Lolita Korneagay: Demystifying Cannabis for Medical Professionals

3/23/2022

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Despite the medical cannabis industry’s rapid development, medical professionals are still entering the workforce with minimal cannabis knowledge and most are woefully unprepared to handle cannabis-related questions from their patients.

That was the starting point for Cansoom, which was founded by a medical professional, for medical professionals, to bridge the gap between the modern medical industry and the burgeoning cannabis movement. We recently interviewed Cansoom’s founder Lolita Korneagay about the company’s founding, building the curriculum for her educational programs, her inspiration to continue learning and teaching about the medicinal properties of cannabis, her advice — and new coaching course — for hopeful cannabis entrepreneurs, and more!

Find the full interview below:

Ganjapreneur: What inspired you to create Cansoom?

Lolita Korneagay: The inspiration for Cansoom comes from a personal need. Around 2012, I was diagnosed with multiple medical issues that caused severe pain, which had a significant impact on my quality of life. I tried everything to minimize the pain, including medical devices, high dosage pain pills, and invasive surgery. Nothing seemed to work. So eventually, I tried cannabis.

At first I was very hesitant to try a drug that had so much stigma attached to it. My entire life, I was told that cannabis is a drug and drugs are bad. But I knew that cannabis had medicinal properties that have been proven to help a wide variety of diseases and ailments. So I took the leap and began testing different dosages in order to create a treatment plan for myself. When I found my minimum effective dose, I was finally able to control my pain.

While I was doing research, I realized that my nursing education did not teach me about the endocannabinoid system, which is the foundation for using cannabis as a medicine. So I spent weeks learning about how it works and the role that cannabis can play in creating homeostasis within our body. This is when I realized that more medical professionals needed to learn this information and Cansoom was created.

Cansoom was founded on the idea that medical professionals, such as nurses, would go through training to become medical Cannabis Consultants, and then they would act as a conduit to pass along their medical cannabis expertise to their communities.

How did you build the curriculum for the Medical Cannabis Consultant program?

It took a lot of old-fashioned research to create the Cansoom curriculum. I attended cannabis conferences and took copious notes when I heard experts speak, I bought and read countless books that focused on the medical uses for cannabis, and I took a couple of classes to learn about the endocannabinoid system.

The biggest issue that I had while creating the curriculum was that there just wasn’t a lot of creditable information available at that time. So I had to really take my time to ensure that I was learning the proper information before I taught it to other people. This process took about a year.

Going through the tedious process helped me shape the curriculum because I wanted to make learning about cannabis easier. As a nurse, I knew that most medical professionals needed a comprehensive course that didn’t take a long time to complete. So that’s what I created. When I first launched in 2017, the Cansoom curriculum was the most comprehensive in-person training program that taught licensed medical professionals about medical cannabis.

Our understanding of the cannabis plant is growing quickly. Do you continue learning and developing the curriculum to reflect new findings?

Absolutely! I update my book, The Medical Cannabis Consultant’s Handbook, as the laws change and when new scientific discoveries are made. I especially like to learn and teach about the new cannabinoids that are being synthesized from hemp. These cannabinoids, like D8 and D10, are 100% legal and can provide some of the same benefits of D9. It’s important to me that my students know as much about the plant as possible so I always want to make sure that I stay on top of any new discoveries.

What do nurses, doctors, and therapists do next after completing the Medical Cannabis Consultant program?

After completing the Cansoom Medical Cannabis Consultant program, the possibilities for medical professionals are almost limitless. My program provides them with the foundational knowledge to enhance their current careers or start their own businesses.

Some of my previous students have started medical cannabis consulting businesses, written cannabis-related books, become cannabis influencers, produced cannabis-infused products, become cannabis advocates, started ancillary cannabis businesses, and they have become industry speakers.

I always tell my students that the cannabis industry is still new and you can create your own lane within it. I recommend that they find a way to combine their passion and professional knowledge to create a cannabis side-hustle, business, or career that they love.

When did you build the 12-week Cash In On Cannabis coaching program?

Since the beginning of Cansoom, my students have asked me for a course that taught them about the business-side of the cannabis industry. I’m a serial entrepreneur, so I know that the process of launching a new business is not as easy as it seems. Since I launched Cansoom five years ago, I’ve developed a set of processes and strategies that are tested and proven to work time after time.

This year, I decided that it was time to share my system with the world and so I launched the Cash In On Cannabis coaching program. It’s a 12-week coaching program that guarantees a student will launch their business idea within a month of completing the program.

What is the most valuable thing that students will take away from the coaching program?

I designed the program to overcome the biggest challenges I’ve seen people get stuck with and that I’ve had trouble with myself…things like choosing software programs, creating sales strategies, having a plan to follow, and being held accountable. So the most valuable thing that students will take away from participating in the program is that they will have a proven blueprint to follow that they could use for many years to come. They will know that they can do it and have the support they need to get it done.

What inspired you to plan the first Cansoom Medical Cannabis Conference?

Pre-pandemic all of my training classes were held in person in Los Angeles. During each class, everyone would always have such a good time and I would literally have to push people out of the door at 5 pm. The networking that occurred during the training classes was one of the valuable benefits of joining the Cansoom community of consultants. So my students started to ask for more time together.

Originally, I created the Cansoom Medical Cannabis Conference as a way for my previous students to continue to learn about cannabis while connecting with each other. The first conference in 2020 was a huge success with students from all over the country convening in Las Vegas for two days. We had so much fun and a lot of friendships were made that weekend.

Are there any new events or educational offerings on the calendar at the 2022 Conference?
We are still in the planning stages, but one of the benefits of completing the Cansoom program is that all students are encouraged to apply to speak at the conference. I want to help any of my students who want to launch speaking careers by giving them a platform to speak on. Therefore, I accept speaker proposals from my students before searching for speakers outside of the community.

I’ve been watching some of my student’s cannabis-careers mature and we have some stellar students with amazing niches and points of view. Such as Jasyra Hines, who teaches women how to improve their health with cannabis. Or Erica Danielle who teaches women how to medicate, masturbate, and meditate.

