Florida’s House and Senate are continuing to make changes to the state’s medical cannabis constitutional amendment enacted by voters last November, and neither body has any intention of allowing smoking, the Palm Beach Postreports.
Michael Minardi, a lawyer and medical cannabis advocate in the state, accused the legislature of thwarting the will of the more-than 70 percent of voters who approved the law during the General Election.
“These are veterans. These are the elderly. These are seniors, and people with ALS or PTSD, who benefit [from] and use cannabis in a smoked form,” he said in the report. “What you are doing here, by creating this legislation when 71 percent of the people support it, is going against their will.”
State Sen. Rob Bradley, a Republican who has for the last three years supported cannabis legislation in the Senate, said smoking provisions will not be included in the final version of the bill.
“There is agreement between the majority of the House and Senate that the smoking of cannabis is not an act that is consistent with a healthy life and not consistent with consuming medicine,” he said.
Florida lawmakers are also considering limiting the number of dispensaries allowed in the state and restricting the number of licenses dispensary operators would be able to hold; one plan would cap that number at three.
Ben Pollara, campaign manager for United for Care, agreed that the law should include limiting the number of operating licenses a dispensary can hold, saying that allowing unlimited licenses would cause patients to “suffer the consequences of a state-mandated monopoly.” He did not support limiting the number of dispensaries allowed throughout the state.
House Majority Leader Ray Rodrigues, who has proposed banning cannabis-infused edibles, called the current bill “a work in progress.”
“Our goal is to produce an implementing bill that honors the letter and the spirit of the constitutional amendment and does it in a way that protects Florida citizens,” he said.
During a conference call with reporters today, Oregon Congressman Rep. Earl Blumenauer said “marijuana has gone mainstream” and “has come of age politically.” He warned that cannabis industry operators should not be “coasting” in the age of Trump but rather continue being “good citizens” and striving for the “gold standard” to thwart a federal crackdown.
“We’re continuing to watch the evolution of the issue as more and more people are involved, as the industry grows and as the consensus that this ought to be something that the federal government ought not to try and suppress, regardless of peoples’ individual feelings about marijuana,” he said. “The overwhelming number appeared not to want the federal government to interfere with what states do.”
Blumenauer, a Democrat and co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, has replaced recently retired Congressman Sam Farr as the titular sponsor of the now-titled “Rohrabacher-Blumenauer amendment,” which eliminates Justice Department funding for enforcement of federal laws against medical cannabis in legal states. He said the amendment, which sunsets this session, has historically drawn majority support from both sides of the aisle and is likely to, again, be successful this session; however, he admitted that “nothing is certain until it happens.”
When pressed about signals of a potential crackdown from the Trump Administration, Blumenauer said that “one thing has been consistent and that is we’ve received inconsistent signals from this administration on a wide variety of issues.”
“I think what is important is, first of all, what the candidate Trump said on the campaign trail that the state ought to be able to pursue with what the states are doing – I think that’s consistent with what most people I know who have some familiarity with Donald Trump think is his actual opinion,” he said. “…Marijuana got a lot more votes than Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton.”
Blumenauer explained that there are three main areas this year for possible Congressional action on cannabis policy and those measures are “less likely to be standalone legislation,” but “opportunities to be able to put something onto other vehicles.”
These three main areas, he said, include passing bills that would eliminate the federal roadblocks to cannabis research, end “punitive taxation” which, thanks to IRS code 280E, forces cannabis businesses to pay “three, four, or five times” what similarly situated businesses pay, and providing access to banking services for the cannabis industry.
Blumenauer is joined by fellow caucus member and Oregon Congressman Sen. Ron Wyden in the introduction of a package of bills knows as the “Path to Marijuana Reform” which addresses these issues in addition to civil forfeiture and decriminalization.
“I think it’s highly likely that we will be able to take some vehicles that are moving through Congress and deal with these three provisions that have overwhelming bi-partisan support – have no major opposition – and it would make a profound difference in being able for the industry to function,” he said. “Ultimately, I am confident we will reschedule or deschedule marijuana, but in the meantime these provisions are critical and I think are highly likely to occur.”
Tomorrow, activists with DCMJ plan on distributing free cannabis to members of Congress, Congressional staffers, credentialed journalists, support staff, interns, and other Capitol Hill workers 21-and-older with valid Congressional Identification.
In a Yahoo/Marist survey, 83 percent of respondents said medical cannabis treatments should be legalized in the U.S., and two-thirds indicated opioid-based drugs are “riskier” to use than cannabis even when prescribed by a physician, the Coloradoanreports. Among those that supported medical cannabis use, 70 percent of respondents said pregnant women should not use cannabis for nausea and pain, and support for providing medical cannabis treatments to children was split 50/50.
Respondents were also divided on whether President Donald Trump should enforce federal laws in states with legal cannabis programs – 38 percent said he shouldn’t be as tough as his predecessor President Barack Obama, whose policy was to leave states alone, while 30 percent said Trump should take a harder line in legal states. The rest of the respondents weren’t sure or said Trump should maintain Obama’s policies.
Only one in five indicated that cannabis was riskier to use than opioids. According to the report, 91 people die every day from opioid and heroin overdoses, and 2 million Americans are addicted to opioid-based pain medication. Cannabis alone has never been linked to a single death.
