Mr. Fulvic Gardening Additive

12/16/2019

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Mr. Fulvic is a soluble additive for gardeners that contains fulvic acid and other minerals shown to increase plant growth. This product is OMRI listed and made with organic materials. The simple to use additive is natural, safe, and compatible with all nutrient product lines. Gardens and farms are using it in all growing systems from soil to hydroponic to aeroponic. Let’s explore what this additive is made of and learn more about how it works.

What is Mr. Fulvic?

The Mr. Fulvic company was started by plant enthusiasts who wanted an organic solution for plants and soil. The development of the fulvic acid based nutrient was to find a way to improve plant quality and yield while maintaining a positive impact on the environment. That journey led founders to a unique 30-million-year-old deposit of humic shale, a natural organic material formed out of plant matter that has decomposed into the original plant’s basic organic ingredients.

Since Mr. Fulvic is mined from a deposit of unique humic shale, it isn’t made with hydroxides or a fermentation process. All components in this product are extracted with purified water ending in rich trace minerals, beneficial organic acids, and remarkably high levels of fulvic acid. Fulvic acid improves the uptake of materials, improves a plant’s natural resistance to environmental stresses, and stimulates plant growth.

The Data Doesn’t Lie

To truly understand the effect Mr. Fulvic could have on cannabis plants the team conducted two controlled studies. One of these studies compared a crop of cannabis plants that were watered with their regular nutrient regimen and one that was watered with Mr. Fulvic. In this study, by the third week in vegetative growth, the plants showed distinct advantages in growth rate, height, size, number of leaves, leaf size, and water consumption. By the ninth week, the cannabis crop being fed Mr. Fulvic was 20% taller than the control group with a substantially higher number of flowering sites. These plants also showed more robust flower growth in the lower canopies and significantly better roots. By week twelve each crop showed nearly equal THC content but the plants watered with Mr. Fulvic tested with 11.8% more terpenes along with 20.9% higher yield.

Another study tested Mr. Fulvic against a product composed solely of fulvic acid. The differences between the two crops were minute but worth mentioning. When factoring in the margin of error, THC, minor cannabinoids, and terpene content was generally the same between the two controls. The only difference in each group of plants was that the Mr. Fulvic group consumed 5 gallons more feed water during the first 4 weeks in veg. During this time the plants grew considerably faster than those only given fulvic acid. These studies support the idea that adding Mr. Fulvic to a nutrient regimen can create larger plants, more robust terpene content, higher yields, and stronger roots.

Research on the benefits fulvic acid can have on various crops from soybeans to cannabis is plentiful and the studies from Mr. Fulvic support these assessments. According to the data, Mr. Fulvic can be a beneficial growth enhancer leading to higher cannabis yields and more terpene-rich flowers.

To learn more about Mr. Fulvic, or to buy some to use for your own harvest, visit their website. The product can also be found on Amazon.

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USPS Intercepts Hemp Shipment from Vermont

12/16/2019

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A 25-pound hemp shipment from Vermont has been intercepted by the U.S. Postal Service on its way to an out-of-state buyer, according to a VT Digger report. The hemp was mailed by Big CBD, whose owner Jimmy Goldsmith said the package was “stepped on” in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Jon Brigati, Goldsmith’s in-house counsel, said the company has a letter on file with their local post office in Hardwick that details the contents of each package sent from Big CBD and he was confident that authorities would send back the package after tests come back as hemp. Brigati added that all future shipments would be labeled with something like “Industrial Hemp” in large letters on the outside of the package and include test results inside the box.

This is, at least, the second hemp shipment from Vermont intercepted by authorities since November when the NYPD confiscated a 106-pound shipment originating from the Green Mountain State and arrested the recipient. Police were tipped off about that package by FedEx and the Brooklyn District Attorney finally dropped the charges last week; however, police have yet to return the plants. The attorney for the hemp recipient has indicated he plans on filing a $10 million lawsuit against the police department and the city.

In June, USPS updated its Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail regulations to clarify that hemp and CBD products are legal to mail as long as the products comply with local laws and compliance records associated with the contents are maintained.

For Big CBD, it’s the first time the company has had any of its products seized.

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West Virginia Medical Cannabis Industry Applications Open This Week

12/16/2019

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West Virginia officials are set to begin accepting applications for medical cannabis cultivators, processors, and dispensaries on Thursday, the Inter-Mountain reports. The announcement comes almost three years after the reforms passed the state Legislature.

Under the law, the number of growers and processors in the state are capped at 10 and the number of dispensaries is limited to 100. Individuals or businesses can hold permits for all three activities but no one entity or individuals can have more than 10 dispensary permits. The application and annual renewal fees for cultivators and processors are $5,000 and $2,500 for dispensaries. Permit fees for growers and processors are $50,000 and $10,000 for dispensaries.

The law went into effect on July 1, but patients aren’t expected to begin applying for the program until 2021. The 2017 law includes cancer treatment, post-traumatic stress disorder, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, neuropathies, Huntington’s disease, Crohn’s disease, seizures, sickle cell anemia, and pain treatment as qualifying conditions for the program.

Jason Frame, director of the West Virginia Office of Medical Cannabis, said the first sales “will be dependent upon the industry’s ability to ready medical cannabis for sale through West Virginia dispensaries,” which his office estimates will happen in 2021.

The state Department of Health and Human Resources is also still awaiting lawmakers to approve key rules that will govern the program, such as facility inspections, the role of county governments, and where the dispensaries will be located. Those rules are expected to be voted on by the Legislature after session reconvenes in January.

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New York Gov. Signs Hemp & CBD Regulations Bill

12/13/2019

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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) has signed a bill to establish rules and regulations for the sale of hemp and CBD in the state. Cuomo described the state’s hemp industry as “exploding” and said the state regulations will ensure the industry’s “long term viability” and protect consumers.

