Kentucky Issues First Medical Cannabis License

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) on Thursday announced the state’s first medical cannabis business license will go to KCA Labs, a Nicholasville testing facility that already tests for cannabinoids and pollutants in hemp and other natural products, WLKY reports.

The license for KCA Labs is the first license awarded by the state under the state’s medical cannabis legalization reforms signed into law by the governor last April.

“I love that the first license is going to an entity that helps us do this safely. Our Office of Medical Cannabis has established strict regulations, and a safety compliance facility like KCA will guarantee all Kentucky cannabis is held to the highest medical standards.” — Beshear, in a statement

Kentucky received nearly 5,000 applications for medical cannabis business licenses, including 4,076 applications for retail dispensary licenses. Under state law, there can only be a limited number of medical cannabis cultivators, processors, and retailers in the state. The licenses for such entities will be available by lottery later this year while the permits for testing facilities, which are not capped in the state, will not be awarded by lottery.

While the state has begun the process of licensing medical cannabis operators to serve the market, cannabis patients in Kentucky have to wait until January 1, 2025, to apply for the program.

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L.A. County Officials Call for Deplatforming Unlicensed Dispensaries on Sites Like Yelp, Google

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a motion to “deplatform” unlicensed cannabis dispensaries from online platforms, including Google and Yelp, the Los Angeles Times reports. 

In the measure, the Board notes “the transition to a legal cannabis marketplace has faced challenges, including high taxes and barriers to entry for legal dispensaries and cultivation facilities.”  

“These challenges have led to a continued unregulated market for cannabis, including many unlicensed dispensaries in some communities. Unlicensed dispensaries are problematic for many reasons, including that their products are untested and may be mislabeled; they do not pay taxes; they promote the illegal cultivation of cannabis, which often comes with many environmental impacts; and their lower prices undercut the legal market.” — “Deplatforming Unlicensed Cannabis Dispensaries,” 9/24/24 

The measure adds that unlicensed dispensaries “are also often the targets of violence due to the large amounts of cash on-hand and the reduced likelihood of their illegal operators reporting crimes to law enforcement.” 

According to a Pew Research Center study released in February outlined in the measure, Los Angeles County is home to about 10% of the total number of dispensaries estimated to operate nationwide, with nearly 1,500 retailers. However, California Department of Cannabis Control data indicate that, as of 2022, only 384 of those dispensaries hold valid state and local licenses. 

The goal of the measure is to encourage the operators of Google, Yelp, Facebook, and Instagram to remove ads and pages for the illegally operating businesses. 

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Maryland Collects Nearly $22.4M in Cannabis Taxes During Q2

From April to June, Maryland collected nearly $22.4 million in cannabis taxes – a 52% increase from the previous quarter – according to state data 

Most of the funds, nearly $11.2 million, were sent to the state’s General Fund as required by state law, with about $7.8 million directed to the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund, and about $1.1 million dispersed to Maryland counties and municipalities and another $1.1 million sent to the state’s public health and business assistance funds.

The majority of the state’s cannabis taxes – more than $11.3 million – derived from sales that occurred in the Central region of the state. Western region sales led to about $3.8 million in collected taxes, while Capital region sales led to about $3.2 million in collected taxes, followed by the Eastern region (about $3 million), and Southern region ($873,597), according to data from the Comptroller’s Office.

In Maryland, adult-use cannabis sales carry a 9% sales tax, of which 5% is sent to local government. In a blog post, the Maryland Association of Counties notes that share is “among the lowest shares nationwide.”

“Despite local responsibilities for managing zoning, public safety, and health impacts related to cannabis businesses, local governments receive a mere 45 cents for every $100 in cannabis sales,” the post states. “Other states, like New York and Oregon, offer counties a fairer share through excise or sales taxes, but Maryland’s counties remain financially strained as they manage these growing responsibilities.”

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Poll: 1 in 7 Minnesota Voters Have Consumed a THC Product in Past Month

Only one in seven Minnesota voters have consumed cannabis or hemp-derived THC products in the past month, according to a Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy survey outlined by MPR News. Just 14% of respondents said they had used a THC product in the past month despite cannabis reforms taking effect in August 2023 that allow residents 21-and-older to possess, consume, and cultivate cannabis.

Rules allowing sales to adults and other industry operations are still being promulgated by state regulators.

The survey also found 61% of respondents back federal legalization of cannabis, with 34% opposed and 5% unsure.

According to the poll, just about the same share of men and women had consumed cannabis in the past month at 13% and 15%, respectively. More Democrats and independents (18% each) said they had consumed a cannabis product within the past month, compared to 6% of Republicans. More younger voters (19%) said they had consumed cannabis in the past month compared to their older counterparts: 17% of voters 35-49; 13% of voters 50-64; and 9% of voters 65-and-older. People with (13%) and without (15%) college degrees also consumed cannabis in the past month at similar rates, according to the survey. Black, Indigenous, and people of color had consumed cannabis at a slightly higher rate (17%) than their White counterparts (14%), but the survey notes the differences in use among race and college education “are not statistically meaningful.”

The poll includes 800 likely voters between September 16 and 18 with a margin of sampling error plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. 

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Jessica McElfresh: How Federal Rescheduling Will Impact Cannabis Law

In this episode of the Ganjapreneur Podcast, host TG Branfalt sits down with Jessica McElfresh, Chair of the Cannabis Law Institute and board member of the International Cannabis Bar Association, to explore the evolving landscape of cannabis law. Jessica shares her experiences practicing cannabis regulatory law in Southern California since 2010 and provides insights into the critical role attorneys play as the industry grows and federal rescheduling looms on the horizon.

Jessica also discusses the Cannabis Law Institute conference, which took place in Chicago over the summer, where legal experts tackled pressing issues like state and federal cannabis policies, social equity, and the potential impact of rescheduling on taxes, financing, and business operations. Whether you’re a legal professional or cannabis entrepreneur, this episode offers valuable perspectives on how to navigate the complex legal landscape of the cannabis industry and what could be in store as federal policy changes.

Editor’s note: this episode was recorded in June, before the event. To sign up for updates about the 2025 event, visit the International Cannabis Bar Association’s website: incba.org

Listen to the episode using the media player below, find it on your favorite podcast app, or scroll down for the full transcript!


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TG Branfalt:

Hey there, I’m your host, TG Branfalt, and this is the Ganjapreneur.com podcast where we try to bring you actionable information and normalized cannabis through the stories of ganjapreneurs, activists and industry stakeholders. Today I’m joined by Jessica McElfresh. She’s the chair of the Cannabis Law Institute board member of the International Cannabis Bar Association, whose conference is considered the preeminent annual conference for cannabis law practitioners and takes place next month on July 25th and 26th. How are you doing this afternoon, Jessica?

Jessica McElfresh:

Oh, I’m doing all right, Tim. Thanks for having me. Yeah, we’re very excited about our conference. It’s going to be on those dates you said in July, and it’s going to be at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in Chicago, Illinois, kind of near the lake, so that’ll be exciting.

TG Branfalt:

Chicago’s a cool city.

Jessica McElfresh:

Yeah, we’re looking forward to it. Yeah, it’ll be our first time in Chicago.

TG Branfalt:

We will talk some more about that. Before we get to the sort of details of the conference, purpose of the conference, that sort of thing, tell me about yourself. How’d you end up sort of in the cannabis law space?

Jessica McElfresh:

Oh, wow. Well, I have been practicing what I would call now cannabis regulatory law in Southern California, primarily San Diego County since roughly 2010. So we are somehow heading up on nearly 15 years, which is kind of crazy in terms of why, well, it was there. I had graduated during the great Recession and I had always thought the cannabis should be legal, and I just increasingly thought the whole broader drug war and drug policy in this country was a farce, and I thought it would be an interesting thing to work on. So that’s the really short version.

