Germany Ministry of Health Unveils Cannabis Legalization Draft Bill

7/10/2023

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German adults aged 18 and older would be allowed to possess up to 25 grams of cannabis for personal use and cultivate up to three plants under the country’s draft law to legalize cannabis published by the Ministry of Health last week, Forbes reports. The law would also establish cannabis growers’ associations which would allow members to obtain either 25 grams of cannabis per day or 50 grams per month for personal use, and associations could supply each member with up to seven seeds or five plant cuttings per month. 

The law would also remove cannabis from the nation’s Narcotics Drugs Act and related laws. 

Under the law, cannabis consumption in the “immediate vicinity” of individuals under 18, within a 200-meter radius of schools, children’s and youth facilities, playgrounds, publicly accessible sports facilities, and pedestrian zones between 7 am and 8 pm, would remain prohibited with the potential for fines and criminal charges for specific unlawful activities, the report says. 

Medical cannabis patients would also be allowed to access a regular prescription for cannabis rather than a specialized narcotic prescription. 

A second draft bill, related to retail sales, is expected in the second half of the year, the report says. 

The bill must be approved first by the Ministry of Health before moving to Germany’s Parliament. If approved, Germany would join Malta and Luxembourg as the only European nations to legalize cannabis for adult use. 

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Cannabis Legalization Bill Introduced in Pennsylvania

7/10/2023

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A bill to legalize cannabis for adults was introduced in Pennsylvania last week. The bipartisan legislation would legalize cannabis possession and retail sales and includes expungement provisions for nonviolent cannabis criminal charges. 

The measure was introduced in the Senate by Democratic Sen. Sharif Street and Republican Sen. Dan Laughlin. 

In a press release, Street described the bill as a “singular opportunity to correct decades of mass incarceration, disproportionate enforcement against marginalized communities, the criminalization of personal choice, and the perpetuation of violence.” 

“Legalizing the adult use of cannabis will help us fully and equitably fund education, lower property taxes, and address a variety of community needs throughout Pennsylvania,” Street said in a statement. 

The measure includes an 8% sales tax and a 5% excise tax. The Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office has estimated that legal cannabis sales could generate between $400 million to $1 billion in new tax revenue for the state. 

“Legalized adult use of marijuana is supported by an overwhelming majority of Pennsylvanians and this legislation accomplishes that while also ensuring safety and social equity. With neighboring states New Jersey and New York implementing adult use, we have a duty to Pennsylvania taxpayers to legalize adult-use marijuana to avoid losing out on hundreds of millions of dollars of new tax revenue and thousands of new jobs.” — Laughlin in a statement 

The measure includes safeguards on marketing toward children and gives law enforcement the means to adjudicate driving under the influence and the authority to pursue and eradicate any illicit market.  

The measure also includes home grow provisions for medical cannabis patients. 

The measure was referred to the Senate’s Law and Justice Committee on July 6. 

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Missouri Gov. Signs Bill to Increase Banking Access for Cannabis Companies

7/10/2023

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Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (R) last week signed legislation to increase access to banking services for the state’s cannabis companies and require the firms to get fingerprints and background checks for new employees and contractors, the Missouri Independent reports. 

Under the bill, the state Department of Health and Senior Services, which oversees the state’s medical and adult-use cannabis programs, can share inspections and other information with banks, which they need to serve the industry, the report says. The law also requires everyone working in the state’s cannabis industry to submit their fingerprints and undergo a background check.  

Jackson Hataway, president of the Missouri Bankers Association told The Independent that the divide between state and federal cannabis laws has put financial institutions “in kind of a tricky situation.” The organization supports the SAFE Banking Act, the federal bill meant to normalize banking for the cannabis industry, but the legislation has never cleared the Senate, despite passing the House on several occasions.     

“So we remain in the current quagmire we’re stuck in,” he told The Independent, “where you have a lot of states like Missouri that have upward pressure from businesses to have a secure and safe banking environment. Because if they’re all cash, they’re very risky.” 

Prior to the law, banks were required to do their own inspections of cannabis businesses before accepting them as clients.  

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FDA and FTC Send Warning Letters to Companies Selling ‘Copycat’ Delta-8 Products

7/07/2023

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Wednesday issued warning letters to six companies for illegally selling copycat food products containing delta-8 THC. The warning letters were issued to: Delta Munchies, Dr. Smoke LLC, Exclusive Hemp Farms/Oshipt, Nikte’s Wholesale LLC, North Carolina Hemp Exchange LLC, and The Haunted Vapor Room.

