Maryland Legislature Sends Adult Use Question to Voters in November

4/06/2022

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Maryland voters will consider a Constitutional Amendment to legalize adult-use cannabis on their November ballots after the House passed a Senate-approved amendment to put the question to voters on Friday, the Associated Press reports.

Additionally, House lawmakers passed companion legislation to begin the process of implementing an adult-use system, leaving specific taxation and licensing regulations for next year. The Constitutional Amendment does not need the approval of Gov. Larry Hogan (R) but the implementation bill passed by the Democratic-controlled General Assembly would need the governor’s signature. However, if Hogan vetoes the bill, Democrats do have the necessary votes in the House and Senate to override the veto.

The Constitutional Amendment would legalize adult-use cannabis starting July 1, 2023, with a transitional period from January 1-July 1 where possession of fewer than 1.5 ounces would garner a fine. The companion bill legalizes possession of up to 1.5 ounces on July 1 and creates a civil citation for up to 2.5 ounces. Laws governing over 2.5 ounces would remain the same, the brief explains.

According to the report, the legislation contains expungement provisions, including automatic expungement for people convicted of cannabis possession alone. Lastly, Marylanders convicted of more serious cannabis crimes would have the opportunity to be re-sentenced, the AP reports.

Although Maryland has a medical cannabis sector — the state announced last year it had sold over $1 billion worth of medical cannabis — efforts to legalize adult-use cannabis through the legislative process have failed in recent years, leading to the current scenario where Maryland voters will decide the fate of the reforms.

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New York Bill Would Mandate Community Investment Plans by Multi-State Cannabis Operators

4/06/2022

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A bill set to be introduced this week in New York would require multi-state cannabis operators in the state to create a plan to reinvest in communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition. The measure, the Cannabis Community Reinvestment Act, is backed by the National Cannabis Party.

The legislation is sponsored by Democratic state Sen. James Sanders Jr. who said the proposal “will ensure that companies that profit the most from the legalization of cannabis will contribute part of their profits back into the communities most harmed by the War on Drugs.”

“The War on Drugs unleashed severe damage and ruined many lives–particularly in communities of color.” – Sanders Jr. in a statement

Sephida Artis-Mills, president & co-founder of the National Cannabis Party, said in a statement that “the power belongs to the people, and so does the plant.”

“To control the way people choose their medicine, and overall wellness, is a civil rights issue we need to address,” she said.

The bill is set to be unveiled on Thursday.

New York lawmakers legalized cannabis for adults last year and in March, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) announced the Seeding Opportunity Initiative which will give the state’s first adult-use retail licenses to individuals with prior cannabis-related offenses. While the state has not yet issued any adult-use licenses, the governor’s office said that the initiative, paired with a recently approved bill allowing the state’s hemp farmers to grow cannabis for the adult-use market, could make sales possible in the state before the end of the year. The initiative includes conditional adult-use dispensary licenses for social-equity applicants and those conditional licenses for hemp farmers, in addition to the $200 million social equity investment program outlined by Hochul in her 2023 Executive Budget.

The end-of-the-year start date was an unexpected announcement as Cannabis Control Board Chair Tremaine Wright has previously indicated that adult-use cannabis licenses would not be issued until at least the spring of 2023. According to the governor’s office, applications for the priority licenses will open in the summer and the first licenses are expected to be distributed by late summer or early fall.

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Maine’s Beal University Launches Cannabis Degree Programs

4/06/2022

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Maine’s Beal University has formally launched its cannabis-focused online associates and bachelor’s degree programs, which are expected to enroll their first class of students this May. The programs include an associate degree in Cannabis Business Administration and Cannabis Laboratory Science, and a bachelor’s degree in Medicinal Plant Sciences.

Sheryl DeWalt, Beal University President, said that the college’s “mission focuses on providing educational programs aligned to the employer needs,” and the programs are aimed at meeting the demands of the growing industry.

“The cannabis industry has been rapidly expanding these past few years, this created tremendous employment opportunities and demand for workers trained in the cannabis field.” – DeWalt in a statement

The university collaborated with local cannabis cultivators, manufacturers, retail stores, and testing laboratories to fully understand their needs, and the degree programs were created to provide students the opportunity to learn the skills to become employed in various cannabis fields.

DeWalt said the programs are being offered entirely online because the mode “enables the programs to be available for students to enroll from anywhere.”

“Our courses utilize engaging content through digital simulation and interactive experiences,” she said. “This gives our students the ability to learn and retain the subject matter more easily.”

The program received support from certified Nurse Practioner AnnMarie Fredericks, and Registered Nurse Merideth Albert, of Vetted Cannabis, a Sanford, Maine-based medical cannabis dispensary, who said they “endorse and promote Beal’s programs to provide educational enrichment for the emerging medical cannabis industry.”

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AROYA Reports Record Adoption for Cannabis Production Platform

4/06/2022

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Growth reflects 50 percent increase in multi-state operators, demand for data-driven insights, compliance, and maximum yield per sq. ft.

Pullman, WA (April 5, 2022) – AROYA, a METER Group company, reported record growth in FY2021, exceeding $10M in revenue from sales of its end-to-end cannabis production platform.

Demand for cultivation and production platforms like AROYA that utilize sensors, software, and data analytics is spiking within the cannabis industry. Analysts from AheadInsight project that the cannabis technology industry will continue to grow exponentially at a CAGR of 33.17 percent and attain a market value of $107.67 billion by 2025.

The three-year-old brand has grown steadily, extending its footprint across the U.S. To-date, AROYA works with over 400 clients—including some of the industry’s largest multi-state operators–over 200 of which signed in fiscal year 2021.

“AROYA has been life changing,” says Anna Willey, CEO of CAM, a fully integrated operator headquartered in Sacramento, California. “You’re going to know when to do the cleanups. You’re going to know when we’re changing from a vegetative feed to a generative feed or back to a vegetative feed. It’s been so amazing for our team to take all of the guessing out of growing cannabis.”

The company’s mission is to empower cannabis growers and cultivators with the competitive advantage that comes from end-to-end visibility and real-time access to data that drives actionable insights; putting it together on a single dashboard gives you all the information you need to make informed decisions.

