Longtime Michigan Cannabis Advocate Rick Thompson Dies Following Cancer Battle

Longtime Michigan cannabis activist Dale “Rick” Thompson died on Monday following a battle with cancer, MLive reports. Thompson was 57-years-old. 

Thompson began full-time activism for cannabis policy reforms in 2010 and, until he became too ill, hosted the Jazz Cabbage Café podcast, previously the Medical Marijuana Radio Show alongside Jamie Lowell and Ryan Basore.  

“Rick is righteous and he always stood up for what he believed in, no matter what. … He just checks off every box, as a person that loves his family, is righteous, has worked hard toward something they believe in and accomplishes important things. I learned a lot from him.” — Lowell to MLive 

Thompson worked with local governments to decriminalize cannabis following the passage of medical cannabis in 2008. He was a leader in the MI Legalize initiative that helped pass adult-use cannabis reforms in 2018. He had also served on the board of NORML since 2014 until stepping down when his health began to decline. He also served as the editor-in-chief from Michigan Medical Marijuana Magazine and Compassion Chronicles.  

Thompson appeared on a 2018 episode of the Ganjapreneur podcast, saying he was able to remain a cannabis activist “by staying true” to his purpose and “completely devoting everything” he had.  

“If I had a nine-to-five job like most other people, I wouldn’t have been nearly as effective in architecting change, and in helping other people do the same,” he said in the interview.  

Thompson also worked for Basore’s Redemption Foundation, a nonprofit devoted to helping those negatively impacted by prior cannabis prohibition and prosecution. 

Robin Schneider, director of the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association, noted that “Cannabis did not legalize itself.” 

“There were a lot of men and women who worked endlessly to change those laws,” she told MLive, “and Rick Thompson was one of those people.” 

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Wyoming Draft Bill Seeks to Outlaw Hemp-Derived THC Products

A draft bill in Wyoming aims to ban hemp-derived THC products and any other hemp products meant for human consumption, Cowboy State Daily reports. Under the proposal, “hemp with any detectable amount of natural or synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), as well as any production of hemp for human consumption,” would be banned in the state.  

Justin Loeffler, CEO and founder of the Wyoming Hemp Co., told Cowboy State Daily that while he understands why lawmakers are concerned about the products, he said the measure is aimed at trace amounts of THC, which make the products unusable as smokable products to get high.  

“If we’re talking about trace amounts of things, we need to take all Teflon pans off the shelf, because everybody has Teflon in their bodies, and that causes cancer.” — Loeffler to Cowboy State Daily  

State Sen. Bill Landen (R) told Cowboy State Daily that the measure is the result of concerns over minors using delta-8 products. Last year, six high school students had to go to the emergency room after ingesting delta-8 THC products. 

Earlier this year, a measure proposed in the state House sought to limit sales of the products to individuals 21-and-older; however, the bill died in committee.    

The draft bill is only meant to begin a policy discussion on the issues in the state surrounding hemp-derived THC products, it is possible it never gets passed the discussion phase.  

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Oklahoma Supreme Court Declines to Hear Lawsuit Challenging Medical Cannabis Business Fees

The Oklahoma Supreme Court has declined to take up a lawsuit that challenged medical cannabis business fee hikes, KOCO News 5 reports. According to court documents from a July 25 state Supreme Court filing, a judge said the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) licensing fees are not a tax but are used to compensate the agency for regulating the medical cannabis industry. 

The plaintiffs, led by Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action and three cannabis companies, argue that the increases are unconstitutional because the law is a revenue-raising measure and lawmakers did not follow the rules governing the passage of such measures. Under the new law, annual fees are assessed through a tiered licensing program that ranges from the current $2,500 to more than $50,000.   

In its response to the lawsuit, the state claimed, “The rapid expansion of the industry has provided opportunities for organized crime, and the boom has made it difficult for regulators to keep up.” 

“To address the oversupply of marijuana in the State, the Legislature enacted House Bill 2179 to raise some of Oklahoma’s uniquely low licensing fees to a level in line with that of other states,” the state argued.     

The lawsuit will be sent back down to the District Court of Oklahoma County, which will have the final say. 

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London-Based Psychedelic Startup Incubator Raises $3.3M in Seed Funding

London, England-based psychedelics startup incubator Beckley Waves has raised $3.3 million in seed funding, Axios reports. The firm backs startups focused on therapies, education, and software. 

Investors in the raise include the Joe and Sandy Samberg Foundation, Satori Neuro, Evolve Ventures and Foundation, Bridge Builders Collaborative, 1440 Foundation, Austin Hearst, and Asia Agnelli. 

Daniel Love, a partner at Beckley, told Axios the company plans to use the funds to launch two companies and “make a handful of strategic investments.” Love added that the company is looking into training and public education, community-building, and research into other potential psychedelic therapeutic applications, such as ADHD, autism, eating disorders, and chronic pain. 

