The New York Times on June 23 published an article highlighting the adverse experience of a teenager using cannabis concentrates – it’s the second time this year the outlet has taken a fear-mongering approach to its cannabis coverage.
At Cannabias, we’ve already broken down the problem with this coverage, namely, teenagers shouldn’t be using cannabis in the first place unless they are registered patients. For starters, 14-years-old is too young to be using cannabis. Highlighting teens using cannabis and using that story as a vehicle for the possible harms of consumption is coverage bias. For every ‘teen uses cannabis, has adverse effects’ story, there are hundreds of competing stories of cannabis – used properly – helping kids with seizure disorders, Crohn’s disease, and with cancer treatment; however, the New York Times seems hellbent on highlighting the negative outcomes (‘if it bleeds, it leads,’ after all).
Adjective and adverbial bias are apparent throughout: graph four describes “euphoria (morphing) into something more disturbing.” Cannabis made the subject of the story (again a teenager) “feel more anxious or sad” or passing out in the shower. Well, yeah, her brain is still developing, of course she’s going to feel adverse effects, she’s a teenager, as teens we all feel bouts of anxiety and sadness. Also, (and I think we’ve crossed this bridge before) where are her parents when she’s passed out in the shower? The following graph also shows adjective and adverbial bias by describing the concentrates as “typically about 90% THC.” Do those products exist? They sure do but, even in legal markets are increasingly tough to find. They’re referred to as “platinum” in some circles and I’ve yet to see them in vape cartridge form, as the story suggests. To be fair, I’ve only made legal purchases in Michigan, Canada, Maine, Massachusetts, and on tribal land in New York and while I have seen concentrates near 90% THC, I’ve not seen them actually hit 90% on paper, but I digress.
Okay, so the New York Times article makes the claim that “nearly everyone” the subject knew was using these high-test concentrates, but doesn’t provide evidence and doesn’t interview anyone else which is an example of tone bias or even quality bias.
The author then migrates to what appears to be the trend du jour for anti-cannabis coverage recently: cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), the condition that causes some (very few) cannabis consumers to vomit uncontrollably. This is, again, coverage bias as the condition is relatively rare with the only study attempting to figure out the rate finding about 155 of 2,127 patients meeting the criteria for CHS or a “phenomenon similar.”
The author cites studies throughout; however, one study on an issue does not equate to “studies” (omission bias) and everyone in the industry that I’ve ever spoken to believes we need more studies to back up those of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other government-backed organizations and studies. (The problem with that is federal prohibition, which makes that near impossible.)
The author also includes one quote from the subject’s father but did she not ask the question, “where were you when she was 14 vaping (alleged) 90% THC?” I mean, that, for me, would be a key issue in this narrative.
The article is also plagued with photographic bias: images of brightly-colored vape pens, a blonde girl using a branded vape, what appear to be Nerds (maybe the cannabis copycat version, it’s unclear) a “liquid live resin in a girl’s bedroom” – each one utilized to invoke the ‘that could be my child’ fear. The whole article is designed to stoke fear and the accompanying images are meant to drive that point home.
The article, like many I’ve covered that focuses on youth cannabis use, fails to even tiptoe into the issue of personal responsibility. ‘It’s the drug’s fault!’ they scream, but where are the parents? Where are they even obtaining these products? I can tell you, in every single retail dispensary I have ever been to, I get ID’d (and I have grey hair in my beard); in Massachusetts and Canada I get ID’d twice. If these teenagers are getting these products from dealers, that is a topic worthy of investigation and, again, nearly every cannabis industry operator I have spoken to has explained the lengths they go through to subvert diversion and doesn’t want to see their products in the hands of teens. Also, where are these kids getting the money for these products? Platinum (the 90% concentrate) is $100 for a half gram at almost every retailer I’ve ever been to and while that may not be the case in more mature markets, these are the high-level questions the media should be focused on, rather than the kid who smoked too much cannabis and got sick.
As a youth, I drank often to the point of getting alcohol poisoning like an idiot, where was the New York Times then? As an instructor at a college, I see kids come in who drank too much the night before in a 9:30 am class – where is the New York Times to write 4,000 words about that? It’s coverage bias plain and simple. It’s gatekeeping bias. It’s irresponsible.
Remedy: The reporter could have tried to get to the bottom of how these kids are accessing such potent products, why the parents didn’t intervene, they could have interviewed the alleged other teenagers who are using these products, could have better explained the rarity of CHS, or that 90% THC products are not really that prevalent in legal markets. This article is high on conjecture, low on investigation, follows one subject, interviews too few experts, and relies on the old “what about the children” argument to demonize cannabis.
Cannabis should be used responsibly – by adults and in low doses or small doses of concentrates (just like alcohol) and the reporting around it should also be responsible. According to NIH statistics, 5,000 young people die annually as a result of underage drinking but you’d be hard-pressed to find the Times writing about any of those.
Adult-use cannabis sales in Arizona reached $75.5 million in April – the latest month for available data – representing a nearly $5 million decline from March, which was the best month for sales since the start of the program in January 2021, the Arizona Mirror reports. The April totals would have been a near-$3 million increase over March but officials had revised March totals by $8 million.
Medical cannabis sales in the state declined for the sixth consecutive month, falling to $47 million in April, just the second time sales have been less than $50 million since the launch of adult-use sales.
The number of medical cannabis patients also continued to decline. In April, the state counted 212,083 registered patients which fell to 191,682 in May. Patients purchased less than 8,000 pounds of medical cannabis in various forms through fewer than 500,000 transactions. Comparatively, in January patients bought about 10,000 pounds of cannabis products in nearly 600,000 transactions, the report says.
In Arizona, a third of cannabis tax revenues are earmarked for community college and provisional community college districts, with 31% used to fund public safety, including police, fire departments, fire districts, and first responders. 25% is sent to the Arizona Highway User Revenue Fund and 10% to the justice reinvestment fund, which provides public health services, counseling, job training, and other social services for communities that have been disproportionately impacted by cannabis law enforcement.
North Dakota advocates on Monday turned in 25,762 signatures to the secretary of state’s office seeking to put adult-use legalization on November ballots, the Jamestown Sun reports. In order to put the issue to voters, the secretary of state must verify 15,582 signatures and Secretary of State Al Jaeger has 35 days to determine whether the proposal meets the qualifications to proceed.
The measure by New Approach North Dakota would legalize cannabis for adults 21-and-older and allow home cultivation of up to three plants, legalize personal possession of up to one ounce of flower, four grams of concentrates, and up to 500 milligrams of total THC.
New Approach Chairman Dave Owen told Forum News Service that he is “certain” the campaign has enough valid signatures “to get over the threshold.”
Two other groups seeking to put ballot initiatives on November ballots have already been rejected by Jaeger: one to set term limits for North Dakota politicians and another by a group seeking to raise the bar for amending the state constitution, the report says.
In 2016, North Dakota voters approved a medical cannabis ballot question but two years later – also during a midterm election – rejected a proposal to legalize cannabis for adults. Owen said the adult-use measure failed because it didn’t include strict regulations; the current 19-page proposal clearly outlines the law provisions and mirrors a 2021 bill that passed the state House of Representatives but died in the Senate.
Colorado’s Cannabis Business Office (CBO) and a branch of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), has announced the winners of its first round of social equity grant funding, according to Westword. The CBO was formed to help cannabis business owners most affected by the war on drugs.
