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Adult-Use Cannabis Legalization Initiative Fails in Arkansas

11/09/2022

Voters in Arkansas defeated a ballot question to legalize cannabis for adult use by a 56.2% to 43.8% margin with 92% of the vote counted, the New York Times reports. The measure would have legalized possession and use for adults 21 and older and allowed commercial sales.

The measure was opposed by several state politicians, including Governor-elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) and Republican U.S. Sens. Tom Cotton and John Boozman, the latter of which was reelected to a third term. Huckabee Sanders’ predecessor, Asa Hutchinson (R), had also said he planned to vote ‘no’ on the proposal.

Polls prior to Election Day had found support for the proposal shrinking. The measure faced headwinds even making it to ballots as the state Board of Election Commissioners had initially rejected the initiative’s ballot name and title and Secretary of State John Thurston deemed the measure insufficient due to the commissioners’ decision. However, the state Supreme Court ruled in favor of the campaign that led the effort and allowed the question to appear on ballots.

Medical cannabis is legal in Arkansas and this year’s sales totals are outpacing those of last year. So far in 2022, medical cannabis sales in Arkansas have totaled $205 million; sales reached $264.9 million in all of 2021.

Adult-use cannabis legalization was the only citizen-backed initiative on Arkansas ballots this year. There were three other questions put to voters that were added by lawmakers.

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South Dakota Voters Reject Adult-Use Cannabis Legalization

11/09/2022

South Dakota voters on Election Day rejected the proposal to legalize cannabis for adult use by a 53%-47% margin, the Argus Leader reports. It marks the second time voters in the state have rejected the reforms, voting down a similar ballot measure in 2018.

The measure would have allowed adults 21 and older to legally possess up to an ounce of cannabis for non-medical purposes and allowed sales from state-licensed dispensaries.

In a statement to the Leader prior to the final results, Protecting South Dakota Kids Committee Chair Jim Kinyon compared the proposal to “putting lipstick on a pig.”

“We’ve had a lot of people … say that (legalized cannabis) is going to make us wealthy, or that it’s going to make us well, and I just keep asking the same question: ‘When has the sale of any illegal drug done that?’ That’s a lot of lipstick on a pig. And the good news is, in South Dakota most of us know what a pig looks like, and we know what one smells like.” — Kinyon to the Leader

South Dakota voters had approved the reforms in 2020 but the state Supreme Court ultimately ruled that the measure violated the state’s single-subject rule on ballot initiatives. The campaign backing the reforms, South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws, had said if this year’s proposal had been approved it would “restore the will of the people.”

Voters in neighboring North Dakota also rejected their own cannabis legalization initiative.

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North Dakota Voters Reject Cannabis Legalization Measure

11/09/2022

North Dakota voters have rejected a measure to legalize cannabis for adult use by a 55%-46% margin, according to New York Times polling results. It marks the second defeat for the reforms in the state, where North Dakotans voted down a similar measure in 2018 59%-41%.

Luke Niforatos, executive vice president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, a Virginia-based political organization that opposes cannabis legalization – and helped fight the measure in North Dakota – told the Associated Press that the vote showed “It’s pretty clear North Dakota families don’t want marijuana across the state.”

The organization behind Measure 2 received close to $600,000 in donations this election cycle, mostly from national pro-legalization groups and dispensary operators, according to Inforum. Much of those funds were spent gathering signatures to put the issue to voters.

Voters in neighboring South Dakota also rejected the reforms.

The North Dakota House of Representatives passed a measure similar to the ballot initiative in 2021 but the proposal did not make it to the Senate floor for a vote, according to Time. Voters in the state also rejected the reforms during the 2018 midterm elections.

The initiative would have legalized the possession of one ounce of cannabis for adults 21 and older and allowed home cultivation of up to three plants.

According to an MJBizDaily projection, an adult-use market in North Dakota could have generated up to $100 million during its first year of operation and up to $285 million in its fourth year.

North Dakota voters legalized medical cannabis in 2016.

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Single Texas Mom Facing Eviction for Medical Cannabis in Federally Subsidized Apartment

11/08/2022

Texas single mother Candace McCarty, of Temple, is facing eviction for possessing and consuming medical cannabis in her federally subsidized apartment, KXAN Austin reports. Temple, who is a patient in the state’s limited medical cannabis program, faces the looming eviction because she receives housing assistance through the federally-funded Central Texas Housing Consortium.

Last year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development clarified that even if an individual is prescribed medical cannabis through a state program, they are still not allowed to use or possess cannabis at home if they receive federal housing assistance. McCarty says she was not aware of the rule, assuming her use of THC gummies, cannabis oil, and smokable CBD cannabis were allowed because the cannabis was permitted by the state of Texas, the report says.

“They’re claiming it’s criminal. I thought it was all legal, because I obtained it legally from the state. I’m just a single mom on disability, and I’m just trying to make it … facing homelessness right before the holidays.” ‒ McCarty to KXAN

Barbara Bozon, executive director of Central Texas Housing Consortium, pointed out that McCarty’s lease says “any drug use is not allowed, and that their lease is subject to termination for any drug activity.”

McCarty, however, said she believes the lease was not clear, noting that it says residents cannot engage in “any drug-related criminal activity on or off the Authority premises. The term drug-related criminal activity means the illegal manufacture, sale, distribution, use or possession with the intent to manufacture, sell, distribute or use of a controlled substance.”