In a press release, Samuel Levine, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said that “Marketing edible THC products that can be easily mistaken by children for regular foods is reckless and illegal.”

FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D. added that the agencies issued the warnings because they put children at risk.

“The products we are warning against intentionally mimic well-known snack food brands by using similar brand names, logos, or pictures on packaging, that consumers, especially children, may confuse with traditional snack foods. We’re also concerned that adults could unintentionally take them or take a higher dose than expected and suffer serious consequences. This risk is especially dangerous for those who are driving, working, or have other responsibilities.” — Woodcock in a statement

These warning letters outline violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act related to adding delta-8 THC to conventional foods. The FDA has requested written responses from the six companies that received warning letters within 15 working days describing how they will address the violations and prevent their recurrence. Failure to promptly address the violations may result in legal action, the agencies said, including product seizure and potentially a court injunction.

 

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Pennsylvania Committee Advances Expansion to State Medical Cannabis Program

7/07/2023

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The Pennsylvania Senate Law & Justice Committee has approved a measure that would allow physicians to certify patients for the state’s medical cannabis program for any condition they deem suitable, Pennlive reports. The measure will next move to the full Senate for consideration. 

The bill would effectively eliminate the state’s list of 24 qualifying conditions, and leave the decision to doctors and their patients. The legislation would also end the expiration date for medical cannabis cards. 

Committee Chairman Mike Regan (R), who sponsored the bill to end the expiration date for medical cannabis ID cards, said the “ultimate goal is to reduce restrictions on medical marijuana organizations and to reduce the cost and burden on patients.” 

“Nowhere do we dictate to doctors what conditions a patient must have for them to prescribe medication.” — Regan to Pennlive 

The committee also approved a measure to allow cannabis edibles to be sold in the state’s medical cannabis dispensaries and another that would provide independent grower-processors of medical cannabis with additional dispensary permits. 

The bills to end the qualifying conditions list and ID card expiration dates, and allow edibles, passed the committee 10-1. The measure to add additional permits passed unanimously.      

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Report: Canadian Cannabis Company Cronos Exploring Sale

7/07/2023

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Canadian cannabis company Cronos Group Inc. is in discussions to sell the company, Reuters reports. The company is backed by cigarette maker Altria Group Inc., which owns Philip Morris USA, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company, and other brands.   

In a statement to Reuters, Cronos said it “is in the initial stages of reviewing these indications of interest.” 

The discussions remain confidential, and no transaction is certain, the report says. 

For the first quarter of the year, Cronos posted a net loss of $19.3 million, compared with a $32.7 million loss a year ago, while the company’s net revenue declined 20% to $20.1 million. Cronos has total cash, including short-term investments, of about $836.43 million, according to its first-quarter report outlined by Reuters. 

Altria holds a 41% stake in Cronos and first invested $1.8 billion in the company in 2019. 

According to the report, U.S.-based cannabis company Curaleaf Holdings has expressed interest in the company but has not commented on whether those rumors are accurate.  

Cronos is publicly traded and its stock price fell 4.08% by the end of trading on Thursday. Its price was up in pre-market trading by .53%. 

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Medical Cannabis Patients in Arkansas Can Carry Concealed Handguns Beginning Aug. 1

7/06/2023

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Beginning August 1, medical cannabis patients in Arkansas will be allowed to carry concealed handguns under a bill approved by lawmakers during the legislative session, KATV reports. The law directly conflicts with federal law which bars individuals who consume cannabis from purchasing or owning firearms.  

The Arkansas law, Act 757, says that a person’s status as a qualifying patient or designated caregiver under the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2016 shall not be considered in determining whether an applicant is eligible to be issued a license to carry a concealed handgun. The measure also prohibits Arkansas State Police considering “a person’s status as a qualifying patient or designated caregiver under the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2016, Arkansas Constitution … in determining whether an applicant or licensee is eligible to be issued a license to carry a concealed handgun.” 

“An applicant shall not be considered to chronically or habitually abuse a controlled substance based solely on the applicant’s status as a qualifying patient or designated caregiver under the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2016, Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 98.” — Act 757 bill text  

In an interview with KATV, State Rep. Aaron Pilkington (R), the bill’s sponsor, noted that the state’s medical cannabis legalization law “had language that said no patient’s right or privilege should be infringed upon on the basis of having medical marijuana” but it “wasn’t extended to concealed carry holders.” 

