Pressure Grows to Reform Texas Cannabis Laws

12/31/2018

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Texas is one of the last U.S. bastions of outright cannabis prohibition, but pressure is mounting from citizens and lawmakers alike to bring progressive reforms to the Lone Star State’s cannabis laws, The Houston Chronicle reports.

Cannabis remains heavily restricted in Texas. Currently, the state’s only reforms are incredibly strict, allowing only for CBD-rich oils that are prescribed for epilepsy patients who have been failed by other, traditional treatments. There is not a comprehensive medical cannabis program and even minor possession remains a class B misdemeanor punishable by a six-month jail term and up to $2,000 in fines.

“Even in Texas, public opinion seems to have shifted from criminalization to at least decriminalization, with strengthening support for legalization. … All in all, Texans of all stripes may be closer than ever to move toward legalization, especially as everyone around them is going along with this major change.” Nora Demleitner, professor at Washington and Lee University School of Law in Virginia, via The Houston Chronicle

Meanwhile, lawmakers have already filed or pre-filed a dozen bills relating to cannabis reforms, including a full decriminalization bill in November by state Rep. Joe Moody (D).

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R), meanwhile, said he would support decriminalizing cannabis by reducing the charges for possession of small quantities of the plant from a class B to a class C misdemeanor, which would carry no threat of jail time and a maximum fine of $500.

In July, the Republican Party of Texas updated its platform to include planks for the decriminalization of cannabis, rescheduling the plant to Schedule II under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA), and the statewide legalization of industrial hemp.

Note: hemp was officially removed from the CSA earlier this month with the successful passage of the 2018 Farm Bill.

The Texas GOP also endorsed expanding the state’s limited medical cannabis law to allow for a more comprehensive program, but no further progress was made during the close out of 2018.

On Texas’ southern border, Mexico has also taken huge strides in the fight for cannabis freedom, with adult-use legislation expected to come in 2019.

There are currently 10 states with adult-use legalization on the books, and 33 states with rules to allow for the medicinal use of cannabis.

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Indiana Gov. Remains Strongly Anti-Legalization

12/31/2018

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Despite a growing number of U.S. states moving away from cannabis prohibition — and the two-thirds majority of American voters who now support legalizing adult-use cannabis — Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) says he is “just not willing to look at that,” The Associated Press reports.

Several state lawmakers, meanwhile, are attempting to organize legislation to relax the state’s cannabis restrictions, including bills for both medical and adult-use legalization.

“I’m just not willing to look at that, especially since it is illegal right now according to the federal government. … Right now, it’s a crime. I’m just simply not willing to look the other way.” — Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, to reporters

Gov. Holcomb did sign legislation earlier this year to allow hemp-derived CBD to be sold in the state. According to Holcomb, however, he’s not even tempted by the boost in state tax revenues that would be wrought from adult-use or even medical cannabis legislation.

“Fortunately, we’re in a state that’s in a strong position, fiscally speaking, so we’re not maybe looking to every potential source without addressing all the adverse effects that come with it,” he said.

Currently, there are 10 U.S. states that have ended cannabis prohibition entirely and more than 30 with established medical cannabis laws.

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Cannabis Tech

Cannabis Innovation and Tech: What’s New in the Industry

12/28/2018

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No industry has undergone rapid evolution quite like the cannabis industry. Although the substance has been around for a very long time (it was included in the Chinese book of pharmacopeia some 2,000 years ago), the cannabis plant has only recently re-emerged in modern medicine. In the latter part of the 19th century, cannabis was widely available in pharmacies. You might have even found the “Schedule 1” drug stocked on grocery shelves once upon a time!

History is starting to repeat itself, as today’s cannabis entrepreneurs experiment with innovative extraction methods for the creation of potent distillate oils and controlled-dose edible products. If science is anything to go by (and it should be), then these products should be a welcome addition to any pharmaceutical cabinet.

Demand for Cannabis Innovation is Booming

As cannabis reform blossoms around the U.S. and most recently Canada, demand for high-tech innovations are sprouting. Cannabis’ negative stigma is lifting. By 2025, the global legal cannabis market is predicted to yield $146.4 billion, growing at a CAGR of 34.6%.

There are plenty of new things happening in the cannabis industry. Clinical trials are set to begin on cannabis for cancer, solar cannabis cultivation practices are being carried out, and scientists have even discovered how to make cannabinoids water-soluble. This only scratches the surface of all of the technology currently flooding the market.

