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The U.K.’s Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has reclassified cannabidiol (CBD) as a medicine, according to an International Business Times report. Officials based their decision on the claims that the cannabis-derived substance is a therapy for treating serious diseases and are hoping that the move will lead to further research on its potential benefits.

Gerald Heddel, MHRA director of inspection and enforcement, said the agency made the decision after a reviewing CBD products and “quite stark claims” by some people “about serious diseases that could be treated with CBD.”

“It was clear that people are using this product with the understandable belief that it will actually help,” Heddell said in a Sky News report the day before the decision was officially announced.

Under the new rules, the MHRA plans to allow the production of products containing the ingredient and will conduct research into the safety, quality, and effectiveness of CBD as a medicine. The agency expects that the measure will cut down on unregulated CBD purchases made on the online, informal, market which could contain other, potentially harmful, chemicals.

“MHRA will now work with individual companies and trade bodies in relation to making sure products containing CBD, used for a medical purpose, which can be classified as medicines, satisfy the legal requirements of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012,” an MHRA spokesperson said.

According to an RT report, 18 companies have been advised of the rule change.

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A cannabis worker in Washington state inspects recently-trimmed nugs.

Things MMJ Activists Should Watch for in Florida

1/04/2017

by Lukas Barfield

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After a long battle, Florida finally passed a real medical cannabis bill in November, 2016. The historic amendment requires the Florida Legislature and the Department of Health to craft regulations for the administration of medical cannabis in the state. According to the state constitution, Amendment 2 went into effect on January 3, 2017. Unfortunately, there are already signs that the rollout may not be as smooth as voters want, despite it passing with an overwhelming 71% of the vote.

Here are five things that voters and activists should pay attention to as medical cannabis moves forward in Florida.

Moratoriums and license quotas

Moratoriums and license quotas can negatively affect medical cannabis patients, reduce government tax collections, encourage the illicit market and stifle economic growth. Several cities have already placed bans on medical cannabis in Florida, and opponents of the amendment have vowed to push for more bans around the state. The current CBD-rich medical cannabis system already has license quotas, meaning it’s likely the new system may suffer the same fate.

Keith Boyce, a Washington state cannabis activist and member of The Cannabis Alliance said, “The bans and moratoriums are put into place to ‘protect’ the local citizens. Though the intentions may be good, the result is quite the opposite. The illicit/black markets thrive in the banned areas, and patients are denied the very medication that may save their life.”

“We’ve been able to overturn some bans in Washington State by patients telling personal stories to the regulators. Real people showing up to talk about how medical cannabis helps them can really shine a positive light on this misunderstood issue,” Boyce said.

Possession limits

The amount of usable cannabis and the amount patients can buy at one time vary widely from state to state. Americans for Safe Access contends it is best to let patients decide how much cannabis they are allowed saying “The type and severity of symptoms, the strain of cannabis, and the route of administration all greatly impact the amount that a specific patient may need at any given time.” Although it is unlikely Florida’s law will be this open, patients and activist can insist buying and possession limits are feasible for the most ill patients in the state.

ID cards and registry privacy

A patient registry is a database which catalogs medical cannabis patients and information related to their qualifying conditions. Often a medical cannabis ID is issued. Patients must register in Florida’s compassionate use database now to receive low THC cannabis from an authorized provider. Therefore, it is likely that Florida’s full plant cannabis system will utilize a patient registry and accompanying ID cards to track medical cannabis. Many states have strict penalties for improper access of medical cannabis records, but FL activists must be vigilant in this age of hacking so that their medical information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. Additionally, who is legally allowed to access the database has been a concern raised by activists in other medical cannabis states.

Pesticides

Pesticides can be a problem in any medical cannabis system. The most obvious reason is that medical cannabis patients are often already sick and adding contaminants like pesticides can be extremely harmful. Unlike many food products, pesticides cannot be easily washed off of cannabis flowers and leaves. Concentrating contaminated cannabis can add to the danger of pesticide-tainted plant matter. The pesticide residue can turn into even more harmful chemicals when ignited.

To compound the problem, there are no federal guidelines to regulate pesticides used on cannabis due to its ongoing prohibition under federal law. Recently, several recreational cannabis states have been surprised by seemingly large amounts of cannabis being contaminated with pesticides. Regulators were sent scrambling to fix the problem, but many patients have likely already been exposed. Patients and activist must insist that FL’s medical cannabis system is pesticide-free and that, in the event of contamination, there is a workable recall protocol in place.

Qualifying conditions

Amendment 2 allows the dispensing of cannabis to patients with a “debilitating condition.” This term is defined in the amendment as “Debilitating Medical Condition,” meaning cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, ALS, PTSD, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or “other debilitating medical conditions of the same kind or class as or comparable to those enumerated, and for which a physician believes that the medical use of marijuana would likely outweigh the potential health risks for a patient.” This is a broad and suitable list of qualifying conditions, but No on 2 has already signaled they are opposed to such a wide definition of “debilitating condition”. In a statement issued after A2, No on 2 asked legislators to look closely at the debilitating condition list. It is important the FL Legislature and Department of Health allow this broad definition to go forward in order to treat the sickest patients in Florida.

This is a broad and suitable list of qualifying conditions, but the No On 2 campaign has already signaled they are opposed to such a wide definition of “debilitating condition.” In a statement issued after Amendment 2 was passed, No On 2 asked legislators to look closely at the debilitating condition list.

