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An analysis completed by The Brightfield Group has determined that the non-psychoactive, hemp-based CBD market will hit $22 billion by 2022, according to a Rolling Stone report.

The CBD market is already expected to top $591 million in 2018. While the early CBD market was often written off as businesses trying to capitalize on the cannabis hype, an uptick of states with required cannabis testing and other regulations have caused a boom in veritably potent and effective CBD products.

CBD is one of the most medicinal compounds in the cannabis plant, helping with everything from arthritis and bug bites to epilepsy and cancer.

The Brightfield Group sees the most opportunity for growth in Sen. Mitch McConnell’s 2018 Farm Bill, which includes a provision to remove hemp from cannabis’ Schedule I categorization — effectively legalizing it for farmers across the country. It would also remove the only remaining roadblock for CBD investments from major corporations, as well as provide a plentiful domestic supply of the hemp plant for use in CBD extracts. It would also allow and encourage mainstream, big-box stores to start selling CBD products.

“This industry has grown out of nowhere, based on word of mouth marketing. There’s no real mass market retailers that are covering it.” — Bethany Gomez, Director of Research for The Brightfield Group, via Rolling Stone

CBD is seen by many as a natural remedy instead of a pharmaceutical or narcotic drug, which gives the compound an additional perception of safety and medical effectiveness that traditional, THC-heavy cannabis doesn’t achieve as easily through its many decades of propaganda. This may make consumers more likely to try CBD products, especially when it starts showing up on the shelves of neighborhood groceries.

Both the House and Senate have passed the 2018 Farm Bill. The bill is currently in committee to reconcile the two versions into one bill that will go to President Trump for his signature. The current Farm Bill, established in 2014, is set to expire on September 30 — lawmakers hope to have the new version completed and passed by that deadline.

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Bipartisan Group Aims to Clear Cannabis Convictions

9/13/2018

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A bipartisan group of U.S. Representatives that call themselves “strange bedfellows” is working together to clear federal cannabis-related convictions off the records of nonviolent offenders, CBS News reports.

Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Delaware) and 20 of her fellow Congressional Black Caucus members have teamed up with Rep. Rod Blum (R-Iowa) to introduce the Clean Slate Act, a bill that would seal the records of non-violent cannabis convicts who remain crime-free for at least a year following their release from prison.

Rep. Blunt Rochester, who first coined the term “strange bedfellows” to describe the group, said, “we would work with anyone who is willing to get it done.”

“We have people who are at the extremes almost of the continuum, and I think that’s an unusual thing especially in today’s (political) climate.” — Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Delaware), in an interview with CBS News

The Clean Slate Act also enjoys the support of two other unlikely political allies: the Koch Brothers-aligned FreedomWorks, an organization that fights for “lower taxes, less government, and more freedom,” and the Center for American Progress, a progressive public policy research and advocacy organization. Normally, the two groups would find themselves on the opposite sides of nearly any other political issue.

“Folks want bipartisanship,” said Rep. Blum, who called the bill “common-sense” legislation.

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Manhattan DA Dismisses 3,000 Cannabis Cases

9/13/2018

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Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. dismissed more than 3,000 cases of cannabis possession and consumption in New York on Wednesday, CNN reports.

The 3,042 cases dismissed dated back as far as 1978. No violent crimes involving cannabis were dismissed, said the DA. Public defender agencies were given the list of names of those with dismissed cases so the public can inquire about their legal status.

“Outstanding warrants for these low-level cases drive law enforcement and our communities apart. New Yorkers with warrants face unnecessary loss of employment, housing and immigration consequences, and because many of them fear they will be arrested for an open warrant, they don’t collaborate with the (New York Police Department) and district attorneys to keep our communities safe.” — Cyrus Vance Jr., via Fox 6

The cases will be sealed and formally dismissed in 90 days, the period of time necessary for paperwork to be filed by state agencies.

Wednesday’s dismissals are a continuation of New York’s increasingly open-minded stance on cannabis.

Earlier this month, Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez proposed erasing tens of thousands of low-level cannabis convictions. In June, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and the NYPD announced that they would no longer arrest people for public cannabis consumption and would issue tickets instead. In July, a study commissioned by Gov. Andrew Cuomo reported that New York should legalize adult-use cannabis. That study was quickly embraced by Gov. Cuomo, who organized listening sessions for public comment on the matter.

New York is expected to consider legalization legislation later this year.

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Michigan Regulators to Shutter 98 Dispensaries

9/13/2018

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98 of Michigan’s medical cannabis dispensaries will need to close down until at least December after state regulators on Tuesday adopted new emergency rules, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Under the new rules, some 108 dispensaries will get to remain open until December 15 — these were the businesses whose owners submitted their initial licensing applications prior to the February 15 deadline, got approval from their host communities, and submitted the second step of the application by its June 15 deadline.

