State Labs to Refuse Low-Level Cannabis Cases In Texas

2/28/2020

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The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has notified law enforcement agencies that while officials are close to rolling out a lab test to test for THC levels, the state labs won’t conduct the tests in misdemeanor possession cases, the Texas Tribune reports. In Texas, misdemeanor offenses include possession up to 4 ounces and delivery or sale up to 7 grams.

In a February 18 letter to DPS laboratory clients, DPS Director Steve McCraw, said that while lawmakers “added resources to the laboratory to help expedite the analysis” of the state’s 50,000 felony drug cases per year, “additional funding to address misdemeanor cases was not provided because the laboratory does not analyze misdemeanor drug cases.”

“Annually, there are more than 80,000 misdemeanor marijuana arrests made in Texas. DPS will not have the capacity to accept those misdemeanor cases. Additionally, at this time, the Texas testing method is solely for plat material cases. Evaluations for use of this method or alternate methods for testing felonies associated with cannabis derivative (oils, edibles, etc) will be ongoing in 2020.” – McCraw, in the letter

Following the passage of hemp laws in the state, officials in several counties indicated they would no longer prosecute low-level cannabis cases due to their inability to differentiate industrial hemp from THC-rich cannabis products.

Shannon Edmonds, director of governmental relations for the Texas District and County Attorneys Association, called the decision “another hurdle to successfully prosecuting” low-level cannabis cases. Since hemp legalization, cannabis prosecutions in the state have fallen by more than half.

The state lab test for THC levels is expected to be finalized by the end of March but it is expected to take another two months to implement.

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Medical Cannabis Flower and Edibles Approved in West Virginia

2/28/2020

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The West Virginia Senate has approved a medical cannabis reform bill that grants access to flower and edibles for the state’s patients, WV News reports. The measure, approved 30-4, includes the flower and edible provisions despite language allowing such products being stripped from the bill by the chamber’s Judiciary Committee; the amended version passed by the Senate did not include home grow, which was included in the original version of the bill.

The measure also authorizes the Bureau for Public Health commissioner to approve additional forms of medical cannabis available in the state’s medical cannabis program – which has yet to roll out – and additions to the qualifying conditions list based on recommendations of the Medical Cannabis Advisory Board. The measure would also remove the requirement for a training course for physicians, opting instead for an eight-hour training course for industry owners and employees and clarifies that unlawful use of medical cannabis is subject to the criminal code relating to cannabis.

The bill also tasks the Tax Division of the state Department of Revenue with monitoring medical cannabis pricing and sets rules to allow accredited colleges, universities and medical schools to conduct medical cannabis research.

The legislation, which still requires House approval, also bars some public officials and their family members from owning or operating medical cannabis companies.

Medical cannabis was legalized in West Virginia in 2017 but has not been rolled out in earnest yet, partly due to officials’ desire to secure banking options for cannabis businesses in the state. Officials only began accepting applications for industry operators in December.

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Bellingham Budfest Ramps Up for 2nd Annual Cannabis Festival

2/28/2020

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Bellingham Budfest has become a beloved Pacific Northwest cannabis festival after an exceptional inaugural event in 2019. The free all-ages all-day celebration is once again located in blustery Zuanich Point Park on the Bellingham bay featuring live music performances, engaging speakers, and licensed cannabis brands. So many special and unique components merge to make Budfest the Whatcom County cannabis event of the season. 

Like most consumer-driven cannabis events, Bellingham Budfest features entertainment, education, and weed; but that’s not all. Just like last year, attendees will have access to the 21 and over Cannabis Corral featuring booth upon booth of friendly cannabis brands looking to talk about what makes their bud special. Those in attendance will also be able to chill out at the main stage to enjoy local bands. 

Along with entertainment and education, the Budfest team is focused on environmental impact, which is why this is a Toward Zero Waste (TZW) festival. That means event organizers are aimed at reducing the waste that Budfest might create before any styrofoam ever hits a landfill. As a part of this goal, food vendors will be required to use compostable items, sale of single-use plastic water bottles are banned, there will be a dedicated team supervising waste disposal, and swag items made using single-use plastic are heavily discouraged. Attendees are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles. 

Being a family friendly gathering is another reason the all-day celebration is so memorable. One goal of Bellingham Budfest is to destigmatize the plant, those who smoke it, and the industry that provides it; organizers believe it is essential to create a safe, all-ages event to help accomplish these goals. At the first annual Budfest in 2019, attendees included industry insiders, Millenial stoners, senior supporters, moms carrying their babies, and kids playing with bubbles.  

Bellingham Budfest proves that the cannabis industry can be like any other. There isn’t anything nefarious about the plant except its prohibition — and every year Whatcom County celebrates that those shackles have been lifted at Bellingham Budfest. The festival will take place at Zuanich Point Park on July 26, 2020, from 12 to 8 pm, it is a completely free all-ages event. No ticket is required, but bring your reusable water bottle!

Interested in being involved? Applications for live music acts are still open for review. To apply as a music act for Bellingham Budfest or learn more about the event visit https://bellinghambudfest.com/.

