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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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Cannabis Should Be Sold in Grocery Stores, Says Whole Foods CEO

3/06/2019

Whole Foods CEO John Mackey told reporters last week that once cannabis is legalized in Texas, Whole Foods and other grocery stores should be able to sell it, Marijuana Moment reports.

The issue was brought up unprompted by Mackey following a question about Whole Foods selling “alternative proteins” such as insect protein.

“If cannabis is ever passed in Texas, chances are good that grocery stores will be selling that too. You just never know what happens over time with markets. They change and evolve.” — Whole Foods CEO John Mackey, via Marijuana Moment

While Mackey was not explicit in saying that the chain is currently working on a plan to retail cannabis, he is a known proponent of cannabis legalization. Mackey came out in favor of cannabis legalization in a 2013 Mother Jones interview.

Whole Foods hired a trend-spotter following its 2017 acquisition by Amazon, who predicted that hemp and other products of the “cannabis biz” would be a region with large growth potential for the grocery chain. That prediction is looking more and more accurate as the FDA takes action toward creating a regulatory framework for hemp-based products including CBD oils, foods, nutraceuticals, tinctures, and more.

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Colorado’s Cannabis Industry May Soon Be Publicly Tradeable

3/06/2019

A bill has been advanced out of the Colorado House Finance Committee that, if signed into law, would allow for publicly traded cannabis companies in the state, according to The Denver Post.

The House Finance Committee unanimously approved House Bill 1090 for advancement to the next committee, the Appropriations Committee. The bill, titled “Publicly Traded Marijuana Companies,” is nearly identical to a bill that was passed by both houses of the Colorado state Congress last year but was ultimately vetoed by former Gov. John Hickenlooper.

This year’s bill, however, is supported by newly-elected Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, indicating that it is likely to become law.

“This year, when we introduced a similar bill we got engagement from the executive branch we hadn’t seen before. The governor himself came to us and said, ‘I like what you’re doing but let’s do it a little bit more.’” — Rep. Matt Gray (D-Broomfield), bill co-sponsor, via The Denver Post

Bill 1090 would remove the limit of 15 out-of-state individual owners (an individual may also be a corporation) per cannabis company and remove background check requirements for equity holders who do not make decisions, known as “passive” owners or investors. It would also raise the maximum ownership stake for a passive owner from just 5 percent in the previous legislation to 10 percent — in other words, any entity owning 10 percent or less of a cannabis company would qualify for passive ownership status and would not have to undergo a background check.

Advocates of the bill hope it will renew investor interest in the Colorado cannabis industry, which has lost much of its original investment appeal to states with more liberal legalization laws, or countries like Canada that have total federal legalization.

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Raphael Mechoulam Joins Israeli Cannabis Company

3/05/2019

Raphael Mechoulam, the organic chemist best known for the first isolation and synthesis of THC, has joined Israeli medical cannabis company Cannbit Ltd., CTech reports.

Mechoulam is also currently a professor of medicinal chemistry at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Alongside fellow researcher Yechiel Gaoni, Mechoulam was the first person to isolate, elucidate the structure of, and synthesize Tetrahydrocannabinol in 1964. Since then, he has been the subject of at least one movie and has been awarded several prizes for his scientific research.

Cannbit is a medical cannabis grower in Israel. The company operates a 4,000 square-meter facility in Neot Hakikar, Israel. Canadian cannabis company Namaste Technologies also owns 10% of Cannbit.

Mechoulam has taken the chairman position of Cannbit Ltd.’s Scientific Advisory Committee. Israel currently leads the world in medical cannabis research, as the federal government there has allowed universities and hospitals to experiment with and investigate the plant since the 1990s.

Israel’s cannabis industry is expected to continue growing as the nation recently legalized cannabis exports and — with Israel at the forefront of cannabis research — companies like Cannbit can expect to see heavy demand.

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New Mexico Raises Grower Plant Limit from 450 to 2500

3/05/2019

The New Mexico Department of Health has filed an emergency rule change that raises the plant-per-grower limit from 450 to 2,500, the Globe Newswire reports.

Previous rules, set temporarily by a judge’s order last year, expired at the end of last week. Had the Department of Health not issued new emergency rules, there would’ve been no limit on the number of plants each grower could grow. The new limit is also temporary, set to expire in 180 days on August 28, 2019.