Here are some other exciting tech advancements to keep on your radar:

  • Seedo is a fully automated, app-controlled home-growing kit built in a self-contained ecosystem with LED lighting, internal HD cameras for monitoring, and more, all in one easy-to-use DIY package.
  • PotBotics is a cross between Leafly and WebMD for cannabis connoisseurs. The startup’s PotBot app helps recommend marijuana strains for patients by using the scientific and medical research data on different strains and bodily effects in its database.
  • Ehave is a mental health data company using their Ehave Connect platform to track medical cannabis patients in order to advance the therapeutic use of medical cannabis by monitoring treatment plans to prove or disprove medical cannabis’ effectiveness for different ailments, and ultimately help establish treatment guidelines for cannabis therapies.

If the industry continues to perform just as it has been, companies will continue to indulge their consumer audience with market-leading products. Moreover, 420 investors can make a confident investment when they seek out the pioneers in cannabis innovation and technology. Why? Because the more advanced a cannabis company’s techniques, the more appealing they become to consumers.

Technology’s Importance in the Cannabis Industry

It’s not just consumers that benefit from the use of technology but also, investors and anyone else connected with use of the plant in its extracted form. Companies who continuously practice innovation by means of product acquisition and development can effectively serve the demand that is being felt from the edibles and oil extracts segment of the market.

Using technology demonstrates a company’s ability to keep up with the times (demand for cannabis products is outpacing supply in Canada) and maximize the potential of cannabis’ primary cannabinoids, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol).

Take Nutritional High, for example. The company uses technology not only to create first of it’s kind products like the FLÏ™ Chocolate shot (a one-of-a-kind micro-dose chocolate paste that won’t melt in the heat or freeze in the cold), but also to create radical new customer experiences. The Mile High FLÏ™ Club app drives customers to dispensaries with the FLÏ™ Nearby function, and rewards customers for repeated purchases with discounts and swag. The cutting edge program shows consumers and dispensaries alike that Nutritional High is a leader in the market space.

Adapting to Changing Consumer Preferences

As millennials continue to dominate the cannabis market with their desires for clean, organic, and healthy cannabis, cannabis companies will increasingly focus on non-carcinogenic methods of delivery like distillate oils and controlled-dose edible products that match those desires.

Cannabis ‘dabbing,’ for example, has become more popular among heavy cannabis users in recent years as a clear alternative to smoking. Dabbing is the process of inhaling cannabis from a refined extract which provides a healthier form of smoking with the same quick onset effect.

With an equally health-focused demographic Generation Z slowly entering the marketplace, the demand for healthy alternatives to smoking will continue to grow, and will, in all likelihood, become the norm.

Pushing the Industry Forward

Companies that are capable of creating market-leading products that can appeal to a diverse audience are most certainly the ones to watch. Brands that have and continue to meet the demands of the swelling cannabis consumer target market can effectively promote other brands to do the same. With more innovations in cannabis-related technology, companies that can adapt to change within the ever-evolving realm of legal cannabis will pave the way for industry expansion.

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Border Fence

Study: Cannabis Legalization Better Than Wall For Border Security

12/28/2018

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An analysis of Border Patrol cannabis seizures reveals that legalization reduces cannabis smuggling significantly more than the construction of border fencing, Tom Angell reports for Forbes.

The analysis was conducted by the Cato Institute. Cannabis seizures were compared over the years  2003-2018 in relation to the construction of border fencing along the U.S. southern border.

While miles of border fencing have increased over that time, there’s little correlation between those increases and the number of cannabis seizures. Seizures were largely consistent from 2003 to 2013.

When Colorado and Washington began selling legal cannabis products in 2014, however, seizures started to fall sharply, a trend that continued through 2018 as more and more state-legal markets launched.

“Given these trends, a border wall or more Border Patrol agents to stop drugs between ports of entry makes little sense. State marijuana legalization starting in 2014 did more to reduce marijuana smuggling than the doubling of Border Patrol agents or the construction of hundreds of miles of border fencing did from 2003 to 2009.” — David Bier, immigration policy analyst at the Cato Institute, in the analysis

For decades, legalization advocates have predicted this outcome. With additional states choosing to end cannabis prohibition each year, it’s become clear that Americans prefer locally grown cannabis with consistent quality and purity assured by a regulated market over smuggled — and possibly contaminated — cannabis from outside the country.

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Business

U.S. Company Plans Hostile Takeover of Canadian LP Aphria

12/28/2018

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U.S.-based cannabis grower Green Growth Brands is considering a hostile takeover of Canadian licensed producer Aphria, according to Bloomberg.

Aphria’s stock had previously been on the decline due to both general market sentiment following 2018’s record gains as well as accusations by known short-seller Quintessential Capital Management, who claimed that Aphria paid artificially high prices for certain international assets in order to line the pockets of company insiders at shareholder expense. Aphria fired back immediately, however, claiming that the accusations were “false and defamatory.”

Following Thursday’s reports of the possible takeover, Aphria stock rose more than 30 percent in late trading.

