University of Minnesota School of Public Health Launches Cannabis Research Center

11/20/2023

by

The University of Minnesota School of Public Health on Thursday announced the launch of the Cannabis Research Center (CRC) which will assess the impact of adult-use cannabis legalization and help inform future cannabis policies and practices in the state.  

The state’s adult-use legalization law includes a $2.5M annual appropriation from the cannabis sales tax to establish CRC. 

In a statement, School of Public Health Professor Traci Toomey, who will serve as the CRC’s first director, said the center will “conduct innovative research on the health effects of adult-use cannabis legalization on people and communities across the state, including prevention and treatment of substance use disorders, equity issues, education and decriminalization.” 

School of Public Health Interim Dean Timothy Beebe said the first priorities for the CRC include identifying key staff and faculty members with related expertise, establishing an executive committee to help guide center strategy, and identifying partners across the state to help advance the center’s work. 

The CRC has already established several core principles that will guide its work, including: 

  • Leading the scientific community in cannabis research. 
  • Upholding antiracist principles by prioritizing questions related to equity and incorporating antiracist practices into collaborations, research questions and methods, interpretations and communications. 
  • Maximizing health benefits and minimizing health problems related to cannabis by addressing timely questions now and into the future. 
  • Being a trusted source of information about cannabis research for individuals, communities and organizations. 

“We will work collaboratively with state and local agencies and community-based organizations to explore and identify the initial research priorities related to cannabis use in Minnesota,” Beebe said in a statement. “I am confident that, under Dr. Toomey’s leadership, the CRC will provide the data and evidence our policymakers need to make informed decisions about cannabis to prevent inequity and adverse health impacts throughout Minnesota.” 

End

Citizen Petition in Canada Seeks to Raise THC Limit for Cannabis Edibles

11/17/2023

by

A citizen petition in Canada’s House of Commons is seeking to raise the maximum amount of THC in edible cannabis products from 10 milligrams to 100 milligrams, which advocates say will “benefit consumers and will contribute to a more sustainable industry as a whole.” 

The petition notes that both the Canada Competition Bureau and the Ontario Cannabis Store, which is run by the government, have called upon Health Canada to increase THC limits. 

“The Competition Bureau has stated that ‘restricting THC levels may not be necessary to achieve the government’s objectives,’ while the Ontario Cannabis Store has emphasized the need to ‘revisit the current THC limits.’ These endorsements from reputable organizations highlight the importance of reconsidering the current restrictions.” — Petition e-4643 text 

The petition argues that while the current 10 milligram THC limit “serves as a suitable starting point for newcomers,” it “fails to adequately cater to existing consumers”; the limits prevent legal businesses from competing against the illicit market, and that the low, often single-use, products “are contributing to an entirely new stream of single-use plastics” which runs “contrary” to Canada’s “plan to address pollution and prevent plastic waste.” 

The petition opened on November 8 and had garnered 1,344 signatures as of Wednesday morning. The signature period will close on March 7, 2024.  

End

New York Gov. Signs Clean Slate Act, Allowing Sealing of Eligible Criminal Convictions

11/17/2023

by

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) on Thursday signed a bill that allows the sealing of eligible misdemeanor convictions after three years and certain felony convictions after eight years, following their release from incarceration.  

During a signing ceremony for the Clean Slate Act, Hochul said the new law “will help New Yorkers access jobs and housing while allowing police, prosecutors and school officials to protect their communities.”

“The best crime-fighting tool is a good-paying job. That’s why I support giving New Yorkers a clean slate after they’ve paid their debt to society and gone years without an additional offense. … And as our state faces a worker shortage, with more than 450,000 job openings right now, this new law will help businesses find more workers who will help them grow, expand and thrive.” — Hochul via ABC 7 NY 

The move was lauded by law enforcement officials, business and labor leaders, state and local lawmakers, and civil rights advocates. 

In a statement, Rev. Al Sharpton, founder of the National Action Network, called the bill’s final approval by the governor “a momentous day for the state of New York.”    

“We know some will do their best to stand in the way of economic and racial justice. They will try to stoke fear and create needless panic. We will not let them,” he said. “The best way to keep communities and New Yorkers safe is by allowing people who have paid their debt to society to rebuild their lives and care for their families. Governor Hochul is creating a brighter – and safer – future for New York.” 

Hazel Dukes, president of the New York chapter of the NAACP called the move “a landmark step forward” for the state.  

“Overincarceration has destroyed far too many communities of color,” Dukes said in a statement. “And even worse, that damage lingers when those who paid their debt in full are still blocked from finding a job or a place for their families to live.” 

New York Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Donna Lieberman added that the bill “will benefit millions of New Yorkers who are currently trapped in cycles of poverty and punishment for a past criminal conviction.”  

“It will help address the harm done by decades of racist over-policing that targeted Black and Brown communities and remove a significant barrier to employment, housing, and other necessities that formerly incarcerated New Yorkers need to re-enter society and rebuild their lives with dignity,” she said in a statement. “Albany lawmakers must build on this reform to provide more protections for formerly incarcerated New Yorkers.” 

