Niklas Kouparanis: Anticipating Germany’s Adult-Use Cannabis Market

7/07/2022

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Germany is in the process of establishing its adult-use cannabis legalization language — medical cannabis has been legal in the European country since 2016. Some posit that legalization in Germany will inspire other European countries to legalize and regulate the plant. Siblings Nik and Anna-Sophia Kouparanis founded The Bloomwell Group to provide medical cannabis to Germany’s patients; now, they are excitedly preparing for recreational sales through their brand ecosphere and e-commerce platform.

Ganjapreneur recently interviewed Nik Kouparanis, CEO and Co-Founder of The Bloomwell Group, about his drive as a cannabis entrepreneur, building the brand ecosphere, and for an analysis of impending cannabis regulations in Germany.

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Ganjapreneur: What inspired you to enter the cannabis space?

Nik Kouparanis: My professional goal has always been rooted in entrepreneurship. In the long term, I never wanted to work for someone else and, instead, ventured out on my own to create something impactful.

I earned my Master’s degree in Management and in 2017, I wrote my thesis on the potential of upcoming cannabis legalization measures, with medical cannabis being the door opener. Around this time, I became involved with the medical cannabis industry, and to-date I have been in the industry of building cannabis companies in Germany for over five years.

I started working in the cannabis industry because I’m 100% convinced that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. A completely new global market that is rising from scratch! Along with my sister Anna-Sophia Kouparanis, who co-founded Bloomwell Group with me, we are among the first entrepreneurs in the country to successfully gain a foothold in the medical cannabis market. Now, we’re preparing for the adult-use market. It’s an extremely exciting time to be a part of the cannabis space in Germany.

How have your entrepreneurial experiences prepared you for the challenges faced while founding a cannabis business?

I’m a cannabis entrepreneur through and through, dedicating 100% of my efforts to this industry. Every single company I have built has been a cannabis entity. Right after earning my Master’s degree, I started to scale companies in the German industry. What I can say is that cannabis is one of the most strictly regulated and complex industries. Therefore, I’ve needed to learn very quickly in this new and ever-changing environment.

Despite all its challenges, I cannot imagine a more exciting industry for entrepreneurs. We’re in the middle of a global change and a paradigm shift in cannabis policies. Even though we can’t exactly predict what tomorrow’s cannabis world might look like, and you always need to be quick and flexible, we’re in the middle of building something very big with an immense social and economic impact.

The Bloomwell Group is self-described as a brand ecosphere. What is a brand ecosphere, and how does this approach benefit The Bloomwell Group?

Bloomwell Group seeks to redefine the cannabis industry and craft a new episode in its history. Our vision is for Bloomwell Group to become the number one brand ecosphere in the recreational cannabis sector. We are convinced that it’s time to switch lanes and move cannabis beyond its sole purpose as an ailment-relief treatment for patients. We believe in cannabis as a statement by people who dare to tap into themselves and live an elevated, modern and community-driven life.

The Bloomwell Group is building a synergetic platform that guarantees spill-over effects for all portfolio companies, creating an open ecosphere with a one-stop shop for patients and customers, complete with an end-to-end e-commerce experience (which we already operate under our medical cannabis umbrella). Currently, the licensed distributor Ilios Santé, Europe’s leading cannabis telemedicine company Algea Care, and Breezy Brands are part of the Bloomwell Group.

The company is developing relationships within each sector of the cannabis supply chain except cultivation. Why did the team decide not to enter the cultivation space?

We don’t have specific expertise in cultivation and consider this business to be highly competitive. That said, cultivating cannabis for the German market will become a commodity like in every other industry. It’s important for companies and brands in the space to develop strong partnerships with in-demand cultivators in order to ensure a high-quality output and the uniqueness of our genetics.

How has The Bloomwell Group helped develop telemedicine in the German cannabis market? Why was this a priority for the brand?

Our portfolio company Algea Care was launched in Autumn 2020 and filled an important market need at a time when many businesses were focused on imports and distribution, which is a highly competitive environment. Instead, Algea Care addressed a key issue for medical cannabis patients: the lack of medical expertise in the cannabis field. Many patients were, and still are- struggling to find doctors who are willing and able to prescribe them medical cannabis to address their needs. Algea Care was the first German company to combine telemedicine specifically with prescription drugs labeled narcotics. To date, we’ve helped 10,000 patients with chronic diseases who didn’t have any access to medical cannabis expertise before. However, it’s still a struggle in Germany to find physicians who understand the full potential of medical cannabis, but we’re doing our best to close this gap.

How does The Bloomwell Group normalize and educate on cannabis medicine in the medical community?

The amount of existing scientific evidence on medical cannabis treatment in Germany, both regarding safety as well as efficacy, still needs to be improved. The data generated from patient treatments via the Algea Care platform is already being used for academic research in multiple clinical studies. These results will be crucial for further destigmatization of medical cannabis among patients as well as the medical community. In addition, we focus on continuous education of doctors via Algea Care. We are currently in the process of having educational courses obtain CME certification.

Did you consider adult-use legalization as you built out the medical cannabis brand ecosphere to ensure a seamless transition into the new regulations?

When we closed our seed round in October 2021 (at that time, the highest seed funding for a European cannabis company), we raised this capital with a clear focus on the medical market. That said, as we approach the legalization of adult-use cannabis in Germany, we seek to be in a prime position when the recreational market opens. Therefore, we will raise another round to prepare. Under the Bloomwell umbrella, we currently have three different subsidiaries. We will be able to serve the whole value chain (excluding cultivation, as previously mentioned). Looking at the North American markets, it’s crystal clear that the leading medical cannabis companies have the network, expertise and access to supply to be the early movers and shakers building the adult-use market. Also, our leading telemedicine platform, Algea Care, has gathered a great deal of data that can be utilized when setting up the adult-use market, including data useful for education. We also have our brand Breezy, which focuses on direct-to-consumer services, which we expect to seamlessly expand from medical to recreational sales.

What is Breezy?

Our portfolio company, Breezy brands, runs a purely Direct to Consumer / Direct to Patient operation. Patients and consumers can choose from a variety of lifestyle products. In addition, the delivery of various medical flowers for patients will be rolling out soon. Breezy brands is the place to be for all people in Germany associated with cannabis. We are prepared to be the one-stop-shop for the growing cannabis community.

What product standards do you look for before absorbing a brand into The Bloomwell Group?

With regards to a medical cannabis company or brand, we need for them to meet European Union Good Manufacturing Practice (EU GMP) and Good Agricultural and Cultural Practice(GACP) standards. While standards and regulations are yet to be determined for Germany’s future adult-use industry, we know that the country will prioritize consumer safety, education, protection of minors and product quality.

Along with fulfilling the mandatory standards, quality control and assurance is crucial. Data from the U.S. market shows that in the long term, only brands that can guarantee quality will survive and thrive.

Have German cannabis entrepreneurs learned lessons from the developing American industry? Alternatively, what can American cannabis businesses take away from the developing German market?

Germany is closely watching the developing American cannabis industry (as well as licensed markets around the world) both for what to do and what not to do. Germany wants to protect minors, educate consumers and guarantee product quality. Therefore, we need to eradicate the illicit market. Looking at the United States, we see that certain states’ licensed industries perform and compete with the illicit market better and more effectively than others. For example, in California, the sky-high taxes placed on licensed cannabis products have allowed the illicit market to continue to flourish by offering consumers less expensive products. This is a lesson learned for Germany to shape the tax burden along the value chain in such a way that the industry can supply the market in an entrepreneurial way and offer consumers products at appealing price points. That way, we can compete with and eventually eradicate the illicit market.

In Germany, we’ll also need to minimize bureaucratic hurdles and convoluted regulations. We should design a bureaucracy in such a way that it contributes as much as possible to the achievement of objectives that include ensuring a stable supply and a nationwide sales infrastructure. Also, we need to allow imports to ensure competitive pricing.

What are your predictions for legalization in Germany? How might regulated cannabis sales in Germany impact the market worldwide?