“They’re currently at an attractive value in the market. … We were looking for the most positive and friendly way to do this, but I think ultimately, we felt like a delay would be unnecessary. We wanted to be proactive and reach out directly to the shareholders.” — Peter Horvath, CEO of Green Growth Brands

Irwin Simon, Aphria’s Independent Chair of Board of Directors, said in a press release issued Friday morning that, “While we appreciate GGB’s interest in the value we have created at Aphria and our significant growth prospects, their proposal falls short of rewarding our shareholders for participating in such a transaction.”

“The Board has determined that the GGB proposal, as it currently stands, significantly undervalues the company,” Simon said. “Aphria has a tremendous market opportunity as a leader in the sector and a strategic vision to meet those opportunities. Our focus is to realize that value for the benefit of all our shareholders.”

The company has since established an independent committee of directors to consider the proposal and any future formal offers.

The proposed hostile takeover would nonetheless create a higher market cap for Aphria, as Green Growth Brands would value the company at CA$2.8 billion. At close of business on Thursday, Aphria’s market cap was just CA$1.39 billion.

While ongoing federal prohibition in the U.S. won’t allow cannabis produced in Canada to be shipped to Green Growth’s current operations, Horvath said the deal was based on, “taking the talent from both organizations and leveraging it across the different geographies.

“You can’t move product but you can certainly transport intellectual property and capability,” Horvath said. “It’s about combining our consumer expertise with their grow expertise.”

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Saint Vincent

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Is Latest Caribbean Nation to Decriminalize

12/28/2018

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The small Caribbean island nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) recently passed legislation to decriminalize cannabis, Forbes reports.

St. Vincent is the largest island in the Grenadines, a chain of tiny islands in the Caribbean. SVG will be the first member of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States to decriminalize cannabis, though other nation members of the alliance seek to decriminalize in the near future.

The island nation aims to become a global leader in medical cannabis research and production. The Caribbean climate is well suited to cultivation and, with the ending of outright prohibition, SVG is ready to begin developing a new cannabis economy, according to Minister of Agriculture Saboto Ceaser.

“The planning of this innovative industry has been carefully conducted over a long period in close consultation with the agricultural sector and many different stakeholders to reach the level of maturity we see today. There is broad recognition and buy-in of the economic benefits this tightly controlled and regulated industry is expected to bring regarding direct employment, the creation of support industries and foreign investment.” — Saboto Ceaser, Minister of Agriculture for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, via Forbes

Ceaser went on to say that SVG has already seen an increase in both regional and international “investor sentiment and inquiries.”

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Boston, Massachusetts

Massachusetts Bill Would Protect Jobs of Cannabis Users

12/27/2018

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A Massachusetts bill proposed by state Sen. Jason Lewis (D) would prevent cannabis consumer workers from being fired for using the plant, The Boston Globe reports.

Massachusetts legalized in 2016, though delays in establishing a regulated seed-to-sale program meant that the state’s actual sales launch only took place a few weeks ago, just before Thanksgiving. The program is now underway, with additional retailers being added regularly.

Workers who use cannabis, however, can still be fired from their jobs in Massachusetts, even if they’re not intoxicated at work.

State Sen. Lewis’ legislation would prevent the firing of a worker who uses cannabis in their private home and time, moving cannabis as a substance to be more in line with alcohol. Employers who contract with the federal government, however, would be exempted from the new law, pending the end of federal prohibition.

“This is not intended to be a blanket protection for people to use cannabis whenever and wherever they like. But as long as they’re not impaired and it’s not impacting their work, employers should not be able to discriminate against them in hiring or promotion, and companies certainly should not be terminating people simply because they legally use marijuana on their own time.” — Massachusetts state Sen. Jason Lewis (D), via The Boston Globe

The new bill is expected to be considered by lawmakers during the 2019 session. It’s unclear how lawmakers will react to the new legislation, despite its common-sense overtones.

Cannabis sales, however, have thrived so far in Massachusetts.

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Germany Delays Medical Cannabis Roll-Out

12/27/2018

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The licensing of medical cannabis cultivators and distributors in Germany will be delayed for at least another six months, Deutsche Welle reports.

Technically, medical cannabis has been legal via prescriptions in Germany since 2017, but the Federal Ministry of Health has, so far, not acted on the legislation; officials haven’t issued a single cultivation license in the almost two years since the law was passed.

According to the report, the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices said it needed more time to establish the rules that will eventually oversee the nation’s medical cannabis program.

The agency’s statement was prompted by an official inquiry from opposition politicians in the pro-business Free Democratic Party (FDP) which has criticized the delays. The FDP is joined by two other German opposition parties in calling for the full legalization of cannabis.

FDP lawmaker Wieland Schinnenburg said that the government was creating a “deliberate obstruction” to the launch of Germany’s medical cannabis program and called it a “catastrophe” for German businesses.

