Cannabis Marijuana News

SAFER Banking Act Approved in Committee, Signaling Major Victory for Cannabis Reform

A significant barrier for the cannabis industry is one step closer to being removed following the SAFER Banking Act’s advancement out of the Senate Banking Committee during a markup hearing Sept. 27.

After considering amendments related to federal regulatory powers over financial institutions, restorative justice, and the federal illegality of cannabis, among other proposals, the committee members voted, 14-9, to approve the cannabis banking bill.

The legislation, the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act, aims to bring traditional opportunities and transparency to state-licensed cannabis businesses by offering safe harbor to financial institutions wishing to provide services to the industry.

This marks the first time cannabis banking reform has made meaningful headway in the Senate, despite related reform (the SAFE Banking Act) passing seven times in the U.S. House since 2019. The word “regulation” was added to the title of revised legislation introduced Sept. 20 as the SAFER Banking Act (S. 2860), which is the bill that’s now on a pathway forward after nearly four months of bipartisan negotiations in the Senate.

“Cannabis policies look different in different states, but legal cannabis small businesses and their employees are running into many of the same issues,” Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said at the outset of the markup. “One of these issues is access to financial services. Regardless of how you feel about states’ efforts to legalize marijuana—I’ll say it again—regardless about how you feel about states’ efforts to legalize marijuana, this bipartisan bill is necessary. It will make it safer for legal cannabis businesses and service providers to operate, to protect their workers first and foremost, and to operate in their communities.”

Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., echoed Brown’s statement that the SAFER Banking Act is primarily about safety.

“First and foremost, the current all-cash model of legal cannabis businesses makes them targets for theft, for tax evasion and for organized crime,” Daines said. “The key to addressing this risk is by ensuring that all legal businesses have access to the banking system. Additionally, this bill tackles much-needed reforms with respect to financial account closures.”

With the legislation referred to only the Banking Committee in the Senate, the SAFER Banking Act now appears to be in the hands of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., a co-sponsor who vowed Sept. 20 to bring it to a full floor vote “with all due speed.” And although Schumer said he intends to add expungement and gun rights provisions to the final bill, whether he’s willing to budge on these intentions remains less clear.

UPDATE: The SAFER Banking Act was officially placed on Senate legislative calendar Sept. 28 under general orders as calendar No. 215. A date for floor action is still to be determined.

Laying the groundwork in negotiations the past four months were Daines and Sens. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., and Jack Reed, D-R.I.

Reed perhaps was at the center of these negotiations after he took issue in May with Section 10 of the legislation, claiming it was too broad beyond the scope of the cannabis industry. Notably, this section was added to the SAFE Banking Act before its first House passage in 2019 to help suppress the anxieties of Republicans who felt the legislation would allow federal regulators to unjustly target other industries.

Notably, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho., who voted against the measure in Wednesday’s committee hearing, expressed concerns in 2019 over how “Operation Choke Point,” an Obama-era initiative that put pressure on banks to break ties with certain “high-risk” industries like firearm manufacturers and payday lenders, could potentially come back to light under the SAFEF Banking Act.

He reinforced these concerns during Wednesday’s markup.

“Everybody here knows that ever since the Obama administration started Operation Choke Point, I’ve been a strong opponent of it and have been trying to restrict the ability of our federal financial regulators from forcing banks or other financial institutions to basically de-bank companies for the sole reason they did not favor the business that they were in,” Crapo said. “[Section 10] does not get the job done.”

But despite the risks of doing business in certain industries, Section 10 of the revised SAFER Banking Act states that financial institutions should have processes in place to perform due diligence on individual customers “rather than decline to provide banking services to categories of customers” in high-risk industries altogether.

Setting out certain conditions for termination of banking services, the SAFER Banking Act states that “reputational risk” is not a valid reason for federal regulators to request or require a financial institution to cut off a specific account or group of accounts, regardless of if the account is related to a state-licensed cannabis company or other industries.

Although Wednesday’s committee approval came with bipartisan support, including 11 Democrats and three Republicans in the majority vote, longstanding concerns regarding public health, money laundering and the Schedule I status of cannabis, among others, fueled turbulence and political showmanship by those who both supported and opposed the bill.  

Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., proposed an amendment (that was voted against) that he said was “offering a simple common-sense amendment to this legislation that would establish a five-year sunset on these policies unless we demonstrate that they have actually made life better for the millions of families and the communities being harmed right now.”

He commented he is “deeply troubled” that the committee is “voting on this bill at this time.” His concerns centered around the lack of addressing social justice and equity in the bill. “It will set the terms for a step backwards, backwards in the pursuit of equity and justice and safety,” he said. “We know that there are no provisions in this bill that suggest the cannabis industry will be any less consolidated than any others, or that the proceeds of this industry will be directed to the communities who have been most grievously harmed by the so-called war on drugs, which has in fact been a war on these communities since America declared a war on drugs.

“I submit that our only legislative priority cannot just be to make this SAFER Banking Act safer to protect financial institutions serving this new industry. We must look to make whole the communities across the country that have been hollowed out and are being hollowed out right now in real time by the war on drugs.”

Brown addressed Warnock’s proposed amendment, commenting: “I want to compliment you in calling attention as you have so well in your two and a half years in the Senate, namely the way our drug laws impact America's diverse communities, especially I support the goals of the amendment. I want to find targeted ways to achieve them.

“However, I must oppose the amendment because it would create an extended period of uncertainty for small financial institutions and small bankers in small businesses,” Brown said. “I look forward to working with colleagues in ways to make sure this bill is implemented with equity in mind, with a view to countering some of the effects that our country's drug policies have had on our communities. This amendment, in my mind, is not the right way or the right time to do that.”

The legislation does include anti-money laundering, counterterrorism and national security-related provisions, but committee members dove into some of the finer details during markup, such as how it could potentially impact equitable opportunities as well as any loopholes for money laundering or other types of illicit activity.

But proponents, notably Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., said those loopholes don’t exist in the bill.

“I think we all have concerns about the movement of Fentanyl and across the country, including any type of money laundering and illicit gains,” Cortez Masto said. “But let me just make something very clear. This legislation does not open a loophole. It is already illegal to commingle any of those drugs .... There are ways for law enforcement to follow that money to already hold them illegal. This legislation is very narrow when it comes to legitimate marijuana businesses, and there is oversight with respect to the Banking Act, the Bank Secrecy Act and law enforcement.”

The SAFER Banking Act intends to help ensure that financial institutions “have processes and procedures in place to identify fraudulent or illegal activity, whether activity occurs at a depository institution or through vendors or customers with which a depository institution has a relationship,” according to the bill.

The legislation also includes language to promote greater access to financial services for disadvantaged communities and business start-ups.

In a new subsection to Section 10 titled “Increasing Access to Deposit Accounts for Businesses and Consumers,” the legislation now would require regulators and banks to work with the U.S. secretaries of commerce and treasury (within two years of enactment) to ensure depository institutions serve rural areas and low- and moderate-income communities, as well as tribal communities. This subsection was not specific to cannabis businesses only.

Also incorporated into the bill, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. would be required to conduct a biennial survey on the efforts to provide greater access to deposit accounts for small and medium-sized businesses and on any barriers these businesses may encounter. Again, this subsection made no specific references to cannabis businesses in particular.

And although SAFER Banking represents key revisions to SAFE Banking, the underlying purpose remains: to allow state-licensed cannabis businesses to operate in the financial mainstream like any other business in the U.S.

But for many who oppose this reform, the conflict between federal and state laws pertaining to cannabis as a controlled substance begs the question: Should the federal government be legalizing cannabis money before broader cannabis legalization itself?

This debate lives another day in the U.S. Senate.

