WeedLife News Network

Colorado identified “potentially unsafe levels of total yeast and mold and aspergillus” in a strain of flower.

When you think of cannabidiol, you might picture an oil-based tincture that you buy and put in a drink or under the tongue. If so, it's time to think again.

While oil-based CBD products tend to dominate the market, a recent study conducted in conjunction with Colorado State University's Health and Exercise program and co-funded by Caliper Foods, a company that produces cannabinoids, and NextEvo Naturals, a water-soluble CBD outfit, found that water-soluble CBD products are actually absorbed better into the bloodstream than oil-based CBD products or a CBD isolate. The study also found that water-based CBD is absorbed better when it's accompanied by food.

The study, conducted over eight months, took five formulations — one CBD isolate, three water-soluble formulations and one with CBD dissolved in medium-chain triglyceride oil, fat made from coconut and palm kernel oils — and measured how much of the CBD was absorbed into the bloodstreams of fourteen males participating in the research, as well as how long it stayed in the bloodstreams.

The results showed a significant variance between the different formulas. One of the water-soluble formulations had a circulating CBD concentration of 3.1 nanograms per milliliter, while the oil-soluble formulation had a CBD concentration of only 0.4 nanograms per milliliter.

Growing cannabis crops could harvest huge economic benefits for Scotland’s farmers and achieve climate targets at the same time, new research has found.

LITTLE ROCK - A well-known entertainer and marijuana “enthusiast” has lent his support to the effort to legalize recreational use for adults in Arkansas.

In an Instagram post, rapper Snoop Dogg called for Arkansans to vote yes on Ballot Issue 4. If passed, the ballot issue will permit the adult use of marijuana without a medical waiver card.

In making the post, he added, “F.y.i. Do what you got 2 do n vote,” followed by a small bright emoticon.

Snoop, whose real name is Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., has frequently been identified with recreational marijuana use as part of his stage persona. His initial recognition as a recording star was his multiple appearances on André “Dr. Dré” Brown’s album “The Chronic” in 1993, its name being slang for high-grade marijuana.

Just 26 per cent of drivers surveyed said they believed driving high is an “extremely dangerous” activity.

The news comes on the heels of Gov. Kristi Noem (R) saying cannabis legalization can move forward if voters approve it on the Nov. 8 ballot. (Benzinga)

South Dakota regulators approved an important change in the state’s medical marijuana program. In a 5-1 vote on Tuesday, the panel approved the proposal to allow the state Department of Health to remove a requirement from how the department chooses how or if a medical condition qualifies for treatment with cannabis, reported Keloland.

In other words, the department no longer must determine if “treatments currently available for the proposed condition are either ineffective or produce harmful side effects.”

Furthermore, the state official also allowed the department to change the wording of a related requirement.

The wording was changed from “Medical use of cannabis will provide therapeutic or palliative benefits that outweigh the risks of cannabis use” to “Medical use of cannabis is determined to provide benefits that outweigh the risks of cannabis use.”

Tim Engel, an attorney representing the South Dakota State Medical Association, doesn’t support these changes and Rep. Kevin Jensen agrees, saying that there would no longer be any way to identify the benefits.

Cannabis farms, manufacturers and retailers provided millions of dollars that footed a petition drive to put the proposal on the November ballot and promote it to voters.

A neuropharmacology expert explains how. Many cannabis users say they take it to treat pain, suggesting that readily available cannabinoids could potentially be used to offset the use of opioids commonly used in pain treatment.

Drug overdose deaths from opioids continue to rise in the U.S. as a result of both the misuse of prescription opioids and the illicit drug market.

But an interesting trend has developed: Opioid emergency room visits drop by nearly eight per cent and opioid prescriptions are modestly lower in states where cannabis is legalized.

Marijuana is produced by the cannabis plant, which is native to Asia, but is now grown throughout the world. Individuals use cannabis for both its psychoactive, euphoria-inducing properties and its ability to relieve pain.

Chemicals produced by the cannabis plant are commonly known as cannabinoids. The two primary cannabinoids that occur naturally in the cannabis plant are THC — the psychoactive compound in marijuana —and CBD, which does not cause the sensation of being high.

