New Hemp Industry Rules Take Effect in New York This Week

4/27/2022

by

New rules governing New York’s hemp industry take effect this week, including stricter labeling and testing requirements, the Times-Union reports. The rules were adopted by the Cannabis Control Board in November, but several provisions were delayed to allow businesses to come into compliance.

The new packaging rules require a nutritional fact panel with an ingredient list, the country and company of origin, and a bar code or QR code linking to a certificate of analysis. Products must also now be tested by third-party laboratories for product components and substances such as mold, pesticides, and metals.

Allan Gandelman, president of the New York Cannabis Growers and Processors Association, told the TU that a lot of the “subpar products” being sold in the state are from out of state.

“Without these regulations, New York state inspectors had no way of pulling that stuff off the shelves.” – Gandelman to the TU

Control board member Jen Metzger said that cannabinoid products used for wellness and those intended for consumption needed to be placed in a different regulatory framework than other, industrial, hemp products.

“The complexities of regulating the new crop and all of the potential cannabinoid products derived from that plant warranted a more robust regulatory approach,” Metzger told the TU.

The new rules provide insight into how THC-rich cannabinoid products will be regulated in the state once adult-use sales begin in the Empire State. Earlier this month, the Office of Cannabis Management approved conditional cultivation licenses for 52 cultivators but no firm start date has been announced.

End

Ganjapreneur Announces Cannabis Industry Survival Guide Series

4/27/2022

by

Cannabis business resource and news outlet Ganjapreneur.com has announced the launch of a new series of downloadable content in the form of “survival guides,” intended to help industry operators navigate the complex and difficult reality of existing in a quasi-legal, hyper-competitive space.

The Ganjapreneur Survival Guide series will focus on different aspects of running a cannabis business and participating in the industry. The first edition is titled “How to Write About Cannabis Responsibly” and was written by journalist TG Branfalt, who has been covering the industry for nearly a decade. Following on the heels of Ganjapreneur’s new series “Cannabias” – also written by Branfalt – this guide highlights the importance of context and awareness for any journalist at a mainstream publication who is tasked with covering the industry.

Since well before legalization, cannabis advocates have pointed to the persistence of anti-cannabis bias and stigma in mainstream news coverage related to the plant. Due to the amount of propaganda that has historically been levied against cannabis and the people who consume it, journalists who write about the industry need to take extra precaution to avoid their own internal biases and to make sure their reporting appropriately considers the context of what they are writing about.

The Survival Guide highlights several key considerations for journalists to keep in mind in order to make sure their reporting doesn’t fall victim to common flaws and pitfalls that are often present in mainstream cannabis coverage, such as:

1) Use the scientific term “cannabis” over any slang reference like “pot” or “weed”

Branfalt points out the problematic history of how the word “marijuana” was used by the government to stoke xenophobia among white Americans in the 1930’s in order to justify cracking down on the communities of color who predominantly consumed the plant. While the term “marijuana” is still widely used and has become the official language of many of the new laws that have repealed prohibition, Branfalt argues a fair reporter should avoid it or any other term that comes with loaded stereotypes attached.

2) Avoid writing about scientific studies that you don’t understand

Branfalt highlights the problem of journalists attempting to interpret the results of scientific studies they don’t understand. Due to the prevalence of research funded by think-tanks, the tendency for relevant comparisons to be left out (i.e. comparing the health risks of cannabis to the harms of alcohol or tobacco), and the ubiquity of clickbait in the digital era, Branfalt argues that journalists who don’t have a scientific background should simply avoid trying to draw conclusions or interpretations from scientific studies altogether.

“Just because it makes a good headline, doesn’t mean you are providing quality information to your readers.”
-TG Branfalt

Other topics covered in the Survival Guide include how to choose one’s sources, the importance of relevant context, and the necessity for journalists to understand that people who consume cannabis are not defined by the negative stereotypes like “stoner” or “pothead” that people who don’t consume cannabis have been conditioned to understand them by.

Ganjapreneur plans to develop additional survival guides that will be written internally, as well as in collaboration with advertising partners. To learn about how to become a sponsor and co-author of our next survival guide, contact us via the website or email us at grow@ganjapreneur.com.

To download a copy of the Survival Guide, click here or fill out the form below.

End

How Pandemic Pivots Impacted Digital Marketing for Dispensaries

4/27/2022

by

The cannabis industry has been on the rise for over a decade, exceeding many growth projections. The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted just how far the industry had come when many government officials opted to declare dispensaries “essential businesses.”

Not only did the pandemic impact industry growth from a revenue standpoint, but it also pushed cannabis businesses to explore new acquisition and retention channels, specifically those related to digital marketing.

Cannabis Becomes Essential

Legal cannabis sales in the United States passed $17.5 billion in 2020, a 46 percent increase over sales in 2019. For many Americans, stocking up on marijuana was as essential as stocking up on toilet paper.

Where legally permitted, cannabis delivery businesses saw an increase in patrons. In some areas, cars lined up for curbside, social-distanced order pick-up. Customers stood outside dispensaries, six feet apart as they waited for their chance to enter. People wanted their weed and dispensaries figured out ways to get it.

After the rush to secure lockdown cannabis supplies subsided, owners and marketers were tasked with determining the best strategies for maintaining momentum in a new environment.

Digital Marketing for Dispensaries

With lockdowns in place, many consumers found themselves spending more time at home and online. Within a matter of weeks, digital marketing quickly went from “nice to have” to a necessity, focusing on five major areas:

  • Ease of purchase
  • Increased visibility
  • Consumer education
  • Customer engagement
  • Brand identity

Ease of Purchase: Online Orders

In a lockdown situation, consumers need to be able to get their products in the most efficient way possible. Standing in line for hours without knowing what would be available inside, is the opposite of efficiency.

Many dispensaries transitioned from a basic list of products on their website to a full menu of in-stock products and online order capabilities. Though marijuana cannot be purchased and shipped online, it can be ordered and ready to pick up at the local dispensary or delivered, cutting down on wait times, and, with timely inventory updates, ensuring product availability.

This convenient purchase method has become commonplace for many consumers who just want to purchase their product without having to wait to speak to a budtender.

Increased Visibility: Local Search

Dispensaries are brick-and-mortar businesses, which means that they cater to a specific area. With consumers required to limit travel, dispensary location became increasingly important during the pandemic.

Online directory listings are a powerful way to help customers find businesses near them. They are also an effective way to build a website’s domain authority, increasing search engine optimization (SEO).

These directories can essentially include anywhere that lists your business location such as your website, google business, social media, yelp, and cannabis-specific directories. They may also include customer reviews and photos, which help provide potential customers with a level of familiarity with the business prior to visiting.

More consumers use Google to evaluate local businesses than ever before. In 2021, 81% of consumers used this platform, compared to 63% in the previous year.

