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The Iowa Office of Medical Cannabidiol has awarded its first dispensary licenses to three companies to operate five locations throughout the state under the CBD-only law passed by the Legislature in 2017.

Licenses have been offered to:

HAH IA LLC, which will operate dispensaries in Council Bluffs and Davenport as Have a Heart Compassion Care
MedPharm Iowa, LLC, which will operate dispensaries in Windsor Heights and Sioux City
Iowa Cannabis Company, Inc., which will operate in Waterloo

Regulators announced that the three companies also met the standards to be eligible for additional licenses but said in the notice that “the Department does not anticipate providing a license at this time, pending acceptance of” the offered licenses. The eligible list also includes CLIA, LLC, which would operate in Des Moines.

Two companies did not meet the minimum score to be licensed. Those companies include Blue Collar Enterprises, Inc., which sought to open a dispensary in Council Bluffs, and Iowa Apothecarium, which sought licenses in Cedar Falls, Davenport, Sioux City, and Urbandale.

According to OMC statistics, 250 patient cards have been approved for the program. Dispensaries are expected to begin selling products on Dec. 1.

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A blue moon beer poured into a chilled mug and served with an orange slice.

Blue Moon Developer Planning THC-Infused, Non-Alcoholic, Beer

3/29/2018

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A 32-year veteran of MillerCoors – and the developer of Blue Moon Belgian Wheat – is launching a THC-infused, non-alcoholic beer in Colorado this fall, USA Today reports. Keith Villa is partnering with Colorado-based ebbu and the team plans to develop three kinds of THC-infused beer: a light beer, a wheat beer, and a stout.

“This is really about brewing great beers that beer drinkers love. You’d just swap out an alcoholic beer for one of our beers.” – Villa to USA Today

The products will be first available in Colorado, but the company hopes to expand the brews into other legal states next year. Jon Cooper, President of ebbu, indicated that the company has been fine-tuning their extraction formulas for several years and have the technology to hone in on specific feelings, like euphoria or relaxation.

“We’ve really been able to dial in on those sensations that can deliver a consistent experience for the users.” – Cooper to USA Today

Several brewers – from California to Vermont – have infused beer with CBD but this would be the first beer relying on THC as the intoxicant. Regulators in Massachusetts have barred a local brewer from moving forward with its own CBD-infused beer, arguing that the cannabinoid is a Schedule I drug and the infusion would violate the Food & Drug Administration’s Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

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A worker in a dispensary holds out a large tub of cannabis nugs.

Rhode Island Dispensary Owners Oppose Adding MMJ Operator Licenses

3/29/2018

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A Rhode Island dispensary spokesman seemed to offer the state help bridging its $5 million budget gap, so long as officials don’t add more operator licenses to the state medical cannabis program, the Providence Journal reports; however, he later clarified his comments, explaining that the dispensary was not offering money in exchange for limiting competition.

“We’re very sensitive to the state and its challenges. And if there is a way to find the $5 million that you need to plug the budget hole that you need for the coming fiscal year, we’d like to be part of the solution.” — Chris Reilly, spokesman for Thomas C. Slater Compassion Center, to the House Finance Committee, via the Journal

Regulators are considering increasing the number of dispensary licenses from three to 15, which they anticipate would raise $5 million.

Reilly suggested that if the state moves forward with adding the licenses the sustainability of their business would be threatened. He also said that legalization in Massachusetts “is a market force that’s going to strain [the Rhode Island] program considerably.”

Seth Bock, CEO of Greenleaf Compassionate Care Center, said in the report that expanding the number of licenses “would almost ensure that one, maybe two, dispensaries would go out of business.” He added that for every dollar the dispensary makes, 44 cents goes to surcharges and taxes.

“We’ve built an infrastructure around a volume of patients which for us, if eliminated, would mean we couldn’t operate.” — Bock, to the committee, via the Journal

Regulators have not yet finalized the plan, but it does have the support of Gov. Gina Raimondo.

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A "Welcome to Utah" sign alongside the road with several sandstone monuments on the horizon behind it.

Utah Advocates Have Enough Signatures to Put MMJ Question to Voters

3/28/2018

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Utah voters will likely have a chance to consider legalizing medical cannabis this November, according to a Fox13 report. The Utah Patients Coalition told the station that county clerks have verified 120,000 signatures, while the Lt. Governor’s Office has verified another 117,000 – far exceeding the 160,000 signatures required to put the issue to voters.

