WeedLife News Network

As we look back on a decade since Colorado’s landmark vote on legalized cannabis, we assess how arguments from both sides of the debate have borne out.

Supporters hail the proposal as "a model for Europe," but it would need to align with EU laws first.

BERLIN - Germany’s health minister unveiled a plan late last month to decriminalize the possession of up to 30 grams (about 1 ounce) of cannabis and to allow the sale of the substance to adults for recreational purposes in a controlled market.

Berlin will check with the European Union’s executive commission whether the plan approved by the German government is in line with EU laws and would proceed with legislation “on this basis” only if it gets the green light, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said.

Lauterbach said the new rules could serve as “a model for Europe.” Realistically, they won’t take effect before 2024, he said.

The plan calls for cannabis to be grown under license and sold to adults at licensed outlets to combat the black market, Lauterbach said. Individuals would be allowed to grow up to three plants, and to buy or possess 20 to 30 grams of marijuana.

If the legislation comes as planned, “this would be, on the one hand, the most liberal cannabis legalization project in Europe, and on the other hand it would also be the most tightly regulated market,” Lauterbach said.

‘​​Moving forward, we urge you to ensure that every step taken to remedy racial injustice includes relief to impacted immigrant communities’

The marijuana business seems like some kind of dense thicket where it is impossible to get through.

You can know a lot more about any other business, but when it comes to cannabis… It would seem that this is your chance to stand out and create something new in a rapidly growing industry. However, once things get down to business, it can be easy to get bogged down. How to create a business in the fast-paced cannabis industry? Now we will find out.

1- Define Your Brand

Before you start your business, you should clearly define the type of activity and the desired products. There are many directions in the cannabis business, and each has its own rules and regulations. What are the most popular business models? You can choose among:

Or other activities not directly related to cannabis. For example, producing various devices for growing cannabis. You can supply LED lamps, thermometers, and other gadgets that will come in handy during marijuana cultivation.

To begin with, you should decide on a small type of activity that will become a priority. In the future, you will be able to expand your business and engage in several business models at the same time. But at the very beginning of the journey, it is worth choosing only one source of income.

The choice of your audience is also vital. For example, smokers and vapers are unlikely to be interested in some CBD-based anti-aging creams. It is essential to determine what is necessary for your audience from the very beginning. Think about the problems your product could potentially solve. For example, did you know that the strong smell of weed sometimes confuses vapers? Then think about how you can drown out this taste with other flavors and smells.

"The Risk of a Post-Election Funk”

“We would be less optimistic about SAFE Plus in the lame duck if the Republicans were to take both chambers,” said Cantor Fitzgerald's Pablo Zuanic. “We will wait for Wednesday morning to have more definitive views.”

Zuanic, who is worried that SAFE Plus may not be a high priority for the Senate leadership in the lame-duck session. “Republicans taking control of both chambers of Congress (as the latest polls signal) could lead to a 'post-election funk' among Democrats."

There is a scenario, says Zuanie, that Sen. McConnell (future Senate Leader, probably) may press Republican Senators to withhold support for SAFE Plus until the 118th Congress.

"True, with cannabis stocks not pricing favorable reform news (MSOS ETF at 11) and 2023 around the corner, the downside may be limited. SAFE Plus with hemp/CBD features (HR 841?) passed by a Republican Congress could be the type of incremental reform the industry needs, but then we are talking 2023-2024, and not lame duck," Zuanic said.

Beyond that, "we would be skeptical about more comprehensive reform in the 118th Congress with Republicans potentially controlling both chambers, although we should not overlook efforts by Representatives Mace (SC) and Joyce (HO)," with proposals like the States Reform Act and the PREPARES Act, respectively, according to the industry report.

New Mexico broke another record for monthly sales of adult-use cannabis in October, when the 50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta brought thousands of travelers to the state.

Recreational sales stood at more than $25 million in October – a first since sales began in April, and the fourth straight month of record-breaking sales, according to the Cannabis Control Division.

While adult-use sales have seen an uptick, medical sales have continued to take a nosedive.

Sales numbers for medical cannabis stood at $14.7 million last month – a new low in the age of recreational cannabis sales, according to the CCD data.