“When robotic surgical tools came out, you had surgeons who were unused to that modality. Similarly, there’s a lot of therapists and great mental health providers, but many have less experience in this new way of working.” — Love to Axios 

According to a Bloomberg report, Investment in the psychedelics-for-mental-health space increased from $62 million in 2019 to $617 million in 2020, and hit a peak of $1.6 billion in 2021; however, in 2022, funding dropped to $570 million.

“Even if this is a psychedelic winter,” Love said, “it feels like the green shoots are coming.” 

Love said he expected Beckley to launch a Series A funding round sometime in 2025.

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Curaleaf Dispensary Workers Strike In Arizona After Company Fails to Negotiate Contract

Workers at a Phoenix, Arizona cannabis dispensary went on strike last week after the company, Curaleaf Midtown, failed to negotiate a contract despite the workers voting to join the UFCW Local 99 in June 2022, FOX 10 Phoenix reports. The strike marks the first time cannabis industry employees have gone on strike in Arizona. 

The workers are demanding better pay and benefits, better working conditions, and safety. They are also demanding that Curaleaf Midtown reinstate a recently fired worker and start advancing union contract negotiations. According to the union, citing a complaint issued by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the worker was fired for her union activity.  

Nickolas Fredrickson, who works as a budtender at Curaleaf Midtown, said workers are “demanding that Curaleaf come to the table, and negotiate with us like they were supposed to do when the NLRB ordered them to recognize us.” 

“We’ve been fighting for almost two years now, and we aren’t anywhere close to a contract.” — Fredrickson to FOX 10 

In a statement, Curaleaf said it “respects the rights of team members who have chosen to be represented by a union.”  

“Where team members have chosen such representation, the company will pursue an honest, business-like approach in working with those representatives. While we believe that a direct relationship with our team members is the best route for us to work together, we respect the voices of our team members and will negotiate with union leaders in good faith,” the company said in a statement. “We know our team members, our business and our patients and customers depend on a positive work environment, and we are committed to a collaborative culture that allows our team to feel heard, supported and respected.” 

The strike by Curaleaf employees echoes sentiments from unions around the U.S.  Amid high inflation, stagnant wages, and the rapid spread of technology that could impact jobs for many sectors, union members in several industries have voted to strike this year, from writers and actors in the film and television industries, to auto industry workers in Detroit’s manufacturing facilities, to health care workers and flight attendants.

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Alaska Lawmakers Considering Changes to State’s Cannabis Tax System

Alaska lawmakers are considering a proposal to lower the state tax on cannabis from a per-ounce tax to a sales tax, the Anchorage Daily News reports. Under the state law, enacted in 2014, cannabis is taxed at $50 an ounce. 

In fiscal year 2021, the state collected more than $30 million from cannabis taxes, the report says. However, according to a 2022 report from the Tax Policy Center of the Brookings Institution, when local taxes are included, Alaska taxes cannabis more than other states. In fiscal year 2022, cannabis tax revenues in Alaska fell to less than $29 million – the first time cannabis tax revenues dropped year-over-year.   

Last year, Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) convened a task force to analyze the adult-use cannabis industry’s progress, and one of the recommendations in the report by the group was a new tax system. 

As originally drafted, the measure would have moved from the $50 tax, which is collected by cultivators, to a 3% tax collected by retailers. The bill was amended to a 10% sales tax.  

Labor and Commerce Committee Chair Rep. Jesse Sumner (R) told the Daily News that the committee, which has so far not taken action on the proposal, may consider additional amendments at a meeting in October or November. 

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Chicago Officials Considering Only Letting Cannabis Licensees Sell Hemp-Derived THC Products

The Chicago, Illinois City Council is considering a proposal that would allow only businesses that hold a state issued cannabis license to sell hemp-derived cannabis products that contain THC, including delta-8, delta-10, and THC-O, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Businesses without cannabis licenses would still be allowed to sell hemp products with negligible amounts of delta-9, but would not be allowed to advertise the sale of THC, use images associated with cannabis, or call themselves dispensaries.  

Second Ward Ald. Brian Hopkins, chair of the council’s Public Safety Committee, said the ordinance is needed to address “a public health crisis” that has emerged as the sales of the unregulated products become more popular.  

“We have to act immediately, and this problem has a fairly clear sequence of steps that need to be taken. These are businesses, they’re not drug dealers that can hide in the shadows. They’re storefronts, and it’s happening in plain sight.” — Hopkins to the Sun-Times 

Under the proposal, each ordinance violation would result in a fine of up to $5,000 and could result in the suspension or revocation of an establishment’s city-issued business license. Chicago police would also be permitted to seize products. 

State Rep. La Shawn Ford (D), who sponsored a bill to regulate delta-8 products statewide, said Hopkins’ plan would lead to the loss of jobs and create an illicit market for hemp-derived THC products. Ford’s bill to regulate the products fell short in the state Legislature.  

“The city of Chicago should not be banning and eliminating tax revenue,” he told the Sun-Times in response to Hopkins’ proposal. “They are right now in a situation where they need as much revenue as possible. My goal is to regulate it and make it safe.” 

