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Washington Senate Approves Cannabis Expungement Bill

3/15/2019

The Washington state Senate has successfully passed legislation that, if signed into law, would vacate tens of thousands of prior cannabis convictions, according to an Inlander report.

The state Senate voted 29-19 in favor of the bill, which was introduced by state Sen. Joe Nguyen (D-White Center).

“This is something that has been legalized by the vote of the people and would not be criminalized right now. As we know convictions create an extreme hardship for folks, whether it’s housing or educational opportunities.” — State Sen. Joe Nguyen, via Inlander

More than 40,000 people in Washington are expected to qualify for expungement under the bill.

Previously, Gov. Jay Inslee (D) had promised to pardon individuals with minor cannabis possession charges on their record. However, under the rules stipulated by Gov. Inslee, it was estimated that only 3,500 people would qualify for expungement, an order of magnitude lower than those who qualify under the new bill. Inslee’s pardon promises included several stipulations that greatly limited those who would benefit.

Two amendments to the new expungement bill that would’ve limited who qualified to have their criminal records sealed — such as one clause preventing those with more than 2 prior convictions from qualifying and another setting a one-year timer on filing for expungement — were voted down.

The bill now must pass the Washington state House of Representatives before appearing on Gov. Inslee’s desk.

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Washington’s Home Grow Bills Are Dead, Again

3/15/2019

by Lukas Barfield

Despite widespread optimism in the cannabis community that the time for home grows in Washington had finally come, the two home grow companion bills in the state’s House and Senate have failed to advance past key legislative deadlines.

HB 1131 and SB 5155, both bi-partisan bills, would have allowed Washingtonians over the age of 21 to grow up to six cannabis plants at their private residence. The bills died after a last-ditch effort by state Sen. Maureen Walsh (R-Walla Walla) to insert the language of the home grow bill into other cannabis proposals on the Senate floor.

The development continues to leave Washington as the only state with adult-use cannabis access where citizens cannot grow their own cannabis plants.

“It really came down to some of the Democratic leadership continuing to block our reform. Thankfully some of our strongest opposition, namely Speaker of the House Frank Chopp, will be stepping aside next year, so we are hopeful we can advance these same bills in the 2020 legislative session with a more cannabis friendly Speaker.” — Don Skakie of Homegrow Washington, in an interview

Home grow was originally excluded from Washington’s legalization proposal as a strategy both to push consumers toward buying from state-licensed stores, thus generating more taxes for the state, and to make legalization more attractive to on-the-fence voters.

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Canna Cribs Ep. 6 Features Denver’s Rare Dankness & House of Dankness

3/14/2019

by Featured Announcement

The sixth episode of Canna Cribs, Season 1 released today on major streaming platforms. This episode features Denver, Colorado’s cannabis seed and genetics pioneer Rare Dankness™ and the company’s accompanying dispensary storefront House of Dankness.

In this episode, follow along with host Nate Lipton and the rest of the Canna Cribs team as they become the first-ever film crew to tour Rare Dankness’ state-of-the-art cultivation and propagation facility.

Rare Dankness was founded in 2010 after many years of growing, collecting, preserving, and experimenting with many varieties of cannabis. Through their global friend network, Rare Dankness has been able to work with some of the most sought after and highly coveted cannabis genetics. Their collection of genetics spans the last three decades and represents the finest specimens of cannabis strains in the world. Their work is not meant to replicate the “mothers,” but to complement the genetics by breeding with superior males.

Check out Canna Cribs Episode 6 below:

About Canna Cribs
Canna Cribs is an ongoing mini-documentary series produced by Growers Network that covers entrepreneurs and pioneers in the burgeoning cannabis industry. Catch up on the rest of the episodes in Canna Cribs Season 1 to see more in-depth tours of some of the world’s largest and most advanced cannabis grow sites.

About Growers Network
Growers Network is a private online community for cannabis cultivators and entrepreneurs to share their experiences, discuss the industry, and work together to overcome the many obstacles facing modern cannabis professionals. Join Growers Network here.

About Growers Network University aka GNU
From growing at home to growing at scale, Growers Network University will help you elevate your craft. Two flagship courses; one for hobbyists and one for commercial growers. Learn with expert growers as they teach you from their real-life experience, coupled with their recommended products. Learn more at GrowersNetwork.org/university.

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Alaska Legalizes Social Use Cannabis Clubs

3/14/2019

Alaska’s Lt. Gov Kevin Meyer has signed off on rules crafted by the state’s Marijuana Control Board that will allow on-site purchase and consumption at permitted businesses, Rolling Stone reports.

