Archives: CannabisNewsWire

March 12, 2019 16:20:36

First, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) delayed and postponed the release of its recommendations after an expert committee studied proposals for the reclassification of cannabis in international treaties. Now, yet another delay has hit that activity and the UN has announced that the March sitting of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, and the one in December this year, will not have marijuana reclassification on its agenda.

The recommendations of WHO had initially been scheduled to be voted on in December last year, but this was inexplicably postponed.

Some of the 53 members of the Narcotic Drugs Commission reportedly claimed that they needed additional time to study the recommendations made by the World Health Organization before they can decide how to vote when a vote is called.

Other members, such as Uruguay and Norway, were disappointed that no timeline was set for when the recommendations will be considered and voted upon. There are fears that the matter may be put on the backburner for an indefinite amount of time, for political reasons.

The recommendations were widely seen as a way for many countries to be free to embark on medical cannabis research and legalization, with others taking it a step further and decriminalizing adult-use marijuana.

The WHO had recommended that whole-plant marijuana and its resin should be removed from the strictest category (Category 4) of the 1961 International Drug Convention and placed in a less restrictive category.

To put this into perspective, the U.S. system of categorizing controlled substances is different from that of the UN. For example, in the U.S., Schedule 1 is reserved for the substances that deserve the strictest controls and the restrictions reduce as the schedule number gets bigger. This is unlike the UN where the smaller numbers have fewer restrictions while the bigger numbers, such as Category 4, have more stringent restrictions.

Meanwhile, as the UN is still playing hide and seek regarding its position on the calls for marijuana rescheduling, Europe is taking a different path. The EU Parliament approved a resolution calling on member states to avail support and funding for medical cannabis research. While the decision isn’t binding, it could pave the way for widespread research and legal reforms in EU member countries. This will leave the U.S. further behind in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry.

Choom Holdings Inc. (CSE: CHOO) (OTCQB: CHOOF) and Earth Science Tech, Inc. (OTCQB: ETST) call on the UN to stop dragging its feet and make the decision for which the world has been waiting.

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Montel Williams, Ricki Lake and Henry Rollins to Speak at O’Cannabiz Conference & Expo in Toronto

March 12, 2019 11:17:11

Event slated to include a business conference, industry awards, an industry expo and a public expo
Topics include growing and cultivation, cannabis science, health and wellness, and policy and regulations
O’Cannabiz Conference & Expo expected to feature more than 120 world-class speakers, 7,000 attendees and 250 exhibitors

O’Cannabiz Conference & Expo will bring together cannabis professionals and industry experts from throughout Canada and around the world on April 25–27 at the International Centre in Toronto. Celebrity speakers will include Montel Williams, Ricki Lake and Henry Rollins. Learn more at www.OCannabiz.com.

Reserve tickets now and register at http://cnw.fm/685Fn.

O’Cannabiz will offer a diverse mix of business conferences, industry awards and industry and public expos. The event is designed to gather together global and Canadian professionals to teach participants about growing cannabis, managing businesses and becoming knowledgeable regarding policy and…

Smart Investment Leads to Big Opportunities in Growing Cannabis Market

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March 12, 2019 09:00:33

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: As the cannabis market grows, companies are seizing the opportunity to make strategic investments in the sector and establish a foothold in the promising space.

Cannabis and related products are legal in an ever-increasing number of jurisdictions.
Businesses have responded with an increasingly diverse range of products.
Companies making the smartest investments, such as carefully selected mergers and acquisitions, are in the best position to profit from this while minimizing risks.

SinglePoint Inc. (OTCQB: SING) (SING Profile) has invested in a number of other cannabis companies to grow its portfolio and leverage its position in the market. Marijuana Company of America Inc. (OTCQB: MCOA) (MCOA Profile), with its hemp-oriented business, is expecting a surge in profits following the crop’s federal legalization in the United States in December. Medical Marijuana Inc. (OTC: MJNA), the first publicly traded cannabis company in the United States, has seen record sales. PotNetwork Holdings Inc. (OTC: POTN) is reaching out to new customers with a CBD-infused slushy machine. And American Premium Water Corp. (OTC: HIPH) is also pushing…

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420 with CNW – THC may be More Therapeutic than CBD, Study Finds

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March 12, 2019 04:20:25

From the reports in the media and what people discuss, one is led to believe that CBD (cannabidiol) contains all the medicinal benefits in the cannabis plant while THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) symptomizes everything that is bad about cannabis since it is psychoactive. However, the findings of a recent study may turn this popular belief on its head.

According to a study whose findings appeared in the Scientific Reports Journal, THC seems to have a higher link with the relief of disease symptoms when compared to CBD.

The researchers from the University of New Mexico studied the data provided by medical cannabis users in the U.S. regarding various aspects of the medical cannabis that they consumed. The ReLeaf app allows patients to indicate various things, such as what they are suffering from, what marijuana strains they are consuming, how they are consuming that marijuana and what effects they notice after consuming medical cannabis.

The researchers looked at the data and found that the patients who used marijuana strains that had higher levels of THC when compared to the CBD content reported superior symptom relief unlike those patients whose medical marijuana had low levels of THC and higher levels of CBD.

Sarah See Stith, one of the co-authors of the research commented that their study was important in light of the fact that not enough information is given to patients when they want to try medical cannabis for their conditions.

Stith pointed out that almost all patients get a recommendation from a doctor and are on their own in terms of selecting the products to use. Some of those patients rely on their prior experience when they used to consume recreational marijuana. Others talk to family and friends while some go to the internet to educate themselves about medical cannabis. The staff at medical cannabis dispensaries are often poorly trained, so they cannot be relied upon to give dependable advice on the appropriate medical cannabis products for patients.

Stith thinks that their research findings can help to initiate a discussion and further research into how cannabis works to treat or provide symptomatic relief.

This research is also important because it comes at a time when the U.S., the UN and other international bodies are on the verge of deciding whether to reschedule cannabis or leave it in the most restrictive categories of the national/international treaties controlling narcotic substances.

Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ: YGYI) and Cannabis Strategic Ventures, Inc. (OTC: NUGS) welcome this research and hope that those findings will be considered by those who formulate cannabis policies and regulations in Washington.

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420 with CNW – The NFL Could Change its Cannabis Rules

March 11, 2019

March 11, 2019 16:20:55

According to recent media reports, the National Football League (NFL) may be considering changing its substance abuse rules with regard to marijuana. Analysts expect that the NFL may try to use any changes that it makes to its marijuana rules as a negotiating chip during its talks with the NFL players’ union.

A former offensive linesman, Kyle Turley, has also revealed that the NFL is studying the possibility of using cannabis as an alternative to pain killers. Research is being done by the NFL in this regard.

Kyle Turley owns a company that makes CBD supplements for athletes, so he can be expected to have an ear on the ground regarding the developments in the league, especially those developments that may impact his business either positively or adversely.

Roger Goodell, the NFL Commissioner, admitted in January that he had talked to some players’ representatives about marijuana. He added that the medical advisers of the league constantly look at the new research and the available data regarding the effects of cannabis on the players and advise accordingly.

In the past, Goodell was unequivocal in his opposition to the consumption of marijuana in the league. For example, in 2017, the Commissioner told ESPN that ingesting smoke (cannabis) couldn’t in any way be good for an NFL player.

However, recent times have seen a decline in the vigor that the league deploys to enforce its policy on marijuana even if some players have been suspended for testing positive for the substance. Those players were given a chance to return to the league yet previously one would be out for good.

While the news that the NFL may be thinking about changing its policy on cannabis may be good, industry advocates are wondering what the Commissioner and his team have up their sleeves. For example, what kind of concessions do they want to squeeze out of the players’ union in return for altering the policy on cannabis?

What these advocates had expected were statements to the effect that the NFL regrets any past actions that may have driven players into opioid addiction yet cannabis would have saved them and kept them playing. This is exactly what is happening in the states that are legalizing recreational cannabis. There is an admission that the war on drugs meted out untold suffering on sections of the population, and that legalization wants to put that past behind.

VIVO Cannabis Inc. (TSX.V: VIVO) (OTCQX: VVCIF) and other industry players like Wildflower Brands Inc. (CSE: SUN) (OTCQB: WLDFF) hope that the NFL changes its cannabis policy for the right reasons, instead of using it as a tool to manipulate the players.

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Sector ETFs Provide Diversified Entry Point for Fast-Moving Industries

March 11, 2019

March 11, 2019 08:30:34

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Individuals hoping to gain exposure to the movement of the markets have two primary options: spend a lot of time and effort researching public companies, or put faith into a fund. A solid investment strategy is key to keeping pace with inflation and reaching your financial goals, but the significant risk and volatility that can come with investing in a small group of companies is a real turn-off for most part-time investors.

Increasingly, novices and seasoned traders alike are turning to mutual funds for their stability and ease of use. According to data from the Investment Company Institute, mutual funds were the most common type of investment company owned in 2018, with 44.8 percent of U.S. households owning shares of mutual funds or similar U.S.-registered investment companies – including exchange-traded funds (ETFs), closed-end funds and unit investment trusts. As Matthew P. Fink notes in The Rise of Mutual Funds: An Insider’s View, “Today U.S. mutual funds are…

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420 with CNW – Medical Cannabis Bill Passed by Key Kentucky Committee

March 11, 2019

March 11, 2019 04:20:26

The House Judiciary Committee in Kentucky voted on Wednesday (March 6) to pass a bill that would legalize medical cannabis in the state. The bill will now be sent to the Rules Committee of the Assembly.

House Bill 136 was co-sponsored by 43 members out of the 100 members in the entire lawmaking chamber. This bill intends to create a Department for Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Control. This agency will then design a medical cannabis program for the state.

The agency will also be responsible for giving medical marijuana licences to patients who meet the criteria for such a licence. Healthcare providers, processors, cultivators and dispensaries will also be regulated by this agency.

16 legislators on the House Judiciary Committee voted in favor of the bill while one lawmaker voted against it.

Opinion polls in the state show that 80 percent of all adults think that it is okay to allow patients to have the option of using medical cannabis if their doctors recommend it. Governor Matt Bevin has also expressed his support for medical marijuana.

Despite that support from the public and the Governor, attempts to legalize medical marijuana in the state still have major hurdles to overcome.

For example, Robert Stivers, the Senate President, has been vocal in opposing medical cannabis. He even went as far as comparing it to alcohol, saying that anyone who wanted to feel better or relax can take a glass or bourbon instead of consuming medical marijuana.

The Kentucky Medical Association is also adamant that it will only support medical cannabis legislation once the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves the use of medical marijuana.

The sponsors of this legalization bill are aware of this strong opposition and made a number of modifications to the bill in order to build some consensus around it.

For example, the original bill had provisions that would allow patients enrolled on the medical marijuana program to grow a maximum of six mature plants for their own use. This was dropped from the bill.

Another change that was made regarded the qualifying conditions for which a patient could use medical marijuana. Originally, the framers of the bill had wanted doctors to use their discretion to decide which patient would benefit from medical cannabis. The bill was amended to create a specific list of conditions for which patients could be treated using medical marijuana.

It is now up to the Rules Committee to decide whether House Bill 136 can now be put before the entire House for a vote. A decision must be made quickly, since this legislative session only has five more days before it ends.

