Juan Manuel Santos, president of Colombia, during a 2008 conference.

Colombian President Denounces War on Drugs During Nobel Prize Speech

12/12/2016

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During his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said that zero-tolerance drug policies might be “even more harmful” than worldwide conflicts, calling on the world to “rethink” the war on drugs, according to a BBC report.

During his speech, Santos said that his nation had “paid the highest cost in deaths and sacrifices” in the war on drugs, noting that a conflict with FARC rebels in Colombia has led to the deaths of 260,000 people and the displacement of millions more. The president signed a peace deal with the rebels last month.

“I have served as a leader in times of war — to defend the freedom and the rights of the Colombian people — and I have served as a leader in times of making peace,” he said. “Allow me to tell you, from my own experience, that it is much harder to make peace than to wage war.”

Santos has pledged to donate the prize money — $8 million Swedish kroner ($925,000) — to the conflict’s victims.

“We have moral authority to state that, after decades of fighting against drug trafficking, the world has still been unable to control this scourge that fuels violence and corruption throughout our global community,” he said, adding, “it makes no sense to imprison a peasant who grows marijuana” when it’s legally allowed to be used in eight U.S. states.

“The manner in which this war against drugs is being waged is equally or perhaps even more harmful than all the wars the world is fighting today, combined,” he said.

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Judge Rules Montana Dispensaries are Back in Business Immediately

12/09/2016

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A Montana District Court Judge has ruled that a clerical error on November’s ballot initiative to reinstate the previous medical cannabis program rules should not prohibit the new regime from taking effect immediately, the Associated Press reports.

Judge James Reynolds said that the drafting error, which made the effective date of the initiative July 1, should not keep critically ill patients from accessing their much-needed medicine immediately. In 2011, Reynolds blocked the legislature-imposed three-patient limit twice.

“The folks that are maybe the most in need are the least able to provide, to grow their own,” Reynolds said in the ruling. “I think speed is more important than niceties.”

Kate Cholewa, the lobbyist for the measure’s advocates, said that despite the ruling it remains unclear how long it would take for providers who shuttered their operations to get back online. The shutdown earlier last year has led to supply shortages and many doctors need to be re-certified for the program.

“The people who work providing marijuana in Montana were, let’s face it, they were jerked around quite a bit,” Cholewa said in the report. “They are somewhat used to it and very good at coming back.”

The Health Department, who did not oppose the efforts to change the effective date, reported an increase in medical cannabis applications after the ruling, receiving 70 applications for cardholders and providers after the decision was handed down.

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Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin making an address at a community college.

Vermont Gov. Could Pardon Thousands Convicted of State Cannabis Possession Crimes

12/09/2016

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Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin will consider pardoning Vermont convictions of cannabis possession up to one ounce, which has been decriminalized in the state since 2013, according to an announcement on the governor’s office website.

Shumlin indicated the plan helps him “lead a more sane drug policy,” and his office indicates 10,000 to 17,000 Vermonters may be eligible for relief.

Pardon considerations will be made for low-level possession charges so long as the applicant does not have any felony or violent criminal convictions.

“A governor’s pardon is an extraordinary act. Applying for a pardon does not guarantee a pardon will be granted,” the post says. “All applications will be considered by the Governor and either granted or denied at his discretion.”

According to the post, a pardon does not necessarily erase a record of conviction or the conviction itself and might not change the consequences of such a conviction.

“It could have happened in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s. There are thousands of them,” Shumlin said in a WCAX report. “We’ve got folks who got charged for an ounce or less of marijuana in a different era when we were running a failed war on drugs. Let’s give those folks the opportunity to have a clean record.”

Individuals have until Christmas to apply for a pardon under the program.

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New York Makes More Changes to MMJ Program; Defines ‘Chronic Pain’

12/09/2016

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In efforts to expand the state’s medical cannabis program, New York’s Department of Health has announced they are allowing registered organizations to wholesale their products to other licensed businesses and are lifting the limit on the number of brands allowed to be sold by dispensaries.

The decision comes after an announcement last week that will see chronic pain added to the eligible condition list, and the approval of physician’s assistants and nurse practitioners to recommend the drug. Under the new rules, the department has defined chronic pain as:

“Any severe debilitating pain that the practitioner determines degrades health and functional capability; where the patient has contraindications, has experienced intolerable side effects, or has experienced failure of one or more previously tried therapeutic options; and where there is documented medical evidence of such pain having lasted three months or more beyond onset, or the practitioner reasonably anticipates such pain to last three months or more beyond onset.”

Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, who sponsored the Compassionate Care Act, said that by lifting the number of brands available, the Department is ensuring access “for patients with rare or complex conditions.”

“I applaud Commissioner of Health Howard Zucker and Governor Andrew Cuomo for taking further steps to expand access to medical marijuana,” Gottfried said in a press release. “Allowing the companies that manufacture and sell medical marijuana to wholesale their products to other registered organizations will expand the variety of products available across the state.”

According to the release, the Department has also proposed amendments that would allow hospitals to create policies and procedures allowing registered medical cannabis patients to self-administer cannabis in a hospital. The 45-day comment period for the rule change will begin on Dec. 21.

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A police truck with the DEA insignia.

