Oklahoma Senate Approves Bill to Increase Penalties for Medical Cannabis Diversion

5/12/2022

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The Oklahoma Senate on Monday approved a bill to increase penalties for medical cannabis patients who divert products to non-cardholders, moving the legislation to Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) for final approval.

The legislation increases the fine for a person who intentionally or improperly diverts medical cannabis from $200 to $400 for the first offense, and from $500 to $1,000 for the second offense. Individuals could lose their medical cannabis license for the third offense. The bill also increases fines for sales or transfers of medical cannabis to unauthorized persons to $5,000 for the first violation and $15,000 for subsequent violations.

Republican state Sen. Lonnie Paxton, the bill’s author, said the bill fixes a loophole that only imposed an administrative fine for diverting medical cannabis products.

“As many Oklahomans know, when State Question 788 was passed to legalize medical marijuana, we were quickly thrown into a situation where we needed to create the framework and guidelines for this industry. Unfortunately, this led to the inadvertent mixing of medical marijuana legislation and criminal justice reform legislation, resulting in the ability for someone to buy marijuana product legally, but then re-sell it to a child or someone who doesn’t have their card, with only an administrative fine. Ultimately, this is drug dealing, but only with the equivalent offense of a traffic ticket. [The bill] fixes this loophole and makes this practice a criminal offense.” – Paxton in a press release

Paxton clarified that the legislation’s intent is not to target “college friends who are sharing marijuana product with no money exchanged” but rather “the black-market medical marijuana industry and drug dealers.”

“These black-market dealers are targeting and selling marijuana to our kids and others who don’t have a medical card,” Paxton said in a statement, “and we are giving our law enforcement officials the ability to do their jobs and prosecute these offenders under criminal violation of the law.”

If signed by the governor, the bill will take effect on November 1.

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Ascend Wellness Finalizes Purchase of MedMen’s New York Operations

5/12/2022

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Ascend Wellness Holdings resolved its dispute this week with MedMen over its purchase of the company’s vertically integrated New York medical cannabis license, Marijuana Business Daily reports. Under the terms of the agreement, Ascend will purchase 99.9% of MedMen’s New York operation for $88 million. That is an additional $25 million on top of the original $63 million agreed to in December.

The deal includes MedMen’s grow facility in Utica and dispensaries in Manhattan, Long Island, Syracuse, and Buffalo, the report says.

“We are thrilled to put this dispute behind us and look forward to the imminent closing of this transaction,” Ascend founder and CEO Abner Kurtin said in a press release.

At closing, Ascend will pay $74 million and an additional $14 million, including $10 million in payouts and another $4 million related to the settlement, when the first adult-use sales are completed in a MedMen New York dispensary, the report says.

“While we always seek accretive deals, this transaction is particularly attractive given a recent comparable acquisition valued at $247 million,” Kurtin said in the release.

The settlement resolves a dispute between the two multi-state-operators where MedMen claimed at one point that Ascend “exerted undue influence on New York State government officials in order to obtain regulatory approval” for the license acquisition, MedMen said in its lawsuit. Specifically, the company had argued that Ascend’s donation to the office of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) had spurred the acquisition’s approval, but MedMen eventually dropped its lawsuit.

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Inaugural Mendocino Craft Farmers Auction Presented by Cannabis Community to Support Local Non-Profit Scheduled for July 16, 2022

5/11/2022

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(Mendocino County, CA) – The inaugural Mendocino Craft Farmers Auction (MCFA) presented by the Mendocino Cannabis Alliance (MCA) and the Mendocino Producers Guild (MPG) will be held on July 16th in beautiful Mendocino County. This first-of-its-kind event will be hosted courtesy of Jim Roberts and Brian Adkinson of The Bohemian Chemist cannabis brand, who also own The Brambles, a lovely event venue in the heart of the redwoods in the picturesque Anderson Valley of southern Mendocino County.

MCFA is a charity auction, with proceeds going to support the invaluable resources made available within Mendocino County by Redwood Community Services Crisis Response. This is an opportunity for the cannabis community of Mendocino to give back to the broader community and the County, while at the same time raising consciousness about the high quality of the cannabis produced here and the incredible people who produce it.

Auction items will include rare opportunities such as visits and overnight stays at some of the top local cannabis producers farms, health and wellness experiences, fine dining and adventures in our world-famous wilderness. Other items offered will include locally made crafts, gift certificates from local businesses, farm products and more. Generous donors should not be surprised if their generosity is matched by growers who want to share from their Private Reserve for a truly unique and coveted experience!

The affair will start in the late afternoon when guests can explore items featured both on the silent and live auctions, sip local wines from Maple Creek Winery and sample some of the finest cannabis in the world, shared by Mendocino farmers. An elegant supper will follow catered by Chef Dan Hagopian of Sonoma Market. The Live Auction will kick off during dessert, to be followed by lively dancing under the stars and the redwoods with music provided by DJ Mo Magic, herself a small farmer from Covelo in northeastern Mendocino.

This is a great way for visitors to discover the eclectic wonders of Mendocino County. Accommodations will be available on-site at the Brambles and their sister location, The Madrones, as well as in nearby hotels. Upon purchase of your ticket you will receive details about special discounts for those attending the event.

The Mendocino Craft Farmers Auction is a private event by invitation only, with attendance limited to 150. Tickets are $200 each and will be tax deductible. Interested guests and sponsors should contact nikkijturtle@gmail.com for details. There are limited tickets available for this special event to meet the farmers, contribute to a worthy cause, and to be part of a memorable gathering in Mendocino County.

For ticketing, sponsorship, donations and event information contact nikkijiturtle@gmail.com.