Germany will become the largest market in the world when we open up the adult-use market with more than 82 million inhabitants, which is more than that of California and Canada. The future language for cannabis will be German, and this will be the flagship market once adult-use legalization takes place. A representative survey conducted by Bloomwell shows that one out of every two adults in Germany is a potential legal cannabis consumer.

According to the latest projections by economist Justus Haucap, the state could achieve an annual plus of 4.7 billion euros through the legalization of cannabis combined with various tax revenues (including cannabis tax) and savings (including judiciary and criminal prosecution). According to Haucap, 27,000 new jobs could also be created.

I’m certain that Germany’s licensed adult-use market will lead to a new paradigm of cannabis policy in the European Union, as well as around the globe. In Europe, we see many countries such as Malta, Luxembourg, Spain, the Netherlands, as well as Switzerland as part of the Schengen area, seeking new ways to deal with cannabis through pilot projects or through decriminalization. While that is a form of progress, it’s important to note that decriminalization as the only legalization measure is not enough; only a fully licensed adult-use market can ensure protection of minors and guarantee product safety. Therefore, I’m convinced that many European countries will follow Germany’s way of legalizing the adult-use cannabis industry. That said, I would like to emphasize that Germany should not rush its draft of the legislation and regulations; meticulousness and attention to detail are more important than speed. It can only become a role model for other countries if the legal framework is 100% waterproof.

You attended the most recent hearing on drafting cannabis legalization in Germany, what can you say about the regulations thus far?

Germany’s Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach made a remarkable statement – ​​that cannabis in moderation is part of modern society. He also rightly emphasized that cannabis is not just a phenomenon in big cities, but also in rural areas. All the more our explicit reference to the fact that we cannot build up a nationwide sales infrastructure without online and mail order business. In addition, legal sales must not be limited to pharmacies, we need licensed brick-and-mortar specialty shops and online retailers.

In principle, we at Bloomwell Group welcome the federal government’s approach of involving many different groups, including those from civil society, in the process. The cannabis movement is a societal issue and we want society to have a say in the future of cannabis. With the Bloomwell Group, we also stand behind the overarching goals of youth and health protection, education and prevention. We very much hope that the experience of the industry from more than five years of medicinal cannabis will be taken into account. Because more regulation does not mean more youth protection. On the contrary, we need efficient processes above all so that the industry can supply cannabis consumers safely and reliably in the future.

Our central demands are, therefore: Firstly, to allow online mail order and licensed cannabis specialty shops and retailers; second, to regulate the cannabis trade in a very targeted manner; third, to design taxes in such a way that the legal industry can also compete with the prices of the illegal market; fourth, to set uniform standards nationwide.

The Bloomwell Group acquired millions in funding. Do you have advice for fellow entrepreneurs who are seeking funding?

Cannabis is highly regulated and already very competitive. If you’re looking for high amounts of venture capital, make sure that your team is made up of experts in the field, and your business is doing something different than all the others – and that this difference adds a lot of value for your consumers.

Thank you to Nik for answering our questions! Learn more about The Bloomwell Group at bloomwell.eu.

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Medical Cannabis Now Tax Free in New Jersey

7/07/2022

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Medical cannabis is now tax-free in New Jersey as provisions of the Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act implementing the tax cut took effect on July 1, NJ Biz reports. Prior to the final reductions, medical cannabis was the only medicine in the state subject to tax.  

Before July 1, 2020, medical cannabis in New Jersey was subject to a 6.625% tax, which is the state’s sales tax. Jake’s Law reduced that tax to 4% on July 1, 2020; 2% on July 1, 2021; and fully reduced the tax on July 1, 2022. 

Honig was a 7-year-old New Jersey boy with brain cancer whose symptoms were partially relieved by medical cannabis. He passed away in 2018 following a five-year cancer battle and state lawmakers passed the bill with his namesake on July 2, 2019.  

Adult-use cannabis taxes are not affected by Jake’s Law.  

Several other states, including Alaska, Delaware, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, and Washington do not levy sales taxes on medical cannabis sales. Medical cannabis sales in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia are either subject to state taxes, excise taxes – or a combination of both – or businesses are required to pay gross receipts taxes and that cost could be passed on to patients. 

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Washington, D.C. Mayor Signs Medical Cannabis Patient Self-Certification Bill

7/07/2022

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Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on Wednesday signed the bill allowing patients to self-certify that they use cannabis for medical purposes and eliminating the requirement of a physician recommendation. The measure was unanimously approved by the city council at the end of June. 

“We have made it a priority over the years to build a more patient-centric medical marijuana program and this legislation builds on those efforts. We know that by bringing more medical marijuana patients into the legal marketplace in a timely manner and doing more to level the playing field for licensed medical marijuana providers, we can protect residents, support local businesses, and provide clarity to the community.” — Bowser in a press release 

In April, the council rejected a similar proposal by Chairman Phil Mendelson because it contained provisions to crack down on cannabis “gifting” businesses. The self-certification bill is, in part, meant to drive patients away from gifting businesses and into legal dispensaries. In a letter, Councilmembers Mary Cheh and Kenyan McDuffie said the measure would put medical dispensaries “on a more even footing” with gifting businesses when it comes to patient access and could lead to “better health outcomes” for patients because unregulated cannabis products provide “no assurance that the marijuana has been tested or adequately labeled.” However, according to The Outlaw Report, there are no official testing laboratories in Washington D.C.  

In the statement, Bowser said she is looking forward to working with local lawmakers to enact “permanent, more comprehensive medical marijuana legislation in the future.”

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Washington State Regulators to Replace ‘Marijuana’ with ‘Cannabis’

7/07/2022

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Washington state cannabis regulators on Wednesday adopted a motion to implement legislation passed last March which replaces the word “marijuana” with “cannabis” in state law, The Center Square reports. During the bill signing ceremony, Gov. Jay Inslee (D) said the term “marijuana” has “a racist history in the United States.”  

The word was often used in anti-immigrant rhetoric in the early 20th century. 

Jeff Kildahl, the state Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) cannabis policy and rules coordinator, said during a virtual meeting that state lawmakers approved the measure, finding the “use of the term ‘marijuana’ in the United States has discriminatory origins and should be replaced with the more scientifically accurate term ‘cannabis.’”

LCB Chair David Postman called the change “a great thing.” 

“It took a little while. Some may think this is a simple thing, that it took a little while, and it’s going to take some work to get it all done, but it’s important, and it is part of our ongoing evolution of really the knowledge and acceptance of cannabis and learning about the history of some of these things.” — Postman, during the meeting, via The Center Square 

The first measure to outlaw cannabis in the U.S. was called the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 which banned the possession and sale of the plant. The bill was backed by Harry Anslinger, the first commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics – which would later become the Drug Enforcement Administration – who is alleged to have supported cannabis prohibition because it was often used by minorities. 

“There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the U.S., and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos, and entertainers,” Anslinger is alleged to have stated. “Their Satanic music, jazz, and swing result from marijuana use. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers and any others.” 

A recently unearthed quote from John Ehrlichman, former President Richard Nixon’s chief domestic policy advisor when Nixon announced the roll-out of the War on Drugs, supports cannabis prohibition being as a tool to target minority and antiwar populations:  

“The Nixon campaign in 1968, and the Nixon White House after that, had two enemies: the antiwar left and Black people. You understand what I’m saying?” Ehrlichman said in a 1996 interview with Harper’s reporter Dan Baum. “We knew we couldn’t make it illegal to be either against the war or Black, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and Blacks with heroin, and then criminalizing both heavily, we could disrupt those communities. We could arrest their leaders, raid their homes, break up their meetings, and vilify them night after night on the evening news. Did we know we were lying about the drugs? Of course, we did.” 

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FDA-Approved Study to Investigate Therapeutic Potential of Mushroom-Derived Psilocin and Psilocybin

7/07/2022

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Filament Health, a clinical-stage natural psychedelic drug development company, has announced the start of a first-of-its-kind study in which psilocin and psilocybin derived from mushrooms — rather than constituents created in a lab — will be administered to patients.  

