Washington Bill to Increase Penalties for Cannabis Shop Robberies Passes Senate

2/14/2022

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

A Washington bill increasing the penalties for robbing licensed cannabis retailers has passed the state Senate, KIMA reports. The bill matches the sentence that for those who rob pharmacies, adding one year on top of any robbery conviction.

State Sen. Jim Honeyford (R), the bill sponsor, said the bill is needed as the number of robberies of cannabis retailers“ is on the rise.” The Cannabis Professionals Network counted more than 30 cannabis-shop robberies in the state since November, the report says. Honeyford told KIMA that the bill “would make improvements for not just the benefit of the retailers themselves, but for the public safety of the community as a whole.”

However, Alexis Kaiser, the manager at Yakima’s Fire Cannabis Company, said the bill wouldn’t make much of a difference, and that what the industry needs is access to financial and banking services which would help reduce its reliance on cash.

“If somebody’s going to go rob, and especially use guns, I don’t think they’re really thinking about the consequences. I get what they’re trying to do, and yes I’m glad that you’re worried about us too but I just don’t think that that’s going to be the solution.” – Kaiser via KIMA

In an interview with NBC Right Now, Honeyford said that cannabis stores are “a target for robberies and a magnet for criminals” because of federal banking rules. The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the SAFE Banking Act, which would normalize banking for the cannabis industry six times, most recently last week as part of the China competition bill. It has never been considered by the Senate.

The Washington bill passed the Senate unanimously last week and moves next to the House.

End

Alabama to Consider Bill to Reduce Penalties for Simple Cannabis Possession

2/14/2022

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

Alabama lawmakers are set to consider a bill this week to reduce the penalties for cannabis possession in the state ABC 33/40 News reports. Under the proposal, the first two convictions for possession of two ounces of cannabis or less will still be a misdemeanor but would be met with lower fines than current state law and would not include incarceration.

Possession of any amount of cannabis for personal use under current Alabama law is punishable by up to a year in prison and a maximum fine of $6,000, according to NORML. The reform measure would replace those penalties with a $250 fine for the first offense and a $500 fine for the second offense. The third offense would be adjudicated as a felony punishable by a $750 fine but no jail time, the report says.

Under the measure, possession of cannabis for non-personal use would be a Class C felony, but the bill does not implicitly set those limits, according to an AL.com report.

According to the Marijuana Policy Project, Alabama is one of just 19 states that still jails people for simple possession of cannabis. The measure, introduced by Democratic state Sen. Bobby Singleton, includes provisions allowing convictions on first or second-degree possession to be expunged after five years.

Singleton was also the sponsor of the state’s medical cannabis bill, which was approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor last May.

The bill is set to be heard on Wednesday by the Senate Judiciary Committee, which approved the legislation last year, but it failed to get a vote by the full chamber.

End

New Jersey to Miss Deadline for Launching Adult-Use Sales

2/11/2022

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

New Jersey will not meet the February 22 statutory deadline to open its adult-use cannabis market, according to a TapInto report. The date was included in the state’s legalization law but the state’s top cannabis regulator indicated last month that officials were not on track to meet the deadline.

Shaya Brodchandel, president of New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association (NJCTA) and CEO of the Harmony Dispensary, told TapInto that while she believes the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) is “working diligently” to get the market online, “that deadline won’t be made at this point.”

“The biggest thing that we need to do at this point is have a regular ongoing communication with regulators and policymakers, so we can understand what is the time we are going to be permitted to begin the adult-use market.” – Brodchandel via TapInto

He added that cannabis cultivators and producers need about six months to get from seed to sale and expressed frustration with the lack of clarification from regulators.

“Not having a clear indication as to when that date will come, you’ll start having inventory issues, their stockpiling, employment issues, supply issues that all affect the launch of this market,” he said.

The legalization law had included a September deadline for license administrations; however, the state didn’t begin accepting industry license applications until December.

Brodchandel said that one of the major roadblocks to licensing dispensaries in the state is the 63% opt-out rate for New Jersey municipalities. Jeff Brown, the executive director of the CRC last month called the opt-out rate “one of the biggest deficiencies” facing regulators as they work on launching adult-use sales in the Garden State.

Brodchandel said, though, that the CRC licensing process does seem to be prioritizing licensing for social equity applicants, which “is going to benefit the communities tremendously.”

“Giving them opportunities for local business entrepreneurs who have been impacted by the war on drugs and now being able to benefit from this industry is really important,” he said.

In an interview with NJ.com last month, Brown called getting the sector launched “the priority” of the CRC but the agency has “to do it in a way that’s compliant with the law.”

End

California Announces $35M Grant to Support Cannabis Social Equity Businesses

2/11/2022

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

California’s Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) is providing $35 million in grant funding to jurisdictions to support social equity in the state’s cannabis industry.

Jurisdictions are able to use the funding to develop their cannabis equity programs and assist their equity program applicants and licensees by providing low and no-interest loans or grants, reduced licensing fees or waived fees, and technical assistance, including one-on-one consulting and training, and navigation assistance with cannabis licensing and regulatory requirements.

Over $29.5 million of the funding, in the form of low and no-interest loans or grants, will be allocated to cannabis equity applicants and licensees specifically identified by local jurisdictions as being linked to populations or communities that were negatively or disproportionately impacted by cannabis criminalization, the governor’s office said in a press release.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Chief Economic and Business Advisor and Director of GO-Biz Dee Dee Myers said that the new round of funding brings the state’s total commitment for the program to $90 million since California passed legalization in 2016.

“Cannabis Equity Grants will help level the playing field for those that have borne the brunt of past federal and state anti-drug policies while striving to make California’s Cannabis Industry more equitable and accessible to those individuals.” – Myers in a statement

The majority of the individual disbursements – more than $5.7 million – are being earmarked for Los Angeles, while Oakland will receive more than $5.4 million. The city and county of San Francisco will see more than $4.4 million from the program, and Sacramento will receive more than $4.3 million. Other grants range from $3.4 million (Humboldt) to $550,000 (Monterey) and another five jurisdictions will receive $75,000 each for cannabis equity assessment and program development.

End

New York Sends Cease-and-Desist Letters to Businesses Suspected of ‘Gifting’ Cannabis

2/11/2022

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

The New York Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) on Tuesday sent cease-and-desist letters to businesses suspected of “gifting” cannabis in violation of state law. The agency said that businesses that do not comply risk being disqualified from getting a cannabis license along with possible fines and potential criminal penalties.

The practice of gifting is when businesses include cannabis with the purchase of another, often overpriced product.

