WeedLife News Network

The new year brought new taxes to the cannabis community.

The new year brought new taxes to the cannabis community, with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration announcing a tax hike on cannabis cultivation starting on January 1, 2022. However, from my perspective as executive chancellor of Oaksterdam University, this move could have a detrimental impact on the legal cannabis industry.

Back in 2009, the very first “tax cannabis” initiative found success in Oakland, California, where roughly 80 percent of voters voted in favor of a medical marijuana tax of 1.8 percent in gross sales. In fact, Oaksterdam University founder Richard Lee, as well as other industry players, helped lobby for the tax’s inclusion on the ballot.

We at Oaksterdam have always advocated for a safe, regulated and taxed cannabis market, but we oppose this increase on farmers. The race to extract more fees and taxes, starting with the farmer, has a negative effect on the end consumer, as well as the entire industry.

Why should you care if you don’t even smoke weed? Because the potential result I see is a booming illicit market that empowers and enriches drug cartels.

Raising taxes is the opposite of what we as cannabis advocates are working hard to accomplish, which is to lower barriers in the industry. Raising taxes in an already over-taxed market could bolster the incentives to stay illicit and pay no taxes or fees. The higher cannabis taxes rise, the harder it could be for legitimate businesses to compete with unregulated growers and sellers.

NIDA seeks to characterize the composition/potency, the pattern of use, and methods of administration of cannabis products

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the lead federal agency supporting scientific research on drug use and its consequences, is promoting federally funded research in cannabis expressing interest in studies on differing cannabis regulatory models and consumption patterns across the U.S., reported Marijuana Moment.

On Friday, the agency issued a notice of interest with instructions for researchers on how to apply for funding.

“Policies around cannabis products (including whole-plant cannabis and cannabis constituent compounds) in the United States (and globally) continue to evolve, and far outpace the knowledge needed to determine the public health impacts of these changes,” the notice says.

“Growing numbers of states have loosened restrictions on cannabis, including those on sales and use, bypassing medical marijuana laws or by making cannabis legal for adult recreational use, and in increasing numbers, states have done both.

In 2018 NIDA sought input from a National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse (NACDA) workgroup to identify cannabis policy research areas with the greatest urgency and potential for impact.

Texas hemp manufacturers are in a legal battle with the state to try to stop it from banning THC isomer products their businesses have come to rely on in the last couple of years. But federal legislation introduced by a Democratic representative from Maine last week could make that fight for naught.

Dubbed the “Hemp Advancement Act of 2022,” the bill aims to do something Texas lawmakers attempted during the last legislative session: implement a low-percentage cap on all THC in hemp products, not just delta-9 THC. (Texas is also actively trying to ban all other THC isomers except for delta-9.)

Both federal and state hemp laws legalized the growing of the plant, as long as it contains less than 0.3% delta-9 THC, the main chemical in marijuana that gets users high. But, the law didn’t spell out any limitations on other forms of THC, like delta-8 and delta-10. These are THC isomers, chemicals that share the same formula as delta-9 but have different chemical structures and effects. Delta-8, for example, is generally regarded as less potent.

“The 2018 Farm Bill laid a legal pathway for hemp production but created overly complicated regulations and hardship for farmers and small businesses in the process,” Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine said in a press release about the bill.

“I am introducing The Hemp Advancement Act of 2022 to eliminate unworkable testing requirements, set reasonable THC thresholds for producers and processors while protecting consumers, and end the discriminatory policy that bans people with drug convictions from growing legal hemp.”

While many neighboring communities have finalized or looked at creating their own retail marijuana regulations, the city of Caribou isn’t.

Any retail marijuana stores geared toward the general public, including those that only sell medical marijuana, cannot be developed within city limits.

Code Enforcement Officer Ken Murchison reviewed the city’s marijuana ordinance, which only allows nonprofit dispensaries and cultivation facilities registered for medical marijuana, when the Caribou Planning Board met recently.

