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Study Reveals 21 New Cannabinoids

10/15/2018

Researchers at the University of British Columbia have published a study revealing that there may be more types of cannabinoids than expected in many strains of cannabis and also that CBD and THC are not as important for understanding different strain effects as previously thought, according to Nature.

The researchers collected 33 strains of cannabis from five different licensed producers in the Canadian medical cannabis market. After making an extraction, they used the UV spectrum to classify the different chemical compounds present. Surprisingly, among expected results, the researchers discovered 21 compounds that looked a lot like cannabinoids but were previously unidentified.

The extractions tested by researchers showed that the differences between the strains only accounted for 36% of their overall chemical differences. The remaining 64% of the statistical difference was attributed to other cannabinoids, including the 21 unidentified. There were signs of a complicated relationship between chemical compounds in cannabis: some cannabinoids are correlated with the production of THC while others, including a number of the unknown cannabinoids, were associated with the production of higher levels of CBD.

And that wasn’t even their goal, nor their primary finding. Authors E.M. Mudge, S.J. Murch, and P.N. Brown set out to test the hypothesis that the distinct effects of cannabis strains are not tied to just their THC or CBD content alone — nor the ratio of the two — but that the spectrum of possible effects is much wider than believed. Their findings confirmed this hypothesis and also indicated that breeding cannabis over the years specifically for THC has harmed the plant’s diversity in a condition known as “Domestication Syndrome.”

The research showed that there was a lack of diversity in the cannabinoid content of strains bred to be high-THC alone. In fact, strains with greater than 20% THC seemed to have completely lost the chemical pathways that produce CBD. There also seemed to be fewer of the unidentified cannabinoids in the THC-rich strains, indicating that it may not just be CBD production pathways that those plants have lost.

Ultimately, researchers found that most strains sampled in the study were closely related and that it’s too limited of a process to focus on one or even two single cannabinoids in an attempt to classify strains by their effect — in other words, CBD and THC are only one small part of the puzzle.

Researchers said that further research is needed to understand what the unknown cannabinoids are and how they shape the effects of cannabis.

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New Jersey MMJ Expansions Stalled By Too Many Applications

10/15/2018

by Pat Beggan

The New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) announced it will not meet a deadline to award the state’s second wave of dispensary licenses by November 1, NJ.com reports.

Gov. Phil Murphy called for a doubling of the number of dispensaries in the state in July, raising the total from six to 12. The Department of Health received 146 applications for the six additional licenses. The overwhelming number of applicants has staggered the DOH and caused delays in the selection process.

“Additional time is needed to complete a full review of these applications. Each of the reviewers must read more than 40,000 pages of material (each application averages 300 pages). The reviewers are working as quickly as possible, and the department will announce the successful applicants as soon as the review is complete.” — New Jersey Department of Health statement, via NJ.com

New Jersey’s medical cannabis program has been growing rapidly, with currently more than 33,000 patients enrolled. The state has committed to expanding the program alongside enrollment but it is falling behind quickly. Even with the previous Nov. 1, the extra cannabis products were not expected to hit the market until the spring of 2019 — now it may be even later.

New Jersey is doing its best to meet interim demand. The state has authorized the existing six dispensaries to open satellite locations across the state. The state has also started attempting to alter regulations to change the structure of the medical cannabis program to allow for separate licenses for growing, processing and retailing. Currently, growing and retailing are one license.

The state is expected to issue even more licenses in coming months, once the current six up for consideration have been awarded. It’s unclear how the delay in approving the Nov. 1 licenses will affect that plan.

New Jersey is also considering full adult-use legalization, which may be voted on as early as October 29th, according to state Senate President Stephen Sweeney.

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Corn Farmer Swaps Crops, Plants First ‘Minnesota Hemp Maze’

10/15/2018

by Graham Abbott

With Halloween just around the corner and other autumn festivities now in full swing, Minnesota farmer Ted Galaty has decided to replace the corn in his annual, four-acre corn maze with hemp plants, the Post Bulletin reports.

“Everybody’s seen a corn maze. I wanted to do something different,” said Galaty, who also runs the Fright Farm, a haunted attraction in Maplewood, Minnesota.