Many cannabis users say they take it to treat pain, suggesting that readily available cannabinoids could potentially be used to offset the use of opioids such as morphine and oxycodone that are commonly used in pain treatment. A safer, natural alternative to opioid painkillers would be an important step toward addressing the ongoing opioid epidemic.

In the Czech Republic, hemp products like marijuana, hashish and cannabis oil have been available in pharmacies for years. Prague is now planning full legalization for 2023 and wants to coordinate the step with Berlin.

For years, the cannabis industry flourished through a "green rush." Now, amid plummeting sales, Colorado's cannabis entrepreneurs are struggling as never before.

Jonathan Spadafora knew things were bad when April 20, 2022, the high holy day of cannabis, failed to deliver the windfall Colorado’s marijuana retailers were used to. Across the state, dispensary sales fell around 25 percent compared with 4/20 the year before. But it wasn’t until this past May, when demand continued to plunge, that Spadafora, president of Veritas Fine Cannabis, realized the industry was in a free fall.

For the first time since licensed recreational weed sales began in Colorado in 2014, two years after legalization, the Centennial State’s cannabis sector is experiencing a prolonged downturn. Mid-2022 saw the fourth consecutive quarter of declining sales, a near reversal of the record-setting revenues the industry boasted during the early days of the pandemic. (The medical and retail sectors have experienced nearly identical downturns.) In response to waning demand, dispensaries that had stocked up for 4/20 found themselves stuck with excess inventory and slashed purchase orders to growers such as Veritas, which produces flower and pre-rolled joints for stores around the state. Even big companies are struggling; chains Buddy Boy and TweedLeaf shuttered seven stores each during the summer.

Spadafora believes a number of factors have contributed to cannabis’ tailspin. To start, the pandemic boom was likely a bubble driven by the fact that people were stuck at home—and often bored or stressed-out. “People weren’t in the office,” Spadafora says. “They were at home and had the ability to roll a joint and do their emails all day.” Then there were the stimulus checks, which helped fund the run on nugs as total sales reached their annual peak at $2.2 billion in 2021. Fast-forward to today, and people are worried about inflation, Spadafora notes.

Plus, nine more states have legalized recreational weed during the past two years, putting a dent in Colorado’s cannabis tourism trade, says Truman Bradley of Denver-based Marijuana Industry Group, a cannabis trade association. New Mexico’s entrance into the market in 2021 has been especially painful, corresponding with a 40 to 50 percent drop in cannabis sales in Colorado’s southern border towns.

Veritas, one of the state’s larger marijuana producers, couldn’t weather the downturn without downsizing: In June, the company decided to close one of its three cultivation facilities and lay off 33 staff members—nearly a quarter of its workforce. “It’s tough because these weren’t people who were making mistakes,” Spadafora says. “I think one thing that we’ve learned is Colorado is not a $2.2 billion market. It’s probably a $1.8 or $1.7 or $1.6 billion market.” Growers and sellers alike will simply have to hope the market bottoms out before their companies go up in smoke.

SIOUX FALLS - The group that pushed forward South Dakota’s medical marijuana measure in 2020 is officially sitting out of the 2022 election and not actively promoting any measure.

But it’s taking a closer look at the actions from opponents of Initiated Measure 27 and other pro-marijuana measures.

New Approach South Dakota is sending a number of information requests to government offices across the state, to officials they say may have broken state laws by speaking out against marijuana measures. Some of those officials include Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken, Minnehaha County Sheriff Mike Milstead, Rapid City Mayor Steve Allender, and more.

“The decision to do this and call this out was not an easy one. We’re submitting public record requests for multiple political officials throughout the state. And the decision to do that was not easy. These are dealing with a very powerful political establishment in the state.” New Approach SD Deputy Director Ned Horsted said.

Under SDCL 12-27-20, any government official or employee of the state is permitted to speak their opinion of a candidate or ballot measure in their personal capacity. That same law states that no government agency or official can influence the election of any candidate or ballot measure in their official capacity. Additionally, South Dakota Constitutional Law 11-11 states that the making of a profit directly or indirectly not authorized by law is deemed a felony.