“By establishing a regulatory framework for producing and selling hemp and hemp extract we can set the industry on a path to continued growth in a smart, safe way that empowers both farmers and consumers.” – Cuomo, in a statement

The measure established a permitting process for hemp cultivators, processors, and help extract retailers, requiring laboratory testing and product labeling. Under the law, the Department of Agriculture and Markets will supervise hemp growers, while the Department of Health will have supervision authority over hemp extracts, such as CBD.

State Sen. Jen Metzger, chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee and bill sponsor, called the legislation a “nation-leading step forward” for the hemp industry which will provide “tremendous opportunity” for the state’s farmers and businesses “up the value chain” while protecting consumers.

Under the federal farm bill, approved last year, states are required to create their own hemp industry regulations which must be approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture before becoming permanent.

The regulations cap THC levels at 0.3 percent – on par with federal rules – requiring state licensing and an application fee of $500 and a per-acre license fee that will be determined by the state agriculture commissioner.

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Pasadena, California Sues Own Clerk Over Cannabis Initiative and Wins

12/13/2019

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The Pasadena, California City Council sued its own city clerk and the Los Angeles County registrar-recorder/county clerk over a ballot initiative to legalize 18 of the city’s illegally operating cannabis dispensaries and won, Pasadena Star-News reports.

The ballot initiative was approved by more than 9,100 residents and City Clerk Mark Jomsky, along with the L.A. County clerk, would have been responsible for approving and implementing the measure, which would have created a separate set of rules for the un-permitted dispensaries and exempted them from most of the city’s licensing process.

Judge Mary Strobel ruled that the initiative was unconstitutional because it created “a special privilege or advantage on specific organizations,” which is unlawful.

Frederic Woocher, a partner at law firm Strumwasser & Woocher who argued on behalf of the city, said the initiative was an improper use of the process and that initiatives can not make administrative changes, only legislative ones.

“The purpose of that (law) is to keep somebody from using the initiative power to secure special advantages for themselves.” – Woocher, to the Star-News

Attorney Stanley Kimmel, who argued on behalf of the initiative proponents, said the measure was intended to grandfather in shops that were around before the city passed its laws to allow recreational cannabis sales. Those rules prohibit current cannabusinesses operating in the city from applying for approval.

“There’s no doctrine that allows grandfathering of illegal uses,” Woocher said to the Star-News after the preliminary ruling. “This was really a perverse measure, and I think the court recognized it.”

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Ontario, Canada Opening Cannabis Industry to Private Companies

12/13/2019

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Ontario, Canada is removing the cap on the province’s number of private retail cannabis stores in January, abandoning the current lottery system, the Financial Post reports. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario is expected to begin accepting applications for private cannabis retailers on January 6 and to approve applications beginning March 20. Regulators expect authorizations at a rate of about 20 per month.

Under the plan, the pre-qualification requirements will be scrapped – those rules required applicants to have a loan of $250,000 along with a letter of credit from a financial institution. Licensed producers will also be permitted to open a single shop at one of their facilities.

Provincial Attorney General Doug Downey said the changes are aimed at combating illegal products, protecting children, and keeping communities safe. Currently, Ontario has just 24 cannabis retailers throughout the province, using a lottery system to award 67 licenses total, with eight allocated to First Nations groups.

“In response to the federal government’s decision to legalize cannabis, our government is determined to open the cannabis market as responsibly as possible.” – Downey, to the Post

In September, the province held its second lottery round for legal cannabis licenses and 18 of 42 of those applicants were quickly disqualified for breaking rules or failing to submit all required documents. One winning firm actually withdrew its application due to the process. The Financial Post first reported the plans to open the industry to private companies last month, but at the time it appeared they would only allow private firms to store and distribute cannabis rather than sell it to consumers.

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Texas Energy Company Planning Nation’s Largest Hemp Facility

12/12/2019

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Dallas, Texas-based Panda Biotech is planning to build the largest industrial hemp processing facility in the U.S. in Shallowater, KCBD reports. The “Panda High Plains Hemp Gin” would be used to separate hemp fiber and cellulose from the stalk and the company expects the facility will process 130,000 tons of industrial hemp annually.

Panda Biotech, a subsidiary of Panda Energy, was formed following the passage of federal legislation legalizing hemp nationwide.

According to the report, the company has already secured the rights to purchase a 255,000 square foot facility for the project. The gins are based on smaller versions that have been used for hemp processing throughout Asia and Europe for decades.

Shallowater Mayor Royking Potter said the technology will “greatly benefit the agricultural industry and the producers in the West Texas region.”

“The City of Shallowater is excited to promote the cutting-edge industrial hemp processing facility Panda Biotech is bringing to our community,” he said in a statement to KCBD. “The Panda High Plains Hemp Gin will not only generate new revenue with minimal effects on infrastructure, but it will also create new jobs in our community.”

Scott Evans, executive vice president of Panda Biotech, called the planned facility “a game changer for both agriculture and industry for generations to come,” adding that the company only plans to process stalks that are harvested before they are able to produce CBD.

“Hemp fiber and cellulose will help manufacturers meet the needs of today’s eco-conscious consumers who increasingly require environmentally friendly products and services. … We have concluded that the processing of hemp stalk for industrial uses will be the next multi-billion-dollar business in the United States,” – Evans, to CBSDFW

Panda estimates that the U.S. hemp market is estimated to reach $32 billion by 2022, noting that the industry’s estimated 2019 profits are $4.6 billion.