However, it is important to call on Florida’s legislature and Department of Health to allow this broad definition moving forward in order to treat the state’s most sickly patients.

End

Healthy cannabis plant photographed in a Washington state cultivation facility.

Maine Gov. Calls for Moratorium of Question 1 Rollout

1/04/2017

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Maine Gov. Paul LePage has signed the proclamation confirming November’s voter-approved ballot question to legalize adult-use cannabis in the state, but also called for a moratorium on its implementation with could delay the process, the Portland Press Herald reports.

By signing the measure, the governor has assured that as of Jan. 30 citizens will be legally allowed to grow and possess personal amounts of cannabis. However, if LePage and his allies get their way the licensing of retail shops and retail sales could be pushed back up to one year.

In an interview with WVOM radio, LePage said that while he had signed the proclamation “the issue now is when it will go into effect, and I don’t know.”

“That’s going to depend on the legislature because as of right now the election, according to Secretary of State, was positive for marijuana and there is nothing I can do until the legislature gives me money to set up the infrastructure,” LePage said.

The Republican governor called a moratorium “appropriate” saying he doesn’t think the voters “realize what they’ve done” and again called for getting rid of the state’s medical cannabis system in the wake of an adult-use market.

“In Colorado, what they’re telling us is ‘Don’t make the mistake we did. We didn’t tax medical marijuana and we taxed recreational marijuana, so everybody in [the state] went out and got a medical marijuana card’ so now they’re collecting just a fraction of the taxes that they thought they would,” he said.

LePage said that activist Paul McCarrier “is smoking” when he claims that the tax revenues from the industry would be $200 million by 2020.

“He is out in left field,” LePage said. “We don’t even make that on liquor and liquor has been around a heck of a lot longer. We might make $50 to $51 million a year on liquor, so he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

There has not yet been any legislation introduced to enact any moratorium on Question 1and lawmakers have not come to any consensus on potential measures.

End

The state flag of Georgia flying on a sunny, blue-skied day.

Georgia Lawmaker to Introduce Bill Allowing In-State MMJ Cultivation

1/04/2017

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A Republican lawmaker in Georgia plans to introduce legislation as early as next week that would allow voters to decide whether to permit cultivation of cannabis plants for medicinal purposes in the state, according to a Telegraph report. The measure would need two-thirds of support from legislators in order to make it to voters in 2018.

Rep. Allen Peake, who sponsored the state’s limited medical cannabis legislation, said the proposal “would let the citizens of the state decide whether or not to go down this path,” noting that “the sky has not fallen” since the state passed their medical cannabis bill in 2015. Peake supports a “limited licensure” for a handful of tightly regulated medical cannabis growers.

The existing law suffers from serious flaws, mainly that — while medicinal cannabis is legal under certain circumstances — it is extremely difficult to obtain because Georgia’s program does not permit cannabis to be grown or processed in the state. This forces patients to obtain their medicine from out-of-state, which is illegal under federal law and constitutes drug trafficking.

Nevertheless, Republican Gov. Nathan Deal opposes Peake’s proposal over fears that the industry would grow out-of-control and some law enforcement agencies are opposed due to fears that it would lead to an adult-use market.

Peake indicated he was working on another bill that would add autism, intractable pain, AIDS, Tourette’s and post-traumatic stress disorder to the state’s medical cannabis qualifying condition list.

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Car operated by the New South Wales Police Highway Patrol.

Police Raid Australian Woman Who Provides Patients Free Cannabis Oil

1/04/2017

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An Australian medical cannabis oil producer, who gives away her products to sick and terminally ill people for free, has been raided by law enforcement who confiscated her manufacturing equipment and products, according to an Advertiser report.

Jenny Hallam, 44, explained what occurred in a series of Twitter posts, urging the government to “stop stalling” saying that sick people will die because of the raid. The tweets were subsequently deleted.

Her lawyer, Heather Stokes, questioned whether what her client was doing was actually criminal in the first place despite cannabis being outlawed under South Australian law.

“This is a woman who is doing it because people need it,” Stokes said in the report. “There is scientific evidence out there to tell us it works. She doesn’t grow the cannabis she uses … she doesn’t sell it.”

Tammy Franks, a Green Party member in the South Australian Upper House, called the raid “outrageous” and said that Hallam’s patients “have been failed by the slowness of health reforms.”

“She’s not in this for a profit – she is in it to help people,” Franks said. “For pain and palliative care alone, we know this works and we should be allowing access urgently, not delaying it any further.”

A South Australian Police spokeswoman confirmed the raid, saying they “seized a quantity of chemicals and other substances” which will be forensically analyzed as part of the “continuing” investigation.

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Image depicting the inside of a high security prison cell.

Houston DA Promises to End Jail Sentences for Misdemeanor Cannabis Possession

1/03/2017

by Graham Abbott

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The incoming District Attorney for Harris County, Texas unveiled a progressive future for cannabis prosecutions during her inauguration ceremony yesterday.

In her statements at the ceremony, newly appointed District Attorney Kim Ogg remained loyal to the progressive ideas that had been proposed throughout her campaign, including a plan to stop making arrests and jailing people for misdemeanor cannabis crimes, CW39 reports.

Ogg was very explicit during the ceremony about her continued support for such reforms: “All misdemeanor possession of marijuana cases will be diverted around jail,” she said.

Under her administration, small-time cannabis enforcement are expected to see drastic changes. Instead of being arrested and facing jail time, nonviolent misdemeanor cannabis offenders will be ticketed and released on the spot.