Therma Bright, Inc. (TSX.V: THRM) (OTC: THRBF) and TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) hope that the legislators make the best decision within the limited time left so that patients don’t have to wait longer for a treatment option that is already available in other states.

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420 with CNW – The DEA Seeks Equipment to Distinguish Hemp from Marijuana

March 8, 2019

March 8, 2019 16:20:16

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency has published a notice asking interested parties to express interest in supplying it with equipment that can be used to determine whether a given cannabis plant is marijuana or federally legal hemp.

The notice that was issued last week indicated that such equipment was necessary since the 2018 Farm Bill made it federally legal to grow hemp but federal laws still consider marijuana to be an illegal substance/plant.

Note that hemp and marijuana are all cannabis plants, so one can only tell them apart by subjecting samples to tests for their THC content. U.S. federal law sets the maximum THC limit for hemp at 0.3 percent. Any cannabis plant with a higher THC content is marijuana, according to the current legal definition of those two plants.

The DEA wants to identify a supplier who has field kits that can help the agents of the law enforcement agency to tell those two plants apart.

The DEA is interested in procuring portable yet rugged equipment which will stand up to the harsh field conditions where rapid tests will be needed before a decision is taken to arrest possible offenders or impound a given consignment.

The agency also wants to buy the latest versions or models of such a product, and the number of units purchased will depend on how the equipment performs during its evaluation and what the needs of the agency will be at that time.

Why would the DEA need such equipment when the 2018 Farm Bill shifted matters of hemp to the Department of Agriculture?

It is true that the DEA falls under the Justice Department and they would ordinarily no longer be interested in matters to do with hemp. However, the DEA still has a mandate to enforce marijuana laws around the country, so the agency anticipates that it will encounter difficulties while trying to decide whether a given plant is hemp or marijuana. The test kits can help to clear the air when such a distinction is required.

The DEA has set a deadline of March 15 for interested companies to give it the information it needs to decide the details of the procurement process.

Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on the DEA to expedite the process of approving the companies that had applied to manufacture research-grade cannabis. Only Mississippi University is currently licensed to grow and process marijuana for research purposes, and its shortcomings have created the need for additional cultivators/manufacturers.

The Flowr Corporation (TSX.V: FLWR) (OTC: FLWPF) and The Green Organic Dutchman (TSX: TGOD) (OTCQX: TGODF) applaud the foresight of the DEA in seeking testing equipment long before conflicts arise regarding what a given plant is during the law enforcement activities of the federal agency.

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420 with CNW – Northern Michigan University Now Offers Marijuana Degree

March 8, 2019

March 8, 2019 04:20:20

Northern Michigan University has admitted its first lot of students for its medicinal plant chemistry degree program. The students will have a chance to major in marijuana. So far, 300 students from across the country have enrolled for this pioneer program.

Analysts predict that the legal marijuana industry will create nearly half a million jobs by 2022. Recent research shows that more than 211,000 jobs have already been created, so the half a million jobs projected by 2022 could even be an underestimate.

Northern Michigan University wants to do its part by preparing lab analysts, quality assurance directors, cannabis dispensary operators, cannabis master cultivators, and so many other professional-level jobs.

Many universities across the country, including in states where cannabis is still illegal, have added some form of training in the cannabis industry to their offerings. For example, Ohio State University and Harvard University have started training students in cannabis policy and law.

The program offered by Northern Michigan University is the first to get students a detailed training on cannabis from seed to sale. However, the students will not be working with cannabis directly.

Rather, they will study other plants like hemp and St. John’s wort. They will extract medicinal ingredients from these plants and analyze them in a lab. This training can easily be applied to cannabis.

Additionally, as part of their training, the Northern Michigan University students enrolled on the program will do internships at medical marijuana dispensaries. By the time they graduate at the end of the four-year program, the students will be ready to excel as employees or entrepreneurs in the marijuana industry.

Brandon Canfield, a professor of chemistry at Northern Michigan University, revealed that the idea of the program came to him when he was attending a cannabis event and heard industry players lamenting that they aren’t getting the skilled employees that they need.

That conference led Canfield to propose that the university starts a major in therapeutic plant chemistry, and the course was born. Canfield is convinced that the graduates of the program will have an easy entry into the cannabis industry, with some of them even earning more than $70,000 a year right after graduation.

Grace DeNoya, one of the pioneer students on the program, agrees that the cannabis industry offers opportunities that no other industry may be offering at the moment. Getting in now as the industry is just taking off promises to be an exciting prospect with huge opportunities in the years to come.

Sugarmade, Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD) and Supreme Cannabis Company Inc. (TSX.V: FIRE) (OTCQX: SPRWF) congratulate Northern Michigan University for being proactive and doing what they can to respond to the demand created by the cannabis industry.

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420 with CNW – Facebook May Shift its Position on Marijuana

March 7, 2019

March 7, 2019 16:20:31

Cannabis businesses and those affiliated to the industry have grown used to waking up and finding that their Facebook pages have been deleted or suspended due to being flagged for carrying unacceptable content (read marijuana). However, this may soon change if the internal discussions going on within the platform bear the desired fruit.

The social media platform is reportedly thinking about amending its rules so that Facebook users can promote the cannabis products that they sell. The existing policies don’t permit the sale of marijuana and other controlled substances on the platform.

If the changes are made, the sale of medical and recreational marijuana products in jurisdictions that have legalized cannabis will be permitted by the social media giant.

One of the big issues that Facebook has to work out is how the platform can decide whether a Facebook page belongs to an entity that is legal within the jurisdiction where it is based or operates.

Another dilemma for the platform is how it can stop access to minors if legal businesses or entities are allowed to sell cannabis or its products on the platform. This issue is compounded by the fact that different jurisdictions define their own minimum age at which someone can use weed legally.

Facebook also has to think about how a policy shift regarding marijuana will be perceived by the users of the platform in the different regions of the world. For example, some regions are strongly opposed to cannabis, and these areas may pushback against the platform for allowing companies to promote or sell marijuana on Facebook.

The task of thinking through all these issues has been assigned to an internal working group. This group will propose new rules for the platform and assess how practical it will be to implement those new rules.

If the policy shift is approved and implemented by the social media giant, it will mark a paradigm shift for the platform that had for long punished marijuana-related pages with blocked searches or outright bans.

Last year, Facebook lifted its “moratorium” on cannabis the day Canada legalized recreational weed. Cannabis is widely sold online within Canada, so Facebook may have had no choice if it didn’t want to risk losing a significant portion of its users in that country.

Previously, the social media platform didn’t stop companies and organizations from opening cannabis-related pages. However, the platform enforced its restrictions on marijuana so rigorously that government cannabis regulatory agencies and policy advocates often found themselves locked out.

It remains to be seen what form the changed policy will take given that the company insists that it will not allow paid ads and other methods of promoting cannabis content on the platform. SinglePoint, Inc. (OTCQB: SING) and Sproutly Canada, Inc. (OTCQB: SRUTF) (CSE: SPR) (FRA: 38G) hope that Facebook wakes up to the changes in the world regarding cannabis and it stops putting unnecessary roadblocks to the industry.

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CannabisNewsBreaks – Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference to Draw Eclectic Group of Entrepreneurs and Investors

March 7, 2019

March 7, 2019 11:27:44

The Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference to be held at the stunning Fairmont Royal York hotel in Toronto on April 17 through April 18, 2019, will draw entrepreneurs and investors throughout the burgeoning cannabis industry. Premier financial media outlet Benzinga is hosting the event that will put cannabis industry information and ideas front-and-center for cannabis companies, policy makers, entrepreneurs and sector trailblazers. The conference agenda includes a full-slate of engaging panels, fireside chats, lightning round presentations, facilitated networking opportunities and leading industry keynote speakers. “Benzinga’s Cannabis Capital Conference brings an eclectic group of forward-thinking cannabis entrepreneurs and investors together in a setting that encourages deals, deepens knowledge, and enables progress for the cannabis sector,” Benzinga Vice President of Marketing Neal Hamilton said in a news release. “This conference series consistently attracts an outstanding array of investors, business owners and cannabis experts who are eager to learn, grow and succeed in this rapidly evolving marketplace.”

To view the full press release, visit http://cnw.fm/U2DMa

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420 with CNW – Idaho Police to Procure Equipment That Distinguishes Cannabis from Hemp

March 7, 2019

March 7, 2019 04:20:34

A committee of the Idaho State Assembly has approved funding so that the state police can buy the equipment needed to test whether a given plant is industrial hemp or marijuana. This plan comes after the police seized a semitrailer carrying what the arresting officer thought was marijuana while the driver and his employer insisted that the consignment contained hemp.

The owner of the cargo, Big Sky Scientific, tried to get a court order to compel the police to release the cargo since it was deteriorating rapidly as the police continues with its investigations. The company argued that it was now legal to grow hemp and transport it across state lines from the time President Trump signed the Farm Bill 2018 into law.

However, court declined to issue the court order since the state didn’t have a law prescribing how hemp could be grown. Furthermore, the court could not be certain that Big Sky Scientific had grown its “hemp” in accordance with the Farm Act 2018.

This case has captured headlines within and outside Idaho because it serves as an eye-opener of the kind of situations that law enforcement agencies are likely to face now that hemp is legal while marijuana remains illegal at the federal level.

This confusion is likely to arise because there is no difference in the physical characteristics of hemp and cannabis. It is therefore possible for someone to attempt to transport cannabis across state borders while passing it off as hemp. It is also likely that hemp cultivators will face a lot of inconveniences as they jump through hoops to prove that what they are cultivating or transporting isn’t marijuana.

The procurement of the testing equipment was initiated by some lawmakers (not the police department) who felt that it was unsustainable to keep sending samples to Kentucky each time a seizure or arrest was made by the police. The argument of the lawmakers makes sense, because Big Sky Scientific stands to lose its cargo due to the delays created by having to conduct tests outside the state yet the crop is highly perishable and cannot retain its quality while the legal issues are sorted out.

For now, the entire Assembly has to approve the $240,000 funding request before the spending proposals go to the state Senate for approval. Only then can the money be released to procure and install the testing equipment in the police testing facility. Plus Products Inc. (CSE: PLUS) (OTCQB: PLPRF) and Redfund Capital Corp. (CSE: LOAN) (OTC: PNNRF) (Frankfurt: O3X4) call for the speedy procurement of the testing equipment so that additional problems can be avoided later on.

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420 with CNW – The US Cannabis Industry Has So Far Created 211,000 Full-Time Jobs

March 6, 2019

March 6, 2019 16:20:04

Because marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, it isn’t possible to get accurate statistics about the jobs available in the industry from federal agencies like the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, Whitney Economics and Leafly.com decided to painstakingly gather the data from each state where cannabis is legal and their findings are eye-catching.

The data analysts discovered that so far, the legal cannabis industry has created 211,000 full-time jobs within the U.S. This shows that the industry is one to watch if the problem of unemployment is to be tackled.

The statistics collected show that out of the 211,000 full-time jobs created so far, 64,000 were filled in 2018 alone. Not bad for an industry that remains illegal at the federal level.

