Bill to Allow MMJ for PTSD Moving Forward in Colorado

2/01/2017

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A bill allowing medical cannabis use as a post-traumatic stress disorder therapy is set to be introduced this session in Colorado, according to a report from the Associated Press. But if history is any indication it’s likely going to be tough sledding – the state’s Medical Board has rejected PTSD as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis at least four times.

If approved, PTSD patients would be moved into the state’s medical cannabis program, which would allow them to purchase cannabis outside of the heavily taxed adult-use program. So far, 19 states have approved PTSD as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis use.

Sen. Irene Aguilar, the bill sponsor who worked for 23 years as a primary care provider for Denver Health and Hospitals before her election, said the measure would “allow physicians to put marijuana in their toolbox if they so choose.”

“There is an institutional bias against marijuana in the medical profession,” she said in the report.

Since 2015, the state Health Department has earmarked about $3.3 million for medical cannabis studies aimed at developing PTSD treatments, which includes an observational study of 76 military veterans.

Colorado’s roll of 100,000 registered medical cannabis patients has remained stable since the 2012 passage of adult-use laws.    

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The Maine State House in Augusta, Maine.

Maine Gov. Moves Adult-Use Oversight to Alcohol & Lottery Agency via Executive Order

2/01/2017

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Maine Gov. Paul LePage has signed an executive order giving the state Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages & Lottery Operations the responsibility of governing the adult-use cannabis industry, circumventing the legislature who rejected the proposal last week in a bill that delayed the implementation of the program three months, the Bangor Daily News reports. Under the measure passed by voters last November, the state Department of Agriculture was tasked with the industry oversight responsibility.

The order also forbids the executive branch from spending any more money on setting up the adult-use regime until the Legislature greenlights appropriations. The governor urged lawmakers to include $1.6 million in appropriations in last week’s legislative move, but that too was excluded from the package.

The executive order comes as the Republican LePage battles with Democratic House Speaker Sara Gideon over the issue – upset that his amendments were not included in the bill passed by lawmakers last week. However, before the order, Gideon introduced a bill that would have moved the oversight to Alcohol & Lottery Bureau, and appropriated the $1.6 million requested by the governor.

According to LePage, the funds are necessary to set up regulations, hire consultants, and possibly hire new state government employees.

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NuggMD Announces Plans to Expand MMJ Telehealth Service Outside California

1/31/2017

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LOS ANGELES, CA — NuggMD provides California medical marijuana patients with the evaluation and documentation services that they need in order to access nearly every corner of the medical cannabis industry from the comfort of their own home.

Through NuggMD’s online 420 evaluation services, over 30,000 state residents have been registered as medical marijuana patients with the help of multiple California-board licensed doctors. Soon, people living outside of the state of California will be able to use NuggMD’s telehealth services, giving them a quick and easy opportunity to become a registered medical marijuana patient without having to visit a doctor in person.

NuggMD’s telehealth service is very simple. When a person goes to NuggMD.com and applies as a first-time patient or registers for a renewal, they can fill out a short medical questionnaire and, optionally, upload any existing documentation they have about their condition. Once they’ve sent these in, they’re connected to a face-to-face video chat with a doctor who can speak to them in more detail about their medical conditions, the symptoms they are experiencing, and how medical marijuana can be used to treat or soothe their ailments. Doctors are available for patients from 8 am to 10 pm, leaving room for evaluation flexibility.

The entire process takes from 10 to 15 minutes. When a patient is approved, that same day they are mailed an official 8.5 x 11 inch doctor’s letter of recommendation, complete with the doctor’s signature and officially recognized raised seal. The packaging used to send these documents is discreet, paying mind to the patient’s confidentiality. To speed things up, patients are able to print the digital PDF version of their recommendation, which will be sent to them immediately via e-mail. Note that this process will likely differ by state, in accordance with local medical cannabis rules and regulations.

Through NuggMD, patients also have the option to apply for a medical marijuana card, which grants the holder all of the same conveniences of a state-issued card, without the connection to a public database. It allows a patient access to dispensaries and protection from law enforcement, except it isn’t tied to an online registry that can be searched by just anyone. Keep in mind, you’ll still have to renew your medical card and doctor’s recommendation every year, as required by California law.

NuggMD works to provide a safe and reliable nationwide service for patients to access medical cannabis without the hefty taxes or fees that normally accompany it. All of these services are available online 24/7 and available for only $39 (may also vary by state). If a patient is not approved for medical marijuana, they will not be charged.

Since recreational marijuana was legalized in Nevada and Alaska, medical patients have sent in hundreds of requests to NuggMD in hopes of being able to use the telehealth services to get the documents they need in order to obtain tax-free medical cannabis. NuggMD’s expansion outside of the state of California will start with these two states, with more states to follow soon.

Not only does NuggMD provide documentation services, its sister service Getnugg.com also helps patients easily connect with nearby dispensaries for delivery services, providing a complete cannabis solution for patients who are unable to navigate the complexities of the fledgling cannabis industry themselves. When a patient completes their online evaluation through NuggMD, they are given a $20 credit to order online, so they can even test out the services for free.

Lastly, be sure to check out the company’s cannabis subscription service Nugg Club, now available monthly or bi-monthly.

Following its expansion to Nevada and Alaska, NuggMD expects to enter each new state as the opportunities arise, making sure patients everywhere are guaranteed safe and stress-free access to alternative medicinal options.

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The LED-powered grow room of a licensed adult use cannabis cultivator in Washington state.

Cannabis Legalization Bill Package Expected This Week in Maryland

1/31/2017

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Democratic lawmakers in Maryland are planning to introduce legislation this week to legalize cannabis for adults 21 and older, the Washington Post reports. Together, the two bills would set up a regulated market and allow adults to grow cannabis in their homes.

The bills are sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Richard Madaleno, and Delegates Curt Anderson and Mary Washington in the House. Madaleno said the reforms would “effectively end the failed policy of cannabis prohibition in Maryland and replace it with a much more sensible system.”

“It establishes a thoughtful regulatory scheme and tax structure based on best practices and lessons learned from other states,” he said in the report.

Under the tax bill, a $30 per ounce excise tax would be levied and paid by cultivators, and retail sales would be taxed 9 percent. Revenues derived from the program would be allocated to substance abuse treatment and prevention programs, workforce development programs, and community school programs.

Lawmakers also have a “Plan B” if the bicameral plan doesn’t gain traction or is voted down. Another bill sponsored by Del. David Moon would put the issue, as a constitutional amendment, to voters in 2018.

“You can smell the inevitability of this in the air,” Moon, a democrat, said.

To date, no state legislature has passed an adult-use legalization measure.

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Lawmakers in the Nevada legislature will determine policy on commercial cannabis clubs.

Nevada Legislature Will Debate Public-Use Measure This Session

1/31/2017

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Nevada State Sen. Tick Segerblom plans to introduce legislation allowing cannabis social clubs to operate under the state’s nascent adult-use scheme, according to a report from the Las Vegas Review-Journal. In addition to the clubs, the measure would allow city and county governments to issue permits for cannabis consumption at bars, concerts, hookah lounges, or even streets and sidewalks.