Colorado Cannabis Industry Continues to Face Uncertainty

Oversupply, lack of demand, competition with neighboring legal states, and black market sales, puts Colorado cannabis businesses in a bind.

A recent report from The Denver Post analyzes the fallout of the post-pandemic cannabis industry in Colorado. While once the state reached a peak of $226 million in combined recreational and medical cannabis sales, current sales have decreased and small businesses struggle to stay afloat.

“The market’s just bad. It’s bad right now,” cannabis salesperson Val Tonazzi told The Denver Post. “There’s businesses closing, left and right.”

In February, Colorado’s medical cannabis sales decreased to $15 million, the lowest collection since retail sales began in 2014. March brought a slight increase in medical cannabis sales, approximately $17 million, but was $5 million less than March 2022. Likewise, March recreational sales were recorded at $122 million this year, but it’s a $17 million decrease from last year’s numbers.

On May 9, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced a fact sheet detailing the “End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.” While the nation and many of its industries return to normal operations, cannabis business owners continue to see ripples of oversupply of cannabis products, lack of demand, pricing dropping to record lows, and lack of cannabis tourism.

Over the past few years, many states bordering Colorado have approved recreational cannabis. This includes Montana and Arizona in 2020, and New Mexico in 2021, creating competition for Colorado.

Vangst, a cannabis job company, recently released its 2023 Vangst Jobs Report. The report states that there was a 2% drop in cannabis jobs, and Colorado was ranked as the second highest state for cannabis job losses. It was also ranked number six on a list of top cannabis jobs with less positions than states like California, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, and Massachusetts.

It isn’t just small cannabis businesses falling under hard times. Bigger companies, like Curaleaf, are also pivoting as well. In January, Curaleaf closed down its offices in Colorado, California and Oregon, “as part of its continued effort to streamline its business.” According to Curaleaf CEO Matt Darin, this move was also made due to thriving black market competition. “We believe these states will represent opportunities in the future, but the current price compression caused by a lack of meaningful enforcement of the illicit market prevent us from generating an acceptable return on our investments,” Darin said in a press release.

The closure of cannabis businesses is affecting the real estate market as well. A National Association of Realtors report recently explained “a decline in commercial property purchases by marijuana industry-related businesses and a corresponding increase in leasing activity.”

The Denver Post spoke with local entrepreneur Renée Grossman, who founded five retail storefronts in Colorado since 2013, and also moved into cultivation and manufacturing as well. “There’s too many stores, there’s too much cultivation, there’s too many products,” Grossman explained to The Denver Post. “Right now, all the investors are sitting on the sidelines, and kind of waiting to time the bottom—and nobody knows exactly when that’s going to happen.”

Amidst the uncertainty of the situation, Grossman and many other business owners have had to lay off many of their staff to continue paying the bills. “Most companies I know are losing money, or they’ve shut down and scaled back,” said Grossman. “A lot of companies that are my size or smaller are really feeling the burn.” She also suggested that more mergers may take place in order to help bolster smaller businesses against larger companies.

Initially there was a drive for cannabis tourism to bring people to Colorado, but even as travel has become safer in the wake of COVID-19, the increase in states with recreational cannabis has caused a shift in interest. According to Native Roots Cannabis Company vice president of marketing, Buck Dutton, sales for 4/20 decreased from recent years: “…people don’t see the need to travel here to spend their 4/20 with us,” Dutton told The Denver Post. “The only expectation that it lived up to is that we thought it was going to be bad.”

Marijuana Industry Group executive director Truman Bradley likens Colorado’s current situation to “the ghost of Christmas future.” The excitement that drove sales for Colorado as the first state to legalize recreational cannabis has since slowed. Bradley stated that the only way Colorado can survive now is for the industry to “get leaner,” in terms of competition being thinned out. He also calls on state legislators to reevaluate legalization. “It’s critical that lawmakers understand that decade No. 2 of legalization needs to look fundamentally different from decade No. 1,” Bradley stated.

New York Governor Announces Start of Recreational Weed Sales

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul hailed the start of the state’s retail adult-use cannabis market on Wednesday, announcing the first retail recreational dispensary will open next week in Manhattan’s East Village.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday that regulated sales of recreational marijuana will begin in the state next week with the opening of a licensed retail shop in Manhattan. The dispensary, which will be operated by Housing Works, the nation’s largest minority-controlled HIV/AIDS service organization and largest community-based HIV/AIDS service organization, will begin serving customers at its East Village location in New York City on December 29.

“We set a course just nine months ago to start New York’s adult-use cannabis market off on the right foot by prioritizing equity, and now, we’re fulfilling that goal,” Hochul said in a statement from the governor’s office. “The industry will continue to grow from here, creating inclusive opportunity in every corner of New York State with revenues directed to our schools and revitalizing communities.”

The opening of the dispensary fulfills a pledge to launch retail sales of recreational marijuana in the state before the end of the year. The New York State legislature legalized adult-use cannabis last year with the passage of the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA), which was signed into law by former governor Andrew Cuomo on March 31, 2021. The launch of sales is also a milestone for Hochul’s Seeding Opportunity Initiative, which she announced in March to guide the rollout of New York’s regulated cannabis industry.

The initiative was designed to fulfill the goals of the MRTA “by building an adult-use cannabis industry that offsets the harms resulting from the disproportionate impact of cannabis prohibition.” Under the plan, 280 family farmers have been licensed to cultivate cannabis to provide safe, lab-tested products for New York’s regulated recreational marijuana economy. 

First Retail Licenses in New York Issued Last Month

The Seeding Opportunity Initiative also reserved the first 150 Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) licenses for individuals with past marijuana-related convictions and nonprofit groups serving those harmed by prohibition. The state’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) issued the initial 36 licenses to 28 individuals and 8 nonprofit groups last month.

To qualify for a CAURD license, nonprofits also need to have at least one justice-involved board member and create vocational opportunities for those with a conviction for a marijuana-related offense. Housing Works has served justice-involved New Yorkers since its inception in 1990 through direct services and advocacy initiatives. The group’s Justice Initiative tailors the non-profit’s services to meet the needs of formerly incarcerated individuals, including those with marijuana convictions.

“I’m excited that a non-profit like Housing Works, with its support for formerly incarcerated individuals, will lead the way with sales,” said Tremaine Wright, chairwoman of the New York Cannabis Control Board, the state’s cannabis regulatory body. “The start of sales through the Seeding Opportunity Initiative is just the beginning of the robust ecosystem we’re building – the equitable and inclusive market will grow from here with supports throughout to ensure licensees are able to overcome barriers and build this new industry.”

The Housing Works Cannabis Co. dispensary storefront is located at 750 Broadway in the Astor Place neighborhood of the East Village. Spanning 4,400 square feet, the iconic building known as 1 Astor Place was completed in 1883. The new business will welcome patrons with an introductory shopping experience when the dispensary opens next week, with plans to build out an expanded space as cannabis products become more available. All proceeds from dispensary sales will be directed to the parent organization Housing Works.

Brian Vicente, a founding partner of the cannabis and psychedelics law firm Vicente Sederberg LLP, lauded the progress being made on the rollout of adult-use cannabis in the Empire State. 

“New York continues to blaze a bold trail with its novel approach to adult use implementation,” Vicente wrote in an email to High Times. “Allowing Housing Works to make New York’s historic first legal cannabis sales is a stroke of genius, fulfilling the state’s goal of opening adult-use access before 2023 and honoring its commitment to promoting social equity businesses.”

Brittney Griner is Free, But Another American Remains Locked Up in Russia for Pot

Sixty-one-year-old Marc Fogel was arrested in Russia last year after authorities found medical cannabis in his possession.

Brittney Griner is back on American soil following ten months in Russian custody on drug charges. But other U.S. citizens remain locked up in Russia, including a 61-year-old man whose detention mirrors the experience of Griner. 