Who can attend the Conference?

Now that it is becoming safe to gather in large groups again, I plan on hosting the next conference later this year and I will open up to the general public, but the target audience will be licensed medical professionals.

As someone who left a high-profile career to build your own successful business, what is one essential piece of advice for a hopeful entrepreneur?

Outwit. Outplay. Outlast. Yes, that’s the motto from Survivor but it’s also what you must do to be a successful entrepreneur. Use your creativity to outwit your competition. Create strategies to outplay them. And if you can outlast them, you win!

Thank you, Lolita, for answering our questions! Our readers can visit Cansoom.com for more info.

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Federal Bill Would Instruct UN to Deschedule Cannabis

3/23/2022

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A bipartisan federal bill introduced last week would instruct the United Nations (U.N.) to deschedule cannabis from its Schedule 1 status in the Single Convention of Drugs of 1961 and treat it as a commodity similar to other agricultural products.

Republican Rep. Nancy Mace (S.C.) said that were the U.N. to deschedule cannabis, many other countries would reevaluate their own classifications of the plant.

“Cannabis has been shown to be effective in the treatment of numerous medical conditions such as epilepsy, PTSD, cancer pain relief, nausea, and chronic and terminal illnesses. Descheduling at the U.N. would support global research into how cannabis can treat a wide range of ailments and conditions.” — Mace in a statement

Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee (CA) said that cannabis’ classification “as a schedule one drug is outdated, out of touch, and should be addressed not only in the United States but around the world.”

“Scientific research has shown that cannabis has wide-ranging positive effects on chronic illness treatment,” she said in a statement. “The United States should be leading the way on cannabis reform on the global stage, and descheduling at the United Nations would be a great start.”

Mace is also the sponsor of the States Reform Act which aims to end the federal prohibition of cannabis in favor of a tax-and-regulate model similar to alcohol. That bill has the backing of retail giant Amazon.

“Like so many in this country,” Amazon Public Policy wrote on Twitter, “we believe it’s time to reform the nation’s cannabis policy, and Amazon is committed to helping lead the effort.”

In 2020, the U.N. Commission for Narcotic Drugs voted to reclassify cannabis’ status under the 1961 Single Convention and remove medical cannabis from Schedule IV but stopped short of declassifying the plant.

A 2018 report by the International Drug Policy Consortium found that the U.N.’s ‘war on drugs’ has not reduced the rates of drug use but has negatively affected human rights, health, security, and development around the world. Specifically, the report argues that the last decade of drug law enforcement led to heightened violence against police and civilians and the mass incarceration of otherwise innocent people.

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Cresco Labs to Acquire Columbia Care in $2B Deal

3/23/2022

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Cresco Labs has agreed to acquire Columbia Care Inc. in a deal worth $2 billion, making the firm largest multi-state operator in the U.S. with a pro-forma revenue of more than $1.4 billion.

The deal, which still requires regulatory approval, gives the company more than 130 retail stores throughout 18 states – the second largest in the industry and the largest footprint outside of Florida. On a pro-forma basis, Cresco said it expects to have annual revenues in excess of $100 million in eight different states by 2023.

Charles Bachtell, CEO of Cresco Labs, said the “acquisition brings together two of the leading operators in the industry, pairing a leading footprint with proven operational, brand and competitive excellence.”

“The combination is highly complementary and provides unmatched scale, depth, diversification and long-term growth. … [and] accelerates our journey to become the leader in cannabis in a way no other potential transaction could.” – Bachtell in a press release

Nicholas Vita, CEO of Columbia Care described the deal as a “historic moment.”

“With Columbia Care’s strategic national footprint in the most attractive markets and Cresco Labs’ success in execution and incredibly popular brands, we will together create the most important – and the most investable – company in cannabis,” he said in a statement.

The transaction has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of each of Cresco Labs and Columbia Care.

Independently, the companies currently have the top share positions in four markets – including Illinois, Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Virginia, and a number two share in Massachusetts. The companies also said they have a pathway to a top-three position in New York, New Jersey, and Florida, which bring the combined company to a material market position in seven of the top 10 markets by revenue in 2025, according to cannabis industry analytics firm BDSA’s top-10 largest and fastest-growing markets by 2025, representing approximately 55% of the U.S. population and over 70% of the addressable cannabis market.

The transaction is the second-largest in the history of the U.S. cannabis industry – behind the $2.1 billion takeover of Harvest Health and Recreation by Trulieve Cannabis Corp. in October 2021.

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Alabama Bill Would Require Women to Submit Pregnancy Test Before Purchasing Medical Cannabis

3/23/2022

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A bill introduced in the Alabama Senate would require women of child-bearing age to submit a negative pregnancy test prior to buying their doctor-recommended medical cannabis, according to a Growth Op report. Under the proposal, women between the ages of 25 and 50 would be required to submit the negative test at least 48 hours before buying medical cannabis.

The pregnancy tests must be administered by a doctor or a state-certified lab, according to the report. If she becomes pregnant, a woman must “report her pregnancy status to her registered certifying physician and shall be prohibited from obtaining medical cannabis throughout the pregnancy.”

Sponsored by Alabama state Sen. Larry Stutts (R), the proposal “prohibits breastfeeding women from purchasing medical cannabis unless as a registered caregiver.” Additionally, the legislation adds a 305-meter buffer between medical cannabis dispensaries and schools, daycares, home daycares, and colleges.

Commenting on a case in Arizona in which the state charged a woman with child neglect for using medical cannabis, National Advocates for Pregnant Women wrote in a statement last summer that “Peer-reviewed scientific research does not support the conclusion that prenatal exposure to marijuana causes harm or creates risks of harm different or greater than exposure to many substances as well as medications prescribed to pregnant women.”

Oklahoma tried a similar change in 2018, but the call for a pregnancy test was eventually removed, the report says. If passed, the measure would take effect on the first day of the third month after passage.