Overseen by Dr. Joshua Woolley at the University of California San Francisco’s (UCSF) Translational Psychedelic Research Program (TrPR), the Phase 1 study is approved federally by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and will examine the effects of naturally-derived psychedelic substances.  

The trial will use three of Filament’s botanical drug candidates and assesses the physiological and psychological effects of orally administered psilocybin, orally administered psilocin, and sublingually administered psilocin to healthy adults over a series of doses.   

“We are incredibly proud to have reached this milestone in an FDA-approved trial. We look forward to increasing the scientific understanding of potential benefits and applications for natural psychedelic medicines, and to getting these treatments to those in need.”  — CEO and Co-Founder Benjamin Lightburn, in a statement

In the past, drug makers have been unable to properly synthesize psilocin instead of its pro-drug form psilocybin. The hope is that naturally-derived psilocin may offer greater consistency, increased bioavailability, faster onset time, and lessened side effects, according to the press release. 

“We are excited to conduct the first trial of naturally sourced psilocybin and the first modern trial of psilocin from any source,” Dr. Joshua Woolley, MD/Ph.D., director of TrPR and the study’s principal investigator, said in a statement. “This trial will provide crucial information about the effects and mechanisms of these compounds that could allow for greatly enhanced psychedelic-assisted therapy.” 

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Cannabis Pre-Roll Packaging Machines: The Next Generation

7/07/2022

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Cannabis packaging machines, commonly known as joint rollers, are fast at work trying to keep up with the demand of a now-$100 billion cannabis industry in the United States. The output necessary to meet consumer demand has now reached billions of pre-rolls, the easiest way for cannabis connoisseurs to try different strains or purchase out of convenience. While growers, manufacturers, and dispensaries clamor for more pre-rolls, the functionality of purchases of pre-roll machines can vary, making performance crucial to profitability.

Not all machines can compete at the Major-League level and a big price tag doesn’t assure success. When a company whiffs on making a large purchase on machinery, the consequences could be dire.


With the cannabis pre-roll market soaring from millions to billions, time and quality are foremost when trying to create a winning bottom line, but a total shutdown can force employees rolling flawed joints or no joints at all.

Convincing a cannabis company in need of replacement equipment to handle a growing need is not easy, particularly when other purchases have resulted in dismal failures. After polling many of the largest producers of cannabis that provide millions of cannabis pre-rolls, three conclusions can be reached: supply to the marketplace depends on performance, breakdowns can be costly, and the most expensive machines are not necessarily the most efficient.

Proving that a pre-roll machine that costs much less actually works better than the one previously purchased is even more difficult to convey. Hefestus Technologies was not the first to the marketplace when it introduced the Aura 2000 in February 2019. To get this groundbreaking and cost-effective machine into a cannabis manufacturer’s facility took sound salesmanship and a strong leap of faith on behalf of the purchaser. Telling a potential customer that the Hefestus model was better than the one they purchased for three times the price is a tall order.

The proof is in the pre-roll, in labor costs, time consumption, quality, and smokeabiity, and the Hefestus Aura 2000 has shown just that to some of the largest producers of cannabis pre-rolls in the United States. These four cannabis giants scored big from gambling on another company with a much lower price.

At Copperstate, Cannabis Packaging Machine Production is Pivotal

Copperstate Farms is one of the largest greenhouse cannabis producers in North America. With more than 1.7 million square feet of canopy and 40 acres under glass, Copperstate brings big agriculture, consumer packaged goods and pharmaceutical industries together to form a big-league player.

The Farm at Snowflake in Arizona was built in 1998 as a hydroponic tomato greenhouse in what is now recognized as an ideal geography and climate for farming cannabis. Copperstate has 50 different cannabis strains currently in production, with 50 in development.

With the current boom in pre-rolls, Copperstate had an enormous challenge: keep up with high demand.

After getting poor statistics in production, Copperstate purchased two Aura 2000 machines.

“We struggled to find the right one because we fold our prerolls and do not twist them,” said Barb Hansen, Pre-Roll, Packaging & Inventory Manager for Copperstate. “I think the (Aura 2000) quality is as close to looking handmade as we can get.”

The Aura 2000 machines were installed in June 2021.

“We are producing at least 100,000 pre-rolls a week and our highest was 1,400 pre-rolls an hour,” Hansen said. Most importantly, Copperstate already has recorded an impact on its bottom line.

“We have seen an 8 percent reduction of labor costs,” Hansen said.

An Automated Pre-Roll Machine Swing and a Miss

Gary Lasalle, VP of Operations and partner with King’s Garden Inc., had swung and missed on an expensive pre-roll machine but had the courage to face another pitch. Then he hit a homer with the Hefestus Aura 2000.

“We tried another manufacturer that failed miserably,” Lasalle said. “We were gun shy about another but everything Hefestus said, they did. Their equipment is top-notch.”

The original and largest cultivator in California’s renowned Coachella Valley, the King’s Garden’s goal is “to produce a family of perfectly consistent, creatively curated, superior quality cannabis.”

Put into use starting last Nov. 1, production now includes more than 35,000 pre-rolls a week with 7,500 5-packs hitting dispensary shelves.

“The Aura 2000 is working out phenomenally,” Lasalle said. “We are meeting all of our expectations and the Aura 2000 is doing everything they said. Our efficiency has increased, and the production has increased greatly. We’re saving money and the service has been great.”

Dinosaur-sized Pre-Roll Demand

T-Rex Distribution decided to take a bigger approach to pre-rolls by purchasing an Aura 2000 machine in 2019, a machine capable of making three sizes of pre-rolls.

T-Rex Distribution has cultivated relationships from San Diego, Eureka, Humboldt County, the High Desert, Central Valley, Central Coast, and Southern California. In order to keep up with the demand of supplying dozens of clients, T-Rex turned to the Aura 2000 and can now produce 1 gram, .7 gram, and .5 gram pre-rolls.

“We can almost double the production of what we could before when we run that machine and almost triple the production of hand rolling,” Otto Escobar, facility manager, said. “After previous failures, now we have product that works.”

The biggest satisfaction is a reflection on the T-Rex bottom line.

“More than anything, it helps us with time constraints,” Escobar said. “The service has been great and with your base now in Vegas, it’s even easier.”

A Big Win for High-Grade Bottom Line

Speed in producing pre-rolls is foremost at High Grade of Phoenix to roll up a vast amount of premium-grade flower.

High Grade produces premium-grade flower and extracts, ensuring environmental controls are set to optimal levels in a manner that produces only the cleanest, most potent, terpene-rich cannabis in all its forms.

“It’s given us a more cost-effective option to automate a product SKU that is extremely labor-intensive and inefficient to produce,” said Jessica Ragel, Director of Operations. “The Aura 2000 has helped us meet demand needs and sustain stock on the shelf.”

High Grade began using the machine last June.

“The service was great, and this team is extremely friendly. They do their best to set their clients up for success,” Ragel said. “They also take feedback well, which is nice as a purchaser of their equipment. They want to know how to improve.”

The results have been dramatic.

“We have been able to reduce the time it takes to produce pre-rolls by about 70% and overall, that reduces the cost to produce,” Ragel said.

The Aura 2000 – Automated Pre-Roll Simplistic Sophistication

While other companies offer high-priced machines that act erratically, Hefestus Technologies Ltd. needs just one to beat them all. Hefestus clients who have purchased the Aura 2000 rave about its exceptionally reliable operation in cannabis arenas in the United States and Israel. Sales of cannabis pre-rolls were up nearly 50 percent in 2021 despite the pandemic, but having an expensive machine stay idle is a dead end. Over the past 8 years, 35-plus Aura machines can be found operating in client’s facilities that have produced millions of pre-rolls to date. The key — simplistic sophistication adjusts to the flower Hefestus clients can utilize every day.