The bill takes effect in one year. Hochul’s office said that it will take the State Office of Court Administration up to three years to implement the processes necessary to identify and seal all eligible records. 

End

Japan’s Lower House Passes Bill to Legalize Cannabis-Derived Pharmaceuticals

11/17/2023

by

Japan’s lower house of the National Diet on Tuesday passed a measure to legalize cannabis-derived pharmaceuticals, the Japan Times reports. The bill would also close a loophole in the country’s 1948 Cannabis Control Law, which bans possession, trade, and cultivation of cannabis and related products but does not contain a specific reference to use. 

Under the bill, cannabis would be added as a banned substance under the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law, and violations of the law would be punishable by up to seven years in prison.  

The measure would allow clinical use for pharmaceuticals derived from cannabis, such as Epidiolex – which has been approved in the U.S. and Europe to treat severe epilepsy. A clinical trial of the drug, manufactured by GW Pharma, is currently underway in Japan, the report says. 

Following the vote, Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told the Times that lawmakers “hope that, through this bill, a path will be opened for patients with intractable epilepsy to use medicines derived from the cannabis plant, helping to improve their quality of life.” 

“At the same time, we hope that the bill will help us crack down on the illicit use and possession and prevent its abuse.” — Matsuno to the Times 

The 1948 law had avoided referencing cannabis consumption in an effort to protect the nation’s hemp farmers who could accidentally inhale cannabis while harvesting hemp crops. During a Lower House Health, Labor and Welfare session deliberating the bill last week, experts contended that criminalizing cannabis “use” would excessively penalize young offenders, and ostracize them, which would make reintegration back into society more difficult. A resolution was added to the proposal calling for the government to create a support system for such offenders so they can receive drug abuse prevention education, rehabilitation, and job assistance. 

End

Lubbock, Texas City Council Rejects Cannabis Decriminalization; Issue to Head to Voters

11/17/2023

by

The Lubbock, Texas City Council on Tuesday unanimously rejected a proposed ordinance to decriminalize personal possession of cannabis, the Texas Tribune reports. The rejection by the council paves the way for the issue to be put to voters next year, which appeared to be the endgame for advocates behind the proposal. 

Adam Hernandez, communications chair for Lubbock Compact, advocated for the council to leave it up to a vote during the public comments, saying the issue is too important to be decided by seven people.  

“It’s not fair to either side – the council or the citizens – so our position was that it should go to a vote. We just needed them to vote it down so it would be put on the ballot. That’s what they chose to do, not necessarily for those reasons, but we’re good with that.” — Hernandez to the Tribune  

During the meeting, Mayor Tray Payne applauded the group’s efforts but said the proposal contradicts state law and, therefore, was “void and unenforceable.” 

“I do not think it’s appropriate that we try to contradict state law in this manner,” Payne said during the meeting. “Until and unless amendments are made by the Legislature, the city of Lubbock is curtailed by current state laws on the issue.” 

Residents in five Texas cities have approved similar ballot questions; however local city councils have declined to put the rules in place. The question will be put on ballots in May and, if approved, Lubbock would be the largest city in Texas to pass the reforms. 

End

Florida Supreme Court Poised to Allow Cannabis Legalization Ballot Question in 2024

11/16/2023

by

The Florida Supreme Court seems poised to allow an adult-use cannabis legalization proposal to be put to voters next year, seemingly rejecting the arguments by state Attorney General Ashley Moody that the initiative’s wording is misleading and that it violates the state’s single-subject rule on ballot questions, the Miami New Times reports.  

During a hearing last week, Justice Charles T. Canady said he was “baffled” by the argument laid out by Chief Deputy Solicitor General Jeffrey Paul DeSousa of the Florida Attorney General’s Office, which claimed that the initiative will make voters believe that approving the measure will protect Floridians from federal cannabis law violations. Canady responded to this argument by pointing to the 74-word initiative, which explicitly says the provisions of the constitutional amendment “Applies to Florida law; does not change, or immunize violations of, federal law.” 

Justice John D. Couriel said that the state Supreme Court’s decision in 2021 to block a similar initiative based on misleading language was due, in part, “because the ball was hidden” regarding federal law issues. 

“Where’s the hidden ball?” Couriel asked state attorneys during the hearing. “It says on the face of this that it applies to Florida law.” 

Chief Justice Carlos G. Muniz noted that while the measure would legalize cannabis and authorize current medical cannabis operators to sell products directly to adults, he didn’t see how those two provisions are “not directly connected” and, therefore, a single subject.  

Canady added that Moody’s office was “turning the single-subject requirement not into anything other than a straitjacket on the people.” 

The Supreme Court has until April 1, 2024, to rule on the case. 

End

Maryland Opens First Round of Adult-Use Cannabis Business Licensing

11/16/2023

by

The first round of adult-use cannabis licensing is open in Maryland. The first round of licenses is set aside for social equity applicants, defined by -state law as companies with “at least 65% ownership held by one or more individuals who have been verified as social equity applicants.” The state has already verified social equity applicants eligible under the law.  

