products contain additional therapeutic oils that work together for an optimal soothing experience.

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Charlotte Figi, Inspiration for ‘Charlotte’s Web’ Strain, Dies from COVID-Like Symptoms

4/08/2020

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Editor’s note: A previous version of this article stated that Charlotte Figi had passed away from coronavirus complications. She was treated for coronavirus-like symptoms in a hospital ward for coronavirus patients, but she ultimately tested negative for the virus.

Charlotte Figi, the child who inspired the medical cannabis strain “Charlotte’s Web,” has died from coronavirus-like complications. She was 13-years-old.

Figi suffered throughout her life from Dravet Syndrome, which caused her to have grand mal seizures. Her parents sought the help of the Stanley Brothers, who would eventually create the low-THC Charlotte’s Web strain in 2011 to help treat her seizures. Figi’s illness and success story would be re-told throughout state legislatures during debates on medical cannabis legalization and in academic literature. Figi was also featured in a 2013 CNN documentary about medical cannabis.

The teenager’s death was announced last night on the Facebook page of her mother, Paige Figi, by a family friend.

The suggestion that her death could have been caused by COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, was posted to the Realm of Caring Facebook page. The Realm of Caring is a charitable organization started by Paige Figi.

“Some journeys are long and bland and others are short and poignant and meant to revolutionize the world. Such was the path chosen by this little girl with a catastrophic form of epilepsy called Dravet Syndrome. Charlotte’s mom, Paige, helped pave the path for thousands of sick children with little hope for a future. A life that created a revolutionary movement in legitimizing cannabis as a therapeutic option. Your work is done Charlotte, the world is changed, and you can now rest knowing that you leave the world a better place.” – the Realm of Caring Facebook update, April 8, 2020

The Stanley family also posted a tribute to Figi on their website, describing her as “divine.”

“She grew, cultivated by a community, protected by love, demanding that the world witness her suffering so that they might find a solution,” the post says. “She rose every day, awakening others with her courage, and with that smile that infected your spirit at the cellular level.”

“Charlotte, then, became everyone’s daughter or sister or friend and enlivened empathy and love from anyone who had the privilege of hearing her story, as millions did. Her story built communities, her need built hope, and her legacy will continue to build harmony.” – The Stanley family

As of Tuesday, Colorado had reported 5,429 coronavirus cases and 179 deaths, according to state Department of Public Health and Environment data.

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Cannabis-Adjacent Businesses Ineligible for Federal Coronavirus Loans

4/08/2020

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Cannabis-adjacent businesses will be ineligible for loan assistance under the $2 trillion stimulus plan approved by federal lawmakers and signed into law by President Trump last month, Marijuana Moment reports.

The plan, called The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, aims in part to assist American companies with 500 or fewer employees via a Paycheck Protection Program. The federal Small Business Administration (SBA) already confirmed, however, that cannabis businesses will not receive federal financial assistance because the industry remains federally prohibited. Additionally, under SBA rules, ancillary firms that work directly with or help to benefit federally illegal operations cannot receive loans from the administration, meaning these businesses will also be omitted from the coronavirus relief stimulus plan.

The type of businesses that fall under SBA’s category of “indirect marijuana businesses” include: “businesses that provide testing services, or sell or install grow lights, hydroponic or other specialized equipment, to one or more Direct Marijuana Businesses; and businesses that advise or counsel Direct Marijuana Businesses on the specific legal, financial/accounting, policy, regulatory or other issues associated with establishing, promoting, or operating a Direct Marijuana Business.”

The rule essentially sections off the entire cannabis space, including ancillary companies who have cropped up to support the budding industry, from receiving any of the federal government’s coronavirus loan assistance.

Josh Kappel, a founding partner at Colorado’s Vicente Sederberg, a cannabis industry law firm, called the restrictions “egregious” and “incredibly unfair.”

“These companies pay Social Security and Medicare taxes, unemployment taxes, and, of course, federal corporate taxes. In every way, they deserve to be treated like any other business when it comes to these emergency loans.” — Kappel, in a statement to Marijuana Moment

Hemp industry operators will have access to the federal assistance because the industry has been federally legalized.