Segerblom, a Democrat from Las Vegas, said he knows that some officials are hesitant to allow public cannabis use, but granting local control was putting the power in the hands of municipal officials.

“It’s up to them. If they want, they can take 10 years,” he said in the report. “I’m not forcing them to do anything, I’m just giving them the right.”

Clark County Commissioner Mary Beth Scow indicated she has “very serious reservations” about allowing public use when the state hasn’t even developed a regime to govern the adult-use market approved by voters last November.

“Where these other areas are collecting data and seeing how things go, it would be wise for us to watch what happens in other states,” Scow said.

Voters in Denver, Colorado approved a social use measure during the General Election. Officials subsequently ruled that establishments that hold liquor licenses cannot apply for an on-site consumption permit.

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Boulder, Colorado D.A. Joins Policy Group Making Cannabis Recommendations to Feds

1/31/2017

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Boulder, Colorado’s District Attorney Stan Garnett will join a policy group comprised of prosecutors throughout the nation who will advise the Donald Trump administration on cannabis public policy, according to a Daily Camera report. The group, created by the National District Attorney’s Association, consists of 14 district attorneys, of which Garnett is the only active prosecutor from Colorado.

Garnett said, for the most part, the NDAA is still largely conservative and since he is “particularly (liberal) on marijuana” he felt it was important that he was included.

“I think one of the things that happens is that many of the people in states where there is no legalization have a complete misunderstanding of states like Colorado,” he said in the report. “If nothing else, I’m able to say, ‘Wait a minute, this is a huge business in Colorado, it is largely supported by the editorial boards, polls show it was being very popular, and by and large we have not seen an impact on crime rates.’”

He added that it was “bad policy” for people from states without legalization to tell states with legal cannabis regimes how to handle their policies and “it fails to respect the importance of local control and state rights.”

Garnett said that while he was certain Jeff Sessions, if confirmed, would be the recipient of the recommendations of the workgroup, he “[didn’t] know what to expect” from the administration on the issue.

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The capitol building of Minnesota in St. Paul.

Minnesota MMJ Program Needs Extra State Cash

1/31/2017

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Minnesota’s Office of Medical Cannabis has requested more than $500,000 in additional funding over the next two years to cover the costs of its patient database and licensed manufacturer inspections, according to an Associated Press report. The state already covers $1.4 million of the program’s operating costs and hiked the annual registration fee for operators from $94,000 to $146,000 last year trying to rein in costs.

In his budget proposal, Gov. Mark Dayton says the funding is necessary to prevent “[increasing] the cost of medical cannabis to program participants.”

Officials say that the funds will be used to cover higher-than-expected costs for maintenance of the patient registry, and more than 120 state inspections on manufacturers each year. In 2015, the first year of medical cannabis sales, the manufacturers combined to lose more than $5 million.

State Rep. Pat Garofalo, a Republican who plays a key role overseeing the program, plans to introduce legislation that would allow the manufacturers to write off business expenses on their Minnesota tax returns – currently not allowed due to cannabis’ federal drug schedule status.

Andrew Bachman, chief executive of LeafLine Labs, said he wasn’t sure if tax relief would help the company to immediately break-even but expected he would again lose money this year. Kyle Kingsley, CEO of Vireo Health which owns and operates Minnesota Medical Solutions, suggested changes at the federal level would provide a financial boost.

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A licensed ccannabis grow operation in Washington state.

Today Marks the First Day Mainers Can Legally Possess and Grow Cannabis

1/30/2017

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Parts of Maine’s cannabis legalization initiative take effect today as adults over 21 can legally possess, and transfer without remuneration, up to 2.5 ounces of flower, have six mature plants growing in their home and six seedlings, for a total of 12 plants.

The implementation of the program’s sales provisions, however, have already been delayed three months by lawmakers, as both houses of the state’s legislature passed a bill last week that delays the rollout for 90 days. The law also provides for driver license suspension for those found using the drug while driving.

The voter-enacted law also allows for the creation of cannabis social clubs, but those too are delayed while the state develops rules and regulations under which the program will operate. Under the adult-use regime, getting caught using cannabis in public carries a $100 fine.

According to a Portland Press Herald report, about two dozen municipalities have discussed either moratoriums or bans on cannabis businesses within their city limits. The Maine Municipal Association has advised cities and towns to adopt 180-day moratoriums until the state completes the rule-making process and local officials have an opportunity to develop their own rules.

The ballot question narrowly passed in the state, despite vocal opposition from Republican Gov. Paul LePage, with a margin of 4,402 votes – or less than 1 percent.

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The dome on top of the Ohio state capitol building.

Ohio Officials Slow to Develop MMJ Rules

1/30/2017

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It’s been almost five months since Ohio legalized medical cannabis, but it could be more than a year and a half until the program is up and running, according to a report from the Toledo Blade. While the state Department of Commerce has submitted proposed rules for cannabis growers, the earliest deadline for final approval of those rules is May 6. Another set of rules governing the testing laboratories and processors are expected from the department in the coming months, but a finalized version is not required until Sept. 8.

Aaron Marshall, spokesman for Ohioans for Medical Marijuana, said that advocates have no choice but “to let the process play out.”

“It’s sort of the drudgery of state government,” he said in the report. “As much as we’d like to push the pace, there doesn’t seem to be a desire among state regulators to do so. So we wait, and wait, and wait.”

The Ohio Board of Pharmacy and State Medical Board have already proposed their own rules for certifying physicians and operation of dispensaries – which will be led by pharmacists. The Pharmacy Board proposal would see up to 40 provisional licenses issued in the state, allowing for more if necessitated by demand. The Medical Board rules dictate which physicians may or may not issue recommendations and receive certifications.

The Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review is expected to take up the proposals later this year.

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Irish GPs Support MMJ Use but Not Decriminalization

1/30/2017

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The majority of Irish general practitioners support the legalization of cannabis for medicinal use, but do not support the decriminalization policies of the Irish government, according to an Irish College of General Practitioners survey outlined by the Irish Examiner. The survey, published in the Harm Reduction Journal, found that general practitioners with advanced addiction training and male GPs were more likely to support liberal cannabis policies.

More than three out of five GPs agreed that cannabis therapies have a role in pain management, palliative care, and multiple sclerosis treatment. However, 77.3 percent indicated that cannabis use has a “significant effect” on the mental health of patients and puts users at an increased risk of schizophrenia.

About 40 percent of male GPs surveyed supported cannabis legalization, compared to 14 percent of their female counterparts.

Dr. Des Crowley, assistant program director for the ICGP’s Substance Misuse Program, said he hopes the survey “will be considered” as policymakers determine future cannabis legislation.

“General practitioners see at first hand the impact of drug misuse, and like their international colleagues, believe that heavy use of cannabis in younger people can heighten the risk of dependence and mental health problems, including depression and schizophrenia,” Crowley said in the report.

The study echoes the beliefs of proponents and opponents worldwide, suggesting that “ongoing research into the health and other effects of drug policy changes on cannabis use is required.”