Additionally, social equity applicants lived or went to public school in an area disproportionately impacted by the criminalization of cannabis or attended a four-year institution of higher education in Maryland where at least 40% of enrollees were eligible for a Pell Grant. The state has previously published the ZIP codes and public schools in Maryland that are within a disproportionately impacted area, and the qualifying four-year institutions of higher education.  

The Maryland Cannabis Administration will award up to 179 licenses, including 75 standard dispensaries, which will be distributed by county, and 16 standard growers, 32 standard processors, 24 micro growers, 24 microprocessors, and eight micro dispensaries, each of which will be distributed by region. Each applicant may apply for multiple license types but will only be awarded one.  

The application period will close on December 12. 

End

Federal Labor Agency Agrees to Settlement Between Missouri Cannabis Company and Union

11/16/2023

by

The National Labor and Relations Board (NLRB) has approved a settlement agreement between a Missouri cannabis dispensary and a union which forces the company to reinstate five employees and pay more than $145,000 in backpay, front pay, and interest and compensation to 10 employees who were terminated following a March union organizing action.

In a statement, NLRB Region 14 Regional Director Andrea J. Wilkes said, “Individually and collectively, this settlement vindicates employee rights under the National Labor Relations Act.” — Wilkes in a press release

The agreement between Point Management, which owns Columbia-based Shangri-La dispensary, and the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 655 resolves 15 unfair labor practices complaints which were set for an October 30 trial.

Under the settlement, Shangri-La agreed to:

  • Recognize and bargain with UFCW Local 655;
  • Pay backpay to 10 terminated employees;
  • Offer reinstatement to five terminated employees;
  • Pay front pay to five terminated employees in lieu of reinstatement;
  • Pay damages to a terminated employee for the interest on a high-interest loan that an employee was forced to take out because of their termination;
  • Rescind its ban on terminated employees from public areas of Shangri-La;
  • Rescind certain provisions of its Handbook and Non-Disclosure Agreement;
  • Read a remedial Notice to Employees at meetings covering each shift;
  • Email the remedial Notice to Employees to its current employees;
  • Place the Notice to Employees on WhatsApp, the messaging platform utilized by Shangri-La to communicate with its employees; and
  • Attend a training conducted by the NLRB for its managers and supervisors about employee rights under the National Labor Relations Act.

In an editorial published in the Labor Tribune, UFCW Local 655 President David A. Cook said, “workers won.”

“This settlement will allow workers at this company to participate in union organizing the way all workers deserve: out in the open and without the fear of reprisals,” he wrote. “Whether or not workers wish to form a union in their workplace is a decision that should be up to them, and only them. It’s a democratic process that, if done fairly, allows for workers to make an informed decision based on all the facts.”

End

Blunt Truth: 50% of Gloves Are Contaminated

11/15/2023

by

Wash your hands? Duh. Clean hands don’t spread germs.

Wash your gloves? Should you? Do you have to? Cliff notes to this blog; no, you should not have to wash your gloves. But truth be told, we had a lab test new gloves right out of the box and … if you saw what we found, you may think twice about needing to wash them before they touch your product.

The Dark Side of Cannabis Gloves

This story doesn’t start in a village far away; it starts a little over five years ago. We, at Eagle Protect, ordered a mix of gloves that were currently available for sale and sent them to a third-party lab for testing. 2,800 gloves from 26 brands, which included a mix of medical and food-grade gloves, were tested. All the gloves were new and unopened. We wanted to get a glimpse into what the status of the glove market actually was.

We were shocked. Our research found:

  • 50% of the gloves were found to carry fecal indicators. Yes…components of poop were on half of the gloves.
  • 260 unique and viable microbes were detected, including E. Coli, Listeria, Anthrax, Salmonella and you guessed it, Aspergillus.
  • Based on CFU sample measurements, we could expect to see 100,000 colony-forming units (CFU) per glove. This means there could be over one million CFUs per box of gloves! I’m not a scientist, but even I can tell you that this is outrageous and completely unacceptable.

Enabling Glove Contamination

How does this happen? How is there so much contamination on new disposable gloves, an item meant to improve cleanliness and help mitigate contamination? Basically, it boils down to dirty water (pun intended), poor water sources, poor filtration, contaminated systems and so on. Gloves are frequently washed during manufacturing. Oversimplifying it, everything in that dirty water is now on your gloves.

This isn’t fair, you say. We agree. How does a box of contaminated disposable gloves get past government compliance checks and onto the shelf?

Most gloves used in the cannabis industry are FDA-compliant for food handling. To be compliant with FDA (21 CFR 177), an initial one-time test is conducted by the factory in southeast Asia and is focused solely on the chemical content of the glove and the potential for any harmful chemicals to migrate from the glove onto the food or product it touches. FDA Food Compliance does not require gloves to be clean or without holes. And to top it off, disposable gloves are not inspected upon arrival into the US. The actual gloves imported to the US are never tested to see if they are clean or not full of holes. The glove industry has a little bit, ok, a lot of bit, of the honor system built in.