There is no indication that the increase in cannabis jobs is going to slow down any time soon. For example, 2017 saw a 21 percent increase in the number of jobs created in the industry while that number jumped to 44 percent in 2018. 2019 should show a higher rise in the percentage of new jobs created.

You may be wondering how the cannabis workforce increase compares to other sectors/industries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, three industries are likely to have the highest increase in jobs over the coming ten years.

The demand for wind turbine technicians is expected to increase by 96 percent while the demand for solar voltaic installers is likely to increase by 105 percent. The need for home health care aides will rise by 47 percent. All these figures predict workforce increases over at least a decade. However, the data collected by Leafly and Whitney Economics shows that the marijuana industry will achieve a 110 percent increase in jobs created in just over three years!

The figures get even more astounding when they are broken down on a state-by-state basis. For example, Florida saw a 703 percent increase in the cannabis jobs created during 2018. New York ended 2018 with an extra 5,000 full-time jobs in the cannabis industry, marking an increase of 278 percent.

Five states (Oklahoma, California, Arkansas, Massachusetts and Florida) are currently in need of thousands of employees in the cannabis sector, and this demand may keep rising over the coming years as the industry matures. Net Element, Inc. (NASDAQ: NETE) and Phivida Holdings Inc. (CSE: VIDA) (OTCQX: PHVAF) welcome the research done by Leafly and its partners since this data proves that cannabis can bring huge economic benefits wherever it is legalized.

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420 with CNW – Signature Gathering Slated to Start on Nebraska Medical Marijuana Ballot Measure

March 6, 2019

March 6, 2019 04:20:19

A petition that is intended to put medical marijuana on the ballot in 2020 has received approval from the Nebraska Secretary of State. This clears the way for the petitioners to start gathering signatures in order to have the ballot measure included among the issues to be voted on during the 2020 elections.

Medical marijuana activists, together with two state senators (Anna Wishart and Adam Morfeld) formed a committee last year to explore ways of getting voters to decide on the matter. This was after numerous attempts to legalize medical marijuana through legislative means failed. The senators involved in this petition are both Democrats.

The petition seeks to amend the constitution of Nebraska so that patients can be given a right to use, access, possess and safely use marijuana materials and products in order to alleviate serious medical conditions that a nurse practitioner or doctor regards as something that can be alleviated by the use of medical cannabis.

By law, petitioners are required to submit their petition to the secretary of state so that the wording of that petition can be approved. The advocates duly submitted their petition last month and it was approved on Friday last week (March 1).

Senator Morfeld announced that since the petition had been approved, plans to legalize medical cannabis in the state would now shift gears to the phase of collecting signatures in support of the petition.

That task of collecting signatures isn’t a small one given that the constitution stipulates that any petition must have the support (by way of signatures) of at least 10 percent of all the registered voters in the state.

Furthermore, the petitioners are required to collect signatures from a minimum of five percent of all the voters in at least 38 counties in the state (out of a total of 98 counties).

Senator Wishart has revealed that they will try to push for a legislative solution as they gather signatures for the ballot measure petition.

However, chances are slim for a bill legalizing marijuana to become law in the state. This is because Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) is determined to use his veto powers to block any law that seeks to legalize marijuana in the state. A ballot measure therefore seems the only realistic way to get medical marijuana legalized.

Medical Cannabis Payment Solutions (OTC: REFG) and MustGrow Biologics Corp. wish the petitioners all the best as they try to get medical cannabis legalized so that the patients in the state can have an extra treatment option for their medical challenges.

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420 with CNW – This is How Much Recreational Pot Canadians Bought in 2018

March 5, 2019

March 5, 2019 16:20:26

If you were asked to make a random guess about how much weed Canadians bought (and presumably consumed) since recreational marijuana was legalized in October last year, what would you say? Well, Statistics Canada released recreational cannabis sales data and the figures are surprising, to say the least.

The statistics show that in October last year, Canadians bought recreational cannabis worth $32.7 million while November sales amounted to $40.4 million. In December, Canadians bought recreational cannabis products worth $41.9 million.

These figures are considered to be highly reliable because the Canadian marijuana market is highly regulated. You should therefore not doubt that the first three months of legal recreational pot resulted in total sales of $115 million. That is shocking, given all the hype that accompanied the lead up to legalization.

However, a number of factors may explain why annual recreational cannabis sales are likely to be far less than was predicted.

First, the persistent supply shortages have made it hard for all Canadian who would like to use weed to buy the substance as often as they would like. Without weed on the shelves, where would the sales come from? Many licensed producers predict that it may take years for them to ramp up their production to a level that can meet the current demand.

Secondly, Health Canada has also played a part in dampening the performance of the recreational cannabis sector. The regulator has been very slow in processing the applications for the different entities that would like to become licensed producers/cultivators of cannabis in the country. There are claims that Health Canada takes several months or even years to make a decision on an application. This sluggish way of conducting their business has made it hard for enough producers to be active in the country, hence the supply shortages.

Another reason for the low recreational cannabis sales has to do with a shortage of packaging and processing facilities. There are reports that harvested cannabis takes unnecessarily long to reach the shelves of retail outlets because the few processers licensed in the country cannot handle the volume of weed available for processing and packaging.

Not surprisingly, the packaging and processing problem also goes back to Health Canada who have been slow in issuing processing or packaging licenses to interested players.

Finally, the provinces may also have a role to play in the dismal sales statistics. For example, Ontario has only been selling recreational cannabis through the state-run online outlets. While there are plans to open offline stores, the current sale in online stores alone has reduced the potential sales that would have been made in the densely populated cities within the province.

Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP) and Marijuana Company of America Inc. (OTCQB: MCOA) look forward to a speedy resolution of all the limiting factors above so that the Canadian cannabis industry can reach its full potential.

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CannabisNewsBreaks – CannabisNewsWire to Serve as Media Sponsor of Cannabis Conference 2019

March 5, 2019

March 5, 2019 11:15:49

Multifaceted financial news and publishing company CannabisNewsWire (“CNW”) this morning announced that it will serve as a media sponsor for Cannabis Conference 2019 taking place from April 1 through April 3, 2019 at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The premier event, produced by GIE Media Inc., offers exceptional networking opportunities, unprecedented insights from some of the brightest minds in the cannabis industry, and the latest technologies, solutions and services to advance its various sectors, including cultivation and business operations, retail management and customer engagement. “We are really excited to be part of this amazing conference as a media sponsor,” CNW Director of Syndicated Communications Christopher Johnson stated in the news release. “The cannabis space is a robust, dynamic industry that is challenging conceptions and pushing boundaries. Cannabis Conference organizers have designed the perfect platform for stakeholders to deep dive into challenges facing the industry. We are honored to be part of this must-attend conference and look forward to participating alongside other sponsors supporting this event.”

To view the full press release, visit http://cnw.fm/U3SUc

About Cannabis Conference 2019

Cannabis Conference 2019, presented by Cannabis Business Times and Cannabis Dispensary, will bring industry stakeholders together to engage the biggest opportunities and challenges facing the legal cannabis market. The three-day event will be held at Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev., April 1-3, 2019. Cannabis Conference will expand the successes of previous events’ cultivation education and will include for the first time a dispensary track for retail businesses and employees. The conference will feature in-depth educational programming on cannabis cultivation and business operations, as well as the most informed industry perspectives on retail management and customer engagement. The Cannabis Conference exhibition hall will feature industry-leading technologies, solutions and services for the professional cannabis cultivator and retail businesses. For more information, visit www.CannabisConference.com.

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420 with CNW – US Federal Government Calls for Input on Marijuana Rescheduling

March 5, 2019

March 5, 2019 04:20:33

Following the recommendations by the World Health Organization (“WHO”) that whole-plant cannabis and its resin should be reclassified, the U.S. FDA has issued a notice asking interested parties to submit their views on this matter so that the position that the U.S. takes when the matter comes up for a vote at the UN is informed by the views collected.

While this is the third time that the federal government is asking stakeholders for input on marijuana rescheduling, it is the first time that they are doing so from the time WHO released its recommendations.

The World Health Organization observed that the evidence that was presented before its expert committee didn’t show that marijuana deserved to be in the same category as the other substances in Schedule IV of the treaty setting up guidelines on how various substances should be controlled internationally.

The UN body also made it clear that CBD, one of components of cannabis, should not be subjected to any international controls.

Additionally, the World Health Organization admitted that cannabis and its derivatives had demonstrated therapeutic benefits for a number of conditions, such as pain and multiple sclerosis.

The FDA explained that interested people would have up to March 14 to submit their views for consideration. This deadline was set based on an earlier timeline for the planned meeting of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs. That meeting is expected to be held anywhere between March 14 and March 22 this year.

That original timeline was set because the WHO was expected to release its recommendations in December last year. However, that didn’t happen for unknown reasons.

The FDA therefore expects to extend the period within which members of the public and other stakeholders in the U.S. can submit their comments if the UN communicates that the Narcotics Committee will sit at a later time. The alternative dates for that meeting are in December this year or March next year.

The views collected by the FDA will be analyzed and the findings forwarded to the Department of Health and Human Services. HHS will then formulate a recommendation of the position that the U.S. State Department should take when the matter of reclassification comes up for a vote at the UN.

This call for public comments provides a golden chance for stakeholders to play a role in shaping how the federal government will vote on the matter at the UN. Green Growth Brands Inc. (CSE: GGB) (OTCQB: GGBXF) and Green Hygienics Holdings Inc. (OTCQB: GRYN) call upon everyone with an interest in the cannabis industry to share their views with the FDA so that the U.S. can vote in a way that reflects the wishes of the people back home.

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420 with CNW – New Hampshire House Committee Okays Medical Cannabis Home-Grows

March 4, 2019

March 4, 2019 16:20:14

As momentum gathers to legalize recreational cannabis in New Hampshire, a House committee has passed a bill permitting patients enrolled on the medical cannabis program to grow their own marijuana, as well as other measures intended to expand the medical marijuana program.

The Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee of the New Hampshire Assembly voted on Tuesday last week to allow patients or their caregivers to have three mature cannabis plants, three immature plants as well as 12 seedlings of cannabis.

The bill also included a raise on the cap of medical marijuana that a patient could have from 6 to 8 ounces.

The move to allow patients to grow their own cannabis and also possess higher amounts of the substance is intended to ease the inconveniences that some patients in distant locations were facing in accessing one of the four medical marijuana dispensaries run by the state.

The contents of the bill are also intended to allow patients to customize their medical cannabis without incurring a high cost. For example, one patient (Heather Marie Brown) revealed that she spends $400 each month on medical cannabis to treat PTSD. However, with home-grows now set to be allowed, she will spend approximately $150 to grow all the cannabis she needs for her condition.

There were calls for the committee members to increase the number of qualifying conditions, but this wasn’t acted on because the lawmakers felt that it was premature for them to make a decision on that matter yet a special committee of medical experts set up to advise the State on the qualifying conditions is scheduled to meet this month (March) to discuss that same matter.

One of the qualifying conditions that was being considered for addition to the list is opioid addiction. However, many legislators were hesitant to approve its inclusion because there was insufficient evidence that cannabis could wean people off prescription opioids. Other lawmakers didn’t think it would be good to recommend the use of one potentially addictive substance as a replacement for another addictive substance/drug.