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An indoor cannabis grow in California.

California’s Cannabis Czar ‘Confident’ State Will Adopt Regs by January Deadline

1/30/2017

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California’s legal cannabis industry has a projected value of $7 billion and tax revenues for local and state governments could reach as much as $1 billion a year, according to an Associated Press report. And under the state’s voter-approved legalization initiative, the state must have rules and regulations to police the industry in place by January 1, 2018.

To that end, Lori Ajax, the chief of California’s Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation, indicated that her “small but mighty” staff of 11 full-time workers is working to meet that deadline.

“We’re confident that we can get this accomplished,” she said in the report; however some officials and stakeholders aren’t as confident.

Democratic state Sen. Mike McGuire, said that the state is “building the airplane while it’s being flown,” questioning whether the state can transform the informal market into a formal one, and how they will create a coherent system from the loosely-regulated medical cannabis industry that has operated in the state for 20 years.

“It’s going to take us 10 years to dig out of the mess we are in,” he said.

Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed spending more than $50 million to fund the implementation of the new law. The funds would be used for hiring about a dozen regulators and establishing programs to collect taxes and issues licenses. According to the report, the governor has called for one regulatory framework for both the adult-use and medical markets.

Arron Herzberg, an attorney and CalCann Holdings partner, is skeptical that the state will have enough time to set up a regulatory scheme by January, calling the governor’s funding proposal a jumping off point.

“You are always going to have a black market,” he said, noting that in order for the new economy to work, “you have to reduce the black market to tolerable levels.”

Lawmakers are holding a meeting today to determine whether the state can meet the deadline.

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Indoor cannabis plants under the lights of a licensed Washington grow facility.

Medical Cannabis and Cancer: Do You Know the Whole Story?

1/30/2017

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With more and more states choosing to legalize medical marijuana, there has been increased interest in using cannabis to treat certain medical conditions, such as different types of cancer. And, although cannabis has shown promise in helping patients with cancer, claims that cannabis can actually cure cancer may leave patients feeling unsure of what to believe. Sometimes it’s hard to separate fact from fiction when it comes to the role that cannabis plays in treating certain medical conditions.

A recently updated publication from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) offers an overview of evidence-based information about the effects of cannabis on different types of cancer and outlines the discoveries that science has made, as well as what remains unknown.

Administration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been shown to reduce the incidence of liver and colon cancer in animal models. Researchers have also found that cannabis may protect normal cells from death and may even kill cancer cells. So, yes, it is possible that cannabis aids in the fight against the cellular processes that promote cancer growth. But these data have not been replicated in humans, meaning that it is largely speculative for now.

The NCI review also addresses potential downsides of cannabis use: some studies have shown that cannabis might actually cause cancer.

But how could cannabis both help fight cancer and cause cancer? The answer is a little complicated. First, it is possible that cannabis works differently in a person with cancer than in a healthy person who consumes cannabis. Second, it might depend on the route of administration (smoking versus oil consumption). Third, we don’t have enough evidence to determine the link between cannabis and cancer because most studies have been performed in animal models (not humans); therefore, the link between cannabis use and cancer remains inconclusive.

So, what do we really know about cannabis and cancer?

Extensive evidence has shown that cannabis can help alleviate some symptoms associated with cancer and some side effects from cancer treatment:

Addressing nausea and vomiting:

  • Dronabinol and nabilone are treatments that can be used to reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
  • Several studies have verified their effects on these chemotherapy side effects.

Easing pain:

  • Sativex is a cannabis extract that is approved in other countries to treat pain in cancer patients.
  • Both studies in animal models and humans have demonstrated its analgesic effects.

Stimulating appetite:

  • Cannabis consumption has been shown to increase weight gain in cancer patients.
  • Clinical studies and experiments in animal models have demonstrated the effect of cannabis on increasing appetite.

Note that, while commercially available cannabis agents, such as dronabinol and nabilone, are approved for the treatment of cancer-related side effects, the FDA has not approved cannabis as a treatment for cancer or any other medical condition. But with more controlled clinical trials underway, that could change in the next coming years.

Visit The National Institute of Health’s clinical trial database to learn more about different studies on cannabis and cancer that are currently recruiting participants.

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medical marijuana prescription

What Medical Conditions Qualify for a Medical Marijuana Prescription?

1/27/2017

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Medical marijuana can be a contentious subject for some, but the benefits of the plant can no longer be denied. In fact, thirty-two states and four US territories have legalized medical cannabis use and distribution. Most states do not allow cannabis to be smoked in public or do they allow possession of the plant in correctional facilities; but more and more patients in America have access to medical marijuana. 

Three things you need

Anyone seeking a medical marijuana prescription for any of the qualifying conditions will need three things, regardless of what state they reside in.

  1. Proof of residence: Patients will need to provide proof they are a resident of a medical marijuana state.
  2. A qualifying condition: Conditions that qualify for the use of medical marijuana vary greatly from state to state.
  3. Documentation from a doctor: Finally, patients will be required to receive a prescription from at least one medical professional.

Once you have all three of these things, you will be able to pick up a prescription at a state-run marijuana dispensary, or in some cases have rights to cultivate your own plants. Now that you know what you need, the question remains: What conditions qualify for a prescription of medical marijuana?

Qualifying conditions

The biggest question for most people now is which medical conditions will actually qualify for a medical marijuana prescription. The qualifying conditions for a medical marijuana prescription depend greatly on the state in which you reside.

The most common conditions, meaning those that are considered qualifying in the majority of medical marijuana states, include:

  • Agitation related to Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
  • Arnold Chiari malformation
  • Autism
  • Cancer
  • Causalgia
  • Cachexia
  • Certain migraines
  • Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
  • Decompensated cirrhosis
  • Epilepsy, seizures, or persistent muscle spasms
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Dystonia
  • Glaucoma
  • Hepatitis C
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Huntington’s Disease
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Inclusion body myositis (IBM)
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
  • Interstitial Cystitis
  • Lupus
  • Muscular dystrophy (MS)
  • Myoclonus
  • Myasthenia Gravis
  • Nail Patella Syndrome
  • Neurofibromatosis
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • PTSD, and symptoms thereof
  • Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)
  • Residual limb pain
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Severe pain
  • Severe nausea
  • Sickle Cell Anemia
  • Sub therapy of opioid addiction
  • Spinal cord damage causing intractable spasticity
  • Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA)
  • Sjogren’s syndrome
  • Terminal illness
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Tourette’s Syndrome

This is a long list of conditions that qualify patients for a medical cannabis prescription in the states that have legalized, however not all of these conditions apply to all states. And some states have left space for physicians to make the decision, like in California where there is a caveat in the medical cannabis bill that allows a doctor to prescribe cannabis when it seems a patient could benefit from the prescription. In New York, medical cannabis may be prescribed in place of opioids. 

There are tools available online to help you determine your eligibility for a medical marijuana prescription, depending on the state where you currently reside.