DJ Schanz, a member of the advocacy group, said the coalition is “continually encouraged by the numbers.”

“We’ve been surprised that the more conservative rural areas have actually been extremely supportive. They’ve seen the effects of the opioid epidemic more than anybody.” – Schanz to Fox13

The ballot measure is far more expansive than the so-called “right to try” medical cannabis approved by the legislature and signed by Gov. Gary Herbert last week. Rep. Brad Daw, the sponsor of the right-to-try legislation said his constituents want a medical cannabis program but “not the wide-open program” outlined in the initiative.

“We’re taking it a step at a time, whereas the initiative takes it not only a step to medical cannabis but way beyond it.” – Daw to Fox13

In the report, Gov. Herbert declined to say whether he would vote for the initiative but expressed support for a medical cannabis program.

“I do believe that people support marijuana use for medicinal purposes. I’d support it, too. I just want to have science behind it making sure we understand it does do something good. Not just an anecdotal. … You’ve got to read the initiative, it’s not just do you support marijuana for medical purposes. The devil’s in the details as they say.” – Herbert in the report

Three polls have each found strong support for medical cannabis in Utah. A December Utah Policy poll found 73 percent support, while another by the organization in September found 74 percent support. An August poll by Dan Jones & Associates commissioned by the Hinckley Institute of Politics and the Salt Lake Tribune found 78 percent support – a supermajority.

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New Jersey Gov. Announces Changes for ‘More Patient-Friendly’ MMJ Program

3/28/2018

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New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has announced reforms to the state’s medical cannabis program in an effort to change “the restrictive culture” of the regime and “make it more patient-friendly.” The reforms will add new qualifying conditions, reduce patient and caregiver fees, and increase the amount of product that patients can obtain from dispensaries.

Five new categories of conditions have already been added to the program, including: anxiety, migraines, Tourette’s syndrome, chronic pain related to musculoskeletal disorders, and chronic visceral pain.

The conditions were part of a report to the governor by state Health Commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal, which was required under an executive order signed in January.

“As a physician, I have seen the therapeutic benefits of marijuana for patients with cancer and other difficult conditions. These recommendations are informed by discussions with patients and their families, advocates, dispensary owners, clinicians, and other health professionals on the Medicinal Marijuana Review Panel. We are reducing the barriers for all of these stakeholders in order to allow many more patients to benefit from this effective treatment option.” – Elnahal in a statement

Other immediate changes include: lowering the biennial patient registration fees from $200 to $100; allowing military veterans and seniors 65-and-older to qualify for the $20 discounted registration fee; lifting the one-caregiver limit per-patient; allowing dispensaries to open satellite locations; and eliminating the requirement that recommending physicians appear on the state website, although those who wish to be listed on the site will have that option.

Other recommendations include: increasing monthly supply limits to 4 ounces; allowing hospice patients to have an unlimited supply; allowing edibles; and eliminating the requirements that dispensaries be non-profit. Officials did not indicate when these changes would be implemented.

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A group of people outside enjoying the sunshine in a crowded park.

Creating Buzz for Your Cannabis Business

3/28/2018

by Doreen Sullivan

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Cannabis is swiftly becoming one of the darlings of media buzz. Growing at lightning speed, this industry is alive and crazed with press clamoring over the next big moment or product. As a 30-year veteran in entertainment marketing, I’ve worked consistently with media outlets around the world, perfecting strategies to get my clients noticed.

You’ve seen it in action as a cannabis business owner. A company makes an announcement of a new product and the industry is wild with excitement. You suddenly see coverage everywhere.

Why and how does that happen?
How do you get multitudes of people to anticipate your every move?
What stories are worthy of being on air and in print?
How does cannabis press go from industry specific to mainstream media?

It’s time to start thinking like a Public Relations professional. The media likes to play show and tell, so if you can create a story that relates to what you are promoting, you may have a chance to impress the press and, as a result, get some press. Additionally, public relations tactics ignite social media efforts organically.

I recently attended the Cannabis Wedding Expo in California and was impressed by the number of media outlets present. How can you as a business owner capitalize on the existing coverage and expand your media reach?