The 98 dispensaries who must close finished the first step of the process on time, but did not make the second deadline. If they remain open, they will forfeit their ability to receive a full license. With their closure, hundreds if not thousands of cannabis industry workers will be out of work for the immediate future. The dispensaries in question will receive cease-and-desist letters from the state next week; the full list of businesses who must close will be made public at that time.

However, the businesses who have had their licenses approved are not yet fully in the clear: dispensaries who have been given the go-ahead must — after a second emergency rule adoption — pay a $48,000 regulatory assessment fee within 10 days or shut down until they have the necessary funds.

December 15 is the state’s third extended deadline for medical cannabis dispensaries to either be fully licensed or shut down.

“We’re trying to move the process along. … This extension focuses on ensuring access.” — Andrew Brisbo, executive director of the Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation, via the Detroit Free Press

Meanwhile, voters in Michigan will consider an adult-use legalization ballot initiative this November. According to the latest poll results, voters favor legalization by a margin of about 56 percent, with 38 percent opposed and 6 percent undecided.

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The Best Marijuana Vaporizer Settings For Terpenes

9/12/2018

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Terpenes are compounds produced by a variety of plants, as well as some insects. They have strong odors and are often used by plants for protection, as well as to attract predators of pests. Terpenes and Terpenoids are produced from resin in plants, including cannabis. Terpenes are used by nearly every living creature to form new cells and create new chemicals.

Terpenes are found in many essential oils and are theorized to be a large part of the beneficial effects of aromatherapy. Cannabis contains many terpenes that through the “entourage effect” modify the effects of THC in the mind and body, as well as have therapeutic effects of their own.

Cannabis users with marijuana vaporizers have an opportunity to use their temperature settings to create vapor that is focused on specific terpenes. Vaping cannabis plant matter at the boiling point of the terpene desired will maximize the amount of therapeutic terpenes in the vapor. Below is a list of many of the primary terpenes in cannabis, their effects and the temperature at which to set your vaporizer.

ß-Myrcene

Boiling point: 166-168C / 330.8-334.4 degree Fahrenheit
Properties: Analgesic. Anti-inflammatory, Antibiotic, Antimutagenic

Myrcene is known as the “couch-lock” terpene and is the most common terpene in most cannabis strains. Myrcene is found in many other plants in nature aside from cannabis, including Bay, ylang-ylang, wild thyme, parsley, cardamom and hops. Its effect is primarily sedative and pain-relieving. Set your marijuana vaporizer to 330 degrees Fahrenheit to maximize Myrcene extraction.

d-Limonene

Boiling point: 177C / 350.6 degree Fahrenheit
Properties: Immune potentiator, Antidepressant, Antimutagenic

Limonene is the second most common terpene in cannabis. Limonene occurs in many plants, including mint, juniper, rosemary, pine, and all citrus rinds. Limonene is responsible for some cannabis strain’s grapefruit, lemon or tangerine smell. Limonene is energizing and antidepressant, as well as anti-cancer To help maximize Limonene terpenes in your vapor, set your vaporizer to around 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Linalool

Boiling point: 198C / 388.4 degree Fahrenheit
Properties: Sedative, Antidepressant, Anxiolytic, Immune potentiator

Linalool smells floral with a touch of spice. It is the major terpene responsible for Lavender’s scent. It is contained in many other plants as well, over 200 in fact. It is sedative and antidepressant, as well as anti-anxiety. Studies have shown at the opioid needs of people inhaling lavender oil, rich in Linalool, were greatly reduced compared to controls. To maximize Linalool extraction with your vaporizer, set your temperature to 388 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pulegone

Boiling point: 224C / 435.2 degree Fahrenheit
Properties: Memory booster, AChE inhibitor (anti Alzheimer’s, anti-parkinson’s, anti-schizophrenic), Sedative, Antipyretic

Pulegone is a minority terpene found in cannabis, as well as peppermint, catnip, pennyroyal and camphor. Pulegone can be sedative and fever-reducing as well as reducing some negative side-effects of cannabis such as short term memory loss. Pulegone is best consumed at high temperatures, so set your marijuana vaporizer to 435 degrees Fahrenheit to maximize the Pulegone content of your vapor.

1,8-Cineole (Eucalyptol)

Boiling point: 176C / 348.8 degree Fahrenheit
Properties: AChE inhibitor (anti Alzheimer’s, anti-parkinson’s, anti-schizophrenic), Increases cerebral blood flow, Stimulant, Antibiotic, Antiviral, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-nociceptive

Eucalyptol has a cool minty and mildly spicy taste. It’s found predominantly in its namesake tree, the Eucalyptus, as well as camphor laurel, bay leaves, tea tree, rosemary, sage and sweet basil. Eucalyptol is used in mouthwash, some cough suppressants and body powders. Eucalyptol has also been shown to be effective at fighting leukemia and colon cancer cells, as well as asthma. To properly vaporize Eucalyptol, set your vaporizer to 348 degrees Fahrenheit.