The best way to determine if you qualify for medical marijuana use is to visit your state’s individual website. As we mentioned before, the qualifying conditions do vary sometimes drastically from state to state, so it’s important to verify your state’s specific qualifications.

medical cannabis

Other things to know

What else do you need to know before approaching your doctor about a medical marijuana prescription? If you do have a qualifying condition, there are still a few questions left to ask, including:

  • What type of medical marijuana is available? Does your state permit the use of cannabis oil, edibles, smokeable cannabis or concentrates? Some states only allow low-THC oil for medical marijuana treatments, so it’s important to know what is available in your state.
  • Where can medical marijuana be purchased? Medical marijuana will mostly be available in state-licensed dispensaries, which will be located around the state. Just like the qualifying conditions, the dispensary locations will vary from state to state, so it’s important to check with your state’s medical marijuana office.
  • Does your current doctor support the use of medical marijuana? The topic of marijuana is a hot-button issue for a lot of people, and there are more than a few medical professionals who do not support the use of the substance, legalized or not. If your doctor doesn’t support the use of medical marijuana, it may be time to switch to a provider that does offer the support that you need.
  • Does your state offer recreational marijuana as well? If so, a prescription for medical marijuana might exempt you from some of the taxes placed on the sales of marijuana for recreational use. Colorado is a prime example of this. While medical marijuana sales do fall under the 2.9% state sales tax, it is exempt from the state’s 10% marijuana sales tax.

More and more information will become available as activists continue get medical cannabis, legalization, and decriminalization bills on the ballot. The information we’ve gathered here is a good place to start, but if you’ve got any questions we haven’t addressed, the best thing you can do is contact the department in your state that handles the regulation and sale of marijuana to get state specific answers.

Last Updated May 27, 2020

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A juvenile cannabis plant pictured inside of a licensed Washington cultivation facility.

Nevada Tax Department Gets Loan to Keep Adult-Use Program on Track

1/27/2017

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Nevada’s Legislative Interim Finance Committee has approved a $900,000 loan to the Department of Taxation to start the implementation of the adult-use cannabis market, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. The loan will cover the costs associated with writing regulations and setting up the structure to administer the system of cannabis cultivation, testing, processing, and sales.

Deonne Contine, tax department director, said that if they didn’t begin the process now they wouldn’t be ready by the Jan. 1, 2018 date mandated under the voter-approved initiative. The loan will be repaid to the IFC’s contingency fund with tax revenues from retail sales.

IFC members also approved a $122,400 transfer to the state’s medical cannabis program to cover costs related to a breach of its website portal last month. Joe Pollock, deputy administrator of the medical cannabis program, said that the majority of those funds will be used to cover the state’s insurance deductible for providing credit monitoring services and notifying registrants.

Two Republican lawmakers, state Sen. Ben Kieckhefer and Assemblyman John Hambrick, voted against the loan due to President Donald Trump’s attorney general nominee, Alabama Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions.

“It wouldn’t be too hard if the federal government tried to shut this all down,” Kieckhefer said.

So far, Sessions has not committed to allowing states to continue operating cannabis programs without interference from the federal government.

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View of the harbor in Portland, Maine.

Maine Legislature Passes Three-Month Delay of Adult-Use Initiative

1/27/2017

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Both houses of Maine’s legislature have passed a bill that delays the rollout of the adult-use cannabis industry another three months and provides for driver license suspensions for people found using the drug while driving, WABI reports. The delay does not apply to the personal possession and home-grow provisions in the voter-backed legalization measure passed last November, which are set to take effect on Monday.

According to a WCSH report, lawmakers did reject amendment proposals to the bills backed by Gov. Paul LePage that would have moved the rulemaking responsibilities from the state Department of Agriculture to the Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages, and Lottery Operations. Another amendment would have required the legislature to provide $1.6 million up front to cover the costs of additional staff.

State Rep. Brad Farrin, who proposed the amendments in the House, said moving the rulemaking responsibilities and program oversight from the Agriculture Department to the alcoholic beverage division was an attempt to prevent jeopardizing “substantial” federal funds to the state agriculture department.

The governor could veto the legislation because it does not include his changes; however, Democrats are working on another bill, expected next week, which would include LePage’s proposals.

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TDCANN Institute Presents ‘The Cannabis Impact: Opportunities, Issues, and Challenges for Ohio’

1/27/2017

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TDCANN Insititute in Ohio has announced a seminar series on cannabis for public officials, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, and the public.

The premier seminar for ‘The Cannabis Impact: Opportunities, Issues, and Challenges for Ohio’ will take place February 4, 2017 at The Sheraton Columbus Hotel at Capitol Square in Columbus, Ohio.

The seminar is designed to educate the community about the cannabis plant, its varying medicinal properties, its impact on health outcomes, as well as the role and impact of cannabis on the local, state, and national stage. The role of business and potential opportunities and ramifications will also be discussed.

The objectives for the first seminar are to:

  1. Examine the key aspects of the cannabis industry being introduced to Ohio, and the importance of education
  2. Understand the history of cannabis in Ohio
  3. Review the current state of science and research regarding cannabis and the Endocannabinoid System
  4. Understanding of risk and benefits of the industry for the patient, businessperson, and governmental officials on a local and statewide level
  5. Assess the significance of cannabis in other states and the lessons that have been learned
  6. Discuss the needs, opportunities, and barriers for collaboration among, across, and within the governmental role, the healthcare role, the business person role, and the role of the patient.

Dr. Debra L. Kimless — an anesthesiologist and internationally acclaimed cannabis health care expert and researcher — will give the seminar’s keynote address. Dr. Kimless brings a truly unique level of experience to the table, having studied with many internationally recognized cannabis researchers. Dr. Kimless’ current work covers microdosing with cannabis oils and patient outcomes.

Don E. Wirtshafter, Esq., an Ohio attorney, entrepreneur, and a pioneer of the cannabis industry will address the state of Ohio’s history with the cannabis plant. “DonE” Wirtshafter has been a member of the International Cannabinoid Research Society for twenty years and is currently the founder/director of The Cannabis Museum.

A presentation covering the basics of how cannabis reacts with the human body will be given by Heather Manus — a.k.a. Nurse Heather — who is a specialist in all aspects of medical cannabis care. Nurse Heather is a pioneering dispensary owner, one of New Mexico’s earliest edibles producers, and is currently the owner/founder of Nature Nurse.

Other speakers include Rhory Gould, an award-winning dispensary owner from Michigan; Lynn Watchman, a former policy maker for Ohio; Irv Rosenfeld, a cannabis stock expert who is also the longest surviving of the final four federal medical cannabis patients; and Tim Johnson, a retired law enforcement officer turned security asset protection specialist.

The event was organized by TDCANN Institute’s founder, Theresa Daniello. Daniello originally founded the organization in 2014 after working in and advising several states through their legalization processes. Daniello believes the upcoming seminars will help steer Ohio’s industry towards the responsible treatment of patients and businesses alike.

“We’re trying to provide an objective education about the benefits and the risks that will be taken on as this industry unfolds in the state,” she told Ganjapreneur. “We’re creating an industry here. I think it’s important to keep our patients protected as we investigate the industry, and — for both our small businesspersons and for larger cannabis conglomerates as they get involved in Ohio — we need the best level of education for our public officials and our investors.”