McCarty moved to Texas two years ago after Hurricane Laura and wishes she would have known about the restrictions. She was reported by her neighbor.

“I just want people to know, so they’re not in the same position that I’m in,” McCarty said in the report.

Her next court date is at the end of November.

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New Mexico Monthly Cannabis Sales Again Break Record in October

11/08/2022

Adult-use cannabis sales in New Mexico broke another monthly sales record in October reaching $25 million, according to Cannabis Control Division (CCD) data outlined by the Albuquerque Journal reports. It marks the first time adult-use cannabis sales have surpassed $25 million in a month in the state.

During October, medical cannabis sales in New Mexico reached a new low – $14.7 million – since the launch of adult-use sales. The number of patients in the state fell by 473 since September 2021.

Overall, both medical and adult-use sales for October were $39.8 million. To date, adult-use sales have reached $161 million since the market launched in April, the report says.

New Mexico’s border towns represent a third of adult-use sales. Sunland Park, with a population of less than 20,000, sold more than $1.5 million in adult-use cannabis in October. The town’s dispensary customers are largely Texans. Hobbs, which borders West Texas, sold $1.47 million in adult-use cannabis during the month, while sales in Clovis, which also borders West Texas, reached $713,010 in adult-use sales.

In Albuquerque, the state’s largest city, adult-use sales reached a new record of $8.1 million in October, while Las Cruces sold about $1.73 million in adult-use cannabis. Sales in Santa Fe declined from September to $1.84 million, according to CCD data.

Reilly White, an associate professor with the University of New Mexico’s Anderson School of Management, said Albuquerque’s record sales month could be due, in part, to the Balloon Fiesta which boosted tourist traffic.

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American Autoflower Cup 2023 to Unite Growers and Breeders at Green Street in Los Angeles

11/08/2022

Los Angeles, California — The American Autoflower Cup (AAC) is announcing its first-ever event where autoflower cultivators can test their cannabis growing skills head-to-head with the best growers and breeders in the United States. Participants will compete to become the first American Autoflower Cannabis Cup Winner in the following categories:

Best Sativa strain
Best Indica strain
Best Autoflower Breeder

The following individuals will serve as judges for the event:

Daniel Morford, a third-generation ganja farmer born and raised in the Emerald Triangle with over 19 years of experience in cannabis growing and 10 years growing/breeding autoflowers
Nick Bradley, with more than 10 years of experience in cannabis retail and quality assurance
Sincerely Cali, with 25 years of industry experience working from trap houses to full cultivation of big canna — currently working with Platinum Genetics & Platinum Farmers
Jenny-Beth Dills, founder of Kind Cannabis Consulting and Director of Operations for Game Over Distribution
Joey Burger, a Regenerative Cannabis Consultant, Dragonfly Earth Medicine Pure Certified Educator, and Permaculture teacher with 27+ years of experience in the Emerald Triangle
Jessica Cueb, AKA Pothead Princess, an LA-based influencer with 10 years of cannabis industry experience ranging from Amsterdam to all over the U.S.

AAC is also pumped to present our Cup Curator, Jeremy Norrie, winner of the High Times Cannabis Cup for Best Product in Amsterdam. His in-depth knowledge of how the judging criteria works for cannabis competitions in national and international cups will make this the best Autoflower Cup ever!

Come check out the latest and greatest autos the cannabis world has to offer while enjoying live music and good company, and even better buds. See the future of cannabis cultivation firsthand and celebrate all things autoflower.

The event will take place in LA’s premier cannabis location, Green Street, located at 718 South Hill Street, Los Angeles. Applications are open and sample submissions will be accepted from December 1st, 2022 through January 10th, 2023.

For more information visit https://americanautoflowercup.com or send us an email at info@americanautoflowercup.com.

Social links:
IG https://www.instagram.com/americanautoflowercup/
Twitter https://twitter.com/AAutoflower_cup
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085049890177
Reddit https://americanautoflowercup.com

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Czech Republic Aiming to Harmonize Cannabis Legalization Laws with Germany

11/08/2022

The Czech Republic is aiming to harmonize its cannabis laws with Germany as the two European Union nations seek to implement adult-use reforms, Forbes reports. The Czech coalition government is expected to present a draft bill to regulate the industry in March 2023 and the reforms could take effect by January 2024.

In September, the Czech government tasked drug commissioner Jindřich Vobořil to draft a law to legalize adult-use cannabis. In a Facebook post last month, Vobořil indicated that Czech officials are in contact with the German government to coordinate and consult with one another on the reform plans.

“My colleagues in Germany are talking about permitted quantities, and they don’t have the cannabis clubs that we foresee. I certainly want to hold the cannabis clubs until my last breath. This model seems very useful to me, at least for the first few years.” — Vobořil, in a Facebook post, via Forbes

The Czech Republic decriminalized personal possession of cannabis in 2010 and legalized medical cannabis in 2013. The nation is also one of the few in Europe that allows industrial hemp to contain THC concentrations of up to 1% instead of 0.2%.

According to the Addiction Report released in August by the National Monitoring Center on Drugs and Addiction (NMS), about 30% of adults in the Czech Republic have tried cannabis and about 9% consume it regularly.

According to the Czech Pirate Party, the smallest political group inside the government coalition and one of the country’s most prominent cannabis advocates, cannabis product sales could generate about €800 million ($782 million) in tax revenue annually.

