Kim Myles: Elevating the Cannabis Consumer’s Experience with Interior Design

5/03/2022

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In this episode of Fresh Cut, Cara Wietstock meets with Kim Myles, host and designer for the new reality series High Design on Discovery+, where she travels around the country bringing her interior design wisdom to independently-owned cannabis dispensaries.

The pair take a deep dive into Kim’s passions for design and cannabis, and how her experiences as a winner of reality design competition Design Stars and host of the multi-season series Myles of Style led her to her new platform.

They also discuss how Kim combines her desire to make clients feel welcome in dispensaries with experiential factors that lead to increased sales, how she became interested in dispensary design in the first place, and much more. This is an episode you don’t want to miss: watch the full interview below!

 

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New York Supreme Court Allows $600M Lawsuit Against Acreage Holdings to Proceed

5/03/2022

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The New York Supreme Court has ruled that a $600 million lawsuit against multistate cannabis company Acreage Holdings and nearly 30 other defendants can move forward, Syracuse.com reports. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants participated in the scheme to illegally push a partner out of a medical cannabis license.

The lawsuit names as defendants representatives of New Amsterdam Distributors, LLC, New York Canna, Inc. and other high-profile individuals including former Syracuse police chief Dennis DuVal and former WCNY president and CEO Robert Daino. DuVal and Daino founded New York Canna in 2013, which was later acquired by Acreage, and the lawsuit details a number of mergers, takeovers, and transactions in the company’s history, the report says.

The lawsuit contends that the plaintiffs, EPMMNY, LLC, played an instrumental role in obtaining the medical cannabis licenses under which Acreage currently operates and that the company and other defendants violated a contract for the ownership, management, and control of the business license. The lawsuit was originally filed in 2018.

Judge Andrea Masley ruled that EPMMNY has the capacity to move forward with the case, attorney Lawrence Lonergan, who is representing the plaintiff told Syracuse.com. Defendants had sought to dismiss the lawsuit during the pretrial evidentiary hearing.

The lawsuit seeks the value of the license – $200 million – in addition to $400 million in punitive damages and control of the license.

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Organa Kannalytics Details Upcoming Southeastern Hemp and Medical Cannabis Convention and Expo

5/03/2022

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ATLANTA, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — via HempWire — Organa Kannalytics, an advocacy organization seeking to bring legitimacy to the hemp and medical cannabis industry through science and education, is pleased to announce the 2022 Southeastern Hemp and Medical Cannabis (SHMC) Convention and Expo will be held May 12-14 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition to the live event, the conference will be available virtually via livestream.

The multi-day SHMC expo will offer networking opportunities and break-out sessions covering medical use and practices, as well as business opportunities in the hemp and cannabis space. Other topics will include the latest in scientific advancements and local, state and national legislation affecting the growing cannabis and hemp industry.

“We’re excited to offer people from all over the country in the cannabis space a place to connect and learn about the latest developments in our industry,” said Bridgett Graham, CEO of Organa Kannalytics. “After unavoidably postponing last year’s event due to Covid-19, we’re thrilled to welcome people back to Atlanta to meet face-to-face at the region’s top cannabis conference and expo. This year we will have outstanding keynotes, many new exhibitors and an informative Women in Cannabis luncheon. Whatever your interest in the cannabis business, you’ll be able to connect, learn and be inspired by your participation.”

SHMC keynote speakers will include Grammy award-winning producer Dallas Austin and former NFL wide receiver Tavarres King. Austin’s cannabis passion stems from seeing so many talented musicians and artists lost to the opioid epidemic. As a 7-year veteran of the National Football League playing for the Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings and the New York Giants, King saw first-hand the results of injury and over-prescribing of painkillers in the NFL. Motivated to address these issues, he co-founded Rowdy Wellness, a CBD company headquartered in Atlanta focusing on research, education and developing quality products for overall health and wellness.

Special events at the conference include a “Women in Cannabis” luncheon on May 13 at noon, featuring a panel discussion by women entrepreneurs and executives selected from the cannabis industry. Women who work in the industry or are interested in working in the cannabis industry are encouraged to register for the luncheon.

Organa Kannalytics has been actively monitoring updates in the Covid-19 situation for the upcoming SHMC expo. The team is committed to keep all event staff, attendees, speakers and exhibitors safe. Organa Kannalytics is in frequent contact with public health authorities to ensure the appropriate event-related decisions are made. For the live SHMC event, health and safety protocols will be in place and Covid-19 testing will be available onsite. All who plan to attend should consult relevant public health authorities about matters related to Covid-19 and use this knowledge to inform their decisions.

In keeping with established SHMC policy, no THC products will be permitted on the event premises.

For tickets to SHMC and to explore sponsorship, speaker, exhibit or volunteer opportunities at the convention, please visit https://www.organakannalytics.com.

About Organa Kannalytics
Organna Kannalytics, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is a consulting agency, medical cannabis dispensary, educational research center and the organizer of the annual Southeastern Hemp and Medical Cannabis Conference. Organa Kannalytics’ mission is to bring legitimacy to the hemp and medical cannabis industry through science and education.

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HempWire
Denver, CO
www.HempWire.com
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Rob Floyd Entertainment Launches Exclusive ‘Daily Lifestyle’ Hemp CBD Line for Daily Wellness & Beverage Elixirs

5/03/2022

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New advanced Absorption CBD Creams, Premium Oil Elixirs, Gourmet Gummies and Science-based CBDBrainIQ mental health are featured in the Inedit Rob Floyd CBD Portfolio

Franklin, Tennessee. – May 2, 2022 – Rob Floyd Entertainment unveiled today Inedit Rob Floyd CBD Daily Wellness and beverage Elixir brand portfolio. Inedit Rob Floyd CBD provides consumers with an easy, safe, and fast way to manage their health needs throughout the day with convenient and trusted CBD products – including Gourmet Gummies, Premium Elixir oils, advanced Absorption Topicals and an industry first CBD Brain Health Nootropic. Inedit Rob Floyd CBD Daily Wellness line offers simple solutions that are easy to use, easy to love, and are a part of a new specialty beverage CBD market.