Meanwhile, the entire House is scheduled to vote on a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana across the state. Previous attempts to get recreational cannabis legalized in the state met with dismal failure, but hopes of success are high this time round since Democrats now have control of both the Senate and the Assembly.

For the sake of the patients and the general population in New Hampshire, Global Payout Inc. (OTC: GOHE) and Golden Developing Solutions Inc. (OTC: DVLP) wish for a speedy conclusion to the different bills before the legislators.

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420 with CNW – South Carolina Medical Cannabis Bill Stalls Until Concerns are Addressed

March 4, 2019

March 4, 2019 04:20:21

The members of the subcommittee on Medical Affairs in the South Carolina Senate have decided to stall moving a medical cannabis bill forward to the full committee until all the concerns of the different stakeholders have been taken into account. This decision was made on Wednesday (February 27).

One of the proposed changes that may be made to the bill is to include language that makes it clear that smoking medical marijuana will be outlawed. Those interested in this wording say that nothing that may create an impression that marijuana is being legalized for anything other than medical use should be permitted in the bill.

Another issue that needs further consideration is the matter of the qualifying conditions which will be listed in the bill. The legislators want more time to be taken to study the different conditions which can be alleviated by the use of cannabis. Under the current bill, terminal or debilitating conditions, such as chronic diseases and cancer are currently listed as qualifying conditions. Could other deserving conditions have been left out? The legislators want to hear from stakeholders on this before moving forward.

The members of the subcommittee also want to hear more about the fiscal implications of the proposed six percent sales tax that will be imposed on the medical cannabis sold. Will that tax make medical cannabis too expensive for some patients to afford? Are there other ways to collect revenue from the industry without imposing a sales tax? Stakeholders need to inform the members on all these financial implications before the bill is sent to the whole committee.

In its present form, the bill will allow patients enrolled on the medical cannabis program to buy up to two ounces of cannabis (or its equivalent) once a fortnight as long as a doctor has prescribed it.

Representatives of the law enforcement agencies in the state, such as the Association of South Caroline Sheriffs, have said that they would like to review the bill in order to understand the details it contains and the implications of those details. The devil is always in the details, they say.

Such sentiments give further credence to the decision of the subcommittee to wait and hash out all the concerns of the stakeholders so that the bill forwarded to the whole committee reflects the input collected from everyone concerned.

This proactive way of drafting a legalization bill is good for the cannabis industry, including Choom Holdings Inc. (CSE: CHOO) (OTCQB: CHOOF) and Earth Science Tech, Inc. (OTCQB: ETST).

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420 with CNW – Five Tips for Baby Boomers Trying Cannabis

March 1, 2019

March 1, 2019 16:20:29

Baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) are rediscovering cannabis and the industry is taking note of this demographic. However, like everything else, time has exerted its influence on marijuana and the baby boomers would be well advised to keep the following important tips in mind when consuming cannabis.

Start Small

The cannabis of today isn’t the same as what was available decades ago. Plant breeding has yielded cannabis strains that may have more than triple the THC content which was found in the marijuana of the 1970s. It is therefore advisable for you to be cautious when you are just starting out on your “boomerang” journey of reigniting your love for a joint.

Select the Dispensary Carefully

Baby boomers would also be well advised to take their time as they select the dispensary from which to buy marijuana. It is better to select an establishment which has a knowledgeable “budtender.” Such a person will help you to navigate your way through the huge array of cannabis products that are now available in the different dispensaries or retail outlets.

Know the Outcomes You Desire

A knowledgeable budtender can only go so far in helping you to get the right product. You need to make it possible for this person to help you by deciding the effects that you would like to experience when you consume the cannabis you buy. The plant breeding processes mentioned earlier have resulted in the development of different cannabis strains for different purposes.

For example, some strains will calm down your mind as you get ready to sleep while others will reinvigorate your mind and body while you get set for some physical or mental exertion. It is therefore crucial for you to know what experience you want so that the budtender can point you in the right direction.

Learn the Lingo

The cannabis industry has come with its own unique language that one must learn in order to avoid making mistakes. For example, you need to know how “cannabis flower” differs from cannabis “edibles” or “concentrates.” The budtender may help to explain some of the new terminologies you encounter as you explore the new world of marijuana, but it doesn’t hurt to invest some time online learning the language of the industry.

Think About Your Current Medication

It is also helpful to consider how any medication you are currently taking may interact with cannabis. For example, cannabis may increase the uptake of some of the medication you are on, and this may increase the side effects of that medication. To be on the safe side, take the precaution of talking to your doctor first before you consume cannabis.

The cannabis industry, including companies like FinCanna Capital Corp. (CSE: CALI) (OTCQB: FNNZF) and Generation Alpha, Inc. (OTCQB: GNAL), hopes that each baby boomer attains the results for which they try cannabis.

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CannabisNewsBreaks – New Jersey Senator Cory Booker Introduces Federal Marijuana Legalization Bill

March 1, 2019

March 1, 2019 11:24:12

Legislation was introduced on Thursday to bring the federal prohibition of marijuana to an end by New Jersey Democratic Senator Cory Booker. The bill was co-sponsored by a group of US Senators including Elizabeth Warren, Kirsten Gillibrand, Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris, Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkley and Michael Benne. The legislation was highlighted in an article authored by Gregg Re on Fox News titled ‘Cory Booker, other 2020 Dem presidential hopefuls introduce federal marijuana legalization bill’. The timing of the proposed legislation is ideal. According to a Fox News poll from 2018, 59 percent of voters support legalizing marijuana, while only 26 percent of voters supported legalization in 2001 (http://cnw.fm/zGE7R). “The War on Drugs has not been a war on drugs, it’s been a war on people, and disproportionately people of color and low-income individuals,” Sen. Cory Booker stated. “The Marijuana Justice Act seeks to reverse decades of this unfair, unjust, and failed policy by removing marijuana from the list of controlled substances and making it legal at the federal level.”

To view the full article, visit http://cnw.fm/aELR7

About Fox News

FOX News operates the FOX News Channel (“FNC”), FOX Business Network (“FBN”), FOX News Radio, FOX News Headlines 24/7, FOXNews.com and the soon to launch OTT platform, Fox Nation. FOX News also produces FOX News Sunday on FOX Broadcasting Company and FOX News Edge. A top five-cable network, FNC has been the most watched news channel in the country for more than 16 years. According to a 2018 Research Intelligencer study by Brand Keys, FOX News ranks as the second most trusted television brand in the country. Additionally, a Suffolk University/USA Today survey states Fox News is the most trusted source for television news or commentary in the country, while a 2017 Gallup/Knight Foundation survey found that among Americans who could name an objective news source, Fox News is the top-cited outlet. FNC is available in 90 million homes and dominates the cable news landscape while routinely notching the top ten programs in the genre. For more information, visit www.FoxNews.com.

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420 with CNW – New Hampshire Cannabis Legalization Movement Gets First Victory

March 1, 2019

March 1, 2019 04:20:17

An effort to legalize marijuana in New Hampshire has scored its first major victory as the House has passed a legalization bill. House Bill 481 got 209 votes while 147 lawmakers voted against the bill.

The bill seeks to make it legal for people aged 21 and above to grow and possess cannabis for recreational use. The possession limit has been placed at an ounce. The bill also outlaws the sale of the marijuana grown by individuals. In its place, regulated retail businesses will be allowed to operate within the state.

The bill also imposes a $30 tax on each pound of cannabis flower sold by the licensed retailers. This decision to tax marijuana by weight is a smart move because it cushions the state from any shocks to its revenue in the event that cannabis prices plummet as has been the case in some jurisdictions.

While the victory in the House should be celebrated, cannabis advocates in the state know that the battle hasn’t been won yet. The Governor, Chris Sununu, has vowed to veto any cannabis legalization law that reaches his desk. To him, marijuana legalization in any form is a bad idea that he will oppose using any means at his disposal.

New Hampshire law does provide a way out if the legislators feel differently from a governor on any issue. That legal outlet is a massive vote in the House in favor of the issue in contention.

However, the cannabis legislation bill was passed in the House without the two-thirds majority needed to insulate that bill from a veto by the Governor.

All the same, the House bill is now headed to the state senate where it will be discussed and modified or voted upon in its present form.

Just as is the case for a House bill, a two-thirds majority vote in the senate is required to override a veto by the Governor. This means that at least 16 of the 24 members of the state senate are required to cast their vote in support of the marijuana legalization bill.

The work of cannabis supporters is therefore clearly cut out for them. They need to work tooth and nail to convince enough state senators to support the bill. For now, it isn’t clear whether the senate will make changes to the bill, pass it and then send it back to the House for a vote on the new language of the bill. The second vote can give representatives a chance to improve the 59 percent support the bill garnered earlier.

All that the cannabis industry, including Canopy Rivers, Inc. (TSX.V: RIV) (OTC: CNPOF) and ChineseInvestors.com (OTCQB: CIIX), can do is hope that the stalemate between the Governor of New Hampshire and the lawmakers is resolved in a way that benefits the people.

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420 with CNW – Federal Reserve Boss Asks Congress for Clarity on Cannabis Banking

February 28, 2019

February 28, 2019 16:20:08

Jerome Powell, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, has asked the federal government to provide clarification on matters of banking services for the cannabis industry. Powell made these comments while addressing the Finance Committee of the U.S. Senate.

He was referring to the difficulties that financial institutions face as they wish to serve cannabis businesses in states that have legalized the substance, but those same institutions feel hamstrung by federal banking laws that still regard marijuana as an illegal substance.

It is not just banks and credit unions that are in this difficult position. Even supervisors and regulators face the same dilemma because it isn’t clear where they should draw the line between what is permissible under state law and what aspects of the federal banking laws to implement or place on the backburner.

When asked a follow up question, Jerome Powell also revealed that the clarification provided should also put the record straight on issues of insurance for the marijuana industry.

As things stand, the cannabis industry is still unable to obtain insurance in the same way that other businesses can. This is a serious problem because it denies the cannabis industry the protections provided by insurance.

This isn’t the first time that the Federal Reserve boss is expressing these sentiments. He is on record to have stated the same concerns during a press conference last year. Powell is reported to have said that while his work has nothing to do with cannabis, the institution he leads is concerned about the nascent industry because of the possible impacts to the financial sector if things aren’t handled correctly.

Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury Secretary, has also expressed a desire to see the banking concerns of the cannabis industry addressed. He went as far as saying these issues top the list of the matters that his department is concerned about.

If the indicators coming from Congress are anything to go by, 2019 may well be the year when the concerns of Mnuchin and Powell (as well as the cannabis industry) get addressed. A subcommittee of the 116th Congress is already holding hearings at which different stakeholders, such as marijuana businesses, are providing their submissions on matters of cannabis banking.

These hearings arise out of a bi-partisan bill that seeks to make it possible for cannabis businesses to keep their money in banks without any fear that the federal government will act against them or victimize the banks that have accepted to do business with the cannabis companies.

Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ: YGYI) and Cannabis Strategic Ventures, Inc. (OTC: NUGS) will be extremely relieved if the calls by the Federal Reserve boss and the Treasury Secretary result in concrete steps to ease banking for the cannabis industry in the U.S.