“There was an issue and a concern about what the federal law said. But now federal law says that gun rights should not be restricted based on patient status,” Pilkington said, “and so no other prescriptions whether it be opioids or others, prohibits somebody from having a concealed carry license.” 

Federal law actually prohibits users of controlled substances, including medical cannabis, regardless of patient status, from receiving or possessing firearms or ammunition. 

Over the past year, two federal courts have determined that the prohibition on cannabis consumers owning firearms is unconstitutional. In April, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) introduced a bill that would end restricting the sale of firearms to cannabis consumers living in states that have passed adult-use and medical cannabis reforms.   

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New York Bill Aims to Curb Cannabis Smoking in Public

7/06/2023

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A bill introduced in New York aims to restrict cannabis use in public, the Post-Journal reports. The measure, sponsored by Assemblyman Michael Novakhov, has no co-sponsors and no companion bill in the Senate, making it unlikely to gain much traction in the Democrat-controlled Legislature. 

Under New York’s cannabis legalization law, cannabis can be smoked anywhere tobacco smoking is allowed. Novakhov’s bill would prohibit public cannabis use unless approved by local governments. Under state law, tobacco smoking is not allowed at parks, on school grounds, government-owned indoor spaces, and within 30 feet of public doorways. The measure would impose a $125 fine for violating the law.

“While we no longer prosecute crimes involving small amounts of cannabis, and state law now permits recreational use by adults, a great many New Yorkers would much prefer not to be exposed to either the effects of cannabis smoke or to its smell, and would likewise prefer that their children not be exposed at an early age to seeing cannabis smoking. The law has established that cannabis use is an adult activity, and it should likewise restrict this use to appropriate and considerate places.” — Novakhov in the legislative justification for A.7612

In the legislative justification, Novakhov noted that the state “has long established prohibitions against smoking tobacco in public places, given both the nuisance created by the smoke and the potential health hazards of second-hand smoke.”

“In addition, smoking is restricted to adults, as it is generally accepted that while tobacco smoking may be legal it is also in the eyes of many an undesirable habit for young people to adopt,” he wrote. “The precise same logic should dictate that cannabis smoking be treated in the same fashion.”

The measure is currently in the Assembly Economic Development Committee.

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Ohio Cannabis Advocates Say They Have Enough Signatures to Put the Issue to Voters

7/06/2023

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Ohio advocates seeking to put a cannabis legalization question to voters say they have collected enough signatures to put the issue on ballots, WTVG reports. The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol said they have collected more than 220,000 signatures – almost 100,000 more than needed.

“The statute would implement best practices learned from the 20+ states that have already done so, including by building off of the existing medical marijuana regulatory framework and imposing a 10% tax on adult use sales.” — The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in a statement via WTVG

Tom Haren, an attorney with the coalition, told WOSU that the organization expects the proposal will pass “with a mandate from Ohio voters that we want to follow in the footsteps of the other half of the United States that have legalized and regulated marijuana since 2013.”

If passed, the ballot question would legalize the cultivation, processing, sale, purchase, possession, home grow, and use of cannabis for adults 21 or older, and impose a 10% tax on sales. Adults would be allowed to grow six plants per person, up to 12 per household.

Ohio voters in 2015 rejected a cannabis legalization bill. In that attempt, cannabis advocates became opponents of the proposal due to monopoly concerns.

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Oklahoma Lawsuit Challenges New Medical Cannabis Operator Fees

7/05/2023

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A lawsuit has been filed in Oklahoma challenging the new law that increases fees for medical cannabis businesses in the state, KFOR reports. The law, intended to crack down on illegal medical cannabis operators in the state, took effect last month and created a tired fee schedule for industry operators from $2,500 to $50,000. 

Jed Green, a cannabis advocate and plaintiff on the lawsuit, told KFOR the law “is hitting the good guys and it’s only helping the bad guys.” 

“Fundamentally, this is a constitutional question that affects every Oklahoma taxpayer. Article five of the Constitution, states that any tax increase has to go to a vote of the people or it has to originate as a House bill [the bill did, and] it has to gain three quarter majority support in both chambers. It did not.” — Green to KFOR 

Green added that under the Oklahoma Constitution, revenue bills cannot be passed during the last five days of the legislative session – which was when the measure passed. 

“They make it harder for our legitimate operators to compete against the illicit market,” Green said. “If the goal of the state is to have our consumers purchase product[s] in a sanctioned consumer tested environment, then they have to work with us to ensure that we can compete on [a] price point against the illicit market. These fees are absolutely not needed for the regulation of this program.” 