Consumer Education: Quality Content

Research from a 2022 digital overview report reveals that the “typical” global internet user now spends almost 7 hours per day – 6 hours and 58 minutes to be precise – using the internet across all devices. Much of this time is spent absorbing content about things they are interested in or find entertaining. Cannabis content can be both.

During the height of the pandemic, the internet played a crucial role in providing important information to people worldwide through various channels. Some channels are more trusted than others. Similarly, providing quality cannabis content that educates potential customers helps cultivate trust in your brand.

Educational content can take on many forms including product description pages, blogs, videos, graphs, social media posts, and more. With more time on their hands, consumers are able to more carefully research the products they intend to purchase. This research-first purchasing behavior has created a more value-conscious consumer even in the post-restriction Covid era.

Customer Engagement: Building Relationships

The pandemic removed many traditional options for face-to-unmasked face interactions, forcing dispensaries to find other options to build relationships with customers. According to Salesforce’s CMO Survey, 84% of customers say the experience a company provides is as important as its products and services.

Website live chats, social media interactions with customers, and a consistent email cadence, have made it possible for dispensaries to get and remain digitally engaged. Emails also provide cost-effective continual touchpoints with customers which can include the distribution of educational content, discounts, events, product launches, or feedback requests.

Integrating on-site customer reviews and loyalty programs have also become commonplace for customer retention.

Brand Identity: Dispensary Differentiation

During the pandemic, consumers became accustomed to empathy from brands. Whether that messaging involved putting people over profits, appreciation for essential workers, or sympathy for those struggling through illness, brand voice and authenticity became more relevant to attentive consumers.

A company’s values are digitally communicable through visual style, and voice as an overall indicator of brand culture. Digital marketing for dispensaries during the pandemic steered many brands to define their messaging and audience to emphasize their core values.

Dispensaries that are able to cultivate a distinctive brand identity have a higher probability of building sustainable brand loyalty.

Covid’s Impact on Digital Marketing for Dispensaries

As a relatively new industry, many dispensaries had minimal online presence pre-Covid, but digital marketing played a key role for dispensaries during the pandemic by providing channels to attract and capture new customers as well as engage with existing customers. Dispensaries that utilized search engine optimization, directories, blogs, social media, display advertising, and other marketing tactics had the edge over competitors and drove traffic to their stores.

Ultimately, the pandemic has made digital marketing a priority for dispensaries. In 2022 and beyond, new and established businesses must step up their digital marketing to provide increasingly better and more competitive customer experiences.

End

Muha Meds Now Licensed In California & Available Through Multiple Retailers

4/27/2022

by

CALIFORNIA (4/27/22) — Following the success of its launch in Michigan’s regulated cannabis market, Muha Meds — a legacy cannabis brand that got its start in the traditional California cannabis market about three years ago — is now officially licensed for the California adult-use marketplace, and Muha Meds products are available through select cannabis retailers around the state.

The company received its California license (C11-0001088-LIC) in February and today, its products are available at numerous retailers including the Elevate dispensaries, Backpack Boys, and others, and plans for additional locations are also in the works. For other locations that carry their products, visit their Weedmaps brand page.

Over the years, Muha Meds products have been enjoyed by thousands of cannabis consumers — in California, the company’s biggest seller so far is its full-gram, live resin disposable, which is rechargeable and comes in a variety of eight flavors. Each live resin disposable carries a guaranteed potency of at least 82% THC. The company also offers full-gram cartridges in 14 unique and fantastic-tasting flavors. Muha Meds has conducted extensive research and development in search of the best smoking experience.

Company leaders said that while they chose Michigan for the brand’s first license because of the state’s retail- and business-friendly environment, they are especially excited about the California launch because it is the birthplace of the Muha Meds brand.

“We’re just getting started, the community is really getting to see what they’ve been missing out on and the feedback has been tremendous,” said Muha Meds CEO Ali Gawari. “We have next-generation tech coming for solventless extracts, pre-rolls, and edibles. Everything that we do by the way is 100% in-house from seed to shelf — we made that a point when launching in CA and MI to ensure the level of quality we stand for.”

Visit MuhaMeds.com to learn more about this legacy cannabis brand’s offerings in California and Michigan.

End

Experts Warn Against Mailing Cannabis In Light of Recent DEA Ruling

4/27/2022

by

Earlier this month, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) acknowledged that cannabis seeds are in fact legal products under provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill as long as they contain less than the 0.3% THC legal threshold qualifying them as hemp. The attorney who sent the letter that sparked the review, Shane Pennington, who serves as counsel in Vicente Sederberg’s New York office, cautioned though that not much will change for the industry in the short term just because of the DEA’s letter.

“To everybody out there who is saying, ‘This is one simple trick to mail marijuana,’ please, please hear me – it is not. This is not what this is. Before you do anything consult your attorney – I would say consult your attorney and read the letter, because if the letter doesn’t say ‘You can mail it,’ I would not assume you can. I just want to be very clear about that.” – Pennington to Ganjapreneur

Pennington, who tries cannabis cases in federal court, sent the letter because it was obvious to him that the “governing principle” under the Farm Bill for distinguishing legal hemp from illegal cannabis under federal law was the 0.3% THC threshold, rather than the so-called “source rule” which dictates that anything derived from an illegal source, regardless of THC content, is illegal.

Under the source rule, seeds and clones sourced from outlawed cannabis are also considered controlled substances under federal law despite THC concentrations falling below the 0.3% threshold outlined in the Farm Bill.

Pennington said that many people in the cannabis industry argued that the source rule was the lay of the land and that the Farm Bill had no effect on the legal status of seeds and clones that could grow into THC-rich plants, prompting Pennington to ask the DEA for an official determination on the status of cannabis seeds.

“Of course, the DEA has been wrong about plenty of stuff,” Pennington said, “I sue them all the time. Nonetheless, they do speak with authority on the law and if I could get an official determination I could at least tell these people, ‘Look, we don’t have to argue anymore.’”

In the letter to Pennington, DEA Chief of the Drug & Chemical Evaluation Section Terrence L. Boos, concludes that “marihuana seed that has a delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3[%] on a dry weight basis meets the definition of ‘hemp’ and thus is not controlled” under the Controlled Substances Act – and not just seed, but “tissue culture and any other genetic material” containing less than 0.3% THC.

But, Pennington said, that letter didn’t end all arguments, which he said have evolved into claims that cannabis seeds, clones, and basically anything with less than 0.3% THC could now be mailed, brought across state lines, and shared between states that have legalized cannabis.