The poll of 1,122 adults was conducted last month via telephone with a margin of error plus or minus 2.9 percent.
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin has signed a bill removing any federally approved CBD product or drug from the state’s definition of “marijuana,” NewsOKreports. However, the move does little in the way of providing access to CBD therapies as no CBD-based drug or product has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
In Oklahoma, CBD – commonly used to treat severe seizures – has been permitted only for use by researchers in clinical trials.
State Rep. Jon Echols said the measure “is the next logical step to expanding the state’s highly successful CBD program” and has helped “hundreds if not thousands” of Oklahoma citizens.
“In the history of the program there have been no reported incidents of abuse,” the Republican said in the report. “This non-intoxicating substance has literally changed the lives of many Oklahomans.”
Next year Oklahomans will have the opportunity to legalize a more comprehensive regime via State Question 788, a statewide referendum, which will not be affected by the definition change.
“This makes it clear that if the FDA does approve a cannabidiol drug for use for medical treatment, that it would be legal,” Echols said.
Last month, the Oklahoma Supreme Court threw out a rewrite of the State Question 788 by then-Attorney General Scott Pruitt but did not offer an explanation. Ryan Kiesel, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma said Pruitt’s rewrite was meant to mislead voters.
Traveling can be extremely stressful with all of the planning, budgeting, airports, and crowds. What’s worse is having to worry about traveling with your medication and/or vaporizer devices.
A recent mixup on the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) website has drawn attention to this important issue in the post-prohibition landscape. TSA is obligated to report any violations of federal law. Since federal laws still label cannabis illegal, they state on their website, “TSA security officers do not search for marijuana or other drugs. In the event a substance that appears to be an illegal herb is observed during security screening, TSA will refer the matter to a law enforcement officer.”
Until federal laws make the big change we are all waiting for, we still need to be careful when it comes to traveling. None of the federal agencies will be pro-pot until the laws change. Even when they do, it won’t be a cakewalk. We have seen these same issues tackled with alcohol and cigarettes: it is just a matter of time until we will be able to travel with marijuana — but only with a very specific amount, sealed up in a plastic baggie.
But the age of vaporizers and concentrates is upon us! Many companies have created products that will not only improve your everyday life but your traveling experience as well. Travel vaporizers make long journeys a breeze for patients who rely on consistent holistic treatments.
Portability and discretion are very important when traveling, which makes these types of products the perfect accessory. You will want your vape pens to be small, easy-to-use, and easily concealable. When it comes to packing your luggage, a vape pen can fit almost anywhere. While having one of these devices may make things easier, it is important to know when and where you can have it. The laws are still behind the times and you need to be careful.
Many companies offer kits that come equipped with everything the traveling patient might need – unit, charger, container and spare parts, all packed into one case. We’ve entered an era where vaporizing has become much more accepted in society, especially as an alternative to smoking. Electronic cigarettes are permitted in public areas and are allowed on most airplanes, (obviously, as long as you follow the law – vaporizing only in designated areas, not in commercial vehicles or buildings).
If you’re considering bringing medical cannabis onto a flight, the safest option is, of course, to just not do it. If you have a serious medical condition and need to have marijuana with you, you could disclose that to TSA — but the government ultimately reserves the right to enforce the law, and that may be the only argument you need when trying to decide whether or not to bring your stash.
Canada’s federal cannabis legalization plan does not include provisions providing general amnesty for past convictions of low-level possession, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said in a Canadian Pressreport.
“That’s not an item that’s on the agenda at the moment,” he said, adding that until the legalization bill is passed current laws pertaining to cannabis possession, use, and sale “need to be respected.”
According to Public Safety Canada, suspending criminal records during the legalization discussions would be “important to consider;” and the C.D. Howe Institute, a Canadian public policy think tank, has recommended that the government consider pardoning people with prior cannabis convictions in order to free up resources necessary once the legalization scheme rolls out.
In a policy paper released last year, the institute opined that legalization could initially result in an increase in cannabis consumption, and the need for more police enforcement and monitoring, which could force more government spending.
“This discussion suggests that dropping charges against individuals for illegal possession who have no other Criminal Code convictions or charges, would save considerable government resources without other significant offsetting adverse spillovers,” the paper stated. “Similarly, the federal government should consider pardoning individuals who have been convicted for illegal possession but have not been convicted or charged for any other Criminal Code offense.”
Under current Canadian law, individuals convicted of possessing up to 30 grams of cannabis are able to apply for a record suspension five years after their sentence is completed; however, there is no guarantee for a pardon.
The final rules governing some key aspects of Ohio’s medical cannabis program have been released, with only minor changes to the rules proposed in November, Cleveland.comreports. The new scheme increases the number of available cultivation licenses from 18 to 24 and opts to award the licenses to the best applicants statewide rather than divide the state into four regions.
Half of the available cultivation licenses would be for grows up to 3,000 square feet, while the other half would be for grows up to 25,000 square feet. The Department of Commerce could be able to further expand the number of licenses or square footage for grows beginning in September 2018.
The cultivator rules, which also deal with application and licensing fees for dispensaries, processors and testing laboratories, cleared the legislature’s Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review without objection. Other rules and regulations for processors, labs, and dispensaries in Ohio are still being revised.