TG Branfalt:

So did you work in the sort of early California medical cannabis sort of industry

Jessica McElfresh:

Mass? Yes, I did.

TG Branfalt:

And what did you do that during that period of time?

Jessica McElfresh:

Well, let’s see. I’d say 2010 was a really interesting time to get into it, especially when you look back now, because back in 2010, there was this sense in California that an appellate court was going to rule that cities and counties had to permit medical cannabis collectives to have storefronts in some form exactly how that would work. We weren’t quite sure. That turned out to not come true, but that was interesting to me. One, because I felt that the way the laws worked, which were an exception to criminal laws, which is just not a great way to regulate an industry, was a mess, really hurt a lot of people. It didn’t protect as many people as we had hoped. I also had a bit of a background in land use and permitting, and I could sort of see, because just how we do things in Southern California, sort of where that was going to be going.

And I thought, well, this is an interesting way to work on something that’s of interest to me that I think may have a positive influence on people, and had some combination of areas of law I had some experience or familiarity with. So that was why I was attractive and what I worked on. As I said, that sort of turned into helping people try to operate their collectives of various shapes and sizes, lawfully watching laws. It was changing. I lived through the federal reversal and policy in 2011, which was something else, and eventually we started to come out the other side and the city of San Diego around 20 14, 20 15. We finally got zoning regulations passed. I represented some of the very first permitted storefronts in the city of San Diego, which were medical marijuana consumer cooperatives at that time, and eventually we got two state licensing, and it’s just sort of proceeded from there. That’s the nice version.

TG Branfalt:

So it seems to me, and a lot of the attorneys that I’ve spoken to, they have experience and expertise in various parts of the law that they then apply to the cannabis industry. Is that what you’ve seen during your tenure?

Jessica McElfresh:

Yes and no. I’m of the school, or let me put it this way, I’d say that was honestly even true of what I was doing back at the time. I had familiarity with land use permitting, and I had familiarity with criminal defense. It was an odd moment in time where knowing both those things were very useful simultaneously. So it was interesting, and of course, every lawyer learns on the job in the moment with every client assuming they’re doing their job right. But yes, I’d say that’s true. I would also say it’s my advice always has been when say law students have reached out, oh, I really want to be a canvas lawyer. It’s like, well, that can mean a lot of things and that’s great, but what you’re really saying to me is you want to have an area of law or something that you have an in or you’ve worked in that then you want to bring a cannabis aspect to your practice, and that might become your entire practice. It may become a portion of it. It’s good either way. But yeah, that’s somewhat my standard advice. I’d say back when I started, it was a little more, there were only so many of us who were working in the space or willing to even talk to the clients. So it was a little different back then. It was more predicated on a willingness, but I always felt that to be successful in it, yes, you needed to bring something other than simply a willingness to work in the area.

TG Branfalt:

So it does bring me to my next question. It’s going to be the same question that law students have asked you. What is a cannabis attorney and how has that role changed in the wake of broad legalization in the United States?

Jessica McElfresh:

Well, the good news is that it’s changed in a way where there’s a lot more lawyers working in it, and there’s a lot more opportunity for lawyers and clients have a much greater need for a much wider variety of legal services. For example, back when I started, there really were only so many ways you could possibly set yourself up or set your collective up legally in terms of formation. Now how you operated it and how that worked was a bit of a game of whack-a-mole and hard to define. But as one colleague said to me recently, who’d been in it back then, like, well, it was simple. You basically had about two entity structures that you could choose from. That was it, and a lot of it didn’t go beyond that. Obviously today, there’s significantly greater need for more expertise in how you’re going to structure a business, how you’re going to do funding.

We’re getting more and more into what is and is not a securities issue. That’s just a basic example of something that’s changed, but we’ve also experienced a huge explosion and in work for intellectual property attorneys. We deal far more now with day-to-Day employment attorneys, assisting clients. I mean, there’s just so many examples, but I’d still say my advice to law students hasn’t changed that much. It’s not. It can a general practice to help clients with their various needs and help them at times also get connected with appropriate experts in law. But honestly, the best thing you can do for yourself and for your clients is to be able to offer them some area of law that you have some expertise or experience or want to develop some expertise or experience in and bring cannabis into your practice accordingly. But to be candid, other than wills and trusts, I think we’ve found an application for nearly everything at this point.

TG Branfalt:

So what is featured at the Cannabis Law Institute conference?

Jessica McElfresh:

Well, it’s going to be a two day event on our first day. It’s what we call our plenary day, which is a fancy of saying the sessions tend to be all in one room, and we have some of our more interesting guests that day, such as say, some state regulators or former state regulators are going to be talking about enforcement approaches, and when I say enforcement, I mean when and if it is appropriate to use more punitive measures. How are they effective? Do they work at all? Some of those sorts of questions. We’re also going to have an overview of the current international development and how possibly us and Canadian companies can expand overseas and what that looks like in terms of how does it work, and also how some international countries are dealing with some issues that we may wind up dealing with here in the next several years, such as import export issues such as that.

We’re also going to have a panel about meeting the cannabis press where we’re going to have various journalists who work on cannabis stories, talking about what is significant to them, and also offering our attendees some information about useful ways to possibly get featured or quoted or what’s of use to them. On day two. That is going to be an all continuing legal education credit for attorneys day. We run a grand total of 12 sessions through that day. We have two tracks running simultaneously in the morning, we’re going to have a track I’m calling the classics, which is going to focus on the current state of medical cannabis access and how some of those laws are changing, particularly in light of rescheduling some of our new laws regarding employment discrimination, which I jokingly refer to as employment protections for normal people, meaning people in normal garden variety, mainstream jobs as opposed to not employment issues within cannabis industry, but normal people, I jokingly refer to ’em.

We’re also going to have a panel in that morning talking about what is going to happen post rescheduling, what’s going to be changing at the federal level, how may investment opportunities be changing the fate of the dormant commerce clause in terms of influencing cannabis policy and licensing and what that may look like. And then in the afternoon, we’re going to have a panel. We’re going to have two tracks again, one is going to sort of be focused on state and local expansion. We’re going to be talking about D eight and D nine cannabinoid litigation. We’re going to have a panel that’s going to talk about possible visions for states that may be coming online and what maybe they want to do differently or learn from, well-intentioned, but less successful experiments we’ve had recently in some states. And then we’re going to have a panel two focusing on issues for attorneys. We’re going to have one on the Corporate Transparency Act and how that’s going to affect people’s practices as well as how to counsel their cannabis clients within it. We’re going to have one on the ethics of attorneys trying to offer services beyond being an attorney, say consultant or real estate broker. It could include your dry cleaner, but that one just doesn’t seem to pose any ethical issues.

That’s just some of the sessions. There’s a few others, but those were some ones I wanted to highlight.

TG Branfalt:

I mean, it sounds incredibly in depth, intense.

Jessica McElfresh:

You can say wonky. It’s okay.

TG Branfalt:

How many people are you expecting to come to this event?

Jessica McElfresh:

Well, it varies, but we are hoping to get, I’d say at least a hundred, maybe more. There must be something very wrong with me wanting to hang out for two days with a hundred lawyers, but I’ll be honest, it’s always one of the highlights of my year professionally. It’s a lot of fun.

TG Branfalt:

So you brought up the elephant in the legal room, federal cannabis rescheduling, which still as we speak hasn’t been fully finalized, but how are attorneys, yourself and those that you’ve spoken to broadly viewing potential federal reforms?

Jessica McElfresh:

I would say that the range of reactions among attorneys pretty much matches the range of reactions in the broader cannabis space. Some people think it’s going to be the greatest thing since sliced bread or the invention of the plant itself. Others think this is going to be never ending gloom and doom and nothing will ever be good again. Some think that we will be taken over by large pharmaceutical companies within two minutes. Others feel it will stop any further social justice momentum and further change. And then there are people in the middle who think, and this probably includes me, that it’s significant and overall in my family, you don’t really look at gift forces in the mouth, but it’s really more about what happens after this and where we go fit from here, and for example, not letting it stop movement for more social justice change, not necessarily getting caught up in losing what momentum we are having.