All About the Service

Hefestus Technologies Ltd. includes all the extras such as a comprehensive warranty and the customer service and training that can make the difference in production and profits. Hefestus personnel in Israel and Las Vegas bring service help for installation and beyond with quick response.
And yet, many companies are investing in a flawed pre-roll machine but ending up watching it collect dust because no one taught them how to operate it. With the proper training, the Aura 2000 machine will handle any strain without downtime.

Consistency is key: The last thing a dispensary or farm wants is to hear are complaints about pre-rolls. One of the most glaring problems facing cannabis industry business owners today is pre-roll consistency and a lack of smokeability. Are cones coming out too tight, too loose? Do they smoke evenly?

Whether young or old, clients crave consistency. Joints that feel hollow or ones that the roll is too tight turn into a total bummer. Consistency in smokeability leads to repeat customers looking for that smooth fire that seasoned cannabis smokers demand. However, the density of cannabis can vary from strain to strain, rendering most machines unable to deal with the differences, thus leading to costly shutdowns. Hefestus Technologies eliminates that deficiency with the proper training needed for an operation as smooth as its smoke.

Tried & True: The ingenuity behind this machine from Hefestus Technologies Ltd. started 31 years ago in the demand to make automation equipment for the food and pharma industry in Israel. Founder Yehuda Yamay’s company quickly grew and his reputation for development of automation equipment for those specific Industries grew as well. Mr. Yehuda’s designs are simplistic, intuitive and most of all, they work.

The Birth of the Aura 2000 came 9 years ago, Yehuda’s friend started a medical cannabis company in Israel and asked Yehuda to design and build automated equipment for his facility. Labor in Israel can be expensive, and some repetitive tasks exhaust employees to the point of amplified inefficiencies. Understanding how joints are made from his sons and maintaining the modus operandi of his food and pharma industry success, Yehuda designed the Aura 2000. The technology utilizes secure cloud connection with WIFI / LAN to quickly troubleshoot and resolve any potential issues.

The Five Stations of the Aura 2000 Robotic Pre-Roll System: This system is simplistic in design and thorough in its methodology to create top-quality pre-rolls. Five stations create the perfect pre-roll many times over:

  • The First Station: A beautifully designed carousel that automatically feeds the cones into the holders with optics to ensure every holder is fed a cone. A vacuum is used to ensure that the top of the cone is opened to receive material. The added forethought to make sure the operator can constantly feed additional cones while the machine is working increases efficiency.
  • The Second Station feeds the material into the cones. It is a dual-feeding system that includes an auger and vibration to feed the cones constantly and precisely. It also vibrates the bottom of the cones to ensure the material density is consistent and within the requirements.
  • The Third Station: Tamping the cones to the desired density makes sure that the finest customer experience and smokeability is achieved.
  • The Fourth Station: The perfection of the design and the patented processing is found in this Fourth Station. Yehuda started with a twist mechanism, but quickly realized the importance of customer experience in producing the best look for pre-rolls. He, and his clients, wanted better, if not best in class. He devised the “Dutch Crown” folding technology and created the premier brand appearance for the industry.
  • The Fifth Station: The result is the safe ejection of the aesthetically beautiful, completed cones from the machine.

Cost-effectiveness: Price remains most important to all, with a total retail cost of $209,000 per machine that comes delivered and installed with training, not the $600,000 or more sought by Hefestus competitors.

Installation & Training: Hefestus Technologies stands behind every machine and fully supports customers with a full training session of 3 to 4 days at the client’s facility, and technicians make sure it runs in that facility with all clients’ strains.

The facts: The Aura 2000 comes with a One-Year Warranty from North American-based technicians, CE – Marking Standard with UL – Safety Certification. Hefestus Technologies Ltd., office in North America is located at 750 Dorrell Ln., #120, North Las Vegas, Nevada 89086. Telephone 702.881.1970. Email sales@hefestus-slb.com. Web site www.hefestus-slb.com.

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California Environmental Agencies Launch 2022 Cannabis Enforcement Season

7/06/2022

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Environmental agencies in California have launched their 2022 enforcement program to address environmental impacts associated with cannabis cultivation. The enforcement plan includes the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Department of Cannabis Control (DCC), and State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and is focused on protecting “priority watersheds and areas with sensitive habitat and/or threatened or endangered species,” the agencies said in a press release.  

The agencies note that California remains in drought conditions and that illegal cannabis grows divert water and pollute streams and rivers which “has significant physical, biological and chemical impacts that extend into the surrounding habitat adversely affecting not only the fish and wildlife species dependent on the stream itself, but also the plants and wildlife in the surrounding area that rely on the adjacent habitat for feeding, reproduction, and shelter.” 

Sarah Paulson, acting cannabis program director, noted that CDFW “fully supports” the legal cannabis market but that as the state faces its second year of drought, protecting California’s natural resources “is more important than ever.”  

David Bess, CDFW deputy director and chief of the Law Enforcement Division, said violators of the law “will be subject to enforcement actions.” 

“The environmental impacts of illegal cannabis operations can last decades and cause irreparable harm to our natural resources.” — Bess in a statement 

Just last month, the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board fined three unlicensed Humboldt County growers $209,687 in connection to alleged sediment discharged into the tributaries of the Mad River.  

The enforcement program is funded by cannabis-derived taxes and fees outlined in Proposition 64, which legalized cannabis for adult use in the state. 

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New Mexico Cannabis Sales Remain Steady at $21.2M in June

7/06/2022

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New Mexico adult-use cannabis sales remained steady in June, totaling $21.2 million, according to Cannabis Control Division (CCD) data outlined by KRQE. In May, the agency reported $21.1 million in sales, down about $1 million from the previous – and first – month of sales.    

Albuquerque, again, led the state in sales with $7 million while Hobbs and Sunland Park – cities near the Texas border – continued to see more than $1 million in sales last month.  

Sunland Park last week approved allowing drive-thru sales and letting new cannabis businesses open 200 feet away from schools and daycares but rejected a plan for around-the-clock sales, according to Border Report.  

Santa Fe had the second most sales in the state with $1.7 million, followed by Las Cruces with $1.6 million in sales. 

In May, the state saw more than $2.5 million in revenue from cannabis taxes; June taxes will be reported next month. In February, the state Supreme Court ruled that medical cannabis products could no longer be taxed and that the between $25 million and $30 million in gross receipts taxes it had collected would need to be refunded to the companies they collected the taxes from. 

Non-medical cannabis sales in New Mexico carry a 12% excise tax in addition to the gross receipts tax that businesses are required to pay. In April, 114 retailers filed tax returns, paying $2,422,678 in excise tax and $1,635,243 in gross receipts tax.  

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AOC Amendment Would Make the Military Study Psychedelics as PTSD Treatment

7/06/2022

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New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) has introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would require the Department of Defense to study the therapeutic potential of psilocybin and MDMA for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), Marijuana Moment reports.

The measure builds on language already in the funding bill that mandates the agency study cannabis as a potential substitute for opiates and the amendment’s language is similar — almost identical — to an amendment previously introduced by Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL).

Additionally, another provision already in the fiscal 2023 NDAA reserves the right for service members with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, or any other condition with severe pain to participate in medical cannabis research, the Moment noted.

AOC’s proposal for the NDAA comes at a time when the House Appropriations Committee is also looking to investigate the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. The committee passed appropriations language on Thursday calling for research into psilocybin and MDMA as treatment options for PTSD and severe depression, as well as another section discussing psychedelics as a therapeutic option for combat veterans, Marijuana Moment reported previously.

Another federal report for the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CSJ) released last month calls for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate and report back within a year about barriers facing local, tribal, and state psilocybin research programs.

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Virginia Regulators Outlaw Synthetic Cannabinoids from Food and Drinks

7/06/2022

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The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Safety (VDACS) said last week that, despite broad cannabis legalization in the state, delta-8 and other intoxicating synthetic cannabinoids remain illegal food adulterants.   