The new rules also don’t automatically disqualify individuals with a first-degree misdemeanor conviction from obtaining a license or from working as a dispensary employee so long as the conviction or guilty plea was more than 5 years ago.
Attorney David Patton said that provision doesn’t set a hard line between which offenses would disqualify a person from participating in the industry and could be setting up the state for a lawsuit.
“Nobody wants criminals involved in the medical marijuana program, but the fact is most of the people who understand this industry have been engaged in medical marijuana activities and recreational activities for decades,” he said in the report.
Justin Hunt, the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program chief operating officer, argued that the list of offenses is clearly laid out in the rules.
The final version of all of the rules must be in place by Sept. 8.
Iowa’s state Senate has advanced the Compassionate Use of Cannabis Act that would replace the state’s existing, albeit limited, regime and enact a more comprehensive program, the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courierreports. If passed by the Assembly and signed by the governor, the legislation would allow the cultivation and manufacture of medical cannabis products and set up a network of dispensaries; doctors would be able to make recommendations for medical cannabis use for approved qualifying conditions.
Democratic State Sen. Matt McCoy said that many people who advocated for the legislation have died waiting for the legislature to act.
“I think this is the right thing to do,” he said in the report.
Under the measure, up to four licensed manufacturers would be permitted to possess, cultivate, transport, or supply medical cannabis, while up to 12 dispensaries would be licensed to distribute to patients. According to the bill, manufacturers would be licensed by July 2, 2018, and dispensaries by July 26, 2018. Both manufacturers and dispensaries would pay a non-refundable $15,000 fee.
A medical cannabis advisory board comprised of nine health care practitioners and three patients or primary caregivers would be responsible for adding additional conditions.
The bill passed the Assembly 45-5 and now moves to the House where support is reportedly uncertain.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has signed legislation legalizing the use of CBD oil for any medical condition so long as the patient is certified by a doctor, the Journal Sentinelreports. Supporters say the law will ease fears of possible arrest for individuals and families with children who use CBD oil treatments.
“Today, we’re making it easier for people in our state to obtain CBD oil without a psychoactive effect to treat a medical condition as advised by their doctor,” the Republican governor said in the report.
The move expands the state’s limited medical cannabis regime, known as Lydia’s Law, enacted in 2014, which allows families and individuals to obtain CBD oil in extremely limited cases. However, the law was so restrictive that few were able to take advantage of the program, which bars in-state medical cannabis production and requires patients to obtain the oil either online or in a neighboring state with a more comprehensive medical cannabis program, such as Michigan.
There are proposals in both houses of the state legislature that would legalize a more complete medical cannabis program in Wisconsin, including in-state production and a system of dispensaries. Both of those bills (AB.75/SB.38) are in their respective health committees but have so far failed to gain the support of Republicans who comprise the majority in the legislature. Walker also does not support broadening the medical cannabis program.
Seven years ago, Franco Brockelman’s mom was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. Watching her pain grow from an annoyance to a chronic condition, with endless treatments being unable to provide her with relief, he suggested an alternative that he was almost sure she wouldn’t go for — cannabis.
After convincing her to try the stigmatized plant, Brockelman researched strains that would hopefully help. He stumbled upon a strain called “Master Kush,” which, from online reviews, appeared to have all the necessary “ingredients” to target her specific medical issues. Unfortunately, it only caused her sleeplessness and an increase in pain.
“The strain names, unfortunately, don’t mean a lot,” said Brockelman. “The idea of Blue Dream being the same everywhere is a wonderful idea, but unfortunately it just isn’t the case.”
Brockelman realized that a better resource was needed for understanding cannabis strains and to determine what would actually provide his mom the comfort she needed — a resource that was able to factor in the numerous differences between individuals and the strains they were consuming.
“We wanted to create a tool that took into account the range of users that were consuming these strains,” said Branden Hall, co-founder and CTO of Releaf. “For instance, some people are missing an enzyme that causes them to have no reaction to edibles. The endocannabinoid system is incredibly complex and while other drugs have had centuries of studies, we are in a situation where we know this helps people, but we don’t have a system in place to keep track.”
The Releaf team from left to right: Franco Brockelman, CEO & Founding Partner; Keenan Keeling, Co-Founder & COO; and Branden Hall, Founding Partner & CTO.
The app allows users to detail the strain of cannabis they’re trying in real time, track their successes/failures with each strain, and share their results with other users — all while maintaining the consumers’ privacy.
Brockelman and Hall went on to explain that there are a number of other issues associated with the strain and how it is grown that can make it difficult for patients to figure out what is going to be the best treatment for them. These issues could include pesticide use, factoring in the chemotype of the strain, or whether or not certain terpenes are present.
“We have decades of misinformation to fight against,” said Hall. “In the past, the growing process was pushed towards garnering high THC content, but with a fuller profile the plant feels vastly different.”
In order to expand their tool from the individual user to a wider audience, Releaf has recently partnered with dispensaries, such as Takoma Wellness, to disseminate the information patterns that are appearing on their app.
“Patients at Takoma record their sessions in the app and they have a nice log of what’s working for them. We take those and roll them up for Takoma by symptom. So, if you have arthritis, here is what is working for that and here’s what isn’t,” said Brockelman. “And when we say it is local, it is about what that dispensary has. This specific Blue Dream, grown on this plot of land, with these nutrients, that has expressed itself in this way.”
