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Lawsuit Accuses Jungle Boys of Gender Discrimination, Unpaid Wages

5/13/2022

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In a lawsuit filed last month against California cannabis company Jungle Boys TLC, two employees claim they were fired for raising concerns about the company’s work conditions, gender discrimination, and unpaid wages, according to a Leafly report. Jungle Boys contends that the employees were fired for drinking on the job.

Plaintiffs Donna Rivadeneyra and Mario De La Cruz allege in the lawsuit that the company used “stacked entities” to utilize illegal labor and that they were fired for speaking out about the company’s shady practices. Rivadeneyra claims in the lawsuit that she faced gender discrimination and that when she was asked to move from a trimming job she was told “they were called ‘Jungle Boys’ for a reason: that no women were allowed to work in the growing operations,” according to court documents outlined by Leafly. She claims she was also warned that she would be terminated if she were to get pregnant. Additionally, Rivadeneyra accuses members of Jungle Boys’ human resources team of trapping her in an office in an attempt to try to force her to sign a release of her claims.

In response to the lawsuit, a Jungle Boys spokesperson denied the allegations and said “the action will be defended in court on its merits.”

In a statement to Leafly through their attorneys, Jungle Boys said that “an initial investigation into this action reveals that the allegations in the complaint are not accurate.”

“For example, the businesses named in the lawsuit employ workers of any gender identification in accordance with their experience and the position they seek. There are women employed in all aspects of these businesses from entry-level to upper-level management. The Chief Executive Officer of one of the businesses named in the lawsuit is a minority female.” – Jungle Boys via Leafly

The company defended its decision to not move Rivadeneyra from her trimming job due to her lack of experience, not her gender.

“Jungle Boys is known for its exceptional product and certain standards are expected from seed-to-sale,” the company said in its statement to Leafly. “Hiring is based on those expectations and the experience the employee brings to the team. Cultivation positions are usually sought by those with previous cannabis cultivation experience.”

The lawsuit, which was filed in California Superior Court, alleges 17 total complaints and seeks “unlimited damages.”

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Washington Ruling Upholds THC Blood Level As Measure for Impairment

5/13/2022

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The Washington State Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that citizens can receive a driving under the influence charge for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of cannabis, The Chronicle reports. The plaintiff, Douglas Fraser, argued that his 2017 DUI conviction was based on an arbitrary and vague standard for THC levels in the blood.

The unanimous decision upholds the state’s decade-old DUI law related to cannabis.

Justice G. Helen Whitener, in the opinion, defended the state’s law writing that while the “limit may not be perfect in terms of identifying the degree of impairment for all individuals, it is reasonably and substantially related to recent consumption, which is related to impairment.”

“The laws aim to deter people who have consumed cannabis from driving when there is a possibility they could be impaired, thus promoting some public interest of highway safety.” – Whitener, in the opinion, via The Chronicle

Fraser was arrested in 2017 after a State Patrol trooper witnessed him speeding, driving alone in the HOV lane, and driving dangerously. Fraser, who was wearing an employee badge from a cannabis dispensary, said he had last consumed cannabis “half a day” prior but that he was no longer impaired. After performing several field sobriety tests, the trooper arrested Fraser on suspicion of DUI. Subsequent tests found Fraser had a THC blood concentration of 9.4 nanograms per milliliter, with a margin of error of 2.5; the state’s limit is 5 nanograms per milliliter.

In court, Fraser argued that those limits are arbitrary and not tied to any evidence as a measure of impairment and included testimony from a physician who said the effects of THC can vary from person to person. The court rejected the argument, claiming that the limit serves its purpose by discouraging driving while stoned.

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Arizona Cannabis Social Equity Licenses Distributed

5/13/2022

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The Arizona Department of Health Services announced the winners of the state’s 26 social equity licenses last month, the Associated Press reports. In a blog post, Interim Health Services Director Don Herrington said the drawing was live-streamed.

There were over 1,500 applications for the 26 highly lucrative licenses that were created following the 2020 approval by Arizona voters of the state’s adult-use cannabis legalization initiative. The social equity licenses enshrined in the initiative were an effort to give members of communities most affected by the drug war an opportunity to open a cannabis business.

Herrington said Arizona’s process should be a model for other states and that various legal challenges did not delay the licensing process, according to the report. Those legal challenges include a lawsuit by the Greater Phoenix Urban League and a corporation that said the licensing process lacked safeguards, prohibiting things like license transfers and requiring profits from cannabis sales to remain in the community where a business is located.

Those claims were thrown out by a Maricopa County judge in February, who said the licensing provisions satisfied the law, the report says.