How do we, for example, use this to make the world better for medical cannabis patients as opposed to having it more, maybe even limit their access in some states and limiting them to simply eventual products that may come on the market that are actual schedule three? To me, it’s more about what do we do with it then? It’s not a cure all by itself. In fact, initially it was sort of interesting to list of people all the things that it was not going to automatically do all by itself. That made me real popular for a few weeks because a lot of people wanted to celebrate. I’m like, no, it’s not going to change all of our federal criminal laws. No, it does not necessarily mean your insurance is going to reimburse you for your medical canvas. No, it doesn’t necessarily mean banks are going to start giving you regular loans. Like, no, I’m sorry. It doesn’t automatically mean these things, but look, let’s not, let’s not throw too much cold water on the most significant change in federal cannabis policy since, oh, I don’t know. It was put in schedule one in the first place. A lot of things happened after that, some of which were envisioned when it happened. Some say it was only supposed to be a placeholder and it just went south. Maybe we need to look at this the same way. It’s about what we do with it and where we take it next.

TG Branfalt:

So do you think of all of the sort of things that federal scheduling could impact, do you think it’s going to have the biggest impact on financing on mergers and acquisitions on two 80 e on social equity?

Jessica McElfresh:

Well, this is speculation, but if I were inclined to rank, probably the biggest change is going to be on two a DE. It does appear, though I always am the biggest, the devil’s in the details person. It does appear that two 80 E only applies to drug trafficking of a substance that is schedule one or Schedule two. If conceivably this moves to schedule three, though we do not know at this point exactly how long rulemaking will take at the federal level, which I usually describe rulemaking because we experience it at the state level as well, is you have an idea. Then the government spends a lot of time figuring out what the rules are going to be. It’s very creatively named Tim, but it takes time and there’s a lot of hearings and there’s a lot of opinions. So we got to get through that, and I know that there is some optimism including by the Biden administration that they will get this done before the election. I would be very pleasantly surprised if that occurred. But I do agree they’re going to make a good faith effort at getting the ball rolling and moving quickly, and that’s excellent. We certainly wouldn’t want this to be announced and then just sit there like some dying house plan on my desk.

But that is going to take us some time, and in the meantime, hopefully, yes, the biggest change probably initially will be two 80 E. With that not being applied anymore, what I don’t know is whether we’re going to wind up, and don’t get me wrong, I mean that would be massive. I mean, if you really want to blow somebody’s mind at a cocktail party who doesn’t know much about cannabis, even people who, it’s really a fascinating thing to talk about because even people who don’t like cannabis, it turns out that they dislike double and triple taxation even more. Sure do. And a lot of consumers don’t like finding out how much of the price they pay at the retail outlet is ultimately in taxes. It’s an interesting thing to talk to the general public about those normal people, but obviously that is going to be a huge change in how much capital businesses have.

It’s going to simplify how their taxes work. It’s going to put them in line to really conduct their tax policy more like normal companies, for lack of a better term, companies that do not deal with this. So the potential to free up a lot of capital and enjoy a normal sense of deductions to not run around. I mean, at times trying to ask, it’s been clarified, but in the early days, trying to figure out what was the cost of good sold expense versus an overhead one. There was a real how many angels can dance on the head of a pin side, except for there was a lot of money involved. So this could be absolutely tremendous financially by itself. As a result of that, yes, a lot of people are expecting we’re going to see a return to investment in cannabis. I’ll be honest, that was kind of already occurring. It was so high for a few years then it went way down, but it was starting to come back on. But this definitely has the potential to turbocharge it. It’s not a directly associated result. It’s not an automatic cause and effect, but it’s probably also going to make banks more comfortable. It’s probably going to make a variety of private lenders and investors feel more comfortable, which hopefully as there’s more opportunity and more competition, we will also stop seeing quite some of the absurd financial costs and conditions associated with it.

TG Branfalt:

Will it have any impact on the fine send rules

Jessica McElfresh:

On the what?

TG Branfalt:

The fine send rules that, oh, the

Jessica McElfresh:

Can send.

Again, this is the classic. It’s not going to happen automatically, but there’s a very good chance that those will also be reexamined and adjusted. But that’s kind of what I mean. This does not automatically make it totally legal for banks to say bank adult use cannabis companies under federal law. It doesn’t, but it may bring them far greater comfort in relying on the current fiend guidelines as something that they can put some stock in as opposed to solely focusing on that paragraph at the end that says, we may really mean this, but we really may not. It could change at any moment and proceed at your own risk, and we think we mean this, but we’re really not sure because we’re lawyers and we have to write these sorts of things and that’s why no one likes us.

TG Branfalt:

How are attorneys preparing prior to this sort of potential federal action? How are you preparing? What are you telling people?

Jessica McElfresh:

Probably a lot of what we’re talking about here, which is one, we’re going to have to see how long this takes and what it ultimately looks like in terms of a topic that’s probably spurring a lot of discussion for preparation would probably have to do with two 80 E. Some people, the great debate right now is, is this hypothetically going to be applied retroactively? I would be quite shocked if that occurred because one, we don’t usually tend to apply changes retroactively that involve giving back estimates range from hundreds of millions to billions of dollars.

TG Branfalt:

Yeah. Rest isn’t that

Jessica McElfresh:

Business. That’s not really the norm. That’s not a cannabis thing. That’s just not the norm. So I’m a little skeptical of that. However, there is I think a far more vibrant debate over whether say for example, it may be reasonable to start calculating and doing your tax return for 2014, or sorry, 2024, excuse me. Apparently I live in a time warp that way. We’re not sure yet, but people are definitely having that debate and it’s definitely made people feel very optimistic about the future and really enjoying a far more normal balance sheet and return. So I’d say that’s probably in terms of preparation, people are really debating when and how and at what time. You mentioned social equity.

I think we’re already, I don’t know that rescheduling is necessarily going to again, have a direct cause and effect on those questions, but we are already seeing a great deal of litigation in federal court based on the idea in one form or another that social equity programs are violating the dormant commerce clause. Sorts of other things. I would expect, again, it’s the classic, no direct, but it will happen. We’re probably going to start seeing people feeling more and more comfortable bringing various claims in federal court predicated on federal law to challenge programs within cannabis. So right now we’re seeing dormant commerce clause, which of course is going to apply not only to a social equity program, but even a residency preference program. There really are at core about that, but we could wind up seeing programs that challenge or alleged discrimination under other theories in federal court in the future. I would be surprised if we didn’t.

TG Branfalt:

So one of the things that I’ve heard from patients and sort of read on the internet on blogs and groups and this sort of thing, is the idea that federal rescheduling could decimate the medical cannabis program basically that states have enacted because schedule three drugs are only allowed to be dispensed by pharmacies. You have to have a license to do that. Is that a founded fear, do you think?

Jessica McElfresh:

Everyone really depends on who you ask. On one hand, it’s a reasonable enough question because yes, that could happen. There could be states that may have said, I’m tremendously sympathetic to people who have illnesses, but I really don’t see any anymore why we have to take on having a medical cannabis program in our state. There’s going to be schedule three drugs brought by reputable pharmaceutical companies and they can finally be sold in a pharmacy. The way I would’ve preferred we could have done cannabis except for everybody told me that wouldn’t work. We could hear those dialogues and discussions, yes, but at the same time, there are others who feel that the products the pharmaceutical companies have brought to market so far that have more been at to et cetera, Epidiolex being example, they haven’t really proven to be the blockbuster runaway successes that they were hoping.

