Six Oregon Towns Voting on Psychedelic Mushroom Bans During Midterms

10/27/2022

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Six Oregon communities are voting during the midterm elections to ban the sale and production of psychedelic mushrooms, the Mail Tribune reports. City and county councils in unincorporated Jackson County, Central Point, Phoenix, Eagle Point, Shady Cove, Jacksonville, and Rogue River all referred the question to voters.  

The ballot questions come two years after Oregon passed Measure 109, which legalized the use of psilocybin mushroom therapy for mental health treatment in “service centers.”

Other communities like Medford, Ashland, and Talent refrained from putting the ban to voters, which will allow Measure 109 to move forward in 2023 in those localities, the report says.  

The Oregon Health Authority is currently developing regulations to license the production and use of psychedelic mushrooms in municipalities that allow the practice and will have the option to add more rules to the system. 

Will Lucas, who is opposing the bans and is the venue supervisor for Buckhorn Springs Retreat Center, which was bought by the international Synthesis Institute to be used as a treatment center, said, “Psilocybin therapy is a really promising therapy for veterans with PTSD and people with end-of-life anxiety. Studies show reductions in anxiety, depression, and end-of-life distress.” 

Medical experts say psilocybin mushrooms can induce hallucinations, sensory distortions, euphoria, spiritual feelings, a sense of oneness with the universe, peacefulness, fear, paranoia, or confusion. Hallucinations can be positive or frightening, and some users experience psychosis-like symptoms or flashbacks.   

Jackson County Sheriff Nathan Sickler said he thinks there won’t be problems if growers and therapists follow the law, but expects some Oregonians may provide mushrooms to the unregulated market.  

“Every time you open the door, there are individuals who will take advantage of that,” Sickler said. “It’s one more thing law enforcement will have to do when we have to do criminal investigations. We don’t have the staffing for that.”

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Two Ohio Men Charged with Fraud Over Fake Medical Cannabis Business Scheme

10/27/2022

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Two Ohio men have been indicted by a Warren County grand jury for theft, fraud, corrupt activity, and unlawful securities practices related to a fake medical cannabis and CBD oil manufacturing business. 

Warren County Prosecutor David P. Fornshell announced the charges against Aaron Pitman, 34, of Morrow, and Ryan R. Goldschmidt, 39, of Cincinnati on Tuesday, alleging the pair defrauded investors through multiple business entities including Oak Street Group, GGB Assets, and Excelsior Leasing. The men are accused of making misrepresentations to multiple victims to persuade them to invest in a medical cannabis grow operation that they claimed to be operating in California, as well as a CBD oil cartridge manufacturing business, according to a press release from the Warren County prosecutor’s office.

Approximately $796,714 in investor funds were deposited into bank accounts controlled by Pitman and Goldschmidt. The money was used for personal expenses and other purposes unrelated to medical cannabis or a CBD oil cartridge manufacturing business. In some cases, the pair diverted funds to pay off prior lawsuits or make payments to their friends, according to a press release. 

Neither Pitman nor Goldschmidt is licensed to sell securities to investors in the state of Ohio, or in any other state, and despite their representations to investors, neither has prior experience in the business of licensing, cultivating, or selling medical cannabis or CBD. They are alleged to have misrepresented to investors that Goldschmidt was an attorney and that they would get 100% of their money back, plus additional profits.  

The victims were left with no returns on their investments. 

The indictments are the result of an investigation by the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Securities, and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Forensic Accounting Division. 

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New Hampshire Cannabis Party Endorsing Candidates in Midterm Elections

10/27/2022

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The New Hampshire Cannabis Party is endorsing candidates for state office who they believe will support cannabis legalization, the Conway Daily Sun reports. In a statement, the party announced its “full-scale campaign for common-sense cannabis legalization.” 

“Contrary to conventional wisdom, cannabis legalization and commerce represents much more than just a few extra jobs and tax revenue. Rather, it offers a generational opportunity for comprehensive, multi-pronged prosperity and progress for all New Hampshire citizens.” — New Hampshire Cannabis Party in a statement via the Daily Sun 

Nathanial Gurien serves as the founder and executive director of the party. According to his LinkedIn profile, he is the CEO of Orion Group NYC which is described as “Consultants to High-Risk & Cash-Intensive Industries Investment, Financing and Strategic Planning, Turnkey Administrative and Operations Services.” 

Gurien attempted to get on the ballot in Sandwich to run as an independent but didn’t get enough signatures to qualify. The party’s Vice Chair Kaitlyn McCarthy also attempted to get on the ballot as a candidate for Senate District 6.

Gurien told the Daily Sun that the party has endorsed “close to 50 bipartisan candidates across many state offices from governor down to state rep.” 

“It’s running somewhere in the neighborhood of, oh, I don’t know, 40% Republican, a few Libertarians, and the rest Democrats,” he said. “But it’s pretty bipartisan.” 

For governor, the party endorsed Democrat Tom Sherman, who is challenging incumbent Republican Gov. Chris Sununu. It also endorsed several House and Senate candidates including Democrat Bill Marsh who is challenging incumbent Republican Jeb Bradley. 

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The Federal Government’s Responsibility to Subsidize the Cannabis Industry

10/27/2022

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Editor’s note: This editorial was contributed by Christine De La Rosa, co-founder and CEO of The People’s Ecosystem, a California-based and equity-focused multistate cannabis operator.

Pharmaceutical, agriculture, wind power, solar power, electric cars, steel, banks, airlines, and railroads — what do all of these industries have in common? They have all been subsidized by the federal government at the onset, during the growth phase, or during downturns in their industry. Trillions of dollars have been poured into these industries to stand them up or to save them from failing. Yet the U.S. government has done very little to assist in standing up one of this century’s largest and most lucrative industries we will see in our lifetime or the 21st century: the cannabis industry.

What are federal subsidies?

So what is a subsidy? Subsidies are direct contributions, tax breaks, and other special assistance that governments provide businesses to offset operating costs over time. If ever there was an industry that needed help to offset operating costs, it would be the cannabis industry. This is not an industry that will be able to sustain, grow or thrive unless funding is available from both the public and private sectors. Our legislators must be disabused of the notion that cannabis is a cash cow for their empty coffers. Governments, municipal, state, and federal, run the cannabis industry as if it doesn’t need any help when it absolutely does and now, right now.