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Aurora Cannabis Acquires TerraFarma Inc. in $38M Deal

3/23/2022

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Canadian firm Aurora Cannabis Inc. announced on Tuesday it had acquired Thrive Cannabis parent company TerraFarma Inc. in a cash and stock deal initially worth $38 million. Thrive will also be eligible for up to $20 million in shares, cash, or both if it reaches revenue targets within two years of the transaction.

Thrive is best known for its flagship adult-use brand, Greybeard Cannabis Co., which was recognized as the top-recommended brand by Canadian budtenders in 2021 and was the 2021 winner of Best Concentrate from the Kind Magazine Awards, as voted for by budtenders.

Aurora CEO Miguel Martin described Thrive’s track record as “seldom found elsewhere in the Canadian market.”

“They are truly exceptional cultivators who have gained trust with consumers and developed products that have been recognized and acclaimed by Canadian budtenders and industry peers. We see a unique opportunity to leverage their expertise to deliver near and long-term benefits for both our recreational and medical markets.” — Martin in a press release

Geoff Hoover, Thrive CEO, said the combining of the companies “will be transformative.”

“We are excited to be joining a team that shares our vision for delivering the highest quality, premium cannabis products to consumers in a way that generates sustainable profitability,” he said.

The transaction is expected to close, subject to customary closing conditions, in Aurora’s fiscal Q4 2022 and the firm anticipates that the deal will provide immediate positive adjusted EBITDA to Aurora, and support the company’s path to adjusted EBITDA profitability in the first half of fiscal 2023.

“This transaction supports our path to profitability while ensuring that we are strategic in our M&A activity,” Martin said in a statement. “Thrive’s achievement of positive standalone EBITDA, combined with their exceptional operational and brand capabilities, truly set them apart, and we look forward to leveraging their expertise as we embark together on Aurora’s path to profitability.”

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Adult-Use Cannabis Sales Will Launch in New Mexico on April 1

3/22/2022

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New Mexico’s first adult-use cannabis shops will open in the state on April 1, the Santa Fe New Mexican reports. Kristen Thomson, director of the Cannabis Control Division of the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, said that the agency does “not have concerns about lack of product” in the nascent days of the state’s program.

“We really expect that first day of business to be filled with excitement. …  As with any new gadget or restaurant or something opening, some products may come up short, but we do not anticipate a massive statewide shortage of product on opening day.” – Thomson to the New Mexican

Thomson said that state officials have already approved 225 adult-use licenses, including some integrated licenses for businesses that produce, manufacture, deliver, and sell cannabis products and that some of those licenses cover more than one site.

The state’s law does require retailers to set aside 20% of their products for the medical cannabis program – which has nearly 132,000 enrolled patients as of February, according to state Department of Health figures outlined by the New Mexican. Emily Kaltenbach, senior state director of the Drug Policy Alliance, said that medical cannabis patients may have “more of a concern” about running out of product than adult-use customers.

Josh Foley, manager of a Pecos Valley Production dispensary, told the New Mexican he thought a shortage could occur in a few months but that his company is trying to store at least $500,000 worth of product to get them through “the first couple of months.”

Duke Rodriguez, president and CEO of New Mexico Top Organics-Ultra Health, the state’s largest medical cannabis company, said he has concerns over provisions in the state law that caps plant production at 20,000 per grower but allows an unlimited number of retail licenses.

“We will probably need to pare back as many as 100 locations,” he predicted, “and there will be a lot of small business that will be hurt very badly.”

Thomson said that the launch of sales could be blunted as some retailers are still navigating local rules and awaiting final municipal approval.

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Florida Judge Exonerates Doctor Accused of Violating Medical Cannabis Law

3/22/2022

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A Florida administrative law judge last week ruled that Dr. Joseph Dorn didn’t do anything wrong when he ordered medical cannabis for two undercover investigators posing as patients, the Tallahassee Democrat reports. The state Department of Health (DOH) had sought to revoke Dorn’s medical license for five years, permanently ban him from recommending medical cannabis, and impose a $10,000 fine.

The Health Department had alleged Dorn violated state law by not performing physicals on the undercover agents who posed as patients seeking medical cannabis cards, which they called employing a “trick or scheme” in the practice of medicine.

Dorn has practiced medicine in Florida for more than 30 years and the allegations stem from a 2019 complaint related to the sting.

In his order, Administrative Law Judge W. David Watkins recommended that the complaint against Dorn be dismissed, saying that health officials “failed to present competent substantial evidence, in this case, establishing … that Dr. Dorn acted, or failed to act, in any manner to defraud or trick any patient, or that any patient was actually defrauded or tricked,” according to the Democrat report.

“The evidence of record undermines DOH’s argument that Dr. Dorn’s practice is nothing more than an ‘open gate’ to medical marijuana. In the case of both [undercover agent] O.G. and [undercover agent] B.D. (and presumably the other 28 patients examined), Dr. Dorn conducted a detailed and thorough assessment of the patient’s condition prior to prescribing medical marijuana. Furthermore, the preponderance of the competent substantial evidence in this case demonstrates that Dr. Dorn performed a meaningful review of O.G. and B.D.’s medical history and symptoms, identified and discussed their qualifying stressors, and noted the PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) symptoms being experienced by each.” – Watkins, in his opinion, via the Democrat

Under administrative law, the order will go to the Health Department for final action.

In a prepared statement following the ruling, Dorn’s attorney, Ryan Andrews, accused the state of “inflicting crippling stress and pain” on his client as the doctor continued to treat patients following the investigation. Andrews threatened to take legal action against state officials involved in the complaint.

“This action didn’t sound in good faith and now it’s our turn to seek justice and right this wrong against everyone involved,” Andrews said in the statement. “This entire action against Dr. Dorn is an embarrassment and disservice to the state of Florida. Dr. Dorn is excited to continue treating patients without these baseless and harmful accusations hanging over his head.”

The Health Department did not comment on the ruling.