DEA Threat Assessment Survey Blames Media for Difficulty Enforcing Cannabis Laws

12/09/2016

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In their latest Threat Assessment, an annual survey of U.S. law enforcement agencies, the DEA claims that the “abundance of media attention” has made it difficult to enforce and prosecute cannabis-related offences.

“Many states have passed laws allowing the cultivation, possession, and use of marijuana within their respective states. Due to these varying state laws, as well as an abundance of media attention surrounding claims of possible medical benefits, the general public has been introduced to contradictory and often inaccurate information regarding the legality and benefits of marijuana use. This has made enforcement and prosecution for marijuana-related offenses more difficult, especially in states that have approved marijuana legalization.”

Additionally, just 4.9 percent of survey respondents said that cannabis was the drug that concerned them the most, down from 6 percent last year. In the survey, the average strength of cannabis seized was up from 1995 levels, from 4 to 12 percent, as was the potency of “hash-oil” from 13 percent in 1995 to 55 percent.

The agency asserts that international drug traffickers have established themselves in states with legal cannabis markets in order to grow product for illegal sale. However, they fail to back up that claim with hard numbers of arrests.

“Since the legalization of personal-use marijuana, there has been an influx of not only individuals, but organized groups of individuals who have relocated to Colorado for the sole purpose of producing marijuana to transport and sell in other markets,” the report states.

The report indicates that the total weight of cannabis seized from drug trafficking operations along the Southwest Border of the U.S. has declined 23.6 percent from 2013 to 2014.

Nevertheless, the report shows that the number of cannabis overdose deaths remains zero, while heroin overdoses have outnumbered gun deaths for the first time in history.

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Waterway in western German city of Düsseldorf.

German City Takes Next Step in Cannabis Legalization Plans

12/08/2016

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The City Council of the western German city of Düsseldorf met with psychology, economics, and crime experts yesterday as part of their efforts to legalize cannabis for adults 18 and older, Deutsche Welle reports. Local lawmakers hope that the expert testimony will help convince federal regulators to allow them to move forward with the plan after they rejected a similar scheme from Berlin’s Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg borough council.

The meeting was attended by members of other regional councils, including Münster and Cologne, who are considering their own legal cannabis programs.

Last year, the Berlin council applied to the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices for a license that would allow cannabis to be sold in the region; it was rejected because it would have been in direct conflict with federal drug laws. And while members of the Düsseldorf council say a scientific study might help their cause, such a study is estimated to run $860,000 – which Greens member Angela Hebeler said was “not possible” for Düsseldorf, Cologne, or Münster.

The Düsseldorf council proposal was introduced by a coalition of Social Democrats, Greens, and Free Democrats. Hebeler explained that local governments interested in legalizing adult-use cannabis should work together, developing unique plans in order to determine best practices.

“It makes sense to work with all these cities and share out who does what,” she said in the report. “Maybe we should create different models, so that we find one that gets approval.”

Georg Wurth, German Cannabis Association chairman, said that these local initiatives put pressure on the federal government to make changes to its cannabis laws, noting that they are losing tax revenues while the informal market thrives.

“The ban has actually had many negative effects,” he said. “Consumers are criminalized, black-market dealers are encouraged, prevention is made more difficult and the cost of criminal prosecution is high, while at the same time tax revenue is lost. Sensible regulation of the existing market would remove, or at least reduce, these problems.”

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Gov. John Hickenlooper signing a bill into law in 2013.

Colorado Gov. Pushing for Homegrown Cannabis Reforms

12/08/2016

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Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper is proposing bans on group recreational grows, and calling for new paperwork requirements for individual medical grows, hoping to reduce the illegal sales of homegrown cannabis, according to an Associated Press report. The governor hopes that the new rules will help preserve the state’s market under the incoming Trump Administration.

Under current law, medical card holders are allowed to grow up to 99 plants and recreational users and permitted to grow their allotted six plants in co-ops, which aren’t taxed or tracked.

“We do need to clean up this system and make sure we’re beyond reproach for how well we’re regulating marijuana,” Andrew Freedman, Hickenlooper’s marijuana coordinator, said in the report, noting that in the last two years there have been six large criminal raids.

The governor’s plan would include a 12-plant limit on private property, a ban on recreational co-ops, and tracking requirements for medicinal grows. However, because the cannabis laws are in the state constitution, citizens have the constitutional right to the plant counts allowed under the current regime. New rules on caregivers take effect next month and caregivers will need to begin registering with the state in order for police to know whether that person is legitimately growing for patients.

Activists argue that the new rules are a cash grab; forcing people into the taxed market by reducing what they can grow on their own.

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The flag of Canada, a.k.a. the Maple Leaf.

Canadian Cannabis Company with U.S. Holdings Goes Public

12/08/2016

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CannaRoyalty, a Canadian company with 15 canna-business holdings in the U.S., is public today on the Canadian Securities Exchange using the symbol CRZ, according to a Financial Post report. The company had a pre-listing valuation of $150 million and opened this morning at CA$3.65.

According to CEO Marc Lustig, the company decided to list on the CSE after resistance from the Toronto Stock Exchange because the company holds some recreational companies. In the last five days, Aphria stock, one of CannaRoyalty’s investors listed on the TSX, has jumped almost 2 percent.