Did you know that the three largest subsidized industries are energy, agriculture, and transportation? Cannabis sits squarely in the agriculture category, and literally, no other part of the supply chain is more important than cannabis cultivators. Manufacturing, distribution, and retail do not exist unless we have a robust cultivation community of all sizes, from large-scale to craft growers. Cannabis cultivators, our cultivators, should receive some portion of the subsidies offered to their counterparts in other agricultural categories. At the same time, some subsidies are available for hemp growers but very few growers know how to access them — but at least they have them. Back to cannabis cultivators, the backbone of the cannabis industry, the fact that they don’t have access to agricultural subsidies from their federal government is a crime and makes no sense.

Reached the tipping point

Right now, there is a cacophony for SAFE Banking, as there should be, but we can’t forget what is owed to us as an industry. It feels like all of our resources go to supporting SAFE Banking, and then what? We must be aggressively working on parallel tracks for what we expect from our governments to help us stand up for this industry, as it has for almost every other industry of this magnitude. We need to ensure that our governments, at every level, are ready to engage with the cannabis industry in helpful and not harmful ways. My biggest takeaway when speaking to legislators is how little they understand about what it takes to run businesses in this industry. It is clear to me that they don’t understand the depth and breadth of what is possible if they are good stewards of this industry, and it goes way beyond SAFE Banking.

We are at a tipping point in the industry where there are so many small and midsize businesses failing because they don’t have access to institutional capital or regular banking. Still, more importantly, the whole industry doesn’t have access to federal funding, which we should have. Cannabis is a life-changing medicine, and I know that firsthand. It is also an industry with the ability and the mandate to increase the income of an entire generation. The federal government spent trillions of dollars to fight the War on Drugs. Where did that money go now that the cannabis industry is being regulated? Why was it so easy to find money to throw our people in jail, but now that money is nowhere to be found to guarantee a thriving, robust, and just industry?

If you read my article “Social Equity is ‘The Hunger Games’ for BIPOC & Formerly Incarcerated Cannabis Founders” earlier this year, you know I am not a fan of social equity. I find it abhorrent that we are expected to pay to repair our own harm. As a disabled person, I am angrier that my medicine, our ancestral medicine, is being used as a tax windfall for governments. They need to find all that money they had before to incarcerate our people and all the new money coming in from the regulated market and use it to subsidize the industry that will change the world. There are many ways to do this by looking at the agriculture subsidies as a guidepost, but let’s get creative; let’s help our governments get more creative.

  • Let’s make sure our Small Business Administration understands the needs of the cannabis industry, especially our small businesses because those needs are sometimes unique.
  • Let’s get them ready now to work with our industry at the moment of federal legalization because that will be an extinction event for small to midsize businesses if we cannot access capital.
  • Let’s create tax incentives for companies committed to DEI and ESG initiatives now, not later.
  • Let’s build the workforce development needed for our essential workers and our new founders. And let’s make sure it is what we need.
  • Let’s get the grants ready for companies working hard to limit their carbon footprint and build green.
  • Let’s set up direct cash payments to cultivators when market compression hits or there is a natural disaster.
  • Let’s provide loans, with no penalty for default, to the backbone of our industry, the cultivators.
  • Let’s ensure we have affordable insurance subsidized by our government at all levels of the supply chain.

The list can go on and on. These are just a few ideas but I am sure collectively, we can add to the list. I challenge us as an industry to start thinking about federal subsidies with the same fervor that we champion SAFE Banking.

No other industry, at this scale and in recent history, has had to stand itself up with such little help from the government. In recent years, many people have proposed massive cuts in subsidies because of expanding government debt and declining tax revenues. Except we are the tax revenue, and we must demand that we are afforded the help we need to create the industry we deserve.

Update:

I had written this piece and submitted it a few days before the announcement of President Biden’s recent cannabis orders — this topic is now more relevant than ever. It is possible that cannabis could be rescheduled within 12-18 months or sooner. How will we as an industry prepare our government to assist us in standing up a federally legal industry? The time to talk about it is now because it is more imminent than ever.

I was in the middle of a large exhibition hall promoting our line of products with hundreds of other cannabis brands in Santa Rosa, California when I read the news via an email. I immediately started running to all the different booths around us to share the news. About 20 minutes later, it was announced over the loudspeaker, and the entire exhibit hall erupted in cheers. I ran back to our booth where a group of my OG colleagues had gathered. We hugged and cried together at this momentous event that we were lucky enough to share as a community. Everyone was so joyous and optimistic about our future. After about 10 minutes, we all got back to work. That’s what we do as an industry — we work hard to get our medicine to the people.

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Russian Court Denies Brittney Griner’s Appeal

10/26/2022

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A Russian court on Tuesday upheld the nine-year sentence for WNBA star Brittney Griner, Reuters reports. Griner was sentenced in August for possession of two cannabis vape cartridges that were allegedly discovered in her luggage by Russian customs officials in February as she was traveling to the country to play for Russia during the WNBA winter offseason.    

Griner will be sent to a penal colony, but her lawyers indicated it would be some time before that move would be completed. They indicated they had not yet decided whether they would launch another appeal.  

In a statement prior to the decision of the appeals court, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan described the judicial proceeding as a “sham.”  

“President [Joe] Biden has been very clear that Brittney should be released immediately. In recent weeks, the Biden-Harris Administration has continued to engage with Russia through every available channel and make every effort to bring home Brittney as well as to support and advocate for other Americans detained in Russia, including fellow wrongful detainee Paul Whelan.” — Sullivan in a statement 

Sullivan added that the administration “remains in regular touch with representatives of the families” and “continues to admire their courage in the face of these unimaginable circumstances.” 

Griner and her lawyers had asked the appeals court for acquittal or at least a reduction in her sentence, which they called disproportionate to the offense and at odds with Russian judicial practice. 

The presiding judge took no more than 30 minutes to return with the decision to uphold the original verdict with “no changes,” the report says. 

Alexander Boykov, one of her lawyers, said “The severity and cruelty of the sentence applied to Griner shocks people around the world.” 

“I was barely over the significant amount [of cannabis oil],” Griner said while appearing in court via video. “People with more severe crimes have gotten less than what I was given.” 