“I’ve never felt good about putting marijuana users in the same jail cells as murderers. It’s just not fair, it doesn’t make any sense, and our country is resoundingly against that,” Ogg said after the ceremony.

While Ogg’s exact views on cannabis aren’t as favorable as we might hope — Harris County will still be penalizing consumers who are caught, and felony cannabis crimes such as distribution are to remain in place — her other campaign promises included increasing transparency in cases of police shootings and ramped up efforts in the prosecution of burglars and white-collar criminals.

During the ceremony, Ogg also acknowledged that there had been turmoil within the DA’s office following her recent decision to fire 37 prosecutors.

“Welcome to a new era of criminal justice,” she said.

End

A black credit card from the New York-based HSBC bank.

Senators Urge FinCEN to Allow Bank Access to Legal Canna-businesses

1/03/2017

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A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has sent a letter to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network urging the agency to explicitly allow financial institutions to do business with legal canna-businesses.

In the letter, sent to Acting Director Jamal El-Hindi, the senators argue that due to the disparity between federal and state drug laws “many legal businesses are forced to operate in cash, which jeopardizes community safety, limits economic growth, and greatly expands the opportunity for tax fraud.” The senators say that a 2014 memo by FinCEN and the Department of Justice meant to clarify reporting requirements and provide clarity to the legal cannabis industry and financial institutions “did not distinguish between state-sanctioned marijuana businesses and the indirect businesses that service the marijuana industry” leaving that determination to the banks and credit unions.

“Indeed, since FinCEN’s 2014 guidance was released, less than 3 [percent] of the nation’s 11,954 federally regulated banks and credit unions have chosen to serve the cannabis industry,” the letter states.

The senators contend that the lack of codified rules has led to the closure of accounts for chemists, lawyers, security professionals, and others who do not work directly with the plant.

“To be clear, these legitimate, indirect businesses have been unable to open checking accounts and accept credit cards or checks. In some cases they have also lost access to existing accounts, such as retirement accounts, and have been forced to pay their employees, taxes, and bills in cash. Locking lawyers, landlords, plumbers, electricians, security companies, and the like out of the nation’s banking and finance systems serves no one’s interest.”

The letter was signed by Senators Jeff Merkley, (D-OR) Ron Wyden (D-OR), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Patty Murray (D-WA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Al Franken (D-MN), Angus King (I-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Cory Booker (D-NJ).

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The Global Marijuana March in Vancouver, British Columbia, circa 2013.

Canadian Dispensary Owner Hopes Charges Dropped as Feds Eye Legal Market

1/03/2017

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A Canadian dispensary owner arrested and charged with possession and drug trafficking during raids in Halifax, Nova Scotia last week hopes that the charges will be dismissed if the federal government passes cannabis legalization as planned this spring, according to a report from the CBC. Three of her employees were also arrested and charged with trafficking.

Shirley Martineau, 66, owner of Auntie’s Health and Wellness, opened up the shop despite not being granted an occupancy permit by the city and was openly selling cannabis products to anyone over the age of 19 regardless of whether they held a medical cannabis card. The shop was closed following Friday’s raids – during which police seized eight plants from her home and a few thousand dollars’ worth of stock from the shop — but was reopened by volunteers the following day. She was released from custody five hours after her arrest.

“It’s a fight between me and them. They have a job and I respect that,” she said in the report. “I don’t want to go to jail. I don’t want to sit in prison for months, but I have to be there for the patients.”

Martineau indicated that she planned on using the profits from her adult-use sales to offer products to medical cannabis patients for free.

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MMJ Now Available in Puerto Rico

1/03/2017

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Medical cannabis is officially available for sale in Puerto Rico after two dispensaries opened on Friday, nearly two years after island lawmakers adopted regulations for the industry, the Associated Press reports. Those two dispensaries, however, are the only ones currently operating in the U.S. territory and serve about 2,000 registered patients.

The law, enacted in 2015 via executive order by outgoing Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla, allows for medical cannabis to be used in pills, creams, oral drops, inhalers, vaporizers, and patches. Patients suffering from chronic conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and multiple sclerosis are eligible for the program. Padilla moved to implement the law using the executive order because the legislation had stalled in the Puerto Rico House of Representatives for two years.

According to a Costa Rica Star report, 23 companies have been approved to cultivate, process, transport and sell cannabis. Carmen Serrano, managing partner for NextGen Pharma, who opened a dispensary in San Juan, called the rollout of the industry “a historic day for Puerto Rico.”

“Today sees the fulfillment of a promise in favor of the right of thousands of patients in Puerto Rico to a better quality of life,” he said in the Star report.

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Sunshine on the street in Miami, Florida.

Florida’s Amendment 2 Effective Today

1/03/2017

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The tenets of Florida’s voter-backed expansion of the state’s medical cannabis program are effective today, however the full implementation of the program won’t be seen until the Department of Health and the legislature adopt and implement the program rules, according to an NBC 6 report.

The law, a constitutional amendment passed by 71 percent of voters, permits for high-strength medical cannabis to be used for a more comprehensive list of chronic diseases and ailments including HIV/AIDA, post-traumatic stress disorder, Parkinson’s disease, Crohn’s disease, glaucoma, and Parkinson’s disease.

According to the Department of Health’s Office of Compassionate Use, there are currently 340 registered physicians in the state and the agency expects that number to increase significantly during the first quarter of the year. Currently, there are 1,495 registered patients in the state, which is also expected to increase.

