WeedLife News Network

Clark County is looking to make it easier for people who have old, low-level cannabis convictions on their records — years after the state legalized recreational marijuana use — to keep that information out of the public domain where it could still have consequences for their jobs and housing searches.

At a Clark County Commission meeting earlier this month, officials awarded three nonprofits grants totaling $1.2 million from cannabis tax revenue. Both the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada and Nevada Legal Services received $500,000 to continue sealing records to address cannabis conviction injustices, while Code for America, a technology nonprofit, was awarded $200,000 to explore bringing automatic record sealing to Nevada.

“There was a woman who couldn't go see her son graduate on an Air Force base because she had a felony record [for cannabis],” said Venicia Considine, the director of development and community relations at Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, who is also a Democratic Assembly member. “There's a lot of people that live here in Las Vegas that couldn't get jobs, simply because they had something on their record from a decade, two decades ago, that was eligible for record sealing, but there was no real way to get it done.”

Most states have a petition-based process that requires money and multiple actions in each jurisdiction where convictions are filed, and according to experts, less than 10 percent of people who are eligible, get their records cleared. Coders, lawyers and technology professionals want to help state entities conduct a mass record sealing of cannabis convictions, circumventing the tedious process that includes first petitioning a judge, and, if granted, manually sealing the record in each jurisdiction throughout the state.

Policy experts at Code for America, a Bay Area-based organization that uses technology to empower government agencies, have nine months to investigate the scale of digital investment needed to carry out automatic record sealing in Nevada. Lawmakers and legal experts hope Code for America will bring a second wind to the Nevada Second Chance Act, or AB192, a cannabis conviction record-sealing bill passed in 2019 and sponsored by then-Assemblyman William McCurdy II.

“I wanted [AB192] to be an automatic seal, but that was impossible, because we currently still have records that are not digitized,” said McCurdy, who is now a Clark County commissioner.

Starting with applicants who have been “justice-involved” is called the Seeding Opportunity Initiative, with New York said to be the first state to implement the approach.

Cannabis regulators in New York State (NYS) announced last week that they would accept dispensary applications starting Aug. 25 and that these initial applications will be reserved for people and families who have been directly impacted by the War on Drugs.

The formal announcement was made through the NYS Office of Cannabis Management’s social media platforms.

Squat berry plants do little to conceal tall hoop houses containing illegal cannabis.

A massive illegal cannabis grow-op made up of almost 300 greenhouses containing about 14,000 illegal plants was recently found amidst a berry farm in northern Monterey County, Calif.

“The illegal operation was hidden on a berry farm in unincorporated Salinas, Calif., nearly 300 hoop houses,” notes a statement from the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office (MCDAO). “Berries were planted along the perimeter of the hoop houses to conceal the true nature of the operation,” MCDAO adds.

In all, members of the Monterey County Cannabis Enforcement Unit found and destroyed 14,000-plus illegal weed plants and just shy of 13,610 kilograms of processed cannabis. The unit was aided by MCDAO’s Bureau of Investigations, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Monterey County Department of Public Works.

An investigation into the illegal operation is continuing.

Medicinal and recreational cannabis are both legal in California. That said, individuals 21 and older can only grow up to as six cannabis plants at home for personal use, while commercial cultivation requires a licence and adherence to local rules, including whether or not outdoor grows are even permitted.

MONTGOMERY -  A set of proposed new rules regulating the introduction of medical marijuana in Alabama were approved last week, according to the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC).

On Thursday, August 11, the commission approved a plan that will start the process of licensing companies wanting to take part in the state’s new medical marijuana industry.

A D.C. task force will begin cracking down on I-71 shops that gift marijuana in exchange for purchases.

Catch up quick: Such gifting shops cropped up after a 2014 law legalized possessing small amounts of marijuana in D.C., but not buying or selling it.

Why it matters: The task force puts further scrutiny on the gifting businesses which medical marijuana dispensaries have argued are taking business away from them.

A “Joint Cannabis Task Force” will start unannounced inspections next month to ensure businesses abide by D.C. laws such as food safety, fire codes, and proper registration with the Office of Tax and Revenue.

Medical marijuana could soon be legal in Tuscaloosa.