“We see meaningful progress in the movement to potentially 87,500 plants statewide. Over the next 180 days, we pledge to assist the State in crossing the finish line with an even greater commitment to the number of plants grown and the amount patients can individually purchase in the regulated market.” —Duke Rodriguez, CEO and President of Ultra Health, New Mexico’s largest cannabis producer

The final number must meet the definition of “adequate supply” within New Mexico’s Compassionate Use Act: “an amount of cannabis, in any form approved by the department, possessed by a qualified patient or collectively possessed by a qualified patient and the qualified patient’s primary caregiver that is determined by rule of the department to be no more than reasonably necessary to ensure the uninterrupted availability of cannabis for a period of three months and that is derived solely from an intrastate source.”

Regulators and medical cannabis operators now intend to investigate further the ideal number of plants per grower to best accommodate market growth and a robust program for New Mexico‘s 70,000 registered patients.

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Cannabis Laws Take Shape in Oklahoma Following House Vote

3/05/2019

Lawmakers in the Oklahoma House of Representatives have passed a bill that creates a full set of regulations for the state’s new medical cannabis program, according to a KOCO 5 report.

Oklahoma approved its medical cannabis program last year via the successful ballot initiative State Question 788. There was attempted interference, however, on the part of the state Health Board and former Gov. Mary Fallin (R), who tasked un-elected regulators with implementing stricter rules than those approved under State Question 788. They were ordered to undo the changes, however, by the state Attorney General.

Now, State Question 788 has been expanded upon by properly elected officials. The House of Representatives voted 93-5 in favor of approving what’s being called the “Unity Bill.”

“This is one of those bills where the politicians aren’t necessarily happy the business owners aren’t necessarily happy, which means it’s a win-win on both sides, a good middle-ground approach to all this. … This is something that’s definitely needed to make sure businesses are operating appropriately. There’s elements that everybody needed, and there’s elements that make it a little bit more difficult than it is now to run a business. But, it makes us more responsible to the patients at the end of the day.” — Corbin Wyatt, CEO of The Peak Dispensary, via KOCO 5

Designed to support the very broad but vague language of State Question 788, the Unity Bill sets standards for inspections, inventory, advertising, labeling, and packaging. The bill also makes it clear that Oklahomans with a medical cannabis license are still allowed to purchase firearms — contrary to federal law.

The bill now moves to the state Senate, where it must first clear the Rules Committee before it can be considered by the full Senate floor.

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GrassDoor Outperforms with Lighting-Fast Delivery Platform

3/05/2019

by Featured Announcement

Marijuana consumers in the greater LA area can stop spending their lives waiting for a bud to arrive. Fueled by an army of technologists, GrassDoor is an online application that rockets marijuana products to customers’ doorsteps.

With a menu curated from the finest growers and retailers working in cannabis, GrassDoor is powered by red-hot software that exploits previously-unknown shortcuts in mapping systems.

The result? Boasting a 99.5% order-perfection rate, GrassDoor also reports an industry-best average delivery time of 26 minutes.

Reversing the stereotypical expectation of slow drivers arriving hours late, the fleet of mobile budtenders using the GrassDoor platform arrive at customer’s doors faster than any other service.

GrassDoor is not the Uber or Lyft of weed – it is the limo service. Trained in both efficient driving and marijuana curation, GrassDoor’s mobile budtenders are the safest and most-reliable drivers in the industry.

Quality cannabis for savvy customers

The online menu has been assembled by marijuana sommeliers who travel farm-to-farm searching for the greatest products at the best price, rigorously inspecting every flower, vape cartridge, edible, etc. Whether selecting top shelf hybrids or half-ounce sun-grown, GrassDoor customers can count on the top-notch quality of anything they order.

In addition to getting weed faster than a pizza, consumers using GrassDoor can benefit from a number of money-saving programs offered by the software – including a loyalty program and rewards for referring new customers. Other perks include ordering from any address, scheduling deliveries for a specific day/time, and the old-school option to pay with cash.

Rapid growth

With a network that blankets the majority of Los Angeles, GrassDoor is quickly growing in popularity – which is only increasing the number of areas where consumers can access this revolutionary service. Looking to expand to more CA zip codes in the next year, GrassDoor is positioning itself as the premiere delivery website for hand-picked marijuana products.

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Martha Stewart & Canopy Growth Form CBD Partnership

3/04/2019

Lifestyle celebrity Martha Stewart is teaming up with Canadian licensed producer Canopy Growth to produce a line of CBD products for people and pets, according to a story by People.