Tickets cost $299 and are currently available from the events section of the TDCANN Institute website.

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The flag of Ireland flying on a cloudy day.

Ireland Health Committee MMJ Plan Would Provide Some CBD Products for Free

1/27/2017

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Ireland’s legislative Health Committee has issued its recommendations for a medical cannabis regime that would see certain products made available to some patients at the lowest cost possible, or even free, according to a report from The Journal. The reduced-cost products would include CBD products such as Epidiolex and the Charlotte’s Web cannabis strain.

The proposals, which must be approved by the Health Products Regulatory Authority, would require that the cost implications of medical cannabis prescription for families be considered including, “the potential to make them free of charge as part of the long-term illness scheme…”

The committee recommendations also include a plan that would allow the use of products with THC if the health agency permits their use, but would standardize the levels of THC found in those products to curb diversion to the illicit market. HRPA could conclude that there is not enough evidence supporting the medical use of THC which would force the topic to be revisited later. Additionally, the committee recommends that authorization, supply, and prescription be “pursued as speedily as possible,” and that long-term medical cannabis user tracking and research is permitted in order to contribute “to the global store of medical knowledge of cannabinoids.”

Earlier this month, the U.K.’s Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency reclassified CBD as medicine.

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Patrol car belonging to the Santa Ana police force.

Santa Ana, California Police Carry Out Dispensary Raids

1/27/2017

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Sky High, the Santa Ana, California dispensary that gained national attention after video footage of a 2015 raid showed officers eating edibles, was again raided yesterday as part of ongoing enforcement to crack down on unlicensed dispensaries, the Orange County Register reports. No employees or customers were arrested during the raids, which included Elevated Dreams.

Jennifer McGrath, an attorney for Sky High, said the bust was retaliation for a lawsuit filed last week against the city and its police department which seeks $650,000 for property damaged in three raids at the dispensary since 2015. Last October, the city of Santa Ana paid Sky High $100,000 in connection to the 2015 raid that resulted in the viral video. In that case, three of the enforcing officers were suspended and charged with misdemeanor petty theft after the video was released. Those three officers are no longer employed by the department, although police have not disclosed why.

Santa Ana Police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said that they had received complaints about the dispensaries from community groups, homeowners and businesses.

“The city has employed a variety of administrative, civil, and criminal enforcement measures against numerous dispensaries, their owner-operators, and property owners,” he said in the report. “Despite these efforts, both dispensaries have continued to operate.”

Lundar Yuh, who owns the strip mall that holds the shops, was issued a misdemeanor citation for allowing the illegal sale of cannabis.

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The Massachusetts state flag.

Flurry of Cannabis-Related Proposals Introduced in Massachusetts

1/26/2017

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There are at least 30 bills relating to cannabis in the Massachusetts legislature – some expanding the scope of November’s voter-approved initiative, while others would greatly limit it, according to a Wicked Local report.

Democratic State Sen. Jason Lewis is leading the charge against the regime, filing several bills ranging from reducing the personal possession and home-growing limits to curtailing advertising.

The Lewis-sponsored SD.1826 would reduce the number of flowering plants per person from six to three, and from 12 per household to six; while reducing the 10-ounce in-home personal possession limit to 2 ounces. The bill would also allow local governments to ban home-growing altogether. SD.1823 would require that cannabis businesses only advertise to customers who explicitly opt-in, requires cannabis product labels to carry a public health warning akin to tobacco, and prohibits coupons, free samples, discounts, distribution of branded merchandise and “other promotional activities.” SD.1843 also aims at creating onerous marketing and packaging regulations, establishing rules that would see all packaging “opaque,” “colored grey,” “devoid of cartoon characters or bright colors” and child-resistant.

Another proposal, SD.1833, would direct the state Department of Health Commissioner to “investigate the effects of marijuana and marijuana products with high [THC] potency” and make a recommendation whether to limit the potency of cannabis products sold in the state. In another agency directive, SD.1838, the secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, and Energy Resources commissioner would make recommendations for energy and water use efficiency for licensed cultivators. SD.1820 gives municipalities more local control but bars any town or city from outlawing cannabis transportation.

Another bill, SD.1821, would allow retailers to only sell flower for the first two years while the Cannabis Control Commission determined what other products will be permitted in the adult-use market. However, another measure, SD.1836, which would allow for people convicted for possession up to 1 ounce to petition for an expungement of that charge, was also among Lewis’ legislative blitzkrieg on the state’s new cannabis law.

Lewis’ fellow Democrat state Sen. Cynthia Creem introduced legislation, SD.500, which would eliminate mandatory minimum drug sentences, capping Class A felony drug punishments at “10 years in a jail or house of correction for not more than two-and-a-half years” for the first offence, and 15 years in state prison for a second, with fines not to exceed $10,000 and $25,000 respectively. Those times and fines would be reduced as the class and weight of the drug is reduced.

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The capitol building of Arkansas bathed in a sunset's light.

Arkansas State Senator Plans to File Two Restrictive MMJ Amendments

1/26/2017

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An Arkansas lawmaker plans to introduce two bills that would amend the state’s new voter-enacted medical cannabis laws, one of which would prevent the program’s implementation until medical cannabis is recognized by the federal government, KHTV reports. The second bill would outlaw smoking as a delivery method.

Republican State Sen. Jason Rapert called the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment “snake oil wrapped up in a joint” saying he would closely monitor the regime to make sure “it’s going forward as medicine.”

“Who’s gonna ask a three-year-old kid with epilepsy to smoke a joint? C’mon! It’s just recreational marijuana using, for their own purposes, the sad stories of people that truly need help and are truly looking for assistance from some new drug that could help them,” he said in the report, while suggesting that pills, oils, and edibles would be sufficient.

If Rapert gets his way, not even three-year-olds with epilepsy would have access to cannabis-based therapies. His bill to delay the program until medical cannabis use is approved by the feds would effectively delay the program in perpetuity as there is no indication the federal government plans to legalize medical cannabis use.

“Under the 1970 federal Controlled Substances Act, marijuana usage, distribution, possession, is illegal under United States federal law, and that has not changed,” he said. “There are people serving in prison right now for the same activities that, apparently, Arkansas thinks it can proceed with. We are a nation of laws and a state of laws. You must change the law to remove an irreconcilable difference that we have between state and federal law on this particular issue.”

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Two NFL teams clash on the field during a pro football game.

NFL Players Association Pushing for Relaxed Cannabis Policies

1/26/2017

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The National Football League Players Association is seeking to amend the league’s drug policies as they pertain to cannabis use by players, according to a Washington Post report. DeMaurice Smith, the NFLPA executive director, said the proposal will be presented to the union’s board of player representatives and if it is approved by them it will be sent for league approval.

All forms of cannabis use are currently banned under the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement; however, in November, the Players Association announced they had convened a committee to that would look into using cannabis as a pain management option for players.

“I do think that issues of addressing it more in a treatment and less punitive measure is appropriate,” Smith said the report. “I think it’s important to look at whether there are addiction issues. And I think it’s important to not simply assume recreation is the reason it’s being used.”