Alaska is the first state to authorize social use cannabis consumption lounges, or on-site consumption, in the U.S. While there have been similar city-level authorizations in Denver and San Francisco, no state-level permits have been issued. Beginning April 11 in Alaska, however, businesses will be able to apply for a special on-site use endorsement that would enable retail locations to let customers consume cannabis inside their shop.

Consumption areas must be separated from retail areas by a wall or secure door, or be an outdoor patio. Ventilation must be provided and a security plan must be filed with the state. The law also allows local governments to opt out of allowing on-site consumption, as well as issue additional rules or restrictions.

The first businesses allowing on-site consumption are not expected until sometime this summer, at the earliest.

“When these rules go into effect, Alaska will be the first state to finalize and approve statewide rules for on-site consumption. We expect more to follow suit in the not too distant future,” said Erik Altieri, the executive director for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, in a press release.

“Allowing social consumption is sensible from a business perspective, particularly for states with large amounts of tourists who otherwise have no place to legally consume, but it also has an important social justice component. By preventing retail outlets and other venues from being licensed and regulated for social consumption, many patients will have to choose between effective cannabis treatment for their ailments or being thrown out of public housing.” — Erik Alitieri, NORML executive director, via press release

Alaska has debated allowing on-site consumption since the state first passed adult-use cannabis legalization in 2015.

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San Francisco Will Issue Cannabis Smoking Permits for Events

3/14/2019

The city of San Francisco will implement a system to permit cannabis smoking at events within city limits, according to the San Francisco Examiner.

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved legislation introduced by city Supervisor Rafael Mandelman that enables regulators to issue permits to events allowing for the on-site sale and consumption of cannabis. State legislation enabled cities and other local governments to opt-in to allowing event cannabis sales and consumption starting January 1, 2019.

The only opposition to the city’s new permitting legislation came from those concerned not by cannabis but by the act of public smoking of both cannabis and tobacco. The Board of Supervisors, however, passed the rules in a 9-2 vote.

“What we are recognizing here is that there are events, and have been for time immemorial, where people have been smoking cannabis. This is a public health life and safety issue. We want to have these events to be legal, permitted, safe.” — City Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, via the San Francisco Examiner

At first, the cannabis permits will only be available to events that have occurred previously with unpermitted cannabis smoking, including Outside Lands, Hardly Strictly, 420 celebrations, How Weird, Clusterfest, Carnaval, and Pride.

Unfortunately, the permits will not yet be available by this year’s April 20 celebrations. Representatives of the city have cautioned this year’s attendees to not purchase cannabis from in or near the celebration on Hippie Hill in the city, but rather from licensed dispensaries beforehand. Last year, there were reports of the illegal sale of cannabis-laced with fentanyl, which hospitalized many San Franciscans.

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Harvest Health Acquires Verano Holdings, Becomes Largest U.S. Cannabis Operator

3/14/2019

Harvest Health and Recreation has acquired Verano Holdings for an $850 million all-stock deal that will make the combined companies the largest publicly-traded cannabis operator in the U.S., according to a story by the Motley Fool.

Harvest Health and Recreation is a vertically-integrated, multi-state cannabis operator that did not receive much press before its acquisition of Verano Holdings. When the acquisition is completed — expected by mid-year — the two companies will control 30 dispensaries, eight cultivation facilities, and seven manufacturing facilities.

Expansions are expected to continue. The two companies control nearly 200 licenses together across 16 states. Even if they acquire no further licenses, their current capacity stands at 123 dispensaries, 70 of which are expected to be open by the end of this year.

Harvest Health is also one of the few profitable cannabis companies to have emerged from the industry’s early years. While speculation in the industry is largely based around future expected earnings, Harvest Health is already profitable and the acquisition of Verano Holdings is not expected to change that.

Now, the main danger Harvest Health faces is that it may have overpaid for Verano Holdings — whose price tag is largely a product of speculation — and that issuing $850 million in common stock will devalue Harvest Health enough to make it struggle in competition with other mega cannabis companies like MedMen.

MedMen’s acquisition of PharmaCann had been the largest U.S. cannabis company acquisition before the current deal between Harvest Health and Verano was announced.

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Black Lawmakers to Block Legalization Without Social Justice in New York

3/13/2019

Several Black legislators in New York say that unless the cannabis legalization legislation submitted by Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office includes guarantees of revenue-sharing with communities most impacted by the decades of prohibition, there will be no legalization at all this year, according to a New York Times report.

The lawmakers want to see language in the state’s legalization bill that directs money to job training programs and to supporting minority entrepreneurs. Little has been done at the state level in other jurisdictions with legalized cannabis to address the racial inequalities exacerbated by prohibition.