Overall, sales numbers for October stood at nearly $39.8 million. And, to date, recreational sales combined have brought in more than $161 million through seven months.

The updated sales numbers for October came through the new Cannabis Reporting Online Portal, which went live Thursday afternoon on the CCD website. The portal also tracks plant counts, the number of dispensaries in the state and other relevant metrics relating to the cannabis industry.

Maine clarifies new limits on medical marijuana providers.

PORTLAND - Maine delivered an October surprise to medical marijuana providers with guidance limiting the sale of pre-rolled marijuana and liquid concentrates by treating them like tobacco.

The Maine Office of Cannabis Policy released guidance on Oct. 7 that effectively bans medical marijuana caregivers without a storefront from providing those products altogether while medical marijuana dispensaries and stores must treat them like tobacco products with an age limit of 21. Previously, those could be provided to people 18 and older with a medical marijuana card.

The guidance caused an outcry because pre-rolled products and liquid concentrates for vaping are among the most popular — and profitable — cannabis products sold in medical and adult recreational stores.

Democratic Sen. Craig Hickman, co-chair of the Legislature's Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee, accused the Maine OCP of "executive branch overreach and bad faith."

A spokesperson for the Department of Administrative and Financial Services said the guidance doesn't reflect a change in policy or rules. She said the guidance was simply issued to answer questions that had been raised by some medical cannabis providers and registrants.

Following the launch of the recreational cannabis marketplace in April, eight out-of-state entities have dominated the landscape, opening and operating all 20 dispensaries currently licensed to sell across New Jersey.

However, Harmony Foundation in Secaucus is hoping to change that by becoming the first New Jersey-based, nonprofit medical dispensary to expand into the state’s adult-use market.

Harmony, one of the recipients of the original six alternative treatment center (ATC) permits granted by the New Jersey Department of Health, began operating in June 2018 under the Medicinal Cannabis Program and has had its permit renewed annually by the state ever since.

“We are showing that cannabis businesses born in this state have the ability to join those multi-state operators and thrive, reinvesting our successes into our local communities,” said Shaya Brodchandel, president and chief executive officer of Harmony.

“This is an exciting step forward for Harmony, and, we believe, for the growing cannabis industry in New Jersey,” added Brodchandel, who reiterated that even after entering the recreational market, the foundation will continue to grant priority to patients and registered caregivers.

Unlike products that are skyrocketing in price, cannabis is still illegal on a federal level, and therefore not regulated the same way. 

Here’s why some industry owners aren’t stoked. Cannabis regulators in New York have long mentioned year’s end as the time when legal dispensaries could be operational.

New York State is edging closer to a functioning cannabis legal market. According to new reports, marijuana dispensary applications may be approved within by late November, fulfilling the state’s stated wish to have dispensaries up and running by the end of the year.

The news was shared on Twitter by Ashley Southall, a reporter for The New York Times. While nothing has been confirmed as yet, some believe New York will soon be moving forward with cannabis.

“New York’s cannabis regulators may approve the state’s first licences to operate adult-use cannabis dispensaries on Nov. 21, when the state control board meets,” notes Southall’s tweet.

“Axel Bernabe, the chief of staff for the Office of Cannabis Management, says his agency has scored applications and will recommend approval for applicants who represent the top of the class,” another comment reports.

Cannabis regulators in New York have long mentioned year’s end as the time when legal dispensaries could be operational. This marks the first time officials have provided a clear timeline and date as to when this decision would be made.

It’s time to vote, and will it be cannabis or can’tabis?

This year, five more states are considering legalizing marijuana, potentially adding to Washington, DC, 19 states and two territories where it is already legal. That number increases when you look at where medical cannabis is legal: Washington, DC, 37 states and three territories.

The five states where voters will be deciding in the midterm elections this November are Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota, reports the Washington Post.

Back in 2018, voters rejected the ballot measure in North Dakota, so the issue is arising again. Similarly, in 2016, Arizonans rejected legalization – but approved it in the next election cycle.

Legalized recreational marijuana use is something that most Americans want. Two-thirds of the population, according to a CBS poll cited by the Post, want it to be legalized both federally and in our state.