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Washington Sees More Violence at Legal Cannabis Shops

3/22/2022

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Legal adult-use cannabis businesses in the Tacoma and Seattle, Washington areas experienced a continued trend of violence over the weekend, the Seattle Times reports. The latest incident happened in Tacoma Saturday night after 10:00 pm when an employee at the licensed cannabis retailer World of Weed was fatally shot during an alleged robbery.

Police and firefighters quickly arrived on the scene but were unable to save the man’s life and police are investigating the shooting as a homicide, the Times reports.

Charles Traversie, a neighbor of the shop, told Seattle’s Fox 13 that World of Weed “never had problems before,” but he “knew sooner or later … it was going to probably get hit soon.”

Just two days earlier, on Thursday, an armed employee at a Covington dispensary fatally shot a man who was attempting to rob the store. Earlier that week, another fatality tied to the cannabis industry took place when police got in a shootout with an armed robbery suspect who was fleeing a Belleview cannabis retailer, the Times says.

Adult-use retail cannabis locations have become targets due to the cash-only nature of the business, which is the result of the substance’s Schedule I status under the federal Controlled Substances Act. Consequently, banks, which are regulated by the federal government, must generally avoid accepting cannabis business deposits or processing debit or credit card payments. This lack of access to banking results in the stores accumulating large amounts of cash throughout the day, which makes them inviting targets for armed robbers.

Federal lawmakers have for years attempted to pass the SAFE Banking Act, which would give cannabis businesses access to the federal banking system, but their efforts have so far failed.

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South Dakota Gov. Signs Medical Cannabis and Hemp Bills

3/22/2022

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South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) last week signed six bills related to medical cannabis and hemp which her office said in a press release are designed to implement “a safe and responsible medical cannabis program that is the most patient-focused in the country.”

The bills include SB24 which places a four-plant limit on home grows, allowing two seedlings and two flowering plants; SB26 which allows physician’s assistants and nurse practitioners to certify patients for the program; SB118 which limits medical cannabis batch testing to 50 pounds; SB21 which requires the state Health Department to provide written notice if it revokes a medical cannabis patient card; and SB119 which allows nursing homes, treatment centers, and mental health centers to impose restrictions on cannabis use within their facilities and includes provisions to allow those facilities to choose not to store and administer medical cannabis to clients and patients.

Noem also signed into law SB201 which allows South Dakota’s health secretary to waive the finger-printing requirements for certain hemp cultivators or owners of the property where hemp is grown. The measure also allows hemp producers and manufacturers to temporarily exceed the 0.3% THC limits during certain phases of CBD production.

The bills ultimately made changes to the medical cannabis law approved by 70% of voters during the 2020 General Election. Noem had previously signed an additional 18 medical cannabis bills into law during the 2022 legislation session, her office said.

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New Hampshire Governor Not Ready to Legalize Cannabis

3/21/2022

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During an interview with WCVB 5 “On the Record” New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) said he was still unsure whether the state was ready to legalize cannabis for adult use, although he admitted he likes the bill currently being considered by lawmakers.

Sununu said that he doesn’t think it is the right time to legalize cannabis in the state as officials have just gotten the opioid crisis under control. He noted that New Hampshire is the only state that did not see an increase in opioid-related deaths last year.

“If you’re gonna do it, that’s the way to do it. But I just think we’re seeing – we’re the one state that’s seeing really positive results [from efforts to address the opioid crisis] – we’ve got a long way, of course, I mean almost 400 people died last year [from opioids]. The rest of the country has doubled their opioid deaths, we’re down 18% in the past three years.” – Sununu on “On the Record”

Both of New Hampshire’s border states, Massachusetts and Vermont, have 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.

New Hampshire lawmakers in 2017 approved a bill to decriminalize possession of up to three-quarters of an ounce of cannabis – which was signed by Sununu – while the state House of Representatives approved a broad legalization bill in January. The passage marked the fourth time in three years the lower chamber has approved the reforms.

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Jointly Now Offering Cannabis to Employees As Wellness Benefit

3/21/2022

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The cannabis wellness and technology firm Jointly announced today that it will reimburse its employees up to $150 per month to support purposeful cannabis consumption under a new wellness benefits program. All cannabis products must be purchased from a legal source to qualify for reimbursement, and employees will also be able to get reimbursed for other traditional wellness-related expenses including gym memberships and yoga classes.

According to a press release, the program “sets a new standard for retaining and attracting top talent” even as record numbers of Americans have resigned or otherwise left their jobs within the last year.

Jointly is a cannabis wellness platform utilizing data from a proprietary, cannabis-focused wellness app to help consumers monitor their cannabis experiences and establish a scientifically calculated cannabis wellness plan. Since launching the app in 2020, its users have logged and tracked more than 200,000 cannabis experiences and conducted reviews for tens of thousands of legal cannabis products, according to the release.

In a statement to Ganjapreneur, Jointly CEO and Co-Founder David Kooi said the company had been working with its tax, accounting, and employment teams on the new wellness benefits program since November. “Ultimately, we could not find reason to believe that reimbursement for lawful cannabis consumption as part of a company wellness benefit is problematic,” he said.

“As a cannabis wellness company helping people reach their full potential through purposeful cannabis consumption, it made perfect sense for Jointly to push forward with this benefit. We encourage other companies to join us. We know purposeful cannabis consumption can be good for your well-being — and happy and healthy employees make for better employees.” — Kooi, in a statement

“This new benefit … provides employees with a budget to pursue better wellbeing, with the option of including purposeful cannabis consumption,” said Jointly Co-Founder and CDO Eric Gutshall. “This first of its kind program is not only aligned with Jointly’s core mission and beliefs but also helps break the stigma and start a new conversation around cannabis and wellness.”

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U.S. Officials Have Had No Access to Brittney Griner Since Her Arrest In Russia

3/21/2022

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U.S. State Department Officials still have not had access to WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner since her February 17 arrest in Moscow, Russia on drug charges, ESPN reports. A State Department official told ESPN that the agency insists the “Russian government provide consular access to all U.S. citizen detainees in Russia, including those in pre-trial detention, as Brittney Griner is.”

A source close to Griner told ESPN last week that “We know she’s OK.”