Position your press. It is human nature to want to feel “in the know,” and the press is no different. What are they currently covering in your market? Is there a way to ride the wave of existing press happening on a certain niche or topic? Press breeds more press. Follow their lead.

Be strategic. Look at your target market. Where and how are they obtaining their information? What blogs and articles are they reading? Who do they consider influencers? This is an excellent outreach list to consider when deciding where to spend your time and effort.

What are other industries impacted by your service or product? For example, are you a cannabis packaging company? Are you creating strategies for the cannabis market AND the packaging industry? Let’s say you design an incredible edibles Easter basket. You need to reach beyond the edibles market. Are you reaching out to florists? Culinary press? Sending non-infused versions of your basket to press in non-legal states? Get creative in your outreach avenues.

Create a story. The press is bombarded with people who believe their product is worthy of coverage, so it’s critical you think like an editor and decide to be coverage-worthy. While the press may not necessarily be interested in covering your new product launch, perhaps there is a story related to your product that IS press worthy. Did your product have a life-changing impact on a customer? THAT is press-worthy. Be authentic in your passion for the impact your company is having on the industry. Passion is infectious and can motivate coverage from the press.

Make It Easy for The Press. Do you have your style guide ready for the media to pick up the information they need to cover you? Are you accessible to them? Do you have incredible photographs of your product ready? The easier you make it on people to find you and find the information they need to cover you, the more likely you are to be covered.

A few DON’TS for press coverage:

DON’T send cannabis directly to media. Your intention is to get your idea across and develop a relationship with media outlets. Save the smoke-sesh for celebrating your coverage!

DON’T allow uninteresting people to represent your product in interviews. Have an interview coming up? Prep. Know your product, your target market, and your goals. Be charismatic. People buy into the people behind a product just as much as the product itself.

Commanding excitement for your product or service and understanding how and why people choose to follow certain campaigns and companies can be intimidating. It’s essential you think about how and why your story is worthy of coverage and manifest your efforts around that belief. You have the power to design your story and share it with your audience. Make yourself memorable.

Remember, go as far as you can see and when you get there you will see further!

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A young cannabis plant showing signs of growth under an LED grow light.

Canada’s CannaRoyalty Acquires Third California Cannabis Company

3/28/2018

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Canadian cannabis business operator and investment firm CannaRoyalty Corp. has acquired California’s River Distribution and its affiliates which hold both medical and recreational distribution licenses in the state. The stock deal is worth 5 million CannaRoyalty common shares, another 1,650,000 shares subject to operation milestones, and 2 million shares subject to other financial milestones.

In fiscal year 2017, River Distribution generated $25.4 million. Last year, CannaRoyalty acquired California distributor Alta Supply which generated about $6.5 million in the last fiscal year.

Marc Lustig, CannaRoyalty CEO, said adding River to its holdings positions the company “as a leader in the world’s largest regulated distribution system.”

“Our extensive distribution network in California makes us an ideal partner for brands that are looking to grow in California at scale. And a carefully selected portfolio of manufacturing partners also make us a superior partner for dispensaries seeking one-stop access to a full spectrum of top products and brands, in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Today’s news is a major milestone on CannaRoyalty’s journey to building a global cannabis consumer product platform through consolidation of its existing holdings with some of California’s leading operators.” – Lustig in a press release

Last year CannaRoyalty also took over California’s Kaya Management Inc., the exclusive manufacturer and license holder of rights for Bhang brand vaporizer products.

The River Distribution deal is expected to close by the end of Q2.

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A bridge with people on it and houses behind it in Amsterdam.

Dutch Officials to Supply Netherlands Coffeeshops with Cannabis In 4-Year Experiment

3/28/2018

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Dutch officials have announced a three-phase “experiment” to legally supply the Netherlands’ cannabis coffee shops with products. The plan, first discussed in Oct. 2017, is expected to reign in the illicit market, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction reports.

The three phases:

Preparation: designating cultivators and establishing a research consortium.
Experiment: a four-year period of the cultivators producing cannabis for and delivering products to coffee shops.
Completion: restoring the situation back to how it currently operates over a six-month period.

Dutch officials expect to have named an independent advisory committee by the end of May to help determine how the cannabis will be cultivated, how the program will be monitored and enforced, and give the criteria to the municipalities where the experiment will occur – those municipalities will be determined by the end of the summer.

