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Brittney Griner Stands Trial in Russian Court Today

7/01/2022

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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MLB to Allow Sponsorships by CBD Brands

6/29/2022

Professional baseball teams can begin selling sponsorships to CBD brands following a Major League Baseball (MLB) announcement last week; the organization is joining the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and NASCAR in allowing CBD ads, the Sports Business Journal reports. All products considered for ad spots must first pass a THC threshold analysis by the National Sports Federation (NSF), confirming they do not have active levels of THC. Additionally, each deal must get final approval from the MLB commissioner, the report says.

“We’ve been watching this category for a while and waiting for it to mature to the point where we can get comfortable with it,” MLB Chief Revenue Officer Noah Garden said. “Our fans are very much the kind of customers they are looking for, and we like being first. It’s a good opportunity for us and the clubs.”

Garden indicated the league is open to patch deals, but the company “has to have a brand that represents sports.” CBD vendors granted deals will be able to post ads during MLB telecasts, similar to sports betting ads, the Journal says.

Although CBD is federally legal and several athletes including golfer Bubba Watson, former National Football League tight end Rob Gronkowski, U.S. Women’s National Team star Megan Rapinoe, and the Richard Childress NASCAR team currently carry CBD sponsorships, sports, in general, have been slow to jump into the business of selling CBD ads.

Experts believe the MLB’s move into the space will spur other leagues like the National Basketball Association (NBA) to begin offering players and teams the opportunity to sell CBD spots, the report says.

Garden says the NSF certification gives the league “a comfort level to be able to move forward.”

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House Appropriations Committee Approves Protections for State-Approved Cannabis Programs

6/29/2022

The House Committee on Appropriations on Tuesday voted to approve an amendment to prevent the Justice Department (DOJ) from interfering with state-approved adult-use cannabis programs as part of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies appropriations bill for the Fiscal Year 2023, according to a report from NORML. The amendment had been approved by the full House as part of the annual spending omnibus bill for the last two years but was not included in the final versions.

Since 2014, Congress has included similar protections for medical cannabis programs in annual spending bills and has included the protections in the base appropriations bill since 2018. The amendment effectively prohibits the DOJ from using its resources to interfere with states, territories, tribal governments, or Washington, D.C. to implement laws and regulations governing the production, sale, and use of cannabis by adults or to target individuals acting in compliance with those laws.

In a statement, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) said he “spearheaded the work to develop this language, which protects the state and tribal-legal programs that have been enacted laws to end prohibitionary policies and allow the development of both adult-use and medical marijuana programs.”

“Congress must honor the will of the voters and prevent wasteful Department of Justice prosecution of those complying with their respective state’s or tribe’s cannabis regulations.” — Blumenauer via NORML

In April, Attorney General Merrick Garland said that enforcing federal cannabis possession laws “is not an efficient use” of federal government resources. During his confirmation hearing, Garland said that prosecuting state-approved cannabis operators under federal statutes “does not seem a …useful use of limited resources.”

The amendment still needs to be approved by the full House and Senate to be included in the omnibus measure.

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Mattie Mead: Sustainable Construction with Hemp-Based Building Materials

6/29/2022

From hempcrete to hemp wool and even hemp-based fiberglass, it has been demonstrated time and again that hemp-based building materials are a sustainable alternative to more commonly used building supplies.

In this Q&A, we ask Hempitecture CEO Mattie Mead about the burgeoning hemp industry and what it could mean for the future of construction and, ultimately, the health of our planet. This interview covers the founding of Hempitecture, the company’s status as a Public Benefit Corporation, the differences between hemp-based building materials and more traditional products, efforts to train contractors in the use of hempcrete, and more!

Find the full interview below:

Ganjapreneur: How did you meet co-founder Tommy Gibbons and what was the initial spark that led to the idea for Hempitecture?

Mattie Mead: Tommy Gibbons and I went to high school together, over 15 years ago. We shared some overlap in school: classes together, sports teams, and even the student council. After high school, we took very different paths. Tommy went to Princeton University and I went to Hobart College, a small liberal arts college in Geneva, NY. While he was studying public policy, I was studying architecture and environmental sciences.

After we graduated college, Tommy went on to the institutional finance world, working at companies like Goldman Sachs. After finding that work less than fulfilling, he gravitated towards the San Francisco startup scene. He last worked for an educational technology startup before joining Hempitecture.

I launched Hempitecture, or at least the Hempitecture concept, as a student. It was part of my thesis study on sustainable building methods. In 2012, I gave my first pitch to a crowded room of 250 people. I didn’t know where these pitch contests would take me, but it turned out that putting myself out there and bringing the Hempitecture concept to the stage brought some modest press, some articles were written and shared.