Scientifically formulated to improve daily wellbeing in specific ways, Inedit Rob Floyd advanced absorption topical line consists of powerful nano CBD, menthol, aloe vera and eucalyptus, designed for pain and inflammation relief and daily de-stress and anxiety. Powerful Roll-on’s and Body Cream’s with co-actives, proven-to-work aroma-technology and advanced absorption micelle, nano technology.

Inedit Rob Floyd exclusive triple filtered premium beverage oil elixirs are safe, powerful and effective for all beverages including cocktails, smoothies, and everyday zero-proof beverages.

Gourmet gummies tropical flavors, taste and texture and environmental packaging are a staple of Inedit Rob Floyd CBD.

And in an industry first, CBDBrainIQ, provide daily health benefits of CBD, advanced absorption, plus Nootropics for brain health, focus, memory and clarity.

“I believe that living better can be as simple as adding plant-based science HEMP into practical and effective daily solutions, including customized beverages says Rob Floyd. “I am thrilled to help improve people’s daily lives through proven CBD lifestyle products and effective beverages with safe, fast, zero THC products.

Inedit Rob Floyd CBD line’s safe, powerful, effective daily lifestyle products were created by Rob Floyd and Wellness Labs, a global leading diversified cannabis and cannabinoid-science based product company. Leveraging Wellness Labs Advanced Absorption micelle Nano technology and innovation into Inedit Rob Floyd Hemp CBD line provides customers and companies the best in class, safest and fastest health products.

“Inedit Rob Floyd Lifestyle CBD line offers safe and effective CBD products to improve everyday wellness. We are best positioned to launch and expand our premium lifestyle and beverage elixir product line ” said Rob Floyd. “Proven to work, 3rd party verified for safety, potency and quickness, Inedit Rob Floyd CBD line of beverage elixirs, advanced absorption topical pain creams, Gourmet Gummies and CBDBrainIQ represents new industry standards and innovation.”

The Inedit Rob Floyd CBD Wellness line is safe, powerful, and effective high levels of CBD with the lowest price per mg of CBD versus competitors.

Inedit Rob Floyd CBD Lifestyle Brand Products

  • Advanced Absorption Pain Relief Roll-On Cream for pain, muscle recovery & anti-inflammation with powerful co-actives.
    3 oz (1,000+ mg CBD) Pain Relief Roll-On
  • Advanced Absorption Inflammation Relief Body Cream for Inflammation, pain, muscle recovery with powerful co-actives.
    4 oz (1,300+ mg CBD) Inflammation Relief Body Cream
  • Premium CBD Oil Elixirs for daily wellness and enhanced beverage benefits with safe, powerful, effective triple filtered oil technology.
    30 ml Premium Lemon Oil Elixir
    30 ml Premium Cinnamon Oil Elixir
    30 ml Premium Natural Oil Elixir
    30 ml Premium Old Fashioned Bitters Elixir
  • Gourmet Gummies in five tropical flavors and colors. Best tasting, delicious daily gummies. Gluten Free, MSG Free, Dairy Free.
    300 mg 30-piece Gourmet Gummies
  • CBDBrainIQ Powerful, safe Brain Health nootropics with clinical dose of 25mg CBD per serving. Improved Brain Health, Focus, Memory Boost and cognitive function with all the benefits of Broad Spectrum cannabinoids.

About Rob Floyd Entertainment
Rob Floyd Entertainment is a Franklin-based mixology studio changing the way people experience cocktails, creating a healthy relationship with alcohol while providing meaningful social experiences. In short, we create an adventure in a glass. Rob Floyd is a global liquid chef and one of the most trusted mixologists in the industry. With bar teams in over 100 countries and clients all over the world, his reach into food and beverage is unprecedented. His passion for entertainment and emphasis on service makes him a unique player in the field. Rob founded Rob Floyd Entertainment in 2008 to bring an all-new mixology experience to the culinary world through Creating, Consulting, and Cultivating. Since then, RFE has traveled the world training bar teams, designing menus, performing Cocktail Theatre, and starring in a variety of TV shows and live events. Our vision is to inspire a belief in the all-around experience of a cocktail, to change the way people approach alcohol empowering them to appreciate the whole moment, to engage in a process and a passion, and relish the adventure in a glass. Sip Boldly!

About Wellness Labs
Wellness Labs is a diversified cannabis and cannabinoid-based consumer and B2B product company, driven by advanced absorption, micelle Nano technology and science based innovation. Wellness Labs leverages over a decade of experience in Cannabis plant science, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical consumer insights, and innovation. Wellness Labs offers innovative, science-based Cannabis products in superior quality Topicals, Premium Oils, Gourmet Gummies, and Infused Beverages.

Our international beverage technology, HydroPure serves markets in Canada, the U.S. and Europe, and is a private label supplier as well for both oil based and water based beverages. HydroPure powders and liquid additives simply allow food, beverage, cosmetic and product companies the ability to infuse their products with a safe, proven zero THC additive. Wellness Labs has entered the health and wellness in the consumer space in key markets through Network Marketing and direct to consumer channels. For more information e-mail contact@wellnesslabs.com.

For more information on the Inedit Rob Floyd CBD Line, Private Label product, beverage and Partnership opportunities e-mail info@ineditrobfloyd.com. Visit http://www.ineditrobfloyd.com, where the full lineup is available. Inedit Rob Floyd CBD is now available on affiliate programs.

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Ohio Advocates Sue GOP Leaders for Attempting to Delay Adult-Use Vote Until 2023

5/03/2022

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Ohio’s Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol (CRMLA) has filed a lawsuit claiming state GOP leaders House Speaker Bob Cupp and Senate President Matt Huffman are attempting to delay a vote on the state’s adult-use cannabis initiative until 2023, the Cleveland Dispatch reports.

In Ohio, initiatives go first to the state legislature for consideration after they receive enough valid signatures. If the legislature fails to pass a bill encompassing the initiative’s scope, the measure can then be approved for November ballots.

