Washington State Home Grow Bill Advances

1/19/2018

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Washington State’s House of Representatives Commerce and Gaming Committee has passed a bill allowing adults over 21 years old to grow six plants and possess up to 24 ounces.

HB 2559 passed the committee on Tuesday by a vote of 7–2, bringing Washington one step closer to joining the other legalized states — all of which allow their citizens to grow cannabis at home.

The legislation would limit the total number of plants per household to six and permits landlords to restrict growing on their property. The bill, sponsored by Representative Brian Blake (D) and Cary Condatta, already has a companion bill in the Senate. Although not scheduled for its next hearing in the House, the bill is expected to move forward in the legislative process in the coming weeks.

During testimony, supporters expounded the medical uses of cannabis and said allowing home grows would expand access to veterans. Detractors said that allowing home-grown cannabis will increase youth access and that they worry about the smell.

Late last year, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board submitted three home grow policy recommendations. Widely rejected by cannabis supporters, two of the proposals required citizens to get a permit to grow, with one of them requiring a security and tracking system. The third proposal was to keep the status quo, in which only medical cannabis patients can grow four or six plants respectively. The proposed legislation would not implement any of the WSLCB’s recommendations and is a simple, straightforward, one-page bill.  

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Indoor cannabis cultivation operation in Washington state.

Aurora Subsidiary Wins Italian MMJ Contract

1/19/2018

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Pedanios GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Canada’s Aurora Cannabis Inc., has won a contract to supply medical cannabis to the Italian government through the Ministry of Defense, which oversees the nation’s medical cannabis program. Under current Italian law, the Defense Ministry currently produces the medical cannabis for Italian patients, but some wholesalers can purchase products directly from the Dutch Office of Medical Cannabis.

“Aurora and Pedanios’ EU GMP certifications were crucial in being successful in our bid for the tender in this demanding jurisdiction. We are now the first private cannabis company in the world able to supply the Italian government directly, a testament to the quality of our operations and the standing of our organization. This win positions us exceptionally well to continue executing successfully on our aggressive international expansion strategy.” – Andrea Ludwig Ferrari, head of sales and market development in Italy, in a press release

This is Aurora’s latest foray into the European market. In September, Aurora shipped 50 kilograms of cannabis from Alberta to Pedanios in Germany, which distributes medical cannabis to more than 1,500 pharmacies throughout the nation. Aurora’s deal with the Italian government will see the company export medical cannabis products from Canada to Italy through Pedanios.

Aurora is publicly traded on Canada’s Toronto Stock Exchange.

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iAnthus Acquires Florida MMJ Producer in $48M Deal

1/19/2018

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iAnthus Capital Holdings Inc., which owns and operates licensed cannabis operations in Vermont, Colorado, Massachusetts, and New Mexico, has acquired Florida medical cannabis company GrowHealthy in a deal worth $17,500,000 in cash and $30,500,000 in iAnthus common shares. The company is one of just 13 licensed medical cannabis producers in the Sunshine State.

GrowHealthy operates a 200,000-square-foot cultivation and processing facility in Lake Wales and a dispensary in Palm Beach County. Under the state’s medical cannabis law, GrowHealth is able to open up to 25 dispensaries throughout the state – which will be increased with every 100,000 new registered patients in the state. In the last six months, Florida has seen a 300 percent increase in its patient counts. Currently, patient counts in Florida are reported at 67,385; although just 45,204 have been approved for ID cards.

“As one of the largest states in the U.S. with a population of nearly 21 million people and favorable demographics, Florida and its medical cannabis market provide a tremendous opportunity for iAnthus and its shareholders. The state’s population includes a large percentage of older adults who can derive significant benefits from medical cannabis, and the Florida program has witnessed a rapid rise in its registered patient base since passage of the law.” – Randy Maslow, iAnthus president, in a press release

The deal is the second in less than six months for iAnthus. Last August, iAnthus signed a latter of intent to acquire New York producer Citiva Medical LLC. That agreement was worth $18 million in cash and stock but, according to the company’s website, has yet to close.

iAnthus is traded on the Canadian Securities Exchange. GorwHealthy delivered its first products to market in November.  

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A rainy evening in San Francisco.

Cannabis Tech Company Partners with Nonprofit to Increase Social Equity in Cannabis

1/19/2018

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Eaze is partnering with Oakland, California-based nonprofit The Hood Incubator in their efforts to bring social equity to the cannabis space. The Hood Incubator works with communities of color in the cannabis space and Eaze has promised $1 million in funding over the next three years to help bring cannabis industry opportunities to such communities.

“We need to harness our power knowing that, as a community, we have deep knowledge and expertise in this industry, oftentimes because it was the only source of income we had when our families were shut out of formal economy jobs. Our alliance with Eaze will lay the foundation for the work that needs to be done to ensure fair policies are implemented as medical and recreational cannabis ordinances are adopted from a local to national level.” – Lanese Martin, The Hood Incubator co-executive director & political director, in a press release

According to a 2017 Marijuana Business Daily report, Black people comprise less than 5 percent of canna-business owners and founders. The partnership will see The Hood Incubator and Eaze work together to identify local issues for Black and Brown communities. The Hood Incubator has hosted 20 community events in the Bay Area ranging from starting a canna-business to criminal record expungement.

“As leaders in the cannabis industry, we recognize the opportunity to forge an equal and fair industry from the beginning. We’re excited to have The Hood Incubator as our partner in identifying key local issues around social equity and working together to develop programs to advance economic opportunity and to redress the adverse effects of marijuana prohibition.” – Jim Patterson, Eaze CEO, in a statement

The Hood Incubator was founded in 2016 and has more than 2,000 members nationwide.

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Network, Educate, and Innovate with the Cannabis Industry at CannaCon Seattle, Feb. 15-17

1/18/2018

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CannaCon, one of the world’s largest B2B cannabis networking expos, is coming back to Seattle on February 15, 16, and 17. Located at the Washington State Convention Center, the CannaCon Seattle expo will feature notable speakers, educational seminars, panel discussions, and countless networking opportunities on an exhibition floor packed full with more than 400 booths and thousands of attendees.

Secure tickets today to guarantee yourself an opportunity to meet and greet with the industry’s most promising companies and see for yourself the latest technology and innovations coming out of the cannabis space!

Washington’s Governor Jay Insley has been scheduled to speak at the event — he is expected to address one of the biggest issues currently facing the Washington cannabis industry: what will happen now that Jeff Sessions has rescinded the Cole Memo protections? Mexico’s former President Vincente Fox will also deliver a keynote address on Friday, February 16 that will touch on the many social and economic benefits of ending the prohibition of cannabis.