But even after polls close in November, decisions may not always be safe or firm. For instance, in South Dakota in 2020, 54 percent of voters approved both medical and recreational legalization. But the state’s Supreme Court nullified the vote since it addressed two issues at once. Instead of fighting, proponents simply put better wording on this year’s ballot.

“I am working in a bipartisan way with Democrats and Republicans to take the SAFE Banking Act,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said during a recent debate.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has made it clear that cannabis is a topic that’s been avidly discussed by members of Congress. Schumer suggests that soon there will be a bill addressing topics such as banking and the expungement of prior weed convictions.

His statements were made during a recent debate with his Republican opponent Joe Pinion. Schumer was asked specifically about the Secure and Fair Enforcement Act, commonly called the SAFE Banking Act.

“I am working in a bipartisan way with Democrats and Republicans to take the SAFE Banking Act, which allows financial institutions to involve themselves in cannabis companies and lend money to them — but it also does some things for justice, such as expunging a record,” Schumer said.

He also talked about expunging records and how important it was to act quickly. “I’m working with a bunch of Republican senators, a bunch of Democratic senators, to get something passed,” he said.

Pinion had a different outlook on cannabis, talking about the high levels of THC and how these are dangerous and different than in years past.

SIOUX FALLS - Another group has come forward to weigh in on legalizing recreational marijuana for adults in South Dakota.

Last week a group of Sioux Falls law enforcement, elected officials and community leaders spoke out against IM 27, a ballot measure that would legalize recreational marijuana for anyone 21 and older in South Dakota.

Now, a group of former law enforcement officers and veterans are coming together to voice their support for legalizing marijuana in the state.

“I served as a South Dakota police officer for 12 years,” Sioux Falls resident JoAnn Jorgensen said. 

“I’m an Army veteran and a 27-year retired police officer,” Rapid City resident Roseanna Renaud said. 

“I’m an Army veteran,” Madison resident Becky Letsche said. 

Boston - The enactment of state-level laws legalizing marijuana for adults does not influence early adolescents’ attitudes toward its potential risks, according to data published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. 

Investigators affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School assessed children’s perceptions of marijuana-related harms over three years in states with and without legal cannabis marketplaces.

They determined that “individual child-level characteristics, rather than state policy,” contribute primarily to young people’s attitudes toward cannabis.

“There was no significant main effect of state RCLs [recreational cannabis laws] on perceived risk of cannabis use, and no differences in change over time by state RCLs,” researchers reported. 

They concluded, “This analysis indicates that state-level RCLs are not associated with differential perception of cannabis risk among children.”

The study’s conclusions are consistent with those of numerous others, finding that adult-use regulations are not associated with increased marijuana use or access among young people.  

LOS ANGELES - Change is in the air in the cannabis world.

Recreational legalization has reached 19 states, with more than two-thirds of adults supporting some level of legalization, regulation, or taxation of cannabis. While federal legalization is closer than ever, top litigators who specialize in cannabis face a multitude of challenging regulations and gray areas in mitigating cases.

In an ever-evolving, maturing industry, change is a constant that requires companies and leaders to remain adaptable—especially in preparation for the post-prohibition era.

With cannabis steadily becoming easier to purchase legally, federal legalization may seem to lose its urgency in the eyes of the average consumer. However, legalization is essential for the growth and health of the industry as a whole, allowing for national safety standards, organic labeling, medical research, healthcare coverage of cannabis, and much more.

Regardless of the many positive impacts, legalization will alter the cannabis environment around the country. The federal government will earn revenue on cannabis taxes, yet rising taxes have forced many operators into financial hardships. From a regulatory standpoint, legalization and federal oversight of safety would stifle some anti-cannabis sentiment and boost trust in products. Interstate commerce of cannabis will allow flexibility in where businesses cultivate, manufacture, and more. Incredible potential exists for the post-legalization landscape—though not without challenges.

"Federal cannabis legalization remains a high priority for the industry, yet many operators fail to consider the depth and breadth of changes that will take place once that goal is achieved," said Kathee Brewer, editorial director at Inc Media, parent company of award-winning trade journal mg Magazine. "While nationwide safety standards and economies of scale most likely will be positive, other evolutions—like additional taxes, industry consolidation, and competition from corporate giants in the consumer packaged goods space—could produce unwelcome stress. Business leaders need to be ready for a number of potential scenarios, which makes planning for the future challenging."