On January 3, the legalization group submitted the first round of signatures to Secretary of State Frank LaRose. However, his office determined the petition fell short of the 132,887 valid signatures needed to advance the measure. The coalition returned in the following days with enough valid signatures, prompting the secretary of state’s office to send the measure to the Legislature for consideration on January 28.

However, with Republican Gov. Mike DeWine in opposition as well as other Republican leaders, lawmakers have so far failed to take action on the issue. In Friday’s testimony, lawyers for the Republican leaders took issue with the timeline the ballot language came to the legislature. The attorneys argue the adult-use measure had to be approved, not just submitted, prior to the legislative session. Emails disclosed during a hearing last week revealed that lawyers with Attorney General Dave Yost’s office agree with the Republicans’ counsel that the question should be put off until 2023.

The advocates’ lawsuit claims the January 28 submission date was met on time and asks a judge to allow the process to move forward. If the ruling lands in their favor, advocates will have until July to collect more signatures to put the question on state ballots later this year.

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Florida Company Close to Obtaining DEA License to Grow Cannabis for Research

5/03/2022

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Maridose LLC, a Florida-based research firm, is in the final stages of obtaining a federal license from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to grow cannabis in Maine for medical research, the Portland Press Herald reports. Maridose is one of at least 37 companies that has applied to the agency to cultivate cannabis for federal research.

The DEA announced last year that it would approve applications to cultivate cannabis for research purposes. The decision ended the University of Mississippi’s half-century monopoly on growing research-grade cannabis for the feds. There are about 600 researchers throughout the U.S. who have federal approval to research cannabis but only one source to obtain research material.

Maridose is founded by Richard Shain, a former Procter & Gamble executive and product development specialist, and partners with Tikun Olam, Israel’s largest legal grower and supplier of medical cannabis. Shain told the Press Herald that the company plans to contract with researchers for specific strains and described the amount of cannabis they could grow as “minuscule.”

“We won’t be sitting there with 50 pounds of cannabis, waiting to sell it to the researchers. We’re not planning on growing mass generic strains. We will custom-grow the amount needed for the study.” – Shain to the Press Herald.

It’s so far unclear how many permits the DEA intends to issue. In the rule published in the Federal Register, the agency included cost estimates for three and 15 sites but did not commit to a number. Cultivators must have safeguards to prevent the diversion of cannabis to the illicit market, and the ability to provide an adequate and uninterrupted supply to researchers.

Tikun Olam won Israel’s first license to grow and administer medical cannabis in 2005 and U.S. researchers that use Maridose cannabis would be able to access clinical data collected from the 20,000 patients that have been treated with Tikun Olam’s cannabis

Between 2017 and 2020, the DEA increased its cannabis production quota from 472 kilograms to 3,200 kilograms. During that same period, the agency increased the number of registered researchers from 371 to 595.

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British Columbia Retailers Sue Government Over Unlicensed Cannabis Sales on First Nation Lands

5/03/2022

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A group of licensed cannabis retailers in British Columbia, Canada are suing the province for $40 million over what they claim is a failure to crack down on illegal cannabis shops on First Nation land, Global News reports. The lawsuit claims that each retailer has seen “a $500,000 yearly reduction in gross sales due to business lost to illicit retailers operating on reserves with the knowledge of the defendants.”

The lawsuit was filed on April 27 and lists B.C.’s attorney general, the minister of public safety, and B.C.’s Community Safety Unit as defendants. It names 14 companies as plaintiffs.

“These illicit retailers on Indian Reserves are not authorized under British Columbia law to operate retail cannabis stores. There is no retail cannabis store license issued by the (Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch) in relation to these retailers.” – the lawsuit statement of claim via Global News

The lawsuit contends that the unlicensed retailers are selling products that originated in the unregulated market or illegally obtained products that were not purchased from the B.C. government as required by provincial regulations and federal law.

The plaintiffs allege that the defendants have repeatedly been advised of the unlicensed sales occurring on First Nation lands “with specific information regarding the location of the illicit retailers. However, the defendants have failed to act.”

Along with seeking $40 million in damages, the plaintiffs want an order requiring the defendants to enforce the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act to prevent unregulated cannabis shops no matter where they pop up in the province.

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New York Regulators Anticipate Adult-Use Cannabis Sales This Fall

5/02/2022

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New York’s top cannabis regulator said during a public forum on Saturday that adult-use products could be available from conditional cultivators in the fall, Syracuse.com reports. The estimate comes just weeks after officials awarded conditional cannabis cultivation licenses to more than 50 companies and farmers currently licensed to grow industrial hemp.

Cannabis Control Board Chair Tremaine Wright also told Central Harlem Community Board attendees that conditional dispensary license holders will be eligible to receive loans with interest, as opposed to grants or interest-free loans. Wright said that regulators aim to add a grant and/or zero-interest loan program and that she expects 200 businesses will receive conditional dispensary licenses.

Last month, the Cannabis Control Board approved draft regulations for those conditional retail licenses and reserved the first batch for “justice-involved” applicants – or those who have been convicted of, or whose parents, spouses, or children were convicted of, a cannabis offense prior to New York’s legalization. A Siena University poll in March found that 54% of New Yorkers opposed that plan.

Office of Cannabis Management Director Chris Alexander, agreed with Wright that sales by conditional licensees would begin in the fall but that general licensed businesses probably won’t launch until the end of this year, or early next year.

“By fall, we should have some products that are ready to be harvested,” Alexander said in an interview with Syracuse.com. “We’ll have the conditional growers, we’ll have the dispensaries online – some of them, at least – and so we’ll have a full supply chain and an active market.”

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Major Food & Beverage Brands Call on Congress to Stop THC-Infused Copycats

5/02/2022

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Last week, major food and beverage companies and trade associations wrote a letter to Congress urging them to stop the proliferation of cannabis products that mimic their brands. The companies say that the “copycat THC edible products create risks for children and must be stopped.”

In the letter, the companies contend that “Children are increasingly threatened by the unscrupulous use of famous brand logos, characters, trademarks, and trade dress on THC-laced edible products.” The letter features images of the brands often infringed on, including Trix cereal, Cheetos, and Oreo.