Galaty said he decided to swap this year from corn to hemp because corn was more expensive, getting costlier, and year after year of growing the crop was starting to deplete his field’s soil.

“Not rotating was depleting the soil. I’m just putting more and more fertilizer, more and more spray on my crop. …It’s amazing what can be done with hemp and what it does for your soil at the same time.” — Ted Galaty, Minnesota hemp farmer, via the Post Bulletin

The first annual hemp maze officially opened for business on September 22 — since then, some 300 visitors have come to the maze, which has already covered the cost of buying and planting the hemp seeds.

Galaty said this year’s hemp maze will ultimately stay in the ground, but by next fall he hopes to have equipment and buyers in place to process the crop after the maze attraction closes for the year.

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NHL to Maintain Cannabis-Friendly Policy

10/15/2018

by Graham Abbott

The National Hockey League (NHL) will maintain it’s neutral stance on pro players’ cannabis use after legalization takes effect across Canada this Wednesday, according to a Yahoo Sports report.

Many professional hockey players report using cannabis medicinally to avoid using opiate-based painkillers; in Canada, medical cannabis is a federally regulated substance that anyone with a doctor’s recommendation can access.

Under the league’s current rules, players are not at all punished if they test positive for cannabis use; Commissioner Gary Bettman said that the NHL has no intention to change that policy.

”The Substance Abuse & Behavioral Health Program for decades has been educating players on using drugs, legal or illegal. That process will continue and we will consider what changes, if any, in our program have to be made. But right now, we think based on the educational level and what we do test for and how we test, at least for the time being, we’re comfortable with where we are.” — NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, via Yahoo Sports

If anything, the biggest concern for some NHL officials appears to be that players are properly educated about the potential effects and benefits of cannabis use.

”What we feel was an important element is at least educating the players better on the current marijuana landscape both from a legal and illegal perspective and what’s permitted and not permitted,” Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told Yahoo Sports. ”But also, ‘What are the products out there?’ Because there’s probably publicly a great misconception of what marijuana is, how it’s used, what it’s used for to what the reality is.”

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Trump Team Planning Federal Cannabis Reforms

10/12/2018

by Graham Abbott

The Trump Administration plans to address federal cannabis reforms after the midterm elections, Sen. Dana Rohrabacher (R-California) told FOX Business this week.

Sen. Rohrabacher said the White House gave “a solid commitment” to address the issue. He didn’t specify how far the reforms might go — whether it could be as far as rescheduling or even descheduling the cannabis plant, for example — but, Sen. Rohrabacher noted, President Trump said on the campaign trail that he was in favor of federally legalizing medical cannabis and leaving adult-use legalization up to individual states to decide.

“I have been talking to people inside the White House who know and inside the president’s entourage… I have talked to them at length. I have been reassured that the president intends on keeping his campaign promise.” — Sen. Rohrabacher, in an interview with FOX Business

“I would expect after the election we will sit down and we’ll start hammering out something that is specific and real,” said Sen. Rohrabacher.

Sen. Rohrabacher — who has served in the House for nearly 30 years — is considered one of the more cannabis-friendly members of Congress. Democrats, however, have targeted his seat in this year’s midterms as a potential weak point for Democrats to retake the House of Representatives.

Since his election, President Trump has largely steered clear of the cannabis issue, though he told Colorado Sen. Cory Gardener (R) in April that he would support federalism-based legislation to protect states who choose to legalize or otherwise reform cannabis laws.

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United Kingdom MMJ Legalization Takes Effect Next Month

10/12/2018

by Pat Beggan

Doctors in the United Kingdom will soon be allowed to prescribe medical cannabis to patients with an exceptional need, according to a New York Times report.

Starting on November 1st, specialist clinicians in England, Wales and Scotland will be able to prescribe cannabis-based medicines. General practitioners will not be able to prescribe medical cannabis. Also, a requirement for prescription of cannabis is that there be no existing licensed pharmaceutical product designed to treat the illness.

The policy change was enacted by Home Secretary Sajid Javid.