Dr. Joseph Dorn, medical director of Surterra Therapeutics, said he is anticipating “a lot of chaos initially” because while the law permits for the expansion “there is still a lot of work to be done.”

“I think the expectations for most people is it is going to be a free-for-all, and all people have to do is get their cards to receive it,” Dorn said in the report.

Five of the seven companies licensed by the state have received official authorization to begin dispensing; however 55 Florida cities have enacted moratoriums restricting or barring dispensaries.

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Former UFC Champion Frank Shamrock Launches Educational Cannabis Talk-Show

1/02/2017

by Noel Abbott

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One of the driving forces behind the progress that has been made over the past two decades educating the public about medical cannabis has been the testimony of professional athletes who use it for recovery. From Ricky Williams, to Cliff Robinson, to John Salley, Nate Diaz, and others, the list of pro-cannabis pro athletes has grown over time. This year, another name will be added to the list: former UFC champion Frank Shamrock.

Shamrock, along with celebrity nutritionist Robert Ferguson, recently announced The Bakeout, a talk show focused on answering questions, dispelling stereotypes, and revealing the truth about cannabis. The mission of the show is to provide content that will “uplift, unite, educate, challenge, and encourage viewers in a manner consistent with the teachings of the healing powers of cannabis.”

In a Facebook post on December 24th, the show revealed that Shamrock used medical cannabis to treat his injuries resulting from 16 years of mixed-martial-arts and competitive fighting. After retiring undefeated as UFC Middleweight Champion, Shamrock has worked as a consultant, written books, acted in movies, and hosted television shows. He also runs an organization dedicated to helping at-risk youth.

Robert Ferguson, co-host of The Bakeout, is known for his company Diet Free Life and has worked with Fortune 100 companies to improve well-being for employees and consumers. He has also worked as a dietician for numerous celebrities. Together, Shamrock and Ferguson will interview medical cannabis experts, patients, activists, and entrepreneurs to highlight various aspects of cannabis medicine and help shed light on the failed policy of prohibition. They also plan to publish interviews with celebrities who have never publicly admitted using medical cannabis in the past.

The first episode will air on January 25th at 7:00pm on the show’s website, BakeOut.tv. The show is also currently seeking guests and advertising partners. More information can be found on The Bakeout website.

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Advanced Email Marketing Techniques for Cannabis Companies: A/B Testing

1/02/2017

by Aaron Apple

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Because of its low cost and high efficiency in building trust and bringing in new leads, we hope your organization has taken steps to add email marketing to your outreach efforts. This article will supply tips and recommendations to give you a more advanced understanding of what is possible with email marketing and help you get the most out of your email marketing efforts.

Let’s say you’ve set up an account with an email marketing service of your choice, imported your list of opted-in subscribers, and have your email written with the content nicely laid out. At this point you are almost ready to hit the send button, but how do you know what is going to work best for you audience?

This is where A/B testing becomes important.

What is A/B Testing?

Also known as “split testing,” this technique allows the sender to send out multiple versions of an email to a very small percentage of recipients early, in order to see which one performs better with open rates and clicks. The best performing version of the email will then send out to the rest of the subscribers on your list. It’s generally a good idea to only change and test one variable in the email in order to get an accurate picture of what is working for you.

Which variables should I test?

The subject line is the first variable you should A/B test since that is what the user will see when deciding to open the email or not. Testing the subject line will let you know what style resonates most with your particular audience. For example, you could test subject lines for an upcoming promotion at your dispensary with the following lines to see which is best for your open or click rate. Is an email subject more appealing to users by starting with a question to grab attention, or better to get right to the point with the specifics of the sale? Or do you think your audience would enjoy a Seinfeld reference?

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A/B testing the content inside of your email is another smart option to see what gets a better response by observing the click-through rate. You should change some of the content between the emails such as the images that you use, the order your content flows, or the verbiage used to describe your products. You could also test something more significant, like which template you use to format the email, or what kinds of overall content to include.

The last variable where A/B testing can be extra beneficial is the send time and day for your email. This will help you to learn what time during the day your audience is most likely to open your message, as well as which days of the week. Once you run this test a few times and find the optimal time for your brand, then your audience will begin to expect your content in their inbox on a regular schedule.

Most email marketing platforms offer some form of A/B testing, including the three mentioned in our previous article. A/B testing can also be used to enhance the performance of your pay-per-click and social media ads, as well as website landing pages — just apply the principles above to your other marketing efforts to find the most effective ways to communicate with your audience.

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Mike Yoell: Putting Police Experience to Work in Cannabis

1/02/2017

by Featured Interview

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Mike Yoell is a managing partner for Core Security Solutions, a San Francisco-based company that offers an extensive suite of security services and consultation to cannabis growers, processors, and retailers.

In cannabis, security companies like Core Security Solutions are much more than just a failsafe for the dispensary or licensed cultivator that hired them. This is because running a secure business is of utmost importance for cannabis entrepreneurs, who often find themselves balancing on the knife’s edge in terms of regulatory compliance and actually managing to turn a profit.

In the following interview, Mike shares his thoughts and experiences on what it’s like being a former law enforcement officer who now protects the people and interests of cannabis companies. We also discuss what entrepreneurs should consider when hiring security, the best and most qualifying attributes for security work in a unique industry like cannabis, and more.