“I wouldn’t say she’s ‘good,’ but she’s OK,” the source told ESPN.

Griner was arrested after Russian Customs officials allegedly found cannabis vape cartridges when she entered the country. She appeared in court on Wednesday for a hearing during which prosecutors were granted an extension until May 19 for their pre-trial investigation, the report says.

According to Tom Firestone, a former U.S. Department of Justice resident legal advisor to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, under Russian law, defendants may be held for 12 months before trial, and up to 18 months in extraordinary cases.

“We are closely engaged on this case and in frequent contact with Brittney Griner’s legal team … We have repeatedly asked for consular access to these detainees and have consistently been denied access. Russia must abide by its legal obligations and allow us to provide consular services for U.S. citizens detained in Russia. We take our responsibility to assist U.S. citizens seriously, and we will continue to press for fair and transparent treatment for all U.S. citizens when they are subject to legal processes overseas.” – a State Department official to ESPN

On Thursday, Russian media reported that one of Griner’s attorneys motioned to have her transferred from jail to house arrest under the care of a local acquaintance – her representatives do not expect that request to be granted, the report says. Griner’s case is further complicated by the fact that two other Americans, Trevor Reed and Paul Whelan, have been in Russian custody for more than two years.

In the U.S., Griner plays for the Phoenix Mercury and has played for Russia for the last seven years during the winter offseason, earning $1 million per season, which is more than four times her WNBA salary. Griner, 31, has also won two Olympic gold medals with the U.S., a WNBA championship with the Mercury, and a national championship at Baylor.

The Russian Federal Customs Service issued a statement on March 5 indicating that it had opened a criminal investigation into the large-scale transportation of drugs, which in Russia can carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years, but the statement did not name Griner.

The U.S. State Department has issued a “do not travel” advisory for Russia because of its invasion of Ukraine and the agency urged all U.S. citizens to depart the country immediately, saying there is “the potential for harassment against U.S. citizens by Russian government security officials” and “the Embassy’s limited ability to assist” Americans in Russia.

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Georgia Judge Stops Prosecutions of Hemp-Derived THC Sales

3/21/2022

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A Fulton County, Georgia Superior Court Judge last week issued a 30-day restraining order against Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gaston from prosecuting people for selling or possessing delta-8 and delta-10 THC extracts, the Associated Press reports. The order comes following a February 22 raid on Elements Distribution, a smoke shop distribution company based in Gwinnett County, which led to the seizure of around $2 million worth of products despite law enforcement officials not pressing any charges or making any arrests.

In his order, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Craig Schwall voiced concerns about whether Austin-Gaston “may or may not be a rogue DA.”

“I think there may be some prosecutorial priorities misplaced.” – Schwall, in his order, via the AP

Austin-Gaston said in January that possessing, selling, or distributing delta-8 and delta-10 products are felony offenses and subsequently directed raids of at least two distributors, seizing millions in inventory; it’s unclear whether the action against Element was at her behest.

Attorney Tom Church, a trial attorney with Pate, Johnson & Church who is representing companies that were raided and vape shops that have not yet been raided, sued Austin-Gaston and the state and asked a judge to determine that hemp-derived THC products, CBD, CBN, and CBG are legal in Georgia.

Austin-Gaston has argued that delta-8 products are illegal because the state’s hemp law does not explicitly allow it, as it does low concentrations of delta-9 THC.

Church contends that “the hemp bill basically legalized all cannabinoids, all extracts” save for delta-9.

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California Bill Would Give Tax Credits to Cannabis Retailers

3/18/2022

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A bill introduced in California aims to create tax credits for the state’s cannabis retailers as lawmakers seek to help the industry compete with the unregulated market. State Sen. Scott Weiner (D) said the proposal is necessary due to the high taxes imposed on the industry which leaves legal operators unable to compete.

Under the legislation, legal cannabis businesses would receive a tax credit equal to the amount of the following qualified business expenses: employment compensation, safety-related equipment and services, employee workforce development, and safety training. The measure has the support of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Western States Council.

“Our legal cannabis businesses are facing hard times, and it’s time we stepped up to support them. By ensuring their success, we can keep employees working for fair wages in good conditions, we can stop illegal and illicit sales from dominating the market, and most importantly, we can keep cannabis access equitable for all Californians.” – Weiner in a press release

This bill would establish a carryforward cannabis tax credit that is equal to the amount of the qualified business expenditures paid or incurred for in a taxable year, including employee compensation that is equal to or above 150% of minimum wage including benefits, safety-related equipment and services, and workforce development and safety training for employees.

Amber Baur, executive director for the UFCW Western States Council, said the union is backing the bill because it “aligns with that long-held vision by ensuring legal cannabis employers invest in their workers and provide safety for consumers and communities.”

Weiner’s office estimates that legal cannabis sales in California are about half of the $8 million realized in the unregulated market. Due to federal prohibition, cannabis businesses are unable to file for tax deductions and credits related to normal overhead expenses.

The bill, which was introduced last month, is currently in the Senate Rules Committee.

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New Jersey Opens Cannabis Industry Applications Permanently

3/18/2022

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New Jersey has opened applications for adult-use cannabis retail licenses for the second time, NJ.com reports. The permanently open application window began on Tuesday and the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) will review and score applications as they come in. The CRC opened the process on March 15 and by 4:00, the CRC indicated it received more than 170 applications.

The first applications round opened on December 15, 2021 and included producers, processors, labs and 12 existing medical cannabis dispensaries, the report says.

“Since the portal opened in December, potential cannabis entrepreneurs have been establishing accounts and beginning the application process, so we did not see the flurry of new accounts being set up today as we did on December 15. What we saw were applicants who were already familiar with the system and ready to apply.” — CRC Executive Director Jeff Brown, in a statement

The CRC is behind on issuing licenses, however, missing a self-imposed deadline on February 22 – exactly one year after Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signed New Jersey‘s adult-use cannabis law – to approve licenses. Out of the 12 medical cannabis licensees who submitted applications in December, the CRC said it is reviewing eight, explaining that a handful were missing key information like municipal approvals.