“I haven’t seen anyone do it correctly. They thought we were going to trust that at the end of the day, these communities would be invested in. But that’s not something I want to trust. If it’s not required in the statute, then it won’t happen.” — Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes, via the New York Times

While there is a broad stroke that mentions a “social and economic equity plan” in the current cannabis legalization proposal, there are no specifics. The counsel for the governor, Alphonso David, said specifics of the cannabis laws’ social justice elements would be written in after legalization was passed.

The issue has pulled several important Democratic Party lawmakers away from supporting the current cannabis legalization proposal. Even Gov. Cuomo recognizes the impasse, having gone from adamant that legalization would be passed in the first part of 2019 to being “no longer confident” that cannabis legalization would fit into this year’s budget.

Other advocates say that if there is not a clear plan for the inclusion of Black and other minority communities in the legislation, New York‘s strong underground market is far more likely to persist.

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Health Canada Warns Cannabis Online Age Gates Not Good Enough

3/13/2019

Canada’s national Health Department sent a letter to all licensed cannabis producers in the country that normal age gates — where a visitor enters their birthday in order to view restricted content — aren’t sufficient to meet requirements, The Vancouver Courier reports.

Health Canada told producers and cultivators in the letter on March 8 that those age gates “may be easily circumvented by youth.” The standard enter-your-birthdate age gates are nearly ubiquitous on the modern internet and are considered sufficient for most industries.

Cannabis lawyer Harrison Jordan told the Vancouver Courier, however, that he spoke to an Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis Board representative several months ago who indicated that the standard age gate wasn’t good enough. There has nevertheless been little change with regards to cannabis websites.

According to Jordan, the only verification services that might satisfy Health Canada’s requirements are third-party know-your-client software from companies like SecureFact, Trulio, or Jumio. Those services use things like mobile phone records or utility data to verify identity. Other services like Inverite can scan the barcode on the back of a government-issued ID to provide verification — some, however, believe these services are too intrusive as an age gate for someone who perhaps only wants to check which strains are available from a particular producer.

Canada‘s cannabis industry will need to solve this problem somehow. The maximum penalty under Canada’s cannabis laws for noncompliance is $5 million in fines and up to three years in jail. While an unlikely punishment for anyone in the near term, it’s a significant new problem facing Canada’s nascent industry.

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Law Firm Sues U.S. Customs Over Lifetime Bans for Canadian Cannabis Workers

3/13/2019

The American law firm Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is suing U.S. Customs and Border Protection over the organization’s failure to properly disclose documents regarding lifetime bans given to Canadians and others working in the legal cannabis industry, The Vancouver Star reports.

Former U.S. Attorney and current law firm partner John McKay said that while U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have the ability to question travelers about nearly any subject, there is no obvious legal authority for the agency to hand out lifetime bans.

“I want to know what their authority is to ban people or to threaten to ban people and to cause fear among law-abiding Canadians who want to enter the United States.” — John McKay, via The Vancouver Star

The suit brought claims that the CBP has withheld documents requested by the law firm that should be available under the Freedom of Information Act. The law firm requested the documents but the CBP did not provide them by the deadline set in the Act and did not communicate about possible extensions or other legal recourse regarding the lack of disclosure.

If the Department of Homeland Security has provided a directive to the CBP to provide lifetime bans, the bans may be legal and there would be no legal recourse for the law firm. The information is not yet public, however, so it’s unclear who — if anyone — ordered the lifetime bans. If it is solely a CBP decision, the bans may not be valid.

The CBP refused to issue an official comment on the issue.

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Michigan Adds Cerebral Palsy to Cannabis Qualifying Conditions

3/12/2019

Michigan has added cerebral palsy to the list of conditions that qualify for medical cannabis, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs oversees the conditions list and decided to add cerebral palsy to the list of more than 25 qualifying conditions. The department also considered chronic aggressive behavior but decided not to add that condition to the Michigan medical cannabis program.

Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition affecting more than 750,000 people in the United States. Some speculate that a likely cause for cerebral palsy is an injury during childhood brain development. Medical cannabis, meanwhile, has been shown to help with symptoms of spasticity, abnormal motor control, pain, and can cause a reduction in seizures. The majority of sufferers — more than 500,000 — are under the age of 18.

Michigan also approved full adult-use legalization last year but any person under the age of 21 who needs cannabis still has to go through the state’s medical cannabis program. Michigan’s medical cannabis program currently has 294,000 patients.

Meanwhile, Michigan cannabis patients can now renew or register their patient ID cards via a new online portal that opened in January.