“A lot of the excitement and the appreciation of the Canadian stocks has been in part because of U.S. money flows that can’t access U.S. listings,” Lustig said in the report. “I think what CannaRoyalty offers investors is that exposure, in addition to Canada, to U.S. assets.”

CannaRoyalty has interests in U.S. cannabis companies that deal in everything from real estate to skincare products while providing financing to businesses denied by conventional financial institutions.

“We’ve really benefitted from the dislocation between all the innovation that’s going on on the one hand and the lack of access to capital because lending is not conventional: Banks won’t lend to the sector because they are still skeptical about the image and taboos and laws,” Lustig said.

This spring, Canadian lawmakers are expected to unveil a plan that would legalize cannabis for adult use nationally.

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Israel Ministers Propose MMJ Exportation Plan

12/08/2016

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Lawmakers in Israel are likely to  recommend that the nation should start exporting medical cannabis soon, saying the industry would create thousands of agricultural jobs and be worth 1 billion Israeli New Sheqel (more than $2.6 billion), according to a Yediot Ahronot report cited by Globes.

The plan was proposed by the inter-ministerial committee of director generals comprised of the Ministries of Justice, Finance, Public Security and Health. Of the four ministers, only Minister of Public Security Gilad Erdan is opposed to the measure, fearing that it would flood the informal market with cannabis for non-medical use.

There are about 26,000 licensed medical cannabis patients in Israel, and that number is expected to double by 2018.  

A portion of the tax revenues from the exports would be used to fund programs aimed at chronic disease prevention and treatment. In addition to Israeli cannabis being sold in the pharmacies of nations with medical cannabis laws, the ministers say that the products would be made available to universities and hospital for research purposes.

The plan would require cabinet approval and legislation would have to be passed that would allow farmers to grow cannabis. An announcement on the proposal is expected to be announced within three weeks.  

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A good strategy is of the utmost importance if you are hoping to maximize your exposure through social media channels.

Crafting Your Dispensary’s Voice on Social Media: Do’s and Dont’s

12/07/2016

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Just like the visual identity of your dispensary in the form of branding or a unique logo, your customers should ideally be able to recognize your content solely by its tone and writing style. By establishing your dispensary brand’s voice early on for all communication, you will be able to provide a consistent and enjoyable experience for your customers every time they encounter you.

Social media is likely where it is going to have the greatest effect for your customers, since this is where they will see most of your content. To help you create your own standards for posting, below is a general guide of do’s and don’ts for operating your social channels.

  • DO share relevant information with your customers. You will lose followers if you aren’t giving them useful or informative content when and where they need it.
  • DO maintain your personality through words. Is your dispensary a relaxed place or does it have a more serious atmosphere? Use verbiage that matches the tone of your brand so that you don’t confuse your audience with a voice they don’t expect.
  • DO represent your brand in a positive light by putting thought into your content and comments. Be receptive and willing to consider new ideas from your followers to make them feel important.
  • DO give your followers the inside scoop. Make them feel like they are “in the know” by providing some behind-the-scene looks at what it takes to own and operate a dispensary.
  • DO respond to comments in a timely manner, remaining professional even if the comments are rude or profane. Make sure to have a plan to respond to angry comments so that you are able to stay consistent.
  • DO maintain your brand’s voice across social channels, even if you have more than one person managing them. Your audience should not be able to tell the difference if more than one person is creating your content.
  • DO stand up for your political beliefs, but be aware of the potential repercussions. Maintain your professionalism in the resulting discussion, respecting everyone’s opinions. Remember that you are speaking on behalf of the entire business.

Here are some tips on what to avoid:

  • DON’T break the law. You need to know your local rules on advertising cannabis before planning your social media efforts. Leafly keeps a running list of advertising laws for each state — click here.
  • DON’T make every piece of content a hard sell. You will want to throw in more interesting and useful content as well. Remember that you are trying to make a good first impression and instill trust in your followers.
  • DON’T be lewd or overtly sexual in any way. Objectifying women is also something you should avoid: you will wind up alienating customers and reinforcing negative stereotypes about the industry.
  • DON’T make false claims. Sure you might want to talk highly about one of your favorite products, just keep in mind that you might disappoint your audience if you go overboard.
  • DON’T over-use profanity. Depending on the voice of your brand it may be appropriate occasionally, but it should never be used commonly.

Clearly, there are a lot of things to keep in mind when sharing content over social media.

The main thing to remember is that each time you share content, that message might be the first thing that a potential new customer sees from your brand. Make sure that the information is relevant and professional, but remember to inject some personality that matches the feel of your shop. Creativity will be rewarded by separating your business from its competitors, so make sure you are having fun with it!

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The leaf of a near fully-grown cannabis plant in California.

Humboldt County Farmers Launching Craft Cannabis Brand at Emerald Cup

12/07/2016

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Cannabis farmers in Humboldt County, California have formed a collective to create Humboldt’s Finest, a craft cannabis brand, the alliance announced in a press release. The five sungrown flower lines created and cultivated by the multi-generational master gardeners will be released this week at the Emerald Cup in Santa Rosa.