“VDACS’ communication will advise that any chemically-synthesized cannabinoid is a food adulterant and any person who manufactures, sells, or offers for sale a chemically-synthesized cannabinoid, including delta-8 THC, as a food or beverage is in violation of the Virginia Food and Drink Law.” — VDACS in a press release 

Joseph Guthrie, VDACS commissioner, indicated that the agency would encourage “voluntary compliance” but “once regulatory options are exhausted, the case could be referred to a Commonwealth’s Attorney for further enforcement.” 

The guidance does permit products containing less than 0.3% of synthetic THC to be sold in the state to individuals aged 21 and older.  

The agency said that when it “identifies the production or sale of a food containing an adulterant, it will encourage voluntary compliance by asking the business to discontinue the practice.”  

“If voluntary compliance is not achieved, VDACS will utilize various escalating enforcement tools to achieve compliance,” the agency said, “with the highest penalty prescribed under Virginia law a Class 1 misdemeanor.” 

VDACS also warned that businesses may not sell products that infringe on the trademark of non-cannabis products or other “famous” brands or any product “that depicts or is in the shape of a human, animal, vehicle, or fruit.” 

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares said such products are “deceiving” and “have led to an increase in accidental consumption” among children.   

The Virginia Legislature legalized cannabis for adult use last April but the rollout of the program has faced pushback with the election of Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who opposes the reforms.  

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Storz & Bickel’s Mighty+ Review

7/06/2022

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I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Storz & Bickel’s co-founder and CEO Jürgen Bickel For a short and informal 30-minute Zoom call to hear about the origin of Storz & Bickel and get his thoughts on the new Mighty+. Here are a few things he shared and my impressions of how the device is designed, functions, its ease of use, its vapor and medicinal qualities, and the big question: “Is it worth the cabbage?”

Design and Functionality

I had watched videos reviewing the Mighty+ prior to holding it in my hand. However, being blind/visually impaired, I had really no idea what it looked like until it was between my fingers. The easy-to0handle, compact, flat-yet-curvy design was a surprise but I was able to quickly locate the mouthpiece, cooling chamber, the on/off button and the only other two buttons, +/-.

The Mighty+ is a breeze to load. Simply turn the cooling chamber and the bowl is there. The Mighty+ has a ceramic bowl, an upgrade from the original Mighty. If you’re using a dosing cap — I’ll talk more about them below — you’ll find they fit perfectly into the bowl. The cooling chamber fits back on easily, important for folks with coordination or strength issues, and with a gentle twist, the Mighty+ is ready to turn on.

The Mighty+ only has three buttons, making it simple to get started and use. Hold down the power button for a second, notice the haptic feedback, the LED screen lighting up, and the temp zooming up — then it’s just about ready to use. Press the temp up and down buttons at the same time to toggle between F and C temp scales. Now set your desired temp and get ready to vape in a speedy 60 seconds! The new Mighty+ lets you tap the power button three times quickly to get a temp boost at the end of a session for complete bowl vaporization.

A feature I really like is the haptic feedback count down as the Mighty+ approaches shut off. Storz & Bickel improved the charge time to 40 minutes, but an adequate charging brick is required to reach that charging speed. The LED screen that shows set temp, battery life, and current temp will languidly blink before the Plus turns off when the battery is dead.

Vapor

The vapor from the Mighty+ is tasty, full-bodied, dense, and plentiful throughout the session. Starting at a lower temp and gradually increasing the heat will get the best taste profiles out of your bud. The temp range for the device is 40 °C to 210 °C or 104 °F. to 410 °F. Even when using the dosing caps, vapor is thick for the entire session and will continue after the unit shuts off. When you tap the material out the uniformity of the vape is easy to notice, even with the dosing caps in use.

Dosing Caps

I heard a lot about dosing caps prior to using the Mighty+. These are small 150 mg capsules you can fill with ground material. The caps fit perfectly into the ceramic bowl and interlock with the cooling chamber, so there is a nice tight seal while vaping.

Jürgen shared the origins of the early Volcanoes and the device’s use in helping medical cannabis patients. His insight and the consistency of dosing caps really brought home the medical potential of the Mighty+ for me. Patients who require a specific dose of cannabinoids and other cannabis compounds will find these extremely useful when dosing their medicine.

The Mighty+ comes with a USB-C charging cord and an assortment of replaceable screens, gaskets, and one dosing cap. A bowl pick is included which if taken out and flipped around will let the MP stand up, an improvement from the legacy unit. You can easily take the cooling unit apart for fast cleaning with isopropyl alcohol. The batteries have temp control and a hard fuse shut off to ensure the highest safety and avoid overheating.

The Mighty+ is a great investment for medical cannabis patients and adult users alike. The ease of use and vapor quality make it stand out in the vaping world but its sturdy build and three-year warranty make it a vape device that will last for years to come. Find a Mighty+ online at Storz & Bickel’s website.

Thank you to Jürgen Bickel for sitting down with me to talk about the Mighty+ and sharing his passion for making world-leading vaporizers.

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Former Santa Barbara, California Cannabis Operators Face Charges of Illegal Sales

7/05/2022

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Prosecutors in Santa Barbara County, California have filed criminal charges against five former cannabis operators accusing them of perjury, the unlawful cultivation and sale of marijuana, and conspiracy to commit a crime, Noozhawk reports. The cases include individuals associated with Herbal Angels and Santa Barbara Greenland Deliveries (SBGD).  

In the Herbal Angels case, Eli Sheiman and Mariette Wingard, co-owners and operators of an allegedly illegal cannabis grow, each face two misdemeanor counts for growing more than six plants and illegally possessing cannabis for sale. Sheiman is also charged with two felony counts of perjury and falsification of public records. Both have pleaded not guilty to all charges. 

The SBGD case centers around an allegedly unlicensed cannabis operation and the alleged illegal sale of cannabis and psilocybin mushrooms. William “Bubba” Hines, a Louisiana oilman, Arthur Olowski, and Ingrid McCann are accused of conspiracy to commit crimes involving illegal cultivation, sale or transportation of cannabis, and the sale of a controlled substance for the psilocybin mushrooms. Hines and McCann face two felony counts, while Olowski faces four felony counts.  

Attorneys for all defendants argue, however, that their clients are victims of unclear county ordinances, and unresolved issues between California and federal law. Josh Webb, an attorney for Olowski, told Noozhawk that there is “so much gray area in the whole process” that “it’s been the Wild West.”     

Bill Makler, an attorney for Ingrid McCann, said his client “is caught up in a cauldron of unsettled and confusing laws that have come about since legalization of marijuana began, and she looks forward to presenting her defenses at trial.”  

Hearings for the cases are set for this month but typically these cases have been settled prior to trial. 

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North Carolina Governor Signs Bill to Make Hemp Legalization Permanent

7/05/2022

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North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) last week signed the bill to make permanent the state’s hemp program, just one day before the pilot program was set to expire. Had lawmakers not approved a measure prior to June 30, the pilot program would have sunset July 1 and effectively re-criminalized hemp production and sales of hemp products in the state.

“Agriculture is North Carolina’s largest industry and giving North Carolina farmers certainty that they can continue to participate in this growing market is the right thing to do for rural communities and our economy.” — Cooper in a statement

The bill signed by Cooper permanently exempts hemp from the state’s controlled substances law. The hemp program was first approved as a pilot program in 2015. Since then, the state has licensed more than 1,500 farmers to grow hemp. North Carolina’s hemp program is currently operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under provisions of the federal 2018 Farm Bill. 

Blaker Butler, executive director of the Southeast Hemp Association, told WFMY News that the bill could mean new opportunities for the hemp industry and that several southeast states, including North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, “are starting to reimagine the textile belt” as the hemp industry normalizes.   

“I’d like to see a three-year contract where a farmer could really grow a field of fiber and send it off for process and plant that next seed,” Butler said in an interview with WFMY. “I’d like to see us build up that agricultural supply chain like it’s been done in sweet potatoes and tobacco and other places. So that’s really the goal is to start diversifying and be very very smart, when we do, to make sure the money is there to compensate the farmer.” 