The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority did not comment on the litigation but said it expects the state’s Attorney General’s Office to represent them in the lawsuit. 

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New York City Approves Fines for Landlords Who Allow Unlicensed Cannabis Sales

7/05/2023

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The New York City Council Committee on Public Safety has approved a bill that will hold landlords accountable for knowingly leasing a commercial premises to a tenant who sells cannabis or tobacco products without a license, City Land reports. The bill aims to cut down on unlicensed cannabis dispensaries which have proliferated in the city as the state has been slow to issue retail licenses.   

Under the measure, the first time an unlicensed retailer is found operating at a leased commercial site, either the Sheriff’s Office under the NYC Department of Finance or another enforcement agency will issue a written warning to the landlord, which will provide the landlord with knowledge of the tenant’s unlicensed activity and allow the landlord to evict the tenant, the report says. If an unlicensed retailer is found operating in the same commercial premises after a warning has been issued, the landlord will be fined $5,000 for the first violation, and $10,000 for each subsequent violation. 

The measure also covers the sale of flavored vape products which are illegal in the state.  

The law was passed the same day Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) announced new enforcement legislation to further combat New York City’s illegal smoke shops. The enforcement measures include making it a crime to sell cannabis products without a license, and authorizing the New York State Office of Cannabis Management to fine unlicensed cannabis businesses between $10,000 to $20,000 per day for conducting unlicensed activities and padlock businesses found to be in repeated violation of the law. 

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Montana Lawmakers Override Veto of Bill to Use Cannabis Taxes for Road & Environment Funding

7/05/2023

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Montana lawmakers have overridden Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte’s veto of a measure to use cannabis tax revenues to fund the Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program and county roads, the Daily Montanan reports. The veto had been challenged in court by the Montana Association of Counties (MACO), Wild Montana, and the Montana Wildlife Federation who alleged that the governor violated the state’s constitution by waiting until after the state Senate session ended before submitting his veto of the legislation.   

The veto was approved by 72 lawmakers in the House and 35 in the Senate, meeting the two-thirds requirement in both chambers. 

Montana Wildlife Federation executive director Frank Szollosi told the Daily Montanan that the vote “is a resounding testament that it’s time to stop bickering over the allocation of marijuana tax revenue and instead focus on the will of thousands of Montanans who have vocally championed the policy provisions of SB 442.”  

MACO Executive Director Eric Bryson called the move “an important step, as the governor stated he vetoed SB 442 in part because there was no appropriation.” 

“Then he vetoed the appropriation when he vetoed HB 868,” Bryson said in the interview. “Those were the Governor’s decisions, in contradiction to the will of the Legislature, and we are thankful for the Legislature’s ability to overturn that action.” 

The groups who sued over the veto have not yet pulled their case. 

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Maryland Adult-Use Cannabis Sales Now In Effect

7/04/2023

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About eight months after Maryland voters passed the state’s cannabis legalization initiative, adult-use sales launched in the state on Saturday, July 1.

According to a Forbes report, the flip from medical to adult-use sales has increased the number of consumers available to the Maryland cannabis industry from about 168,000 patients to more than 4 million eligible consumers. The launch was marked by lines of eager customers stretching out the door at some retailers.

In a statement released over the weekend, Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown called the launch “a significant step forward in rectifying past injustices.”

“Marylanders overwhelmingly support this initiative, and it’s my commitment to honor the will of the people. The cannabis industry that we stand up today must be rooted in fairness and equity. This means expunging the records of those targeted in the enforcement of cannabis laws, ensuring fair and equitable access to cannabis licensing and other business opportunities, and empowering disproportionately impacted communities through reinvestment.” — AG Brown, in a statement

The state’s legalization law was approved in November by a little more than 65% of voters. In April, state lawmakers established the regulatory framework for legal sales. Under those rules, cannabis products carry a 9% excise tax from the state; additionally, 35% of cannabis-related tax revenues will be earmarked for the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund — which will support local organizations serving communities that have been disproportionately affected by prohibition — and 5% of tax revenues will be given to county governments.

Maryland was the 20th U.S. state to legalize adult-use cannabis and under the state’s legalization law, adults can legally possess up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis and home-grow two plants out of public view.