AROYA is the preferred cannabis production platform of top cannabis operators across the country, combining innovative hardware and software to deliver actionable insights that help improve their yield in grams, per square foot, per year – predictably, profitably, and at scale. AROYA’s solutions foster data-driven decision making, improving yields and operational efficiency while elevating (and standardizing) product quality.

ABOUT AROYA
AROYA is a cannabis production platform that combines industry-leading hardware and software to help cultivators increase yield, scale operations, and achieve consistent quality. Based in Pullman, Washington, and a division of METER Group, Inc., AROYA optimizes and demystifies the entire cannabis production process from seed to package.

For additional information, please visit AROYA.io

 

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Boundless Technology Releases CFX+ Vaporizer With Improved Cooling, Extended Vapor Path

4/06/2022

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Boundless Technology has released the next line in its groundbreaking vaporizer technology, the CFX+ vaporizer. This portable unit builds on the success of its predecessor, the CFX. It features a Zirconia cooling air path located within the mouthpiece that isolates and cools the vapor before it hits the user’s lips and mouth. And the extended vapor path allows for larger hits, higher temperature, and full extraction vaporization process. The CFX+ launches on April 20th at boundlesstechnology.com.

“This unit represents the evolution of vaporizers and our focus on the innovative technology within our products,” said Mathias Nastos, VP of Operations at Boundless. “We aim to position ourselves as a tech-forward company and feel the CFX+ indicates the direction we’re heading.”

The CFX+ offers an upgraded user interface with more control over the vaporization experience. Settings include preferred session time, precise temperature ranging from 100°F – 420°F (38°C – 22°C), brightness levels, and more. With an upgrade to USB-C charging, the CFX+ fully charges in 45 minutes and lasts for six to eight sessions per charge depending on the selected settings. And the built-in poker tool allows for a bowl stir whenever it is needed.

CFX+ Vaporizer Features:

  • Zirconia Cooling Magnetic Mouthpiece
  • Upgraded User Interface
  • Fully Adjustable Temperature Control
    • 100°F – 420°F (38°C – 22°C)
  • Preset Temp Options for Quick Setting
  • Built-in Poker Tool
  • Portability for Convenient Use
  • Conduction Heating Technology
  • USB-C Charging
  • Compatible with most Dry Herbs

The precise temperature control provides fully personalized sessions that are easily customized to fit the user’s preferences. And for those who want a straightforward experience, the CFX+ offers four preset temps for quick setting. It also includes everything needed to start vaping right after the initial charge. Quite simply, the CFX+ is the next evolution in vaporization, it is Vaping Evolved.

About Boundless Technology

Boundless Technology is a leader in the vaporizing industry, continually seeking ways to expand beyond what’s currently available on the market, and striving to create innovative technology that keeps portability, subtlety, and effectiveness at the forefront. Offering an affordable, efficient, and elevated experience is the focal point when it comes to Boundless.

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House Passes Bill to Expand Cannabis Research Possibilities

4/05/2022

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The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday passed a measure to expand cannabis research possibilities in a bipartisan 343-75 vote, Marijuana Moment reports.

Sponsored by Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), a legalization supporter, and Andy Harris (R-MD), a prohibitionist, the Medical Marijuana Research Act seeks to streamline the cannabis research process by removing some barriers for researchers who apply to study cannabis and by letting researchers use cannabis products acquired through state-legal marketplaces for their studies.

“The cannabis laws in this country are broken, including those that deal with the medical research of marijuana. America’s growing cannabis industry operates without the benefit of a robust research program. Instead, we are outsourcing research to Israel, the United Kingdom, and Canada to our detriment.” — Blumenauer, in a press release

Momentum toward federal cannabis reforms appears to be growing as the approval comes just days after the House voted along mostly party lines to pass the MORE Act, which seeks to federally legalize cannabis. The Senate, meanwhile, unanimously passed its own bill last month to expand scientific and medical research on cannabis — advocates hope that the two chambers will be able to consolidate the bills.

The House also passed the SAFE Banking Act, which seeks to normalize banking relationships for state-legal cannabis companies, in March — it was the chamber’s sixth time passing the legislation but the Senate has yet to ever consider the proposal.

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Still Unclear Whether Biden Would Sign House-Approved Legalization Bill

4/05/2022

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President Joe Biden’s Press Secretary Jen Psaki was unable to say whether the president supports the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act after the House passed the bill last week on mostly party lines. Rather, she said during remarks to reporters on Friday — first reported by Marijuana Moment — that Biden “agrees that we need to rethink our approach” to cannabis.

The secretary went on to mention that candidate Biden’s thoughts during the campaign were that the U.S. should “address the racial disparities and systemic inequities in our criminal justice system, broaden research on the effects of marijuana and support the safe use of marijuana for medical purposes.”

During last week’s remarks, Psaki said, “We look forward to working with Congress to achieve our shared goals — and we’ll continue having discussions with them about this objective,” but she did not elaborate on what those objectives might look like, the Moment noted.

These vagaries add to the haze clouding questions about cannabis policy during Biden’s first presidential term. The president himself has said little about cannabis legalization but in the past, he was not in favor of significant reforms. Secretary Psaki said last year that Biden’s opposition to broader cannabis reforms “has not changed,” despite saying on the campaign trail that states should decide their own cannabis policy, according to the report.

Vice President Kamala Harris said last year the administration was not focused on Biden’s cannabis campaign trail promises because they were overwhelmed by other issues, like the pandemic. Earlier this year, however, the Biden Administration disappointed cannabis advocates when it opted to include an unnecessary rider that blocks cannabis sales in Washington DC, despite voters there having voted overwhelmingly in favor of cannabis legalization and for establishing a regulated marketplace.

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New Hampshire House Votes to Legalize Cannabis & Put Liquor Commission in Charge

4/05/2022

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The New Hampshire House of Representatives voted 169-156 last week to legalize cannabis for adult use in the state; however, the bill would create a state-run monopoly system, the Associated Press reports. Under the plan, the state Liquor Commission would regulate the cultivation and sale of cannabis in at least 10 stores.