One article traveled far and wide on social media, about a college student pitching homes of hemp.

This article reached a nonprofit organization in Idaho who contacted me directly not long after I graduated. They asked if I would build a hempcrete building in Idaho. This project brought me to ID for my first time, and Idaho is now my home. This project turned into other projects.

As the Hempitecture concept began to grow, I knew I needed other people with different skill sets than I had to help Hempitecture grow. Tommy and I reconnected in 2017 when he was working in SF. Tommy became interested in what Hempitecture was presenting, and as we began to talk more about it, it seemed more and more that Tommy would bring these essential skillsets to the business. In 2018, we became business partners and re-incorporated hempitecture as a public benefit corporation.

Was the company always a Public Benefit Corporation? Has this classification impacted any aspects of the business?

It wasn’t until Tommy and I came together as business partners that we decided to bring Hempitecture from an LLC to a PBC, or a Public Benefit Corporation.

This was a huge moment for the business and our future trajectory.

This decision was made because we wanted to embody the mission of Hempitecture at the heart of everything we did and do. That’s the great thing about a PBC, it means you lead with a mission and state your benefit to the public.

For Hempitecture, that means that we benefit both people and planet through the creation of more sustainable building materials. Our materials benefit both people and planet through capturing CO2, displacing unhealthy mainstream materials, and contributing to healthier, higher-performing homes and habitats.

How long did you research and develop the products before bringing them to market?

Hempitecture has been a consistent evolution. The concept that was once presented on stage as an undergraduate student is very different from where we are today.

Building a business is an iterative process. It’s not always “here’s the concept, this is the business.”

In our case, it started with a concept: building materials derived from sustainable, carbon-capturing feedstocks.

The form that the business, as well as our products have taken, have transformed dramatically over the years. We started with a focus on Hempcrete. We have built over a dozen hempcrete homes, while advising, consulting, and supplying over a dozen more. Today, hempcrete makes up 20% of our business, we’re now focused on sustainable nonwovens, such as HempWool insulation. We’re currently building a nonwoven manufacturing facility to produce this insulation on a large scale for the first time in the US.

What technology do you use to create these products, and what are the benefits of installing Hempcrete and/or Hempwool?

For hempcrete, we have worked with Limestrong to formulate a specific lime binder that works to bind decorticated hemp hurd.

For HempWool, we have acquired novel European technology to produce hemp-based nonwoven insulation. Our nonwoven facility in located in Twin Falls, ID.

Our materials are healthy, non toxic, and lend to better-built environments.

Where does Hempitecture source plant material?

We have a number of partners. One of our primary partners is IND Hemp, who we have a supply chain partnership with.

What are the biggest challenges working with hemp-based building materials?

Hemp-based materials present a few challenges compared to conventional materials. Conventional materials are commonly accepted by building codes and officials. Our materials are newer to the market, and therefore have a more difficult time being adopted. We are currently working on a number of codes and criteria for acceptance of HempWool into commercial and residential building projects in North America.

Organizations like the USHBA are doing a great job at bringing hempcrete up to code standards, through groups like the International Code Council. Hempitecture in 2019 was the first company to conduct an ASTM e84 test on hempcrete, conclusively proving it is a 100% fireproof material

How do hemp building materials compare to traditional building materials in terms of structural integrity and longevity?

They are comparable or superior.

Do contractors need to learn new skills to begin working with these products?

Contractor skills are the #1 thing holding back hempcrete adoption in the US. Hempcrete involves carpentry skills, masonry skills, and knowledge of how the material integrates with, interacts with, and impacts the structural elements of the build. For this reason, cast in place hempcrete is niche. Hempitecture has trained over 100 builders to learn hempcrete, in an effort to reduce this bottleneck.

HempWool on the other hand, is simple to install. It’s a natural fiber batt, similar to fiberglass, but without the itch or abrasiveness. It can be adopted by any contractor or insulation contractor.

Does Hempitecture provide customer support with building projects and the application of hemp building materials?

We offer consulting services to help clients with their installations of both HempWool and Hempcrete

How is changing from commonly used building materials to Hempwool and Hempcrete the more sustainable option for the planet at large?

Using plant-based resources in lieu of carbon-intensive resources such as plastics, earth minerals, or synthetics, mean that materials can have a lower carbon footprint. We must reconcile embodied carbon with operational carbon. What that means is we have to begin priortitizing materials that have low embodied carbon, that help our buildings save energy.

Have you worked with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) or any other building code or public agency to reach more people who can use these products?

Our HempWool product is the only USDA biobased insulation product in North America. This qualifies it for LEED points.

What kind of reception do you get from construction, architecture, and other applicable firms when introduced to hemp building options?