a-Pinene

Boiling point: 156C / 312.8 degree Fahrenheit
Properties: Anti-inflammatory, Bronchodilator, Stimulant, Antibiotic, AChE inhibitor (anti Alzheimer’s, anti-parkinson’s, anti-schizophrenic)

Pinene is one of the most common terpenes found in nature. Most common in conifers, it also occurs in camphorweed, sage and cannabis. Pinene, as the name may lead you to believe, smells like pine, or a bit like rosemary. Pinene is an excellent bronchodilator, helping your lungs take in more oxygen, as well as an expectorant, helping clear sinuses and other mucus membranes. In Chinese medicine it is used to combat cancer. To get the most pinene in your vapor, set your temperature a little lower to 312 degrees Fahrenheit.

a-Terpineol

Boiling point: 217-218C / 422.6-424.4 degree Fahrenheit
Properties: Sedative, Antibiotic, AChE inhibitor (anti Alzheimer’s, anti-parkinson’s, anti-schizophrenic), Antioxidant, Antimalarial

Terpineol has a pleasing odor reminiscent of lilacs and is a common perfume and cosmetic ingredient. It is thought to be relaxing and sedative. Terpineol has been shown to have the highest antioxidant activity of any terpene tested and has been shown to inhibit tumor growth as well. To get the most Terpineol in your vapor, heat your vaporizer on the hotter side to 422 degrees Fahrenheit.

p-cymene

Boiling point: 177C / 350.6 degree Fahrenheit
Properties: Antibiotic, Anticandidal, AChE inhibitor (anti Alzheimer’s, anti-parkinson’s, anti-schizophrenic)

Cymene is a part of several essential oils, including Cumin and Thyme and smells a little of both. Cymene is anti-inflammatory and reduces pain sensation. Studies by the National Institute of Health showed that cymene significantly increased the time it took mice to notice pain caused by heat or inflammation. To extract the most Cymene into your vapor, set your temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit while vaping cannabis.

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Congress to Consider MMJ Research Expansions

9/12/2018

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The Medical Cannabis Research Act, a bipartisan bill to expand medical cannabis research, is scheduled to receive a vote by the House Judiciary Committee this week, Tom Angell reports for Forbes.

Primarily, the bill would require the federal government to issue more licenses to grow research-grade cannabis. Should it make it to the House floor from the Judiciary Committee, it would be the first piece of cannabis law reform to do so during a Republican-controlled Congress. The bill, however, has several flaws that were added as part of the campaign for bipartisan support.

Most importantly, the bill bars any individual with a “conviction for a felony or drug-related misdemeanor” from participating in any cannabis research program. It also requires participants to produce “letters of good standing” from local law enforcement agencies — law enforcement agencies often come out strongly against such reforms.

Most cannabis activists take issue with continuing to shortchange those who were most affected by the Drug War, most often minorities and other already-disadvantaged groups.

Those pushing for the passage of the bill said that setting a precedent of Republican support for cannabis law reform is the most important task at hand. Cannabis advocates disagree, however, saying that creating a precedent of banning certain people on a federal level from participating in the cannabis industry is a risk not worth taking.

“For many of my Republican colleagues, the most difficult marijuana reform vote to take is the first one. I’m trying to create the most comfortable setting for marijuana skeptics to do something right by their constituents, and that process can yield imperfect legislation that is directionally correct.” — Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida), sponsor of the bill, via Forbes

The Judiciary Committee is expected to vote on the bill on Thursday.

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Poll: Michigan Voters Strongly Favor Adult-Use Legalization

9/12/2018

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A new poll of expected general election voters in Michigan shows that 56.2 percent support Michigan’s upcoming ballot measure to legalize adult-use cannabis, ClickOnDetroit reports.

The poll, conducted by Glengariff Group, Inc., surveyed 600 likely general election voters in the state by live telephone operators during September 5-7. The poll found that 56.2 percent of those surveyed were in favor of cannabis legalization, 38 percent were opposed, and only 5.8 percent of voters were undecided.

In an interesting turn, the poll did not find that opposition was tied to any specific political party. While those that lean strongly or slightly towards the Democratic party were the strongest supporters of the measure, it was a nearly even split between proponents and opponents across the Republican party spectrum and for independents.

The only demographic that showed strong opposition to the measure, in fact, was an age-based demographic: those 65 and older. Even the 65+ category, however, showed only 55.7 percent opposing while 37.1 percent supported the measure. The strongest supporters, unsurprisingly, were the 18-29 demographic. That demographic showed 71.1 percent supporting with just 24.3 percent opposing.

The measure in question was formally added to the ballot after lawmakers in June missed the deadline to act on the proposal, causing an automatic approval. Voters will now decide whether or not Michigan will be the next state to legalize adult-use cannabis on November 6th.

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Racks of curing cannabis nugs hanging from the ceiling at a commercial grow operation.