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Physicians in Australia Can Now Prescribe Psychedelics for PTSD and Depression

7/03/2023

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Physicians in Australia can now prescribe doses of MDMA and psilocybin to patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and hard-to-treat depression, the Associated Press reports. The reforms make Australia the first nation in the world to allow doctors to prescribe psychedelics as medicine. 

The move was announced in February but took effect July 1. 

Both MDMA and psilocybin have been added to the list of approved medicines by the Therapeutic Goods Administration but will be expensive – about AU$10,000 (US$6,600) per patient for treatment, the report says.  

Dr. Paul Liknaitzky, head of Monash University’s Clinical Psychedelic Lab, told the AP that the reforms have led to “excitement about drug policy progress” and “… about the prospect of being able to offer patients more suitable and tailored treatment without the constraints imposed by clinical trials and rigid protocols.” He did note there are some concerns with the reforms. 

“There are concerns that evidence remains inadequate and moving to clinical service is premature; that incompetent or poorly equipped clinicians could flood the space; that treatment will be unaffordable for most; that formal oversight of training, treatment, and patient outcomes will be minimal or ill-informed.” — Litnaitzky to the AP 

Chris Langmead, deputy director of the Neuromedicines Discovery Centre at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, told the AP that there have been few advancements in the treatment of persistent mental health issues over the last 50 years. 

Before prescribing psychedelics, psychiatrists need approval from both a human ethics committee and under the Authorised Prescriber Scheme. 

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New York Nets $150M Investment for Cannabis Social Equity Investment Fund

7/03/2023

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New York has secured a $150 million investment from Chicago Atlantic Admin, LLC for the state’s Social Equity Investment Fund as part of the public-private partnership for the development of cannabis dispensaries for social-equity entrepreneurs. 

The investment brings the fund’s total to $200 million which is the cap allowed under the state’s adult-use cannabis legalization law. New York invested the remaining $50 million, which will come from taxes on adult-use cannabis products. 

In a statement, Gov. Kathy Hochul said the investment “reinforces New York’s commitment to building partnerships that benefit New Yorkers and setting right the wrongs of the past.” 

Chicago Atlantic Founding Partner John Mazarakis and Managing Director Peter Sack described social equity as “the cornerstone of New York’s cannabis industry” and said the investment aims “to pair progressive licensing with progressive and innovative capital solutions.” 

“We are proud to support the Governor’s initiative as well as New York’s [Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary] licensees, the Cannabis Social Equity Investment Fund, the Dormitory Authority, the Cannabis Control Board and the Office of Cannabis Management in this transformational initiative. … The success of New York’s social equity initiatives and its CAURD licensees will benefit all industry participants and further support the development of the legal cannabis industry nationwide.” — Mazarakis and Sack in a press release 

The Cannabis Social Equity Investment Fund will help individuals who have a CAURD license meet the costs of establishing adult-use cannabis retail dispensaries, including the identification and leasing of suitable retail locations and design, construction, and fit-out of the spaces. Last year, Hochul proposed, and the Legislature enacted, the public-private partnership to provide support to individuals who were disproportionally impacted by the state’s Rockefeller Drug Laws and who met Office of Cannabis Management licensing requirements. 

The Fund, Impact Ventures, is a joint venture between Webber Willis Ventures LLC, led by National Basketball Association Hall of Famer Chris Webber and entrepreneur Lavetta Willis, and a firm affiliated with Siebert, Williams Shank, one of the nation’s leading minority- and women-owned investment banking firms. 

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American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp Calls on Congress to Regulate Intoxicating Hemp Products

7/03/2023

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The American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp (ATACH) last week released a policy paper calling on Congress to pass regulations for intoxicating hemp products including delta-8 and delta-9 THC products. The organization says the products “present a threat to public health and safety.”

In the paper, “Toward Normalized Cannabinoid Regulation, Regulation of Hemp-Synthesized Intoxicants,” ATACH argues that unregulated, intoxicating hemp products exploit consumer confusion on intoxication levels, have no limitations compared to state-legal cannabis markets on advertising or selling to minors, carry no product warnings, or warning on how intoxicating they are, no limits on where or to whom they are sold, and no requirements to understand safety or efficacy of the products.  