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SEC Charges Cronos and Former COO with Fraud

10/26/2022

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The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Monday charged NASDAQ-listed cannabis producer Cronos and the company’s former chief commercial officer with fraud related to falsely accounting for millions of dollars in revenue and other accounting misconduct. The SEC said former Chief Commercial Officer William Hilson aided the company in the violations.

Neither Cronos nor Hilton admitted or denied the allegations, the SEC said.

According to the SEC, from 2019 to 2021 Cronos filed financial statements in three separate quarters with the commission that contained material accounting errors.

In two of the three quarters – the first quarter of 2019 and the third quarter of 2019 – the SEC alleges that Cronos “improperly recognized revenue in connection with certain transactions with the same counter-party where the sale of cannabis raw materials (or cannabis flower) by Cronos occurred simultaneously with the purchase by Cronos of processed cannabis product.”

Separately, in the third quarter of 2019, the SEC says, “a since terminated senior executive of Cronos entered into an undisclosed oral agreement with a different counter-party to sell cannabis raw material to the counter-party but then repurchase the cannabis product, either as a derivative product or in some other form, in the following quarter.”

“This oral repurchase agreement made it inappropriate for Cronos to recognize revenue in connection with the sale transaction. Finally, in the second quarter of 2021, Cronos failed to timely record impairment charges in connection with goodwill and intangible assets associated with its U.S. reporting unit. As a result of the foregoing accounting errors, Cronos furnished to and/or filed with the commission, periodic reports that contained materially inaccurate financial statements.” — SEC, in the Matter of Cronos Group Inc, Oct. 24, 2022 

According to the SEC, after discovering the accounting errors, Cronos filed restated financial statements for the relevant quarters.  

“In connection with the first and third quarters of 2019, Cronos disclosed that it had materially overstated its revenue by $5.8 million,” the SEC alleges. “In connection with the second quarter of 2021, Cronos disclosed that it should have recorded approximately $234.9 million in impairment charges in relation to its U.S. reporting unit. Concerning all three quarters, Cronos disclosed that it had identified material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting.” 

In a statement to CFO Dive, Mark Cave, associate director of the SEC’s Enforcement Division, said “Cronos avoided penalties by promptly self-reporting its accounting misconduct as it came to light within the company, cooperating with our investigation and promptly taking effective remedial steps.” 

“It is critically important for issuers to have adequate controls in place before they take on the reporting obligations required of public companies,” he said. 

In a statement, Cronos President and CEO Mike Gorenstein said that the company has “resolved these matters” by agreeing to pay C$1.34 million. 

Hilson agreed to a three-year officer and director ban and to a suspension from practicing before the SEC as an accountant for the same period, the SEC said. It did not fine Hilson after he agreed to pay the Ontario Securities Commission a C$54,000 penalty.

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Poll: South Dakota Voters Poised to Reject Adult Cannabis Use Measure

10/26/2022

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South Dakota voters seem poised to reject the state’s upcoming adult cannabis use initiative, according to a poll from KELOLAND News, Emerson College, and The Hill released on Tuesday. The survey found that 50.5% of respondents plan to vote against the measure, with 39.7% in favor, and 9.8% undecided. 

The poll found that 44.1% of female respondents planned to back the reforms, with 54% opposed. About 36% of men polled said they planned to vote yes, with 46.7% opposed. Adult cannabis use was backed by 59% of voters aged 18 to 49 but support falls among those aged 50-64 with 56.7% saying they plan to vote no on the measure along with 63.8% of respondents 65 and older.  

Jim Kinyon, committee chair for Protecting South Dakota Kids, which opposes the reforms, told KELOLAND that he is “Very, very hopeful, that as more messages get out and more people find out about what marijuana will do, the dangerous drug that it is, that more folks will turn out because that is way too narrow of a margin.” 

Matthew Schweich, campaign manager for Yes on 27, which backs the measure, said despite the polling with less than two weeks prior to the midterm election, he believes the campaign is “still in a position to win.” 

“I believe that there’s a large number of voters who don’t typically vote in midterm elections, who are going to be motivated to show up and vote in favor of Measure 27,” he told KELOLAND. 

South Dakota voters had passed adult cannabis use reforms in 2020 but they were ultimately struck down by the state Supreme Court which ruled that the measure violated the state’s one-issue rule for initiatives.

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Report: International Medical Cannabis Market Could Reach $40B by 2028

10/26/2022

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A report by Research and Markets has found the international medical cannabis market could be worth over $40 billion by 2028, Yahoo News reports. Up from $11.7 billion in 2021, the growth represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19% from 2022 to 2028. 

The report says the approval of more medical cannabis products and increased acceptance of cannabis as a medicine will contribute to the growth. However, it notes the use of cannabis as a “street drug” and that continued misconceptions surrounding cannabis could hinder the market.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says about 80% of the world’s population utilizes cannabis or hemp as a medical treatment. Consequently, the increase in medical cannabis acceptance, production, and use in developing countries is a major factor in the market’s expansion, the report notes. 

Divided into dry plant material and extracts, the paper found extracts will have a slightly higher CAGR, 19.3%, over the measurement period due to higher demand for liquid extracts for “medical applications, increasing health and wellness trends with the consumption of natural health products, and rising awareness regarding the benefits of extracts over dried cannabis.” Additionally, segmented into treatments for pain management, Tourette, Alzheimer’s disease, migraines, depression and anxiety, multiple sclerosis, cancer, and other categories, the medical cannabis application that will see the largest growth from 2022 to 2028 was multiple sclerosis at 20.3% CAGR, Markets and Research found. 

The report also suggests that demand for natural foods during the COVID-19 crisis drove an increase in hemp food consumption. The report points to countries like Australia and New Zealand, which produce hemp products for the food and beverage sector; Japan, which allows CBD in food products like sweet drinks and lasagna; and China and India, which have yet to approve CBD food products; as indicators that the increased sale of cannabis and hemp will propel the market during the assessment period.

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CAKE: Lifestyle Canna Brand Hits Different with Innovative Technology

10/26/2022

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“She hits different,” is more than just a motto for California-based lifestyle cannabis brand CAKE. It’s also their ethos, centered around their products, processes, and experiences. At a time where social politics are beginning to overshadow the “experience” in “experiential,” CAKE is shifting its focus back to cannabis innovation to deliver a quality-canna time.

