Vireo Acquires Massachusetts Cannabis Firm

4/04/2019

by

Vireo Health International has acquired Massachusetts licensed cannabis company Mayflower Botanicals in a combination cash and stock deal. It’s the company’s third acquisition since it began trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange.

Vireo now operates in nine states throughout the U.S. They also acquired 73 acres of land zoned for medical cannabis production, processing, and distribution. The move into Massachusetts marks their first move into a state with a recreational cannabis program.

CEO Kyle Kingsley, a board-certified emergency room physician, said it is “time to recognize that a public health policy focused on adults replacing their consumption of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products with cannabis has the potential to save thousands of lives each year.”

“As we expand into adult-use states such as Massachusetts, our physician-led team will provide consumers with medically- and scientifically-based products and advice designed to highlight the potential health benefits of replacing alcohol and tobacco with cannabis.” – Kingsley in a press release

According to a LoHud.com report, Vireo has spent millions of dollars lobbying in New York for recreational cannabis legalization; which was dropped from the state budget last month. Vireo COO Ari Hoffnung told LoHud the company would “continue working with the Legislature” to end cannabis prohibition in the state.

In an interview on radio station WAMC, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the state would legalize cannabis before the legislature adjourns in June.

End

FDA to Hold Public Hearings on CBD

4/03/2019

by

The Food and Drug Administration is set to host a public hearing on CBD next month “to obtain scientific data and information about the safety, manufacturing, product quality, marketing, labeling, and sale of products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds,” the agency announced on Tuesday.

According to a federal register document, the federal Farm Bill passed last year removes hemp from the controlled substances act while “explicitly” preserving the FDA’s authority to regulate cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds. Several states with legalized hemp cite the FDA’s authority over CBD as justification for banning it from foods and beverages.

“Therefore, because the 2018 Farm Bill did not change FDA’s authorities, cannabis and cannabis derived products are subject to the same authorities and requirements as FDA-regulated products containing any other substance, regardless of whether the products fall within the definition of ‘hemp’ under the 2018 Farm Bill,” the document says.

The agency notes they are aware that some companies are marketing CBD “in ways that violate the [Food, Drug & Cosmetic] Act and that they have taken action against “companies illegally selling CBD products that were intended to prevent, diagnose, mitigate, treat, or cure serious diseases, such as cancer, and that had not obtained new drug approvals.”

The FDA claims that it had “safety concerns” about CBD pharmaceutical Epidiolex which was approved in the U.S. last year. The agency alleges that the drug carries a “potential for liver injury” and other side effects.

The agency is accepting public comments online, in writing, and during the hearing.

End

LA County, California Using Algorithms to Expunge Cannabis Convictions

4/03/2019

by

Prosecutors in Los Angeles County, California are working with nonprofit tech organization Code for America to erase or reduce as many as 50,000 old cannabis convictions, the Associated Press reports. The partnership will use computer algorithms to find convictions eligible for reduction or expungement under the state’s legalization law.

Officials in San Joaquin County are also working with the group to wipe out 4,000 such convictions.

“This collaboration will improve people’s lives by erasing the mistakes of their past and hopefully lead them on a path to a better future.” – LA County District Attorney Jackie Lacey, in a statement to the AP

San Francisco County prosecutors have previously worked with Code of America to reduce or drop 9,300 low-level cannabis convictions dating back to 1975. San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon decided to use tech to locate potential cases after just 23 people hired lawyers to take advantage of the criminal reforms included in the 2016 law.

Jennifer Pahlka, executive director of Code for America, said their Clear My Record algorithm “changes the scale and speed of justice and has the potential to ignite change across the state and the nation.”

“When we do this right, we show that government can make good on its promises, especially for the hundreds of thousands who have been denied jobs, housing and other opportunities despite the passage of laws intended to provide relief,” she said in the report.

End

West Virginia Gov. Signs Banking Bill for Medical Industry

4/03/2019

by

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has signed legislation allowing medical cannabis companies to access banking services in the state.

According to the bill text, it authorizes the treasurer to select financial institutions to provide services to the industry via a competitive bidding process. The banks would be able to handle medical cannabis fees and taxes paid to the state.