Meanwhile, seminars occurring throughout the event promise even more educational opportunities by bringing entrepreneurs and industry pioneers together to discuss their business experience in the cannabis space.

There will be so much happening at this year’s CannaCon expo that one person cannot hope to see it all — luckily, attendees can sort through and choose from the many available seminars with ease, as they have been categorized into different “paths” that each represent a major part of the cannabis industry: Cultivation, Compliance, Business/Legal, Retail, Extraction, Science/Genetics, and Marketing/Branding.

With less than a month before CannaCon Seattle kicks off, you can still shave some dollars off the ticket price by purchasing in advance — readers can get also snag an additional 30% discount on tickets by using the promo code CANNACON30 during checkout.

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Maine Regulators Move to Delay Social-Use Cannabis Provisions Until 2023

1/18/2018

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The Maine Legislature’s Marijuana Legalization Implementation Committee has voted 5-1 to delay the rollout of the social-use provisions of the voter-approved recreational cannabis bill until 2023, the Portland Press Herald reports. The move comes as lawmakers look to appease those members who don’t support measure and due to concerns over being an early adopter of a social-use scheme.

“Other states have wanted to do it, but they still haven’t. We need to get (the bill) passed, then we need to find out what the problems with social clubs might be. (An extension) will give us time to know what we’re doing. I feel that it is imperative that we do the right thing, and we don’t know enough to do the right thing now. This way, we’d have the bill done, our rules made, and then if we want to go ahead with social clubs, we can.” – Sen. Joyce Maker, to the Press Herald

According to the report, when lawmakers failed to reach a two-thirds majority necessary to override Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of the implementation package – which fell just 17 votes short – it was believed the cause was hesitation about the social-use provision.

“I think we really need them – ultimately, people need a place to go – but if this is a part of moving this bill forward, I’m in agreement.” – Rep. Lydia Blume, to the Press Herald

Social-use becoming a hot topic in adult-use legalization. Massachusetts’ Cannabis Control Commission, last month, approved a social-use policy and the rules could be included in the final regulations package, expected in mid-March. Voters in Denver, Colorado approved their own social-use measure last November, which is expected to rollout in July. Last March, Colorado’s Senate passed a measure that allows municipalities to permit social-use sites, clubs, and events; however, that move has not yet been approved by the house. Regulators in Alaska are also considering allowing social-use – but members of the Alaska Marijuana Control Board are split on what would be allowed under the regime.

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Eaze Report: Californians Ordering Cannabis Every 10 Seconds; Baby Boomers Getting on Board

1/18/2018

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Cannabis technology company Eaze has released its 2017 State of Cannabis report, which found a 19 percent annual increase among California Baby Boomers ordering cannabis products, and in 2017 customers placed an order with the company every 10 seconds – a 200 percent increase over 2016 figures.

April 20 – or the 4/20 holiday – continues to be the most popular day for cannabis orders through Eaze in California, followed by the day before Thanksgiving – dubbed Green Wednesday – President’s Day Weekend, and Valentine’s Day, with Halloween and Independence Day tied for fifth.

“This year’s State of Cannabis report reveals a turning point in the industry toward mainstream acceptance. After Californians voted for adult use in November 2016, many consumers shifted their mindset and became more open to using cannabis to improve their everyday lives. Americans are becoming better educated about the wellness benefits offered by cannabis.” – Jim Patterson, Eaze CEO, in a press release

In 2016, Eaze offered just 18 different cannabis brands, but in 2017 that figure exploded 239 percent to 61. It’s product offering swelled even higher, from 101 unique products in 2016 to 427 last year, a 323 percent increase. The report indicates that for the first time among Eaze customers, ready-to-use products – such as vape pens – outsold flower; and, while the number of male customers still far exceeds the number of female customers – 65 percent to 35 percent – spending by female Eaze customers increased by 20 percent from 2016 to 2017. In 2015, women represented just 25 percent of Eaze customers.

The analytics also purport that consumers are increasingly using cannabis to stop using sleeping pills, tobacco, and anxiety medications; 95 percent of respondents who used sleeping pills indicated that using cannabis has helped reduce their pill consumption, with 45 percent saying they stopped using their sleeping pills entirely. Of the 38 percent of Eaze customers who used tobacco, 73 percent indicated cannabis has helped them reduce their tobacco consumption and 13 percent said they were able to replace tobacco entirely with cannabis. And of the 48 percent who use or have used anxiety medication, 95 percent said cannabis has helped them reduce their reliance on those meds, with 40 percent saying they replaced their medication entirely with cannabis.

Adult-use sales commenced in California on Jan. 1. Analysis by New Frontier Data and Arcview Market Research estimates that the California legal cannabis market could reach $6.5 billion by 2020.

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Twin cannabis plants in a pot on an outdoor patio.

Erie, Pennsylvania City Council Moves to Decriminalize Cannabis Possession

1/18/2018

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The Erie, Pennsylvania City Council has voted to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of cannabis, according to a YourErie report. The measure would reduce the charges for possession of fewer than 30 grams from a misdemeanor to a summary offense, carrying a penalty of $25. Under current law, cannabis possession of 30 grams or less carries a penalty of 30 days in jail and/or a $500 fine.

The new ordinance also provides a $100 fine for paraphernalia possession or using cannabis in public.

“The purpose of this is to take otherwise law-abiding citizens and not lump them in with drug dealers and gangbangers and criminals, but to give them a chance and an opportunity to rehab – so that the punishment fits the crime.” – Erie City Councilman Bob Merski, to YourErie

Merski believes that city police will respect the ordinance although cannabis remains illegal at state and local levels in Pennsylvania. Cannabis is a Schedule I Controlled Substance according to the federal government.

The ordinance needs to be approved by Mayor Joe Schember, who Merski indicated supports the reforms.

Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, has previously indicated support for statewide decriminalization, citing the number of people imprisoned for possessing small amounts of cannabis. He has, so far, taken a “wait and see” approach to broad adult-use legalization.

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Montreal Officials Want to Keep 1/3 of Cannabis Taxes and Jurisdiction Over Outdoor and Event Use

1/18/2018

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The city of Montreal, Quebec, Canada is seeking a third of the tax revenues derived from recreational cannabis sales in the city, claiming the funds will help raise the estimated $4 million to $9 million it will need to hire as many as 50 police officers, and train firefighters and other civil security workers once legalization takes effect, the CBC reports. The proposal would see the other two-thirds shared by the provincial and federal governments.