Their recommendations and message to Congress and state policymakers include: 

  • Amending the definition of hemp to account for regulation for the final product 
  • Adopting standards for all intoxicating cannabinoids, whether from marijuana or hemp 
  • TTB should regulate intoxicating products in adult-use settings 
  • FDA should provide a pathway for non-intoxicating cannabinoids such as CBD 
  • State labs should be provided with federal technical assistance 
  • Retail sales should be limited to adults 21 or over anywhere intoxicants are available 
  • Intoxicating cannabinoid products should be regulated in marijuana programs 
  • Regulators should adopt uniform testing and labeling standards 
  • Enforcement efforts should be supported, and regulations should promote public health and safety 

In a statement, Chris Ferguson, vice president of Government Affairs for Verano and a former Florida regulator, said while overseeing the state’s medical cannabis program he would “receive complaints from patients who thought they obtained products from a licensed medical dispensary when in fact the product came from a CBD shop.” 

“The marketing of CBD shops added confusion to medical marijuana patients in Florida. We need clear legal definitions, testing protocols, public education campaigns, and inter-agency collaboration to address the challenges with [hemp synthesized intoxicants] and marijuana.” — Ferguson in a press release 

ATACH President Michael Bronstein added that the purpose of cannabis legalization programs “at their heart, is the regulation of intoxicants from the cannabis plant.”   

“Ideally, that is where regulation of all cannabis derived intoxicants should also take place – within the context of a marijuana regulatory program both state and federal,” he said, “and with adult-use cannabis legalized throughout the country.”

The position paper comes as Congress is marking up the 2023 federal Farm Bill. The Farm Bill was the vehicle used in 2014 to legalize hemp federally and in 2018 to allow states to enact their own hemp policies. 

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Luxembourg Finalizes Cannabis Legalization Reforms

6/30/2023

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Luxembourg on Wednesday became the second European Union member nation to legalize cannabis possession and cultivation for personal use, Forbes reports. Under the law, adults in Luxembourg can possess up to three grams but public use and possession remains outlawed and can lead to fines ranging from $27 to $500.

Luxembourg citizens can grow up to four plants under the law, which was approved 38-22.

Luxembourg officials had legalized cannabis cultivation for adults in October 2021 but lawmakers had not codified the rules and not agreed to personal possession limits which had delayed the implementation of the reforms. The law must still be published in the Official Gazette before taking effect.

Luxembourg decriminalized cannabis in 2001 and legalized medical cannabis in 2018.

In 2021, Malta became the first European Union country to legalize cannabis for personal use and established a legal framework for cannabis social clubs, although officials have yet to issue any cannabis club licenses. Luxembourg has not established any channels for legal sales or social use.

MP Josée Lorsché, a Green Party member of the Judiciary Committee indicated that the next phase of cannabis reform in the nation would involve the creation of regulated systems for cannabis production and sales managed by the government.

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Only Licensed Hemp Farm In British Isles Shuts Down After UK Government Finds THC In Products

6/30/2023

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The only licensed farm in the British Isles to cultivate hemp and extract CBD onsite has shut down after the United Kingdom Home Office declared its products illegal, the BBC reports. Jersey Hemp co-owners David Ryan and Blair Jones said they laid off half their staff and halted their sales and growing operations after the UK government said it had found THC in its products and restricted export into the UK. 

A Home Office spokesperson told the BBC that the company requires an import license “before controlled drugs are imported into the UK.”

“CBD in its pure form is not a controlled drug, but if a CBD product contains THC or other controlled cannabinoids then it is likely that the product would be controlled.” — UK Home Office to the BBC 

In an interview with the BBC, Ryan described the situation as “very frustrating,” and “pretty sad,” adding that the impact on the company “has been devastating.” 

Deputy Kirsten Morel, Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, and Deputy Karen Wilson, Minister for Health and Social Services, said in a joint statement that the government remained “actively committed to supporting the cannabis cultivation industry.” 

“We are aware that Jersey Hemp is in contact with HM Government with respect to exports to the UK – as a separate jurisdiction, we cannot comment on those talks and would also not speculate on their outcome,” the statement says. “All businesses that are licensed to cultivate cannabis in Jersey are responsible for making sure they comply with the relevant legislation in the jurisdiction into which they export products.” 

Ryan and Jones indicated they are considering taking both the UK and Jersey governments to court. 

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New York’s Capital District Educational Opportunity Center Receives Grants for Cannabis Construction Training Program

6/30/2023

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New York’s Capital District Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), a division of Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) has been awarded a $75,000 grant from the University of Southern California’s Race and Equity Center (USC) that will be put towards implementing a Cannabis Construction training program. 