Massachusetts Growers Could Sue the State’s Cannabis Control Commission

9/12/2018

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Cannabis cultivators in Massachusetts are considering a lawsuit to make the state’s Cannabis Control Commission review the statutorily-required agreements between cannabis businesses and the towns where they exist, according to the State House News Service.

In order to operate in any jurisdiction, a cannabis company must enter a host community agreement with that host town and/or city. The Commission has maintained that it does not have the authority to review the agreements, but cannabis companies are worried that municipalities will take advantage of the situation to extract more money via taxes and other fees than allowed under state law (local governments can only legally take up to three percent of a cannabis business’ gross sales).

“We just want them to review these going forward and strike down offending contractual clauses going backwards.” — Peter Bernard, president of the Massachusetts Grower Advocacy Council, via the State House News Service

Bernard said that his group was meeting with its lawyer on Wednesday to discuss options and that they were leaning towards taking the issue to court.

The Commission had hoped to launch the state’s adult-use cannabis industry by July 1, but that goal fell through and the Commission has yet to give an updated timeline for when consumers can expect to be able to purchase cannabis products.

Some advocates and entrepreneurs argue that the delay has been in part caused by the Commission’s attempts to reconcile the host community agreements.

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Charlo Greene Accepts Plea Deal, Will Not Face Jail

9/12/2018

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Cannabis activist and entrepreneur Charlo Greene has accepted a plea deal tied to felony drug charges from a 2015 police raid on the Alaska Cannabis Club, KTVA reports.

The deal will result in zero jail time for Greene, whose legal name is Charlene Egbe, but it could carry a hefty fine of up to $10,000. Greene pled guilty to a single felony count of misconduct and will not face charges for the 13 other drug-related crimes she was accused of; she will return to court for her sentencing in November.

If she had gone to trial, Greene would have faced a maximum of a 54-year sentence for the charges brought against her.

Greene made national headlines in 2014 when she quit her job as a broadcast journalist for KTVA on live television while giving a report on the Alaska Cannabis Club. During the broadcast, Greene admitted that she was, in fact, the owner of the club and she was quitting her job to fight “for freedom and fairness” by working to legalize marijuana throughout the state.

“Fuck it, I quit,” Greene said then, right before walking off camera.

Alaska voted to legalize adult-use cannabis later that year. The Alaska Cannabis Club was raided after just six months for allegedly illegal cannabis sales.

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Leaf Logix Expands to 27th U.S. Market, Experiences Explosive Growth

9/12/2018

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Seed-to-sale enterprise resource planning solution covers all operational needs for cannabis businesses

September 6, 2018 (New York, NY) — Leaf Logix, a seed-to-sale enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution covering the full vertical of operational needs for cannabis businesses, has expanded to 27 U.S. markets, including 25 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Leaf Logix software solutions range from point-of-sale, business-to-business wholesale distribution, e-commerce, cultivation, processing & manufacturing, reporting, and more.

Oklahoma is the latest U.S. market for Leaf Logix on the heels of the company’s recent global expansion into Africa and South America. The company has expanded rapidly since the start of 2018 as evidenced by continuous double-digit, month-over-month revenue growth.

In addition to integrating with many of the main tech providers in the cannabis space as well as state regulatory compliance software providers, such as Metrc and BioTrack, Leaf Logix has experienced zero platform service disruptions since its inception in 2015. All Leaf Logix products are designed to accommodate multi-license enterprises serving recreational & medical cannabis, hemp, and CBD businesses, and can be run on Apple or Android devices. Leaf Logix cloud-based software is housed on the Microsoft Azure Cloud, offering unparalleled security and convenience.

Leaf Logix founder and CEO, James Minutello, has worked in supply chain logistics for more than 25 years and has a successful track record of building high growth tech and logistics companies which were then purchased in high profile acquisitions by existing public companies such as Priceline and Li & Fung.

“Cannabis facilities face extraordinary challenges when running their businesses, and it is our goal to make compliance and business management needs as seamless as possible,” explains James Minutello, CEO of Leaf Logix. “Our team has been hard at work and we are grateful for the opportunity to help cannabis businesses as they prosper and grow, often into multi-license and multi-state operations.”

To learn more about Leaf Logix, visit www.leaflogix.com.

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About Leaf Logix
Leaf Logix is a seed-to-sale enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution supporting growers, distributors, processors, and retailers in recreational cannabis, medical cannabis, hemp and CBD. Leaf Logix has experienced zero service disruptions and integrates with all regulatory compliance software providers, allowing clients to grow intelligent and compliant operations. With a service footprint spanning three continents and 25 states as well as D.C. and Puerto Rico, Leaf Logix products cover the full vertical of operational needs ranging from POS, B2B wholesale distribution, e-commerce, cultivation, processing, reporting, and more. Leaf Logix cloud-based software is housed on the Microsoft Azure Cloud, offering unparalleled security and convenience. Leaf Logix has offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Denver. To learn more about Leaf Logix, visit www.leaflogix.com, call 800-771-1984 or email sales@leaflogix.com.

