Study: Majority of Minnesota Medical Cannabis Patients Enrolled for Pain

11/07/2023

by

A study conducted by the University of Minnesota and cannabis company Vireo Health found the majority (60%) of medical cannabis patients included in the study had indications of intractable pain, but older and younger adults received “significant differences in dosages.” 

The study authors said the differences raise “questions about factors that contribute to the use of varied dosages in older adults.” 

The study included about half of the state’s medical cannabis patient population registered between June 2016 and November 2019 who were enrolled in the state’s medical cannabis program with Vireo.  

Dr. Angela Birnbaum, a professor in the Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology in the College of Pharmacy and the lead author on the paper, noted in a press release that the researchers’ “past data shows blood concentrations of CBD and THC can vary widely among patients and according to fat content in food, indicating possible inconsistent exposure that could lead to variations in response and unanticipated side effects.” 

The study also found that a majority of epilepsy patients included in the research “received formulations containing both THC and CBD” and that the “introduction of THC to this population highlights the importance of further research on the interplay of THC and CBD to better predict patient responses.”    

“Little information is available for most medical cannabis formulations and for particular patient populations. More research is needed to understand the long-range influence of cannabis use, especially in older adults who are typically receiving multiple medications and have an increased potential for drug-drug interactions.” — Birnbaum in a statement 

The study was published online ahead of print for volume 99 of the Current Therapeutic Research Journal. It included a total of 11,520 registered medical cannabis patients. Funding was provided by the MacMillan Innovative Epilepsy Research and Education Fund and the University of Minnesota Medical Discovery Team on Addiction’s Pilot Grant.   

End

Connecticut Raises Cannabis Purchase Limits Starting in December

11/07/2023

by

Starting next month, the maximum purchase limit for adult-use cannabis products in Connecticut will increase from seven grams to 14 grams per transaction. In a statement, Bryan Cafferelli, the commissioner for the Department of Consumer Protection, said the change comes after officials “reviewed the available supply and demand since before the launch of the market” and now feel it’s “appropriate” to increase the limits.   

“As more retailers, production companies and other supply chain licensees have come online, the capacity of the industry has increased. We are confident this measured approach to adult-use sales has resulted in a healthy market for businesses, and a safe and fair marketplace for adult-use cannabis consumers and medical marijuana patients.” — Cafferelli in a press release 

The program changes come as the state continues to set monthly cannabis sales records – which, combined, surpassed $25 million in September. Product prices were also their lowest since the launch of the adult-use market, with medical cannabis prices averaging $38.21 and adult-use prices averaging $38.37 in September. 

The new rules also increase the amount of vape cartridges allowed per purchase from four to eight, of either the .5 milliliter or 1 milliliter. The agency notes that purchases can include different product types that “collectively contain no more than” a half of an ounce of cannabis.  

End

New York Bill Would Outlaw Some Cannabis Billboard Advertisements

11/06/2023

by

A bill in New York seeks to outlaw some roadside billboards for cannabis advertising and would impose fines of up to $2,500 for violations. According to the Justification linked to the proposal, Assemblyman Scott Gray (R) introduced the measure after seeing a billboard in his district that resembled the famous “Got Milk?” advertising campaign popular during the 1990s.

In the Justification, Gray writes that the Got Milk campaign was directed at teenagers and the “Got Weed?” billboard is aimed at that same demographic.  

“The rollout Office of Cannabis Management has included many delays, turmoil and confusion. A concern of many New Yorkers is that advertisements of many cannabis products will be geared towards adolescents, including those who may not even be of legal age to possess cannabis or cannabis products.” — Gray in the Justification for A.8200 

Office of Cannabis Management regulations finalized earlier this year include a ban on cannabis billboards, except those that conduct retail sales or delivery – and those signs can only include business information. Gray’s bill would “not prohibit the signage for retail operations, rather specific product advertising,” the Justification states.  

The measure is currently in the Assembly Economic Development Committee and, if passed, the law would take effect on the first of January following its approval.

End

Florida Officials Uncover 8,700+ Hemp Products ‘Attractive to Children’ in Latest Crackdown

11/06/2023

by

Inspectors with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services on Thursday announced they had uncovered more than 8,700 hemp extract-edible packages that were attractive to, or marketed to, children.   

The products, which officials say run afoul of a law passed earlier this year, were discovered at Top Private Label Co. in Daytona Beach and officials issued a stop-sale order against the company. 

The law, passed in July, added age requirements for the purchase of hemp products intended for human consumption, included a prohibition on marketing that targets children, mandates that products sold in Florida are packaged in a safe container, and requires ingestible hemp products are held to the same health and safety standards as other food products. 

To enforce these law changes, in July and August, the Agriculture Department conducted what it describes as “the largest ever” inspection of businesses selling products that contain hemp extracts. The statewide inspection specifically targeted the sale of hemp extract products that are attractive and marketed to children and included inspections of more than 700 businesses in all 67 Florida counties. Ther sweeps uncovered more than 83,000 packages of hemp extract products, including THC products that officials say target children.  