So there’s some thought that this may not be the world’s most attractive business proposition and qualified patients will more enjoy access in other ways. I would point out that this is probably also something where we’ve already had feedback, for example in California from some qualified patients, that the current market serves adult use sales primarily. It’s not really doing enough for them, and I’m not saying that there isn’t some truth to some of those criticisms, but it’s also hard to say that there isn’t access to cannabis in a state that has an adult use program. It’s really more about how do we tweak that program and tweak our laws to continue to make what’s needed available for qualified patients. We can still do that in this post rescheduling world. It’s again, it’s the classic, what are we going to do with it? This can be good, but what are we going to do next?

There is also some hope that this will assist in loosening and promoting more research, which will probably be good for everybody. There’s also some hope that physicians will be a little more comfortable talking about this or dealing with this too, really to know if that’s the case. And we are going to have a panel. These are going to be some of the issues we’re going to talk about during the medical cannabis law panel at the conference. They’re going to be about physicians and questions of insurance coverage and drugs coming to market. I mean, we’re going to be talking about some of this then. So that’s kind of the initial take is it’s really going to be what do we do with it?

TG Branfalt:

So you did mention this sort of potential international implications of these federal reform in the United States, and recently we saw Canopy Growth, a Canadian based cannabis company, complete a merger or a takeover of acreage holdings in the us and a lot of people have sort of, again, I’ve read that this is even though federal scheduling in the US hasn’t happened yet, this is sort of a preparation for looser federal laws. Do you think that we’ll see more transactions like this if the government does reschedule it to three, these international sort of acquisitions?

Jessica McElfresh:

Possibly, possibly not. Three is not an automatic path to straight ahead import, export or anything that might be more business efficient. But again, I think it will certainly, again, it’s about what comes next. It’s a signal that we’re probably going to go in those directions. We don’t know when. We don’t know exactly how, but investors, particularly ones who think they can predict the future, which are all the ones I’ve ever met, they read the signals, the tea leaves, the crystal balls. This is a really big crystal ball, so to speak. It’s a big signal. What it’s going to mean, what that timeline’s going to look like, who knows? But it definitely means a lot, and that is part of why we are expecting a broader infusion of capital period, and also with two 80 E going away, these companies being profitable in a way where you can get a decent return instead of just hoping and thinking this will probably happen sooner rather than later will occur. So we’re going to have to see.

TG Branfalt:

So what are the most pressing challenges that you hear from clients, from cannabis business owners sort of broadly and looking at the sort of next stage of their business?

Jessica McElfresh:

Well, I’m going to be honest. Most of my clients day to day, they’re certainly aware of this. They’re certainly interested in it. They’re certainly above all, I think looking forward to the possibility of a simpler tax return. But most of their day-to-day concerns are more about operating their businesses now, which means how high are the current state and local taxes and when are those possibly going to go down? Am I overregulated and how am I going to pay for that? Or what’s something where maybe I would like the state to do a bit more to assist me and assist consumers or to create this what city or county is going to open up next? I think that there is this luxury enjoyed by some companies that are extremely large where they can spend the majority of their time talking about rescheduling. For most people who are, and then there are people who work there who handle the day to day. Most cannabis companies are handled by people who are still very connected to the day-to-Day, and so they care about this. They do, but they’re honestly just as focused on what, say I’m in California, what the California legislature’s going to do. I bet if you were to take a straw poll of potential licensees in New York, they’re more concerned about the next head of their regulatory agency and what that person may do and how that’s going to go.

It’s great stuff. It’s a day I’ve been waiting to see for a long time, but we still got to pay the mortgage day to day, so to speak. This is a great financial planning tool for my retirement, so to speak. It’s not going to get MasterCard off my butt today.

TG Branfalt:

So how can clients, business owners identify the best attorney to help them navigate opening a cannabis business or expanding their business or a merger and acquisition sort of path?

Jessica McElfresh:

Well, I think that overall, I’ve always tried to live my life for advice on this topic by the idea that not every lawyer is for every client, and to be totally honest, not every client is for every lawyer. Sometimes it’s about a personality fit or a way the two of you work. Some people prefer clients who are very hands off and they do everything for ’em. Other people prefer to more work with their clients day to day and tackle some of the issues together or have that understanding. I had say, my other main pieces of advice are try to talk to a variety of them. Far too many people just hire the first person they meet or the person that their friend is using without really looking for what is out there and who may be the best fit for them. The other idea that there is only one attorney who’s going to do everything for you, there is no other business in the world that approaches things that way. So the cannabis industry should be no exception. I usually have a bad joke, which is one of the happier days of my legal career was when I didn’t have to try to give people employment law advice anymore, but I’m really not joking.

It’s been a tremendous virtue for me and for clients to connect them with people who can help them with other specific needs. Another bad sign for hiring a lawyer is they tell you that all of your ideas are great and everything is achievable, and it’ll be done super quickly because of what that really tells you is they just want that retainer check and they’ll tell you anything to get it, and that’s not a good sign for your future.

TG Branfalt:

Jessica, this has been a really fascinating conversation. It’s the sort of thing I wish that I could attend the conference next month. Where can people find out more about you, your practice, about the conference?

Jessica McElfresh:

Well, if you want to find out about me, you can find out more@wwwmcelfreshlaw.com. Man, if I could do it over. I keep my difficult last name out of this, but I didn’t. So it’s going to be M like Mary, C like cat, E like elephant, L like lamb, F like Frank, R like Rick, E like elephant, S like Sally, H like hat law.com, and yes, I spelled my last name all day. If you want to learn more about the International Cams Bar Association, you can find more about us at our main website, which is going to be IN cba.org, and then you can also find more information about the conference there. It’s the Cannabis Law Institute of 2024. Again, it’s going to be July 25th through 26th this year, and we’re going to be at the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in Chicago, Illinois, and you can learn all about us there.

We’ve got a variety of pricing programs going up to the event. Our current one’s going to end on June 14th, but there’s always more, and also, we always have a lot of really sweet deals about getting a membership. For example, if you join for not much more than the price of coming to the conference itself, and personally, I think you’d be a fool not to take advantage of that because we have other events. We also always do a day of attorney programming and a nice party in the evening at MJ Biz Con. We’re planning to be back there again in early December at Associations Day in December. We have an entire catalog of CLEs social events throughout the year, an enormously useful listserv, a member directory. There’s just, oh, so much fun and there’s so many great opportunities to get involved and do work too. So if you like to do work and you want to meet more cannabis attorneys, it’s the best place to be.

TG Branfalt:

Jessica, I really, really appreciate you coming on the show, talking through the conference with me, running me through the paces, if you will, on rescheduling. Thank you so, so much for taking the time to be on the show today.

Jessica McElfresh:

Totally. Thanks for having me.

TG Branfalt:

That is Jessica McElfresh. She’s the chair Cannabis Law Institute and a board member of the International Cannabis Bar Association. You can find more episodes of the Ganjapreneur.com podcast and the podcast section of Ganjapreneur.com and wherever you get your podcast. On the Ganjapreneur.com website, you’ll find the latest cannabis news and cannabis jobs updated daily along at transcripts of this podcast. You can also download the Ganjapreneur.com app and iTunes and Google Play. This episode was engineered by Wayward Sound Studio. I’ve been your host, TG Branfalt.

 

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California Hemp Products Ban Now In Effect

The hemp products crackdown proposed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) took effect this week after officials approved the emergency rules he proposed earlier this month.

Under the new rules, which took effect Monday, September 23, any hemp-derived cannabinoid products sold in the state must contain “no detectable amount of total THC” and can only be sold to individuals aged 21 or older. Additionally, the rules set a five-serving-size cap for such products.

The ban has upended a hemp retail sector covering infused beverages, capsules, gummies, and even topicals.

CBD product manufacturer Charlotte’s Web said in a press release the all-out ban on hemp-derived THC is an overreach that targets many non-intoxicating products with health benefits.

