Michigan Appeals Court: Illegal Cannabis Grows are Misdemeanor Crimes Regardless of Size

10/23/2023

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

The Michigan Court of Appeals earlier this month ruled that illegal cannabis grows of any size are misdemeanor crimes under the state’s voter-approved adult-use cannabis laws, MLive reports. Under the ruling, defendants convicted since 2018 under the now outdated 1978 may have the grounds to fight those convictions, according to the report.

More than 3,500 people have been charged since 2018 under the previous law, with 1,072 convicted. Under the 1978 law, people convicted for growing cannabis illegally can face up to 15 years in prison for possessing more than 99 pounds of cannabis or 200 plants. Under the 2018 statute, those crimes are considered misdemeanors, punishable by up to 93 days in jail.

The decision stems from an August 2020 raid in Tuscola County, during which officers uncovered 1,156 cannabis plants on the property of Shaaln Kejbou, the report says. Tuscola County prosecutors charged Kejbou with two felonies under the 1978 law and based on those felony charges, prosecutors also charged Kejbou with possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. A Tuscola County Circuit judge dismissed the cannabis and firearm crimes, ruling the old cannabis plant-count laws are obsolete, which the Tuscola County Prosecutor’s Office appealed.

In the joint Court of Appeals opinion, judges Michelle M. Rick and Kirsten Frank Kelly concluded that the 2018 law was enacted to “prevent situations” like Kejbou’s, namely “a felony conviction for an unlicensed marijuana grow operation.”

“We acknowledge this outcome may be viewed unjust by those businesses that legitimately operate within the parameters of the (law),” the judges wrote. “The remedy, however, lies within the sole responsibility of the Legislature.”

Because the law was approved by voters, any changes require a three-fourths supermajority.

Robin Schneider, who helped write the legalization law and now leads the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association, told MLive that she hasn’t heard any of the organization’s members complain about the decision and that “the law is working exactly as intended.”

“I think all of our members share the belief that they don’t want to see anyone incarcerated for a cannabis crime,” she said.

State police spokeswoman Shanon Banner told MLive that the court ruling won’t impact state police Tobacco and Marijuana Section operations.

“We have reviewed the ruling and because it deals with the level of the penalty and doesn’t change what is legal or illegal under the law, we don’t expect it will have a major impact on our enforcement operations,” she said.

End

Rhode Island Adult-Use Cannabis Sales Hit Monthly High of $7.11M in September

10/23/2023

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

Adult-use cannabis sales in Rhode Island reached a new monthly sales record in September, totaling $7.11 million, NBC 10 News reports. Adult-use sales totals are now back on track to meet the state’s annual revenue projections of $76 million for fiscal year 2023 after a slow start earlier in the year. 

When the adult-use cannabis market launched in the state in December 2022, the state had imposed an advertising ban on cannabis dispensaries; however, that ban was lifted in June and led to an 11% increase in adult-use cannabis sales that month, the report says.  

Cannabis Control Commission Chair Kim Ahern told NBC 10 News that while she believes allowing advertising is playing a role in the sales increase, she also attributes the growth to “getting the general message out” about a safe and regulated market. 

Rhode Island regulators have yet to award 24 retail licenses and once those licenses are active, officials expect sales will increase. In all, the state will allow a total of 33 adult-use cannabis licensees, which both officials and business owners hope will prevent the industry oversaturation that’s occurred in neighboring Massachusetts. Officials plan to begin issuing those licenses next year.  

End

Detroit Officials Close Psychedelic Church Raided in September

10/23/2023

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

Detroit, Michigan officials last week closed the building that formerly housed the psychedelic religious institution Soul Tribes International Ministries, the Detroit Free Press reports. The church, which offered psilocybin mushrooms as a sacrament, was raided by police in September. 

Detroit Councilman James Tate shared an image of the padlocked door and a Notice of Building Closure dated October 18 on Facebook and thanked officials for helping to protect the neighborhood.   

Shaman Boby Shu told the Free Press that the move is a “total violation” of the church’s First Amendment rights and is “religious discrimination” and “religious redlining.” Following the September raid, Shu said police seized more than $700,000 in psilocybin mushrooms intended for therapeutic use and ordered the church’s closure.

Detroit voters in 2022 passed Proposal E, which decriminalized possession and therapeutic use of entheogenic plants and fungi but Mayor Mike Duggan’s office has indicated that “It is the law department’s position that this local ordinance, despite its intent, does not override state law, which considers psilocybin to be a controlled substance” and that “the city ordinance itself does not allow for the sale or distribution of psilocybin.”

Shu told the Free Press that he will continue to push to reopen the church.  

End

FBI Data: Cannabis-Related Arrests in U.S. Increased in 2022

10/20/2023

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

Law enforcement officers in the U.S. made at least 227,108 arrests for cannabis violations in 2022, up from the 219,489 cannabis-related arrests the previous year, according to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) data. Of the 2022 arrests, 92% were for possession only. 

The figures are likely underestimated, because for 2022 83% of agencies reported their arrest data, according to NORML. That figure is up from 63% of agencies in 2021 and represents 75% of the total U.S. population. In a statement, NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano said that “While there has clearly been a long-term decline in the total number of marijuana-related arrests nationwide, it is discouraging that there still remains significant gaps in the available information.” 