Since July 1, the department has uncovered over 107,400 packages of hemp extract products that they say target children, in violation of state law.  

End

Pennsylvania House Subcommittee Hears from Citizens and Experts About Cannabis Legalization

11/06/2023

by

The Pennsylvania House Subcommittee on Health Care on Wednesday heard from citizens and medical experts about legalizing cannabis for adult use, WGAL reports. State Rep. Dan Frankel (D) indicated that the issue could come up for a vote in front of the full House next year. 

“We know that there are some states in this country that have done it poorly, and we want to learn those lessons as we craft something here.” — Frankel via WGAL 

State Rep. Paul Schemel (R), the subcommittee’s minority chairman, said he believed that “every state has gotten it wrong.” 

“To think that this bad milk, if we put it back in the refrigerator as good milk, would be making the same error those states have,” he said during the hearing.  

Frankel noted that people in Pennsylvania are already consuming cannabis that is untested, unregulated, and untaxed, and that state lawmakers can implement safety controls and the state can earn revenue through cannabis sales.  

State Rep. Chris Rabb (D), a member of the House Cannabis Caucus, said that lawmakers should not look at the reforms solely as a revenue generator, but also as a criminal justice issue. Rabb, who is a registered medical cannabis patient in the state, added that the state has “to have some moral consistency” as “everyone acknowledged alcohol is far more dangerous than cannabis.” In Pennsylvania, alcohol is sold through state-run stores.  

Dr. Kent Vrana with Penn State University told lawmakers there are concerns about more people consuming cannabis and the potential for more intoxicated drivers, along with the potential for children to access cannabis-infused edibles.  

End

Missouri Removes 15k Affected Products from Sweeping August Recall

11/03/2023

by

The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation has removed nearly 15,000 cannabis products from an August recall, saying that they had verified the products contain “THC solely sourced from marijuana products grown in the Missouri regulated market,” KMIZ reports. 

The initial recall included nearly 63,000 products manufactured by Delta Extraction, LLC that regulators said they could not verify came from products grown in the state because they were not tracked in METRC, the state’s seed-to-sale tracking system. In all, more than 48,530 products remain on the recall list. 

Delta Extraction, LLC, in September asked the Administrative Hearing Commission to reverse the decision to suspend the company’s license, but the case is unlikely to be heard this month. The company has also filed for a temporary restraining order, claiming that the recall was an “unlawful campaign to destroy Delta’s business through arbitrary, unjustified and unexplained administrative actions targeting Delta’s products,” according to a St. Louis Post-Dispatch report. 

“The remaining marijuana product will remain on recall and may have an administrative hold,” the agency said in the updated notice. “DCR will provide additional guidance to licensees as DCR continues its investigation into the affected products.” 

End

Georgia Appeals Court: Delta-8, Delta-10 Products Not Controlled Substances

11/03/2023

by

The Georgia Court of Appeals ruled on Thursday that hemp-derived delta-8 THC and delta-10 THC products are not controlled substances under state law, 11 Alive reports. The ruling came in a challenge by Elements Distribution after it was raided by the state in 2022. 

During the raid, police seized about $2 million worth of products, according to a CBS 46 report. 

Trial Attorney Tom Church, with the Church Law Firm, told 11 Alive that the decision sets a precedent for similar cases throughout the state.   

“What happened was that the Gwinnett County D.A. and the local drug task force raided several small businesses in the area, including our clients who are hemp products and other product distributors. … I think this is a powerful message for folks around Georgia that these are legal products. The legislature specifically legalized them in 2019 and that law enforcement has no authority to go after businesses that are legally selling these products.” — Church to 11 Alive 

The Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office could still appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court; however, the Appeals Court decision could pave the way for the products to be sold in Georgia. 

Per a letter revealed in August, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration considers delta-8 THC which is synthesized from hemp-derived CBD to be federally illegal despite the legal status of hemp and its derivatives. 

End

Workers at Kansas City Dispensary Vote to Join Union

11/03/2023

by

Budtenders and inventory clerks Home State Dispensary in Kansas City, Missouri voted on Tuesday to join the Teamsters Local 955, making them the first cannabis workers in the Kansas City metro area to unionize and the first to join the Local 955.

In a statement, Jerry Wood, Local 955 president, noted that cannabis sales in Missouri are on track to gross over $1 billion in revenue this year.

“These workers are smart. They know that they need to strike while the iron is hot if they want a fair share of that windfall, and by joining the Teamsters, they can get it.” — Wood in a press release

Madison Ford, a budtender at Home State, said the workers “are standing together to make working conditions better in this industry.”

“I know that the best way to do that is by making the Teamsters a norm for Missouri cannabis,” she said.