“I really wanted to present a more feminine brand identity in the space,” founder Chloe tells Ganjapreneur. “[From distribution] through manufacturing, we really wanted to create a safe space for women in cannabis.”

Chloe and her silent partner didn’t just wake up and focus on innovation. With nearly a decade in the cannabis industry, the CAKE team previously took a behind-the-scenes approach through growing, manufacturing, fulfillment, and brand creation for other companies. The Oahu-born, Los Angeles-based entrepreneur began working in the industry at age 21, where she met her now-business partner who taught her about cultivation and nurturing the plants. Eventually, Chloe learned about extraction including innovative new methods. Two years ago, the duo decided it was time to make their own forward-facing brand in CAKE.

CAKE, She Hits Different is known for its live resin rechargeable, disposable devices and Cake cartridges which are filled with high THC cannabis oils and three all-natural terpenes. Products are manufactured using only premiere food-grade stainless steel glass and ceramic plates, allowing them to preserve the flower produced through this process. So yes, it hits very different – a different level of freshness. The company offers over 10 strains, each fresh out of the cyro-cure freezer. A stylized photo of the respective strain artistically graces the package for each flavor. The brand sets out to let you have your CAKE and smoke it too — even some flower-loyal consumers have expressed surprise at the vapes’ freshness.

CAKE is an elite innovator, their cryogenic technology is what allows the “it” to hit differently. Chloe briefly breaks down the process, explaining, “Cryo cure resin refers to the process to cure the flower. After it’s harvested, it’s immediately put into a cryo-cure chamber, which is a fancy freeze-drying machine perfectly made for cannabis that allows curing to happen in 12-14 hours. It preserves more than 50% of cannabis properties compared to the traditional curing process, which loses quite a bit of terpenes. The freeze-drying process is closed-chamber, which allows terpenes, trichomes, and THC to be preserved.”

Cryo-terps are collected during the curing phase, before the extraction process. Once the curing is complete, then it’s ready to go into extraction. The cryo-cure process prevents THC-A degradation, which extends the shelf life of dried flower and concentrates.

The CAKE team loves to express its brand through events. CAKE’s events are also different: they mirror the vibrancy and good energy that is Chloe. A recent collaboration with cannabis production company Secret Sesh featured a CAKE dome, dab bar, and jungle. As a lover of festivals, art, and electronic-music DJing, Chloe says, “Creating immersive experiences is one of our passions. It’s incredibly fulfilling to witness others making memories in an experience we’ve created for them. Facilitating events allows our CAKE community to come together and celebrate just how far the cannabis industry has come. It has taken a strong heart to stay in the game for all these years so I’m proud to reflect on all we have built, and excited to see how far we take it.”

You may find its iconic pink fur with its unforgettable slogan in neon lights at one of its functions. Chloe reassures, “No couch-locking over here!” Eventgoers can also shop their cheeky and provocative apparel, along with the company’s disposable Cake carts.

In the future, CAKE hopes to continue to expand and grow, exploring new possible innovations. In the meantime, “Our gummies, pre-rolls, and flower are officially launching by October 15,” Chloe says. Keep a look out for their new flower strains, Sugar Baby and Dragon’s Dream.

You can find CAKE vapes and apparel online via their website and Weedmaps, and through local delivery services depending on your area. Follow CAKE on Instagram to look out for future product drops.

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BudPop Announces National Hemp CBD Flower Product Launch

10/25/2022

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Glendale, California (October 19, 2022) — BudPop is announcing the launch of its potent CBD flower line-up from the field to the marijuana dispensary. The use of CBD and related products has seen a rise over the months, especially after hemp flower products became easily available online. But finding the perfect product is still a task.

BudPop is announcing two CBD flower options, each of which is sourced from reputable US farms in Colorado. Sour Diesel is a sativa-dominant strain — as a result, users should feel more relaxed, focused, and energized, and it could even spark creativity. With a CBD content of 20.165%, you’ll get all the benefits of CBD, such as alleviating anxiety, pain, and everyday stress. It also has a low THC level of 0.094%, which means one won’t get any of the adverse effects associated with marijuana.

BudPop’s Northern Lights strain is their second CBD flower option, and it is ideal for unwinding after a long day. Since it’s an indica-dominant strain, users can expect soothing, relaxing, and sedating impacts, making it ideal for use at night or when you are having difficulty sleeping.

Both of these CBD flower strains are available in a wide range of pack sizes, which include 4.2g, 7g (1/4oz), 227g (1/2lb), and 454g (1lb), 28g (1oz), 114g (1/4lb)  Discount coupons are also available, as well as a rewards system for additional deals, enabling one to get the high-quality buds at a reasonable price.

BudPop utilizes customer-friendly policies like free delivery on all orders and the company ships its CBD flower products throughout the United States.

What Is CBD Hemp Flower?

CBD flower resembles the traditional cannabis buds that one is accustomed to seeing. However, because of the high CBD content, many people prefer hemp for the benefits it provides, such as boosting calm and leisure, among many other things. One will also avoid undesirable side effects commonly associated with marijuana, such as paranoia and anxiety, when using hemp. Instead, they get a soft smoke, no high, and a number of other advantages.

What Is The Amount Of THC Contained In CBD Flower?

To be legal, CBD flower must contain less than 0.3% Delta 9-THC.  When THCA is taken into account, it is feasible and apparently legal for CBD flower to contain a total amount of thc greater than 0.3%. Many cannabis labs use a proprietary mathematical formula that manages to combine D9-THC and THCA to find the total THC, which typically ranges between 0.1% and 0.8%.

CBD flower enables people to participate in and truly enjoy the routine of smoking, whether alone or in a social situation. Also, BudPop’s keenly manufactured CBD flower has helped millions of people with a variety of conditions and symptoms to overcome their shortcomings and return back to normal.

What Does CBD Flower Do To The Body?

While research into the full scope of this system is still ongoing, it is well known that CBD hemp flower improves communication between the body’s cells. As needed, our bodies produce endocannabinoids, which act on the CB1 receptor in the central nervous system and the CB2 receptor in the peripheral nervous system.

THC binds to such receptors and causes a variety of effects when one consumes it. CBD, on the other hand, does not connect to these receptors and instead inhibits the collapse of endocannabinoids. As a consequence, CBD has unique effects on the human body that lead some cannabis users to prefer it over THC-rich products.