State data shows that 18% of cannabis business owners and 33% of employees working in the Colorado cannabis industry identify as “minorities.” Using cannabis tax money to fund the program, officials say it has $1 million in grant funding and an additional $2.5 million in low-interest small business microloans to issue. In all, 16 awardees were announced, many of whom are delivery and hospitality cannabis businesses.
Each business had to come to the table with matching funds to the grant amount and already be a Colorado social-equity licensee. The social equity license is only for cannabis business owners who meet one of the following criteria: having a cannabis drug arrest on their record, earning 50% of the state medium income, or hailing from a community designated as a low-economic opportunity zone by the state. Grant applicants also had to attend a technical training program and submit a business proposal, Westword notes.
Grants are gifted by business size with smaller startups eligible for $25,000 and larger businesses eligible for up to $50,000. Specific grant amounts were not shared. Grant winners must submit six-month and one-year updates on how they spent their grant, says Westword.
OEDIT says more grants are on the way, but the application window has not been announced.
Data supports theory that RSBT-001 can positively impact damaging inflammation without eliminating beneficial immune response
CUMBERLAND, Md. – July 11, 2022 – RS BioTherapeutics, whose mission is to harness its strong and thorough understanding of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) to research, develop and commercialize interventions to address chronic and acute pulmonary (lung) inflammation-based diseases, is pleased to announce positive results from its proof-of-concept study for its first investigational compound, RSBT-001.
RSBT-001 is a patent-pending, nebulized, semi-synthetic, cannabidiolic acid (CBDa) complex in development to address exacerbation and prevent progression of both acute and chronic pulmonary inflammation related to respiratory diseases including COPD, SARS-COV-2, Cystic Fibrosis, Asthma, Bronchitis, and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.
RS BioTherapeutics conducted the study in conjunction with RSBT-001 development partner, Synthonics, Inc., and Marshall University using a mouse model of pulmonary inflammation.
The proof of concept model was created by instilling E. coli derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intranasally. Anti-inflammatory response was determined by measuring a series of cytokines known to be highly expressed in response to pulmonary inflammation. RSBT-001 was dosed at 1 mg/kg intranasally and its performance was measured against a positive control, dexamethasone, at 2.5 mg/kg and 10.0 mg/kg dosed intranasally; a negative control (LPS only); and vehicle only. Both RSBT-001 and dexamethasone were administered in a single dose 8 hours after insult. Cytokine measurements were made with mouse lung homogenate at 12 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours after test material administration.
Justin Molignoni, CRNP, Chief Strategy Officer and Co-Chair of the RS BioTherapeutics Joint Development Committee said, “The data from the proof-of-concept trial clearly indicates that RSBT-001 reduces cytokine level, and that this cytokine reduction is appropriately transient. This supports the theory that RSBT-001 can reduce the harmful effects of an overstimulated immune system, which causes damaging inflammation, but does not completely suppress the immune response, which is important to retain in order to continue to fight off the insult or infection.”
Thomas Piccariello, Ph.D., Co-Chair of the RS BioTherapeutics Joint Development Committee and Co-Founder, President and Chief Science Officer of Synthonics, Inc. said, “Our conclusions are that RSBT-001 approached normalization of IL6, IFNγ, IL-12p70 and IL-1β relative to baseline at the 12 and 24 hours timepoints. Moreover, RSBT-001’s response was similar to dexamethasone’s 2.5 mg/kg responses. In this trial, RSBT-001 demonstrated exactly what we want to accomplish with any anti-inflammatory agent: down regulate cytokines to the appropriate therapeutic level but not eliminate cytokines altogether. Completely eliminating cytokine expression is what corticosteroids, like dexamethasone, can do, which allows secondary infections to occur.”
Adding to the discussion, Hongwei Yu, Ph.D., a professor in the Marshall University School of Medicine and one of the lead researchers on the study noted, “The results of the proof-of-concept study for RSBT-001 were exciting. We are looking forward to participating in additional studies to determine the precise dosing of RSBT-001 that is most effective at preventing lung inflammation as well as its safety and adverse event profile.”
RS BioTherapeutics has initiated a second study with Marshall to further evaluate the impact of RSBT-001 on pulmonary inflammation.
About RS BioTherapeutics Founded by experts in pulmonary diseases and the endocannabinoid system, RS BioTherapeutics is a wholly owned subsidiary of Real Science Holdco LLC. The company’s mission is to harness its strong and thorough understanding of the Endocannabinoid System in the research, development, and commercialization of forward-thinking interventions to address chronic and acute pulmonary inflammation-based diseases. More information on RS Biotherapeutics can be found at www.rsbiotherapeutics.com.
About Synthonics Synthonics, Inc. is a privately-held specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of patentable drugs that incorporate its proprietary metal coordination chemistry. It binds metals to known pharmaceutical agents to create new products that are better absorbed and thus have greater therapeutic benefits than their predecessors. More information on Synthonics can be found at www.synthonicsinc.com.
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Media Contact:
David Gutierrez, Dresner Corporate Services, (312) 780-7204, dgutierrez@dresnerco.com
Cannabis media firm Hightimes Holding Corp. in April purchased West Hollywood, California consumption lounge The Mezz for $6 million, including $1,500,000 in convertible promissory notes and $4,500,000 of Hightimes Class A common stock, according to Green Market Report. However, since the company hasn’t published financial information in three years, the shares don’t trade – and potentially could never trade – so the value of the stock is effectively zero.
The deal still requires regulatory approval.
High Times also entered into a management services agreement with The Mezz to provide certain support services to the lounge, so even if the sale is not approved, High Times will get some income from the agreement.
According to Green Market, The Mezz is behind on its rent, owing more than $1 million total; the base rent is $35,000 a month. In May, the company paid an additional security deposit of $126,624 plus $42,208 in rent as part of an agreement with the lessor.
In May, High Times investors shared on Reddit that their stock was worth $0. In July 2020, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) told High Times to halt its initial public offering after it missed a deadline to file its annual audited report. The company launched its Reg A offering in 2018 and in the following years, High Times started acquiring magazines, online publications, events that centered around cannabis culture, and cannabis retail companies.
High Times issued its last annual report in June 2019, which showed it had raised just $15 million of its $50 million goal. In a 2019 SEC report, Hightimes Holding had a net loss of $11.9 million on revenue of $10.7 million for the six months ending on June 30, 2019. The company at the time reported $105.2 million in debts.
One of California’s most prominent cannabis testing laboratories, CannaSafe Labs, is set to close, Analytical Cannabis reports. In a June 27 letter to clients, CannaSafe President, Antonio Frazier, said the company will be “winding down” its testing services.
“This isn’t a decision that we take lightly and certainly one that comes with a heavy heart. We thank you for trusting us with your products to ensure they’re safe and accurate for consumers.” — Frazier, in the letter, via Analytical Cannabis
Ini Afia, CannaSafe’s chief science officer, told Analytical Cannabis that “the issue of lab shopping and ownership decision not to play in that arena ultimately led to the closure.”
Lab shopping is the practice of cannabis businesses taking the product to different labs until it gets the testing result it desires.
“There hasn’t been substantive action from the DCC (Department of Cannabis Control) even when direct evidence of unscrupulous lab practices was submitted as complaints to the agency,” Afia told Analytical Cannabis. “When people are able to test compliance samples at multiple labs and pick the most favorable result for sale, then it makes it very difficult for labs with integrity to get on the playing field.”
Afia added that the closure “is not permanent” but hoped that California would limit the number of laboratory licenses and enforce state regulations.