Peter Finn, Teamsters Western Region International Vice President and Food Processing Division Director, added that the union is going to “fight hard to make careers in this industry sustainable and prosperous over the long term.”

“These workers have the courage, tenacity, and solidarity that it takes to win a strong contract, and we’re here to make that happen,” he said.

End

Study: Adult-Use Cannabis Legalization in Ohio Would Generate $260M in ‘Net Benefits for Society’

11/02/2023

by

According to a paper from Scioto Analysis adult-use cannabis legalization in Ohio would likely generate about $260 million in “net benefits for society,” ranging between $200 million in net costs and $1.9 billion in net benefits.  

“Allowing a market for sale of cannabis for recreational use will impact the state economy. Opening the market will allow people access to goods they would not have had otherwise, generate tax revenue for state programs, create new jobs, and reduce crime by reducing the importance of a black market in cannabis sales. At the same time, other states that have legalized recreational cannabis have seen reduced worker productivity and increased prevalence of impaired driving.” — Scioto Analysis, “Cost-Benefit Analysis of Ohio’s Recreational Cannabis Legalization,” October 2023 

Ohio voters will decide whether to enact the reforms this month. A poll from Fallon Research in September found a majority of Ohioans support the ballot proposal 59% to 32%, with 9% unsure. 

According to Scioto Analysis, Ohio would see an estimated $190 million from cannabis-derived tax revenues which would be earmarked for the Cannabis Social Equity and Jobs Fund and the Substance Abuse Addiction Fund, which the economics and public policy firm expects will “generate over $800 million of social value by themselves.” 

In a statement, Michael Hartnett, a policy analyst, said “The programs outlined in the ballot initiative have historically been very efficient ways to use public dollars, and will likely generate a lot of value for Ohioans.” 

The most significant cost monetized by the firm was the potential lost productivity of workers in certain industries.  

“Past research has shown that states that legalized recreational marijuana experience reductions in productivity amounting to roughly a 1% decrease per worker,” Scioto Analysis said in the report. “In Ohio, we calculate that this will lead to roughly $760 million worth of lost productivity in the short run.”      

End

Oregon Rep. Blumenauer to Retire from Congress

11/02/2023

by

Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D), a founding member of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, on Monday announced he will not seek reelection. In a Facebook post, Blumenauer, who served as a member of Congress for 27 years, said “Now, it is time to refocus on a narrower set of priorities.”  

“There will be time later to reflect on our many accomplishments and where we go from here. But I’m not done with Congress yet. There are 14 months left in this congressional session and a critical election. I will take every opportunity to make progress on the issues that matter most to our families and community. I deeply appreciate and thank you for putting your trust in me. I look forward to our next chapter.” — Blumenauer in a Facebook post 

Blumenauer served as an Oregon state lawmaker in 1973 when the state decriminalized cannabis and has been an ardent supporter of federal cannabis reforms since his election to the House of Representatives in 1996. He was a key supporter of the SAFE Banking Act, a bill to normalize banking services for cannabis industry operators which passed the House six times but was never given a vote in the Senate, and the MORE Act, which would have decriminalized cannabis federally and passed the House twice but was never taken up by the Senate.  

The MORE Act remains the first and only comprehensive cannabis reform to pass either chamber of Congress.  

“I have dedicated my career to creating livable communities where people are safe, healthy, and economically secure. This mission has guided my involvement in Congress on a wide range of issues. I may best be known in Portland for work on light rail, streetcars, and bicycles,” Blumenauer said in a press release. “But our work also included critical issues of war and peace, championing the fight to end the failed war on drugs, helping to write the Affordable Care Act, rescuing independent restaurants, food and farm policy, animal welfare, and writing the single largest investment in renewable energy in history.”

End

Missouri Transfers $13M in Medical Cannabis Derived Funds to Veterans Commission

11/02/2023

by

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) on Tuesday transferred $13 million from the state’s medical cannabis program to the Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC). It is the fifth transfer to date, bringing the total transferred to $39,978,820. 

The agency also transferred $3,836,919 in funds generated by Missouri’s adult-use cannabis program to the MVC ($1,278,973), the state Public Defender’s Office ($1,278,973), and DHSS ($1,278,973) for a drug treatment grant program.   

MVC Executive Director Paul Kirchhoff said the “funds will help MVC continue to support the existing infrastructure of our seven Veterans Homes.” 

“It is incredible that Missouri voters passed the adult use amendment less than one year ago,” added Amy Moore, director of the Division of Cannabis Regulation with DHSS, “and we are now starting to see the financial impact the program’s success will have on multiple organizations and the Missourians they serve.” 

The amendment to legalize cannabis for medical use was voted into Missouri’s constitution in 2018. It requires that fees and taxes generated by medical cannabis be transferred to the MVC to give veterans better access to healthcare. In November 2022 an additional amendment was voted in that gives the fees and taxes generated by the adult-use cannabis program to be transferred to veterans commission. 