Jospeh Shepp, Humboldt’s Finest CEO, called the brand and the collective — comprised of cannabis artisans, advanced botanists and “maverick growers” — “a natural next step” for farmers from the region.

“We have been perfecting our trade and ability to comply since Prop 215. The opportunity to enter a legitimate, aboveground marketplace requires responsible practices,” he said in the release. “We look forward to raising the bar and setting the most sustainable standards for cannabis cultivation.”

Members of the collective voluntarily met rigid Patient Focused Certification standards, which require strict safety standards, legal compliance, and water use.

“By educating customers on the premium value of craft cannabis, we will preserve the heritage family farms that have defined Humboldt County since the beginning,” Shepp said. “Our vision is to produce the world’s finest cannabis, while protecting the environment and culture of Humboldt County.”

The brand’s debut will feature six-packs of pre-rolled joints and boxed eighths.

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Washington Business Association to Provide Financial Support for Low Income MMJ Patients

12/07/2016

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The Washington Cannabusiness Association is launching a program to help low-income patients pay for their medicinal cannabis, the News Tribune reports. According to association Director Vicki Christophersen, the program is a necessity for many patients because medical cannabis is not able to be covered by insurance due to federal drug laws.

“People don’t have access to the same kinds of opportunities to get assistance for their medicine,” Christophersen said in the report. “We heard, and have been hearing from patients — legitimate patients who have an authorization — there are people having a difficult time accessing their medications.”

The fund will be administered separately from the WACA, relying on donations from individuals and businesses. Christophersen said that all of the WACA members carry medical endorsements for their retail shops who would act as partners in the program.

“Hopefully we can help fill that void until the federal government changes the status of marijuana nationally,” she said.

Qualified patients with a medical state-authorization are able to apply for financial support from the fund. Applications will be available by the first quarter of next year on the association’s website and at WACA members’ retail locations. The program is expected to begin in earnest by spring as the organization is still determining whether there are regulatory challenges to such a program.

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A hydroponically grown cannabis plant in Washington state.

Cannabis Museum Opening Friday in Uruguay

12/07/2016

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Latin America’s first cannabis museum is opening in Uruguay’s capital city of Montevideo this Friday as a vehicle to showcase the plant’s biological and cultural diversity, according to a report from Telesur. Uruguay is a fitting home for the exposition, as they became the first nation to fully legalize cannabis three years ago.

Museum Director Eduardo Blasina said the permanent gallery, which will also serve as a “cultural club,” will provide “a trip to one of the oldest crops in the world” which he called “one of the most important plants in the third millennium for its medicinal and soil reconstruction properties.”

“It’s a way to connect people who love nature, art and science,” he said in the report.

Uruguay’s cannabis laws allow marijuana to be sold over the counter at pharmacies and for adults to grow up to six plants for personal use. The legal cannabis market was supposed to begin this year, but delays have forced it to be pushed back until 2017. The nation passed the reforms under the administration of José “Pepe” Mujica as a way to undermine the illegal cannabis trade and curtail the power of drug smuggling cartels.

In addition to items of Latin American origin, the museum will feature installations contributed by Amsterdam’s Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum.

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Cannabis leaf under the glow of indoor LED grow lights.

CSU-Pueblo Launches Institute of Cannabis Research

12/07/2016

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Colorado State University-Pueblo’s Institute of Cannabis Research is now operational, according to a Colorado Public Radio report. The institute is the nation’s first-ever academically-based conference and research journal on cannabis.

The goal of the ICR is to develop new and novel uses for cannabis. Using industrial hemp fibers for 3D printing and examining the effects of CBD on adults with medically refractory epilepsy are two of the first studies being pursued by ICR researchers.

According to a press release, the ICR was created with $900,000 in funding derived from the state’s marijuana tax, allocated by the legislature through Senate Bill 16-191. Additionally, they have received $200,000 from Pueblo County and another $739,946 from the state as direct investments for conducting research.

“I’m very pleased with the progress being made at the institute,” CSU-Pueblo President Lesley Di Mare said in the release. “It is imperative that we are good stewards of the state and county funds through our research and education mission, and that we communicate our progress to our constituents.”

The program is led by Jen Mullen, the former head of the mass communications department at CSU-Puebo.

The inaugural ICR conference is set for the last weekend in April on the CSU-Pueblo campus.

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Roger Brauninger: Cannabis Lab Accreditation

12/07/2016

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Roger Brauninger is the Biosafety Program Manager for the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) — a non-profit, internationally recognized accreditation service that offers a full range of comprehensive laboratory and laboratory-related accreditation services and training.

In the following interview, Roger discusses why accreditation programs are so important in validating the cannabis industry, typical issues A2LA might encounter when performing cannabis lab inspections, the importance of educating about lab accreditation and internationally accepted testing procedures, and more.

Read the full interview below:

Ganjapreneur: What purpose does A2LA serve, and when was it founded?

A2LA’s purpose in the cannabis industry is to ensure there is confidence, competence and quality associated with the testing being performed. We accomplish this through the process of accreditation, which is a recognition of competence given to a laboratory by an authoritative body (such as A2LA) to perform specific tasks. Using the international standard ISO/IEC 17025 as the baseline requirements, applicant laboratories are assessed for their competence to perform the specific tests for which they sought accreditation. A2LA has been granting such accreditations to a diverse range of testing laboratories since its founding as a non-profit organization in 1978.