Politico published a story last week on Marc Fogel, who was arrested last year after Russian authorities found medical marijuana in his possession. 

“Fogel’s case bears a striking similarity to Griner’s, which has captured national headlines since the WNBA star was detained in Russia in February 2022. Like Griner, Fogel — a 61-year-old history teacher from Pennsylvania who lived in Russia while teaching at the Anglo-American School in Moscow — was taken into custody by Russian authorities in August 2021 after customs officials at a Russian airport discovered around half an ounce of medical marijuana stashed in his luggage,” Politico reported. 

“The drugs had been prescribed to him by doctors in the U.S. to help treat chronic pain stemming from a series of injuries and operations, but Fogel’s reasons didn’t matter. Ten months later, in June 2022, a Russian court convicted him of drug trafficking charges and sentenced him to 14 years in prison. In October, Fogel was transferred from a Moscow detention center to one of Russia’s notorious penal colonies, where he is slated to serve the remainder of his sentence,” the outlet continued. 

Griner, a perennial all-star for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and one of the most decorated women’s basketball players ever, was released last week after U.S. and Russian officials negotiated a prisoner swap. In exchange for the release of Griner, the U.S. agreed to free Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer who had been serving a 25-year prison sentence in the United States.

The deal drew some criticism from those who lamented the release of Bout, nicknamed the “Merchant of Death.” There was also disappointment that the U.S. was unable to also secure the release of Paul Whelan, a U.S. citizen who has been detained by Russia since 2018 on espionage charges.

U.S. officials sought a two-for-one deal –– Griner and Whelan in exchange for Bout –– but such an arrangement never materialized.

“We’ve not forgotten about Paul Whelan,” President Joe Biden said last week following Griner’s release. 

Griner was arrested at a Russian airport in February after officials found a small amount of cannabis oil in her luggage. She pleaded guilty to the charges, but said she did not intend to break the law. In August, a Russian court found her guilty and sentenced her to nine years in prison. 

Griner’s detention attracted international attention, and emerged as a diplomatic standoff between the United States and Russia. Foley’s case, meanwhile, has flown decidedly under the radar. 

“The State Department has not granted him “wrongfully detained” status, despite repeated appeals from a bipartisan group of lawmakers and Fogel’s lawyers. (A spokesperson for the State Department declined to comment on the specifics of Fogel’s case, saying: “The Department continuously reviews the circumstances surrounding the detentions of U.S. nationals overseas, including those in Russia, for indicators that they are wrongful.”) In the media, Fogel’s detention has been overshadowed by the coverage of Griner and Paul Whelan, an American businessman and former Marine who has been held in Russia since 2018 on espionage charges,” Politico reported last week.

“It’s a bit mysterious to me why we [aren’t] talking about three Americans — now, thankfully, two Americans — instead of just one,” said Michael McFaul, the former U.S. ambassador to Russia, told Politico. “He’s not just some random guy that got arrested — he was part of our community … He taught our kids, the kids of U.S. government officials and he taught our military’s kids.”

This Arizona Recreational Marijuana Dispensary Will Soon Be Open 24 Hours a Day

Arizona is about to get its first recreational marijuana dispensary that’ll be open 24 hours a day.

On Oct 13, Mint Cannabis will join a handful of dispensaries in the country that have the ability to offer 24-hour service to those 21 and older.

“The Mint is well known for innovation and pushing the envelope in the marijuana industry to enhance the customer and patient experience,” said Eivan Shahara, Co-Founder and CEO of Brightroot, Inc., parent company of Mint Cannabis. “Pursuing approvals for operational changes like this one brings the Mint closer to other essential service operators that provide care options, like pharmacies. It allows us to better serve our most in-need individuals during overnight hours, and customers who have different work shifts.”

Around-the-clock operations will officially launch on Thursday, Oct. 13, at the Mint’s Guadalupe dispensary on the southwest corner of S. Priest Drive and W. Baseline Road (5210 S. Priest Drive). The Mint will operate Thursday, Oct. 13 also happens to be National M&M Day, so the Mint’s cannabis chefs plan to celebrate all day long and into the weekend by selling infused M&M treats in the Mint Café, the cannabis kitchen located inside the Mint’s flagship recreational dispensary location. They plan to feature everything from cupcakes and cheesecakes to cookies and trail mixes that incorporate the popular chocolate candy.

24-hours a day at this location on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays as a starting point and may expand the extended hours to additional days of the week based on demand.

According to the Mint’s leadership team, when the sun goes down on Oct. 13, so will the prices. On the first day that the Mint will operate with extended hours, customers and patients will find a live deejay, a variety of “Midnight Madness” buy-one-get-one deals, and free prizes and giveaways all night long.

Everyone 21 and older who shops at this dispensary location on Oct. 13 will receive 25% off the purchases they make in the entire store. The first 100 people over the age of 21 who shop at this location after 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 13 will receive a medicated goodie bag with product and swag inside, and everyone 21 and older who visits the Guadalupe dispensary between midnight to 8 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 14 will receive a free pre-roll.

To ensure the utmost safety of its customers, patients and employees, the Mint already has a very well-lit parking lot at this dispensary location, along with hundreds of security cameras and a team of security guards who work around the clock, 24-7, to ensure safety.

These 6 States Will Vote on Marijuana Legalization In Nov

In November, six states will be voting on recreational marijuana legalization for adults 21 years and older. Currently, 19 states it total (and Washington, D.C.) have legalized cannabis use for adults. However, cannabis is still illegal on a federal level.

The six states are:

Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota!

Ballot initiatives are up for vote in all six of these states in this November’s midterm elections. If they all vote to legalize recreational cannabis, then half the nation will have legalized it at a state level.

Vote for our friend Doug Fine and his SXSW Talk, “How Your Family Can Mitigate Climate Every Day.”

http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/127256 

8 Best Marijuana Strains for Pain Relief

Pain, whether chronic, severe or intractable, is one of the most common health conditions for medical marijuana use in Arizona. Pain can be caused by arthritis, migraines, neuropathy, inflammation or other health ailments. Luckily, there are plenty of marijuana strains sold at Arizona marijuana dispensaries to help alleviate pain.

A common misconception is that only indica strains will combat pain, but this is not true. There are also sativa and hybrid strains that work very well to ease chronic pain – and we’ve included them in the list below.

These 8 marijuana strains can help reduce or eliminate pain:

Sour Diesel – A popular sativa that is the child of Chemdawg 91 and Super Skunk. It’s one that can be smelled from across the room and very sticky to touch. Its effects are long lasting and will also help those with high levels of stress and depression. It typically averages 19-25% THC.

Granddaddy Purple – Often abbreviated as GDP on dispensaries’ menus. It is known as the daytime indica as it helps melt pain away and increases productivity. GDP hails from Big Bud and Purple Urkle. Not only does it treat pain effectively, it can help increase appetite, control muscle spasms, reduce stress and stop insomnia.

OG Kush – A hybrid cross of Lemon Thai, Chemdawg and Hindu Kush. It’s a heavy hitter with long-lasting effects. OG Kush is a popular strain for fighting pain but is also helpful for those with depression, stress and insomnia. It typically tests over 20% THC and does include a small percentage of CBD.

Blue Dream – A very popular strain all around the world. It is a nicely blended hybrid hailing from Blueberry Indica and Sativa Haze. It’s not only popular for its potency, but also for its sweet aroma and flavor. For those with pain, this is a good anytime option as it allows you to maintain focused and clear-headed during the day. It is also a good option for those with high stress and depression.