“While we fully support efforts to regulate synthetic and intoxicating products, we strongly oppose the inclusion of non-intoxicating, natural CBD products within this regulatory framework. We believe these regulations are overreaching and unnecessarily restrict access to safe, non-intoxicating hemp products by lumping them in with an entirely different class of products. Other states like Colorado and Virginia have set shining examples of how to clean up the market while safeguarding products that consumers depend upon for their health and wellness.” — Bill Morachnick, Charlotte’s Web CEO, in a statement

The governor’s office said the ban will prevent children in the state from being exposed to intoxicating products. “We will not sit on our hands as drug peddlers target our children with dangerous and unregulated hemp products containing THC at our retail stores,” Newsom said in a statement when he proposed the rules.

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Report: Connecticut Social Equity Agency Used ‘Questionable Business Practices’

The Connecticut Social Equity Council (SEC) utilized “questionable business practices and procedures that were troubling, subjective and ambiguous,” according to a recent Office of the State Comptroller audit that was requested by Gov. Ned Lamont (D) earlier this year.

While the audit did not show the SEC had broken state laws, state Comptroller Sean Scanlon recommended that the governor’s “pause” on funding distributed by the Council be extended until the concerns are properly addressed, the News-Times reported.

The SEC last year approved $6 million for six different nonprofits offering equity grants and processed non-payroll expenditures exceeding $2.5 million, but more than $33 million in funding for the agency remains.

The four-month investigation highlighted concerns about a lack of communication from the Council, unclear or contradicting guidance from Council staff, and criteria for the social equity plan being updated without sufficient notice. The report also investigated licensing delays and the lack of transparency in the evaluation process, which resulted in additional costs for applicants.

The audit details six recommendations for revising state law to address the concerns:

  1. Eliminate subjectivity in the law and establish criteria for evaluating social equity applicants. This would include eliminating donation considerations from the application rubric and better defining eligibility requirements.
  2. Strengthen the Social Equity Council’s internal controls in consultation with the Comptroller’s Office.
  3. Establish an ethics code and require annual ethics training for Council members and staff.
  4. Draft a strategic plan by July 1, 2025, covering goals for Council activity and develop benchmarks for the Council and regulatory agencies to evaluate program effectiveness.
  5. Define explicitly how the Council will use the funds appropriated to it.
  6. And establish a 60-day review timeframe for the Canna-business Revolving Loan Program.

Additionally, the report offered four suggestions for updating the SEC’s business process:

  1. Increase transparency by formalizing its review processes and providing staff training and guidance to ensure uniformity across the Council’s processes.
  2. Address the organization’s working environment by improving communication, setting clear expectations, and ensuring the core values and purpose of the Council are understood by staff and council members alike.
  3. Start retaining all supporting documentation related to the contracting process to support compliance with state law.
  4. Increase communication to reduce confusion and increase awareness about the Council’s services and benefits.

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Florida Cannabis Legalization Amendment Proposal Most Expensive Campaign Since 2010

The Florida constitutional amendment ballot measure to legalize cannabis is the most expensive campaign to enact the reforms in the U.S. since 2010, according to a Ballotpedia analysis. Supporters and opponents of Amendment 3 have raised a combined $105.08 million, surpassing funds raised in California during the 2016 election cycle when Proposition 64 was on the ballot. 

So far, supporters of Amendment 3 have raised $90,441,407 to support the ballot initiative, while opponents have raised $14,640,649, according to Ballotpedia.  

Trulieve, the Florida-based multi-state cannabis company, has donated $82.89 million to Smart & Safe Florida PAC – which has led the legalization effort in the state. Ken Griffin, CEO of Citadel LLC and a resident of Florida, has contributed $12 million to the opposition effort, along with $20 million to candidates that oppose the reforms; however, since those funds were not donated directly to the opposition campaign, they are not included in Ballotpedia’s calculation. 

According to Ballotpedia data, cannabis legalization campaigns since 2014 have nearly always outraised the opposition, save for the 2016 bids in Arizona and Nevada, which were about even. In those campaigns, Arizona voters voted against the reforms, while Nevada voters approved them. 

Polls from mid-August found Florida voters split on supporting legalization in the state. A Florida Atlantic University found a 56% majority of registered voters said they plan to vote yes on the initiative, with 29% of voters saying they would vote no on the measure, with 15% undecided. A separate poll from 7News and Suffolk University found that 63% of voters responded “yes” to the question “Should recreational marijuana be legalized?” The survey asked 500 likely Florida general election voters in both English and Spanish with a 4.4% margin of error, according to the pollsters. 

Because the initiative calls for a constitutional amendment the measure requires at least 60% support to pass.    

      

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West Virginia Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Backs Holding Adult-Use Cannabis Voter Referendum

In a statement released last week, Steve Williams, the current mayor of Huntington and Democratic candidate for governor of West Virginia, said he would support a voter referendum to legalize cannabis in the state, The Inter-Mountain reports. His opponent, Republican Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, said legalizing cannabis is not the answer to the state’s substance use disorder crisis. 

“West Virginia has an opportunity to join the growing number of states, including Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., that have taken bold steps to legalize cannabis, and I believe it’s time we give the people a voice on this issue. One avenue to move forward is to put legalization on the ballot and let voters decide.” — Williams, in a statement, via The Inter-Mountain 

Williams pointed to Colorado and California, where the reforms have “spurred economic growth and created thousands of jobs.” 

“West Virginia can follow their lead to diversify our economy and attract new opportunities,” Williams said in the statement, which also noted the potential tax revenues from legalizing cannabis for adult use.

A 2016 report by West Virginia Center for Budget and Policy found that legalizing cannabis for adults could generate between $26 million and $45 million annually from sales by state residents, with another $116 million and $194 million per year in potential tax revenues from sales to out-of-state visitors.

Williams also noted the criminal reforms associated with legalizing cannabis could “reduce unnecessary arrests and refocus our law enforcement efforts on more serious crimes.”

“West Virginians are being arrested and incarcerated for low level, non-violent offenses that aren’t even considered crimes in other states which unnecessarily burdens our justice system,” he said in the statement.

In a statement responding to his opponent, Morrisey said he is “laser focused on doing everything we can to make sure we fight the opioid epidemic in West Virginia.”

“That means addressing the Chinese fentanyl coming in through the southern border and getting the victims the care they need,” Morrisey said in the statement. “I’m not for adding more drugs into our state.”

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Illinois Supreme Court: Odor of Burnt Cannabis Does Not Justify Warrantless Vehicle Search

The Illinois Supreme Court ruled last week that the odor of burnt cannabis alone cannot be used to search vehicles without a warrant, Courthouse News Service reports. In the opinion, Illinois Supreme Court Justice P. Scott Neville ruled that based on prior, pre-legalization court precedent, “the odor of burnt cannabis is a fact that should be considered when determining whether police have probable cause to search a vehicle, but the odor of burnt cannabis, standing alone without other inculpatory facts, does not provide probable cause to search a vehicle.” 

The ruling stems from a police search in September 2020 near the Iowa border, during which an Illinois State Police officer conducted a vehicle search during a traffic stop. Cannabis had already been legalized in Illinois for seven months. During the stop, the officer found one gram of cannabis in a plastic bag and charged the driver with misdemeanor illegal cannabis possession.  

A Henry County Circuit Court judge approved a motion to suppress the gram of cannabis as evidence, a decision upheld by the state appellate court. The trooper argued that the driver was in “a known drug corridor” and therefore suspicious, and said the probable cause was an insecure license plate. 

In a 2022 ruling, Illinois Appellate Justice Mary McDade said the officer didn’t pull over the driver for the license plate or that he suspected he was a drug courier, rather on suspicion that the driver had smoked cannabis in a vehicle. McDade ruled that “it is not reasonable to assume that all persons driving or riding in vehicles-including rented vehicles-traveling on such a major interstate highway are involved in narcotics-related activities.” 