“At a time when voters and their elected officials nationwide are re-evaluating state and federal marijuana policies, it is inconceivable that government agencies are unable to produce more explicit data on the estimated costs and scope of marijuana prohibition in America. Nonetheless, even from this incomplete data set, it remains clear that marijuana seizures and prosecutions remain a primary driver of drug war enforcement in the United States. Hundreds of thousands of Americans continue to be arrested annually for these violations even though a majority of voters no longer believe that the responsible use of marijuana by adults should be a crime.” — Armentano in a statement 

In all, 30% of all reported drug-related arrests in the U.S. in 2022 were for cannabis. 

From 2019 to 2020 cannabis-related arrests had fallen 36% but in 2020 more than 350,000 people were arrested for cannabis in the U.S., according to FBI data.   

End

suit-charges-cannabis-security

Two Michigan Lobbyists Sentenced to Federal Prison for Bribing Former Cannabis Licensing Board Chair

10/20/2023

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

Two Michigan lobbyists on Wednesday were sentenced to federal prison terms for their role in paying bribes to Rick Johnson, the former chair of the Michigan Marijuana Licensing Board. Brian Pierce was sentenced to 24 months in prison, along with two years of supervised release and a $25,000 fine, while Vincent Brown was sentenced to 20 months in prison, with two years of supervised release and a $25,000 fine.  

In a statement, U.S. Attorney Mark Totten said the duo “deliberately bribed Rick Johnson for their own personal gain.” 

“As I’ve said before, public corruption is a poison to our democracy and shatters the people’s trust in public officials. My office will hold offenders accountable – whomever, whenever, and wherever we find corruption and blatant disregard for the rule of law.” — Totten in a press release 

Pierce and Brown worked as lobbyists in Lansing and did business together as Philip Alan Brown Consulting, LLC and Michigan Grower’s Consultants, LLC and lobbied on behalf of various businesses seeking operating licenses from the licensing board. The pair admitted paying Johnson a total of $40,000 between June 2017 to November 2018 when Johnson was chair of the board, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan said in a press release. At Johnson’s request, Pierce paid a total of $2,000 to a Detroit exotic dancer who was having commercial sex with Johnson. Those payments were made to influence and reward Johnson in connection with his official duties on the board, including receiving his assistance for their clients who applied for licenses to operate in the cannabis industry.  

Last month, Johnson, a Republican who previously served as Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives, was sentenced to nearly five years in prison for accepting the bribes. In all, Johnson said he accepted a total of at least $110,000 in bribes. During his sentencing, Johnson told the judge he was a “corrupt politician.”  

Michigan businessman John Dalaly was also sentenced last month to more than two years in prison after admitting to paying Johnson at least $68,200 in cash and other benefits, including two private flights to Canada and hiring Johnson’s wife, who helped him fill out forms that would end up in front of the state Medical Marijuana Licensing Board, as a consultant for $4,000 a month.    

End

Cannabis Union Partners With Machinists and Aerospace Workers to Promote ‘Sustainable and Responsible’ Industry

10/20/2023

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

The Maine Cannabis Union is partnering with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) to impact cannabis-related legislation and promote a sustainable and responsible cannabis industry. The Maine Cannabis Union also announced that it would accept adult-use cannabis business owners into its union after previously only accepting medical cannabis operators.

In a statement, IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan said the alliance “will elevate” the groups’ “collective voice in the corridors of power from Augusta to Washington, D.C.”

“Our mission is to chart a course for a sustainable and responsible industry, not just in Maine but across the nation.” — Sullivan in a press release 

The IAM said that the Cannabis Union’s decision to begin accepting adult-use operators as members “signals their commitment to embracing all sectors of the cannabis market.”

“By doing so, they aim to create a more comprehensive and inclusive community of professionals,” IAM said, “all working together to further the interests of the Maine cannabis industry.”

The groups came together at a recent Cannabis Union-hosted event in Sanford which IAM Eastern Territory Special Representative Tiwaan Bradley described as “a testament to our theme of harmony, unity, and community, which allowed us to bring together new members and industry stakeholders, all driven by a common goal.”

“By expanding our embrace to adult-use store owners and uniting for growth,” Bradley said, “we are well-positioned to navigate challenges and seize opportunities.”

End

Jersey City Sues State Over Policy Allowing Police to Use Cannabis Off-Duty

10/19/2023

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

The Jersey City, New Jersey public safety director on Monday filed a lawsuit against the state in federal court for its move to allow police to consume cannabis while off duty, the New Jersey Monitor reports. In April, New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin issued a memo saying that it is acceptable for police in the state to use cannabis off-the-clock, but noted in the memo that “there should be zero tolerance for cannabis use, possession, or intoxication while performing the duties of a law enforcement officer” and “zero tolerance for unregulated marijuana consumption by officers at any time, on or off duty.”

In the lawsuit filed by Jersey City Public Safety Director James Shea on behalf of the city, Shea argues that because federal law prohibits anyone who uses a federally controlled substance from possessing a firearm, Jersey City cannot employ police officers who consume cannabis. The lawsuit names Platkin as a defendant.

The lawsuit contends that “police officers in New Jersey are required to possess and receive firearms in order to fulfill their duties as law enforcement officers” and when lawmakers passed the cannabis legalization law they “failed to address the impact of the federal firearm laws on the use of regulated marijuana/cannabis in New Jersey for persons who are required to possess and/or receive firearms or ammunitions as part of the job duties, including police officers in Jersey City.” 