Nat Pennington, the founder and CEO of Humboldt Seed Company (and not related to Shane), pointed out that California’s adult-use law is very clear that seeds cannot be transferred in or out of the state regardless of current federal policies. Nat points out that in newly legal states there is often a baked-in “immaculate conception clause” which allows companies and cultivators to start growing for the program but turns a blind eye to exactly where that first batch of seed is sourced from. The DEA letter, in Nat’s view, takes some of the risk out of that first legal grow because the companies are definitely not violating the source rule by simply possessing the seeds, clones, or tissue culture as long as they don’t exceed federal THC limits for controlled substances.

While California’s rules on seeds are very strict, the rules in Oklahoma, another state where Humboldt Seed Company operates, are not.

“You don’t have to prove that they came from within the state’s system,” Nat said in an interview with Ganjapreneur. “And they also don’t keep track or want to regulate what happens to the seeds that are created within the system – they’re treated just like tomato seeds or anything else.”

Oklahoma does require all seeds in the state to be tested for invasive plants and germination rates, Nat said.

“As long as states don’t have a closed loop like California, there is more potential for seed sharing,” he said.

According to Nat, the big deal in the DEA’s response is that it likely opens the window for research and intellectual property and the ability to “follow normal seed laws.”

“There’s an opportunity to really have the states look at it differently – the industry could really benefit a lot from, for example, being able to bring cannabis seeds onto campus for genomic analysis. It’s silly to not be able to utilize that.” – Nat Pennington to Ganjapreneur

While many colleges and universities are offering cannabis-related certificates and degree programs, none of them have offerings that touch the plant (including seeds) because they receive federal funding.

In 2019, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) did release the following guidance about mailing hemp as defined under the farm bill:

“Hemp and hemp-based products, including cannabidiol (CBD) with the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of such hemp (or its derivatives) not exceeding a 0.3 percent limit are permitted to be mailed only when:

  1. The mailer complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws (such as the Agricultural Act of 2014 and the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018) pertaining to hemp production, processing, distribution, and sales; and
  2. The mailer retains records establishing compliance with such laws, including laboratory test results, licenses, or compliance reports, for no less than 2 years after the date of mailing.”

Shane said that the issue of whether cannabis seeds could be mailed likely needs clarification by USPS officials in light of the DEA letter.

“All that this letter says is what DEA thinks the [CSA] means at the time that they wrote that letter with respect to these particular substances,” he explained. “It’s not saying it’s legal to mail stuff under federal law or state law – it’s not saying anything about state law. … This letter doesn’t change California law on this stuff. It doesn’t change was USPS thinks are verboten cannabis products.”

The letter, Shane said, doesn’t legalize interstate commerce of clones, doesn’t change any rules on marketing or advertising, or the positions of any other federal agency.

The real significance, Shane said, is that it offers some clarification for “third-party regulators” such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), state regulators, law enforcement agencies, because they “take their cues” from the DEA on controlled substances policy.

“If you read opinions from state courts about trying to draw lines under state law on hemp and marijuana, they will cite DEA regs and DEA guidance,” he said. “The point is that, while it’s not immediate, over time as these regulators and lawmakers realize that DEA’s views are more flexible than they realized, it is entirely reasonable to expect that they will loosen up some of their standards as well.”

Shane explained that what will really determine how quickly and dramatically those standards change is how quickly people use the letter to lobby state lawmakers, regulators, and other agencies.

End

Veriheal Opens Applications for 2022 Innovation Scholarship Fund

4/27/2022

by

Medical cannabis card facilitator Veriheal on Tuesday launched its third annual Innovation Scholarship Fund which will grant $25,000 in awards to five students to help with college tuition and fees. The total represents a $5,000 increase from the previous funding offering by the company program.

The scholarship is open to current college students, recent high school graduates, and high school seniors who are starting college classes early. Submissions will be accepted until July 30, 2022, with winners notified by September. Students must submit a 1,000-word essay about how they would improve the cannabis industry and are encouraged to be creative in crafting novel solutions to remedy the concerns facing the cannabis industry, from business, to technology, to product development, the company said in a press release.

Anthony Dutcher, CMO of Veriheal, said the program “not only sets up students for success, but it also lays the groundwork for a new generation of cannabis entrepreneurs and visionaries.”

“As both medical and adult-use cannabis access increases across America, we’ll have some issues to work out.” – Dutcher in a statement

Veriheal said that since the inception of the Innovation in Cannabis Scholarship, its award funding has increased by 66%.

“We’re excited to reaffirm our commitment to the community and help shape future cannabis industry leaders,” Dutcher added.

Previous winners are listed on the company’s website. Last year, 17 students received the award.

End

Biden Marks ‘Second Chance Month’ By Commuting Just 75 Drug Conviction Sentences

4/26/2022

by

President Joe Biden (D) is commuting the sentences of 75 nonviolent drug offenders today to mark Second Chance Month, according to a CNN report. It is the president’s first time wielding the clemency powers afforded to him by his office.

The move — which a senior administration official said “reflects the President’s broader commitment to reform our justice system and address racial disparities” — comes as there remain more than 40,000 individuals incarcerated for cannabis-related charges, and despite Biden’s purported belief that “Nobody should be in jail for smoking marijuana.”

“America is a nation of laws and second chances, redemption, and rehabilitation. Elected officials on both sides of the aisle, faith leaders, civil rights advocates, and law enforcement leaders agree that our criminal justice system can and should reflect these core values that enable safer and stronger communities. During Second Chance Month, I am using my authority under the Constitution to uphold those values by pardoning and commuting the sentences of fellow Americans.” — Biden, in a written statement via CNN

In addition to the 75 commuted sentences, Biden is also issuing full pardons to three individuals.

The Last Prisoner Project, an advocacy group fighting for the release of all cannabis prisoners, called out the move on Monday, tweeting, “President Biden, if you truly believe that ‘no one should be in jail because of drug use,’ it’s time to put those words into action.”

NORML’s Executive Director Erik Altieri described the move as “woefully inadequate.”

“It is well past the time for President Biden to make good on his campaign promise to expunge the records of all federal marijuana offenders and prove that justice isn’t just a buzzword he uses to gain votes during election season,” Altieri said in a statement.

Second Chance Month started in the U.S. in 2017 as an effort to raise awareness of the collateral consequences of criminal convictions and the country’s rampant incarceration rates. The month is observed to create second-chance opportunities for people whose past convictions have prevented them from fully reincorporating themselves into society.

End

Jesse Parenti & Kirk Miller: Risk Mitigation In the Cannabis Industry

4/26/2022

by

Between the cannabis industry’s nascency and its highly regulated and cash-rich environment, operators in the space face a formidable number of business risks. But while these risks are real, concerns can be eased with the help of risk management experts like Nine Point Strategies, an agency offering business insurance and human resources consulting for the cannabis space.

Ganjapreneur recently interviewed Nine Point’s Program Director Jesse Parenti and Executive Producer Kirk Miller about the insurance needs of cannabis operators and the firm’s approach to HR consulting across the industry’s many different types of companies, including cultivation, retail, and testing labs, and others. This Q&A interview also covers the various insurance types available to cannabis operators, which risks are the most overlooked in the industry, advice for entrepreneurs to reduce risk, and more!