How long has A2LA served the cannabis space, and what led to your decision to do so?

A2LA has served the cannabis space with a dedicated accreditation program since 2014. However, we have accredited laboratories performing tests on other natural products, such as tobacco and dietary supplements, for more than 15 years. As the legalization of medical and recreational cannabis has spread, A2LA saw a critical need for reliable laboratory testing to provide the assurance of safety and confidence in the accuracy of the test results to the medical community and their patients as well as regulators and the consumer.

Could you elaborate on A2LA’s cannabis accreditation program? For example, what’s covered by the program, how much does it cost, who visits the lab to determine eligibility, etc.?

A2LA’s cannabis program uses the international standard, ISO/IEC 17025, as a basis for accreditation. This standard is non-prescriptive, making it sufficiently flexible to meet the needs of any cannabis testing laboratory. We also offer a voluntary accreditation to reflect additional Americans for Safe Access’ (ASA) Patient Focused Certification (PFC) cannabis-specific program requirements. These additional requirements address additional requirements covering both quality and technical that are unique to the cannabis testing laboratory. We will also incorporate any state-specific requirements in the assessment. A2LA utilizes persons who have the technical expertise to understand the working of an analytical laboratory to act as our contracted assessors. We ensure that these individuals have the unique technical experience which enables them to assess the laboratory’s testing capabilities. All of our cannabis program assessors have many years of experience in a related field such as analytical chemistry or testing on other natural products and we train them on how to assess the IS/IEC 17025 accreditation requirements.

What are the main differences between A2LA’s cannabis accreditation program and its other natural product programs?

Both programs use ISO/IEC 17025 as foundational requirements. The analytical instrumentation used for the analytical chemistry being performed by these laboratories are not significantly different either; however, recognized standard methods for the cannabis-specific industry have lagged behind and have generally not undergone similar multilaboratory collaborative validations as those methods in use for other natural products. Also, the cannabis program faces some unique challenges not seen elsewhere with respect to the availability of appropriate proficiency testing programs. This is because the shipping of such proficiency testing materials (especially Cannabinoids) across state lines above a specific concentration is prohibited by the federal government.

What are the most common issues you encounter with cannabis labs going through one of your accreditation programs?

The most common issue is the lack of experience with establishing a quality management system. We also encounter a lack of supporting infrastructure in terms of insufficient relevant proficiency testing programs, as well as fully duplicative reference materials and standards, due at least partially to the legal constraints placed on the industry by the Federal Government. There is a definite advantage for established laboratories who have experience performing accredited testing on other products. They have a proven system in place, making it simpler for them to add the additional structure for the testing of cannabis products, rather than starting from scratch.

What steps have you taken to address the need for laboratory standardization in the cannabis industry?

One of A2LA’s current focus in the industry is education: Educating regulators about the need for ISO/IEC 17025-accredited testing. Educating laboratories about why accreditation will ultimately benefit their operations. Educating the overall industry on how accreditation aids government agencies and the need for laboratory standardization. A2LA supports numerous federal and state agencies in other areas as a third-party accreditation body, providing the established infrastructure to accredit laboratories to international standards.

A2LA is also working to establish mutual partnerships with various organizations including the Cannabis Safety Institute and Americans for Safe Access. We also have established connections with proficiency testing providers, reference material producers and standards development organizations to improve laboratory standardization practices.If you could give one piece of advice to someone as they consider launching a cannabis testing lab, what would it be?

If you could give one piece of advice to someone as they consider launching a cannabis testing lab, what would it be?

We would advise that the laboratory be launched with quality considered from the ground up. There seems to be a pattern of investors rushing into the cannabis market, but establishing a laboratory’s operations should not be rushed and should not be an afterthought. Using the ISO/IEC 17025 standard as a guide during the launch of a cannabis testing laboratory will ensure smooth operations, rather than working backwards to establish quality procedures once the laboratory is already up and running.

Does A2LA offer accreditation programs to cannabis testing labs in every state with a functioning industry?

Yes, A2LA accredits laboratories in any state/country with a functioning industry.Has A2LA ever changed its cannabis accreditation program based on new information pertaining specific to cannabis — or ever due to any regulatory changes?

Has A2LA ever changed its cannabis accreditation program based on new information pertaining specific to cannabis — or ever due to any regulatory changes?

A2LA has included in the cannabis program ASA-specific requirements which relate to cannabis-specific issues such as chain of custody, security, safety and reporting. Additional program requirements can be added on an as-needed basis, to support changing state regulations.

What’s one important topic that you hoped to cover during this interview that we haven’t touched on, yet?

A2LA would like to emphasize the fact that accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 is an established infrastructure that is used worldwide to provide confidence in testing for numerous, different industries. It is not typically top of mind, but testing impacts every aspect of daily life for Americans – the water you drink, the electronics you use, clothing you wear, bridges and roads you drive on – all of these have been confirmed safe through testing. It is important that this testing is done correctly. Specifically, in the cannabis industry, competent testing lends validity to an industry that has been the victim of much skepticism and controversy. Accreditation of this testing provides an additional layer of trust in the safety of these products.