“The California market has a ton of potential but unfortunately with taxation, circumstances around the economy, and inaction from regulatory authorities on unscrupulous labs, most existing cannabis labs will not make it,” he said.
The campaign seeking to legalize cannabis in Arkansas last week submitted more than 192,000 petition signatures and ballot titles to the secretary of state’s office for certification, the Arkansas Times reports. The signature total is 100,000 more than the 89,151 valid signatures required to put the issue to voters in November.
The proposal by Responsible Growth Arkansas would legalize cannabis for adults 21-and-older while increasing the number of cultivators in the state from the eight allowed under the state’s medical cannabis law to 20 and the number of dispensaries from 40 to 120. The plan would not allow Arkansans to cultivate their own cannabis.
Additionally, if approved, the state’s medical cannabis tax would be eliminated but the same tax rates – a 6.50% sales tax and 4% excise tax – would be applied to adult-use sales. The tax revenue would be used for the state’s general revenues as well as health care research, drug courts, and a stipend for law enforcement.
Steve Lancaster, co-counsel for the cannabis industry-backed group, told the Times that he is “completely confident it will pass.”
“Assuming we get to the ballot, and we’re confident on that, I think, come November, we’ll pass this thing.” — Lancaster to the Times
The signatures still need to be verified; however, in May group Chairman Eddie Armstrong told the Times that the group had verified more than 65,000 signatures. By law, the secretary of state has 30 days to verify the signatures.
Melissa Fults, the treasurer of the state chapter of the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), told the Times that the group would oppose the initiative, describing it as benefitting a small group of people and “greed on top of greed on top of greed.”
Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) star Brittney Griner on Thursday pleaded guilty to drug possession in Russia during the second day of her trial, the Associated Press reports. Following the plea, Griner now faces up to 10 years in prison.
The plea, however, could be an effort by her and her advisors to expedite the court proceedings as Russian officials have indicated that no diplomatic solutions could be taken prior to the end of the trial.
Griner, 31, has been detained since late April, accused of bringing vape cartridges containing cannabis in her luggage while returning to play basketball in the country. Her arrest came as Russia faced international sanctions and became a pariah on the world stage for its invasion of Ukraine. She is considered “wrongfully detained” by U.S. officials and has not had consular access since May.
Speaking through an interpreter during her court appearance on Thursday, Griner told the court she had no intention of committing the crime and the vape cartridges had ended up in her luggage unintentionally as she packed for the trip to Moscow in a hurry, the report says.
Her lawyer, Maria Blagovolina, said outside the court in the Moscow suburb of Khimki after the guilty plea, that her client “had committed this act through negligence, unintentionally.”
“We of course hope for the leniency of the court. Considering all the circumstances of the case, taking into account the personality of our client, we believe that the admission of guilt should certainly be taken into account.” — Blagovolina via the AP
In the U.S., Griner plays for the Phoenix Mercury and is a multi-time WNBA all-star but has played in Russia for the last seven years during the winter offseason, earning $1 million per season, which is more than four times her WNBA salary.
In May, Russian agency TASS suggested that Russia may be willing to exchange Griner for Viktor Bout – a Russian who is being held in the U.S. following an arms dealing conviction. Bout, whose life was the basis for the 2005 film “Lord of War,” was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2010.
Last month, American teacher and former U.S. diplomat Marc Fogel was sentenced to 14 years in prison by a Russian court for “large-scale” cannabis smuggling. Fogel was arrested in August 2021 after customs officials found cannabis – believed to be about 17 grams – in his luggage.
In Russia, acquittals occur in only about 1% of cases and Griner’s guilty plea could lead to a lighter sentence.
Albania plans on legalizing the cultivation of cannabis for industrial and medical purposes, Baltic Insights reports. The government says it wants to dedicate 150 hectares to cannabis cultivation and will allow companies with experience in the European Union market to apply for licenses in 2023.
Only companies with a capitalization of 100 million leks (8 million euros) or more will be considered for licenses, the report says.
Albania joins roughly 30 other countries in allowing some form of medical cannabis but the move is more controversial in the country as it traditionally has been a hotbed of illegal cannabis cultivation. Forty percent of Albanians in prison were convicted of some sort of drug crime, the Insight notes.
Enkelejd Alibeaj, an opposition MP, said the announcement is “madness” considering the country’s history of drug production.
“Edi Rama is the only Prime Minister in the EU whose former Interior Minister is in prison exactly due to connections with drug traffickers.” — Alibeaj on Facebook
The minister of interior, Saimir Tahiri, was convicted of misuse of power but not international drug trafficking after Italian authorities arrested some of his associates, the report says.
After the fall of communism in Russia, Albania became a cannabis production hub. Lazarat village would become known as “the European capital of cannabis growing.” It took a military-style crackdown to eventually suppress cannabis production there; however, cannabis cultivation remained an issue even after the action, the report says.
“Everybody knows that in a country where criminality and corruption are very high, keeping such activity under control is next to impossible,” Alibeaj said.
Nebraska advocates have turned in their petitions to legalize medical cannabis in the state, saying they have exceeded the threshold to put the issue on November ballots, WOWT reports. Organizers for Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana (NMM) said on Thursday they submitted two petitions, each with more than 90,000 signatures, surpassing the 87,000-signature requirement.
State Senator Anna Wishart (D), a longtime advocate for the reforms, said that two months ago each petition had just 20,000 signatures. The two-pronged effort asks voters to approve the petitions: one requiring lawmakers to pass bills protecting physicians who recommend medical cannabis along with their patients who possess or use the product from criminal penalty and a second question requiring the Legislature to enact measures protecting private companies that produce and supply cannabis for medical purposes.
The group did reach enough signatures to put the issue to Nebraska voters in 2020 but the proposal was struck down by the state Supreme Court on a technicality.
Since 2020, state lawmakers have failed to pass the reforms, which a May survey by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln estimates that in 2020 and 2021, 83% of Nebraskans supported medical cannabis legalization in the state.
The reforms are strongly opposed by Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts who has appeared in an ad-funded by anti-legalization group Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) saying cannabis is “not medicine” and, prior to that, remarked during a SAM-hosted press conference that cannabis legalization will “kill…kids.”
After filing the petition on Thursday, NMM Campaign Manager Crista Eggers said the group feels “very good” about their chances of putting the question to voters and, finally, getting the reforms approved.
Canadian cannabis company Burb Cannabis Corp. has received final approval to open a retail store on the University of British Columbia campus. Once open, the shop will be the first-of-its-kind – cannabis retail on a college campus – in the world.
The shop will also represent Burb’s eighth location, the maximum allowable under the province’s retail cap for any single brand.
John Kaye, Burb CEO and co-founder, called the approval “a big victory… after a contentious debate around public safety and community fit.”
“Despite concerns grounded in age-old stigma from nearby residents, many of whom were off-shore residential owners, the board made an informed decision that aligned with the overwhelming voice of the student body as well as the tenets of legalization in our country. We’re beyond excited to bring Burb to campus and provide safe access to students and residents this fall.” — Kaye in a press release
The application to open the store was met with an opposition petition from neighbors who had gathered nearly 1,900 signatures on an online petition, according to a CBC report. A competing petition in support had more than 2,000 signatures, and the shop was supported by the Alma Mater Society (AMS) which represents the college’s more than 56,000 students. The shop will technically be just off campus in the University Village.
Eshana Bhangu, president of the AMS, told the CBC that the organization supported the project “right from the beginning.”