“Having been moved by heartbreaking cases involving sick children, it was important to me that we took swift action to help those who can benefit from medicinal cannabis.” — Home Secretary Sajid Javid, via the New York Times

The change was driven by two high-visibility cases where epileptic children were denied the seizure medicine they needed. Those children were given special, temporary licenses to consume cannabis-based medicines while the government reviewed its standing policy on medical cannabis. Now, on a case-by-case basis, others can receive the same medicines.

The office of the Home Secretary was clear, however, that penalties for unauthorized possession or distribution remain in place and will continue to be enforced.

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MedMen Acquires PharmaCann for $682 Million

10/12/2018

by Pat Beggan

Cannabis dispensary brand MedMen acquired dispensary chain PharmaCann in a $682 million stock transaction on Thursday, according to Business Insider.

It is the largest acquisition yet in the U.S. cannabis industry.

“This is a transformative acquisition that will create the largest US cannabis company in the world’s largest cannabis market. This would not have been possible even two years ago and is a testament to how far both the industry and these two companies have evolved.” — MedMen CEO Adam Bierman, via Business Insider

MedMen already operates 14 dispensaries in California, Nevada and New York — often in landmark locations, such as Fifth Avenue in New York City and on the Las Vegas Strip. With the acquisition of PharmaCann, they now have possession of dispensaries—and more importantly, licenses — around the Midwest, including Illinois and Michigan. Combined, MedMen now has access to 79 licenses: 66 retail and 13 cultivation, in 12 states.

MedMen is traded publicly on the Canadian Securities Exchange as MMEN. In the single day since the announcement, company stock has risen more than 15 percent.

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Washington Cannabis Industry Unites Against Candy Ban

10/12/2018

by Lukas Barfield

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board passed sudden rules recently banning infused hard candy, tarts, fruit chews, jellies, and other gummy style products.

The Board insisted all retail shops must be clear of the banned products by April 3, 2019. According to the LCB, the products were banned for being particularly attractive to children.

In a show of solidarity opposing the ban, top-ranking members from three major Washington cannabis advocacy organizations released a joint statement vigorously opposing the ban. The statement, issued by Washington CannaBusiness Association Executive Director Vicki Christophersen, The Cannabis Alliance Executive Director Lara Kaminsky, and the Cannabis Organization of Retail Establishments Executive Director Brooke Davies, is the first of its kind for the state.

“The Washington cannabis industry is and always has been committed to keeping cannabis products out of the hands of children, a fundamental expectation of the public and the most foundational element of the law. Our members have a successful track record of working with lawmakers, regulators and the public to build a successful cannabis industry that creates jobs and upholds rules that protect children. Given our history of cooperation and collaboration with the LCB, we were surprised and disappointed by the LCB’s abrupt, unilateral decision to ban previously LCB-approved cannabis infused sweetened products.” — Excerpt from Washington advocacy groups’ joint statement

The statement concludes by citing a study by the Washington State Policy Institute — the state legislature’s think tank — which found there was no increase in cannabis use among Washington youth since adult-use cannabis was legalized.

According to that study, “Pot use by students in [Grades 6, 8, 10 and 12] was stable or has fallen slightly since I-502 was enacted.”

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US Border Patrol Updates Lifetime Ban Policy

10/11/2018

by Graham Abbott

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP) has announced that Canadians who work in the legal cannabis industry will generally be allowed to enter the United States.

However, cannabis industry workers will not be allowed if they are coming to the U.S. on an industry-related visit.

“A Canadian citizen working in or facilitating the proliferation of the legal marijuana industry in Canada, coming to the U.S. for reasons unrelated to the marijuana industry will generally be admissible to the U.S. however, if a traveler is found to be coming to the U.S. for reason related to the marijuana industry, they may be deemed inadmissible. … CBP officers are the nation’s first line of defense in preventing the illegal importation of narcotics, including marijuana. U.S. federal law prohibits the importation of marijuana and CBP officers will continue to enforce that law.” — Excerpt from CBP statement posted online

Previously, Canadians faced a lifetime ban to the U.S. if they admitted to working — whether as an entrepreneur, investor, or employee — in the cannabis space.

The CBP is a federal U.S. agency, meaning that, even in the northern border states that have legal cannabis (Washington and Maine), border patrol officers are required to act upon and enforce federal law.