Moose and Lobsta – A sativa-dominant hybrid that keeps you moving while eliminating pain. It has a unique aroma profile of diesel, skunk and tropical fruits. The effects come on strong and fast, starting in the head and permeating throughout the body. For those with pain, anxiety, depression and lack of energy, this is a strain to seek out.

Redwood Kush – This indica is ideal for those with significant muscle cramping or spasms. It’s a relaxing strain for evening and nighttime use. Redwood Kush has an herbal aroma and flavor profile. It produces larger amounts of THC. Microdosing is suggested as it has a tendency to induce couchlock and the inability to concentrate. It’ll also help you get a great night’s sleep.

Blueberry Headband – A hybrid produced by crossing Headband and Blueberry. It has a tendency to make you feel like you’re wearing an actual headband. For those with severe, debilitating migraines, this is a good choice. Some phenotypes can be indica-dominant, but most are more of a 50/50 split. It produces a lot of resin, so it should be sticky to the touch. The effects start cerebrally, but flow to the body aiding in relaxation, tension relief, pain relief and happiness.

Bubba Kush – An indica strain with an earthy flavor and aroma profile. If pain keeps you awake at night, this strain will not only knock out your pain but will help you fall asleep a little faster. It should be used just before bedtime. It’s also a great stress and depression reliever with typical THC concentrations in the mid-teens to lower-20s.

Contact your local Arizona dispensaries to ask if they carry any of these cannabis strains. 

The Endocannabinoid System

Understanding how cannabis works within the human body.

Excerpted from Weed: A Connoisseur’s Guide to Cannabis

Since it is a relatively recent scientific discovery, many traditional medical professionals are still unaware of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and its crucial role in establishing balance within our bodies. Present in all humans as well as animals, plants, and fungi (essentially anything that has a cellular structure with an envelope-enclosed nucleus), the endocannabinoid system is a full-body signaling network that includes receptor sites CB1 and CB2, configured to respond to cannabinoids. These receptors are in the brain, organs, connective tissues, bones, glands, and immune cells and the ultimate goal of their activation is so the body can achieve homeostasis—that is, maintain stability—to prevent disease. A properly balanced endocannabinoid system is incredibly vital to our health; its balance affects inflammation, pain, appetite and mood. In fact, fully understanding the endocannabinoid system could unlock the therapeutic potential to treat almost all diseases. Cannabinoids are present at our earliest stages of development: they play a part in fertility and are in breast milk, and they continue to take part in many essential roles of survival (regulating stress, anxiety and appetite and preserving neurons to slow the progression of disease) throughout the course of life. By communicating and coordinating between different cell types, the ECS regulates our physiology and moods.

“How well we can apply our understanding of the ECS will have a great impact on medicine and our health, as we continue to navigate an ever increasingly chaotic and stressful world,” says Jahan Marcu, editor and chief of The American Journal of Endocannabinoid Medicine. “Since the dawn of time, the ECS has helped humans adapt and overcome seemingly insurmountable odds, and the hope of the modern, scientific understanding of the ECS continues to sharpen our ability to adapt to stress while preserving our health. The more we understand the ECS, the more we increase our chances of flourishing and surviving.”

Cannabinoids function like neurotransmitters, they are involved in sending chemical messages between nerve cells, or neurons, throughout the brain, nervous and immune systems. Interacting with the body’s internal receptors are two types of cannabinoids: endocannabinoids, those produced internally, and phytocannabinoids, those found in the cannabis plant. Scientists also create synthetic cannabinoids in lab settings. 

History of Cannabinoid Science

While cannabis has been an aid to humanity since ancient times, the first insight into its chemical properties came in the 1930s, with the identification and isolation of cannabinol (CBN). Another cannabinoid, cannabidiol (CBD) was discovered and isolated in the 1940s and scientists edged closer to isolating the most well-known cannabinoid, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Enter Raphael Mechoulam, the father of cannabis research. In 1963 Mechoulam, a biochemist in Israel, discovered more about the structure of CBD. By 1964, he and his colleagues made a breakthrough by isolating and discovering the rock star of all cannabinoids, THC.

By the 1980s, a detailed picture of the pharmacology of plant cannabinoids was emerging, but exactly how they worked to produce their effects was still unknown. Scientists assumed the chemical properties of cannabis must be working with a receptor within our bodies, but it wasn’t until the late 1980s and early 1990s that they were able to uncover this receptor, CB1, followed by another, CB2. CB1 receptors are primarily found in brain and spinal cord nerve cells, while CB2 receptors are mainly in immune tissues. The discovery of the CB1 receptor, which interacts with THC’s psychoactive properties, was a significant breakthrough for cannabinoid science. 

“The cloning of the cannabinoid receptor was crucial,” cannabis author Martin Lee writes in an article for the medical marijuana-focused publication O’Shaughnessy’s. “It opened the door for scientists to sculpt molecules that ‘fit’ these receptors like keys in a slot. Some keys —’agonists’— turned the receptor on, others —’antagonists’— turned it off.”

“By tracing the metabolic pathways of THC, scientists stumbled upon a unique and hitherto unknown molecular signaling system that is involved in regulating a broad range of biological functions,” Lee explains.  

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an internal signaling system present in every animal except insects and has a long evolutionary history, which helps explain its importance. In 1992, Mechoulam joined colleagues in making another surprising finding, a cannabinoid generated within the human body, an endocannabinoid. Named anandamide after the Sanskrit word ananda, meaning “bliss,” this discovery was a revelation. It showed that internally-generated cannabinoids worked within a full-body system and helped uncover how cannabinoids from plants can also tap into these networks.

“I understand that there are more than a hundred plant cannabinoids,” Mechoulam tells me. “There are also a huge number of anandamide-like endogenous [internal] cannabinoids in the animal body.”

The Bliss Molecule

Anandamide was an amazing breakthrough because it shows how our bodies regulate our ECS internally: Whether or not we are also supplementing it with cannabis, the ECS plays an active role in our health. When anandamide interacts with the cannabinoid receptors within our body, it creates a sensation of bliss. The body produces anandamide when we exercise and it’s responsible for the “runner’s high” that’s both exhilarating and euphoric. The euphoria associated with exercise shows that our endocannabinoid system interacts with the elements in the cannabis plant, but can also be boosted by other activities and plants. Exercise and massage and eating leafy greens loaded with caryophyllene and foods high in omega-3s also activate the ECS. After the discovery of anandamide, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), a second endogenous cannabinoid, was uncovered. The full functioning of 2-AG is still unknown, but it plays a part in regulating the circulatory system. 

The Entourage Effect

The entourage effect is the idea that cannabinoids and terpenes work best in synergy with each other. This widely recognized theory suggests that the properties present in cannabis work together to create effects and explain why cannabinoids in isolation, such as Marinol, a synthetic form of THC, don’t work as well as medications that incorporate other chemical elements of the plant.

Turning this theory into a marketing tactic, many cannabis oils and tinctures advertise “full-spectrum” extract offerings, meaning that the product includes a range of cannabinoids and terpenes. The idea is that these products maintain the full profile of the plant and are therefore more beneficial.

Creating New Cannabinoids

Within the cannabis plant, cannabinoids concentrate in the resinous, tiny microscopic mushroom-looking heads (trichomes) found on the flowers and leaves. In 2019, researchers at UC Berkeley announced they had successfully produced cannabinoids on yeast, eliminating the need to work with the plant altogether. By engineering the yeast to transform fatty acids into cannabinoids, researchers said that they could create new types that did not previously exist. The idea behind creating cannabinoids through the fermentation process centered around enabling manufacturers to produce cannabinoids more cheaply, efficiently and reliably than plant-based cultivation.

