WeedLife News Network

I’m often asked to comment on whether or not cannabis will ever truly attain the status of a commodity. While the answer has generally been yes, we have a ways to go. 

First of all, it’s necessary to understand what exactly a commodity is. For our purposes, and in the context of cannabis, we’re talking about a raw material or primary agricultural product that can be bought and sold. Modern examples of commodities include copper and coffee.

A commodity is a raw material or primary agricultural product that can be bought and sold.

Ministry of Hemp now offers a special “Ministry of Hemp Verified” seal to the brands we review. If you see this seal in use by a brand, come visit our website to see the products we’ve reviewed and learn more about them. 

At the Ministry of Hemp, our goal is to build confidence and transparency in the hemp industry, especially when it comes to the contents of CBD products. Sadly, fake products, or at least CBD products with misleading labels, are commonplace. That’s why we only work with brands that meet our high standards. 

Since we’re starting to share this special seal with our brand partners, we wanted to explain what it means to be “Ministry of Hemp Verified.” 

The outcome of the cannabis referendum has raised concerns about the availability of medicinal options.

Just over 53 percent of people voted no to legalisation, while 46 percent voted yes.

Medicinal cannabis company Cannasouth's chief executive Mark Lucas told Francesca Rudkin a yes vote would have helped more people gain better and cheaper access to medical cannabis.

"There's no denying that some patients will access medicinal cannabis currently from the black market,  and if there was a white market, if you like, they would have been accessing very basic formulations of cannabis from that market."

The official result of the referendum, including special votes, will be announced on Friday. 

Tuesday’s presidential election between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden could have dramatic effects on various stocks and sectors, and investors have spent months trying to identify potential winners and losers.

A group of stocks seen benefiting from Biden’s Democratic policies has outperformed those seen benefiting from Republican Trump. Over a two-month period that ended Wednesday, a “Biden basket” of stocks created by JPMorgan head of U.S. equity strategy Dubravko Lakos gained 4.5% versus a 16% drop for a “Trump basket.”

Here is a look at stocks that might fit best in a Biden or Trump portfolio:

There seems to be no stopping drug seizures, the majority being cannabis, at border crossings in New York state, with the amount of confiscated weed increasing more than 1,100 per cent in 2020 compared to 2019.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) figures from its annual report show that 3,456 pounds (1,568 kg) of cannabis was seized at the Buffalo Field Office in fiscal year 2019, a mere portion of the 41,688 pounds (18,909 kg) confiscated in fiscal 2020. The field office covers 16 ports of entry in the state of New York.

Other drugs were seized, but their amounts paled in comparison to cannabis. In fact, one of the 2020 seizures represented a northern border record and involved 9,472 pounds (4,296 kg) of marijuana.

That said, seizures involving some other substances also skyrocketed, while others dropped like a stone.

Overall during fiscal 2020, “field office personnel seized 42,015 pounds (19, 058 kg) of narcotics, an increase of 968 per cent from the prior fiscal year,” according to a CBP press release. CBP officers also arrested 319 people and seized US$543,015 in unreported currency.

While marijuana is typically advised against before surgery, many doctors and surgeons are speaking out about its effects for after-care. 

Breast implants are still a booming business. As one of the most popular surgeries in the U.S., over 300,000 women go under the knife annually. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Americans spent more than $16.5 billion on cosmetic surgery in 2018. 

With many instances of news covering breast implant illness, where individuals who have received breast implants describe symptoms like chest pain, fatigue, hair loss, and chronic pain, more patients are asking about the risks associated with getting implants or having them removed. And, with medical marijuana and CBD available in more states each year, considerations should be made when combining marijuana and the addition of implants or their removal.

Marijuana and Implant Surgery

Whether patients are undergoing surgery for a reduction or receiving implants, many doctors spoke to us about the importance of a candid conversation about marijuana use. Dr. Nathan Castillo, who practices out of Atlanta, GA,  shared that patients should, “refrain from smoking marijuana for at least 4-6 weeks before surgery.” Studies have found a link between marijuana use before surgery and a risk of vasodilation during surgery, the latter of which occurs when blood pressure falls due to blood vessels relaxing. 

Additionally, a 2018 study published in the journal Heliyon, found that consuming marijuana before surgery could complicate outcomes during and after the procedure. The study found that marijuana’s effects were most prevalent one hour after the start of the surgery and lasted anywhere from 2-4 hours. With an increase in both airway obstruction and anesthetic doses administered, the study found patients who consumed marijuana before surgery carried more risks than patients who abstained. However, while marijuana is typically advised against before surgery, many doctors and surgeons are speaking out about its effects for after-care. 

Will These Pot Stocks Make Big Gains Next Year?

Health officials suspect possible opioid overdoses in cases linked to hospitalizations of marijuana users in Prince William County.

Local news reports are warning the public about potentially tainted marijuana in the Northern Virginia region. Four overdose victims, including one who passed away, were hospitalized in the Prince William County Health District. One factor that they all have in common is recent marijuana use. Possible opioid contamination is suspected because three of the patients were revived with Narcan, and the fourth died of the overdose.