The Cannabis Construction certificate training program will be offered beginning in the fall of 2023 and will teach enrolled students elements of the building trades that are required to construct indoor and outdoor grow houses, according to a press release. After completing the course, students will have learned facets of carpentry and framing for the structure; electrical wiring, outlet, and panel installation; heating and ventilation duct work and thermostat installation; and plumbing installation utilizing PVC and/or Pex tubing. Students who complete the program will receive a certificate from EOC and three credits at HVCC, which can transfer into a related degree program including construction technology, carpentry, electrical, HVAC, architecture, or engineering. 

EOC is one of 15 institutions nationwide that was selected out of more than 150 applicants to receive grant money from USC. The grant awarded is “The Takeoff: Institutional Innovations for College Men of Color,” which recognizes and supports organizations that are exemplars in finding innovative ways to improve racial equity for men of color. 

The students who complete the program will also be supported by the EOC’s partnership with the Small Business Development Center at the University of Albany. 

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Florida AG Asks Supreme Court to Toss Cannabis Legalization Ballot Question

6/29/2023

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Florida’s attorney general is asking the state Supreme Court to toss the proposed constitutional amendment to legalize cannabis for adult use in the state, arguing the ballot summary would be “misleading to voters in several key aspects,” The News Service of Florida reports. In the brief with the court, Attorney General Ashley Moody said that because cannabis remains illegal under federal law the ballot summary is “incorrect.” 

“…Voters need clear guidance before being asked to lift state-law penalties for the possession of a substance that would subject users to devastating criminal liability under federal law. And the rampant misinformation in the press and being peddled by the sponsor of this initiative about its effects makes clarity all the more pivotal.” — Moody, in the brief, via The News Service of Florida 

The campaign is led by Smart and Safe Florida but mostly funded by Trulieve, the state’s largest medical cannabis company which has contributed $39 million as of the end of May, according to the report.  

Smart & Safe Florida spokesman Steve Vancore told The News Service of Florida that the organization believes “the language as written clearly complies with the requirements of the Constitution.” 

“We look forward to bringing this matter to the Florida Supreme Court and are confident that the court will conclude that there is no lawful basis to set aside the ballot initiative,” he said in the report. “This important issue should be entrusted to the citizens of Florida – over a million of whom have already signed the Smart & Safe Florida petition saying they support it – to decide for themselves through democratic choice.” 

The Supreme Court also received briefs from the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Drug Free America Foundation opposing the measure. 

Lawyers for the Chamber contended that the proposal violates the single-subject requirement of ballot initiatives because it “impermissibly embraces the dual subjects of decriminalization and commercialization” of adult-use cannabis and the ballot title and summary “fail to disclose that the commercialization of recreational marijuana is a chief purpose of the proposed amendment – so much so that it would preclude adults 21 years of age or older from growing marijuana for their own personal use.” 

The issue has reached the state Supreme Court after the campaign gathered enough signatures to put the issue on 2024 ballots. 

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Study: Teen Binge Drinking Declined Following Adult-Use Cannabis Legalization

6/29/2023

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A recent study suggests a decline in teen binge drinking follows the passage of adult-use cannabis laws, but researchers also noted an increase in binge drinking among adults 31 and older. The study, “Recreational cannabis legislation and binge drinking in U.S. adolescents and adults,” used data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2008-2019. 

The researchers found that, during that period, binge drinking declined overall among people aged 12-20 (17.54% to 11.08%), and those aged 21-30 (43.66% to 40.22%), but binge drinking increased among people 31 and older: 28.11% to 33.34% among people 31-40; 25.48% to 28.32% among those ages 41-50; and 13.28% to 16.75% among those 51 and older.  

However, binge drinking habits among people aged 12-20 fell 4.8% after the passage of adult-use cannabis laws. 

“As the cannabis legislative landscape continues to change in the U.S., efforts to minimize harms related to binge drinking are critical.” — “Recreational cannabis legislation and binge drinking in U.S. adolescents and adults,” August 2023, International Journal of Drug Policy 

The researchers note that “the current evidence regarding the association between recreational cannabis laws and binge drinking remains limited to data from a few states, small study samples and one prior U.S. national study using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data” and that their study “builds on existing literature by using nationally representative data to investigate the potential effects of the changing cannabis policy landscape in all age groups using a comprehensive measure of state alcohol policies to control for differences in state contexts.”  

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Report: Canadian Cannabis Sales Grew 157% Over Last Two Years

6/29/2023

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Canadian cannabis sales have grown 157% from May 2020 to May 2023, according to a report from cannabis intelligence firm Headset. While sales have increased year-over-year, sales growth from 2022 and 2023 was 11.8%, compared to 88.3% from 2020 to 2021, the report says.