Germany unveiled its legalization plans last month. Under the draft plan, THC in cannabis products would be limited to 15% and adults would be allowed to cultivate up to two plants for personal use. Health Minister Karl Lauterbach has estimated about 4 million adults in Germany consume cannabis.

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Maine Bars Medical Cannabis Caregivers from Giving Patients Liquid Concentrates, Pre-rolls

11/08/2022

The Maine Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP) last month released guidance that effectively bans medical cannabis caregivers without a storefront from selling pre-rolls and liquid concentrates, the Associated Press reports. The new rules treat the products like tobacco, requiring all purchases to be made by individuals 21 and older. Previously, those products could be provided by individuals 18 and older with valid medical cannabis cards.

Sen. Craig Hickman (D), co-chair of the Legislature’s Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee, called the move by the OCP “executive branch overreach and bad faith.”

“Let medical cannabis caregivers go into the winter without more fear and anxiety that they are going to lose their shirts or be fined and imprisoned for conduct explicitly authorized under current statute.” — Hickman, in a letter to OCP, via the AP

Sharon Huntley, a spokesperson for the Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services, told the AP that the guidance is not actually a policy change, rather it outlines “the current state law for registrants and licensees” and is meant to eliminate confusion.

The guidance doesn’t have an impact on adult-use cannabis retailers, which requires customers to be 21 to purchase any cannabis products, but has led to confusion for the state’s medical cannabis caregivers.

Arleigh Kraus, who grows medical cannabis and produces pre-roll products, called the guidance “confusing,” “scary,” and “nonsensical.” She said state law requires lawmakers to be consulted on rule changes and that small business owners are worried about being penalized for running afoul of the rules.

Hickman said lawmakers should have a say and that the rules are contrary to the will of voters.

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More Than $13B of Cannabis Sold in Colorado Since Legalization in 2012

11/07/2022

In the decade following adult-use cannabis legalization in Colorado, the state has sold $13.4 billion in sales, leading to $2.2 billion in taxes collected, 9 News reports. Brian Vicente, one of the co-directors of the campaign to pass Amendment 64, which legalized cannabis for adults 21 and older, said the reforms have been “an unqualified success.”

Mason Tvert, the campaign’s other co-director, told 9 News that Colorado’s legalization win at the ballot box 10 years ago “inspired a lot of discussions and got a lot of elected leaders both in the U.S. and abroad examining their cannabis policies.”

Since 2012, when Colorado joined Washington state in passing the reforms, 17 other states and Washington, D.C. have reformed their cannabis policies and allowed adult-use sales.

“I feel like the Colorado model should be exported to other states and other countries and the world would be better off.” — Vicente to 9 News

In Colorado, tax dollars derived from adult-use cannabis sales are used for public school funding and sent to the state’s marijuana fund which earmarks the money for healthcare, health education, drug abuse prevention and treatment programs, and law enforcement.

Vicente added that while additional states pass the reforms, more pressure is being put on the federal government to overhaul its cannabis policies. Five states will vote during the midterm elections on whether to pass adult-use cannabis reforms.

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Idaho Poll Finds That 68% Support Medical Cannabis Legalization

11/07/2022

An Idaho Statesman poll by SurveyUSA released on November 5 found 68% of Idahoans believe medical cannabis should be legalized in the state. The poll found just 18% believed medical cannabis should remain outlawed with 14% unsure.

The poll found less than half (48%) of respondents backed adult-use legalization in the state with 41% opposed and 10% unsure.

The poll also found a minority of respondents – 11% – believed low-level cannabis possession should be met with jail time, with 43% saying such offenses should lead to a fine, and 42% supporting no penalty at all.

The poll found medical cannabis legalization was supported by 84% of Democrats, 60% of Republicans, and 74% of independents. Adult-use reforms were supported by 35% of Republicans, 74% of Democrats, and 61% of independents.

House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel (D) told the Statesman that she “wouldn’t have been surprised” if support for medical cannabis legalization wasn’t higher.

A bill introduced in the state Legislature last year to decriminalize cannabis never made it to the floor for a vote. Rubel said the poll indicates that “the Idaho Republican Party and the political elite within it have taken on a life of their own, that does not track the desires of the people of Idaho.”

The poll was conducted from October 17-20 online and by phone and included 550 adults.

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Hemp Processing Company Setting Up Headquarters in Virginia

11/07/2022

A hemp fiber processing company is set to invest $17.5 million to establish its U.S. headquarters in Mecklenburg County, Virginia in the former Kinderton Distribution Center. The plan by FyberX, which processes raw agricultural biomass into refined natural fibers, will create 45 new jobs.

In a statement, Ben Young, CEO of FyberX, said “Southern Virginia is strategically positioned to play a vital role in unlocking the economic potential of industrial hemp fiber in a variety of markets including textiles, construction, packaging, automotive, and bioplastics.”

“We are excited to work with the local community to implement socially responsible best practices, including a zero-waste production model that minimizes emissions, a transparent supply chain, fair wages, and safe and state of the art processing facilities, all of which will define a new global standard for natural fiber production facilities. The Mecklenburg County facility and anticipated future facilities across the Southeast of the United States will expand the availability of domestically grown and processed hemp fiber while simultaneously providing a substantial economic benefit to not only Southern Virginia, but it’s neighboring states.” — Young, in a press release

Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) added that the hemp industry “provides a sustainable alternative for industrial and consumer products that will also bring economic benefits to Virginia communities and farmers.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership and Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) worked with Mecklenburg County to secure the project for the state, Youngkin’s office said, and Youngkin approved a $150,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist the county with the project.