To date, no additional information is available about the source of the potentially tainted marijuana. Nearby regions like the City of Alexandria and Stafford County put out bulletins with information about the ongoing situation and what symptoms to look out for if you suspect a similar overdose.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, visible warning signs of an opioid overdose include:

If you witness these symptoms and suspect a drug overdose, call 911 immediately and seek medical attention.

This holiday shopping season will be longer and less traditional than ever.

This year, it’s being ushered in earlier and with far less fanfare.

Many retail trackers will begin their official holiday tracking October 13.

Best Buy’s new “Black Friday” and the start of Amazon’s Prime Day, rescheduled from its July launch due to COVID-19.

Holiday shoppers traditional buying preferences and patterns are shifting, too.

In line with the most recent Halloween tradition, state police are warning parents in the United States to look out for edibles in their kids’ candy ahead of this weekend’s spooky celebration.   

According to Indiana State Police, authorities seized edibles in packaging virtually identical to the popular Starbrust and Skittles candies just last weekend. 

“Parents, here is an example of what to look for in your child’s Halloween candy this year. These were seized just this past weekend by one of our Troopers from the Lowell post. While they are packaged and marketed to look like candy, they are not. You have to look closely to see the ‘Medicated’ wording. Please thoroughly check all candy and don’t assume it’s ‘OK’ just because it looks ‘OK,’” Indian State Police shared on Facebook along with photos of the seized marijuana-unfused treats. 

Last year, police departments in Pennsylvania and North Carolina issued similar warnings, which included advice to parents to discard all home-made candies children might receive during trick-or-treating. 

Although skeptics frequently point out that nobody would willingly give away free marijuana to kids, particularly edibles which can be quite expensive, Yahoo News writes that children are known to ingest edibles sometimes. In fact, poison control centers in California received over 250 calls in 2017 regarding children accidentally ingesting edibles. 

For some people, applying shampoo to one’s hair while taking a shower or a bath may seem like a straightforward thing.

Sure, there are different brands of shampoo products to choose from, with some making bolder claims about the effectiveness of their product(s) than others.

But for the most part, applying shampoo to one’s hair is not something that a lot of people tend to put much thought into.

Unfortunately, for those who suffer from scalp inflammation, applying shampoo can be far from a routine thing.

Various shampoo-medications exist to help treat scalp inflammation, however, they are not always effective and can create additional issues for the person suffering from the condition.

Big day for European hemp farmers and the CBD industry as the allowance of THC in industrial hemp was voted on by Parliament. While still low compared to countries like Switzerland, this Europe THC limit increase would certainly loosen things up.

A lot goes on in the world of legal cannabis. Sign-up to our newsletter to always be in-the-loop.

Hemp farmers in Europe have been pushing for change for quite some time. The .2% THC limit that was instituted many years ago has been making it difficult, and decreasing the amount of strains possible to use. Now, Parliament has voted to increase that maximum to .3%, included in the Common Agricultural Policy reform. But will it actually go through?

Where did .2% come from?

The first time a standard was set for a Europe THC limit in industrial hemp, was in 1984 when it was put at .5%. This was lowered in the 1970’s to .3%. At that time, .3% was the line that separated low-THC hemp (usually high-CBD flowers, but also high-CBG strains exist) and high-THC cannabis. In 1999 this dropped down again to the .2% that its been since, with the original aim being to prevent high-THC marijuana from being grown in low-THC industrial hemp fields. The proposal to increase the THC limit is not new, and has been pushed for quite some time.

Before going any further, it should be pointed out that between the date in the 1970’s when THC limits were decreased to .3%, and 1999 when they were decreased further to .2%, Europe was functioning at .3% THC in hemp, and without any massive, adverse issues. It means that for at least 20 years of time, this standard was in place, which makes it almost silly that it would have to be argued for later, or that an argument against raising from .2% to .3% would be based on a fear of bad effects to people or business. If it didn’t happen in the 20+ years of recent history when it was the norm, how would it pass as a reputable argument now?

The USA’s Drug Enforcement Administration and others are being sued over what was claimed to be unlawful destruction of a hemp crop in California.

Agro Dynamics LLC says that in August 2019 it acquired the necessary authorisation for the legal cultivation of hemp on their premises in San Diego County. The company then planted approximately 3,000 hemp plants that it states tested at below the legal threshold of .3% THC.

“Specifically, a Victory Analysis laboratory test for this hemp cultivation showed results of less than 0.01 THC which is clearly within legal limits.”

It is alleged that an aerial reconnaissance in support of marijuana eradication on September 10 last year and a failure to investigate County records then led to a search warrant being issued at the property.  Then on September 12, 2019, law enforcement officers executed the search warrant. It’s alleged that despite being told there was Registration Issuance from the County of San Diego for the growing of hemp on the premises and the tenant offering to show officers proof of registration, the officers seized and destroyed all plants that appeared to be marijuana.