“I always have, and I always will fully support medical cannabis for our people who are in so much pain that their physicians deem it absolutely necessary. I will say, adamantly, I am 100 percent against recreational marijuana. But we have a lot of people and families out there who are truly hurting and if medical cannabis can help, we need to do everything we can to make life better for those West Virginians.” – Gov. Justice in a press release

The governor indicated the bill ensures the state remains in compliance with federal law.

The legislation also creates the Medical Cannabis Program Fund in order to collect the fees, penalties and taxes; and the Treasurer’s Medical Cannabis Fund that allows the treasurer to charge fees for providing banking services to cannabis industry operators. Those fees would be used for expenses incurred by the department, industry oversight, and compliance.

Medical cannabis growers and processors in West Virginia must pay a non-refundable $5,000 application fee and a $50,000 permit fee, which is refundable if a permit is not granted. Dispensaries must pay a $25,000 application and $10,000 permit fee.

End

XWERKS is Bringing CBD to the Fitness Industry

4/02/2019

by

Lakewood Ranch, Florida April 1, 2019 — XWERKS, a leading supplier of high-quality athletic supplements launched in 2014, is introducing elite and recreational athletes alike to the health-promoting properties of CBD.

It seems like everywhere you turn, you hear about the benefits of CBD. Its powerful anti-inflammatory and mood boosting properties are being touted by studies and anecdotal reports alike. Yet it seems like few athletes, who all experience frequent exercise-induced inflammation, have added CBD to their supplement regimen.

Seeing the potential for high-performers to benefit from CBD and the lack of CBD knowledge in the fitness industry, XWERKS’ founder Mike Kolb decided to bring high-quality CBD supplements to their loyal customer base.

“We work with many world-class athletes and with the potential for CBD to help enhance performance and recovery, I felt CBD was the perfect addition to our product line,” Kolb said.

A dropper of CBD oil from XWERKS.

So, how exactly can CBD benefit athletes?

When it comes to the many benefits of CBD for athletes, research suggests that cannabidiol (CBD) may help to reduce inflammation and oxidative damage, relieve stress, and enhance sleep quality.

By helping combat exercise-induced muscle damage, athletes may find that they can train harder and recover faster. Some athletes may even be able to swap out non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), whose long-term use is associated with multiple health troubles, with CBD. Additionally, with reduced stress and more sleep, athletes might be capable of training harder and performing better consistently.

With a 2017 study revealing that nearly 70% of CBD products sold online were mislabeled, Kolb saw this as an opportunity to provide athletes with the highest-quality product on the market.

“There are many low-quality products in the market place currently. Our main focus is providing the highest quality product possible,” Kolb said.

Both XWERKS CBD oil tinctures and CBD oil capsules are made from full-spectrum CBD oil sourced from organically grown Colorado hemp and C02 extracted. To ensure the utmost quality, XWERKS posts third-party test results on their CBD oil online. All of this ensures that their customers are getting the same high-quality as they have come to expect from XWERKS supplements.

By providing high-quality CBD supplements and educational information, XWERKS is hard at work paving the way for athletes to discover CBD.

About XWERKS

XWERKS produces unique, science-based nutrition supplements designed to optimize performance and health. With continued commitment to helping athletes excel, they have started to offer CBD oil supplements to their consumers, bringing awareness of CBD to the fitness industry.

End

Detroit skyline with the MacArthur bridge leading to Belle Isle and Detroit Boat Club in the foreground.Detroit skyline with the MacArthur bridge leading to Belle Isle and Detroit Boat Club in the foreground.

Michigan Regulators Clarify CBD Rules Under State Cannabis Programs

4/02/2019

by

In accordance with federal rules, CBD not produced under Michigan’s medical or recreational cannabis guidelines cannot be added to food and beverages in the state, the state Bureau of Marijuana Regulation and the state Department of Agriculture and Rural Development clarified in a joint guidance last week.

“Any substances that will be added to food or drink or marketed as dietary supplements must first be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for that intended use. At this time, the FDA has not approved CBD for use in food or drink or as a dietary supplement. Therefore, it’s currently illegal to add CBD into food products or drinks or sell it as dietary supplements.” – Michigan Offers Guidance on CBD and Industrial Hemp document published March 29

The state will allow CBD food and drinks to be sold to consumers 21 and older and those enrolled in the state medical cannabis program at retail dispensaries.