Overall, the reaction is positive, but there are always detractors.

I think the architecture community is more inclined towards sustainable alternatives, whereas the construction communities are slightly more resistant, as it means less predictable costs, uncertain labor costs, etc.

The future for natural materials, however, is bright. We only have one direction we can go, and it’s towards sustainability, not away from it.

Thank you, Mattie, for answering these questions and sharing your expertise! Visit Hempitecture.com to learn more.

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Pennsylvania Committee Moves to Protect Medical Cannabis Patients from Wrongful DUI Charges

6/29/2022

The Pennsylvania Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday unanimously approved a measure to protect the state’s medical cannabis patients from wrongful driving under the influence convictions, PennLive reports. The bill would treat medical cannabis like any other prescription narcotic, requiring proof of impairment that interferes with an individual’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle for them to be charged with a DUI.

State Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R) said during the hearing that the state’s current zero-tolerance law for DUI allows medical cannabis patients to be arrested, charged, and convicted for using medical cannabis prior to driving, even if they show no signs of impairment. She added that the proposal doesn’t “give patients a free pass to drive while impaired by medical cannabis” and that, if convicted, the driver will “suffer the most serious consequences” of the state’s DUI laws.

“Senate Bill 167 is critically needed to protect the medical cannabis community as the penalties for a controlled substance significantly escalate.” — Bartolotta, during the committee meeting, via PennLive

The measure will apply retroactively to medical cannabis patients who have received a DUI despite not being impaired, the report says.

At a September hearing on the issue, Pennsylvania State Police representatives indicated they didn’t see the proposal as having a negative impact on road safety, since the legislation doesn’t allow for medical cannabis patients to use their status as legal cannabis consumers as an excuse for driving impaired in a DUI case.

The bill moves next to the full Senate for consideration.

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Texas Supreme Court Upholds State Ban on Smokable Hemp Products

6/28/2022

The Texas Supreme Court on Friday ruled to uphold a state ban on smokable hemp products, according to a Jurist report. The court rejected an argument by hemp companies that the ban violated article 1, section 19 of the state constitution which states: “[n]o citizen of this State shall be deprived of life, liberty, property, privileges or immunities, or in any manner disfranchised, except by the due course of the law of the land.”

The court ruled that “the due-course clause does not protect the interest the plaintiffs assert,” concluding that, since Texas has a “long history” of prohibiting and regulating the plant, “the manufacture and processing of smokable hemp products is neither a liberty interest nor a vested property interest the due-course clause protects.” Smokable hemp product manufacturing and processing, the court said, is “‘purely a personal privilege’” which the legislature may “grant or withdraw as they see fit.”

“Even if there had been a few months during which the manufacture of smokable hemp was lawful, this brief window would have existed only by a temporary administrative quirk in the process of the substance’s partial ‘decriminalization,’” the ruling states. “Such a fleeting ‘right’ was in no sense ‘vested’ in the Companies, which had, at most, mere anticipation that the government would allow a right it created to continue in existence. Nor would the uncertain state of the law for a few months transform the long-prohibited manufacture of smokable cannabis flower into the kind of ‘lawful calling’ to which courts have afforded constitutional protection.”

The decision permits a previous trial court decision to stand, allowing the state to continue enforcing its ban.

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UN: Cannabis Consumption Rising Due to Legalization, COVID

6/28/2022

A new UN report found a rise in cannabis consumption in places that have approved legalization reforms and a similar uptick related to the COVID 19 crisis, Reuters reports. Written by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the study focused on the U.S., Uruguay, and Canada.

“Cannabis legalization appears to have accelerated the upwards trends in reported daily use of the drug,” the Vienna-based UN office wrote.

The report suggests that the pandemic heightened the risk of depression and suicide and warns that alongside cannabis use rates, THC concentrations in cannabis products are also on the rise.

“The proportion of people with psychiatric disorders and suicides associated with regular cannabis use has increased.” — UNODC via Reuters

The report found teenage cannabis use “has not changed much” but there was “a pronounced increase in the reported frequent use of high-potency products among young adults.” Around 284 million people in the report said they used drugs like heroin, cocaine, amphetamines, or MDMA, representing about 5.4% of the world’s population, during 2020; 209 million of those consumed cannabis as well, the study says.

“Periods of lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic drove increases in the use of cannabis … in 2020,” the UN report says.

The data also reports that cocaine production is up. Seizure data suggests cocaine use in Africa and Asia is on the rise. The report says opiates remain the world’s deadliest drug with fentanyl driving a U.S. overdose epidemic. In 2020, 107,622 individuals lost their lives to opiates worldwide, the report says.