“However under the South Dakota Constitution, they are not allowed to use taxpayer resources to promote a political agenda.” Horsted said.

The 2018 Farm Bill left the barn door open for dangerous and intoxicating forms of hemp says the the California Cannabis Industry Association (CCIA).

The CCIA has released a white paper it says details the dangers associated with the growing number of increasingly intoxicating products currently being sold as “hemp” from a myriad of outlets, and has called for urgent reform.

The issue has its roots in the wording of the 2018 Farm Bill, which made hemp legal if it contained less than 0.3 per cent delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol on a dry weight basis. The fact only delta-9 – the most commonly consumed form of THC and the one that provides a high – was singled out gave rise to other forms of intoxicating THC such as delta-8. These can be created by manipulating non-intoxicating cannabidiol (CBD) extracted from hemp.

The white paper notes some of these products are far more potent than their delta-9 counterparts and often contain dangerous chemicals resulting from the manufacturing process. Some of these cannabinoids include THCjd, THC-O, HHC, Delta-10 THC and the most commonly sold (for now), Delta-8 THC.

“With the way these products are sold, it’s easier for a kid to get their hands on them than a six-pack of beer,” says CCIA board Vice President Tiffany Devitt.

Various states have crafted their own laws regarding other forms of THC in order to rein in or stop their distribution, but the CCIA says more action is needed

As markets mature, cannabis users seek diversity and higher potency, triggering the demand for manufactured cannabis products. (Benzinga)

According to The Brightfield Group, a cannabis analytics firm, cannabis consumers are turning to extracts and concentrates as they seek more bang for their buck.

Falling flower prices and economics of scale behind producing extracts such as live resin or rosin, weigh in as factors that contribute to their popularity among cannabis users.

As markets mature, cannabis users seek diversity and higher potency, triggering the demand for manufactured cannabis products.

“More than 64% of consumers are using cannabis at least daily. … The more frequently you use it, the higher your tolerance becomes. That’s helping build the concentrates market,” Bethany Gomez, Brightfield’s managing director told MJBizDaily.

Gomez said consumers are more price sensitive given inflation, and products have become much more refined in branding and packaging.

Before 2018, cannabis was illegal in Canada. Now, as of mid-October, Uber Eats can deliver it in Toronto as the result of a partnership with Leafly, an online marketplace for licensed cannabis retailers. This is the first time Uber will deliver cannabis anywhere in the world.

This deal is being touted by Uber and Leafly as a great leap forward for the industry. The companies claim the arrangement will provide several benefits, including more business for the retailers, increased choice and flexibility for consumers while reducing the illicit market, and less impaired driving. However, these arguments hold little water.

How it will work

Consumers are able to use the Uber Eats platform to order cannabis products from any of three Toronto-based retailers — Hidden Leaf Cannabis, Minerva Cannabis and Shivaa’s Rose — provided they are within the retailer’s delivery footprint.

The ordering experience is similar to ordering food delivery on the app: Customers navigate to the “recreational cannabis” category, then to their chosen retailer’s menu where they select their desired products, then state whether they will pick up the order or prefer delivery. Uber then transmits the order to the applicable store. Once filled, the order is delivered to the customer by the retailer’s own delivery staff, as prescribed by law.

Ontario’s provincial cannabis regulations were only recently modified to permit delivery, although they do not allow third-party delivery. The retailer’s drivers must be employees of the retailer and be CannSell certified, as well as are required to verify identity and age at the time of delivery.

Little to gain for consumers and retailers

From the consumer’s perspective, the deal will merely provide another online location to order cannabis for delivery, on top of the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) and other private retailers.

Whether your dog has anxiety or you just need him to chill out a bit while you’re working, you may be looking for products that can help calm your pup.

Best Overall CBD Dog Treats: MediPets CBD Dog Treats Burger Beef Minis

The bill was sent for review after coalition partner Democratic Party said the bill would promote the recreational use of the drug.