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SEC Fines Colorado Author $4.1M for Cannabis Stock Inflation Scheme

12/12/2019

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A Colorado businessman has been fined $4.1 million by the Securities and Exchange Commission for allegations that he misled investors about Israeli cannabis company OWC Pharmaceutical Research, according to a MarketWatch report.

Jeffrey Friedland, who authored “Marijuana: The World’s Most Understood Plant,” is accused of taking kickbacks from OWC in exchange for promoting the stock during conference appearances and in online videos from 2016 to 2017 – during which the price of the stock jumped from one cent to as high as $2.20 a share and gave OWC a $300 million market value. Today, the stock has collapsed 99 percent and is back down to a penny.

The SEC says Friedland, as Global Corporate Strategies LLC, received 5.1 million shares of the company – about 6.3 percent of the stock – in exchange for promoting it.

Melissa Hodgman, associate director of the SEC’s enforcement division, said that securities laws require retail investors to list all “the facts about promoters’ relationships with the companies they tout.”

In all, Friedland made about $6.5 million from the scheme and, while he has admitted to no crimes, the U.S. District Court of Colorado has barred him from participating in any penny stock offering for a decade. He is also accused of using disbarred attorneys to mislead intermediaries while selling the stock.

OWC’s most recent SEC filings show net losses of $287,000 during last quarter but the company is proposing a reverse stock split, which would merge as many as 700 old shares into one new one to make each share more valuable.

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Rhode Island Considers Tightening Out of State Cannabis Patient Rules

12/12/2019

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Rhode Island has proposed changing state requirements for medical cannabis purchases by out of state residents.

Last year, the state took a major step forward in medical cannabis policy by allowing out of state residents to buy medical cannabis. However, after the change, a curious thing happened — according to the Providence Journal, the change prompted some 6,500 registered medical cannabis patients to change to California addresses in order to take advantage of the Golden State’s simpler medical cannabis regulations.

The policy shift proposed in Rhode Island would require patients to present a valid ID from the state where they are registered as a medical cannabis patient before they can take advantage of the out of state exemption.

At a hearing discussing the changes patients expressed concerns that Rhode Island’s system was too complicated and costly. A patient named Alexa Coffey from Portsmith, Rhode Island, said she opted for the out of state option because the Rhode Island card was too expensive.

“I make no money and have a lot of medical bills to pay,” she said.

Others believe the change may push more patients to the unregulated marketplace or force them to go to neighboring Massachusetts, where cannabis has been legalized for adult use, to buy their cannabis.

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Canadian Miss Universe Contestant Wears Cannabis Outfit at Competition

12/12/2019

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Canada’s contestant for Miss Universe wore an outfit representation of the nation’s legalization of cannabis during the “National Costume” segment of the competition, Huffington Post reports. Alyssa Boston wore a green, skirted outfit with a leaf-shaped back piece, a cannabis-leaf crown, and a glittery, leaf-adorned, scepter.

According to Insider, Boston is 24 years old and works on the marketing team for an auto-part company. She also advocates for mental health, working with the Canadian Mental Health Association and through #TalkAboutME, a social media campaign she launched.

“It was inspired by Canada’s recent legalization of cannabis but most importantly to end the stigma globally in hopes to spark more research for medicinal purposes.” — Boston, via Instagram

The outfit was designed by Neftali Espinoza, a Nicaraguan designer.

During the broadcast, the announcer explained the purpose behind the ensemble represented “the legalization of cannabis for medicinal purposes” – medical cannabis was legalized in Canada in 2001.

“This contestant wants to end the stigma that’s been around since 1920. If you’ve got the need, you can grab legal weed with Canada,” the announcer said during the event.

In an interview with the Windsor Press prior to the event, Boston said she was “pretty proud to actually have the knowledge” about cannabis and the platform to raise awareness.

“It’s a little different for a beauty queen to talk about cannabis,” Boston said to the Press. “It’s something that we’re very proud of here in Canada. It’s a brand new industry and there’s a lot of potential that we see in the future. I’m happy to bring awareness to it in a whole different light.”

Boston did not win the costume content and was not ultimately crowned Miss Universe.

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Laurel “Lo” Friesen: Expert Cannabis Extractions

12/11/2019

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We recently caught up with Lo for an interview that covers the state of Washington’s cannabis industry, her entrepreneurial journey since the launch of 2017 Heylo, what it takes to find success as an extracts brand in a sophisticated cannabis marketplace, and more.

Check out the written Q&A below!

Ganjapreneur: When did you launch Heylo, and what inspired you to dedicate your life to the project?

Laurel “Lo” Friesen: Heylo launched in August of 2017. I moved to Seattle in 2015 with the intention to enter the cannabis industry. My father is a physician and both of my parents are entrepreneurs, so they actually planted the seed that grew into the idea to enter the cannabis industry. After working in medicine for 2 years and reading countless white papers about the medical benefits of cannabis, my passion for cannabis, chemistry, and medicine turned into the pursuit of a career. Being a consumer in Seattle helped me understand that there were huge gaps in the marketplace. Heylo was born to fill these gaps with high-quality products built around the values of education and transparency.

What makes Heylo unique as a cannabis extraction brand?

Our goal is to help customers get more out of life with cannabis concentrates. This means we optimize every part of our product for experience and safety. The best possible experiences with cannabis come from the flower (bud), not a lab, so we work strenuously to make oil that is as close to the plant as possible. We take great care in our CO2 extraction process to ensure we are able to maintain the chemical profile and experience of the source flower. We work with a flower that looks like it belongs on the retail shelf. If you want to feel the effects of the plant you need to start with the plant – and nothing else. We explain our process in two simple steps – start with the same high-quality flower you would buy for yourself and respect it at every stage of processing.