End

Report: Home Values in States with Legal Cannabis Outpace Home Values in Non-Legal States

11/01/2023

by

Home values in states with adult-use cannabis laws have outpaced home values in other states by nearly $49,000 from 2014 to 2023, according to new research from Real Estate Witch. The typical home in a state with legalized cannabis has seen its value appreciate by $185,075 since 2014, compared to $136,092 in states that have not enacted the reforms.  

Cities with adult-use dispensaries also report $67,359 higher increases in home values than cities where cannabis is legalized but dispensaries are not available. 

The study also found that the typical home in an adult-use cannabis state is worth $417,625 – 41% more than in states that do not permit adult cannabis use ($295,338). 

Medical cannabis is also associated with higher increases in home values as states with medical cannabis access have seen home values increase $29,289 more than states without medical cannabis since 2014. States with medical cannabis have also seen home values increase $166,609 since 2014, compared to $137,320 in other states.  

Today, the typical home in a state with medical cannabis access is worth 21% more than a home in a state without, the report says. Real Estate Witch found that among the top 10 states with the highest growth in home values, Idaho is the only one that has no form of legal cannabis.  

End

Alabama Regulators Plan to Issue Medical Cannabis Licenses by December 12

11/01/2023

by

The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) is now aiming to get industry licenses awarded by December, in what its chairman calls an “aggressive” timeline after a summer of starts and stops, WIAT reports. The agency voted last week to officially rescind the previous licenses and laid out a new timeline that would issue the licenses by the end of the year with products available in the spring. 

In June, the AMCC awarded the first round of medical cannabis licenses, but days later paused the process due to “potential inconsistencies” in scoring data tabulation. The agency was then accused of violating the state’s Open Meetings Act, which drew a lawsuit from seven applicants and led to a temporary restraining order on further action by the AMCC. The agency then said it planned to void and reissue the licenses, which led to more litigation and a plan by regulators to “start back at square one.” The agency, last month, issued an administrative stay on licensing in order to get the process back on track, but faced yet another lawsuit by an applicant that claimed regulators had wrongfully implied that one of the company’s owners or senior directors had a criminal record. Earlier this month, regulators approved new rules for the process and reset licensing for a third time. 

AMCC Chairman Rex Vaughn told WIAT that starting November 27, applicants will be re-evaluated based on presentations they make to the commission and the application scores from the University of South Alabama; although commissioners can “choose to disregard the previous scoring,” which the agency had previously described as potentially inconsistent. 

Under the new timeline, the commission plans to award all licenses by December 12. 

End

Federal Judge Denies Attempt to Block Virginia Hemp Restrictions

11/01/2023

by

A federal judge in Northern Virginia on Monday denied an attempt to block a recently enacted state law that imposed stricter limits on intoxicating hemp products, the Virgnia Mercury reports. In the opinion, U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema said the state “demonstrated that delta-8 THC is a credible threat to the Virginia population.”  

“…There is a strong public interest in protecting the citizens of the commonwealth from substances like delta-8, including a vulnerable population, such as children, from hospitalizations and poisonings. The decision to advance that interest was done by the elected policymakers of Virginia, and this court must defer to those political and social welfare judgements.” — Brinkema in the decision 

The plaintiffs, which include Virginia hemp businesses, argued in the lawsuit that Virginia had overstepped its authority to regulate hemp in a way that conflicted with federal law and interfered with interstate commerce. Brinkema disagreed, writing that federal hemp laws do not mandate “that the substance must be legal in every state.”  

“Nor does it mean that Congress has mandated that any product that simply includes industrial hemp as one ingredient or derivative among many must be legalized by every state legislature,” she wrote.  

The decision denies the plaintiffs’ request for an injunction against the law and the laws will remain in place while the lawsuit moves forward.    

End

Europe’s First Legal Cannabis Dispensary Gets Final Approval by Swiss Regulators

10/31/2023

by

Europe’s first legal, albeit experimental, cannabis dispensary last week was given final approval by Swiss regulators. The dispensary, run by the Sanity Group and the Swiss Institute for Addiction and Health Research (ISGF), received approval to conduct a study on the controlled dispensing of cannabis to adults by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (BAG).

The study, titled “Grashaus Projects” is scheduled to launch later this year, and cannabis will initially be dispensed through a flagship shop in the municipality of Allschwil, with another location in Liestal to follow. Sanity Group is the only German company participating in the Swiss pilot projects, which aims to learn more about the effects of controlled access to cannabis in an effort to provide a solid scientific basis for possible decisions on future cannabis regulation in Switzerland.

In a statement, Prof. Dr. Michael Schaub, Scientific Director of the ISGF, who will lead the study, said its insights “can contribute to an informed health policy discussion on the responsible use of cannabis and serve as a basis for decisions on long-term regulation.”