During an interview yesterday with Colin Cowherd of Fox, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell indicated that there have been ongoing discussions about the league’s cannabis policies.

“We’ve had several conversations about this issue and several years ago we did take a less-punitive approach to marijuana,” he said. “That will be one of the subjects in the collective bargaining process, which we’d like to get into sooner rather than later.”

In 2014, the league raised the threshold of what amount of THC in a player’s blood would result in a positive test; from 15 nanograms per milliliter to 35 nanograms per milliliter. It is league policy that a player will be suspended for a full year following their sixth cannabis-related violation.

The NFLPA is hoping to make their pitch to the league in May.

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The city of Brisbane in Queensland, Australia.

Queensland, Australia Releases MMJ Guidelines

1/26/2017

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Australia’s Health Minister Cameron Dick has announced that the Queensland government has released the state’s first clinical guidelines for the medical cannabis program, according to a report from the Australian Associated Press. The guidelines will advise physicians on medical cannabis therapies, dosages, and treatment regimens, but require the products to be sourced internationally with the approval of the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

“Medical practitioners have not had information in a domestic setting to allow them to use or understand the use of medicinal cannabis…because the use of medicinal cannabis products in Queensland has been illegal,” he said in the report. “Medical practitioners to this point have had to rely on a range of medical literature sources including information from literature sources internationally.”

Although the Queensland regulations do not provide for cannabis cultivation in Australia, Dick is confident that Australia would eventually allow the cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes. He added that there was “no question” that Queenslanders supported the move.

The Health Minister also said that some doctors remained opposed to medical cannabis use, and for many that do it’s often considered a last resort. Dick is still determining what reporting requirements for doctors, if any, should be implemented under the new rules and whether the program’s results would be made public

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Greg Walters: Pioneering Flavorless THC and CBD Additives

1/25/2017

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Greg Walters is co-founder and co-owner of Prohibition Gold, a Washington-based company that operates off an industry-changing concept — that cannabis-infused edibles and beverages should not taste any different from the food and drinks you would normally enjoy. On that note, Prohibition Gold offers flavorless powder mixers for consumers to easily turn their favorite meal and/or beverages into an infused delicacy.

We caught up with Greg recently to ask him some questions about the offerings of Prohibition Gold. In the following interview, Greg discusses the birth of Prohibition Gold’s unique products, their official launch in the Washington marketplace, what the company plans for the future, and more.

Read the full interview below:

Ganjapreneur: Could you explain briefly the unique offerings of Prohibition Gold, and go over what inspired you to produce and dispense these types of products?

Greg Walters: Prohibition Gold offers two products currently in Washington state that throw the marijuana edibles market upside down by giving the consumer the ability to infuse just about any type of food or beverage they choose.

PotshotzTM is a “mixer” and not a drink “mix” like other powdered products you can only add to water. Potshotz is just a quarter teaspoon of powder per 10mg dose that has no added sugar or sweeteners, is gluten free and fat free, and is designed to blend with the flavor of the beverage you’re adding it to. Potshotz works best when added to an average 8oz to 16oz serving size. It works great in tea, coffee, fruit juices, energy drinks, sodas or just about any beverage or liquid other than plain water which should be avoided since there is no flavor for Potshotz to blend with. Potshotz works equally well in both hot and cold beverages. It allows the consumer the ability to infuse their own favorite beverages so they don’t have to drink the soft drinks and mixes currently available on the market that almost all agree they wouldn’t consume if they didn’t get them high. Most products currently on the market are way too sweet or simply don’t taste very good so most consumers hold their nose and drink the product to get high. Potshotz gives the “Power to the People” by allowing the consumer the opportunity to consume their favorite beverages with 10mg of THC and skipping the overly sweet products currently available.

Topshotz does the same for food that Potshotz does for beverages. Topshotz gives the consumer the ability to add 10mg of THC to just about anything they want to eat without effecting the taste. When you mix Topshotz into your favorite foods it dissolves and blends to create an intoxicating dish that just might be the best way to use marijuana edibles ever. Not only do you get to eat your favorite foods but you get to imbibe at the same time.

Most all edibles on the market are sweets of one kind or another. Chocolate, brownies, cookies, candies, etc… make up the offerings in most stores. Topshotz opens the door to the entire grocery store or your favorite restaurant and allows the consumer to add it to anything they want to eat. Again, all without altering the taste of what they’re eating. It is the biggest breakthrough product for edibles on the market.

Both products were created out of frustration of lack of variety when the market opened up in 2014. We looked around and realized there was a need to look at marijuana edibles in a very different way than the direction that was being offered. Instead of trying to infuse different types of sweets or dessert-like products that still remain the main fare in most stores, we thought there was a way we could open up a much larger market to the consumer. Why be stuck with sugar based products that in most ways seemed to be products kids would enjoy. What would happen if we made “adult” edibles and forgot about all of the candy that has saturated the entire market? The answer is both Potshotz and Topshotz. We zeroed the two products down to their bare essence to create an unlimited variety of what a marijuana edible can now be. Instead of creating specific types of edibles we went the opposite direction and created a delivery system that allows the consumer to determine, when, where, and on what to use their new found freedoms in a way that allows them to infuse almost anything. No more sugar or sweets. I want my burger, steak, pizza, sushi or tacos to become my marijuana edibles. Not something that tastes like a cough drop! Prohibition Gold has created a whole new way to view the marijuana edible.

How long had you been working on the company prior to your official launch, and when was that?

My business partner, Tom Williams and I started pushing around the idea of entering the market right when the initiative to legalize in Washington state was first being voted on in November, 2012. I was currently helping him brand a “booze” cake he was bringing to market patterned after a cake his grandmother was known for back in Kentucky. He was selling the cake over the Internet and doing quite well when a food rep for a major national retail chain contacted him to see if he could handle a 10K unit order for the Christmas season. It would have meant he would have had to become a full time baker and he wanted me to get involved as well and that was not a direction I really wanted to go. It was at this time that we started thinking the marijuana market could be the big open door we were looking for where we could make an impact quickly on a virgin market that was just beginning to ramp up.

We got serious about the company and started looking for investors the first part of 2013. It was then we ran into our greatest roadblock. We spent all of 2013 looking for a location to park our license from the state. Without a location the state would not formally license us and the availability of locations that met all the zoning requirements was next to zero. We were given the ultimatum from the state that we submit a location in the next 30 days or we were out of luck. My partner was taking a load to the dump a few days later and decided to take a quick drive through Seattle’s most industrial area known as Southpark. It lies on the shores of the Duwammish river and was a mainstay of rum runners back in the days of Prohibition. He came across a derelict property that literally looked like a bomb had hit it yet it had a little “For Rent” sign on it so he stopped and took a look. It turned out the owner was there so they talked and he was given a tour. The property was being used by a company making garden sheds and was frankly one of the most dilapidated locations we had seen anywhere. After meeting with the owner we went back and forth over the next couple of days and finally decided to take the leap and signed a lease. We then spent the next year gutting and remodeling the entire space. At the time Seattle became one of the hottest economies in the country which meant the construction industry was booming at 100% and we quickly realized if we wanted work done on time we would have to do it ourselves. Both my partner and I then became construction contractors because we couldn’t find anyone to do it for us who wasn’t already booked 6 months out.