Heylo is built on education and transparency in an industry that has been forced to operate in hiding for decades. We share everywhere we can – all over the packaging, on our blog, at our events, through Spotify playlists, coloring sheets, and budtender education. The ultimate goal is for anyone to find the perfect product and experience suited to their personal chemistry and needs. This is how cannabis improves lives.

How has the recent news about vape-related lung disease impacted your business? Has it presented any unexpected challenges?

As reported by Headset, Washington State vape sales collapsed about 20% following the vape-related lung illnesses gaining national attention. Every company operating in this space has felt the effects.

That said, we have seen growth through this trying time. While it is a tragedy that any illnesses have occurred, an important message is finally being heard by consumers – pay attention to what you put in your lungs!

This message, that people should be cautious with anything they inhale, is one we have been shouting since we launched.

Anytime you inhale anything that does not air you are introducing risk to your body. It is our responsibility to produce products that minimize the risk to the consumer. We are sourcing clean products, we pesticide test every batch of extract, our quality assurance, and control methods are rigorous, we vet our suppliers, and we have always relied solely on the cannabis flower to produce our cannabis extracts.

The vape crisis has shifted consumer preferences in our favor. We’ve increased our market share by three times since the beginning of “vape gate”, but this is not a satisfactory ending. We’d like to see stricter regulations in place around pesticides, heavy metals, and QA testing.

Washington Governor Jay Inslee recently announced a ban on flavored vape products: how has this impacted Heylo?

Heylo has never produced flavored vape products or additives and never will. Our products are compliant in the strictest interpretation of the ban. We personally called each of our retail partners after the ban took effect to be available for any questions the retailers may have regarding our products. We received calls from stores that had to remove 50-100% of their vapes from shelves after the ban. We were ready to fill those gaps and continue to serve stores with our product and educate their team and consumers about our products.

In the wake of the flavor ban on vape products, what kind of response would you like to see from other vape manufacturers?

I would like to see vape producers respond by ceasing the use of any and all additives in their products.

Have you ever faced challenges due to being a brand that never uses any additives?

The challenge has been to educate and stay true to our principals while we wait for the market to mature and align with our products. Early on we realized that we needed retail partners that understood our vision in order to succeed. A consumer isn’t going to buy a product with lower THC and a higher price on their own – they need to know that it will provide a better experience and is worthy of their dollars. Our full-spectrum extract delivers on quality and experience, no additives necessary. Good stores understand that.

Can you tell us a bit about Heylo’s brand new VOLUME series?

VOLUME is all about cannabis, art, and community. It is a limited release, single batch series where only one VOLUME will be released at a time. A single VOLUME is released at a time, we partner with an incredible craft grower and we tell their story with the help of a local artist. We rely on them to put their best product forward, whether it’s strain-specific or a perfect blend, and we produce the best extract we can from that product. The artist is tasked with creating a design to convey the experience of the product to the consumer, which will then become the packaging. The product’s name will be the number within the series, VOLUME 1 is out now and VOLUME 2 will launch after the new year. We provide the information about the product on the back of the package, but the consumer is encouraged to use the art on the package as inspiration for the product. Beyond that, the website has a forum to encourage community engagement about the product’s experience, taste, the grower’s story, the art, etc. We’re treating cannabis like fine wine. It’s been an amazing project and I can’t wait to see how it grows!

What advice do you have for someone looking to pursue a career in cannabis?

The cannabis industry is not just another business industry, it is a movement. It is not for the faint of heart. It is full of unresolved issues that are desperate for a solution. If you’re passionate and ready to be part of this incredibly rewarding uphill journey, then join us! Figure out what you’re good at and apply it to this industry, we need all the help we can get.

Thanks, Lo, for chatting with us and answering our questions! If you want to learn more about Lo and/or the Heylo brand, check out the company website at HeyloCannabis.com.

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Creso Pharma Set for Big 2020 with Pharmaceutical Cannabis Expansion

12/11/2019

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The legal cannabis market is forecast to reach US$148 billion by 2026, with Barclays European Consumer Staples Report predicting the global cannabis market will reach US$272 billion by 2028.

Surprisingly, despite still stringent legislation, the Australian legal cannabis market is also experiencing heightened activity.

Australia’s Office of Drug Control has so far issued 69 licenses to cultivate, produce, or manufacture medicinal cannabis.

This includes:

  • 24 licenses for cultivation of cannabis for medicinal use,
  • 16 for cultivation for research, and
  • 23 for manufacture of medicinal cannabis products.

Creso Pharma Ltd (ASX: CPH) has established itself in this market as an early mover within the medicinal cannabis sector. Its focus: high margin pharmaceutical-grade cannabis products in human and animal health.

As a global entity, Creso represents an early entry point for investors to dip their toes in the global legal cannabis market.

The company has a diverse product portfolio of cannabis and hemp-derived products focused on four key areas: therapeutics, nutraceuticals, animal health, and cosmetics.

Since 2016, it has been committed to build a business rather than ride a trend, albeit a potential lucrative one.

Within this environment, Creso is aggressively pursuing the launch of nine pharmaceutical-grade products, along with key certifications and strategic partnerships that will accelerate revenue growth.

Creso has already launched four sales generation products across the cosmetics, animal health, nutraceuticals, and therapeutics verticals.

The company expects its growth plans to be supported by funding measures, revenue increases, and cost management initiatives.

While its operations continue to move from strength to strength, it hasn’t been smooth sailing for the company in 2019.

A failed takeover bid by Canadian cannabis giant PharmaCielo Limited (TSX-V:PCLO) which targeted Creso for the breadth and strength of its current portfolio rocked its share price.

Te bid valued Creso at A$122 million; the deal fell over in November due to a softening in the broader medicinal cannabis market.