The recommendations from the city to the provincial government include provisions to allow the city to create its own rules for cannabis use at outdoor concerts and festivals. Coun. Robert Beaudry, a member of the city’s consultation committee on cannabis legalization, pointed to Sunday tam-tam gatherings at Mount Royal Park where, even now, cannabis use is tolerated. Although, he did say that at family-friendly festivals cannabis use “may not necessarily be appropriate.”

“I don’t think it would be appropriate to ban it at the tam-tams, knowing its history.” – Beaudry, to the CBC.

Provinces and cities are pushing forward with drafting rules as July draws near. Despite Prime Minister Justin Trudeau insisting that he doesn’t know where the July 1 legalization date came from, provinces and cities are forging ahead with crafting cannabis rules. Earlier this week, officials in Prince Edward Island unveiled its proposed regulations and the three licensed producers that would provide the government with products for its retail stores.

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Patricia Rosi: The Wellness Connection in Maine

1/17/2018

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Patricia Rosi is CEO of the Wellness Connection, a medical cannabis company operating four dispensary locations throughout Maine and which serves more than 11,000 patients.

Patricia joined our podcast host TG Branfalt last month to talk about her experience at the head of one of Maine’s most progressive new companies, what the future of adult-use cannabis looks like in Maine, and why the Americans for Safe Access advocacy group has lauded Maine’s medical cannabis program as perhaps the best regime for patients. The two also discuss the work that members of the Wellness Connection team have put into making a positive impact in their local communities via donations, volunteer work, and/or partnerships with local nonprofits — all in the name of debunking cannabis myths and shedding the stigma that has stalked the plant for decades.

You can listen to the interview via the player below, or scroll further down to read a full transcript of this week’s Ganjapreneur.com podcast episode.

Listen to the interview:

Read the transcript:

TG Branfalt: Hey, there. I’m your host, TG Branfalt, and you are listening to the Ganjapreneur.com Podcast, where we try to bring you actionable information and normalize cannabis through the stories of ganjapreneurs, activists and industry stakeholders. Today I’m joined by Patricia Rosi, CEO of the Wellness Connection of Maine, which operates four locations and has more than 11,000 patients in the state. How are you doing this afternoon?

Patricia Rosi: I am doing great, here in Maine today. Thanks for having me.

TG Branfalt: I’m delighted. We’re practically neighbors. I’m in Burlington, Vermont, so I talk to a lot of Maine-ers on a pretty regular basis, they come down here for the hemp festival. And so it’s really great to have one of my neighbors on the show. So before we get into what you guys do over there at the Wellness Connection of Maine, I want to know about you. How’d you end up in the cannabis space?

Patricia Rosi: That was sheer luck. By trade and training, I’m a marketing executive. I’m originally from France and I live in Maine now for 18 years. I relocated from Paris, France to Portland, Maine, so that was a big jump. I’ve been doing all my past career in advertising agencies and also building advertising agencies. And back in 2011, when really cannabis was not as sexy a topic that it is currently, a company by the name of Wellness Connection of Maine was desperately recruiting for their Board of Directors. One thing leading to another, I joined the Board and really fell in love with the mission and the idea of becoming an actor for change in society and to provide improved quality of life for people that needed it. The one thing lead to another, started doing the marketing, then became the COO and now I am the CEO. So all things considered, I’ve been with Wellness for the last six years.

TG Branfalt: So how did you leverage your previous experience in marketing, communications and branding into this new role, this new industry?

Patricia Rosi: Well, I think it’s playing the basics and the fundamentals of marketing, you know, know your consumer, understand what they’re seeking, their barrier to entry, their insights. Our industry, even though now it’s a topic that is much more mainstream and easy to discuss, there’s still the same stereotype about who we are, what we offer, the service we provide. So there’s a lot of stereotypes to debunk and providing a lot of comfort and answers for people. So really understanding the psyche of the consumers, making them feel comfortable and bringing to life, not just the store, but really more of a wellness community experience to life and making it this non-judgmental zone where people can feel comfortable asking us question and accessing marijuana.

TG Branfalt: So can you give us an overview of Maine’s medical cannabis program and explain what sets it apart from other states that led to its top ranking by the advocacy organization Americans for Safe Access?

Patricia Rosi: Sure. I think what sets Maine apart is we were one of the pioneering states. Now every year there’s multiple states coming online, whether with medical programs or even recreational, but Maine started in the late 1990’s, in 1998, having the first referendum when it comes to medical marijuana for patients. And this, as we know it now, that brought to life the dispensaries, was this past referendum was passed in 2009. So I think what sets us apart is really this pioneering spirit and this desire to provide access to an alternate form of care via marijuana.

One of the different shading factors from Maine is the fact that it’s a system that is set with two type of providers, dispensaries on one side. There’s eight state licensed dispensaries and next to it, there’s over 3,000 caregivers which, by design, are meant to care for a smaller group of individuals. So not all states offer this caregiver model and I think that’s something that sets us apart, and also provides the needed access because Maine is such a vast state, that guarantees that everybody can access geographically medical cannabis. I think also the reason why it was ranked so high by Americans for Safe Access was the tight regulation and system from the onset and the care about making sure this was done right was really important right from the get-go.

TG Branfalt: And so as a dispensary, you said there’s this two sort of separate, there’s the dispensaries and then there’s the caregivers. What is your role in that system? And by that, I mean how closely do you work with caregivers in the state?

Patricia Rosi: I think in the nascent industry, we really need to work at building professional networks and collaboration. The Maine system by its design makes it a little challenging for us to collaborate with caregivers, in the sense that we cannot openly buy from each other — there’s no wholesale system, if you will. So it’s difficult for us to collaborate, but there’s a lot of, in the recent years, there’s much more collaboration with caregivers than there used to be in the past. I think it’s one very positive development of adult use coming into line is all us stakeholders in the industry, in the future of what the recreational market would look like, has opened and enabled a lot more collaboration between all the stakeholders.

TG Branfalt: So with the, as you said, the slow increased collaboration and sort of the outstanding nature of Maine’s program, is there any improvements that advocates and people in the industry are looking for in Maine?

Patricia Rosi: Well, I think the biggest improvement that we’re looking it, as a market in general, is creating a level playing field for all of us to participate and be successful at it, while providing wider access to cannabis, and I think the best vehicle for this is the implementation of adult use. The referendum that was passed in 2009, we can keep every year trying to place legislation that would fix one thing and another, but it takes a long time to fix a bill that was passed, so really adult use could be this avenue by which … and I think that was one of the key learnings from Colorado, it’s really important to not view the cannabis market as silos and bring down the silos and integrate right from the get-go adult use in medical and make sure there’s a lot of harmonization between all policies and the opportunities on each side. So I think that’s the biggest thing we’re looking forward is to have this integrated or harmonized market start to develop in Maine.