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Cannabinoid CBG Has Antibiotic Properties

2/27/2020

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Researchers from McMaster University in Canada say that cannabigerol (CBG), a cannabinoid found in hemp and cannabis plants, has antibacterial properties and has been shown to defeat a family of bacteria known as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

The findings, published in the journal American Chemical Society Infectious Diseases, suggest that CBG could become a breakthrough treatment for MRSA, an infamously drug-resistant infection.

“In this study, we investigated 18 commercially available cannabinoids and they all showed antibiotic activity, some much more than others. The one we focused on was a non-psychoactive cannabinoid called CBG, as it had the most promising activity. We synthesized that cannabinoid in mass quantity which gave us sufficient compound to go deep into the research.” — Eric Brown, lead study author and professor of biochemistry and biomedical sciences at McMaster

In the study, researchers managed to cure MRSA infections among mice using CBG, which “proved to be marvelous at tackling pathogenic bacteria,” said Brown. “The findings suggest real therapeutic potential for cannabinoids as antibiotics.”

The research team noted that the toxicity of CBG on host cells pose a hiccup in their findings, but that its antibiotic properties are more than enough to warrant further research.

“It opens a therapeutic window, but a narrow one, to develop this into a drug,” said Brown. “The next steps are to try to make the compound better in that it is more specific to the bacteria and has a lower chance of toxicity.”

McMaster University researchers have been investigating the antibiotic properties of cannabinoids for the two years since Canada legalized cannabis nationwide.

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Lawmakers Approve Adult-Use Sales In Vermont

2/27/2020

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Vermont lawmakers in the House of Representatives have given initial approval to a bill that would legalize adult-use cannabis sales and create a regulated marketplace for the industry, according to a WCAX report.

Lawmakers voted 90-54 in favor of the bill during preliminary voting on Wednesday evening; the House will reconvene Thursday afternoon to debate additional amendments before taking an official, final vote on the issue. If Wednesday’s vote is upheld, the bill will head to a conference committee where amendments to the Senate-approved version will be addressed.

The bill would establish an adult-use cannabis regulatory body called the Cannabis Control Board to oversee the industry. If it becomes law, cannabis products would be taxed at 20 percent under the bill and municipal authorities would not be able to add any additional local taxes; THC potency in commercial cannabis products, meanwhile, would be capped at 30 percent for flower and 60 percent for concentrates.

The bill originated in the Senate and passed through the House Government Operations Committee, the House Ways and Means Committee, and the House Appropriations Committee before reaching a full floor vote.

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) has said he would support a regulated adult-use industry, so long as law enforcement in the state could rely on saliva-based intoxication tests for cannabis.

In 2018, Vermont was the first state in the U.S. to legalize adult-use cannabis via the legislature, not by a voter ballot initiative. Lawmakers then, however, only legalized the possession and home cultivation of cannabis, although polls suggest that Vermont residents strongly support the creation of an adult-use cannabis marketplace.

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Virginia Legalizes Hemp Cigarettes

2/27/2020

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The Virginia Legislature has approved a bill explicitly legalizing hemp cigarettes, the Virginia Mercury reports. The products were already being sold in the state but Del. Danny Marshall (R), the bill’s sponsor in the House, said the measure clears up any confusion.

Marshall indicated need for such a law after one candidate in a local sheriff’s race accused the other of not enforcing federal law because he allowed smokable hemp flowers to be sold in stores.

The bill sets the legal age to purchase hemp cigarettes at 21 – the same age required to buy tobacco cigarettes.

Sen. John Edwards (D), who sponsored the measure in the Senate, said he had “no idea” who would want to buy hemp cigarettes, but the bill passed the chamber 37-3.

Hemp flower products have created confusion for law enforcement throughout the country since it smells and looks like THC-rich cannabis. Last October, a Hanover County judge dismissed a cannabis possession charge after a state laboratory supervisor testified he couldn’t tell the difference between legal and illegal cannabis. The defendant in that case had purchased the hemp flower from a gas station which provided documentation that the flower tested at .28 percent THC, which is below federal and state thresholds.

Last week, lawmakers approved broad cannabis decriminalization that reduces the penalty for possession up to a half-ounce to $25. The current law calls for a $500 fine and 30 days in jail. Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam is expected to sign both measures.

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Maine Considering Cannabis Crimes Unit for State DEA

2/27/2020

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Officials in Maine are planning a new division of the state Drug Enforcement Agency devoted solely to cannabis crimes, the Portland Press Herald reports. The four-person unit would be funded by $649,000 from cannabis industry-derived taxes.

Michael Sauschuck, commissioner of the Maine Department of Public Safety, said the unit would focus on illegal cultivators, processors, retailers, and sales to children that happen outside of the legal market. A civil compliance unit would focus on regulatory enforcement.

“We legalized a whole bracket of drugs and the vast majority of people are going to absolutely comply with that, but there will be those that push that limit. As other states have seen, there is absolutely a time and place for enforcement.” – Sauschuck, in testimony to lawmakers on Monday, via the Press Herald.

Sauschuck noted that the illicit market “doesn’t just go away overnight” and that 99 out of 100 licensed operators were “doing things the right way.” He said that currently cannabis crimes in the state are a “complete bottom-of-the-rung priority.”

Mark Barnett, a Portland coffee shop owner who is applying for a recreational cannabis license and is currently a medical cannabis caregiver, called the proposal “a move in the wrong direction and counter to the very idea of legalization.”