The document clarifies that several industrial hemp-derived products, such as hulled hemp seeds, hemp seed protein, and hemp seed oil, are considered Generally Regarded As Safe by the FDA and are permitted to be produced and sold commercially in the state.

The agencies are still writing rules pertaining to how products grown under the state’s Industrial Hemp Research and Development Act will be transferred to state-licensed cannabis producers.

End

Report: Washington’s Cannabis Canopy Allotments Largely Under Developed

4/02/2019

by

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) has released its first canopy report in which the agency measured and analyzed the state’s canopy-based cannabis licenses.

In the report, plant canopy is defined as “the square footage dedicated to live plant production, such as maintaining mother plants, propagating plants from seed to plant tissue, clones, vegetative or flowering area.” In Washington, plant canopy allotments are divided into Tier 1 (<2,000 sq ft), Tier 2 (2,000-10,000 sq ft), and Tier 3 (10,000-30,000 sq ft) licenses.

In an effort to gather first-hand information on actual canopy size — going beyond just license documents and traceability plant canopy datasets — the WSLCB hopes this data will help them more thoroughly analyze and develop rules, update policies, and better understand cannabis production within the industry.

Results

The Canopy Analysis Team ultimately surveyed 792 premises out of 1179 total licenses; fourteen sites were surveyed by drone. The WSLCB could not survey all 1179 licensees due to 254 licenses having no canopy and 109 who gave various reasons for not participating in the survey. They compared the canopy allotments according to license type to actual canopy used and found allotted canopy space in Washington State is largely underdeveloped. According to the report, four percent of licensees were producing over their allotted canopy quota.

Tier % of Total Surveyed %of  Total Canopy % of Un-Used Canopy
1 17% 3% 41%
2 45% 28% 42^%
3 38% 70% 38%

State regulators report that the low canopy utilization numbers are likely caused by the high price of developing canopy space. Additionally, “market prices for cannabis have been consistently declining, access to capital investment is problematic, and the traceability transition has been difficult,” according to the report.

End

Maryland Firm Drops Licensing Lawsuit Following Backlash

4/02/2019

by

Maryland’s Curio Wellness has withdrawn their lawsuit against the state cannabis regulator’s plan to expand the number of medical cannabis licenses, the Baltimore Business Journal reports. CEO Michael Bronfein said that while he stands by the “merits of the lawsuit” he is dropping the suit because he doesn’t want to divide the community.

“I have seen comments and accusations that in no way reflect the values of this company and are not an accurate depiction of the hardworking people of all races and ethnicities I work with every day. These are concerns to which I cannot, and will not, turn a blind eye… It’s simply not true this lawsuit was intended to challenge the effort to improve diversity in our industry.” – Bronfein, in a statement to Baltimore Business Journal

In his statement, Bronfein noted that 36 percent of his workforce is female and 38 percent is African American. Diversity is “not just a goal,” he wrote. “It’s who we are.”

The lawsuit has argued that the state Medical Cannabis Commission had broken its own rules with its plan to increase the number of licenses because they had not completed a supply and demand survey. The new licenses are set to be awarded to minority-owned cannabis companies following a commission disparity study that found none of the state’s licensed cannabis companies were minority-owned.

The new licensing round is open for interested applicants until May 24. In all, there are 13 licensed cannabis companies currently operating in the state.   

End

Cresco Lab Acquires Origin House in Largest-Ever Public Cannabis Company Takeover

4/02/2019

by

Chicago, Illinois-based Cresco Labs is set to acquire California’s Origin House in an $850 million, all-stock deal, the company announced on Monday. Origin House is a cannabis distribution company known as CannaRoyalty in Canada with about 60 percent market penetration. The deal will see the Cresco cannabis brand in more than 725 dispensaries nationwide.

Cresco already grows and sells cannabis and cannabis products in California. The deal is the largest-ever public company acquisition so far in the cannabis space – both companies are traded on the Canadian Securities Exchange.

Cresco Labs CEO and Co-founder Charlie Bachtell said the deal gives the company “the largest and most strategic distribution footprint of any cannabis company in the U.S.”