OCM Executive Director Chris Alexander said regulators “want to make sure these operators fully understand the law and the consequences they face.”

“And now that these letters have been sent,” he said, “we fully expect them to cease and desist their activities – if they don’t, we will take action.”

Cannabis Control Board Chair Tremaine Wright said that “violators must stop their activity immediately, or face the consequences.”

“We have an obligation to protect New Yorkers from known risks and to strengthen the foundation of the legal, regulated market we are building. We will meet the goals of the [Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act] to build an inclusive, equitable and safe industry.” – Wright in a press release

The agency indicated it has sent letters to more than two dozen businesses suspected of breaking the law.

In November, Wright suggested that the state would not begin accepting industry licenses until spring of next year at the earliest, despite the legislature-approved law having included a launch date of April 1, 2022.

During the board’s October meeting, Wright said that the practice of gifting is not allowed under New York law and violations could be met with “severe financial penalties.”

End

South Dakota Senators Vote to Strip Affirmative Defense from Medical Cannabis Law

2/11/2022

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

The South Dakota Senate has voted 25 to 10 to strip an affirmative defense provision from the state’s medical cannabis law, the Mitchell Republic reports. The provision — which was included in the state’s medical cannabis initiative, approved in 2020 by more than 70% of state voters — would have allowed patients caught by police in possession of cannabis products to get out of the charges by demonstrating a medical need for cannabis, even if they don’t have their medical card yet.

Senate Pro Tempore Lee Schoenbeck (R) had been skeptical of the affirmative defense language and compared the voter-approved initiative to a “magician” pulling rabbits from a hat, with each rabbit as a new reduction to the state’s cannabis penalties.

“It’s like 27 of them,” he said referencing subsections of the law. “The major purpose was not to decriminalize medical marijuana.”

Other Republicans had similar reservations — “Why even have a law?” asked Sen. Timothy Johns.

But Sen. David Wheeler (R) spoke against the legislation. “If you have a bonafide medical need, we’re not going to care anymore,” he said referring to the program. “We’re not going to … [treat you as] a criminal anymore.”

The removal of the affirmative defense had been recommended by an interim study conducted by lawmakers over the summer. The measure now heads to the South Dakota House for consideration.

South Dakota was part of a flurry of states that passed medical cannabis in 2020. At the same time, voters passed an adult-use initiative but that was eventually struck down after a lawsuit by law enforcement ended with the Supreme Court throwing out the measure entirely. The high court said that the ballot initiative had illegally covered more than one issue. Although the state’s medical cannabis program was not included in that lawsuit, regulators and the Legislature have struggled to develop a working medical cannabis system.

End

Dr. Greenthumb’s x G Pen Connect Vaporizer Review

2/11/2022

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

The Dr. Greenthumb’s x G Pen, a collaboration between legendary Cypress Hill rapper B-Real and Grenco Science, is a discreet and stylish way to get amazing vapor at home or on the move. Featuring B-Real’s signature “green and graphics” packaging and a compact easy to use design, G Pen does not disappoint when it comes to style, flavor profiles, and vape production.

A fistful of vape!

The G Pen fits tightly in the palm of the hand for easy operation and is great for those times when you may need to be a little more private with your vaping activity. Heating up in less than ten seconds, the compact unit is basically two pieces: a battery/chamber portion and a magnetic modular mouthpiece with a silicon sleeve.

The glass glazed stainless steel chamber works really well to spread the heat all around the dry herb to generate the best hits. The silicon-sleeved mouthpiece comes completely apart for easy cleaning. B-Real adds a final touch with a keychain tool that aids in filling and re-filling the chamber.

Powerful performance

When the indicator light stops blinking and the G-Pen gives a quick vibrate, you know it’s time to vape. An automatic shut-off is timed perfectly for complete herb vaporization, about five minutes. Using the variable temp function — which includes options for 375F/190C, 401F/205C, and 428F/220C, — you can set the temp for just the right experience depending on the different types of dried material. Those adjustable temps make the pulls smooth and tasty until the end every time.

For heavy hitters, back-to-back (to-back) chamber re-fills are possible with the unit’s impressive battery life, so do not be fooled by the G-Pen’s small size. When the battery does go quiet, the unit charges quickly with its pass-through charging capability via Micro-USB.

Dr. Greenthumb’s X G-Pen, along with merch and other G-Pen models, are available online.

End

Thailand Officially Removes Cannabis from Narcotics List

2/10/2022

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

Thailand’s public health minister on Tuesday signed a ministerial announcement officially removing cannabis and hemp from Category 5 of the nation’s narcotics list, The Diplomat reports. The move effectively decriminalizes cannabis in the Southeast Asian nation.

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said during the signing ceremony 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.”

Thailand legalized medical cannabis in 2020 — the first Asian nation to pass the reforms. The delisting will take effect 120 days after its publication in the Royal Gazette; however, the law still includes some penalties for extracts containing more than 0.2% THC, the report says. A bill to clarify the reforms is expected to be introduced in the nation’s parliament.

At the signing ceremony, Charnvirakul described the move as a “new history for cannabis” in Thailand.

Tonnam Niyamapar, a member of The Alliance of Citizens’ Cannabis Association, a lobbying group, told the Associated Press that he hopes the country “will finally liberalize cannabis for both medical and recreational use like the United States or Canada.” Tonnam added that he understands full legalization “will take more years” to occur.

Canada legalized cannabis for adults in 2018, while in the U.S., cannabis remains federally outlawed; however, 18 states have passed laws allowing adult use.

End

Leafly Now Trading on NASDAQ

2/10/2022

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

Leafly Holdings Inc. — a leading cannabis discovery marketplace and digital information portal discussing cannabis strains, products, and companies — on Monday commenced trading on NASDAQ. The company is trading under the ticker symbol LFLY.

Leafly completed its listing by combining with Merida Merger Corp., which has adopted the name Leafly. The plan was first announced last August. Leafly CEO Yoko Miyashita remained at the head of the company while Peter Lee, the former president of Merida, has taken a director position at the new combined company.

“We are thrilled to begin trading as a public company today and to enter the next phase of our company’s journey. This achievement is a testament to the tireless work ethic of our entire team, the support of our investors, and the unique value we deliver to consumers, brands and retailers. Now, with access to new capital and momentum across our industry, we are poised to execute our growth strategy and continue making cannabis a force for positive change in our world.” — Leafly CEO Yoko Miyashita, in a press release

Since its founding in 2010, Leafly has experienced several shifts as a company. Leafly’s primary services include its strain explorer, which patients and consumers can use to help predict the effects of any given strain; its dispensary locator, on which cannabis retailers can register to list their menus and become more easily discovered by customers; and its platform for consumer reviews, which can cover anything from the retail experience, a cannabis strain, or even specific products made by a specific company. The company also has a media arm dedicated to recent happenings in the cannabis space.