“I think this is a best-case scenario,” Len Saunders, an immigration lawyer in Blaine, Washington, told Global News.

“It should make the Canadian government a lot more comfortable knowing that Canadians doing this in Canada won’t be denied entry,” said Saunders. “It still tells Canadians they can’t get involved with the U.S. cannabis industry, and a lot of these big companies will be, but at least it protects Canadians doing it legally in Canada.”

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Off-Duty Ottawa Police Can Smoke Cannabis, Officials Announce

10/11/2018

by Graham Abbott

Off-duty police officers in Ottawa, Ontario will be allowed to smoke cannabis as long as they are “fit for duty” by their shift, OttawaMatters reports.

“We feel that this is the best approach … respecting the fact that it’s a legal product. [But] an officer needs to be fit for duty, regardless of what he or she may be doing off-duty that is legal.” — Police Chief Charles Bordeleau, via OttawaMatters

Chief Bordeleau said department policy doesn’t specify a minimum amount of time between an officer’s cannabis use and when they’re allowed to show up for work, but he said “fit for duty” is a defined term. Many other police departments in Ontario — and police in Vancouver, British Columbia, as well — will mirror the capital’s policy, Bordeleau said.

Some departments, however, have opted for a hard line approach. Both Toronto police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), for example, are considering a ban on cannabis use for officers within 28 days of their next shift, the National Post reports. In Calgary, nearly all law enforcement officers will be forbidden from using cannabis, even during off-duty downtime.

Workplaces throughout the country are grappling with updated cannabis use policies as Legalization Day approaches. Adult-use cannabis becomes legal in Canada on Wednesday, October 17.

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Oklahoma Approves MMJ Testing Standards

10/11/2018

by Pat Beggan

Lawmakers in an Oklahoma legislative working group focused on regulations for the state’s voter-approved medical cannabis program have come to an agreement on testing standards for cannabis, according to an Oklahoma News 4 report.

The latest testing standards include tests for THC and CBD potency, moisture content, residual pesticides, and heavy metals. All products sold in the state must be labeled with the strain and test results. The new requirements will go into effect May 15, 2019.

Products, however, may reach dispensary shelves before that time.

“Before these lab tests are put in place, any marijuana you buy in the state of Oklahoma is very much ‘use at your own risk’. It very easily could have contaminants. It could have heavy metals. It could really harm you.” — State Sen. Greg McCortney, via Oklahoma News 4

Oklahoma has struggled to reach a consensus on many medical cannabis issues after a successful ballot initiative pushed the state government into developing a program. At first, there was interference from both Gov. Mary Fallin and the state Board of Health — ultimately, their efforts were thwarted by the state Attorney General.

Medical cannabis advocates say they are satisfied with the rules and progress. Next, the rules will require approval from the state Board of Health.

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FDA Calls for Public Comment on Cannabis Rescheduling

10/10/2018

by Graham Abbott

FDA officials have put out a call for public comment about the potential rescheduling of cannabis and several other substances.

The feds want specifically to hear about the substances’ “abuse potential, actual abuse, medical usefulness, trafficking, and impact of scheduling changes on availability for medical use.”

First reported for Forbes by cannabis reporter Tom Angell, the notice was posted early Wednesday morning.

All comment submissions are due by October 31 — submissions can be made online via the FDA website or written statements can be mailed to the agency.

The comment period was prompted by a call from the World Health Organization (WHO) for input regarding drug laws and potentially updating international drug treaties that bar nations from legalizing certain drugs — treaties that were championed by the U.S. government during the heyday of the drug war. Uruguay and Canada have both taken steps to federally legalize cannabis but, so far, the international community has not taken significant action against them.

Last week, reports surfaced that the FDA had called for the complete descheduling of CBD — the non-psychoactive cannabinoid most commonly associated with pain relief and epilepsy medication — but DEA pushback resulted in a Schedule 5 classification for only FDA-approved drugs.

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Walmart Eyes Entry Into Canada’s Legal Cannabis Market

10/10/2018

by Graham Abbott

The Canadian branch of Walmart Inc. is considering the pending national cannabis market as a potential new revenue source, Bloomberg reports.