It did, however, highlight the potential invesment opportunity in the ASX listed Australian company.

The proposed takeover valued Creso at 63 cents per share. The most recent placement was conducted at 19 cents per share – the takeover price representing a 230% premium.

Creso’s strengths are emphasized by its year-on-year revenue growth, providing a sound base as new products are brought to market.

The company recently launched its cannaQIX® range in Africa in conjunction with leading South African pharmaceutical company, Pharma Dynamics, a subsidiary of Lupin Limited (NSE: LUPIN). Initial orders worth approximately A$300,000 for the cannaQIX® product range have been made and Creso anticipates the products will available in South Africa in Q1 2020.

In animal health, Creso’s partner Verbal is introducing the two initial anibidiol® products into further countries in Europe and will be launching Creso Pharma’s new animal health products in the near future.

For both human and animal health, Creso has initiated its reach into North America, where it is in discussions with a number of potential partners to introduce all 13 products, human and animal, into selected US states.

Products are made with standardized dosing and formulations through the application of pharmaceutical rigor, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards, and proprietary, innovative delivery technologies.

In addition, they carry the well-known “Swiss Made” label that is synonymous with premium-quality products.

The Swiss connection is significant as Swiss-based CEO Dr. Miri Halperin Wernli is a well-regarded senior Pharma executive with over 24 years of strategic and operational leadership in global drug and product development in the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries.

Creso believes the value of its fundamental operations continues to grow, supported by the company’s portfolio of products, established operations, corporate interest, and global market opportunities.

To learn more about Creso Pharma visit The Next Biotech.

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Evidence of Inflated Test Results Emerges in Nevada

12/11/2019

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A Washington state scientist and cannabis consumer advocate has discovered evidence of “lab shopping” in Nevada using state cannabis laboratory data. Jim MacRae used publicly available lab results from Nevada’s busiest nine testing labs from January 2018 to May 2019. He was particularly interested in the failure rates for biological pathogens, heavy metals and pesticides, and potency results. After some negotiation, the state provided over eighty thousand “blind” data points for MacRae to analyze this summer.

Expecting a 10 – 15 % sample failure rate, MacRae instead found that some labs routinely had less than ten percent failure rates and one lab had no fails for a 14-month period, which raised red flags. Many of these same labs reported higher than usual THC rates, according to his report.

MacRae met with regulators in September, who quickly moved to address the problem.

“What impressed me most is how rapidly Nevada escalated the issues suggested by the data and also by how quickly the state acted. I presented my work on a Thursday afternoon and met with members of a number of different government departments on Friday. The following Monday, the Department of Taxation published a notice to the labs that put them on notice that the Department was ‘aware of and investigating potential inflation of THC levels by cannabis laboratories” and that such behavior was not acceptable.’ — Jim MacRae, in a blog post explaining the results.

Despite providing “blind” data, the state is aware of the problem labs’ identities, MacRae said.

“They could do much more by revealing what labs have the problems and what products are affected,” MacRae said in a phone interview with Ganjapreneur. “But, Nevada has done more in three days than Washington regulators have done in three years about similar problems in the Washington market, so I applaud what Nevada has done so far.”

According to the Nevada Current, the state has only suspended Certified AG Lab’s license, but has not made public the other labs and products in question. Instead, Nevada is asking consumers to “take caution” when buying cannabis products tested by Certified AG Lab. 

MacRae has asked for a second round of data from Nevada with the identity of the labs revealed; he said he will know soon if they grant his request.

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MLB Considers Not Testing Minor Leaguers for Cannabis

12/11/2019

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Major League Baseball is considering removing cannabis from the banned substance list for minor league players while implementing an opioid testing program in both the minor and major leagues, according to a CBS Sports report. The proposal was first reported by The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.

According to the report, players on the 40-man roster are not tested for cannabis but non-40-man roster minor league players are, and 13 players were suspended last season for cannabis use. Rosenthal says major league players “have not been subject to testing for marijuana.”

The opioid testing proposal comes more than five months after the death of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs who had two different types of opioids in his system at the time of his death. Players who fail an opioid test would be referred to treatment rather than suspended.

Under the current rules, non-40-man roster minor leaguers are suspended 25 games for their first positive test for a “drug of abuse” – which includes cannabis – 50 games for a second positive test, 100 games for a third positive test. A fourth positive test bans a player for life. To date, no minor leaguer has been banned for life for cannabis use, although former Brewers relief pitcher Jeremy Jeffress was suspended three times for cannabis use. Jeffress was released by the Brewers on September 3 after an injury-shortened campaign.

Alongside cannabis, the MLB’s list of “drugs of abuse” are synthetic cannabinoids, cocaine, LSD, opiates, MDA, MDMA and ecstasy, “bath salts,” GHB, and PCP.

The league and players association have yet to finalize the new drug testing agreement.

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Brooklyn DA Drops Charges Against Hemp Shipment Recipient

12/11/2019

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The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office has told a judge it is dropping all charges against the man who received a 106-pound shipment of legal hemp but was arrested after FedEx called in a tip about the shipment, the New York Post reports.

On Tuesday, Prosecutor Kerri Row told Judge Raymond Rodriguez that the DA’s office had been “presented with evidence that the substance seized in [the] case contains less than .06 percent THC, which makes the substance legal hemp under federal and now state law.”

“The new law places the development and enforcement of regulations pertaining to hemp squarely in the jurisdiction of the [state] Department of Agriculture, and in light of this, we consider this case to be more appropriately dealt with as a regulatory than a criminal matter. Accordingly, pursuant to our prosecutorial discretion, we move to dismiss the charges in this case.” – Brooklyn Assistant District Attorney Row, during court proceedings, via the Post

Despite the move to drop charges, Row said the NYPD would remain in possession of the shipment because it “appears to have been imported outside of New York’s regulatory guidelines.” She added that “the release of the property would be a determination to be made by the NYPD in consultation with the Department of Agriculture.”