“This significantly accelerates our efforts to build the first national house of brands with broad and deep positions in the largest cannabis markets in the country. Cresco will have industry-leading brand development and distribution capabilities, which we believe will result in significant value creation for consumers and our shareholders alike as the market for medical-use and regulated adult-use cannabis continues to grow at a rapid pace.” – Bachtell, in a statement

Origin House Chairman and Chief Executive Marc Lustig told Bloomberg News that the deal will give the company access to 10 additional states.

“This transaction is directly aligned with our strategy to build a leading portfolio of cannabis brands in California and to rapidly and assertively take those brands to the rest of the U.S. market, as well as the Canadian market,” he said in the report.

Under the terms of the deal, Origin House shareholders will see 0.8428 of Cresco stock for each share held. The deal is expected to be finalized in June.   

End

New Jersey Gov. to Expand Medical Program if Cannabis Not Legalized By May

4/01/2019

by

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is “prepared to hold off a short amount of time” for lawmakers to approve a recreational cannabis law before he expands the state’s medical cannabis program, NJ Spotlight reports.

The Democratic governor indicated “the month of May would be the edge” of that timeline. Murphy included cannabis legalization in his election campaign platform.

“I’m still confident we can go on and get it done legislatively. I’m open-minded and supportive for the legislature to go back at it and find those last few votes we couldn’t get. But it can’t be an unending calendar. We owe too much to the folks; in some cases, it’s a question of life or death.” – Murphy, in the report

Legislative leaders had packaged the medical cannabis and recreational bills together hoping to garner more ‘yes’ votes for legalization. The legalization bill passed two state legislative committees two weeks ago and lawmakers were expected to vote on the measure the following week; however, the bill was tabled by Democratic state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, who said he didn’t have the 21 votes to pass it.

Sweeney said the “optimum goal” for lawmakers is to get both the expansion and legalization bill passed legislatively and that he has no plans to split the two bills.

End

New York Village Promises to Sue State if Cannabis Legalized

4/01/2019

by

The village board of Islandia, New York unanimously voted to allow the village attorney to sue the state if cannabis is legalized, according to a Newsday report. Mayor Allan Dorman indicated that while he is not against medical cannabis use, he – and the board – strongly oppose recreational use.

“The problem is they want to legalize it for recreation. So for all you old people in the ’60s, this is not your marijuana. It’s very, very, strong. Passing this gives our attorney the authorization and the consent of this board to immediately file a lawsuit against the State of New York. … The day they pass this, the day they pass this, the next day he’s in court.” – Dorman, in the Newsweek report

Under the legalization measure being considered in the state legislature, municipalities with more than 100,000 residents would be allowed to opt out of legal cannabis sales. The Town of North Hempstead has already approved a prohibition on legal cannabis sales. At least two downstate counties are considering moratoriums or outright bans, while other towns on Long Island are also considering prohibiting legal sales.

Legalization was pulled from the Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Budget last week after Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie told the governor he wanted the legislation to move through the legislative process, rather than via the budget.

End

Michigan Judge Gives Two-Week Extension to Unlicensed Dispensaries

4/01/2019

by

Unlicensed medical cannabis dispensaries in Michigan have been granted a two-week extension after a judge blocked another attempt by the state to shut them down, the Associated Press reports.

The restraining order signed by Court of Claims Judge Stephen Borello saves about 50 shops throughout the state that had been ordered to close by yesterday. Officials had previously set a Dec. 31 deadline for unlicensed dispensaries but that was also blocked by a judge. Borrello issued a similar injunction last September that saved nearly 100 dispensaries from state closure.

The case was brought against the state three days before the deadline by Detroit-based Green Genie who successfully argued that they were denied a license because the state erroneously recorded their tax payments, according to an MLive report. Five other dispensaries had joined Green Genie with lawsuits against the state. Borrello decided that all of the businesses would likely receive state licenses and would suffer harm by closing, along with the patients they serve. Green Genie serves about 20,000 patients.

In a statement to the Detroit Free Press, the Bureau of Marijuana Regulation said, “until further order of the court, BMR will maintain the status quo and not enforce the March 31 deadline with respect to both temporary operating facilities and caregiver products.”

