UC San Diego Researchers Gifted $1.5M to Study Effects of DMT on the Brain

7/12/2023

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The University of California, San Diego Psychedelics and Health Research Initiative has received a $1.5 million gift to study the effects of DMT on the brain. Philanthropist Eugene Jhong gifted the funds to the university for the research.

Jon Dean, PhD, a postdoctoral scholar in the UC San Diego Department of Anesthesiology and director of the Division of DMT Research at the UC San Diego Psychedelic Health and Research Initiative, is one of the principal investigators of the study. In previous research, Dean discovered that endogenous DMT also exists in the rat brain at levels comparable to serotonin, a neurotransmitter vital to brain function.

“Our goals are to employ multi-modal approaches to study extended state consciousness elucidated by DMT to further appreciate the nature of reality as well as the role of endogenous DMT in the human body. Reliable methods for measuring DMT directly in the human brain and bodily fluids do not exist, so the intriguing possibilities that endogenous DMT may play a role in consciousness, dreaming and protecting the brain from trauma are still scientific speculation.” — Dean in a press release

UC San Diego is currently the only university in the U.S. that has a dedicated division to conduct extended-state DMT research.

In a statement, Jhong said he is “pleased to support this innovative effort to explore extended DMT and am confident it will shed new and important insight into the question of our true nature.”

Fadel Zeidan, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at UC San Diego School of Medicine, said the researchers’ “long-term objective is to gain a better understanding of how DMT and other psychedelics could be used in a therapeutic manner to address pain, trauma and various medical conditions related to the brain.”

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‘Zkittlez’ Cannabis Creator Terphogz Releases Statement on Settlement with ‘Skittles’ Candy-Maker Wrigley

7/11/2023

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7/10/23 – Mendocino County, CA: California cannabis brand Terphogz has released the following statement regarding its settlement with Mars Wrigley. “After using the ‘Zkittlez’ mark for over 10 years with no complaints from the candy maker, we welcomed the opportunity to resolve any trademark concerns with Wrigley. We want to let consumers know they can still enjoy our unique and highly sought-after cultivar under the name ‘The Original Z.’”

The brand is famous for developing a cannabis strain known as Zkittlez. In 2021 Wrigley sued Terphogz in Chicago federal court for trademark infringement, demanding Terphogz “never use the letter Z by itself or combined with any letters or numbers,” as well as pay $250,000 in damages. The brand rejected Wrigley’s demands as unsupported by federal trademark law and a violation of its first amendment rights.

Last week, the case against Terphogz was settled with no financial damages awarded to Wrigley. Per the settlement, Terphogz agrees to cease using the name “Zkittlez” and its “circle Z” branding, but will continue to use the name, “The Original Z,” as well as its iconic “Z” logo.

Terphogz’s attorney stated, “It’s important to distinguish between pirates that Wrigley separately sued who sell adulterated candy or who use Wrigley’s registered trademarks and copy Wrigley packaging.” When it first issued the complaint against Terphogz, Wrigley brought lawsuits against five other companies for violation of its intellectual property rights. In one such case, another company selling THC-laced candies awarded Wrigley $2 million in damages for trademark infringement.

Ironically, Wrigley’s candy ingredients have been recently called into question by California lawmakers, who proposed a ban on Wrigley candy products in California for ingredients that have been found to be harmful to children and adults. With this settlement, the legal battle between Terphogz and Wrigley comes to a definitive end. At the same time, it appears Beau Wrigley’s problems with cannabis have just begun as a fraud case moves forward against his cannabis company in Florida.

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Highdration Kitchen Launches First & Only Cannabis-Infused Ice Cubes In Massachusetts

7/11/2023

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New Product Innovation Will Make Cannabis Consumption More Accessible, Creative, and Social

FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, June 28, 2023 – Highdration Kitchen announced its launch of the first and only cannabis-infused ice cubes in Massachusetts, called melt. This new category innovation is designed to appeal to a wide range of consumers from cannabis regulars to the “canna curious.”
melt will soon be available at licensed dispensaries throughout the state.

melt infused ice cubes are designed to enhance homemade drinks like seltzers, juices, teas, coffees, and mocktails. melt cubes are sold in pure liquid form in pre-packaged ice trays of 10 infused cubes and designed to be easily frozen and consumed at home.