“Every citizen in the state of New Jersey has the right to use marijuana. If one of our officers wants to do that, they could smoke as much as they want – they can no longer perform the duties of a police officer, and we will have to terminate them if we become aware.” — Shea via New Jersey Monitor 

The lawsuit comes two months after the state Civil Service Commission determined that Jersey City must rehire a police officer it had fired after she failed a drug test for cannabis, the report says. The commission based its decision on the state’s legalization law which prohibits employers from firing someone who consumes cannabis off-the-clock. At least three other officers fired for the same reason have also challenged the terminations and are named as defendants in the lawsuit. 

Shea said the commission is “refusing to acknowledge the conflict between the federal law and the state law” and that the legalization law violates the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution, which bars states from overriding federal statutes.  

“We all agree that they smoked, they utilized marijuana, cannabis, or THC. We all agree that they would need to carry a firearm to be police officers,” he told reporters. “So it should be as simple as a judge clarifying the supremacy clause.” 

The lawsuit also names the Civil Service Commission as a defendant and seeks to prevent the body from requiring the city to “employ or reinstate to employment any individual who is an unlawful user of any controlled substance, including marijuana/cannabis where such person is required to possess and/or receive a firearm or ammunition as part of his or her job duties.” 

End

Republican Lawmakers in Ohio Approve Resolution Opposing Cannabis Legalization

10/19/2023

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

Republican lawmakers in Ohio last week approved a resolution opposing the cannabis legalization question that will be put to voters in the state next month and urging citizens to vote ‘no’ on the proposal.  

The resolution contends that “the commercial marijuana industry” paid to write the statute and then “paid to collect the signatures to get the proposed law.” It also ties the state 33,000 overdose deaths between 2011 and 2020 to cannabis by linking them to the debunked “gateway” drug theory and claiming regular cannabis use “more than doubles the risk of developing opioid-use disorder or initiating nonmedical prescription opioid use,” despite evidence that several studies have found cannabis plays a role as an exit drug for some people who quit opioid use. 

“We, the members of the Senate of the State of Ohio, conclude that the proposed statute authored by the commercial marijuana industry does not serve the best interests of the people of Ohio, will bring unacceptable threats and risks to the health of all Ohioans, especially children, will create dangers in the workplace and unacceptable challenges and costs to employers, will make Ohio’s roads more dangerous, will impose significant new, unfunded costs to Ohio’s public social services, and serves only to advance the financial interests of the commercial marijuana industry and its investors.” — SR 216 text   

The resolution says by voting ‘no’ on the reforms, voters would be preserving and protecting the “state’s high quality of life,” health and safety of its citizens, strength and prosperity of its communities, strong economic growth, favorable environment for business success, and “opportunity for all citizens and the future for our young people.”  

The reforms are also opposed by Republican Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Association of Health Commissioners; however, a September poll by Fallon Research found 59% of Ohioans back the proposal with 32% opposed and 9% unsure.  

None of the Senate’s Democratic lawmakers signed onto the resolution.    

End

Tilray Announces Sustainable Packaging Transition For Good Supply Brand In Canada

10/19/2023

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

Tilray Brands, Inc. on Tuesday announced a hemp packaging transition across its Good Supply brand in Canada. The company said it is overhauling the packaging and componentry of flower bags, pre-rolls, and vape tubes and mouthpieces of the Good Supply brand to minimize the amount of single plastic used in production. 

In a press release, Tilray outlined its research with Suzy Insights which found consumers are 50% more likely to purchase a cannabis product that comes in sustainable packaging versus one that doesn’t. 

“Listening to consumers’ feedback and concerns, the mission around sustainability meets the needs of more eco-conscious, and frequent cannabis consumers, sharing active awareness of increased waste production in the industry.” — Tilray in a press release 

The company added that the program would help divert more than 288,800 pounds of plastic from landfills annually, based on Good Supply sales volumes as of June 2023. Tilray has also partnered with PrintReleaf to reforest more than 2000 trees as of August 2023, from label usage, to offset more than 150,000 pounds worth of paper consumption. 

Tilray indicated it plans to roll out its new packaging for its Canadian brands, including RIFF and Broken Coast.  

The effort is part of Tilray’s new “Green You Can Feel Good About” campaign. 

End

Harvard Creating Study of Psychedelics in Society and Culture

10/18/2023

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

Harvard University is creating a Study of Psychedelics in Society and Culture — an interdisciplinary effort across the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard Law School, and Harvard Divinity School — which aims to “transform the psychedelics research landscape by producing cutting-edge scholarship and convening faculty, students, and experts to engage in discussion around their far-reaching implications.”   

In a statement announcing the program, Robin Kelsey, Shirley Carter Burden Professor of Photography and dean of arts and humanities, said the university “is uniquely poised to become the most exciting place to debate, discuss, and innovate in this area.” 

The effort will be funded with a $16 million gift from the Gracias Family Foundation. Antonio Gracias, president of the foundation and the founder, chief executive officer, and chief investment officer of Valor Equity Partners, said in a statement, that “Harvard is the ideal place to explore the topic of psychedelics from new angles and to craft a framework for their legal, safe, and appropriate impact on society.” 