Specifically, Walmart — similar to Coca-Cola and several large beer manufacturers — is attracted to the industry by the proliferation of CBD products. Spokesperson Diane Medeiros said the company was looking at the CBD market but has not yet committed to carrying any CBD products and has no plans to dispense medical cannabis out of Walmart pharmacies.

“As we would for any new industry, Walmart Canada has done some preliminary fact-finding on this issue, but we do not have plans to carry CBD products at this time.” — Diane Medeiros, spokesperson for Walmart Inc., in an email to Bloomberg

The corporate interest in CBD has boomed since Canada announced its path to a fully legal market, but Walmart is not the first corporate retailer to eye the cannabis space.

Canada’s Shoppers Drug Mart, a retail pharmacy chain headquartered in Toronto that has gone all-in on the cannabis space, has already received a license from Health Canada to distribute medical cannabis products and has inked deals to stock their shelves with cannabis products from three different licensed producers.

Legalization takes effect across the country next Wednesday, October 17. Shoppers who want to visit a cannabis dispensary on Day 1, however, should expect long lines and limited product availability until the marketplace matures.

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Pennsylvania Decriminalization Bill Passes Committee

10/10/2018

by Pat Beggan

A bill to decriminalize small amounts of cannabis has passed the Pennsylvania state House Judiciary Committee, CBS reports.

The bill changes the penalties for those caught with under 30 grams of cannabis. Currently, such possession is a low-grade misdemeanor that would be a nearly permanent fixture on someone’s criminal record. The decriminalization bill would change that penalty to a summary offense similar to a traffic ticket, which carries a fine of up to $300.

The next milestone for the bill will be passing the state House and Senate. The good news is that — if the bill reaches Gov. Tom Wolf’s (D) desk to be signed or vetoed — Gov. Wolf has previously come out in favor of decriminalizing cannabis on Twitter.

I support decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana. Shouldn’t focus on incarcerating people for possession of small amounts of marijuana. https://t.co/YeqO8Ir3z5

— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) March 1, 2017

Both Philadelphia and Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania have decriminalized possession within city limits — Philadelphia in 2014 and Pittsburgh in 2015. Through 2017, cannabis arrests in Philadelphia declined 75 percent.

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British Columbia Finalizes Legal Cannabis Rules

10/10/2018

by Pat Beggan

British Columbia, Canada has established rules for the licensing of private cannabis stores, determined places to consume the plant, and set fines for cannabis-related infractions to prepare for next week’s Legalization Day, according to a Times Colonist report.

The province’s new rules ban the smoking or vaping of cannabis in parks, near schools, in vehicles (including boats), inside public buildings, and fewer than six meters from any doorway, window, or air intake.

Exceptions to these rules are allowed for people with medical prescriptions requiring consumption in a place like a school, with permission from the administration and proof of prescription. Mobile homes have been given a loophole, as well.

Officials set the fine for smoking in a forbidden location at $230, but it’s just $58 if you’re vaping.

Fines for breaking any cannabis marketing rules carry a $100,000 penalty for corporations and up to 12 months in jail for individuals. Retailing cannabis without a license — or selling improperly sourced cannabis — could cost violators $15,000 and a possible 15-day retail license suspension.

B.C. will also feature privately owned stores with strict record-keeping rules. The approval process for the first private stores is still underway. The only place to buy retail cannabis in B.C. on Legalization Day will be a single government-run store in Kamloops. More than 100 private retailers have applied for licenses but bureaucrats with the province said they’re not likely to approve any until after the next municipal election on Oct. 20.

B.C. will take a 15 percent cut of cannabis sales in the province. This stacks on top of other government taxes — a five percent federal tax, a seven percent provincial sales tax, and a 2.3 percent regulatory fee from Health Canada. Making the markup on cannabis nearly 30% just for taxes.

The provincial government is looking at legalization as a work in progress and expects changes and hiccups. For example, the province has not yet addressed issues like social consumption spaces and workplace impairment rules for civil servants.

Former B.C. health minister and now cannabis company V.P. Terry Lake said he expects a maturation process of three to five years.