In a statement to the Post, the NYPD maintained that the hemp plants were “illegal marijuana” because in New York “hemp sale and possession/distribution is only permissible when the buyer and seller have the proper permissions from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets” and the business owner did not get those permissions.

The case stems from the November 5 arrest of Ronen Levy, whose brother, Oren, owns Green Angels CBD and had ordered the hemp from a Vermont farm. Ronen had picked up the FedEx shipment because his brother was recovering from surgery. Oren said the packages seized by police contained laboratory testing paperwork that showed the plants contained THC levels below legal limits. About 10 days after the arrest, the DA’s office indicated they would drop the charges, but Ronen was given a new hearing date during his last court appearance earlier this month before the charges were ultimately dropped on Tuesday.

Sanford Rubenstein, an attorney for Green Angel, told the Post that the company would be filing a $10 million lawsuit against the NYPD and New York City.

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Study Shows Cannabis Use Does Not Affect Next-Day Driving

12/11/2019

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A study by the Toronto, Canada-based Centre for Addiction and Mental Health found that while drivers under the influence of cannabis shows signs of driving impairment immediately after consumption, they performed normally in driving tests 24 and 48 hours later, according to a Global News report outlining the study.

The study, using a driving simulator, allowed participants to control their own cannabis consumption, which varied the THC in the blood of the subjects and ranged from zero to 42 nanograms per milliliter – which is about 10 times more than the legal limit in Canada.

Immediately after smoking, the group that consumed THC drove inappropriately slowly and centered the simulated car in the lane poorly.

“We found significant evidence of difference in driver behavior, heart rate and self-reported drug effects 30 minutes after smoking cannabis, but … we found little evidence to support residual effects,” the researchers said.

Scott Macdonald, a retired professor at the University of Victoria, said the nation’s drugged driving laws – which require no trace of THC when operating a vehicle – are “not scientific” and argued that the 24-hour after-effects of cannabis are a myth.

“When people smoke cannabis, they’re only impaired for a short, short period of time. You could have THC in your bloodstream, but you’re not a danger,” he told Global News.

“The biological tests are not useful for identifying people that represent a safety risk. What we’re left with is behavioral symptoms. We’re still working on developing tests to assess whether an individual who consumes cannabis is a safety risk. It’s hard to do. Cannabis is not in the same class as alcohol, in terms of safety risk. Alcohol is much, much worse.” – Macdonald, to Global News

Drugged driving laws throughout Canada vary – in Ontario, drivers found with any THC in their system face a three-day license suspension, $250 fine, and $281 reinstatement fee for their first offense. In Saskatchewan, new drivers face a 60-day license suspension, three-day vehicle seizure, and four points.

In Saskatoon, Saskatchewan’s largest city, police reported that just eight of 292 driving while impaired violations from Oct. 17, 2018 to Oct. 17, 2019 were directly related to cannabis intoxication. Since July 2019, the agency has employed a Draeger 5000 Roadside Screening Device “at every sobriety checkpoint” to test for both cannabis and cocaine and have used it 12 times; nine drivers tested positive for THC, while two drivers were cleared of driving under the influence due to the device’s results.

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Report: Legal Canadian Cannabis Has 95% Pesticide Test Pass Rate

12/10/2019

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Just five percent of legally-grown Canadian cannabis contained pesticides, according to Health Canada data outlined by Global News. Five of 133 samples tested by the agency had restricted pesticides, while four tested positive for pesticides within acceptable ranges.

One sample tested on Dec. 12, 2018 – two months after legalization – contained levels of myclobutanil, a mildew killer and known carcinogen, at 14 ppm. When burned, myclobutanil produces hydrogen cyanide. The sample also contained bifenazate at 3.1 ppm; both chemicals are limited to 0.020 in dried flower.

Tammy Jarbeau, a spokesperson for Health Canada, told Global News that a recall was issued for the product and “at the time of the product recall, the pesticide testing had not yet been completed.”

“Licensed cultivators and processors are required to report the detection of unauthorized pesticide active ingredients (a positive test result) to Health Canada no later than seven calendar days following receipt of the test results.” — Jarbeau, to Global News

In 2017, the agency performed 160 unannounced tests of the then-medical only cannabis industry and had about 40 products come back with positive pesticide results; 28 of which for myclobutanil.

Since legalization, Health Canada has issued 17 product recalls. Montreal monopoly retailer, Société québécoise du cannabis, told Global News that they haven’t recalled any products as the result of testing, while the Alberta Gaming and Lottery Corporation appears to have paid for six cannabis tests, of which two failed. The Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation said they don’t conduct testing.

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Canopy Growth Names Constellation Brands CFO as CEO

12/10/2019

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Canadian cannabis producer Canopy Growth has named Constellation Brands Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer David Klein as its new chief executive officer. Klein has served in senior leadership roles at the alcohol distribution firm for 14 years and will take over for Mark Zekulin who took over as sole CEO following the ouster of company founder Bruce Linton.

Constellation, which distributes Svedka vodka and Corona beer, owns about 38 percent of Canopy after making its first investment in the company – then just 9.9 percent – in 2017. Last year, Constellation made a then-record $4 billion investment into the cannabis firm, more than tripling its share.

Klein, who will step down from all other positions when he takes over the reins on January 14, said “no company is better positioned to win in the emerging cannabis market” than Canopy.