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Michigan Businessman Sentenced to 2+ Years In Prison for Cannabis Industry Bribes

A Michigan businessman on Thursday was sentenced to more than two years in federal prison for bribing the former head of the state cannabis licensing board, the Associated Press reports. John Dalaly pleaded guilty to the charges in April, admitting that he had paid Rick Johnson at least $68,200 in cash and other benefits, including two private flights to Canada, and hired Johnson’s wife, who helped him fill out forms that would end up in front of the state Medical Marihuana Licensing Board, as a consultant for $4,000 a month. 

Johnson, a Republican who served as House speaker from 2001 to 2004 chaired the board for two years before it was disbanded in 2019. He has admitted to accepting at least $110,000 in bribes while head of the board and is currently awaiting sentencing. Prosecutors are recommending a six-year prison term for Johnson.

Two lobbyists have also pled guilty in the scheme.

Following Dalaly’s sentencing, U.S. Attorney Mark Totten said, “Public corruption is a poison to our democracy, and we will hold offenders accountable whenever and wherever we find them.”

In a sentencing memo in Johnson’s case unveiled on Thursday, prosecutors detailed that Johnson also received “thousands of dollars’ worth of commercial sex with a woman in the adult entertainment industry.” the Detroit Free Press reports. Dalaly’s attorney said his client “had nothing to do with having a sex worker” involved with Johnson.

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Minnesota Supreme Court: Cannabis Odor Does Not Justify Vehicle Search

The Minnesota Supreme Court on Wednesday affirmed that cannabis odor is not enough reason for police to search a vehicle without a warrant, WCCO reports. The decision was in relation to an appeal made by the state in a 2021 case in which a man’s vehicle was searched after officers claimed they smelled cannabis during a traffic stop. The search turned up methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia and the individual was charged with possession. 

The court found that the only justification for the search was the odor of cannabis, which a district court ruled was insufficient reason to conduct a search and subsequently suppressed the evidence and the man’s charges were dismissed. 

“Because we conclude that the odor of marijuana emanating from a vehicle, alone, is insufficient to create the requisite probable cause to search a vehicle under the automobile exception to the warrant requirement, we affirm.” — Minnesota Supreme Court decision via WCCO 

The Minnesota Appeals Court had also affirmed the district court ruling.  

In its decision, the Supreme Court noted that nothing in the defendant’s actions during the stop was enough “to give suspicion that he was under the influence while driving, no drug paraphernalia or other evidence to indicate that the marijuana was being used in a manner, or was of such a quantity, so as to be criminally illegal, and no evidence showing that any use was not for legal medicinal purposes,” according to a KARE11 report.   

“In the absence of any other evidence as part of the totality of the circumstances analysis, the evidence of the medium-strength odor of marijuana, on its own, is insufficient to establish a fair probability that the search would yield evidence of criminally illegal drug-related contraband or conduct,” the court said in its opinion.  

The case originated prior to Minnesota legalizing cannabis for adult use; however, the state established a medical cannabis program in 2014 and cannabis possession had been decriminalized in the state since 1976.  

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Former Cannabis CEO Hired to Oversee Connecticut Cannabis Program

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) has tapped the former CEO of the state’s first licensed cannabis grower as state program manager for cannabis, CT Insider reports. Jennifer Mandzuk worked at Theraplant from 2014 until January and served as the company’s CEO since July 2022, the report says. 

DCP spokesperson Kaitlyn Krasselt told Insider that “Agencies often hire subject matter experts from the industry to ensure high quality, experienced staff.” 

“There is no formal conflict of interest when a former employee of an industry that we regulate comes to work for the regulating agency. … There is no requirement to obtain a formal approval from the Office of the State Ethics.” — Krasselt to CT Insider 

The state ethics office told Insider that the state’s code of ethics “does not contain a blanket prohibition against a current public official making decisions that would affect his or her former employer.”      

From 2019 to 2020, Theraplant spent $337,213.45 on lobbying efforts, according to a CT Post report in March. In 2021 and 2022 the firm spent $320,974.35, the report says. 

Theraplant is one of four active cannabis cultivators in the state, and was the first when medical cannabis was legalized in 2015. The company was acquired by Greenrose Holding in 2021, and again this year by New York-based DXR Holdco subsidiary NewCo, according to Security and Exchange Commission filings outlined by Insider.   

According to the job post, the state program manager for cannabis “is responsible for the management of the cannabis program in the Department of Consumer Protection, and may be responsible for management and oversight of other programs within the Drug Control Division and reports to the Director of the Drug Control Division.”  

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Woman Awarded $75K After City Tried to Take Her Baby Over Cannabis Use

A woman in the Bronx was awarded $75,000 from the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) after the agency attempted to put her newborn son in foster care because the woman smoked cannabis, legally, hours before giving birth, the New York Times reports. Chanetto Rivers sued the city in May and a federal judge last week signed off on the settlement.  

Rivers, who is Black, had claimed the ACS had targeted her because of her race. The agency has long faced criticism for its treatment of Black families and its harsh policies against parents who consume cannabis, the report says. 