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Limited Places to Buy Cannabis On Legalization Day in Canada

10/09/2018

by Pat Beggan

There will be few places to buy cannabis in Canada on the first day of legal sales on October 17, as well as shortages of cannabis itself, Bloomberg reports.

There are few retail dispensaries across Canada that have been approved and completed the final steps necessary to open — there will be just one shop in British Columbia at launch, for instance; none in Ontario, Canada’s most populous province; and only a few dozen across the great expanses of Quebec, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

There will also be product shortages, experts predict. Demand for cannabis flower at launch was estimated by the University of Waterloo at 610 metric tons, but there is currently only 210 tons worth of production means. Some speculate the lax pace at which provinces have licensed dispensaries is due to this shortfall, which removes any hurry to provide locations to purchase cannabis products.

But many have placed the roll-out issues squarely on the government. Canada didn’t announce formally the date of first sales until mid-summer, leaving business owners scrambling to meet the necessary licensing steps, fund operations, and train employees. Ontario Premier Doug Ford even delayed the rollout of retail stores completely until next year, only providing cannabis for the province via the government-run, online store.

Mike Gorenstein, CEO of Cronos Group Inc. — one of the largest cannabis producers in Canada — called the first year of sales a “soft launch.” Newcomers to cannabis will probably have to wait until spring of next year before there is a smoothly-operating supply chain.

In the meantime, the illicit market is expected to satisfy the remaining demand.

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Aurora Cannabis Applies to List on NYSE

10/09/2018

by Pat Beggan

Canadian cannabis producer Aurora Cannabis Inc. has applied to list shares of the company on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), according to Forbes.

Aurora Cannabis is the third largest cannabis producer in Canada with a market cap of over $10 billion, behind Tilray and Canopy Growth. Shares of Aurora are currently traded over-the-counter in the U.S. and on the Toronto Stock Exchange and will trade with the existing ticker symbol ACB.

“Through our NYSE listing, Aurora joins an established group of mature global brands with improved access and exposure to an engaged international institutional investor audience. Aurora’s high-paced execution has made it one of the world’s leading cannabis companies. We have grown from being a licensed producer with a single facility, to a horizontality differentiated and vertically integrated global organization with a funded production capacity in excess of 500,000 kg a year, sales and operations on five continents, and a team of more than 1,500 employees.” —Terry Booth, CEO of Aurora via press release

Aurora expects the stock to list by the end of October, should the NYSE approve the company’s application.

Aurora and other cannabis companies in Canada have grown explosively in the last quarter as the date of federal legalization in Canada, October 17, approaches. Only time in the market will reveal whether or not Aurora stock — and the stocks of other cannabis companies — is overvalued due to hype or if it has room for growth yet.

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All Natural Way Develops Revolutionary New Line of CBD Sprays

10/09/2018

by Featured Announcement

The company’s new line of sprays are designed to supplement every aspect of your daily routine

Weston, Florida Oct. 2, 2018 — All Natural Way, a leading distributor of CBD oil and CBD products, has announced the launch of its new line of CBD sprays.

All Natural Way’s sprays have been specifically formulated to provide quick relief to common ailments such as stress, aches and pains, and insomnia. All ANW products are pharmacist formulated and contain only natural ingredients. Their tincture sprays have been designed to be effective for users struggling with daily ailments as well as those looking for a burst of energy and fine-tuned focus during their busy days.

“After being in the CBD industry for years and listening to the stories of consumers, we wanted to develop products that specifically targeted some of the most common symptoms of our customers,” said CEO German Espita.

All Natural Way’s new line of CBD sprays includes:

CBD Anti-Stress Spray: Made from natural ingredients including hemp-derived CBD oil, ashwagandha, and coconut oil. The Anti-Stress Spray targets anxiousness by calming the senses and mind. The 500 MG spray fits in any bag or purse so it can be used at work or wherever one may find themselves in need of stress relief.
CBD Energy Spray: All Natural Way’s Daily Energy Boost Nutrition Spray is made with hemp-derived CBD oil, Vitamin B-12, and natural caffeine. It was designed to fight fatigue, improve mental alertness, and increase productivity levels without the crash and jitters typically associated with caffeine.
CBD Pain Relief Spray: Formulated specifically to relieve discomfort and minor aches, Natural Way Pain Relief Spray is a feel-good fusion of the pain-relieving properties of CBD and Turmacin.
CBD Sleep Spray: Composed of hemp-derived CBD oil, valerian root, GABA, and the hormone melatonin which is responsible for regulating the sleep cycle in humans. The peppermint-flavored CBD Sleep Spray has been formulated to combat the effects of insomnia and nighttime anxiety.
CBD Weight Loss Spray: All Natural Way CBD Weight Loss Nutrition Spray contains hemp-derived CBD oil and garcinia cambogia, a combination of ingredients proven to help curb appetite, decrease cravings, and reduce bloating. The spray is ideal for busy professionals who find their weight loss goals eluding them due to hectic schedules and difficulties in sticking to stringent diets and workout regimes.

About All Natural Way
All Natural Way prides itself on offering effective natural alternatives to promote a better life in an all natural way. Their products are pharmacist-formulated inside an ISO 6 clean room. Independent lab results verify by All Natural Way utilizes agricultural hemp which contains 0% THC ensuring clients will not test positive while benefiting from their products. The company is headquartered in Weston, Florida. For more information about All Natural Way products and what their products can do for you, visit allnaturalway.com.

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Outdoor CBD-rich cannabis plants on a farm in Oregon.

Canadian Companies Sun Pharm and Bevo Merge to Form Zenabis

10/09/2018

by Graham Abbott

Two Canadian cannabis companies are merging to create Zenabis, which will be one of the world’s largest cannabis producers, according to a joint press release issued by Sun Pharm Investments Ltd. and Bevo Agro Inc.

The final corporate entity will boast 3.5 million square feet of cannabis production space, including 660,000 square feet of indoor space and 2.8 million square feet of greenhouse space across British Columbia, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. It will be enough to produce cannabis for both domestic and international markets with ease, executives predict.

“Our primary goal with this merger is to expand Zenabis’ capacity to supply high-quality cannabis for worldwide distribution. We will achieve this by taking advantage of Bevo’s greenhouse growing expertise to cultivate high-quality cannabis. This is a unique partnership that gives Zenabis a significant advantage among Canadian producers as we continue to grow our business to meet Canadian and international demand.” — Rick Brar, Chief Executive Officer for Zenabis, in the release

Under the agreement, Sun Pharm will be amalgamated into Bevo via a reverse takeover; Bevo, however, will change its name to Zenabis, adopting and expanding upon a popular brand already established under the Sun Pharm portfolio.

Shareholders in Bevo and Sun Pharm will receive adjusted stock in the newly named Zenabis.

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San Francisco Plans New Cannabis Oversight Committee

10/08/2018

by Graham Abbott

San Francisco city officials plan to create a committee that would oversee and assess cannabis industry regulations throughout the city, reports the San Francisco Examiner.

The San Francisco Cannabis Oversight Committee was proposed by city Supervisor Sandra Fewer to oversee the Office of Cannabis, investigate the successfulness of current regulations, and gauge whether or not the city’s cannabis equity laws — which are supposed to afford people who were most affected by prohibition more opportunities in the cannabis space — are effective.

“We really want to hear on the ground, is it working?” Fewer said. “Does it need amendments? How should we amend this? How should we meet the needs of our equity applicants?”

Currently, the only licensed cannabis businesses in San Francisco existed previously as medical cannabis entities; these companies have continued to operate under temporary permits. The city has yet to issue new licenses under the adult-use framework.

City Administrator Naomi Kelly — who oversees the Office of Cannabis — at first opposed the creation of a Cannabis Oversight Committee, arguing that the proposal would increase the responsibilities of her team without adding any funds to pay for the extra work. When those concerns were subsequently addressed, however, Kelly shifted her support.

If established, the committee would oversee the Office of Cannabis, make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors and Mayor London Breed regarding cannabis regulations, and provide basic tracking details to the city for cannabis licensees.

The committee would also evaluate the equity program’s ability to “[foster] equitable access to participation in the cannabis industry and [provide] assistance to communities unfairly burdened by the War on Drugs” and recommend changes for maximizing the effectiveness of the city’s cannabis equity laws.