BANGKOK – A farmers’ representative and a businessman called on the House to speed up the legislation of a cannabis control law so businesses know what they can and cannot do.
The statement came on Monday from Prapat Panyachatraksa, president of the National Farmers’ Council, and Ong-art Panyachatraksa, owner of the Organic Phet Lanna Farma and a partner of the RG420 Cannabis Store on Khao San Road in Bangkok.

The two were referring to the September 14 House resolution to indefinitely defer the second reading of the cannabis bill and return it to the special House committee that had vetted the draft.

“I understand the delay was caused by politicking,” said Prapat, who is a member and adviser to the ad hoc panel.

The bill was engineered by coalition partner Bhumjaithai Party, which had promised to legalise marijuana while campaigning for the 2019 general election.

The House voted 198:136 to return the bill to the ad hoc panel for review after Democrat Party, also a coalition partner, said the bill would promote the recreational use of marijuana. Democrat MPs also cited concerns that children and youth would abuse cannabis as a drug. The Rural Doctors Society was among groups that voiced such concersn.

Arkansas business leaders joined Gov. Asa Hutchinson Monday in calling for voters to oppose Issue 4, the general election ballot measure that would legalize adult use cannabis. At a news conference at the headquarters of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce in Little Rock, the industry representatives said legalizing recreational marijuana would compound problems for workforce recruitment and safety.

Issue 4 supporters said the arguments were no different than when medical marijuana was proposed in 2016, and that Arkansas businesses have not suffered since its passage.

Leaders from the trucking, construction and agricultural industries joined Hutchinson in condemning the proposal.

“It’s a nightmare for the industry, for the people we have to work on the highways and buildings around the state,” said Haskell Dickinson, former chairman of the Associated General Contractors of Arkansas. “We will have a challenge determining who can come to work… we don’t know how to handle it and no one else does either.”

“Issue 4 threatens the fair growth of business, by enriching marijuana monopolies and hamstringing industries like trucking that have long-served as the foundation for our state’s economy,” said Shannon Newton, President of the Arkansas Trucking Association.

Up to 40 cannabis consumption lounges could be coming to Nevada as early next year.

The Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board on Monday announced it had received 100 completed state licensing applications during a 10-day window earlier this month.

Nonrefundable application fees had been set at $100,000 for dispensaries; $10,000 for independent applicants, and $2,500 for social equity applicants, those who were negatively affected by marijuana laws before the state legalized the drug in 2017.

Established dispensaries, which would have a lounges attached or adjacent to them, accounted for 20 of the completed licenses. The state did not set a limit to how many such businesses it will be licensing.

But Nevada is only issuing 20 independent licenses, half of which would go to social equity applicants.

That will mean 40 independent and 20 social equity applicants will be left out out following a lottery for the 20 available slots.

A boy who used to endure 500 life-threatening fits a month is set to celebrate his 1,000th seizure-free day, thanks to medical cannabis.

Alfie Dingley, who suffers from severe epilepsy, is one of just three people in the UK to have been handed an NHS prescription for the drug.

Mum Hannah Deacon says the cannabis – which was legalised for medicinal use on November 1, 2018 – has made a huge difference to the 11-year-old’s life.

Yet thousands of people are still unable to access funded prescriptions, with families forced to spend thousands of pounds a month to go private, or buy the drug illegally.

Hannah, 43, who co-founded MedCan Support for families looking to access the drug, said this stance has created what she described as “a block” on NHS prescriptions.

She told how medical cannabis had given Alfie back his “quality of life”, allowing him to attend school full-time and start making friends.

An Edmonton city councillor wants the city to become the cannabis capital of the world.

Coun. Michael Janz says after four years of legalization, he wants to see Edmonton become a pot tourism destination in Canada.

“I think we already have all the ingredients here in Edmonton and Alberta,” said Janz, the councillor for Ward papastew. “We’ve got some of the best post-secondaries, we’ve got a great (agriculture) tech sector.

“We already have people innovating in this space… but we as a city can get out of the way.”

With 164 stores, Edmonton has the highest number of retailers per capita.

Janz says city council is currently reviewing zoning bylaws around cannabis. He’s hoping to see rules change so consumers can have more options.