With licenses expected sometime during the second quarter of 2019, the soonest that patients in Germany can expect non-imported commercial medical cannabis products is likely early 2020.

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Netherlands Researcher

Study: THC Effective Treatment for Fibromyalgia Pain

12/27/2018

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A study conducted in the Netherlands has found that THC-rich medical cannabis is an effective treatment for pain caused by fibromyalgia, according to The Growth Op.

The study was conducted by Leiden University Medical Center and pharma company Bedrocan International in the Netherlands. Interestingly, researchers found that cannabis extracts containing purely CBD were not effective; instead, the evidence suggests that cannabis high in THC is most helpful.

The study compared high-THC extracts against placebo as well as CBD products at several times during the progression of fibromyalgia in 20 patients, via a vaporizer.

“The outcome is very important for patients who suffer from fibromyalgia. Now we have the serious clinical evidence that medical doctors are asking for when prescribing our products and that health insurance companies want to have, to legitimize reimbursement.” — Tjalling Erkelens, CEO of Bedrocan, via the Growth Op

It’s clear in the study that THC specifically is useful for the treatment of fibromyalgia, which affects muscles and tendons specifically. Erkelens said the next phase of testing will be comparing THC-containing products to opiates to determine if cannabis can be used to replace the use of those addictive painkillers.

Another recent study has shown that opioids are largely ineffective against chronic pain. Paired with the new Netherlands study, it seems hopeful that future studies regarding the issue will find that cannabis can be a successful off-ramp for opioid use.

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Tel Aviv, Israel

Israel Approves Cannabis Exports

12/27/2018

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The Knesset, Israel’s parliament, unanimously approved the export of medical cannabis products on Tuesday, The Washington Post reports.

Israel is a leading producer of medical cannabis products, but laws attempting to legalize export of the plant and its derivatives have struggled to pass the Knesset for years due to concerns among some lawmakers about potential diversion to the unregulated market.

Currently, Canada and the Netherlands are the only countries that allow for the export of medical cannabis products.

Israel-based medical cannabis company iCAN predicts the international market for Israeli cannabis will reach $33 billion in the next five years. Cannabis company shares in Israel rose nearly 10 percent following Tuesday’s announcement.

“This is a long overdue but welcome development. … Israel, already the most advanced nation in cannabis R&D will now be able to produce and market cannabis and cannabis-based products that will help millions of people suffering from illnesses including cancer, MS, Parkinson’s, sleep disorders, epilepsy, and PTSD, to name just a few.” — Saul Kaye, CEO of iCAN, in a statement

The new law includes language placing police in a supervisory role in the licensing of medical cannabis producers.

Israel‘s executive cabinet is expected to approve the law.

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FDA Begins Planning CBD Regulatory Framework

12/26/2018

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FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said that the organization is beginning the process of creating a regulatory framework for the marketing and interstate sales of CBD products, according to a CNBC report.

President Trump’s signature on the 2018 Farm Bill last week technically legalized industrial hemp and hemp products. The bill, however, placed CBD products under the FDA’s jurisdiction.

“We recognize the potential opportunities that cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds could offer and acknowledge the significant interest in these possibilities. We’re committed to pursuing an efficient regulatory framework for allowing product developers that meet the requirements under our authorities to lawfully market these types of products.” — Scott Gottlieb, FDA Commissioner, via CNBC

The FDA plans to hold public meetings soon seeking input on how best to establish the federal CBD marketplace.

“While products containing cannabis and cannabis-derived compounds remain subject to the FDA’s authorities and requirements,” Gottlieb said, “the FDA will continue to take steps to make the pathways for the lawful marketing of these products more efficient.”

Following the farm bill’s passage, a storm of industrial hemp CBD products is expected, perhaps even before the FDA can deploy new regulations.

Meanwhile, the FDA is expected to continue issuing warning letters to CBD companies who make claims that are not backed by federally recognized research.

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Edibles

Canada Releases Draft Rules for Edibles, Topicals

12/26/2018

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Health Canada has announced regulations to allow the production and distribution of cannabis edibles and topicals, the CBC reports.

The regulations span everything from allowed additives, to packaging, to the types of foods that can be infused with cannabinoids. The rules also establish a THC cap for each serving.

If the rules are successfully adopted, edibles should be available in the Canadian market by October 17, 2019 — exactly one year after adult-use legalization took effect.