Scroll down to read the full interview.

Ganjapreneur: As HR consultants do you use one blanket method for each company or do you adjust how you operate to match the client’s company culture? Why?

Jesse Parenti: While there are similarities between license types, we customize our approach based on the client’s needs, level of sophistication and exposure. For example, the larger vertical operators will have different needs than a small cultivator.

Will you explain the difference between basic and excess insurance options when it comes to coverage, cost, and assessment?

Kirk Miller: By basic you mean underlying limits, versus Excess Limits. You first have to have the underlying coverage to purchase Excess Liability. For example, an operator can have General Liability limits of 1MM Per Occurrence and 2MM Aggregate, then they can purchase 1MM up to 5MM of Excess Liability that would go over the underlying coverage.

Does an owner/operator take on more risk in one sector of the industry than another? Which sectors are more in need of risk assessment and why?

Jesse Parenti: All sectors have their Exposures, for example outdoor cultivators have wildfires while, retail stores have Robberies. Delivery and Distribution should be concerned about their Auto Exposure, as one accident can create an extinguishing event. Those Operators that have a strong Culture, that supports both Safety and Accountability and creating a safe workplace and are reducing risk within their organization.

What are some of the most overlooked risks in the cannabis industry?

Kirk Miller: Directors & Officers (D&O), Employment Practices Liability (EPL), Cyber, Excess Auto. Most privately held companies are not purchasing these lines due to the cost, perceived exposure, and perceived value. This is slowly changing as the market matures and more sophisticated operators enter the industry. As claims develop and the industry gains insights on the risks and exposures, operators will need to expand coverages to further protect their assets.

Why is it complicated for cannabis companies to find business insurance? How does this amplify risk for these companies?

Jesse Parenti: Commercial insurance in general can be complicated, and for cannabis operations, the carrier options are limited, and coverage can be restrictive. Which is why companies need to work with Risk Advisors that specialize in the Cannabis industry. It’s important for companies to choose their broker rather than shop their coverage. In the cannabis space, it is critical to work with a Risk Advisor that understands your unique exposures and the carrier’s coverage forms.

When is the optimal time for a company to hire a dedicated risk management team like Nine Point Strategies?

Kirk Miller: We like to start having conversations with our clients as early as possible. Since we have been in the space for over a decade our advice and insights assist the operator in making better business decisions. It also helps with forecasting as we typically start with the basics like Bonds, GL, Work Comp and Auto. Then as the business grows and matures, we expand coverages to meet their needs, which can include Property, Cargo, Employee Benefits along with D&O, EPLI, Cyber and Excess Liability.

What are the benefits of hiring an HR consultant for an already established brand?

Jesse Parenti: Working with an HR consultant offers a second opinion by an expert that can provide support and check and balances. Many small to midsize businesses do not have a dedicated HR Director. Hiring an HR consultant is a great way to fill the knowledge gap, ease the burden of hiring and onboarding new employees, while also keeping the company compliant with employment laws and regulations.

How did you stay up to date on OSHA and safety regulations to best consult with your clients?

Kirk Miller: Currently California is the only state that requires licensed operators to complete the CAL-OSHA30 Training. The law mandates that one manager and one employee complete the CAL-OSHA30 Training every four years for every cannabis license.

Do you need to be educated on each sector of the cannabis industry in order to properly consult with them? What informs your expertise in each sector?

Jesse Parenti: Nine Point Strategies has been protecting the cannabis industry for over a decade. There is not much we have not seen or experienced. Which is why it is important for operators to work with a trusted risk advisor that understands your exposures and has extensive claims experience.

What is the top piece of advice for reducing risk in the cannabis space?

Jesse Parenti: Hiring the right people can make or break your business. Build a strong culture that is reinforced with safety and accountability. Work with knowledgeable industry experts, consultants, and advisors.

Thanks, Jesse and Kirk, for answering these questions! Readers can visit NinePointStrategies.com for more info.

End

‘Great Resignation’ Creates Cannabis Labor Shortages, Canadian Cultivator Takes New Approach to Employee Retention

4/26/2022

by

Las Vegas, NV, April 26, 2022: — Unfilled jobs in the food-service and hospitality industries are making it difficult for cannabis companies to retain entry-level employees, prompting some cultivators to change how they operate to gain a competitive advantage in the labor market.

Safari Flower Co. — a licensed cannabis producer in Ontario’s Niagara region — is combating the so-called “Great Resignation” with automated processing equipment from Mobius, a cannabis automation and technology firm.

Implementing their new automation equipment enabled Safari to reduce the amount of time spent on trimming by approximately 75% and improve working conditions for the processing team. The net result has been a smaller and happier workforce with the ability to apply compensation programs based on meeting production efficiencies.

“The impact of technology and automation on our labor force has been very well-recognized as a retention strategy,” said Brigitte Simons, Safari’s Chief Executive Officer.

Before bringing automation to their processing operations, Safari would require two 8-hour shifts to buck and trim each harvest. The procedure involved separating the flowers from the stalks by hand and trimming each cannabis flower with scissors — a task that led to boredom, repetitive strain injuries, and high staff turnover.

The non-progressive, manual trimming procedures strained Safari’s labor force as it could not incrementally increase the company’s working capital towards employee compensation planning due to the lengthy inventory processing cycles. Further influenced by increasing wages in other regional job sectors, staff desired to participate in procedures under constant improvements.

Now, with the new Mobius processing system, tasks are more ergonomic and engaging. Even better, the harvest has gone from 5 days down to just one day.

Thanks to mechanical buckers (machines that separate the flowers and leaves from the stalks) and a high-speed trimming system that includes infeed and quality control conveyors, Safari has reduced repetitive strain injuries and increased employee satisfaction.

“If you can give your employees technology that brings value back to the operators, you will have a sustainable, committed workforce that will come every day with dedication to your efficiency measures,” said Simons.

To learn more about the Mobius automation system, visit mobiustrimmer.com/cannabis-automation.

To learn more about Safari Flower, visit https://www.safariflower.co/.

For more information about automated processing equipment — contact a Mobius representative at info@mobiustrimmer.com.

End

Ohio Lawmakers Introduce Legalization Bill Authored By Cannabis Advocates

4/26/2022

by

Two Ohio lawmakers have introduced legislation proposed by the campaign seeking to legalize cannabis in the state, The Center Square reports. The bill’s introduction comes after advocates successfully submitted enough signatures to trigger the state’s initiated statute process.

Under the initiated statute process, once a campaign submits enough signatures, the Legislature has four months to pass the bill, or an amended version, and if they fail to do so, the campaign – the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol – can collect another 132,887 valid signatures to put the issue to voters. The group submitted the petition language and the required signatures on January 28.