End

Walgreens to Sell CBD in 10 States

3/29/2019

by

Walgreens is set to begin selling CBD topical products in about 1,500 stores in 10 states, according to a CNBC report. The news comes on the heels of its competitor CVS announcing last week it would begin selling similar products in its stores throughout eight states.

“This product offering is in line with our efforts to provide a wider range of accessible health and wellbeing products and services to best meet the needs and preferences of our customers.” – Walgreens spokesperson Brian Faith, in an email to CNBC

Walgreens will roll out the products in Colorado, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, New Mexico, Oregon, South Carolina, and Vermont. The company did not specify which brands it would carry.

Walgreens tied the decision neither to the announcement by its rival nor last year’s passage of the federal farm bill.

CVS is planning to carry CBD products in Alabama, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland and Tennessee.

Faith indicated the decision by the company was made following “a thorough review and analysis” of the market and available products; although, he did not offer any exact dates on when the products would be available and whether they would be available via the company’s online store.

End

Massachusetts Cannabis Regulators Launch Probe into Potential Licensing Rule Violations

3/29/2019

by

Regulators in Massachusetts are investigating whether large licensed cannabis companies are thwarting state rules on the number of licenses that can be controlled by a single firm, the Boston Globe reports. The inquiry comes following the newspaper’s report that two companies – Sea Hunter Therapeutics and Acreage Holdings – have bragged to investors about holding a large number of licenses.

Under the state’s legalization law, firms are only allowed to own or control up to three medical cannabis and three recreational cannabis licenses.

The Globe had requested Cannabis Control Commission records relating to allegations about companies flouting the rules, which were ultimately denied by the commission who cited an ongoing investigation, according to the report. The Globe has, however, received a Department of Public Health memo dated last August that indicated the agency was aware of potential licensing problems with the two companies, including “using loopholes” hide their affiliations and creating shell companies.

The Globe report alleges that the companies accumulated provincial medical licenses through complex networks of different companies – some they owned outright, others they wield power over via high-interest loans and management contracts. Sea Hunter is reportedly affiliated with 12 stores throughout the state, while Acreage is linked to at least four.

Alex Coleman, chief executive of Tilt Holdings, Sea Hunter’s parent company, told the Globe they have “no knowledge of a DPH or CCC review.”

End

Maine Gov. Signs Bill Aligning State & Federal Hemp Definitions

3/29/2019

by

Maine Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, has signed legislation making it clear that the production and sale of hemp-derived food is legal in the state, the Associated Press reports. The measure is designed to align the state’s definition of hemp with the federal definition outlined in last year’s Farm Bill.

The measure does introduce hemp cultivation licenses and fees. Application fees are capped at $100, license fees at $500, and fees for “monitoring, sampling, and testing” at $100 per acre, according to the bill text.

The bill passed the House 116-1 last week and the Senate 32-1 on Tuesday.

The governor, who signed the bill as emergency legislation, said it preserves “the continued growth of the legal hemp industry” in Maine. Democratic Rep. Craig Hickman, an organic farmer, sponsored the measure after state regulators had ordered retailers to stop selling food products containing CBD in January.

“We heard from farmers, processors, retailers, health care practitioners and people who have found relief in the medicinal qualities of the nutrient dense whole food that is the hemp plant. They needed us to act.” – Hickman, to the Portland Press Herald

The bill opens the door for the sale of CBD-infused animal food but, because the law considers it food and not medicine, retailers and producers cannot make any health claims about the products.

End

SAFE Banking Act Passes Key Congressional Committee

3/28/2019

by

The Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act was approved by the House Financial Services Committee in a sweeping 45-15 vote this morning.

The bill is the first piece of major cannabis reforms to pass committee at the federal level; it was introduced by Reps. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colorado) and Denny Heck (D-Washington) but has been cosponsored by 152 lawmakers — including 12 Republicans — which is more than one-third of the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives.

If fully approved, the bill would allow banks to work with state-legal cannabis companies, improving safety and easing business woes for the currently cash-only cannabis industry.

“This is a big day for the businesses, employees and communities who have been forced to operate in cash-only for many years.” — Rep. Ed Perlmutter, on Twitter

The banking bill has not yet been scheduled for consideration by the full House, but that vote — and other cannabis-related House legislation — is expected in the coming weeks.