Last year, Dutch lawmakers introduced legislation to legalize cannabis cultivation in The Netherlands but the measure did not succeed. Contrary to popular belief, cannabis is not legal in The Netherlands, but tolerated; however, the nation’s drug policy prosecution guidelines allow individuals to possess up to 5 grams, grow up to five plants, and allow coffee shops to store up to 500 grams at a time.

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Rolling hills of a California landscape under a sunny, blue sky.

American Green Transfers Ownership of Town Purchased for Cannabis Tourism

3/27/2018

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American Green, the cannabis-focused technology company that purchased the California town of Nipton with plans of turning it into a destination for cannabis tourism, has transferred its holdings in the town to Delta International Oil & Gas Inc. in a $7.73 million deal. The company had originally purchased the town for $5 million.

The deal will see American Green manage Nipton and associated projects for five years with a five-year option. American Green Chairman Davis Gwyther said the transaction relieved the company “of the on-going expense of improving Nipton,” calling the deal “a win-win” for the company and its shareholders.

“That responsibility [of improving Nipton] will now fall upon Delta, giving Nipton the ability to access cheaper capital through a fully reporting company, including the ability to file registered offerings. American Green can now expend less of its energy on capital raising, and focus on implementing the revenue-generating components of Nipton, and its other investments, along with many new, and exciting projects on the horizon.” – Gwyther in a press release

The release notes that, despite reports, cannabis cultivation was “not and never has been” the company’s immediate intent for the area.

“Only when, and if, American Green (as manager) and Delta (as owner) receive full approval from the relevant controlling authorities, would Nipton move, responsibly, into the cannabis product development sector.” – American Green in a press release

At closing, Delta will assume about $3.73 million in American Green debt and issue $4 million in Delta Series A stock convertible to 160,000,000 shares of Delta common stock. The deal is expected to close in 7-10 days.

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Cannabis clones inside of a sterile, commercial grow room.

Arkansas Attorney General Appeals Court Ruling to Halt MMJ Cultivator Licensing

3/27/2018

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Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge has appealed the decision by Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Wendell Griffen to declare the state’s medical cannabis cultivation licenses “null and void,” KASU reports. The case will be heard by the state Supreme Court, although it’s unclear when the body will hear the case.

In the ruling, Griffen said the state disregarded the licensing rules, finding that the state Medical Marijuana Commission failed to verify the cultivation sites’ distances from schools, churches, and daycares, and whether individuals listed on the applications were ever affiliated with “entities whose corporate status has been revoked for failure to pay franchise taxes.” The judge also found that two members of the commission had a financial relationship with two people with ownership stakes in the cultivation centers.

The suit against the state was brought by Naturalis Health, which was one of the applicants rejected by the Medical Marijuana Commission. In the appeal, Rutledge includes the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division, and the commission as defendants.

In his decision, Griffen wrote that he “takes no joy” in blocking the issuance of the licenses.

“The prospect that Arkansans must now endure more delay before gaining much needed access to locally grown medical marijuana should be unpleasant to anyone concerned about providing relief to people who suffer from serious illnesses.” – Griffen, in his opinion, via the Associated Press

The board had approved five cultivators out of a total of 95 applicants. More than 4,100 Arkansas have already applied to qualify for the program.

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A golden retriever dog on the beach pointing excitedly towards the ocean with his nose.

Australian Company Set to Begin MMJ for Dogs Study

3/27/2018

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Australia’s CannPal Animal Therapeutics has received medical cannabis oils from Canada’s Aphria Inc to begin clinical trials of what it calls its lead drug candidate, known as CPAT-01. The company has already completed the dog selection for the live phase of the study, which will be conducted in two phases.

The first phase will involve 11 dogs, while the second phase will include 48 dogs. In both phases, researchers will assess the pharmacokinetic and safety profiles for the propriety cannabinoid blend. The first phase is expected to begin the first week of April with blood sample analysis of the dogs set for May, the company said in a press release.

CannPal received its medical cannabis import license from Australia’s Office of Drug Control earlier this year and recently received export permits from Health Canada.