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The Next Generation Enters The Fight For Decriminalization: Introducing The TOQi Fellows for Cannabis Amnesty

6/28/2022

Why Cannabis Amnesty Matters

Cannabis legislation is like concrete, slowly being poured and malleable until a certain point. As tempting as it may be to press your hands into your mark, the permanence causes hesitancy. As the cement settles, modifications become obsolete – there’s no opportunity for true change without restarting the process. You hope it is stable enough to hold its own with the foundation laid. But will the area where concrete was laid ever be the same? Will the traces of its predecessor remain, hidden out of sight? Timing is everything when building a proper foundation – you have to lay solid ground before walking on it. This analogy was introduced to the TOQi Fellows on their first day on the job by Sameena Ibrahim, Cannabis Amnesty’s Director of Marketing and Communications. She expressed the long-lasting effect and permanency of cannabis charges Canadian residents have faced since legalization.

The TOQi Fellowship for Cannabis Amnesty is the result of the non-profit Cannabis Amnesty working alongside Aurora Cannabis and TOQi Technologies to systematically right the wrongs of prohibition laws. Sameena, Annamaria Enenajor, Stephanie DiGiuseppe, TOQi CEO/Founder Drew Henson, and Aurora teamed up to mentor two hand-selected candidates in a Fellowship Program co-sponsored by TOQi & Aurora. The Cannabis Amnesty Board Members and Drew will work closely with the Fellows Aisha and Sofia over the next 12 weeks in the not-for-profit sector of the cannabis industry. Aisha and Sofia will have opportunities to build skills in various areas including but not limited to: government operations, marketing asset creation, and communication strategies. The Fellowship is an opportunity for the corporate side of the cannabis industry to give back to the foundations it was built on: community.

The Fellowship

The TOQi Fellowship for Cannabis Amnesty consists of a 12-week program to educate and evolve the interns chosen to be mentored by pioneers in the decriminalization sector. The Fellowship offers interns a generous compensation package (above living wages in Toronto) designed to challenge the market’s chronic under-valuation of the work of people who come from marginalized groups. Interns will also receive a $500 scholarship toward an educational program. The TOQi Fellowship provides access to Cannabis Amnesty’s broad network of cannabis entrepreneurs and industry partners. In addition, the Fellows will assist the leadership team with creating content for the Cannabis Amnesty website and drafting marketing communications.

From right to left: Drew Henson, CEO/Founder – TOQi Technologies Ltd, Annamaria Enenajor, Founder/Executive Director – Cannabis Amnesty, Sofia Rodriguez Garzon – TOQi Fellow for Cannabis Amnesty, Aisha Abawajy – TOQi Fellow for Cannabis Amnesty, Stephanie DiGiuseppe, Director/Founding Member – Cannabis Amnesty, Kate Hillyar, Senior Manager Corporate Communications, Aurora Cannabis

The Fellows

She/Her Aisha, 2nd year Law Student & TOQi Fellow

Aisha from Halifax, Nova Scotia, recently relocated to Toronto during the COVID pandemic for law school. One year into her degree at the Lincoln Alexander’s Law School at Toronto University, she stumbled upon the TOQi Cannabis Amnesty Internship submission page on her school’s website. She described her initial interest in applying as found within the first paragraph of the information page, stating, “it checked all the boxes.” Aisha recalled her ties to political and social activism and eventually dedicated her career and life to establishing change as early as age 10.

“It came down to the work they do. It’s essential – supporting people who have had past convictions or have been charged with cannabis crimes. It really shouldn’t be an issue today. The fact these organizations are coming together to focus on systemic injustices and trying to create and build an approach to recognize marginalized communities having or that have had higher cannabis-related convictions was something I gravitated towards. The position also pays a living wage, and no one does that… The opportunities for mentorship that were discussed to build on skills are huge… The reason why I came into law is to give opportunities, support, and resources to marginalized communities like my own. But, unfortunately, many people don’t have access to these spaces, resources, finances, and opportunities, or even just access to even understanding how to navigate the legal system to benefit and enrich their lives.”

They/Them Sofia, Communications BA Graduate & TOQi Fellow

A week after turning 18, Sofia immigrated from Colombia to Canada on a journey to explore the community niches they were so driven to find. After relocating to the Greater Toronto Area, Sofia found the larger sense of community they were searching for within the 2slgbtqqia+ community; eventually leading Sofia to apply to the program.

Sofia continued stating, “…As an openly queer and trans person, I know what it’s like to rely on the community. So the fact that there are so many people rallying around with palpable support is encouraging. I think it is an important cause and initiative because I have ties to people and their families who have been affected by cannabis possession convictions.”