From 2012 to 2019, the firm was owned by Privateer Holdings, the parent company behind the Marley Natural brand and Tilray, a licensed Canadian cannabis producer.

End

Oklahoma Governor Supports Medical Cannabis Law Reforms 

2/10/2022

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) indicated during his annual State of the State address that he will support the push to reform the state’s medical cannabis law as authorities seek to crack down on the number of illegal operations in the state, FOX23 News reports. The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN) told FOX23 that between April 2021 and the time of Stitt’s speech, it had disbanded 85 farms that were operating without a license.

The smallest grow thwarted by the agency was 5,000 plants and the largest was 40,000 plants, the report says. OBN spokesman Mark Woodward told FOX23 that the agency has linked illegal operations in the state to organized crime gangs in Mexico, China, and Bulgaria and that some illegal operations were Americans growing cannabis in Oklahoma and then selling to higher use states, like Colorado.

“I’ve directed our law enforcement to crack down hard on the black market. Agents have been in the field making arrests. Let me be clear. Drug cartels, organized crime and foreign bad actors have no place in Oklahoma. We will find them, and we will bring them to justice.” – Stitt via FOX23

Stitt noted that in Arkansas, which borders Oklahoma, there are eight licensed cultivators for the state’s medical cannabis program, while there are 8,300 in Oklahoma.

“You know as well as I do that not all of that product is being sold legally,” Stitt said during his remarks.

Currently, medical cannabis cultivation licenses in Oklahoma cost a flat $2,500 fee for any operation of any size and Stitt has signaled he would consider increasing that fee structure.

A bill introduced last month by State Rep. Rusty Cornwell (R) would put a pause on all medical cannabis licensing and allow regulators to implement moratoriums as they deem necessary.

Last summer, Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) requested $4 million in federal funds to establish a unit to combat illegal cannabis cultivation in Oklahoma.

End

Study: 2 in 5 Drivers Who Use Cannabis & Alcohol Have Driven Under the Influence

2/10/2022

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

A new study from researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that two in five drivers who reported using alcohol and cannabis in the past year drove under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, or both. The study included a sample of 34,514 individuals, including drivers 16-and-older who reported any past-year alcohol and cannabis use in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2016 to 2019.

Priscila Dib Gonçalves, the study’s first author from the Department of Epidemiology at Columbia Mailman School, noted that “alcohol and cannabis are two of the most common substances involved in impaired driving and motor vehicle crashes in the U.S.”

The substances are also the most commonly used drugs in the U.S.

“Examining the effect of simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use on self-report driving under the influence of alcohol-only, cannabis-only, and both substances using a nationally representative sample could contribute to better understanding the impact in adolescents and adults.” – Gonçalves in a press release

From 2016 to 2019, 42 percent of drivers with past-year alcohol and cannabis use reported any past-year DUI, with 8% reporting driving under the influence of only alcohol, 20% reporting driving under the influence of only cannabis, and 14% reporting driving under the influence of both alcohol and cannabis. The study found that simultaneous use was associated with 2.88 times higher odds of driving under the influence of cannabis, and 3.51 times higher odds of driving under the influence of both alcohol and cannabis. Daily use of alcohol and cannabis increases the odds of driving under the influence.

“Our study is unique in that it reports more recent nationally representative data (2016-2019) and compares different types of DUI categories,” Gonçalves said in a statement. “From a harm reduction perspective, identifying which population subgroups are at high risk for DUIs could assist the development of more focused prevention strategies. Future research should also investigate the potential impact of low or ‘promotional’ cannabis prices with higher levels of use, intoxication, and simultaneous use of other substances.”

The study was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Center for Injury Prevention and was published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

End

Utah Passes Bill Protecting Public Employees in Medical Cannabis Program

2/10/2022

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

Both chambers of the Utah state legislature have passed a bill to protect public employees from termination if they choose to have a medical cannabis authorization, St. George News reports.

The legislation was crafted in response to a case involving firefighters in Ogden City who were placed on administrative leave and asked to turn in their medical cannabis prescriptions before they would be allowed back to work. One of the firefighters, Levi Coleman, filed a lawsuit claiming the city’s action violated the state’s medical cannabis law.

The proposal approved by lawmakers simply clarifies the existing statute and does not change the intent of the Medical Cannabis Act, said state Rep. Joel Ferry (R), a prime sponsor of the proposal.

“What this bill does is it provides some clarity to what the legislative intent was … in recognizing medical cannabis as a legitimate use of cannabis for treating certain ailments such as chronic pain and other issues that exist. I think it’s a strong move to help reinstate the rights of these patients.” — Ferry via St. George News

Law enforcement and the Ogden City Attorney Gary Williams testified against the bill at a hearing in January. Williams said the legislation was singling out the Ogden City fire department and the measure did not “balance the risk” for cannabis-impaired firefighters. He said the city was “following the law” when they suspended the firefighters. Randy Watt, a former Ogden City Police chief and representative of the Utah Chiefs of Police Association and Utah Law Enforcement Legislative Committee also testified against the bill, saying the medical cannabis “card opens too broad an avenue at this point and should be turned off.”

End

David Hua: Streamlining Cannabis Retail With Technology

2/09/2022

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

While the business of retail cannabis requires a significant amount of ancillary partnerships to operate smoothly, perhaps none are more important for operating a successful and compliant cannabis dispensary than versatile, intuitive, and reliable point-of-sale software.

We recently connected with David Hua, CEO and co-founder of Meadow, to discuss how smart point-of-sale software can help unlock a cannabis entrepreneur’s true potential. This interview covers Meadow’s early days and team culture; the company’s new Dynamic Delivery service, which helps legally convert vehicles into mobile cannabis dispensaries; Meadow’s focus on community events; and more!

Scroll down for the full interview.

Ganjapreneur: What is the company culture at Meadow? Does Meadow take steps to preserve this culture?

David Hua: At Meadow, we have a team that is small but mighty. We believe in cannabis and care deeply about the success of the industry in California and beyond. We are here for the long haul; in fact, the majority of our team has been here since we first launched.