The Illinois Supreme Court agreed with that decision, ruling the officer “did not smell the odor of burnt cannabis” on the driver “which undercuts the reasonable belief that [the driver] had recently smoked cannabis inside the vehicle while on an Illinois highway.”  

The decision cited similar rulings out of Minnesota and Pennsylvania and another in Kansas that focused on the odor of alcohol. 

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Oregon State University Wins $5.5M Federal Hemp Grant

Oregon State University’s Global Hemp Innovation Center recently received $5.5 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service to fund research into hemp-based foods, beverages, and other industrial uses for the plant, the Hemp Gazette reports.

The grant funding will go in part toward developing hemp genetics that can adapt to the growing conditions of the western United States. Researchers will also investigate possibilities for biodegradable packing products and building materials — and even plant-based food and beverages — as part of a goal “to develop multiple product streams from hemp with no remaining waste, just as has been successfully done by the cotton, corn, and timber industries,” the Center’s director Jeffrey Steiner said in the report.

“Working together this way, we will be able to build a sound scientific and business foundation for producing industrial hemp varieties that are not only adapted to Pacific Northwest growing conditions but can be used by manufacturers to produce new food, beverage and biobased industrial products.” — Steiner, via the Hemp Gazette

The latest funding is the second federal hemp grant secured this year by the Global Hemp Innovation Center after the USDA awarded the research center $10 million in March to fund a study partnering with 13 Native American tribes to investigate hemp economic development, develop sustainable supply chains, and enhance the hemp industry’s role in tribal and rural economies.

 

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Missouri Regulators Won’t Fully Enforce Hemp Products Ban

Missouri regulators said last week they would not enforce a large portion of Gov. Mike Parson’s (R) executive order to ban intoxicating hemp products, the Missouri Independent reports. The original order called for banning all products containing delta-8 THC or similar hemp-derived intoxicating cannabinoids, but regulators now say they will only embargo products they consider to be potentially attractive to children.

“In regard to psychoactive cannabis products, the Department will focus its efforts on the identification of ‘misbranded’ products,” the Department of Health and Senior Services’ general counsel Richard Moore wrote in a letter.

“The Department has no intention at this time to embargo additional psychoactive cannabis products as adulterated. Further, within 30 days after referral to the Attorney General’s Office, the Department will release all currently embargoed products and remove all embargo tags.” — Moore, in the letter

Gov. Parson signed the executive order banning the sale of intoxicating hemp products on August 1 — but about a week before the policy could take effect,  Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft rejected the governor’s order, arguing the emergency rules did not meet the criteria laid out by state law. Following the rejection, officials will have to submit rules for a hemp product ban like they would any other law.

Earlier this month, Missouri regulators announced the forming of a new joint task force aimed at stopping the spread of “unlicensed psychoactive cannabis products” in the state.

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Senate Panel Advances ‘DOOBIE’ Act to Relax Cannabis Rules for Federal Hires

The U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee this week passed the Dismantling Outdated Obstacles and Barriers to Individual Employment (DOOBIE) Act, which seeks to ease federal hiring rules related to cannabis.

The proposal, which aims to guarantee that applicants for federal positions or security clearances are not denied due to past cannabis use, advanced from the committee in a 9-5 vote on Wednesday and moves next to the Senate for consideration.

Michigan Sen. Gary Peters (D) introduced the bill. If passed, the DOOBIE Act would align federal law with the growing number of states to enact medical and adult-use cannabis reforms — adult-use cannabis is legal in 24 states and Washington D.C., and an additional 14 states have enacted at least limited medical cannabis reforms.

Additionally, the bill would cement the current guidelines from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) regarding past cannabis use as an official policy.

“The federal government must adapt its hiring practices to reflect the evolving legal and social landscape of our nation. My bill takes a crucial step by aligning federal policy with existing agency guidance, ensuring that past marijuana use alone doesn’t automatically disqualify talented individuals from public service. This approach will expand our talent pool and create a fairer, more inclusive hiring process.” — Sen. Peters, in a press release

The committee’s vote is only the latest sign of a coming shift in federal cannabis policies after President Joe Biden (D) announced in May that his administration would seek to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act; the DEA will hold a hearing on December 2 to review expert opinions on the rescheduling proposal.

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north carolina cannabis

Polls: Swing State Voters Overwhelmingly Support Cannabis Reforms

Voters in the presidential battleground states of Nevada and Arizona strongly favored the legalization of cannabis in two recent polls by The Tarrance Group, Marijuana Moment reports.

Respondents in Nevada strongly supported medical cannabis (85%), adult-use reforms (71%), and banking access for the cannabis industry (80%), while just 22% said they think cannabis should remain Schedule I under federal law. In Arizona, respondents also strongly supported medical cannabis (86%), adult-use legalization (69%), and cannabis banking reforms (78%), while just 19% wanted to keep cannabis as a Schedule I substance.

The polls — which were commissioned by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company — aligned with additional polling from August that found similar voter support for cannabis reforms in the battleground states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

“Key groups of voters that are expected to play a major role in deciding the presidency and control of Congress have one view in common; they strongly support common sense marijuana laws and rules.” — Brian Herrington, VP of External Affairs for Scotts Miracle-Gro, in a press release

“Legalizing and regulating adult-use cannabis access is not only good policy, but it’s also good politics,” NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano said in a press release. “State and federal politicians who continue to ignore their constituents’ sentiments on these issues do so at their own political peril.”

The polling suggests voters are united on the issue of cannabis reforms heading into the November presidential election between former President Donald Trump (R), who recently endorsed Florida’s cannabis legalization bid, and Vice President Kamala Harris (D), who supported federally legalizing adult-use cannabis while serving as a U.S. Senator.

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Bipartisan Cannabis Legalization Bill Filed in Pennsylvania

A bipartisan bill to legalize cannabis in Pennsylvania was filed on Monday – the first day after lawmakers returned from recess, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports. The bill, sponsored by Reps. Aaron Kaufer (R) and Emily Kinkead (D), is the latest of the session, during which none have been considered in either legislative chamber.    

The measure includes a 5% excise tax paid by cannabis sellers and an 8% sales tax on retail products. Cannabis-derived tax revenues would be distributed among municipalities that have cannabis dispensaries, a cannabis business establishment fund, and toward addiction prevention, recovery, and treatment services. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency would also receive funds and distribute them to local law enforcement across the state and to indigent defense funds. Cannabis industry regulation would fall mostly under the Department of Agriculture. 

The bill also includes expungement provisions and would allow those currently incarcerated for non-violent cannabis charges to apply for resentencing and commutations. Additionally, the proposal includes social equity provisions that would allow qualifying individuals to apply for state-sponsored grants and low-interest loans to start cannabis businesses. Majority-minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, and veteran-owned businesses would be given priority under the legislation. 

Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) has signaled support for the reforms, going so far as to include potential revenue from cannabis sales taxes in his 2024 proposed budget.     

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South Carolina AG: Hemp-Derived Beverages with 0.3% THC are Legal

In a letter to South Carolina Speaker of the House G. Murrell Smith, Jr. (R) state Attorney General Alan Wilson specified that non-alcoholic, hemp-derived beverages containing 0.3% THC or less are legal in the state but that lawmakers should consider “guardrails” for the products. 

“Currently, there are no such ‘guardrails’ in the law beyond the statutory limit of 0.3% or less. In light of the need for clarity, legislatures in other states have begun to consider numerous issues – including public health – regarding THC-infused drinks.” — Wilson in the letter 

Wilson suggests that those guardrails may include age limits on purchasing hemp-derived THC-infused drinks, labeling requirements, and “whether there is some workable method for ensuring the content of a can meets the prescribed limits of the law without the need for testing can-by-can.” 