For individuals interested in the cannabis industry, but unsure about where to begin, opportunities such as the TOQi Cannabis Amnesty Fellowship open the door of possibilities to the new generation of cannabis workers. When being interviewed, Sofia shared their thoughts on the program stating “possession charges are only the tip of the iceberg… There’s an underlying racial bias that has been applied throughout, and in charging decisions and it’s so important to address the wrongs that have been committed in the past… If people knew more about not just production, sales, or consumption, but also the legal aspects behind cannabis, people would probably care a lot more.”

Looking to the Future

62% of Canadians “support or somewhat support pardons for people with criminal records for marijuana possession,” yet only 500 C-93 pardons have been granted out of 10,000 eligible cases. The TOQi Fellowship aims to guide the next generation of cannabis workers to continue increasing tangible support to people who have been impacted by decades of cannabis prohibition and its prejudices.

When discussing the future possibilities that may result from this experience, Sofia expressed the intrigue of community-based entrepreneurship and Aisha hopes in 10 years, she will represent diversity on the bench in Canada.

As for what the future holds for the TOQi Fellowship, Drew spoke to the team’s encouragement for other cannabis companies to join next year’s program to keep the Fellowship torch lit and burning brightly and build a better future for all.

End

D.C. Council To Vote On ‘Self-Certification’ For Medical Cannabis Patients

6/28/2022

This article was written by Gaspard Le Dem (@GLD_Live on Twitter) and originally published by Outlaw Report.

The Washington D.C. Council is slated to vote on an emergency bill this Tuesday that would allow adults to register for the District’s medical cannabis program simply by “self-certifying” they use cannabis for medical purposes.

The measure, introduced by Councilmembers Mary Cheh (Ward 3) and Kenyan McDuffie (Ward 5), would eliminate the need for a doctor’s note to become a medical cannabis patient. If passed, adults 21 and older could theoretically walk into any of D.C.’s seven licensed dispensaries, sign a piece of paper, and purchase cannabis on the same day.

In April, the council narrowly turned down a similar proposal by Chairman Phil Mendelson because it contained provisions to crack down on cannabis “gifting” businesses –– storefronts and delivery services that use a loophole in local law to sell cannabis without a license.

Since last fall, local cannabis advocates and industry groups have fought back several attempts by Mendelson to pass legislation that would ramp up enforcement against unlicensed cannabis businesses. Groups like the I-71 Committee and Generational Equity Movement have rallied around the message that a crackdown on the gray market – whether through civil fines or criminal penalties – would take a disproportionate toll on the many Black D.C. residents who own and work at “gifting” shops.

Now, it appears their efforts have paid off: The council’s latest cannabis bill does away with the unpopular enforcement provisions, preserving only the self-certification part of the bill.

“Unlike the prior legislation, this bill does not include any enforcement provisions, and therefore will not have a direct effect on the gray market businesses or their employees beyond perhaps increasing competition for services,” says a June 23 letter from Cheh and McDuffie requesting a vote on the bill.

At a press briefing on Monday morning, Mendelson said he expects the bill to pass, describing it as “another effort at trying to help the medical cannabis industry.”

Though the bill drops any enforcement provisions, Mendelson reiterated his desire to rein in unlicensed cannabis businesses. “If we don’t get a handle on these pop-ups, what we’re going to see is the medical side […] will continue to see a loss of its customers,” he said.

The chairman, who recently won his re-election bid, has recently been on a mission to shore up D.C.’s medical cannabis industry, which he claims is struggling due to unfair competition from unlicensed cannabis shops that face fewer regulations and don’t pay special sales taxes on cannabis sales. Mendelson has already gotten several bills passed that aimed to give medical cannabis operators a boost, including one that lifted restrictions on dispensaries and cultivators and another that created a 4/20 tax holiday for the industry.

But the “self-certification” bill now before the council would likely have a much greater impact on licensed cannabis businesses by removing the burdensome and expensive requirement of obtaining a doctor’s recommendation for patients. That could convince cannabis users who favor the gray market to switch over to licensed dispensaries, though the cheaper prices of unregulated products would remain a deterrent.

Cheh and McDuffie’s letter says the bill would put medical dispensaries “on more even footing” with gray-market businesses when it comes to patient access.

“Permitting patients to self-certify now will provide a critical stopgap measure to help legal marijuana dispensaries retain and even win back patients,” the letter says.

It also says diverting customers away from gifting shops will lead to “better health outcomes” for patients because gray market products provide “no assurance that the marijuana has been tested or adequately labeled.” But as The Outlaw Report often notes, the District’s medical cannabis program still doesn’t have an official testing lab, and some patients have been harmed by products purchased at licensed dispensaries.

In essence, allowing patients to self-certify would transform D.C.’s medical cannabis program into a de facto recreational one, and could set off a showdown with Congress, which has for years blocked District officials from launching a regulated market for adult-use cannabis. However, as an emergency measure, it would expire 90 days after going into effect.