FyberX is also eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, which is administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

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Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Agrees to Purchase Cresco Labs and Columbia Care

11/04/2022

Sean “Diddy” Combs has agreed to purchase the cannabis operations of Cresco Labs Inc. and Columbia Care Inc. in three states for up to $185 million, The Wall Street Journal reports. The deal still requires regulatory approval and the company would need to divest assets in several states before it is finalized.

Under the proposal, the new company controlled by Combs would acquire nine retail stores and three production facilities in New York, Massachusetts, and Illinois. Combs’ company would pay $110 million in cash and $45 million in debt financing, plus additional money based on certain market-growth milestones. Cresco and Columbia agreed to merge in March in a $2 billion deal.

In an interview with the Journal, Combs seemed to describe legalization as “diabolical.”

“How do you lock up communities of people, break down their family structure, their futures, and then legalize it and make sure that those same people don’t get a chance to benefit or resurrect their lives from it?” — Combs to WSJ

Between 2010 and 2018, Black people were 3.6 times as likely as white people to be arrested for cannabis possession in the U.S., despite similar rates of cannabis use, according to data from the American Civil Liberties Union.

A June 2021 Leafly report utilizing data from Whitney Economics found that Black-owned businesses comprise just 2% of the roughly 40,000 cannabis companies in the U.S.

“Two percent? All the years, all the pain, all the incarceration,” Combs said. “To me, it was important to do a big deal like this.”

Combs’ other consumer brands include Sean John, a partnership with Diageo PLC on Cîroc vodka and DeLeón tequila.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this article stated incorrectly that Whitney Economics had published the 2021 report investigating Black-owned businesses in the cannabis industry. The ‘Seeds of Change’ article, authored by Janessa Bailey, was actually published by Leafly.

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U.S. Cannabis Council Launches ‘Buy Legal’ Campaign

11/04/2022

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) is featured in a new U.S. Cannabis Council (USCC) ad campaign calling on consumers to “Buy Legal.” The campaign kicked off Thursday during the Black CannaBiz Expo in New Orleans, Louisiana.

In a statement, Murphy said it is “an honor” to be the first elected official to participate in the campaign.

“Since adult-use cannabis became legal in our state in 2021, the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission has established a well-regulated adult-use cannabis market that has catalyzed economic growth in our local communities and established minimum standards for safe products. But like many other products, cannabis is not immune to the persistent illegal market, which poses a serious risk to consumers. As states like New Jersey continue to refine a regulatory framework for adult use of cannabis, our local businesses and consumers would greatly benefit from the resources that the Buy Legal campaign provides. This campaign will help protect the ability of local, regulated cannabis enterprises to continue to do business in a way that is safe and accountable, and protect the safety of consumers while reinvesting in communities.” — Murphy in a statement

Al Harrington, the former National Basketball Association player and founder and CEO of Viola, is also participating in the campaign, which he said “comes at such an important time in the cannabis industry.”

“To truly create equitable opportunities for generational wealth in our community, things like this must be done,” he said in a statement. “Now more than ever it’s imperative to educate consumers on the importance of buying regulated, safe products.”

The founding members of USCC’s Buy Legal campaign include Anacostia Organics, American Trade Association of Cannabis and Hemp, Canopy Growth, Columbia Care, Cresco Labs, Cronos Group, Curaleaf, DC Cannabis Trade Association, Holistic Industries, Jushi, Native Roots, PAX, TrueGreen, Viola, and Wana Brands. The founding members hope to recruit a broad range of legal cannabis businesses to implement the Buy Legal seal across e-commerce, in-store, and at industry conferences and events.

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Report: 2022 Hemp Harvest 46% Smaller Than 2021

11/04/2022

A new report by Colorado-based commodity exchange PanXchange says the 2022 hemp harvest will be 46% smaller than last year’s harvest. The report, outlined by Marijuana Business Daily, indicates that nearly 75% of CBD extract is being used for Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC products, reducing the demand for traditional CBD products.

Farmers grew around 36,925 acres of hemp in 2021, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. However, only 20,000 acres are expected to be harvested this year. This year’s harvest includes 6,400 to 6,800 acres of hemp flower, 8,200 to 9,100 acres of hemp fiber, and 4,800 to 5,000 acres of hemp grain.

Hemp was federally legalized as part of the 2018 federal Farm Bill. Although this legalized hemp nationwide, many states have developed their own regulations for hemp-derived cannabinoid products including CBD and delta-8 THC, which is a cannabinoid similar to delta-9 THC but which can be synthesized from CBD.

While the hemp industry fluctuates, some licensed cannabis companies have expressed concern about the growing hemp consumer goods market. The California Cannabis Industry Association released a white paper last month describing the nationwide sale of intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids like delta-8 THC as a public health crisis, claiming “loopholes in the federal definition of hemp are being exploited … to sell extremely potent, often chemically synthesized intoxicants that are more powerful than anything available in licensed cannabis dispensaries.”

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National Hemp Council of America Urges FDA to Approve Hemp Seed Meal as Animal Feed

11/04/2022

In a letter to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert Califf, the National Industrial Hemp Council of America (NIHCA) urged the agency to “act quickly to approve hemp seed meal as an approved ingredient for production agriculture.”