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About Mendocino Cannabis Alliance
MCA is the premier cannabis trade association in Mendocino County, serving and promoting Mendocino County’s world-renowned cannabis cultivators and businesses through sustainable economic development, education and public policy initiatives. https://mendocannabis.com/

About Mendocino Producers Guild
MPG is a farmer-run organization dedicated to live markets county wide. We are committed to showcasing all of Mendocino’s finest small craft producers. Whether it be cannabis, art, wool, or wine, the quality of craft is palpable. We are committed to best practices with a strong emphasis on sustainability and community. https://mendocinoproducersguild.org/

Contact: Nikki Lastreto
Phone: 707-984-8128
Email: nikkijiturtle@gmail.com

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Tammy Pettigrew: Digestible Cannabis Industry Education

5/11/2022

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The cannabis industry is officially mainstream and entrepreneurs from other sectors are stepping into the space. While seasoned professionals bring business knowledge, they often need a crash course in cannabis education — this is where digestible educational resources like The Cannabis Cutie play a valuable role.

Ganjapreneur recently interviewed The Cannabis Cutie founder Tammy Pettigrew, who started building the educational platform through social media to better inform people about the power of cannabis. She is also working to break the stigma associated with cannabis through her courses, e-books, and book club, inspired by her mentor Snoop Dogg, who himself introduced cannabis culture to the masses. Recently, Pettigrew also debuted as co-host for 106 & Spark, a countdown show that puts a cannabis twist on the idea of the classic BET show 106 & Park.

Read the full interview below:

Ganjapreneur: When did you become passionate about cannabis? How did this evolve into building The Cannabis Cutie?

Tammy Pettigrew: I became passionate about cannabis my freshman year of college after watching the resident stoner in my dorm make the honor roll. I ended up on academic probation without ever trying the plant, which was literally the opposite of what the D.A.R.E. program told me would happen. That’s what compelled me to finally try cannabis, and I noticed the improvements it brought to my life.

I felt like we had all collectively been lied to and I wanted to be part of the change to fix that. Starting out in the Midwest in 2008 was much harder than it is today, but I spent the next decade talking about cannabis to anyone who would listen. Eventually that led to the idea of The Cannabis Cutie.

Why did you decide to create educational offerings in the cannabis space?

I decided to create educational offerings because when I was looking for them, they didn’t really exist. Or if they did exist, they were extremely expensive and hard to understand if you didn’t have a science background. I felt like there needed to be basic, to-the-point information, at an affordable price.

Who is the ideal student for Cannabis Cutie education?

The ideal student for Cannabis Cutie Education is anyone who is interested in cannabis or advocacy, but isn’t sure where to start! Basic knowledge of the plant and the history of cannabis are topics you’ll want to be knowledgeable about to navigate the industry.

What sets your Cannabis 101 course apart from similar online educational offerings?

In my course, you won’t leave with a biology degree, but you will understand the information in a way that you’ll be able to teach it to other people. For me, that’s mastery. Knowing the information is one thing but being able to retell it clearly is a whole other level of understanding.

What research informs the Cannabinoids e-book? How have you made the topic easily digestible in this e-book offering?

I use the content in my course and the most common questions I receive about cannabis! That information has come from books, journals, studies, and knowledge obtained through conferences, interviews, and articles. The e-book contains visual aids and diagrams to really help learners see it in a way they can grasp, as well as basic verbiage so that the explanations stay clear.

What is the benefit of becoming a Higher Learning book club member?

You get to join a community of others who are passionate about freeing the plant. We come together weekly to learn, grow, and of course sesh. Sometimes we vent about current happenings within the industry, sometimes it’s to cheer each other on as we move within our journey with cannabis. For some, it’s been celebrating coming out of the weed closet, and for others is joining a local organization! But one thing is certain, you’re going to learn.

How do you choose which books to cover in the book club?

Each book must have some relation to the plant, but it can be as diverse as it wants to be! We’ve done memoirs, spirituality books, history, science, and even books on mass incarceration because honestly cannabis is the star player of that show.

How can new cannabis entrepreneurs benefit from learning about the plant before entering the space?

Understanding the plant is crucial. Consumers are so confused about products and cannabinoids and terpenes and percentages. None of it makes sense! If you understand what all of this means, you can communicate that through branding, to clients, customers and governing bodies. We have to get the rest of the public past the groupthink propaganda phase!

When did you first get cast on 106 & Spark? Who would enjoy tuning in?

My first discussion about the show was with Problem, the show’s EP, and Brandon Morson, the director, in January 2021 about the concept. After a few more discussions, we began filming a few months later. If you enjoy music, culture, cannabis and learning about new things, then this show is for you!

Were you involved in any aspects of creating the show?

When it came to creating for the show, Problem gave me autonomy to be myself. All the facts and knowledge that I dropped were monologues of information I felt needed to be said at the moment. My best work is when I’m organically myself and I appreciate being able to create in an environment like that. And as a cannabis user myself, I also helped curate the lists!

What components of 106 & Spark will cover cannabis culture?

We have a segment called: “I Don’t Know Shit,” where I teach my co-host Spoon some facts about cannabis! Sometimes it’s about the plant and sometimes it’s about the industry. We cover our favorite brands, products, and accessories too!

How do you hope that the show serves your greater mission of advocacy, education, and empowerment?

Ultimately, any time I have an opportunity to shed light on the benefits of cannabis I’m going to take it seriously and treat it with the utmost respect. There’s something inside of me that’s burning to do this, and it’s been that way since I was about 19. Being on the show is another opportunity I’ve received to free the plant and to talk about the information people need to know. There are other ways of living and some of us don’t need nor want one pill per medical issue from our doctor when we have a complex plant at our disposal. They just need to understand how and why it works this way. People fear what they don’t understand, and I’m here to help my people understand.

Have you had any notable mentors in the cannabis space?

I would say the coolest person in my life that I can run ideas by, get advice, or talk about what’s going on in my career is Snoop Dogg. He’s one of the people responsible for the normalization of the plant and it’s a blessing to have his input of things. He’s always putting people in position to win and that’s very aspirational.