In August 2021, five months after New York lawmakers passed adult-use cannabis reforms, Rivers smoked cannabis at a family cookout and started having contractions a short time later and went to the hospital to give birth. According to her lawyers, Rivers was asked, while giving birth, whether she had consumed drugs or alcohol, and she admitted to having smoked cannabis. A drug test was subsequently performed on Rivers and the newborn, which came back positive for cannabis, and two days later ACS said it was opening a neglect case and moved to place the child in foster care. Under ACS policy, cannabis in a baby’s system is not enough for removal unless the child is found to be impaired, and Rivers’ infant was not found to be impaired. Rivers was ultimately granted permission by a judge to gain custody of the child. 

Niji Jain, Rivers’ lead attorney, told the Times that the settlement shows “actions speak louder than words.” 

“You don’t pay somebody $75,000 before any discovery is exchanged at all in the case based on allegations alone unless there is some ‘there’ there,” she said in the report.  

In a statement, the city’s Law Department said it had “carefully reviewed the case and determined that this settlement was in the best interest of all parties.”  

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Third Lawsuit Filed Over Alabama’s Bungled Cannabis Licensing Process

The embattled Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) is facing another lawsuit tied to its medical cannabis application process, WBRC reports. Medella LLC is suing the agency for defamation claiming the AMCC evaluations implied, inaccurately, that one of the company’s owners or senior directors had a criminal record. 

The overview of applicant evaluations submitted to the AMCC included a column labeled “Pass/Fail Items noted,” with letters of the alphabet included to indicate different kinds of pass/fail issues. The letter “A,” according to the summary given to Commissioners, indicated “Criminal Conviction History (felony or controlled-substance-related misdemeanor /ten years).” Medella is listed with an “A” in that summary, despite not having any ownership or senior members with such a conviction. 

The AMCC on Monday updated its website with a new version of the evaluations which removed the letter “A” from all but one applicant, including Medella. The AMCC defended Medella’s inclusion on the original, published, evaluation saying the “A” designation was due to the agency not receiving all of the company’s required criminal background checks. 

The lawsuit is asking a judge to issue an injunction prohibiting the Commission from “continuing to make defamatory statements against” the company and is seeking damages.  

The AMCC is facing two additional lawsuits – one stemming from its alleged failure to follow the state’s open meetings law, and another from Verano Holdings which claims regulators had no right to revoke prior medical cannabis licenses it had awarded.  

Late last month, regulators said they planned to “start back at square one” in the licensing process – and would follow the open meetings law guidelines. The agency then announced an administrative stay on the licensing process.   

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Connecticut Cannabis Sales Hit Record High of $25M in August

Cannabis sales in Connecticut continue to set records, topping $25 million in August, according to the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP). In August, adult-use sales in the state totaled $14 million, while medical cannabis sales reached $11 million. 

It’s the seventh month in a row that adult-use sales in the state have increased. Medical cannabis sales also saw a slight increase of about 8,000 purchases after declining for four straight months. 

In all, 52% of combined cannabis sales were flower, with vape products comprising 30%, and edibles another 11%. In August, medical cannabis patients purchased 278,395 products, and adult-use consumers purchased 354,700 products. The average product price for medical cannabis patients was $39.36 in August, while the average price of adult-use products was $39.49, the DCP said in a press release. The figures represent a slight decline from average product prices in the state the prior month – $39.92 for adult-use products and $36.66 for products sold to registered patients. 

The data does not include taxes collected at the point of sale on adult-use transactions and is subject to further review by the department. Medical cannabis patients do not pay taxes on the purchase of their medicine. 

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New York to Open General Cannabis Licensing Next Month

New York state plans to open cannabis industry applications to the general public starting October 4, including for current medical cannabis companies. The Cannabis Control Board on Tuesday approved regulations that provide a pathway for more companies to companies to enter the state’s market – which has been beleaguered by a slow rollout and a recent lawsuit that has all but halted licensing in the state entirely.  

The regulations include requirements for plant nurseries, cultivators, processors, cooperatives, distributors, dispensaries, delivery services, and microbusinesses. The regulations require the state’s currently, vertically integrated, medical cannabis companies to pay a special licensing fee of $20 million which would allow them to open three adult-use dispensaries in locations where they currently operate. 

Current conditional license holders will be able to obtain a nonconditional license if they are in good standing with state regulations. 

Application and licensing fees for new licenses run between $750 and $300,000 and social equity applicants will be eligible for discounted fees. The regulations do not include caps on any license types. 

New York’s legalization law does include social-use provisions; however, the new rules make no mention of cannabis lounges, clubs, or cafes. 

It is expected that once the application process opens next month, the injunction imposed by a state Supreme Court judge will be lifted.  

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California Bill to Allow Cannabis Cafes Moves to Gov.

The California Assembly on Monday passed a bill to allow cannabis cafes in the state, moving it to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) for final approval. The measure passed the Assembly 66-9 after being approved last week 34-3 by the state Senate.  