Thanks, Roger, for taking the time to answer our questions and share your expertise with our audience! If you have more questions about the A2LA cannabis laboratory accreditation program, you can read more or reach out for more information at the company website: A2LA.org.

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A sunny day at the Texas Capitol Building in Austin, Texas.

Comprehensive MMJ Bill Introduced in Texas Legislature

12/06/2016

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Democratic Texas State Senator José Menéndez has filed a medical cannabis bill that would allow Texans with debilitating medical conditions to use marijuana under the recommendation and consultation of their doctor, KFDM 6 reports. Menéndez was the sponsor for SB 339, Texas’ current medical cannabis law, which allows for limited medical cannabis use for patients in the state with intractable epilepsy.

“Doctors, not politicians, should be determining what is best for Texas patients,” he said in the report. “This is legitimate medicine that can help a variety of people, from the grandmother suffering from cancer to the veteran coping with PTSD after returning home from war.”

Last session, Menéndez filed SB 1839, which would have implemented a more comprehensive medical cannabis program than SB 339, setting up a system that would regulate the plant’s possession, use, cultivation, distribution, transportation, and fees. That bill, of which Menéndez was the sole sponsor, did not move out of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

“Twenty-eight states have recognized the medical benefit of cannabis, including conservative states like Arkansas, Montana, and North Dakota,” Senator Menéndez said. “It’s time Texas steps up to the plate and provide real relief for our suffering patients.”

Last session’s bill included wasting syndrome, severe pain and nausea, and multiple sclerosis as qualifying conditions, and permitted the Department of State Health Services to add conditions to the list.

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As legalization and reform efforts advance, so does cannabis delivery technologies.

New Over the Counter CBD Product Uses Nanotech Delivery System

12/06/2016

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A product which employs nanotechnology to deliver oral CBD products is set to begin over the counter U.S. sales, according to a Times of Israel report. The nanotech delivery system employed by Hygia Products is owned by Israel startup Lyotropic Delivery Systems Biotech. The CBD product is being marketed in the states by Delaware-based Ananda Scientific as a nutraceutical rather than a medication, making it available without a prescription.

The technology was designed by Hebrew University of Jerusalem Professor Nissim Garti and licensed to LDS Biotech through Yissum, the technology transfer company of the university. Ananda Scientific and LDS Biotech entered into the licensing agreement in 2015, which allows Ananda to use the delivery technology.

The nanotech formulations are able to remain stable for long periods of time without release or breakdown of the bioactive material, making it an attractive product for potential retailers.

“We have developed nano-droplets that absorb on their interface only the CBD compound from the cannabis, and not the THC,” Garti said in the report. “Unlike other CBD formulations that are available on the market and are dispersed in oil, our product is better and more quickly absorbed by the body. Our CBD formulation is also protected from being transformed, after it is ingested, into THC which is a risk factor in other existing products.”

The products are available in a variety of forms including drops and liquid forms that can be dissolved in water.

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The Denver Mall in downtown Denver.

Cannabis Investment Firm Buys Denver’s Organix

12/06/2016

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Cannabis industry investment firm iAnthus Capital Holdings has purchased Denver, Colorado-based Organix LLC in a $4.375 million deal that will see iAnthus take over Organix’s brands, intellectual property and all real estate holdings of Organix’s affiliate DB Land Holdings, Inc., the company announced in a press release.

Organix owns a medical and adult-use operation in Breckenridge, along with a 12,000 square-foot cultivation facility in Denver. The deal does not include any cannabis, or any licenses to manufacture or sell. However, Bellflower, a newly formed Colorado limited liability company in which iAnthus holds no ownership stake, has agreed to purchase the inventory and licenses for $300,000. The Bellflower deal requires the approval from the Colorado Enforcement Division.

Once the Bellflower deal closes, iAnthus will provide the company with professional services, such as real estate and financing, through two newly created, wholly-owned subsidiaries Scarlet Globemallow, LLC, and Bergamot Properties, LLC.

“With the closing last month of our successful financing of [$16.2 million] in gross proceeds, iAnthus has the financial resources to diversify its footprint across the U.S.” Hadley Ford, iAnthus CEO said in the release. “This acquisition is the first deployment of capital from our recent financing and helps set the stage for our growth strategy in Colorado.”

Organix held approximately 40 percent of Breckenridge’s market share this year, with $4.4 million in estimated gross retail sales. They are the only Brecknridge outlet which holds both a medical and recreational license.

iAnthus has also made investments in Vermont, New Mexico, and Massachusetts.

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Study: Cannabis Use up 71% Among Baby Boomers

12/06/2016

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A New York University study has found a 71 percent increase in cannabis use among Baby Boomers – those aged 59 and older – according to a Science Daily report. The study, “Demographic Trends among Older Cannabis Users in the United States, 2006-2013” is published in the Addiction journal.

Using data derived from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the researchers discovered that while adults 65 and older had reported a significantly lower prevalence of cannabis use, use among that group also increased by two and a half times over the eight year period.

Dr. Joseph J. Palamar, an assistant professor at New York University Langone Medical Center, indicated that just 5 percent of adults over 50 believed that using cannabis one or twice a week was a health risk.