“This is a positive step forward to address an untenable tension between state-legal cannabis marketplaces and federal marijuana prohibition,” said Justin Strekal, political director for the cannabis advocacy group NORML, in a press release. “No industry can operate safely, transparently, or effectively without access to banks or other financial institutions.”

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Missouri), who chairs the House Financial Services Committee, commented, “I have long fought for criminal justice reform, and deeply understand the need to fully address the historic racial and social inequities related to the criminalization of marijuana. While H.R. 1595 is the only aspect of these efforts that are within the committee’s jurisdiction, as the bill moves forward, it must be a part of holistic approach to considering these reforms.”

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon), founder and co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, called it “the most significant step we’ve seen” in addressing outdated federal cannabis policies.

“I applaud the outstanding work of Chairwoman Waters and Representatives Heck and Perlmutter for making this possible,” Blumenauer said. “The SAFE Banking Act solves a major problem for the state legal cannabis industry and its success moving through the committee is a signal of how we can move forward with other critical proposals.”

Ten U.S. states plus Washington D.C. and the Northern Mariana Islands have legalized cannabis for adult-use. Meanwhile, a strong majority of American voters — including 77 percent of Democrats, 62 percent of Independents, and 57 percent of Republicans — support cannabis legalization, according to Gallup.

End

Guam Legalization Bill Sent to Gov.

3/28/2019

by

Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero will decide on whether or not cannabis will be legalized in the U.S. territory after senators narrowly approved the legislation on Wednesday night, the Pacific Daily News reports. Guerrero indicated she supports the measure, which passed 8-7, but needs to review the final version of the bill which received multiple floor amendments.

Cannabis use and possession of less than an ounce is already decriminalized on the island and voters approved medical cannabis legalization in 2014; however, due to a lack of testing facilities, the program is not yet operational. Last year, Guam lawmakers legalized home cultivation to give patients some access.

Sen. Clynt Ridgell, a Democrat and the bill’s sponsor, said he researched the pros and cons of legalization and that “data and science … paved a clear route towards the passage” of the legislation.

“The community has been engaged in every step of the process, and the legislative process was followed precisely,” he said during the debate. Vice Speaker Telena Nelson, also a Democrat, had accused lawmakers of rushing the vote and “shoving [legalization] down [constituents’] throats” because they refused to delay the vote until after some community members could hold a town hall meeting on the issue. Nelson ultimately voted ‘no’ on the bill.

Republican Sen. Wil Castro, who opposed the measure, told reporters after its passage that “the next only logical step is to strengthen…the rules and regulations that go with the bill.”

If signed by the governor, Guam would be the second U.S. territory to legalize cannabis for adult use. The Commonwealth of the Northern Marina Islands passed legalization in 2018.

End

Canopy Growth Partners with ‘Pineapple Express’ Makers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg

3/28/2019

by

Canopy Growth has announced a partnership with Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg on a cannabis company called Houseplant. Rogen and Goldberg worked on ‘stoner’ comedy films “Superbad” and “Pineapple Express.”

“Houseplant is a passion we’ve brought to life through drive and dedication. Every decision we’ve made for the business reflects the years of education, first-hand experience and respect we have for cannabis.” – Rogen, in a press release

The company plans to offer three strains – Houseplant Sativa, Houseplant Hybrid, and Houseplant Indica – over the coming months. Their first product, Houseplant Sativa, is expected to be available in stores and online in British Columbia, Canada. Both Rogen and Goldberg are from Vancouver.

“We are so proud to be launching in Canada, our home,” Goldberg said in a statement. “After spending five years diligently preparing for the launch of this company, we’re excited to be able to share our passion for cannabis with Canadians in this way.”

Under their agreement with Canopy, Houseplant “will lean on the production and distribution capabilities of Canopy” and its subsidiaries. In the announcement, Canopy said Houseplant products would be available in flower, pre-rolls, and Softgel.

“We could not be more excited to partner with Seth, Evan and the entire Houseplant team,” Canopy President Mark Zekulin said in a statement. “Together we will make Houseplant a cannabis brand synonymous with quality everywhere it is available.”