Over the last year, cannabis flower sales in Canada decreased 15.8% while pre-roll sales have grown by 23.5%, bringing the category nearly even with flower, according to Headset. Vape pens saw a 7.1% sales increase, beverages a 5.2% increase, and concentrates a 1.6% increase. Sales of capsules fell 7.8%, topicals 19.6%, and oil 23%. The sales of tinctures and sublingual products fell from 0.1% to 0.0%.

The report also found a 369% increase in the number of brands in the Canadian cannabis market from 2020 to 2023, but the market is becoming more concentrated. In 2021, the top 21% percent of brands captured 80% of total sales – that figure was 12% so far this year.

“But with all of these new players entering the game, is there enough sales growth to support them or is tightening competition stymieing their success? Store count growth has added more available real estate for these brands, however, it doesn’t seem to be enough to spread the wealth across all new entrants. Between 2020 and 2023, the median total sales per brand dropped by 70%. Additionally, the total sales in the market have become significantly more concentrated by a subset of top brands.” — Canadian cannabis overview: a look at the last 5 years of recreational sales, Headset, June 27, 2023

Flower prices have also flattened since the start of 2022 following several years of price compression, according to the report, while the prices of edibles with higher THC levels saw a 25.3% price reduction as their popularity rose.

Customers are also spending less per trip, as the average basket size has decreased 15.6% over the last two years and the number of products per basket dropped by 5.1%, the report says.

Data for the report came from real-time sales reporting by participating cannabis retailers via their point-of-sale systems, which are linked with Headset’s business intelligence software.

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FDA Releases Draft Guidance for Psychedelic Drugs Research

6/28/2023

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday released its Draft Guidance for research of psychedelic drugs. The guidance covers psilocybin, LSD, and substances such as MDMA.

The guidance mirrors the good practices required by other drug and therapeutic companies, including compliance with the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act and that non-clinical investigations should follow 2010’s Nonclinical Safety Studies for the Conduct of Human Clinical Trials and Marketing Authorization for Pharmaceuticals. The guidance also details which psychedelic drugs would be considered botanical and nonbotanical.

“In recent years, interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs has been increasing. Psychedelic drug development programs are subject to the same regulations and same evidentiary standards for approval as other drug development programs. However, designing clinical studies to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of these compounds presents a number of unique challenges. Psychedelic drugs can cause intense perceptual disturbances and alterations in consciousness that can last for several hours. Some drug development programs incorporate a psychological or behavioral intervention. Investigators hypothesize that psychedelic drugs have both rapid-onset and long-term benefits after only one or a few doses. These and other unusual characteristics should be considered when designing clinical studies so that the results of those studies can be interpretable.” — FDA, “Psychedelic Drugs: Considerations for Clinical Investigations Guidance for Industry,” June 2023

The FDA notes that most of the medical conditions being studied to date in psychedelic research programs are chronic. The proposed regulations lay out the processes for psychedelic therapy, which is legal in Oregon.

The agency says that were it to approve a drug that currently falls under Schedule I status of the Controlled Substances Act, “the abuse potential assessment would assist in determining an appropriate rescheduling action” under the CSA.

The FDA is accepting public comments on the proposed rules until August 28.

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Adults In Connecticut Can Begin Home Growing Cannabis This Saturday

6/28/2023

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Starting Saturday adults 21-and-older in Connecticut can grow their own cannabis plants for personal use, FOX 61 reports. Under the state’s legislature-approved cannabis legalization law, individuals can cultivate three mature and three immature plants up to 12 per household.  

Plants must be grown indoors, in locked areas, and unable to be accessed by anyone other than the consumer, qualifying medical cannabis patient, or caregiver. 

Christina Capitan, with CT Canna Warriors, warned that consumers should be aware of the regulations within some cities and towns and rules for apartment building and federal housing.  

“We pushed very hard for individuals to have the right to grow and not be reliant upon the producers that are licensed in our state. … Patients will have access to what they need. They will be able to grow the specific strains they need and the types that they want.” — Capitan to FOX 61 

Adult-use cannabis sales in Connecticut commenced earlier this year. Last month sales neared $23 million, the highest sales totals since the launch of the market in January. The average adult-use cannabis product price of $35.86 was its lowest level since the launch of the market but were only slightly lower than the average price of $39.48 in April. 

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