ALBANY - The Office of Cannabis Management announced it will be accepting applications for conditional adult-use retail dispensaries starting August 25.

New York is one of 19 states that’s legalized recreational cannabis. The retail licenses will prioritize people who have been previously convicted of marijuana-related crimes and have experience operating a business. Studies show that people of color were disproportionately impacted by marijuana prohibition.

Aussie basketball legend Lauren Jackson was a pain-riddled 'zombie' before medicinal cannabis allowed her to make a remarkable comeback aged 41​​

There are a number of pros that favor the use of dealers (not that we are advising you to) and also those that favor dispensaries.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been reposted with permission. The question of where to get weed from should be expected to have a straightforward answer, right? Wrong. For many cannabis users, the choice of where to get a desired product remains a big issue that many haven’t settled. Some are unaware of the benefits that getting cannabis from a trusted source brings. Here’s what you need to know before making a decision.

Sources of Cannabis Products

Researchers believe that CBDA could be the next big medication for treating and maintaining overall mental and physical well-being.

Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) is a minor cannabinoid with significant medicinal promise. Recent research suggests that CBDA could be an alternative treatment for managing or curing inflammation, anxiety, cancer, and seizures. The therapeutic potential of CBDA is the newest discovery of cannabinoid-based drugs.

Introduction to CBDA

Although research is still in the infant stage, researchers believe that CBDA could be the next big medication for treating and maintaining overall mental and physical well-being. Many cannabis-based scientists are optimistic that CBDA would reduce the need for conventional drugs with long-term side effects.

CBDA is mainly found in cannabis plant material. Like other major and minor cannabinoids, it reacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system and receptors in the central nervous system and immune system.

Conversion of CBGA to CBDA

CBGA is converted into CBDA by an enzymatic process. Once formed, it remains this way until the decarboxylation process takes place. Decarboxylation is the conversion of acidic cannabinoids to their decarboxylated forms. CBDA is converted to CBD, THCA to THC, and CBCA to CBC. When cannabis is heated, the decarboxylation process takes place. Cannabinoids’ molecular structure changes when they are heated, dried, or treated. The method alters the substance’s chemical structure by removing one acidic carboxyl group.

While certain cannabis plants have been cultivated to contain balanced quantities of CBDA and THCA, CBDA is often only found in very small concentrations in cannabis plants. Mainly hemp plants are well-known for having significant levels of CBDA and traces of THCA.

Grow conservatively estimated to have used enough water to fill 50 average-sized swimming pools

Charges are reportedly pending for suspects after a multi-force team busted an illegal cannabis grow-op in Oregon that covered almost six acres of land.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) reports that detectives with the Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team executed a search warrant on Aug. 9 at the unlicensed grow near Medford, Ore.

JCSO deputies, detectives with Oregon State Police’s Rogue Area Drug Enforcement and members of Homeland Security Investigations assisted with the warrant service.

On the property, the authorities discovered approximately 16,827 illegal cannabis plants inside 87 hoop-style greenhouses.

Though one subject found on site was detained and interviewed, that person was later released. “Detectives identified the primary suspects and charges are pending from the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office,” the JCSO reports.

Cone Denim has expanded its partnership with hemp processing innovator BastCore, following the former’s recently launched U.S. Hemp Collection.

BastCore has created patent-pending technology and a proprietary process that produces clean, mechanically processed, Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified and U.S. Department of Agriculture bio-preferred hemp fiber out of its operation in Montgomery, Ala.

“Cone is extremely proud to work closely with an industry-recognized company like BastCore as we advance our commitment to provide more sustainable, alternative fiber options to our denim community,” Cone Denim president Steve Maggard said.

Did you know that medical cannabis is legal in Australia? Prescribed in oil, capsule, cream and flower form, there is a multitude of conditions that medical cannabis can help with, Dr Suzanne Graham explains.

In order to understand why tobacco prices steadily increase while marijuana prices fluctuate, it is important to understand the differences between why and how these two products are taxed.

If you are a frequent cannabis purchaser you have likely noticed that some of your favorite cannabis products have stayed the same price, or even decreased over the last year. When prices on your favorite cannabis go down you likely don’t want to ask too many questions. Instead you are more likely to buy as much as you can and leave with a bag full of savings. 