Any updates on The Cannabis Cutie Show for Snoop Dogg TV?

Snoop is on a crazy run right now and I’m having fun sitting back and watching, but my projects are still coming!

Thanks so much, Tammy, for answering all of our questions! To learn more or get in touch, readers can visit TheCannabisCutie.com.

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Federal Agency Offers Funding to Study Treating Cancer Patients with Cannabis

5/11/2022

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The National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued a notice of special interest offering funding for researchers to study the risk of cannabis treatments for cancer patients, Marijuana Moment reports. In the notice, NIH highlights that one in four cancer patients report using cannabis to manage symptoms like anorexia, nausea, and pain, but that “research about their (cannabis treatments) health effects, including potential harms and benefits, remain limited.”

The notice also includes an overview of current cannabis and cancer research along with eight areas of interest NIH would like researchers to focus on. The agency says current studies have “yielded limited and inconsistent results.” One such discussion point is the finding that smoking cannabis is not related to lung cancer, despite cannabis smoke containing harmful compounds. The notice says that “studies of other cancer types have shown no or inconsistent association with cannabis use, but these data are limited.”

NIH notes that cannabis interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which regulates “many cancer-relevant processes, such as cell proliferation, motility and survival” and that “cancer cell line experiments show that THC and CBD can mediate many anti-tumor effects, including inducing apoptosis and inhibiting cell proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis.”

“These anti-tumor activities have led to early clinical testing of THC and CBD for glioblastoma and prostate cancers,” the NIH said.

According to the NIH notice, the eight suggested areas for additional research include:

  • Understanding how exogenous cannabis and cannabinoids affect cancer development (preneoplasia through malignancy) and biology, including the tumor microenvironment;
  • Understanding how endogenous cannabinoid pathways influence cancer development and biology;
  • Defining the effects of cannabis and cannabinoids on cancer treatment (particularly targeted treatments and immunotherapy) and the development of treatment resistance;
  • Understanding the use of cannabis and cannabinoids in cancer interception and delineating how endocannabinoid signaling pathways may inhibit early cancers;
  • Defining the mechanisms of cannabis and cannabinoid action in alleviating symptoms of cancer and cancer treatment (such as pain, nausea, and neuropathy);
  • Understanding the combinatorial effects of cannabis and cannabinoids in conjunction with other factors (such as tobacco constituents, alcohol, microbiome, or diet) on cancer biology, treatment, and symptom management;
  • Identifying biological mechanisms underlying disparities in sex or ethnicity in cannabis and cannabinoid action in cancer biology, treatment, or symptom management; and;
  • Developing or validating new and human-relevant model systems to understand cannabis and cannabinoid action in cancer biology, treatment, or symptom management.

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Canadian Border Authorities Seized 36,371 lbs. of Cannabis in 2021

5/11/2022

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In 2021, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) made 22,779 cannabis seizures totaling 36,371 pounds of cannabis, the agency said in a press release on Monday. The agency also reminded travelers that bringing – or taking – cannabis across its border remains prohibited, warning that CBD products could also violate agency policies.

“Avoid seizures, fines or arrest: Don’t bring it into Canada. Don’t take it out of Canada.” – CBSA, “CBSA reminds Canadians of cannabis border laws,” May 9, 2022

The agency reiterated that consumers should make sure they are buying cannabis through government-approved retailers when buying online “to avoid potential delays, an enforcement action, and even criminal prosecution.”

The CBSA is also responsible for screening all goods that enter and exit Canada, including those by mail, and those packages may be subject to more in-depth examination. Under the nation’s cannabis laws, it is illegal to import or export cannabis to or from Canada.

“Personal, mail, courier, and commercial shipments are subject to the Customs Act,” the agency said in a press release, “and may be examined for prohibited goods, including cannabis and cannabis products.”

Individuals who do not declare their cannabis when entering Canada could face enforcement action by the CBSA, including seizure, arrest, and fines which would be applied “based on the type, severity, and frequency of the contravention,” the agency said.

Canada legalized cannabis for adult use in 2018 and shares a border with several U.S. states that have passed the reforms, including Alaska, Maine, Michigan, Montana, New York, Vermont, and Washington.

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Federal Judge Denies Patient Access to Medical Cannabis While Out on Bail

5/11/2022

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A federal judge in Maine has denied the request of a defendant to use medical cannabis while out on bail, the Sun Journal reports. The motion was requested by Lucas Sirois, who is accused of illegal cannabis cultivation and money laundering and is a state-approved medical cannabis patient.

In November 2021, Sirois pleaded not guilty to a 15-count federal indictment that accuses him of illegally cultivating cannabis under the guise of medical cannabis operations and regularly selling it outside of the state system. He is alleged to have sold more than $1 million worth of cannabis out-of-state between 2018 and 2019.

U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge John Nivison denied Sirois’ motion last Friday, ruling that Maine’s medical cannabis law “does not override the federal requirements for conditions of pretrial release – where federal law and state law provide contradictory directives, federal law controls,” the report says.

On Oct. 28, 2021, the U.S. District Court in Bangor ordered Sirois to follow certain conditions of release pending the outcome of the case, which “requires that defendant not use marijuana and ‘not violate federal, state, or local law,'” Nivison’s order states.

Sirois’ attorney, Timothy Parlatore, had requested release conditions be amended to allow Sirois to continue using his physician-recommended cannabis; allow him to not be sanctioned for such use as long as it complies with Maine law; or direct that pretrial services not file any violation petition based solely on a urine test indicating positive for THC, given legal hemp derivatives, the report says.

Nivison’s order requires Sirois to comply with all local, state, and federal laws while released on bail and explicitly excludes cannabis use “even with a prescription.”

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Pennsylvania Court Rules Medical Cannabis Is Schedule I Drug Under Driving Laws

5/11/2022

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The Pennsylvania Superior Court has rejected an argument that medical cannabis is not a Schedule I controlled substance, York Daily Record reports. The argument was made in a driving under the influence case and Judge Deborah A. Kunselman ruled that there is no difference between medical cannabis and the scheduled plant.