State Rep. Casey Weinstein (D), one of the lawmakers supporting the bill, said that cannabis legalization in Ohio is “overdue.”

“The hundreds of thousands of Ohio voters who signed this petition – and millions more who support legalization statewide – asked for action from our legislature. Instead, GOP leaders have ignored them.” – Weinstein to Center Square

State Rep. Terrence Upchurch (D), who is also sponsoring the legislation, said cannabis legalization “would create good-paying jobs and generate significant revenue” for the Buckeye State.

“We must listen to the overwhelming support from voters and take action to finally legalize cannabis in Ohio,” Upchurch told Center Square.

The duo had previously filed a cannabis legalization bill in July 2021 – the first legislative effort to enact the reforms in the state – but the proposal stalled in the House Finance Committee.

The bill proposed by the campaign would allow individuals 21-and-older to buy and possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis, 15 grams of concentrates, and grow up to six plants per adult, with no more than 12 per household. The proposal includes a 10% tax on sales, with the revenues earmarked for administrative costs, addiction treatment programs, municipalities with dispensaries, and a social equity and jobs program.

If the General Assembly fails to act and pass the language within the four-month deadline outlined by the Ohio Constitution, the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol has the option to collect additional signatures to submit the proposal for voters to vote on in November.

End

Oregon Stops Issuing New Cannabis Licenses

4/26/2022

by

The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) has halted issuing new cannabis licenses of any kind to applicants who submitted their applications after January 1, KTVZ reports. The action is in response to a 2022 bill passed by the Oregon Legislature which ordered OLCC to stop granting new cannabis licenses.

“We see both sides of this issue,” Commissioner Matt Maletis said in the report. “There’s people that are very happy, and there’s people that are very unhappy, but the Legislature made a decision. We’ve always had a unique system in Oregon. There’s no easy way to do this.”

Besides the license moratorium, the commission also voted to undertake rulemaking for reporting human and sex trafficking in the cannabis industry and to create a system to reassign surrendered cannabis licenses. The OLCC plans on holding public meetings this summer to hear input on the new rules, the report says.

In March, two counties declared states of emergency related to cannabis, which allowed them to place moratoriums on issuing new hemp licenses. Jackson County Senior Deputy Administrator Harvey Bragg said that county officials needed “to kind of get a time-out” so they could catch up on applications and enforcement. Last year, state inspectors found 53% of licensed hemp grown in Jackson, and Josephine, counties were illegally growing cannabis under the guise of hemp.

Throughout 2021, law enforcement agencies in Southern Oregon have uncovered a host of issues at illegal cannabis grows, including workers living in poor conditions, water theft in a region hit hard by drought, improper use of pesticides and other chemicals, garbage, electrical hazards, and evidence of drug trafficking. Officials believe organized crime networks are backing many of the illegal cultivation sites.

End

Two Canadian Hemp Processors Get Combined $900k in Government Grants

4/26/2022

by

The government of Edmonton, Canada, and the federal government have awarded two grants totaling $900,000 to two hemp companies operating in the province to help build their processing facilities. INCA was awarded $400,000 while Blue Sky Hemp Ventures received $500,000.

INCA is planning a facility in Vegreville that is expected to cost $72 million, while Blue Sky has proposed a $75 million facility in Alberta. Both projects are funded through the Emerging Opportunities program under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, which supports initiatives that contribute to significant sector growth and job creation in Alberta.

In a statement, Marie-Claude Bibeau, minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, said that the province’s “hemp industry is helping to build a strong agriculture sector that creates jobs and brings tremendous opportunities to communities.”

“By producing, processing and creating value-added products within the province, the hemp industry can remain sustainable and agile, while seizing new opportunities in domestic and export markets.” – Bibeau in a press release

Doug Schweitzer, Alberta minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation, said “Alberta’s hemp industry has seen significant growth over the past two decades and is playing an increasingly important role” in the provincial economy by “creating jobs and generating value-added products for exports.”

The INCA Renewtech project is expected to create demand for 54,000 tons of hemp biomass per year while adding $270 million in additional farm income over 25 years. The project will is expected to create more than 70 manufacturing jobs.

The funding will allow Blue Sky to scale up production of its cold-pressed, purified hemp seed oil which is used in cosmetic and food applications, and to scale up production of a hemp protein concentrate from the resulting meal. The new facility will have the capacity to process up to 35,000 tons of hemp grain and will be the first large-scale hemp food processing facility in the province. The facility is expected to create more than 90 new jobs in rural Alberta and $45 million of annual farm revenue for hemp grain.

The grants are part of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, which is a five-year, $3 billion commitment by federal, provincial, and territorial governments that supports the nation’s agriculture, agri-food and agri-products sectors, including a $2 billion commitment that is cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially and territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.

(Note: All figures CAD)

End

North Dakota Organizers Launch Cannabis Legalization Campaign

4/26/2022

by

A North Dakota group is renewing efforts to legalize cannabis in the state through the ballot process after a previous effort failed to gather enough signatures earlier this year, KVRR reports. Advocates will need to get a minimum of 16,000 valid signatures to advance their petition but are aiming to get between 20,000 and 21,000, Dana Owen, campaign manager for New Approach North Dakota, told KVRR.

“The question today is not do you support or do you oppose recreational marijuana, that question will come later. The question today we have is should people have the right to vote on recreational marijuana and I think those are two fundamentally different questions that people don’t understand.” – Owen to KVRR

The group’s bill is similar to one passed by the state House in 2018 that was never considered by the Senate.

“We thought the people deserved to have a vote on it so we took the bill, made some small strategic changes, we submitted it to the Secretary of State and now we’re approved to start circulating here,” Owen said in the report.

The campaign is seeking to get the question on 2022 ballots, so they must submit enough valid signatures to the Secretary of State’s office by mid-July.

Owen described the proposal as a “restricted” and “controlled” legalization proposal which he does not anticipate “a lot of problems.”

“It’s important to have the conversation because states are the testing ground for policy,” Owen said, “and the state of North Dakota has the power and authority to set policy that works best for its people.”

End

Tennessee Looks to Regulate Instead of Ban Delta-8 THC

4/25/2022

by

A Tennessee bill seeking to ban delta-8 THC has been amended by its author to remove language banning the compound and replace it with language to regulate the industry, the Johnson City Press reports. The amendment was approved by the House Criminal Justice Committee last week following a hearing during which the panel heard from both hemp industry advocates and law enforcement officials who opposed an outright ban.

Law enforcement officials told the committee that while they had public safety concerns about delta-8, a ban would strain the state’s crime labs which would be required to test products to determine whether they are legal hemp, a hemp-derived cannabinoid, or illegal cannabis.