“We just think the UBC student body really deserves to have a safe space nearby where purchasing cannabis is accessible and provided in a stress-free environment,” she said. “Locations like these really do reduce illegal activity and we don’t think that this is going to have any risk to families and underage youth.”
Germany is in the process of establishing its adult-use cannabis legalization language — medical cannabis has been legal in the European country since 2016. Some posit that legalization in Germany will inspire other European countries to legalize and regulate the plant. Siblings Nik and Anna-Sophia Kouparanis founded The Bloomwell Group to provide medical cannabis to Germany’s patients; now, they are excitedly preparing for recreational sales through their brand ecosphere and e-commerce platform.
Ganjapreneur recently interviewed Nik Kouparanis, CEO and Co-Founder of The Bloomwell Group, about his drive as a cannabis entrepreneur, building the brand ecosphere, and for an analysis of impending cannabis regulations in Germany.
Keep scrolling to read more!
Ganjapreneur: What inspired you to enter the cannabis space?
Nik Kouparanis: My professional goal has always been rooted in entrepreneurship. In the long term, I never wanted to work for someone else and, instead, ventured out on my own to create something impactful.
I earned my Master’s degree in Management and in 2017, I wrote my thesis on the potential of upcoming cannabis legalization measures, with medical cannabis being the door opener. Around this time, I became involved with the medical cannabis industry, and to-date I have been in the industry of building cannabis companies in Germany for over five years.
I started working in the cannabis industry because I’m 100% convinced that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. A completely new global market that is rising from scratch! Along with my sister Anna-Sophia Kouparanis, who co-founded Bloomwell Group with me, we are among the first entrepreneurs in the country to successfully gain a foothold in the medical cannabis market. Now, we’re preparing for the adult-use market. It’s an extremely exciting time to be a part of the cannabis space in Germany.
How have your entrepreneurial experiences prepared you for the challenges faced while founding a cannabis business?
I’m a cannabis entrepreneur through and through, dedicating 100% of my efforts to this industry. Every single company I have built has been a cannabis entity. Right after earning my Master’s degree, I started to scale companies in the German industry. What I can say is that cannabis is one of the most strictly regulated and complex industries. Therefore, I’ve needed to learn very quickly in this new and ever-changing environment.
Despite all its challenges, I cannot imagine a more exciting industry for entrepreneurs. We’re in the middle of a global change and a paradigm shift in cannabis policies. Even though we can’t exactly predict what tomorrow’s cannabis world might look like, and you always need to be quick and flexible, we’re in the middle of building something very big with an immense social and economic impact.
The Bloomwell Group is self-described as a brand ecosphere. What is a brand ecosphere, and how does this approach benefit The Bloomwell Group?
Bloomwell Group seeks to redefine the cannabis industry and craft a new episode in its history. Our vision is for Bloomwell Group to become the number one brand ecosphere in the recreational cannabis sector. We are convinced that it’s time to switch lanes and move cannabis beyond its sole purpose as an ailment-relief treatment for patients. We believe in cannabis as a statement by people who dare to tap into themselves and live an elevated, modern and community-driven life.
The Bloomwell Group is building a synergetic platform that guarantees spill-over effects for all portfolio companies, creating an open ecosphere with a one-stop shop for patients and customers, complete with an end-to-end e-commerce experience (which we already operate under our medical cannabis umbrella). Currently, the licensed distributor Ilios Santé, Europe’s leading cannabis telemedicine company Algea Care, and Breezy Brands are part of the Bloomwell Group.
The company is developing relationships within each sector of the cannabis supply chain except cultivation. Why did the team decide not to enter the cultivation space?
We don’t have specific expertise in cultivation and consider this business to be highly competitive. That said, cultivating cannabis for the German market will become a commodity like in every other industry. It’s important for companies and brands in the space to develop strong partnerships with in-demand cultivators in order to ensure a high-quality output and the uniqueness of our genetics.
How has The Bloomwell Group helped develop telemedicine in the German cannabis market? Why was this a priority for the brand?
Our portfolio company Algea Care was launched in Autumn 2020 and filled an important market need at a time when many businesses were focused on imports and distribution, which is a highly competitive environment. Instead, Algea Care addressed a key issue for medical cannabis patients: the lack of medical expertise in the cannabis field. Many patients were, and still are- struggling to find doctors who are willing and able to prescribe them medical cannabis to address their needs. Algea Care was the first German company to combine telemedicine specifically with prescription drugs labeled narcotics. To date, we’ve helped 10,000 patients with chronic diseases who didn’t have any access to medical cannabis expertise before. However, it’s still a struggle in Germany to find physicians who understand the full potential of medical cannabis, but we’re doing our best to close this gap.
How does The Bloomwell Group normalize and educate on cannabis medicine in the medical community?
The amount of existing scientific evidence on medical cannabis treatment in Germany, both regarding safety as well as efficacy, still needs to be improved. The data generated from patient treatments via the Algea Care platform is already being used for academic research in multiple clinical studies. These results will be crucial for further destigmatization of medical cannabis among patients as well as the medical community. In addition, we focus on continuous education of doctors via Algea Care. We are currently in the process of having educational courses obtain CME certification.
Did you consider adult-use legalization as you built out the medical cannabis brand ecosphere to ensure a seamless transition into the new regulations?
When we closed our seed round in October 2021 (at that time, the highest seed funding for a European cannabis company), we raised this capital with a clear focus on the medical market. That said, as we approach the legalization of adult-use cannabis in Germany, we seek to be in a prime position when the recreational market opens. Therefore, we will raise another round to prepare. Under the Bloomwell umbrella, we currently have three different subsidiaries. We will be able to serve the whole value chain (excluding cultivation, as previously mentioned). Looking at the North American markets, it’s crystal clear that the leading medical cannabis companies have the network, expertise and access to supply to be the early movers and shakers building the adult-use market. Also, our leading telemedicine platform, Algea Care, has gathered a great deal of data that can be utilized when setting up the adult-use market, including data useful for education. We also have our brand Breezy, which focuses on direct-to-consumer services, which we expect to seamlessly expand from medical to recreational sales.
What is Breezy?
Our portfolio company, Breezy brands, runs a purely Direct to Consumer / Direct to Patient operation. Patients and consumers can choose from a variety of lifestyle products. In addition, the delivery of various medical flowers for patients will be rolling out soon. Breezy brands is the place to be for all people in Germany associated with cannabis. We are prepared to be the one-stop-shop for the growing cannabis community.
What product standards do you look for before absorbing a brand into The Bloomwell Group?
With regards to a medical cannabis company or brand, we need for them to meet European Union Good Manufacturing Practice (EU GMP) and Good Agricultural and Cultural Practice(GACP) standards. While standards and regulations are yet to be determined for Germany’s future adult-use industry, we know that the country will prioritize consumer safety, education, protection of minors and product quality.
Along with fulfilling the mandatory standards, quality control and assurance is crucial. Data from the U.S. market shows that in the long term, only brands that can guarantee quality will survive and thrive.
Have German cannabis entrepreneurs learned lessons from the developing American industry? Alternatively, what can American cannabis businesses take away from the developing German market?