Clinical Cannabinoid Deficiency

The concept of a critical cannabinoid deficiency was introduced in the early 2000s and hypothesizes that a lack of cannabinoids is the trigger for conditions like migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia and clinical depression. These common conditions lack objective signs and often overlap. The idea behind clinical cannabinoid deficiency suggests that the body is not producing enough cannabinoids to keep systems in their natural balance, and therefore cannabinoids should be supplemented to maintain homeostasis.

Endocannabinology

The discovery of the endocannabinoid system was a total game-changer and spurred the creation of organizations devoted to spreading the word about the nascent field of endocannabinology. An activist group called the Alliance for Cannabis Therapeutics (founded in 1981) was already studying the medicinal effects of cannabis; a new organization called Patients out of Time evolved from that group and started holding regular conferences in 1995. Alongside that organization was another more exclusive group made up of the world’s most well-respected cannabinoid researchers, the International Cannabinoid Research Society. Incorporated in 1992, it is a consortium of about 650 botanists and scientists who study the ECS. The group’s mission is to promote the exchange of scientific research surrounding cannabinoids and serve as a source of information regarding the chemistry, pharmacology, and therapeutic uses of cannabis. The organization hosts annual symposiums at locations worldwide and releases an official journal that publishes a broad range of human and animal studies.

Medical professionals are also coming around to cannabis therapeutics. A small group of dedicated nurses founded the American Cannabis Nursing Association (ACNA) in 2006 to represent the emerging field of endocannabinoid therapeutics to professional nurses, thus providing them with the tools to understand and advocate for patient needs when it comes to the proper functioning of the ECS. Nurses trained by the ACNA learn about things such as appropriate dosing and cannabinoid interaction with other drugs.

Mac ‘n’ Weed? Celeb Chef Touts New Line of Cannabis-Infused Foods

Chef Todd English says he was inspired after preparing infused meals for family members being treated for cancer.

The world of cannabis-infused dining keeps getting more delicious, thanks in part to contributions from world-renowned chef Todd English.

English is the master chef behind LastLeaf, a new brand of food designed to satisfy your appetite and get you high.

LastLeaf’s first two products center on an American staple: macaroni and cheese.

There’s two flavors of the mac: pasta shells with white cheddar and classic elbow macaroni with cheddar, both of which come infused with ten milligrams of THC isolate.

English told ABC News in a recent interview that the products have been “getting a great response.”

For English, preparing meals with cannabis is personal.

“I saw my sister and a number of my relatives go through horrible cancer,” English told ABC News. “My sister passed away, unfortunately, but during the time she was in remission, I would prepare things with cannabis and it seemed to really help her get through the struggles of how she felt after chemo.”

Cannabis-infused food has exploded in popularity in the last decade, with more than a dozen states and multiple cities throughout the U.S. legalizing cannabis use for adults.

For now, LastLeaf’s mac and cheese products are only available in California, where adult-use cannabis has been legal since 2016, but ABC News reported that English “hopes to expand the line to more cities that have legalized marijuana for recreational use” later this year.

“Consumers are ready for it, but it’s going to take a little bit of time to get embedded into the marketplace,” LastLeaf founder and CEO Keith Burkard told ABC News.

“The cannabis industry started out with a lot of secondary food groups like drinks, chips, snacks, chocolates, candies,” Burkhard added. “We’re introducing primary food group edibles.”

LastLeaf says it’s taking a different approach to cannabis-infused food, with its emphasis on “savory flavors and micro-dosing.” 

“We work with top-rated, creative chefs to provide culinary products for the American at-home chef,” the company says on its website. “Cooking, just like cannabis, can be adventurous and fun, but we deeply believe in the healing powers of food and the cannabis plant, individually and together. Now we get to share the best of both worlds with you.”

It’s in California where another famed chef plies his trade with cannabis-infused meals.

In late February, Chris Sayegh opened The Herbal Chef in Santa Monica, California.

“Cannabis deserves to be recognized as the superfood it is and plated with other foods,” Sayegh told High Times in an interview earlier this year. “It’s way past time for diners to be enlightened to this point. In my mind, cannabis is just another food at the table with the added bonus of inducing happiness. My team and I witness this every time we feed our guests. It’s not rocket science, it’s the science of foods that uplift and heal.”

That line of work is nothing new for Sayegh, who is also the brains behind Nostalgia Bar & Lounge in Santa Monica.

The bar offers customers a chance to catch a buzz in a cozy, intimate space.

Its website bills the experience thusly: “Creature comforts from back in the day are reimagined utilizing Sayegh’s technical culinary background, paired with expertise from THC’s team- Chef and Partner Jared Ventura, Services Director Jack Goldberg, and Beverage Director Bradley Fry, to create playful New American bites and a quality bar program at Nostalgia. Guest can sip inventive CBD- and terpene-infused cocktails that draw inspiration from nostalgic delights like Otter-Pops, Orange Julius, and Capri Suns, play old-school board games like Operation and Battleship in the lounge, or kick back on the numerous picnic tables situated on the expansive outdoor patio.”

Terpenes are Aroma Therapy

Excerpted from Weed: A Connoisseur’s Guide to Cannabis

Fog rolls over the hillsides on an early morning hike. As sunbeams break through the mist, they activate the aromas of the chaparral: the nuanced and layered sweetness of a bay laurel, with its touches of eucalyptus, pine and bergamot; the small bright yellow florets of fennel that form a bouquet bearing a burst of licorice and sweet anise.

The aromatic elements of the natural world, the same ones that are steam-distilled to create essential oils found in food and fragrances, play a vital role in mental and physical well-being. The essences pulled from plants are called both terpenes and terpenoids. The terms are used interchangeably, but they are different in chemical structure. Terpenes are simple hydrocarbons, an organic chemical compound composed exclusively of hydrogen and carbon atoms. Terpenoids are also essentially terpenes, but with additional chemical constituents, most often oxygen, as a result of enzyme-driven reactions within the plant.

“Think of it like terpenoids equal terpenes plus chemically modified terpenes,” cannabis researcher Ryan Lee explains. “Like if someone did a renovation to a house and added a different back porch.”

Terpenoids and terpenes are the aromatic elements that give cannabis its deep depth of incredible fragrances and tastes. As the science behind how cannabis works continues to advance, studies show that not only do they make cannabis smell amazing, but they also play an essential role in understanding exactly how this plant shapes our moods.

Courtesy of The Quarto Group

“Terpenoids modify the cannabis experience in a variety of ways, and can make it more or less sedating, extend therapeutic benefits, and potentially make cannabis safer and better overall,” explains Ethan Russo, one of the world’s most prominent and well-respected cannabis researchers.

Terpenes are found along with cannabinoids in the resin glands of cannabis and many other plants. There are more than 20,000 terpenes identified in nature; about 200 are in cannabis. The genetic diversity of cannabis is vast, each kind contains several different terpenes. That means understanding the scent of cannabis is more akin to a symphony rather than a single note. Layers and nuances of smell ensure that it’s complicated to say a bud smells like only one particular thing.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary cannabinoid that gives cannabis its psychoactive effects, has been the main focus of cannabis research since Raphael Mechoulam synthesized and isolated it in 1964. But cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) are now gaining increasing attention. Many still may have the misconception that the medicinal effects of cannabis are only about the pharmacology of cannabinoids; they are neglecting about 500 other properties that make up the plant, Russo says. As he explains in his cornerstone cannabis study, Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects, the harmony created by how cannabinoids and other properties of the plant such as terpenes work together (something understood in academic cannabis circles as the entourage effect) has significant ramifications in cannabis therapeutics. The idea is that the magic of how cannabis works is in the sum of its parts, rather than by elements in isolation.

“One molecule is unlikely to match the therapeutic and even industrial potential of cannabis itself as a phytochemical factory,” Russo writes in an academic paper making a case for the entourage effect.  