Fighting to Protect Cannabis Companies

This is not fair! It’s not fair to the company, who should be able to trust the products they buy to uphold the standards the product is intended for. It’s not fair that the company, which has no way of truly knowing whether their gloves were made responsibly, is the one that is 100% responsible for the ramifications of potentially contaminated gloves.

What can you do?

First off, we recommend asking questions. Ask about the factories that manufacture the gloves. Ask for factory and supplier certifications. What are they doing to prove they are producing a cleaner and safer glove that will protect your product, your workers and your brand?

Secondly, don’t settle. Find a supplier that can continuously supply you with a trustworthy and consistently high-quality glove. Don’t let a distributor send you whatever they have on the shelf unless you like to live wildly and play contamination roulette.

Third, look for red flags. Are your gloves constantly ripping? Do they irritate your skin? Are sizing and quality inconsistent? These are all red flags telling you to find a better-quality disposable glove. If you want to learn more about the specs of the right cannabis glove, read our previous blog, Glove Essentials: Cannabis Industry Must Knows.

Of course, we’re biased. We know we source the best cannabis gloves on the market. But we can also confidently say that if you put in a little work finding a reliable and consistent glove supplier, you’ll never have to think about gloves again. Inventory will always be available. You will receive the same product (that works) every time. Less ripping. Fewer skin issues. One thing off your plate for good. Wouldn’t that be nice? It’s not too good to be true. And truth be told, you may save a little green along the way.

End

South Africa National Assembly Approves Bill to Legalize Personal Cannabis Use

11/15/2023

by

A bill to allow personal cannabis use in South Africa was approved by the National Assembly on Tuesday, according to a report from The Citizen. The measure was first proposed in 2018 after the Constitutional Court decriminalized cannabis for private use. 

During the session on Tuesday, MP Janho Engelbrecht noted that the measure does not legalize cannabis sales and if individuals want to consume it legally, they have to grow it.  

The measure also provides expungement of criminal records of those convicted of possession, use, or dealing in cannabis based on presumption, the report says. It does not specify the quantities of cannabis plants and dried cannabis that a person may be allowed to possess for private use. 

The bill also does not legalize cannabis for medical use.

Moloto Mothapo, a Parliament spokesperson on the issue, indicated, though, that the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services, which is in charge of processing the bill, is hopeful the measure will lead to a broader commercialization of cannabis, which the government has identified as one of 14 priority sectors to secure investment, job creation, and support for sustainable rural livelihoods. 

The Western Cape Town High Court in 2017 ruled that it is unconstitutional to prohibit cannabis use by adults in private homes in a case filed by Dagga Party leader Jeremy Acton and Rastafarian Garreth Prince who argued that some of the sections of the Drug Trafficking and Medicines Control acts are discriminatory, outdated, or unfair, and applied disproportionately to Black individuals. The Constitutional Court would affirm that ruling the following year and require the government to approve an appropriate bill by September 28, 2024. 

The bill moves next to the National Council of Provinces for concurrence. 

End

Montana Cannabis Companies and State Agree to 60-Day Injunction Against Increased Licensing Fees

11/15/2023

by

Three Montana cannabis licensees and the state last week agreed to a joint agreement to allow a 60-day preliminary injunction against a state law that increased licensing fees for businesses that operate multiple dispensaries, KTVH reports. The agreement in the lawsuit filed by cannabis business owners in the state gives the plaintiffs and the state time to come to a negotiated settlement.

Under the law, which passed at the end of the 2023 legislative session, dispensary owners would pay $5,000 for the first dispensary, $10,000 for the second, and another $5,000 added to the fee for each additional. Under the previous state law, businesses paid a flat $5,000 fee for each additional dispensary.

Granite Peak Holdings, one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, said that under the new regime, it would have to pay $525,000 in fees for its 14 active dispensaries, compared to $70,000 under the previous law.

“If the State is not enjoined from implementing its newly enacted fee structure, Plaintiffs will have to shut down many of their dispensary locations,” the lawsuit contends, “resulting in employee job losses, harm to the public who utilize the Plaintiffs’ dispensary locations, loss of value in their owned and leased locations, and liability arising from probable breaches of their lease obligations.”

Two other licensees – TSB, which operates 15 Top Shelf Botanicals dispensaries, and MariMint, which operates five dispensaries – expressed the same concerns in the lawsuit and further argued the new fee structure would be an unjustified “taking” of their property, the report says.

The Montana Department of Justice argues that the state does have legitimate regulatory costs when licensees decide to open additional dispensaries and that the plaintiffs couldn’t establish that there is a taking of property simply because they don’t have the opportunity for more locations.

“The burden on Plaintiffs is minimal,” the state said in the filing. “There exists one reason and one reason only that Plaintiffs seek to open different marijuana industry locations under the same license – they want to make money.”

A hearing set for this week was canceled due to the agreement.

End

Australian Medical Association Opposes Adult-Use Cannabis Legalization Bill

11/15/2023

by

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) is opposing a bill to legalize cannabis for adult use citing the potential for increased “health and social-related harms.” In its opposition letter, the organization says that while it supports decriminalization for personal use and raising the age of criminal responsibility to 14-years-old, it is concerned that “people may use recreational cannabis products to self-medicate when Australia already has an existing, high-quality process for assessing the safety, quality, and efficacy of therapeutic products through the [Therapeutic Goods Administration].” 