Germany is closely watching the developing American cannabis industry (as well as licensed markets around the world) both for what to do and what not to do. Germany wants to protect minors, educate consumers and guarantee product quality. Therefore, we need to eradicate the illicit market. Looking at the United States, we see that certain states’ licensed industries perform and compete with the illicit market better and more effectively than others. For example, in California, the sky-high taxes placed on licensed cannabis products have allowed the illicit market to continue to flourish by offering consumers less expensive products. This is a lesson learned for Germany to shape the tax burden along the value chain in such a way that the industry can supply the market in an entrepreneurial way and offer consumers products at appealing price points. That way, we can compete with and eventually eradicate the illicit market.
In Germany, we’ll also need to minimize bureaucratic hurdles and convoluted regulations. We should design a bureaucracy in such a way that it contributes as much as possible to the achievement of objectives that include ensuring a stable supply and a nationwide sales infrastructure. Also, we need to allow imports to ensure competitive pricing.
What are your predictions for legalization in Germany? How might regulated cannabis sales in Germany impact the market worldwide?
Germany will become the largest market in the world when we open up the adult-use market with more than 82 million inhabitants, which is more than that of California and Canada. The future language for cannabis will be German, and this will be the flagship market once adult-use legalization takes place. A representative survey conducted by Bloomwell shows that one out of every two adults in Germany is a potential legal cannabis consumer.
According to the latest projections by economist Justus Haucap, the state could achieve an annual plus of 4.7 billion euros through the legalization of cannabis combined with various tax revenues (including cannabis tax) and savings (including judiciary and criminal prosecution). According to Haucap, 27,000 new jobs could also be created.
I’m certain that Germany’s licensed adult-use market will lead to a new paradigm of cannabis policy in the European Union, as well as around the globe. In Europe, we see many countries such as Malta, Luxembourg, Spain, the Netherlands, as well as Switzerland as part of the Schengen area, seeking new ways to deal with cannabis through pilot projects or through decriminalization. While that is a form of progress, it’s important to note that decriminalization as the only legalization measure is not enough; only a fully licensed adult-use market can ensure protection of minors and guarantee product safety. Therefore, I’m convinced that many European countries will follow Germany’s way of legalizing the adult-use cannabis industry. That said, I would like to emphasize that Germany should not rush its draft of the legislation and regulations; meticulousness and attention to detail are more important than speed. It can only become a role model for other countries if the legal framework is 100% waterproof.
You attended the most recent hearing on drafting cannabis legalization in Germany, what can you say about the regulations thus far?
Germany’s Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach made a remarkable statement – that cannabis in moderation is part of modern society. He also rightly emphasized that cannabis is not just a phenomenon in big cities, but also in rural areas. All the more our explicit reference to the fact that we cannot build up a nationwide sales infrastructure without online and mail order business. In addition, legal sales must not be limited to pharmacies, we need licensed brick-and-mortar specialty shops and online retailers.
In principle, we at Bloomwell Group welcome the federal government’s approach of involving many different groups, including those from civil society, in the process. The cannabis movement is a societal issue and we want society to have a say in the future of cannabis. With the Bloomwell Group, we also stand behind the overarching goals of youth and health protection, education and prevention. We very much hope that the experience of the industry from more than five years of medicinal cannabis will be taken into account. Because more regulation does not mean more youth protection. On the contrary, we need efficient processes above all so that the industry can supply cannabis consumers safely and reliably in the future.
Our central demands are, therefore: Firstly, to allow online mail order and licensed cannabis specialty shops and retailers; second, to regulate the cannabis trade in a very targeted manner; third, to design taxes in such a way that the legal industry can also compete with the prices of the illegal market; fourth, to set uniform standards nationwide.
The Bloomwell Group acquired millions in funding. Do you have advice for fellow entrepreneurs who are seeking funding?
Cannabis is highly regulated and already very competitive. If you’re looking for high amounts of venture capital, make sure that your team is made up of experts in the field, and your business is doing something different than all the others – and that this difference adds a lot of value for your consumers.
Thank you to Nik for answering our questions! Learn more about The Bloomwell Group at bloomwell.eu.
Medical cannabis is now tax-free in New Jersey as provisions of the Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act implementing the tax cut took effect on July 1, NJ Biz reports. Prior to the final reductions, medical cannabis was the only medicine in the state subject to tax.
Before July 1, 2020, medical cannabis in New Jersey was subject to a 6.625% tax, which is the state’s sales tax. Jake’s Law reduced that tax to 4% on July 1, 2020; 2% on July 1, 2021; and fully reduced the tax on July 1, 2022.
Honig was a 7-year-old New Jersey boy with brain cancer whose symptoms were partially relieved by medical cannabis. He passed away in 2018 following a five-year cancer battle and state lawmakers passed the bill with his namesake on July 2, 2019.
Adult-use cannabis taxes are not affected by Jake’s Law.
Several other states, including Alaska, Delaware, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, and Washington do not levy sales taxes on medical cannabis sales. Medical cannabis sales in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia are either subject to state taxes, excise taxes – or a combination of both – or businesses are required to pay gross receipts taxes and that cost could be passed on to patients.
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on Wednesday signed the bill allowing patients to self-certify that they use cannabis for medical purposes and eliminating the requirement of a physician recommendation. The measure was unanimously approved by the city council at the end of June.
“We have made it a priority over the years to build a more patient-centric medical marijuana program and this legislation builds on those efforts. We know that by bringing more medical marijuana patients into the legal marketplace in a timely manner and doing more to level the playing field for licensed medical marijuana providers, we can protect residents, support local businesses, and provide clarity to the community.” — Bowser in a press release
In April, the council rejected a similar proposal by Chairman Phil Mendelson because it contained provisions to crack down on cannabis “gifting” businesses. The self-certification bill is, in part, meant to drive patients away from gifting businesses and into legal dispensaries. In a letter, Councilmembers Mary Cheh and Kenyan McDuffie said the measure would put medical dispensaries “on a more even footing” with gifting businesses when it comes to patient access and could lead to “better health outcomes” for patients because unregulated cannabis products provide “no assurance that the marijuana has been tested or adequately labeled.” However, according to The Outlaw Report, there are no official testing laboratories in Washington D.C.
In the statement, Bowser said she is looking forward to working with local lawmakers to enact “permanent, more comprehensive medical marijuana legislation in the future.”
Washington state cannabis regulators on Wednesday adopted a motion to implement legislation passed last March which replaces the word “marijuana” with “cannabis” in state law, The Center Square reports. During the bill signing ceremony, Gov. Jay Inslee (D) said the term “marijuana” has “a racist history in the United States.”
The word was often used in anti-immigrant rhetoric in the early 20th century.
Jeff Kildahl, the state Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) cannabis policy and rules coordinator, said during a virtual meeting that state lawmakers approved the measure, finding the “use of the term ‘marijuana’ in the United States has discriminatory origins and should be replaced with the more scientifically accurate term ‘cannabis.’”
LCB Chair David Postman called the change “a great thing.”
“It took a little while. Some may think this is a simple thing, that it took a little while, and it’s going to take some work to get it all done, but it’s important, and it is part of our ongoing evolution of really the knowledge and acceptance of cannabis and learning about the history of some of these things.” — Postman, during the meeting, via The Center Square
The first measure to outlaw cannabis in the U.S. was called the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 which banned the possession and sale of the plant. The bill was backed by Harry Anslinger, the first commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics – which would later become the Drug Enforcement Administration – who is alleged to have supported cannabis prohibition because it was often used by minorities.
“There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the U.S., and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos, and entertainers,” Anslinger is alleged to have stated. “Their Satanic music, jazz, and swing result from marijuana use. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers and any others.”