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420 with CNW – Edmonton Considers “Notwithstanding Clause” to Allow Cannabis Retail Shops in Malls

February 28, 2019

February 28, 2019 04:20:25

Barely four months after recreational cannabis was legalized in Canada, the city of Edmonton has made a proposal to include a “notwithstanding clause” in the law that stipulates the distance between cannabis retail shops and other public facilities, such as libraries and schools.

The current separation distances stipulated in the city’s bylaws state that there should be at least 200 meters between cannabis retail stores and schools or libraries. The law also stipulates that there should be at least 100 meters between a cannabis retail shop and provincial healthcare sites, parks and other public recreation facilities.

While the approach included in the existing laws is important in keeping minors from accessing cannabis, it is woefully inadequate when one considers large shopping malls and undeveloped land that hasn’t been subdivided as yet.

For example, the existing laws would prevent a cannabis retail facility from being opened in a large mall if that mall was close to a library. The exception clause being advocated for could address such unique situations.

There is no intention to change the rule stating that the distance between one cannabis retail shop and the next one should be at least 200 meters, but the “notwithstanding clause” will clarify how that separation distance is arrived at for different situations.

Such calls for amendments are to be expected when something new like recreational cannabis is first legalized. It is not possible for the framers of the original law to anticipate every possible situation, so the proposed amendments provide an avenue to iron out any kinks that may have been overlooked earlier.

As these calls for city bylaw amendments make their way through the system, the shortages of cannabis throughout the country are still ongoing. However, there is hope that the supply shortages will diminish over the coming months as the different licensed producers begin harvesting from the additional cultivation facilities that they rushed to commission as soon as retailers run out of cannabis a day after recreational cannabis was legalized.

In the meantime, the federal government is beginning to consider draft proposals for the regulation of cannabis edibles in the country. This segment of the industry was left out and there was a promise that an appropriate regulatory framework would be in place one year after recreational cannabis hit the shelves.

TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN), VIVO Cannabis Inc. (TSX.V: VIVO) (OTCQX: VVCIF) and the entire cannabis industry look forward to the outcome of the amendments proposed in Edmonton since those changes may make it easier for residents to have a retail facility close by.

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420 with CNW – Massachusetts Cannabis Regulators Consider Restricting Delivery Licenses to Small Entities

February 27, 2019

February 27, 2019 16:20:46

State marijuana regulators in Massachusetts have for long been baffled by how to ensure that there is equity regarding access to the different opportunities available in the cannabis industry. Now that dilemma may be solved if the proposals floated to ring fence cannabis delivery licenses for “equity” applicants are implemented.

The Cannabis Advisory Board has suggested that as the state moves towards making it possible for cannabis to be delivered to people’s homes, all the home delivery licenses should be reserved for minorities that suffered disproportionately during the war on drugs that lasted for decades.

The board is also suggesting that “equity” applicants should also be given priority when home delivery licenses are being awarded by the state. Equity applicants include people who have a marijuana arrest or conviction on their criminal history.

So far, most of the opportunities, such as dispensary licenses, have been gobbled up by the large cannabis companies at the expense of disadvantaged communities and “equity” applicants. This is because the large companies have easy access to resources and can therefore effortlessly meet the requirements needed by various jurisdictions.

This is in stark contrast to the members of minority populations, such as African-Americans, who may find it hard to obtain financing to secure the premises needed to set up a cannabis grow or manufacturing facility.

The recommendations of the Cannabis Advisory Board aren’t binding, so the Cannabis Control Commission isn’t obliged to implement them. However, the Commission has promised to consider the suggestions made by the Cannabis Advisory Board as it drafts the rules that will be followed when licensing home delivery firms.

If the proposals sail through, then home delivery of cannabis will be done exclusively by small businesses and “equity” applicants at least for the first five years.

This special consideration will foster an air of inclusion for those groups and people who felt that big businesses were locking them out of the cannabis industry. The five years of preferential treatment will also allow minorities and people from impoverished communities to accumulate some capital in order to get a shot at participating in the industry at a higher level.

Chances are also high that the bigger cannabis companies that would like to see their products delivered to people’s homes will help people from the minority groups to secure funding for their small home delivery businesses in a sort of partnership that will benefit both parties. The Green Organic Dutchman (TSX: TGOD) (OTCQX: TGODF) and Therma Bright, Inc. (TSX.V: THRM) (OTC: THRBF) hope that the Cannabis Control Board in Massachusetts adopts the suggestions made by the Cannabis Advisory Board so that more people can be included in the industry.

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420 with CNW – Iowa Poll Shows Widespread Support for Expanding Medical Cannabis Program

February 27, 2019

February 27, 2019 04:20:24

A recent poll sponsored by Mediacom and Des Moines Register has found that more than three-quarters (78 percent) of Iowans want to see the medical cannabis program expanded in order to ease access to this new program.

Iowan adults voiced their support for suggestions that more qualifying conditions should be included in the law that established the medical cannabis program. The proposed expansion would also include increasing the number of shops from which medical marijuana can be bought.

Iowa’s medical cannabis program was launched last year in December with just five dispensaries and one manufacturer allowed to operate within the state. The dispensaries sell cannabis oils, capsules and creams. So far, only 1,200 Iowa patients have received the nod to use medical cannabis in the state.

The Iowa Poll also showed a record level of support for the legalization of recreational cannabis. The poll conducted early this month found that there was an equal proportion of Iowans who wanted to see an end to prohibition and those who opposed it.

The figures stood at 48 percent in favor of legalization while another 48 percent didn’t want recreational cannabis allowed in the state. Four percent of the participants in the poll were not sure whether prohibition should be ended or not.

The Iowa Poll has been tracking the sentiments of Iowans about cannabis legalization since 2010. This year’s poll shows a huge jump in support from the 39 percent who expressed support for legalization last year to the 48 percent expressing the same sentiment this year.

This poll results have come out at a time when Iowa lawmakers are considering proposals to expand the medical cannabis program.

One of the changes that is being considered by the senate committee is a proposal to allow medical professionals to recommend the use of medical cannabis for any condition that they think can be alleviated or treated using marijuana. This would be a major change from the current position where the medical marijuana law provides a list of the conditions for which a patient can apply for a medical marijuana card.

Another change that is being considered is to allow nurse practitioners to certify patients as well. Under the current law, only physicians can certify patients who wish to join the medical cannabis program.

The sole manufacturer (MedPharm) has also been lobbying to have the legislators lift the three percent THC cap on medical cannabis products. This restriction may be harder to change since legislators are wary of “opening the door” to cannabis addiction and abuse if THC levels are allowed to get higher.

Supreme Cannabis Company Inc. (TSX.V: FIRE) (OTCQX: SPRWF) and The Flowr Corporation (TSX.V: FLWR) (OTC: FLWPF) applaud the legislators in Iowa for being willing to modify the medical cannabis program so soon after its launch.

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420 with CNW – Two Cannabis Legalization Bills Receive Nod from New Mexico Legislative Committees

February 26, 2019

February 26, 2019 16:20:44

Two different bills aimed at legalizing cannabis in New Mexico have been passed by committees in the state senate and assembly.

At the start of this month, the Health and Human Services Committee of the state Assembly approved a proposal to allow adults who were at least 21 years old to use recreational cannabis.

Under this proposal, adults would be allowed to grow their own cannabis, if they so wished, and upon fulfilling the requirements to obtain a cultivation license from the state. Retailers would also be licensed by the state.

The proposal also has provisions that would allow previous cannabis arrests and convictions to be expunged from the criminal records of New Mexico residents. However, the proposal allowed employers to maintain zero-tolerance to the consumption of cannabis by their employees.

This bill now waits to be presented before the entire Assembly for debate and a vote.

The second marijuana legalization bill also received a nod from the members of the state Senate Public Affairs Committee. This bill received unanimous support (5-0) when a vote was called.

Under this proposal, adults who were 21 or older could use cannabis for recreational purposes. However, this bill outlaws the home cultivation of marijuana by state residents. Instead, all the recreational cannabis will be bought from retail stores run by the state.

Additionally, the senate bill doesn’t include any provisions to expunge the previous marijuana arrest and conviction records for New Mexico residents.

This senate bill will now be forwarded to two other committees before it is tabled before the entire senate for consideration.

The two bills both have suggestions on how marijuana should be taxed. However, none of those bills proposes any taxes on medical marijuana.

It is clear that there is bi-partisan momentum building up to see the end of cannabis prohibition in the state. In fact, the current governor (Michelle Grisham-D) campaigned on a pro-cannabis platform. While delivering her maiden State of the State address, Gov. Grisham pledged that she would work to include opioid addiction among the conditions for which someone could start using medical marijuana.

She has also indicated that any law that is passed to legalize marijuana should address issues of public safety, regulation of cannabis edibles, workplace intoxication and issues of underage cannabis use.

The cannabis industry, especially Sproutly Canada, Inc. (OTCQB: SRUTF) (CSE: SPR) (FRA: 38G) and Sugarmade, Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD), is glad that New Mexico is in agreement that cannabis would be beneficial to the population there.

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420 with CNW – North Dakota Cannabis Activists Consider 2020 Ballot Measure

February 26, 2019

February 26, 2019 04:20:42

While attempts to legalize cannabis by a ballot measure last year and by legislative means this month were met with defeat, marijuana advocates in the state aren’t giving up, and they are already planning to have another shot at a ballot measure in 2020.

Dave Owen, a leading cannabis advocate in the state who played a major role in the ballot measure that was voted upon during the recent midterms says that his organization (Legalize ND) will look to national advocacy groups for funding and support this time round. He revealed that the huge amounts of money poured into the state to oppose the ballot measure in the midterms led to the defeat of that effort.

Dave Owen also revealed that come 2020, the ballot measure will be a watered down version of the one of 2018. For example, rather than insist that people should be allowed to grow as much marijuana as they want for their own use, the new ballot measure will propose some restrictions to home grows.

The new ballot measure will also include provisions for licensing as well as excise taxes on marijuana sales. These provisions were lacking in the measure that was rejected by voters during the midterms last year.

The last ballot measure had a provision to expunge marijuana convictions from the criminal records of North Dakota residents. Dave Owen isn’t sure whether the next ballot measure he plans to draft will still have this provision. It should be noted that most of the states that have legalized recreational marijuana have also taken steps to expunge some marijuana convictions from the criminal records of those who qualify for this expungement. It is therefore unclear whether Dave Owen feels that watering down the ballot measure in this regard will win it more supporters.

Polling is an important step during such a campaign for marijuana legalization, and the cannabis advocate admits that they have been finding it hard to get the funds needed to conduct several polls. This lack of funding has compelled the organization to base on assumptions when planning and executing a campaign strategy. Legalize ND intends to change this so that they can work with concrete numbers as they prepare for the polls in 2020.

Dave Owen is confident that the grassroots networks that exist in the state can propel the ballot measure to success if only external help (especially funding) can be sent in by the national marijuana advocacy groups.

All that Redfund Capital Corp. (CSE: LOAN) (OTC: PNNRF) (Frankfurt: O3X4) and SinglePoint, Inc. (OTCQB: SING) can do is wish both sides good luck as they put their case before North Dakotans for a final decision at the ballot.