“In addition, we want to investigate whether we can gain better access to high-risk users with, for example, mental health problems, in order to refer them to appropriate cantonal care centers.” — Schaub in a press release

Finn Hänsel, CEO of Sanity Group, said the study’s results “will be of international interest.”

“Our ambition to support the ISGF pilot project with our knowledge and experience as an internationally positioned cannabis company is primarily based on the promotion of research in the field of cannabis,” he said in a statement. “Since the company was founded, our goal has been to further research the benefits of cannabis and destigmatize the plant. Together with the ISGF, we are developing concepts for safe sales based on health protection, youth protection and prevention.”

Up to 3,950 healthy adults living in the canton of Basel-Landschaft will be able to participate in the study. Schaub explained that study participants will be given a participation card to obtain cannabis from the dispensary. Participants will be continually surveyed every six months on their consumption behavior, and physical and mental health.

All cannabis products will be produced according to the quality requirements of the Controlled Dispensing of Non-Medical Cannabis program and the organic guidelines in Switzerland by the Swiss cultivation partner SwissExtract. Prices for cannabis flowers are said to range between 8 and 12 Swiss francs (USD$8.85-$13.28) depending on the THC content.

End

Medical Cannabis Sales in Arkansas on Track to Set New Record This Year

10/31/2023

by

Medical cannabis sales in Arkansas have totaled $211.3 million this year, according to Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) data outlined by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. The state has collected $23.5 million in tax revenue from medical cannabis sales so far this year and $113 million since the state’s first dispensaries opened in 2019.

According to DFA data, Arkansas dispensaries have sold 44,949 pounds of cannabis this year.

In a statement, Scott Hardin, a DFA spokesperson, said that since medical cannabis sales launched in the state in May 2019, patients have spent more than $965 million.

“This included $31 million in 2019, $182 million in 2020, $265 million in 2021, $276 million in 2022 and $211 million through September this year. With monthly sales averaging $23.4 million, we remain on track to set a new sales record this year.” — Hardin, in a statement, via the Democrat-Chronicle

According to state data, there are currently 96,056 active medical cannabis ID cards issued in Arkansas. In January, the state counted 99,955 active ID cards.

In August, DFA said that the average price per pound of medical cannabis was $4,545 – a marked decrease from the $6,565 average price per pound in 2021.

End

Researchers at Duke University Exploring How Psychedelics Function in the Brain

10/31/2023

by

Researchers at Duke University are exploring how psychedelics function in the brain by dosing larval zebrafish with DOI, a compound similar to LSD. Minel Arinel, a graduate student in the Department of Neurobiology, said that while “Clinical trials just ask whether people with psychiatric disorders get better, there’s not much of a mechanistic understanding of what exactly is happening” when someone is under the influence of psychedelics. 

Arinel’s current project seeks to understand how brain cells, and which ones, change to impact a fish’s movement and perception after being dosed with DOI. 

“It really changes their sensitivity to the dark. At lower concentrations of DOI, they move way more in the dark, but as the concentration increases, they start moving less and less. They kind of just float around in the water and lose motor control.” — Arinel to Duke School of Medicine Magnify 

Arinel added that the research won’t immediately lead to cures for neurological disorders any time soon.   

“We cannot say, ‘We gave this drug to a fish, so we’re going to cure PTSD,’ or anything like that,” she said.  

Another study by Duke researchers is investigating how the substances might alleviate opioid addiction and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Graduate student Kathryn Walder-Christensen said that several of her family members suffer from OCD and they have “gone through batteries of treatment and medications and behavioral therapy, and nothing has worked.” 

“The idea of finding something that would provide a long-lasting therapeutic benefit is very appealing,” she said.

Walder-Christensen is working in the Collective for Psychiatric Neuroengineering on they study, which doses mice with tweaked versions of psychedelic drugs that have the hallucinogenic component removed.

Cynthia Kuhn, PhD, professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, said there’s a debate, that cannot be answered by animal studies, about whether the hallucinogenic aspect induced by psychedelics is a pivotal part of therapeutic healing, or if it is a byproduct of chemical reactions.

“Do you need that psychedelic experience to achieve therapeutic effects? Or are you just putting a key in a biochemical lock, and it doesn’t matter if you’re conscious or not?” Kuhn said. “What you can learn in a rodent, or a zebrafish is exactly what molecule or receptor mechanism is being activated. What you never know is what they’re thinking.”

The studies have yet to be published but Duke has been looking at psychedelic studies since 2020 when Kuhn created a course on psychedelics as medicine and in 2021 the Duke Margolis Center for Health Policy assembled a panel of experts to examine the hurdles in the design and execution of psychedelic-focused clinical trials.