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Texas Gov. Wants to Reduce Cannabis Penalties

10/08/2018

by Graham Abbott

Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced last Friday that he is in favor of reducing cannabis possession penalties throughout the state, the Texas Observer reports.

In a debate for the upcoming gubernatorial elections, Gov. Abbott proposed reducing the maximum punishment for possessing less than two ounces of cannabis from 180 days in jail and a maximum $2,000 fine to no jail time and a maximum fine of $500.

Specifically, he suggested speaking with the legislature about “reducing the penalty … from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class C misdemeanor.”

The governor’s statement was prompted by a caller who posed a question about cannabis reforms during last week’s gubernatorial debate. Gov. Abbott’s opponent, Democratic candidate and former Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez, said she was in favor of legalizing medical cannabis and letting citizens vote to decide on the issue of adult-use cannabis.

Gov. Abbott has been seen as a major obstacle to cannabis reforms in the Lone Star State for a long time. Advocates say that, while the apparent ideological shift is an important development for the longtime Republican, it would do little to prevent the serious consequences that follow a cannabis possession conviction.

“Setting aside the details of what the governor said, the fact that he’s moving on this is itself huge. But that still wouldn’t remove all the collateral consequences for possessing a plant that many other states have decriminalized.” — Heather Fazio, Coalition Coordinator for Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy, via The Texas Observer

What I would be open to talking to the legislature about would be reducing the penalty for possession of two ounces or less from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class C misdemeanor.

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High Demand for Low-Potency Cannabis Expected in Canada

10/08/2018

by Pat Beggan

A report by market analysts at Deloitte indicates that federal legalization in Canada on Oct 17. is expected to create older, more risk-averse customers who will prefer lower-THC cannabis, according to the CBC.

New consumers are expected to be 35 to 54 years old and, while 75 percent will have had experience with cannabis use, only 41 percent will have used cannabis in the last five years.

“Today’s consumer is what we describe as a risk taker. They’re young, typically with a high school or college education. In their quest to live life to the fullest, they’re more likely to put their health or safety at risk, even going so far as to skirt or break the law. [The new] consumer is more of a conservative experimenter — typically middle-aged, with a university or graduate school education. They don’t tend to put their personal interests before family needs or other responsibilities.” — Excerpt from Deloitte’s report

VP of Marketing for The Green Organic Dutchman, Andrew Pollock, said many consumers are now asking for products with more of the non-psychoactive component of cannabis, CBD.

“What most consumers are looking for in this day and age is calm,” said Pollock.

The same is true of maturing legal markets in U.S. states. Some industry members refer to the trend towards lower-potency and higher-CBD products as the “Maureen Dowd Effect,” referencing the New York Times columnist who wrote a piece about her experience in Colorado just after legalization in 2014. She described the outcome of the edible as leaving her, “curled in a hallucinatory state,” for eight hours in her hotel room.

Many new cannabis users would instead prefer to “start low and go slow.”

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Federal Legalization of Industrial Hemp Expected to Drop Prices

10/08/2018

by Pat Beggan

Farmers in Oregon are expecting the 2018 Farm Bill, which includes hemp legalization, to drive the market price of hemp lower through commoditization, reports the Mail Tribune.

Hemp farming is on the rise. Currently, the limited number of producers has created a market where growing is very profitable. Some, however, expect a major shift in the marketplace sometime soon.

Farmers are expecting the 2018 Farm Bill, currently stalled in committee but expected to eventually be passed, to create a national market for hemp that will turn the crop into a commodity. Commodity prices are often much closer to the cost of production due to a large supply. Though Oregon has a mature internal hemp market — one of the most developed in the country — farmers there will not be immune to the effects of the market’s nationalization.

Some farmers believe the way to beat the coming reduction in prices is to grow craft hemp instead. “I think there’s some opportunities there where there’s perhaps smaller business deals but those would match up with the smaller farms in the area,” said Cedar Grey, founder of a hemp farm near Grants Pass.

While Oregon may have an edge over other states in the coming national market due to decades of experience growing hemp, big corporate money may be able to equalize the playing field in other states. While U.S. consumers may get their affordable hemp products, either way, the casualty is likely to be the small, family-owned hemp farm.

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