Russo is a board-certified neurologist, pharmacology researcher and former senior advisor to GW Pharmaceuticals. This U.K.-based company made history in 2018 when the FDA approved a drug that contained cannabinoids, Epidiolex. His current company, CReDO Science, is working to patent products generated from his investigations of the cannabis plant. It’s also capitalizing on his understanding of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), the signaling network responsible for regulating many processes in the body that interacts with terpenes as well as cannabinoids produced internally, endocannabinoids, and cannabinoids derived from plants, phytocannabinoids. Understanding the complexities of cannabis can be approached in the same way as traditional Chinese medicine, he says. 

“Traditional Chinese medicine usually combines a variety of ingredients simultaneously. Some may add to the therapeutic effect, while others are included to mitigate adverse events from the primary agents. Both of these activities are synergistic and produce a better clinical response.”

Russo explains that cannabis, with its various cannabinoids and terpenes, is akin to traditional Chinese medicine in that it’s a single preparation that combines a variety of ingredients.

Courtesy of The Quarto Group

Developing Terpenes

The same chemical components that have protective functioning and beneficial elements in plants can positively contribute to the defense and regulation of systems within our bodies, just like they do for the plant itself. This concept that what benefits the plant that also benefits us also occurs with antioxidants, which plants create to prevent disease; they have a similar function in humans, explaining why a diet high in plants is beneficial for our health. In the same way as antioxidants, terpenes develop in plants to prevent disease for the plant, but they also can help our bodies avoid illness.

As cannabis horticulture expert Ed Rosenthal explains, plants produce terpenes for one of three reasons: to attract pollinators, to repel or kill herbivores, or to attract the predators of herbivores. The odor molecules are costly for the plant to produce and increase when the plant is in flower because it’s invested in its reproduction. Cannabis is wind-pollinated, which means it doesn’t need to attract pollinators. Hence, the benefits of terpenes in cannabis are to keep pests away and attract beneficial insects, which attack the other insects that can damage a crop. 

All About the Aromas

Terpenes unleash concentrated odors that can affect our moods. One of the easiest ways to understand this phenomenon is through citrus, which is a popular aromatic in cleaning products because it acts as both a disinfectant and a deodorizer. Physiologically the smell of citrus denotes cleanliness and has a mood-elevating and immune-stimulating effect. The terpene present in citrus fruits is limonene; it’s also in cannabis cultivars like Do-Si-Dos and MAC (Miracle Alien Cookies). While cultivars named after citrus fruits such as Super Lemon Haze and Lemon G contain some limonene, it’s not the dominant terpene. Super Lemon Haze contains more terpinolene than limonene and Lemon G contains more caryophyllene than limonene. This shows how minor and major terpenes work together to give cannabis its varied effects of scents and tastes. Limes, grapefruits, lemons and oranges are all citrus, but also have other components that give them their distinct individual aromas and flavors.

Courtesy of The Quarto Group

Russo further explains the concept of terpenes through the Japanese therapeutic practice of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing. In this form of ecotherapy, participants are invited to take in nature’s sensory elements, savoring the sights, smells, and sounds to unplug and release stress. Pinene is in pine needles, tea tree and rosemary, and cannabis cultivars like Dutch Treat and Jack Herer. It’s the terpene that is most prevalent in nature in both coniferous trees and other plants, and studies have shown it can enhance memory and cognition. Within his academic research paper examining the synergistic components of cannabis, Russo addresses how pinene’s ability to aid memory “could counteract short-term memory deficits induced by THC intoxication.”

Myrcene is the most common terpene in cannabis and has a synergistic effect with THC that enhances its sedative properties. Cultivars that are heavy in myrcene (OG Kush, Granddaddy Purple) are helpful for sleep and are known to produce “couch lock,” which is an effect precisely as it sounds, of being locked to the couch unable to move. Myrcene is also in lemongrass, thyme and mangoes. 

Russo argues that thinking about cannabis beyond THC-heavy strains high in myrcene uncovers more of the plant’s subtle beneficial properties.

“Beyond the common form of cannabis that pervades the markets with its high THC and high myrcene, productive of a soporific ‘couch-lock’ experience, other terpenoids, when present in appropriate concentrations, may alter the experience positively to increase the therapeutic index of cannabis by reducing its side effect profile,” Russo says. “Thus, pinene can reduce or eliminate short-term memory impairment engendered by THC, limonene can elevate mood with an antidepressant effect, linalool will allay anxiety, and caryophyllene boosts analgesic and anti-inflammatory benefits while simultaneously reducing craving that is associated with withdrawal symptoms from opioids and other drugs producing dependency.”

Common Terpenes 

Myrcene

Also found in mangoes, hops and lemongrass, myrcene contributes musky, clove-like earthy notes. This terpene works in synergy with THC in amplifying its psychoactive effects. Myrcene is a powerful anti-inflammatory and has shown the ability to improve conditions such as osteoarthritis. 

Limonene

Also within citrus rinds and juniper, limonene contributes sweet fruit scents. Studies show that limonene has antimicrobial and antifungal effects. It is being studied for its ability to inhibit tumor growth and may play a role in treating cancer. 

Caryophyllene

An element of black pepper, caryophyllene has a spicy scent and activates cannabinoid receptors within peripheral tissues, the parts of the body that act as a response to a change in the environment such as skin. It shows promise in treating inflammation, pain, the buildup of cholesterol on artery walls (atherosclerosis), osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.

Pinene

The most common terpene in nature, pinene, is associated with the scent of pine trees and is also found in tea trees and rosemary. It has shown to be useful for retaining and restoring memory. Researchers are looking at pinene in regards to treating conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Linalool

Also found in lavender, linalool can produce sedative calming effects and reduce agitation. That means this terpene could have applications in treating conditions such as PTSD. It is also showing promise for its ability to counteract epileptic seizures.

Humulene

In hops, basil, coriander, cloves, ginseng and ginger, humulene has woodsy, earthy flavors and possesses formidable anti-inflammatory properties. It’s best known as the quintessential hoppy flavor in beer.  

Terpinolene

Terpinolene is a terpene in apples and lilacs. Its smells pull from all over the spectrum with a bit of woodsy earth combined with citrusy pine notes. Interest in treatments with this cannabinoid includes coronary heart disease as well as its antifungal properties.

Ocimene

Ocimine is in plants and fruits that have woodsy, sweet undertones. In cannabis ocimene-dominant cultivars are rare. This terpene has flavors of guavas, mangoes, papayas and pine. It’s also in herbs like mint, parsley and basil.

Arizona College Expands Cannabis Business Program

A new certificate program in Cannabis Business Fundamentals is now open for enrollment at Scottsdale Community College.

The Cannabis Business Fundamentals certificate, which is open to Arizona residents, includes four classes:

– Introduction to Cannabis

– Social Equity and Current Events

– Supply Chain Management in the Marijuana Industry

– Legal and Regulatory Environment

The new certificate complements the non-credit cannabis class currently offered nationwide at SCC. Both programs offer eight-week, online options that allow students to work on their own time.

“Cannabis sales are expected to top $33 billion dollars in 2022. We are pleased to provide workforce training and education to those interested in this industry,” said Dr. Bobra Crockett, SCC’s Cannabis Program Lead.

The program will cover topics including industry history, social equity and trends, product descriptions, career opportunities, economics, marketing, supply chain management, dispensary business planning, funding resources, regulatory environments, and retailing.

Registration for the Fall 2022 semester is now open. For more information on both the non-credit and for-credit certificates, please send inquiries to 420business@scottsdalecc.edu.

Scottsdale Community College is one of the 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District, one of the largest community college districts in the nation. SCC offers academic courses leading to associate degrees, university transfer, certificates and short-term job training.