Finding the right packaging machinery for our products has been a interesting ride by itself. Our first machine was a stick pack filler out of India that literally set us back 4-6 months because of constant problems. We finally had to cut and run and found the machine we’re currently using which is from China but purchased in Delaware where we were trained on its operations before getting it shipped to Seattle. We now have the ability to fully construct and fill 60 stick packs a minute which gives us a major edge over most other edible manufacturers. After much work and a lot of starts and stops we finally formally introduced Potshots to the world the first week of July in 2016. We then released Topshotz the beginning of November. It has taken us longer than expected to get to where we are today but we’re happy with the progress both products are making and will continue to add to the product line as we move forward.

What was the tipping point, the point where you knew you’d be making a splash on the scene?

We released Potshotz with a national press release that ended up getting covered be over 300 media outlets nationally. The next day people started calling and texting saying they really liked the Prohibition Gold video on Facebook. We looked at each other and asked “what video?” After searching around Facebook we finally found the video that was created by Now This Media, a social networking media start-up put together by the founders of Huffington Post and NBC Universal. Without any input from us they made a video of our press release and in the first 48 hours got over 300,000 Facebook hits. It’s now up to over a million. There is nothing we could have done to get this kind of coverage and we literally didn’t have anything to do with it. You can now see that video on our homepage if you scroll to the bottom of the page. That showed us that there was real interest in the direction we were taking and really acted as a great slap on the back to give us a boost as we entered the retail market. It seemed like the “proof of concept” was there and the powdered product idea had legs. Up to that time there was no other powdered products in the retail recreational market and there still isn’t anything like our two products that allow the consumer to infuse almost anything.

What was your career before founding Prohibition Gold?

I have run a Design and Branding Consultancy in Seattle since 1986. My specialty has been building brands in primarily the high tech market but also in a variety of other fields. I’ve been the agency of record for Autodesk, part of the Creative Resource Group at Microsoft, and have worked with numerous Fortune 500 companies like Nintendo, Sony, US West, General Dynamics, Boeing, etc… I have also done quite a bit of pro bono work for organizations which include Northwest Harvest, MADD (Mother Against Drunk Drivers), The Seattle Fire Festival, and The Seattle Fire Department.

How many people does your company employ?

We are still a bootstrap operation and are all doing the work of at least two or three people each. We have our two partners, Tom and myself. A minority partner who has been huge in setting us up with our production machinery and being a general resource and wealth of knowledge in the dry goods packaging industries, not to mention an extra set of hands. We also have part time employees to help with major production runs and a driver. We will continue to bring on more employees and grow as our product line expands.

Many cannabis folks are continually inspired by products that tout the ancient relationship between humans and the marijuana plant — considering that, have you ever encountered animosity in the industry, or from consumers, due to your products having a more refined and processed feel? What was your reaction to that?

I don’t think “animosity” would be the right word. We have run into some people, both retailers and others in the industry that questioned the general “proof of concept” but have to admit that we usually win them over once they have a chance to try the product. Through the rise of CBD’s and other cannabinoids we are constantly learning more about how we can improve our products. As research begins to become a reality we should learn more of the plants medical capabilities. Everyone has numerous stories about how people they know have received major benefits from the plant. I have family members dealing with cancer, including my wife, who have found great relief while they were dealing with chemo and radiation therapies. I’m hoping that research starts to speed up so we can get definitive information on what works and what doesn’t. Until we have long term studies that treat marijuana like any other pharmaceutical drug we won’t know if marijuana is the “miracle drug” being touted by some or a beneficial alternative to some of the drugs being pushed by corporate America. We all know there is great potential but we don’t have the studies to back up some of the claims and that is what will pull the industry mainstream when that occurs.

I think our greatest challenge is dealing with educating both the retailers and the consumer that our products create an entirely new dynamic for the marijuana industry. I can’t tell you how many times I’m presenting the product to retailers and the first question is “can you cook with it?” The long drawn out “hippie” viewpoint that still seems to be mainstream thought has been that you need to infuse butter by cooking it on your stove with about an ounce of trim thrown in to make it work. This has led to numerous people poisoning themselves with massive amounts of THC. We offer the better solution. Cook absolutely anything you want and simply add Topshotz to your own plate of food. There is no added taste and by using our very accurate 10mg dose the user can determine the correct dose for them personally and they will always know exactly what they are getting. No surprises and no calls to their doctor or 911. I’m constantly looking at various marijuana magazines that tout the edibles edition that highlights recipes and different products you can cook with. All of that is now obsolete. Topshotz makes it all ancient history. No more cooking. No more surprises. It truly is the new way of doing things in marijuana edibles because you can control everything now and you don’t have to deal with foul tasting marijuana butter.

Think about this… With both Potshotz and Topshotz, the consumer can now infuse almost anything. It’s that simple. Two products now allow the consumer to turn almost anything into a marijuana edible that is accurate in dose every time and does not alter the taste of what you’re eating or drinking. It’s not “science fiction” when it’s sitting right in front of you. It’s the new reality that will turn marijuana edibles from the stoner product of the past to the mainstream edible of today. We are entering a new stage in the industry that many have never conceived. The line “Better living through Science” scares a lot of people. I’m latching on and getting ready for the wild ride that’s just beginning. This industry is still very much in its infancy so we are just scratching the surface on what type of marijuana products we can expect in the future. I’m pretty sure we will see a radical departure from what is currently available and we feel Prohibition Gold can be one of the leading companies charting that path.

Do you have plans for new products, and would you be willing to drop any hints about what we can expect from Prohibition Gold in the future?

Yes, we are currently finalizing packaging for our latest product called Zzzshotz. It is similar to Potshotz in that it can be added to any type of beverage. The difference is it has 5mg of CBD’s added to the 10mg of THC to work as a sleep aid. For people who have a hard time sleeping through the night our testing has proven Zzzshotz can be a major plus in bringing on a restful full night of sleep. We originally were testing an increase in CBN but found the result was sometimes a foggy feeling or slight hangover the first part of the morning so we have stepped away from that approach. With the increase in CBD’s we found that muscle relaxation associated with CBD’s was a big help in creating a more restful sleep. This will be the first of a number of powdered products with CBD’s as the focus. Our 1/4 teaspoon of powder approach with our products gives the consumer all the power to determine how they want to enjoy their edibles so from a recreational and medical standpoint we feel our delivery system is second to none. Would you rather eat candy or sweets or determine yourself what you want to eat or drink to get high?