Hemp industry representatives told the committee that they supported regulations. Cara Roberts, who owns Delta 9 Delivery with her husband Micah, said that since they don’t grow and process their own hemp, they rely on companies to provide them with safe products and would like to see state-level regulations requiring things like childproof packaging and more information and product safety standards on labels.

“This helps pave the way to help legalize marijuana when it comes, instead of shut the door on this completely.” – Cara Roberts to the Press

The amended bill passed the committee unanimously. If approved by the Legislature, it would prohibit the sale of delta-8 products to anyone under 21-years-old, impose a 5% tax on delta-8 products, and require businesses manufacturing or selling the products to be licensed, along with other requirements such as labeling requirements and child-proof packaging. The regulations would also apply to other cannabinoids such as delta-10 and THCo.

End

New York City Mayor Proposes $4.8M for Cannabis Business Assistance

4/25/2022

by

New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) is proposing $4.8 million in his Fiscal Year 2023 Executive Budget for cannabis businesses, including funds for technical and licensing assistance. The investments would focus on communities most impacted by the “war on drugs” and include a multi-agency outreach effort.

“The cannabis industry could be a major boon to our economic recovery – creating new jobs, building wealth in historically underserved communities, and increasing state and local tax revenue. With a new regulated adult-use cannabis market on the immediate horizon, now is the time for our city to make proactive investments to ensure the people disproportionately impacted by the criminalization of these substances can reap the benefits of the new industry.” – Adams in a press release

The plan is part of Adams’ “Renew, Rebuild, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery” campaign plank, which calls for a partnership with state and local leaders to build the nation’s most equitable cannabis industry. In New York, the adult-use cannabis industry is expected to generate nearly $1.3 billion in sales in its first year and support between 19,000 and 24,000 jobs within three years, the Mayor’s Office said.

The multiagency effort will include targeted outreach and resources from the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS), the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC), and the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) which will work in tandem to begin identifying stakeholders in impacted communities, launching a public education tour, promoting an educational media campaign, and assessing the needs of interested parties so they can better tailor their services and programs to assist those interested in participating in the industry.

Chris Alexander, Executive Director of the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), said the agency is “working to build the most robust, equitable and thoughtful cannabis industry in the nation” and that the OCM “deeply appreciate[s] the support” of the Adams administration.

“New York City has been a cultural capital for cannabis for decades,” he said in a statement. “Governor Kathy Hochul has been a champion at the state level, and I appreciate Mayor Adams’ championing us at the city level by establishing multi-agency efforts to make sure New York City also becomes the business capital for cannabis too.”

End

Cleveland, Ohio Officials Seek to Expunge 4,000+ Cannabis Convictions

4/25/2022

by

Cleveland, Ohio officials earlier this month filed motions to expunge 4,077 cannabis-related criminal convictions. The effort is backed by Mayor Justin M. Bibb, Chief Prosecutor Aqueelah Jordan, and City Council President Blaine Griffin and aims to expunge the records dating back to 2017.

“Today, we are moving forward with clearing the names of over 4,000 residents who deserve a fresh start. This is just one way we can make progress on criminal justice reform to balance the scales and remove barriers to employment and re-entry.” – Bibb in a press release

In 2020, the Cleveland City Council passed legislation to reduce the penalties for misdemeanor cannabis possession cases to no fines or prison time. The measure also ensured those convicted would not have a criminal record and that they would not need to report the charge on applications for employment or licenses.

Griffin said the motion “is the natural progression” of what the council wanted to accomplish by passing the bill.

“…First to decriminalize, then to have records expunged,” Griffin said in a statement. “Before we passed the legislation, we put together a working group with activists and criminal justice experts. As more and more states legalized marijuana, we wanted to position the city in that direction. For me, this has always been about criminal justice reform.”

The Prosecutor’s Office indicated it had identified 455 individuals who had been mistakenly charged since the passage of the ordinance. The motions move next to judges in Cleveland Municipal Court and will take effect once they are approved by a judge.

End

Lawsuit Accuses Cannabis Companies of ‘Chicago Cartel’

4/22/2022

by

A federal lawsuit filed April 18 accuses cannabis companies in Chicago of running a “cartel” and alleging state-licensed cannabis businesses are violating anti-trust law under the Clayton Act, the Chicago Tribune reports. The lawsuit was filed by True Social Equity in Cannabis, which includes consumers, workers, and potential competitors in the industry, and seeks to force the state to drop limits on licenses and legalize all amounts of cannabis.

The defendants in the case include Akerna Corp., Green Thumb Industries Inc., ILDISP LLC, Verano Holdings Corp., and Surterra Holdings Inc. The lawsuit aims to stop all of the companies from selling cannabis and divest them of all of their assets.

Edie Moore, a founder and legislative co-chair of Chicago NORML and a cannabis business license applicant, told the Tribune that the suit is “crazy talk” and the solution to adding licenses is for the state to issue pending licenses for social equity applicants which remain in limbo due to legal challenges.

“People who keep suing don’t do anything but slow it down. It doesn’t help anyone.” – Moore to the Tribune

Michael Sampson, a cannabis industry attorney who has represented one of the defendants but has no connection with this case, told the Tribune that he is unsure the lawsuit “would survive a motion to dismiss.”

“There are a lot of general outlandish unsupported allegations,” he said in an interview with the Tribune. “This type of name-calling harms the entire industry.”

The lawsuit alleges proof of the “Chicago Cartel” is evidenced by the fact that the companies sell each others’ products; however, state law requires that dispensaries sell the products of their competitors.

Akerna, which is an industry software company, said the lawsuit “has multiple inaccuracies,” including claims that it is a plant-touching company.

The lawsuit also alleges the family of Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) is controlling Akerna – a claim he denied in a statement to the Tribune.

“From the very beginning, the Pritzker administration has prioritized equity and accessibility in establishing the legal cannabis industry,” the statement says. “While the issuance of new licenses currently remains on hold due to a court order, the administration remains committed to helping applicants from diverse backgrounds enter and remain part of the state’s cannabis industry and we are hopeful the courts will allow us to move forward with issuing licenses soon.”

The lawsuit was filed by attorney Mark Lavery in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

While it remains unclear whether the lawsuit will bring actionable information to light, the issue of large cannabis corporations lobbying to prevent smaller operators from entering the market has been widely criticized within the industry and is frequently cited as one of the main contributing factors to the racial discrepancy in cannabis business ownership, with a disproportionate majority of cannabis licenses awarded to white applicants in virtually every market. This type of lobbying was acknowledged in an apology letter to the industry from James Whitcomb, CEO of the multistate cannabis operator Parallel, earlier this year (Parallel was co-founded by a member of the Wrigley family, which was criticized in the suit).