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Oregon Sets Cannabis Sales Record In March

4/08/2020

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March cannabis sales in Oregon set a new monthly record with $84.5 million – a 37 percent increase from the same time last year, Willamette Week reports. The previous record, set in July 2019, was just about $80 million.

The record-breaking month comes amid the state’s coronavirus response, which includes a stay-at-home order issued on March 23. On average, sales per cannabis retailer were about $135,000 – a 30 percent increase from March 2019.

According to the report, flower comprised more than half of total sales, while concentrates and extracts accounted for the second-highest market share.

Matt VanSickle, an Oregon Liquor Control Commission spokesperson said the sales appeared to be “stocking up type of activity” adding that “the next two weeks returned to slightly below their early March sales levels.”

VanSickle told KOIN that February’s sales were also 20 percent higher from February 2019 and that there was a 21 percent increase in March’s sales over February’s.

Despite the record-breaking month, Bridge City Collective owner Dave Alport told the Bend Bulletin that while the “average purchase is higher, the impact on sales is negligible.” He also said his payroll and cleaning costs have gone up after hiring delivery drivers and implemented enhanced sanitation practices.

“From what I can gather, there’s no increase in consumption tied to the pandemic or people staying home. But people’s shopping and spending habits have changed.” – Alport to the Bulletin

Tyson Haworth, owner of Oregon’s Finest, told the Bulletin that his sales have dipped since the stay-at-home order but he has hopes that the 4/20 “season” will help the company see pre-pandemic levels.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s stay-at-home order does not have an end date.

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Organigram Temporarily Lays Off 45% of Workforce

4/08/2020

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Canadian licensed cannabis company Organigram Holdings Inc. is temporarily laying off about 45 percent of its workforce as part of its coronavirus response. The company said the move is an attempt to “help boost COVID-19 containment efforts representing approximately 400 employees.”

CEO Greg Engel said in a statement that the company’s “priority right now is to make sound strategic decisions that are in the best interests” of the company’s employees “which will contribute to the long-term sustainability of the company.”

“This is a new and evolving situation demanding strong leadership and smart decision-making across all industries and sectors. We continue to monitor this rapidly changing situation and will make the decisions necessary to ensure the safest environment for our employees as well as insulating our business as best we can under the circumstances.” – Engel in a statement

The company had alluded to the cuts last month and said “the majority” of the layoffs were voluntary. They indicated that affected employees would receive lump-sum payments “to help bridge the gap to available government programs.” Additionally, the company said it will absorb the paid health, dental, and short-term disability premiums for all of its employees.

Organigram said they expect to reduce their cultivation, harvest, production, and packaging operations but plan to “supplement with inventories on hand to meet anticipated demand.”

“Specifically, the company will be focused on leveraging automated and the most efficient lines of production and will deprioritize lower value products requiring higher manual labor,” Organigram said in a press release.

The firm said it had already taken coronavirus mitigation actions at its facilities and offices as recommended by Health Canada, including work-from-home policies, the establishment of an Emergency Response Team, restrictions on work-related travel, social distancing, and enhanced sanitation practices.

Last week Canopy Growth announced temporary layoffs of 200 employees amid the outbreak, but also said they were re-opening some of the stores they shuttered last month. Canopy CEO Jordan Sinclair told Bloomberg that the temporary layoffs were retail employees and that the stores would operate under a “click and collect model” and reduced hours.

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DEA Deschedules Cannabis-Based CBD Medication

4/07/2020

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The Drug Enforcement Administration has given up its influence over Epidiolex, the cannabis-based CBD epilepsy medication from UK-based GW Pharmaceuticals.

Epidiolex is currently the only FDA-approved CBD medication; it was approved in 2018 to treat cases of severe epilepsy and DEA had originally scheduled the drug as a Schedule V substance, the lowest restriction possible under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

“This notification from DEA fully establishes that EPIDIOLEX, the only CBD medicine approved by FDA, is no longer a controlled substance under the federal Controlled Substances Act. We would like to thank DEA for confirming the non-controlled status of this medicine.” — Justin Gover, CEO of GW Pharmaceuticals, in a press release

The scheduling shift removes many of the barriers to access Epidiolex. Patients, for example, will still require a doctor’s prescription to access the drug but the prescription will now last up to a year and patients will be allowed to change pharmacies and still have access to their medication.