“There is no need for ‘medical marijuana’ to be listed as a Schedule I controlled substance because medical marijuana is marijuana, specifically marijuana ‘for certified medical use.’” – Kunselman, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Franklin Roosevelt Dabney Jr., May 5, 2022

The defendant, Franklin Roosevelt Dabney Jr., had sought the appeal of his DUI of a Schedule I controlled substance conviction on the grounds that he is a certified medical cannabis patient in the state and that the DUI law would be in “direct conflict” with the state Medical Marijuana Act.

Kunselman’s ruling notes that Dabney did not have his medical cannabis card with him at the time of the stop, “yet had a bag of marijuana, and the Trooper smelled burnt marijuana” which could be a violation of Pennsylvania medical cannabis law provisions.

“After careful consideration, we find that medical marijuana remains a Schedule I controlled substance for purposes of [driving under the influence laws],” the opinion states. “Contrary to Dabney’s argument, no conflict exists between the MMA and the Vehicle Code. The Vehicle Code and the CSA render it illegal to drive with any amount of a Schedule I controlled substance in one’s blood.”

The opinion is precedential, meaning it has a binding effect on future cases in Pennsylvania.

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Cannabis Marketing Summit Announces Speaker & Session Line-Up Coming to Denver June 7-9

5/10/2022

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Cannabis Marketing Association is hosting the first in-person Summit with 32 educational sessions, an expo floor, an outdoor lounge, yard games, and an after party.

Denver, Colorado — May 10, 2022 — Cannabis Marketing Association (CMA) is excited to announce its Cannabis Marketing Summit (CMS) is making its in-person debut this June 7 – 9 in Denver, Colorado with Platinum Sponsor DOPE Marketing.

The Cannabis Marketing Summit, hosted at the McNichols Building in Civic Center Park, is the annual event for cannabis marketers and communications professionals. CMS will evaluate the current state of cannabis marketing and teach the practical tools, tactics, and data that produce effective strategies and campaigns for cannabis brands across the country.

“It’s incredibly difficult for cannabis businesses to navigate marketing. They often have small budgets, small teams, and have to maximize their return on investment in an advertising environment that isn’t very friendly to the cannabis industry,” said Lisa Buffo, Founder & CEO of Cannabis Marketing Association, “The content at the Cannabis Marketing Summit is designed to help cannabis marketers that are serious about propelling their businesses to the forefront of the global industry.”

Previous years’ virtual events attracted attendees from across North America and abroad representing prominent brands, retailers, and marketing agencies from all major markets.

The 2022 Summit spans two and a half days with over 30 content sessions, solo presentations, an exhibition hall, networking events, and an after party.
Executives from Curaleaf, Wana Brands, Ascend Wellness Holdings, PharmaCann, The Clear, Schwazze, Flowhub, Glasshouse Group, Cookies, MJBiz and the Colorado Cannabis Business Office are a few of the speakers.

Sessions include:

  • Compliance in Cannabis Marketing: Defining the Gray Areas and Navigating Big Tech
  • Alcohol, CPG, & Cannabis Marketing: Differences, Similarities, and What We Can Learn from Established Industries
  • Email Marketing for Cannabis Businesses: How to Effectively Use Your Most Powerful Owned Channel
  • Budtenders and Brand Ambassadors: Managing Consistent Messaging and Creating Allies at the Point of Sale
  • The Power of Product Data for Dispensaries: Driving E-Commerce Traffic and Revenue

Reserve your space and learn, play, and network with the cannabis industry’s top communications professionals in the heart of Colorado’s cultural cannabis hub this June 7 – 9! Registration is now open for ticket purchases. Brands and retailers who have a ticket to the Summit can register for free pop-up space at the Welcome Reception on Tuesday, June 7.

There are a limited number of sponsorship and expo hall opportunities available. Please contact info@marketingcannabis.org to secure your brand activation at the Cannabis Marketing Summit.

About Cannabis Marketing Association
Cannabis Marketing Association is a membership organization focused on education and best practices for industry marketers. CMA’s mission is to bring a positive perception to, and authentic understanding of, cannabis and its consumers around the world. CMA does this by supporting the professional growth of cannabis communications professionals by providing industry education, cultivating community, and establishing best practices. For more information about Cannabis Marketing Association or Cannabis Marketing Summit, please visit www.TheCannabisMarketingAssociation.com.

Contact
Emily Wells
Cannabis Marketing Association
info@marketingcannabis.org

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Germany’s Health Minister to Begin Cannabis Legalization Process

5/10/2022

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German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach announced he would begin the legal process to set up an adult-use cannabis market, Forbes reports. Speaking to the German newspaper Handelsblatt, the minister explained he has changed his mind on the topic of legal cannabis and that he believes the risks of continuing prohibition outweigh the risks of legalization.

“I’ve always been opposed to cannabis legalization, but I revised my position about a year ago.” – Karl Lauterbach to Handelsblatt, via Forbes

“A question that people keep asking me: ‘When will Bubatz be legal?” he wrote in an April 6 tweet, “I would say: soon.”

Justice Minister Marco Buschmann indicated he would begin technical preparations for the policy change in partnership with the Ministry of Health and other departments. The technical talks will bring together representatives from the Health Ministry; federal, state, and local governments; associations; the science community; and other social players. Lauterbach says the talks will begin this summer and will lead to a bill toward the end of 2022, the report says.

The governing coalition of Social Democrats (SPD), Green Party, and Free Democrats (FDP) announced in November 2021 that they were working on an adult-use cannabis legalization plan. Both the Green Party and the pro-business FDP have called for legalization in the past, while simultaneously asking for sufficient guardrails to protect children.