In the statement, Houseplant said the company also has an “obligation to build an industry that commits to changing everything that’s been wrong about cannabis,” noting the racial injustices caused by prohibition and that the company plans to work “to help those unjustly incarcerated.”

End

Lines of commercial-grade cannabis plants in pots inside of an indoor grow site.

Maryland Firm Sues Cannabis Commission Over Proposed License Expansion

3/28/2019

by

Maryland licensed producer Curio Wellness has filed a lawsuit in an effort to prevent the state Medical Cannabis Commission from awarding additional cultivation licenses in an effort to foster more minority participation in the state’s industry, the Baltimore Sun reports. The company argues that the commission is violating its own rules by soliciting applications without first completing a supply and demand survey.

David Nevins, a Curio spokesman, said the company was “compelled to file the action to protect their business and investments and rights and to enforce the promises made by the state of Maryland and the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission to induce private sector growers to invest and operate in this important public health program.”

The lawsuit alleges that the regulations promised to strictly limit the number of licenses. In addition to Curio, there are 12 other licensed producers in the state.

“Those promises include the state not expanding the number of cultivator licenses without first conducting a demand study to determine if additional supply is necessary to meet the demand for this newly established public health program.” — Nevins, to the Sun

Curio is owned by prominent Democratic donor Michael Bronfein.

Maryland Del. Cheryl Glenn, a Democrat who has advocated for social equity in the state’s cannabis industry, said the commission conducted a “disparity study” which found that none of the state’s 15 licensed producers were minority-owned. After the study was released a spokeswoman for Republican Gov. Larry Hogan told the Sun there was “clear and unequivocal evidence” of disparity in the industry.

Glenn, who chairs the state’s Legislative Black Caucus, called Curio’s position “unfortunate.”

“I would be ashamed to file such a lawsuit,” she said in the report. “It’s saying that you want to maintain the lack of diversity like we have in the rest of the country in this industry.”

The Maryland Wholesale Medical Cannabis Trade Association said the state should continue with the new licensing process.

End

Connecticut Committee Advances Cannabis Legalization

3/27/2019

by

The Connecticut Legislature’s General Law Committee voted across party lines, 10-8, in favor of a cannabis legalization bill that would create a regulated adult-use market and provide equity opportunities for citizens who were most negatively affected by the War on Drugs, CT News Junkie reports.

The social equity provisions included in the legislation were hotly debated during the committee meeting; Democratic Sen. Dough McCroy called the nation’s drug policy “probably the last” policy left over from the Jim Crow era. The representative from Hartford indicated he would not support any legalization bill that is anything less than the gold standard for social equity.

The legislation defines social equity as “individuals or communities disproportionately impacted by high rates of arrest and conviction, as well as individuals who can demonstrate, via affidavit and other documentation as the commission may require … requisite experience with cannabis cultivation, distribution or the sale or manufacture of cannabis products.”

Other Democrats on the committee voiced support for the social equity provisions and a regulated market, while most Republicans on the committee stood opposed due to public health concerns.

The committee also advanced legislation to add opioid use disorder to the state’s medical cannabis qualifying conditions list – which the state’s Board of Physicians voted against last year – and eliminate the $25 program registration fee.

Both bills need to be approved by both legislative bodies before being sent to the governor.

End

A close-up shot of a cannabis plant grown under Washington's I-502 market regulations.

Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada Investing $1.5M for Cannabis Research

3/27/2019

by

The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is investing $1.5 million in funding to the nation’s Institutes of Health Research for research into the use of cannabis to manage MS symptoms and its effect on the condition, the organization announced on Sunday.

The investment will span five years and will consider applications for basic science, clinical, health services, and policy research.

“The MS Society is pleased to invest in this first-of-its-kind funding opportunity in Canadian MS research. As an organization, we have a mandate to provide information that is rooted in evidence. Cannabis is still a relatively unknown substance from the perspective of evidence-based research, so investing in research on cannabis use is an important first step for determining its applicability and efficacy towards managing MS.” – Dr. Pamela Valentine, president and CEO of the MS Society of Canada, in a statement

The announcement is part of an Integrated Cannabis Research Strategy involving six agencies, including: the Institute of Cancer Research; Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health; Institute of Human Development Child and Youth Health; Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health; Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis; and the Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Addiction.