Early reports on the drug suggested that a year’s worth of the CBD-based medication would cost about $32,500.

While Epidiolex has been removed entirely from the CSA, the cannabis plant itself hypocritically remains a Schedule I substance, which designates an extremely dangerous substance with no accepted medical value.

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Cannabis Industry Feeling Effects of Coronavirus Financial Fallout

4/07/2020

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The financial effects of the coronavirus pandemic on cannabis companies are beginning to manifest as two licensed Canadian firms filed for bankruptcy protection amid the pandemic and the industry saw just two capital raises in the week that ended March 27, Bloomberg News reports.

According to Viridian Capital Advisors data outlined by Bloomberg, the two capital raises were worth just $5.6 million – the lowest level of activity this year. Over the same period last year, there were 17 capital raises in the cannabis space totaling $169 million.

Last week, Canadian firms CannTrust Holdings Inc. and James E. Wagner Cultivation Corp. both filed for bankruptcy protection. CannTrust’s filing can’t necessarily be linked directly to the global pandemic, though, as the company has been beleaguered by violations since last summer, which ultimately culminated in their license suspension in September. The New York Stock Exchange subsequently said it would de-list the firm.

“The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated what were already difficult circumstances making it even more challenging for CannTrust to attract new financing or a strategic partner.” — CannTrust in a statement

James E. Wagner Cultivation announced a deal last Wednesday that will see it undergo a “consensual restructuring” and pursue creditor protection with cannabis industry lender Trichome Financial Corp. Under the terms of the deal, Trichome will provide JWC with a debtor-in-possession loan of up to $2.8 million during the restructuring and Trichome will submit a “stalking-horse” bid.

Moreover, well-capitalized Cronos Group Inc. delayed its fourth-quarter results and restated three previous quarters due to the way it reported bulk resin purchases, according to Bloomberg. Those resin purchases also led to an investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Hexo Corp., which is also considered well-capitalized, missed its quarterly filing deadline, announced $266 million of writedowns and impairment charges when it did report, and its revived debt covenants require the firm to raise $40 million in equity by the end of the month, the Bloomberg report says.

In Canada, cannabis companies are eligible for government-backed loans made available as part of the pandemic response. In the U.S., hemp companies can apply for government assistance but not medical or recreational businesses since the cannabis plant remains federally prohibited.

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High Times Suspends Publication of DOPE and Culture Magazine

4/07/2020

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Hightimes Holding Corp. announced on Monday that the company will suspend the publication of DOPE and Culture magazines due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The novel coronavirus has caused a mass shut down of in-store dispensary shopping as many states move to curbside pickup and online ordering only. DOPE and Culture are primarily print publications that are distributed to dispensaries monthly and, without waiting rooms full of patients and adult-use customers to read or pick up their latest issues, High Times has chosen to shut down both magazines for the time being.

In a statement to Marijuana Moment, Hightimes Holding Corp. Executive Chairman Adam Levin said the publications were on pause amid the pandemic.

“We furloughed the print publishing staff of Dope and Culture till the virus passes. Since both mags are distributed through walk up distribution methods (retailers, pharmacies, etc), we made the decision to suspend publishing till then.” — Levin, via Marijuana Moment

With stay-at-home orders in place and the possibility that the virus could persist for some time, High Times also laid off six workers from the canonical cannabis magazines. Among those furloughed was 18-year employee and long-time editor for High Times Danny Danko, confirmed by his own announcement on Twitter.

This follows a less graceful downsizing at the Seattle DOPE offices when the majority of the magazine’s employees were abruptly fired. This time, however, the company says their plan is to return all furloughed employees once the outbreak has been contained and the world returns to the new normal.

In the last year, High Times announced it would shift to becoming a plant-touching business with plans to open flagship retail dispensaries in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Despite having disclosed financial hardships with the release of each quarterly statement, the corporation persists and recently acquired the cultivation firm Humboldt Heritage.

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