The vote comes less than three months after the Republican-controlled chamber approved a separate measure that would legalize personal possession and cultivation of cannabis for adults 21-and-older. That bill, which still requires Senate approval, would allow adults to possess up to 3/4 of an ounce of cannabis – which is already decriminalized in New Hampshire – and allow personal cultivation of up to six plants. The proposal passed the lower chamber with a five-vote, veto-proof majority.

During an interview last month with WCVB 5 “On the Record,” Republican Gov. Chris Sununu said that while he doesn’t support broad cannabis legalization, he called the bill approved last week by lawmakers “the way to do” legalization. He indicated that he opposed the reforms because the state had just gotten the opioid crisis under control.

Both of New Hampshire’s border states, Massachusetts and Vermont, have already legalized cannabis for adult use. Sales to adults began in Massachusetts in 2018 while Vermont’s initial bill in 2018 legalized possession and use but not sales – a separate bill to allow sales was passed by Vermont lawmakers in 2020 but sales have yet to commence in the Green Mountain State.

Previous efforts to legalize cannabis in New Hampshire have failed as the House has passed the reforms three times in four years but they have never been approved by the Senate.

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Colorado Running Cannabis-Themed License Plate Auction for Second Year

4/05/2022

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For the second year in a row, Colorado is auctioning off cannabis-themed license plates, the proceeds of which will benefit the state Disability Funding Committee. There are 22 different official state license plates in this year’s auction, including “420,” “HASH,” “EDIBLE,” “THC,” and “CBD.”

The state raised more than $45,000 from last year’s auction, Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera said in a statement.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to provide grant funding to not-for-profit and for-profit organizations that serve people with disabilities. I’m thrilled to continue to support the efforts of the Colorado Disability Funding Committee.” – Primavera in a press release

As of Tuesday morning, “WEED” had the highest bid total at $2,620, followed by “MRY JANE” at $2,320, “420” at $2,100, “CBD” at $1,420, and “HASH” with a $1,220 bid total. Other plates that had received bids were “CANABIS” ($770), “BLUNT” ($720), “710” ($670), “NORML” ($670), “THC” ($670), “BONGWTR” ($620), “GOTHEMP” ($520), and “CO2,” “DABBING,” “EDIBLE,” “GOT OIL,” “RESIN,” “TERPENE,” “TOKER,” “TRIM,” and “VISINE,” which each had reached the opening bid of $420.

The winning bidder does have the right to resell their configuration through the committee in the future.

Last year the plate “ISIT420” received the highest bid at $6,630, while the “TEGRIDY” plate – named after the fictional cannabis farm featured in the television show South Park – saw a high bid of $4,930. “BONG” rounded out the top three from the inaugural auction with a $3,890 high bid.

This year’s auction will run until 4:20 p.m. Mountain Time on April 20.

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Colorado Lawmakers Kill Bill to Protect Workers from Termination for Cannabis Use

4/05/2022

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A Colorado bill that would have provided protections for employees for using cannabis off the clock was quashed last month by the House Committee on Business Affairs & Labor, The Collegian reports. The measure would have prohibited employers from firing employees for their recreational cannabis use after work hours and their medical cannabis use during work hours.

The measure was replaced by a resolution to form a task force to study the issue of employment and medical cannabis use. The initial proposal was killed by the committee over concerns about safety, enforcement, and employers’ rights.

State Rep. Edie Hooton (D), the bill’s sponsor, said that “many Coloradans still maintain that ‘reefer madness’ attitude, and it does everyone a disservice.”

“I am very familiar with this community; I’ve worked with them for years. I have sympathy for them. I realize they have no voice at all at the capitol except for a handful of volunteer lobbyists, and they only have so much influence.” – Hooton to The Collegian

The measure conflicted with the rights of Colorado employers to enforce a drug-free workplace – a principle upheld in the 2015 Coats v. Dish Network case in which the state Supreme Court ruled that in the state statute prohibiting individuals from being terminated for lawful activities outside of work, the term “lawful” refers to activities under both state and federal law.

State Rep. Shannon Bird (D) told The Collegian that the case determined that medical cannabis patients “are not a protected class.”

“…So in a traditional employment relationship, the employer does get to set the terms and conditions of employment,” she said in the report.

Jess Kostelnik, government affairs manager for the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, told The Collegian that the measure “jeopardizes a business’s ability to comply with federal law and maintain drug-free workplaces” which she said “could have far-reaching consequences for employers who do business with the federal government” and could put “into jeopardy hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal contracts flowing into the state of Colorado.”

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Veronica Castillo, The Traveling Cannabis Writer, Lands Colorado-based Bud & Breakfast As New Travel Sponsor

4/04/2022

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DENVER, CO, UNITED STATES, March 31, 2022/EINPresswire.com/ — Veronica Castillo, The Traveling Cannabis Writer, has landed a new travel sponsor: Colorado-based Bud and Breakfast, a 420-friendly booking platform.

Veronica started as a freelancer/client but through collaboration on a project found that both brands can accomplish more working with each other under sponsorship.

“The entire Bud and Breakfast team is extremely excited to welcome our newest member Veronica Castillo to our family. She is clearly one of the foremost writers within the field and brings a multitude of wisdom, experience, and expertise on multiple facets within the industry,” the Bud & Breakfast team said in a statement.

“Veronica has her finger on the pulse and her love of travel and cannabis makes for a match made in heaven for collaboration with our company. The timing of our introduction was in total synchronicity as we had just begun a search for a writer and connected with Veronica as if by a total higher guidance. The universe does indeed listen when you put your earnest intention out there!”

Bud and Breakfast will help support the Traveling Cannabis Writer’s mission to educate, inform, and destigmatize while informing travelers of all kinds that love cannabis about the many 420-friendly lodging options within the Bud and Breakfast network.