“From our perspective, there is no reason why the FDA hasn’t already approved hempseed-based animal feed ingredients. We have seen numerous clinical trials, by Land Grant Universities and others, submitted to the FDA that all show the same outcome, that there is no transference of cannabinoids into the nation’s food supply chain from animals raised on hemp seed meal. Those results are consistent across the various species of animals, including laying hens, hogs, and dairy cattle.” — NIHCA in the November 3 letter

In the letter, the NIHCA said that part of the organization’s mission “has been to promote the safe and efficient use of hemp-based animal feed for the production of livestock.”

“The U.S. agriculture industry is struggling with a global grain shortage that is a direct result of the war in Ukraine,” the letter states. “This has resulted in a direct increase in inputs for all domestic livestock producers of 16% since last year, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).”

The organization indicated that while it understands and is sympathetic to “concerns about cannabinoids entering the nation’s food supply” hemp seeds are “biologically incapable of producing cannabinoids.”

The NIHCA points out that the FDA has recognized that other hemp seed products, including hearts, oil, and protein, are safe for human consumption and that the Drug Enforcement Administration earlier this year determined that cannabis seeds are not considered a controlled substance federally and legal under the Farm Bill.

“Drought and the war in Ukraine contribute to the global grain crisis. Hemp is an environmentally responsible and domestically grown alternative,” the NIHCA wrote. “Considering the higher costs associated with the worldwide grain shortage, a sustainable American hemp crop is a nutritious source of animal feed, and it can lower the cost of farming feed inputs. This would be good news for farmers and consumers who now struggle with the higher costs of milk, meat, and eggs.”

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Report: Cannabis 6th Largest Cash Crop in the US

11/03/2022

According to the 2022 Leafly Cannabis Harvest Report cannabis is the sixth-most valuable crop grown in the U.S. The report estimates that cannabis grown in the U.S. is worth $5 billion a year and constitutes a larger agricultural footprint than potatoes or rice.

The second annual harvest report from Leafly found that adult-use cannabis producers grew 2,834 metric tons this year, up 554 metric tons from last year, which according to federal use reports is only one-quarter of the country’s demand. The report estimates that the actual demand for cannabis in the U.S. is between 12 million and 15 million metric tons. Despite the seemingly low supply, cannabis wholesale prices dropped last year, especially in Western states, the report says.

Leafly found producers in western states, such as Oregon, Colorado, and the world’s largest cannabis market, California, grew too much cannabis, while Midwest and Eastern producers did not grow enough. The report notes that due to federal prohibition, farmers cannot sell cannabis over state lines, and the illicit market hurt farmers in the West and increased prices for Midwest and Eastern customers in 2022.

Jason Gellman of Ridgeline Farms, a Humboldt County Emerald Cup winner, told Leafly, “The prices this year are at an all-time low and honestly pretty tragic for all the craft farmers. Lots of people will not be able to afford to keep their farms going. Our community as a whole is in a bad financial place.”

Dusty Shoyer, President and COO of Revolution in Illinois and Missouri, though, said 2022 was a “great year” for his company.

“We finally finished two expansion projects and brought 10 more small batch cultivation rooms online in Illinois and a high-tech mini-grow in Missouri,” he said in a statement to Leafly. “Both are harvesting and producing amazing results.”

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New York Scraps Testing Limits for Bacteria, Mold, and Yeast

11/03/2022

New York’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) on Tuesday scrapped its testing limits for bacteria, mold, and yeast for cannabis products after cultivators expressed concern that the majority of their products wouldn’t be able to pass under the state’s strict rules.

According to an email from OCM dated November 1, the agency has removed “the pass/fail limits associated with the Total Viable Aerobic Bacteria County and Total Yeast and Mold Count for unextracted cannabis products,” which includes pre-rolls and flower.

“Cannabis laboratories will still need to run these tests as part of the state mandated testing panel, but at this time, there will not be a defined limit for unextracted cannabis products in the adult-use program.” — OCM in an email

The agency said it is still “the responsibility of the licensee to consider these results and any impact on the stability and expiration dating of the product, as well as any risks to the health of the consumer.”

OCM added that it will continue to monitor lab test results and licensees “may be required to conduct further testing where results indicate concerns with product quality or safety.”

The New York agency still imposes limits on pesticides used in cannabis cultivation and said it is planning “additional lab testing guidance soon to help streamline the lab testing process for conditional licensees including a temporary testing protocol designed to enable licensees to test multiple lots of the same form of product simultaneously.”

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The Armoire: Empowering Beginner Cannabis Home Growers

11/03/2022

The Armoire is a self-contained, discreet bio chamber built for home growing a single oversized autoflower cannabis plant. Manufactured and distributed by e-commerce company Green Goddess Supply, The Armoire is made from waterproof, fire-retardant, and mold-resistant PVC polymer. The outer layer is coated with a vinyl veneer which gives the appearance of a wooden finish and the door is childproof locked. It uses a 13 Spectrum, high PAR, low-heat proprietary LED light specially designed to include a knob that controls photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). The 13 spectrums are ideal for The Armoire method and inhibit mold growth and deter unwanted pests. The feet were an additional ergonomic feature that allows home growers to pull up a chair and sit while tending to their plant, instead of bending over or crouching.