“We do not want to see one additional person incarcerated for marijuana,” he said during his remarks to lawmakers.

Rep. Kent Ackley, an independent who supports the creation of the unit said his “hope would be” that the state wouldn’t have to jail people “to convince the gray market to participate in the regulated marketplace.”

Recreational cannabis was legalized in Maine on Jan. 1, 2017; however, the rollout of the industry was stalled due to opposition from then-Gov. Paul LePage (R). LePage’s successor, Democrat Janet Mills, signed the adult-use cannabis regulation bill last summer.

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Report: Maryland Has Raised $21.7M from Cannabis Taxes

2/27/2020

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According to a Beacon Economics report, Maryland’s medical cannabis industry has raised about $21.7 million in tax revenue for the state and created more than 4,000 jobs. The firm says that from January 2018 to June 2018, medical cannabis sales in the state topped $34.9 million and reached $106 million over the same period the following year, representing a growth rate of more than 200 percent, according to a WUSA9 outline of the data.

The Beacon report studied the total expenditures, facility investments, operations spending, and fiscal impacts of the state’s 18 licensed cannabis cultivators and 18 processors. It notes that from January 2012 to December 2019, the cannabis space saw $811.56 million in investments; in 2012 that figure was just $35,000 but reached $240 million last year.

The report was conducted on behalf of the Maryland Wholesale Medical Cannabis Trade Association. Mackie Barch, the association’s chairman, said there are more than 85,000 registered patients in the state and that the group plans to “play a leading role in helping the state achieve its goals related to adult use.” Lawmakers in Maryland held the first meeting of the cannabis legalization task force last summer.

In 2018, the state Legislature passed a bill to expand the number of medical cannabis licenses available following a push by members of the legislature to open up licensing to minority-owned firms after some lawmakers criticized the first round of licensing for not approving any minority-owned firms.

In their report, Beacon noted that the state “should be cautious in how it issues licenses in the coming years, focusing on sustained and equitable growth for the industry.”

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Arizona Bill Would Cap THC at 2% for Medical Cannabis

2/26/2020

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Arizona lawmakers last week introduced HCR 2045, which aims to cap the THC potency of medical cannabis products at just two percent, AZMarijuana.com reports; the bill is co-sponsored by 15 lawmakers.

Specifically, the proposal would revise the bill to read as follows:

“A registered nonprofit medical marijuana dispensary may not dispense to a qualifying patient or a designated caregiver medical marijuana with a tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of more than two percent.” — Excerpt from HCR 2045

The way this was written, however, leaves a lot unclear — it’s unknown, for example, whether the 2 percent cap would apply to only cannabis concentrates or if the restrictions would include cannabis flower products as well.

If the changes are passed, Arizona‘s more than 200,000 registered medical cannabis patients would be either shoehorned into either using low-potency medicine or buying from out-of-state dispensaries or on the unregulated marketplace. Voter-approved initiatives in Arizona, however — like the one that established the state’s medical cannabis program — are difficult for lawmakers to change.

Cannabis concentrates were only fully solidified as a part of the state’s medical cannabis program last February.

Last June, meanwhile, state auditors alleged that medical cannabis regulators in Arizona had failed to responsibly regulate the industry. The allegations suggested that officials had inadequately investigated complaints, did not conduct health inspections at edible processing facilities, and misallocated funds.

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Eaze Raises $35M, Sights Set on Retail and Distribution

2/26/2020

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Cannabis tech firm Eaze has raised a total of $35 million in funding as part of its plans to enter the retail and distribution sectors of the cannabis space. The company announced they raised $20 million from a Series D round in addition to the $15 million raised in a bridge round of funding last month.

CEO Ro Choy described the firm’s “verticalization” plan – which would see Eaze touch the plant as a retail operator and wholesale distributor – as its “second act.”

“Until now, we’ve invested in proving our market fit, building an enormous and loyal customer base, and becoming California’s biggest marketplace for legal cannabis delivery. Now, we’re proving we can make this business work in a more sustainable and profitable way, while continuing to grow Eaze’s existing services.” – Choy in a statement

Eaze had been facing a cash shortfall and, after cutting about 30 jobs over the summer, had reportedly planned another round of layoffs. According to TechCrunch, the company had recently lost its chief strategy officer, chief of staff, and several members of its engineering staff in recent months. Eaze yesterday appointed Megan Miller, the company’s former vice president of finance and marketplace, as chief operating officer and named John Curtis as the permanent chief financial officer. Curtis has been acting as the interim CFO since October 2019.

In January, Eaze acquired DionyMed Brand’s rights to retail licensee Hometown Heart’s depots in Oakland and San Francisco, and now has oversight of Hometown Heart’s day-to-day operations.

The company indicated it saw a 97 percent increase in new signups on the platform last year, and a 74 percent increase in first-time deliveries.

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Study: Cannabis Use Among Seniors Increased 75% In 3 Years

2/26/2020

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According to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, the number of U.S. adults over 65 that reported using cannabis increased from 2.4 percent in 2015 to 4.2 percent in 2018, an increase of 75 percent. The study’s respondents were 55.2 percent male and 77.1 percent white.