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Using DNA to Make Informed Cannabis Purchases

3/12/2019

Individuals’ different responses to cannabis become apparent the moment you start wrapping up a smoke session. You’ve probably seen it a dozen times — after passing a joint around a smoke circle, one person can’t stop laughing at everything everyone says, another is proclaiming the profundities of some ancient philosopher, and yet another is “resting their eyes.” While humorous to observe the panoply of personalities, this setting provides an important observation: the cannabinoids and terpenes found in different cannabis products interact with everyone’s internal biochemistry differently.

Naturally, aspects of your lifestyle like how much exercise you’ve been getting, your sleep patterns, and diet all play a role in how you’ll respond to a cannabis product on any given day. However, the most critical factor is the makeup of your endocannabinoid system — the chemicals and neurons in your brain and body that respond to cannabinoids. DNA holds the specific instructions for how your endocannabinoid system gets “wired up” compared to other people.

A quick introduction to DNA

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a long molecule that contains the instructions for building every single part of an organism. DNA is made up of four compounds that pair up: (A) Adenine, (T) Thymine, (C) Cytosine, and (G) Guanine. 99.5% of the base pair combinations that make up humans are identical from person to person. The .5% difference is what makes you unique. Variants are the genetic differences that make up that .5%.

Many readers may be familiar with the term “gene,” which is simply a section of DNA that carries the code for making and organizing specific molecules that eventually serve as the building blocks for different parts and functions of an organism. Variants in specific genes have been identified as the determinants for thousands of different traits, from whether you’ll have blue or green eyes to whether or not you’ll have muscular dystrophy. As new research is conducted on cannabis and the body, more genetic links that can predict your response to cannabis are beginning to surface.

Cannabis and your DNA

With genes holding the instructions for the creation of enzymes and proteins that go on to make up all the constituents of your brain and body, its easy to see how this could affect your endocannabinoid system and, subsequently, your experience with cannabis. An extreme example of this is Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency (CECD) — a genetic condition where the carrier’s body produces significantly less endogenous cannabinoids and receptors compared to a healthy person. CECD presents an obvious linkage between DNA and cannabis use: if you carry a gene for CECD, you will require substantially more cannabis in order to achieve the same effects as someone without that gene. Other genetic links that predict your response to cannabis can be a bit more insidious.

Take the genes CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 for example; they code for an enzyme that breaks down THC and CBD respectively. Variants on these genes can make the enzymes they create up to 30% less effective. This means that consumers with those variants would be less effective in breaking down THC and CBD. This breakdown process is a critical variable to consider when ingesting chemicals. In fact, some pharmaceuticals specifically target this breakdown system by creating drugs that inhibit the breakdown of endogenous chemicals so that they can remain effective longer and produce “more” of their intended outcome.

For example, SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; the leading pharmaceutical anti-depressant) delay the breakdown of serotonin (a positive mood-regulating neurotransmitter) in the synapse (the small space that allows transmission of neurotransmitters across neurons) so that an individual’s serotonin (which is usually not as present in depressed populations) can continue to operate, yielding a “happier” person. Similarly, the sluggish breakdown of THC will result in a user feeling “higher” for longer. Unfortunately, this can also lead to drowsiness in users with the variant for up to three days after initial consumption.

Naturally, insights into which variants on the CYPC9 and CYP2C19 an individual has can help guide dosage/titration models as well as which product categories to choose (e.g. choosing a vaporizer over edibles if suffering from sub-optimal breakdown, since most breakdown is mediated by the liver). Such information into drug metabolism has fueled the burgeoning field of pharmacogenetics, where medical doctors take a personalized approach to pharmaceutical medication based on the patient’s DNA.

DNA insights for personalized cannabis use

Given the effectiveness of cannabis as a treatment option for a wide variety of disorders and diseases and the reliability of DNA in determining an individual’s likelihood of developing a particular condition, it stands to reason that by taking genetic predispositions into consideration users can optimize their choice of cannabis products. Taking into account the tens of thousands of cannabis products and strains available on the legal market, consumers face a plethora of options with varying cannabinoid and terpene ratios — the most critical variables for determining the different effects and medical benefits of cannabis.

Such a range of products, coupled with an understanding of one’s DNA, allows for a personalized product selection by connecting the dots across different research findings. For example, a host of genes can predispose someone to developing Alzheimer’s and dementia. On the other side of the equation, studies have shown that pinene (a terpene found in cannabis and other plants like pine trees) has a neuroprotective effect that specifically enhances memory. Cannabis users with such predispositions would be wise to take preventative health measures by routinely choosing cannabis products high in pinene. Similar associations exist for users with a tendency to develop schizophrenia or have psychotic episodes, where low-THC, high-CBD products can provide anti-psychotic effects. Similar reasoning applies to individuals at a high-risk for cancer being able to take advantage of high-THC, anti-cancer products.