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Nearly 500 Cannabis Workers Have Voted to Join Teamsters Union Since May ‘21

7/05/2022

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Since May 2021, nearly 500 workers at more than a dozen cannabis facilities have voted to join the Teamsters union, including workers at dispensaries, grow operations, and distributors. In a press release, the Teamsters said it launched a national organizing campaign for the industry last year. 

We knew that organizing a nascent industry like cannabis would be hard, but that doesn’t bother us,” said Peter Finn, Teamsters’ national food processing director, in a statement. “Usually, the things in life that are the most worthwhile are also the most difficult.” 

Finn added that as legalization spreads throughout the U.S., “restorative justice is needed.”  

“For far too long, innocent people were locked up for possession of cannabis. … This justice means we ensure that cannabis revenue goes to the people who deserve it the most. We make that happen with a Teamster contract.” — Finn in a statement 

The union points out that several states – including Hawaii, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, and South Dakota – could vote to legalize cannabis during midterm elections in November and that the Teamsters plan “on expanding organizing targets and building upon the grassroots momentum of the past year.” 

A Bloomberg Law report in March found that cannabis workers voted in 26 National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) union representation elections last year and sided with the union in 18 of them, representing a net increase of 14 wins in 2020 and 16 wins over 2019. The wins accounted for nearly two-thirds – 62% – of the retail industry’s unionization gains from 2019 to 2020. 

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THC-Infused Edibles Now Legal In Minnesota

7/04/2022

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Minnesota’s proposal to legalize up to five milligrams of THC in food and beverage products — which was signed into law last month — took effect on Friday, July 1, and some Republican lawmakers may have voted for the measure without realizing its full scope, NPR reports.

The new hemp industry regulations were designed to support hemp industry growth and undercut profits from unregulated cannabinoid sales. Under the bill, THC-infused edible products containing up to five milligrams of hemp-derived delta-8 or delta-9 THC are now legal statewide with a maximum of 50 milligrams of THC per package. THC derived from cannabis plants — which are legally defined as containing more than 0.3% delta-9 THC — remains prohibited in Minnesota.

The five-milligram limit is about half the standard recommended dose for THC-infused edibles in fully legalized markets.

Notably, some members of Minnesota’s Republican-controlled Senate may not have realized how far the proposal went. State Sen. Jim Abeler (R-Anoka), chair of the Senate Human Services Reform Finance and Policy Committee, said he was unaware when the Legislature granted its unanimous approval in a voice vote for the measure that the bill legalized both delta-8 and delta-9 THC products.

“That doesn’t legalize marijuana — we didn’t just do that, did we?” he asked immediately following its passage, according to the report.

Rep. Tina Liebling (D-Rochester) replied in jest, “Oh, are you kidding? Of course you have. No, just kidding. Next, we’ll do that next, OK?”

Sen. Abeler later told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that the Legislature should consider rolling back the bill due to the misunderstanding but House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (D) said Democrats would not support the move, according to the report. Additionally, state Sen. Michelle Benson (R-Ham Lake) reportedly dodged the Star-Tribune’s questions about whether she had understood that the law would legalize edibles containing all types of THC when she voted for its passage.

Minnesota Democrats support the full legalization of cannabis for adults aged 21 and older while Republicans remain opposed.

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California Ends Cannabis Cultivation Tax

7/01/2022

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed the state budget on Thursday which included the elimination of the state’s cannabis cultivation tax and a cap on the cannabis excise tax at 15% for three years, the North Bay Business Journal reports.

Amy O’Gorman Jenkins, a lobbyist for the California Cannabis Industry Association, told the Journal that she was “celebrating” the end of the cultivation tax, which many blamed for the state’s high cannabis prices and strong unregulated marketplace. A report by the Reason Foundation in May suggested that monthly cannabis tax revenues could double by 2024 were the cultivation tax to be eliminated.

“The Legislature seems to have grasped a lot of what’s affecting the cannabis industry. More work needs to be done, but I see this as a big win. To critics, I say this is a significant first step.” — O’Gorman to the Journal

Newsom supported ending the cultivation tax, but in May suggested that the tax revenues would need to be replaced and supported increasing the excise tax from 15% to 19% after three years.

California’s first-quarter cannabis tax revenues were $293.5 million, a 7% drop from $316.5 million in the fourth quarter of last year, according to California Department of Tax and Fee Administration figures outlined by the Journal.

The cultivation tax revenues were used, in part, to fund youth organizations in the state but the language in the trailer bill also called for maintaining a guaranteed level of support for those groups.

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Medical Cannabis Legal Today in Mississippi

7/01/2022

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Medical cannabis is now legal in Mississippi as the state law takes effect on July 1, the Oxford Eagle reports. While the program is not yet operational, Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program Director Kris Jones told the Eagle that dispensaries and other facilities will open later this year. 

“We anticipate that it will probably be the end of the calendar year before there is a legal product that is available through the dispensaries and that is because businesses have to get established, they have to hire and they have to get crops in the ground.” — Jones to the Eagle 

The state’s medical cannabis law covers individuals with cancer, HIV/AIDS, sickle cell disease, terminal illness, and debilitating medical conditions that cause cachexia, chronic pain, seizures, severe or intractable nausea, or severe and persistent muscle spasms. 

The Mississippi Department of Health on June 1 began accepting operator applications and the agency will begin reviewing many of those applications next week. Those who wish to work in the industry must be 21 or older and complete a background check and fingerprinting to apply. 

Under the program, patients will be allowed to purchase up to 3.5 grams of cannabis per day, or about three ounces per month – limits struck between lawmakers and Republican Gov. Tate Reeves who had threatened to veto the bill with higher purchase limits. Cannabis products will be taxed at both production and sale, and all products must be grown indoors.

Mississippi voters passed a medical cannabis legalization initiative during the November 2020 elections but that initiative was invalidated by the state Supreme Court in May, which ruled that the effort had been assembled under an outdated signature-gathering process.

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Brittney Griner Stands Trial in Russian Court Today

7/01/2022

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The trial of Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) star Brittney Griner started today at a court near Moscow where she faces charges of drug smuggling, CNN reports. Griner, 31, a Phoenix Mercury player who plays in Russia in the WNBA offseason, is accused of smuggling cannabis vape cartridges into the country. 

Many consider Griner to be a political pawn by Russian officials amid the country’s invasion of Ukraine. She is considered “wrongfully detained” by U.S. officials and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Griner was detained in March and her detention has been extended three times since her arrest as she awaited trial. No verdict is expected during the first day of the trial which, according to some reports, could last as long as two weeks.

According to a Reuters report, acquittals are rare in Russia, with fewer than 1% of cases ending in a not guilty verdict. The Russian legal system gives state prosecutors wide discretionary powers and defense lawyers provided to defendants often fail to protect their interests.

Tom Firestone, a former resident legal adviser to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, and currently a partner at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, told ESPN that a Russian trial “is not a trial in the U.S. sense.” There are no opening statements or jury selection, and most of the trial is the judge reading the prosecutor’s case file into the record; the judge also often leads the questioning.

While Russian media will likely cover parts of the proceedings, western media will be barred from the courtroom.

In May, Russian agency TASS suggested that Russia may be willing to exchange Griner for Viktor Bout – a Russian who is being held in the U.S. following an arms dealing conviction. Bout, whose life was the basis for the 2005 film “Lord of War,” was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2010.

Last month, American teacher and former U.S. diplomat Marc Fogel was sentenced to 14 years in prison by a Russian court for “large-scale” cannabis smuggling. Fogel was arrested in August 2021 after customs officials found cannabis – believed to be about 17 grams – in his luggage.

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Music, Cannabis, Nature, and Art Behind the Redwood Curtain from July 15-17, 2022

6/30/2022

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Northern Nights Music Festival has announced full cannabis details and partners for their highly-anticipated return to California’s iconic Redwood Forest from July 15-17, 2022. Taking place at Cook’s Valley Campground in Piercy, CA on the Humboldt / Mendocino border, the beloved festival has built its name based on an eclectic mix of cutting-edge music, pristine natural landscapes and industry-leading cannabis programming.