“We know from early concept research that there’s a real market for a cannabis beverage enhancement that caters to the DIY beverage consumer,” said Harry Groome, founder, and CEO of Highdration Kitchen. “People love the ritual of creating and serving their own drink recipes and our melt cubes offer a fun and social way to add more life to those drinks.”

melt infused cubes are made from a blend of THC, natural fruit juices and preservatives, and distilled water, with no sugar added. melt’s first three flavor offerings will be original (no flavor), lemon, and lime, with new flavors and line extensions planned for later this year.

Each melt cube is precisely infused with 5mg of THC for a consistent consumption experience. melt infused ice cubes offer a gradual release of THC as they melt and evenly mix into any drink. A single tray of melt cubes (10 cubes per tray) contains 50mg of THC. MSRP for melt is $20 per tray and $2 per cube. For more about melt, please visit www.meltcubes.com.

ABOUT HIGHDRATION KITCHEN
Founded in Massachusetts in 2022, Highdration Kitchen is focused on creating brand innovation and differentiation in the cannabis-infused beverage market. The company is committed to using only the highest quality ingredients and production methods to deliver a purer, more natural, and more social cannabis experience. Highdration Kitchen’s line of melt ice cubes is the first in its pipeline of product innovations and offers consumers a more social and do-it yourself cannabis brand experience.

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Amendments to Loosen Military’s Cannabis Rules Added to Must-Pass National Defense Bill

7/11/2023

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Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz (R) has introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would end cannabis testing for military members, USA Today reports. The NDAA is a must-pass measure that reauthorizes military programs.

The proposal would end cannabis testing at the time of enlistment or when soldiers are being commissioned as an officer.

“Our military is facing a recruitment and retainment crisis unlike any other time in American history. I do not believe that prior use of cannabis should exclude Americans from enlisting in the armed forces. We should embrace them for stepping up to serve our country.” — Gaetz via Twitter

In 2017, the Army relaxed the process for granting waivers for cannabis consumption as it faced an increased demand for new soldiers.

Additionally, the Congressional Cannabis Caucus proposed an amendment that would allow Department of Veterans Affairs physicians to recommend cannabis as a treatment to patients in states where it is legal for medical use. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) also introduced an amendment that would allow military members to possess, use, or consume any product containing hemp; and Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA), proposed an amendment that would prohibit the denial of security clearances by an agency if an individual used cannabis in a state where it is legalized.

Cannabis remains a prohibited, Schedule I substance under federal law.

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Minnesota Adds IBS & OCD to Medical Cannabis Qualifying Conditions List

7/11/2023

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The Minnesota Department of Health last week added irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to the list of qualifying conditions for accessing the state medical cannabis program. Patients diagnosed with the conditions can begin buying medical cannabis from dispensaries on August 1. 

“As we continue to learn more about the benefits of medical cannabis, it’s important that we add this therapy option as a potential treatment to relieve conditions that can be debilitating,” Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Brooke Cunningham said in a press release. 

The agency had announced plans to add the conditions last November and they were approved during the department’s annual petition and public comment process for adding conditions to the program. 

Minnesota’s medical cannabis qualifying conditions list now includes 19 conditions. To become a patient in the state’s medical cannabis program, a person must be certified by a participating health care practitioner for at least one qualifying medical condition. 

In May, Gov. Tim Walz (D) signed legislation to legalize cannabis for adult use. Under the law, adults aged 21-and-older will be allowed to possess cannabis for personal use and cultivate their own plants starting on August 1. The law also creates a new Office of Cannabis Management, which will oversee the licensing of medical and adult-use cannabis operators and set regulations for the industries, as well as for hemp-derived consumer products. 

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New Hampshire Allowing Reciprocity for Medical Cannabis Patients

7/11/2023

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New Hampshire is now allowing reciprocity for medical cannabis patients from other U.S. states and Canada, allowing authorized patients to access medical cannabis products in the state, In-Depth New Hampshire reports. Under the law, visiting patients can purchase medical cannabis from New Hampshire dispensaries three times per year using their valid medical cannabis identification issued by another state or Canada.  

If the out-of-state patient has a documented medical condition that is on New Hampshire’s medical cannabis qualifying conditions list, those patients may purchase cannabis at New Hampshire dispensaries at the same frequency as in-state qualifying patients. 