Partnered dispensaries are also able put their information into the app, which creates an important feedback loop for the industry.
“This partnership provides our patients with a unique experience to make informed decisions about their medicine,” said Stephanie Kahn, president of the Takoma Wellness Center. “Since cannabis use is such an individual experience, often utilizing a trial by error process that can be overwhelming, the Releaf app allows Takoma Wellness Center an excellent opportunity to emphasize the importance of patient education and an excellent and individualized tool with which to provide it.”
While they continue to grow their app and the resources it provides, Releaf recognizes the importance of keeping their user experience centered on the individual patient.
“As more and more people appreciate the safety of cannabis and what it can do for the human body, I think there is just going to be more and more excitement around it,” said Hall. “We just want to help drive that to a personal responsibility and mindfulness standpoint because, in our experience, people taking their health into their own hands and exploring what cannabis can do for them is what drives towards positive outcomes.”
To learn more about the Releaf app and their new dispensary program, visit releafapp.com or download the app from the Apple app store and Google Play.
Majority of Americans Favor Legalization, Few Fear the Police
Toronto, ON – Just in time for 4/20 or World Cannabis Day, DIG Insights, a leading global research firm, has released its Cannabis Culture Report, an extensive research initiative on marijuana use in North America encompassing public attitudes on usage, legalization and much more.
“Our goal was to create a custom research report that would serve as a benchmark for the growing Cannabis industry, legislators and other interested parties,” said Rory McGee, research director, DIG Insights, Inc.
Legalization
The majority of Americans (57%) support legalization, and support is highest among men (61%), particularly younger men (79%), and Millennials overall (68%). Among current users in states where marijuana is not currently legal, 37% say they are likely to consume more marijuana after it’s legalized.
Only 16% of Americans believe marijuana is “very harmful”, which is lower than alcohol (27%), processed sugar (23%) and saturated fat (33%). A majority (51%) believes consumption can be beneficial, while only 32% believe that regular users are less successful in life. However, 25% report having a close friend or family member whose life was negatively affected by marijuana.
Usage
Among the findings, approximately 2 out of every 10 Americans (22%) have used recreational marijuana in the past year and an additional 24% would potentially use it if it became legal. Usage is highest among people aged 18-34 (30%) and those who are making less than $60K (27%). Nearly 11% of men in this age group report smoking marijuana daily.
Those who currently use marijuana report they do so to reduce stress and relieve anxiety (24%) or to promote relaxation and wellbeing (31%). Interestingly, while smoking remains the most common form of consumption, 54% have tried edibles, indicating a growing market opportunity for producers. Younger users are also more likely to have tried Vaping.
Activities
When people are high they are most likely to watch television (52%), eat (45%), listen to music (41%), socialize (33%) or drink alcohol (31%). Younger people were less likely to combine marijuana with alcohol as compared to those over 35.
Purchase
Most Americans get their marijuana by purchasing it directly (53%), while others consume what they get from others (26%), and 21% report having a friend or family member purchase it on their behalf. Those that purchase typically buy a quarter ounce or less. The average price is $10/gram. Where legal, 57% purchase at a dispensary. Most (42%), however, purchase at someone’s residence. A large majority (73%) report feeling very safe when purchasing marijuana and half say they’re never concerned about police intervention.
For more information or to order a copy of the Cannabis Culture Report for either the USA or Canada, please click here or email 420@diginsights.com.
About the study:
Dig Insights Inc., a market research firm based in Toronto, Canada, conducted this study on marijuana usage and attitudes. Responses were collected online between April 3 and 7, 2017. The survey sampled n=1,108 Canadians and n=1,105 Americans aged 18-65 sourced from Research Now’s leading panel. Results have been weighted to reflect census proportions for age, gender and region in both countries. The margins of error are +/- 2.9% in each country.
Editorial Note: For infographics, please visit: http://www.diginsights.com/dig420. For interviews, please contact Ann Willets at prproann@gmail.com or call (908) 433-7821.
Colorado lawmakers have backed away from a plan to legalize social cannabis clubs statewide following disapproval voiced by Gov. John Hickenlooper, who said that the move could attract a crackdown from the Trump Administration, according to an Associated Press report.
The proposal originated in the Colorado Senate, where it was approved last month with bipartisan support, but House lawmakers ultimately turned down the measure.
Gov. Hickenlooper said last month that he would veto any cannabis club measure allowing indoor smoking that came across his desk, arguing that “given the uncertainty in Washington … this is not the year to be out there carving off new turf and expand markets and make dramatic statements about marijuana.”
There are currently an estimated 30 cannabis clubs active in Colorado, all of which exist as private clubs operating under a patchwork of local laws.
The social use measure would have been the first statewide acceptance of social cannabis clubs.
The legislature’s retreat, however, demonstrates the uncertainty felt by lawmakers in legalized states about the Trump Administration, who has so far refrained from making a firm statement one way or another about its stance on the cannabis legalization laws that have been passed in Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, California, Nevada, Massachusetts, Maine, and Washington D.C.