In order to qualify for one of the 26 social equity licenses, principal officers or board members owning at least 51% of the business must have met three of four criteria: a household income of less than 400% of the poverty level in three out of four years between 2016 and 2020; a state or federal cannabis conviction expunged; a close relative with a cannabis conviction; or having lived in a community disproportionately affected by Arizona’s previous cannabis laws for three out of four years between 2016 and 2020.

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Massachusetts Appoints Cannabis Control Commission Interim Chair

5/13/2022

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Sarah Kim, the top deputy and attorney in the state Treasurer’s Office, has been named the new chair of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, the Boston Globe reports. Kim follows former chair Steve Hoffman who resigned late last month.

State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg appointed Kim on Monday as interim chair and the agency held its first meeting under her tenure on Thursday. Kim told the reporter she does not intend to seek the permanent position.

“[Goldberg] reached out to me knowing I had been part of the initial efforts way back when the ballot initiative was in process. She wanted to make sure [Hoffman’s resignation] didn’t cause any disruption.” – Kim to the Globe

In a statement, Goldberg said Kim was right for the job because of her “extensive leadership experience and knowledge about the standards, goals, and operations of the commission, as well as perspective on necessary steps as we progress in the implementation of good policies in Massachusetts.”

Under state law, the state treasurer is tasked with appointing a member of the commission who comes with corporate management, finance, or securities experience, and for designating its chair.

During the meeting, Kim abstained from voting on any substantive matters saying she did not have enough time to review the materials and that she is “still getting to know the agency and the issues it’s grappling with.”

Goldberg’s office is seeking a permanent chair.

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Activists Arrested At DEA Headquarters for Supporting Psilocybin Access for Terminally Ill Patients

5/12/2022

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

Around two-dozen activists rallied on Monday outside the headquarters of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Arlington, Virginia to protest the agency’s refusal to grant people with terminal illnesses access to experimental drugs like psilocybin and MDMA.

For several hours, the demonstrators blocked entrances to the federal building, shouting slogans like “DEA, get out of the way” as they set off colorful smoke bombs and unfurled yellow caution tape that read “THE DEA IS LAWLESS.”

They showed up to denounce the agency’s ongoing decision to ignore the Right to Try Act, a 2018 federal law that authorized people diagnosed with life-threatening diseases to use certain “unapproved” drugs if they are unable to participate in supervised clinical trials. The bill was signed into law by then-President Donald Trump after receiving approval from Congressional lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle.

But activists say DEA officials have failed to comply with the law, instead engaging in delay tactics that have deprived people with little time left to live of access to drugs that research shows provide significant relief from mental illnesses like PTSD, depression, and anxiety. In some of the most promising evidence yet on psilocybin –– a psychedelic drug that naturally occurs in some mushrooms –– researchers at New York University found that a single dose could reduce mental anguish in advanced cancer patients for more than six months at a time.

“We shouldn’t be sending terminally-ill patients into back alleys to find their medicine,” said Adam Eidinger, a prominent local drug activist and the founder of DC Marijuana Justice.

Eidinger was flanked by Dr. Bronner’s CEO David Bronner, an activist, and philanthropist whose company helped fund D.C.’s campaign for Initiative 81, a ballot measure that decriminalized magic mushrooms in the District in 2021.

Kathryn Tucker, an attorney with Emerge Law Group, told The Outlaw Report DEA’s choice to delay access to psilocybin has been harmful to many patients.

“The entire premise of Right to Try is a recognition that dying patients don’t have time to wait for the long process of new drug approval. So too, they don’t have the time to wait for DEA’s delay,” Tucker said. “Delay is justice forever denied for dying cancer patients,” she added.

Last year, she and other attorneys filed a lawsuit against DEA on behalf of patients and the Advanced Integrative Medical Science (AIMS) Institute, a Seattle clinic that provides drug-assisted therapy to people with serious and chronic illnesses. Since then, eight states plus the District of Columbia, along with two conservative think tanks and the American Civil Liberties Union have filed amicus briefs in support of the lawsuit in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

“DEA’s refusal to recognize accommodation for state [Right to Try] laws in the face of the clear intent of Congress poses a threat to state sovereignty,” said the brief from the states. A total of 41 states (and counting) have now passed laws allowing people with terminal illnesses to try experimental drugs in some form, according to RightToTry.org.

On Monday, police initially ignored protesters, frustrating some who hoped making a scene would get them a meeting with DEA officials. It wasn’t until the activists started painting onto the building’s glass facade and pulling down a DEA flag that police stepped in to arrest people. In the end, agents with the Department of Homeland Security charged 17 protestors — including some terminally-ill patients — with trespassing and vandalism. The activists were put in handcuffs and driven down to the federal courthouse in a peaceful scene.