End

Nearly One-Third of Employees at Major Companies Used Cannabis While Working

4/22/2022

by

A new survey by the professional social media outlet Blind found nearly a third (29%) of workers at some of the largest companies in the country have used cannabis at work or while working from home in the last three months, according to a News Observer report. The 2,500 workers surveyed worked at 35 companies in the financial, tech, or corporate services sector.

The survey asked about both medical and non-medical cannabis use.

“I have spent most of my pandemic high,” says one response from a software engineer at Wayfair. “[I] haven’t noticed it affect[ing] my performance that much… most of the work on my plate was simple enough anyway.”

A majority of workers at Robinhood and Splunk said they have consumed cannabis on the job in recent months. The financial sector workers consumed less cannabis with 33% of employees at companies like Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan-Chase saying they have used cannabis on the job in the last three months. Less than 20% of workers at other firms like Apple, Coinbase, and ServiceNow reported using cannabis while working.

The News Observer points out that a 2021 Gallup poll found over half of Americans have consumed cannabis in their lifetime and 18 states and D.C. have legalized adult-use cannabis, implying these “on the job” cannabis consumption findings are not outside the norm in 2022.

“I use it recreationally to be more focused. I find technical topics… much more enjoyable and insightful with that focus,” a verified MathWorks employee said. “[It] helps me think more abstractly.”

End

How A Group Of D.C. Weed Activists Ended Up On A Relief Mission To Ukraine

4/22/2022

by

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

Adam Eidinger’s activism has taken on many forms over the years.

At home in D.C., he’s best known as the Phrygian-cap wearing, 51-foot-joint carrying local who in 2014 successfully spearheaded I-71, a historic ballot initiative that legalized the use of recreational weed in the District.

But Eidinger has never stopped at just pot proselytism. He’s been arrested more than a dozen times for protesting things from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to the International Monetary Fund. For the last year or so, he’s been hard at work getting another proposal on D.C.’s next ballot — this time to increase the minimum pay for tipped workers, like restaurant employees.

Earlier this month, the 48-year-old decided it was time to embark on a different kind of mission, far away from the daily grind of D.C. politics.

As Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine was getting underway, Eidinger started trying to figure out how to get vital supplies to Ukrainians fleeing their war-torn homes to neighboring countries. He could have donated money to the Red Cross or to any other international group responding to the crisis, but as a grassroots organizer, he felt he needed to do things his own way.

“I started looking into ways to get relief supplies fast,” Eidinger told The Outlaw Report. “It wasn’t really ideal to me to just give money to a big group and trust that it was going to get there.”

He called an old friend at the Grassroots Aid Partnership—a North Carolina-based nonprofit that provides food to disaster zones—and the two started planning the mission.

In a little over a week, they had found funding, gathered supplies, and assembled a small crew of 10 volunteers—many of them from Eidinger’s network of weed activists—to deliver essential goods to the Ukrainian border. The obvious choice would have been to head to the Polish border where the crisis has been the most intense, but they settled on Romania, which has seen the second largest influx of Ukrainian refugees.

So on March 22, the volunteers flew to Bucharest with roughly 2,000 pounds of supplies that included feminine hygiene products, tylenol, underwear, socks, energy bars, nuts, and about $30,000 worth of vegan chocolate.

“We wanted to bring things that we knew were hard to find for folks and that could show the love,” Eidinger said.

Eidinger managed to get Dr. Bronner’s, a socially-engaged soap company he has worked with since 2001, to donate thousands of Magic All-One Chocolate bars, a name that nods to the company’s support for legalizing psychedelics. (To be clear, the chocolate doesn’t contain any mind-altering substances.)

“It’s very useful to have chocolate in a war zone, it turns out,” Eidinger said, pointing to the high-energy snack’s use by American soldiers during World War II.

The crew split up into smaller teams that spread out across the country, hoping to get a clearer picture of the needs on the ground and to plug into existing volunteer networks.

Among them was Kristin Furnish, the co-founder of Maryland Marijuana Justice and a regular on D.C.’s cannabis activism scene, and Jon Lubecky, a Marine Corps and Army veteran who has fought for legalizing psychedelic drugs like MDMA (ecstasy) for treating PTSD and other mental health conditions.

“He’s a good guy to have around because he’s situationally aware a little more than most,” Eidinger said of Lubecky.

Eidinger’s team wound up going to Siret, a small town on Romania’s northern border with Ukraine that has seen a steady influx of refugees who arrive by car, bus, and on foot.

“We saw everything from weapons and supplies being brought in, to loads of foreign nationals who had been stuck in bomb shelters for the entire war and were trying to go back to their countries,” he said.

Though cannabis is still illegal in Romania, the volunteers quickly found fellow weed enthusiasts on the ground, especially among aid workers. “People were using cannabis to de-stress after going out on a 12-hour shift, day after day, working with refugees,” he said.

After eight days in Romania, the group ran out of supplies and headed home to the District. Immediately, Eidinger started planning a second trip, this time to the Polish border, where his friend Mike Zuckerman had set up a Burning Man-inspired encampment to welcome refugees.

Soon, Eidinger and his gang were off to Warsaw, with about half as many supplies and a reduced crew of just five volunteers. They rented a van and visited multiple refugee centers, dropping off supplies at warehouses and occasionally making their way into Ukrainian territory.

Though he said he never feared for his safety in Poland, Eidinger said he worried the supplies wouldn’t make it to the refugees. Fortunately, he benefited from the network Zuckerman had already set up. “They knew who was legit and who wasn’t, and we didn’t have to create that from scratch,” he said, adding that he would get photo confirmation when goods had arrived.

On Thursday, Eidinger was on his way to the District back from Poland, already planning his next move, a May 9 demonstration to urge the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency to allow terminally-ill patients to try experimental psilocybin therapy.

He also had his sights on a third humanitarian mission to the Ukrainian border. “I realized this trip that I absolutely have to come back. And we have to bring more stuff. And we have to get better at what we’re doing too.”

But rather than bringing chocolate, this time he hopes to bring trauma kits for civilians injured on the battlefield. At least 4,890 civilians, including hundreds of children, have been killed or injured in Ukraine since the Russian invasion began, according to a Tuesday update from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

“This is about the civilians,” Eidinger said. “They’re dying in bigger numbers than the soldiers. Their whole towns are being leveled. It’s apocalyptic for them,” he said.

Eidinger said he’s concerned the U.S. government is too focused on supplying arms to Ukrainian soldiers, while civilians aren’t getting the basic relief they need.

“We’re late to the game as Americans here, and we need to step up to have everybody’s back.”

End

Alabama Democrats Launch ‘Free Weed’ Website on 4/20

4/22/2022

by

The Democratic Party of Alabama launched a “free weed” website on 4/20 this year to draw attention to the state’s stalled cannabis legalization efforts, AL.com reports. Although the Deep South state has a medical cannabis program, decriminalization and adult-use proposals have failed in the Republican-controlled legislature in recent years.