Along with the MS Society, the Arthritis Society, Canadian Cancer Society, and Mental Health Commission of Canada are collaborating with the Institutes of Health Research on the cannabis research project.

The agency is accepting letters of intent for research programs until May 15.

End

Florida Ag Committee Advances Industrial Hemp Bill

3/27/2019

by

The Florida Senate’s Agricultural Committee has advanced legislation setting up a framework for farmers and other businesses to cultivate and sell industrial hemp, the Orlando Sentinel reports. Sen. Rob Bradley, a Republican and bill sponsor, said the measure is necessary following changes in federal law last year that legalized industrial hemp.

“The intent here is to get this emerging industry to be viable in the state of Florida and for us to be as cutting edge as possible while also respecting the guide rails … that the federal government has provided in this situation. We’re going to push it. We’re going to keep pushing it.” – Bradley in a Sentinel interview

Under the legislation, oversight of the hemp industry would be relegated to the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried includes hemp – and medical cannabis – on her list of priorities.

The bill would require licensed producers and sellers to submit a background check every two years, require a state-certification hemp seed program, and create an industrial hemp advisory board.

Bradley said the proposed regulations “are not meant to be onerous.”

“This is not a reflection of the medical-marijuana system. That is a medicine, a controlled substance, and this is different,” Bradley said in the report. “But it’s also not the same as growing apples or oranges, either, until we evolve this industry and get to a point where perhaps it will be that one day.”

The majority of U.S. states allow some form of hemp production and more are considering comprehensive programs after the federal law changes last year.

End

Survey: 40% of U.S. Adults Interested In Trying CBD Products

3/26/2019

by

According to a survey from High Yield Insights, about 40 percent of adults 21-and-older are interested in using CBD “under the right conditions.” The majority of those that indicated willingness in trying CBD were 35-and-older (64 percent), female (56 percent), with some college experience (79 percent).

The survey found that about half of current CBD users are under 35 and 54 percent had used CBD for less than one year.

Mike Luce, co-founder of High Yield, said CBD seems “to be benefitting from greater acceptance of cannabis.”

“Seven in 10 current CBD users have also used cannabis containing THC in some form in the past three months. This indicates that for some users, CBD-only products are serving a complementary function.” – Luce, in a statement

The survey found that 30 percent of respondents reported using products with CBD only, while the remaining preferred products with both CBD and THC. Forty-two percent indicated they had tried CBD because they could easily access the products, 34 percent had a physician’s recommendation and 44 percent believed there was available “unbiased research.”

The complete data, which includes responses from more than 2,000 consumers – 1,500 who had used a CBD product in the last three months and 500 who had not – will be published by High Yield in a report titled CBD Consumer Experience: Part One.

End

New Jersey Lawmakers Table Legalization Bill Due to Lacking Senate Support

3/26/2019

by

Lawmakers in New Jersey have called off the vote on a measure to legalize cannabis because they did not have enough votes in the Senate to pass the bill, NJ.com reports.

State Senate President Stephen Sweeney, a Democrat, indicated the vote would be held “as soon [as he has] 21 votes for sure. Sweeney had previously said that if the bill failed to make it to the floor they would table it until after next year’s elections.

“We’ll be back at this. Anybody who thinks this is dead is wrong. This is not an issue that’s going away. Marijuana will get passed in the state of New Jersey one way or another.” – Sweeney at a news conference via NJ.com

The vote was expected this week after the legislation passed two legislative committees last week. It was reported that Gov. Phil Murphy had made “dozens of calls” to lawmakers urging them to back the bill. Legalization was included in the Democratic governor’s campaign platform. Sweeney noted on Monday that Democratic lawmakers had been working throughout the week to whip the votes.

According to the report, the measure had the 41 votes required to pass it in the Assembly but had only received support from 17 or 18 of Senate members.

Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, a Democrat, said in a statement he was “disappointed” and echoed Sweeney’s statements that the bill would eventually make it to the floor in both chambers.

“We moved closer to the goal than ever before,” Coughlin said in a release. “Today does not mark the end of the process and effort. I remain committed to enacting the legislation.”

The move also delays two other cannabis measures tied to the legalization measure: an expansion of the state’s medical cannabis program and expunging low-level cannabis convictions.

End