We will also be branching out from purely powder based solutions as well with our own line of pre-rolled joints and a number of variations on topicals which we’re currently testing. Both THC and CBD’s will remain the focus. We will continue to grow the product line in a number of directions to expand the brand and meet the needs of our loyal customers who continue to add their thoughts on products they’re interested in seeing come to market. Quality and verifiable dosing will remain our focus. We find that the majority of edible products currently on the market vary quite a bit in potency. In Washington state the state mandated individual dose is 10mg of THC. In talking with retailers we have found their own testing of products they carry does not necessarily match the 10mg label on the products they sell so we do everything possible to make sure when someone purchases a Prohibition Gold product they know for certain that a 10mg label is truly a 10mg THC dose. We want our customers to know they will get the same experience every time they use one of our products.

Do you plan to bring your brand to other legalized states, or will Prohibition Gold be solely available in Washington until federal drug laws have been relaxed?

We are looking at some product licensing opportunities and are still trying to determine whether it makes sense to open our own production facility in California or license our product line in a partner relationship to a company already operational. California has a 2 year residency requirement which creates some hurdles that need to be addressed which keeps our legal team busy determining the safest and most direct route to follow. We should have a better grasp of where we are going with that in the next few months but do plan on being a player in the California market when recreational stores begin to open in 2018.

We have been approached with offers to partner in various other states but want to clearly focus on the west coast in the short term. That said, everything about this industry changes so quickly that I never say never simply because of the speed in which rules are changed, which seems to be a constant, or elections alter the direction we see most beneficial to building the Prohibition Gold brand.

We have been somewhat surprised by the interest in partnering with companies on an international basis. We have been approached by medical professionals and entrepreneurs in Canada as well as offshore companies who see that the changes in the U.S. will eventually lead to changes throughout the world on how cannabis is perceived. Countries who are still very anti-marijuana will swing the other way very quickly as more states legalize in the U.S. We’re being approached by entrepreneurs and major companies preparing to jump into the game as the barriers begin to come down. While it’s still the wild west in a lot of ways, the entire world is looking closely at the progress created by legalization and anticipating a major sea change that will allow them to jump in as players as well. It’s pretty clear that with 1 in 5 Americans now living in recreational legal states that we’re about to enter a whole new market for marijuana and it won’t be in just the U.S. We already see marijuana sales passing the sales of distilled spirits in Washington state so when you look at both the overall sales of product and the tax dollars being produced we’ve gone too far to think we can turn back the tsunami that seems to be coming on an international level.

If you could offer one piece of advice to a cannabis entrepreneur or investor, what would you say?

Be prepared for a very wild ride and double or triple your anticipated time line and costs of getting where you want to be. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve seen come and go already in this expanding market. Some smart but most naive to standard business practices and in some instances basic common sense. We saw so many people jump in once legalization occurred in Washington state with no business background thinking marijuana would be an easy buck. People became farmers overnight and just as quickly saw their crops die off from root rot or spider mites. Now there are many producer and processor licenses up for sale as some of these people try to recoup the money they invested before they are fully out of business. Marijuana is no different than any other business in respect to the fact that the majority of new companies simply won’t succeed. It’s made even more difficult by the fact that rules are constantly changing and marijuana is still a federally prohibited product even though it is legalizing across the country. The current product offerings in most retail stores now are pretty saturated so unless you have a truly unique product or a major bankroll to give you the time to navigate all of the considerable obstacles ahead, you must tread lightly. There are no guarantees of success and the simple fact is most new companies entering the market will fail. That said, for those who understand what’s ahead and can do more than write a general business plan, there are major opportunities out there for both the entrepreneur and the investor. Just make sure your plan is clearly defined and you fully understand that the reward doesn’t always match up to the risk involved. Be careful. Be smart.

Thank you, Greg, for answering our questions today! To learn more about Prohibition Gold, you can visit the company’s website — or, if you live in Washington, keep an eye out for the company’s Potshotz or Topshotz product lines, offered only in licensed retail locations.

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Sen. Jeff Sessions is President Trump's controversial choice for U.S. Attorney General.

Sessions’ Cannabis Policies Remain Unclear in Written Responses to Confirmation Questions

1/25/2017

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In his written responses to senators, President Donald Trump’s attorney general nominee Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions continued to be vague on his cannabis stance. During his confirmation hearing earlier this month, Sessions offered little insight into how he would approach the issue, saying that if cannabis prohibition was “not desired any longer” at the federal level Congress “should pass a law and change the rule.”

In a written response to Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Sessions said that he is “generally familiar with the Cole memorandum” but that he would “review and evaluate those policies”

“As former Attorney General Loretta Lynch herself said during her confirmation hearings almost two years ago, marijuana is still a criminal substance under federal law, and it is also still illegal under federal law not only to possess marijuana, but to distribute marijuana,” Sessions said in his response. “I echo Attorney General Lynch’s comments, and commit, as she did, to enforcing federal law with respect to marijuana, although the exact balance of enforcement priorities is an ever-changing determination based on the circumstances and the resources available at the time.”

In a response to another question by Feinstein regarding the health and science communities take on the medical benefits of cannabis, Sessions indicated he would “defer to the American Medical Association and the researchers at the National Institutes of Health and elsewhere about the medical effects of marijuana,” admitting that he has not studied “the relevant regulations in depth.”

Sen. Dick Durban asked Sessions about his personal opinions about cannabis use, specifically his statement that “good people don’t smoke marijuana.” Sessions responded by saying his “words were grossly mischaracterized” and provided the full context of the quote from an April 2016 Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control:

“I’ll just comment, because I was talking to somebody that’s experienced in this, recently; it was the prevention movement that really was so positive. And it led to this decline, to the creating of knowledge that this drug is dangerous, you cannot play with it, it’s just not funny it is not something to laugh about, and trying to send that message with clarity that good people don’t smoke marijuana. And the result of that is, to give that away and make it socially acceptable, creates the demand—the increased demand that results in people being addicted or impacted adversely. I just hope that we can get our thoughts together on it. I believe the Department of Justice needs to be clearer, I believe the President really needs to reassert some leadership on this; I think it’s really serious.”

However, in a follow-up response to Durbin, he described cannabis as a “dangerous” drug.

When asked by Sen. Patrick Leahy whether his comments that he “won’t commit to never enforcing federal law” should be taken to mean that he would “consider arresting and prosecuting patients who follow their state medical marijuana law,” Sessions was, again, evasive.

“Whether an arrest and investigation of an individual who may be violating the law is appropriate is a determination made in individual cases based on the sometimes unique circumstances surrounding those cases, as well as the resources available at the time,” he wrote.

However, in what is perhaps the most telling statement from his responses as they relate to the legal cannabis industry, is his answer to Leahy regarding the Ninth Circuit case that bolstered the U.S. Department of Justice decision to allow cannabis operations in legal states. Sessions admitted that he was “not familiar” with how courts were interpreting the Justice Department decision but he seemed to make a clear distinction between medical and adult-use statutes, which could be troubling as several states move toward recreational markets.

“As an emerging issue, that is one that will need to be closely evaluated in light of all relevant law and facts. If I am fortunate enough to be confirmed as Attorney General, I will conduct such a review,” he wrote. “Of course, medical marijuana use is a small part of the growing commercial marijuana industry.”

According to a Politico report, the Senate Judiciary has decided to delay Sessions’ confirmation vote until next week.

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