In a statement, Michael Pollan, professor of the practice in Harvard’s Creative Writing program and Lewis K. Chan Arts Lecturer, described the gift as “visionary… in that it is the first to take the so-called psychedelic renaissance beyond medicine, by recognizing the importance of the humanities in exploring the impact and potential of these remarkable substances.” 

Bruno Carvalho, interim director of the Mahindra Humanities Center, said in a statement that the initiative will give researchers “the space to explore and enrich public dialogue around psychedelics, including their potentials, as well as ethical and social implications.” 

In 2021, the Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics at Harvard Law School established its Project on Psychedelics Law and Regulation to examine the ethical, legal, and social implications of psychedelics in research, commerce, and therapeutics. Additionally, the Center for the Study of World Religions at Harvard Divinity School examines psychedelics as they relate to altered states of consciousness, the relationship of mind and matter, and the global history of spirituality and religion. 

End

Minnesota Cannabis Company Gets $10M State Loan to Turn Former Lumber Mill Into Cultivation Site

10/18/2023

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

A Minnesota economic development agency on Tuesday approved a $10 million loan for a Missouri-based cannabis company planning to build an indoor cultivation operation in a former lumber mill in Grand Rapids that has sat vacant for the past 15 years, MPR News reports. The company, HWY35, said the site will create 400 jobs over two phases of construction that will average $24 an hour, with annual salaries ranging from $40,000 to $160,000. 

Financing for the project also calls for a $10 million loan from the Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development and $2 million in tax increment financing from Grand Rapids. 

In a statement, Rob Mattei, community development director for the city of Grand Rapids, said the project will “further diversify” the city’s manufacturing base, “fully utilize the public’s past and present investments in infrastructure and substantially contribute to the growth” of the regional economy. 

Ida Rukavina, commissioner of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation (IRRR), the development agency that approved the $10 million loan, told MPR that the project helps achieve the agency’s goal of diversifying the regional economy away from mining and timber. 

“We know that not everyone may agree with this type of industry. But it is now legal in the state of Minnesota. This type of manufacturing, if it doesn’t happen here, it is going to happen somewhere else in our state.” — Rukavina to MPR 

Mathew Sjoberg, IRRR director of business development for Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation (IRRR), added that HWY35 hopes to have licenses secured by the middle of next year and be in operation by the end of next year.  

End

Advocates In Lubbock, Texas Submit Signatures for Cannabis Decriminalization Ordinance

10/18/2023

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

Advocates in Lubbock, Texas on Tuesday submitted their petition to decriminalize possession of small amounts of cannabis in the city after collecting more than twice the number of signatures required to force city lawmakers to vote on the proposal, the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reports. Freedom Act Lubbock submitted 10,540 signatures to the city secretary’s office, exceeding the 4,800 signature requirement. 

The city secretary’s office still needs to verify the signatures are valid before the issue moves to the City Council. The ordinance aims to decriminalize the possession of less than 4 ounces of cannabis and cannabis-related paraphernalia within the Lubbock city limits and prevent law enforcement officers from using cannabis odor alone as probable cause for a search.  

If the City Council rejects the ordinance, the Freedom Act committee has the option to request a citywide election to determine whether to codify the ordinance. Adam Hernandez, communications chair for Lubbock Compact, told reporters on Tuesday that he expects the council will send the issue to voters.  

“It was not an easy task by any means, and hundreds of hours were spent planning and building out the strategy before we even collected our first signature. This not only shows the popularity of this initiative, but this incredible feat shows what’s possible when Lubbock citizens from every community get involved in the democratic process. But this is only the first part.” — Hernandez via the Avalanche-Journal 

Hernandez added that in six other cities in Texas that have passed similar reforms, the issue has gone to voters rather than adopted by the city councils.  

According to Hernandez, there are about 600 cannabis-related arrests per year in Lubbock. A similar ordinance approved in Killeen in 2022 led to the release of 146 of 188 people who came in contact with police for cannabis possession from November 9, 2022, through February 28, 2023. 

End

Study: Cannabis Consumers See Reduced COVID Mortality & Better Outcomes Than Non-Consumers

10/17/2023

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

Cannabis consumers who contracted COVID-19 had reduced mortality and better outcomes compared to non-consumers, according to a study published this month in the CHEST Journal. The study, using the National Inpatient Sample Database, suggests “the beneficial effect of marijuana use may be attributed to its potential to inhibit viral entry into cells and prevent the release of proinflammatory cytokines, thus mitigating cytokine release syndrome.”  

According to the study, titled “Exploring the Relationship Between Marijuana Smoking and Covid-19 Outcomes,” cannabis consumers that had contacted Covid-19 had significantly lower rates of intubation (6.8% vs 12%), acute respiratory distress syndrome, (2.1% vs 6%), acute respiratory failure (25% vs 52.9%), severe sepsis with multiorgan failure (5.8% vs 12%), lower in-hospital cardiac arrest (1.2% vs 2.7%), and mortality (2.9% vs 13.5%).  

Out of 322,214 patients included in the study, 2,603 were cannabis consumers, which were described as younger and with a higher prevalence of tobacco use; however other comorbidities including obstructive sleep apnea, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were more prevalent in individuals who did not consumer cannabis. 

A study published in August came to a similar conclusion, finding active cannabis consumers diagnosed with COVID-19 had better clinical outcomes than non-cannabis consumers, including the decreased need for ICU admission or mechanical ventilation. However, that study included just two hospitals in the Los Angeles, California area and included just 1,831 covid patients. Among those, just 69 reported active cannabis use, representing 4% of the total patients.  