“The AMA believes that if cannabis was legalized for recreational purposes, it would indicate to the public that cannabis use is not harmful. However, the AMA recognizes that the current approach to cannabis regulation could be improved. The AMA believes that cannabis use should be treated first and foremost as a health issue instead of a criminal issue. The AMA supports the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s role in assessing the safety, quality, and efficacy of cannabis products for therapeutics purposes.” — AMA Submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee – Legalizing Cannabis Bill 2023, Nov. 3, 2023 

The letter notes that “the absolute risk of harms associated with cannabis use is low and those who use cannabis occasionally are unlikely to be affected” but that “there are short- and long-term mental and physical health impacts of using cannabis which can vary depending on the individual’s mood and weight, their method of administration and quantities used.” The AMA also said it is concerned that legalization would “put further pressure on an already strained health system, including further strain on already limited and under-funded mental health and drug rehabilitation services.” 

Cannabis is the most common illicit drug used in the country, with 36% of Australians 14-and-older using cannabis in their lifetime, according to 2019 figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare cited by the AMA. In 2019, 11.6% of Australians said they had consumed cannabis within the previous year. Cannabis is legal for medical purposes in Australia.  

End

oHHo’s Community Program Offers CBD Affiliate Opportunities

11/14/2023

by

oHHo, a leading provider of high-quality hemp products, is offering a Community Program designed to foster sustainable affiliate partnerships and promote its mission of providing premium CBD products. This initiative offers affiliates an opportunity to earn commissions while contributing to expanding the brand’s reach.

Key highlights of the oHHo Community Program include:

  1. Generous Commissions:
    • Affiliates can earn a 25% commission on every sale generated through their unique affiliate link.
    • An additional 10% commission is provided on purchases and sales made by those who join the community through affiliate referrals.
    • Affiliates can also earn a 10% commission on wholesale accounts.
  2. Monthly Cash Bonus Opportunities
  3. Personal 25% discount on purchases
  4. Additional Perks:
    • Affiliates have the opportunity to earn free products, exciting trips, oHHo merchandise, and more.
  5. Comprehensive Support:
    • Dedicated support is readily available to provide affiliates with the resources and assistance they need to succeed.
  6. Marketing Materials:
    • Affiliates gain access to a library of professionally designed social media assets and educational materials.
  7. Education Program

Joining the oHHo Affiliate Program is a simple process: affiliates can sign up as a Community Connector for $49 and immediately receive their unique URL. They will also gain access to the community platform, which offers a range of tools, resources, and a comprehensive educational program. For those looking to build a team and explore additional earning opportunities, signing up as a Community Builder for $79 is also an option. There are no recurring monthly fees or requirements for participation, making it accessible to all.

oHHo’s mission is centered on sharing exceptional products that positively impact lives. The company achieves this by crafting the cleanest, most sustainable, and high-potency CBD and hemp products available in the market. Every oHHo product is carefully formulated with minimal additional ingredients, ensuring each one delivers its unique benefits while complementing the power of cannabis extracts.

oHHo proudly collaborates with small farms, cultivating areas ranging from 1 to 40 acres, to harness the full spectrum of beneficial compounds found within natural cannabis plants. Rigorous third-party analysis of crude extracts and finished products is conducted to assess potency and purity. Each oHHo product comes with a QR code for transparency, linking customers to a detailed COA (certificate of analysis, a report prepared by the labs that test the product).

As part of its commitment to sustainability, oHHo utilizes sustainable, eco-friendly, and recyclable materials in its packaging. The brand actively seeks biodegradable and compostable alternatives to plastic wherever feasible. oHHo is also a cruelty-free brand, holding Leaping Bunny Certification, as well as a supporter of independent science journalism and medical research via Project CBD.

To explore oHHo’s full product line and learn more about the Community Program, please visit their website.

For inquiries about oHHo’s Community Program and further information about the brand, please contact:

Jill Kay, Email: jillkay.ohho@gmail.com, Instagram: @Jill.ohHo

About oHHo: oHHo is a trusted provider of premium CBD products that prioritize quality, sustainability, and effectiveness. With a mission to share life-enhancing products, oHHo prides itself on crafting clean and potent CBD solutions sourced from small farms. The brand places a strong emphasis on transparency, sustainability, and cruelty-free practices to create a positive impact on individuals and the planet.

End

Oklahoma Regulators Seek to Revoke 165 Medical Cannabis Cultivation Licenses

11/14/2023

by

The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) is seeking to revoke the licenses of 165 cultivation facilities in the state for failing to post signage on their property as required under a bill that took effect last year. The law requires licensed medical cannabis growers in the state to have a sign indicating their business name, phone number, address, and business license number and allows for immediate revocation of their license if the signage is not up within 60 days after license renewal.

In a statement, OMMA Executive Director Adria Berry said that following the bill’s passage, OMMA inspectors “immediately began noting which facilities were in compliance and which ones were not.”