A recently unearthed quote from John Ehrlichman, former President Richard Nixon’s chief domestic policy advisor when Nixon announced the roll-out of the War on Drugs, supports cannabis prohibition being as a tool to target minority and antiwar populations:
“The Nixon campaign in 1968, and the Nixon White House after that, had two enemies: the antiwar left and Black people. You understand what I’m saying?” Ehrlichman said in a 1996 interview with Harper’s reporter Dan Baum. “We knew we couldn’t make it illegal to be either against the war or Black, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and Blacks with heroin, and then criminalizing both heavily, we could disrupt those communities. We could arrest their leaders, raid their homes, break up their meetings, and vilify them night after night on the evening news. Did we know we were lying about the drugs? Of course, we did.”
Filament Health, a clinical-stage natural psychedelic drug development company, has announced the start of a first-of-its-kind study in which psilocin and psilocybin derived from mushrooms — rather than constituents created in a lab — will be administered to patients.
Overseen by Dr. Joshua Woolley at the University of California San Francisco’s (UCSF) Translational Psychedelic Research Program (TrPR), the Phase 1 study is approved federally by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and will examine the effects of naturally-derived psychedelic substances.
The trial will use three of Filament’s botanical drug candidates and assesses the physiological and psychological effects of orally administered psilocybin, orally administered psilocin, and sublingually administered psilocin to healthy adults over a series of doses.
“We are incredibly proud to have reached this milestone in an FDA-approved trial. We look forward to increasing the scientific understanding of potential benefits and applications for natural psychedelic medicines, and to getting these treatments to those in need.” — CEO and Co-Founder Benjamin Lightburn, in a statement
In the past, drug makers have been unable to properly synthesize psilocin instead of its pro-drug form psilocybin. The hope is that naturally-derived psilocin may offer greater consistency, increased bioavailability, faster onset time, and lessened side effects, according to the press release.
“We are excited to conduct the first trial of naturally sourced psilocybin and the first modern trial of psilocin from any source,” Dr. Joshua Woolley, MD/Ph.D., director of TrPR and the study’s principal investigator, said in a statement. “This trial will provide crucial information about the effects and mechanisms of these compounds that could allow for greatly enhanced psychedelic-assisted therapy.”
Cannabis packaging machines, commonly known as joint rollers, are fast at work trying to keep up with the demand of a now-$100 billion cannabis industry in the United States. The output necessary to meet consumer demand has now reached billions of pre-rolls, the easiest way for cannabis connoisseurs to try different strains or purchase out of convenience. While growers, manufacturers, and dispensaries clamor for more pre-rolls, the functionality of purchases of pre-roll machines can vary, making performance crucial to profitability.
Not all machines can compete at the Major-League level and a big price tag doesn’t assure success. When a company whiffs on making a large purchase on machinery, the consequences could be dire.
With the cannabis pre-roll market soaring from millions to billions, time and quality are foremost when trying to create a winning bottom line, but a total shutdown can force employees rolling flawed joints or no joints at all.
Convincing a cannabis company in need of replacement equipment to handle a growing need is not easy, particularly when other purchases have resulted in dismal failures. After polling many of the largest producers of cannabis that provide millions of cannabis pre-rolls, three conclusions can be reached: supply to the marketplace depends on performance, breakdowns can be costly, and the most expensive machines are not necessarily the most efficient.
Proving that a pre-roll machine that costs much less actually works better than the one previously purchased is even more difficult to convey. Hefestus Technologies was not the first to the marketplace when it introduced the Aura 2000 in February 2019. To get this groundbreaking and cost-effective machine into a cannabis manufacturer’s facility took sound salesmanship and a strong leap of faith on behalf of the purchaser. Telling a potential customer that the Hefestus model was better than the one they purchased for three times the price is a tall order.
The proof is in the pre-roll, in labor costs, time consumption, quality, and smokeabiity, and the Hefestus Aura 2000 has shown just that to some of the largest producers of cannabis pre-rolls in the United States. These four cannabis giants scored big from gambling on another company with a much lower price.
At Copperstate, Cannabis Packaging Machine Production is Pivotal
Copperstate Farms is one of the largest greenhouse cannabis producers in North America. With more than 1.7 million square feet of canopy and 40 acres under glass, Copperstate brings big agriculture, consumer packaged goods and pharmaceutical industries together to form a big-league player.
The Farm at Snowflake in Arizona was built in 1998 as a hydroponic tomato greenhouse in what is now recognized as an ideal geography and climate for farming cannabis. Copperstate has 50 different cannabis strains currently in production, with 50 in development.
With the current boom in pre-rolls, Copperstate had an enormous challenge: keep up with high demand.
After getting poor statistics in production, Copperstate purchased two Aura 2000 machines.
“We struggled to find the right one because we fold our prerolls and do not twist them,” said Barb Hansen, Pre-Roll, Packaging & Inventory Manager for Copperstate. “I think the (Aura 2000) quality is as close to looking handmade as we can get.”
The Aura 2000 machines were installed in June 2021.
“We are producing at least 100,000 pre-rolls a week and our highest was 1,400 pre-rolls an hour,” Hansen said. Most importantly, Copperstate already has recorded an impact on its bottom line.
“We have seen an 8 percent reduction of labor costs,” Hansen said.
An Automated Pre-Roll Machine Swing and a Miss
Gary Lasalle, VP of Operations and partner with King’s Garden Inc., had swung and missed on an expensive pre-roll machine but had the courage to face another pitch. Then he hit a homer with the Hefestus Aura 2000.
“We tried another manufacturer that failed miserably,” Lasalle said. “We were gun shy about another but everything Hefestus said, they did. Their equipment is top-notch.”
The original and largest cultivator in California’s renowned Coachella Valley, the King’s Garden’s goal is “to produce a family of perfectly consistent, creatively curated, superior quality cannabis.”
Put into use starting last Nov. 1, production now includes more than 35,000 pre-rolls a week with 7,500 5-packs hitting dispensary shelves.
“The Aura 2000 is working out phenomenally,” Lasalle said. “We are meeting all of our expectations and the Aura 2000 is doing everything they said. Our efficiency has increased, and the production has increased greatly. We’re saving money and the service has been great.”
Dinosaur-sized Pre-Roll Demand
T-Rex Distribution decided to take a bigger approach to pre-rolls by purchasing an Aura 2000 machine in 2019, a machine capable of making three sizes of pre-rolls.
T-Rex Distribution has cultivated relationships from San Diego, Eureka, Humboldt County, the High Desert, Central Valley, Central Coast, and Southern California. In order to keep up with the demand of supplying dozens of clients, T-Rex turned to the Aura 2000 and can now produce 1 gram, .7 gram, and .5 gram pre-rolls.
“We can almost double the production of what we could before when we run that machine and almost triple the production of hand rolling,” Otto Escobar, facility manager, said. “After previous failures, now we have product that works.”
The biggest satisfaction is a reflection on the T-Rex bottom line.
“More than anything, it helps us with time constraints,” Escobar said. “The service has been great and with your base now in Vegas, it’s even easier.”
A Big Win for High-Grade Bottom Line
Speed in producing pre-rolls is foremost at High Grade of Phoenix to roll up a vast amount of premium-grade flower.
High Grade produces premium-grade flower and extracts, ensuring environmental controls are set to optimal levels in a manner that produces only the cleanest, most potent, terpene-rich cannabis in all its forms.
“It’s given us a more cost-effective option to automate a product SKU that is extremely labor-intensive and inefficient to produce,” said Jessica Ragel, Director of Operations. “The Aura 2000 has helped us meet demand needs and sustain stock on the shelf.”