A study published in May demonstrated that the cannabinoids could lower the production of two proteins – angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) and the serine protease TMPRSS2 – which are commonly hacked by the coronavirus to create a new infection. 

End

Utah Startup Applies to Sell Cannabis DUI Insurance in Oregon

10/17/2023

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

Utah-based startup reepher has applied to sell insurance in Oregon which would cover the cost of defending a cannabis DUI, Axios reports. The cheapest reepher product offered costs $15 monthly and offers $15,000 in potential coverage, including up to $8,000 in attorney fees and $1,500 to recover a towed vehicle.  

The company launched in late 2021 and currently operates in Arkansas, Georgia, Missouri, New Hampshire, and South Carolina, according to the reepher website. 

CEO Justin Kahn told Axios that, to date, the company has signed up less than 1,000 customers but has raised $1.2 million in investments. 

“There needs to be a new type of coverage that protects people from the financial consequences of their own behaviors, which are not illegal. But if you end up on the wrong side of the risk it can be a costly endeavor.” — Kahn to Axios 

Tom Baker, an insurance law expert at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, told Axios that while it’s “unusual” to offer insurance “for conduct that would be regarded as criminal,” reepher’s products seem similar to “peace of mind insurance” that’s offered for identity theft or for trip cancellation. 

According to Oregon crime statistics, over the past two and a half years, law enforcement in the state made 210 cannabis-related driving under the influence citations and 64 disorderly conduct citations.  

End

Green Thumb Industries Employees In Reno, Nevada Vote to Join Union

10/17/2023

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

Workers at Green Thumb Industries in Reno, Nevada last week voted to join the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 711.  

In a statement, Green Thumb worker Derrick Miles said he and his colleagues “look forward to bargaining a fair contract.” 

“Organizing with your coworkers to hold your company accountable is no easy task. I’m proud to know we stepped up and stood together in solidarity to fight for the security and improved working conditions that a union contract can provide. … I hope more workers in Nevada, especially in cannabis, are emboldened to take action after witnessing successful campaigns like ours and others across the country. The labor movement in our industry and others grows larger every day. Working people around the country are joining together, making it apparent that enough is enough.” — Miles in a press release 

Last year, about 60 cannabis workers at the Green Thumb-owned RISE dispensary in Henderson voted to join the UFCW Local 711. In March, a complaint was filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) accusing Green Thumb of violations related to labor law concerning unionization, including, coercive rules, discipline, refusal to bargain or bargaining in bad faith, and repudiation or modification of contract. A prior complaint filed with NLRB accused Green Thumb of discharging employees and other discipline associated with their unionization efforts. 

In August, workers at Las Vegas’ MedMen dispensary voted to join the Local 711.  

End

Healer CBD Expands Its Wellness Offerings with Non-Impairing “Acidics” Gummies

10/17/2023

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

Brunswick, ME – October 6, 2023 – Healer CBD, a leading provider of hemp wellness oils, capsules and topicals nationwide, today announced it launched a new line of full-spectrum functional gummies made from hemp featuring three distinct formulations that contain beneficial acidic cannabinoids not present in most gummies currently available.

Called Ease, Rest, and Vitality, Healer hemp gummies are rare because they contain the acidic cannabinoids CBDA and CBGA, which are known for their powerful pain relief, anti-inflammatory, immune-supporting, and neuroprotective properties. Recent studies show that cannabinoids in their original “unheated” acidic form have tremendous healing properties that act in tandem with and in contrast to their neutral counterparts.

The gummies were developed by Dr. Dustin Sulak, an osteopathic physician recognized globally by his peers as a pioneer of cannabis clinical applications, formulations, and dosage protocols. A leading expert on the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids, he is the author of the first foundational text on the clinical use of cannabinoid therapies, titled Handbook of Cannabis for Clinicians: Principles and Practice. 

Each  functional “acidic” gummy contains unique, consistent ratios of full-spectrum CBDA and CBGA along with their neutral (and better-known) counterparts CBD and CBG, plus other beneficial acidic and neutral minor cannabinoids extracted from specially selected organic hemp strains grown in Maine. Specifically:

To maximize wellness, Healer gummies are non-impairing, vegan, gluten free and made with organic ingredients and all natural, plant-based flavorings and colorings. Each serving contains less than 3 grams of sugar and no corn syrup. These gummies contain 10 mg of cannabinoids and less than 0.3% THC in accordance with federal law.

To ensure consistency and consumer safety, every batch is third-party lab tested. A Certificate of Analysis (COA) verifying the product’s contents and the absence of heavy metals, pesticides, solvents and other biocontaminants is prominently available via QR code on the label. A companion Usage Guide & Response Tracker booklet accompanies each product.

“We devoted a lot of time and effort over the past year to ensure the taste and effects meet the standard of excellence that our customers depend on to improve their overall health and well-being,” said Bradley Feuer, Healer CBD co-founder and CEO. “The initial response through consumer testing has been tremendous in regards to the taste, effects and the quicker onset compared to other edibles.”

It appears these gummies are a game-changer for people who want the health benefits of cannabinoids without impairment, but prefer delicious gummies to conventional oil drops or capsules, he said.