As regulation begins allowing scientists to access cannabis for research studies, more insights that can help predetermine the effectiveness of cannabis use at the level of an individual is certainly on the horizon. Other avenues could also provide insights into other aspects of cannabis use as well. For example, new research from 2018 has even unveiled 35 genes that make you 11% more likely to be a cannabis consumer and revealed an interesting overlap in cannabis use with a gene (CADM2) that has been traditionally associated with risk-taking. Information like this, combined with genes that predispose individuals for abuse could be used to guide scheduled tolerance breaks.

Regardless of the application, additional research into DNA, cannabinoids, and terpenes promises to refine the personalized approach to cannabis that all consumers should consider taking.

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Medical Cannabis Home Grow Bill Passes New Hampshire House

3/12/2019

A bill allowing medical cannabis patients to grow their own cannabis has successfully passed the New Hampshire House of Representatives, according to The Boston Globe.

Medical cannabis was legalized in New Hampshire in 2013 but patients are required to get their cannabis from the state’s four licensed dispensaries.

The new proposal would allow patients to possess up to three mature plants, three immature plants, and 12 seedlings at one time. The bill would also raise the legal limit for possession of dried cannabis flower from six ounces to eight ounces.

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R), who has voiced opposition to adult-use legalization efforts, said he will carefully review the language of this medical cannabis bill should it reach his desk.

The New Hampshire House also passed adult-use legislation in February but, due to the opposition from Gov. Sununu and some other Republicans, that bill’s future is uncertain. The margin of support for adult-use legalization in the House was not enough to withstand a veto.

The medical cannabis home grow bill’s future seems much brighter. The bill will now be considered by the state Senate.

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Adult-Use Legalization Passes New Mexico House

3/11/2019

The New Mexico House of Representatives has passed a bill to legalize cannabis for adults, according to the Associated Press.

The bill passed with a 36-34 majority in the House. Democrat Rep. Javier Martinez called the bill a “grand bargain” between Senate Republicans and House Democrats. Originally, there were separate proposals from the two groups which were merged into the current bill.

The bill would create a regulated system of state-run, retail cannabis stores. It would be very similar to how alcohol regulations work in several U.S. states, though it would be the first such model for cannabis. Cannabis would be sold on consignment from growers instead of being purchased outright. The cannabis program would be overseen by the state departments of Agriculture, Health and the Environment.

Possession of up to an ounce would be legal, though anyone carrying cannabis would need to retain their receipt from the state store. The bill does not allow for home-grows, though medical cannabis patients who can already grow their own plants would be allowed to continue.

The bill now goes to the state Senate for further consideration.

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Hawaii Introduces ‘Visiting Patient’ Cannabis Program

3/11/2019

The Hawaii Department of Health has announced a new program where visiting patients can use their out-of-state medical cannabis cards to access medical cannabis while in Hawaii, Forbes reports.

Qualifying patients visiting the state must fill out a 10-minute online form and pay $49.50 sixty days in advance of their trip. Hawaii will then issue an electronic registration card, known as a 329-V card, which would allow the patient to purchase cannabis from any Hawaii licensed retailer for a period of up to 60 days, up to twice a year.

“Hawaii’s new Visiting Patient Program is an important milestone in providing qualified out-out-state patients with safe access to the state’s world-class licensed medical cannabis dispensaries. Approved visiting patients no longer need to be anxious about if they’ll be able to legally obtain their medical cannabis medication in Hawaii and instead can focus on enjoying their experience in the Aloha state.” –Pedro Haro, Hawaii Educational Association for Therapeutic Healthcare Executive Director, via Forbes

To qualify, patients need only have a valid medical cannabis card from a legal state alongside a government-issued photo ID from that same state. More details and instructions can be found at MarijuanaHawaii.org.

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New Hampshire Supreme Court: Worker Should Be Reimbursed for Medical Cannabis

3/11/2019

The New Hampshire Supreme Court overturned a labor appeals board decision to not cover a Workers’ Compensation claim and ruled that medical cannabis must be covered alongside other medical expenses, according to an Associated Press report.

The court ruled that cannabis patient Andrew Panaggio should have his medical cannabis costs reimbursed. Panaggio hurt his back while at work and became a registered member of New Hampshire’s medical cannabis program following that injury. He applied for Workers’ Compensation for the costs but was denied.

He appealed the decision but the board ruled that, while medical cannabis was indeed medically necessary, he would still not be reimbursed because cannabis possession remains federally illegal. The ruling by the state Supreme Court — which is the end of the road, in terms of appeals — clarifies that Panaggio is entitled to reimbursement.