Caribou’s decision to not invest in retail marijuana businesses is in stark contrast with neighboring communities. Presque Isle first approved the sale and manufacture of recreational pot in 2020 and has since seen four medical shops, two recreational stores and one cultivation facility open. That city’s ordinance specifies that shops cannot be within 1,000 feet of a pre-existing public or private school and must adhere to strict zoning rules.

The topic has come up among Caribou officials because of a permit application submitted in December for a proposed medical marijuana dispensary caregiver center that would be located in the former Pizza Hut building at 149 Bennett Drive.

Can it work for PFAS-contaminated farms?

The pair was hardly dressed like typical farmers, but this was no typical farm. Sporting white hazmat suits and respirators, Chelli Stanley and Richard Silliboy lugged 5-gallon jugs of water toward bushy plots of hemp, each 30-by-30-foot patch a stark sign of order in the otherwise overgrown field. It was a warm September day in Limestone, a small town on the edge of the Maine-Canada border, and the pair struggled to breathe in the head-to-toe protective gear. Stanley, a founder of the environmental organization Upland Grassroots, recalls telling Silliboy, vice chief of the Aroostook Band of Micmac Nation, “This will be worth it someday.”

For Stanley and Silliboy, the focus was not so much the hemp they were growing as what it was doing. Their farm, once part of the Loring Air Force Base, is also a Superfund site — an area so polluted it’s marked high-priority for federal cleanup. Later, when the Aroostook Band of Micmacs took over the site’s ownership, they found its soil was rife with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS, cancer-causing compounds that are so difficult to break down they’re commonly known as “forever chemicals.” 

Because of their ability to bind to proteins, PFAS tend to bioaccumulate — building up in soil, water, and even human bodies. Under typical environmental conditions, they can persist for hundreds, even thousands of years. But there is hope at Loring: In 2020, researchers discovered that the Micmacs’ hemp plants were successfully sucking PFAS out of the contaminated soil. This practice, known as phytoremediation, could guide farmers across the country who have had to shut down after discovering their soil is tainted with the ubiquitous class of chemicals. 

Sara Nason, one of the project’s lead researchers from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, called their results “conservatively promising.” Other researchers see the potential too. David Huff, a senior scientist at the environmental consulting firm Nutter & Associates Inc., said, “At the end of the day, the data support phytoremediation as a viable approach and definitely established proof of concept.”

PFAS were once considered to be human-made miracle compounds. Due to their oil- and water-repelling properties, they were long used in all kinds of products from firefighting foam to stain-resistant carpets to nonstick pans. They’ve been linked to a host of health problems, including kidney and testicular cancer, liver damage, and suppressed immunity. 

Cannabinomics refers to the scientific approach of using mass spectrometry and statistical analysis to differentiate between available cannabis species.

It is the year 2022, where cannabis laws are becoming more flexible by the day and adequate and precise information about the natural herb is available to everyone. While we are all grateful for the growth of cannabis laws and regulations, there is still a need for more scientific research about the plant.

In this article, we will be paying close attention to cannabinomics and its use in analyzing cannabis varieties.

What Is Cannabinomics?

It is safe to say that cannabinomics isn’t exactly a word that is commonly used among the majority of cannabis enthusiasts and this is because it is majorly a scientific term. Cannabinomics refers to the scientific approach of using mass spectrometry and statistical analysis to differentiate between available cannabis species. In clearer terms, the scientific process involves the use of analytical processes to identify phytochemical markers that can be used to differentiate between cannabis varieties.

The general knowledge among most cannabis users is that the difference in cannabis varieties largely boils down to whether it is sativa, indica, or a hybrid of both. While this may be fundamentally true, there is still more to the differences in cannabis varieties than the species they originate from. This is why many cannabis growers and researchers over time have used THC and CBD concentration as a major marker in differentiating varieties.