“We’re a seed-to-consumption company, so our mission is to empower everyone to grow simply, easily, conveniently, and also to be able to then have whatever they need to harvest, whatever they need to consume, storage, everything,” said Green Goddess COO Vince Bitetti. Bitetti met CEO Eric Robichaud while the pair worked at his high-profile gaming company. Knowing the serial entrepreneur was involved in the cannabis industry, Bitetti approached Robichaud with his idea.

Bringing The Armoire to life was a decades-long process that began in the 70s while Bitetti studied botany in college. He kept getting seeds in his bag of weed, plump brown ones with black tiger stripes. With his background in botany, he figured he’d start planting them in his backyard. Unfortunately, the city of Los Angeles sprayed an insecticide to battle a fruit-fly infestation, which dusted the whole crop. That experience inspired him to start growing his plants indoors. In the 1980s, after seeing him successfully cultivate good flower, his friends started asking him for instructions on growing just a single indoor plant, which wasn’t easy to do at the time. Dialing in the process remained a passion project throughout years of running his own software company, and then the day came when he approached Robichaud about The Armoire prototype. As soon as Robichaud saw it, the CEO said: “Let’s do it!” The pair continued developing the grow box for four years and eventually acquired a U.S. patent for the technology.

“The patent demonstrates the measurable, definable difference of our home grow cabinet versus home grow tents and other gadgets,” Robichaud said.

Robichaud hadn’t grown cannabis before using The Armoire but now he’s one of the most prolific growers in The Armoire family. And it does feel sort of like a family because of the supportive Concierge Support Service, which comes with purchasing a unit. Bitetti and East Coast Concierge Kyle Hamilton speak with their grower clients on a regular basis via phone, video calls, texting, and email to teach their method, ensure the process is dialed in, and — as was the case for me — help guarantee success. Bittetti said it’s an essential component of the product: “The Armoire as a product really has three key components that work together: it’s part hardware, part process, and part Concierge Support Service. It’s the combination of all three that makes it work.”

The first 90 days of the Concierge Support Service are complementary and from there, growers can purchase an extended support plan. I, someone who has tried and failed to grow a proper cannabis plant a few times, was sent an Armoire and assisted by the Concierge Support Service from sprout to harvest. And it went well, although I’m confident it wouldn’t have been possible without the Concierge Service Support.

Green Goddess had all of the supplies that I needed to get started, including a seed with solid genetics. Three days after planting, my seed sprouted. As soon as I saw the sprout, I started sending Bitetti a weekly photo of the plant. That’s how I learned firsthand that he was adept at diagnosing cultivation issues with just a picture. In the first week, my settings weren’t correct and he identified it based on the slight droopiness of the leaves. Once he noticed that, I was quickly in touch with the right person to help me adjust the settings and get the plant back on track. It was impressive how in tune with the plant Bitetti is, and he is adamant that everyone can do this whether they’re an expert or not. “You have to figure out what the plant needs by how it looks, it’s not hard once you do it a couple of times.”

The goal is to make growing in The Armoire as simple as growing a houseplant: “We want people to be able to do it easily, simply, and efficiently. After two or three grows, they are off and running,” Bitetti said.

Some may want a less expensive option, so Green Goddess has released the ATS-42 Grow Tent System, designed to use the same ‘High Yield + Easy Grow’ protocol as The Armoire and it includes a year of Concierge Support. This grow tent is larger, which is less discreet, but it’s half the price and can grow 2-4 plants at a time. It is a good option for someone looking for the same protocol and Concierge Support Service as The Armoire but at a more entry-level price.

The Armoire was a better fit for me, and I ultimately harvested two large mason jars filled to the brim with sparkling, dark purple buds of Black Strap from my first plant in the grow box. I am confident that I walked away from the experience with the tools to do even better next time. The bio chamber itself is nice and easily nestled into the corner of my living room where it exists without being an eyesore, but it’s not completely discreet while running. The chamber does make a persistent low fan noise while it is active, something every guest I had over would inquire about. For my next plant, I plan to put the unit where a humming sound wouldn’t be a bother.

The Armoire is worth the investment for someone interested in growing their own high-quality cannabis, and especially so for patients who want expert assistance in the production of their plant medicine. To learn more about The Armoire and other Green Goddess Supply offerings, visit greengoddesssupply.com

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Eteros Technologies Acquires Bloom Automation

11/03/2022

Automation Leader Eteros Acquires Bloom to Deliver Ground-Breaking Computer Vision and Artificial Intelligence to the Cannabis Industry

Las Vegas, NV, November 3, 2022 — Eteros Technologies USA, Inc., a global leader in cannabis harvesting equipment, acquired Bloom Automation, creating the first agricultural technology (Ag-tech) company focused on the post-harvest cannabis market.

Founded in Canada in 2016, Eteros Technologies is now the premier manufacturer of cannabis automation equipment globally. As the parent company of the Triminator and Mobius brands, Eteros seeks to provide post-harvest processing solutions for all levels of cannabis production. The acquisition of Bloom strengthens Eteros’ ability to deliver on that goal by bringing computer vision and artificial intelligence (AI) to cannabis producers.

Although Ag-tech has been one of the fastest-growing sectors in conventional farming and is expected to top 15.3 billion in 2025, Ag-tech in cannabis is still in its infancy. Eteros hopes to change this with the acquisition of Bloom. “As competitive as the cannabis market is today, this is only expected to increase as the market matures. In cannabis, there are so many areas where producers use manual labor because they need human intelligence. At Eteros, we see a tremendous opportunity to implement Bloom AI into harvest automation to gain a competitive advantage. By combining Bloom’s technology with Mobius, we can equip operators with a powerful new data set to help them make better decisions and enhance their level of automation,” said Aaron McKellar, CEO of Eteros.