TG Branfalt: So we’re definitely gonna get into the adult use stuff a little bit later. But before we do that, I gotta ask you, I read that PTSD ranks first among the conditions that your patients are granted access to the state medical cannabis program. And I’ve spoken to veterans, I’ve spoken to a lot of people who, we discussed the PTSD thing, but I’ve never directly spoken to any patients or anything like that. Can you sort of give me and the audience an idea of how medical cannabis helps patients with PTSD?

Patricia Rosi: Sure. So first PTSD, when it became an accepted condition in 2013, I was expecting just veterans, who are often, you associate PTSD with veterans. What we discovered is that there’s also, interestingly enough, another audience under the PTSD umbrella, which unfortunately is women, victim from domestic violence. So that was something we didn’t really expect, but nevertheless, whatever the origin of the trauma is, it’s still something that we provide a lot of relief, when it comes to appeasing the anxiety, the insomnia. One gentlemen who’s with us since we opened, his PTSD was so profound that he could not sleep more than two hours at a time. So working with him and identifying a daily regimen via medical cannabis, it is definitely helping to have real nights, or at least to extend that to four to six hours, which for him is unbelievable progress, and also reducing his overall anxiety.

The way we work with each patient, whether it’s PTSD or any other condition, is really the relationship we create with them, asking questions, trying things, improving as we learn and refining this very personal regimen that we’ll tailor their specific condition. So how we do that is a lot of one-on-one conversation, but we’ve also done a lot of work in the communities with associations, whether it’s a veteran association or association dealing with domestic violence, we have a better understanding with people that are really focused on those conditions of how we can serve folks. And I would say, in everything we do in cannabis, there’s not a set way of addressing a condition. It’s ultimately very individual and personal, so we always evolve our practice as we serve more people.

TG Branfalt: So I definitely want to talk to you about some of your charitable acts and again we definitely want to talk about the adult use regime, but before we do that, we gotta take a break. This is Ganjapreneur.com Podcast, I’m TG Brandfalt.

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TG Branfalt: Hey, welcome back to the Ganjapreneur.com Podcast. I’m your host TG Brandfalt, here with Patricia Rosi, CEO of the Wellness Connection of Maine. So you had mentioned briefly, before the break, you were talking about you sort of charitable reach, you guys provide support for a variety of organizations, including the Dempsey Center for Cancer, Hope and Healing, the United Way, the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence, the Good Shepherd Food Bank, Wreaths Across American — that’s really stunning and really sort of warms my heart.

I don’t think that you see enough of this, let alone in one industry compared to just in general. But why was this, making these connections, important to you as a CEO and maybe for the industry at large?

Patricia Rosi: I think its paramount because it demonstrates, it’s the ultimate sign that we can give our communities that cannabis is not what they think it is. I’m a true believer of cannabis being a positive stimulus to communities and to life in the state. If you look at Maine, there’s not a lot of economic stimulus or developing industries. Cannabis is in front of us could be a tremendous opportunity to create jobs. My company has now 80 full time jobs in Maine. Only 5% of Maine companies have more than five employees and here I am “selling weed” and with 80 employees that are full-time. So being very proud of being able to demonstrate to folks in our communities that cannabis can be a positive force of change.

Giving back, whether it’s promoting education or helping like-minded charities, is really important. It’s part of our mission, it’s part of our DNA since we started. It equates to about 10% of our gross revenues and we give back in a lot of forms, whether it’s a sponsorship, also volunteering. We’ve given away over 400 hours last year. We also have started an hospice program, where we provide free cannabis for hospice patients, because if you want cannabis to stand as something that improves quality of life, well quality of end-of-life also matters, but also quality of life in your communities is really important. So when we work with municipalities, we are always here to help. If a house burns down and they are raising funds, we’re here. If you need to clean a trail, our staff will be there and so on and so forth. I think it’s very important that our industry, as we get more professional and a little more mainstream, becomes really a regular player in our communities.

TG Branfalt: So you mentioned that your staff will help clean trails and participate in these charitable acts, is that something that you look for in your staff during the hiring process? Is that something that’s brought up to them? What do you look for in employees?

Patricia Rosi: What do I look for in employees? I look for passion, professionalism and loyalty. It’s hard in this industry to get the right talents. Some people think it’s gonna be much easier than the reality is. Working in the cannabis industry is an adventure. I always joke that I don’t have a job, but it’s an ever ongoing adventure because that’s the reality of it. Policy change, everything changes on you at any point, so you need to have resilience, drive and also professionalism. I’m blessed to have a great team of experts surrounding me, whether it’s cultivation or dispensary service, and it’s important to get people that share the same vision and common ground. So it is understood that if anybody joins the company, then we will all participate in those community giving acts.

Actually I’m really proud of my team because for this holiday season, we are adopting a family and I think this family altogether will be totally overwhelmed by the amount of gifts. We just took a photo in the office here. It’s incredible how everybody has gone above and beyond what had been assigned to them for purchase. I’m really, really proud of all my staff and us as a company in our willingness to give back. That’s a passion point of mine, but also of Wellness Connection.

TG Branfalt: That’s a really incredible story. I had no idea you guys were doing that this year.

Thank you on behalf of somebody who is plugged into this industry and really likes seeing people helping out the community. I want to talk to you about adult use, but we’ve gotta take a break. This is Ganjapreneur.com Podcast, TG Branfalt.

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TG Branfalt: Hey, welcome back to the Ganjapreneur.com Podcast. I’m TG Branfalt with Patricia Rosi, CEO of the Wellness Connection of Maine. So I gotta talk to you about adult use. I was super pumped when you guys voted to legalize cannabis for adults. Some of the program has already rolled out, such as the home grow provisions and the personal possession provisions, but Paul LePage has basically blocked the program from being rolled out. So from an industry point of view, what has been your opinion, your sort of feeling on this whole process, from the time that they legalized until where we are at right now?

Patricia Rosi: I share your frustration, a year into it and the only thing that has really happened and unfolded in our communities are confusion, massive state of confusion for everybody. The referendum, as you said, late January this year, they allowed for use, possession, transportation and gifting, which is important, and they put a moratorium on licensing. So what is created is an explosion of demand without a set license supply channel, if you will. So this is, I think, not a sound environment because everybody got really confused when it comes to, you know, I’m a medical patient, do I need a certification anymore. Medical providers were thinking, do I even need to certify people and, it’s okay, now I can buy a t-shirt and be gifted an ounce with it. And there’s all those entrepreneur creativity that happened on the fringe and created a very explosive, unregulated market, which I don’t think is a sound way to implement adult use.