“Assuming the trend is consistent in Canada, the new classes of cannabis will likely represent over time a significant portion of the total market.” — Excerpt from the new regulations, via the CBC

The regulations list many expected standards for producers:

  • Products must not require refrigeration or freezing.
  • Ingredients and expiration dates must be on each package, as well as other nutrition information
  • The use of caffeine as an additive is prohibited, though natural coffee or tea products are allowed
  • No sugars or sweeteners are allowed, though flavor compounds have been approved
  • Flavors that may be appealing to children, like dessert flavors or other classic sweets, are not allowed to appear on the packaging
  • Meat products are not allowed, except for dried meats from certain producers
  • Eyedrops or needles are not allowed

Officials will now hold discussions across Canada regarding the new regulations. The rules require a 60-day period of public comment before they can be finalized.

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Bangkok, Thailand

Thailand Parliament Approves Medical Cannabis

12/26/2018

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On Tuesday, Thailand’s parliament voted to legalize medical cannabis in the country, according to the BBC.

Southeast Asia is known for some of the harshest drug penalties on the planet. Thailand, however, is the first country in the region to move toward bucking that trend with the approval of medical cannabis. The same law also applies to kratom, another medicinal plant that is often used as an alternative to opiates.

“This is a New Year’s gift from the National Legislative Assembly to the government and the Thai people.” — Somchai Sawangkarn, chairman of the legislative committee behind the new law, via the BBC

Under the new law, Thai patients will be allowed to carry quantities of cannabis deemed appropriate for personal use. Production licenses will be regulated closely by the government.

Thailand was once known around the world for having high quality cannabis. Cannabis was also used as traditional medicine in the country until prohibition was instituted during the 1930s.

Under the new medical law, however, penalties still remain high. Those caught selling or growing cannabis without a license will face between five and 15 years in prison and fines of up to 1 million baht, or approximately $30,000.

It’s still unclear when Thailand’s new medical cannabis program will take effect and sales begin.

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Trump Signs Farm Bill, Legalizes Industrial Hemp

12/21/2018

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President Donald Trump signed the 2018 Farm Bill into law on Thursday, legalizing industrial hemp and its derivatives across the country.

An amendment to the $867 billion bill — which was originally inserted by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) — officially removes hemp and its derivatives, including cannabidiol (CBD), from the Controlled Substances Act.

The legalization language faced little resistance from other lawmakers. One clause was added, however, that blocks individuals who have been convicted of a controlled substance-related felony from partaking in the newly established hemp industry for 10 years after their conviction.

The 2018 Farm Bill followed a rocky path to becoming law. After missing initial deadlines due to bipartisan disagreements over changes to the federal food stamp program, both houses of Congress managed to pass separate versions of the bill which had to be unified during a lame duck session after the midterm elections. After the bill was unified, it then needed to pass both houses of Congress, which it did in record time.

The one remaining doubt — President Trump’s signature — was laid to rest during a televised bill signing event yesterday afternoon.

“The significance of this law change should not be underemphasized. This law marks the first change in the federal classification of the cannabis plant since it was initially classified as a schedule I controlled substance by Congress in 1970, and paves the way for the first federally-sanctioned commercial hemp grows since World War II.” — Paul Armentano, Deputy Director for NORML, in a statement

Trump had praised the GOP-backed food stamp changes, which aimed to add work requirements to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP). Those provisions did not make it into the final version of the bill, but the president agreed to sign after being reassured by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue that the SNAP reforms would be handled via regulatory oversight, not by Congress. That oversight should not affect the hemp legalization language.

With the prohibition on industrial hemp lifted, it is hoped that research related to CBD and other cannabinoids found in hemp — as well as insurance and business loans for farmers who grow the crop — can now proceed at full speed.

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Social Use Dispensary

Alaska Marijuana Board Approves On-Site Consumption

12/21/2018

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Alaska’s Marijuana Control Board voted 3-2 in favor of allowing on-site cannabis consumption at licensed dispensaries on Thursday, according to an Associated Press report.

The approval marks a significant milestone for Alaska’s adult-use cannabis industry, where officials have been considering social use regulations since 2015. The proposed rules will now be investigated by the state’s Department of Law, after which they can be signed into effect by the lieutenant Governor.

If the proposed changes are signed into law, Alaska will become the first legalized state with state-level laws allowing for social cannabis consumption. Currently, only certain U.S. cities — including Denver, San Francisco, and, most recently, West Hollywood — have similar rules on the books.

“There are certainly states that have indicated that they want on-site consumption but they don’t have language yet. So we really have been inventing the wheel, which always is a little bit scary. … The board has worked really hard to craft something that seems reasonable.” — Erika McConnell, via KTVA

Under the new rules, retailers will be able to apply for an upgrade to their cannabis business license that would allow them to let on-site consumers smoke up to one gram of cannabis flower or eat edibles containing no more than 10mg of THC per day.

Interested businesses will need to provide a ventilated or outdoor space that is separated by walls from the retail section of the dispensary. They must also include a smoke-free section where employees can monitor the consumption area.