“Working with Bud & Breakfast was on my list of career goals. They are the company that said ‘F this!’ and truly built something that accommodates cannabis consumers. Cannabis is medicine and so consumers shouldn’t have to go out in extreme cold or heat to consume their medicine. My brand is all about villages- tribes- communities.” – Veronica Castillo

“This week, Bud and Breakfast joined my village- tribe- community to contribute to my mission to educate, inform, and destigmatize, helping me prove that cannabis — it’s way more than just a high. And through them, I get to do the other thing I love which is educating people on all things travel.”

Contact

Veronica Castillo
Bud & Breakfast
castilloveronica01@outlook.com

Visit us on social media:
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Instagram

 

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Opening Weekend Cannabis Sales in New Mexico Reach $4.5M

4/04/2022

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Cannabis sales during New Mexico’s opening weekend surpassed $4.5 million, with more than half – $2.7 million – sold on Friday alone, KOAT Action News reports. Sales commenced at 12:01 a.m. on Friday and by Sunday at 12:30 p.m. sales had reached the $4.5 million mark.

Nearly 70% of the sales figures were from recreational sales, according to Cannabis Control Division figures outlined by KOAT.

Steve Pear, president of the New Mexico Division of Schwazze, said his shop had about 10 people in line at 7:00 a.m. and when he returned at around 11:30 p.m. there were about 500 people in line. He said that the first day of adult-use sales “over-delivered.”

“All at least doubled their business and we even had one of our stores to ten times what they normally do in a day on Friday.” – Pear to KOAT

Pear added that he expects a “surge” through the 4/20 holiday – which celebrates cannabis and has shown to drive sales in states where cannabis is legal.

Currently, there are just 35 legacy operators in the state, but state cannabis regulators have issued more than 230 new industry business licenses so far, NPR reports.

Under the state’s legalization law, consumers can buy to up 2 ounces of cannabis, and local governments cannot outright ban cannabis businesses; although they can limit where they can be located and their hours of operation. Public use is prohibited and can lead to a $50 fine for first-time infractions.

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Mike Tyson Partnering with Pro Wrestling Legend Ric Flair on Cannabis Line

4/04/2022

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Mike Tyson is partnering with professional wrestling legend Ric Flair on a line of themed products for the former boxer’s cannabis company, Tyson 2.0, according to a Forbes report. Flair and Tyson first met in the 1980s and Flair said they’ve been “friends for years.”

Flair, 73, described the project as “the coming together of two legends and our common passion for cannabis and its benefits.”

“In my business, you experience hurts and pains. Sometimes it’s hard to go to sleep at night. Even at my age, I’m wound tight. I have an extreme amount of energy, and they calm me down and keep me happy. And I think the whole world needs to be happy right now.” – Flair to Forbes

The product line will include Flair-themed flower, concentrates, and edibles.

Chad Bronstein, co-founder and chairman of Tyson 2.0, said the deal came together after he spent time with Flair and noticed that the former 17-time world champion treated his fans like Tyson treats his fans and that he “just saw an opportunity.”

Bronstein last year raised $100 million for his companies which include Tyson 2.0, Fyllo, and Wesana.

Flair is not the first person linked to professional wrestling to enter the cannabis industry – in October Jim Ross, who is currently an announcer for All Elite Wrestling, said he had bought land in Oklahoma for a cannabis farm. Ross, who has served as a commentator for professional wrestling promotions since 1974, said the project is tentatively called Black Hat Farms and that it was a partnership with his youngest daughter and son-in-law.

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Arizona Ruling Prevents Neglect Charges for Mothers Who Are Registered Cannabis Patients

4/04/2022

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The Arizona Court of Appeals has ruled that a mother who gives birth to a baby with cannabis in its system cannot be charged with child neglect if she has a physician’s recommendation to use cannabis legally, Tuscon.com reports. The decision overturns a move by the Department of Child Safety (DCS) to put the mother on the agency’s “Central Registry” of parents who are found to have committed acts of child abuse and neglect.

In the ruling, Judge Randall Howe, writing for the unanimous three-judge panel, said officials committed an error by not considering the evidence that the mother was lawfully enrolled in Arizona’s medical cannabis program and that the 2010 Arizona Medical Marijuana Act (AMMA) provides immunity for those with a state-issued medical cannabis card from being subject to arrest, prosecution, penalty, or denial of any right or privilege.

DCS had argued that the mother never told the recommending physician that she was pregnant – which the mother refutes but Howe said was irrelevant, the report says. The panel determined that under the state’s child-welfare laws, pregnant women cannot be charged with abuse and neglect if they are lawfully taking medications “under the direction of a physician” and that since the mother was legally accessing cannabis under a physician’s order, DCS cannot take action against her.

In the decision, Howe did note that the U.S. government “does not recognize the medical value of marijuana” and “the Center for Disease Control and Prevention warns of the effects of marijuana use during pregnancy.’’

The doctor said that she warned the mother that using cannabis could result in her being reported to DCS once she gave birth if cannabis was found in the baby’s system but that the mother is “likely to receive therapeutic or palliative benefit from … the use of marijuana to treat or alleviate the qualifying patient’s debilitating medical condition,” the report says.

The baby also tested positive for an anxiety drug, caffeine, and the antihistamine drug Benadryl which led to a report to DCS that the child had been born “substance-exposed.”

“Under AMMA, then, she is presumed to have taken marijuana for ‘medical use,’ which means taking it to treat or alleviate her medical condition or symptoms,’’ Howe wrote. “And her marijuana use is the equivalent of taking any other medication under the direction of a physician.’’

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House Passes MORE Act to Federally Legalize Cannabis

4/01/2022

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The U.S. House approved the MORE Act today – a federal cannabis legalization bill introduced by New York Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D) – in a bipartisan 220-204 vote.

The measure seeks to remove cannabis from the federal Controlled Substances Act, impose a federal tax on cannabis product sales, and would establish an expungement process for prior cannabis convictions. The House previously passed the measure in December 2020 but it was not brought to the Senate floor for a vote, which was controlled by Republicans at the time.

It’s unclear whether the measure has enough support to clear a filibuster in the Senate – which requires 60 votes – and Democratic Senators Joe Manchin (W. Va) and Jeanne Shaheen (NH) have both expressed skepticism about legalizing cannabis federally, according to The Hill.