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420 with CNW – New York Prosecutor Drops Marijuana Charges

February 25, 2019

February 25, 2019 16:20:50

A group of 35 people in Erie County received an unexpected gift when John Flynn, the Erie County District Attorney, requested that a judge at the Buffalo City Court accept the prosecutor’s request to dismiss the low-level marijuana charges (misdemeanor charges) against the nearly three dozen people.

The judge agreed with the prosecutor, and the charges were dismissed. It should be noted that the 35 people weren’t present in court. Their warrants were still outstanding and they had missed their court appearances.

In effect, the prosecutor saw no need to continue hunting for those individuals over a substance that would soon be legal throughout the state.

The action taken by John Flynn means that going forward, the District Attorney will no longer be interested in prosecuting such low-level marijuana cases within the jurisdiction.

The Erie County District Attorney isn’t the first to take such action within the state. Flynn is following in the footsteps of the prosecutors in New York City.

The mayor of Buffalo city is also on record for ordering the police in the city to stop arresting people for low-level marijuana crimes, such as possession of small amounts of cannabis.

These actions by prosecutors and the elected leaders seem to acknowledge that while the legislative process to legalize cannabis hasn’t been concluded, the population has gone ahead and started consuming recreational cannabis to such a high degree that it would be hard to clamp down on all of those users.

There is also widespread agreement across the state regarding the need to legalize marijuana for adult-use. Only law enforcement agencies and some members of the medical field still have reservations about adult-use marijuana.

The other disagreements are largely about how the industry will be regulated and where the taxes collected from cannabis will be spent.

For example, sections of lawmakers want the taxes collected from the recreational cannabis sector to be earmarked for revamping the dilapidated infrastructure in the state, such as the aging subway system.

However, others want a large portion of the cannabis taxes to be spent in the impoverished communities that bore the brunt of the war against drugs. The legislators in this school of thought have even threatened to vote against legalization if the law doesn’t stipulate what fraction of the marijuana taxes will go to the underprivileged communities in the inner cities.

What should be applauded in the meantime is the proactive step taken by the prosecutors to stop going after people who commit low-level marijuana infractions as the politicians are hashing out a law to legalize adult-use cannabis. Phivida Holdings Inc. (CSE: VIDA) (OTCQX: PHVAF) and Plus Products Inc. (CSE: PLUS) (OTCQB: PLPRF) are hoping that the lawmakers put the interests of New Yorkers first so that the best law is made for that jurisdiction.

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420 with CNW – Does Legalization of Recreational Marijuana Mark the Death of Medical Cannabis Programs?

February 25, 2019

February 25, 2019 04:20:40

You may be wondering what becomes of the medical marijuana programs and products once a jurisdiction legalizes recreational pot. Some people even conclude that medical marijuana dies quietly once recreational cannabis becomes legal. Is this true?

It may be true that the process of getting a medical marijuana card is a bit cumbersome (find a doctor willing to recommend medical marijuana for your health challenge, then apply and pay license fees, etc.). The legalization of recreational cannabis means that access to marijuana now just requires you to present a valid government-issue photo ID at a dispensary or retail outlet in order to buy cannabis. Viewed from this angle, some patients may opt to buy recreational marijuana and use it to manage their symptoms.

However, one key reason why the legalization of recreational cannabis cannot mark the death of medical marijuana is that patients often require customized or specially formulated cannabis products to manage their symptoms or treat the qualifying conditions for which they were enrolled on the medical cannabis program. For this reason, the commencement of recreational sales cannot signal doom to medical cannabis.

Secondly, the legalization of recreational weed also boosts medical cannabis because it widens the market for marijuana products. That wider market generates a lot of interest among researchers and business entities. Consequently, more research will be conducted, and this research can result in a better understanding of how cannabis can be used to treat different conditions. This is clearly happening in Canada where recreational sales have sparked greater interest among cannabis researchers and innovators.

Thirdly, players in the cannabis industry may be unwilling to turn their backs upon their medical cannabis clients because these patients are more reliable clients when compared to recreational users. You see, a patient needs medical cannabis while cannabis is just a want to a recreational user. This means that addressing the needs of patients results in more assured business when compared to chasing the wind as you try to keep up with the fickle interests of recreational users. From a business perspective, medical cannabis ensures steady sales so it will stay despite the legalization of recreational sales.

More importantly, recreational cannabis normalizes medical cannabis. Patients are often viewed as disguised stoners in jurisdictions where only medical cannabis is legal. However, the end of cannabis prohibition often results in more information becoming available to people in that area. Consequently, they will develop a greater appreciation of the medical benefits of cannabis and patients will no longer have to be on the defensive as they use medical cannabis.

As you can see, the end of cannabis prohibition doesn’t necessarily mean that medical cannabis programs will suffer a slow death. MustGrow Biologics Corp. and Net Element, Inc. (NASDAQ: NETE) insist that different people have different needs, so it may not be right to think that the commencement of recreational sales means the death of medical cannabis.

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420 with CNW – California Rakes in $300 Million in Cannabis Taxes in 2018

February 22, 2019

February 22, 2019 16:20:33

The statistics are out; California earned approximately $300 million in taxes during the first year of recreational cannabis sales in the state. This information was released by the Department of Tax and Fee Administration in California on February 19.

While the $300 million tax collection is high, it is way below what the state had initially anticipated to collect during the first year of commercial cannabis sales ($655 million). Two reasons may explain why the taxes collected were below the projected figure.

First, it is hard to predict with any degree of certainty what quantity of cannabis will be sold if the state doesn’t have any historical data to rely upon when making those projections. Any figure arrived at is therefore likely to be a “guesstimate” at best.

Secondly, most city and local authorities, up to 75 percent of them, banned any business activity related to cannabis within their jurisdictions. This meant that recreational cannabis could only be accessed in a few areas within the state.

This same scenario played out in all the states where recreational cannabis was legalized. However, those local authorities gradually came around and permitted cannabis businesses to open so that residents can get jobs and the local authorities can also collect taxes.

California also expects more local authorities to come on board and cannabis sales will soar once access is ramped up in more cities and municipalities.

Another important fact to note about the taxes collected by California in 2018 is that the other states that also ended prohibition in 2016 earned “peanuts” if their collections are compared to California’s.

For example, Nevada collected only $69.8 million while Massachusetts is likely to collect $60 million once it completes its first year of recreational sales.

The collections in those other states are understandable because none of them comes even close to the size of California’s economy.

California is justified to be optimistic about future tax revenues from recreational marijuana because an analysis of the 2018 taxes shows that there was a general upward trend from one quarter to the next. This clearly paints a bullish picture for the industry going forward.

More reason for optimism also comes from the fact that the earnings in just 2018 triple or more than triple the annual taxes that the state had ever collected from the sale of medical marijuana throughout the 23 years when medical cannabis was available in the state.

While California seems to be on course to collect $1 billion as tax revenue from recreational marijuana sales within three years, industry players are crying out for a reduction in the taxes levied. It remains to be seen whether their calls will be heeded by the lawmakers since any change requires a supermajority before Proposition 64 can be amended.

Marijuana Company of America, Inc. (OTCQB: MCOA) and Medical Cannabis Payment Solutions (OTC: REFG) congratulate California for setting a record of taxes earned from recreational cannabis sales.

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CannabisNewsAudio – SinglePoint, Inc. (SING) Thriving in Budding Cannabis Sector through Well-financed Acquisitions

February 22, 2019

February 22, 2019 09:59:27

Related Editorial
Several years of impressive growth are expected to continue in the cannabis sector in 2019, and companies are making the most of it through mergers and acquisitions.

The cannabis industry has seen growth in acquisitions over the past two years.
A large part of this comes from the emergence of the hemp/CBD market.
Industry commentators expect these trends to continue.

SinglePoint Inc. (OTCQB: SING) (SING Profile) is tapping into this exciting potential through a strategy of well-financed acquisitions and investment in other cannabis companies. PotNetwork Holdings Inc. (OTC: POTN) has built up a series of subsidiaries and is now reaching out to mainstream markets with its products. KushCo Holdings Inc. (OTCQB: KSHB) has recently established new supply arrangements that will increase its already growing profits. Following the legalization of hemp farming, CV Sciences Inc. (OTCQB: CVSI) has become one of the United States’ first certified hemp producers. And The Green Organic Dutchman (OTCQX: TGODF) (TSX: TGOD) (TGOD Profile) is building improved cultivation facilities to meet the demand of cannabis’s growing customer base.

To hear the CannabisNewsAudio version, visit http://cnw.fm/Uu8di

To view the full editorial, visit http://cnw.fm/Ca9w6

About SinglePoint, Inc.

SinglePoint, Inc. is a technology and investment company with a focus on acquiring companies that will benefit from the injection of growth capital and technology integration. The company portfolio includes mobile payments, ancillary cannabis services and blockchain solutions. Through acquisitions into horizontal markets, SinglePoint is building its portfolio by acquiring an interest in undervalued companies, thereby providing a rich, diversified holding base. Through SingleSeed, the company is providing products and services to the cannabis industry. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.SinglePoint.com.

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420 with CNW – Four Ways Cannabis Entrepreneurs are Using AI in Sales and Ecommerce

February 22, 2019

February 22, 2019 04:20:37

As the marijuana industry has grown and become more widely accepted, many tech companies have introduced new products to enable the cannabis industry. Here are the four major AI products that marijuana businesses are deploying to boost sales and make ecommerce more successful.

Chatbots

The explosion of interest in cannabis means that the limited staff of marijuana companies can easily be overwhelmed if they decided to address each person’s queries without the help of AI.

Chatbots have been introduced to engage customers and potential customers quickly and efficiently by providing all the information one needs. For example, the chatbot can take a potential customer through the different cannabis strains that may help to ease the symptoms that the client is experiencing. These bots have revolutionized the way cannabis businesses attend to their customers at a time when people make a query and expect an answer to it “yesterday.”

Finding Leads

One of the hardest aspects of selling is to find prospects. Cannabis businesses are turning to AI tools, such as Node, to generate lists of potential customers. This is a more reliable method than the traditional way of buying lists of prospects who often turned out to be uninterested in what one was selling.

Filtering Prospects

It is one thing to get a list of prospects and it is another matter to filter them into warm or cold prospects. That is where AI comes in. Artificial intelligence systems are now available to analyze data in order to establish which particular products a potential customer has been searching for.

The findings of such AI systems can help sales personnel to concentrate their efforts on those individuals that are most likely to make a purchase instead of spending time and effort on people with a low possibility of making a purchase. An example of this type of AI system is Netra. This system understands consumer preferences by analyzing the visual content on different social media platforms.

Sales Forecasting

As you may know, there is always a multitude of demands competing for the resources that any company has at its disposal. The same applies to cannabis businesses. One of the best ways to determine how to allocate those scarce resources is by forecasting sales so that intelligent decisions can be made for the company.

AI systems have been deployed to forecast cannabis sales so that businesses can plan for the future more effectively, such as by making decisions on when to scale up or down.