About BudPop
BudPop is a reliable, trustworthy, and well-known brand with numerous positive user reviews to back up their claims. Their customer support staff is also excellent, as they are eager to assist customers with any concerns or queries they might have. Furthermore, all of BudPop’s CBD hemp flower products have undergone extensive third-party lab testing, indicating that they are safe to consume. Customers can examine and confirm the claims made for themselves by viewing the lab testing results, or Certificates of Analysis (COAs), on their website.

Contact Details
Riya Tyagi
riya@blueribbonmedia.com

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Mother Facing Felony Charges After Son Allegedly Dies by Delta-8 Toxicity

10/25/2022

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Virginia mother Dorothy Annette Clements is facing felony murder and child neglect charges after her four-year-old died after ingesting “a large amount” of delta-8 THC gummies, CNN reports. Although it is less potent, delta-8 THC carries similar effects as delta-9 THC, the most common cannabinoid found in cannabis. Delta-8 has also been ruled to be federally legal as a hemp-derived substance under the 2018 Farm Bill.

The death, which occurred on May 8 after the four-year-old was put on life support on May 6 due to a “medical emergency,” is considered by Virginia’s Department of Health to be accidental, and “the cause of death is delta-8 toxicity,” according to the CNN report.

“Detectives believe the child ingested a large amount of THC gummies,” Major Troy Skebo of the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office told CNN. “The attending doctor told detectives that if medical intervention occurred shortly after ingestion, it could have prevented death. Statements made to detectives by the mother did not match evidence seized at the home.”

Clements was indicted by a grand jury last week and taken into custody on Thursday. She told WUSA9 before she was charged that the toddler was sitting beside her when she noticed he was having trouble breathing.   

WUSA9 reported that Clements had realized the child had eaten a gummy and called poison control.

In September 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued warnings concerning the use of and experimentation with delta-8 THC products. 

“The health effects of delta-8 THC have not yet been researched extensively and are not well-understood,” the CDC wrote in a Health Advisory report. “However, delta-8 THC is psychoactive and may have similar risks of impairment as delta-9 THC. As such, products that contain delta-8 THC but are labeled with only delta-9 THC content rather than with total THC content likely underestimate the psychoactive potential of these products for consumers.”

There are currently zero recorded deaths attributed to a cannabis or THC overdose.

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Another Oklahoma Attorney Charged In ‘Ghost Owner’ Medical Cannabis Scheme

10/25/2022

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Another Oklahoma attorney is facing charges for allegedly helping set up illegal cannabis businesses under the state’s medical cannabis program, KOCO News 5 reports. Matthew Stacy is accused of registering more than 300 limited liability companies to get medical cannabis and manufacturing licenses. 

In June, attorneys Eric Brown and Logan Jones were each charged with multiple counts of conspiracy, falsifying records, and cultivation of a dangerous substance after Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN) investigators said they interviewed four employees of the Jones-Brown law firm who admitted their names were used to apply for medical cannabis grow licenses with the state.   

Following the multi-county grand jury indictment of Stacy, OBN Public Information Officer Mark Woodward said investigators were “just scratching the surface” of the inquiry. 

“These lawyers, these consultants, will recruit people to come to Oklahoma, and they will tell these people I will get you a 75% owner. … Meanwhile, the criminal organization is bringing their 25% work crew in. They’re the ones moving the plants, moving the money and the workers and the 75% owner in many cases knows nothing about the farm ” — Woodward to KOCO 

OBN said Oklahoma residents were recruited to become so-called ghost owners of the businesses, signing ownership paperwork but having no involvement in day-to-day operations. Instead, out-of-state clients operate the farms.  

According to the affidavit, “on many occasions” Stacy told officials that the businesses weren’t operating but investigators found “thousands of marijuana plants actively growing with sometimes dozens to hundreds of pounds of fully processed and/or packaged marijuana located on the premises.” 

Woodward said the illegal operations wouldn’t have been able to get a license “had it not been for a law firm that had stepped up and submitted fraudulent paperwork.”  

Woodward told KFOR that the ghost owners could also be charged with felonies for their role in the scheme.  

Stacy, a Lt. Colonel in the Oklahoma National Guard was also appointed to Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt’s COVID-19 response team and donated the maximum of $2,900, to Stitt’s re-election campaign. 

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Missouri Legalization Ads Pulled from YouTube After Police File Copyright Claim

10/25/2022

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The Missouri State Highway Patrol says it did not give permission for an individual wearing the agency’s uniform to appear in pro-cannabis legalization ads produced by Legal Missouri 2022, the Kansas City Star reports. The ads are no longer available on YouTube due to a copyright claim by the agency. 

“The Patrol is aware of Legal Missouri 2022’s advertisement featuring the Patrol. The Patrol did not give its permission for its emblem, name, or images to be used nor was permission sought.” — Missouri State Highway Patrol in a Facebook post 

The ads included video of a uniformed person who appears to be a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper riding a motorcycle and getting in and out of a vehicle. The ads argued that cannabis legalization would aid law enforcement in the state and “SUPPORT THE POLICE” appears on the screen. The narrator, voiced by actor John Dorman who played Baltimore police deputy commissioner William Rawls in HBO’s “The Wire,” said the legalization amendment is “a vote to let the police focus on serious crimes.”   

In a statement to the Star, Legal Missouri campaign manager John Payne said the officer used in the ad was “stock footage” meant to show “exactly why Amendment 3 will allow law enforcement to focus on fighting violent and serious crime.” 

Both the 15-second and 30-second ad spots were removed. 

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Bloom’s Cannabis AI Exceeds Human Visual Capability

10/25/2022

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Trimming Machine Distinguishes Cannabis Leaf, Flowers

WOBURN, MA — Bloom Automation Inc., an agri-tech company specializing in robotics and cannabis trimming equipment, today announced a new achievement for artificial intelligence: the ability to analyze cannabis floral structure with human-like accuracy.

The increase in visual acuity enables Bloom’s trimming machine to trim cannabis flowers more closely without the risk of damage or compromised market value.

Advances in machine learning prompted the improvements, along with a larger database of analyzed images and a software update.