Expecting hundreds more applications to come in, the CRC is planning to “beef up” staffing at the agency, it said in the report. Social equity candidates, businesses with diversity ownership, micro-businesses, and conditional license candidates will be prioritized going forward.

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Researchers Invent Hemp-Based Rebar for Cement Construction Projects

3/18/2022

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Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in New York have developed hemp-derived rebar that the team says is more resistant to corrosion and produces a significantly smaller carbon footprint than rebar made from steel, according to a Dezeen report.

The hemp rebar consists of intertwined natural hemp fiber that has been encased in thermoplastic — the result is a strong, highly durable, and corrosion-resistant reinforcement for cement-based construction projects.

Alexandros Tsamis, assistant professor of architecture and associate director of RPI’s Center for Architecture Science and Ecology, said in the report that concrete structures “in environments with high salt concentration” have an expected lifetime of “40-50 years” due to the corrosion of steel-based rebar.

“If the rebar was not corroding, it would be three times that much, and that would create a significant overall contribution to cutting carbon emissions, because you have three times more service life for every single thing you make.” — Tsamis, via Dezeen

While their work has yet to be peer-reviewed, the research team believes the hemp-based rebar will match steel rebar in strength and reliability but will surpass it in terms of environmental impact and overall efficiency, as the hemp rebar can be produced more quickly using a CNC machine that reads digital files to forge, cut, and shape the rebar on-site.

The hemp research is one of the first projects to come from Rensselaer’s new Institute for Energy, Built Environment, and Smart Systems, according to a press release. The researchers are also working to create machines for separating hemp fiber from the plant’s inner, woody core without affecting the material’s overall durability, and to develop sustainable degumming methods and new hemp bio-composite processing methods, according to the release.

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Kentucky House Passes Medical Cannabis Bill

3/18/2022

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The Republican-controlled Kentucky House on Thursday passed a medical cannabis bill that would allow would allow patients with cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, epilepsy, chronic nausea, and post-traumatic stress disorder to access the program, the Associated Press reports.

Republican Rep. Jason Nemes, the bill’s lead sponsor, said the measure was drafted “tighter” than he’d prefer in hopes of getting approval from his GOP colleagues. The proposal includes “home rule” provisions that would allow county fiscal courts or commissions to vote on prohibiting medical cannabis operations but cities in those counties would have the option to allow it, the report says. The bill also does not allow smokeable forms of cannabis.

Republican state Rep. Chris Fugate was one of 34 lawmakers to oppose the law.

“The common denominator of 99.9% of the drug addiction problem in America started with marijuana,” he claimed in an interview with the AP.

The measure has won over some critics, including Republican Sen. Whitney Whitfield who previously said that while he has concerns about “the risk of increased access” to cannabis among youth and young adults, and the “precedent” of ignoring federal law, he would support the reforms.

“I’ve heard too many stories, in my district and out, from those long-suffering and their loved ones left behind, that marijuana brought comfort and relief when nothing else worked,” he said in a March 8 statement posted to Twitter. “I imagine what sons have done to obtain marijuana for their dying mothers, or what parents have done for a child struggling with a severe seizure disorder.”

A similar bill passed the House in 2020 but was never taken up by the Senate. The measure will likely need to pass through the chamber’s Judiciary Committee, which is chaired by Whitney. The measure passed the House with the support of 59 representatives.

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Report: Cannabis Helped Drive Union Participation Among Retail Workers in 2021

3/18/2022

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Cannabis workers voted in 26 National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) union representation elections last year and sided with the union in 18 of them, according to a review of the NLRB year-end election figures outlined by Bloomberg Law. The approvals represent a net increase of 14 wins in 2020 and 16 wins over 2019, the report says.

The wins account for nearly two-thirds – 62% – of the retail industry’s unionization gains from 2019 to 2020. In 2021, 13 of the unions’ cannabis industry wins occurred in Illinois, which instituted a labor peace agreement for the cannabis industry when it approved broad legalization reforms, according to Bloomberg.

The successful union votes in the cannabis industry were key to unions having more success organizing retail industry workplaces than they have had in almost 20 years. In all, there were 60 successful union organizing attempts among retail workers last year – levels not seen since 2001 (81) to 2004 (76), according to NLRB data outlined by Bloomberg.

From 2019 to 2021, unions membership decreased in the finance, mining, services, transportation, communications, utilities, and wholesale sectors, but the construction, manufacturing, and retail sectors saw increases in membership. The retail sector saw overall gains of 75%, while manufacturing saw a modest 5% increase in union membership and construction saw about a 10% increase.

The cannabis industry will likely help drive union membership in the coming years as well – both New York and New Jersey’s adult-use cannabis law require businesses to enter labor peace agreements with their employees but neither state has launched its adult-use market.

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Embarc: Community-Focused Cannabis Retail & Events

3/17/2022

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Embarc is a family-owned cannabis events company and dispensary chain in California built on a cornerstone of community engagement. Co-founder & CEO Lauren Carpenter started Embarc with her husband Dustin Moore in 2019. They both came from a political background, Lauren in public relations and Dustin in advocacy and policy-making, and together they’ve built a business that gives back directly to the neighborhoods in which they operate. Recently, they’ve expanded the brand into the events space as they work to create turnkey event solutions in California and, eventually, beyond.

Carpenter recently spoke with Ganjapreneur for a conversation that continually turned back to the importance of community engagement. It all starts, according to Carpenter, with establishing relationships with local leaders before applying for a license there. Carpenter’s first steps are to visit the neighborhood and meet with pastors, the Chamber of Commerce, educators, and other pillars of the community to gauge their interest about and/or possible reactions to a cannabis store opening down the street. These conversations have served as a listening tour where they could identify neighborhood leaders and were pivotal to building successful brands in each unique area.

Embarc donates 1% of all gross sales to their local neighborhood and these donations are distributed by the Community Advisory Board, which the company creates with the help of neighborhood leaders. Donations are unrestricted so the Board can be responsive to community needs and move funds quickly as necessary.