The Legislative created this committee, the Marijuana Legalization Implementation Committee, that has spent … and I give it to them, I commend them for the time they spent learning about the industry, with a lot of public hearings. For seven months they met every week, multiple times a week at times, hearing everybody, bringing a draft of what they saw was a comprehensive way of bringing adult use to reality. And of course it’s not perfect, but is any piece of law ever perfect? And the Governor had some good points, one being the program, medical and adult use should be harmonized, but the timing of his decision is very frustrating because now nothing is happening.

Now rumblings are that when the session resumes early January, they might consider extending the moratorium yet again for another year, so that makes for an environment which is … hold on, my phone is ringing, sorry about that. What was I saying? So that makes for potentially yet another year of confusion and turmoil and all these interesting gifting approaches that are happening everywhere surrounding us. And one more year of that, I’m interested to see, okay, well, if adult use is in 2019, how are they going to put the genie back in the bottle and put order to this … I think this could have been done differently. There could have been some sort of interim measure or market or early transition that could have been created, leveraging the medically known license players and starting to generate revenue and taxation, so that then you could have funds to do it differently. But as of now, everything is frozen in paralysis, so I think all of us stakeholders are pretty much collectively frustrated with this process.

TG Branfalt: So you had mentioned that LePage has said that he was looking for a marriage of both the rec and the medical cannabis industries. What are you sort of looking for in the regulations when they’re finally approved?

Patricia Rosi: Well, there’s a lot of, for instance, an example of our organization, as of now, under the medical rules, there’s no packaging regulation. There’s some kernel of quality control, but there’s no testing, but there’s some in medical. So all of this should be part of the both sides of the equation, because quality control, public safety are very important elements.

Taxation is another part of how making or doing the success of the industry, there’s a lot of things like that that should be considered. And they were beginning, in the Omnibus bill that was put forth by this implementation committee, there was definitely an attempt at doing that and clarifying a lot those points.

TG Branfalt: Did that committee look for industry input? Or did the industry have any say in those rules?

Patricia Rosi: Well, we were part of all the public hearings. We’ve all hosted, all stakeholders have hosted visits of our different facilities, to make sure that the education was comprehensive in all perspective. There was pretty much a public hearing every week, so we’ve had input. We’ve been able to express concerns, bring input, offer solutions, so we’ve been heard. Some made it in the final bill, some didn’t, because that’s the way it goes. Right? So again, no bill is always perfect for all stakeholders, but there was definitely a collaborative process that was implemented and that’s why we were all so disappointed in all the way at the end, when we were not able to override the veto.

TG Branfalt: In your dealings with these lawmakers, have they generally been open to recreational … I know that it was a narrow passage there. And is LePage really that sticking point right now, that giant hurdle that needs to be overcome?

Patricia Rosi: Yeah, I mean for the implementation plan to get fast tracked, yes, the biggest hurdle would be the administration and some of the Republican faction. When it comes to working with the committee, it’s always the same path or pattern that you see. When you talk to anybody about cannabis, the conversation starts with a lot of assumptions, stereotypes. And then really bringing more facts or more reality to answer or debunk those stereotypes and then you can have really a more educated conversation, if you will. So there’s always an initial phase, which is always a little bit awkward, but people have reservation about implementing adult use, and I understand why.

The last time this happened was prohibition with alcohol, so it’s not a process that everybody’s familiar with. There’s a lot of myth. There’s a lot of reality. There’s a lot of different levels, too. I mean, the way licenses would be awarded in Maine, there would be a pre-approval, if you will, from the state, and then a final approval from municipalities. So there was a great deal of involvement from various municipalities about how do I even deal with that. So there’s so many questions not being answered as of now that that creates reservation and limitation, but that comes in there with pushing society into accepting something that is not necessarily easy to accept or that hasn’t felt right to everybody. Right?

So I think it’s part of our mission. When you’re in the industry, you’re not just running a company or you’re not just producing things, it’s also changing, being an actor of social change and acceptance, so having a lot of educated conversation with all those various stakeholders, really understanding their perspective and having informed conversation about the topic. Not trying convert them necessarily to our point of view, but bring more facts to help them process.

TG Branfalt: How much of your time, over the last year, have you spent debunking myths in front of lawmakers?

Patricia Rosi: You’ve got a sense that I spent a lot of time over there in Augusta, Maine. Umm, a lot. A lot, I’ll leave it at that.

TG Branfalt: So I want to wrap this up. This has really been awesome to chat with you. But I gotta ask you, what advice do you have? You have a very diverse background than a lot of people who come into this space. I’ve talked to people when the background’s real estate and the background’s finance, and there’s very few people that I’ve talked to that are from a marketing sort of background that didn’t end up in just marketing for the cannabis industry. So what’s your advice for people, entrepreneurs, maybe who have a background that might not, on the surface, sort of fit in this industry. What’s your advice for them, if they were looking to get involved in the cannabis space?

Patricia Rosi: Oh, my god, where to start. You need to be passionate about it because it’s not just as simple as opening a store. You need to be really passionate and motivated by it, by either social change or cannabis, but it takes some resilience and it’s not a walk in the park. I think it’s like operating a start-up on steroids. Make sure you find the right financial partners, surround yourself with a team you can trust of experts, and be ready for an adventure. And also understand the responsibilities that come with it. Operating a cannabis company puts a lot of projectors or puts you in the spotlight more often than not, so be ready to model and demonstrate what we can all collectively do and try to see beyond just, oh, I’m just gonna open a little store here, but think about influence and impact in communities. I think it’s really important to make a difference.

TG Branfalt: And where can people find out more about you, the Wellness Connection of Maine and sort of what you guys have going on?

Patricia Rosi: So we have a website, at mainewellness.org. If people have thoughts or questions, they can find me on LinkedIn. On our website on mainewellness.org, you can also find there’s a contact info line, so they can use that. And we’re also very active in all social media, so if you want to know what’s going on, Facebook, Instagram, you name it, we’re there.

TG Branfalt: Awesome. Well, thank you so much for taking the time to come on the show. You’re a wealth, a fountain of knowledge, and it’s really great to get somebody from the East Coast who’s got their finger on the pulse of that market. Thank you so much.

Patricia Rosi: Thanks for having me, that was a lot of fun. Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions and have a great time.

TG Branfalt: I’ll swing by when I’m driving through Maine.

Patricia Rosi: Yeah, be sure to stop by, absolutely.