The council is also considering a more permanent medical cannabis bill by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser that includes a provision to authorize patient self-certification. That measure, which has yet to receive a vote, would require direct ratification from Congress.

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Connecticut Overdose Linked to Fentanyl-laced Cannabis Due to Cross Contamination by Dealer

6/28/2022

Last fall, the Connecticut Department of Public Health issued a warning that 39 opioid overdoses in the state had been linked to fentanyl-laced cannabis, which prompted the captain of the Plymouth Police Department to call for the legalization of adult-use cannabis; however, an investigation by the federal High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program has determined that just one cannabis sample was linked to an opioid overdose, NBC Connecticut reports.

The investigators said the cannabis sample found at the site of an overdose in Plymouth was not intentionally laced with fentanyl, rather it was cross-contaminated due to poor quality control by the dealer. HIDTA determined that 30 of the 39 overdoses involved people with a history of opioid use.

Robert Lawlor Jr., a drug intelligence officer for HIDTA’s New England district, told NBC Connecticut that “It was kind of hard to pinpoint whether or not these people actually overdosed from just smoking marijuana.”

“They’re using the same equipment to bag up their marijuana as they are their fentanyl, which can cause cross contamination.” — Lawlor to NBC Connecticut

The Department of Public Health agreed with the HIDTA report, telling Hearst Connecticut Media that the dealer “…failed to clean their instruments before processing the marijuana and cross-contaminated it with fentanyl.”

HIDTA did warn, though, that while the incident “may be isolated,” it “could very easily happen again.”

In 2019, 2020, and 2021, more than 80% of overdose deaths in Connecticut involved fentanyl, according to state Department of Public Health statistics.

End

Maryland Court: Cannabis Odor Can Be Basis for Traffic Stop Despite Decriminalization

6/28/2022

The Maryland Court of Appeals ruled last week that the odor of cannabis is enough to prompt a brief “investigatory” stop despite the decriminalization of the possession of up to 10 grams, The Daily Record reports. In the 4-3 decision, the court ruled that cannabis odor gives police a “reasonable suspicion” that the person may be carrying more than the legal limit.

The court ruling does require the stop to end if officers do not find evidence the individual is in possession of more than 10 grams.

In 2020, the court ruled unanimously that the U.S. Constitution’s Fourth Amendment bars police from searching or arresting individuals based on cannabis odor, finding that the smell alone does not constitute probable cause if cannabis is decriminalized or legalized.

In the majority opinion, Judge Jonathan Biran agreed that cannabis odor still should not constitute an arrest but “the odor of marijuana by itself justifies a brief investigatory detention.”

“Given the important governmental interest in detecting, preventing, and prosecuting crime, the Fourth Amendment allows a brief seizure, based on reasonable suspicion, to attempt to determine if criminal activity is afoot. An officer who lacks probable cause to arrest is not required ‘to simply shrug his shoulders and allow a crime to occur or a criminal to escape.’” — Biran in the opinion

In the dissent, Judge Michele D. Hotten said cannabis odor alone “makes it impossible for law enforcement to determine whether the person has engaged in a wholly innocent activity, a civil offense, or a crime.”

“While reasonable suspicion is a relatively low barrier,” Hotten wrote, “law enforcement may not rely on a hunch that a person may possess 10 grams of (marijuana) odor in a non-medicinal capacity to form a basis of reasonable suspicion.”

Also writing in the dissent, Judge Irma S. Raker, a retired jurist sitting by special assignment, said allowing cannabis odor to be the basis for a stop “could potentially result in unnecessary and unwarranted police activity that may have a disparate effect in the community.”

Under state law, possession of fewer than 10 grams is a civil offense, punishable by a $100 fine unless the offender is in possession of legally obtained medical cannabis. Marylanders are set to vote on a constitutional amendment to legalize cannabis for adult use this November.

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Humboldt County Cannabis Growers Fined $209k for Sediment Discharge Into Mad River

6/27/2022

Three Humboldt County, California cannabis cultivators are facing $209,687 in fines by the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board in connection with sediment discharged into tributaries of the Mad River that posed a risk to aquatic life and water quality. The fines against Szagora LLC, Toshko Toshkoff, and Rudy Chacon were announced last week.

The agency accuses the cultivators of failing to obtain a permit to legally cultivate cannabis and says they did not respond to an enforcement order requiring them to maintain an access road on their property consistent with industry standards designed to protect water quality and beneficial uses, the agency said in a press release.

Claudia E. Villacorta, assistant executive officer for the board, said all three “put a waterway at risk” due to their actions. The complaint covers the period from July 1 2021 to May 9, 2022.