A survey by Germany’s Hemp Association found that adult-use cannabis would bring in 4.7 billion Euros — $3.4 billion — in tax revenue each year. If Germany does enact legalization, it would join Luxemburg and Malta in Europe which have recently liberalized their cannabis laws.

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Vermont House Imposes 60% THC Cap on Concentrates

5/10/2022

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The Vermont House last week approved several bills aimed at setting up the state’s adult-use market, including a bill to impose a 60% THC cap on concentrates, VT Digger reports. The amendment, tacked on by state Rep. John Gannon (D), led to frustration from some lawmakers and followed a Department of Health decision to eliminate – and then reimpose – their proposed 60% THC cap.

James Pepper, chair of the Cannabis Control Board, said a 60% THC cap on concentrates would give “the illicit market a monopoly on supplying the demand for these products.”

“There is a very broad consensus among regulators that caps are a bad idea. A black market will fill this gap. They’ll do so using very dangerous products.” – Pepper to VT Digger

State Sen. Dick Sears (D) pointed out that nearby Massachusetts doesn’t have a THC cap and that he would like to see an investigation by the Cannabis Control Board on the impact of the cap on unregulated and out-of-state sales, were it to be included in the law.

The state Department of Health initially sought THC caps but last month David Englander, the agency’s senior policy and legal advisor, wrote a message to Chair of the House Committee on Human Services Rep. Ann Pugh (D) backing eliminating the cap, saying producers would have to use diluting additives to remain under the threshold; however, a day later, Englander sent another message to Pugh, saying the department instead backed the cap.

“The risk to users of high levels of THC are significant and we should not risk contributing to the known risks to consumers’ physical and mental health,” Englander said in his second email. “My communication of yesterday to you was based on incomplete information. All errors are mine and please accept my apologies to you and the committee.”

The Health Department has not commented on the reversal.

The Vermont Senate has moved to a conference committee to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate versions of the bills. Adult-use cannabis sales are expected to commence in October.

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California Armored Car Company Settles with Sheriff’s Dept Over Seized Cannabis Cash

5/10/2022

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A California armored car company that transports cash for cannabis businesses has settled its lawsuit against the San Bernardino County sheriff which claimed the department illegally seized more than $1 million in cash, according to an Associated Press and KDKA report. Under the terms of the settlement, Empyreal Logistics will be able to resume its services but there is no financial compensation for the company.

The sheriffs had stopped two of the company’s transports last November and December but in a statement following the settlement, the department said Empyreal had acted in good faith.

“Both sides also acknowledge that Empyreal is part of the solution to help with financial transparency and that San Bernardino Deputies are not highway robbers as previously reported in the media.” – San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department in a statement.

The company has had the seized cash returned in a previous agreement with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration which participated in the law enforcement actions. The sheriff’s department would have been able to keep 80% of the seized cash, while the federal agencies would have kept the rest.

Empyreal CEO Deirdra O’Gorman said, following the settlement, she is “confident” the California-based company “can continue serving state-legal businesses without future disruptions.”

San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus had previously backed the deputies as “professional” and was “confident” the agency would “prevail” in the case.

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Oklahoma Senate Passes Bill to Make Medical Marijuana Authority Standalone Agency

5/10/2022

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The Oklahoma Senate last week approved a bill to make the state Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) a freestanding state agency, moving it out of the state Health Department, The Oklahoman reports. The measure still needs to be signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) before becoming law.

Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat (R), one of the bill’s co-authors, said in January that the move was needed as OMMA was “shielded from proper oversight on its budget” under the purview of the Department of Health. If Stitt signs the bill, the executive director of the OMMA will be appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate.

Treat said while under the Health Department, the OMMA has “been inhibited in its ability to truly become an enforcer of the rules and regulations that I think Oklahomans expect it to be.”

The bill’s passage is the latest move aimed at reigning in the state’s cannabis industry as claims mount that illegal cultivation is occurring under the guise of medical cannabis operations. In March, regulators announced that seed-to-sale technology would be implemented in the state within 90 days following the settlement of a lawsuit that claimed to require the tech was a violation of antitrust laws. Lawmakers are also considering a bill to pause all cannabis cultivation licensing in the state while it shores up compliance issues.

The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics reported that from April 2021 through Feb. 9, 2022, it disbanded 85 farms that were operating without state approval

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Thailand’s Public Health Minister Plans to Offer 1M Free Cannabis Plants to Citizens

5/09/2022

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Thailand’s Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul plans to give away up to one million free cannabis plants when personal cultivation and use of the plant is legalized in June, Nation Thailand reports. Anutin said, in a Facebook post, that citizens will be allowed to cultivate “as many cannabis plants” as they like in their own homes once the reforms take effect.

“This will enable people and the government to generate more than 10 billion baht [per year] in revenue from marijuana and hemp. … Meanwhile, people can showcase their cannabis and hemp-related products and wisdom and sell their products nationwide.” – Anutin via Nation Thailand

The cannabis grown must be of medical grade and only for medical purposes but no registration is required. It is currently legal for registered companies to sell cannabis products that contain less than 0.2% THC.

Under the nation’s regulations, small sellers of cannabis-related products do not need to register with the Food and Drug Administration but large-scale operators must seek government approval.

Anutin in February signed a document removing cannabis from the nation’s narcotics list after lawmakers legalized medical cannabis use in 2020 – the first Southeast Asian nation to enact the reforms. During the signing ceremony, Anutin said that cannabis “has plenty of medical benefits, not different from other herbs” and that officials are trying their best “to make the Thai people enjoy both medical and economic benefits from it.”

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Austin, Texas Decriminalizes Cannabis & Ends No-Knock Warrants

5/09/2022

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Voters in Austin, Texas overwhelmingly approved a ballot initiative to decriminalize low-level cannabis possession and ban no-knock warrants, the Austin American-Statesman reports. The measure passed with 85.49% of the vote.