Under the measure, local jurisdictions could allow cannabis retailers to prepare and serve non-cannabis food and beverages, and to hold and sell tickets to live musical or other performances, “in the area of the premises” where consumption of cannabis and cannabis goods is authorized, according to a legislative summary. The summary notes that, under the law, cannabis retailers cannot prepare or sell hemp products, retailers with suspended licenses are not allowed to engage in activities permitted under the bill, and all non-cannabis food and beverages present on the premises of a retailer must “be stored and displayed separately and distinctly from all cannabis and cannabis products” present at the site.  

Some cities already allow social cannabis use; however, they are not permitted to sell non-cannabis food or drinks.   

The law also prohibits alcohol from being served at the cafes or events that allow cannabis consumption, and that the events must also prohibit tobacco use, according to the bill text. 

If approved by Newsom, the measure would take effect next year. 

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Nebraska Advocates Launch Third Medical Cannabis Ballot Initiative Campaign

Cannabis advocates in Nebraska are making their third attempt to get an initiative to legalize medical cannabis to voters as they host a signature drive kickoff today. Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana (NMM) has twice failed to get the issue on ballots – in 2020 after the state Supreme Court ruled the question’s wording violated the state’s single subject provision for initiatives, and in 2022 after the campaign failed to gather enough signatures.

In a press release, the campaign said the 2022 effort was unsuccessful because the “campaign lost two major financial backers who had provided significant funding during the initial effort, which at that time helped with the hiring of paid circulators.”

The campaign needs to collect 125,000 raw signatures on two complementary petitions by July 3, 2024.

The NMM is co-chaired by state Sen. Anna Wishart (D) and former state Sen. Adam Morfeld (D). Wishart has long backed medical cannabis legalization in the state and has sponsored legislation in the state Senate with little success.

A University of Nebraska-Lincoln survey from May 2022 estimated that in 2020 and 2021 83% of Nebraskans supported the reforms. The figures matched internal polling conducted by NMM, which four 80% support for medical cannabis legalization in the state.

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Glove Essentials: Cannabis Industry Must-Knows

Gloves. We all use them. What the hell for? Which type is best? In this three-part series we’ll break it down into the basics of disposable gloves, how they directly affect your bottom line and why gloves are vital in regulatory compliance.

When you buy the right cannabis glove from a trustworthy supplier, you shouldn’t have to think about gloves ever again. Sounds nice to get something off your plate? Let’s dive into that mythical ‘perfect glove’ we are looking for and what it means.

Nitrile, Latex, Vinyl … Oh My!

There are four main glove materials: nitrile, latex, vinyl and polyethylene.

In the majority of the cannabis industry, we recommend using nitrile gloves due to their overall durability, puncture resistance, and chemical protection.

Polyethylene is a great glove that can cut costs. It should be used for light work of a few minutes or less, for instance, gathering products for sale in a dispensary.

It is much less common, but we do see vinyl gloves being used in the cannabis industry. Although it may be seen as an advantage that vinyl gloves’ surface provides a slightly reduced ’stick’ factor, we do not recommend using vinyl gloves due to their permeability and potentially toxic raw materials. There are global concerns over toxic pollution during vinyl glove manufacture and disposal that causes adverse health effects on glove users. Chemicals in vinyl gloves have also been shown to migrate onto the product being handled. Read more about it here.

Latex gloves provide durable protection and puncture resistance but aren’t commonly used due to some people being allergic to a protein in the latex glove. This allergy, which can be severe, could affect the glove wearer or consumer who ingests the product handled by the glove.

Ok, we got it. Nitrile gloves are the solution. Now what?

Disposable gloves are a simple safety item. Let’s not overcomplicate it, but there are a few best practices to keep in mind when selecting the right nitrile cannabis glove.

1. How Thick of a Glove Should I Use and Where?

We commonly see cannabis companies buying one glove for everyone in the facility. Depending on the stage of the seed-to-sale process, we recommend using slightly different gloves tailored to the task at hand…no pun intended. For instance, critical areas requiring gloves are:

Cultivation – Disposable gloves are essential to both preventing cross-contamination as well as protecting the staff from the cannabis plants, soil, and fertilizers being handled. We’ve found a slightly textured 3mil nitrile glove provides the strength needed as well as an enhanced grip. If workers are reaching through and between plants where more arm protection is needed, we recommend using a nitrile glove that offers more protection with an extended cuff. In a few stages of the process, cannabis plants and stems can snag gloves during processing which requires the durability of 6mil gloves.

Trimming – Whether dry or wet trimming, gloves need to be considerably durable as they can become caked in resin. But this is the stage where details matter and your beautiful bud gains its shelf appeal power. Trimmers must be able to feel exactly what they are doing. We’ve found that a thinner high-quality 3mil nitrile glove allows for the necessary tactility, without sacrificing strength.

Extraction – Certain stages of the extraction process require a higher level of chemical protection and durability to withstand the ‘stick’ factor. Always verify a glove’s level of chemical protection with the supplier. In our experience, a quality 6mil nitrile glove does the trick – protecting both you and your product.