We started as a group of California cannabis patients who wanted to build better tools for dispensaries and their customers. We’re committed to our mission of building the best software in cannabis. We believe that cannabis is medicine and is essential, we advocate for wider access, and we fight for a more equitable, inclusive, and compassionate industry. We adapt to changes quickly, we have deep expertise in our fields, and we only ship the best.

Preserving this culture is extremely important to us, so we hire slowly and with intention. We also prioritize and invest heavily in our team — we know that in order to have a team that invests in our mission and our customers, we have to first prioritize investing in them.

How did your experience in the startup accelerator Y Combinator help Meadow succeed?

In 2015, we graduated from startup accelerator Y Combinator (YC) as their first-ever cannabis company. They believed in our vision and took a bet on us. At the time, California was the epicenter of both technology and cannabis but the two hadn’t converged. We wanted to change that, and YC saw the potential in our exceptional technology, product-market fit, and the traction we were gaining among dispensaries and their customers. Fast forward 7 years, we now process billions in legal cannabis sales with a system dispensaries say they can’t live without

Our experience with YC taught us to be relentlessly resourceful, to challenge assumptions, and to always make things people want. They taught us to be disciplined, to go deep in our areas of expertise, and to build really great products. They taught us how to pitch and secure funding from the best investors and venture capitalists in the game, including all-stars like Justin Kan, Steve Huffman, E40, Joe Montana, Slow Ventures, SOMA Capital, and Poseidon Asset Management.

What was the first service that Meadow built, and how do you decide which features and integrations will come next for the platform?

We started with delivery in 2014. Living in San Francisco, everything was delivered and on-demand, making this “last mile” a great place to start — getting cannabis to customers in a way that was fast, convenient, and delightful. We gave customers the power to grab their phones and order from local dispensaries with professional delivery they could trust.

When deciding what to build next, we talk to our dispensary clients and spend a lot of time with them. We really get to know their day-to-day operations, best practices, and pain points. We get a wide perspective from dispensaries and delivery operators of all sizes, and use that to create our product roadmap and build exactly what they need.

This is how we grew from delivery to the most comprehensive cannabis retail system available. We understand that our customers want a single system that is foolproof, easy to use, and makes compliance painless. They want features that drive sales, cut costs, engage customers, and give them a competitive edge. That’s why Meadow’s system now integrates Point-of-Sale with inventory, menus, marketing, CRM, loyalty, compliance, analytics, strategic integrations, and, of course, delivery.

Meadow offers a wide array of features with a super clean interface. Are there SOPs in place to maintain these standards as you continue building out the platform?

The number one piece of feedback we get is that Meadow’s system is easy to use and well designed. Here’s an example, the operations manager at Vapor Room in San Francisco, Allie Felton, said “Meadow makes my life a lot easier as manager because the interfaces are clean and that keeps each task really simple.” This is the feedback we love to hear. There is so much complexity in cannabis retail and in Meadow’s software, so we utilize clean interfaces, good design, and easy flows to make the system simple for everyone from top management to the new budtender starting on his first day.

We also make sure new features are easy to adopt and incorporate into a dispensary’s day-to-day flow. We have training resources so teams get up to speed on new features like marketing, inventory forecasting, or analytics in minutes, and can see the value, ROI, and increased revenue right away.

One way we maintain these standards is with extensive testing, both internally and out in the field. We maintain a tight feedback loop between our clients and the engineering team, so we stay informed about how operators are using new features and can make quick, effective updates when needed. We also stay close to the regulations and build compliance into every facet of our system. No one wants to make a reporting error that could get flagged or jeopardize their license, so we put systems and guardrails in place to keep that from happening.

What kind of R&D did Meadow’s Dynamic Delivery service undergo before launching? How long did the process take?

Meadow’s Dynamic Delivery is a new model of cannabis delivery for retailers that allows vehicles to operate as mobile dispensaries — roaming inventory and packaging hubs with their own product offerings, menus, service areas, marketing, and more.

Our Dynamic Delivery journey really started in 2015 when we lobbied for safe, legal delivery to patients across California, despite local retail bans. Delivery-for-all was a huge win that continues to serve residents and retailers throughout the state. Dynamic delivery was a natural evolution of our existing system, layering in functionality for a new type of delivery that is optimized for speed and scale. Before launching, we spent a lot of time consulting with dispensaries and delivery operators to make sure we made exactly what they needed. When we built the first version of Dynamic Delivery, we launched a closed beta with a select group of Meadow dispensaries. This allowed us to test the software out in the world, see how it was being used, gather feedback, and make improvements.

Delivery is now more in-demand than ever, with Covid accelerating an already growing trend. At the same time, there are not enough licenses in California for retailers that want to scale. Dynamic delivery helps retailers harness growth by scaling delivery operations and making each drop count. One of our clients, Cannable, said using Dynamic Delivery cut their delivery times from hours to 20 minutes. When we got that feedback in our beta, we knew we were ready to launch and bring Dynamic Delivery to dispensaries and their customers throughout the state.

Has Dynamic Delivery been tested outside of Meadow’s home city of San Francisco? Can the feature be used in all types of locations, from rural towns to cities?

Absolutely. In fact, Dynamic Delivery is an incredible tool for delivering to the 65% of California that does not have legal cannabis retail. In California, there is a system of local control whereby each municipality chooses whether to allow commercial activity, like cultivation and retail. While the majority of the state still does not allow for legal retail, cannabis can be delivered anywhere. Retailers can now put vehicles on the road that serve defined zones and do not have to travel back and forth between a storefront or inventory hub. This makes delivery faster, more efficient, and scalable, so operators can grow their fleet and reach new territories throughout the state.

Another unique aspect of the Dynamic Delivery model is that any location can be defined as a delivery zone – from an entire county or a single address. Imagine Warriors game night at Chase Center. If a local retailer wanted to capitalize on the thousands of fans coming to the area, they could designate the stadium as a zone, create a customized menu for fans, and allow them to order from their mobile devices for delivery in front of or near the stadium. Dynamic is giving dispensaries a new delivery toolset to meet customers exactly where they are, with exactly what they want, exactly when they want it.

How do events like Hall of Flowers and Emerald Cup use Meadow to help event-goers conduct compliant cannabis sales?

Meadow’s point of sale technology has made it easy for distributors, retailers, and brands to work together to sell cannabis at some of the largest legal cannabis events in the state, including The Emerald Cup, Hall of Flowers, Secret Sesh, and Northern Nights.