The city council must next codify the rules into law and once finalized, Austin police will be barred from issuing citations or making arrests for low-level cannabis possession – with limited exceptions – and will be required to announce their presence and wait at least 15 seconds before executing a search warrant.

The only exception for the cannabis policy is if the arrest or citation is part of an investigation into a high-priority narcotics case or a violent felony, the report says. Police will be allowed to seize cannabis under the policy.

Neither is a major change from the current police department policy. In 2020, the Austin City Council passed a resolution to end misdemeanor cannabis arrests and tickets, but the vote entrenches that resolution as law. City police officials said they execute just a handful of no-knock warrants every year, but the vote will prohibit the practice entirely.

The police union was neutral on the cannabis language but opposed the no-knock warrant reforms. Austin Police Association Chairman Ken Casaday told the Statesman said the passage of the initiative is “really a feel-good deal for the people that were behind” but that the group doesn’t “believe it really affects anything.”

“We don’t believe that will affect us. The city of Austin cannot tell the police chief how to run his department when it comes to safety, and we fully expect to continue to do search warrants even though we only do maybe two or three a year. I don’t think this will affect anything. As far as the marijuana goes, we’ve pretty much had a hands-off policy for the last two or three years.” – Casaday to the Statesman

Mike Siegel, political director for Ground Game Texas which backed the reforms, told Bloomberg that the overwhelming support shows “that progressives in Texas have an opportunity to win elections and increase voter engagement by leaning into progressive issues.” The group has indicated plans to petition in more cities across the Lonestar State to enact similar reforms.

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Missouri Cannabis Advocates Submit Twice the Required Signatures for Legalization Measure

5/09/2022

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The campaign to legalize cannabis for adult use in Missouri has submitted 385,000 signatures to the Secretary of State’s Office to put the issue to voters in November, FOX 2 Now reports. The total, which still needs to be validated, far exceeds the 170,000 required to put the issue to voters.

In a press release, John Payne, the campaign manager for Legal Missouri, said the “widespread and enthusiastic show of support from the people of Missouri” exceeded the organization’s expectations.

“We look forward to the timely review and certification of our petition by the Secretary of State’s Office as we continue to educate and inform voters in the coming weeks and months.” – Payne in a statement via FOX 2 Now

The proposal, a constitutional amendment, would allow Missourians over the age of 21 to possess, consume, purchase, and cultivate cannabis. The measure would impose a 6% sales tax which would generate an estimated $40.8 million which would be used for expungement costs, veterans’ services, drug addiction treatment, and the public defender system, the report says. The amendment includes automatic expungement provisions, which the reports say is the first of its kind.

Missouri voters approved a medical cannabis constitutional amendment in 2018 and the sector generated $200 million in sales during the program’s first 14 months.

An adult-use legalization measure was introduced during this year’s legislative session and was approved by the House Rules and Legislative Oversight Committee on April 21 but has not been considered by the full chamber.

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D.C. Mayoral Debate Glosses Over Cannabis, Zeroes In On Opioid Epidemic

5/09/2022

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

The top three candidates for D.C. mayor duked it out on Wednesday evening during a debate on WAMU’s The Politics Hour moderated by local radio legend Kojo Nnamdi and news veteran Tom Sherwood.

Over the course of 90 minutes, incumbent Mayor Muriel Bowser, At-Large Councilmember Robert White and Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White argued their positions on a wide range of issues from D.C.’s ongoing housing crisis to the recent surge in traffic fatalities.

The topic of cannabis, however, was conspicuously absent from the debate despite lately being a major point of focus in District politics. Over the last year, the D.C. Council has spent hours debating what to do about unlicensed weed “gifting” shops and how to regulate recreational weed if Congress were to lift its local ban on adult-use sales.

Bowser, who has been waiting for the council to advance her bill to legalize retail weed and increase the allowed number of licensed medical dispensaries, only mentioned pot in passing on Wednesday, reiterating a call for Congress to lift the locally-reviled cannabis rider that prevents D.C. from regulating weed sales.

“The situation we’re in with marijuana is untenable,” said Bowser, who is seeking her third term in office. “It has been since we passed the initiative here and our Democratic friends and the Republicans need to remove these riders. They need to remove all riders but what’s happening with marijuana is significantly problematic.”

Bowser has made it clear she supports legalizing recreational weed sales, though her administration has been less tolerant of D.C.’s gray market for weed, allowing police to routinely raid weed unlicensed businesses, also known as “gifting” shops.

Her opponents in the mayoral race have shown more sympathy towards “gifting” shops. Both Trayon White and Robert White recently voted against a proposal by Council Chairman Phil Mendelson to crack down on weed gifters, noting the measure could unfairly affect Black residents, who make up a significant share of “gifting” shop owners and employees.

“We don’t want to shut folks down,” Robert White said ahead of a vote on Mendelson’s bill last month.

The two councilmembers have generally taken a reparative approach to cannabis legalization, acknowledging weed prohibition’s disparate toll on communities of color. Last year, they both sponsored a bill that sought to give people formerly incarcerated for cannabis offenses a leg up to join D.C.’s medical cannabis. Bowser’s bill to legalize adult-use sales contained similar provisions.

While weed didn’t make it into Wednesday’s debate, another important question on drug policy did: How would the candidates address D.C.’s worsening opioid epidemic? Nnamdi asked the candidates whether they’d be open to decriminalizing small amounts of drugs “in the hopes that more people may seek treatment.”

Fatal overdoses, largely driven by a surge in fentanyl use, have been on the rise in the District. Last month, 10 people died after overdosing on a lethal batch of fentanyl, marking the District’s second mass casualty incident involving opioids this year. Local advocates for safe drug-use argue creating “safe-injection” sites and providing people battling addiction with a clean, regulated supply of drugs could help reduce deadly overdoses.

But all three candidates danced around the question, avoiding a direct response on whether they’d consider decriminalizing harder drugs.