The House considered three amendments to the proposal prior to the vote, including a provision requiring a study on the impact of cannabis on workplaces and schools, sponsored by Rep. Conor Lamb (D-PA); an amendment requiring a study of the methods law enforcement could use to determine whether a driver is impaired by cannabis, sponsored by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ); and a provision by Rep Jamie Raskin (D-MD) to retroactively not deny individuals security clearance because of admitted cannabis use. Lawmakers approved the first and second amendments but rejected the third — a motion to recommit the legalization proposal to committee for further changes was also rejected.

In the House, Republican Rep. Nancy Mace (SC) has introduced other legislation to legalize cannabis at the federal level – that bill carries three GOP co-sponsors: Reps. Brian Mast (FL), Tom McClintock (CA) and Peter Meijer (MI).

Mace’s legislation would set an age limit of 21 for cannabis use and impose a 3% tax on cannabis, which is smaller than the 5% tax included in the MORE Act, although the Democrat-purposed bull would gradually increase the tax to 8% over five years. Mace’s bill would also establish a 10-year moratorium on any tax increases on cannabis.

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Oregon Rules Raising THC Limits in Cannabis Edibles Take Effect

4/01/2022

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New rules in Oregon take effect today that increase the levels of THC allowed in cannabis-infused edibles. The new rules double the amount of THC allowed per serving in edible products from 5 milligrams to 10 milligrams and increase the allowable limits per package from 50 milligrams of THC to 100 milligrams.

The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) said in a press release that it has already approved the labels for 30 products containing 100 milligrams, including chocolate bars, cookies, cereal bars, and gummies.

The agency warned that consumers “should take notice of the increased amount of THC per serving in these products so they can choose a product that gives them the desired effect without unwanted side effects.”

The OLCC noted that in 2019 34% of the 386 calls to Oregon Poison Control about cannabis exposure were related to edibles and of the 223 calls that year related to individuals under 21-years-old, nearly 60% were related to cannabis edibles. About half of the 386 calls required medical attention because of negative health effects.

“Cannabis consumers in Oregon shopping for THC-infused edibles will soon find some products available for purchase that are more potent than previously allowed,” the OLCC said in a statement. “Consumers should take notice of the increased amount of THC per serving in these products so they can choose a product that gives them the desired effect without unwanted side effects.”

The new limits align the state rules with the potency allowances of most other states that allow the use of cannabis by adults.

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Bermuda House Passes Adult-Use Cannabis Legislation

4/01/2022

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For the second time in two years, the Bermuda House of Assembly passed adult-use cannabis legislation, the Caribbean National Weekly (CNW) reports. The proposal, which passed in 2021 but was tabled by the Senate, would legalize the production and sale of cannabis in British territory.

Named the Cannabis Licensing Act of 2022, the legislation was introduced by Home Affairs Minister Walter Roban who said cannabis prohibition stands as “an unjust colonial legacy” and evidence of “systemic, racialized disparities,” the report says.

“We need radical new thinking – increasingly legalization is not that radical at all,” Roban said, suggesting the changes were “long overdue” and that polls in Bermuda show an “an overwhelming appetite for changes in our cannabis laws.”

Gov. Rena Lalgie has said that adult-use cannabis legalization in Bermuda falls outside Britain’s international agreements. However, Premier David Burt pushed back, saying if Britain does not accept the changes, it could “destroy” the relationship between Britain and the island territory.

Roban admitted the proposal could cause friction but said “that is the type of trouble this [Progressive Labour Party] government is not afraid of.”

“The totality of the proposed legislation provides for better effective regulatory control to displace the illicit market and full economic access at a time when families are suffering and looking for new economic opportunities,” he said.

Shadow Legal Affairs Minister Scott Pearman appears skeptical, however, asking why the government had not made changes to last year’s shelved bill. He says the government is “not listening” and the bill is “ultimately about money” and “corporate cannabis” that will put cannabis on the Caribbean island in the hands of a few.

The bill passed the House 18-6 and now heads to the Senate, where it cannot be tabled for a second time, CNW notes.

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Curaleaf Makes TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Companies List

4/01/2022

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TIME Magazine has named Curaleaf to its “100 Most Influential Companies in the World” list for the second year in a row, according to a company press release. The list is an extension of the magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” list issued each year and highlights companies that are making a difference around the world.

The list is compiled by TIME using nominations from in-house correspondence and editors, as well as industry experts. Business categories range from healthcare to transportation, entertainment, and technology. TIME editors then score the nominees based on things like relevance, innovation, leadership, and success, the press release says.

The company said that the recognition by TIME reflects Curaleaf’s dedication to “cannabis education, accessibility, and customer satisfaction” with “quality products backed by science.”

“Being recognized as one of the world’s most influential companies by TIME is further confirmation that our work is breaking down the stigma of the plant, building an equitable and exciting industry, launching innovative new products for a wide consumer base, and tangibly supporting the communities that we serve. We are humbled and honored to be included alongside change-making companies that are revolutionizing their industries as well. As the only cannabis company included on this list, we hold a unique responsibility in shaping and leading our industry for continued success in the future.” — Joe Bayern, CEO of Curaleaf US, in a statement

In the U.S., Curaleaf has a presence in 23 states, operating 128 dispensaries and employing over 5,000 people. The company also indicated that it is Europe’s largest vertically integrated cannabis provider.

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Pennsylvania Senate Committee Advances Cannabis Banking Measure

4/01/2022

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The Pennsylvania Senate Banking and Insurance Committee on Wednesday advanced legislation to allow state-legal cannabis businesses better access to banking, finance, and insurance services. The measure, sponsored by the committee’s chairman, state Sen. John DiSanto (R), and its Minority Chair Sharif Street (D), would not require banks to serve the industry but would provide them safe harbor for institutions and would allow state cannabusinesses to deduct ordinary business expenses on their Pennsylvania taxes.