Events are extremely important in the cannabis industry because they allow brands to have direct, face-to-face interactions with customers. Meadow’s system is easy to learn, easy to use, intuitive, and fast for a seamless experience. We also build compliance into every workflow to remove the burden of regulations; this allows brands to focus their time and energy on customers so they can make meaningful connections and drive sales.

After our last Emerald Cup, Ranesha Mattu from Nabis said “Meadow is super fast. I’d never used it before and it’s really intuitive. The usability is awesome.” We love this kind of feedback and plan to continue powering cannabis event sales in California and beyond.

What role have community events played in Meadow’s growth?

Events have been part of Meadow’s DNA since the beginning. Coming out of YC in 2015, we hosted events where we brought together entrepreneurs, operators, activists, regulators, and other stakeholders. We learned that if you’re not at the table, you’re on it, and there was room for everyone who wanted to show up, put in the work, and be a part of the community. These events allowed us to connect with the community, learn directly from operators about what was going on in their worlds, disseminate information and resources quickly, and work together collaboratively.

Since then we have hosted or been part of hundreds of events, including educational and equity workshops, festivals, social events, regulator roundtables, investor meetups, and more. Our aim is to build connections and find collaborative solutions to issues the industry faces. Meadowlands is the largest event we host, bringing hundreds of cannabis operators and stakeholders together for a weekend in the Mendocino redwoods.

Why did the brand decide to throw the first Meadowlands cannabis industry retreat in 2018?

In the summer of 2018, we hosted the first annual Meadowlands, a cannabis industry retreat in the heart of the Emerald Triangle. We started this gathering because we wanted to create a space where cannabis operators could share knowledge, build valuable alliances, and celebrate that we’re still standing. We wanted to take cannabis events out of busy hotel lobbies and conference centers where cannabis consumption is banned, and bring them closer to the cultivators and the heart of the community. We wanted to get back to our roots, get back to nature, and bring together the community in a meaningful way.

It’s important we carve out time to reconnect, remember we’re not in it alone, and find the fortitude to keep building this industry together. Meadowlands has become a truly singular event, facilitating important conversations on everything from local compliance to the future of psychedelics. Cannabis has always been about community, so it’s critical to maintain these connections and channels of communication as the industry continues to grow and evolve.

What is an essential component to building a SaaS that is both functional and useful?

A component that is essential to our team, our community, and our software is resilience. The ability to recover quickly from setbacks, to work with ever-changing regulations, to continually improve, and to stick around for the long haul. Just like the cannabis plant, we’ve learned to adapt and change, which has ultimately led to tremendous growth and strength.

Smooth seas do not make good sailors, so we have learned how to operate and build in uncertainty, how to navigate cumbersome restrictions, how to pivot and stay flexible. We know how to make it work.

At Meadow, our team cares deeply about the cannabis industry and the operators we serve. We’re in it for the long haul so we don’t take shortcuts. It takes this kind of resilient, solid, and consistent team with a shared mission to build truly exceptional products.

A huge “thank you” to David for answering all of our questions! Learn more about Meadow and CEO David Hua at GetMeadow.com.

End

Bill Aims to Reform Federal Hemp Laws

2/09/2022

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

A bill introduced in the U.S. House on Tuesday would increase allowable THC limits in hemp products, remove requirements that hemp be tested at Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)-registered laboratories, and eliminate the 10-year ban on individuals with drug-related felony convictions from receiving industry licenses.

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) said while the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp production, it “created overly complicated regulations and hardship for farmers and small businesses in the process.”

“My bill takes a commonsense, straightforward approach to correct these unintended implementation problems and works to make the hemp industry more profitable and more equitable. My bill also provides a clear path forward for this industry and will support a thriving hemp economy.” – Pingree in a statement

Pingree noted that in her home state of Maine, there are currently no laboratories registered with the DEA with the capability to test hemp products. While more than 2,000 acres of hemp were planted in Maine in 2019, only 111 farmers received licenses to grow hemp in 2020, accounting for just 211 acres, she added.

In a statement, the U.S. Hemp Roundtable said the organization is “deeply grateful” to Pingree for spearheading the legislation.

“The U.S. Hemp Roundtable is proud to have led a broad-based industry effort to propose the policies that underlie this legislation and to have worked closely with Rep. Pingree’s excellent staff throughout the drafting process to ensure our concerns were taken into consideration,” the group said. “Rep. Pingree’s vision and tenacity will make a significant and meaningful difference for our emerging industry.”

The Hemp Roundtable is joined by 13 other hemp industry organizations in backing the legislation.

Pingree is also a co-sponsor on the Hemp and Hemp-Derived CBD Consumer Protection and Market Stabilization Act and voted in favor of the MORE Act in December 2020.

End

Cannabis Included on NFL ‘Restricted List’ for Super Bowl Ads

2/09/2022

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

The National Football League (NFL) is including cannabis in its restricted category for Super Bowl advertisements, which will prohibit industry commercials during the big game this Sunday, The Verge reports. The ban applies to all ads, including in states where cannabis is legal for adult use.

In 2019, CBS rejected a potential Super Bowl ad from Acreage Holdings that would have focused on the benefits of medical cannabis.

Juanjo Feijoo, COO of Weedmaps, told The Verge that it asked its ad agency to look into getting a spot during this year’s Super Bowl but the company was told “it was a blanket ‘no.’”

The game will be played at Los Angeles, California’s SoFi Stadium, and feature the stadium’s home team, the L.A. Rams. Cannabis is legal for adult use in California and the state is the largest cannabis market in the U.S.

Weedmaps has released a digital ad focused on cannabis censorship, featuring “Brock Ollie” – a broccoli character who bemoans his likeness being used as a substitute for cannabis as the broccoli emoji is often used to represent cannabis online.

A 2022 version of the NFL’s restricted ads list is not available, however, the 2017 list includes bans on contraceptives; dietary and nutritional products not approved by the Food and Drug Administration; distilled spirits; establishments that feature nude or semi-nude performers; weapons; fireworks; gambling; male enhancement products; pornography and escort services; social cause and issue advocacy advertising, unless otherwise approved in advance by the league; and tobacco products. The league did revise its list in 2017 to allow distilled spirits, the report says, and notes that this year’s ad lineup includes cryptocurrencies and a spot from sports betting site Draft Kings, the second year the NFL will allow the gambling company to advertise.

End

Colorado Bill Would Prevent Termination for Off-the-Clock Cannabis Use

2/09/2022

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

A bill introduced in Colorado would prohibit employers from denying employment to or terminating workers because of their off-the-clock cannabis use, the Colorado Sun reports. The measure would protect both medical and non-medical cannabis users but includes exceptions for some safety-sensitive positions, including those requiring heavy machinery use and in dangerous fields.