“I look forward to working with the team to build on the foundation that has been laid, to develop brands that strongly resonate with consumers, and to capture the market opportunity before us. Together we will drive sustainable, industry-leading growth that benefits employees, shareholders and the communities in which we operate.” – Klein, in a press release

Klein is currently the chairman of Canopy’s board of directors which also counts Constellation executives Bill Newlands, Judy Schmeling, and Robert L. Hanson among its members. Linton indicated at the time of his dismissal that he had fallen out of favor with those directors but said he had “full confidence” in its leadership team.

Zekulin, who founded Canopy with Linton, will resign from his seat on the board on December 20.

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Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Police Cite ‘Fewer Issues Than Expected’ After Legalizing

12/10/2019

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Police in Saskatoon – the largest city in Saskatchewan, Canada – said they’ve arrested less than 200 people for cannabis offenses in the year since legalization and that they “experienced fewer issues than were expected.”

In a report issued November 28, police said 11 of those charges were federal, including: sales and distribution (6), possession over the legal limit (2), distribution to minors (1), an illegal sale to an adult, and an illegal dispensary. The non-federal charges include: possession or consumption in a vehicle (55), possession by a minor (50), consumption in public (31), possession of “cannabis known to be illicit” (18), possession over 30 grams in public (16), sales- and distribution-related charges (12), and distribution to a minor (1). Police filed no charges for cannabis consumption on school grounds.

The report notes that just eight of 292 driving while impaired violations from Oct. 17, 2018 to Oct. 17, 2019 were directly related to cannabis intoxication. Since July 2019, the agency has employed a Draeger 5000 Roadside Screening Device “at every sobriety checkpoint” to test for both cannabis and cocaine and have used it 12 times; nine drivers tested positive for THC, while two drivers were cleared of driving under the influence due to the device’s results.

Saskatoon Police said that the largest illicit cannabis bust in the city was part of “an operation with a larger scope” in which a “known street gang member” had about 3.5 kilograms of cannabis and 960 grams of concentrates.

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Personalized Cannabis Care Now Available Through Veriheal

12/10/2019

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New York, New York, December 10, 2019 — For those who are keen on getting their medical cannabis cards, the process can be somewhat intimidating, especially if they are unaware of the nuances. While each state program might slightly differ, the steps to getting a medical cannabis card are fairly straightforward across the board. In states with an active medical cannabis program, it is required that prospective patients become ‘certified’ before sending their application and information to the designated governing body. While this infrastructure appears to be sound and stable, it does pose some potential problems down the road for the patient. 

Since cannabis is largely understudied and not completely backed by authoritative research, the standard healthcare professional is not likely to be well-informed about it as a whole. While doctors can ‘recommend’ or ‘approve’ of cannabinoid therapy, their expertise usually ends there and renders them unable to offer any further guidance. This leaves patients to fend for themselves in an uncharted and confusing market where the law is not clearly laid out in black or white. It can be scary for some and even be off-putting which will ultimately turn people away from potential options that could have been legitimately beneficial. 

Since companies in the cannabis sector are not allowed to make any medical claims, they resort to submitting disclaimers to avoid any legal ramifications. Product and website disclaimers will tell people to seek the advice of a medical professional before using cannabis products. But when most physicians have little to no advice to give, therein lies a big problem. This is where Veriheal steps in as a guiding beacon of light. 

Bonafide experts are the ones that are looked up to for advice. Nutritionists, dieticians, fitness experts and the like all have specialized knowledge that lets them be able to formulate wellness plans that fit their client’s interests. The cannabis industry is in a critical need for such experts who are willing to educate the general public and provide patients with some clarity on what products to use or, how to use them, and where to access them. 

Veriheal is renowned for its swift and effortless medical cannabis card consults. But recently, the company introduced a new personalized cannabis consultation service that addresses the discrepancy between uninformed physicians and their patients. The greatest thing about this new service is that it is available for everyone across all 50 states. The experts conducting these consultations are a team of qualified medical professionals who are well versed in scholarly cannabis research and can thoroughly educate anyone that is interested in turning to medical cannabis therapy. This information is available for everyone, even those who reside in prohibition states. 

These discreet personalized cannabis consults are geared toward anybody who is interested in pursuing alternative cannabis medicine, one does not need to already be an active patient in their state program. These assessments are simply a one-on-one discussion with a specialist who can further target and refine their recommendations based on a patient’s individual interests. After their appointment, patients will receive an in-depth suggested strategy covering information such as cannabinoid and terpene profiles to target, individual state laws, and guidance on due-diligence. Everything is individually tailored to accommodate the patient’s needs and desires. Should those needs change, patients can certainly book another follow-up to speak with the experts further. Veriheal’s main goal is for everyone to leave their appointment with confidence and reassurance. They will be able to go on and properly navigate the cannabis market on their own accord or move forward and apply for their medical cannabis card should they decide to do so. 

In order to successfully implement cannabis reform, it is necessary to educate where possible. Veriheal is at the forefront of the movement, and eager to improve the public’s perception of cannabis and offer encouragement for those who might be hesitant to come forward to discover cannabis. By offering easy avenues for patients to get their medical cards and informational treatment consults that are specially built for the individual, they make a point to put the patient’s needs first. They believe patients have the right to take charge of their healing. By giving the power to the patients, the stigma will one day be broken. 

About Veriheal
Veriheal is a healthcare technology company with a mission to provide personalized cannabis education and wellness to everyone around the world. The company does that by connecting patients and doctors online, through their platform, to provide recommendations for living a better life. 

Contact
Veriheal
https://www.veriheal.com/contact-us/

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XFL Won’t Include Cannabis in Drug Testing Protocols

12/09/2019

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The XFL, an alternative, off-season football league led by World Wrestling Entertainment Chairman Vince McMahon, will reportedly not include cannabis among their drug testing protocols, according to an American Football International report. WWE talent – who are considered contractors – are tested for cannabis, however, and fined $2,500 per positive test.