This Ag-tech integration comes at a critical time for cannabis cultivators facing price reductions of up to 62% in mature markets like Colorado. These price reductions are forcing cultivators nationwide to evaluate their harvesting methods. Although many of the processes have been mechanized previously, Eteros believes that integrating Bloom technology, which uses a sensor array and AI-driven algorithms to collect data, will improve the precision, accuracy, and efficiency of existing automation. In addition, the technology will enable an entirely new wave of processing capabilities, including defoliation, harvest weight predictions, pathogen identification, and foliage density assessment, which was one of the main drivers for the acquisition. “Our mission has always been to bring AI and robotics to all areas of the cannabis industry. By joining Eteros, we can seamlessly create intelligent automation across a broad ecosystem of new and existing products,” said Jon Gowa, the CEO of Bloom.

With a shared vision for empowering cannabis farmers with actionable data, Eteros and Bloom expect to quickly begin offering turn-key AI automation across a broad spectrum of applications. For more information, contact Eteros at info@eteros.com.

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St. Louis Mayor Opposes Cannabis Legalization Initiative

11/03/2022

St. Louis, Missouri Mayor Tishaura Jones on Tuesday came out in opposition of the ballot initiative to legalize cannabis in the state, describing the proposal as inequitable and once it’s in the state constitution, “it can be difficult to alter,” the Missouri Independent reports.

“If we choose the path of a constitutional amendment to resolve the matter of legalization, it would have to be forward-thinking, flexible and most of all, equitable. This amendment fails to meet that lofty aim. Simply put, legalization does not equal decriminalization.” — Jones, in a statement, via the Independent

Jones’ opposition comes about a month after Democratic state Rep. Ashley Bland Manlove formed the Impactful Canna Reform Coalition to oppose the reforms. Bland Manlove, the chair of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus, said she formed the group along with “like-minded community partners” because they realized “people from politicians to Bob on the street didn’t know the details” on the proposed constitutional amendment.

“The capitalism monster loves to exploit you,” Bland Manlove said last month when announcing the formation of the organization, “and that is what’s happening with this petition.”

The measure is also opposed by the Missouri NAACP. Both groups argue that, if approved, the amendment will create a “permanent exclusion” of minorities from the state’s cannabis industry.

Freedom Inc., a Black-led civil rights organization from Kansas City, and STL Power Project – which backed Jones’ election – are backing the reforms.

Rodney Bland, president of Freedom Inc. told the Independent, “Every day that goes by where cannabis is still illegal in Missouri, is a day when justice is not being served.”

The legalization amendment also recently received support from the Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP), which is a non-profit group of criminal justice professionals, including police, prosecutors, and judges that aims to mobilize law enforcement in criminal justice reforms that promote public safety.

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Caroline Yeh: Standing Out With Savory Cannabis-Infused Snacks

11/02/2022

While infused edibles make up a larger cannabis market share year after year, gummies, chocolates, and candies still frequently dominate dispensary shelves. TSUMo Snacks chose to go another route with the release of savory edibles including zesty ranch chips, hint-of-lime chips, fiery hot and cheese crunchers, and now Uncle Snoop’s Snazzle-Os — because Snoop is “more of a Funyuns guy.”

Co-founder and CEO Caroline Yeh worked in the cannabis industry for more than six years before launching TSUMo — prior to that, she had a seasoned run in edible CPG. This interview dives into what led Caroline to start her own company, the process of infusing and developing the company’s savory edibles, and more!

Find the full interview below:

Ganjapreneur: How did you know that it was time to start your own company after working for other consumer packaged goods brands?

Caroline Yeh: I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. I had just left my job at Kiva at the end of January 2021. I was extremely burned out after everything with COVID, and had planned on taking a solid 6 months off to refocus and reevaluate. But the opportunity to lead TSUMo became available, and it was one I couldn’t turn down. I was back at work by mid March.

Why do you think savory cannabis edible products don’t take up more retail shelf space?

They’re actually pretty hard to make, and require a good amount of start-up capital, which a lot of smaller businesses can’t afford to do. Having been in cannabis for 6+ years, I know our industry tends to be very risk-averse — we don’t often jump into new categories or try to create new products, unless someone else has proven success in it first. We’ve seen that with chocolate, gummies and now beverages. Even though these types of savory edibles existed in the medical market, they were difficult to produce in the legal market, and people started to forget that it was even an option.

What is the significance of the capitalized letters in the brand name TSUMo Snacks?

It’s just a fun play on “tsunami.” The name originates from the idea that we bring a “tsunami of flavors,” so capitalizing the letters gives a visual representation of that.

What inputs are used to infuse TSUMo products? Were there challenges in ensuring each chip was precisely dosed?

We use distillate to infuse. And EACH chip is NOT precisely dosed, that’s basically impossible. The dosing is done over a serving size. For example, our 10 mg bags are dosed to the weight of the product, which is 1 oz.

Does the company have its own manufacturing facility or use a third-party manufacturer?

We are a not-plant-touching company, and as such, use a third party co-man.

How does TSUMo educate retail staff when onboarding a new store or releasing a new product?