High Grade began using the machine last June.
“The service was great, and this team is extremely friendly. They do their best to set their clients up for success,” Ragel said. “They also take feedback well, which is nice as a purchaser of their equipment. They want to know how to improve.”
The results have been dramatic.
“We have been able to reduce the time it takes to produce pre-rolls by about 70% and overall, that reduces the cost to produce,” Ragel said.
The Aura 2000 – Automated Pre-Roll Simplistic Sophistication
While other companies offer high-priced machines that act erratically, Hefestus Technologies Ltd. needs just one to beat them all. Hefestus clients who have purchased the Aura 2000 rave about its exceptionally reliable operation in cannabis arenas in the United States and Israel. Sales of cannabis pre-rolls were up nearly 50 percent in 2021 despite the pandemic, but having an expensive machine stay idle is a dead end. Over the past 8 years, 35-plus Aura machines can be found operating in client’s facilities that have produced millions of pre-rolls to date. The key — simplistic sophistication adjusts to the flower Hefestus clients can utilize every day.
All About the Service
Hefestus Technologies Ltd. includes all the extras such as a comprehensive warranty and the customer service and training that can make the difference in production and profits. Hefestus personnel in Israel and Las Vegas bring service help for installation and beyond with quick response.
And yet, many companies are investing in a flawed pre-roll machine but ending up watching it collect dust because no one taught them how to operate it. With the proper training, the Aura 2000 machine will handle any strain without downtime.
Consistency is key: The last thing a dispensary or farm wants is to hear are complaints about pre-rolls. One of the most glaring problems facing cannabis industry business owners today is pre-roll consistency and a lack of smokeability. Are cones coming out too tight, too loose? Do they smoke evenly?
Whether young or old, clients crave consistency. Joints that feel hollow or ones that the roll is too tight turn into a total bummer. Consistency in smokeability leads to repeat customers looking for that smooth fire that seasoned cannabis smokers demand. However, the density of cannabis can vary from strain to strain, rendering most machines unable to deal with the differences, thus leading to costly shutdowns. Hefestus Technologies eliminates that deficiency with the proper training needed for an operation as smooth as its smoke.
Tried & True: The ingenuity behind this machine from Hefestus Technologies Ltd. started 31 years ago in the demand to make automation equipment for the food and pharma industry in Israel. Founder Yehuda Yamay’s company quickly grew and his reputation for development of automation equipment for those specific Industries grew as well. Mr. Yehuda’s designs are simplistic, intuitive and most of all, they work.
The Birth of the Aura 2000 came 9 years ago, Yehuda’s friend started a medical cannabis company in Israel and asked Yehuda to design and build automated equipment for his facility. Labor in Israel can be expensive, and some repetitive tasks exhaust employees to the point of amplified inefficiencies. Understanding how joints are made from his sons and maintaining the modus operandi of his food and pharma industry success, Yehuda designed the Aura 2000. The technology utilizes secure cloud connection with WIFI / LAN to quickly troubleshoot and resolve any potential issues.
The Five Stations of the Aura 2000 Robotic Pre-Roll System: This system is simplistic in design and thorough in its methodology to create top-quality pre-rolls. Five stations create the perfect pre-roll many times over:
The First Station: A beautifully designed carousel that automatically feeds the cones into the holders with optics to ensure every holder is fed a cone. A vacuum is used to ensure that the top of the cone is opened to receive material. The added forethought to make sure the operator can constantly feed additional cones while the machine is working increases efficiency.
The Second Station feeds the material into the cones. It is a dual-feeding system that includes an auger and vibration to feed the cones constantly and precisely. It also vibrates the bottom of the cones to ensure the material density is consistent and within the requirements.
The Third Station: Tamping the cones to the desired density makes sure that the finest customer experience and smokeability is achieved.
The Fourth Station: The perfection of the design and the patented processing is found in this Fourth Station. Yehuda started with a twist mechanism, but quickly realized the importance of customer experience in producing the best look for pre-rolls. He, and his clients, wanted better, if not best in class. He devised the “Dutch Crown” folding technology and created the premier brand appearance for the industry.
The Fifth Station: The result is the safe ejection of the aesthetically beautiful, completed cones from the machine.
Cost-effectiveness: Price remains most important to all, with a total retail cost of $209,000 per machine that comes delivered and installed with training, not the $600,000 or more sought by Hefestus competitors.
Installation & Training: Hefestus Technologies stands behind every machine and fully supports customers with a full training session of 3 to 4 days at the client’s facility, and technicians make sure it runs in that facility with all clients’ strains.
The facts: The Aura 2000 comes with a One-Year Warranty from North American-based technicians, CE – Marking Standard with UL – Safety Certification. Hefestus Technologies Ltd., office in North America is located at 750 Dorrell Ln., #120, North Las Vegas, Nevada 89086. Telephone 702.881.1970. Email sales@hefestus-slb.com. Web site www.hefestus-slb.com.
Environmental agencies in California have launched their 2022 enforcement program to address environmental impacts associated with cannabis cultivation. The enforcement plan includes the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Department of Cannabis Control (DCC), and State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and is focused on protecting “priority watersheds and areas with sensitive habitat and/or threatened or endangered species,” the agencies said in a press release.
The agencies note that California remains in drought conditions and that illegal cannabis grows divert water and pollute streams and rivers which “has significant physical, biological and chemical impacts that extend into the surrounding habitat adversely affecting not only the fish and wildlife species dependent on the stream itself, but also the plants and wildlife in the surrounding area that rely on the adjacent habitat for feeding, reproduction, and shelter.”
Sarah Paulson, acting cannabis program director, noted that CDFW “fully supports” the legal cannabis market but that as the state faces its second year of drought, protecting California’s natural resources “is more important than ever.”
David Bess, CDFW deputy director and chief of the Law Enforcement Division, said violators of the law “will be subject to enforcement actions.”
“The environmental impacts of illegal cannabis operations can last decades and cause irreparable harm to our natural resources.” — Bess in a statement
Just last month, the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board fined three unlicensed Humboldt County growers $209,687 in connection to alleged sediment discharged into the tributaries of the Mad River.
The enforcement program is funded by cannabis-derived taxes and fees outlined in Proposition 64, which legalized cannabis for adult use in the state.
New Mexico adult-use cannabis sales remained steady in June, totaling $21.2 million, according to Cannabis Control Division (CCD) data outlined by KRQE. In May, the agency reported $21.1 million in sales, down about $1 million from the previous – and first – month of sales.
Albuquerque, again, led the state in sales with $7 million while Hobbs and Sunland Park – cities near the Texas border – continued to see more than $1 million in sales last month.
Sunland Park last week approved allowing drive-thru sales and letting new cannabis businesses open 200 feet away from schools and daycares but rejected a plan for around-the-clock sales, according to Border Report.
Santa Fe had the second most sales in the state with $1.7 million, followed by Las Cruces with $1.6 million in sales.
In May, the state saw more than $2.5 million in revenue from cannabis taxes; June taxes will be reported next month. In February, the state Supreme Court ruled that medical cannabis products could no longer be taxed and that the between $25 million and $30 million in gross receipts taxes it had collected would need to be refunded to the companies they collected the taxes from.
Non-medical cannabis sales in New Mexico carry a 12% excise tax in addition to the gross receipts tax that businesses are required to pay. In April, 114 retailers filed tax returns, paying $2,422,678 in excise tax and $1,635,243 in gross receipts tax.