State Rep. Brianna Titone (D) told the Sun that Coloradans “should be able to enjoy the legal things” allowed in the state “and not be penalized for it.”

“Marijuana is legal in Colorado. And what people do in their spare time that doesn’t impact their work shouldn’t really be a problem for them.” – Titone to the Sun

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, only Nevada and New Jersey – which both allow adult cannabis use – include employee protections for using cannabis off-the-clock.

In 2015, the Colorado Supreme Court sided with an employer, Dish Network, who fired an employee after he tested positive for THC in a random drug test. The employee had a medical cannabis card for back spasms caused by his quadriplegia – the condition is one of the seven for which medical cannabis can be recommended under Colorado law.

A similar bill was rejected in 2020, the report says, and the reforms are still opposed by the Colorado chapter of the National Federal of Independent Businesses. Tony Gagliardi, who heads the chapter, said the organization “has historically opposed any legislation that would (allow) the use of marijuana on the property of the employer or cause an employee to test positive for any prohibited drug or prohibit any authority of the employer to perform random drug tests.”

The bill co-prime sponsor Rep. Edie Hooton (D) told the Sun that the “whole idea” of the proposal “is to signal to the business community and to employers that because we have legalized cannabis we should be following the same laws and rules that apply to alcohol and prescription drugs.”

The Colorado Chamber of Commerce has not taken an official position but has previously opposed similar legislation.

End

Mississippi to Begin Accepting Medical Cannabis Applications in June

2/09/2022

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

The Mississippi Department of Health (DOH) announced shortly after becoming the 37th state to legalize medical cannabis that it would begin accepting applications for a variety of license types in June, the Associated Press reports. These will include permits for patients and licenses for growing facilities and dispensaries. However, officials say dispensaries are months away from opening due to the time needed to establish a new licensing system.

“The goal is to provide a safe and accessible program that meets the needs of patients and the public health and safety of all Mississippi residents.” – MDOH in a press release

Republican Gov. Tate Reeves signed medical cannabis into law earlier this month after a legalization proposal passed by voters in 2020 was overturned in a court challenge. The new law sets patient purchase limits at 3.5 ounces a day, far below the daily purchase limit of five ounces that was approved in the 2020 initiative. Cities and counties may opt out of allowing cannabis businesses, but residents may petition for an election to overturn a cannabis ban. Under the law, cannabis production is relegated to exclusively indoor.

In an interesting twist to the indoor-only cannabis cultivation policy adopted by Mississippi, the nearby Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) said it will not provide power to cultivate or distribute cannabis as it is federally illegal, according to an Oxford Eagle report.

“Given this important point, TVA will not direct any federal resources or funds to the cultivation and/or distribution of marijuana,” the TVA said in a statement.

End

Pennsylvania Adult-Use Bill Gets Committee Hearing

2/09/2022

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

The Pennsylvania Senate held the first hearing for an adult-use cannabis bill on Monday, according to a WGAL report. Heard in the Senate Law and Justice Committee, the bill is sponsored by Committee Chair Sen. Mike Regan (R), who said he is crafting the bill with Rep. Amen Brown (D).

Regan indicated he has concerns about the safety of cannabis on the illicit market and believes the state could “certainly produce a product that’s a lot safer than what’s out there now and the process of purchasing it a lot safer than it is right now.”

Brown has similar concerns around safety and says cannabis tax revenue could be used to help communities around the state.

“I’m focusing on fully funding after-school programs and summer camps and things of that nature,” he said.

Although Gov. Tom Wolf (D) is pro-legalization – he has previously called on legislators to legalize adult-use cannabis, saying revenue from the industry “might be one way” to close gaps in the Pennsylvania budget – Republican leadership in the legislature say the policy is not a priority. Law enforcement has also raised concerns around impaired driving and youth access at the hearing, the report says.

State Sen. Dan Laughlin (R), who has a separate bill to legalize adult-use that includes home grow provisions, described the Monday hearing a good first step.

“It’s good to get it out in the public and kind of vet it and start the conversation,” he said.

End

Mobius Introduces ‘Plain English’ Guide to Good Manufacturing Practices in Cannabis Cultivation

2/08/2022

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

Las Vegas, NV, February 07, 2022: Mobius — a leading manufacturer of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis trimming and automation equipment — released on Tuesday a landmark guide explaining Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for cannabis processing.

The downloadable PDF seeks to simplify the complex yet important topic of GMP with “plain-English translations” backed by insight from industry experts.
“We released the Ultimate Guide to a GMP-Certified Cannabis Trimming Workflow to resolve our customers’ most critical concerns about certification and safety,” said Amanda James, Director of Strategy and Business Development at Mobius.

GMP compliance is crucial for protecting human health and is mandatory for most consumer goods. Yet GMP standards apply flexibly, causing confusion in the cannabis industry where many processes — such as cannabis and hemp trimming — are novel.

“We’ve worked with GMP consultants in the US, Canada, Europe, and South America,” said James. “And we’ve combined that knowledge into this guide, which hopefully makes GMP easier for cultivators.”

Experts foresee GMP mandates in all countries where cannabis is federally legalized. In the US, some state jurisdictions require GMP for cannabis processors now. And whether GMP is required or not, many business-to-business cannabis buyers demand GMP certification for safety assurance.

In Canada, where Mobius is located, all licensed producers must be GMP-certified. Those mandates have put the company — which manufactures high-end, pharmaceutical-grade cannabis trimmers — at the forefront of GMP implementation.

Mobius’s 41-page guide is an actionable resource that includes:

⦁ GMP checklists for sanitation, equipment, and personnel
⦁ Expert guidance on how to prepare for a GMP certification
⦁ Best practices for equipment maintenance, sanitation, and assessment
⦁ A sample audit form to begin the planning process

To download a copy of the Ultimate Guide to a GMP-Certified Cannabis Trimming Workflow, visit https://www.mobiustrimmer.com/gmp-certified-cannabis-trimming/

For a demonstration of Mobius trimmers, conveyors, or bucking equipment, contact a representative at info@mobiustrimmers.com

End

Former NFL Player Estimates ‘80%’ of Players Use Cannabis

2/08/2022

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

In an interview with an Atlanta, Georgia news station, Tavarres King, a former wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL), estimated that “around 80%” of players in the league use cannabis. King, who admitted to using cannabis himself during his playing days, had a three-season NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2014, and New York Giants in 2016 and 2017.