Read the full interview below:

Ganjapreneur: Could you summarize the services offered by Core Security Solutions and describe how you work alongside the cannabis industry?

Mike Yoell: We offer uniformed, armed/unarmed physical security services, armed executive and personal protection using plain clothes, honorably retired law enforcement officers. We provide asset protection for cannabis transportation and delivery using inconspicuous Ford Transit Vans and SUV’s equipped with vaulted drawer systems, GPS monitoring and radio dispatching.

Core Security Solutions, Inc was created in 2012 specifically to provide security services to Blum Oakland, which was the first dispensary permitted by the City. Since then, we provide security for an additional permitted dispensary and asset transportation services for a local cannabis distributor.

We also provide security assessment services to cannabis facilities in need of security and safety plans required for municipal permitting and for those in need of enhanced risk and mitigation plans for their dispensaries, warehousing, distribution and transportation operations. To date, we have provided security assessments for several dispensaries and distributors throughout California, in Nevada and Pennsylvania.

What stands out the most when working security for a cannabis client?

Our security business was created in 2012 specifically for the protection of a permitted medical dispensary, and we conducted the security assessment that earned the dispensary a first place position in the selection process, so the cannabis industry is a part of our DNA. As a retired Oakland Police Commander, I understood the need to hire and train ex-law enforcement personnel that embraced the need for medical cannabis and have a desire to work in an industry that also promotes the legal recreational use of cannabis. It is amazing to see how many experienced law enforcement officers are relieved to see cannabis legalized and law enforcement resources dedicated to the reduction of violent crime. To that end, our hiring practices include a series of interviews, background checks and training’s specific to secure transportation and the security of the cannabis related facilities.

What prompted that decision to establish a security company, which would eventually become a mainstay for the local cannabis industry?

My first cannabis related security assessment was conducted in 2011, during which time I established a working relationship with an Oakland medical dispensary that was in the permitting process with the City. One of my services was to ensure the dispensary established a security staff, either by vetting a local security guard company or creating a ‘proprietary’ security team. As I contacted local guard companies I realized quickly that most would not entertain a conversation about dispensary security, let alone offer their services. There was still a stigma around medical cannabis and security and alarm companies were hesitant to get involved. Hence, Core Security Solutions was established with the primary intent of providing security to the cannabis industry.

Could you share a memorable experience from your work in a cannabis-related setting?

There is not one specific experience that I can recall, but every day spent working with those in the cannabis industry usually includes an ‘aha moment’ when they hear of my extensive law enforcement experience, many years of which involved narcotics enforcement, and their surprise at my commitment to ensuring the safety and security of cannabis facilities. I know the importance medical cannabis has to those suffering from chronic and life threatening issues. My father, a retired SFPD officer, used cannabis to relieve the nauseous side effects of chemo-therapy when he suffered with Hodgkin’s Disease, so I have a personal knowledge of the benefits cannabis provides.

What are some security-related things that you think cannabis companies might be most likely to neglect?

The general mind-set within the cannabis industry needs to change in my opinion. There has been a historical mistrust, and rightfully so, of security and law enforcement due to the societal stigma of cannabis and the enforcement of cannabis providers, even after society embraced its clinical use. This is something I have been trying hard to change within my circle of influence. Cannabis providers will need to protect their facilities, staff, patients and recreational clients and understand that the new laws will be opening up targets for criminals interested in taking advantage of those in the industry. Legalization brings a new set of guidelines, rules and oversight which will require that cannabis providers follow City/State security and safety protocols. In my opinion, the cannabis distribution and transportation sectors may have the greatest security risks to be concerned about, as the transportation of larger amounts of product and proceeds will be an invitation to criminals, who will see this is an easily accessible target.

How many employees are there at Core Security Solutions, and how many on average get involved in each engagement?

Core Security Solutions Inc, has a current staff of sixty (60) employees, based out of our Oakland Ca. offices on Telegraph and 27th Street, many of whom staff our clients dispensaries and provide secure transportation of product. We have an asset protection manager who specifically oversees the security and transportation of cannabis, supervises our transportation staff and oversees the tracking of GPS, communication and reporting.

What personal and professional qualities make a person best suited for a security position within the cannabis industry?

First, the person must not have a bias against the cannabis industry. In hiring guards for our cannabis clients the first thing we ask them is if they have any issues with cannabis providers or users. Secondly, having a friendly and welcoming personality is important, as most of our security officers act as greeters and informsation providers to dispensary patients/clientele. Professionally, having a solid work ethic and passion for assisting people are important in any security position. In the cannabis industry, having a vigilant but low key manner is paramount, because cannabis patients/cleintele may have a justified suspiscion of authority figures, partiularly those in uniform. As a security officer, you are often times the first and last person a patient/client may see, so putting people at ease is key.

Have you encountered any animosity — either from customers or industry insiders — due to your previous career in law enforcement?

None what so ever, in fact, the response has been welcoming! Establishing a high level of trust is paramount and we strive to do this with each potential client. Once a client has the opportunity to interact with my staff and I they know right away that we are pro-cannabis and conduct business with the highest degree of integrity and professionalism. All of the industry people I have come in contact with understand that with increased legalization comes a commitment to providing their staff, patients, customers and neighbors with a safe and secure facility, inside and out. Upcoming state and local regulations will require an enhanced level of security that most dispensaries and distributors are unaccustomed to, either because they have been working under the radar, or they simply did not understand local requirements. We have the experience, training and bandwidth to partner with our cannabis clientele and ensure they meet or exceed permit requirements.