The use of THC and CBD as main markers for differentiating cannabis varieties has been quite instrumental both in terms of research, cultivation, and use. This is because it helps to give the grower and/or user an idea of what to expect from the herb. However, there is still room for differentiating cannabis varieties beyond just THC and CBD which is where cannabinomics comes in. The process uses compounds less prominent as THC and CBD to analyze and differentiate different cannabis varieties.

If you’re someone who enjoys getting high, but can’t seem to find the ambition to start a workout routine, perhaps it’s time to try one of these popular exercises proven to pair perfectly with a little pot.

As marijuana stigmas slowly fall away, the act of lighting up a joint or popping an edible is becoming as acceptable as opening a bottle of wine. Getting stoned is now an after-work nightcap equivalent, and “high” is the preferred mental state for many travelers. You might even have noticed that THC is becoming infused into some of America’s favorite workouts.

Colorado University recently published a study in which “results indicated that the majority (81.7%) of participants endorsed using cannabis concurrently with exercise.” That number is very telling, even for a state that has legalized recreational marijuana and has a thriving cannabis industry.

The same study went on to state that “approximately half reported that it increases their motivation to exercise.” So, if you’re someone who enjoys getting high but can’t seem to find the ambition to start a workout routine, perhaps it is time to try one of these five popular exercises that are proven to pair perfectly with a little pot.

Yoga

Yoga and marijuana have been friends for a long time. Many yoga practitioners speak to the mellowing qualities of THC and how they can greatly enhance a guided yoga practice. 

More than 500 ounces of potentially contaminated marijuana — including some that tested positive for a fungus that can lead to lung infections or death — was quietly returned to store shelves in Michigan late last year, an MLive investigation revealed.

Largely overshadowed by legislation addressing crime and voting rights during this year’s 30-day Legislative session, a cannabis law clean-up bill failed to make its way to the governor’s desk. 

SB 100, sponsored by Sen. Linda Lopez, D-Albuquerque, would have made a series of changes to the Cannabis Regulation Act, which went into effect last June. Those changes included clarifying tax language, allowing certain cannabis businesses to wholesale their products, among other things. One of the more significant changes though was a proposed production increase for smaller cannabis businesses. The bill was praised by those already active in the state’s cannabis industry as well as industry newcomers. 

But early in the committee process, a new change to the Cannabis Control Act emerged: water.

The amount of water the new cannabis industry might use has been a big concern for many and part of the Cannabis Regulation Act requires that cannabis cultivators verify they have legal access to water. That language was stripped, in a bipartisan vote, from SB 100 and replaced with language that would allow a license to be revoked if the licensee was found to be using water illegally. 

With SB 100 failing to make it through the legislative process, some water conservation advocates are relieved that there is still a requirement to prove water access, but others are frustrated that what they see as needed changes will have to wait another year. 

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Thurs. Feb. 17, 2022: Cannabis is quite a controversial matter for some people. While the opponents and supporters are struggling for and against the legalization of marijuana all over the country, cannabis businesses have their own fight. It is their struggle to survive among the niche competition. For this purpose, these enterprises are also actively using digital promotional tools. Is there any difference in promotion for a cannabis company and the one working in another field?

Yes, there is. But how have industry differences appeared? What are they? In this post, we are going to dwell on the most essential complications faced by cannabis businesses while they are trying to promote their websites on the Internet. Some of them have already understood the difficulty of the situation and have entrusted promotion to SEO experts for cannabis businesses, one of which is Mj Seo Agency.

Difficulties Faced by Cannabis Businesses

So, let us determine the most serious complications that interfere with the promotion of cannabis businesses. There are:

To try to win over the attention of the target audience, cannabis businesses need to overcome more obstacles than regular companies. Because of all this, cannabis is a trickier industry to work in. Optimization of the content on a site takes much more effort and requires a higher level of professionalism of specialists. Even with SEO tips for cannabis businesses, it is not an easy task. And it does not matter if your business is a product manufacturer, dispensary, farm, cultivator, e-commerce store, etc.