“While cannabis (and incidental amounts of THC) may be legal in some states, the use of these famous marks, clearly without approval of the brand owners, on food products has created serious health and safety risks for consumers, particularly children, who cannot tell the difference between these brands’ true products and copycat THC products that leverage the brand’s fame for profit. While law enforcement focuses on addressing illegal sales, this unscrupulous practice has pointed out a gap in existing law – the widespread online sale of packaging that leverages these famous brands.” – Letter via the Consumer Brands Association, April 27, 2022

The companies call on Congress to amend the SHOP SAFE Act to include protections for famous marks. The legislation currently seeks to create liability for electronic commerce platforms for advertising, sale, or distribution of goods with counterfeit marks that “implicate health and safety.” The brands say the THC copycat brands “clearly” fall under the purview of the bill’s health and safety provisions.

The signatories include Post Consumer Brands, LLC, Kellogg Company, PepsiCo, Inc., General Mills, Mondelēz International, Inc., and several industry associations.

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Medical Cannabis Legalization Bill Stalls in Kansas

5/02/2022

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The chairman of the Kansas Senate Federal Affairs Committee, state Sen. Rob Olson (R), told the Kansas City Star last week that while he believed the Legislature was getting closer to approving a medical cannabis bill, he does not expect it will be this year.

“You’ll see it in full effect in the next few years,” he said.

The House passed a version of the bill last year, but it stalled in the Senate. The chambers had convened a conference committee last Thursday to work on the bill but negotiators were unable to finish the legislation before the Legislature adjourned, although they could continue their efforts in May, the report says.

Under the legislation drafted by the committee, medical cannabis would be available to patients suffering from one of more than 20 qualifying conditions and allowed to obtain a 30-day supply with a purchase limit of three ounces for flower products – which would be capped at 35% THC. Physician recommendations would be valid for 90 days, after which they could be renewed for another 90 days.

The bill would provide licenses for cultivators, processors, laboratories, distributors, and retailers. Individuals would be barred from licenses if they’ve been convicted of a felony unless that conviction was expunged at least 10 years before the application is submitted. Counties would be allowed to enact local bans on the industry.

Under the measure, regulators would have to promulgate rules for the program by January 1, 2024, so even if lawmakers had approved the bill this session, patients would not see relief for at least a year and a half.

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California Bill Would Allow Cannabis Sales at Farmers Markets

4/29/2022

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A bill proposed in California would allow cannabis to be sold at farmers markets and establish permits for offering cannabis at temporary state-licensed events, KCRA 3 reports. The measure passed the Assembly Business and Professions Committee on Tuesday.

The bill’s sponsor, Assemblyman Jim Wood (D), told KCRA 3 that the focus of the legislation “is to help legal cannabis farmers who grow less than 1 acre of cannabis get consumer recognition for their unique products” as the state has done for its craft beer, artisanal wine, and family farm industries.

“Giving these smaller farmers opportunities at locally approved events to expose the public to their products increases consumer choice and offers farmers a better chance to reach retail shelves which is their ultimate goal. This is not about circumventing retailers, but growing the industry overall.” – Wood in a statement to KCRA 3

The measure is opposed by the United Cannabis Business Association which argues that it violates the state’s adult-use cannabis law.

Genine Coleman, executive director of Origins Council – an advocacy organization that represents the historic rural cannabis-producing regions across California with about 900 members – told KCRA 3 that she supports the bill, saying that it is “really critical” for smaller producers “to have direct marketing and sales opportunities with consumers.”

Davis Farmers Market Alliance Executive Director Randii MacNear said, though, that even if the bill passes, the farmers market is a “food business” and that “cannabis is not a food.” She added that the final decision would come down to the Davis City Council.

The bill has been sent to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

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Canopy Growth Lays Off Another 245 Workers

4/29/2022

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Canopy Growth laid off 245 employees on Tuesday, about 8% of its workforce, in an effort to reduce company losses and approach profitability, Marijuana Business Daily reports. The company, a federally licensed cannabis producer in Canada, said in a release that the move would save up to $150 million CAD over the next 12 to 18 months.

Canopy, which has yet to turn a profit and is struggling with falling sales in Canada, is partially owned by Constellation Brands, a major alcohol distributor.

The recent layoffs follow a familiar trend for the company since appointing CEO David Klein, who previously served as Constellation’s CFO — since then, about 1,600 employee positions have been, according to the report.

Additionally, the company has liquidated multiple greenhouses in Canada, shut down its outdoor cultivation operations, and shuttered its Denmark-based facilities.

“To realize profitability and power growth, we are taking critical actions to further evolve Canopy Growth into an agile organization with a clear focus on the areas where we have the greatest potential of success. These necessary changes are being implemented to ensure the size and scale of our operations reflect current market realities and will support the long-term sustainability of our company.” — CEO David Klein, in a statement

Canopy is one of the few publicly-traded cannabis companies, trading as WEED on the Toronto Stock Exchange and CGC on the Nasdaq. The internationally focused company has operations in Canada and Germany and has committed to acquiring the U.S.-based firm Acreage Holdings when federal legalization there is finally realized.

 

 

 

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Maryland Judge Bans All Legalization Arguments From Upcoming Cannabis Trafficking Trial

4/29/2022

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This article was written by Ethan McLeod and originally published by Outlaw Report.

When Jonathan Wall’s federal cannabis-trafficking trial begins next week in Baltimore, there will be no discussion of the fact that cannabis is now legal in 18 states and counting.

That’s the order from U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher, who on Tuesday approved a pretrial motion by prosecutors calling for the court to bar any discussion of the ongoing cannabis legalization movement across the United States. The Justice Department filed the motion late last week, requesting that the U.S. District Court of Maryland preclude Wall’s defense team “from asking questions, presenting evidence, or making arguments regarding the way the law in other jurisdictions treats marijuana.”

“Marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance and under federal law, it is [a] crime to conspire with others to distribute or possess with the intent to distribute marijuana,” prosecutors wrote in their motion. “The fact that other jurisdictions have legalized marijuana, decriminalized marijuana, are considering decriminalization of certain quantities of marijuana, or have declined to prosecute individuals for crimes involving marijuana, is not relevant to the issues at this trial.”

The motion adds that “evidence and argument of this sort is not relevant and should be excluded from this trial.”

Wall’s case has attracted national attention. It was recently publicized in a Washington Post ad that asked, “Who will be the last person incarcerated for marijuana in the United States?” The Maryland native was indicted by a grand jury in 2019 for allegedly moving more than 1,000 kilos of weed cross-country over two years, from California to his home state.

Federal authorities allege that Wall served as the architect of a cannabis trafficking that used commercial freight haulers to move “hundreds of pounds of marijuana at a time” during cross-country trips. He was working from Humboldt County, where he moved at the age of 20 when authorities began cracking down on the scheme in 2019.

Wall fled the country after his indictment in the fall of 2019 but turned himself over to federal authorities at LAX Airport the following summer. Now 27, he’s facing at least 10 years in prison and has been detained in Baltimore’s Chesapeake Detention Center, a maximum-security prison, for almost two years.

Advocates, joining Wall’s family and his attorney, have called attention to the case as a cruel example of U.S. drug policy. They note the legal cannabis industry is raking in tens of billions of dollars annually, and that 18 states plus the District of Columbia (potentially joined by Maryland and others this year) have enacted laws allowing adults age 21 and up to consume cannabis recreationally.

The Biden administration has so far failed to deliver on campaign-trail promises of legalization or even decriminalization. Biden himself took a new step Tuesday in commuting the sentences of 75 people with nonviolent federal drug convictions on their records. However, on the same day, U.S. Attorney General and Biden appointee Merrick Garland declined to say whether the Justice Department will resume following a piece of Obama-era guidance to not interfere with state-level legalization policies, which former Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded during President Donald Trump’s term in office.

Biden has yet to announce any plans to legalize cannabis at the federal level, even as Congress considers measures from both sides of the aisle to tax and regulate the plant.

“​​Right now there is this profound inconsistency in this country,” Wall’s Denver-based attorney, Jason Flores-Williams, said in an interview with Business Insider last year, nodding to Maryland’s lucrative medical cannabis industry. “I go to court in Maryland, and then just 40 miles down the road you’ve got a 72,000-square-foot warehouse that’s rented out for the next 20 years because someone was smart enough to buy it and convert it into a pot grow and rent it out.”

That outcry has been a key part of Wall’s defense with his May 2 trial date approaching. He’s attempted twice to have the court dismiss his case on geographic procedural grounds as well as equal protection grounds “due to disparate and arbitrary enforcement” of federal drug laws, given the widely varying legal climate from state to state.

Reached by phone on Wednesday, Flores-Williams declined to comment specifically on Gallagher granting the federal prosecutors’ motion, saying only, “we are facing challenges in this litigation, but the fight for justice always involves challenges.”

Wall’s trial is set to begin at 9:30 a.m. on Monday at the U.S. District Courthouse in downtown Baltimore. As of Wednesday, a petition on Change.org for Wall’s case to be dropped had gathered nearly 16,000 signatures, making it one of the top petitions on the platform.

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New Hampshire Senate Votes Down Cannabis Legalization Bills

4/29/2022

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The New Hampshire Senate on Thursday voted down two bills to legalize cannabis in the state, the New Hampshire Bulletin reports. The bills had been approved by the House of Representatives earlier this year.

One of the bills had been pared down to remove home grow provisions in an effort to make it more palatable to the Senate but came up two votes short, 11-13, the report says. The complete version of the bill was defeated 15-9.

The chamber also defeated the legalization bill that would have put the state Liquor Commission in charge of the industry – that measure was killed in a unanimous voice vote. The Senate Ways and Means Committee last week had deemed the legislation “inexpedient to legislate.”

During Thursday’s debate, state Sen. Becky Whitley noted that the Granite State “has become an island in New England” with “overly burdensome regulations of cannabis that are out of sync with what the scientific health and social data says.”

“Thirteen-point-nine times: That’s the number of times that Black people are more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession when compared to white people in Manchester, despite both groups using marijuana at roughly the same rate.” – Whitley via the Bulletin

According to a recent University of New Hampshire poll, 74% of New Hampshire adults support cannabis legalization; however, Republican Gov. Chris Sununu in March said he was unsure whether the state was ready for legalization.

The bill’s defeat in the Senate likely marks the last opportunity for enacting the reforms this year.

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Four Cannabis-Related Bills Took Effect In Maine This Week

4/29/2022

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Three cannabis-related bills in Maine took effect on Tuesday without the signature of Gov. Janet Mills (D). The bills cover cannabis home delivery and curbside pickup, the expansion of legal protections for caregivers and other medical cannabis access reforms, and the repealing of prohibitions on hiring cannabis industry applicants with certain prior cannabis convictions.

Mills signed into law a fourth measure providing the opportunity for municipalities to receive financial reimbursements for costs associated with licensing and regulating cannabis businesses.

NORML State Policies Manager Jax James said in a statement that the bills are “common-sense changes” that “will further facilitate patients’ and others’ access to medical cannabis products and will provide opportunities for greater inclusivity within Maine’s licensed marijuana industry.”

The legislation permits reimbursement of up to $20,000 for expenses like legal fees and other costs associated with drafting or amending ordinances, conducting town meetings, or holding elections, according to a Financial Regulation News report. Funding would come from the Adult Use Marijuana Public Health and Safety and Municipal Opt-in Fund, which receives its funding from sales and excise taxes imposed on adult-use cannabis sales.

The bill allowing home delivery and curbside pickup includes language allowing the delivery of immature plants and seedlings. All deliveries must be conducted by licensed retailers and all customers must be 21-and-older.

The measure addressing state caregivers provides many new protections, including limiting the circumstances under which a law enforcement officer may access a location in which a caregiver, dispensary, manufacturing facility, or cannabis testing facility operates. The bill also limits disclosure to a law enforcement officer of information that could reasonably identify an individual patient’s identity without a warrant requiring the disclosure.