Colorado lawmakers passed a measure earlier this month to ban cooperative cannabis grows in the state, which had allowed people to assist others in the home-growing of cannabis.
Department of Homeland Security John Kelly said Sunday that cannabis is a non-factor in the current war on drugs. According to a Fortune report, Kelly said that the nation’s biggest drug issues stem from other, harder substances.
When asked in a Meet the Press interview how the spread of cannabis legalization might affect federal drug enforcement, Kelly told NBC News’ Chuck Todd that, “Marijuana is not a factor in the drug war.”
“It’s three things,” Kelly said. “Methamphetamine, almost all produced in Mexico. Heroin, virtually all produced in Mexico. And cocaine that comes up from further south.”
Kelly suggested the solution to illegal drug use in the U.S. is not arresting drug users; instead, he called for implementing a “comprehensive drug demand reduction program … that involves every man and woman of goodwill.”
Kelly’s words could come as a relief for legalized states following several months spent wondering how the Trump Administration might interact with the legal cannabis industry. Despite running for the presidency on a platform of reducing government control and being a political outsider, President Trump continues to appoint career politicians who are established prohibitionists.
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is an outspoken marijuana critic who said last month that cannabis is only “slightly less awful” than heroin, though Sessions suggested that he is unlikely to make significant changes to the federal government’s current marijuana enforcement strategies.
Last week, the Trump Administration tabbed prohibitionist Pennsylvania Rep. Tom Marino for the position of drug czar. Marino is expected to resign from his post in Congress and — if confirmed by Congress — will head up the Office of National Drug Policy.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, a Republican, has signed into law a bill that undoes recent cannabis decriminalization measures in the state’s two largest cities, the Tennessean reports.
Voters in Nashville and Memphis embraced the decriminalization of cannabis last year, both of which gave police officers the option of issuing tickets for small-time marijuana possession in place of making arrests. Republican state lawmakers, however, pushed a bill to the governor’s desk that says state law overrides local law in regards to Class B misdemeanors and above, under which cannabis possession falls. This means that those measures — and the Tennessee voters who backed them — are no longer valid.
Rep. William Lamberth, a Republican from Cottontown and one of the bill’s primary sponsors, said of the decriminalization measures, “You can’t allow an officer at their whim to treat two different individuals who have potentially committed the same crime in drastically different ways depending on what that officer feels like at a given time.”
“You just can’t have cities creating their own criminal code, willy-nilly,” Lamberth said.
Reports have indicated that police in Nashville and Memphis did not take much advantage of the change in local laws, despite their popularity among the cities’ voters. In fact, the majority of marijuana incidents in Memphis were still resulting in misdemeanor arrests.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has unveiled his plan for fulfilling the campaign promise of adult-use cannabis legalization in Canada, the New York Times reports.
Under Trudeau’s legislation, which is expected to take effect approximately one year from now, cannabis cultivation and processing licenses will be issued by the federal government — similar to the country’s medical cannabis regime. Provinces, however, will determine how distribution of the plant will work within their borders. Both government-run stores and specially licensed dispensaries are predicted, but it will be left up to each province to decide.
The federal age requirement to purchase and consume cannabis will be set at 18, though local governments could raise that restriction on a province-by-province basis — as many have done with alcohol. Eligible adults will also be allowed up to four homegrown cannabis plants per household. However, growing and/or selling cannabis without a license would remain a serious criminal offense, according to Bill Blair, the lawmaker who was tasked with crafting the legislation by PM Trudeau last year.
“Criminal prohibition has failed to protect our kids and our communities,” Blair said.
According to a CBC report, the legalization plan is accompanied by another bill that strengthens measures preventing impaired driving. Lawmakers’ plan is to establish a reliable means of checking for cannabis impairment so that drivers and workers who are involved in accidents can be properly screened for intoxication.
Blair, a former Toronto police chief, also said that the legalization plan will not promote cannabis use in any way. Instead, “It [focuses] entirely on how to reduce the social and health harms associated [with] cannabis in its production, distribution and consumption,” he said during a news conference after the bills were introduced. “And that focus enables us to avoid many of the pitfalls that other jurisdictions have experienced, where the focus was primarily on maximizing revenue.”
The government may also consider restrictions that would limit the cannabis industry to only plain product packaging. Brendan Kennedy, President of the Canadian medical cannabis producer Tilray, said that his company will ask for the ability to develop brands through distinctive packaging. “Otherwise it will be a race to the bottom, as companies will compete only based on potency and price,” he told the Times.
Eight U.S. states and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis for recreational use. Canada will be the second nation in the world to fully embrace adult-use legislation; Uruguay, the first nation to do so, is expected to begin sales of recreational cannabis this summer.
Due to federal uncertainty, Guam’s gubernatorial administration has pulled a bill that would have legalized adult cannabis possession and use in the U.S. territory from consideration, Pacific News Centerreports. According to Eric Palacios, special assistant to Gov. Eddie Clavo, the move doesn’t necessarily mean the plan is dead but just temporarily on hold.
“We are suspending our efforts, and we are not terminating what we originally intended to do via the introduction of the bill,” Palacios said in the report. “And so, until we get a clearer picture of where things stand on the federal side, especially in light of the Attorney General’s pronouncement, we don’t feel it would be prudent moving forward.”