Timeline: The History of 4/20

420 is not so much a time or place as it is a state of mind. A stoned state of mind, to be specific. In the past, High Times has reported on various competing theories surrounding the appearance of this unique bit of smoker slang, but as the following timeline clearly shows, the controversy has been resolved. The original story of 420 begins with five fellow students — all of whom assumed the nom de pot Waldo — who met after school at the appointed hour to smoke some of California’s finest, and occasionally searched for a hidden pot field they’d heard about in the hills outside town.

1971

Five San Rafael High School students christen the term “4:20,” meeting daily at that hour to share a smoke under the school’s statue of Louis Pasteur. The original password: “420 Louis.”

1972

Carmen Electra is born on 4/20 in Cincinnati.

1973-1989

420 languishes in obscurity, passed along from stoner to stoner as a completely underground “grassroots” phenomenon.

1990

A mysterious flyer promoting 420 circulates at Grateful Dead shows, especially in Northern California. A copy of the flyer finds its way from a show in Oakland to High Times‘ offices in New York. San Rafael was the home of Grateful Dead Productions, supporting a link back to the original Waldos, who are not mentioned in the flyer.

1991

High Times publishes the text of the mysterious flyer, which claims that 420 started in San Rafael, CA, “as a police code for marijuana smoking in progress.” It also promotes “the grandmaster of all holidays: 4/20, or April 20th.”

1994

Clocks in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction are set at 4:20.

1995

The Cannabis Action Network stages its first annual 4/20 Ball in San Francisco at Maritime Hall. The event begins and ends at 4:20.

1997

High Times launches 420.com, taking 420 into the digital world.

1998

High Times debunks the “marijuana smoking in progress” theory and declares the Waldos the true originators of 420 after the group produces letters and posters to prove this claim.

1999

Columbine: The worst thing to happen on 4/20 since Hitler was born 90 years earlier.

2002

The original Waldos reunite at the High Times Doobie Awards in New York City to present a lifetime achievement award to their favorite band, the New Riders of the Purple Sage, who reunite for one night only and perform their classic marijuana anthem “Panama Red.”

2003

Carmen Electra marries Jane’s Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro.

2004

Clocks in Sophia Coppola’s Lost in Translation are set at 4:20. Coppola and Tarantino become an item.

2005

High Times suggests moving 4:20 to 5:20: “When you’re working a 9-to-5 job, sometimes it’s worth waiting the extra hour.”

2010

Deepwater Horizon oil spill: Recognized as the worst oil spill in U.S. history, leaving 11 people dead and 17 injured.

2016

Canada’s health minister reiterates the government’s pledge to legalize weed by announcing a timeline for nationwide legalization while speaking at the United Nations Special Assembly on Drugs.

50+ YEARS OF 420 TRADITIONS!!!

Majority of Americans Want Congress to Act on Cannabis Banking

According to data collected in a national survey, released March 8, conducted by Morning Consult, and on behalf of the American Bankers Association, the majority of Americans want Congress to get the ball rolling with cannabis banking reform. 

Lack of banking access forces cannabis businesses to deal in cash—which has proven to be exceedingly reckless. A dangerous pattern of robberies formed in certain states related to cannabis, money, and how the two intersect. 

The survey data suggests that the majority of Americans are satisfied with their bank account, but the survey also questioned participants about their views on allowing cannabis businesses to have access to banking institutions and whether that should be allowed. 

The survey examined consumer views on cannabis banking. A strong majority of American adults—65 percent—support allowing cannabis businesses to access banking services such as checking accounts and business loans in states where cannabis is legal, while only 15 percent oppose. Furthermore, 68 percent of Americans said that Congress should pass legislation so that cannabis businesses can “access banking services and products in states” where it is legal.

Seven in 10 support Congress passing legislation that allows cannabis businesses to access banking services such as checking accounts and business loans, at least in states where cannabis is legal. In many of those states, the businesses still deal in cash. 

“Consumers clearly agree that now is the time to resolve the ongoing conflict between state and federal law so banks can serve legal cannabis and cannabis-related businesses,” said Rob Nichols, ABA president and CEO. “Doing so will help banks meet the needs of their communities while enhancing public safety, increasing the efficiency of tax collections and improving the financial transparency of the cannabis industry.”

Leaders from NORML applauded the new batch of data, particularly for the survey’s inclusion of people’s views on cannabis businesses.

“Americans understand that no industry can operate safely, transparently or effectively without access to banks or other financial institutions and it is self-evident that this industry, and those consumers that are served by it, remain severely hampered without this access,” NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano said, commenting on the polling data. “It is also clear that the status quo is actively hurting small businesses and creating unnecessary barriers to entry for entrepreneurs from those communities that have been disproportionately impacted by decades of cannabis prohibition. In order to truly bring the marijuana industry out of the shadows, actions need to be taken by Congress to repeal these outdated and discriminatory practices.”

According to recent data from the U.S. Treasury Department, only about 11 percent of all U.S. banks and about four percent of all U.S. credit unions are providing banking services to cannabis-related businesses.

In early February, the House of Representatives passed the SAFE Banking Act as part of a separate bill—marking the sixth time the lower chamber of Congress has passed the legislation to grant cannabis businesses access to banking and other financial services.

Members of the House adopted provisions of the banking bill as an amendment to legislation drafted to support U.S. manufacturing and improve competitiveness with China known as the America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing, Pre-Eminence in Technology and Economic Strength Act of 2022 (America COMPETES Act of 2022).

NORML cited survey data compiled earlier this year by Whitney Economics. That survey reported that over 70 percent of cannabis businesses say that the lack of access to banking services or investment capital is their top challenge. While 42 percent of respondents cited state regulations as the most significant burden facing the industry, only 39 percent cited the influence of the black market.

Using CBD-Rich Marijuana Has ‘No Significant Impact’ On Driving Ability

A new study found “no significant impact” on driving ability after smoking CBD-rich marijuana and no effects on vital signs, even as all the study participants exceeded the legal limit for THC in their blood.

For the pilot study conducted in Switzerland, 33 participants were each given a joint containing 500 mg of tobacco and either 500 mg of CBD-rich marijuana (16.6 percent total CBD; 0.9 percent total THC) or 500 mg of a placebo containing a product called Knaster Hemp, a nicotine-free and cannabinoid-free herbal mixture with a hemp aroma. Researchers then used multiple common DUI tests.

As the Swiss market for CBD products has exploded in recent years, the authors wished to investigate the efficacy of CBD-rich tobacco smoking cessation products and their impact on driving safety.

According to the researchers, the “purpose of the current study was to inform recommendations for warnings on tobacco substitute products containing CBD-rich marijuana and to provide information for drivers regarding the possible risks of consuming CBD-rich marijuana. To the best of our knowledge, the current study is one of the first to investigate the potential impact of smoking CBD-rich marijuana for road safety.”

The results revealed no significant differences between the effects of smoking CBD-rich marijuana and placebo on reaction time, motor time, behavior under stress or concentration performance.

Employers across the U.S. are abandoning marijuana drug testing requirements as a way to attract new hires and to retain current employees, according to survey data compiled by the Manpower Group

Over 45,000 employers in North America and Europe were polled. 9% of respondents acknowledged that they had “eliminated job screenings or drug tests” as a way to either attract or keep their employees, NORML reported. 69% of respondents acknowledged experiencing “difficulty” in filling staffing positions in the current job market, a 15-year high.

In June, representatives of the Amazon corporation announced that the company would no longer engage in pre-employment marijuana screenings for its new hires, except for those in federally regulated positions (that mandate drug testing).

The company further announced in September that it had “reinstated eligibility for former employees and applicants who were previously terminated or deferred during random or pre-employment marijuana screenings.” The Amazon corporation is the second-largest employer in the United States.