The bill also prohibits regulators from requiring a registered caregiver, registered dispensary, testing facility, or manufacturing facility to use a particular electronic system for tracking inventory.

The legislation also authorizes the use of telehealth for medical providers to meet with patients seeking a medical cannabis recommendation and allows for educational materials to be given to patients electronically.

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Treez Secures $51 Million In Series C Funding, Now Valued at $260 Million & Driven By Rapid Growth

4/28/2022

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Series C Comprised of Leading Fintech Investors Including: Long Ridge, Kayne Partners, and Synchrony Financial

SAN FRANCISCO, April, 20th, 2022 – Treez (www.treez.io),  the leading enterprise cloud commerce platform that powers retail and supply chain operations for the cannabis market, today announced completion of a $51 million Series C funding at a valuation in excess of $260 million.

The round brings new investment from Long Ridge Equity Partners, a New York-based growth equity fund focused on high growth software and fintech companies, Kayne Partners, a Los Angeles-based growth equity group, and Synchrony Financial (NYSE: SYF), a leading consumer (B2C) financial services company. Existing investors also participated in the round.

JMP Securities LLC, A Citizens Company, served as exclusive financial advisor to Treez.

Treez will use the funding to fuel its aggressive sales growth, accelerate product innovation, including developing new payments and advanced analytics solutions, enhance the functionality of its open cloud commerce platform for single-store and multi-store operators, and expand its geographic reach. Already, Treez has unveiled new integrations that enhance online ordering and delivery options for retailers. Treez was also one of the few cannabis technology companies to achieve a successful SOC 2 Type 1 audit earlier this year, demonstrating the company’s commitment to compliance and customer data security. The company has recently expanded into two state regulated markets, and now supports retailers in eight states.

As part of the funding round, Treez named Angad Singh, partner at Long Ridge, and Gowri Narayanan, an experienced FinTech investor and global leader, to the Board of Directors.

Nishita Cummings, managing partner and co-head of Kayne Partners, the growth private equity group of Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, and Josh Aycock, principal at Synchrony, were named as observers on the Board of Directors.

“We look forward to working with a renowned group of investors and new board members with deep fintech expertise,” said John Yang, CEO of Treez.  “They are very excited about this space, aligned and supportive of our vision to deliver the most innovative open cloud commerce platform that powers retailers’ growth as the industry moves forward.”

This latest funding round follows Treez’s 82 percent revenue growth in 2021, where it was recognized as one of the fastest growing companies by Inc. 5000 and Deloitte Technology’s Fast 500. Last year, it expanded its workforce by 40 percent across 19 states and three countries.

About Treez.io
Treez is the leading enterprise cloud commerce platform that streamlines retail and supply chain operations within the cannabis market. Through its innovative technology for retailers and brands, the company provides a robust breadth and depth of software solutions required to operate a successful modern dispensary.
Solutions include point of sale, dispensary inventory management, omnichannel sales capabilities and multiple cashless payment options all on a mission-critical platform that ensures regulatory compliance across every supply chain transaction. The innovative platform also connects essential brands with their retailers through a centralized brand catalog with real-time market insights. The extensible open API platform provides smooth integration into a variety of best-of-breed solutions, including CRM, marketplace, cashless payments and data analytics across the partner ecosystem, giving retailers everything they need to grow their business.

Contact: press@treez.io

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Americans for Safe Access: Continuing the Fight for Patient Access

4/28/2022

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There are currently 38 states in the US with THC-inclusive medical cannabis programs and only a handful of states where patients have no access to medical cannabis products. But when Steph Sherer founded Americans for Safe Access (ASA) in 2002, only eight states had medical cannabis programs and their primary focus was to provide patients with legal and safe access to cannabis medicine.

There were only a few cannabis dispensaries in San Francisco at the time of ASA’s founding, and most operations were not fully compliant. ASA spent its resources helping cannabis businesses meet compliance and, in turn, helped patients secure safe access to cannabis medicine produced in a compliant supply chain. Resources also went to protecting dispensaries in the event of a raid, as ASA’s founding pre-dates the Cole Memo.

Twenty years later, ASA is still dedicated to leaving no patient behind but their action points have changed. Ganjapreneur interviewed Debbie Churgai, the Executive Director of ASA, who let us in on what they’re doing now: “We started out with just trying to protect the industry, trying to protect patients, and trying to make it legal. And now, twenty years later, we have about 48 states with some form of medical cannabis but 11 of those states are just CBD which we don’t really consider an actual program. But because a lot of states are finally coming aboard and because there are protections now for businesses, we’ve shifted our priorities towards making sure that all patients everywhere have equal access to medical cannabis.”

In February, ASA released its annual State of the States report which uses a grading rubric to assess each state’s cannabis program from a patient perspective. The report covered categories like barriers to access, civil protections, affordability of cannabis medicine, social equity, and product safety, among other key issues. This year the highest grade was 76% with a state average of 44%, highlighting that the legislation doesn’t always serve patients despite the strides made in adult-use legalization and regulation. The problem is complex and each state has different weak points and strong points. Some states restrict how much medicine can be purchased, some restrict which conditions can qualify for a recommendation, and almost every state has an issue with affordability.

There isn’t a single solution that can be applied to each state but in 2020, ASA launched the No Patient Left Behind campaign, which works to ensure that patients have access to cannabis medicine across the country despite the complexities of their market. Affordability has become an issue for patients in every state because health insurance doesn’t cover medical cannabis. Patients often have to pay for their medical card themselves, the doctor visit to get the recommendation for that card, and the cost of taxed medicine, which can total a lot of money. In Arizona for example, applying for your medical card with the state Department of Health Services costs $150 plus a doctor’s recommendation, and the price often doubles with the visit to the recommending physician or naturopath. Because of this cost, many patients filter into their states’ adult-use markets where they often have to find new products and reconfigure their treatment plans with little to no personalized guidance.