Tickets for Northern Nights are available to purchase here

Set behind the Redwood Curtain in the fertile crescent of the Emerald Triangle, the festival offers a new-age portal to the Great American West. Established as one of North America’s most unique boutique festivals, Northern Nights gathers a dedicated community of musical fans, cannabis aficionados, and nature lovers to the picturesque shores of the Eel River.

Known as a pioneer within the music meets cannabis space, Northern Nights was the first music festival to have legal onsite cannabis sales and consumption in 2019 (before Grasslands at Outside Lands). As a result, the festival has become a hotbed for forward-thinking cannabis culture and policy, acting as a trend-setter for the live events industry and beyond.

Northern Nights has also announced that they will become the first music festival to have dispensaries located at stages and the first music festival to have multiple on-site dispensaries for their 2022 edition. This will include dispensaries at stages throughout the event featuring takeovers from top cannabis brands and allowing guests to easily purchase cannabis products while still enjoying the music they love.

NN22 will feature The Eel River Dab-Grab-N-Go, which adds a convenient elevation to the River Stage experience, providing a fun way to engage with some of the top awarded California cannabis brands. The space is full of Emerald Cup winners, featuring Mendocino Hashery CO’s top winning solventless hash, the winners of best in show Farmer and The Felon, top beverage Lagunitas HIFI Sessions, and top winning cartridge Jetty Extracts. This area will also feature Coastal Sun, who are known for their organic flowers & pre-rolls, along with AbsoluteXtracts (ABX), who create high-quality, full-spectrum cannabis concentrates. Grab a quick beverage, joint, or dab, and immerse yourself in the Eel River.

The Mendocino Tree Lounge & Hashery will feature an experiential lounge and hash bar where one can sip, puff, eat, and chill. Heritage Mendocino and Ispire will host terpene tastings at its Hash Bar with featured sponsors Select. Quench your thirst with Deep Desert’s Happy Mocktail and Slushie Hours, serving non-medicated non-alcoholic versions of their beverage (THC-containing versions available at the dispensary). Guests can also post up in the lounge with Mendo Premier, Blaze1, Madrone, Uncle Mac’s, BNVL Farm and One Log House.

In the Grove, guests will enjoy plant-inspired art, movement, and a grounding spiritual journey alongside Humboldt Seed Co and HumFarms, the forces behind 2019’s RECreation. Attendees can look forward to an expanded portfolio of wellness programming, including cannabis-themed activities.

The OG Humboldt Tree Lounge Farmer’s Market will make its return in support of the Emerald Triangle’s small farmer, sponsored by Boveda, the global leader in two way humidity control packs, and Mendocino Cannabis Alliance. The space will feature twenty-plus local award-winning cannabis farmers & brands including Redwood Roots, Huckleberry Hill Farms, Stickyfields, Rebel Grown, Moon Made Farms, Briceland Farms, Five Sisters Farm, Emerald Spirit Botanicals, Moon Gazer, Esensia, and many more. Direct-to-consumer pricing will be made possible by retail partner Sovereign.

In true Farmer’s Market style, expect to get fed well at the farm-fresh Happy Hours, dubbed Blaze and Graze. Hydrate at the tonic bar provided by top award-winning edible legacy brand Space Gem. The area will feature wellness, movement, and educational programming brought to you by Lucky Box, including surprise intimate performances by festival talent. Learn about regenerative growing, meet local ganja farmers, move your body, twerk under the trees, and pet some bunnies!

Northern Nights also invites attendees to Find Fun Things, Win a Prize!, an interactive scavenger hunt offering cannabis fun and games to play with friends over the weekend.

New this year, Northern Nights has also launched a VIP Retailer Buyers Program that extends invites to top retail buyers from all across California for a fun weekend with a complimentary networking opportunity at the festival. This will include the chance to enjoy curated Happy Hours with demonstrations, tastings, performances, and more while meeting new and familiar cannabis brands. If you’re interested, you can sign up here.

With their phase two music lineup, Northern Nights recently added even more incredible talent to the lineup which includes electrifying live act Two Feet, fast-rising Denver-based producer Of The Trees, empowering queer artist Wreckno who is becoming a fan-favorite on festival lineups, and Grammy-nominated artist ford. who blends indie and electronic sensibilities. Other new highlights include Balkan Bump, Smoakland, Modern Biology, Equanimous, Subsuelo, and more. Phase two also includes the addition of talented Featured Muralists that will be sharing their work at Northern Nights, which includes Blake Reagan, Dmise, Eon75, and more.

The previously announced phase one lineup from Northern Nights was led by Dirtybird founder Claude VonStroke, genre-blending South London producer TroyBoi, French live performance maestro CloZee, hitmaking UK phenom Elderbrook, and the illustrious Los Angeles house producer SNBRN. The multi-style billing of Northern Nights continues with bass music pioneer David Starfire, fellow Los Angeles house favorite J. Worra, English music producer Khushi, acclaimed Japanese-American upstart Qrion, global dance meets 808 bass music creator SOOHAN, tech-house’s rising star Westend, and much more.

To get to Northern Nights this year, the festival is partnering with AVELO, as the official festival airline partner. Bridging the Socal with NorCal, attendees can fly into Santa Rosa or Arcata directly with a special FLYNNMF offer code.

At Northern Nights, attendees may find themselves floating in the river and listening to their favorite artists at the River Stage while taking a twerking class by day, catching the future of live-electronic on the mainstage at sunset, or exploring art installations and dancing into the night at the Bunker Stage. It’s an experience personified by the wild independence of the West Coast, curated with global sensibilities in mind.

As those in the know will tell you, experiential wonder sits behind every corner at the festival. Wander the merchant row to discover Northern Nights’ curated art and fashion vendors, watch a multitude of live painters create throughout the weekend, grab a drink at a specialty bar, or simply kick back at your campground or Glamping site under the canopy of the Redwoods.

It’s a place crafted by nature waiting to be explored with best friends new and old. Chart your journey now to one of the most unique festival experiences of the year. Those interested in attending Northern Nights can purchase tickets here.

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House Committee Approves Language to Let Broadcasters Air Cannabis Ads in Legal States

6/30/2022

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The House Appropriations Committee last week approved the 2023 Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill that includes language prohibiting the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from taking administrative action against broadcasters that accept cannabis ads in states that have legalized cannabis, Media Post reports. Currently, local TV and radio stations cannot accept such ads, while cable, satellite, internet, print, billboard companies, and social media providers are allowed to run cannabis advertisements.   

Under the proposal, the agency would be barred from using funds appropriated for the fiscal year that starts October 1 to deny broadcasters a license renewal or station sale application, or require an early license renewal application to be filed, in reaction to a station’s accepting cannabis ads in jurisdictions where it has been legalized.

In a statement, Alex Siciliano, spokesman for the National Association of Broadcasters, said that while the organization welcomes the committee’s approval, “local broadcasters will continue to work with all policymakers towards a broader resolution of this competitive disparity and in support of our unique service to local communities.”

“We are pleased to see that this bipartisan language has advanced in the House today. As the vast majority of states have legalized cannabis in some form, today marks a long overdue step toward finally allowing broadcasters to receive equal treatment regarding cannabis advertising that other forms of media have had for years.” — Siciliano, in a statement, via Media Post 

The bill still needs to be passed by the full House and Senate and changes are often made to appropriations measures prior to their final passage. According to Media Post, cannabis advertising is projected to total $18.5 billion in the U.S. this year.  

State broadcast associations have formed the Safe Advertising Coalition to push for federal protection for broadcasters who air cannabis ads. 

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Washington State Group Ends Ballot Campaign to Decriminalize Drugs

6/30/2022

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Advocacy organization Commit to Change Washington announced it is withdrawing its bid to decriminalize drugs in Washington through a ballot measure this November, Marijuana Moment reports. The group said signature-gathering efforts for the initiative ultimately were too costly with estimates “on track to be almost double our initial budget allotment in a time period too short to gain that added financial support,” campaign representative Christian Bell told Marijuana Moment.