Healer CBD Ease, Rest, and Vitality gummies are available now at HealerCBD.com and a growing number of retail outlets.

###

About Healer CBD

Healer is a trusted, physician-developed hemp brand and educational resource founded to help consumers and healthcare providers get the best results with safe, reliably dosable products and education on how to best use them. Healer’s educational content and distinctive product formulations are based on the latest science, clinical research and 13 years of clinical work by Dr. Dustin Sulak.

Healer CBD’s paradigm-shifting patented nano-filtration extraction process sets a new standard for maintaining the plant’s valuable components while removing harmful contaminants. To learn more visit https://healercbd.com/healer-spectrum/#our-process.

Healer Whole Plant Hemp products are available nationwide. For education on how to use hemp as medicine or information about Healer Hemp products, visit www.HealerCBD.com.

About Dr. Dustin Sulak
Dustin Sulak, DO is a co-founder of Healer CBD and the founder of Integr8 Health, a medical practice in Maine that follows over 8,000 patients using medical cannabis and hemp. His practice balances the principles of osteopathy, mind-body medicine and medical cannabis.

Regarded as an expert on medical cannabis, Dr. Sulak educates medical providers and patients on its clinical use, while continuing to explore the therapeutic potential of this ancient yet emerging medicine.

Globally recognized by his peers as a pioneer of clinical applications, formulations, and usage protocols, Dr. Sulak is the author of the first foundational text on the clinical use of cannabis and cannabinoid therapies, titled Handbook of Cannabis for Clinicians: Principles and Practice [https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393714180].

Dr. Sulak received undergraduate degrees in nutrition science and biology from Indiana University, a doctorate of osteopathy from the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, and completed an internship at Maine-Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency.

End

Pioneering the Sample Economy in the Cannabis Industry with the Smallest Vape

10/17/2023

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

Artrix, a leader in cannabis vaporization business solutions, specializing in hardware manufacture, marketing support, and strategic consultation, today announces the launch of its ground-breaking new product category, DEMO. This game-changing device is the world’s smallest cannabis vape and represents Artrix’s premier solution to inaugurate the era of ‘sample economics’ in the cannabis vape consumer market.

ArtrixDEMO has been meticulously designed to meet the four most essential consumer needs in purchasing a cannabis vape pen : ease of use, flavor, discreetness, and portability. Beyond that, DEMO aims to tackle customer hesitation in trying new cannabis concentrate products and alleviate the costs of market expansion for cannabis vape companies and multi-states operators.

“DEMO is the smallest cannabis vape on the market, measuring only about 5cm in length and weighing less than 8g. It feels like an AirPods earbud, incredibly lightweight and compact. ” “Many clients are often curious as to why we have set the capacity of the DEMO at 0.1g. In fact, we have conducted extensive research on the consumption habits of the majority of cannabis vaporization consumers. Average cannabis vaporization consumers take around 5-9 draws per day, and the 0.1g capacity allows for approximately 8 draws. This capacity precisely meets the daily consumption needs of average cannabis vaporization consumers. DEMO ensures consumers fully experiencing the ultimate potency and aroma of a cannabis extract.” said Jessy Chen, Chief Product Officer at Artrix.

DEMO has a minuscule size and limited capacity, which is attributed to a cost-effective vape sample for consumer trials and an excellent product solution for promotional purposes. The innovation is tailored to meet urgent needs of cannabis business customer sets including cannabis vape brands, multi-state operators, cannabis processors, and dispensaries.

Amid the steep decline in the survival rate of new products in the current cannabis vaporization market, DEMO offers cannabis entrepreneurs a product solution of sample economics to test the market receptivity of new products and a diversified promotion strategy for the final product success.

“Sample economy has been well-proven in other fast-moving consumer goods sectors, particularly in online-store or in-store sales. Shopping small sample can effectively increase sales volume, customer retention, and also help attract new customers and agents. That’s why we launched this entirely new product category of cannabis vape, DEMO. It has better portability than a disposable, with more possibility than a pod-system. It can help cannabis businesses penetrate new markets, expand new sale channels, and reach more consumers in the form of trial packs, gift sets, and promotional giveaways,” said Jessica Min, Chief Business Officer at Artrix. “DEMO is suitable for cannabis businesses of all sizes to promote their cannabis extracts, whether the target audience is distributors, retailers, or consumers. DEMO offers a new business growth solution for cannabis brands to empower their existing cannabis product lines, and provides final consumers a simpler, portable, and affordable way to experience cannabis products.”

Artrix’s DEMO is now available to customers not only in the United States and Canada, but also internationally, providing:

  • New Product Testing: Market entry often comes with high marketing costs and risks of failure. DEMO can be used as a small sample or trail version to test the market acceptance at a lower cost, and increase its success rate.
  • Product Promotion: DEMO offers diverse promotional strategies to increase sales volume and retention rates, including member gifts, sample giveaways, gift sets, travel size choices, new register gifts, lottery events, etc.
  • Interstate Commerce: For multi-state operators, DEMO allows consumers use big brands at low prices that assist in rapid expanding sales channels, engaging consumers, and lowering the risk of entering new markets.
  • Cross-Industry Business Exploration: DEMO is adapted for low-cost, low-risk cross-industry business explorations. Quickly test the compatibility and performance of different cannabis extracts and vaporization devices to find new areas for profitable growth.

About Artrix – Hardware, Marketing, Strategy, We’re All in.