TG Branfalt: You can find more episodes of the Ganjapreneur.com Podcast in the Podcast section of Ganjapreneur.com and then in the Apple iTunes Store. On the Ganjapreneur.com website, you will find the latest cannabis news and cannabis jobs updated daily, along with transcripts of this podcast. You can also download the Ganjapreneur.com app in iTunes and Google Play. This episode was engineered by Trim Media House. I’ve been your host, TG Branfalt.

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The U.S. flag flying in front of domed top of the Capitol Building in Washington D.C.

19 Attorney Generals Send Letter to Congress Asking for Cannabis Banking Protection Legislation

1/17/2018

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Attorney generals from 17 states, Washington, D.C., and Guam have sent a letter to members of Congress urging them to “advance legislation that would allow states that have legalized medical or recreational use of marijuana to bring that commerce into the banking system” following Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ move to rescind the Cole Memo protections.

“Despite the contradictions between federal and state law, the marijuana industry continues to grow rapidly. Industry analysts report that sales grew by 30 [percent] to $6.7 billion in 2016 and expect those totals to exceed $20 billion by 2021. Yet those revenues often exist outside of the regular baking space. Businesses are forced to operate on a cash basis. The grey market makes it most difficult to track revenues for taxation purposes, contributed to a public safety threat as cash intensive businesses are often targets for criminal activity, and prevents proper tracking of large swaths of finances across the nation.” – Attorney Generals’ banking letter to Congress

Data from the federal Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) show that, as of September 2017, more than 300 banks and nearly 100 credit unions were offering services to the federally-prohibited cannabis sector. Earlier this month, Reuters reported that Sessions did not inform the agency about the policy change; however, FinCEN spokesman Stephen Hudack has indicated that the agency’s 2014 guidance – which allows banks to deal with state-approved canna-businesses – remains in place.

Signatories on the letter include attorney generals from Alaska, Hawaii, North Dakota, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Washington, Guam, and Washington D.C.

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New York Gov. Wants Adult-Use Cannabis Study

1/17/2018

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In his State of the State address, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo called on lawmakers to approve funding for a recreational cannabis feasibility study as two of its border states – Massachusetts and Vermont – move forward with their own legalization plans, the Democrat & Chronicle reports. The governor’s announcement comes the day after a potential Republican challenger, former Erie County Executive Joel Giambra, pitched legalization as a way to address the state’s infrastructure problems.

“This is an important topic, it is a hotly debated topic — pardon the pun — and it would be nice to have some facts in the middle of the debate once in a while.” – Cuomo, during State of the State address

Robert Mujica, Cuomo’s budget director, cited Massachusetts and Vermont as the impetus for the study.

“I don’t know how long it will take We just announced it. But again, once the states around you start to regulate an activity or allow it, there is leakage, there are criminal justice impacts, there are economic impacts, and so we want to see what goes on.” – Mujica to the Democrat & Chronicle

The pressure is on the largest northeast state. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, inaugurated yesterday, strongly supports legalizing cannabis for adults, and Canada plans to roll out its legalization regime in July.

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Judge Orders Illinois Officials to Add Intractable Pain to MMJ Program; Stalled While State Appeals

1/17/2018

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Cook County, Illinois Judge Raymond Mitchell has ordered the state Department of Health to add intractable pain to the state’s medical cannabis qualifying condition list, the Chicago Tribune reports. Despite the ruling, pain patients will continue waiting to access the program as the judge has allowed the change to be stalled while the state appeals.

The suit was brought by Rolling Hills resident Ann Mednick, who suffers from osteoarthritis and has been taking opioid pain medication to deal with the pain from the condition. Illinois’ medical cannabis regime does permit patients with rheumatoid arthritis but not osteoarthritis. The Health Department Director Dr. Nirav Shah declined to add intractable pain to the program last March, despite a 10-0 January 2016 vote in favor of the move by the now-defunct Medical Cannabis Advisory Board.

Mitchell ruled that Shah’s decision was “clearly erroneous.”

“The record shows that individuals with intractable pain would benefit from the medical use of cannabis.” – Mitchell, in the decision

This isn’t the first time a court has forced the agency to add a condition to the medical cannabis qualifying condition list. In September 2016 Cook County Judge Neil Cohen ordered officials to add post-operative chronic pain to the list, and in June of that same year Cohen ordered Shah to add post-traumatic stress disorder.

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Prince Edward Island, Canada Releases New Provincial Rules for Cannabis Legalization

1/17/2018

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Officials in Prince Edward Island, Canada have offered more details on their cannabis legalization rules, announcing that adults 19-and-older will be allowed to possess up to 30 grams in public with no restrictions on limits in private residences, the CBC reports. The Department of Justice and Public Safety also announced that Canada’s Island Garden, OrganiGram, and Canopy Growth Corporation will provide the province with cannabis products.

The government will operate four retail outlets to start and will allow online sales. The province will enact so-called open container laws, which require cannabis to be in sealed packaging while in a vehicle – and if the package is open it cannot be accessible to anyone in the vehicle. Edibles will not be permitted until July 2019.

“Our focus remains on getting rid of the illegal market, ensuring Islanders are making an informed choice, and protecting the public health and safety of Islanders.” – Minister of Finance Heath MacDonald to the CBC

Officials plan to develop drugged driving laws prior to legalization. According to the report, a summary offense will be created for driving under the influence with a minor in the vehicle. Summary offenses usually result in fines rather than incarceration.

According to the provincial timeline on legalization, P.E.I. is on track to begin legal sales when the reforms are enacted, which are expected in July.

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New York GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Supports Adult-Use Cannabis Program

1/16/2018

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During a press conference in Buffalo, New York, Republican gubernatorial hopeful Joel Giambra pitched cannabis legalization tax revenues as a way to address the state’s infrastructure problems, WGRZ2 reports. However, the former Erie County Executive stopped short of offering a plan or an exact tax dollar amount a taxed-and-regulated cannabis industry could offer state coffers.

“I think that legalizing marijuana and using the revenues to create an infrastructure fund to deal with these problems is a much more appropriate way to solve our problems than raising new taxes. … Adult use of marijuana is going to be happening all around us. For New York state not to get serious about ending criminal activity and the black market underground economy makes no sense.” – Giambra, on potential legalization

Republican political strategist Carl Calabrese called Giambra’s plan “a bit surprising” and said that voters might not rank legalization among their top 5 issues.