Joseph J. Palamar, an associate professor of population health at New York University Langone Medical Center and the study’s co-author, suggested that many of those adults surveyed weren’t first-time users but that the increase was likely due to more states legalizing over the three years and “increasing social acceptability in general.”

“I think a lot of older people are hearing more and more about potential medical uses and many of these people are willing to try it out to see how it works.” – Palamar, to UPI

Overall, the researchers found significant increases in cannabis use among women, among those who were college-educated, and those who had a higher income. The study also found cannabis use increased across all races and ethnic groups.

Additionally, the research suggests that cannabis use among older adults with diabetes increased by 180 percent from 2015 to 2018, and 95.8 percent among those with other chronic diseases. Cannabis use also increased by 157.1 percent over the study period among those who received mental health treatment.

Palamar noted that today’s cannabis is much stronger than what was used “back in the day” and that the bodies of older individuals aren’t the same as when they were younger, and that “people need to make sure they’re educated about the drugs they use.”

“Marijuana is by no means the most dangerous drug, but some people do experience adverse effects from use,” he said in an interview with UPI.

The study also suggests simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use among those 50-and-older had also increased, which the researchers say is riskier than using either alone.

The data from the study was derived from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

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Gibraltar Acquires Leading Cannabis Extraction Equipment Makers for Coast to Coast Market Approach

2/26/2020

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Apeks Supercritical/Delta Separations create innovative, customizable solutions to global processing markets with unrivaled expertise

JOHNSTOWN, OH (FEBRUARY 18, 2020) – Two of the leading U.S. cannabis extraction system manufacturers are joining forces to create the most versatile customized botanical extraction plans and unmatched customer service on the market today.

The deal was created when Gibraltar Industries, the leading provider of products and services for commercial greenhouse growing and processing in North America, officially acquired its second extraction manufacturer in California based Delta Separations. The move brings Delta, an emerging leader in Ethanol extraction system technology, together with trailblazing CO2 extraction innovator, Apeks Supercritical, headquartered in Ohio.

Together, Apeks and Delta will work to drive the industry’s most versatile extraction innovations and create holistic and customizable solutions for botanical processors with unrivaled expertise.

“Together, we are blazing a trail of innovation, versatility and customer service this industry has never seen before. On the extraction side, combining forces with Delta gives us the ability to serve customers with an integrated sales force and team of engineering experts from coast to coast in the United States and beyond,” said Andy Joseph, Apeks Supercritical founder and General Manager.

“This opportunity with Gibraltar gives us the ability to join forces with the CO2 experts at Apeks Supercritical to create the most versatile customized botanical extraction plans and unmatched customer service on the market today,” said Ben Stephens, Delta Separations Director of Research and Development.

Apeks and Delta will work together as part of a larger dynamic, vertically integrated growing and processing solution provider which also includes Greenhouse solutions companies Rough Brothers Incorporated (RBI), Nexus, and Thermo Energy Solutions.

“Both Delta Separations and Apeks Supercritical are highly respected industry wide with strong reputations for innovation and customer service. No matter what extraction method a customer prefers, this new combined product portfolio will better address their specific needs with more technology agnostic solutions,” said Bill Vietas, President of Conservation and Renewable Energy Group for Gibraltar Industries.

Both Apeks Supercritical and Delta Separations will begin assimilating some operations, more than doubling existing staffing levels on the sales and service sides. Both companies will keep existing headquarters near Columbus, Ohio (Apeks) and San Francisco Bay area (Delta).

About Gibraltar
Gibraltar Industries is a leading manufacturer and provider of products and services for the renewable energy, conservation, residential, industrial, and infrastructure markets. With a three-pillar strategy focused on business systems, portfolio management, and organization and talent development, Gibraltar’s mission is to create compounding and sustainable value with strong leadership positions in higher growth, profitable end markets. Gibraltar serves customers primarily throughout North America and to a lesser extent Asia. Comprehensive information about Gibraltar can be found on its website at www.gibraltar1.com.

About Apeks Supercritical
Apeks Supercritical, a Gibraltar Company, has been designing and handcrafting the highest quality botanical CO2 extraction systems since 2001. Today, Apeks has built and distributed more production CO2 extraction systems than any other company in the world and continues to evolve their technology and grow their footprint. The company is a pioneer in the cannabis and hemp industries and the first to design CO2 extraction systems specifically for cannabis oil extraction. Apeks continues to lead those industries today through the advancement of cutting-edge technologies like their patented Valveless Expansion Technology, Diaphragm Compressor Technology and fully automated, self-running systems.

About Delta Separations
Delta Separations, a Gibraltar Company, was founded in 2015 in Santa Rosa, California and is an emerging leader in Ethanol extraction hardware manufacturing. Delta is dedicated to developing and improving equipment for safe extraction of high-quality oil from plant based biomass. Delta prides itself on supporting its clients with excellent customer service and industry education.

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Massachusetts Plans to Speed Up Cannabis Licensing Process

2/26/2020

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The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission chairman told lawmakers that he plans to cut the wait time for licenses in half for the next budget year, the Boston Globe reports. Currently, cannabusinesses are waiting an average of 121 days to receive a license but, in a letter to the Joint Ways and Means Committee, CCC Executive Director Shawn Collins said he wants to hire more staff to bring the wait time down to 60 days.