With the continued spread of cannabis normalization, more and more advocates are calling for legalized states to allow for cannabis consumption in public spaces such as cafes, lounges, or clubs. The issue is particularly important for the cannabis tourism industry, as consumption otherwise remains illegal outside of a private residence.

Alaska voters chose to legalize cannabis in 2014. Local governments in the state, however, are allowed to opt out of or amend any cannabis regulations.

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Utah

Utah Receives 164 Applications for ‘Cannabis Czar’

12/21/2018

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Utah’s Department of Agriculture and Food has reportedly received 164 applications for the position of “cannabis czar,” who will head cannabis regulations in the state, according to Fox 13 SLC.

The website containing the job posting recorded more than 5,000 visitors, officials said.

“We had a wide range of applicants that included some people who were clearly not qualified and likely interested because of the nature of the job. Others were marginally qualified or qualified and others were very qualified. Interviews will begin soon. We plan to conduct at least two rounds of interviews. But we hope to fill the position shortly after the first of the year.” —Jack Wilbur, spokesperson for the Utah Department of Agriculture, via Fox 13

The “cannabis czar” will head up the regulatory oversight program for implementing medical cannabis cultivation, testing, and distribution in Utah. It’s unclear when the program will be fully deployed or even what the full final specifications of the bill are, as modifications are expected in the next session of the state Congress.

Utah’s medical cannabis legalization process, however, has so far been ripe with controversy. Earlier this month, lawmakers replaced the state’s successful legalization ballot initiative with a much more restrictive law. This move sparked lawsuits from several advocacy organizations who accused officials of suppressing voters; advocates have also accused the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints of improperly influencing state politics.

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Humboldt Legends Pre-Rolls Review

12/20/2018

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Humboldt Legends was one of the first to bring stylish packaging to California’s pre-roll market during the 215 medical days. They have since made the transition to the adult-use market and have somehow managed to upgrade their style without abandoning their roots.

Working as a partnership of over 40 Humboldt County farms, each farm preserves its own philosophies, growing styles, and personality while contributing flower to Humboldt Legends product lines. The farms’ approach is exceptionally honorable in these days of cannabis industrialization. Banding together to preserve their identities — while attaining some economies of scale that allow them to compete against the vast farms sprouting up across California — is truly impressive.

With the one-acre cap removed from California regulations, it is leadership like this that may be the last chance to preserve Northern California’s heritage farming.

Legally, Humboldt Legends is a benefit corporation which allows them to make profits to share with family farms while also being a champion for sustainability. The California Benefit Corporation category was established in 2011 and is specifically designed for social enterprises to pursue both for-profit and non-profit objectives. Benefit Corporations allow corporate officers and directors to take into account the triple bottom line of profit, people, and planet when making business decisions. This framework allows Humboldt Legends farmers some of the organizational benefits of corporate cannabis while retaining their heart and concern for their local communities and the environment.

Humboldt Legends’ offerings include live resine and hash-infused pre-rolls in 5-packs and single packs.

Even prior to the normalization via Proposition 64, Humboldt Legends set up a vetting process that ensures their farmers share high standards for the care of the plant, the land and the waterways around them and the community at large.

Every farm has their own particular cultivation style and Humboldt Legends intentionally doesn’t standardize growing practices between their farm partners for a few reasons. Each plot of land has its own needs and no one knows that land better than the folks who live and work on it daily. Humboldt is also a large county with distinct microclimates and terroir specific to each plot of land and needs to be farmed with that in mind. All Humboldt Legends farmer partners have one thing in common: a commitment to stewardship of the land and seeing themselves as a part of the local ecosystem.

The Humboldt Legends farmer network includes families who were part of the first generation to grow in Humboldt County. During the winter months, farmers would travel the globe. Some sent seeds back, like the first generation of Afghanis, that can still be found in their strains’ lineage.

Their family of farmers has strong roots in activism, having fought to keep Humboldt free of aerial and roadside pesticide spraying, even once upon a time going so far as to steal the keys of a helicopter set to spray the hillsides with pesticides.

Because there are so many farms participating, Humboldt Legends’ pre-roll strains and oils are constantly changing. This is great for cannabis consumers who love to try a wide range of sustainably grown cannabis from long-time heritage farmers. And it all carries the Humboldt Legends seal of quality and environmental awareness.

Humboldt Legends can be found at cannabis retailers throughout California. Ask your favorite shop for Humboldt Legends and follow their Instagram and subscribe to their newsletter for drop announcements and details on new products.

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Restaurant

West Hollywood Approves Cannabis Cafes, Lounges

12/20/2018

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The city of West Hollywood has announced license approvals for cannabis cafes and lounges, as well as other cannabis businesses, Eater Los Angeles reports.