“Access to financial and insurance services is essential for operating any business and it is against the public interest to relegate a multi-billion-dollar industry to deal in piles of cash. Banking this cash safely in Pennsylvania provides certainty for businesses, is a huge opportunity to grow our economy, and should ultimately lower costs for medical cannabis consumers.” – DiSanto in a statement

Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition Executive Director Meredith Buettner said the measure would “not only expand financial access for Pennsylvania’s legitimate cannabis-related businesses but will also create significant tax savings for medical marijuana operators that can be passed on to patients without significant loss of revenue for the Commonwealth.”

Under federal Financial Crime Enforcement Network (FinCEN) guidance issued in 2014 – known as the Cole Memo – banks are allowed to serve the cannabis industry but require them to file Suspicious Activity Reports on the businesses and the memo outlines several red flags that would require banks to report businesses that could be out of compliance with the memo’s provisions. The memo does not normalize federal taxes for the industry and does not require banks to serve cannabis companies, which had led the industry to operate on a mostly-cash basis.

The proposal was unanimously approved by the Senate committee

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Reviewing Five of the Top Smell-Proof Bags for Cannabis

3/31/2022

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When I was in my early 20s I came home from San Francisco for the holidays after being fully immersed in the cannabis culture there for years. One afternoon I took my little cousin shopping, of course packing up my weed in my handbag for a quick toke beforehand. We were walking through the store and she looked at me with laughter in her eyes and commented on the thick smell of pot that was trailing me through the store. It was at this moment when I first realized that I needed a smell-proof bag.

Since that day in 2009, there have been major strides in smell-proof and smell-safe technology. Smell absorbing bags come in every form: Dopp kits, fine leather clutches, duffle bags, and designer roll-top backpacks. These products can help the average cannabis consumer like me, but they can also serve cannabis producers who are forced to navigate murky supply chains.

For this review roundup, Ganjapreneur sourced five of the top smell-proof bags on the market, each with its own unique value.

What does ‘smell-proof’ actually mean?

As it currently stands, there are no standards for what can be marketed as smell-proof, smell-blocking, smell-absorbing, etc. Companies like Rubbermaid which market their containers as air-tight, water-tight, and odor-proof have testing standards to ensure their products meet these criteria. There is no such system in odor-absorbing bag technology and as such, some companies claim to be 100% smell-proof when their bags do actually leak aromas. This can be dangerous for people hoping to mask the scent of cannabis in a prohibition state.

It felt essential to mention that in this review we don’t use a standardized test to gauge the level of odor that escapes the bags listed. But I did use my knowledge and experience to suss through each odor-blocking feature like waterproof zippers, carbon lining, and folding tops to gauge the efficacy of odor absorption based on design. It is best to assume, however, that if you are trying to hide cannabis from trained dogs, relying on a bag alone to protect you isn’t recommended.

Now, check out these bag superlatives, each with individual style and features that set it apart from the crowd.
Jump to a bag: Littlejohn New York | Dime Bags | RYOT | Feel Good Flavors | Rebelle

Best Dressed

Littlejohn New York Wristlet Pouch from the Cache Collection

The Littlejohn collection is built with five-layer “scent-conceal” technology. This technology combines a mesh layer, activated carbon lining, durable protective padding, leather air-tight seams, and sealed rubber zippers. The activated carbon lining is sandwiched between non-woven layers on each side. The mesh layer allows smells to reach the surface area of the carbon liner, the air-tight seams support the carbon absorption, and the site states that the sealed rubber zipper preserves the right balance of moisture. I would add that in my experience the sealed zipper is essential in smell-proof bags. I am confident in saying that this is not only an exceptionally made, fashionable bag– but it’s also smell-proof in the real sense.

I brought the wristlet pouch from the Cache Collection out to do some errands, the design and craftsmanship make it comparable to any designer handbag I’ve owned. Since this is a bag that I’d take out to have a drink or go out with friends, I considered how smell-proof it would be when opening and closing it when being IDed or grabbing the check. Sometimes a bag will block smells until it is opened but then it all wafts out into the open air — when this happened to me once, it wafted into the face of a bouncer in Arizona prior to the state’s legalization reforms, so it’s pretty important to consider this before going out with your loudest herb. The designers at Littlejohn considered this too, and there is a small inner pocket that has its own five-layer technology for cannabis along with an outer pocket that can hold the things you often need. Using the outer pocket for commonly grabbed items can reduce the number of times you need to open the bag, keeping the smells inside while you grab your phone for a quick selfie.

Life of the Party

Dime Bags Omerta Smell Proof Fanny Pack & Combo Lock

Any stoner or festival kid already knows about Dime Bags — the brand is synonymous with padded hemp pipe and bong bags and was one of the first to introduce smell-proof bags to the market. The Omerta Fanny Pack is a multi-compartment, super handy little bag that features water-resistant zippers and a water-resistant polyester exterior. It is lightly padded and has a lock that you can set to your own three-digit code. The main compartment locks by locking the zipper into the mechanism so it can’t be used. The secondary compartment, internal zippered pocket, and secret internal zippered pocket do not lock. It comes in a few colors and the logo is a velcro patch, so you can use one of the customizable patches which add some personal flare.

As the mom of a baby, the fanny pack served as a fantastic way to keep my essentials nearby while baby-wearing. My takeaway: it’s great for someone whose hands are busy. The bag also transported me back to my former life, something I refer to as my 20s. Going to large EDM shows and gatherings and having your hands free but also having your … valuables … on you at all times is essential at these gatherings. The lock really takes all of the nervousness out of dancing your heart out while holding the group’s weed … and stuff.

Most Athletic

RYOT DRY+ Backpack

I can’t even hide my bias, when I pulled this backpack out of the box it immediately became my favorite of the bunch. Don’t misunderstand, I’m going to be rocking that Littlejohn wristlet/crossover bag for a long time, but the DRY+ is something a little extra special. At first, it looks like a bag that a super rad, hardcore bike messenger chick would be wearing in San Francisco in 2009. Is that hyper-specific? Definitely. But it’s also the truth. Each is outfitted with a waterproof, abrasion-resistant outer layer featuring a water bottle pocket and two outer compartments. The top is a roll-and-chinch style closure that is wide for easy loading. Inside, there is a removable SmellSafe carbon bag for an extra layer of protection for escaping odors.