“We believe that these should be two different markets,” said Churgai. “Patients should have priorities, especially priorities for products they need. Unfortunately, what we’re finding in certain states when the adult-use market comes in is that patients are having a hard time finding the products that they need or their products are getting switched out for products the adult-use market utilizes more.” And although this is a problem, it is also a testament to the efficacy of cannabis medicine: “The fact that patients are paying for this (medical cannabis) out of pocket just shows how much they need it,” she said. “If it was not helping them they would not be paying money to be a patient, so it is really important.”

With No Patient Left Behind, ASA identified the people with restricted or limited access to cannabis medicine like federal employees, veterans who utilize VA services, patients who travel across state lines, people living in poverty, patients in treatment or hospice centers, people on the organ transplant lists in some states, and more, and they present action points that would extend patient access in these areas beginning with the No Patient Left Behind pledge. Following the pledge, prompts provide everything needed to write and call politicians who have the power to alleviate these pain points for patients.

People in the industry tend to get immersed in the day-to-day, often losing sight of the people left to fend for themselves in prohibition states, while ASA faces its issues as adult-use markets capture the attention of cannabis businesses. This has led to a decrease in support for cannabis patient advocacy organizations like ASA but Churgai hopes to bring more awareness to the issues at hand, like those presented in the No Patient Left Behind campaign. “People just don’t think about them and that’s why we named it No Patient Left Behind. As more and more people get access, they are so excited that they kind of forget that there are people struggling in other states and in other areas of their own state that don’t have access.”

In most states where cannabis is now legal, the first fight for legalization stemmed from the voices of medical cannabis patients. Now, as legalization is sweeping the nation, patients are being left behind to wade through complicated regulations and ever-changing dispensary menus to find products similar to those they bought in the medical market. Creating an affordable market, removing barriers for patients without explicit legislative protections, and an expansive extension of safe access to medical cannabis remains at the core of ASA’s mission. If you’d like to get involved, Take the Pledge to leave no patient behind, find patient resources, and/or support Americans for Safe Access, visit safeaccessnow.org.

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Study: 60% of CBD Sleep Products Are Mislabeled

4/28/2022

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Leafreport released a study this week finding that 60% of consumer CBD products currently marketed for sleep contain the wrong amount of CBD, CBN, or melatonin.

To conduct the study, the company purchased 52 different CBD sleep products including gummies, tinctures, and capsules. The products were third-party tested by accredited cannabis testing laboratory Infinite Chemical Analysis Labs, which returned Certificates of Analysis for each product measuring their CBD and CBN content and melatonin levels.

Two-thirds of the tested products said to contain melatonin were found to be mislabeled, while just over half with CBD carried inaccurate CBD levels, and nearly half labeled for CBN were also inaccurate. Some products were more egregious than others — one product said to contain melatonin actually showed zero traces of it, for example, while two others had three to five times more than was labeled, according to the report. And out of 32 products that were advertised to contain broad or full-spectrum CBD, 25% appeared to be mislabeled.

Capsules performed better than the other products in terms of labeling accuracy with 50% of tested products matching their label, followed by gummies (40%), then tinctures (30%).

“Frankly, the results of this research are shocking and continue to illustrate the need for a more transparent CBD industry. Consumers need to know when they buy CBD products that there are certain quality standards being met.”  — Gal Shapira, Leafreport’s Product Manager, in a press release

The company noted its investigation was not immune to error — each product was only tested once, after all, and they could have experienced cannabinoid degradation over time. Additionally, the products typically see some variation among batches. But the findings are similar to previous studies by Leafreport that found labeling inaccuracies in other consumer cannabinoid products, including CBD edibles, beverages, and pet treats, as well as other products containing CBG and even Delta-8 THC.

“Leafreport exists to help these same consumers make better-informed decisions about what they put into their bodies,” Shapira said. “We see this report as a critical service to help consumers ensure they buy products that actually work.”

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U.S. Attorney General: Federal Cannabis Laws ‘Not an Efficient Use’ of Resources

4/28/2022

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In a Senate Apropriations sub-committee hearing on Tuesday, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland stood by his previous comments that enforcing federal cannabis possession laws is “not an efficient use” of federal government resources, Marijuana Moment reports.

Garland, however, declined to answer questions by Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) about reinstating Department of Justice (DOJ) protections for states with legal cannabis systems. The protections had been set by the Obama administration through the Cole Memo but were later rescinded under the Trump administration’s DOJ.

“I laid this out in my confirmation hearing, and my view hasn’t really changed since then. The Justice Department has almost never prosecuted use of marijuana, and it’s not going to be.” — Garland, via Marijuana Moment

Schatz did not press the AG on the issue and said his answer was “good enough” for him.

During his confirmation hearings, Garland said in both written and oral testimony that the spirit of the memo would be followed but some activists have been pushing for the memo’s reinstatement as part of a larger federal legalization effort. Despite the comments, Garland has not started the process to decriminalize cannabis at the federal level, according to the report.

Last month, a group of bi-partisan Congress members filed a bill asking the DOJ to form a commission to look at regulating cannabis similar to alcohol. Known as the Preparing Regulators Effectively for a Post-Prohibition Adult-Use Regulated Environment Act (PREPARE Act), the bill is sponsored by Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH), Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), and Brian Mast (R-FL).

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Cannabis License Hopeful Sues Georgia Commission Over ‘Backroom’ Application Process

4/28/2022

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A medical cannabis company has filed a lawsuit against the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission claiming the scoring and evaluations of industry applications were shrouded by “conflicts of interest” and licenses were “bought and sold through closed-door politics and backroom deals,” FOX 5 reports.

Cumberland Curative President Charlie Arnold said he believes his company, which filed the lawsuit, was cheated out of a chance to obtain a state medical cannabis license.

“If there is no wrongdoing or corruption, then why not turn these applications, evaluation sheets, etc. over to the public.” – Arnold to FOX 5

“We heard in December of 2020 before the applications were submitted, directly from high up, public officials in both Democrat and Republican Party, that four of the six licenses are spoken for,” Arnold told FOX 5.