The new decision, however, does not determine whether or not Panaggio’s insurance company is vulnerable to litigation if they persist in not covering the expenses. While it’s clear how New Hampshire state law regards the issue, the insurance carrier may simply continue to not take action on the issue if litigation isn’t possible.

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Facebook Continues Fumbling Enforcement of Cannabis Ads

3/08/2019

Facebook’s ad policies continue to be unevenly enforced when it comes to cannabis-related organizations, according to a story by Global News.

Canadians for Fair Access to Medical Marijuana (CFAMM), a Canadian non-profit campaigning for the elimination of taxes on medical cannabis, had its Facebook account shut down while trying to reach potential voters on social media. Facebook does not allow marketing for anything that promotes the sale or use of cannabis. Under those guidelines, however, ads for a specific issue such as tax law changes should be allowed.

Facebook disallowed several specific ads at first and eventually shut down the entire ads account for CFAMM. This has been Facebook’s strategy for many cannabis-related businesses, even those that are not producers or involved at all in the sale or use of cannabis products (including Ganjapreneur).

CFAMM reached out to Facebook’s moderation team to determine which rules they had violated or what they needed to do to be compliant. Facebook responded with a message nearly devoid of details, aside from the statement, “We don’t support ads for your business model.” The response to the appeal ends, “Please consider this decision final.”

“It’s a non-profit organization. Just the term ‘business model’ makes it seem like they’re almost conflating us with a licenced producer. They’re seeing ‘cannabis’ and not looking into it.” — CFAMM Spokesperson Max Monahan-Ellison, via Global News

However, when reporters reached out to Facebook for comment, the decision wasn’t actually final and was reversed.

“The ad account was disabled in error and restored as soon as we were able to investigate,” an unidentified Facebook spokesperson told Global News.

Facebook has exactly this record of stonewalling small cannabis organizations while making concessions for those who can manage to get large news organizations on their side.

Facebook did not respond for comment on the greater issue. It’s clear, however, there is little that can prompt the social media giant to take action on the issue except for significant negative press.

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Florida Smokable Cannabis Bill Passes Senate

3/08/2019

A bill that would lift the ban on cannabis smoking in Florida successfully passed the state Senate on Thursday, The Orlando Sentinel reports.

The Florida Senate passed SB 182 by a 34-4 margin.

“Marijuana is now medicine in the state of Florida and how that medicine is administered should be between their doctor and that patient.” — state Sen. Gary Farmer (D-Lighthouse Point), via Orlando Sentinel

Florida’s medical cannabis laws, established in 2017 based on a successful 2016 voter initiative, have so far banned the act of smoking medical cannabis. A lower Florida court ruled in 2018 that the smoking ban was unconstitutional, but then-Gov. Rick Scott appealed the decision. However, Scott was ousted by current Gov. Ron DeSantis, who said he would drop the appeal and set a deadline of March 15 for the state’s Congress to pass a new law allowing for patients to smoke.

SB 182 would accomplish that goal. It now heads to the House, where there is already a medical cannabis update in the works but which still has a smoking ban in place for some patients. Senate bill sponsor Jeff Brandes, however, said he expects the House will pass the bill approved by the Senate instead.

While the outcome of the House vote is not yet completely set in stone, the bill is expected to pass and be on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk for his signature before the March 15 deadline. DeSantis is expected to sign the bill into law.

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Headset and Nielsen Team Up On Consumer Packaged Goods Analytics

3/08/2019

Headset is teaming up with consumer research firm Nielsen to provide more data offerings to Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) companies, according to a story by ZDNet.

Nielsen is a well-known consumer research and insights company. By teaming up with Headset, Nielsen will be able to access their extensive point-of-sale data regarding cannabis and other products sold in dispensaries. The companies hope that by combining their data they’ll be able to better segment the market and identify potential new markets for CPG companies. Nielsen already recently acquired the cannabis legalization research firm Cannabiz Consumer Group.

“Nielsen has a history of providing leading-edge analytic services for emerging categories and industries, and we are taking a similar approach with the introduction of our comprehensive suite of cannabis related insight services. This is a noteworthy time to enter the legal cannabis measurement space. We strongly believe that Headset is the right partner to complement our services, as we commence in our commitment to provide a complete view into the important legal U.S. cannabis market for our CPG clients. We look forward to enabling their ability to measure, predict and activate against well informed, cannabis insights.” — Jeanne Danubio, President of Nielsen North America, via press release

Headset is known for extensive cannabis industry reporting and analytics tools. The company collects data from licensed cannabis businesses in legalized states across the U.S. and produces software that tracks everything from inventory to the productivity of budtenders.

Headset told reporters that together with Nielsen they’re already working on a new industry report and a new suite of research and data tools for the Canadian marketplace.