Artrix is an emerging international cannabis vaporizer hardware brand that offers more than just cannabis vape devices. It uses an exclusive three-in-one service model that combines superior product solutions, systematic marketing support, and professional strategic consulting to create a great customer experience. Artrix conducts extensive market research and analysis to understand the needs behind each product and provides localized marketing support to maximize its market potential and success.

End

Trulieve Contributes Another $500K to Florida Cannabis Legalization Campaign

10/16/2023

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

Multistate cannabis company Trulieve has contributed another $500,000 to Smart & Safe Florida, which is leading the campaign to legalize cannabis for adult use in the state, CBS News reports. In all, the firm has donated $39.55 million to the effort.

Trulieve has contributed all but $124.58 of the funds raised by Smart & Safe Florida, the report says, and the committee had spent $39.545 million as of September 30, according to Florida Divisions of Elections data outlined by CBS News.

In court filings opposing the reforms, lawyers for Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, who is leading the legal challenge to keep the legalization question off of ballots, claim the proposed constitutional amendment “misleads” voters to benefit Trulieve. In the brief, Solicitor General Henry Whitaker said the ballot summary “misleads in ways that, though sometimes subtle, are likely to influence voters – and to do so in a way that entrenches the sponsor’s monopolistic stranglehold on the marijuana market to the detriment of Floridians.”

The state Supreme Court is set to hear Moody’s challenge to the ballot measure next month.

A poll released last month from the University of South Florida and Florida Atlantic University found that 60% of respondents back adult-use cannabis legalization in the state, with 29% opposed and 11% unsure.

End

Two New Jersey Men Plead Guilty to Cannabis Investment-Related Fraud

10/16/2023

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

Two New Jersey men last week pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud related to swindling investors in CanaFarma Corp. and CanaFarma Hemp Products Corp. Vitaly Fargesen, who served as CanaFarma senior vice president of strategic planning, and Igor Palatnik, the company’s senior vice president of product acquisition each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to commit securities fraud and one count of conspiring to commit wire fraud in association with the scheme. 

The duo were initially charged last year for misappropriating at least $4 million in investor funds, in what U.S. Attorney Damian Williams described as “a sophisticated scheme to obtain millions of dollars from investors with the promise that their money would be spent on building a legitimate company.”     

“Instead, they lied about their business, lied to their auditors, and stole millions of dollars of investor funds. Today’s guilty pleas reflect my Office’s commitment to prosecuting those who greedily lie to investors to line their own pockets.” — Williams in a press release 

According to prosecutors, Fargesen and Palatnik used their control to raise about $14 million in funds, including investments in private shares of CanaFarma, with false and misleading representations concerning the company’s management, products, and financials and failed to invest investors’ funds as promised and used those funds for personal use. Fargesen and Palatnik effectuated the scheme by controlling CanaFarma through a nominal CEO who reported to the duo and lied to investors regarding CanaFarma’s actual and anticipated operations and attempted to artificially inflate CanaFarma’s reported revenue by making false statements to CanaFarma’s auditors, and misappropriating millions of dollars of investor funds. 

The combined charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Both men are expected to be sentenced in January. 

End

Poll: Majority of New Jersey Residents Smell Cannabis In Public; Most Unbothered By It

10/16/2023

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

In a Stockton University poll, a majority of New Jersey adults – 57% – reported smelling cannabis in public spaces often (28%) or sometimes (29%) with another 32% saying they smell cannabis rarely, and 9% saying they have never smelled cannabis in public. 

A majority of the respondents – 52% – though, said they are not bothered by the smell, while 19% said the odor bothers them a great deal and 28% said it bothers them slightly.    

In a statement, John Froonjian, director of the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University, which conducted the poll, noted that “Not much thought was given to the issue of the smell of marijuana becoming part of the public landscape in New Jersey.”   

“There are hardly any places to legally consume these products, so people are lighting up in parks, at festivals, in parking lots and on the street.” — Froonijian in a statement 

Last year, New Jersey regulators approved rules for cannabis consumption lounges; however, few have opened. 

About 29% of poll respondents said they have smelled cannabis coming from a a neighboring house or apartment often (14%) or sometimes (15%), with 21% saying they rarely smell it at home and 49% said they never do. Another 31% of those polled said they believe that the right to smoke cannabis in your own home should take precedence over not creating an odor for your neighbors, while 16% said residents not having to smell it from neighbors is most important. 

The majority of respondents (56%) said they did not know anyone who had driven while under the influence of cannabis, while 39% said they had; however, fewer residents (51%) said driving while under the influence of cannabis was extremely dangerous, compared to 90% who said the same for driving under the influence of alcohol. The poll found 73% of respondents said it is either very important (46%) or somewhat important (27%) to them to have a roadside test that can determine a person’s level of impairment from cannabis, with 10% saying it is not very important and 13% saying it is not at all important (13%) to develop such a test. 

End

U.S. Census Bureau Releases Interactive Map Outlining States’ Quarterly Cannabis Tax Revenues

10/13/2023

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

The U.S. Census Bureau has released an interactive map outlining the quarterly revenue states have garnered from cannabis excise taxes and what percent of their revenues the taxes represent. The agency’s data covers the second half of 2021, all of 2022, and the first half of this year. 