New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) has introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would require the Department of Defense to study the therapeutic potential of psilocybin and MDMA for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), Marijuana Moment reports.
The measure builds on language already in the funding bill that mandates the agency study cannabis as a potential substitute for opiates and the amendment’s language is similar — almost identical — to an amendment previously introduced by Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL).
Additionally, another provision already in the fiscal 2023 NDAA reserves the right for service members with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, or any other condition with severe pain to participate in medical cannabis research, the Moment noted.
AOC’s proposal for the NDAA comes at a time when the House Appropriations Committee is also looking to investigate the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. The committee passed appropriations language on Thursday calling for research into psilocybin and MDMA as treatment options for PTSD and severe depression, as well as another section discussing psychedelics as a therapeutic option for combat veterans, Marijuana Moment reported previously.
Another federal report for the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CSJ) released last month calls for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate and report back within a year about barriers facing local, tribal, and state psilocybin research programs.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Safety (VDACS) said last week that, despite broad cannabis legalization in the state, delta-8 and other intoxicating synthetic cannabinoids remain illegal food adulterants.
“VDACS’ communication will advise that any chemically-synthesized cannabinoid is a food adulterant and any person who manufactures, sells, or offers for sale a chemically-synthesized cannabinoid, including delta-8 THC, as a food or beverage is in violation of the Virginia Food and Drink Law.” — VDACS in a press release
Joseph Guthrie, VDACS commissioner, indicated that the agency would encourage “voluntary compliance” but “once regulatory options are exhausted, the case could be referred to a Commonwealth’s Attorney for further enforcement.”
The guidance does permit products containing less than 0.3% of synthetic THC to be sold in the state to individuals aged 21 and older.
The agency said that when it “identifies the production or sale of a food containing an adulterant, it will encourage voluntary compliance by asking the business to discontinue the practice.”
“If voluntary compliance is not achieved, VDACS will utilize various escalating enforcement tools to achieve compliance,” the agency said, “with the highest penalty prescribed under Virginia law a Class 1 misdemeanor.”
VDACS also warned that businesses may not sell products that infringe on the trademark of non-cannabis products or other “famous” brands or any product “that depicts or is in the shape of a human, animal, vehicle, or fruit.”
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares said such products are “deceiving” and “have led to an increase in accidental consumption” among children.
I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Storz & Bickel’s co-founder and CEO Jürgen Bickel For a short and informal 30-minute Zoom call to hear about the origin of Storz & Bickel and get his thoughts on the new Mighty+. Here are a few things he shared and my impressions of how the device is designed, functions, its ease of use, its vapor and medicinal qualities, and the big question: “Is it worth the cabbage?”
Design and Functionality
I had watched videos reviewing the Mighty+ prior to holding it in my hand. However, being blind/visually impaired, I had really no idea what it looked like until it was between my fingers. The easy-to0handle, compact, flat-yet-curvy design was a surprise but I was able to quickly locate the mouthpiece, cooling chamber, the on/off button and the only other two buttons, +/-.
The Mighty+ is a breeze to load. Simply turn the cooling chamber and the bowl is there. The Mighty+ has a ceramic bowl, an upgrade from the original Mighty. If you’re using a dosing cap — I’ll talk more about them below — you’ll find they fit perfectly into the bowl. The cooling chamber fits back on easily, important for folks with coordination or strength issues, and with a gentle twist, the Mighty+ is ready to turn on.
The Mighty+ only has three buttons, making it simple to get started and use. Hold down the power button for a second, notice the haptic feedback, the LED screen lighting up, and the temp zooming up — then it’s just about ready to use. Press the temp up and down buttons at the same time to toggle between F and C temp scales. Now set your desired temp and get ready to vape in a speedy 60 seconds! The new Mighty+ lets you tap the power button three times quickly to get a temp boost at the end of a session for complete bowl vaporization.
A feature I really like is the haptic feedback count down as the Mighty+ approaches shut off. Storz & Bickel improved the charge time to 40 minutes, but an adequate charging brick is required to reach that charging speed. The LED screen that shows set temp, battery life, and current temp will languidly blink before the Plus turns off when the battery is dead.
Vapor
The vapor from the Mighty+ is tasty, full-bodied, dense, and plentiful throughout the session. Starting at a lower temp and gradually increasing the heat will get the best taste profiles out of your bud. The temp range for the device is 40 °C to 210 °C or 104 °F. to 410 °F. Even when using the dosing caps, vapor is thick for the entire session and will continue after the unit shuts off. When you tap the material out the uniformity of the vape is easy to notice, even with the dosing caps in use.
Dosing Caps
I heard a lot about dosing caps prior to using the Mighty+. These are small 150 mg capsules you can fill with ground material. The caps fit perfectly into the ceramic bowl and interlock with the cooling chamber, so there is a nice tight seal while vaping.
Jürgen shared the origins of the early Volcanoes and the device’s use in helping medical cannabis patients. His insight and the consistency of dosing caps really brought home the medical potential of the Mighty+ for me. Patients who require a specific dose of cannabinoids and other cannabis compounds will find these extremely useful when dosing their medicine.
The Mighty+ comes with a USB-C charging cord and an assortment of replaceable screens, gaskets, and one dosing cap. A bowl pick is included which if taken out and flipped around will let the MP stand up, an improvement from the legacy unit. You can easily take the cooling unit apart for fast cleaning with isopropyl alcohol. The batteries have temp control and a hard fuse shut off to ensure the highest safety and avoid overheating.
The Mighty+ is a great investment for medical cannabis patients and adult users alike. The ease of use and vapor quality make it stand out in the vaping world but its sturdy build and three-year warranty make it a vape device that will last for years to come. Find a Mighty+ online at Storz & Bickel’s website.
Thank you to Jürgen Bickel for sitting down with me to talk about the Mighty+ and sharing his passion for making world-leading vaporizers.
Prosecutors in Santa Barbara County, California have filed criminal charges against five former cannabis operators accusing them of perjury, the unlawful cultivation and sale of marijuana, and conspiracy to commit a crime, Noozhawk reports. The cases include individuals associated with Herbal Angels and Santa Barbara Greenland Deliveries (SBGD).
In the Herbal Angels case, Eli Sheiman and Mariette Wingard, co-owners and operators of an allegedly illegal cannabis grow, each face two misdemeanor counts for growing more than six plants and illegally possessing cannabis for sale. Sheiman is also charged with two felony counts of perjury and falsification of public records. Both have pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The SBGD case centers around an allegedly unlicensed cannabis operation and the alleged illegal sale of cannabis and psilocybin mushrooms. William “Bubba” Hines, a Louisiana oilman, Arthur Olowski, and Ingrid McCann are accused of conspiracy to commit crimes involving illegal cultivation, sale or transportation of cannabis, and the sale of a controlled substance for the psilocybin mushrooms. Hines and McCann face two felony counts, while Olowski faces four felony counts.
Attorneys for all defendants argue, however, that their clients are victims of unclear county ordinances, and unresolved issues between California and federal law. Josh Webb, an attorney for Olowski, told Noozhawk that there is “so much gray area in the whole process” that “it’s been the Wild West.”
Bill Makler, an attorney for Ingrid McCann, said his client “is caught up in a cauldron of unsettled and confusing laws that have come about since legalization of marijuana began, and she looks forward to presenting her defenses at trial.”
Hearings for the cases are set for this month but typically these cases have been settled prior to trial.