West Hollywood will allow social use cannabis lounges — which, so far, have been seen in limited locations around the nation, such as San Francisco and Denver — where the smoking of cannabis or the eating of infused edibles is allowed.

One step further than other regions, however, West Hollywood will also have actual eateries and restaurants where chefs will be able to work with cannabis to produce foods to order.

Some speculate that the move will place West Hollywood, California on the level of cities like Amsterdam for cannabis tourism.

“The City was very impressed by the quality and caliber of the applications we received, many of the businesses are unique, innovative, and world class. The range of visions among the approved applicants reflect an entirely new era of integrated marketplaces, consumption lounges and cafes, cannabis restaurants, and immersive experiences; all of which go far beyond models currently seen in the State, or even the world. We believe these business will set West Hollywood apart and solidify the future success of the cannabis industry in the City.” — The City of West Hollywood, in a public statement

The full list of approved applicants is available on the West Hollywood city website.

The approved businesses must now have 12 months to secure a city business license and find a physical location.

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Pennsylvania Gov. Considers Legalizing Cannabis

12/20/2018

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Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) said yesterday in a Twitter Q&A that it’s “time to take a serious and honest look at recreational marijuana” legislation, the Associated Press reports.

The legalization question was posed by a member of the public. The governor also responded to questions related to the ongoing opioid epidemic, criminal justice reforms, bipartisanship, “liquor modernization,” and more.

Gov. Wolf is entering his second term as governor in January. While he has largely steered clear of the idea of legalizing — having suggested time and again that Pennsylvania should take a “wait and see” approach in regards to other states that have legalized — the governor was a strong supporter of the state’s 2016 medical cannabis legislation.

Gov. Wolf will also be joined next year by incoming Lt. Governor John Fetterman, who is a longtime supporter of legalizing cannabis.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and several other Pennsylvania cities have passed local ordinances decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of cannabis.

A 2017 poll found that 59 percent of surveyed Pennsylvanians supported legalizing cannabis — up drastically from 22 percent in a 2006 poll.

Currently, 10 states, one territory, and Washington D.C. have opted to legalize adult-use cannabis. Furthermore, governors in neighboring New York and New Jersey have both expressed a desire to legalize.

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Medical Cannabis

Tilray Strikes Global Distribution Deal With Pharma Giant Sandoz

12/20/2018

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Tilray has entered a partnership with Sandoz Canada and extended an existing medical cannabis distribution deal to include the rest of the pharmaceutical company’s global distribution network, the CBC reports.

Tilray first started a Canada-only deal with Sandoz, owned by Novartis Pharmaceutical Group, in January 2018. Non-smokable medical cannabis products with the Tilray and Sandoz brands started shipping to customers in June.

The new deal allows Tilray to use Sandoz’s supply chain, sales force, and will allow for the co-branding of products.

“Tilray is a global company, and we’re thrilled to build upon the success and momentum from our existing agreement with Sandoz Canada by taking our partnership global.” — Brendan Kennedy, CEO of Tilray, in the report

Tilray CEO Brendan Kennedy said Germany is the first priority for the partnership. All doctors in Germany are allowed to write medical cannabis prescriptions, which are covered by insurance. Germany also has a larger population and economy than Canada.

Sandoz also distributes to the U.S., but stringent federal cannabis laws will prevent cannabis imports, for now. However, if President Trump signs the 2018 Farm Bill into law, as he is expected to do, it could allow for more CBD-based products to be imported immediately.

Tilray shares were up more than 20 percent following the announcement, topping out at $82.29 on Wednesday on the NASDAQ exchange.

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DNA

Study: THC May Change Gene Signaling In Sperm

12/20/2018

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A study published in the journal Epigenetics has shown that THC can affect the genetic information carried by sperm, according to The Verge.

Researchers at Duke University performed similar experiments on both rats and humans. On rats, they tested the sperm of rats who had been given cannabis and those that had not. In humans, they tested sperm from men who were weekly consumers of cannabis against sperm from men who hadn’t had any cannabis in the last half-year and had only consumed it a maximum of 10 times in their lives.

The study investigated THC‘s epigenetic effects. Epigenetics is the study of information not explicitly in the genome but rather attached to it via chemical compounds called methyl groups. While the genes themselves don’t change, methyl groups cause changes in the genes’ expression.

In both rats and humans, cannabis was shown to change the amount and placement of methyl groups in specific areas of the genome. One difference related to the size of internal organs in offspring and the other related to the body’s response to cancer.

Researchers were very clear that the exact outcomes of those changes are still uncertain. The study was a pilot designed to see if there were any genetic changes in sperm due to cannabis, which was confirmed. It is not known whether or not the changes are reversible or whether they will actually result in concrete changes in offspring.