End

Survey: 88% of Medical Cannabis Patients Reduced Use of Prescription Drugs, Alcohol, or Both

10/30/2023

by

A survey from EO Care, Inc. found that 88% of medical cannabis consumers said medical cannabis reduced their use of prescription drugs, alcohol, or both. Another 51% said they would be likely or very likely to use cannabis if it were offered by their health plan.  

The survey, which included 1,027 Americans from states where cannabis was legal for either medical or adult use, also found that 65% of respondents would feel more comfortable using cannabis for medical purposes if it were screened and dosed by a clinician.  

In all, 18% of respondents had consumed cannabis for health reasons in the past year, 19% had consumed cannabis recreationally, and 14% had consumed it for both purposes. The top three reasons for the respondents’ consuming cannabis were anxiety, pain, and sleep. 

In a statement, Sean Collins, co-founder and CEO of EO Care, noted that “Finding clinical guidance for medicinal cannabis is difficult because most doctors lack the knowledge and retail dispensaries are not equipped to provide medical advice.” 

“As a result we have tens of millions of Americans using cannabis for health reasons without guidance on specific product recommendations, dosage amounts, possible drug interactions, or consideration of their health history and other potential health risks. Given that sales of cannabis for health reasons is far higher than most prescription drugs, this is a highly concerning situation for healthcare generally.” — Collins in a press release 

The survey also found that 56% of respondents said they would be more likely to take a job at a company whose health plan offered cannabis care and 44% would reconsider applying for a job at a company that tested for prior use of cannabis use or prohibited cannabis outside of the workplace. 

“94% of Americans live in a state where cannabis is legal in some form,” Collins added. “And we know a large percentage of Americans have used cannabis in the past year, so this is definitely impacting employees and health outcomes. With the right medicinal cannabis guidance employers have an opportunity to help their employees, improve health outcomes and be progressive leaders in offering this important benefit that employees will come to expect.”

End

Georgia Pharmacies Begin Selling Low-THC Medical Cannabis Oil

10/30/2023

by

Pharmacies in Georgia last week began selling medical cannabis products to patients, becoming the first in the U.S. to participate in medical cannabis sales, CNN reports. State officials had approved the regulations earlier this month, paving the way for independent pharmacies to sell low-THC cannabis oils allowed under the state’s medical cannabis program.   

Robins Pharmacy, Omega Pharmacy, and the Allen Pharmacy Group are the first three pharmacies in the state to get licenses to sell the products. State lawmakers had approved the law allowing pharmacies to sell the products in 2019, but it took years for the regulations to get final approval.  

Dr. Ankit Patel, of Robins Pharmacy, told CNN he’s been “excited” about the possibility of selling the products “for about for years now” and that he had applied for the program “immediately.” 

To get state approval, pharmacies submit an application and are inspected by the state drugs and narcotics agency. Inspectors investigate the store’s security, question the staff about how much they know about the products, and about how to handle the products, before the state will grant them the license. 

Bill Posey, the owner of Allen Pharmacy Group told CNN he already has patients calling about when they could start buying the products. 

“It’s going to be great,” he said.

Under the state’s medical cannabis law, there are 16 medical conditions that allow patients to access the low-THC oils.  

End

New York Regulators Pause Administrative Trials of Unlicensed Cannabis Businesses

10/30/2023

by

New York’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has stopped holding administrative trials for businesses accused of selling cannabis without a license, The City reports. The last such trial was held October 20 and OCM told The City the pause was due to a lack of resources and that it did not know when the trials would reconvene. 

According to OCM, as of last week, the agency said it has issued 270 enforcement actions across the state since June and seized an estimated $45 million worth of illicit cannabis. Since June, OCM has held 26 administrative trials and levied $220,000 in fines, the report says. Decisions are still pending in 10 other cases. Two attorneys representing with cases pending before the OCM told The City they had received notifications of withdrawal.     

OCM Executive Director Chris Alexander has publicly expressed reservations about the agency’s enforcement of unlicensed cannabis shops, saying during a meeting with community boards earlier this month that “It was never OCM’s mission to do this type of enforcement.” 

“I want to be very clear,” Alexander said during the meeting, “that the strategy has not worked.” 

Under New York regulations, illegally operating cannabis businesses can face fines up to $20,000 per day of operation. A member of OCM, on background, told Ganjapreneur earlier this month that the agency did not have enough staff to keep up with enforcement of unlicensed cannabis shops.  

End

Isolate Extraction Systems Acquires Apeks Supercritical, Becoming Dominant Global Player in CO2 Extraction Systems

10/30/2023

by

Lafayette, Colorado 10/17/23 — Isolate Extraction Systems, Inc. (“IES”), a global manufacturer of innovative solutions for supercritical CO2 botanical extraction across several industries, is pleased to announce its acquisition of Apeks Supercritical (“Apeks”), a renowned manufacturer of supercritical CO2 extraction equipment and a leading IES competitor. This strategic transaction signifies a significant milestone for IES, as it combines and aligns the strengths, expertise and resources of IES and Apeks to better serve the rapidly evolving needs of the global extraction industry. Together, the combined company has delivered nearly 1,000 CO2 extraction systems to date to its customers on a global basis.