“Toward this objective, the Commission will require additional funding to support hiring, particularly within our licensing and enforcement division. This budget will enable the Commission to continue our growth and potentially add up to 34 new [full-time equivalent positions.] In combination with IT and operational enhancements, hiring more Investigators and Licensing Specialists will enable the Commission to process applications on a quicker timeline while also ensuring continued compliance with state law and adherence to our mission.” – Collins, in a budget letter

The agency is seeking a $2.8 million operations budget increase for the fiscal year 2021 – a total of $12.4 million for operations – along with another $3.9 million for medical cannabis program oversight and a statewide public awareness campaign. In all, the agency is seeking $16.3 million.

CCC Chairman Steven Hoffman told the Globe that by cutting wait times and increasing licensing the state would be in a position to generate more tax revenues from the industry. So far, regulators have licensed 72 cultivators and farmers, 246 cannabis establishments – of which 37 are retailers – and more than 7,600 industry employees. Hoffman suggested that the state could sustain about 250 retail dispensaries.

In the fiscal year 2019, the CCC collected $8.7 million in non-tax revenues and Collins said the agency remains on track to exceed its $14 million projection this fiscal year from non-tax revenues.

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Angela Grelle: The Future of Cannabis Trade Shows

2/25/2020

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CannaCon was among the first events to step forward and provide a space for cannabis entrepreneurs, professionals, enthusiasts, and investors to come together to network, learn about, and celebrate the cannabis industry. We recently invited Angela for an interview to discuss CannaCon, the event’s continued journey into recently legalized markets, and more. Check out the full interview below!

Ganjapreneur: CannaCon is one of the few cannabis industry events that has existed since the days before adult-use legalization. How has the event evolved over the years?

Angela Grelle: CannaCon has evolved a lot over the years along with the industry. I think the biggest change has come from moving into new and emerging markets where we feel we can do the most good to help connect the ancillary businesses that exhibit at CannaCon with the new farms, processors, and retail store owners. It has also been very interesting to see how many more businesses are exhibiting with us that come from outside the cannabis industry, we have had everyone from Sprint to ADT security, I think that really helps to mainstream the industry.

What is your personal background with cannabis? What did you do before your work with CannaCon?

I am going to age myself a bit here, I started smoking way back in the early ’80s and have always been a proponent of legalization. I have grown children now who suffer from Crohn’s disease who swear by cannabis to relieve the pain and nausea the disease causes. Before I came to work for CannaCon I worked for Zales the jewelry store and as a realtor selling and flipping houses so this job was a huge career change for me.

How many people make up the staff of CannaCon? Does the home team in Washington plan and execute the events around the country or hire local staff?

We are a pretty small family run business, we have seven full-time and two part-time employees and six of us out of that nine are related. There are four of us that travel to all of the locations to execute the events. We use staffing services for registration and security but we are very hands-on. You will always be able to find someone on site from CannaCon.

What is CannaCon’s driving philosophy? Who is the event for?

CannaCon’s driving philosophy is simple: we want to help grow the industry, we want to see everyone succeed in their business and by doing that show everyone that the business of cannabis is here to stay. Our event is focused on providing connections with our exhibitors and the growers, processors and retail store owners as well as bring in investors who are looking at cannabis as an investment opportunity. We are however open to everyone. We love seeing people from outside of the industry walk through the expo floor and be blown away by what our exhibitors are doing.

As legalization has played out in the ballot box and government committees, diverse markets have developed. With varying interests and needs in each state, how do you cater to regional businesses & regulations with event programming?

One of the main things we try to do in each new market is connecting with the local community and ask questions, that helps us determine what they need. When a market is brand new we focus on the basics, tax laws, genetics, lighting, packaging, etc. as the market matures we find there is more interest in things like SEO, marketing, etc.

How do you determine which speakers to invite? What have been some of the most popular topics of focus in speaking sessions?

We try to choose speakers who are experts in their field. We have topics ranging from genetics to accounting, so from choosing the right seed to doing your taxes, there is something for everyone to learn. Some of the most popular topics have been licensing and legislation. I always try to get someone from the local licensing agency to come in and answer questions and that seminar room is always full.

What types of businesses should exhibit at CannaCon?

We like to say you can find everything you need for your business from seed to sale. From soil, seeds, and lighting companies, to extraction, packaging, accountants, and software if you have something a grower, processor, or retail store needs you should be exhibiting at CannaCon. Having the opportunity to talk to thousands of people face to face is invaluable when it comes to marketing your brand.

How did CannaCon decide which cities to bring the convention to after branching out from Washington state?

We have been following the market, we watch for what states are legalizing and go there, that is where we feel we are the most beneficial.

What’s next for CannaCon? Does the convention have plans to expand internationally?

For now, CannaCon plans to continue to grow with the US market, we are looking at what states we think will legalize in 2020 and 2021 and making plans to grow in those areas.

What advice do you have for someone looking to host or throw a cannabis event?

I think the best advice I can give someone hosting a cannabis event is to know that no matter how much you plan ahead you will have some hiccups so you just have to smile and make it work. We have had floor plans change last minute, fire marshals come in the day of wanting extra fire extinguishers, and smoke detectors, speakers who got snowed in at their airports and couldn’t make it. Things like this will happen so it’s important to be able to stay calm and work things out.