The attorney general noted that state lawmakers “may well wish to address which administrative agency is responsible for enforcement and regulation” and that House lawmakers have already passed a bill that includes restrictions on hemp-derived THC products. 

Over the summer the Charleston Hemp Collective, in partnership with High Rise Beverages, opened The Cannabis Dry Bar, which serves hemp-derived THC-infused mocktails as the products proliferate in the state.     

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Alabama Company Seeking Medical Cannabis License Asks Judge to Toss Some Awarded Licenses and Void Appeals Process

One of the companies suing the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) on Tuesday asked a judge to permanently toss all three of the agency’s attempts to issue integrated licenses and declare the AMCC’s appeal process void, WBRC reports.  

In the lawsuit against the AMCC, Alabama Always LLC alleges the commission violated the state’s Open Meets Act and the Alabama Administrative Procedures Act during its three attempts to issue integrated medical cannabis licenses. Last week the state Court of Civil Appeals rejected a bid by the AMCC to dismiss the legal challenges to medical cannabis licenses, which keeps the case in front of a Montgomery County Circuit judge. Earlier this month, companies awarded medical cannabis licenses by the AMCC – and attorneys for the agency – asked Montgomery County Circuit Judge James Anderson to lift a temporary injunction that has blocked the firms from beginning operations. Anderson has not issued a ruling on that request. 

Alabama’s medical cannabis licensing process has been plagued by delays dating back to 2021: first, the licensing process was paused due to “potential inconsistencies in the tabulation of scoring data; then, a lawsuit claimed the AMCC violated the state’s open meetings law; and another claimed the commission had no right to revoke and then re-award medical cannabis licenses that may have been affected by the data error; and another lawsuit accused regulators of wrongfully implying one of the company’s owners or senior directors had a criminal record; and yet another claimed regulators unfairly revoked a company’s original license by excluding it from the second licensing round. 

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Zamnesia Announces Launch of Online Shop in the USA

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands – Zamnesia, a leading European smartshop, is excited to announce the soft launch of its online store in the United States. This strategic move aims to introduce the brand’s extensive product catalog to American consumers.

Soft Launch and Expansion Goals

The current phase is characterized as a “soft launch,” allowing Zamnesia to expand its product offerings and refine its services in the U.S. market. This approach ensures that the company can focus on building a comprehensive product catalog and ensuring smooth business operations before an official launch.

Unique Market Positioning

Zamnesia aims to bring the unique European smartshop experience to the United States. The company is committed to adhering to all legal regulations while offering a diverse range of products. These include cannabis seeds, smoking gear, vaporizers, psychoactive herbs, and other mind-altering products. The goal is to fill a gap in the U.S. market by providing a one-stop-shop that combines all these elements, something that is currently lacking.

“There are many stores in the U.S. that offer an extensive range of cannabis seeds or smoking gear, and even a few stores that come close to the idea of a European smartshop, but very few that combine these aspects with the diverse product range of Zamnesia,” said Nick Avé, General Manager of Zamnesia. “We aim to fill this gap in the market by providing a unique shopping experience that combines all these elements.”

Diverse Product Offerings

Zamnesia is proud to offer a wide array of products, including top brands and its own branded products. The company’s product range includes:

  • Cannabis Seeds: Zamnesia offers a wide selection of cannabis seeds from top American and European breeders, ensuring high-quality genetics for every grower.
  • Smoking Gear: A comprehensive range of smoking accessories, including bongs, dab rigs, rolling papers, filter tips, weed pipes, grinders, lighters, ashtrays, and rolling trays.
  • Smartshop Products: a diverse range of smartshop products, including psychoactive herbs, natural supplements, and other natural mind-altering substances that are legally available.

Commitment to Customer Service

Zamnesia is also dedicated to maintaining its high standards of customer service in the United States. The company promises clear communication and fair compensation to ensure customer satisfaction. This commitment is a cornerstone of Zamnesia’s operations and will be a key focus as the company establishes its presence in the U.S.

Future Plans

While this is not the official launch, Zamnesia has ambitious plans for the future. The company aims to continually expand its product range and improve its services, paving the way for a successful official launch. Future initiatives include introducing new product lines, enhancing the online shopping experience, and building strong relationships with American customers. Zamnesia is confident that its unique blend of products and exceptional customer service will resonate well with American consumers.

About Zamnesia

Zamnesia is a leading European smartshop that offers a wide range of products, including cannabis seeds, smoking gear, vaporizers, and smartshop products. With a reputation for excellent customer service and a diverse product catalog, Zamnesia aims to bring its unique shopping experience to the United States.

For more information about Zamnesia and its product offerings, visit https://www.zamnesia.com/us/.

 

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Study: Legal Medical Cannabis Could Save U.S. Healthcare System $29B Per Year

The federal legalization of medical cannabis could save the United States healthcare system up to $29 billion per year, according to a recent Leafwell study published in the journal Applied Health Economics and Health Policy.

The study found that employers in states with medical cannabis programs experienced 3.4% lower premium costs for individual coverage plans compared to employers in states without legal access to medical cannabis. Additionally, employers in states with legal medical cannabis access saved on average $238 per individual insurance premium, per year, and $348 per employee-plus-one insurance packages, per year, the study estimated.

“A company with 50 employees in a state with medical cannabis laws could expect to spend $14,650 less on health insurance premiums per year compared to a similar-sized company in a state without a medical cannabis law.” — Excerpt from the Leafwell report

Leafwell also estimated that if all 50 states had implemented comprehensive medical cannabis reforms, employers would have experienced savings of $14.9 billion on single coverage plans and $8 billion for employee-plus-one coverage plans. Employees, meanwhile, would have seen annual savings of $4.2 billion for single coverage plans and $2.3 billion for employee-plus-one plans.

In total, legal cannabis programs in all 50 states would have accounted for a 0.65% reduction in U.S. healthcare expenditures, which totaled $4.5 trillion in 2022, equalling a potential $29 billion in savings.

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California Q2 Cannabis Taxes Down for 4th Consecutive Year

Data from the Cannabis Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) shows that cannabis tax revenue has declined steadily over the past four years, the Press Democrat reports.

According to state data, second-quarter cannabis tax revenue in California has declined year-over-year since 2021, with:

  • $361.4 million in Q2 2021,
  • $302.3 million in Q2 2022,
  • $286.7 million in Q2 2023, and
  • $263.1 million in Q2 2024.

Total taxable cannabis sales in California marked a similar decline throughout the same time period, according to the report, with:

  • $1.5 billion in Q2 2021,
  • $1.4 billion in Q2 2022,
  • $1.3 billion in Q2 2023, and
  • $1 billion in Q2 2024.

California cannabis sales and tax revenue have continued to decline as the industry grapples with heavy regulation and competition from both the unregulated market and hemp-derived THC products.

Earlier this month, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) aimed to reign in hemp product retailers with new emergency rules to ban the sale of intoxicating hemp products by requiring all hemp-derived products sold in the state to have “no detectable amount of total THC.” The governor said the goal of the rules was “to prevent children from accessing these dangerous hemp and cannabis products.”

State lawmakers last week approved a bill to allow cannabis consumption lounges, sending the proposal to the governor, who vetoed a similar measure last year.

 

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Planet of the Vapes Celebrates 1-Year Anniversary of the Lobo Vaporizer with a Limited-Time Sale

Planet of the Vapes is thrilled to celebrate the 1-year anniversary of the Lobo, its flagship dry herb vaporizer, with an exclusive sale from September 27-29, 2024. For three days only, customers can save up to $25 on the Lobo and other top-selling products across the Planet of the Vapes store.