IES has established itself as a pioneering force in the CO2 extraction market, offering a range of cutting-edge commercial and industrial extraction equipment, innovative customer support service and maintenance packages, and comprehensive consulting and performance management services. This transaction further solidifies and expands IES’ commitment and capabilities in delivering top-tier, industry-leading products and services to its customers.

Apeks Supercritical, known for its precision-engineered CO2 extraction systems, has earned a reputation for excellence and innovation in the field of botanical extraction. This transaction will provide IES with access to Apeks Supercritical’s expertise, patented technologies, and an expanded customer base, further enhancing its market presence. The combined company will continue to sell new systems, certified refurbished systems and parts, and will offer a variety of service solutions to its customers. IES is the ideal partner to support Apeks’ customers’ needs and to best serve the evolving needs of the supercritical CO2 extraction industry.

Key benefits and highlights of the Deal:

  1. Enhanced Product Portfolio: The combination of Isolate Extraction Systems’ and Apeks Supercritical’s product lines will result in a comprehensive and diverse range of extraction equipment, catering to a wider array of customer needs and applications.
  2. Improved Technological Advancements: The merging of research and development efforts will lead to accelerated technological advancements and innovations, setting new industry standards through new product development and product enhancement offerings.
  3. Strengthened Industry Leadership: The combined knowledge and experience of both companies will empower IES to strengthen its position as the market leader in botanical extraction solutions.
  4. Expanded Customer Support: Apeks Supercritical’s established customer base will benefit from the broader support and service offerings provided by Isolate Extraction Systems, ensuring customer satisfaction and loyalty.

“We are thrilled to announce the acquisition of Apeks Supercritical, a company that shares our dedication to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction,” said Kelly Knutson, CEO at Isolate Extraction Systems. “This strategic move aligns with our mission to provide the most advanced and reliable extraction solutions to our valued customers.”

As the integration process gets underway, Isolate Extraction Systems is committed to ensuring a seamless transition for customers and employees. Both companies will now be operated as a combined entity with strategically aligned operating initiatives and product development plans. Our immediate focus will be to contact our customers to ensure their service and performance needs have our full attention. Over the coming weeks, we plan to work hard to get acquainted and re-acquainted with all of our customers and to expand our sales and service teams.

For more information about Isolate Extraction Systems and Apeks Supercritical, please visit:

IES – www.isolatesystems.com
Apeks – www.apekssupercritical.com

About Isolate Extraction Systems:
Isolate Extraction Systems is a leading provider of innovative botanical extraction solutions, offering a wide range of CO2 processing and extraction equipment since 2012. With a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, Isolate Extraction Systems empowers businesses in the extraction industry to achieve their goals.

About Apeks Supercritical:
Apeks Supercritical is a renowned manufacturer of supercritical CO2 extraction equipment, known for its precision-engineered systems and innovative solutions for botanical extraction. Founded in 2001, Apeks Supercritical has a long-standing history of excellence and customer satisfaction. For over 20 years, Apeks Supercritical has been continually designing, refining, and manufacturing botanical oil extraction systems utilizing subcritical and supercritical CO2.

Contact:

Adam Knight
Chief Revenue Officer
Isolate Extraction Systems, Inc.
aknight@isolatesystems.com
720.541.7301

Kelly Knutson
CEO
Isolate Extraction Systems, Inc.
kknutson@isolatesystems.com
303.968.9313

End

Cannabis Companies Sue U.S. Attorney General Over Federal Cannabis Laws

10/27/2023

by

A group of Massachusetts-based cannabis companies are suing U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland over federal cannabis laws, arguing the laws infringe on state powers, harms their business, and threatens the businesses’ safety because the laws force them to operate entirely in cash.  

The plaintiffs include Canna Provisions, Inc., Wiseacre Farm, Inc., Verano Holdings Corp., and Gyasi Sellers, an individual who operates a cannabis courier business.

The lawsuit points to a 2005 Supreme Court decision (Gonzales v. Raich) that found because Congress intended to “eradicate” cannabis from interstate commerce, including both economic and noneconomic uses of cannabis, the federal government had a rational and therefore lawful purpose in intruding on the states’ own cannabis regulation; however, the lawsuit contends that “in the decades since that decision, Congress and the Executive Branch have abandoned any intent to ‘eradicate’ marijuana.”