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Everything There Is to Know About CBD Oil for Dogs

3/07/2019

by Jeff Riman

It’s Time You Nurture Your Pets Holistically

In the last decade, people have become increasingly aware of CBD and its therapeutic effects, not only for people but for our furry friends as well. In spite of its fairly long tenure in the pet’s world, there is still a mild hesitation among pet owners regarding the use of CBD to help dogs.

The only cause for this reluctance is a lack of knowledge surrounding CBD for dogs. Yes, there is information available but, due to contradicting information online and often baffling technical terms, many of the benefits of using CBD oil for dogs get lost.

Today, we are going to share everything there is to know about CBD for dogs with the sole objective of making it easy for the everyday pet owner to understand why CBD for dogs is a great choice.

What Is CBD?

CBD has become one of the most popular cannabinoids today. The reason it has garnered so much attention and gained such popularity is its distinct medicinal characteristics. CBD is a chemical compound found in all the plants of the cannabis species. Although the concentration varies within the species, CBD can be found in Sativa, Indica, and Ruderalis cannabis plants.

There’s another cannabinoid as famous as CBD which most of us are aware of, THC. THC, or Tetrahydrocannabinol, is also one of 113 cannabinoids found in cannabis.

The similarity between both the cannabinoids is their therapeutic capability for both humans and dogs. But the difference between them is what makes CBD a great option today. THC is a psychedelic cannabinoid (i.e., it induces a high upon consumption). CBD, however, is a non-psychotic cannabinoid, meaning it does not make you high upon consumption.

Due to this difference between the cannabinoids, users can access CBD products without legal intervention in all 50 states while THC is strictly regulated by the federal government and is available only where state laws permit it. THC is still illegal under federal law.

But How Does CBD Work For Dogs?

This is by far the most asked question by pet parents: “CBD works for us, fine, but how does it have therapeutic effects for dogs as well?”

Well, the answer is not complicated — dogs have an endocannabinoid system just like ours! The endocannabinoid system, cannabinoid receptors, and endocannabinoids are similar in both humans and dogs. Therefore, CBD oil works as well for dogs as it works for us.

What are the Therapeutic Benefits of Using CBD Oil for Dogs?

CBD May Help Occasional Discomfort: One of the most common health conditions among pets is chronic physical discomfort due to old age. The occurrence of arthritis is as common in dogs as in humans, making mobility an issue. Arthritis is nothing but inflammation of joints that leads to pain, stiffness, and joint degeneration.

CBD is widely known for its anti-inflammatory properties which may relieve physical discomfort in pets.

CBD May Help Seizures and Epilepsy: The discovery of the full range of CBD’s therapeutic effects began with stories about its ability to treat symptoms related to epilepsy. Cannabidiol is a natural soother, and when an epileptic dog takes CBD, it may calm the frenzy of the mind.

CBD tends to decrease the frequency of seizures over time, making it a reliable alternative for the treatment of epilepsy.

Manages Anxiousness: Whether it’s strangers, fireworks, or a new environment, it is crucial that you take your dog’s anxiousness seriously. CBD oil for dogs is one of the most popular options for anxious dogs. It subdues aggressiveness and stress in pets and helps keep them relaxed.

These are just a few of the therapeutic benefits of CBD. In addition to the positives mentioned above, CBD is also reported to help with autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and inflammatory bowel diseases in dogs. If CBD for pets is added to your pup’s routine, it could improve the wellness of your pets in an all-natural way.

But if We Have Medicines, Why Use CBD for Dogs?

This is an entirely valid question! When our market is flooded with pet treatments, why go down the less traveled road?

The best answer to this question is because CBD is natural! Nature has all the answers to our problems, but the problem is that we don’t have the patience to try it out.

CBD, the most talked about cannabinoid, is extracted from hemp, a cannabis sativa species used for industrial use. It has less than 0.3% THC making it both federally legal and safe for pets.

Most of the CBD oils for dogs are tested for contaminants by third-party labs. There should be no chemically derived additives which may threaten your pet’s healt,h making CBD an entirely natural alternative for making your pets healthier.

Can CBD Oil Make Your Pet ‘High?’

CBD oil for dogs is formulated using extracts of hemp plant which are extremely low in THC. With less than 0.3% THC in the extracts, there’s no possibility your pet will feel the ‘high’ effect of THC. CBD-infused pet products are completely non-psychoactive.

Now you know almost everything there is to know about CBD for dogs. In case you are still unsure about CBD oil for dogs and feel hounded by more questions, reach out with your comment so we can get back to you!

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NFL Prepared to Make “Major Concessions” Regarding Substance Abuse Policy

3/07/2019

The NFL is reportedly willing to make “major concessions” regarding its substance abuse policy in the next collective bargaining session with players, according to an NBC Sports report.