“As a regulatory body, it’s our job to ensure the licensed medical marijuana industry is in compliance with state laws and regulations. Consistent regulation is essential for shaping a balanced and well-regulated cannabis market in our state. Kudos to the thousands of businesses out there that took the time to put up proper signage.” — Berry in a press release

The agency notes that within the last year, OMMA inspectors have completed almost 7,000 inspections and 4,600 operational status visits, which led to the seizure of nearly five tons of illicit cannabis and an entire dispensary, and the embargo of around 3,000 pounds of cannabis and nearly 71,200 plants. The agency said it has also assisted law enforcement partners throughout the state more than 114 times, including conducting 13 search warrants which led to an arrest, and 65 location visits to investigate complaints.

Oklahoma’s medical cannabis program is considered one of the country’s most permissive and last session lawmakers passed several bills aimed at curbing the diversion of medical cannabis products and enhancing state regulations.

End

Gallup Poll: Support for Cannabis Legalization in U.S. Reaches 70%

11/14/2023

by

A Gallup poll released November 8 found a new record level of support for cannabis legalization among U.S. adults, topping 70% after totaling a then-record 68% for three years. The pollster found 28% of respondents opposed the reforms with 1% unsure. 

In 1969, when Gallup first asked about legalizing cannabis, just 12% favored the reforms.  

Cannabis legalization was popular among a majority of all subgroups, including 91% of self-identified liberals, 87% of Democrats, 52% of self-identified conservatives, 55% of Republicans, and 70% of independents. Respondents 18-34-years-old strongly backed the reforms, with support reaching 79%, along with 71% of those 35-54, and 64% of those 55 and older. 

“There are no significant differences in support by gender, race or education,” Gallup said in a press release. “While most of the regional differences seen this year are also not statistically significant, the lower support for legalization in the East than in the West and Midwest is consistent with the recent trend.” 

The pollster notes that “the poll finds no difference in support for legalization between residents living in the 23 states plus the District of Columbia where recreational use was already legal at the time of the poll and those living in the other 27 states that retain more restrictive laws.” 

End

Ohio Gov. Calls for Changes to Voter-Approved Cannabis Legalization Bill

11/14/2023

by

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) is calling on lawmakers to make changes to the voter-approved cannabis legalization measure before it takes effect on December 7, Ohio Capital Journal reports. During his remarks to reporters last week, DeWine said that while “We respect what the people have done … we’re also going to live up to our responsibility to all the people in the state of Ohio, whether they voted for it or voted against it.” 

“My recommendation to the General Assembly is that they take action to make sure that both rights are protected. … People have a right to smoke it. People have a right to consume it. But also that everybody else’s who doesn’t choose to do so is also protected with their rights as well.” — DeWine via Ohio Capital Journal 

DeWine, along with Republican lawmakers in the state, had opposed the reforms which ultimately passed with 57% of voter support. 

DeWine said changes to the law should focus on limiting cannabis advertising, potential harm to children, and the social impacts, such as public consumption. 

The governor said he hoped to have any changes to the measure completed by December 7 so that lawmakers and his administration are “not in a situation of taking something away from people.” 

Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens and Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman, both Republicans, have indicated that they, too, would like changes to the bill. 

End

Missouri Nears 100,000 Cannabis Expungements Under Adult-Use Law

11/13/2023

by

Missouri has expunged nearly 100,000 convictions as part of the adult-use cannabis constitutional amendment approved by voters last year, KMBC 9 reports. Under the law, nearly every misdemeanor cannabis conviction was to be expunged by June 8, except for offenders still incarcerated or currently supervised by the Department of Corrections, and felony convictions are supposed to be expunged by December 8.

Dan Viets, who wrote parts of the constitutional amendment, told KMBC 9 that while state officials “have not technically met the deadline” laid out in the law, as long as courts “are making a good faith effort to comply” with it, advocates will be satisfied; however, if communities don’t work on the expungements, lawsuits could be possible.

“…We’re dealing with a century of marijuana prohibition in Missouri. So, there are hundreds of thousands of cases.” — Viets to KMBC 9

John Mueller, co-owner of 31 Greenlight Dispensary stores, including 15 in Missouri, noted that adult-use cannabis sales are generating tax dollars for municipalities and the state and that those funds can be used for the expungement process.

“That’s one of the things that I think the industry is the most proud of,” he said in the report, “is getting that in the Constitution.”

End

BDSA: Ohio Medical Cannabis Market on Pace to Total $520M This Year

11/13/2023

by

Ohio’s medical cannabis market is expected to reach $520 million this year, according to cannabis industry intelligence firm BDSA, which also anticipates the state’s combined cannabis market will total $820 million in 2025 – the anticipated first year of adult-use sales after voters approved the reforms on Tuesday.  

BDSA estimates that by 2027, combined cannabis sales in Ohio will reach $1.65 billion, making the state’s cannabis market “one of the fastest growing” in the U.S. In 2022, Ohio saw a 26% sales growth in medical cannabis sales, the firm said. 

In a statement, Roy Bingham, co-founder and CEO of BDSA, said that “In recent years, the Midwest has become a thriving hub for the cannabis industry and Ohio is rapidly emerging as a promising market.” 