What is usually entailed in a typical day managing security services for cannabis companies?

Most of our clientele use us first to conduct their security assessments for permitting and then engage us to provide physical security, so we develop close relationships immediately. We work diligently with each client to ensure that security protocols are being followed, reviewed and updated as needed. We provide an investigative response to any on-site incident and forward a written report, which is another advantage to our many years of investigative experience, we understand the importance of liability, responsiveness and professional documentation.

Where would you like to see Core Security Solutions in five years?

As the legalization of cannabis opens new doors for entrepreneurs, the regulation of dispensaries, distributors and transporters will be a top priority for the state and local municipallities. People residing and working in the vicinity of cannabis operations will want assurances that these businesses are guarding against any crime and blight issues that could possibly occur. Interestingly, once we established our first security team in Oakland in 20122, providing an around the clock physical presence, crime in the area decreased significantly and residents and business owners in the area came to us to express their gratitude for making the area safer.

With that said, I’d like to see Core Security Solutions grow our security services along with the cannabis industry and continue to protect the facilities, distributors and transporters. In the next five years I’d love for Core to be a cannabis specific security company, that expands along with the industry, hiring and training our staff to be experts in this growing field.

With legalization spreading like wildfire, what advice would you offer to someone who was considering a security career in the cannabis sector?

Get as much additional training as possible, outside of your California BSIS guard permit. Obtain firearm training and become licensed. Take CPR, First-Aid and AED training. Educate yourself on the cannabis industry and stay informed on current events i.e. new legislation, local municipal regulations etc. We saw this need early on and developed our own security training business, Core Training Solutions, to support our employees and offer advanced courses. Many of our employees have taken advantage of the training and enhanced their ability to retain quality positions and promotional advancement. Visit our Core Training website at core-train.com.

Thanks again for sharing your tips and insights with us, Mike — and also a big thank you for your work to keep safe the patients, employees, and companies of the cannabis industry! To learn more about Core Security Solutions, you can visit their website at http://core-ops.com.

End

Todd Herremans is an MMJ activist and former NFL player who has admitted to using cannabis throughout his football career.

Former NFL Player Opens Up About Cannabis Use Throughout Football Career

12/30/2016

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Retired NFL lineman Todd Herremans is the latest former player to speak publicly about using cannabis during his playing days, saying there was “no regularity” to his use but admitted in an NJTV interview that he used the drug for sleep and pain management.

Herreman’s cannabis use during his 11-year career with the Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts wasn’t exactly a secret — he tested positive three times and was subjected to the league’s drug treatment and monitoring program — but he’s opening up about his habits to bring awareness to a Doctors for Cannabis Regulation campaign that is urging the NFL to allow medicinal cannabis use as an alternative to opioids.

“I just kind of used it until I could tough it out myself,” Herreman said in the report. “I saw a lot of friends of mine throughout the years that I played that would end up with opiate addictions and it was kind of a scary thing.”

Last month, Dr. David Nathan, founder of the coalition of physician-advocates, sent a letter to the NFL asking that they not only allow for the use of medical cannabis in the league, but the group is also asking officials to treat cannabis like alcohol and support research into the potential neuroprotective properties of cannabinoids.

“Within the medical community, cannabis is consistently regarded as less toxic, less addictive and less harmful than many legal drugs like alcohol, tobacco or prescription opioid medications,” the letter to the league states.

The NFL has indicated they would spend $100 million to explore options in player protection, and Nathan believes that some of that funding should be used to research alternatives to opioids.

“I think that that’s a moral obligation on the part of the NFL,” he said. “I don’t believe that any of us at this point really think that marijuana is a drug without some medical use.”

A number of NFL team owners support making changes to the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement regarding cannabis use, and the NFL Players Association has convened a committee to study its use as a pain management therapy. According to an ESPN survey of active NFL players, 61 percent believed fewer players would take pain-killing shots if the league would allow medical cannabis use.

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Large plastic sacks of cured cannabis nugs, ready to ship.

Oregon Licensed Cannabis Farm Owner Beaten, Crops Stolen

12/30/2016

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A 56-year-old cannabis cultivator in Wimer, Oregon was beaten and robbed earlier this month in what is reported to be the first violent crime at a licensed cannabis grow, according to the Oregonian.

James Bowman suffered a broken nose and black eyes in the attack, during which his assailants made off with his entire harvested crop. Bowman moved to Wimer two years ago to grow medical cannabis after a previous farm in Ruch was raided by law enforcement officials in 2012, prior to voters approving the adult-use initiative. After the move, his farm, BlueSky Gardens, was granted a tier two cultivation license by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, which allows outdoor cannabis grows on up to 40,000 square feet of land.

Bowman reported the theft, as state law requires, to the commission who will conduct an administrative investigation after the criminal investigation closes.

Jackson County Detective Jason Penn explained that the cannabis was stolen from a cargo container which had been secured by a padlock — which Penn said “are easily clipped off.” The site was under video surveillance, but the thieves damaged the system and authorities are trying to determine what footage might still exist.

Bowman’s product was at its peak; harvested, cured, and ready for market.

“It’s all buttoned up nicely in big totes and it’s ready to go,” Penn said in the report. “It’s like coming to someone’s house on Christmas Eve and taking all their goodies.”

According to Oregrown Co-founder Aviv Hadar, premium outdoor-grown cannabis is worth $1,600 to $2,100 per pound wholesale and double that amount on the retail market.