Thanks, Angela, for taking the time from your busy events schedule to talk to us! Visit CannaCon.org to learn more about their latest and upcoming events.

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Vermont Inches Closer to Adult-Use Cannabis Market

2/25/2020

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Regulations to establish an adult-use cannabis marketplace in Vermont cleared yet another hurdle this week after the House Appropriations Committee voted 6-5 to advance the proposal, Marijuana Moment reports. The bill, S. 54, is expected to receive an official vote by the full House within a few days.

Vermont lawmakers passed cannabis legalization language in 2018 but stopped short of legalizing a commercial industry.

The proposed regulations would establish a licensing and regulatory structure for an adult-use cannabis marketplace in the state, including new business licenses and a new regulatory body — the Cannabis Control Board — to oversee the industry. The bill also includes potency limits for cannabis flower products (30 percent THC) and concentrates (60 percent), advertising restrictions for cannabis products, a ban on flavored vaporizer products, and a study to foster the future and responsible growth of the industry.

After its latest adjustments, the new rules would tax cannabis at 20 percent and would block local jurisdictions from adding additional taxes; medical cannabis patients, however, would be exempt from the taxes.

The bill had already passed the House Government Operations Committee unanimously and the House Ways and Means Committee in an 8-3 vote. The bill passed the Senate, where it originated, in a 23-5 vote.

Vermont residents strongly support the creation of a regulated cannabis marketplace, polls suggest.

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World Ag Expo Hosts First-Ever Hemp Innovation Challenge

2/25/2020

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The World Ag Expo – one of the largest agriculture trade events in the world – hosted its first-ever Hemp Innovation Challenge earlier this month. The event – which drew competitors from 14 countries and five continents – was won by Kentucky-based Victory Hemp, a business-to-business primary food ingredient processing company.

Victory Hemp’s V-70 Hemp Heart Protein and Victory ONE Hemp Heart Oil took the $5,000 top prize for their ability to “dramatically expand the range of products in which hemp seeds can be used as ingredients,” the company said in a press release.

Mike Reid, executive director for the Hemp Innovation Challenge, said Victory Hemp was the winner “for several reasons” and that their products highlighted “the importance of functional foods that provide health benefits when consumed regularly.”

“Companies like Victory Hemp Foods will ultimately save lives as people become aware of the health benefits of eating properly,” he said in a statement.

Chad Rosen, Victory Hemp Foods’ founder and CEO, said the award “is the outcome of three years of work by many hands and minds with a singular focus – to develop a unique process to unlock the value of the amazing proteins and oils found in the hemp seed by bringing it to market in a format that works across multiple food categories as a food ingredient.”

“As the agriculture industry tries to answer the question of how it will feed the world’s growing population in a way that benefits soil, water, and air as well as the health of our planet’s inhabitants, our innovation allows hemp to participate in that solution.” – Rosen, in a statement

According to the company, the V-70 product could be used in a variety of consumable goods, including dairy products, meat analogs, and nutrition powders. Victory-One can be used in everything from ice cream to skincare products.

The event was a fast-pitch contest. The World Ag Expo had an attendance of more than 100,000 people and 1,450 exhibitors.

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South Africa Officials Approve Cannabis College on Eastern Cape

2/25/2020

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The Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform in the Eastern Cape of South Africa has approved the development of a cannabis college to train potential industry workers in cultivation and distribution, according to a BusinessTech report.

The college is planned for Ingquza Hill in Lusisiki, which Nomakhosazana Meth, MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, said had ideal growing conditions for cannabis. She described the plant as “green gold” which would help impoverished citizens in the region.

“The Eastern Cape is constantly searching for ideas and ways on how to contribute to the growth of domestic product of the province. Lusiski is known to be ‘the world’s capital of cannabis’ and this is a very important industry, so we need to exploit it in our province. We want to make sure we embrace cannabis for medical and commercial purposes.” – Meth, in an interview with 702

Over the last three years, there have been major overhauls of South Africa’s cannabis policies, including national medical cannabis legalization in 2017 and a decision by the Constitutional Court in 2018 that cannabis prohibition was unconstitutional. In the decision, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo said the personal use of cannabis “does not constitute undue harm” and infringes on the privacy rights of citizens.

According to a report by Prohibition Partners, a fully legalized cannabis industry in South Africa could be worth more than $1.7 billion annually by 2023.

The cannabis college will be established in a former teaching college, according to a Moguldom Nation report. The World Health Organization estimates there are about 1.25 million cannabis farmers in South Africa and at least 350,000 of which are traditional healers who give the plant to others for its medicinal benefits.

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Cannabis Social Equity Ruling Appealed in Cambridge, Massachusetts

2/25/2020

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The city of Cambridge, Massachusetts has filed a petition to prevent a previous court ruling from forcing officials to license non-equity cannabis businesses, Wicked Local reports. The petition is for interlocutory review, which asks a single justice of the appeals court to review aspects of the case before the trial has concluded.

According to the report, plaintiff Revolutionary Clinics II challenged the city’s cannabis business permitting ordinance, which enacted a two-year period in which only economic empowerment applicants – or social equity applicants – are eligible to receive a permit for a cannabis retail store. The state Superior Court approved a preliminary injunction last month sought by the plaintiffs, which prevents the city from enforcing its moratorium and from taking any action to prevent the plaintiff from immediately applying to convert its medical cannabis dispensary into a co-located recreational-use site.