RYOT uses the moniker Smell Proof when referring to their products with the highest level of odor containment and weatherproof protection possible. These products are designed to let no air escape which would mean no smells escape, they also feature SmellSafe Carbon Series technology to reduce the odors that come out when the bag is opened. If someone in the industry needed to transport large amounts of bud I would recommend this product first. I’m also planning to use it during the dry season for bike trips to the grocery store.

Biggest Flirt

Feel Good Flavors Smell-proof Roll Top Bag

The beauty of the LittleJohn and the utility of the RYOT bag converge in the Feel Good Flavors roll-top bag. The outer shell is weatherproof leather and the inside features a carbon thermal lining described by the brand as 100% smell-proof. It features two external pouches closed by waterproof zippers as well as two internal slide pouches and one internal zipped pouch. The bag is also built with gear loops and a code locking roll-top buckle.

Feel Good Flavors lines their bags with carbon technology along with waterproof zippers to control odors. The roll-top is closed by velcro and a lockable buckle that can be set with a personalized three-digit code. This bag offers almost the same aromatic protection as the RYOT but with a less heavy-duty aesthetic, great for someone who wants a larger bag to conceal cannabis odors but isn’t in need of all-weather, intense protection.

Cutest Couple

Rebelle Jerry Bag in Green and Stone from the Rock and Roll Collection

Rebelle is a Massachusetts cannabis dispensary that is growing into a vertical operation in the Berkshires. The Jerry Bag is available both at their dispensary and online. It is marketed as smell-proof and handmade with soft Italian leather in New York. The pouch is sized well to fit into a purse and features a fold-over top and a removable internal pouch.

This bag is cute and convenient, but I wouldn’t regard it as completely smell proof. First, the fold-over completely negates smells-concealing features in the main bag as aromas will escape out of the corners. Secondly, a normal zipper is used for the internal pouch. While the gold zipper is very aesthetically pleasing, it doesn’t conceal smells as well as a rubber zipper. So, while this is cute and fits perfectly into a larger purse for a night out we wouldn’t recommend it for someone trying to completely conceal the smell of their pot.

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WOCC: Advancing Cannabis Industry Talent & Accountability

3/31/2022

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The New York state cannabis industry is coming online and Women of Color in Cannabis (WOCC) is on a mission to provide industry-related education throughout the five New York City Boroughs. WOCC, pronounced “woke,” is an education-first nonprofit group that empowers women of color to enter the cannabis space. The group was founded by Shaloma Wagstaffe, whose start in the industry was organizing consumption events throughout New York City before scaling that business up to WOCC.

Wagstaffe grew up in Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York and says that when she thinks of cannabis, she thinks of her neighborhood dealer. However, when she attended her first cannabis networking event in 2018, she didn’t see that reflected in the attendees.

“I started to go to industry networking events out here in New York, and I felt completely out of place. I felt like there weren’t a lot of people who looked like me, who came from my background,” said Wagstaffe. “So going to those events, it was very shocking for me because before that experience, when I thought about the cannabis community or industry, I thought I was going to see just a bunch of Black and Brown entrepreneurs who just happen to be in cannabis. I expected it to reflect the industry as I knew it at the time and that’s not what happened at all – not a lot of representation for my race or my culture.”

After that, Wagstaffe attended every event she could from industry networking mixers to underground seshs. She would enter these spaces and ask herself, would her weed guy be comfortable networking in them? Most of the time, the answer was no. In response, she established WOCC to help ease entry into the cannabis space for people of color, but more specifically for women of color. The platform has been education-based since its first offering, a class called “What’s the 411?” that explained the differences in policing, fines, and jail times for possession and intent to distribute in each Borough. Now, WOCC hosts monthly networking events to connect community members who are interested in cannabis entrepreneurship.

WOCC is involved in planning another track of events that are part of CannaCareers, a one-stop-shop employment services program founded by Wagstaffe, Ashley Boucher of Quality Control Analytics, and Danielle Schumacher of THC Staffing. They established the program in 2020 after recognizing the need for assistance in finding high-quality cannabis industry jobs. Each founder brings unique cannabis industry experience that they have used to build a well-rounded curriculum and other offerings. CannaCareers offers education, resume review sessions, and a well-vetted jobs board to people of color, returning citizens, veterans and LGBTQ+ community members looking to find a job in the industry. They often bring in experts to teach modules on topics outside of the founders’ expertise. The topics change monthly and are chosen based on industry trends and community feedback. Wagstaffe wants people to engage with these materials and walk away with usable knowledge.

“I think that education should be fun. I personally like education but a lot of people may not. If you make something enjoyable, people are going to pay attention, people are going to have something to walk away with,” said Wagstaffe. “We’re all about collaboration, we’re all about uplifting not only women but especially women and people of color. So we are very sensitive to the fact that we do not know everything and we are going to play to our strong suits. What was important to us was bringing in trusted partners that can help us build a really robust but equally useful program for our community members.”

CannaCareers builds new modules each month where guest experts provide session materials for members to review on their own time, followed by a live Q&A where experts provide in-depth answers to participants’ questions. For those who don’t watch the Q&A or engage with the speaker’s materials, CannaCareers releases a .pdf worksheet that contains the core information from each session alongside PPT presentations and recordings of the sessions.

In addition to classes, Schumacher and vocational consultant Amber McDonald are available for free one-on-one office hours for resume and cover letter review sessions. They review the resumes before their meetings and provide personalized advice on tailoring the CV and resumes for the cannabis industry or to find a specific role. During these office hours, members are also encouraged to practice interviewing skills and discuss how to prepare for their job search. At this point, they can check out the WOCC Job Board. The board features industry positions across all pay ranges and titles but what sets it apart from other job boards is that every opportunity is vetted by WOCC and CannaCareers partners to determine whether they are safe spaces for BIPOC and other marginalized communities.

Before applying, companies are asked to fill out a basic checklist to show that they foster a safe work environment. Some notable checklist items ask whether there’s an HR representative on staff and another verifies if the company has a plan of escalation for racial sensitivity and sexual harassment. After finishing the checklist, companies will then go through an application process and an interview. Ensuring that members find positions they can thrive in is of the utmost importance to each CannaCareers founder — they have each had their own negative experiences in the cannabis industry, and they’re dedicated to weeding unsafe environments from the jobs board.