“I thought the perception of low risk was fascinating because, typically, we think of older generations as drug-adverse, and perceiving most drugs to be risky,” Palamar said in the report. “But apparently very few Baby Boomers consider marijuana use risky. But after all, this was the generation who was there, in the late 1960s, when the counterculture revolution exploded marijuana into mainstream popularity.”

Palamar said that while public health researchers were worried about the potential effects of cannabis on developing brains, some should consider switching their focus to older patients “who are increasingly more likely to be current users,” noting that older people are at a higher risk for adverse health outcomes and take prescription drugs which could negatively interact with cannabis.

The researchers say that further research is needed into whether or not changing public perception has had any impact on the cannabis use of older populations and whether they are at an increased risk of falling while using cannabis.

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HTML coding and cannabis might not be a great idea if you don't know what you're getting into, and is best left to the pros.

Guide to Hiring a Web Developer for Your Dispensary

12/05/2016

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An online presence is essential for every business, and your dispensary should make a website the center of your online identity and marketing efforts. If you don’t have a site built yet, there now exist more options for moving forward than ever before.

Because your dispensary’s website may be the first and only thing that a potential customer sees, you need to make a great impression. Your site should look professional, clean and clearly reflect the personality and mission statement of your dispensary or cannabis business. It should integrate your branding in a big way, feature the interior of your shop, show off your products, and provide contact information.

What type of developer do you need?

Template Designers / DIY Website Builders

Typically the lowest-cost option, template or DIY designers commonly utilize a content management system (CMS) such as WordPress or SquareSpace. These designers will use pre-built templates and make slight tweaks to give them a new look for your site. They do not typically know how to manage every aspect of a website, and will not be as likely to help solve back-end issues or develop complex custom features or solutions. They may use third-party programs and plugins that could become broken or obsolete as the internet evolves, leaving your website with problems down the line that they aren’t able to fix. Only select this option when you are working within a very limited budget.

From-scratch Designer / Developers

This category includes companies or individuals who build websites from scratch using a coding framework. They may start with a platform like WordPress or Drupal as the backbone, but will fully customize and develop everything on top of it. You may also want to hire a graphic designer to do the mock-ups, then hand those designs to a from-scratch developer to build into code. Keep in mind that websites have multiple layouts for desktop, tablet and mobile, so you will need to receive a mockup for each of the three layouts.

Creative / Branding Agency

A creative or branding agency will be the most expensive option but will provide the most value long-term. This option is perfect for a dispensary looking for someone to build a brand from the ground up — or to perform a rebrand. If you are looking for media exposure and to attract high-end clientele and tourism, an experienced agency would be the way to go. They may also offer extended services like printed material design, social media marketing, apparel design, consulting and more. Be sure to go through the agency’s online portfolio to get a sense of what it is capable of before making your decision.

Questions to ask developers that you are considering

Once you’ve looked at your budget, identified your needs, and decided what kind of designers you will need to hire to work on your website, you will need some additional information before making your final decision. Consider hiring your web designer a lot like hiring a new employee; you need to vet each candidate to make sure there won’t be any surprises along the way. Here are a couple of questions to ask right away:

  • How long will the project take? If they don’t already, ask them to explain each step along the way and where you will need to make approvals to move forward.
  • What is the billing process like? Depending on which type of developer you are working with, you may be able to make several payments as the project hits certain milestones.
  • Will your developer configure your hosting, web domain and email? Make sure to clarify if you need to set this up in advance, or if they will take care of it. Will it cost extra to have them set it up?
  • Do they offer ongoing service for site maintenance and updates? If so, will you be billed weekly or monthly? Is it a pay-as-you-go situation or do they work on retainer?

As you can see, there are a lot of options out there for your website, depending on how much you are willing to invest. Just remember that your website will be a vital asset to your business, so investing heavily up front could mean much stronger returns in the long-run.

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View of Louisville, Kentucky at dusk from across water.

Australian MMJ Producer Moving to Kentucky

12/05/2016

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Ecofibre, Australia’s largest medicinal cannabis producer, is moving its operations to Kentucky, according to a Business Insider report. The company has grown low-THC cannabis on 340 acres in New South Wales, which has been used by the University of Sydney for medical experiments.

Barry Lambert, an Australian banker and adviser for Ecofibre, said the company is closing up its New South Wales operation due to onerous Australian cannabis legislation that includes so many restrictions it’s become unworkable. Lambert, whose granddaughter uses cannabis extracts to treat epilepsy, said that Australia’s laws are driving sick people back to the informal market.

“We have an Australian company, Australian seeds, Australian shareholders, but we have to go to America because of the legislation,” he said in the report.

Ecofibre already has a 500-acre plot in Kentucky – where hemp cultivation is backed by Republican congressmen, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. The company plans to expand its operations to 1,200 acres next year. Additionally, Ecofibre in nearing the launch of a branded low-THC product, with hopes of applying for an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange within the next two years.

Lambert indicated that the decision is also due, in part, to Australia’s requirements that all cannabis be grown in high-security greenhouses to prevent diversion — even plants with low-THC, which would be of little use to recreational users. An Australian Department of Health spokesman said that under the new regime, approved cultivators would have the option to grow outdoors.