“Playing with it, laser-sharp. I was laser-sharp, laser-focused,” King said in the interview with Channel 2 Sports Director Zach Klein.

“‘So, everyone knows you with the Giants, Lambeau Field, catching a touchdown pass from Eli Manning and you were high that game?’ Klein asked.

‘Yeah, yeah I was,’ replied King laughing.

‘You did your job,’ Klein said.

‘Yeah, I did my job,’ King said.” — An interview excerpt via Channel 2

Several NFL players have admitted to using cannabis during their careers, despite it being considered a banned substance by the league. The NFL did end the practice of suspending players for positive cannabis tests as part of last year’s collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Players Association. The league is also donating $1 million dollars to researchers studying the effects of cannabinoids on pain management in elite athletes, although none of its players will be involved in the study due to cannabis’ prohibited status.

Several former NFL players have entered the cannabis space following the end of their professional football careers, including Marshawn Lynch, Calvin Johnson, Rob Sims, Ricky Williams, Terrell Davis, Marvin Washington, Joe Montana, Eugene Monroe, and Carson Palmer.

End

Study: Half of Regular Cannabis Users Have Diminished Driving Abilities While High

2/08/2022

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

A study conducted by researchers at the University of California San Diego Center for Medical Cannabis Research (CMCR) suggests that at least half of participants who smoke cannabis had a significantly diminished ability to drive compared to subjects who smoked a placebo cigarette, the university newspaper, The Guardian, reports. The study included 191 regular cannabis consumers, which CMCR Co-director and Professor Thomas Marcotte said was different than previous studies, of  which “many” were conducted with “occasional users.”

“So one of the goals of our study was to really approximate real-world circumstances where someone who is a regular user will smoke to a desired highness and we wanted to see how being acutely high will affect their performance.” — Marcotte to The Guardian

The consumers recruited for the study were aged 21 to 55-years-old and were directed to smoke a cannabis cigarette after abstaining for 48 hours. The concentration percentage of the consumed cannabis varied in three amounts: 13.4%, 5.9%, and a placebo of 0.02% THC. After smoking, participants completed a simulation presented on a Driving Simulator System (Systems Technology, Inc) for about 25 minutes, which required subjects to maintain lane position and speed in a straight roadway while responding to a divided attention task on an iPad on the dashboard. The study participants would complete the simulation multiple times throughout the day, after different intervals of time.

Performances were measured by different variables, including measures of variation of lateral position and speed, and the number of correct divided-attention stimuli identified while driving. These were calculated to encompass the driving performance — the higher the score, the worse the performance.

The study found that 57 out of the 125 individuals who smoked THC would be classified as impaired at 30 minutes after inhalation. The researchers also found that while impairment was present for the regular consumers, not all of those who were high were significantly impaired. About half of the participants indicated that they felt too impaired to drive prior to beginning the simulation, Marcotte said, but added that 90 minutes after smoking, the impairment was waning among that cohort; however, their performance in the simulator was unchanged from the 30-minute to 90-minute mark, despite that they thought they were less impaired.

The researchers also found that the group with the highest cannabis usage in the previous six months had significantly higher THC blood concentrations after smoking but didn’t perform worse than those with lower THC blood concentrations, suggesting behavioral tolerance.

“People who are regular users believe that because they use all of the time, they don’t get as stoned with the same amount of THC as someone who’s an infrequent user, and we actually found that is true,” Marcotte said in the report. “But then they ingested more THC to get that level of highness. So in the end, they’re just as impaired as the other group even though they have developed this tolerance.”

The paper, “Driving Performance and Cannabis Users’ Perception of Safety,” which was published in JAMA Psychiatry online on January 26, indicates that there were several limitations with the study in that it didn’t include infrequent users, those who smoke medicinally, and nonusers. Subjects were told to get to a level of highness as they would casually at home, meaning that the study didn’t address controlled dosing or very elevated levels of highness. Additionally, effects on vision and cognition were not measured, and no measurements were taken between an hour and 30 minutes to three hours and 30 minutes after smoking when participants claimed they were no longer feeling the cannabis’ effects.

End

New Zealand Hemp Firm Gets $1.3M Government Grant for R&D

2/08/2022

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

A New Zealand company is set to receive a $1.34 million government grant to research and develop hemp fibers for products like flooring, food packaging, and activewear, according to a Stuff report. New Zealand Natural Fibres (NZNF) will use $2 million of its own funds in addition to the Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI) Sustainable Food and Fibres grant.

The company has previously received a $202,000 government grant to develop sustainable hemp technology and processes, the report says.

NZNF Chief Executive Colin McKenzie told Stuff that the funding would help the firm ramp up innovation and enhance its growing, processing, and marketing capabilities.

“We’re also developing and testing non-woven products, including a natural hemp fiber-based material that could replace single-use plastic food packaging, and a hemp fiber replacement for synthetic geotextiles used to stabilize soil in infrastructure works.” — McKenzie to Stuff

McKenzie added that hemp has “huge potential” to be part of the solution for some of the “most crucial” environmental challenges facing societies and the planet. The company plans to also investigate how hemp might be used to produce a natural replacement for carbon composites, packaging, building materials, and other industrial applications.

MPI Investment Programs Director Steve Penno said the project will focus on hemp plant genetics, including new variety sourcing and development, on-farm production, and agronomic development. He told Stuff that the project promises to add “considerable value” to New Zealand’s hemp fiber industry.

End

NORML: Influencing Federal Reforms Through Local Advocacy

2/07/2022

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) was founded in 1970 by Keith Stroup. Stroup was working with Ralph Nader when the politician was focused on guaranteeing consumer protection. In this work, Stroup realized that he wasn’t protected by the government as a cannabis consumer — there was no entity ensuring cannabis was safe for consumption. He tracked this lack of oversight back to prohibition and in response, he founded the Marijuana Consumers Lobby, a grassroots organization that evolved into NORML. The national NORML branch is now led by Executive Director Erik Altieri, who spoke with us about how he got involved with cannabis policy, the structure of the organization, and what he’s looking forward to in cannabis policy this year.

Erik stepped into activism after moving to Washington D.C. to attend American University. He enjoyed cannabis socially and in his free time went to anti-Iraq war rallies. In the early 00s, he heard about a NORML rally in Philadelphia from an old friend and was interested in their goal of ending cannabis prohibition. As a young activist, Altieri opposed the unjust war on drugs, which has targeted primarily Black and Brown communities, so he reached out to NORML. The organization’s HQ was in DC and soon after that contact, he started an internship. Fifteen years later, Erik had served as a full-time staffer in communications and federal lobbying before stepping up to Executive Director. In this role, he continues his work on the Hill to end the unjust persecution of cannabis consumers through advocacy.