In May, XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck told Sports Illustrated that the league would “prefer not to test for marijuana” but would test for performance-enhancing drugs. The lack of testing for cannabis could make the fledgling league an alternative for players who have left the NFL for cannabis use. Last year, the league denied free agent running back Mike James a therapeutic use exemption for cannabis to manage pain; however, James was not included in the XFL draft. In April, retired NFL player Martellus Bennett estimated that 89 percent of players in the league use cannabis.

Earlier this year, the NFL and NFL Players Association announced the creation of a Joint Pain Management Committee that would include cannabis as part of its research into pain management and alternative therapies.

The XFL, to its credit, experimented with several changes to football during its first — and only — season in 2001, including the sky camera and relaxed celebration policies which were both eventually adopted by the NFL. The XFL cannabis policies could impact the NFL this time around if it were to result in players choosing to take their talents to off-season league. In all, 71 players were drafted in the XFL draft in October to eight teams; there are expected to be about 500 players throughout the league.

The league kicks off February 8.

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Entire Civilized Magazine Staff Laid Off After Takeover

12/09/2019

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Cannabis data analytics company New Frontier is moving forward with its acquisition of cannabis media company Civilized and have laid off all 16 employees and halted all operations as it addresses “areas of improvement,” according to a report from Huddle. The layoffs affected all nine employees at Civilized’s Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada headquarters and all seven at its Los Angeles, California office.

New Frontier founder and CEO to Giadha Aguirre de Carcer said that Civilized would resume operations next month but could not offer specifics about what the company would look like going forward. Aguirre de Carcer said that it’s “too soon to say” if Civilized would have operations in Saint John or Los Angeles.

In a statement to Huddle, New Frontier said they while Civilized has had “tremendous success” with events – such as the World Cannabis Congress – the company wasn’t sure whether they would continue with the events.

“As lucrative cannabis markets continue to emerge in North America and around the world we only expect demand to grow for high-quality industry events such as the World Cannabis Congress and look forward to putting the right plan in place to ensure the long-term success of this and other Civilized events.” – New Frontier, in a statement to Huddle

The news from New Frontier is the latest shakeup in the cannabis media space. In late October, the majority of DOPE Magazine’s Seattle editorial team was laid off by High Times – which acquired DOPE last year – and the office was shuttered. High Times CEO Kraig Fox called the move a “strategic decision” but noted that some employees had accepted positions at the company’s Los Angeles headquarters. Less than two months after the layoffs, Hightimes Holding Corp., said in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing that there was “substantial doubt” about whether the company would continue operations.

Last week, cannabis social media network MassRoots went dark after years of raising capital, losing money, and problems at the very top of the company.

Hightimes Holding also bought Green Rush Daily and CULTURE magazine last year for $7 million and $4 million, respectively.

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University of Alberta to Study Cannabis Treatment for MS, Alzheimer’s, and Huntington’s

12/09/2019

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Canadian medical cannabis producer Atlas Biotechnologies has given a $300,000 grant to the University of Alberta for research into cannabis as a therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer’s disease, and Huntington’s disease, the Edmonton Journal reports. Throughout the U.S. and Canada, those conditions are already often approved for medical cannabis access but the researchers hope to find scientific proof as to why it works.

“There isn’t solid scientific evidence for most of what people are saying about cannabis,” said Ross Tsuyuki, U of A pharmacology department chair who is supervising the research. “We have the researchers that know these conditions that are possible targets for where cannabis could be beneficial.”

The funding agreement allows researchers full autonomy over how the study is conducted and how the results are used.

“The thing that we’re conscious of is that we can’t have industry driving the research. We have to have our independence. We need to have the freedom to design experiments in ways that are scientifically valid and to get the best answer possible.” – Tsuyuki, to the Journal

Anne Taylor, a pharmacology professor at the university, said she hopes the research will limit the use of opioids in pain management for the conditions.

“We are living in an opioid epidemic,” she said in the report. “There’s a strong need to develop novel, non-addicting therapies to try and manage chronic pain. We’re interested in utilizing the utility of cannabis, or cannabinoids, as being one of those types of drugs.”

The research associated with the funding is expected to take two years.

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WSU Study: Cannabis Companies More Concentrated in Poor Neighborhoods

12/09/2019

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A study by the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at Washington State University has uncovered economic disparities in the distribution of cannabis producers, processors, and retailers throughout the state. Relying on Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) data and Census Bureau data collected between 2014 and 2017, the study found that lower socioeconomic neighborhoods had a 159% higher density of producers, a 120% higher processor density and a 259% higher cannabis retail store density when compared to more “affluent neighborhoods.”

“Our mission at the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine is to understand challenges facing rural and underserved communities, and this study shows that disadvantaged communities in Washington have disproportionate numbers of cannabis businesses,” said Solmaz Amiri, a postdoctoral research associate in the department of nutrition and exercise physiology and one of the authors of the study. “Having this insight is an important step toward better understanding how cannabis businesses can impact the health of individuals and communities.”   

Although the exact causes for the uneven distribution are beyond the study’s scope, researchers point to generally lower resistance to these types of businesses in poorer neighborhoods and lower real estate costs. Others point to Washington’s proximity laws, which insist cannabis businesses must be one thousand feet from schools, playgrounds, and youth centers. 

“States, local authorities, and policy makers have started developing regulations for the cannabis industry without knowing the public and health impacts of such regulations. We need to understand the specific needs and challenges of communities impacted by the legalization of cannabis, such as if legalization is increasing consumption and the impact of legalization on neighborhoods and crime.” — Amri, via WSU Insider

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