The New South Wales government is currently funding three medical cannabis studies with products imported from Canada and the Netherlands.

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Boston Lawmaker Pushing for Racial Diversity in Cannabis Industry Regulations

12/05/2016

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A Boston city councilor is urging the Office of the State Treasurer to consider racial equality when making potential changes to the state’s adult-use cannabis law, according to a Metro report. Councilor Ayanna Pressley is sponsoring the discussion for tomorrow’s City Council meeting.

“As the state treasurer’s office is actively working towards implementation, and the legislature is considering changes to the law, it is critical that racial equity is at the forefront of this work and thoughtfully incorporated into all policies and regulations,” she said in the report.

The Treasurer’s Office is tasked with establishing a Cannabis Control Commission, which will devise the rules and regulations for the recreational market. Under the law, the commission must develop “procedures and policies to promote and encourage full participation in the regulated marijuana industry by people from communities that have previously been disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition and enforcement and to positively impact those communities.”

The provision was written by racial diversity activists, including Shanel Lindsay, an attorney and owner of Ardent Cannabis, a medical cannabis device company. She said the section was included after activists realized that legalization measures in Colorado did not include such provisions and “there was almost no minority participation” in the state’s cannabis industry.

“The harm in what they’re doing, in my opinion, is taking the racism that existed under prohibition and transferring it to a brand new legal and economic industry,” she said. “Even people (of color) who were eligible to access the industry really weren’t, because of a lack of capital or how difficult it is for us to become professionals generally.”

A similar provision is included in Maryland’s medical cannabis law, which has led to lawsuits and threats by the Legislative Black Caucus to introduce legislation that would start the licensing process over, alleging that the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission failed to follow the law’s diversity guidelines. The MMCC has since hired a diversity consultant to address those claims.

According to Pressley, less than one percent of licensed dispensaries and retail stores are owned by people of color in the 25 states that have legalized some form of cannabis use.

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Australia’s NSW Government Launches MMJ Trial for Chemotherapy Patients

12/05/2016

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Australia’s New South Wales government has announced they will fund the world’s first and largest clinical trial of medicinal cannabis for the prevention of vomiting and nausea from chemotherapy. The trial will be conducted by researchers from The University of Sydney, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and cancer centers in New South Wales, including Chris O’Brien Lifehouse.

The study will enroll 80 patients who will be given pharmaceutical-grade cannabis capsules with both THC and CBD. The capsules are developed by Canadian medical cannabis producer Tilray. If the first phase garners positive results a second double-blind study with 250 patients would follow. The study will measure patients’ symptoms, their symptom relief, and any side effects.

Associate Professor Peter Griminson, from Chris O’Brien Lifehouse who will lead the trial, said that while conventional anti-nausea medication had “come a long way” about one-third of patients “suffer during and after chemotherapy.”

“The role of cannabis medicines in alleviating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting is still unclear, and this study aims to provide a definitive answer to this question,” he said in a Sydney Morning Herald report.

Minister for Medical Research Pru Goward said she is hopeful the study will “make the difference so many people claim it will make” noting that despite 30 years of public support “there has been no real investment” in examining those claims.

The New South Wales government is also funding two other medicinal cannabis trials into pediatric epilepsy and palliative care.

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Steve Kerr, award-winning NBA coach, recently admitted to experimenting with medical cannabis.

Title-Winning NBA Coach Admits to Trying MMJ for Pain, Supports Player Use

12/05/2016

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Steve Kerr, head coach of the National Basketball Association’s Golden State Warriors, believes “it’s only a matter of time before medicinal marijuana is allowed is sports leagues” because, eventually, “the education will overwhelm the perception.”

The comments come after an interview with Comcast SportsNet Bay Area’s Warriors Insider Podcast during which Kerr admitted to trying medicinal cannabis twice in the last 18 months to treat his chronic back pain.

“I’m disappointed it didn’t work. I really wanted some relief and I didn’t get it. Having done the research it was well worth a try,” Kerr said in an interview with NBA.com. “You can see it with our country, our country is starting to wisen up on the medicinal marijuana side. I hope we can wisen up on the prescription drug side. That’s scary stuff and it’s really not talked about often enough.”

Kerr said he believes that the reason major sports leagues haven’t embraced cannabis therapies is due to “a perception issue around the country.” Professional sports teams are a business and he said the owners don’t want their customers thinking, “these guys are a bunch of pot heads.”

Several of Kerr’s players supported their coach’s decision to try medical cannabis, including All-Star power forward Draymond Green and guard Klay Thompson, who both said they would support cannabis for medicinal use.

“You look at something that comes from the Earth. Any vegetable that comes from the Earth, they encourage you to eat it,” Green said. “It does make a little sense as opposed to giving someone a manufactured pill. If something takes your pain away like some of these pills do, it can’t be all good for you. … He talked about Vicodin. Toradol, you can be completely hurting and then take a Toradol shot and go through a game and feel nothing. Is that really good for you over the course of time? I doubt it.”

Kerr said that the NBA should explore options for allowing medicinal marijuana use, especially considering the dangerous painkiller trend. “Athletes everywhere are prescribed Vicodin like it’s vitamin C, like it’s no big deal,” Kerr said.

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