“I was probably more excited to meet Martha than I think almost any other celebrity I’ve been introduced to. I’m running a very large marijuana company and here I am meeting a person considered a leader on all things etiquette,” said Canopy Growth CEO Bruce Linton.

Martha Stewart and Canopy were connected by Snoop Dogg and his talent agency, Stampede Management. Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart have already collaborated on a variety of occasions, including the show “Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party.”

Stewart will advise Canopy on the creation and deployment of CBD products, starting with products made for pets. “I think it’s a starting spot that was comfortable for everyone involved. We have the science and she’s a lifelong dog, horse, animal person,” said Linton.

Stewart has already taken a tour of the Canopy Growth extraction facility, which was a closely-held secret.

“I am delighted to establish this partnership with Canopy Growth and share with them the knowledge I have gained after years of experience in the subject of living. I’m especially looking forward to our first collaboration together, which will offer sensible products for people’s beloved pets,” Stewart said of the collaboration.

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Michigan Gov. Abolishes State Marijuana Licensing Board

3/04/2019

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) has signed an executive order eliminating the state’s medical cannabis licensing board, according to the Detroit Free Press.

The volunteer board had been tasked with considering license applications but had struggled to keep pace, causing the state medical cannabis program to fall behind projected growth rates. It has also been the subject of criticism for inconsistent licensing decisions.

“This executive order will eliminate inefficiencies that have made it difficult to meet the needs of Michigan’s medical marijuana patients,” said Gov. Whitmer.

The state legislature has the power to veto the governor’s order, but Whitmer said she spoke to the state Congressional leadership before issuing the order.

Licenses will now be handled by a subdepartment of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, the Marijuana Regulatory Agency.

“To avoid licensing delays and to better coordinate varying sources of authority for the enforcement of state law, the administration of state laws relating to marijuana can more effectively and efficiently be administered by a dedicated state agency,” said Whitmer.

When the state’s adult-use program comes online, it will also fall under this department. To date, the licensing shortfalls for medical cannabis have been handled by allowing unlicensed businesses to continue operating, though that leniency period ends on March 31.

Michigan‘s soon-to-be-defunct Marijuana Licensing Board will fully shutter on April 30.

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MedMen Releases Commercial Advocating for Legalization

3/04/2019

Publicly-traded cannabis company MedMen recently completed a TV commercial directed by Spike Jonze that will air on several mainstream TV streaming services, Fast Company reports.

The advertisement focuses heavily on the history of cannabis in America as well as the many social justice ills that have been created by prohibition.

Jesse Williams, former star of Gray’s Anatomy, is featured in the short and has spoken to reporters about his passion for the social justice aspect of the commercial. In fact, to make the project resonate with the issues at hand, the team strived to find production crew, artists, and even catering staff who had been either incarcerated or negatively impacted by “predatory drug laws.”

MedMen has been aggressively positioning itself as a major player in the national and international cannabis space, purchasing companies and brands in many different states. This latest marketing effort is expected to further that goal and will be broadcast on the streaming channels of Bravo, CBS Sports Network, Oxygen, MSNBC, Lifetime, and Food Network. A print campaign associated with the video will also be displayed in GQ, Us Weekly, and Rolling Stone.

“We still can’t work with Instagram, Facebook, and Google, but we continue to build those relationships, and over time I firmly believe they’ll open up as well,” said MedMen Chief Media Officer David Dancer.

Check out the two-minute advertisement below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g74sc4O8vqg

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Federal Legalization Bill “Marijuana Justice Act” Re-Introduced

3/01/2019

The Marijuana Justice Act, which would federally legalize cannabis, was originally introduced in 2017 but received no floor hearing. The legislation has been reintroduced by presidential candidate Sen. Cory Booker (D-New Jersey), according to a CNBC report.

Many of the bill’s co-sponsors are fellow Democrats positioning themselves as 2020 presidential candidates, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris, and Kirsten Gillibrand.

The Marijuana Justice Act would not only remove cannabis from the list of Controlled Substances but would also provide financial incentives to states encouraging them to loosen their own cannabis laws. A major portion of the bill also seeks to help those people and communities most negatively impacted by the war on drugs. It would do this in large part by using taxes to fund job training and other social services.