The value of the destroyed hemp plants has been put at around USD $3.45 million.

The cannabis market in California has continued to thrive amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and legal sales are on track to surpass $6 billion in 2025, accounting for a sixth of all legal cannabis sales in the United States, a leading analyst said Wednesday.

The state market — the largest legal market in the world — has benefited from a bump in demand during the pandemic as customers stock up on products similar to alcohol and tobacco, said Jessica Lukas, vice president of consumer insights for BDS Analytics, a cannabis research firm based in Boulder, Colorado. The firm found that legal spending for weed last year was $3.1 billion in the state and $8.7 billion in the illegal market.

The world of edibles can be overwhelming for those with no previous experience. In the U.S., there are all types and dosages available, not to mention their reputation for resulting in bad highs. It’s easy to turn away from edibles, choosing something more approachable and has less couch-locked potential.

Despite these considerations, some cannabis users really enjoy edibles, so much so that they choose them over all other methods of consumption. Some argue that edibles are healthier than vaping and smoking (at least when it comes to the lungs) and are capable of producing stronger results. It is also possible they will provide more pain relief and a stronger response whether for the body or the mind.

Still, edibles can be intimidating, especially if a person is unfamiliar. Here are some basics that any user should know.

Cannabutter versus extracts

Edible makers can infuse their foods with cannabis in a variety of ways, primarily with cannabutter and extracts. Cannabutter is the product that results once butter or oil is infused with cannabis. This mixture is then used to make brownies, chocolates, etc. Cannabutter includes the benefits and limitations of the whole cannabis flower, providing a consumer with the full spectrum of cannabinoids. This means there’s THC, CBD and more in these types of edibles, but also that their effects can be less predictable.

Edibles made with extracts are more targeted. Producers can isolate THC or CBD in a lab and later add them to their products, with the idea of making something more reliable and consistent. Edibles prepared with extracts may be a good option for people who are looking for a specific effect.

Cannabis dispensary professionals are all too familiar with constantly juggling their inventory, customer engagement programs, employee success efforts, and everything in between. On top of the day-to-day grind, dispensaries are under do-or-die pressure to maintain pristine records to stay compliant with local and state policies. If they fail to do so, dispensaries run the risk of being fined up to hundreds of thousands of dollars and potentially having to close up shop.

Two technology-focused entrepreneurs, Cree Robinson and Louis Masensi, are hoping to simplify this process with their new software company touCanna, which automates and connects all of a dispensary’s work in one place.

Origin story

The pair decided to launch into entrepreneurship after years working in tech, and learning that the corporate world wasn’t always welcoming of new ideas. Tired of hearing the words, “Your ideas are great, but that’s just not how we do things here,” they wanted more freedom to create and help make people’s lives easier. So they chose to use their tech skills to empower cannabis dispensaries.

"I was determined to create within spaces where women and people of color had been excluded from or did not have as much opportunity as other groups," says Robinson. "We're both long time believers in cannabis and have seen first hand the power of its healing capabilities, so getting involved was a no-brainer." With set goals and a vision in place by summer 2018, the pair chose to understand and solve dispensary pain points rather than the entire supply chain.

The problem

Dispensary owners and operators face many challenges, from staying on top of the changing laws and making sure they remain compliant, all the way to managing the smallest details of their employee workforce. After analyzing dispensary operations across the country, Robinson and Masensi noticed two things:

As Americans head to the polls more divided than ever on social and economic issues, there’s one thing they’re actually coming together on: cannabis.

Much has been made of whether a victory for Democratic nominee Joe Biden, or a potential liberal sweep in the Senate, could bolster marijuana companies. But initiatives on the ballot in a handful of conservative states show Republicans are increasingly on board with legalization as well -- perhaps paving the way for an end to federal prohibition, no matter who controls Washington.

“The prevailing wisdom has been that a conservative administration would be less receptive, but I think legalization is now inevitable on its own kinetic energy,” said Sturges Karban, chief executive officer of cannabis logistics company ManifestSeven. While federal legalization was a political “third rail” as recently as 2016, he said, it now looks as though 2021 will be a turning point for the industry.

Pot pundits have long said national legalization will only gain ground once Republican senators have a reason to bring up the issue. After Nov. 3, that could happen, with more of their constituents supporting the measure. Three of the four states voting on recreational use are red ones: Arizona, Montana and South Dakota. New Jersey, which swings liberal, is also considering adult-use legalization. Medical use is on the ballot in conservative Mississippi and South Dakota.

Gaining Traction

CBD, one of the main components of the cannabis plant, is now being looked at as a highly effective remedy for all kinds of conditions.

Although not enough research has been conducted to prove it can cure any specific ailments, research indicates it can be effective in treating a wide variety of health issues.

When you read about all of its benefits, it almost seems like some kind of “miracle drug.”

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a miracle drug.

Even though it is holistic and safe, CBD does have some side effects associated with its use.