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What is CBD?

9/11/2018

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Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a chemical compound in the same family as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Both of these two major compounds are members of the Cannabinoid family. Derived from the Cannabis or Marijuana plant, “phytocannabinoids” (phyto meaning plant in Greek) are a diverse group of neurotransmitters that interact with related chemical pathways in animals called the “Endocannabinoid system.”

Unlike THC however, CBD does not produce the classic psychoactive marijuana high. CBD instead enhances and balances THC’s effect and helps control things like anxiety, epilepsy, inflammation, pain, depression and addiction. During the prohibition of Cannabis, most strains were bred to be high-THC and low-CBD for the recreational user looking for the “high.” Since the medical marijuana movement began to gain steam, many producers are now producing high-CBD medical strains once again.

Is CBD Legal?

This cannabinoid’s legal status is in a confusing gray area. The DEA has issued statements effectively clarifying that CBD is one of the illegal substances banned under the heading of the marijuana plant. However, state-level medical or recreational marijuana laws in 44 states protect and allow for the distribution of the cannabinoid. A federal court in California has even ordered the DEA to stop harassing medical marijuana providers who were operating legally under state law. The clash between federal and state laws is an ongoing issue with the movement to end the prohibition of cannabis in the United States, and increased awareness of this cannabinoid as a non-psychoactive substance with numerous medical applications seems to be a catalyst for change.

Just recently, the DEA officially moved some CBD-derived medicines to Schedule 5 from Schedule 1 on the Controlled Substances Act, however this ruling only applies to FDA-approved medicines. Currently, the GW Pharmaceuticals drug Epidiolex is the only CBD medicine approved by the FDA.

CBD and the FDA

Its medicinal legal status in many states and the current climate of changing opinions about Cannabis’s medicinal powers has resulted in a rush of products to market that are capitalizing on the hype. Under its mission statement of “protecting the public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy and security of human and veterinary drugs” the FDA has become involved in the struggle.

Since 2015 the FDA has sent 44 warning letters to various producers of CBD medicines, ordering them to stop marketing and advertising unapproved uses of cannabinoid medicine and in some cases revealing the products did not even include the advertised levels of CBD, occasionally none at all. As a federal agency, the involvement of the FDA further confuses the legal space of medicinal cannabis, especially after they argued for the de-scheduling of CBD in October 2018.

Currently there are numerous commercial brands selling CBD products ranging from tinctures, to topicals, to soda throughout the United States. The states where the cannabinoid can be most easily found by consumers, however, are California, Washington, Oregon, Colorado and Alaska — in other words, the states have legalized recreational cannabis. These states have testing requirements of licensed producers and processors.

CBD and the Future

Its non-psychoactive nature and proven therapeutic benefits indicate further potential, alongside other cannabinoids. In the weakening climate of prohibition, it’s important to begin to spread information and understanding about the difference between the broad use of “medical marijuana” and the specific medicinal cannabinoids like CBD and possible derivative drugs.

Early studies and anecdotal reports reveal massive potential, but there have been concerns over the quality of the original research. Large, double-blind studies by major research institutions have finally begun in the last few years and soon our understanding of the exact benefits and side effects of the non-psychoactive cannabinoid will explode.

CBD in the News

Follow Ganjapreneur to keep tabs on the latest CBD news headlines, medical studies, and industry announcements. We are committed to providing useful insights and reliable coverage of the issues that matter to cannabis entrepreneurs: click here to view our most recent articles or subscribe to our newsletter for daily updates.

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Legislators Expect Federal Legalization in 2019

9/11/2018

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Reps. David Joyce (R-Ohio) and Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon) said at the Cannabis Law Institute in Washington, D.C. that public support backs the legalization of cannabis across the country and they expect the bill that makes it happen will be introduced in the 2019 Congress, according to a report by Leafly.

Both Congressmen said that many congressional races across the country will have cannabis as a core issue, and that may determine what happens with legislation next year. The Representatives both said that the recently-introduced Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States (STATES) Act and other cannabis legislation are likely to pass no matter who controls Congress next year.

Rep. Joyce said he considers cannabis legalization a state’s rights issue. “States have made it available medically,” he said. “People should be able to receive it, and we should do more studies on it.”

“Most people want legalization, at least for medical purposes. That’s why I think we will see successes on the fall ballot. There is no downside for a candidate who embraces it.” — Rep. Earl Blumenauer, via Leafly

Rep. Blumenauer said he thought a Democratic takeover of the House of Representatives in November would accelerate the process of cannabis law reform.

“If we take back the House, I guarantee there will be committee hearings,” Blumenauer said. “Once we get hearings, I think the dominoes will fall very quickly.”