We do a lot to educate retail staff. It starts with budtender trainings, which are conducted by TSUMo staff. We also reinforce this with a mobile education platform called Zoltrain. We provide samples to staff, and every time we’re back in the store conducting demos we’re educating not only the customer, but also the staff. In fact, the staff has often been the most excited about our demos, and has been overwhelmingly supportive of the brand.

What advice would you give to a brand that is currently seeking funding?

It’s a tough time to be raising. If you can hold off on raising in this economic environment, I would advise you to do that. We were very fortunate that the timing of our raise occurred before the current economic situation fully developed, and I’m sure it would have taken much longer to obtain the funding that we are so fortunate to have now.

How did you know that Casa Verde was the right finance partner?

Given the history of Casa Verde as a leader in investing in the cannabis space, and its experience investing in brands, there was no question that this was a partner that we wanted to work with. And with its deep connections in the cannabis space, we are incredibly fortunate to work with Casa Verde.

When did the brand start developing the Snoop Dogg Snazzle-Os collab?

As the largest LP in Casa Verde, Snoop was already an owner in TSUMo Snacks. However, when he first tried our products, his response was that he was more of a “Funyuns guy,” so we set out to make Snoop our version of Funyuns.

Was Snoop involved in the product development and/or branding of TSUMO Snazzle-o’s collab?

Yes. Snoop had final sign-off on the product, packaging and all the way through to the press release.

How does the product development process differ when releasing a new product versus a collab product?

With a collab product, it’s more complicated, because you’re waiting on feedback and sign-off from the other party. And it’s not just the product, but also the branding, packaging and other elements involved in releasing a product. So it’s certainly more time consuming than just creating and releasing a product on our own. However, it’s also amazing to get direction and feedback from outside parties, which pushes us past our comfort zone. I think that’s a really good thing.

What do you think the future of cannabis-edible CPG will look like?

At TSUMo, we dream of a future where edibles are the largest category in cannabis. At first, that might seem silly, because edibles currently make up only around 15% of the cannabis market. But we hope that with wider adoption, destigmatization, federal legalization and other major changes to our nascent industry, consuming cannabis edibles will be the most popular consumption method. After all, we all eat and drink, so it’s the most familiar consumption method for the vast majority of consumers.

Is the brand working on any new flavors or products for 2023?

Yes. I have always said that TSUMo doesn’t just make savory chips – we are a snack platform. And are open to exploring all snacking categories, provided that it’s not chocolate or gummies.

Thank you, Caroline, for answering our questions! Learn more about TSUMo Snacks at tsumosnacks.com.

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Jim Belushi Opens Retail Cannabis Dispensary on Tribal Land in Upstate New York

11/02/2022

A business in partnership with actor Jim Belushi’s cannabis company was awarded a license to sell cannabis on Saint Regis (Akwesasne) Mohawk Tribe territory in upstate New York. Belushi’s Farm Akwesasne, majority owned by Zachary Oakes, will operate as a license partner of the Oregon-based Belushi’s Farm, which has additional license partners in California, Colorado, Oklahoma, Illinois, Massachusetts, and other states.

The fees collected from the retail sale of cannabis products help support community programs and services for the Tribe and its members, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council said in a press release.

A tribal spokesperson told Syracuse.com that there are now at least a dozen licensed adult-use dispensaries on Akwesasne territory. The Tribe began issuing licenses last year after several unauthorized shops opened following the legalization of cannabis in New York. The state has not yet issued licenses for businesses under the purview of the state but last week released regulations for Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary licenses, including guidance for in-house, drive-thru, and delivery options.

Belushi was previously a cast member of “Saturday Night Live,” appeared on “Twin Peaks,” and was the star of the television series “According to Jim.” He’s also appeared in the films “Trading Places” and “Only the Lonely.” His Oregon cannabis farm was featured in a Discovery Channel series called “Growing Belushi.”

Belushi was present at the October 27 ribbon-cutting and grand opening of the location along with members of the tribal community and government.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this article incorrectly said Belushi’s Farm was awarded the cannabis retail license by Saint Regis (Akwesasne) Mohawk tribal authorities but the license is actually held by Belushi’s Farm Akwesasne, owned by Zachary Oakes.

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Cannabis Legalization in Hawaii Could Amount to $50M Annually

11/02/2022

The Hawaii Tax Department estimates that cannabis legalization would amount to $50 million annually for state coffers, Hawaii News Now reports. But State Rep. Ryan Yamane (D), who sits on the government’s Dual Use of Cannabis Task Force, said the funds would not be enough and “difficult to use in order to establish a new program.”

Yamane indicated that $50 million annually may not be sufficient for the state to hire employees for the program, or for monitoring the new industry.

As of September 30, there were 33,725 medical cannabis patients in the state with eight licensed dispensaries. According to Tax Department data, the industry generated $2.5 million in taxes over the last fiscal year.

The Dual Use Task Force has so far held nine public meetings on the topic of adult-use legalization and is still gathering information to report back to lawmakers. Yamane said the task force wants “to dispel some of the myths and find out what is fact.”

Randy Gonce, director of the Hawaii Cannabis Industry Association, said the state is the closest it’s “ever been to legalizing cannabis” in its history.

In 2020, Hawaii decriminalized low-level cannabis possession, making possession of fewer than three grams punishable by a $130 fine. It is the smallest personal possession threshold limit enacted by any state. Previously, getting caught possessing any cannabis in Hawaii was punishable by $1,000 fines and 30 days in jail.

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