Bowser deflected responsibility for the opioid crisis, blaming the coronavirus pandemic for soaring overdose rates, a theory that is supported by public health experts.

“Part of our dealing with fentanyl overdoses and all types of substance abuse is getting back to normal,” Bowser said. “Getting people back in treatment and in person.”

She noted that while virtual health counseling has been a somewhat effective treatment during the pandemic, “it hasn’t worked as well in the substance abuse area.” Bowser wouldn’t say whether she’d decriminalize the limited possession of drugs like fentanyl, dodging the question by saying she supports legalizing cannabis, which has been legal to use and possess in the District since 2015.

Trayon White said D.C. should declare a state of emergency in response to the opioid crisis and invest in more treatment facilities for substance abuse. He noted his experience doing community outreach on drug abuse for the office of D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine.

“We haven’t put our money where our mouth is and as a result we’re losing hundreds and hundreds of residents every day to this opioid crisis,” he said.

Robert White agreed the District hasn’t done enough to address the opioid crisis. “We need to take the opioid crisis seriously and much more seriously than we have been taking it,” he said. “We’re now behind the eight ball,” he added.

He proposed to expand the use of Narcan, a life-saving medication that can reverse drug overdoses, and to consider the creation of safe-injection sites “so that we are keeping people alive and giving them a central place to reach recovery opportunities.”

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Spectrum Unveils WatchDog 3230 Wireless Plant Growth Station for Optimal Plant Growth

5/06/2022

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Aurora, IL – May 4th, 2022: Spectrum Technologies, Inc., expands their broad product offering with the release of the WatchDog® Wireless Plant Growth Station. Through the single portable station, growers can now receive real-time, crop-specific environmental data on their smartphone including temperature, relative humidity, and PAR Light from any source.

The WatchDog® 3230 Wireless Plant Growth Station measures, records, and communicates the important crop growing conditions in a greenhouse. The portable station has an integrated solar power system and boasts powerful Wi-Fi or cellular radios making communication simple. Growers can also view the current environmental conditions (including DLI (Daily Light Integral)) from the convenience of a smart phone with the help of the FREE WatchDog® Mobile App.

The WatchDog® 3230 Wireless Plant Growth Station comes with additional sensor ports to optionally measure soil moisture, EC, and temperature, or additional PAR light sensors to measure conditions at different crop heights.

“With this new wireless station, growers have a portable environmental station to move from crop to crop or to a different greenhouse to track the key
growing conditions. Growing high-quality crops consistently and profitably is the goal,” says Mike Thurow, President & CEO.

Spectrum Technologies
Spectrum Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Aurora, Illinois. The company manufactures and distributes
affordable, leading-edge, plant-measurement technology to agricultural, horticultural, environmental, and turf markets throughout the world,
serving more than 14,000 customers in over 80 countries. Spectrum Technologies’ brands include WatchDog®, FieldScout®, WaterScout®,
DataScout®, LightScout®, TruFirm®and SpecConnect™. Spectrum has won 25 AE50 Awards from the American Society of Agricultural and
Biological Engineers, which demonstrates the company’s commitment to innovation and quality. For more information, call 815-436-4440 or
visit www.specmeters.com.

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Study: Cannabis Flower Effective for Treating Fatigue

5/06/2022

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A study by University of New Mexico (UNM) researchers found in a first-of-its-kind, large-scale study that cannabis use results in the immediate improvement of feelings of fatigue in the majority of consumers.

Fatigue is a core feature of many types of illnesses, and several studies have shown that people with chronic pain, cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, and multiple sclerosis report increased energy levels after consuming medical cannabis, the researchers said in a press release. The study found cannabis consumers were likely to experience a 3.5-point improvement of feelings of fatigue on a 0-10 scale after combusting cannabis flower and that 91% of study participants, using the Releaf App, reported fatigue symptom improvement. The study included 1,224 people who recorded 3,922 cannabis flower self-administration sessions between June 6, 2016, and Aug. 7, 2019.

Study co-author and Associate Professor Jacob Miguel Vigil, from the UNM Department of Psychology Department, said the research results run contrary to “conventional beliefs that frequent cannabis use may result in decreased behavioral activity, goal-pursuit, and competitiveness, or what academics have called ‘amotivational syndrome.’”

“…People tend to actually experience an immediate boost in their energy levels immediately after consuming cannabis.” – Vigil in a statement

Virgil added that the researchers observed that THC and CBD “were largely uncorrelated with changes in feelings of fatigue” which suggests “other minor cannabinoids and phytochemicals such as terpenes may be more influential on the effects of using cannabis than previously believed.”

Sarah Stith, a study co-author and associate professor in the UNM Economics Department, called the finding “one of the most surprising outcomes.”

The study “The Effects of Consuming Cannabis Flower for Treatment of Fatigue” was published in the journal Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids and was supported.

New Mexico‘s adult-use cannabis legalization policy took effect last month.

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New York Approves Another 36 Adult-Use Cultivation Licenses

5/06/2022

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New York regulators on Thursday approved another 36 conditional adult-use cannabis cultivation licenses, bringing the total to 88, Syracuse.com reports. Chris Alexander, executive director of the Office of Cannabis Management, said during the meeting that the agency has received about additional 200 applications, and will submit more for final approval.

“There are stringent background, compliance checks going on currently. I think that we have another 100 or so that could be coming along the pipeline quickly.” – Alexander to Syracuse.com

Conditional license holders can begin cultivating cannabis outdoors or in a greenhouse with up to 20 lights and will have to apply for final licenses by June 1 – the temporary licenses will expire June 30, 2024.

The license approvals come less than a week after Cannabis Control Board Chair Tremaine Wright, the state’s top regulator, indicated adult-use products could be available from conditional licenses in the fall. Alexander has said that while sales would begin by the cohort in the fall, sales from general licensed businesses likely wouldn’t begin until the end of this year or early next year.