While some people may think that AI has come to take cannabis jobs, the truth is that AI can only go so far. For example, AI fails dismally at comprehending the nuances of language based on different contexts and humans have to step in at such points. Cannabis businesses should therefore regard AI as an aid to their workforce rather than as a tool to cut back on human employees. Green Hygienics Holdings Inc. (OTCQB: GRYN) and Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP) look forward to seeing even more AI products in every aspect of the cannabis industry.

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420 with CNW – New Jersey Moves Closer to Legalizing Pot as Top Leaders Strike a Deal

February 21, 2019

February 21, 2019 16:20:24

Plans to legalize marijuana in New Jersey ground to a halt last year amidst a disagreement between Gov. Murphy and legislative leaders over taxes and a few other issues. However, a compromise deal on the key sticking points has now put the legalization plans back on course.

We reported at the end of last month that a new tax proposal had given cannabis legalization plans a breath of life. That proposal sought to provide a middle ground between the Governor who wanted a higher sales tax and Sweeney, the State Senate leader, who was adamant anything higher than 12 percent was unacceptable.

In the deal that has been reached, marijuana would be taxed by weight instead of the earlier plan to impose a sales tax. This new plan will insulate the state from witnessing a drop in tax revenue if marijuana prices eventually reduce as has been the case in other states where marijuana has been legal for several years.

The second major bone of contention that has also been reportedly resolved under the new deal has to do with the manner in which the marijuana industry will be regulated. Previously, the legislative leaders had wanted a separate commission to take charge of overseeing most aspects of the new industry. However, the Governor was uncomfortable with that proposal.

Under the new arrangement, an independent commission will still be set up to oversee the cannabis industry. The change in this regard is that the state governor will have the power to appoint three of the five individuals who will constitute the Cannabis Regulatory Commission.

Legislators are also working on a bill to expunge cannabis convictions from the criminal records of New Jersey residents. This law will help to address some of the historical wrongs that were committed against racial minorities, such as African-Americans, who were unduly targeted during the war on drugs that lasted decades.

Once that expungement bill is in place, the Governor, State Senate leader and the leader of the state Assembly will have plenty of work to do to mobilize votes among the legislators so that the marijuana legalization bill passes in both Houses before it can reach the desk of the Governor to be signed into law.

Now that the bickering seems to have come to an end, there is widespread hope across the industry that an enabling law will soon be passed so that a roadmap to the implementation of that law can be known to all concerned. Golden Developing Solutions Inc. (OTC: DVLP) and Green Growth Brands Inc. (CSE: GGB) (OTCQB: GGBXF) wish New Jersey a smooth path to legalization now that the major stumbling blocks have been addressed.

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CannabisNewsBreaks – Beverage Trade Network Issues Update Ahead of Cannabis Drinks Expo

February 21, 2019

February 21, 2019 12:27:17

Beverage Trade Network (“BTN”) this morning issued a news release detailing the upcoming Cannabis Drinks Expo, which is hailed as the first-ever event focusing on the cannabis-infused beverage industry. Per the update, the trade event is scheduled to take place on July 25, 2019, in San Francisco. BTN notes that the Cannabis Drinks Expo will give the worldwide drinks industry, and North America in particular, an opportunity to come together and look at ways to address the legalization of cannabis while examining avenues to protect the future of the larger beverage industry. In addition to a trade show floor, the Cannabis Drinks Expo will feature a one-day business conference hosting renowned speakers from the cannabis drinks industry who are scheduled to discuss a wide range of important topics.

To view the full press release, visit http://cnw.fm/FFx3T

About Beverage Trade Network

Beverage Trade Network is a producer of competitions, conferences, expos and trade shows for the alcohol beverage trade industry around the world. BTN is the alcohol beverage industry’s leading network and is committed to helping importers and distributors find new suppliers from all over the world. BTN hosts events in London, New York, and San Francisco, including the highly acclaimed International Bulk Wine & Spirits Show (London and San Francisco), the London Wine Competition (London) and the USA Trade Tasting show (New York).

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420 with CNW – New York City Legislators Consider Banning Pre-Employment Cannabis Tests

February 21, 2019

February 21, 2019 04:20:42

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has outlined his plan to legalize recreational marijuana and this has put New York in pole position to become the 11th state where adult-use cannabis is legal. This development has prompted some lawmakers in New York City to draft a bill that seeks to ban employers from conducting marijuana drugs tests before hiring an employee.

Councilman Jumaane D. Williams is the NYC lawmaker who has filed a draft law that will stop marijuana tests from being part of the hiring process in the city.

Councilman Williams feels that the legislators and the city should be creating more avenues through which people can find jobs, but the drugs tests do the opposite by making it harder for jobseekers to get hired.

He adds that pre-employment drugs tests for marijuana should be done away with now that preparations were in advanced stages to legalize recreational cannabis. Why should employers continue to test prospective employees for a substance that will soon legal?

The bill tabled by Williams provides exceptions to this ban on pre-employment drugs tests. People who intend to get jobs where safety and security are paramount, as well as jobs with the federal government or its agencies would not be covered by this ban on pre-employment drugs tests. Additionally, individuals who are required to undergo drugs testing as a condition for securing a grant or contract from the federal government will not use this local law as a reason to skip the required drugs tests.

If passed, the bill will take effect one year from the time of its enactment as part of the city’s laws. This will remove the ambiguity that has been observed in various jurisdictions, such as Massachusetts, where marijuana is legal but an employee can still be fired for testing positive for THC.

It is good that the lawmakers in New York City have been proactive in tabling this bill instead of waiting to take action after recreational cannabis becomes legal across the state. In such a case, there would be a legal grey area since the existing laws permit pre-employment marijuana tests, which would run counter to the freedom granted by the law legalizing recreational pot.

It remains to be seen what form the final bill will take once the Committee on Civil and Human Rights discusses it and presents it to the full council for debate and a vote. Generation Alpha Inc. (OTCQB: GNAL), Global Payout Inc. (OTC: GOHE) and the whole marijuana industry say kudos to Councilman Williams and the other two co-sponsors of this reform that will remove the ambiguity regarding the use of legal cannabis and its effects on one’s prospects of getting hired.

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420 with CNW – Fewer Teens Used Pot after Medical Marijuana Legalization, Study Finds

February 20, 2019 16:20:34

It was always feared that teen pot use would go through the roof as more states legalized marijuana either for medical or recreational use. However, a recent study has found that the contrary is happening as fewer teens reported using marijuana in the states where medical cannabis is legal.

The researchers found that the states where medical cannabis is legal had 1.1 percent fewer teens taking pot when compared to the states where no medical cannabis laws exist.

While that overall statistic looks small, the figures take on greater importance when one examines the data for various groups of teens. For example, there was a 2.7 percent reduction among high school males while pot use decreased by 3.9 percent among African-American students. Similarly, there was a drop of 2.7 percent observed among Hispanic students.

The researchers who came up with these findings are based at the Lynch School of Education and Human Development at Boston College. The team was led by Rebekah Levine Coley.

The researchers used data collected by the U.S. CDC during the Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted every other year.

Coley’s team focused on the data collected between 1999 and 2015. This data involved about 860,000 students in 45 states.

The researchers tracked how teen pot use had been changing during that 16-year timeframe. Results for states that enacted medical marijuana laws were compared to those of states where medical cannabis remained illegal.

Interestingly, the researchers found that the drop in teen pot use increased the longer a state had medical cannabis laws on its books. For example, teens were nine percent less likely to use marijuana if a state had medical marijuana laws that were less than five years old while the odds of a teen using marijuana reduced by 32 percent for states that legalized medical marijuana ten years ago.

Coley explains that some theories could account for this reduction of teen pot use in states where medical marijuana has been legalized.

First, the drop may be because the adolescents start viewing marijuana as something used as a medicine, so they no longer have the urge to use it recreationally.

Secondly, the change in marijuana laws may have prompted parents to start talking to their kids about marijuana use, as well as supervising them to ensure that they aren’t using drugs.

However, some people have criticized the conclusions of this research saying that the researchers didn’t consider the states where recreational marijuana is legal. Coley and her team responded that they were now turning their attention to studying the data from states where adult-use marijuana laws are in place.

Be that as it may, the cannabis industry, especially Earth Science Tech Inc. (OTCQB: ETST) and FinCanna Capital Corp. (CSE: CALI) (OTCQB: FNNZF) welcomes this study because it helps to dispel some of the false information circulated about marijuana.

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CannabisNewsAudio – Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ: YGYI) Employs Vertically Integrated Model to Profit in the Cannabis Industry

February 20, 2019 14:24:28

As the cannabis industry continues its impressive growth, acquisitions are leading to greater vertical integration.

Companies within the cannabis sector are acquiring other organizations to benefit from valuable specialist knowledge and skills.
Such deals allow vertically integrated value chains, as have also been applied in industries such as coffee production.
This comes amid wider growth in the sector, which is drawing substantial outside investment.

Youngevity International Inc. (NASDAQ: YGYI) (YGYI Profile) is following the vertically integrated model, having recently acquired a company specializing in cannabis processing machinery. Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) is expanding its Canadian production facilities through the acquisition of another grower. Budweiser brewer Anheuser-Busch Inbev (NYSE: BUD) (OTC: BUDFF) has partnered with Tilray to produce cannabis-infused drinks. In addition, tobacco companies are investing in the sector, providing extra funds for companies such as Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON). Specialist companies such as cannabis real estate finance company Innovative Industrial Properties Inc. (NYSE: IIPR) are also looking for entry positions in the industry.

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About Youngevity International, Inc.

Youngevity International, Inc. is a leading omni-direct lifestyle company offering a hybrid of the direct selling business model that also offers e-commerce and the power of social selling. Assembling a virtual Main Street of products and services under one corporate entity, Youngevity offers proven products from the six top-selling retail categories: health/nutrition, home/family, food/beverage (including coffee), spa/beauty, apparel/jewelry, as well as innovative services. The company was formed during the summer 2011 merger of Youngevity Essential Life Sciences with Javalution® Coffee Company (now part of the company’s food and beverage division). The resulting company became Youngevity International, Inc. in July 2013. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.YGYI.com

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More Mergers Expected as Cannabis Sector Heads into New Year of Growth

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February 20, 2019 09:00:07

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Several years of impressive growth are expected to continue in the cannabis sector in 2019, and companies are making the most of it through mergers and acquisitions.

The cannabis industry has seen growth in acquisitions over the past two years.
A large part of this comes from the emergence of the hemp/CBD market.
Industry commentators expect these trends to continue.

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420 with CNW – Judge Faults Walmart in Arizona Medical Cannabis Case

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February 20, 2019 04:20:19

A federal judge in Arizona has faulted Walmart for dismissing an employee who tested positive for cannabis even after that employee informed her employer that she had a valid medical marijuana card issued by the state.

It all started when Carol Whitmire sustained an injury while doing her work in one of Walmart’s stores in May 2016. Whitmire, who had worked with the same company for eight years, was immediately rushed to receive medical care after the accident. Blood and urine samples were also taken for analysis as part of Walmart’s policy.

Whitmire informed the HR department about her status as a medical cardholder after that incident and she continued to work after she recovered. However, she was terminated in July for being in contravention of Walmart’s policy on drugs.