Edibles – The best glove for making edibles depends on the product being made. For example, a 4mil works for making brownies, while you will most likely do better with a 5mil when working with gummies.

Dispensaries – A thin nitrile glove (2.6mil) or a cheaper polyethylene glove will suffice for the lighter tasks in a dispensary. This prevents direct contact with the product as well as provides a professional look.

Labs – A dexterous glove is needed for the intricate movements involved in lab testing. We recommend using a 3mil glove and strongly warn you to source your gloves carefully. If a lab uses contaminated gloves, as the cannabis producer processor did in this recall, the lab could contaminate the product being handled and wrongfully impact the test results – potentially giving a false positive! We tested disposable gloves right out of a new box and were shocked at what we found! As a result, we developed our Delta Zero™ glove testing program to mitigate the risk of glove contamination.

After that mouthful sinks in, it’ll be easy to understand why different stages of the cannabis process require different gloves. Typically, we find that two glove thicknesses, in the appropriate sizes for your team, will do just fine.

2. Glove Strength & Durability

Glove thickness can be misleading. It’s a common misconception that thicker gloves are more durable. We are glove gurus, not math wizards, but there is a huge variable in that equation being missed. The quality of ingredients used to make the glove is paramount in determining its durability. Gloves made with superior ingredients are:

  • Stronger – allows them to be thinner, but just as strong. This is key because it reduces glove ripping and, in turn, decreases overall glove use – directly impacting your overhead costs. It also allows your team to be more efficient by reducing the amount of time wasted when changing ripped gloves.
  • Stretchier (Elongation) – enhancing workers’ comfort and fit.
  • Skin Friendly – Shameless plug on behalf of your staff, a glove made with higher quality ingredients is less likely to cause skin irritation and allergies. When you think about it, a glove is a pretty gnarly environment for your hands to be in all day. It’s warm, moist (yeah, we said it) and quite harsh on hands. Skin issues can often be caused by cheap glove chemicals, enhanced by a warm, sweaty environment.

It is a frequent complaint that we hear, but believe it or not, disposable gloves should not rip all of the time. Finding the ‘right glove’ makes all the difference.

3. Texture

Disposable glove texture is a way to enhance your grip. A glove can be fully textured or just on the fingertips. We recommend looking for a glove with at least textured fingertips.

4. Fit

The correct glove fit is vital to your staff working efficiently and effectively. A glove with a ‘fat guy in a little coat’ fit is too tight, increasing the chances of it ripping when putting it on, and it puts unneeded stress on the wearer’s hand with each movement. A glove that fits like JNCO pants in the 90s is likely to rip or have the loose material cut during use, possibly contaminating your product.

5. Color

Some larger facilities use glove colors to differentiate safety zones and help the quality manager to recognize workers and mitigate cross-contamination. It’s also, hands down (see what we did there), the easiest way to enhance the cool factor in your IG posts.

6. Medical vs. Food-Grade

The ‘grade’ of gloves depends on the testing and/or documentation submitted prior to importing them. Medical gloves have different regulations for quality, safety, and performance than food-grade gloves. Overall, it’s a decent system, but what we find disturbing is that neither medical nor food-grade gloves are verified free of contamination — unless they are sterile gloves such as those used during surgery.

Disposable gloves touch your final product, which in turn gets tested before being sold. You can unknowingly contaminate your product before sending it off for testing by simply using a glove you didn’t realize was contaminated. Sadly, it’s happened.

We’re all for living life on the edge, but that’s a bit risqué even for us. So, we developed our proprietary glove testing program, Delta Zero™, to mitigate the risk of glove contamination.

Now that you are glove experts, it may be time to check that you have the right box of gloves on the shelf. Tune in next month to find out how disposable gloves directly affect your bottom line.

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Cannabis Sales in Massachusetts Total $5B Since Adult-Use Launch

Adult-use cannabis sales in Massachusetts reached $5 billion on August 31 after record-breaking monthly sales in June, July, and August, according to the state Cannabis Control Commission (CCC). Sales surpassed the $4 billion mark just eight months prior to hitting $5 billion, which the CCC said makes the period the shortest it’s taken for Massachusetts businesses to generate another $1 billion dollars in gross sales.

Cannabis sales commenced in Massachusetts in 2018. So far this year, adult-use cannabis sales have totaled more than $1 billion. 

In a statement, Commission Executive Director Shawn Collins noted that the milestone comes even as Maine, Rhode Island, and Connecticut also experienced record sales over the summer.  

“Demand for tested, quality cannabis products remains strong in the region, and consumers shopping in other states have not impacted Massachusetts’ success.” — Collins in a press release 

The agency also noted that, to date, just five cannabis retailers in the state have surrendered or allowed their license to expire, while just 16 of all cannabis businesses have either let their license expire, surrendered their license, or had it revoked. The state currently has 317 cannabis retailers, nine delivery couriers, eight delivery operators, and one microbusiness with a delivery endorsement.  