“The new AI algorithms are 97% accurate in distinguishing leaf from flower,” said Jon Gowa, CEO and Founder of Bloom Automation. “That accuracy is far superior to the average human trimmer who’s subject to fatigue and inattentiveness on the production line.”

Gowa anticipates other cannabis applications for the AI, including automated defoliation in multi-tier grow rooms, harvest-weight prediction, and foliage density assessment to mitigate micro-climates that breed pathogens.

Bloom’s trimmer uses a robotic arm with rotary shears to remove leaves from flowers while they remain attached to the stem. Utilizing a stereoscopic sensor array and AI-driven algorithms, the machine quickly distinguishes flowers from leaves for precise trimming. An integrated vacuum on the robotic arm collects leaves as they’re removed.

The latest AI development signals a new era of automation for the multi-billion dollar industry, which is heavily reliant on manual labor. The Bloom trimmer reduces labor expenditures by processing cannabis at twice the speed of a human trimmer.

For more information about Bloom Automation or Bloom Artificial Intelligence algorithms, contact Shannon Hagerty, Marketing and Business Associate, at info@bloomautomation.com.

Contact: Shannon Hagerty
Phone: 781-835-5961
Email: shannon@bloomautomation.com

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Federation of International Hemp Organizations to Hold First General Meeting Next Month

10/25/2022

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The newly-formed Federation of International Hemp Organizations (FIHO) is set to hold its first annual general meeting next month in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, BusinessCann reports. The organization included 14 hemp groups from around the world. 

Ahead of the inaugural meeting, the FIHO says it envisions a 2,000% increase in hemp’s global footprint over the next decade. New figures released by the organization suggest that the crop’s global cultivation footprint amounted to 94,694 hectares in 1999 and the expected total would reach 228,000 hectares worldwide this year. 

Communications Officer Lorenzo Silva, president of the Latin American Industrial Hemp Association, told BusinessCann that “Hemp has tremendous potential for growth in the coming years.”  

“The crop is very well aligned with most of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals and presents enormous potential for carbon sequestration projects due to its fast and vigorous growth in the field, therefore it is very attractive for most of the agro-industrial projects being funded globally nowadays, and that will receive funding and tax incentives in the near future.” — Silva to BusinessCann 

The 14 groups that comprise the FIHO are: 

  • Australian Industrial Hemp Alliance 
  • Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance 
  • China Hemp Association  
  • European Industrial Hemp Association 
  • Indian Industrial Hemp Association  
  • Latin American Industrial Hemp Association  
  • National Industrial Hemp Council of America  
  • American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp  
  • Kentucky Hemp Association  
  • Texas Hemp Growers Association  
  • Uttarakhand Hemp Association  
  • Hokkaido Industrial Hemp Association  
  • Mongolian Hemp Association  
  • New Zealand Hemp Industry Association  

Lorenza Romanese, managing director of the European Industrial Hemp Association told BusinessCann that the group aims “to advance the global production, consumption, and trade of industrial hemp by encouraging innovation, research and development and sharing knowledge and harmonizing standards.” 

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Indiana Gov. Will Not Issue Pardons for Low-Level Cannabis Convictions

10/24/2022

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Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) will not issue pardons for individuals with state-level cannabis possession charges, despite President Joe Biden (D) requesting governors to do so when he announced his plan to pardon federal cannabis possession charges, the Indianapolis Star reports. 

“The president should work with Congress, not around them, to discuss changes to the law federally, especially if he is requesting governors to overturn the work local prosecutors have done by simply enforcing the law. Until these federal law changes occur, I can’t in good conscience consider issuing blanket pardons for all such offenders.” — Holcomb in a statement via the Star 

Indiana does allow individuals convicted of simple possession to apply for expungement of those charges and seal their records. 

“I do agree that many of these offenses should not serve as a life sentence after an individual has served their time,” Holcomb said in the statement. “Expunged convictions cannot be disclosed to employers, to those who grant licenses, or when seeking housing.” 

A state legislative committee is currently studying the health benefits and potential decriminalization of THC products, including delta 8 and delta 9, but has yet to issue recommendations on the reforms.  

The 2018 Hoosier Survey by Old National Bank and Ball State University found eight in 10 Indiana residents supported legalization of either adult-use or medical cannabis in the state. 

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Curaleaf Settles Class Action Lawsuit Over Mislabeled Products

10/24/2022

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Multistate cannabis operator Curaleaf will pay $100,000 to settle the class-action lawsuit filed in 2021 after the company sold CBD drops that contained THC in Oregon, the Oregonian reports. The company in January settled 10 lawsuits over the mix-up.

In August Curaleaf agreed to a $130,000 fine and 23-day suspension handed down by Oregon cannabis regulators. The company recently settled a wrongful death lawsuit filed following the mishap, but the terms of the settlement are confidential, the report says.  

The $100,000 settlement, filed last week in the U.S. District Court in Portland, covers anyone who bought the mislabeled CBD drops. It’s estimated that 500 people will receive between $150 and $200 apiece, depending on how many claims are filed. The settlement does not restrict consumers from filing separate personal injury claims, the report says. 

Portland attorney Michael Fuller will seek a quarter of the funds as compensation for representing the plaintiffs while any unclaimed funds would go to the nonprofit organization Oregon Consumer Justice. Fuller said the average cost of the drops was $25 and consumers would get back six to eight times their purchase price. 

The class administrator will use state records, online notices, proofs of purchase, and personal testimonies to identify people who qualify, Fuller said.  

In August, Curaleaf was forced to remove tens of thousands of units of cannabis from dispensary shelves in New York after it switched to a new way of labeling product potency without approval from state regulators. 

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Poll: Support Shrinking for Cannabis Legalization Initiative in Arkansas

10/24/2022

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Polling surrounding the cannabis legalization initiative is getting tighter as a Talk Business & Politics-Hendrix College Poll conducted from Oct. 17-18, 2022 found 50.5% of respondents were for the amendment with 43% opposed and 6.5% undecided. One month ago, the TB&P-Hendrix Poll found 58.5% support with 29% opposed and 12.5% undecided. 

The poll found 36.5% of respondents were “definitely for” the reforms, 14% were “probably for,” 33.5% were “definitely against,” and 9.5% were “probably against.” 

Roby Brock, Talk Business & Politics editor-in-chief, described the polling around the amendment as seeing “tremendous movement over the past month.” 