Palacios indicated that if the decision is made to permanently table the measure, lawmakers could consider introducing legislation to allow for home cultivation of medical cannabis – something Calvo would support.
According to the governor’s Communications Director Oyal Ngirairkl, the suspension “is meant to give lawmakers time to better understand the Trump administration’s still evolving stance on this and the result of actions other U.S. jurisdictions are taking.”
Under the legalization plan, sales taxes would have been used to help sustain Guam’s 2014 voter-approved medical cannabis regime, which has been stalled due to complications developing regulations.
There has been a relatively recent surge of interestin using medical cannabis to treat pediatric epilepsy, which has created a firestorm between U.S. lawmakers and parents and caregivers, who are demanding access for their children. But the promise of cannabis treatment for epilepsy is nothing new – in fact, using cannabis to treat pediatric epilepsy was first brought to light thousands of years ago. Reflecting on this history may help understand the situation we’ve ended up in today.
Medical cannabis in ancient times
Cannabis was first used for medicinal purposes in China around 2700 BCE. Following suit, people in the Middle East, India, and Egypt also began incorporating cannabis into medical remedies. However, an Arabic physician named al-Mayusi is first credited with advocating for the use of cannabis to treat epilepsy in the 11th century.
East to West
Sir William Brooke O’Shaughnessy, considered the founder of medicinal marijuana, brought cannabis to Europe in the 19th century following his studies in India. He published a case report of a 40-day-old infant who he successfully treated with a cannabis tincture.
Following O’Shaughnessy’s findings, Sir William Gowers and Sir John Russel Reynolds treated epilepsy patients with cannabis as an adjunctive treatment to bromide, an anticonvulsant used at the time.
A wild cannabis plant growing in an arid environment. Photo Credit: MarihuanayMedicina
Twentieth-century pharmaceuticals
By the 20th century, cannabis had made its way to North America, and, in the 1930s and 1940s, researchers began studying cannabis compounds and isolating them for pharmaceuticals. However, in 1970, the US Controlled Substance Act prohibited cannabis use and productionin response to a troubled sociocultural climate. So while science was making breakthroughs in understanding the molecular structure of cannabis compounds, those who could potentially benefit from the drug were prohibited from taking it.
But now it’s 2017, nearly 30 thirty years later. As a fallout from the infamous Drug War, medical cannabis use remains prohibited in many U.S. states; even in states where medical cannabis is legal, there are different rules and regulations that may limit access to the drug.
We are closer than ever to getting a clinically proven cannabis treatment approved by the FDA — which is its own potential controversy — but at least there are now several trials underway testing the effects of cannabis on pediatric epilepsy.
A doctor’s tools of the trade. Photo Credit: Andrew Malone
A recent statement from the American Epilepsy Society (AES) offers the following for parents and caregivers: “The anecdotal reports of positive effects of the marijuana derivative CBD for some individuals with treatment-resistant epilepsy give reason for hope. However, we must remember that anecdotal reports alone are not sufficient to support treatment decisions…AES urges all people touched by epilepsy to consult with an epilepsy specialist and explore the many existing treatment options, so that they can make informed decisions with their specialist that weighs the risks and benefits of the different treatment options.”
Hopefully, in a year or two, we will realize a future of cannabis and pediatric epilepsy following the approval of new, cannabinoid-based therapies.
Key lawmakers in Vermont’s Senate have indicated that they will not support a legalization plan being circulated in the House because it “reinforces a black market approach rather than… [a] more streamlined, regulated system,” Senate President Pro Tem Tim Ashe said in a Vermont Public Radioreport.
The House plan, which was approved by the chamber’s Judiciary Committee but pulled by House leadership after it was clear it would not pass, would have legalized possession of up to 1 ounce of cannabis by adults 21-and-older, and allowed them to grow up to two mature and seven immature plants.
Democratic state Sen. Jeannette White, chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Government Operations and supporter of legalization, said she “can’t imagine” a scenario in which the Senate would pass the House proposal, adding that the measure “does nothing to decrease the black market.”
“It in fact encourages it, because now you’re going to be able to have a certain amount, or an increased amount, and it will be completely legal,” White said in the report. “There’s no place for you to get it, so it’s going to increase the underground market.”
According to the report, last year the Senate passed a measure that would have legalized a taxed and regulated recreational cannabis system in the state; however that bill failed in the House.
Ashe indicated that the Senate could choose to pass a similar tax-and-regulate bill before this session ends, which could become a priority when lawmakers return for the second half of the biennium in 2018.
“To be honest, I think people are tired of this conversation going on and on and on. And it’s something that we just need to do,” White said. “We’ve been talking about this forever and people out there are tired of us dragging out feet and not getting anything done.”
Pennsylvania has issued the proposed rules for governing doctors under the state’s medical cannabis regime, which is expected to launch in 2018. The program covers 17 chronic conditions, allowing cannabis to be dispensed as pills, oils, a liquid that can be vaporized, and topicals, the Morning Callreports.
The rules require physicians to complete a four-hour training program on medical cannabis but they cannot advertise their ability to make recommendations. According to Becky Dansky, legislative counsel for the Marijuana Policy Project, those rules are designed to dissuade doctors from becoming “stereotypical pot docs” that will issue recommendations to almost anyone for a set price.