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LA Cracks Down On Unlicensed Cannabis Businesses

9/11/2018

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The City Attorney of Los Angeles has cracked down on 105 unlicensed cannabis businesses since May, charging over 500 people with misdemeanors, reports KTLA Los Angeles.

City officials say that cracking down on unlicensed cannabis businesses those that play by the system’s rules. Los Angeles has passed ordinances requiring not just a California state cannabis license, but also a city license. Anyone charged with violating the city’s cannabis industry ordinances may be penalized with up to six months and jail and $1,000 in fines.

“Los Angeles voters wanted common-sense rules to regulate recreational marijuana so public safety is protected in our neighborhoods. Our message is clear: If you are operating an illegal cannabis business, you will be held accountable.” — City Attorney Mike Fauer, via KTLA

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michael Moore said city prosecutors will also work to seize properties used by unlicensed cannabis businesses via civil action. This puts pressure on landlords to help with enforcement.

“We know there are still hundreds of these locations out there, and we will continue to identify and take action,” said Chief Moore.

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Alaska Growers Threatened by Craze for High-Potency Cannabis

9/11/2018

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The price of cannabis in Alaska appears to be tied directly to a product’s THC potency and that could be bad news for some growers, according to an Anchorage Daily News report.

As cannabis farmers around the country begin to experiment with expanded terpene profiles and alternative cannabinoids like CBD, CBN, THCA, and others, Alaskan growers are being funneled into producing potent, THC-rich cannabis crops in order to compete on the marketplace.

“Alaskans have an obsession with marijuana that tests over 20 percent (THC).” — Brandon Emmett, Marijuana Control Board member and cannabis manufacturer, via ADN.com

On average, the price of THC-rich cannabis (20% or more) in Alaska can reach as high as $18 per gram; in contrast, a 14% potency strain would likely cost about $10 per gram. That sort of price difference isn’t unheard of in other markets — but, when the reason for that discrepancy is tied to a crop’s potency, churning out a lower-potency strain can become a major economic blow to one of the state’s startup cultivators.

Like other states, cannabis products in Alaska must go through rigorous testing before they can hit store shelves. However, there are just two labs currently operating in the space and their testing procedures are not standardized.

Jessica Alexander, lab director for New Frontier Research, one of Alaska’s two testing labs, told Anchorage Daily News that the there is an “overwhelming” amount of growers who are “heartbroken” when their products test at less than 20 percent THC.

“It’s real nonsense, but it’s driving the cost, and it’s going to drive people out of business,” Alexander said.

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Cannabis ETF Breaks $1 Billion in Assets

9/10/2018

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Ballooning cannabis stocks have caused Canadian-based Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences Index ETF (HMMJ) to break $1 Billion CAD in assets for the first time, reports Investopedia.

Shares of the Exchange-Traded Fund, or ETF, have surged more than 43% in the past month and 124% since the start of trading in April 2017. Cannabis stocks across all North American markets have been booming this year, especially in Canada — where federal legalization is set to deploy in October.

“One of the key drivers of HMMJ’s rapid asset growth speaks to the investor demand and desire for a diversified portfolio of cannabis companies versus buying individual stocks. While there are clearly leaders in the marijuana equity sector, nobody knows for sure which companies will truly be successful over the long term or even be swallowed-up.” — Steve Hawkins, CEO of Horizons ETFs, via press release

Some market analysts claim that cannabis stocks are currently overvalued. However, despite media focus on the shares’ potential overvaluation, cannabis stocks have continued to grow into September. Even in August, the fund saw a total inflow of funds of more than $12 million CAD.

Beer manufacturers and holding companies have also invested heavily in the space, which is partly responsible for the current valuation of the market. In August, Corona-manufacturer Constellation Brands and Canadian cannabis producer Canopy Growth partnered on a $4 billion deal to expand their collective reach and develop cannabis-based beverages. Canopy Growth stock is the largest single holding by the HMMJ fund. Other beer companies, including Molson-Coors, have also invested in the market this year.

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Industrial Hemp Looks Secure in 2018 Farm Bill

9/10/2018

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Language in the 2018 Farm Bill that would establish a national, comprehensive industrial hemp marketplace appears to be safe and untouched as lawmakers work to reconcile small differences between the Senate and House versions of the bill, Benzinga reports.

The hemp legalization language was added to the annual mega-bill and has been consistently championed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky).

“It’s time to remove the federal hurdles and give [farmers] the opportunity to seize its full potential and once again become the national leader for hemp production. That is why I strongly advocated for this measure to be included in the Farm Bill.” — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), in June

Specifically, the bill removes hemp from the federal definition of “marihuana” in the Controlled Substances Act. Under the new rules, hemp would be defined as “the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.”

The 2017 Farm Bill expires on September 30, which gives lawmakers just two weeks for further deliberation to establish the next Farm Bill. If they do not reconcile the 2018 Farm Bill in time, experts expect that lawmakers would instead pass a continuing resolution, which would postpone a government shutdown and give Congress an extra month for deliberations.