The FreeWeedAL.com website draws attention to the disproportionate effect the “Alabama War on Marijuana” has on Black Alabamians using a 2018 Alabama Appleseed Center for Law & Justice and Southern Poverty Law Center study. The data found that Black cannabis consumers in Alabama were four times more likely to be arrested for cannabis than their white peers, despite similar rates of cannabis use between the two groups, the report says.

“Alabama’s Republican politicians seem hellbent on wasting money criminalizing ordinary people, ruining lives in the process,” said Chris England, chair of the State Democratic Party. “Rather than pursuing policies that create opportunity and make our state more equitable, taxpayers are now strapped to a $1.3 billion prison project.”

England believes legalizing cannabis “can bring new economic opportunities to Alabama” and “correct decades-old policies based on outright racism.”

State Republican Party Chair John Wahl issued a statement saying the Alabama GOP supports “traditional family values” and “recreational use of marijuana does not encourage these principles.” He called the website “a stunt.”

End

Kentucky Gov. Mulls Executive Options for Legalizing Medical Cannabis

4/22/2022

by

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) is considering executive action to legalize medical cannabis in the state after the Senate majority leader effectively killed the bill approved by the House last month, the Associated Press reports. During his weekly news conference, Beshear said he would seek input as his legal team explores his options to unilaterally enact the reforms as governor.

“I want to be clear, I am for medical cannabis. I want it done in the right way. And we’re going to be looking at our legal options very closely. And at the same time, we want to hear from you.” – Beshear via the AP

Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron warned Beshear would risk overstepping his legal authority by legalizing medical cannabis via executive order.

“The General Assembly is the policy-making body of this state,” Cameron said in a statement, “and we’ve seen the problems that result when the governor tries to circumvent the legislature and make unilateral policy decisions.”

Republican Senate President Robert Stivers also pushed back on any plan by Beshear to legalize medical cannabis without the buy-in from the Legislature.

“He simply can’t legalize medical marijuana by executive order,” Stivers said. “You can’t supersede a statute by executive order because it’s a constitutional separation of powers violation.”

Beshear argued that he believes it’s his “obligation to see what’s possible, given the will of the people and their desire to move forward on this.”

A February 2020 Kentucky Health Issues Poll found nine in 10 Kentucky adults backed medical cannabis legalization in the state.

End

New Hampshire Senate Committee Rejects Bill to Legalize Cannabis and Put Liquor Commission In Charge

4/22/2022

by

The New Hampshire Senate Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday voted 5-0 against a bill that would legalize cannabis for adult use and put the state liquor commission in charge of regulation and sales, the New Hampshire Bulletin reports. The measure was approved by the state House of Representatives earlier this month.

The committee deemed the legislation “inexpedient to legislate” and the recommendation will appear before the full Senate for a vote in the coming weeks.

The bill was opposed by cannabis legalization advocates on the panel over monopoly concerns and potential issues with cultivation.

State Sen. Erin Hennessey (R) also expressed concerns over the state competing with current medical cannabis operators, how the generated revenues would be used, and that the measure does not include the legalization of edibles.

“I would love to be able to fix this bill, but there’s just too many questions that we’ve received that do not make it fixable for those who would like to see marijuana legalized in the state.” – Hennessey via the Bulletin

State Sen. Cindy Rosenwald (D) pointed out that the measure lacks any social equity provisions or criminal justice reforms.

“I’m overall concerned about the Liquor Commission’s ability to take on another responsibility,” she said.

Devon Chaffee, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire, supported the legislation but admitted it is not “the perfect bill.”

“But what I will tell you is that we are done waiting for the perfect bill on this issue,” he said.

The House this year also passed a bill to legalize personal possession of cannabis and allow cultivation, but the measure has not been taken up by the Senate.

End

Cannabis Excise Taxes Outpace Those of Alcohol in 11 States

4/21/2022

by

Cannabis excise taxes last year in adult-use states exceeded those of alcohol by 20% with cannabis taxes in most states outpacing those of alcohol, according to an Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) report. However, neither cannabis nor alcohol taxes reached the revenue of tobacco taxes.

In all, the 11 states that had functioning adult-use markets from 2021 through April 15 collected $2.958 billion in cannabis excise taxes, compared to the $2.474 billion collected from alcohol excise taxes in those states. Tobacco excise tax revenues reached $5.9 billion in those 11 states during that time.

Only Alaska, Maine, Michigan, and Oregon saw more revenues from alcohol excise taxes than that from cannabis excise taxes, according to ITEP figures. Notably, Alaska has a higher alcohol tax rate than most states (15 cents per shot of liquor, for example), and Maine, Michigan, and Oregon are so-called “control states” that generate profit directly at state-run liquor stores, the report says.

Colorado raised seven times more in cannabis excise taxes than it did on excise taxes on alcohol. The state has among the lowest alcohol tax rates in the nation: 2.7 cents per shot of liquor, 1.3 cents per glass of wine, or 1 cent per pint of beer. Cannabis taxes in Colorado are levied at higher rates per serving – a 5-milligram edible might incur around 16 cents of state tax, the report says. Colorado joined Washington State as the only two states that saw cannabis tax revenues outpace those of tobacco; state-level tobacco excise taxes in the 11 states range from 9 to 18 cents per cigarette.

End

Adult-Use Cannabis Pilot Program Set to Launch This Summer in Basel, Switzerland

4/21/2022

by

A few hundred people in Basel, Switzerland will be allowed to purchase cannabis for recreational use this summer after officials approved the pilot program which was proposed last May. Despite cannabis being broadly outlawed in the nation, individuals participating in the trial will be allowed to buy various cannabis products during the two-and-a-half-year study.

The Federal Office of Public Health said in a press release that the project aims to increase understanding of “alternative regulatory forms” for cannabis that could be the basis for future legislation. The project is a collaboration between the local government, the University of Basel, and its Psychiatric Clinics. Participants will be questioned regularly on their cannabis consumption and on their mental and physical health, the report says.

The program participants will include current consumers that are over 18-years-old. The Office of Public Health said that individuals who divert cannabis from the pilot program will be penalized and anyone doing so repeatedly will be disqualified.

The Health Office indicated that Zurich, Geneva, and Bern have also applied to conduct similar trials, which were approved by the Swiss Parliament in September 2020.

In 2008, nearly two-thirds of Swiss voters rejected a ballot initiative to decriminalize cannabis use. The Office of Public Health estimates there are 220,000 regular cannabis consumers in Switzerland despite federal prohibition, although medical cannabis use is allowed.

A recent poll commissioned by Curaleaf International and conducted by Hanway Associates found that 55% of adult Europeans support legalizing cannabis for adults, with 25% opposed and 20% indifferent. The poll included adults 18-and-older throughout France, Germany, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland, and the U.K. between February 24 and March 14.

End