Erinn Baldeschwiler, who has been battling stage-four metastatic breast cancer for the last two years, was among those arrested on Monday afternoon. Baldeschwiler is one of the plaintiffs in the AIMS Institute lawsuit against DEA. After receiving her cancer diagnosis in 2020, she was invited AIMS Institute to receive psychotherapy assisted by ketamine, a medically legal drug used to treat pain and treatment-resistant depression.

She said taking Ketamine has significantly improved her quality of life as a cancer patient.

“It opened my mind and really validated that I’m on the right path,” Baldeschwiler said. “It takes your mind out of the equation.”

But Baldeschwiler, who is “not a big fan of prescription drugs,” hopes she’ll soon be able to get started on psilocybin treatment as well. “I believe in these natural medicines,” she said, adding that “healing is a very individual journey.”

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Two Arkansas Groups Seeking to Put Cannabis Legalization Question to Voters

5/12/2022

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Two Arkansas groups are seeking to put adult-use cannabis legalization on November ballots, National Public Radio-affiliate KUAR reports. Both groups are proposing constitutional amendments to enact the reforms and must collect 89,000 valid signatures from registered voters in the state.

Briana Boling, a spokesperson for the group True Grass Arkansas, said the group is about halfway to the signature goal. Their proposal would allow home cultivation and impose no limits on the number of licensed businesses. It sets Class A license fees at $250 per year and those licensees could grow and possess an unlimited amount of seeds and plants. Class B licenses would be $500 and allow the selling of anything consisting of cannabis.

Boling told KUAR that the organization has heard positive feedback from law enforcement on the reforms, saying that they’ve told her “they think it will put a curb on the opioid epidemic” and “will take off of their workload.”

The measure backed by Responsible Growth Arkansas would expand the number of cultivation licenses in the state to 20 and dispensary licenses to 40. The organization’s chairman, Eddie Armstrong, told KUAR that it would enable more craft products in the market.

“It will allow for an opportunity for us to see more nuances in the natural state for lower yield, higher quality, better products that will hopefully be in the market for customers to consume.” – Armstrong to KUAR

Under Responsible Growth Arkansas’ plan, cultivation and dispensary license hopefuls would need to go through an application process and then be selected through a lottery system. Armstrong told KUAR that the process was chosen to avoid similar problems and inequities seen during the medical cannabis licensing process. The proposal does not allow home grow, which Armstrong said would help quell concerns about children accessing cannabis.

Armstrong told KUAR that the group needs another 50,000 to 70,000 signatures.

The state’s first medical cannabis dispensary opened in May 2019 and as of last September sales had reached $400 million with more than 58,000 pounds sold, the report says. By that time, about 80,000 people had been issued medical cannabis cards.

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4/20 Holiday Spurs Missouri Medical Cannabis Sales $6M Higher in April than March

5/12/2022

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Missouri medical cannabis sales in April were $6 million higher than in March with sales on 4/20 representing a single-day record for the state at $2.85 million, according to a press release from the Missouri Medical Cannabis Trade Association (MoCannTrade). Since the state’s first dispensary opened in October 2020, sales have totaled nearly $336 million.

Officials now estimate that annual revenue from cannabis sales will top $360 million this year, $60 million more than was projected last month, the report says. In all, there are 188 dispensaries, 48 cultivation facilities, and 69 infused product manufacturers approved by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services – 335 such facilities now serve more than 185,000 patients and caregivers in the state.

The agency has licensed and certified a total of 390 facilities to cultivate, manufacture, test, transport, and dispense medical cannabis, including 203 dispensaries – 11 more than the legal minimum of 192 such outlets – and 63 cultivation facilities, which is three more than the legal minimum, MoCannTrade said.

As of Monday, May 2, the state reported issuing 7,853 state agent ID cards to work in medical cannabis facilities with all but 200 of those jobs added in the past year. The medical cannabis industry accounted for nearly one in 10 new Missouri jobs statewide in 2021, the organization said.

Last week, cannabis advocacy group Legal Missouri submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office twice the number of signatures needed to add an adult-use legalization question to ballots this November.

The proposal, a constitutional amendment, would allow Missourians over the age of 21 to possess, consume, purchase, and cultivate cannabis and impose a 6% sales tax which would generate an estimated $40.8 million. Tax-derived funds would be used for expungement costs, veterans’ services, drug addiction treatment, and the public defender system. The amendment also includes automatic expungement provisions.

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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.”

End

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

###

End

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.

End

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.

End

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

End

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.

End

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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