Doctors must also sign up to the state registry which Dansky said could limit participation in the program.
“Asking them to put their name on a list increases the odds of those doctors not participating,” she said in the report. “And when doctors don’t participate, patient access is hindered. A better option would have been to require registration of doctors who are submitting a significant number of recommendations per month.”
Other considerations include prohibiting doctors from prescribing cannabis to themselves or their family, or from holding any economic stake in medical cannabis cultivation or dispensary operations, and requiring doctors at dispensaries to notify the recommending physician if the patient has an adverse reaction. Recommending doctors must also be qualified to treat one of the 17 conditions allowed under the state regime.
The Department of Health is currently seeking comments on the proposals.
Recently I was vending at a popup sesh in Sacramento. One of the things I love about doing these is checking out the other vendors and all the innovative cannabis products coming out. During the evening someone gave me a bottle of something – a tincture or syrup. It sounded great while the guy told me about it, but by the next day I’d pretty much forgotten what he said.
So I pulled out the bottle. It was colorful and attractive, and on the back it told me how many calories, fat and grams of sugar were in it — but the rest of the writing was faded and in such a strange font it was hard to read. I finally figured out it was called Purple Panther Elixir. On the front, there was also some obscure print that said “Mike B” and “The Grim Reaper,” neither of which seemed to be relevant to the product. Nowhere on the bottle could I find out what was in it or how much to take. It found a home on my kitchen shelf, and there it still sits.
One of the most common things I see among new businesses is confusion about their focus. Many entrepreneurs put a great deal of time into designing beautiful, bright labels, but neglect the lettering or else name it something so obscure that only a select niche of people will get the reference.
Now that cannabis is becoming mainstream, more and more people are curious about the benefits of this plant, but unlike the people who work in the industry, many are novices. Some things need to be spelled out:
What is it?
What is it for?
How much should I take?
Beautiful labels are nice, but your product isn’t a work of art that someone needs to ponder like a metaphor. Consumers want to know what they are getting and they want to know it pretty quickly.
Many brands are taking a more modern, streamlined approach to their packaging with a simple design and easily recognizable logo. It might be worthwhile to hire a graphic designer for this part. Sometimes we’re so close to our product that it’s hard to conceptualize a visual symbol, whereas an outsider can sometimes see more clearly what’s needed.
However you decide to approach your packaging, the number one rule should be pretty standard: it needs to be clear and concise so your customers know what they’re getting — and it needs to be compelling enough that they want it. Take some time to truly define your brand: identify your ideal customer, and don’t try to do too much. Keeping things simple is often the most effective way.
Pennsylvania Rep. Tom Marino has been tabbed to serve as drug czar by the Trump Administration, according to a CBS News report. The appointment will see Marino resign from Congress and head up the Office of National Drug Policy Control advising President Donald Trump on drug policy issues.
According to a Washington Postreport, Marino is viewed as a hardliner on drug issues, and once indicated that he’d like to see nonviolent drug offenders put in a “hospital-slash-prison.” MassRootsreports that since 2011 Marino has voted three times against amendments to both prohibit the Department of Justice from interfering with state medical cannabis laws and allowing military veterans to obtain medical cannabis recommendations from Department of Veterans Affairs doctors. Marino also voted against a law to protect CBD programs from federal crackdowns and has at least twice opposed industrial hemp legislation.
“One treatment option I have advocated for years would be placing nondealer, nonviolent drug abusers in a secured hospital-type setting under the constant care of health professionals,” he wrote in May 2016 testimony to the House Ways and Means Committee. “Once the person agrees to plead guilty to possession, he or she will be placed in an intensive treatment program until experts determine that they should be released under intense supervision. If this is accomplished, then the charges are dropped against that person. The charges are only filed to have an incentive for that person to enter the hospital-slash-prison, if you want to call it.”
In an October interview with the Sun-Gazette, Marino indicated that he is “a states’ rights guy” but would only agree to consider legalizing cannabis if there were “a really in-depth medical scientific study.”
“If it does help people one way or another, then produce it in pill form … You can’t smoke it for this, but you take a pill,” he said. “But don’t make an excuse because you want to smoke marijuana. Look what’s happening to states and cities who are legalizing it. They are running into a lot of problems.”
As drug czar, Marino will have less influence than his “Just Say No” counterpart, Attorney General Jeff Sessions; however, the office over which he now presides is responsible for coordinating drug control strategy and federal government funding.
The growing number of cannabis users in California continues to bring about an abundance of new and diverse consumers who span across all walks of life. Such was certainly the case at the 2nd Annual 420 Games at the Santa Monica Pier. On April 2nd, 2017, participants gathered together for a fun-fueled day of sun, sand, exercise, and amazing meds.
Registration began at 7:30 a.m. as runners, walkers, bike enthusiasts, rollerbladers, and skateboarders entered the northern lot and prepared for the 4.2-mile route across the sun-filled beachscape. Before things began, guests were welcome to partake in a warm-up yoga session (hosted by FlavRx) to loosen up for the impending course. 9 a.m. marked the time for people to gather at the starting line. A few selfies and stretches later, along with some encouraging words by the 420 Games Lead Coordinator Jim McAlpine, and all were on the move.