To Carpenter, the Board holds Embarc accountable for its promises. A lot of cannabis companies have made empty promises to communities in order to acquire merit-based licenses and Embarc has no desire to fall into that category. “We know there’s a lot of tokenism in cannabis,” said Carpenter. “We know corporate social responsibility has become a buzzword. On the one hand that’s not a bad thing, it’s good, it’s important that many companies are grappling with how to be more responsive to the communities they serve and responsible as operators. For us, as we look to what that responsibility looks like, the most important component in that was the accountability piece.”

Embarc builds successful retail stores by establishing roots in a community — now they’re doing the same in the cannabis events space. Embarc Events was the concessionaire at Grass Lands for Outside Lands 2021. This experience was especially important for Carpenter, who sees the integration of cannabis into mainstream events as the ultimate goal. “It’s important to me to continue this work because I view events, and specifically the integration of cannabis into ‘traditional’ events, as destigmatization at scale,” she said. “Each time cannabis can be sold responsibly to the masses at an event, it helps us in this ultimate goal of shifting perception.”

California’s Proposition 64, which legalized cannabis for adult use in the state, was the first regulatory effort to create pathways to licensed sale and consumption at events. Considering the industry’s dual licensure requirements — meaning businesses must be licensed at the state and local levels — Carpenter and her team still engage with local jurisdictions and communities to suggest or develop localized event regulations. The process of opening the door for licensed event sales is ongoing but working Outside Lands proved to be a space to meet with regulators in real-time. There were multiple regulators at the event overseeing sales and operations which at first made Carpenter nervous, but she soon realized that they had a great opportunity. It proved the perfect space to show regulators where the pain points were in cannabis operations and, hopefully, inform future policy that would relieve these issues.

Carpenter also frequently looks to engage with traditional nightlife businesses about introducing cannabis. She was part of a recent panel covering cannabis in traditional nightlife spaces and noted that these business owners want to understand how cannabis fits in their business model but they don’t know where to start. Selling cannabis around alcohol evokes fear in the traditional events space, but Carpenter believes events like Grass Lands 2021 prove there is nothing to be afraid of. Nightlife executives can look at successful cannabis integration at events like Outside Lands and see that cannabis events can be safe, fun, and generate revenue.

“This is really a new frontier as well, that you can have cannabis in an event,” said Carpenter. “In many ways, (conversations with event companies and venues are) an educational process on the multiple ways that cannabis will be beneficial to the event. We see no violent incidents in cannabis events, we see no calls for outside service because of massive medical incidents, we see grounds that are left cleaner than when we arrive. In many ways, we’re kind of at the tip of the spear on that, so our model must be adaptive to each jurisdiction or venue. There is no one-size-fits-all even today that we can integrate cannabis into.”

Embarc Events is studying the challenges of hosting licensed cannabis events in California and hopes to one day bring these solutions to other states. But there is not currently a universal solution. Policy development is ongoing around the country, so Embarc is doing critical work as they attempt to inform both local and state governments about what successful implementation looks like, starting in California. They have developed a few event models but view incorporation into different “traditional” events, venues, and audiences as the ultimate goal.

This year, Embarc will be moving into some new retail locations and Embarc Events will continue its mission of bringing cannabis into more spaces. For example, after noticing issues with Wifi and POS systems at Grass Lands, Embarc is developing its own software to support cannabis sales at large-scale events. They’re also assessing the challenges of developing and executing cannabis events in other states, and could be pursuing other markets in the future. But above all else, Embarc will continue pursuing net positive growth through conscientious community engagement.

“Ultimately, cannabis can play a meaningful role in one’s life – from addressing sleep and anxiety to helping folks have more fun,” Carpenter concluded, ”It’s thrilling to be part of facilitating that enjoyment, especially after a few years trapped inside, and we’re proud to be able to play a role in pushing for normalization.”

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Illinois Lifts Injunction Blocking New Cannabis Licenses & Simplifies Application Process

3/17/2022

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Cannabis industry licensing may finally continue in Illinois after the state won a court order to award 60 new licenses and Sangamon County Judge Gail Noll lifted an injunction holding up new licenses due to lawsuits, the Chicago Tribune reports. The development should open the industry’s door to a swathe of new entrepreneurs and businesses.

With her decision, Judge Noll also restored the applications for 11 companies that had sued the Illinois Department of Agriculture for being disqualified; these applications can now be reconsidered by officials for the next round of licensing.

Additionally, in an effort to increase social equity in the state’s cannabis industry, Illinois officials recently simplified the application process for up to 55 cannabis retail licenses, the Tribune reported earlier this week.

Instead of hundreds of pages of plans — which often required many thousands of dollars in attorney and consultant fees, employee information, and property acquisition — the new application will be online and only include basic information like the name of the organization applying for the license, principal officers, contact information, and a $250 fee. Applicants will now be asked directly to apply for a social equity license rather than being awarded social equity “bonus points” on their application. Approved applications will be entered into a 55-license lottery to be held later this year, the report says.

Under the new rules, each applicant will be allowed one application, as opposed to 10 in the past, and the state says the change will allow for more start-ups. The updates will go live near the end of the summer or fall. If selected, potential licensees must prove their social equity status to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the Tribune notes.

“I appreciate all the feedback we have received from stakeholders since the start of the cannabis program, whose work informed this proposal and is continuing to make Illinois’ growing cannabis industry the most equitable in the nation.” — Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D), in a statement this week

In order to qualify for a social equity license in Illinois, an applicant must have majority ownership by someone living in an area disproportionately affected by poverty and cannabis arrests, have been previously convicted of a low-level cannabis crime, or have a family member with a low-level cannabis charge.

The state’s previous social equity attempts had been derailed by lawsuits challenging the application process. Plaintiffs had argued that similar applications had been scored more favorably when submitted by white and/or more politically connected applicants. Meanwhile, minority applicants have complained that the two years of delay have cost them thousands of dollars and prevented them from entering the space while larger companies have taken control of the Illinois cannabis industry.