“We know a lot of these companies are not safe spaces. Not to women, not to minorities, not to members of the LGBTQ community,” Wagstaffe said. “Fine, let’s just operate under the assumption that everybody is just ignorant and they don’t know better – and that’s us being very generous. Let’s just help educate them, we’re going to provide you as much information as we can.”

“The interview process is another way to say, ‘let’s see your intent,’” she explained. “Maybe you don’t have everything on the checklist, but you have enough and you’ve expressed through the interview and application process that you’re on the right track. We take that into consideration.”

CannaCareers leadership is always interviewing and vetting companies but they will turn away brands who are just looking for a stamp without doing the work. Their goal isn’t to have 1,000 open positions on the job board, it’s to fill the board with valued open roles for the WOCC community.

The founders thoughtfully built these educational pillars and Wagstaffe has approached the next WOCC expansion just as thoughtfully — she identified that the next need for her community was re-entry support. WOCC will soon launch UnCaged, a new initiative that will support victims of the war on drugs and help repair damage caused by the prison industrial complex.

Once someone is released, they face countless barriers to re-establishing their lives on the outside. Many formerly incarcerated people stay in halfway houses with strangers without access to family and with limited job options. Many released individuals face homelessness and hunger as a result. Wagstaffe will be rolling out various initiatives to support the re-entry of the formerly incarcerated. More details will be released soon but she did inform us that part of this work will include providing re-entered individuals with NYC MetroCards to help them get to job interviews and visit family. With these initiatives alongside CannaCareers and CannaSessions, formerly incarcerated legacy cannabis entrepreneurs will have improved access to New York’s regulated cannabis industry.

To stay updated on the launch of UnCaged, get involved in CannaCareers, or support WOCC, check out wocc.world.

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Kentucky Senate Will Not Vote on Medical Cannabis Bill

3/31/2022

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Kentucky Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer (R) told reporters on Tuesday that there are “not enough votes” to pass medical cannabis reforms with only three days left in the state’s legislative session, WHAS 11 reports. The measure was approved by the House earlier this month.

Thayer had previously indicated he would bring the bill up for a vote in the chamber were there enough support from lawmakers.

Democratic state Sen. Morgan McGarvey disagreed with Thayer’s assessment and said that even if it were true, the Senate should still vote on the proposal before the end of the session.

“The people of Kentucky deserve to know who supports it and who doesn’t,” he said in the report.

In January, Senate President Robert Stivers (R) said he was open to discussing the medical cannabis bill but had personal concerns about advancing it.

It is the third time the House has approved a medical cannabis bill and the Senate has not taken it up. The measure was limited in its scope, allowing only patients with cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, epilepsy, chronic nausea, and post-traumatic stress disorder to access the program.

After Wednesday’s session, Kentucky lawmakers will take a 10-day break before returning to the Capitol on April 13 and 14 for the final two days of the 2022 term. The proposal had passed the House 59-34.

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South Dakota Now Approving Medical Cannabis Patients and Physicians

3/31/2022

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South Dakota officials as of Tuesday had approved 306 patients for the state’s medical cannabis program along with 90 physicians to make patient recommendations, according to state Department of Health (DOH) data outlined by KELO. Health officials have also denied 45 applications by physicians seeking to participate in the program.

According to state rules, a physician is required to begin the process of applying for a medical cannabis card. First, patients must schedule an appointment with a physician who is licensed to prescribe medication and patients must meet in person with a physician with whom they have a ‘bona fide practitioner-patient relationship.’

DOH Content Developer and Web Strategist Jennifer Baker noted that the denied applications for physician accounts are usually patients inadvertently applying through the physician portal. It is unknown how many of the physician denials were doctors seeking program approval.

In all, there are 2,214 active physicians in the state and the 90 approved represent just 4.07% of those active doctors. Were medical cannabis sales to begin today, with a total South Dakota population estimate of 895,376, it would mean that there would currently only be one physician to recommend medical cannabis for every 9,948.6 South Dakotans, the report says. If Delaware’s medical cannabis patient rate per population were applied to South Dakota – Delaware’s population is similar to South Dakota’s – the 1.59% rate would mean 14,236 South Dakotans would be medical cannabis patients, and with just 90 doctors approved for the program, there would be just one physician for every 158.18 medical cannabis patients, according to KELO.

The state has so far approved 126 dispensary applications, 16 cultivation-only applications, 10 licenses allowing cultivation, manufacturing, and dispensing, eight cultivation- and manufacture-only licenses, five for dispensaries and cultivation, and just one each for testing facilities and manufacturing-only.

Medical cannabis became legal in South Dakota on July 1 after being approved by voters in the 2020 General Election.

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Minnesota May License Additional Medical Cannabis Producers

3/31/2022

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A bill introduced in Minnesota would add at least two more medical cannabis producers in the state, aiming to increase production, spur more competition, and perhaps drive prices down, 5 Eyewitness News reports. Republican state Sen. Mark Koran, the bill’s sponsor, said there could be “a lot of benefits” to adding more medical cannabis producers by 2024.

“More competition can lead to better prices for patients and then we have to ask ourselves, ‘What does success look like?’ so that we are careful to not dilute the market.” – Koran to 5 Eyewitness News

Dr. Stephen Dahmer, chief medical officer of Green Goods, said he doesn’t think more producers are needed, noting that the company’s “average unit price dropped by nearly 30%” since the flower option was added for patients on March 1. He contended that the $45 price point for flower in Minnesota’s dispensaries “is not too off the market” – which he pegged at $35 in the unregulated market.

“Again, you’re getting a trusted product dispensed by pharmacists from a trusted company that’s gone through the system,” Dahmer told 5 Eyewitness News. “A huge market difference between what you’re receiving at a cannabis patient center than on the illicit market. Ideally, we would love to approach that illicit market costs because, again, patients should not have to buy cannabis on the street.”

The bill was introduced on Tuesday and has bipartisan support but has not yet had a committee hearing.

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