The trials are part of a growing trend exploring cannabinoid use for animals. A 2016 study published in the Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association purported cannabis as a tool to manage chronic health conditions such as anxiety, cancer, seizures, sleeplessness, arthritis, and behavioral issues. Last year, Australia’s Creso Pharma received registration from the European Union to sell CBD products for pets. The company has deals with two European companies – Dutch veterinary product manufacturer A&H and Grieving Holdings Netherland – to develop medical cannabis products for pet owners and veterinarians.

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The Kansas Capitol Building in Topeka, Kansas.

Kansas House Rejects MMJ Bill; Advance CBD Measure

3/27/2018

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The Kansas House has rejected legislation to legalize broad medical cannabis use, instead opting to advance a measure to legalize CBD products and remove kratom from the state list of illegal drugs, according to a KCUR report. The broad medical cannabis measure failed 54-69 in the House.

Kratom is a supplement made from a plant that grows in Southeast Asia and parts of Africa which some people use to try and wean themselves off opioids. The kratom amendment and the CBD amendment were not included in the version of the legislation advanced by the Senate. The chambers will need to hold a conference committee to come up with a compromise bill.

In January, the state Attorney General’s office issued an opinion declaring CBD illegal. Rep. John Barker tried to remove the CBD language from the bill, claiming that it would be easy to smuggle THC-containing products into the state along with CBD products and noted that CBD is still illegal under federal law; however, his bid was unsuccessful.

The House still needs to approve the final version of the bill before it would move to the conference committee and then to the Senate.

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Green, stylized photograph of young cannabis sativa plants.

Bipartisan Hemp Legalization Bill Introduced in Senate

3/26/2018

by Graham Abbott

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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnel (R-KY) announced a bill on Monday that would legalize industrial hemp as an agricultural product, according to a report by The Hill.

The bill — dubbed the Hemp Farming Act of 2018 — has bipartisan support, with Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) both listed as co-sponsors for the legislation.

Industrial hemp pilot programs are already underway in the sponsoring senators’ home states of Kentucky and Oregon, but the proposed legislation would legalize hemp federally by removing it from the Controlled Substances Act and would give states the right to determine their own regulations for hemp as an agricultural commodity.

“Hemp has played a foundational role in Kentucky’s agriculture heritage, and I believe that it can be an important part of our future.” — Sen. McConnell in the report

Under the proposal, researchers would be able to apply directly to the Department of Agriculture for grants to study the crop.

While hemp products are technically legal in the United States, the cultivation of hemp is currently restricted to only individuals who have received a license to grow it under a state’s pilot research program. So far, more than 30 states have established some form of pilot hemp program since they were made legal under the 2014 Farm Bill.

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Lines of commercial-grade cannabis plants in pots inside of an indoor grow site.

Arkansas Judge Rules MMJ Cultivation Licenses ‘Null and Void’

3/26/2018

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Arkansas Judge Wendell Griffen has declared the state’s medical cannabis cultivation licenses “null and void” finding that the state Medical Marijuana Commission disregarded the licensing rules in the voter-approved amendment, according to a 40/29 report.

In the ruling, the judge said that the commission failed to verify the sites’ distances from schools, churches, and daycares, and failed to evaluate whether individuals listed on the applications were ever affiliated with “entities whose corporate status has been revoked for failure to pay franchise taxes.” Griffen also found that two members of the commission had a financial relationship with two people with ownership stakes in the cultivation centers.

“To put it bluntly, the Medical Marijuana Commission and Alcoholic Beverage Control Division have proceeded in a manner that defies due process and the rule of law, rather than in a manner that respects it.” – Judge Griffen, in his opinion, via 40/29

Last week, Griffen had put the state’s licensing process on hold after one of the unsuccessful applicants sued the state.

In the ruling, Griffen said he “takes no joy” in the decision to block the state from issuing the licenses.

“The prospect that Arkansans must now endure more delay before gaining much needed access to locally grown medical marijuana should be unpleasant to anyone concerned about providing relief to people who suffer from serious illnesses.” – Griffen, in his opinion, via the Associated Press

What comes next is unclear. Scott Hardin, the spokesman for the Department of Finance and Administration, said in a statement that the agency respects the judge’s decision but referred questions to the state Attorney General’s Office. The Attorney General’s Office told the AP that they were reviewing the ruling but did not indicate whether they would appeal to the state Supreme Court. Jay Bequette, an attorney for Naturalis Health LLC – the applicant who sued the state – told the AP that the company was “grateful for the judge’s decision” and wanted an independent evaluator to re-score the applications.