The CCC notes that it is also currently undergoing a regulatory review to implement new social equity rules and regulations. The agency has until November 9 to issue the updated program regulations.    

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Poll: 60% of Floridians Back Adult-Use Cannabis Legalization

A poll released last week from the University of South Florida and Florida Atlantic University found that 60% of respondents back adult-use cannabis legalization in the state, while 83% backed the state’s current medical cannabis program. 

The survey found about 29% of respondents wanted cannabis to remain illegal for adult use in the state with about 11% unsure.  

The poll also found that less than half – 45% – of respondents believed medical cannabis “is being abused” (50% disagreed) with 39% saying medical cannabis is too easy to obtain in the state (57% disagreed), and 40% believing there should be “harsh penalties” for sharing medical cannabis (52% disagreed). Another 44% of those surveyed said medical cannabis should be taxed (45% opposed).    

In June, the campaign seeking to put an adult-use cannabis question to Florida voters in 2024 surpassed the signature threshold to get the issue on ballots; however, the initiative is being challenged by state Attorney General Ashley Moody over concerns that, if approved, cannabis consumers would face “devastating criminal liability under federal law.” In a brief filed on behalf of Moody last month, Solicitor General Henry Whitaker argued that the ballot summary “misleads in ways that, though sometimes subtle, are likely to influence voters – and to do so in a way that entrenches the sponsor’s monopolistic stranglehold on the marijuana market to the detriment of Floridians.”

The state Supreme Court will ultimately determine whether the ballot initiative covers only a single subject as required under state law, is not confusing to voters, and whether it will allow it on ballots.

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Lawsuit Filed Challenging Virginia’s THC Limits on Hemp Products

A lawsuit challenging Virginia’s newly imposed THC limits on hemp products in the state was filed in federal court last week, the Virginia Mercury reports. The plaintiffs include two hemp businesses and a private citizen who argue that the new restrictions, which took effect July 1, cause financial harm to hemp businesses and interfere in interstate commerce.  

The law, passed in February, set the maximum amount of THC in hemp products at 0.3% concentration and 2 milligrams per package, and imposes fines on businesses that break the rules.  

The lawsuit was filed by hemp retailer Northern Virginia Hemp and Agriculture, North Carolina-based hemp producer and distributor Franny’s Operations, and Rose Lane, a hemp customer. The lawsuit argues that, if not halted, the law will cause millions of dollars of irreparable harm” and “cause the Banned Products to be unavailable in the Commonwealth, exacerbating potential health problems to thousands of Virginians.” The plaintiffs claim the law is counter to the U.S. Constitution’s supremacy clause.  

The lawsuit contends that the state’s definition of legal hemp conflicts with the federal definition – cannabis with less than 0.3% of delta-9 THC content. Virginia’s law defines legal hemp products as those with less than 0.3% total THC content, which includes not just delta-9 THC but also delta-8 THC and all other natural and synthetic isomers combined, the report says. 

In an interview with the Mercury, Jason Amatucci, president of the Virginia Hemp Coalition, which helped find plaintiffs and fundraise for the lawsuit, described the law as “irresponsible” and taking “a straight sword” to “cut the industry down.”  

A study published in March – prior to the bill’s passage – by Whitney Economics found that the crackdown could cost the state more than 4,000 hemp industry related jobs.  

Virginia lawmakers in 2021 passed a bill to legalize cannabis for adult use in the state; however, in 2022 Republican Glenn Youngkin was elected governor and his administration has no plans to facilitate the launch of the program.  

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California Increasing Incentives to Get Municipalities On Board with Cannabis Licensing

The California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) is increasing eligibility for its Local Jurisdiction Retail Access Grant (LJRAG) along with the award amounts for municipalities that are given grants under the program. 

The LJRAG program is part of the state’s efforts to expand legal cannabis access in jurisdictions where adult-use cannabis operations do not currently exist. The Phase II funding is tied to the local jurisdiction’s issuance of local permits or licenses authorizing cannabis retail. Under the revised Phase II guidelines, eligible local jurisdictions may apply for funding regardless of whether they participated in Phase I. The DCC said the new guidelines will allow more than 300 cities and counties to pursue funding in Phase II. 

The state will award $15 million in grants under the Phase II program. Phase I awarded $4.1 million in grants to 18 cities and counties throughout the state.  

In a statement, DCC Director Nicole Elliott said “There are still many locations throughout the state where cannabis usage is notable, but existing consumers do not have convenient access to legal retail cannabis.” 

“We know that cannabis consumers often make purchasing choices based on convenience, so sufficient access to legal retail reinforces extremely important consumer safeguards.” — Elliot in a press release 

Phase II eligible applicants include jurisdictions that prior to July 1, 2022, did not have a cannabis retail licensing program in existence; have a plan to develop and implement a cannabis retail licensing program; and have issued one or more cannabis retail licenses to cannabis businesses within the jurisdiction of the city or county pursuant to that program. 

The Phase II funding amounts for the issuance of a retailer license and equity retailer license have been doubled. Jurisdictions may now receive $150,000 per eligible retailer license and $300,000 per eligible equity retailer license issued. The previous amounts were $75,000 and $150,000, respectively. 