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Commercial cannabis plants under an LED grow light.

Australian MMJ Firm Harvests First High-CBD Test Crop

12/30/2016

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MGC Pharmaceuticals – publicly traded on the Australian Securities Exchange – has harvested its first high-CBD cannabis test crop, setting up the company to begin production on its first research grade crop, according to a Business News report.

The test crop was grown at the MGC research laboratory in Ljubljana, Slovenia in order to evaluate growing conditions and soil nutrients. It will be used to test the company’s extraction facility. The next crop, set for the second quarter of 2017, is expected to be used for the production of medicinal raw materials and cosmetics for MGC Derma – the company’s cosmetic arm – which is on track to receive approval to market its CBD-based skincare products in the European Union, the report says.

Earlier this month, the company announced a deal to acquire Panax Pharma, a Czech-based medical cannabis company. MGC Co-founder and Managing Director Nativ Segev said that deal “will significantly strengthen” the company’s growing and research capabilities.

MGC is already backed by Perth corporate financial tycoons and has Israeli executives; the deal with highly-connected Panax, once finalized, would immediately give MGC a foothold in the European market and provide access to world-leading facilities.

Segev said that the company has already established distribution agreements in North America and Europe that have “already begun delivering revenue” for the company.

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The state capitol building of New Mexico, in Santa Fe.

New Mexico State Senators to Push for Legalization Next Session

12/30/2016

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A pair of New Mexico state senators plan on introducing legislation to legalize adult-use cannabis in the coming legislative session, which they say has the potential to help bridge the state’s growing budget gap, according to a KOB4 report.

State Rep. Bill McCamley, a Democrat, said that the state is facing a budget shortfall of $200 million and that the legal cannabis industry would be worth $60 to $70 million in tax revenues in the first year alone.

“We want to bring $60 million for funding education and economic development and save cops and courts and prisons $33 million a year from prosecuting cannabis crimes that they could use to go after real criminals,” he said in the report.

However, McCamley’s plan would require the support from his prohibitionist Republican colleagues and even if lawmakers were to pass adult-use legislation it would likely be vetoed by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez.

“Hopefully we can make the argument to the governor that it’s better to have money for criminal justice going to the people who are fighting rapists and murderers, rather than people who are using cannabis,” McCamely said.

An alternative plan by Democratic State Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino attempts to circumvent the legislature; opting to pass a joint resolution and send the question, as a constitutional amendment, to voters. Ortiz y Pino said his strategy would bypass the governor’s desk.

“I think in the best of all possible worlds, we would not have to go to the constitutional amendment route,” he said. “For one thing, it delays it two years. We can’t vote on it until 2018 now, without any of the benefit.”

If the amendment were approved by voters, 2019 would be the earliest the legislature could legalize cannabis.

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Internet security is a growing mainstream concern, especially following the hacks of several giant corporate entities in recent years.

Nevada MMJ Website Portal Leaks Info of Over 11,700 Dispensary Applicants

12/29/2016

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The personal information of over 11,700 medical cannabis dispensary applicants in Nevada has been leaked via the state’s medical cannabis website portal, according to a ZDnet report. The vulnerability was discovered by security researcher Justin Shafer using a unique Google search query. The site in question has been pulled until the bug is fixed and the query was not published by ZDnet.

The information leaked includes application details, including a person’s full name and home address, citizenship status, driver license and social security numbers, phone numbers, birth date, race, height, weight, and hair and eye color.

A Nevada Department for Health and Human Services spokesperson and a representative for a Las Vegas dispensary confirmed that the information discovered was legitimate and accurate. The Health and Human Services Department — who runs the medical cannabis application program — indicated that the data was a “portion” of one of several databases, the report said.

In accordance with state law, applicants will be notified of the leak officially within a few days. It is not clear how many years the applications date back. Nevada legalized medicinal cannabis use during the 2000 elections and voters approved a ballot initiative legalizing adult-use during this year’s General Election.

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A selection of clones held by a commercial cannabis grower in Washington state.

Construction on Americann MMJ Facility in Mass. Set for March

12/29/2016

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Construction on a 1 million-square-foot canna-business park in Freetown, Massachusetts operated by Americann is slated to begin in March, according to a Quartz report. Businesses that lease or buy space in the park will be given streamlined preferential licensing thanks to an agreement between Americann and the city.

Space at the park will only be available to companies registered under the state Medical Marijuana Program and will include a 130,000-square-foot cultivation and processing space, a testing laboratory, corporate offices, training centers, and a 30,000-square-foot research and development center. In an interview with the Boston Business Journal, Americann CEO Tim Kough said development for the first phase of construction could run $25 million.

In a statement, Americann said the facility “will set a new cannabis industry standard for energy efficiency, cost control, clean cultivation practices, and the production of Nutraceutical-grade infused products for the patients of Massachusetts.”

The site was purchased by the Boston Beer Co., makers of Samuel Adams and Angry Orchard hard ciders, for $6 million in 2007. The company planned to build a brewery, however those plans fell through and the site was relisted for sale in 2008. Americann, who is based in Colorado, bought the property in the fall for $4.475 million.

According to the Business Journal report, Americann is also eyeing property in Florida, Pennsylvania, and California for medical cannabis facilities.

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The Massachusetts capitol building in Boston.