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A full pint of beer sits on a wooden surface.

Massachusetts Alcohol Regulators Block CBD Beer Claiming FDA Rules Violation

3/26/2018

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The Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission will not allow a local brewer to move forward with plans to roll out a CBD-infused beer, arguing that the cannabinoid is a Schedule I drug and the infusion would violate the Food & Drug Administration’s Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the Boston Business Journal reports.

“Even though retail sales of cannabis are expected to become lawful starting July 1, 2018, it will remain unlawful to manufacture and/or sell alcoholic beverages containing any cannabinoid extracts, including tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”) and cannabidiol (“CBD”), regardless of whether it is derived from the cannabis plant or industrial hemp.” – the ABCC ruling, via Boston Business Journal

Alex Weaver, marketing director for Down the Road Beer Co. – the company that planned on creating the beer – said the company was “disappointed the current laws haven’t caught up with [the company’s] drive to innovate and continue to push the bounds of what craft beer could be.”

“Down the Road Beer Co. has been focused on innovation since day one. Our founder and head brewer, Donovan Bailey, loves pushing the bounds of what craft can be beyond the ordinary or expected. In that vein of innovation, brewing the first CBD beer in Massachusetts made perfect sense for us.” – Weaver to Boston Business Journal

The company still released a version of the brew, called Goopmassta Session IPA, but without CBD.

Down the Road is not the first craft brewery interested in infusing beer with cannabinoids. Last year, California-based Lagunitas Brewing Company released Supercritical IPA, which infused cannabis terpenes but neither CBD nor THC. Vermont’s Long Trail Brewing Company announced its own CBD-infused brew – called Medicator – last August; however, VT Digger reported last week that the U.S. Treasury Department’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau has not yet issued a certificate of label approval for the brew. Tom Hogue, a spokesman for the federal agency, said that while products containing hemp can pass inspection it cannot contain a controlled substance. Hogue said that approval could take 10 days or more.

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Young cannabis clones growing under the grow lights in a WA cultivation site.

Oklahoma Advocates Eye Cannabis Legalization Constitutional Amendment Initiative

3/26/2018

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Advocates in Oklahoma plan to file two petitions this week to begin gathering signatures in an effort to add constitutional amendments for both medical and recreational cannabis legalization in the state, according to a Tulsa World report. Green the Vote President Isaac Caviness said the group is seeking to add the reforms to the state Constitution in order to prevent lawmakers from being able to change the laws.

“Oklahoma’s constitutional amendments can’t be changed or even made a constitutional amendment without going before a vote of the people. And that’s the biggest protection that we have … against our lawmakers changing it to what they want versus what the people want.” – Caviness to Tulsa World

In order to get a constitutional amendment on the ballots, advocates would need to gather more than 124,000 valid signatures. Caviness indicated that under the recreational use petition, the first $100 million derived via taxes would be earmarked for teachers.

Oklahomans will decide whether to legalize medical cannabis in June, but it (SQ788) wouldn’t add it to the state Constitution. That petition was spearheaded by Oklahomans for Health. A Sooner Poll in January found that 62 percent of respondents supported the ballot question, but just 37 percent supported recreational legalization.

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A budding, young cannabis plant in someone's indoor grow operation.

Study: CBD Could Prevent Drug and Alcohol Relapse

3/26/2018

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According to new preclinical research by Scripps Research Institute, CBD could be used to reduce the risk of relapse among recovering cocaine and alcohol addicts, Science Daily reports. The study on rats with a history of voluntary daily alcohol and cocaine self-administration found that CBD reduced relapse induced by stress and drug cues, and anxiety and impulsivity in the drug-addicted rats.

The researchers applied a CBD-infused gel to the rats’ skin once per day for a week and found that five months later the rats still showed reduced relapse by drug or stress cues. Moreover, the researchers found that the CBD was completely cleared from the brain and the rats’ plasma three days after the therapy was completed.

Friedbert Weiss, head of the investigative team, said the study “predicts therapeutic potential for addiction treatment across several classes of abused drugs,” including heroin.