“I suspect that it may happen before midterms, but we are confident about the hemp provisions,” said Garrett Graf of Denver-based Hoban Law Group in an interview with Benzinga. “Our understanding and optimism are that the Senate provisions will remain intact. We are not hearing any suggestions to the contrary.”

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AG Sessions Still Blocking Cannabis Research

9/10/2018

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U.S. Senators Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Kamala Harris (D-California), members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, have sent a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions to follow up about delays in choosing new cannabis producers for research expansions that were mandated by President Obama more than two years ago, the Wall Street Journal reports.

We write you to follow up on our letter, dated April 12, 2018, regarding the registration of marijuana manufacturers by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). We respectfully requested that you respond to our questions by May 15, 2018. More than four months have elapsed, and it is troubling that we have not yet received a written response.

…

Marijuana’s impacts are being felt every day across the country—with or without research. It is imperative that our nation’s brightest scientists have access to diverse types of federally-approved, research-grade marijuana to research both its adverse and therapeutic effects. Such research is the critical foundation of sound policymaking that puts public health and safety first.

— From the letter to AG Sessions, via hatch.senate.gov

At least 26 applications from entrepreneurs, university professors, and a former Navy SEAL await a decision from Sessions on how to move forward.

Sessions has said in the past he supports research into the medicinal benefits of cannabis but has dodged further comment about the two years of inaction on the selection process. Individual applications are technically decided by the head of the DEA, acting administrator Uttam Dhillon, however — according to lawmakers — Sessions‘ beliefs on the matter actually controls what happens.

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Study Expounds CBD’s Effectiveness vs. Seizure Disorders

9/10/2018

by Lukas Barfield

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A groundbreaking study conducted at the University of Alabama Birmingham has found that cannabidiol (CBD) is an effective treatment for seizure disorders not treatable with traditional methods. The research began in 2015 after the Alabama legislature passed Carly’s Law, which allowed the UAB Epilepsy Center and Children’s of Alabama to study CBD’s efficacy in treating intractable seizure disorders.

The results, published in the Journal of Epilepsy and Behavior, showed that CBD reduces adverse events and seizure severity. It also appears to be accompanied by a reduction in overall seizure frequency.

“This is a highly significant reduction in the number of seizures that the majority of patients experienced, nearly a two-thirds reduction across the entire study population. Some patients experienced an even greater reduction of seizure frequency.” — Martina Begin, MD, professor in the Department of Neurology at the School of Medicine and principal investigator of the study’s pediatric arm

These extraordinary results come on the heels of the Federal Drug Administration having approved — for the first time, ever — a drug derived from cannabis. Epidiolex, a CBD oral solution, is already improving children’s lives.

CBS 4 Miami recently reported on Maya Adache, an 11-year-old with an intractable seizure disorder, who saw an immediate reduction in her seizures after taking Epidiolex.

“We stopped noticing the seizures almost immediately,” Adam Adache, Maya’s father, told CBS 4 Miami. “From the standpoint that her mood has really changed, she’s a much happier person.”

Dr. Ian Miller, Maya’s physician, added to the family’s jubilance, saying that, “She has responded incredibly well, as close to a miracle response as you can have to an epilepsy medication.”

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Elon Musk Smokes Blunt in Podcast Interview

9/07/2018

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Mainstream media has jumped at the opportunity to harsh on cannabis after Elon Musk smoked a blunt on camera in a Joe Rogan Experience podcast interview that was live-streamed late Thursday night.

The two-and-a-half hour interview covers topics ranging from flamethrowers to aliens, artificial intelligence, and the end of the universe. Mr. Musk and comedian Joe Rogan, who hosts the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, sip whiskey throughout the interview but, about two hours in, Rogan lights a blunt and passes it to Musk, who sniffs at and hits the blunt one time. The two talk briefly about drug use, though Musk says he is “not a regular smoker of weed.”

“Alcohol is a drug that’s just been grandfathered in,” Musk said afterward, looking at his glass and musing about the hypocritical nature of prohibition.

Mainstream media reports noted that Tesla stock fell about five percent on Friday and tied the plummeting stocks in part to Musk’s appearance on Rogan’s podcast.

“It’s perfectly legal,” Rogan had said of the blunt, which is mostly true — the interview was filmed in California, where adult-use cannabis has been legalized, but the plant remains a Schedule 1 substance under federal law.

Some reports also suggested that the incident could have led to the departure of two senior Tesla executives. The executives in question, however, say they were driven away for different reasons: one reportedly gave his resignation on Tuesday because “the level of public attention placed on the company, as well as the pace within the company,” had exceeded his expectations; the other executive had been on an extended leave of absence but recently told Bloomberg News that she won’t be coming back.

In August, Musk tweeted that he was considering taking Tesla private and would do so by buying stock back from shareholders at the price of $420 per share. He eventually abandoned the plan but then faced heavy criticism, a subpoena from the Securities and Exchange Commission, and a series of lawsuits accusing the Tesla CEO of market manipulation.