“By failing to obtain a required permit, follow industry standards and adequately respond to an enforcement order, the unlicensed cultivators gained an unfair advantage over legal cultivators.” — Villacorta in a statement

Sediment delivery to waterways negatively impacts the migration, spawning, reproduction, and early development of cold-water fish, the agency said adding that excess sediment delivery to streams can smother aquatic animals and habitats, alter or obstruct water flows resulting in flooding, and reduce water clarity, which makes it difficult for organisms to breathe, find food and refuge, and reproduce.

“The discharge of sediment in the Mad River watershed is especially problematic because it is listed as an impaired water body under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act due to elevated sedimentation/siltation and turbidity,” the board said.

A public hearing to consider the complaint and vote on whether to approve the fine is set for August 4 and 5.

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Connecticut Receives More Than 37k Cannabis Industry Applications for 56 Licenses

6/27/2022

Connecticut has received more than 37,000 applications for 56 cannabis industry licenses with the deadline for applications passing last week, the Hartford Courant reports. Most of the applications are for licenses in underrepresented communities.

The Department of Consumer Protection received 13,806 applications for the general lottery and 23,487 applications for the social equity licenses. In all, 15,606 applications across both license types were for retail businesses. The 56 licenses will be split evenly between general and social-equity businesses. Regulators will approve 12 retail licenses, four each for micro-cultivators and co-located adult-use and medical use retailers; 10 each for delivery and food and beverage businesses; six each for packaging and manufacturers; and four for transporters.

Michelle Bodian, a lawyer at the cannabis law firm Vicente Sederberg, told the Courant that the state made nearly $1 million in application fees in the first lottery round. Fees in the state range from $128 to $750, the report says.

The state’s social equity council is set to meet on July 12 and will select applications that meet the state’s social equity criteria; those not selected will be moved to the general lottery.

Connecticut legalized cannabis for adult use last year and has since banned retail gifting as the state moves forward with the application process. Future lottery rounds are expected later in the summer or early fall.

End

North Carolina House Republicans Kill Medical Cannabis Bill During Closed-Door Meeting

6/27/2022

North Carolina House Republicans last week all but sealed the fate of the state’s medical cannabis bill, deciding not to advance the legislation during a closed-door meeting, Axios reports. The measure was passed by the Senate earlier this month but House Speaker Tim Moore (R) had already indicated the chamber would not take up the legislation.

The N.C. Compassionate Care Act is sponsored by top Senate Republican and powerful Rules Committee chair Sen. Bill Rabon and would allow medical cannabis access for patients diagnosed with cancer, epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder, HIV, AIDS, and Crohn’s disease. Chronic pain and anxiety are not included in the bill, which would be one of the strictest in the nation.

State Rep. Pricey Harrison has previously indicated that “most if not all Democrats” in the state legislature support the reforms.

A poll released in April conducted by SurveyUSA and commissioned by WRAL News found that 57% of North Carolinians support medical cannabis legalization, including 75% of Democrats and 64% of Republicans.

A poll released earlier this month from the Carolina Partnership for Reform, a conservative group, found that 82% of respondents supported the reforms. The group said it was “surprised” by the support which included 75% of Republicans, 87% of unaffiliated voters, 86% of Democrats, and at least 78% of men and women, white and Black North Carolinians, liberals, moderates, and conservatives. The poll found that 77% of evangelical voters also supported the reforms.

“In fact,” the group said in a post outlining the survey results, “it would be hard for us to point to an issue that we’ve surveyed in the last decade that unified our polarized electorate like legalizing medical marijuana does.”

The measure has a slim chance of being reconsidered as the state session is ongoing and budget negotiations between North Carolina’s Republican-controlled House and Senate chambers, which could revive the bill, are still taking place.

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Buddies Brand, Inc. Announces Strategic Alliance With West Coast Music and Television Personality, Xzibit

6/24/2022

LOS ANGELES, June 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Buddies Brand, Inc. (“Buddies”), a leading cannabis brand with products available on more than 1000 retail menus, today announced a strategic alliance with West Coast rap artist and television personality, Alvin ‘Xzibit‘ Joiner, and his cannabis brand, Napalm.

Buddies cannabis products are ranked #8 in the Nation for total sales volume per BDSA, the cannabis industry’s leading data and analytics provider. Buddies products are currently available in California, Oregon, and Washington.

As part of the strategic alliance, Mr. Joiner has been named the Creative Director for the Buddies and Napalm cannabis products. This new role will utilize his vast experience to provide assistance with product development and marketing operations. The alliance also includes an agreement for Napalm products to be manufactured at Buddies’ Redding, California manufacturing facility and distributed by NABIS, the leading licensed cannabis wholesale platform in the largest legal cannabis market.