In an email sent to supporters, the group wrote, “We will not be moving forward to qualify Washington State Initiative Measure No. 1922 to the November 8 general election ballot.”

The ballot measure is the latest effort by the Americans for Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) sponsored by a group of individuals and organizations formerly known as Treatment First Washington to reform Washington’s drug laws to be more health-centered. It would have used cannabis tax dollars to fund an increase in drug treatment, recovery, and long-term services for those experiencing substance use disorders.

The measure would have barred law enforcement from arresting citizens for drug possession but could refer individuals to treatment. The measure would have also expunged criminal records related to drug possession and use.

The announcement comes on the heels of a poll conducted by Data for Progress that found 67% of voters would support the measure after reading the ballot language, the report says.

The proposal could be introduced as a bill next year in the legislature, which passed a bill during the 2021 session that reduced drug possession to a misdemeanor following the state Supreme Court throwing out Washington’s drug possession laws. However, that reprieve is set to sunset on July 1, 2023.

The campaign raised over $3 million this year for its efforts, spent around $2.7 million, and reported $670,000 in debt, according to state records.

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How to Optimize Your Cannabis Harvest for Automation & Mechanical Trimming

6/30/2022

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There are a number of powerful automation options available to cannabis growers that can assist in the harvesting process, especially for large-scale operations. This brief guide will help you determine whether automation in the harvesting process might benefit your cannabis operation and includes tips for maximizing the potential of such automation capabilities in your own grow facility.

Note that while mechanical trimmers and other harvesting tools might not be a fit for every operator — there is a certain draw to small-batch cannabis farmers offering hand-trimmed flower, after all — the benefits of automation are most appreciated when you are ready to scale your operation. And for the cannabis industry’s larger grow sites, the automation of certain labor-intensive steps is practically essential.

But first, let’s consider:

What are the main advantages of automation?

Automation helps cannabis operators save on time and labor.
Time is money: if you can reduce the time to harvest and produce shelf-ready cannabis flower, you are ultimately reducing the amount of cash that’s tied up in your production, which lets you put that cash toward other areas of the business. Additionally, this gives you the flexibility to offer your finished product at a lower price point, which in turn can increase your market share as a low-cost leader in the space, or simply increase profit margins to help fuel growth in other areas of the business.

Automation lends itself to regulatory compliance and product consistency.
Automating the cannabis harvesting process nets benefits both for the cultivators who must adhere to strict industry regulations and for consumers who expect a consistent and recognizable product. Manufacturing a consistent product that consumers can rely on each and every time they make their purchase is almost impossible to achieve without automating the process with the use of machines in the hands of trained professionals.

Automation helps to reduce the monotonous, post-harvest grind.
Automated trimming machines and the like can also benefit workers — ultimately, these tools can help you retain your workforce by removing busy work and repetition, which in turn can make employees feel even more satisfied with their work.

Logistics — trimming, bucking, milling, and more

The most commonly automated step in the harvesting process is the trimming of cannabis flower. Trimming is one of the key steps in creating shelf-ready flower; however, finding and retaining enough staff to tackle this monotonous and time-consuming process can be a major challenge. For this reason alone, trimming machines are becoming increasingly popular in the cannabis space.

Other steps in the cannabis harvesting process have also been automated. Buckers and shredders are used to strip and break down cannabis/hemp plants ahead of the trimming process and sorters are used to batch trimmed flower by size. From there, the trimmed and sorted flowers can be packaged for sale or move on for further processing. In this case, a cannabis milling machine is used to grind the dried flowers or trimmed leaves in preparation for extraction or in the manufacture of pre-rolls.

Designing the facility

One big benefit of implementing automated harvesting processes is that these devices can generally be retrofitted into any existing cultivation site, so long as the operators are willing to adapt their own processes. That said, if you are building a cultivation site with the full intention of using automated trimmers or even full plant-bucking devices, it helps to pre-determine the types and sizes of these machines and allocate appropriate space in your warehouse, greenhouse, or other processing locations.

Whether your facility is a new build, a retrofit, or an existing cannabis processing operation, don’t underestimate the need to have a well-equipped and adequately-sized maintenance and wash bay. The number one preventative maintenance activity you can perform on any cannabis processing equipment is regular cleaning. Implementing regular and effective cleaning SOPs and following a manufacturer-recommended preventative maintenance program will keep your processing equipment in tip-top shape and help you avoid unnecessary downtime.

Optimize for processability

Every year introduces new strain options for cannabis growers and consumers. When making the choice of which strains to run with for the season, growers consider a number of different factors, including marketability. While marketability is certainly important for driving sales of your products, processability is just as important. Whether you are running an indoor, outdoor, or greenhouse operation, growing strains that are easy and efficient to process will allow you to minimize manufacturing costs and maximize margins. To the degree possible, cultivate strains that produce dense, regularly-shaped flowers and tick the box of being fan favorites and you’ve created a win-win situation!

Conclusion

Ultimately, automation unlocks levels of efficiency that cannot be realized with a manual workforce alone. Whether it’s bringing automation to just one step of your manufacturing process or moving towards full automation, cannabis growers and processors who are willing and able to embrace the industry’s leading automation solutions are positioning themselves to not only survive but to thrive in today’s competitive commercial cannabis market.

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North Carolina Lawmakers Approve Measure to Make Hemp Program Permanent

6/30/2022

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The North Carolina General Assembly on Wednesday approved a measure to permanently exempt hemp from the state’s controlled substances law, the Associated Press reports. The program was first approved as a pilot program in 2015 and was set to expire today. 

In a statement, state Sen. Brent Jackson (R) applauded the bill’s passage, noting that hemp industry operators had “been left in the lurch” for more than a month after the House removed hemp protection language from a previous version of the bill passed by the Senate. Jackson spearheaded the effort to keep the hemp language in the Farm Act. There are more than 1,500 hemp farmers in North Carolina.

“It doesn’t matter the size of the farm or the crops that are grown, I will support farmers and work to ensure they can thrive. I’m thankful that my Senate colleagues stand with farmers, and I urge Gov. [Roy] Cooper to sign this legislation immediately.” — Jackson in a statement   

Were the language not included in the Farm Act, hemp farming in the state would have been effectively outlawed along with the sale of any hemp products. The state’s hemp program is currently operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The 2018 federal Farm Bill legalized hemp nationally but left it up to the states to develop their program rules and regulations within the confines of the federal statute. Some states operate their own programs, while others are overseen by the USDA.

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Israel’s Green Leaf Party Planning to Run Candidates During Election for the First Time Since 2015

6/30/2022

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Israel’s pro-cannabis Green Leaf Party is planning to run in the country’s upcoming elections, the first time they will be backing candidates since 2015, the Times of Israel reports. The party was founded in 1999 and has run in several elections but has never sent a representative to the Knesset, the report says.  

Boaz Wachtel, acting chair of the Green Leaf Party, indicated that there are disagreements within the party over its leadership but that it would still send candidates. The announcement comes a week after lawmakers failed to pass a bill to regulate medical cannabis by broadening the issuance of growers’ licenses, creating quality oversight, and facilitating the import and export of cannabis.

In addition to cannabis law reforms, the Green Leaf Party backs the legalization of prostitution and gambling, according to the Israel Democracy Institute. The party has never garnered more than 1.3% of the vote in elections it has sent candidates, the minimum threshold to send a member to the Knesset is 3.25%. 

In 2019, party officials said they declined to run candidates because they believed that it would force other candidates to champion cannabis law reforms to appeal to its 50,000 supporters. 

“When we don’t run, 50,000 supporters that are the minimum support base of the party will go out to the ‘political voting market,’” officials said in a 2019 statement to the Times, “and the rest of the parties will need to compete for their votes and support promoting the issue [of legalization], making it easier for us to influence other parties.” 

In 2015, members of the Israel Defense Forces, along with diplomatic personnel overseas, patients in hospitals, and prisoners, gave the party enough votes – 3.64% – to send a member to the Knesset, according to the Times, nearly three times more than the final total seen during that year’s general election.   

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