“We focus heavily on the core goal that we want to end prohibition so no marijuana consumer is treated as a criminal or a second class citizen in society,” Erik told Ganjapreneur. “They want access to a product that is safe, reliable, and convenient to purchase. And they want to see not only prohibition end, but us grapple with rectifying the negative impacts that prohibition has had on society, and also making sure that it’s not just once you legalize, it’s over. Still in legal states now, we have to deal with issues of employment and child protective services and things like that. That’s where we go as legalization spreads to more states and that I think makes NORML unique and NORML valuable.”

There are over 150 local chapters underneath the national branch. Headquarters educates chapter leaders about how to advocate for their own communities even if they don’t have experience in lobbying or policy work. They spend a lot of time with these volunteers to equip them with the science, studies, and polling data that is essential when advocating at a local level. The national branch hosts a weekly call with all chapters covering topics like how to organize a lobby day, run a non-profit, host fundraisers, and inspire people to get involved. “It was always primarily focused at advocating for a consumer and doing it through a grassroots movement that empowers everyday Americans to engage in the political process,” said Erik.

Policymakers at any level will respond to a mountain of calls from their constituents quicker than calls from a national non-profit organization. Erik asserted that the most effective advocate comes from the community they’re advocating for, and because of this, local chapters are essential to NORML’s success. The local push is one very important prong of their work — the other is lobbying for federal descheduling, safe banking, and the end of prohibition.

NORML’s national offices lobby for consumer-focused cannabis policy at the federal level. When Erik first started with NORML, only a few lawmakers would take their calls — the concept of cannabis legalization was sometimes even a joke in a political conversation. Since then, Erik has watched the conversation shift from “Should we legalize cannabis?” to “How do we legalize cannabis?” and he sees that as one small victory on the road to ending prohibition. And each step towards that goal is something that Erik always celebrates, but he wants to clear up how the industry, media, and consumers speak about federal legalization.

“It’s important to note that federal legalization is a bit of a misnomer, and it gets used constantly. Especially by the media. There’s never going to be such a thing as federal legalization in a way that Congress would pass a bill and now it’s legal in all 50 states. For good or for ill, that’s not how our federalist system works in this country. What the end of federal prohibition will look like is a lot like the end of alcohol prohibition, which was largely the government repealed their prohibition, they put some structures in place for oversight regulation, taxation, that kind of thing. But it didn’t force any state to legalize alcohol if they chose to maintain a prohibition. The same will happen when we deschedule marijuana. But it does remove a ton of the obstacles that you’re seeing in a lot of states where people are still hesitant to pass something that will violate federal law.”

The end of federal cannabis prohibition seems more possible than ever, but working with lawmakers on the Hill can be slow and frustrating. This work requires patience and a piecemeal plan leading toward long-term goals. Their multi-pronged approach to cannabis legalization has built a swell of political support, and this support is essential as NORML is one of the few consumer-driven cannabis lobbyist groups at a table of corporate lobbyists. Corporate lobbyists don’t have the same interest in causes like expungement and equity licensing that are important to polled cannabis consumers — NORML fills the gap left by corporations.

They have done a lot of work with Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), the lead sponsor of the MORE Act, and have also worked closely with Democratic Senators Booker and Schumer on their attempts to introduce prohibition-ending policy. More recently, they have been building Republican allies like South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace and Ohio Rep. Dave Joyce, who have made efforts toward descheduling. Descheduling would open up many opportunities for the plant, such as access to banking, the ability to research, taxes, and veteran access through the VA. But getting majority support won’t happen overnight.

That is why supporting small bills on the road to descheduling is essential to NORML’s mission. Right now, there is a lot of focus on the SAFE Banking Act. If passed, business operations would be safer and entrepreneurs would have access to traditional capital. Getting a vote through each branch would also provide an updated whip count of cannabis supporters, a beneficial toll for moving forward. Things are moving faster than ever for cannabis legalization advocates. “It’s a rate of progress that is unprecedented, not just for marijuana but for most political social issues,” Erik said.

NORML has come a long way from Erik’s early days when only a couple of lawmakers would work with the non-profit. He is proud of how they have been able to pivot from winning by ballot measure to legalizing legislatively in the last few years. Marijuana has notable momentum with the Senate Majority Leader introducing their own bill, 90% of the Democratic caucus sponsoring the MORE Act, and the numerous other legalization bills this year. What was once a fringe issue has gained support at every level of government, and a lot of these accomplishments are thanks to everyday Americans doing hard work at the local level.

Visit NORML.org and sign up for the email newsletter for calls to action and policy news, or check out one of the many local chapters.

End

U.S. House Passes SAFE Banking Act

2/07/2022

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

The U.S. House of Representatives on Friday passed the SAFE Banking Act — which would normalize banking and financial services for state-approved cannabis companies — for the sixth time, according to a Roll Call report. The legislation was included as an amendment to the China competition bill; it had previously approved the legislation as a stand-alone bill as recently as April, and as part of the 2022 defense spending bill, but it was omitted from the final version of the final law.

Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.), the bill’s primary sponsor, said in a statement that “Cannabis-related businesses — big and small — and their employees are in desperate need of access to the banking system and access to capital in order to operate in an efficient, safe manner and compete in the growing global cannabis marketplace.”

The amendment was also sponsored by Democratic Reps. Nydia M. Velázquez (NY) Barbara Lee (CA) and Earl Blumenauer (OR), and Republican Reps. Warren Davidson and David Joyce of Ohio. It was approved an amendment 262-168.

“The SAFE Banking Act is the best opportunity to enact some type of federal cannabis reform this year and will serve as the first of many steps to help ensure cannabis businesses are treated the same as any other legal, legitimate business.” — Perlmutter in a statement via Roll Call

The amendment’s approval was also praised by Credit Union National Association President Jim Nussle, who said in a statement to Roll Call that it “addresses an important public safety issue by providing legal businesses access to financial services.”

The proposal still needs to survive the conference process between the House and Senate. Some lawmakers in the upper chamber, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Democratic Sen. Cory Booker (N.J.), have said they might not support the amendment without an effort to pass broader reforms related to federal cannabis laws.

The bill carries 180 co-sponsors, including 26 Republicans, but Perlmutter and Joyce indicated they would keep pressing for the bill’s passage, especially as an amendment to other must-pass legislation.

End