“The results provide proof of principle supporting the potential of CBD in relapse prevention along two dimensions: beneficial actions across several vulnerability states, and long-lasting effects with only brief treatment. Drug addicts enter relapse vulnerability states for multiple reasons. Therefore, effects such as these observed with CBD that concurrently ameliorate several of these are likely to be more effective in preventing relapse than treatments targeting only a single state.” – Weiss in a statement

The study was published in Springer Nature’s Neuropsychopharmacology.

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Canadian Senate Moves Cannabis Legalization Bill to Second Reading

3/23/2018

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Canada’s Senate has passed the bill to legalize cannabis onto a second reading, moving it to five committees for further study, according to a report from the CBC. The measure passed 44-29, mostly across party lines; a defeat would have pushed the bill back to the lower chamber and jeopardized the chances of the program rolling out this summer.

All of the Senate’s 28 Conservative senators who were present voted against the measure, while all but one Independent voted for the bill.

Peter Harder, the federal government’s Senate representative, called the passage “an important statement by the majority that this bill must advance.”

“This is a bill that is of high interest to the Senate. There are many issues to be dealt with, and it’s important that second reading passed tonight so the Senate could get on with its study, meeting with experts, and deciding if the bill can be improved in any fashion.” – Harder to the CBC

Conservative Sen. Pierre Hugues Boisvenu called the bill “a piece of shit.”

“It doesn’t protect people, it will not exclude organized crime from the production. So, most senators say this bill was written badly. We have to rewrite the bill. It will be a good exercise for us. Every article must be amended.” – Boisvenu to the CBC

There were concerns that Conservatives could delay the measure until there were drugged-driving laws in place. However, the passage could maintain the summer timeline.

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The New Hampshire Capitol Building located in Concord, New Hampshire.

New Hampshire House Punts Cannabis Legalization Bill; Likely Dead for the Year

3/23/2018

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New Hampshire’s House approved a motion to refer its recreational cannabis legalization bill for interim study after a roll call vote to keep the bill alive was defeated 135-153. The vote effectively kills the bill for further consideration this year but leaves the door open for the House Ways and Means Committee to study the measure further.

The chamber had voted the measure “ought to pass as amended” in January. The bill would have legalized possession of three-quarters of an ounce of cannabis, 5 grams of “hashish” and home cultivation of six plants but would not have created a taxed-and-regulated market and it would have remained illegal to sell any amount of cannabis.

“House leaders should be ashamed of themselves for subverting the will of Granite Staters and failing to send this bill to the Senate. As election season approaches, voters will surely study today’s roll call vote with great interest.” – Matt Simon, New England political director for the Marijuana Policy Project, in a press release

The vote to punt the measure was influenced by Republican Rep. Patrick Abrami, who chairs the commission tasked with studying legalization and the Ways and Means Committee. The Marijuana Policy Project has called for Abrami to be replaced as head of the legalization study commission arguing that he has “misrepresented the testimony heard by the study commission to lawmakers” in the House. The advocacy organization launched a petition on Change.org calling on House Speaker Gene Chandler to remove Abrami as chair.

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Flat photographic lay of a business concept — eyeglasses, paperwork, and a laptop computer.

Michigan Regulators Deny First Two MMJ Industry Licenses

3/23/2018

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The first two applications for Michigan’s new medical cannabis business licenses – one dispensary and one transport service – were both rejected by the state cannabis licensing board, the Detroit Free Press reports. The vote was 2-2 and the fifth member of the board was absent and couldn’t break the tie.

The applications were for pre-approval, meaning they have filed an application with the state but have not gotten local approval.

The owners of both prospective companies were found by the board to have previous misdemeanors they did not disclose to the board; and while the charges were not enough to immediately disqualify their application, it highlights the importance of candor on the applications. Both companies are expected to return to the board in April for reconsideration.

Tim McGraw, the dispensary applicant who was charged with misdemeanor cannabis possession in 2012, told the Free Press that the charge – his first offense – had been removed from his record after he had completed probation and he hadn’t considered it would show up on the state background check.

“Quite honestly, have you seen the application, it’s extremely confusing. I wasn’t trying to hide it. It’s a learning process for everyone. I guess they were trying to make us the poster children for the licenses and I understand that.” – McGraw to the Free Press

So far, Michigan has received a total of 411 applications for pre-approval. Another 141 have submitted complete applications, including approval from the communities in wish they wish to operate.

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Rows of outdoor cannabis plants photographed at a farm near Portland, Oregon.