Restrictions from Search Engines

So, you have decided to select keywords for a blog post. You open Google Keyword Planner and input the word “cannabis”. It is a way the work on the content starts. However, here, the results of GKP show “No ideas satisfy current filters.” Does this mean that there is no data on cannabis on Google? Sounds unrealistic, doesn’t it?

Cannabis beverage Drink Loud has launched its tiny-but-mighty cannabis potion into dispensaries throughout California. Made with 100 milligrams of cannabis packed into a 1.8 ounce bottle using proprietary nanotechnology,  Drink Loud is both the smallest and most potent cannabis beverage for a fun, discreet, affordable and fast-acting uplift.

Manufactured and distributed by Rove Brands, Drink Loud is shelf-stable and candy-flavored, available in four tropical flavors: Chill; Kush Berry, Spark; Cucumber Haze, Maui Blast; Pina Colada and Cruise; and Pink Lemonade. Its pocket size, nano-fast onset and high potency, makes Drink Loud potions more like a liquid vape than a traditional cannabis beverage.

Meant to be enjoyed like a 420-take on five-hour energy, or stirred into a canna-cocktail, the range of personalization is nearly limitless. While best served cold, refrigeration is never required, even after opening. When sipping, product onset takes as little as five minutes to set in, or up to 30 on a full stomach. Drink Loud’s juicy-candy flavor means they are equally as delicious enjoyed as a shot, stirred into a slushy or sipped slowly at your favorite music festival. All potion flavors are vegan, gluten-free, contain no GMOs and are sweetened with a combination of sugar and xylitol.

Led by CEO and president Paul Jacobson, Rove manufactures Drink Loud as well as all of its award-winning vapes, flower and tinctures in-house. Always optimizing for quality, Rove has developed a new, proprietary nanotechnology and emulsification process for Drink Loud that ensures no bitter taste and a fast-acting onset of THC that can take as little as five minutes. Drink Loud’s flavors and terpene blends are developed by an in-house chef whose background in restaurants and cannabis food pairing complement Rove’s nanotech for a beverage that’s uniquely functional and delicious.

“So, DMT vapes have now been patented,” Graham Pechenik, a San Francisco-based registered patent attorney, tweeted earlier this month.

“This is how patent trolls function,” Pechenik tells The GrowthOp’s Sam Riches following his Twitter post that sparked online outrage.

Graham Pechenik is a registered patent attorney and the founder of Calyx Law. Photo provided.

JAMA publication demonstrates assessment validity, points to future research and real-world application.

Horsham, PA, Feb. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Clinical Ink’s Technology Deployed for Groundbreaking Cannabis Research

JAMA publication demonstrates assessment validity, 
points to future research and real-world applications

HORSHAM, Pa.; Feb. 17, 2021 (Business Wire) – Clinical Ink, a global clinical technology company, is excited to announce our Chief Innovation Officer Joan Severson's collaboration on the recently published JAMA Psychiatry paper Driving Performance and Cannabis Users’ Perception of Safety: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Severson was part of the team led by Dr. Thomas Marcotte, Professor and Co-Director of the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research, at the University of California San Diego.

As the legalization of cannabis expands in the U.S., it is increasingly pressing to effectively measure its effects on users’ health, behavior and community. While breathalyzer tests exist to measure alcohol consumption and the ability to safely drive, no equivalent testing has been developed for cannabis use. In this trial, the team deployed proprietary, digitized assessments from Clinical Ink’s BrainBaseline™ platform to help measure cannabis-related impairment while driving.  

Missouri is trying to introduce legal cannabis. It remains to be seen if it will pass or remain unattainable for the state.

A Missouri lawmaker introduced a comprehensive bill to legalize recreational cannabis on Tuesday. The measure, titled the Cannabis Freedom Act (HB 2704), was introduced in the Missouri House of Representatives by Representative Ron Hicks, a Republican from St. Charles.

If passed, the bill would legalize cannabis for adult-use, regulate recreational cannabis commerce and expunge convictions for past cannabis-related offenses. In a statement, Hicks acknowledged the assistance from interested parties and an Oklahoma colleague in drafting the legislation.