From the pier, it was off to the Boardwalk of Venice Beach where participants could recuperate, rehydrate, and prepare for the journey back. Once back at the pier, event goers were treated to a wide mix of over a hundred vendors and exhibitors providing everything from infused topical creams, CBD infusions, and a plethora of samplings. To name just a few: Endohack Labs, Jambo Superfoods, Swerve Confections, Be Trū Organics, THC Design, Dro-tein Cannabis Powder, Lola Lola, Anakatrina’s Edibles, Sensi Chew, Neuro Armour, CannaKids, Buds And Roses Collective, MedMen, Venice Relief, Advanced Nutrients — and many more.
Ex-NFL players Nate Jackson, Eben Britton, Boo Williams, and Kyle Turley visited to share their insights on cannabis in sports activities, and the BMX Pros Trick Team kept the crowd entertained with high-flying feats. Craft beer samplings were also made available to drink ticket holders from Lagunitas Beer Tasting.
According to event organizer Jim McAlpine,
“We’re absolutely thrilled to be here again. The 2nd LA 420 Games has exceeded our expectations and increased exponentially from last year. The sheer number of positive people who’ve attended makes it all worthwhile. We’re all extremely thankful to the volunteers, guests, and contributors who came together to change the face of cannabis and make this event possible.”
The official event drew to a close at 2pm; however, what’s a great event without a great after party?
Quality Concentrates hosted the event, where party-goers were able to indulge in live music, free samplings, and more good vibes. Exhibitors at the after party included: Papa & Barkley, Hotnife vape cartridges, Grandma’s Goodies Delivery, hmbldt, Xtractology, Betty Khronic, Med-ePen, Whoopi & Maya, Honey Vape, The Cannabis Method Delivery, and Om Edibles.
As laws change and the general perception of cannabis progresses toward wider acceptance, we’ll see the stigma that has impeded the industry deteriorate more. Long gone are the days of the stereotypical stoner — today’s cannabis users (and products) are more sophisticated than ever.
A big thank you to all who made the 2nd Annual 420Games at Santa Monica Pier such an amazing event. The 420Games will be conducting additional events as they tour throughout the country. For more information on the 420Games and any of their upcoming events, visit 420games.org.
420stock.com is an online platform dedicated to providing all of the ancillary products needed to help a cannabis dispensary run smoothly.
420 Stock offers a wide array of product packaging options — including storage and packaging for cannabis flower, concentrates, tinctures, and pre-roll products — as well as a host of other cannabis-related items, such as lighters, grinders, digital scales, humidity packs, vaporizer cartridges, and more.
A mixed sampling of the goods and products available at 420stock.com.
Entrepreneur Casey Knott originally dabbled in the cannabis space by founding a Sacramento medical cannabis delivery service in 2014, but the apparent need for a simplified dispensary supplies distributor eventually steered Knott down a different path and he founded 420stock.com in October 2016.
“Hands down, the most rewarding part of my work at 420 Stock is meeting and networking with like-minded entrepreneurs in the industry,” said Knott. “We have received a significant response from dispensaries and business owners locally here in Northern California; we have plans to expand to other markets and are looking to take on investors in our first series of venture capital financing. ”
420Stock’s CEO and founder Casey Knott loads a box at the company’s Sacramento warehouse location.
Many have characterized the cannabis reform movement to the California Gold Rush of the 1800s — in turn, Knott dubs his company the “pick and shovel sellers” of the modern ‘Green Rush.’ 420 Stock directly manufactures many of the products they retail, which gives the company an advantage over many other dispensary supplies distributors.
“Our aim is to be the low-price leader, and get products in people’s hands cheaper than anyone else,” Knott said.
But, while costs are a key consideration for the team at 420stock.com, the quality — and variety — of products are not sacrificed to keep prices low. Furthermore, 420 Stock can ship from its Sacramento, California warehouse location to any state in the U.S. and offers free shipping on orders costing $250 or more.
Visit 420stock.com to browse through the company’s many dispensary supply solutions and find exactly what you’re looking for, or to inquire further you can call 1-844-420-7862 during normal business hours for more information.
A Santa Fe, New Mexico judge has overruled a New Mexico Department of Health sanction against a medical cannabis dispensary after the department ordered the shop to close because it displayed a cannabis plant at the state fair in violation of rules requiring cannabis to “be housed on secured grounds,” the Albuquerque Journalreports.
First Judicial District Court Judge David Thompson ruled that the Health Department’s decision to impose a five-day suspension on Ultra Health over the display of “Dorothy” was “excessive and without much support in law or regulation”; although he said the company’s decision to display the seedling was “at the very best misguided.”
“The seedling should be treated as medicine and not an item for show and tell,” Thompson wrote in his order.
Duke Rodriguez, CEO of Ultra Health, said the Health Department order would have forced his shop to close from April 17-21 which coincides with “four-twenty” and would have cost him $200,000 in lost revenues.
“We’re very happy that the judge ordered this stay,” Rodriguez said in the report. “Those are literally the five busiest days of the year.”
Department of Health spokesman Paul Rhien indicated that the stay is only temporary until a full hearing is scheduled, and called the suspension “appropriate action for discipline based on the rules governing the program.”
Ultra Health was also fined $100. The full hearing has not yet been scheduled.