Cannabis Genetics: Every Grower’s Starting Point

3/23/2018

by Trevor Abbe

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This time of year, many growers are in planning stages or already getting started on their outdoor gardens. These early decisions can play a big role in how your season goes and, ultimately, in your final yield. However, choosing your genetics is probably the most basic — yet extremely important — decision you will face.

Do you want to pop seeds or do you want to grow from clone? Many growers keep “Mother” plants of their favorite strains around to take cuts from. Then, there’s the question of whether to run all tried and true, high yielding strains (Blue Dream) or would you like to grow some of the more popular — maybe newer — trendy flavors that everybody is talking about (Sour D, Cookies, Gelato, etc.)?

One thing is for sure: the genetics that you start with can and will affect everything from your plants’ health to your final product. All seeds or clones of any particular strain are not the same. The further away a generation of clones or seeds gets from the original, the weaker the genetics will be. You will still have the strain you want, but it may not grow with the vigor and all of the original properties that the first generation cuts have.

Clones sit on a shelf inside of a Washington-based commercial cannabis grow. *Photo credit: Sarah Climaco*

The best way to make sure you are getting good genetics is to source them from reliable and reputable breeders. They can get more pricey than the $5 “Trainwreck” clones you will find on Craigslist, but it will be well worth it come harvest time. Clones, especially, are something that you want to be vigilant about. The cute little baby plant can bring with it all sorts of unwanted and unseen bugs, pests, and mold. Powdery mildew (PM) is systemic, which means it lives inside of the plant — and if the mother plant had PM, her offspring will as well. Bringing babies into your grow environment that have mites or mold can infect your whole room and bring down entire crops — so make sure you are being smart about where your clones come from and maybe consider spending the few extra dollars on some reliable babies.

Seeds most likely (hopefully) are not going to bring anything into your grow that will infect your plants. However, sourcing is just as important when it comes to acquiring your seeds. Yes, it is fun to throw your random bag seeds in the ground and see what kind of goodness emerges. But if you are serious about your garden and getting the most out of it, strong and reliable genetics are what you want to start with. Do your research, look for the companies who have the strains you want, see if they have them feminized (guaranteed female), and check what people say about their product. You do not have to buy feminized seeds, but make sure if your seeds are not feminized that you know what to look for in a male plant and how to safely remove it from your garden without pollinating your females. If you start with good seeds and take care of them properly, you will be happy with your end result.

Every grower is different. I know guys who have been growing from the same mothers for years. Some growers like to collect seeds. There are old timers out there that have been growing the same cut since the 1970’s. Everybody has their own technique, their own preferred equipment, and their own ways of deciding how to start their gardens. The one constant of every grow is that when the grower starts with strong genetics, they will have a happier, healthier, and heavier crop.

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An indoor commercial cannabis grow in Colorado.

Canadian MMJ Company Strikes Distribution Deal with Nation’s Largest Independent Pharmacy Chain

3/23/2018

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Canadian medical cannabis producer Tilray has signed a letter of intent with independent pharmacy Pharmasave as a distributor of Tilray-branded medical cannabis products. Pharmasave is a member-governed cooperative of more than 650 independently owned pharmacies throughout Canada.

Today’s announcement puts us in a strong position to expand the availability of our products to additional patients in need throughout Canada. It’s exciting that we have the potential to bring our medical cannabis products to patients via pharmacies in Canada with a partner like Pharmasave, a company that shares our commitment to patient safety and access.” – Brendan Kennedy, Tilray CEO, in a press release

Kennedy noted that the company’s products are available in pharmacies in 10 countries but not yet available in Canadian pharmacies.

In January, Tilray struck a deal with Shoppers Drug Mart, Canada’s largest provider of pharmaceutical products and services. Shoppers Drug Mart also has deals with Aphria and MedReLeaf; however, Shoppers Drug Mart’s parent company, Loblaw Companies Ltd., is still waiting for approval of its medical cannabis application from Health Canada.

Earlier this week, Tilray announced a partnership with Novartis International AG to develop and distribute non-smokable medical cannabis products. Novartis is the fourth largest pharmaceutical company in the world by revenue.

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Cannabis plants lined up inside of a medical marijuana greenhouse in Oregon state.

MMJ Protection Amendment Included in Federal Budget Bill

3/22/2018

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