“Numerous states have also implemented programs for regulated marijuana that is not fungible with, and is distinguishable from, illicit interstate marijuana. Despite these changes, the federal criminal prohibition on intrastate marijuana remains in place, an unjustified vestige of a long-abandoned policy. This unjustified intrusion of federal power harms Plaintiffs, threatens the communities they serve, and lacks any rational purpose.” — Canna Provisions, Inc., GYASI Sellers, Wiseacre Farm, Inc., Verano Holdings Corp., v. Merrick Garland

The plaintiffs allege their businesses have been harmed by federal cannabis prohibition. Sellers says his businesses are unable to obtain Small Business Association (SBA) loans because the agency deems cannabis businesses are “ineligible for SBA assistance” regardless of whether they comply with state law. Canna Provisions contends it has been barred from MassHire, one of the state’s career services organizations, from posting jobs or running workshops and that company employees and officers have had personal bank accounts shut down or mortgages declined because they work with cannabis. Wiseacre Farm claims it was unable to lease lands from a willing Massachusetts farmer because the farmer feared losing federal agriculture grant money.

“All of these harms, along with numerous other harms to Plaintiffs alleged herein, are caused by the federal government’s unconstitutional ban on cultivating, manufacturing, distributing, or possessing intrastate marijuana,” the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit further contends that the federal ban on cannabis results in punitive taxation and eliminates state-regulated cannabis businesses’ rights under federal law because companies are not allowed to claim deductions or credits on federal taxes and are unable to trademark their products.

The plaintiffs seek to have the Controlled Substances Act, as it relates to cannabis, ruled unconstitutional and prohibit the federal government, namely the attorney general, from enforcing the law “in a manner that interferes with the intrastate cultivation, manufacture, possession, and distribution” of cannabis under state laws.

End

Regulators Issue Emergency Suspension of Cannabis Testing Lab’s License

10/27/2023

by

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) announced this week that they are issuing an Emergency Suspension of the certification for cannabis testing laboratory True Northwest Inc, located in Olympia.

The LCB has determined that True Northwest no longer meets the stringent criteria required for certification under state regulations. The lab’s troubles began when it failed to submit an acceptable corrective action report following a deficiency report. Subsequently, during a laboratory assessment and proficiency testing, multiple serious deficiencies were identified, raising concerns about the quality and accuracy of its testing procedures.

Among the issues cited were the absence of a lab director on staff, scales that were not properly calibrated, and the issuance of incorrect test results to both licensees and the general public. As a result of this suspension, True Northwest’s certification will remain suspended for 180 days, during which time the Board will seek the revocation of the lab’s certification.

According to the LCB, the investigation into True Northwest’s operations began in September 2023 when the LCB received documentation indicating that the lab was providing inaccurate quality assurance and quality control test results. Despite being aware of these deficiencies, the lab continued to submit “inaccurate and/or false” test results to the LCB and its clients.

On September 19, 2023, a third-party lab certification monitor, RJ Lee, confirmed to the LCB that True Northwest was not in compliance with proficiency testing standards and had failed proficiency tests on two separate occasions, raising serious questions about its testing accuracy.

Subsequent inspections in early October revealed further problems. On October 4, 2023, the LCB was notified that True Northwest no longer had a lab director on-site, a clear violation of certification requirements. An audit conducted on October 9, 2023, uncovered multiple deficiencies, including five critical ones that posed a “significant public safety concern.”

As a result of these findings, the LCB placed True Northwest on administrative hold on October 11, 2023, prohibiting the lab from receiving or conducting any further quality assurance testing. Finally, on October 25, 2023, the LCB approved the emergency suspension of True Northwest’s certification.

This development underscores the importance of adhering to rigorous standards and regulations in the cannabis industry to maintain the trust and safety of both consumers and the public.

End

New Mexico Cannabis Business Loses License for Illegally Obtaining Cannabis for Retail Purposes

10/27/2023

by

New Mexico regulators have revoked the license of an Albuquerque cannabis business and ordered them to pay nearly $300,000 in fines after finding that the company illegally obtained cannabis and improperly transported it, KOB4 reports. Golden Roots, which does business as Cannabis Revolution Dispensary, must stop all commercial activity and recall all of its cannabis products. The fine is linked to the money earned while allegedly possessing and distributing illegal products.  

According to regulators, Golden Roots requested to enter fully-grown, harvested, and dried plants into its system just two months after receiving their licenses, which tipped off the state Cannabis Control Division (CCD), who said plants usually take longer than two months to reach maturity. State compliance officers inspected the company’s growing facility and said they found no evidence of a functional cultivation operation, the report says. Later, regulators allege, they found the company moving fully-grown and harvested cannabis plants off-site.  

In a statement, CCD Director Todd Stevens said Golden Roots actions “show a blatant disregard for the Cannabis Regulation Act and the laws all licensees in New Mexico must follow.”  

“Our compliance officers will continue performing daily inspections, following up on complaints, and working to remove all bad actors from the New Mexico cannabis industry.” — Stevens, in a press release, via KRQE 

The business reportedly requested an evidentiary hearing last month but no one from the company showed up. 

According to state regulators, Golden Roots is the third in the state to have its license revoked but the first to face hefty fines for illegal activity. 

End