Colorado regulators shared that licensed retailers have 98 per cent compliance for checking IDs.

Now that cannabis is legal in more U.S. states, some people are concerned about teens and access. And while access surrounding the drug might push some young people to try it or to fear it less, legal retailers, at least those in Colorado, are doing everything in their power to prevent this from happening.

Colorado state law makes it clear that non-compliance can lead to a lot of trouble for these businesses, including putting their cannabis licences at risk and facing up to a US$100,000 fine.

“Unauthorized sale of regulated marijuana to an individual under the age of 21 is considered a licence violation affecting public safety,” noted the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED).

“Businesses must remain vigilant in establishing internal measures to prevent underage access, and as the MED continues to monitor licensee compliance, it will evaluate business practices licensees have adopted to prevent unauthorized/underage sales,” the division added.

Is the CAOA a perfect model for legalization? Probably not, as I am not sure there is a way to legalize cannabis that will please everyone. However, it is comprehensive and would completely change the cannabis industry.

A few weeks ago, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), introduced the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA).

The nearly 300 page bill is comprehensive and is unlikely to pass before the midterm election (if at all, thanks to the filibuster). However, it does provide a real glimpse as to what we can potentially expect when federal cannabis legalization actually happens. Today, I will cover a few interesting portions of the CAOA.

Cannabis Legalization

The CAOA would remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Individuals over 21 could legally use marijuana in states that have legalized. States could continue to prohibit marijuana within their borders but could not prohibit the interstate shipment of marijuana. The unauthorized growing, manufacturing, shipping, transporting, receiving, possessing, selling, distributing, or purchasing of ten pounds or more of marijuana would remain illegal.

The CAOA would also amend the 2018 Farm Bill by defining hemp as cannabis with less than 0.7% THC on a dry weight basis. That would more than double the current THC threshold of 0.3% for hemp.

If the CAOA passes, it would task several federal agencies would take part in regulating marijuana at a federal level. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) would each be involved. The FDA would regulate the manufacture, distribution, and labeling of “cannabis products,” as well as register cannabis product manufacturers.

PEQUOT LAKES — Pequot Lakes Police Sgt. Ryan Franz educated the city council on recent legislation that makes it legal in Minnesota to sell certain edibles and beverages infused with tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the cannabis ingredient extracted from hemp.

“Every regional group I’m involved in … this has been a topic that has come up,” City Administrator Rich Spiczka told the council at its regular meeting Tuesday, Aug. 2, adding cities don't quite know what to do with it.

“They passed it without a lot of oversight,” Franz said after giving an overview of the legislation regarding cannabinoids.

“Most municipalities are unsure of how to best proceed and what steps are best so some are in the ‘wait and see’ realm, while others are attempting to pass ordinances banning the sale of these items,” Spiczka wrote in a memo to the council.

Franz said many municipalities are waiting for bigger cities to tackle the topic. He doesn’t feel the need to enact any moratorium now, though the legislation will present challenges.

It won’t change how police do their job, Franz said, adding he’s come across people in the past month who claim marijuana is legal.

Consumers now have the liberty of choosing from so many products and methods of consumption that you can tailor your dose and experience just the way you like it.

Microdosing is a form of consuming drugs in such a way that you avoid getting extremely high. Once associated with psychedelic and hallucinogenic drugs such as magic mushrooms and LSD, more people have discovered the benefits of microdosing marijuana over the last few years. As opposed to macrodosing or getting as high as you possibly can, the point of microdosing is to enable the user to still stay productive and focused in a task.

There really is no right or wrong way to consume marijuana. Whether you prefer to microdose to up your creativity or medicate, or macrodose because you want to feel extremely relaxed or buzzed, it’s all down to personal preferences. There are also many ways you can consume marijuana these days — some are better suited for microdosing while others are best for macrodosing.

Microdosing Marijuana

A microdose of marijuana is considered between 1 to 2.5 mg of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive substance of the plant. This is considered the minimum effective dose.

Microdosing small amounts such as these provide the user with the plant’s medicinal and therapeutic benefits without getting too high that you can no longer function. People microdose for many reasons.