Under Georgia’s medical cannabis law, winning bids are redacted and kept secret from the losing bidders, the public, and the media, the report says, and the scoring of applications – which is conducted by political appointees – is also secret.

State Rep. Alan Powel (R) said he tried to fix the problems caused by the secretive bidding process by adding all the companies protesting the bid awards to the list of winning bidders. He described the effort as “not perfect” but “the best solution” available to him.

“I smell a rat in the woodpile,” Powel told Fox 5, “this process was destined for handpicked folks.”

State Rep. Bill Werkheiser (R) introduced legislation to start the entire process over, but that bill was not approved by the House.

The lawsuit was filed in Fulton County Superior Court and seeks to disclose the bid processes.

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Cannabis Research Center Coming to University of Kentucky

4/28/2022

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Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) on Tuesday signed a bill to authorize cannabis research at the University of Kentucky (UK), the Associated Press reports. Beshear used his line-item veto authority to broaden the center’s work and allow more leeway in the selection of the center’s oversight board.

The legislation to create the research center was approved by lawmakers on the final day of the state’s legislative session and Beshear’s line-item vetoes will stand since the Legislature will not reconvene until January 2023 for its next regular session.

Beshear said last week that he is seeking options to legalize medical cannabis in the state via executive action after lawmakers failed to approve the reforms during the session. The state House passed a medical cannabis bill but Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer (R) never brought the bill for a vote in the upper chamber, claiming there were “not enough votes” to pass the reforms.

The bill signed by Beshear on Tuesday gives UK’s president the power to appoint members of the advisory board overseeing the research center’s work and finances. In the line-item vetoes, the governor struck language that listed UK officials to be considered for board membership, along with medical specialists.

“I am vetoing these parts because they limit the purpose of the center and dictate who the president of the University of Kentucky should consider appointing to the advisory board after giving the president of the university sole appointing power,” Beshear said in his veto message, adding that his other line-item vetoes on the center’s access to funding were required “because ongoing appropriations may be necessary.”

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Connecticut House Passes Bill to Regulate Cannabis Advertising & Gifting

4/28/2022

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Connecticut lawmakers on Tuesday passed legislation to regulate cannabis-related advertising in the state, eliminate cannabis gifting, and allow physician assistants to write medical cannabis recommendations.

The advertising bill passed the House 98-48, the Westerly Sun reports, and would ban ads from out-of-state cannabis operators, prohibit Connecticut licensees from using the cannabis plant in advertising, bar ads on illuminated billboards between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., and prohibit any cannabis-related advertising within 1,500 yards of a school or house of worship.

The bill was amended to remove criminal penalties associated with the practice and language was added to expressly allow social gifting – which medical cannabis advocates said was often essential for some patients to access their medicine, the CT Mirror reports.

State Rep. Mike D’Agostino (D) said the measure is meant to reign in the practice of commercial gifting – the exchange of cannabis with the purchase of another often overpriced product – rather than individuals giving one another cannabis for free.

“You can gift to your friends and relatives. You can host a brownie party at your house.” – D’Agostino via the Sun

D’Agostino said the billboard rules stem from lawmakers from both sides of the Connecticut aisle “sick of seeing … billboards with cannabis leaves played across them.”

In addition to allowing physician assistants to write medical cannabis patient recommendations, the bill also seeks to eliminate fees for medical cannabis patient renewals and new registrants beginning in 2024.

The bill still requires Senate approval before moving to the governor.

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Cannabis Farms Excluded From California’s Drought Mitigation Plan

4/27/2022

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A new proposal by California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) that would pay farmers to leave fields unplanted in order to conserve water — a practice known as fallowing — excludes the state’s cannabis farmers, Marijuana Business Daily reports. Working with some of California’s largest water providers, the state is offering $268 million in funds to farmers who leave their fields empty this year.

The plan focuses on two critical Sierra Nevada watersheds in Northern California. The list of crops eligible for the funds includes water-intensive crops like rice, alfalfa, and nuts, and is part of the governor’s $2.9 billion water quality control plan, the report says.

Michael Katz, executive director of the Mendocino Cannabis Alliance, said it is an “unfortunate double standard” that some farmers “are deemed worthy” for state support, while cannabis farmers “are in a position where they have no ability to pause their operations and their tax burden without endangering their ability to remain in the licensed market.”

Spokesperson for the California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) Maria Luisa Cesar said the “policies are in their preliminary stages of discussion and development.” Cesar added that the DCC “is committed to supporting the administration’s efforts to respond to California’s drought and will continue exploring policies that assist small farmers and recognize their responsible stewardship of the environment.”

The Origins Council, which represents nearly 900 small and independent cannabis businesses, has been asking the state and local governments for six months to enact regulations to help cannabis farmers through the extreme drought conditions. In a statement to MJBizDaily, the group’s Executive Director Genine Coleman said:

“To date, they have not committed to creating a fallowing policy. The state has an ethical obligation to support our cannabis farmers in being able to fallow during this unprecedented historic drought.”

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DoorDash Partnering with Cannabis Retailer Superette in Toronto

4/27/2022

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DoorDash Canada is partnering with cannabis retailer Superette to provide cannabis pickup in Toronto, Ontario, marking DoorDash’s first foray into cannabis. This partnership will bring Superette’s in-store shopping experience onto the DoorDash app and give consumers access to curated menus and special collections that reflect the best of the locale in which each store is based, the companies said in a press release.

Drummond Munro, co-founder and chief brand officer for Superette, said the partnership with DoorDash would “continue to transform how consumers engage with cannabis.”

“In true Superette fashion, every element of the experience has been carefully considered with the goal of making our retail experience digital on the DoorDash platform.” – Munro in a statement

DoorDash and Superette will include age gates for customers to ensure that only customers 19-and-older can view cannabis retail store information, cannabis products, or anything related to cannabis, the companies said. Superette will verify IDs and strictly enforce the maximum possession amount at the store during pick up.

The partnership will also give Superette access to DoorDash’s large customer base across Toronto. Superette has five locations in the city, according to its website.

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