“Ohio’s unique regulatory environment and the increasing acceptance of medical cannabis underline the significance of this market,” he said. 

According to BDSA, in Q2 2023, flower held a 51% market share in Ohio’s medical cannabis space, with vape products holding a 23% market share. Concentrates accounted for 4% of sales, which BDSA notes is half of the 8% market share concentrates holds in other medical-only cannabis states.  

End

Wyoming Bill Seeking to Ban Synthetic Intoxicating Hemp Products Moves to Legislature

11/13/2023

by

A bill to ban intoxicating hemp products in Wyoming is moving to the Legislature after passing the Joint Judiciary Committee in a 6-8 vote on Monday, WyoFile reports. However, following the vote, at least two lawmakers, including the co-chair of the committee, said the proposal would need more work to get through both chambers.

State Sen. Bill Landen (R) told WyoFile he doesn’t “have any doubt that this is a work in progress” but likes the fact that moving it out of committee is a step in “a necessary direction.”

The committee in September considered similar legislation but ultimately scrapped the plan after pushback from the state’s hemp companies. State Rep. Art Washut (R) previously told WyoFile that “The first draft went too far in terms of causing a threat” to the state’s hemp farmers, and lawmakers “didn’t want to go there.”

The proposal approved on Monday would ban the addition of “synthetic substances” to hemp and would prohibit hemp products from containing more than 0.3% of any type of THC on a dry weight basis, including delta-8 THC and delta-10 THC. The measure defines “synthetic substances” as “any synthetic THC, synthetic cannabinoid or any other drug or psychoactive substance.”

State Rep. Barry Crago (R), during Monday’s hearing, said he would not vote in favor of the law of “for one instance” it feels like it will ban CBD products.

“…And I’m guessing most everybody on the committee is not going to vote for it,” he said.

Marcus Jones, operations manager for Platte Hemp Company, noted that there are concerns about the definitions in the bill, including “synthetic” and its lack of definition of “psychoactive,” which could target CBD products.

“There’s CBD, which is considered a non-psychoactive, but by definition, it is a psychoactive because it alters your mood state,” Jones said during the hearing. “It elevates your mood state.”

The bill aims to outlaw delta-8 and delta-10 THC products, despite the state already having a law on the books imposing such a ban; however, a state Crime Lab expert has testified that there is no way to differentiate between synthetic and natural delta-8 compounds.

End

Virginia Cannabis Regulators Call for End to Intoxicating Hemp Free-For-All

11/10/2023

by

The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority on Wednesday published its General Assembly-mandated report on consumable hemp products in the state, saying the products have “exploded in popularity due in large part to their accessibility and potential to produce intoxicating effects comparable to the ‘high’ experienced from marijuana.”

The agency alleges the “public health risks posed by these products are numerous and grave” due to “minors’ relatively unhindered access to the products, unwitting consumption of the products because of their resemblance to other commonly consumed non-intoxicating goods, and the potential ingestion of products contaminated by residual solvents, microbials, and pesticides.”

Based on the finding, the CCA made for recommendations for lawmakers to consider, including imposing “robust contaminant testing requirements for all consumable hemp products,” requiring “ingredient limits and implementing a pre-approval process for the products,” restricting “the access of minors to consumable hemp products at retail locations and through online sales,” and imposing “further limits on online sales of the products.”

The report notes that the products are legal under federal law, and that while federal lawmakers could address some of the issues associated with intoxicating hemp products in the 2023 Farm Bill, “competing legislative priorities in Congress, action on the 2023 Farm Bill, including any changes affecting hemp, is more likely to occur in 2024 than in 2023.”

“As of the publication of this report, no action on the farm bill has occurred,” the report says. “Without further action from Congress addressing the loopholes created through the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp-derived product manufacturers, distributors, and retailers will remain emboldened to challenge any state-level efforts to impose restrictions on hemp-derived products.”

End

University of Mississippi to Launch Medical Cannabis and Dietary Supplements Graduate Program

11/10/2023

by

The University of Mississippi this week launched an online medical cannabis and dietary supplements graduate program. The university said the program “builds on the expertise and research excellence” found in its School of Pharmacy’s National Center for Natural Products Research and National Center for Cannabis Research and Education.

The National Center for Cannabis Research and Education was launched in 2021. The University of Mississippi for more than 50 years held the only federal license to cultivate cannabis through the National Institute on Drug Abuse Drug Supply Program.

In a statement, Donna Strum, dean of the School of Pharmacy, said the program “promises to open up a world of opportunities for those looking to advance their careers in these industries.”

“With these industries growing in our state and our country, this program is designed to ensure the workforce is well-trained and has the knowledge and skills to be effective and contribute to these industries.” — Strum in a press release

David Colby, the program’s organizer and a professor in the school’s Department of BioMolecular Sciences, noted that no other institutions in the state offer such a program and only a handful exist nationwide. He added that even those programs are “mostly focused on training pharmacists and health care professionals how to manage patients on medical cannabis and how to help train patients who want to know about therapeutics.”