The city also filed a notice of appeal in the Superior Court, allowing the city to further appeal the order to a panel of the appeals court, the report says, along with a motion for a stay that requests the Superior Court stay the previous order pending the appeal; and an emergency motion for a stay of the court’s order.

In court documents, the city says the 2016 adult-use law and Cannabis Control Commission regulations explicitly allow for moratoriums focused on creating licensing opportunities for social equity applicants. CCC guidance outlined in the filing mandates “full participation in the adult-use cannabis industry by those disproportionately harmed communities” and recommends municipalities “prioritize review” for economic empowerment applicants.

“Some municipalities in Massachusetts are considering prioritizing applicants by allowing them to move forward exclusively for a certain period of time,” the guidance states. “For example, a municipality may consider only economic empowerment applicants and applicants who are local residents for the first six months.”

The city alleges that the Superior Court “erred and abused its discretion in applying the standard for a motion for preliminary injunction to the facts in this case” and the standards for enacting such injunctions require that a “private party must show irreparable harm and that the relief promotes the public interest or will not adversely affect the public.”

The lawsuit says the city will abide by the decisions of the courts once its appeals are considered.

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Study: Hemp Crops Could Restore Bee Populations

2/24/2020

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Bee populations could benefit immensely from a revitalized hemp industry, according to a recent study published in Environmental Entomology titled “The Bee Community of Cannabis sativa and Corresponding Effects of Landscape Composition.”

Hemp and cannabis plants do not produce nectar, but their pollen can keep bee populations happy and well-fed. Specifically, the study found that bees not only love the pollen from cannabis and hemp plants — they also can benefit from the plants’ abundance of pollen as a subsistence resource during times when local flora diversity has been stripped due to modern farming practices or a natural occurrence, such as drought. Bees are especially drawn to larger crop plots and taller plants, meaning industrial hemp carries the most benefits as an industry for the bees.

Additionally, because hemp plants are especially resilient to pests and disease, their crops are more frequently organic and devoid of chemicals and pesticides that pose other dangers for bee populations.

Researchers observed hemp plots of varying sizes in New York and noted that 16 different species of bees frequented the crops.

It is important to note that bees do not experience any of the psychoactive effects from cannabinoids, as insects are the only known creatures on the planet that do not have an endocannabinoid system. Meanwhile, despite their apparent love for cannabis, bees do not naturally produce cannabinoid-infused honey — some entrepreneurs, however, have taken that next step for them.

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Elizabeth Warren Unveils Cannabis Legalization Plan

2/24/2020

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Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren has unveiled her plan to legalize cannabis if elected, including starting the process of “delisting marijuana via the federal rule-making process” within her first 100 days if Congress failed to act on the reforms.

The plan – called A Just and Equitable Cannabis Industry – includes expungement, access to medical cannabis for military veterans through Veterans Affairs, cannabis research funding, allowing Washington D.C. to implement the taxed and regulated market approved by voters in 2014, permitting tribes to implement their own cannabis policies, protecting immigrants who work in the industry, and supporting other nations that choose to legalize the plant.

Warren unveiled the plan before a campaign stop in Denver, Colorado on Sunday and said during the rally that the reforms are “about undoing a century of racist policy that disproportionately targeted Black and Latinx communities.”

“It’s not justice when we lock up kids caught with an ounce of pot, while hedge fund managers make millions off of the legal sale of marijuana. My administration will put an end to that broken system.” – Warren, during a February 23 campaign stop in Denver, via Colorado Public Radio

In justifying her plan, Warren points to Colorado’s successes, including the $1 billion in taxes derived from the industry and the reduction in opioid-related deaths since the launch of legalized sales in the state.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, the current delegate leader who is considered with Warren to be the most progressive of the candidates, indicated last August that he would legalize cannabis via executive order on his first day in office. Warren, comparatively, said she would ensure that the heads of the Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration, Food and Drug Administration, and Office of National Drug Control Policy, support legalization and work toward the reforms.

Warren is one of the sponsors of the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement Act, or MORE Act which would remove cannabis from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act and allow states to set their own cannabis laws and policies. Along with federal descheduling, the bill includes a broad set of criminal justice reform and social equity provisions.

Former Vice President Joe Biden, who placed second in Saturday’s Nevada caucuses, said earlier this month that cannabis is “at the point where it has to be, basically, legalized” – walking back “gateway drug” comments from last November. Former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who placed third in Nevada, has said he supports the decriminalization of all drugs. Warren placed fourth in Saturday’s Nevada caucuses.

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Israel PM Netanyahu Expresses Support for Cannabis Legalization

2/24/2020

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday indicated support for recreational cannabis legalization in the country along with expungement for previous cannabis convictions, the Times of Israel reports.

Netanyahu made the announcements via Twitter, saying his justice minister has already “begun work on the matter” and would work with Green Leaf Party Chairman Oren Leibovich on whether to import the Canadian model for regulating a legal market in Israel.”