Consequently, Whitmire sued Walmart for discrimination and wrongful dismissal. Walmart responded by telling court that it had a right to dismiss Whitmire due to her positive drugs test results.

However, court disagreed and pointed out that Walmart failed to prove that the positive drugs test indicated that Carol Whitmire had been working while intoxicated with marijuana. Had Walmart provided such proof, the court may have considered their assertion that they had good faith in terminating Whitmire.

Whitmire’s attorney, Joshua Carden, applauded the decision of Judge James Teilborg. Carden said that the judge had set a precedent that paved the way for private right-of-action lawsuits under the Arizona medical marijuana laws.

Joshua Carden revealed that the court would soon set a date for delivering its ruling regarding the possibility of reinstating Whitmire, as well as determining how much is due to her for damages and costs for the suits she filed.

Walmart was also glad that the federal court dismissed some of the claims made by Carol Whitmire in her suit. The company reiterated its ceaseless efforts to provide a safe environment for all its customers and associates.

Cases like Carol Whitmire’s are likely to crop up frequently because there is a lot that is still not known about cannabis. For example, for how long can someone remain impaired after consuming cannabis? Part of the reasons why Walmart couldn’t be justified to fire Whitmire is that it wasn’t clear whether a positive drugs test meant that Whitmire was under the influence while at work. Until scientific studies resolve this grey area, employers and employees will not be certain where the boundary is.

All in all, Cannabis Strategic Ventures, Inc. (OTC: NUGS) as well as Canopy Rivers Inc. (TSX.V: RIV) (OTC: CNPOF) welcome the judgment that made it clear that patients using medical marijuana legally will not lose their jobs just because they test positive for cannabis.

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420 with CNW – Demand Soars as UK Customers Fear CBD Drinks Ban

February 19, 2019

February 19, 2019 16:20:50

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the UK has triggered panic buying after it announced that CBD drinks fall under the “novel” products category as stipulated by the EU. This classification means that such “novel” products can only be available for sale after being tested and approved.

2018 saw an explosion of CBD-based products on the UK market. These included CBD chocolates, sweets, cakes and even pet products. All these products hit the market amidst a rise in the popularity of CBD.

However, January saw the FSA vowing to exert more control over CBD products on the market. It called on local authorities to work with it to remove any CBD products that were being sold without undergoing the required public safety tests.

As a result of that announcement, customers are rushing to bulk buy CBD drinks just in case the regulator makes good on the threat to pull CBD products from retail shelves.

Green Monkey Drinks (the first UK company to make carbonated CBD drinks) revealed that its online sales have jumped by 8,000 percent ever since the FSA made its ruling. They believe that this rise in sales can be attributed to customers who are trying to stockpile CBD products.

Green Monkey Drinks expressed disappointment that the Food Standards Agency hasn’t been in touch with the different companies that have invested heavily in the CBD industry. The drinks maker believes that the regulator hasn’t taken the right decision given the fact that the World Health Organization has just asserted that CBD is safe and should therefore not be subjected to any international controls.

For its part, the FSA insists that its decision is based on the changes that were made to the Novel Food Catalogue of the EU. The EU says players in the CBD industry failed to prove that CBD products have a history of consumption dating back to 1997 or earlier within the EU. This means that CBD is a novel product which should not be allowed on the market without undergoing safety testing and approval.

The FSA therefore wants to find a way forward in light of the decision made by the EU. They intend to meet different stakeholders, such as CBD product manufacturers and local authorities in order to clarify how the different players will execute their role in ensuring that the CBD industry complies with the existing laws.

ChineseInvestors.com (OTCQB: CIIX) as well as Choom Holdings Inc. (CSE: CHOO) (OTCQB: CHOOF) hope that the UK regulator finds a solution that addresses the regulatory needs without stifling the nascent CBD industry there.

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Savvy Companies Make Acquisition Moves in Booming Cannabis Industry

February 19, 2019

February 19, 2019 09:00:05

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: As the cannabis sector consistently shows impressive growth, acquisitions within the market allow cannabis companies to develop greater vertical integration.

Cannabis companies are looking to acquire other organizations to strengthen specialist knowledge and skills.
Similar moves have led to impressive success in industries such as coffee production.
The strength of the cannabis market is also attracting other additional investment.

Youngevity International Inc. (NASDAQ: YGYI) (YGYI Profile) is following the vertically integrated model, having recently acquired a company specializing in cannabis processing machinery. Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) finalized an all-cash transaction to acquire one of the world’s most technologically advanced vaporizer companies. In an all-stock option, Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE: ACB) agreed to purchase a British Columbia-based craft grower, which offers premium organic products produced at low volumes. Late last year, MedMen Enterprises Inc (OTCQX: MMNFF) signed a definitive agreement for the acquisition of one of the largest medical cannabis providers in the United States. And with the cannabis sector as a whole seeing healthy growth, GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ: GWPH) recently completing a public offering to fund further growth, raising $345 million to expand…

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420 with CNW – EU Parliament Votes to Support Medical Cannabis

February 15, 2019

February 15, 2019 04:20:58

On Wednesday (February 13), the European Union Parliament passed a resolution that will help to advance research into medical cannabis within the EU. This resolution comes hot on the heels of a recommendation by the World Health Organization (WHO) to reschedule cannabis internationally.

While the resolution passed in the EU Parliament isn’t binding, it provides encouragement to EU member states to increase their citizens’ access to medical marijuana. The resolution also calls on member countries to prioritize research and clinical studies on marijuana.

This resolution passed by the EU Parliament provides yet another voice in support of medical marijuana. The World Health Organization also recommended that cannabis be rescheduled in recognition of its therapeutic potential while also being aware that the drug can be addictive. A final vote is expected in March to cement the position of the UN on the recommendations made by the WHO expert committee that studied the matter at great length.

The EU resolution also goes further to call on member states to set standards for all non-pharmaceutical cannabis products in a bid to protect consumers.

Member states were also called upon to address all the legal, cultural, regulatory and financial barriers that have stood in the way of scientific research on marijuana and its medicinal uses. To put this appeal into context, consider the U.S. federal government’s laws on marijuana. Those laws make it hard for researchers to conduct any meaningful studies since cannabis is federally illegal and isn’t recognized as having any therapeutic value.

Additionally, only one cultivator (based in Mississippi) is mandated to provide all the cannabis needed for any approved research in the U.S. The cannabis from this facility is notorious for its poor quality (if researchers can manage to secure that marijuana in the first place). Such barriers have made the U.S. to lag behind in cannabis research. The EU resolution seeks to fix such problems amongst EU member states.

The members of the European Parliament also agreed that it was necessary to establish case-specific therapies for the medicinal use of cannabis. For example, does someone with chronic pain require the same concentration of THC and CBD (among other ingredients) as another person who wants to use medical cannabis to treat or manage insomnia? Scientific research should be able to answer such questions, according to the EU Parliament.

VIVO Cannabis Inc. (TSX.V: VIVO) (OTCQX: VVCIF) and Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ: YGYI) welcome the decisions made by the EU Parliament and the World Health organization regarding the medical benefits of marijuana.

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420 with CNW – Green Growth Brands Set to Open CBD Shops across the US

February 14, 2019 16:20:04

Green Growth Brands, a cannabis company headquartered in Ohio, has partnered with Simon Property Group to open at least 100 CBD shops in malls across the U.S. Simon Property Group is the biggest owner of malls in the U.S.

John Rulli, the President of Simon Malls, revealed in a press statement that the shopping experience provided by Green Growth Brands was exactly what they are constantly on the lookout for, and that was why they were adding GGB shops in the malls owned by Simon Property Group.

The two entities intend to work together to open a minimum of 108 CBD shops in 2019, and then further expansion will take place in the coming years.

Castleton Square Mall in Indianapolis will have the honor of hosting the first Green Growth Brands CBD shop in March this year with other shops following closely in the coming months.

Green Growth Brands is also having discussions with several other property developers so that a total of 300 CBD shops can be opened during this year. This number includes the 108 shops that will be opened in the malls owned by Simon Property Group.

This partnership between Simon Property Group and Green Growth Brands offers each side unique benefits. For example, Green Growth Brands will have a chance to popularize its CBD wellness products by taking advantage of some of the prominent malls owned by the property group. Such prominent shelf-space will deepen awareness about CBD.

As for Simon Property Group, they will benefit by having a large company as a tenant across the U.S. This is a huge benefit because mall owners have been facing the nightmare of having large clients closing shop or scaling back the number of locations where they operate. A clear example is Sears that went bankrupt.

It is worth noting that the signing into law of the Farm Bill 2018 legalized hemp and the different products that can be got from it, such as cannabidiol (CBD).

However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) still prohibits the addition of CBD to foods and drinks. This may make it hard for restaurants and other businesses to legally sell CBD-infused cocktails and other drinks.

The CBD shops set up by Green Growth Brands can be a way to provide high-quality CBD products so that buyers can make their own CBD drinks if they cannot access them at coffee shops or restaurants.

Therma Bright, Inc. (TSX.V: THRM) (OTC: THRBF) and TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) congratulate Green Growth Brands upon this landmark deal it has finalized with Simon Property Group.

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CannabisNewsAudio – Cannabis Strategic Ventures, Inc. (NUGS) Taking Advantage of Prime Opportunity Through Move into Cannabis Cultivation

February 14, 2019 14:30:04

Related Editorial
The growth the legal cannabis market has created has turned cultivation facilities into invaluable assets.

The cannabis market is predicted to generate $146 billion in revenues by 2025.
Legal changes are accelerating this expansion in the United States and beyond.
Cultivation facilities are fundamental to this growth, providing the raw materials for the cannabis industry.

Cannabis Strategic Ventures (OTC: NUGS) (NUGS Profile) recently announced plans to establish a multi-acre cultivation facility in California to meet market demands. Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) is increasing its cultivation space through the acquisition of Natura Naturals Holdings. In addition, the need to equip cultivation facilities is fueling growth for hydroponic suppliers such as GrowGeneration Corp. (OTCQX: GRWG). Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE: ACB) (TSX: ACB) has issued a letter of intent to acquire Whistler in an effort to increase cultivation. Meanwhile, Canopy Growth Corp. (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED) is looking beyond North America, cultivating new markets in Europe.

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About Cannabis Strategic Ventures Inc.

Cannabis Strategic Ventures is a Los Angeles-based firm that incubates, develops and partners with category leaders within the cannabis sector. The firm’s NUGS brand experience provides mentorship and a range of essential services to emerging and existing cannabis consumer brands. The company recently completed a name and symbol change from Cascade Energy Inc. Cannabis Strategic Ventures is publicly traded on the U.S. Over-the-Counter Market with the stock symbol NUGS. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.CannabisStrategic.com.

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Vertical Integration Offers Profit Potential within Growing Cannabis Industry

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February 14, 2019 09:00:27

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: As the cannabis industry continues its impressive growth, acquisitions are leading to greater vertical integration.

Companies within the cannabis sector are acquiring other organizations to benefit from valuable specialist knowledge and skills.
Such deals allow vertically integrated value chains, as have also been applied in industries such as coffee production.
This comes amid wider growth in the sector, which is drawing substantial outside investment.

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420 with CNW – Consolidation Starts Taking Shape in the US Cannabis Industry