Since its launch, the POTV Lobo has been a game-changer for dry herb enthusiasts, offering hybrid heating technology, superior flavor, and powerful performance at an affordable price. As one of the best heavy-hitting vaporizers under $200, the Lobo has quickly become a favorite in the vaping community for its efficiency, wide range of compatible glass accessories, and Planet of the Vapes’ commitment to quality.

Key Features of the POTV Lobo Vaporizer:

  • Hybrid Heating: Combining convection and conduction for optimal extraction and enhanced flavor.
  • Customizable: Compatible with a range of glass accessories, allowing users to personalize their vaping experience.
  • Heavy-Hitter Performance: The Lobo is designed for both novice users and experienced vapers looking for power and precision.
  • Under $200: Despite its premium features, the Lobo remains affordable, offering incredible value.

“Our customers love the Lobo for its versatility and powerful hits, and we’re excited to celebrate its success with this special anniversary sale,” said Lana Phillips. “This sale is a great opportunity for both seasoned vapers and newcomers to experience the benefits of dry herb vaping—better flavor, cost savings, and a healthier alternative to combustion.”

Exclusive Anniversary Sale Details:

  • Sale Dates: September 27-29
  • Discount: $25 off the POTV Lobo and $20 off all other POTV-branded vaporizers
  • Where: Available online only at Planet of the Vapes
  • Return Policy: Enjoy a 100-day return policy for the Lobo vaporizer, while all other POTV-branded vaporizers come with an extended 30-day return window.

Why Switch to Dry Herb Vaping?

Vaping herb, compared to smoking, offers numerous benefits, including better flavor retention, cost efficiency (smoking burns away a significant portion of cannabinoids), and less exposure to harmful chemicals associated with combustion. The Lobo takes these benefits to the next level, combining powerful hits with precision temperature control for a customized, high-quality vaping experience.

About Planet of the Vapes
Planet of the Vapes has been a trusted name in the vaporizer industry for over a decade, dedicated to providing high-quality products that help customers ditch smoking for healthier alternatives. With a wide selection of vaporizers and accessories, 100% satisfaction guarantee, and a strong focus on customer service, we are committed to enhancing every customer’s vaping journey.

For more information, visit planetofthevapes.com or contact lana@planetofthevapes.com.

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Poll: 21% of Adults Aged 50+ Used THC-Rich Cannabis At Least Once in Past Year

The University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging released last week found that 21% of all respondents 50 and older used a form of cannabis with THC at least once in the past year. The survey found that 12% of those who used a cannabis product – more than half – did so at least once a month.   

Those aged 50 to 64, and those who are in fair or poor physical health, or lower-income households, were more likely to report using cannabis at least monthly, according to the survey. 

Relaxing was the number one reason the cohort consumed cannabis (81%), followed by help with sleep (68%), to feel good (64%), pain relief (63%), and for their mental health or to improve their mood (53%). A majority of the respondents (56%) said they had discussed their cannabis use with a healthcare provider.  

In a statement, poll director Jeffrey Kullgren, M.D., M.P.H., M.S., noted that “Even if your doctor, nurse practitioner or pharmacist doesn’t ask if you’re using cannabis products, it’s important to offer this information, no matter whether you’re using it to address a physical or mental health concern, or simply for pleasure.”  

“Many prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs, as well as alcohol, can interact with cannabis and cause unexpected or unwanted effects,” he said in a press release. “And there are only a few conditions where we have good evidence of a medical benefit from cannabis, though this could change with time.” 

Nearly 80% of respondents said they believed cannabis today was stronger than it was 20 to 30 years ago.

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Lawsuit Seeks to Invalidate Nebraska Medical Cannabis Legalization Petitions

A former Nebraska state senator last week filed a lawsuit seeking to invalidate the two petitions related to legalizing medical cannabis in the state, the Nebraska Examiner reports. The two petitions – one to legalize medical cannabis and one to regulate the industry – were approved for November ballots earlier this month.  

The lawsuit, filed by John Kuehn, who is a former State Board of Heath member, veterinarian and rancher who has opposed any form of cannabis legalization, argues that the proposal violates federal law and the state constitution. 

Kuen, who is represented in the lawsuit by attorneys Steven E. Guenzel, Cameron E. Guenzel and Andrew La Grone, also a former state senator, makes seven total arguments: 

  • Delays from the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office in making copies of signatures available for public inspection upon request, arguing that Secretary of State Bob Evnen has a duty to ensure that “any diligent challenger has a meaningful opportunity to exercise their right to seek review and appeal” before he certifies the ballot. 
  • Insufficient valid signatures for ballot access. 
  • Evnen failed to strike duplicative signatures. 
  • An invalid sponsor statement from State Sen. Anna Wishart. 
  • A violation on both petitions of the state’s constitutional “single subject” rule that requires all measures to contain only one subject. 
  • An unlawful delegation of power to a proposed Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission that would oversee regulation of medical cannabis. 
  • Preemption of federal laws that classify cannabis as a Schedule I drug. 

The lawsuit bases its claims on a review of the petitions by Kuehn that found many of the petition signatures were invalid and “unlawfully accepted by the secretary.” The lawsuit contends that the petitions contain signatures from people who were not registered voters, whose date of birth didn’t match their voter registration or who did not include an address when they signed, duplicative signatures, signatures collected before petition circulation officially began last year or that were collected after a July 3 deadline, and other fraudulent forms of signature collection, including false notarization. 

The lawsuit does not provide evidence for the claims because the state has not provided the signature pages. The campaign seeking to put the issue on ballots submitted more than 114,000 signatures July 3 for each of its two petitions.     

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Survey: 94% of Germans Who Consumed Cannabis Did So for Medical Reasons

According to a survey from Germany-based medical cannabis company Bloomwell GmBh, 94% of respondents that consumed cannabis did so for at least one medical or health reason. The most common reason cited by respondents for consuming cannabis was for stress relief (about 60%), followed by sleeping disorders (50.4%) and pain relief (35%). 

However, just 10% of respondents said they had acquired cannabis exclusively from licensed pharmacies within the past year, while the vast majority – 79.6% – said they have had negative experiences with the unlicensed market.   

In a statement, Niklas Kouparanis, Co-Founder and CEO, Bloomwell Group GmbH, the holding company for Bloomwell Gmbh, said the survey response illustrates the “immense potential and room for growth of the country’s rapidly expanding medical cannabis industry following the implementation of the Cannabis Act on April 1, 2024, which rescheduled cannabis as a non-narcotic.” He added that according to the data, “more than 20 million people in Germany could benefit from access to medical cannabis therapy.”    

The survey found that 30.9% reported purchasing cannabis that was of poor quality, 29% were afraid that illegally acquired cannabis will have a negative impact on their own health, 39.7 % are afraid of unwanted side effects from illegally acquired cannabis, 14.8% said they had problems dosing correctly, and 26.3% had purchased contaminated cannabis. 

The survey also found 91.7% of respondents said they would prefer cannabis treatment via an app complete with delivery of medical cannabis from a German pharmacy at low prices. Kouparanis said that “Patients no longer need to rely on the illicit market and also should not be pushed in that direction.”   

Additionally, the survey found that third of the consumers surveyed have already been diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition by a doctor, while 21.2% had already spoken to a doctor about medical cannabis, but the doctor did not prescribe medical cannabis to them as a treatment. More than a quarter (25.2%) said that doctors were unable to help with their health problems, while just 9.2 percent of those surveyed had “no issues” finding a doctor who could competently support them in their therapy with medical cannabis.  

Dr. Julian Wichmann, M.D., Co-Founder of Bloomwell Group and CEO of Bloomwell, noted that the “findings underscore the need for medical cannabis to be treated on an equal footing as other modern medical therapies.”  

“However, for too many doctors in Germany, medical cannabis is still a taboo subject,” added Wichmann. “Education in cannabis medical treatment is needed, not just for patients, but also for medical professionals in order to normalize use and dispel outdated stigmas.” 

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