“Opponents have been able to improve their standing by swaying undecided voters and even peeling off some soft support that was once there. I think the media campaigns for and against this measure make it the most interesting statewide race to watch on Election Night.” — Brock in a statement   

Dr. Jay Barth, emeritus professor of politics at Hendrix College, said the October survey allowed supporters and opponents to group themselves into “certain or probable” support of the measure – a change from how the previous poll was conducted.  

“Here, opposition is more firm in its views with more supporters of Issue 4 still open to changing their views on the issue between now and casting a vote,” he said in a statement. An issue that felt like a slam dunk before the Supreme Court action now feels like a very close call. Issue 4 is, for sure, advantaged but this one will likely be close.” 

The state Supreme Court in August ruled to allow the question to be put to voters after the state Board of Election Commissioners rejected the ballot’s name and title, which would have barred it from ballots without the court’s intervention. 

Gov. Ava Hutchinson (R) last month came out in opposition of the reforms, saying on Twitter that adult-use cannabis “leads to increased drug use among minors & more dangerous roadways.” 

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Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Cannabis Brand Inflated THC Levels on Some Products

10/21/2022

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A class action lawsuit was filed on Thursday against California cannabis company DreamFields Brands Inc. / Med for America Inc., claiming the company inflates the THC levels on the packaging of its Jeeter brand. The lawsuit cites a WeedWeek article that found the THC content for all Jeeter products was “materially less” than what was listed on the product label and “well below” the 10% margin of error allowed under California rules.  

The lawsuit, citing the WeedWeek report, uses Jeeter’s Baby Jeeter Fire OG Diamond Infused 5-pack preroll as an example, noting the product’s label claims 46% THC but that the actual THC content was between 23% and 27%, a discrepancy of between 70% and 100%. The company’s Baby Jeeter Churros Diamond Infused 5-pack preroll listed THC content at 37% on the label but the THC content was actually between 26% and 29%, the lawsuit also alleges.  

“Defendants’ labels are false and misleading to reasonable consumers. Reasonable consumers expect that the required THC content declaration on the label of cannabis products is reasonably accurate. In other words, reasonable consumers expect that the declared THC content is substantially the same as the true THC content. Reasonable consumers also expect that the labels of cannabis products comply with [Department of Cannabis Control] regulations, and so reasonably expect that the declared THC content is no more than 10% greater than the true THC content. No reasonable consumer expects that the THC content declaration on the label of the product is wildly inaccurate, and that the true THC content is far less than the declared content.” — Centeno, Wilson, et. Al vs. Dreamfields Brands Inc. and Med for America, Inc.   

The lawsuit claims the defendants “know or reasonably should know they are misleading consumers” and that they “have a direct financial incentive to overstate the THC content of their products.” Or, alternatively, the defendants “are willfully blind (and at a minimum negligent with respect to) to the fact that the THC content declared on their products is substantially and systematically overstated,” the lawsuit argues.  

The class action lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages, restitution, punitive damages, attorney’s fees, and an injunction. The lawsuit was filed by Christin Cho and Simon Franzini of Dovel & Luner, LLP.   

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Trulieve Pushes Back Against Media Coverage of Employee’s Death at Holyoke Facility

10/21/2022

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Trulieve is pushing back against what it describes as “false reporting” surrounding the death of Lorna McMurrey, the 27-year-old who died at the company’s Holyoke, Massachusetts facility caused by what the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) initially described as inhaling “ground cannabis dust.” 

In a press release, Trulieve outlined the air quality systems in place at the Holyoke facility, saying that “appropriate industrial air systems” were “installed and at all times operated” within the processing areas of the facility and that the Holyoke facility in particular “has a special industrial air filtration system that exchanges the air in the grinding room” which had been certified by an independent engineer. The company said it also uses Abatement Technology Air Scrubbers, described as “two stage air carbon filtrations for odor control” that exchange and clean the air at regular intervals.  

Trulieve said that its employees are provided N95 masks “contrary to reports” that claimed the company “only offered paper masks” and that McMurrey wore an N95 mask “for at least a portion of the day, contrary to reports” that allege she was wearing a paper mask. 

In the press release, Trulieve laid out what it describes as the events that led up to McMurrey’s death:   

“On January 4, 2022, Ms. McMurrey arrived at the Holyoke facility for her regular shift. She spent the day working in the pre-roll area, contrary to reports stating she was in the flower grinding room. 

When Ms. McMurrey indicated to her supervisor that she was not feeling well, she was told that she could take the day off with pay, contrary to reports stating we insisted she continue working. However, she opted to return to work in the pre-roll area. 

When Ms. McMurrey began to appear to be in distress, Trulieve followed appropriate protocols. A manager promptly called 911. A trained member of the Trulieve security team began to provide CPR, contrary to reports stating that no CPR assistance was provided. EMS arrived quickly and took over management of the response. 

Upon arrival at the facility, it took EMS personnel less than one minute to begin medical attention to Ms. McMurrey, contrary to reports stating that it took medics a long time to reach the patient once they arrived at the facility. 

Ms. McMurrey was taken to Baystate Hospital where, unfortunately, she passed away on Friday, January 7.” — Truvlieve in a press release, Oct. 20, 2022 

The company said its managers, security, and supervisors are “regularly” trained in the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and that all three employees who administered CPR to McMurrey had participated in “full certification CPR training” less than a month before the incident. 

Trulive said that “contrary to initial reports” the company reported that McMurrey had collapsed to both the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission and OSHA within 24 hours of the incident and reported her passing to both organizations the following day. 

Regarding the OSHA investigation, Trulieve said OSHA took “multiple air samples” which “complied with relevant standards” and the agency only issued citations “under the hazard communication standard.” According to OSHA’s website, the Hazard Communication Standard requires that “all employers with hazardous chemicals in their workplaces must have labels and safety data sheets for their exposed workers, and train them to handle the chemicals appropriately.”

Trulieve is contesting those citations, which totaled $35,219. 

“Our thoughts are with the McMurrey family for their loss. Trulieve will continue to operate its facilities in a manner that fully protects the health and safety of all employees,” the company said in its press release. “We are confident we did so in January and will continue to do so going forward.” 