“We want to train them in the chemistry, the biology, and the toxicology,” Colby said in a statement. “We’ll be teaching about plant genomics and formulation and manufacturing, as well as regulation. We want to train people who want to work in those industries, not necessarily a pharmacist who wants to recommend the correct cannabis product.”

The program will officially launch next year and will offer rolling admissions.

End

Lawsuit Challenges New Hemp Rules in Alaska

11/10/2023

by

A lawsuit in Alaska is challenging a recently approved Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regulation that limits intoxicating hemp products, claiming the rule is unconstitutional, the Alaska Beacon reports. The DNR rule took effect last week and prohibits the agency from approving industrial hemp products that contain delta-9 THC.

The lawsuit, brought by hemp growers and manufacturers, argues that the new regulations outlaw every hemp-derived product made in the state and will “have the effect of destroying” the state’s Industrial Hemp Pilot Program. It names the State of Alaska, the DNR and Commissioner John C. Boyle III, the Alaska Division of Agriculture (DoAg) and Director Bryan Scoresby, and Lieutenant Gov. Nacy Dahlstrom as defendants.

Further, the lawsuit contends the regulations provide “a clear protectionist affect (sic)” for the state’s cannabis businesses and the state’s cannabis tax regime. It also argues the regulation violates the U.S. Constitution’s commerce clause because hemp is federally legal.

“The amendments state that the DoAg may declare any cannabis product for human consumption as a ‘public nuisance injurious to the public interest,’ and grants the DoAg the right to destroy products once declare (sic) a public nuisance,” the lawsuit states. “Additionally, the DoAg will no longer endorse any industrial hemp product that contains Delta-9-THC, which [is] a significant portion of the final product and depending on when tested for THC, all hemp products. Thus, the processing and manufacturing of cannabis products contain no more than 0.3% Delta-9-THC will be left entirely to the marijuana industry, which has lesser testing requirements than hemp.”

Attorney Christopher Hoke, representing the plaintiffs, has requested a temporary restraining order to prevent the regulations from taking effect while the lawsuit proceeds.

End

California Cannabis Regulators Deem National Agricultural Workers Union a Fake Labor Organization

11/09/2023

by

The California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) on Tuesday clarified that the National Agricultural Workers Union (NAWU) is not a bona fide labor organization and that cannabis licensees required to have labor peace agreements in place who entered into an agreement with the NAWU are out of compliance with licensure requirements.  

The state had been investigating the organization as a “fake” union and had received a complaint from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters in July, according to an MJBizDaily report. The NAWU had entered into labor peace agreements with licensees under the Caliva brand name, the report says.  

An investigation into the Teamsters’ claims by the Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB) found that the NAWU had “no employees,” only one member, and that the NAWU’s total receipts for three years, including union dues, amounted to zero. 

“NAUW claimed that after it was founded as a ‘grassroots’ labor organization in early 2020, it attempted to organize workers using volunteers, but was met with obstacles such as the COVID-19 pandemic and cannabis workers’ lack of interest,” the ALRB said in its decision. “However, NAWU did not provide any evidence to support its claim that it made efforts to organize and represent cannabis workers, such as literature, brochures, or flyers distributed to the workers. NAWU failed to show that it had any meaningful online presence where individuals could have learned about the organization.” 

According to the DCC, any agreements made with the NAUW are null and void.  

End

Award-Winning Documentary ‘Cannabis + Creativity’ Lights Up the Film Festival Circuit

11/09/2023

by

“Cannabis + Creativity,” a documentary examining the role of cannabis in the artistic process, has claimed two prestigious awards at film festivals this past month. At the Catskills International Film Festival on October 22, 2023, the film was honored with both Best Documentary and Best Documentary: Audience Selection. Continuing its successful run, it also secured the Best Documentary award at the Montreal Women Film Festival a mere week later.

Directed by Elana Frankel with executive producers Etain, a woman-owned cannabis brand based in New York, along with Dr. Nancy B. Austin, “Cannabis + Creativity” spotlights the personal and professional insights of artists who incorporate cannabis into their creative workflow. Assistant Director Kassia Graham and Cabin Creek Films contribute to a film that features a prominent lineup, including scientist Miyabe Shields, PhD, Chef Ali, jazz singer Kaya Nicole, musician treya lam, creative director Sam Jones, and poet Jasmine Mans.

The film’s exploration of cannabis’ impact on creativity has resonated with audiences and critics alike, generating a buzz on social media and earning positive reviews: Cara Wietstock of GreenState praised the documentary for providing “a full meal for thought in a short time frame.”

This documentary’s success is reflective of a larger conversation about the intersection of cannabis use and art, a connection that has long been understood but seldom explored in-depth in mainstream culture.

The featured interviews in “Cannabis + Creativity” give a voice to those who see cannabis as an integral part of their artistic endeavor. From the culinary arts to jazz music and poetry, the documentary presents cannabis as a muse and a partner in the creative process, inviting viewers to reconsider the potential of this often-misunderstood plant.

For updates on the documentary’s tour and viewing opportunities, audiences can follow Elana Frankel on Instagram.

End