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High Times Intellectual Property Acquired By Canadian Firm

Longtime cannabis and counterculture company High Times last week entered an intellectual property partnership with Canada-based Lucy Scientific. The deal includes all of High Times’ existing licensing agreements, including rights to the High Times magazine, Cannabis Cup, 420.com brands, and respective domain names.  

Lucy Scientific Discovery Inc. (NASDAQ: LSDI) is a Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada-based Nasdaq-listed company with holdings and operations in a variety of psychotropic businesses. The company holds a Controlled Drugs and Substances Dealer’s License granted by Health Canada’s Office of Controlled Substances. 

Under the deal, Lucy will issue 19.9% of its outstanding stock to High Times and make payments semi-annually for the next five years based on EBITDA generated from the acquired IP. Lucy will license the right to operate retail stores and manufacture and sell THC products in the U.S. back to High Times, in return for a license fee of $1 million per year, increasing to $2 million per year upon federal legalization. The company expects the acquisition of High Times IP to add at least $10 million of revenue and $5 million of EBITDA to its 2024 results. 

In a statement, Richard Nanula, CEO and executive chairman at Lucy, said the firm expects the partnership “to drive high margin revenue quickly and sustainably across the cannabis sector around the world.” 

“This is a great opportunity to grow the market presence of the nearly 50-year-old High Times brand globally through licensing and online distribution. We are confident that this opportunity can add significant value for our shareholders.” — Nanula in a press release 

Adam Levin, executive chairman of High Times, added that “there is no better partner than Lucy” to drive the brand forward. 

“This transaction will open up tremendous new opportunities to grow and expand the High Times brand,” he said in a statement.  

High Times currently owns eight retail cannabis stores and several retail brands. 

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Missouri Combined Cannabis Sales Surpass $1B

Combined cannabis sales in Missouri last week topped the $1 billion mark, according to state Division of Cannabis Regulations data outlined by KRCG. Medical cannabis sales in the state commenced in October 2020, while adult-use sales began last February.  

Since the launch of adult-use sales on February 3 through the end of May, adult-use sales have totaled $256.2 million while medical cannabis sales have totaled another $94 million, the report says.  

According to the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association (MoCannTrade), there are now more than 14,800 direct cannabis industry jobs in Missouri. The trade group also notes that more than 31,000 cannabis-related criminal records have also been automatically expunged. Missouri was the first state to include automatic expungement of non-violent cannabis crimes as part of its legalization initiative.  

The state’s cannabis industry was rocked last month by the recall of nearly 63,000 cannabis products that regulators said were not tracked in the state’s seed-to-sale tracking system.  

The state’s Auditor’s Office also announced last month that it planned to investigate the state’s adult-use and medical cannabis programs to make sure they are operating legally. That audit will review a five-year period from 2018 through June 30, 2023. Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick noted that the cannabis legalization amendments “represent some of the most substantial changes” to the state’s constitution “in recent memory” and “now make up more than one-fifth of the language” in the state constitution.   

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California Sues Multiple Hemp Companies Claiming State Law Violations

California is suing several hemp brands throughout the U.S. claiming violations of the state’s Proposition 65 rules, which require products “known to the State to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity” to carry a “clear and reasonable” warning label. Although the 2018 Farm Bill effectively legalized hemp containing 0.3% THC or less at the federal level, in California’s legal system, delta-9 THC is considered a chemical “known to cause harm to the developing fetus” and having any amount present makes a product subject to the Prop 65 rules.

The state is also accusing the businesses of unfair practices for selling “inhalable hemp products,” which are prohibited under a 2021 law clarifying the state’s hemp rules. The lawsuit claims the companies sold inhalable hemp products through their websites to customers in California, violating state law.

“This complaint seeks to remedy the defendants’ illegal sale of inhalable hemp products and their failure to protect consumers from highly toxic chemicals that are present in all commercial hemp products and their failure to warn consumers about the risks these products pose,” the lawsuit states. 

The companies targeted by the lawsuit include:

  • Oregon-based G.E.T. Agriculture LTD
  • Nevada-based Hempacco Company, Inc.
  • California-based Cheef Holdings
  • Wyoming-based IHF Online LLC
  • New Mexico-based Eagle Moon Farm, LLC and EMH Wholesale
  • Massachusetts-based Berkshire CBD
  • Vermont-based Berkshire Farm Collective

In a conversation with Ganjapreneur, CEO of Hempacco Company, Inc. Sandro Piancone stated that the company does not sell products to California consumers and that the company was in full compliance with Prop 65.

The other brands named in the suit did not immediately respond to a request for comment but this article will be updated if and when they do. The companies face potential penalties of up to $1,000 for each sales violation, $2,500 per day for each violation of the Prop. 65 Warning law, and $2,500 for each violation of the state’s unfair practices law.

The lawsuit was filed on August 31 in the Superior Court of Alameda County. To view a copy of the filing, click here.

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