“Black people are 3.7 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than their white peers even though they use marijuana at similar rates. If we truly want to be a fair and just nation we need to correct for this disparate treatment of enforcement practices.” — Sen. Cory Booker, in a recent tweet

Despite broad public support, the bill is still expected to struggle in the Senate, which is currently Republican-controlled. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said last year that he does “not have any plans to endorse legalization of marijuana.”

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Vermont Senate Votes In Favor of Adult-Use Cannabis Sales

3/01/2019

The Vermont Senate has voted overwhelmingly in favor of a bill that would create a regulated cannabis market in the state, according to a story by My Champlain Valley.

The vote was 23-5 in favor — a majority that makes the approval immune to even a governor’s veto.

The bill would create a state Cannabis Control Board comprised of five full-time members. Two would be appointed by the Governor; the other three would be appointed one each by the state Attorney General, Speaker of the House, and Senate Committee on Committees. The board would develop all rules and regulatory structure, including the licensing of retailers, cultivators, and labs. The Board would be expected to begin its rulemaking by October 1, 2019.

In Vermont, cannabis is already legal for adults to possess, use, and cultivate but the commercial distribution of the plant remains forbidden.

Cannabis would be taxed 10% at retail with an additional 1% available to municipalities. Medical cannabis would not be taxed. The Cannabis Board may also develop additional fees.

The bill would also expand the existing medical cannabis program, opening it for “any disease, condition or treatment as determined in writing by a patient’s healthcare professional.” Under the bill, the state’s retail marketplace would be expected to launch by April 1, 2021.

The Senate must vote one more time on the bill before it moves to the Vermont House of Representatives for consideration, however, which is expected on Friday.

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FDA Commissioner to Host Public Meeting Covering CBD Regulation in April

3/01/2019

The Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration announced there will be a public meeting in April with the goal of creating efficient regulations for CBD products, Food Navigator reports.

CBD was officially legalized by the 2018 Farm Bill but, as it’s considered a food additive, distribution regulations for the substance has been left to the Food and Drug Administration, which has been slow to take action so far. The announcement by Commissioner Gottlieb is the agency’s first significant move.

“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

Many believe that CBD should not need FDA approval, though statements from Gottlieb show the agency believes otherwise. Due to a precedent set by the approval of Epidiolex, a CBD anti-seizure medication, CBD is now considered to be more than a simple dietary ingredient.

However, Gottlieb has made it clear that he understands the intent of the 2018 farm bill’s hemp legalization clause.

“We heard Congress loud and clear with respect to that legislation,” he said. “I understand Congress wants there to be a pathway for CBD to be available.”

An exact date for the meeting in April has not yet been set.

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New Hampshire House Passes Adult-Use Legalization

2/28/2019

Lawmakers in the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted 209-147 in favor of legislation that would legalize and regulate adult cannabis use, the Associated Press reports.

Under HB 481, adults who are 21 or older would be allowed to possess up to 28 grams of cannabis flower and grow up to six plants at home. The bill would also establish a regulatory commission to create rules for and manage a commercial cannabis industry that is expected to generate $33 million in annual taxes.

“I know change is hard. It’s a little scary,” the bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Renny Cushing (D), said ahead of the vote. “But I think now is the time that New Hampshire makes the transition from prohibition to real legalization, taxation and regulation.”

New Hampshire Democrats, who added legalization to their platform last year, recently gained control of both the House and Senate. Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, however, has already promised to veto the legislation and it’s not clear if Democrats would get the two-thirds majority required to overrule the governor.

State Rep. Cushing, however, said he believes the bill will eventually become law. “I’m confident that the force of history is with us,” he said.

“The House vote highlights just how little support remains for maintaining marijuana prohibition in the Granite State. Most New Hampshire residents agree it is time to legalize and regulate cannabis. There is no reason to continue punishing adults for consuming a substance that is less harmful than alcohol, and it is counterproductive to force them into a potentially dangerous illegal market to access it.” — Matt Simon, New England Political Director for the Marijuana Policy Project, in a press release

New Hampshire is bordered by Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, and Canada — each of which has already ended cannabis prohibition. The nearby states of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut are also considering adult-use legalization this year.

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Study Reveals Broad Therapeutic Impact of THC

2/28/2019

A new study by researchers at the University of New Mexico has shown that THC may be just as medicinally valuable as CBD — and perhaps even more so, EurekAlert reports.