Thousands of Vermonters have made their way to cannabis dispensaries since October 1, but the technology for determining whether a person is driving while under the influence is lagging behind legalization.

Saint Michael’s College psychology Professor Ari Kirshenbaum has been researching the effects of cannabis on a person while driving. He presented his findings Thursday at a seminar on campus called Weed and the Wheel.

“Is weed addictive?” Kirshenbaum said. “Does weed impair driving skills? The answer to those questions is unequivocally yes.” 

With help from a National Science Foundation grant, Kirshenbaum built as mobile app that helps build data on cannabis-related impairment. The app, which has about 1,000 users, has determined that decision making skills deteriorate by 33 percent while on cannabis and that the effects can last up to five hours after use. 

According to the Vermont Health Department, THC has been detected in 23 percent of drivers in fatal crashes since 2017. Kirshenbaum said there is a reason why there are no reliable ways for law enforcement to measure THC levels in drivers. 

“It’s because there is no linear relationship between concentration in your bloodstream and impairment,” he said.

Two of Arkansas' medical marijuana dispensaries are under investigation after appearing to offer $10 in store credit to people who vote for Issue 4 in Tuesday's general election.

The investigation involves Suite 443 in Hot Springs and High Bank Cannabis Co. in Pine Bluff.

Issue 4 would legalize the use of recreational marijuana in Arkansas for adults.

Arkansas' Alcoholic Beverage Control Division was alerted about the "ads" on Wednesday, said Scott Hardin, a spokesman for the state Department of Finance and Administration. He said the ads were posted on the wall in the dispensaries.

Hardin said ABC enforcement agents visited Suite 443 on Wednesday "to learn more."

"The owners have been fully cooperative," he said. "The ads have been pulled."

Contrary to popular belief, cannabis can actually make some people “less cool,” according to researchers at Harvard Community College.

Though all of these substances are derived from the cannabis plant, not all of them are completely natural; many are synthetically produced and, as of yet, broadly unexamined.

Since hemp became legal on the federal level, entrepreneurs the world over have been looking to cash in, and a large segment of the consuming public has been all too interested to find out what they will come up with.

As exciting as new cannabis extracts may be, they also generate lots of questions. How safe are these new chemicals? Where can they be found and who are they for? The answers to these questions can be quite complicated.

In this article, we take a look at a few of the new products out there. What they are, how they work, and how to use them. Read on to learn more!

Delta-8

Delta-8 is a synthetic hemp-derivative that has only recently come before the public eye. Like other hemp-derivatives, it has been used to reduce stress and regulate sleep patterns. Some also associate it with increased levels of focus.

Delta-8 dosage can vary significantly depending on the purpose of its application. However, standard use dosages often come in at around 20-32 mg.

Earlier this week, Hawaii’s Cannabis Taskforce met again in the move forward toward possibly legalizing marijuana in Hawaii.

The state has now projected that at least $50 million in tax revenue is possible through legalizing sales without a prescription. Others are certain that the state’s estimates are extraordinarily low. Hawaii has been looking at ways to be less tourist-dependent; could this be it?

This comes as the state’s research arm, UHERO recently said, “Hawaii’s economy is extraordinarily specialized in tourism, resulting in vulnerability to
external shocks and diminishing productivity growth. In response… policy-makers in Hawaii increasingly emphasize diversification.”

Currently, marijuana use in Hawaii is limited to those with a medical need. Dispensaries exist but are only allowed to sell to those with medical marijuana cards.

Green administration is pro-green.

There is a sense that if Josh Green is elected (a largely foregone conclusion), he will help move legalizing marijuana forward. He said recently, “I think that people already have moved past that culturally as a concern.” He’d like to see tax money from marijuana sales be invested in “our mental healthcare system for the good of all.” While supporting mental health is good, we are wondering if there are other places the money should be invested too, like affordable housing.

Alternative to Hawaii travel’s tax money?

Marijuana would have a long way to go in replacing Hawaii’s tourism taxes. The state says that in 2019, pre-Covid, for example, it collected $600 million in accommodation taxes alone.