“People from other states with severe medical conditions who use therapeutic cannabis to alleviate their symptoms are welcome to travel to New Hampshire with the certainty that they will be able to safely access therapeutic cannabis while they visit our state,” Division of Public Health Services Director Tricia Tilley said in an interview with In Depth New Hampshire. 

Visiting patients must show their out-of-state medical cannabis ID card and matching photo identification. Under state law, there is a 2-ounce possession limit per patient, and all patients are limited to purchasing 2 ounces of cannabis in any 10-day period. 

There are seven medical cannabis dispensaries throughout the state.  

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Nimble Distro Announced as Official Distributor of Magic Number’s Cannabis-Infused Beverages

7/10/2023

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Portland, Oregon – July 10, 2023 – Nimble Distro, a leading wholesale distribution company in the Oregon cannabis industry, proudly announces its partnership with Magic Number, producer of Oregon’s #1 cannabis beverage. Nimble Distro has been selected as the distributor for Magic Number and will facilitate the sales and delivery of the manufacturer’s lines of all-natural, live resin-infused beverages and syrups.

The humble origin story of Magic Number began in 2014 when two friends, Alex Berger and Dan Pilver, sought to brew Oregon’s first cannabis-infused Ginger Beer. By way of recycled equipment and relentless ingenuity, the pair tested dozens of recipes to develop the drink that would eventually propel their business from a small-scale garage brewery to the commercial facility they operate today.

Through perseverance, innovation, and the belief in the healing powers of cannabis the team has refined their nano-emulsion technology and has experienced monumental growth. Expanded offerings include varying potencies and a wide selection of teas, sodas, seltzers and tinctures that quench thirst and stimulate minds. Their dedication to sustainability and commitment to sourcing all-natural ingredients from local growers and suppliers sets them apart as a brand that values quality and integrity.

This Summer, Magic Number introduced the next game-changer in the industry: resealable cans.

“This new XO resealable technology is poised to change the very culture of cannabis beverage consumption and expand the category. By turning the single-serving can into a multi-serving beverage, consumers will be able to dial in their Magic Number and create the ideal experience every time” says Jon Tapper, Sales & Marketing Manager at Magic Number. “We have full confidence in Nimble’s capacity to amplify our reach and efficiently distribute our products to meet ever-increasing demand.”

Nimble Distro, led by renowned entrepreneurs Joy Hudson and Marissa Rodriguez, is thrilled to join forces with Magic Number as their distributor. With a reputation for proficiency, profitability, and challenging the norm, Nimble brings a highly capable sales and logistics engine to the partnership.

Utilizing their extensive sales and distribution experience, Hudson and Rodriguez co-founded Nimble with the intention of setting a new standard for efficiency and professionalism in the cannabis space. Alongside their flagship in-house pre-roll lines, KITES and Broomsticks, Nimble distributes dozens of other product lines for a range of farms and processors across Oregon.

Magic Number and Nimble Distro are excited about the future of their partnership and the opportunities it presents to deliver exceptional cannabis-infused beverages to consumers throughout Oregon.

“We are delighted to partner with Magic Number,” said Joy Hudson, Co-founder and CEO of Nimble Distro. “We’re both pioneers. Together we will continue to redefine the cannabis industry and set a new standard for excellence.”

For more information about Nimble Distro and Magic Number, please visit their respective websites at www.nimbledistro.com and www.drinkmagicnumber.com.

About Nimble Distro
Nimble Distro is a leading wholesale distribution company in the cannabis industry. Powered by a proficient logistics and manufacturing engine, Nimble Distro drives profitability and positive social impact by forging collaborative partnerships with premier cannabis cultivators and processors. With a focus on product excellence and community engagement, Nimble Distro is committed to reshaping the future of the cannabis industry.

About Magic Number
Magic Number is Oregon’s #1 cannabis beverage processor. Crafted in Bend, OR with all-natural ingredients and infused with the healing benefits of whole plant cannabis, Magic Number’s liquid edibles offer a fresh and delicious experience to consumers. Rooted in sustainability and quality, Magic Number is dedicated to delivering unparalleled beverages that inspire, uplift, and invigorate.

Contact
Nimble Distro – Terah Ebie – Sales & Logistics Manager – terah@nimbledistro.com
Magic Number – Jon Tapper – Sales & Marketing Manager – jon@drinkmagicnumber.com

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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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