“I examined the matter and decided to advance the erasure of criminal records of tens of thousands of Israelis for personal use and cannabis possession, something that causes unnecessary suffering to many and is a burden on the courts.” – Netanyahu on Twitter, via the Times of Israel

Leibovich told the Jerusalem Post that the reforms “should have been done a long time ago” but that he appreciated that the prime minister “paid his attention,” met with him, and “made the right decision.”

“The next required step is to promote regulation of a legal cannabis market, as Canada did in 2018,” Leibovich said to the Post.

Netanyahu’s main political rival, Blue and White Chairman MK Benny Gantz, fired back on Twitter, calling Netanyahu’s promise “spin at the expense of the sick.”

“What you didn’t do during 10 years [as prime minister] you won’t do in another 10 years,” Gantz wrote in a Twitter response to the prime minister. “[For] years, you sold illusions to the sick who need medical cannabis and to our youth in an attempt to gather votes.”

Gantz will face off against Netanyahu in March 2 elections – the country’s third in one year. According to the Times, the prime minister made similar promises before elections last April and September when vowed to liberalize the medical cannabis industry.

In 2018, Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, approved legislation to export medical cannabis; however, Netanyahu blocked the plan.

Israel has already partially decriminalized recreational cannabis use opting for fines and treatment for initial offenders instead of criminal prosecution. Medical cannabis is also legal throughout the country.

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Cannabis Patient Employment Protection Bill Introduced in Hawaii

2/24/2020

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Hawaii lawmakers are considering a measure to protect medical cannabis patients from being fired or from hiring discrimination, Hawaii Public Radio reports. The legislation allows employers to use a fit-for-duty test as a tool to assess medical cannabis users in potentially dangerous jobs.

The measure excludes several professions from the protections, including law enforcement, corrections and water safety officers, firefighters, emergency medical workers and other health care employees who might administer drugs to patients, employees who work with children, seniors or other vulnerable populations, employees who operate heavy equipment, and most truck employees or drivers.

The Department of Safety opposes the reforms, citing the federal status of cannabis as a Schedule I drug and federal rules barring anyone who uses cannabis from possessing firearms or ammunition. The measure is also opposed by shipping company Matson, which currently has a zero-tolerance cannabis policy for both on- and off-duty employees. Matson told HPR that their operations “involve the use of heavy machinery, which if used incorrectly or under the influence of an intoxicant can cause death or serious bodily injury.”

A similar measure was introduced in the Hawaii Senate last year, but it was never moved out of committee. The measure has already been approved by the chamber’s Commerce, Consumer Protection and Health, and Judiciary committees with some amendments, the report says. It is expected to move to the full floor for a vote before heading to the House.

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Hightimes Holding Corp. Receives Trading Symbol

2/21/2020

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Hightimes Holding Corp. said it has completed the next step of its public listing process after it received a trading symbol from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). The approval will advance the company toward its goal of listing on the public markets by next year.

“This is a big step for the company and the High Times brand. The listing of the company’s stock will give us a trading currency that will assist us in furthering our acquisitional goals. There is no better time to roll out this next evolution as we enter the cannabis retail space. With the lessons we’ve learned from other operator’s mistakes, great management, and the current state of the industry, now is the time for High Times to thrive!“ — Adam Levin, Executive Chairman of Hightimes Holding Corp., in a press release

The move also signals the impending end of the brand’s Regulation A offering, which lets the company sell stock directly to the public instead of going through an official market. That offering was launched in 2018.

“With over 23,000 investors, this has been one of the most widely subscribed to offerings in history – across any industry,” Levin said. “We’ve proven the strength of our brand, and of the community we represent. We’re excited for this next step.”

While the High Times brand soldiers on, however, the historic High Times magazine has struggled lately; reports surfaced in December that suggested the magazine’s future was in doubt. In November, the company shuttered the Seattle offices for DOPE Magazine, which High Times acquired in September 2018. The company is instead expected to expand its footprint with a new, retail-focused business model.

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Study: Cannabis Patients With ADHD Use Fewer Prescription Drugs

2/21/2020

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A study published last month in the Rambam Maimonides Medical Journal suggests that cannabis patients with ADHD are likely to use fewer prescription drugs, including psychostimulant medications such as methylphenidate and amphetamine derivatives which are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD symptoms.

Study participants included 59 adult medical cannabis patients in Israel who had received a diagnosis of ADHD from a physician and had a standing medical cannabis license for the treatment of any approved condition.

Participants were asked to answer a questionnaire detailing their conditions and medical cannabis use. Unlike previous research investigating medical cannabis as a potential ADHD treatment, however, this study sought to understand the role of cannabis’ phytocannabinoid and terpenoid compounds, as opposed to just the plant as a whole.

The study authors found that the consumption of cannabis containing high quantities of phytocannabinoids and terpenes was associated with the reduction of ADHD medication; specifically, the cannabinoid cannabinol (CBN) was associated with scoring lower on the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS).

“We demonstrated that patients treated with [medical cannabis] stopped their ADHD medications, especially in the high [medical cannabis] dose and in the low ADHD symptoms frequency subgroups.” — Excerpt from the study

The authors note that their study may have been limited by its small sample pool and the potential for biased patient reporting. “More studies are needed in order to fully understand if cannabis and its constituents can be used for management of ADHD,” they wrote.

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