“The Cannabis Freedom Act is the product of input from many different stakeholders including members of law enforcement and those who have endured incarceration for conduct that society now deems acceptable,” Hicks said. “I am particularly grateful for input from Oklahoma State Representative Scott Fetgatter for his assistance in creating a free market program that is also strictly regulated.”

Bill Legalizes Recreational Cannabis Possession and Sales

Under the bill, adults 21 and older would be permitted to purchase and use recreational cannabis. Adults would be also be allowed to grow up to 12 cannabis plants at home for personal use.

The bill tasks the Missouri Department of Agriculture with regulating the recreational cannabis program. The department would draft the rules for the program and issue licenses for cannabis producers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, without caps on the number of licenses that could be issued to qualified cannabis businesses.

Want to make the most of your weed? Here’s how compact discs, honey, pennies, and other common objects can help.

By the time you’ve become a seasoned marijuana consumer, you’ll likely learn all of the little tricks you need to help make the most of your weed. From extending the life of your stash, grinding your own flower when you’re in a pinch, and enhancing your experience in general, here are some hacks that will improve your smoking significantly.

 Mints

Photo by Christopher Williams via Unsplash

When the munchies strike, there’s very little you can do except indulge. Seasoned cannabis users usually learn to curb their urges, but for newcomers, mints are a good option. Mints can help you focus on something else, distracting you from the urge of eating food. Just like people who stop smoking tend to chew gum, mints can help keep your mind off blowing your diet.

A Penny

Photo by Elsa Olofsson via Unsplash

While you should always invest in a grinder, there are ways of cutting your marijuana neatly and evenly when in a bind. Take a penny and clean it thoroughly, then put your marijuana in a pillbox, drop the penny inside, close it up, and shake. Keep on shaking. After a vigorous workout, you’ll be left with some evenly cut marijuana.

The Kentucky legislature is seeking to ban all forms of "intoxicating products" made from industrial hemp, such as delta-8 THC, a form of THC distinguished from the more common delta-9 THC found in cannabis plants, Hemp Today writes. (article originally appeared on Benzinga)

According to a bill proposed this week, smokable hemp would also be prohibited by the law – in the form of cigarettes or cigars – as well as smokeless products including chew or dip, whole hemp buds, hemp teas and ground hemp flowers and leaves.

The legislation, which expands existing language in the state's law, is also designed to outlaw other hemp-derived minor cannabinoids like delta-10 THC, THC-O, and THC-P,  as per an unofficial copy of the proposal.

While hemp stakeholders in the Bluegrass State have been interpreting the 2018 Farm Bill to their favor claiming that delta-8 THC is legal under the legislation's provisions, regulators have pushed back, emphasizing that the compound is not naturally derived from the hemp plant.

There’s a process that turns extracted hemp concentrate that doesn’t get you high into synthetic concentrate that does, similar to THC naturally produced by marijuana.

Under bill, marijuana sales profits would go toward drug treatment, property tax relief.

CONCORD, N.H. - The New Hampshire House is advancing new legislation to legalize marijuana for Granite Staters age 21 and up and put the New Hampshire Liquor Commission in charge of sales.

"The benefits of this model, which New Hampshire already has the infrastructure in place for, is that New Hampshire will be selling a clean, superior, tax-free product at a lower price than any of the surrounding states,” Rep. Daryl Abbas, R-Salem, said.

"Tax relief, education funding, substance abuse treatment: These are concepts just about everyone in our state can get behind,” Rep. Casey Conley, D-Dover, said.

While the bill garnered a strong bipartisan majority of 235 votes, not all state reps are on board.

"Simply put, New Hampshire has wisely held the line on marijuana legalization. We do not need to become the first-in-the-nation drug cartel now,” Rep. Susan Homola, R-Hollis, said.

University of Colorado Boulder launched SPACE, the Study on Physical Activity and Cannabis Effects.