The conditional licenses are for farmers and businesses currently licensed to grow hemp. The bill creating the licenses was signed into law by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) in February.

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South Carolina Legislature Kills Medical Cannabis Bill

5/06/2022

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South Carolina lawmakers on Thursday failed to pass this year’s medical cannabis bill despite making it further in the process than ever before, according to a WLTX report. Known as the Compassionate Care Act (CCA), the measure was declared “unconstitutional” when Republican Rep. John McCravy made a motion claiming the CCA should have originated in the House rather than the Senate because it imposed a tax.

House Speaker Pro Tem Tommy Pope (R) agreed, thereby killing the bill.

Democratic state Rep. Todd Rutherford appealed the decision, calling the action “an abomination of House rules and certainly an abomination of the General Assembly and the balance of power that we have.” His appeal failed on a 59-55 vote.

McCravy countered with the threat of three pages of amendments to the CCA, which he characterized as having “many defects.”

Rutherford noted, though, that the measure “has progressed because people are demanding change.”

“Seventy percent of people in South Carolina that are polled say they want the freedom to choose medical marijuana or not.” – Rutherford via WLTX

The CCA passed the Senate early in the legislative session this year but was blocked from debate in the House by opponents. If the bill is ultimately dead for the year, it will need to be passed again by both chambers next year.

The CCA seeks to set up one of the most restrictive medical cannabis systems in the country, allowing only consumption methods like oil, salves, patches, or vaporizers.

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Weedmaps Acquires Digital Menu and Ad Company Enlighten

5/06/2022

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Weedmaps on Thursday completed its acquisition of cannabis-focused digital menu and ad company Enlighten. The deal brings Weedmaps two of Enlighten’s key features: its subscription software SmartHub, and AdSuite, an in-store digital ad inventory for brands to reach consumers at the point of purchase, the company said in a press release.

During an earnings call on Wednesday, Chris Beals, CEO of Weedmaps, said the acquisition positions the firm “to be a tremendous partner to retailers and point-of-sale providers,” allowing it to “ingest and cleanse” point-of-sale data, “enrich it” from their brand information catalogs and “have that power engaging and transactable experiences for consumers across the Weedmaps marketplace, web e-commerce, and in-store kiosks.”

Enlighten Co-Founder Jeremy Jacobs, who was named vice president of in-store solutions at Weedmaps following the acquisition, said the company decided to “roll into” Weedmaps because of the “incredible synergies” and that Weedmaps was “incredibly well-positioned to sustain its leading position among canntech companies in the years to come.”

“We both had strong experience in digital signage and the tools to quickly scale an operation, so the opportunity seemed obvious and compelling. In hindsight, the industry evolved much more rapidly than we ever would have predicted, and our company evolved along with it, but those core value propositions carried through.” – Jacobs in a statement

Following the deal, Weedmaps will now be able to offer marketing options in dispensaries, at the point of purchase, the company said, along with “omni-channel marketing throughout the buying journey regardless of if the customer is shopping from their computer or at a physical storefront.”

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Report: Removing Cultivation Tax Would Double California’s Cannabis Tax Revenues

5/05/2022

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California could potentially double its cannabis tax revenue by eliminating the state’s cannabis cultivation tax, according to a new report by the Reason Foundation.

Currently, cannabis companies in California face some of the steepest tax rates in the country. The 36-page report, titled “The Impact of California Cannabis Taxes on Participation within the Legal Market,” found that by removing some of that tax burden, licensed operators would be able to price their products more competitively with the unregulated marketplace, thus drawing in more customers and ultimately, more tax revenue for the state.

“High cannabis taxes are the biggest reason California’s legal cannabis market is struggling,” said Geoffrey Lawrence, author of the study and the director of drug policy at Reason Foundation.

“State leaders could double current monthly cannabis tax revenues by 2024 by eliminating the cultivation tax. Without the cultivation tax, our data show that lower cannabis prices would increase sales of legal products, which would increase the state government’s general sales tax revenue and more than replace losses from the eliminated cultivation tax.” — Lawrence, in a press release

The study was conducted by investigating and measuring the state’s existing tax structure, examining the key factors that influence a consumer’s decision about whether to participate in the legal market (mainly price and availability), calculating a price sensitivity point by comparing California to nearby legal markets like Oregon and Colorado, and modeling the expected behavior of consumers were California’s cannabis prices to drop.

Researchers also found that illicit sales are proliferated by local ordinances banning cannabis operations across huge sections of the state, and that reducing retail excise taxes would go even further in helping the state’s licensed cannabis companies compete with the unregulated marketplace.

Click here to read the full report.

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New Mexico Adult-Use Cannabis Sales Top $22M During First Month

5/05/2022

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Adult-use cannabis sales in New Mexico reached $22.1 million in April – the first month of sales – according to Cannabis Control Division (CCD) data outlined by KRQE. Albuquerque led the state with just over $8 million, followed by Las Cruces with $2.06 million, and Santa Fe with $1.8 million.

Communities near the Texas border – Hobbs and Sunland Park – also sold more than $1 million worth of cannabis during the first month.

The CCD projects adult-use cannabis sales will reach $300 million per year, which means retailers would have to sell $25 million worth of adult-use cannabis per month – and while they did not meet the goal during the first month, more retailers are expected to come online as their applications are processed, the report says.

Cannabis sales during New Mexico’s opening weekend surpassed $4.5 million with nearly 70% of sales derived from adult-use sales.

In mid-April, the state issued its first license for on-site consumption. Under the state’s adult-use law public use is prohibited and can lead to a $50 fine.

Currently, there are 35 legacy operators in the state, but state cannabis regulators have issued more than 230 new industry business licenses so far. Under the law, local governments cannot outright ban cannabis businesses but can limit where they can be located and their hours of operation.

CCD officials expect the industry to create 11,000 jobs in the state and bring in $50 million in state revenues during the first year.

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