Massachusetts Lawmakers Quietly Pass Bill Delaying Adult-Use Market Rollout

12/29/2016

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During an informal legislative session lawmakers in Massachusetts have approved a bill that will likely delay the opening of retail dispensaries in the state from January to July 2018, according to a Boston Globe report. The measure will not have any impact on portions of the law permitting possession and home-growing which have already taken effect.

The measure was only voted on by about a half-dozen state legislators and has already been sent to anti-legalization Gov. Charlie Baker, who called the delay “perfectly appropriate.”

Jim Borghesani, an activist who worked with the Yes on 4 campaign, said that the measure, approved by 54 percent of voters during November’s General Election, “was written with careful consideration regarding process and timelines and that no major legislative revisions are necessary.”

“We are very disappointed that the Legislature has decided to alter Question 4 in an informal session with very little notice regarding proposed changes,” he said in the report.

The passage of the measure in the Senate took less than a minute, with just two of the chamber’s lawmakers present for the vote – Democratic Senate President Stanley C. Rosenberg, and Republican Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr. Passage in the House was even faster, and with Democrat Paul Donato presiding, just five members passed the bill “in seconds,” the report says.

“The Legislature has a responsibility to implement the will of the voters while also protecting public health and public safety,” Rosenberg said. “This short delay will allow the necessary time for the Legislature to work with stakeholders on improving the new law.”

Colorado was able to draft regulations and rollout their recreational market in the amount of time specified under the version of the bill passed by Massachusetts voters.

Baker has 10 days to either veto the bill or sign it into law.

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Plant grown by a licensed marijuana cultivator in Washington state.

Licensed Canadian MMJ Producer Issues Recall Over Products With Banned Pesticides

12/29/2016

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Toronto, Canada-based medical cannabis producer Mettrum Ltd. has come under fire after its products tested positive for banned pesticides myclobutanil and pyrethrin, leading to a voluntary recall of affected products, according to a Globe and Mail report. Neither the company nor Health Canada informed consumers en masse.

Myclobutanil is prohibited from use on legal cannabis products in the U.S. states of Washington, Oregon, and Colorado because it is known to produce hydrogen cyanide when combusted. Mettrum said that its use of pyrethrin was a mistake because it was not included on the ingredients of a pesticide spray the company was using. Mettrum did inform some of its customers via an automated phone message but did not publically announce the recall.

According to the report, Health Canada said that no broader warning was necessary because “exposure to the affected cannabis products would not likely cause any adverse health consequences.”

A representative from Mettrum told the Globe and Mail that only “trace levels” of myclobutanil were discovered but did not indicate how the banned pesticide ended up in its products.

In Canada, only 13 pesticides are approved for use on medical cannabis. Health Canada said that the agency is “looking at ways to make all cannabis product recalls, regardless of the level of risk, publicly available.”

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Cannabis Marketing Basics: Every Dispensary Needs a Web Presence

12/29/2016

by Aaron Apple

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After acquiring the proper licenses and working to get your dispensary open to the public, it’s time to start thinking about your online presence if you don’t already have a plan in place. Even with limited time and a limited budget, there are things you can do to get your business online.

Make sure to have the following in place in advance of your shop’s opening date:

Official website

A professional website on a custom domain that reflects the personality and style of your business. The most successful dispensaries take their image and reputation very seriously, so you should avoid using Gmail or other free email services. Free email accounts won’t instill confidence in your potential customer.

Professional help can be a good investment when it comes to getting your business online, but before you hire anyone it is good to do some research so you have a sense of your options.

Business listings

Accounts created for both Leafly and Weedmaps, which are popular directories of recreational and medical dispensaries, are a necessity. Besides being great for SEO, these two sites have a lot of users looking for dispensaries or particular strains, so make sure to get your business and inventory listed.

A Google business listing to give users crucial information of your business at a glance, without leaving the Google search results page. This will increase your presence in search and display information like hours, address and phone number next to photos, reviews and directions to your business. Claim and verify your business, make sure your information is up-to-date, respond to reviews, and take a look at the analytics to learn more about your audience.

Social media

At least one social media account on a major platform, though it would be ideal to have two or three. Each of the social platforms has its pros and cons, but all four listed below are worth the effort and don’t cost anything to join or maintain. For help crafting your voice over social media, check out this guide of do’s and don’ts.

Facebook is a great place to start for your business, and likely the most familiar. Set up your business page with high-quality images and up-to-date business profile and location information. You will want to post at least a few times a week, promoting events, sales, new products, etc.
Twitter is a great secondary option, and because it’s short form content, you should be tweeting and retweeting others several times a day if possible. Be sure to keep your audience in mind as you post, making sure to provide useful or interesting information they will care about.
Instagram is a great option if you have someone on staff with photography skills. You can really make your business stand apart from its competition by showing your space and products in creative ways, and it’s a great place for potential customers to discover your business.
Massroots is a new social platform specifically for cannabis enthusiasts. People can connect with each other, share experiences, search for dispensaries, and discover new strains. Dispensaries can edit their business information, hours and more to help members find their shop.

Follow the steps listed above to ensure that you are getting the most visibility with the least effort and time. The only item on the list that will cost you money is your website, and the link provided should give you a couple of options depending on what kind of budget you are working with.

Finally, be sure that if your business experiences any significant changes — such as a new location, hours, phone number, etc. — that you remember to update your information for every platform on which you are registered.

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The underside of a glowing marijuana leaf located in a Washington state grow facility.

Analysts Predict Washington’s Adult-Use Market Worth $2.4B by 2020

12/28/2016

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