“I can never remember seeing legalization of drugs or marijuana in particular in the top five. And that’s what really drives voters. They may have plus or minus on certain issues, but if it’s not their core issue, their primary issue that drives them to vote for Candidate A or Candidate B, it doesn’t matter if you make that your key issue. It’s gotta be their key issue, the voter’s key issue.” – Calabrese to WGRZ2

Other potential GOP candidates for governor of the Democratic stronghold include Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb and state Sen. John DeFrancisco; however, Giambra’s proposal could appeal to pro-cannabis Democrats who are fed up with Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s prohibitionist stance on the issue.

Could New York’s borders push the issue? Last week, members of the state Assembly held a hearing to debate the merits of cannabis legalization. Once Vermont and Canada’s legalization take effect, the state will be surrounded by legalization, save for Connecticut to the east (whose General Assembly is considering reforms), Pennsylvania to the south (a likely long-term holdout), and New Jersey (whose incoming Governor Phil Murphy supports cannabis legalization and a bill has already been introduced in the state to create a taxed and regulated market).

Cuomo does support broad decriminalization, but still believes in the gateway theory.

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The U.S. Capitol Building in Washington DC.

California Congresswoman Introduces Bill to Protect State-Legal Cannabis Programs

1/16/2018

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California Rep. Barbara Lee, a Democrat, has introduced legislation to protect state-approved cannabis programs from federal interference. The measure is titled the Restraining Excessive Federal Enforcement and Regulations of Cannabis Act – or REFER.

“The federal government has no business interfering in states that have decriminalized cannabis. American voters have sent a clear message – it’s time for the government to stop wasting taxpayer money on the failed War on Drugs and take long overdue action to reform cannabis policies. That’s why I’m introducing the REFER Act, which would prohibit federal funding for efforts intended to interfere in state and local cannabis laws. It would also lift long-overdue federal restrictions on banking for cannabis industries.” Congresswoman Lee in a press release

According to the bill text, the measure would prevent federal law enforcement from detaining, prosecuting, sentencing, or initiating civil proceedings against state-licensed cannabis operators and bar the feds from penalizing financial institutions from doing business with the industry.

So far, the legislation carries four co-sponsors from states that allow recreational cannabis use: Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer; Alaska Rep. Don Young; Colorado Rep. Jared Polis; and Nevada Rep. Dina Titus. The bill has been sent to the House Judiciary, Financial Services, and Energy and Commerce committees.

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Women Grow Launches ‘WGTV’ on Twitch

1/16/2018

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Women Grow, a professional network that connects, educates, and empowers female cannabis industry leaders, has soft-launched WomenGrow TV on streaming media platform Twitch and will officially launch the channel during its 2018 Women Grow Leadership Summit on Feb. 1 and 2.

The channel will feature exclusive content, including selections from the 2018 summit.

“We are excited to announce WomenGrow TV in partnership with LOOT Interactive; this channel will be dedicated to the cannabis industry, and led by women. Our channel will provide viewers an inside look to programming focused on cannabis startups, wellness, one-on-one interviews with industry leaders, Women Grow Signature Networking meetings, and more. WomenGrow TV will be the first channel fully dedicated to women and women led businesses in the cannabis industry.” – Women Grow CEO Kristina Garcia in a press release

LOOT Interactive Managing Director David Sterling said the project was a “natural fit” for Twitch – which is an Amazon subsidiary.

“We’re thrilled to help bring Women Grow to Twitch’s global audience and help empower entrepreneurs with female-oriented content about the cannabis industry that’s both relevant and entertaining.” – Sterling, in a statement

Women Grow hosts monthly networking events throughout the U.S. and Canada.

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Aphria Acquires Broken Coast in Latest Canadian MMJ Deal

1/16/2018

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Canadian medical cannabis producer Aphria Inc. has signed a letter of intent to acquire British Columbia’s Broken Coast Cannabis Inc. in a deal worth about C$230 million. The deal, subject to customary closing adjustments, will be paid in C$10 million cash and the remainder in Aphria shares.

The deal will see Aphria become the largest Canadian Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) medical cannabis producer and is estimated to produce 110,000 kilograms (242,508.488) pounds of cannabis per year at an average cost of less than C$2.00 per gram. Broken Coast boasts a genetic library with more than 1,000 seeds that can be commercialized.

“Adding one of Canada’s most sought after premium brands represents a major triumph for Aphria and our shareholders and firmly establishes our position as a Canadian leader in premium indoor cannabis production. Broken Coast has proven that you can grow premium quality cannabis, charge a reasonable price and earn a profit all at the same time. Our two companies are closely aligned, particularly as it relates to our relentless focus on production costs and profitability.” – Vic Neufeld, Aphria CEO, in a press release

The deal gives Aphria a foothold on both Canadian coasts as the nation moves forward with broad cannabis legalization.

“Broken Coast is committed to providing a premium and affordable product to its patient base while staying true to BC’s iconic cannabis brand and culture. Joining the Aphria team will open doors to keep innovating with our unique production process and cannabis genetics. While we are joining a talented large-scale greenhouse operator, Broken Coast will retain a high level of independence and our existing management and production teams will continue to drive our corporate strategy and produce incredible cannabis products.” – Roberto Bresciani, director and co-founder of Broken Coast, in a statement

The deal is expected to close by Jan. 31.

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The night skyline of Los Angeles, California in a digital collage with a black and white picture of cannabis foliage.

Los Angeles Awards First Licenses Under Prop. 64 Rules

1/15/2018

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The City of Los Angeles, California has granted its first licenses under the state’s new cannabis regime, according to an LA Weekly report. Regulators granted Mother Nature’s Remedy in Woodland Hills a medical cannabis permit and WHTC in Studio City an adult-use license.

David Slocum, owner of Mother Nature’s, said he chose not to apply for a recreational license because he wanted to see how the new sector shaped up; he’s operated his medical dispensary for 12 years.

“Not that I don’t want to apply for adult, but I don’t want to apply and be the first black man arrested for it. Not state and not local, but federally. There are only five black owners in the whole city. When I spoke with everybody, we all decided not to apply for a recreational right away, but to apply for our medicinal first.” – Slocum to LA Weekly

The manager of WHTC said they had applied for a city license as soon as they were able – 10 days ago.

“We got an email yesterday [Friday] morning, and then we ran to the office to complete what we needed to do, and we are licensed in the city. We’ve already submitted to the state — we’re very efficient — and I hear that the state is processing things quickly. Yesterday, we started to get prepared as much as we could so that we’re ready. We’re hoping to be recreational by Monday at the latest.” – Jackie (no last name given), to LA Weekly

Under the new city rules, the only Los Angeles dispensaries allowed licenses are those open since 2007 and who are Prop D eligible.

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Indoor cannabis grow operation under a glowing, purple-red light.