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Virginia Bill Would Require Delta-8 Regulations, Licensing

3/17/2022

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Lawmakers in Virginia are considering a bill to regulate delta-8 THC products, including proper labeling, potency and purity testing, licensing, and setting the age limit to buy the products at 21, WAVY reports. The measure was approved unanimously by the state Senate.

Republican state Sen. Emmett Hanger, the bill’s sponsor, told WAVY that the legislation is designed to keep delta-8 products out of “traditional stores along the street” but would provide “a mechanism where they can be sold in a regulated, licensed market.”

Under the bill, licensing would be the responsibility of the state Cannabis Control Authority (CCA); however, earlier this month, Republicans blocked a bill to allow cannabis sales in September which also prohibits the CCA from issuing licenses, which would include delta-8, were the measure to be enacted into law.

Hanger said if the bill takes effect on July 1, it would be illegal to sell products with high levels of delta-8 indefinitely in Virginia and that vendors who do not comply with the law would get a warning, but penalties could escalate.

“I’m not suggesting that people will be incarcerated right away,” he told WAVY, “but it could lead to that if there is someone out there who insists on marketing an illegal product.”

Jocliene Williamson, who manages THE Dispensary in Chesterfield, said the law would impact “a lot of people that rely on our product in order to have a good quality life.”

“Get us the license without us having to close our doors,” she said. “…It makes no sense to discipline those who are doing everything they can.”

Dr. Michelle Peace, an associate professor of forensic science at Virginia Commonwealth University contended that under the current rule, customers are meant to trust the manufacturers to tell them what is in the products.

“You cannot trust the label,” Peace told WAVY. “It can also contain all of these other chemicals like solvents and acids that would be dangerous for the consumer to take. So these delta-8 products are not quality tested.”

The measure has been approved by the Senate but needs to be reconciled by both chambers before moving to the governor for final approval.

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Majority of Nevada’s Cannabis Industry White and Male

3/17/2022

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The majority of Nevada’s cannabis industry workers are white and male, according to a survey by the state Cannabis Compliance Board (CCB). The agency found that 52% of the 15,936 cannabis industry workers who completed the survey identified as white, with 17% identifying as Hispanic, and 12% identifying as Black. Fifty-five percent of respondents identified as male with 39% identifying as female.

Survey responses came from all levels of the industry, including dispensary employees, cultivators, company owners, board members, and other executives. The CCB said that it received a near 100% response rate from industry executives defined as the owners, officers, or board members of cannabis businesses. In all, there are more than 23,000 people in Nevada with an active agent card which allows them to work in the industry.

The vast majority of executives that completed the survey identified as white: about 60% of owners or managers, 75% of board members, 80% of executive board members, and 70% of company officers. Black people comprised 17.65% of officer roles and 12.86% of managers and owners identified as Hispanic or Latino but no other racial demographic broke 10% in c-suite roles.

About 45% of industry workers in Nevada said they were between 25- and 34-years old – the largest cohort – followed by 35- to 44-year-olds (18%), 18- to 24-year-olds (15%), 45- to 54-year-olds (10%), and 55- to 64-year-olds (5%).

In the report, the CCB’s executive director Tyler Klimas indicated the agency would use the data to “prioritize diversity and inclusivity in any new licensing rounds and future pilot programs.”

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Montana Supreme Court Approves Temporary Expungement & Re-Sentencing Rules for Cannabis Crimes

3/17/2022

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The Montana Supreme Court on Tuesday approved temporary procedural rules for expunging or revising cannabis-related convictions, Montana Public Radio (MTPR) reports. The reforms were included in the state’s adult-use cannabis law approved by voters in 2020.

Under the law, people previously convicted of crimes that are now legal can petition for re-sentencing or expungement. The rules allow for individuals currently serving time for low-level cannabis crimes to apply for re-sentencing and potential release and later file an application for expungement.

Under the Supreme Court-approved rules, county or city attorneys must respond to a petition within 21 days after it is filed and if the attorney does not respond, it is assumed that they do not object to the relief requested by the petitioner, which would move the petition to the judge of the court in which the petition is filed. The rules also allow denied petitions to be appealed.

Successful petitioners would be responsible for paying any associated fees and for submitting the necessary paperwork to the Department of Justice, if required, to effectuate the expungement or redesignation, the order states.

Beth McLaughlin, the state court administrator, told KTVH that the biggest clarification in the rules is that those seeking re-sentencing or expungement could submit their petition to the court where they were originally sentenced. She said the Office of Court Administration has also put together forms to help people files their own petition without needing to hire an attorney.

McLaughlin indicated that Montana district courts handled about 135 expungement petitions last year.

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Washington Revises State Code to Change Word ‘Marijuana’ to ‘Cannabis’

3/17/2022

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Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) signed a bill to change the word “marijuana” to “cannabis” throughout the Revised Code of Washington, the Cannabis Observer reports.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Melanie Morgan (D), who also chairs the state’s Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force, and was one of the only cannabis-related bills to pass the Washington legislature this session. HB 1210 took more than a year to make it to the governor’s desk, the Observer notes.

During the bill signing ceremony, Gov. Inslee said the term “marijuana” has “a racist history in the United States. It was used in anti-immigrant rhetoric in the early 20th century.

“We are tied to our history of language,” the governor said, and the change “signals that we acknowledge the history of that language that targeted communities of color.”

Gov. Inslee is referring to the adoption of the word “marijuana” by cannabis prohibition factions in the early 20th century in order to seize on the anti-Mexican sentiments festering among the United States’ primarily white populace. The pejorative was picked up by the media in the 1920s and ’30s and was shared widely, with many referring to “marijuana” as the “Mexican killer weed.”

The campaign worked — by 1932, the plant was banned in 22 states and was made illegal in the entire U.S. by 1937 with the passage of the Marijuana Tax Act. Prior to the adoption of the word “marijuana,” cannabis had been often referred to in the U.S. as “Indian hemp,” “hemp,” or as a “preparation of cannabis.”

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