When asked about whether Tesla drug tests its employees, Musk wrote in an email to The Guardian:

“Our policy allows trace amounts of THC during work times, provided they are below the safety limit (much like a minimum alcohol level).” — Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, in an email to The Guardian

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Brooklyn DA Wants to Erase 20,000 Cannabis Convictions

9/07/2018

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Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez has proposed erasing tens of thousands of low-level cannabis convictions, The Associated Press reports.

Gonzalez’s reasoning is that, since prosecutors are no longer pursuing criminal charges for these offenses, then individuals who have past cannabis-related convictions hanging over them should be free of that weight.

“It’s a little unfair to say we’re no longer prosecuting these cases, but to have these folks carry these convictions for the rest of their lives.” — Eric Gonzalez, Brooklyn District Attorney, via the Associated Press

New York has a strict medical cannabis program, but adult-use remains illegal and decriminalization is only in spirit — earlier this year, Gonzalez joined with Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio in a decision to stop making arrests and prosecutions for simple cannabis possession cases.

Many states and other jurisdictions have proposed cannabis expungement rules following major policy reforms; Brooklyn’s proposal, however, is unique because it would be a case-by-case clearing of convictions that were made under a law that technically still stands.

Gonzalez said that anyone with a cannabis conviction that would no longer be prosecuted in today’s political climate can apply to have their records cleared. Individuals who are also convicted of drug sales, certain violent crimes, and/or sex offenses would be most likely denied.

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Texas Rep. Pete Sessions Waffles on Cannabis, Considers Supporting MMJ Group

9/07/2018

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The office of Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) has announced the congressman is in talks with a group advocating for legal access to medical cannabis, reports Marijuana Moment.

The move would be a full 180 for Sessions, who has personally blocked dozens of cannabis policy amendments and bills from consideration on the floor of the House via the Rules Committee, which he chairs.

Rep. Sessions met with Mothers Advocating Medical Marijuana for Autism (MAMMA) in hopes of finding “solutions for our children to help improve their quality of life when nothing seems to help.” Sessions’ son suffers from Down’s Syndrome, which he said gives him an understanding of MAMMA’s situation.

“I was pleased to get to continue our conversations together in my Dallas office on Monday because I believe that by working together, real progress can be made. I look forward to continuing my journey with parents like Amy, Thalia and Mayra as we look to find the best solutions for our children.” — Rep. Pete Sessions, in the report

Rep. Sessions is up for re-election in November and the race is expected to be close. His opponent is former NFL player and civil rights attorney Colin Allred. Allred has made cannabis reform a major part of his platform and Texas voters have shown support for that stance, increasing the pressure on prohibitionist Sessions.

MAMMA co-founder Thalia Michelle said that Sessions, talking about his Rules Committee blocking cannabis amendments, claimed that he blocked the amendments not because of his personal beliefs but because of riders added to the amendments or because the language was too broad. But Sessions’ personal views on cannabis are almost certainly negative, as he has been quoted several times making statements against cannabis and using obsolete rhetoric to discuss the plant.

Whether Sessions’ connection to MAMMA is a genuine desire to do good or if re-election fears are softening his hand on cannabis policy is up for debate — any movement towards support for medical cannabis from Sessions, however, is a ray of hope for children who suffer from a variety of chronic illnesses.

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Majority of Utah Voters Continue to Support MMJ Despite Mormon Opposition

9/07/2018

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64 percent of Utah voters support Proposition 2, the state’s upcoming medical cannabis ballot initiative, according to the first poll on the subject since the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints formally announced its opposition, The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

The poll of over 800 Utah voters was conducted by UtahPolicy.com. The results showed that 64 percent of those voters were “somewhat” or “strongly” in support of Proposition 2. A Salt Lake Tribune-Hinckley Institute of Politics poll conducted in June — prior to the Church of LDS’s public announcement of its opposition — showed similar levels of support at 66 percent.

Support levels are holding steady despite an ongoing smear campaign by LDS-affiliated Drug Safe Utah that makes several questionable claims, including labeling the medical cannabis measure Proposition 2 as a “recreational” weed loophole and arguing that cannabis will be sold on every corner. In fact, Proposition 2’s language requires dispensaries to be 600 feet from any “school, church or public location” — a limitation that will result in maybe 10 viable dispensary locations in the entire state, argue supporters.

The battle for medical cannabis in Utah is just beginning to heat up. The Church of Latter-Day Saints is not short on funding for Drug Safe Utah and other opposition campaigns. Supporters of Proposition 2, however, remain confident.

“We feel we’re in a very good position to have this pass in November.” — DJ Schanz, Director of the Utah Patient’s Coalition, via The Salt Lake Tribune

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Opioid Vending Machines Dispense Cannabis Knowledge in Chicago

9/06/2018

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