The data set for Q2 2023 is incomplete with several states where adult-use businesses are operational not included, such as Washington State, New Jersey, and Maryland. Other states, including Virginia and Minnesota have legalized cannabis for adult-use but sales have yet to commence. The data also includes states that impose excise taxes on medical cannabis sales.  

The available data shows that Q2 2023 cannabis tax revenues in five states represented more than 1% of the states’ total tax revenues, including Alaska (1.32%), Colorado (1.21%), Illinois (2.04%), Michigan (2.16%), and Oregon (3.19%). Among those states, only Alaska and Michigan had increases in cannabis tax revenues from the previous quarter, with 18.35% and 8.53% respectively. Colorado saw a 0.33% decrease, Illinois a 3.72% decrease, and Oregon a 7.95% decrease.  

Cannabis tax revenues for two states, Arizona (0.73%) and Missouri (0.92%), represented between 0.5% and 1% of revenue and both saw increases from Q1 figures at 9.73% and 89.4%, respectively.  

The cannabis tax revenues from the remaining states included in the dataset comprised less than 0.5% of the state’s revenues in Q2; those states include California (0.26%), Connecticut (0.05%), Maine (0.11%), Massachusetts (0.42%), Mississippi (0.02%), Montana (0.25%), Nevada (0.17%), New Mexico (0.06%), New York (0.37%), Oklahoma (0.09%), Pennsylvania (0.20%), Rhode Island (0.13%), Vermont (0.04%), and Washington, D.C. (0.01%).   

End

Maryland Judge Imposes Injunction Against Ban On Intoxicating Hemp Products

10/13/2023

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

A judge in Maryland on Thursday imposed a preliminary injunction against the enforcement of a state law that prohibited the sale of intoxicating hemp products, the Washington Post reports. The lawsuit against the rules was filed in July by the Maryland Hemp Coalition and several hemp farmers and businesses.  

Under the law, only businesses that had medical or adult-use cannabis licenses in the state were permitted to sell intoxicating hemp products and the lawsuit argued that those restrictions violate the Maryland Constitution’s equal protection and anti-monopoly clauses by effectively shutting down their businesses and excluding them from a tightly regulated market. The decision by Circuit Court Judge Brett R. Wilson will allow those businesses to remain operational while the case makes its way through the legal process. 

In a statement, William Tilburg, director of the Maryland Cannabis Administration, said the agency “was disappointed to learn of the preliminary decision in Washington County Circuit Court allowing for the continued sale of unregulated, untested, and intoxicating hemp-derived products.”   

The judge’s order has no effect on the state’s adult-use cannabis licensing process, which is currently underway.  

End

Alabama Medical Cannabis Regulators Pass New Rules; Aiming to Issue Licenses by Year’s End

10/13/2023

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) on Thursday passed new rules to reset the license application process for the third time, WIAT reports. Under the new rules, the agency will reconsider the applications they already have, and the scores will remain, but the applicants will now have the opportunity to make a public presentation to the commission about why they should receive a license.  

The new rules come amidst lawsuits related to the state’s licensing process so far: one alleging the AMCC failed to follow the state’s open meetings law, and another from Medalla LLC that claims the AMCC defamed the company when its evaluations implied, inaccurately, that one of the company’s owners or senior directors had a criminal record. 

A lawsuit filed against the AMCC by Verano Holdings that claimed the agency had no right to issues, then rescind, its medical cannabis license was dismissed by a Montgomery County Circuit Court judge on Wednesday, according to Alabama Daily News.  

In an interview with the Associated Press, Commission Chairman Rex Vaughn described Thursday’s move as “kind of a reset.” 

“We think we have a process to move forward,” he said, “not ditching what we’ve already done, but making use of it as best as possible.” 

The commission hopes to finally award the licenses by the end of the year.  

End

Study: Hemp Could Be Beneficial Cover Crop for Wine Vineyards

10/12/2023

by

a word from our sponsors:

advertisement

advertise here

Planting hemp as a cover crop in wine vineyards could be beneficial, according to a study conducted by New Zealand researchers outlined by New Zealand Wine Grower. The research, conducted over three years in Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc vineyards by grape grower Kirsty Harkness and viticulture researcher Dr. Mark Krasnow, found the hemp did not compete with the vines and beneficially affected the soils and wines. 

Additionally, the hemp became established without supplemental irrigation during an exceptionally dry season when other cover crops failed to thrive, allowing the plants to sequester carbon longer into the season. Soils from the hemp area were also higher in organic matter and total carbon, which are beneficial for the long-term health and fertility of the soil. Differences were especially pronounced at about 16-31 inches, suggesting that hemp allows the sequestration of more carbon deeper into the soil profile than other cover crops or resident vegetation. Juice from grapes adjacent to the hemp also had greater populations of native yeasts and produced a wine of higher quality than juice from vines located far from the hemp. 

The differences in native yeast populations brought about by a hemp cover crop is an aspect sparking much interest. The suggestion that hemp could improve wine quality is an interesting further study topic, but not a path I’m currently going down. As a grape grower, my focus is on producing the highest quality fruit, and improving soil health in vineyards.” — Harkness to New Zealand Wine Grower 

Krasnow added that the hemp’s lack of competition with the vines was “a little surprising, considering how large some of the plants grew.” 

“Its ability to survive with little water, its robust root system which adds carbon to the soil, and its ability to grow in and improve compacted soils, makes it a useful tool for vineyard management,” he said. 

End