Public perception of the medicinal powers of cannabis has largely transferred to the second major cannabinoid in the plant, CBD. However, results from the study show a much stronger correlation of therapeutic relief with THC over CBD.

The research investigates user-reports submitted by patients with the Releaf App, the largest database of the effects of cannabis in the U.S. The analysis covered data from 20,000 user sessions and 27 symptom categories on a spectrum including symptoms such as depression and seizure activity.

“Despite the conventional wisdom, both in the popular press and much of the scientific community, that only CBD has medical benefits while THC merely makes one high, our results suggest that THC may be more important than CBD in generating therapeutic benefits. In our study, CBD appears to have little effect at all, while THC generates measurable improvements in symptom relief. These findings justify the immediate de-scheduling of all types of cannabis, in addition to hemp, so that cannabis with THC can be more widely accessible for pharmaceutical use by the general public.” — Jacob Miguel Vigil, study co-author, via EurekAlert

The study, “The Association Between Cannabis Product Characteristics and Symptom Relief,” is published in the journal Scientific Reports.

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Washington State Lawmakers Call State Cannabis Board Culture “Toxic”

2/28/2019

Ten state lawmakers in Washington have sent a letter to Gov. Jay Inslee decrying the “toxic culture” of the state’s Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB), according to a story by The Stranger.

Specifically, the bipartisan group is calling on Gov. Inslee to rescind his nomination of regulator Russ Hauge to the LCB.

The lawmakers include: Sen. Ann Rivers (R-La Center), Sen. John Braun (R-Centralia), Sen. Mark Schoesler (R-Ritzville), Sen. Steve Hobbs (D-Lake Stevens), Sen. Guy Palumbo (D-Maltby), Rep. Brian Blake (D-Aberdeen), Rep. Kristine Reeves (D-Federal Way), Rep. Drew MacEwen (R-Union), Rep. Brandon Vick (R-Felida), and Rep. Steve Kirby (D-Tacoma)

The cannabis industry has long complained about the overly-restrictive LCB. In January, it was reported that the state Senate was moving to privately confirm Hauge to the post despite vocal resistance from the industry. Hauge’s re-appointment, however, appears to have been put on hold since news broke of the private confirmation attempt.

“We are united in our belief that you must hold the leaders at the top of the LCB accountable. Rejection of the toxic culture at LCB should start with not reappointing Mr. Hauge.” — Excerpt from the letter to Gov. Inslee, via the Stranger

Though there have been multiple complaints about the LCB, the industry’s main issue is overly harsh penalties — including even the complete removal of a business’ cannabis license — for minor rule violations that might not even be noticed in a different industry.

Gov. Inslee’s office said they had received the letter and were considering it but offered no comment.

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UC Berkeley Researchers Extract Cannabinoids from Brewer’s Yeast

2/27/2019

A team of synthetic biologists at the University of California, Berkeley have successfully extracted THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids — including some that are not found naturally inside the cannabis plant — from yeast.

In their findings, the researchers show that common brewer’s yeast, which can already be used to produce other chemicals including insulin, human growth hormones, and recently opiates, offers a potentially cheap and easy source of cannabinoids.

According to professor Jay Keasling, a specialist in chemical and biomolecular engineering, the UC Berkeley research team has established a method for manufacturing specific cannabinoids that is cheaper and requires less labor than the traditional water-and-soil approach to growing cannabis.

“For the consumer, the benefits are high-quality, low-cost CBD and THC: you get exactly what you want from yeast. It is a safer, more environmentally friendly way to produce cannabinoids.” — Jay Keasling, UC Berkeley professor, in a news release

Furthermore, the lab’s approach is more environmentally friendly than simply growing the plant, because it is not as energy-intensive as operating indoor grow lights and it does not produce the agricultural run-off associated with commercial cannabis grows.

“The economics look really good,” Keasling said. “The cost is competitive or better than that for the plant-derived cannabinoids. And manufacturers don’t have to worry about contamination — for example, THC in CBD — that would make you high.”

Keasling has since founded Demetrix Inc. to license the Berkeley research team’s new technology for using yeast fermentation to create cannabinoids.

Sourcing cannabinoids from yeast is an exciting development; however, it is not a brand new discovery. Last year, Canadian cannabis producer Cronos announced a $22 million deal with Boston biotech firm Ginkgo Bioworks to pioneer methods of producing single cannabinoids in a bioreactor.

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