“For Napalm, this partnership allows our brand to further streamline and expedite product development, vertically integrate, and provide distribution to our retail partners at a much higher level,” said Alvin ‘Xzibit’ Joiner, Founder of Napalm cannabis products. “West Coast cannabis customers love Buddies products and this partnership of two powerhouse brands, plus NABIS for distribution, will take us to new heights and help expand Napalm into more markets.”

Napalm cannabis products are currently available in California with plans to expand nationally through its strategic alliance with Buddies.

“We have worked very hard to build Buddies to become one of the most consistent, popular, and in-demand brands on the West Coast,” said Byran Cochran, President of Buddies. “This partnership with Xzibit and Napalm unites and elevates both of our organizations’ strengths. Alvin’s work ethic and his passion for cannabis and music is something we’re very excited about, and even more so when combined with our award-winning products, team, and strategic partners.”

For more information, or to speak with Alvin Joiner or Bryan Cochran, visit https://buddiesbrand.com or email info@BuddiesBrand.com.

About Buddies Brand Inc.
Buddies Brand, Inc. (“Buddies”) is a leading provider of affordable consumer products in cannabis. As a high-growth cannabis company known for its expertise, reliability, and premium quality, the Company and its brands, including BBrand, continue to provide industry-leading products and innovation in the concentrates, vapes, flower, pre-rolls, and health and wellness categories.

Contact Information:
Mitch Pfeifer
Public Relations at Buddies Brand
Email: Info@RespectMyRegion.com

End

SAFE Banking Act Removed from China Competition Bill

6/24/2022

The SAFE Banking Act, which would normalize financial services for the cannabis industry federally, has been pulled from a bill aimed to increase competition with China, The Hill reports. The measure was included in House Democrats’ COMPETES Act but not the Senate’s bipartisan U.S. Innovation and Competition Act which passed last year.

In a statement, Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), the bill’s prime sponsor, said the Senate’s inaction on the legislation – which has passed the House five times since 2019 – would continue to allow people to be killed and businesses to be robbed while excluding the cannabis industry from the financial system.

The measure was removed from the China competition bill at the behest of Republican lawmakers who argue that the bill doesn’t belong in the legislation, while Democrats want to pair the bill with social justice measures which can’t be done in committee, the report says.

In a statement, Steven Hawkins, president of the U.S. Cannabis Council, said there remains “support and political will … to get the SAFE Banking Act across the finish line.”

“We are encouraged by conversations about pairing the bill with other helpful cannabis and criminal justice reforms,” he said. “We look forward to working with our members and allies to help get the job done.”

During their most recent meeting, the U.S. Conference of Mayors endorsed a resolution calling for Congress to pass federal cannabis banking reforms. The resolution stated that “the conflict between state law and the illegality of cannabis under federal law creates significant challenges and barriers for legally-owned and operated recreational and medical cannabis dispensaries and cannabis-related companies.”

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Spain Set to Allow Medical Cannabis Sales In Pharmacies This Fall

6/24/2022

The Spanish government has given the go-ahead for pharmacies to sell medical cannabis as soon as this fall, according to a report from The Local. Approved first by the Spanish Congress of Deputies and then the Health Commission, qualifying conditions in the law include multiple sclerosis, some forms of epilepsy, the side effects of chemotherapy, cancer, chronic pain, and endometriosis.

There are an estimated 300,000 potential medical cannabis patients in Spain according to the Spanish Observatory of Medicinal Cannabis (OECM), the report says.

Health professionals will prescribe the substance “in a context free of potential conflicts of interest,” the official text clarifies. Spanish patients can expect a registry, the report notes.

Spain is the latest country in the European Union to make moves toward cannabis policy liberalization. Switzerland has indicated that they would be amending their narcotics laws to lift the ban on medical cannabis, while Germany’s health minister recently announced the country would be legalizing adult-use cannabis soon.

Malta has legalized adult-use cannabis and began exporting medical cannabis to Germany. Luxemburg was the first country in Europe to allow adults over 21 to grow up to four cannabis plants at home.

The European cannabis market is expected to grow from 2019 – 2027 at a compound adjusted growth rate (CAGR) of 29.6% from$3.4 million to nearly $37 million, respectively, according to Research and Markets. Although adult-use cannabis is forecasted to see the largest CAGR , the report notes the COVID-19 crisis will stimulate an increase in medical cannabis market share.

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What are the main advantages of automation?

Logistics — trimming, bucking, milling, and more

Designing the facility

Optimize for processability

Conclusion

Why Cannabis Amnesty Matters

The Fellowship

The Fellows

Looking to the Future

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