NBC’s Pro Football Talk cited a “league source” for the development, which suggested that the complete removal of all cannabis use restrictions could be possible. This would raise many questions and potential issues, however, as the NFL is a national organization and cannabis remains a federally prohibited, Schedule I substance.

Though the news is an exciting step forward for NFL players and fans, immediate progress is unlikely as the next step toward cannabis policy reform would be negotiations with the NFL Players Association, which is unlikely to happen until the next collective bargaining session in 2020.

The NFL, while still banning the substance, has already liberalized the enforcement of its substance abuse rules as they relate to cannabis. Players like Josh Gordon, Martavis Bryant, and Randy Gregory have received more lenient punishments for cannabis-related violations, for example.

Some analysts suggested that lifting the ban on cannabis use for NFL athletes would cause free agent players to flock to teams in states with legalized cannabis.

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Decriminalization Legislation Introduced in Texas

3/07/2019

House Bill 63, legislation aimed at removing criminal penalties for the possession of up to an ounce of cannabis, has once again been introduced into the Texas state legislature, The Texas Observer reports.

The legislation received a hearing in front of the Texas House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. The bill, introduced by state Rep. Joe Moody (D-El Paso), is Moody’s third attempt to pass decriminalization legislation in Texas — the other two bills failed to reach a full vote on the House floor.

The odds of the bill making it to the floor this year are higher, however, as Moody is now the vice chair of the House Calendars Committee, which sets the House’s agenda.

The bill would downgrade the penalty for possession of up to an ounce of cannabis from a criminal offense carrying a potential sentence of up to six months in jail to a simple civil offense carrying a fine of $250. The violation would not appear on a criminal record.

If passed into law, House Bill 63 is expected to save the state $2.6 million per year in enforcement-related costs. Moody expects the bill to pass out of the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee soon and has been courting Texas Republicans for their approval at the next level.

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West Virginia Bill Would Give Banking Access to Cannabis Companies

3/07/2019

The state Senate of West Virginia has passed a bill that would enable banking services access for medical cannabis companies, according to a story by The Parkersburg News and Sentinel.

House Bill 2538 was approved in a 29-4 vote in favor by the Senate. The bill — which originated and already passed in the state House of Representatives — now heads to Gov. Jim Justice’s (R) desk for his approval or veto.

HB 2538 would allow medical cannabis providers to more easily pay their state fees and taxes. Should the governor sign the bill into law, credit unions, national banking associations, bank and trust companies, loan associations and other financial services businesses would be able to bid for the ability to provide services to the cannabis industry. Winners would be selected by the state treasurer’s office. The bill would also create a state fund where growers, processors, and dispensaries would be able to submit all fees and taxes via the new banking system.

“What it attempts to do is seek to find a mechanism for financial institutions to compete and provide financial services related to the West Virginia Medical Cannabis Act,” Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Trump (R-Morgan) told The Parkersburg News and Sentinel.

The lack of banking access remains a critical issue for the U.S. cannabis industry. HB 2538 was only proposed, however, following an advisory decision from the attorney general that noted there has been no federal action to date against similar programs.

Assuming the bill receives the governor’s signature and there are no delays, the program would begin on July 1.

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FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb Resigns

3/06/2019

The commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, has announced his resignation, according to The Washington Post.

Gottlieb announced just last week that the FDA was arranging a public meeting in April to discuss CBD regulations, making clear that he had received the Congressional mandate regarding hemp legalization following the 2018 farm bill.

Gottlieb’s resignation does not appear to be tied to any political squabbles and was not requested by the White House or any other organization. Gottlieb, a 46-year-old physician, says he is resigning to spend more time with his family.

While in office, Gottlieb primarily focused on tobacco and nicotine-vape regulations but had recently committed to creating a pathway for the general public to access CBD.

“For CBD to be legally marketed as an ingredient in a food or dietary supplement, the law requires that the FDA first would need to issue a regulation to permit such marketing. We’re planning to seek broad public input on this pathway, including information on the science and safety behind CBD. But we know that this process could take time, so we’re also interested in hearing from stakeholders and talking to Congress on possible alternative approaches to make sure that we have an appropriately efficient and predictable regulatory framework for regulating CBD products.” — Dr. Scott Gottlieb, FDA Commissioner, via Food Navigator

As Gottlieb was the driving force behind CBD regulation at the FDA, the status of those regulations and the previously announced public meeting is unknown. Gottlieb will resign next month.

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But if We Have Medicines, Why Use CBD for Dogs?

Can CBD Oil Make Your Pet ‘High?’

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