“I want to be very careful to not have the results turned into something that they’re not. It’s not intended to scare people. Our whole objective is to learn more about biology and what effects there might be.” — Susan Kay Murphy, a co-author of the study

Researchers hope to study the changes further and are already designing new studies at Duke University.

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New Hampshire Capital

New Hampshire Gov. Promises to Veto All Cannabis Legalization

12/19/2018

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New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) said on Friday that he would veto any legalization legislation that reaches his desk, “regardless of what the language looks like,” The Concord Monitor reports.

Sununu has called his campaign against legalization one of the biggest policy issues of his administration. He urged members of the Governor’s Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery on Friday to fight legalization. Gov. Sununu has even sought consult from anti-legalization crusader Kevin Sabet.

Sabet, a former drug policy adviser under the Bush and Clinton administrations, is now the head of anti-legalization group Smart Approaches to Marijuana. “Kevin Sabet is engaging with us very aggressively,” Sununu said. “He’s very excited, he’s raised a lot of money nationally.”

The meeting where Sununu made his rallying cry for continued prohibition was an unusual spot to come out so strongly against cannabis. The commission has been tasked with spending millions of dollars in the fight against addiction — a fight in which cannabis has shown some potential.

It’s arguable that spending a sizable portion of the state’s budget on addiction control via continued cannabis prohibition is unwise, considering that millions of Americans continue to die each year from opiate addiction and withdrawal and that there remains zero recorded cases of a fatal cannabis overdose.

Furthermore, there is strong public support for cannabis legalization in New Hampshire, where 68 percent of the population supports it and 74 percent want specifically to regulate sales. Even more staggering is that New Hampshire has already decriminalized cannabis, so the plant is already being used freely throughout the state.

“Sadly, the message Governor Sununu is sending to Granite Staters couldn’t be more clear. It’s ‘support your local drug dealer, and to hell with any sort of regulated system.’” — Matt Simon, of the Marijuana Policy Project, to the Concord Monitor

The Commission decided to table further discussion until it’s next meeting on January 25. It’s unclear how the commission’s 28 members will vote.

Democrats hold majority control of New Hampshire‘s legislature and have shown support for full legalization and regulated sales, so — while Sununu has promised to veto — lawmakers may have enough support to overrule him on the issue.

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Opiates

Research Shows Opioids Largely Ineffective Against Chronic Pain

12/19/2018

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A study published in the journal JAMA shows that opioids are only slightly more effective than placebo medications at treating chronic non-cancer pain, and their effectiveness declines over time, CNN reports.

The study shows no significant benefit for most adults with chronic pain when treated with opioids. In fact, for chronic pain, opioids were shown to be approximately as effective as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen. The study also found an increase in negative side effects like vomiting and constipation associated with using opioids for chronic pain.

In one subsection of the analysis, it’s shown that synthetic cannabinoids seem equally as effective as opioids for treating pain, which appears to support the argument that medical cannabis can be an effective treatment for chronic pain — at the very least, it should encourage further research.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued guidelines in an attempt to stem the tide of opioid addiction that began in the early 1990s, when opioids were considered a wonder drug with an unlikely chance for addiction.

One of the study’s authors, Jason Busse of McMaster University in Ontario, said the CDC guidelines, however, do not include nearly as many high-quality research papers as the latest meta-analysis.

Busse said of people who are considering opioids as a treatment for their chronic pain: “Now they have the evidence to understand what their chances are of achieving meaningful improvement.”

With these findings, however, it’s clear that opioids should not be the first, second, or even third option — and medical cannabis deserves further studying as an option with fewer side effects that may well be more effective for chronic pain patients.

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Judge's Gavel

Denver’s Sweet Leaf Cannabis Gets Hit With $8.8 Million Judgement

12/19/2018

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Denver’s Sweet Leaf dispensary chain has been hit with yet another round of fines by a judge, totaling $8.8 million, according to a Denver Post report.

Denver District Judge Edward Bronfin levied the fines after Sweet Leaf allegedly violated commercial leases on four different properties. The owners of Sweet Leaf failed to pay rent, late fees, and interest, he said.

The judgement follows a long string of court battles for Sweet Leaf after the dispensary chain was raided in a sting operation by Denver police.

The Denver Police Department accused Sweet Leaf of “looping,” a sales practice wherein a business knowingly circumvents the maximum daily allotment for cannabis consumers under Colorado regulations.

After a protracted battle, the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division in October ordered Sweet Leaf to relinquish 29 cannabis business licenses and pay $2 million in fines.

Some people have hailed the new $8.8 million judgement as proof that cannabis businesses will be held to the same contractual standards as other businesses. This does provide assurances for those not directly involved with flower production but who do business with those producers.

Sweet Leaf’s owners still maintain they had no knowledge of any wrongdoing. Attorneys representing the Denver dispensary chain said they would not comment on pending litigation.

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