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Green Thumb Industries to Open Dispensaries at Convenience Stores in Florida

10/21/2022

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Starting next year, Green Thumb Industries will launch its RISE Express medical cannabis dispensaries “adjacent” to Circle K stores throughout Florida, the first partnership of its kind in the U.S. The company plans to initially open 10 dispensaries as part of the collaboration. 

In a statement, Green Thumb Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ben Kovler described the deal as a “game-changer.”  

“The new RISE Express model is a huge step forward in making it easier and more efficient for patients to purchase high-quality cannabis as part of their everyday routine when stopping by their local convenience store.” — Kovler in a statement 

Green Thumb entered the Florida market in 2018 and currently owns and operates medical cannabis dispensaries in Bonita Springs, Deerfield Beach, Hallandale Beach, Kendall, Oviedo, Pinellas Park, and West Palm Beach. The company did not indicate which Circle K locations would host the RISE dispensaries.  

The products sold at the RISE Express shops will come from Green Thumb’s cultivation facility in Ocala, which is expected to come online by the end of the year. Green Thumb also has a cultivation and processing facility in Homestead. 

Through the exclusive agreement, Green Thumb can lease space from Circle K, where the convenience store retailer currently operates approximately 600 locations. 

According to Florida Department of Health figures, more than 700,000 Floridians are currently registered active cardholders in the state’s medical cannabis program. 

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German Government Outlines Proposed Cannabis Legalization Policies

10/20/2022

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In a policy document, the German government outlined its plans to legalize cannabis nationally, with plans to allow possession of up to 20 grams by adults 18 and older, the Australian Associated Press reports. The proposal was first reported by the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland media network, which had seen the document. 

The plan would limit THC in regulated products to 15% and also allow personal cultivation of up to two plants. The policy would also allow regulated sales, with limits on where dispensaries could operate, with a minimum distance from schools and children’s and youth facilities. 

Individuals under 18 caught with cannabis would be exempt from criminal punishment but youth welfare officers could advise that young people participate in prevention courses and the cannabis would be confiscated, the report says.    

In a statement, Niklas Kouparanis, CEO of Bloomwell Group, Germany’s largest cannabis company, said “It is important to note that this leaked copy is not the final version, rather unofficial information that should be treated with caution.”

“With these reservations in mind, we are pleased that the Federal Government is aiming for a nationwide supply at prices analogous to the illegal market in order to curb illicit operations and thus ensure more protection of minors, and quality control with the health of the consumer in mind.  However, the draft framework thwarts its own goals with certain measures. In order to be able to meet the demand of adult-use cannabis, we should make imported cannabis a reality as soon as possible. Domestic production alone will hardly be able to meet Germany’s demand for adult-use cannabis from day one. If home-grown cultivation booms in this case, this leads to products that are less controlled and regulated instead of more safety measures for consumers.” — Kouparanis in a statement

He added that the THC limits “may play into the hands of the illegal market.”

Germany’s Finance Minister Christian Lindner last month suggested that cannabis could be legalized next year; however, Drug Commissioner Burkhard Blienert said in July that it was unlikely that the law would take effect before 2024. 

Germany’s governing coalition is expected to present a draft law at the end of this year or the beginning of next year, the report says.  

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach has estimated that about 4 million adults in Germany consume cannabis. 

Last month, German officials visited cannabis businesses in California. In a tweet, the German consulate in San Francisco said officials “examined products of dispensaries with equity licenses” to better understand “cannabis legalization opportunities and risks.” 

In July, officials from Germany, Luxemburg, Malta, and The Netherlands discussed how Europe could move forward in legalizing adult-use cannabis.  

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Massachusetts Trulieve Facility Was Investigated Prior to Employee Death Following Complaints

10/20/2022

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A Trulieve facility in Massachusetts where an employee died in January after allegedly inhaling “cannabis dust” was under investigation prior to the death, Marijuana Business Daily reports. The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) began investigating the facility owned by Florida-based Trulieve in the fall of 2021 after employee complaints. 

However, CCC Chair Shannon O’Brien and Commissioner Bruce Stebbins say they were not aware of the death of 27-year-old Lorna McMurrey until hearing it on the Young Jurks podcast, the report says.  

Trulieve said they reported the death to the CCC three days after the incident, on January 10. A spokesperson for the CCC said the agency staff did not tell the five commissioners about the death at the time, explaining it is a “customary” practice designed to keep investigations independent until commissioners vote on accepting a probe’s conclusions or to issue sanctions, the report says.    

Originally, The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) found the employee died of “occupational asthma due to exposure to ground cannabis” while grinding and filling pre-rolls. However, the OSHA report no longer cites a cause of death and the agency says the investigation remains open. It has declined to comment on the change. OSHA issued Trulieve a $35,000 fine, which they have appealed. 

McMurrey’s stepfather said she had asked him to bring her respirators from his job as a mechanic as the “air (at her job) was full of dust.” A former supervisor at the site said paper masks were provided to employees, but many were afraid to speak up about working conditions, the report says. Personal protection equipment was available onsite 

“They (OSHA) tested the air quality throughout the facility and the samples were all well below acceptable ranges,” Trulieve said in an October 3 statement to Marijuana Business Daily. 

Hampden County District Attorney said the case is not being criminally investigated.

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Trial Begins for Former Cannabis Industry CEOs Charged with Fraud

10/20/2022

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Three former executives at CannTrust Holdings Inc., now operating as Phoena Holdings Inc., are facing charges of fraud, insider trading, and allowing unlicensed activity related to thousands of kilograms of cannabis grown in 2018, Cannabis Business Times reports. The case against former CEO Peter Aceto, former Board Chairman Eric Paul, and former Board Vice-Chairman Mark Litwin commenced Monday in the Ontario Court of Justice. 

The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) alleges the men did not report half of the growing space at a Pelham, Ontario facility, which was not licensed by Health Canada. Additionally, the agency claims the former executives used corporate disclosures to falsely claim they were in full compliance, the report says.

Two of the defendants, Litwin and Paul, face insider trading charges after the OSC says they traded CannTrust stocks while possessing undisclosed information about the unlicensed property. Aceto and Litwin are charged with creating a false prospectus and a false preliminary prospectus, which they would later use to raise money in the U.S.

The company board fired Aceto as CEO and forced Paul out in 2019. Litwin resigned last year. Charges were filed in 2021 by the OSC, marking the first time the agency has filed charges against a publicly traded cannabis company.

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