U.S. Attorney in Oregon Shares Cannabis Industry Concerns in Op-Ed

1/15/2018

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In an op-ed in the Oregonian, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon Billy J. Williams said that while “national policy has changed” – referring to the rescinding of the Cole Memo protections by Attorney General Jeff Sessions – federal attorneys’ “commitment to exercising good judgment in charging decisions has not.”

“We will continue to look at cases individually and assess whether charges are appropriate considering the best needs of our community.” – Williams in the Oregonian op-ed.

Williams pointed out that the state’s recreational cannabis program has a “massive marijuana overproduction problem,” noting that last year postal agents in Oregon seized 2,644 pounds of cannabis and more than $1.2 million in cash tied to illicit cannabis sales headed out of the state. Comparatively, he adds, officials in Colorado seized just 984 pounds of cannabis headed outbound in the mail since 2013. Moreover, Williams says that federal agents and port police at Portland International Airport have seized more than $1 million in cannabis-linked cash and law enforcement in 16 states have reported seizing cannabis from Oregon.

“Overproduction creates a powerful profit incentive, driving product from both state-licensed and unlicensed marijuana producers into black and gray markets across the country. This lucrative supply attracts cartels and other criminal networks into Oregon and in turn brings money laundering, violence, and environmental degradation.”

He indicated that officials are currently working on a report detailing out-of-state cannabis diversion, cannabis sales to minors, cannabis cultivation on public land, and violent crime associated with the state’s legal cannabis industry.

“In sum, I have significant concerns about the state’s current regulatory framework and the resources allocated to policing marijuana in Oregon.”

Williams said he will convene a summit soon with members of the cannabis industry, public health organizations, citizen groups, and members of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement to address his concerns.

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A person with their hands on the keys of a complex keyboard console.

Pennsylvania Removes MMJ Patient Data from Law Enforcement Computers

1/15/2018

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Pennsylvania medical cannabis regulators will cease making patient information available on the state’s law enforcement computer systems in an effort to reduce the chances that a registered medical cannabis patient will be flagged during a federal background check when purchasing a firearm, the Associated Press reports.

“Medical marijuana is an important medication for Pennsylvanians suffering from serious medical conditions. It’s essential that we treat medical marijuana as we would any other medication, and that we protect patient privacy in the process. As with any other health information, patient information regarding medical marijuana is not accessible to police.” – Health Department spokeswoman April Hutcheson to the AP

Instead of having the information in their computers, law enforcement officers in the state will have to rely on the state-issued medical cannabis cards to verify whether an individual is enrolled. Each card contains a state seal and expiration date.

Federal law prohibits registered medical cannabis patients are prohibited from purchasing or owning firearms because of its Schedule I status. The federal form required when purchasing guns specifically asks whether the purchaser is “an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana” or other illegal drugs, noting that “the use or possession of marijuana remains unlawful under Federal law regardless of whether it has been legalized or decriminalized for medical or recreational purposes” in the state the applicant resides.

There are more than 10,000 medical cannabis patients in Pennsylvania. The program is set to commence early this year.

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Wooden desks in a classroom in front of a black chalkboard.

Federal Judge Rules Illinois Student Can Use & Store MMJ on School Grounds

1/15/2018

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Federal U.S. District Court Judge John Blakely on Friday ruled that an 11-year-old medical cannabis patient in Illinois can be administered cannabis oil in school, according to an NPR report. The Illinois attorney general’s office told the court they would not challenge the ruling and would work with state officials to address the issue in the state’s medical cannabis law.

The patient, Ashley Surin, suffers from epilepsy brought on by leukemia treatments. She wears a low-THC patch on her foot but requires oil drops to be administered if she has a seizure. Her parents sued the state and Schaumburg School District, arguing that the state’s ban on medical cannabis in schools violates the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Constitution, and due process. Surin has been out of school for two weeks as the case unfolded.

District 54 Superintendent Andy DuRoss said before the case that the district was legally unable to grant the Surins’ request to allow Ashley to store her medication on school property, buses and school-related events and have faculty and staff administer it when necessary. He indicated the district would comply with whatever the court ordered.

The case is the first of its kind in the U.S.

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Looking across the water at the Newark, New Jersey shoreline.

Cannabis Legalization Bill Introduced in New Jersey

1/12/2018

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New Jersey state Sen. Nicholas Scutari has introduced legislation to legalize cannabis for recreational use in the state. The measure would allow adults 21-and-older to purchase cannabis products in a taxed-and-regulated market.

The move comes on the first day of the state’s legislative session, which will mark the first term of incoming Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy who campaigned on the legalization issue. The proposal would allow adults to possess up to 1 ounce of flower, 16 ounces of cannabis-infused products in solid form, 72 ounces in liquid form and 7 grams of concentrates. Neither public-use nor home cultivation is permitted under the law.

The legislation includes a tax scale that increases over time. The year one rate would be set at 7 percent, followed by rates that climb annually of: 10 percent, 15 percent, 20 percent, and 25 percent.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Scutari said that the recent federal policy changes are not going to prevent New Jersey lawmakers from moving forward with the reforms.

“We’re still going to move forward. I think it’s going to be difficult for the federal government, especially without local law enforcement, to close it down.” – Scutari, to the AP

The measure has been sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee, of which Scutari is the chair.

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New York Lawmakers Hold Cannabis Legalization Hearing

1/12/2018

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New York Assembly members held a hearing to debate the merits of legalizing cannabis in the state – the first step toward potential reforms – but advocates will have a huge roadblock to overcome in Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who still believes in the gateway theory.

The measure would legalize cannabis for individuals 21-and-older and create a taxed-and-regulated system. According to an amNewYork report, the last time the state made significant changes to its criminal cannabis laws was when non-public cannabis possession was decriminalized in the state about 40 years ago.

New York does have a medical cannabis system; however, it is limited in scope and does not allow patients access to flower.

The hearing featured members of both pro and anti-legalization public interest and advocacy groups, including incoming New York State Sheriffs’ Association President Sheriff Barry Virts who said he was concerned about drugged driving and cannabis fueling the opioid epidemic. Dr. Julia Arnsten, a professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, addressed Virts’ concerns, citing a 2014 study published in the JAMA Internal Medicine journal which purported a 25 percent decrease in opioid overdoses in cannabis-legal states.

The measure is sponsored by Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes, who, during the hearing, said that current drug laws disproportionately target minorities.

“It’s almost criminal what we’ve done as a country.” – Peoples-Stokes, via PIX11

In the Assembly, the legislation carries 14 co-and-multi sponsors.

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