In recent months, lawmakers in several states – Nevada, New Jersey, New York, and Montana – have enacted policies limiting employers’ ability to pre-screen applicants for past marijuana use, as have councilmembers in a growing number of municipalities, including Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. New York’s policy further limits employers’ ability to sanction current employees for their off-hours marijuana use absent evidence of “articulable symptoms of cannabis impairment.”

Urinalysis detects the presence of inactive marijuana byproducts that may be present for as many as 100 days post-abstinence.

As per the United States Department of Justice, the detection of these products “only indicates that a particular substance is present in the test subject’s body tissue. It does not indicate abuse or addiction; recency, frequency, or amount of use; or impairment.”

Policy toolkit outlines role for hemp in fighting malnutrition, climate change

Humanitarian aid policies and programs should rely on locally made hemp seed products in the fight against malnutrition, and cannabis farming should be promoted as a potentially significant contributor in the fight against climate change, according to a policy paper from leading independent cannabis researcher Kenzi Riboulet-Zemouli.

Those are two of the key recommendations in the Sustainable Cannabis Policy Toolkit, which maps out recommendations in the context of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

‘Essential ally’

Kenzi Riboulet-Zemouli

“All things considered, with partnership and mutual understanding, Cannabis and its policies are an essential ally to tackle the issues of our time and build policies on all continents that are worth the collective intelligence of our century,” the paper concludes.

The history of human food consumption and contemporary research show cannabis-derived products to be a valuable food resource, the document notes, emphasizing the need to preserve and promote indiginous hemp varieties and the traditions associated with growing them.

“Local hemp seed production . . . can help secure continued, cheap, equilibrated and essential food supply in impoverished areas,” the toolkit suggests, noting that laws restricting hemp to a limited number of registered varieties can negatively affect efforts to preserve genetic resources and inhibit research & development.

Local genetics

Cannabis genetics developed, bred and conserved over generations by local communities can be important assets in advancing global food security amid growing population and threats to the environment, Riboulet-Zemouli says in the toolkit, which urges that local communities’ rights and ownership over their traditional food products and related genetics should be assured.

Cannabis can also play a significant role in reversing climate change due to its outsize ability to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, the toolkit notes, and hemp-based raw materials are already proven as environmentally friendly, high-performance replacements for synthetic or petroleum-based plastics and other composites.

“Such material is key to building resilient and environment-friendly infrastructures and industries,” according to the document, which also underscores the economic development and environmental advantages inherent in hempcrete construction, which can foster sustainable localized supply chains and markets, Riboulet-Zemouli writes.

Meeting SDGs

Overall, the analysis found that hemp and its related policies can play a part in meeting at least 64 of the 169 specific goals included in the UN’s broader list of 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

This Sustainable Cannabis Policy Toolkit summarizes findings in previous papers on cannabis and sustainable development presented at (UN conferences) in 2018 and 2019. The 102-page document offers extensive analysis and policy recommendations for all forms of Cannabis, calling for a final rejection of the “war on drugs” and recognition of a “shared, broad, and multi-stakeholder consensus that the world needs to rethink Cannabis policies.”

The toolkit is dedicated to the late South African cannabis activist Julian (Jules) Stobbs.

A long-time cannabis activist and policy analyst, Riboulet-Zemouli founded and manages CND Monitor, which tracks cannabis policy worldwide.

Don’t Wait for Black Friday—It’s Green Wednesday

Green Wednesday is set to be a big thing this year, as folks are preparing for the long holiday weekend this Thanksgiving.

Turkey. Stuffing. Cranberry sauce. And a nice platter of pre-rolls? 

It would appear that Thanksgiving will be quite green this year for many Americans celebrating the holiday, according to new survey data released Tuesday.

The study comes courtesy of Ayr Wellness, a self-described “expanding vertically integrated, U.S. multi-state cannabis operator focused on delivering the highest quality cannabis products and customer experience throughout its footprint.”

The findings suggest that more than a few people in the United States will sneak in a toke or two before pumpkin pie is served. Or, as a press release accompanying the survey put it: “Cannabis has finally earned a seat at the table in America.”

According to the data, “37 percent of cannabis consumers plan to serve THC-infused products with their Thanksgiving meal,” while “77 percent of cannabis consumers intend to consume cannabis with family or friends during the holidays.” And it suggests that “American cannabis consumers have become increasingly open about their cannabis habits, with 40 percent planning on consuming openly with family and friends this season.”

“One thing is clear: this Thanksgiving, cannabis is a family affair,” the press release said.

Just as a wave of cannabis legalization has swept over the country in the last 10 years, normalizing something that had long been taboo and scandalized, the findings of the Thanksgiving survey “suggest that cannabis is more mainstream than ever this year and a useful resource for managing family dynamics during the holidays.”

“Over the past decade, cannabis has become increasingly ingrained into the fabric of American culture and tradition, with cannabis sales on Green Wednesday reaching new heights every year,” Jonathan Sandelman, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Ayr Wellness, said in the release. “At Ayr Wellness, we’re passionate about enriching lives through this powerful plant by meeting consumers wherever they are in their cannabis journey, from novice to expert. From flower to beverages, and from extracts to edibles, our new portfolio of power brands offers something for everyone.”

The survey also suggests that “Green Wednesday,” the day on which potheads nationwide stock up on weed in advance of the long holiday weekend, is quickly joining the ranks of Black Friday and Cyber Monday as Thanksgiving-adjacent, consumer-powered events on the calendar.

The press release described Green Wednesday as “the industry’s second-biggest sales day in 2020, aptly dubbed the ‘Black Friday’ of cannabis.” Citing data “from Akerna and Headset published in Green Market Report,” Ayr Wellness said that “Green Wednesday cannabis sales beat Black Friday sales for the first time” last year, “with upward trends expected to continue this year.”

According to the new survey, “One in two Green Wednesday shoppers (49 percent) will purchase cannabis as gifts for friends and family,” while “71 percent of Green Wednesday shoppers expect to spend $50 – $100 or more at the dispensary.”

The survey went on to say that “60 percent of cannabis consumers intend to visit a dispensary on Green Wednesday.”

And just what will those customers be buying to pair with football and the feast? Twenty-nine percent said they would buy good old flower; 19 percent are in the mood for edibles or beverages; 11 percent said they would snag some concentrates and extracts; 10 percent are opting for cartridges; nine percent want the pre-rolled joints; five percent dig topicals and four percent say the holiday calls out for infused flower. 

The findings “are part of a national study conducted by real-time consumer intelligence platform Suzy in partnership with Ayr Wellness,” according to the press release. “

“The nationally-representative study, conducted in November 2021, surveyed over 1,300 Americans on their cannabis consumption habits, beliefs and purchasing patterns tied to the holidays and Green Wednesday,” the release said.

Poll: 66% of U.S. Adults Favor Legalizing Marijuana

66% of American adults favor marijuana legalization, according to nationwide polling data compiled by Harris Research.

The poll respondents that endorse legalizing cannabis for adults show support being strongest among millennials (79%) and members of Generation X (76%). By contrast, just under 50% of Baby Boomers backed adult-use legalization, NORML reported.

The results are consistent with those of other recent national polls, including those by Gallup, Morning Consult, and Quinnipiac University, showing that a supermajority of US adults believe that marijuana ought to be legalized for adult use.

When asked whether cannabis should be legal for medical purposes, 84% of respondents answered affirmatively – a percentage that is also consistent with prior polling.

Arizona voters legalized recreational marijuana via Prop 207 on Nov 3, 2020. The new law allows adults 21 and older to buy, possess and use marijuana. Dispensaries with a recreational license can sell marijuana to adults.

Cherokee Group Officially Legalizes Cannabis

Cherokee native people just made history, as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has legalized cannabis. 

For the first time in North Carolina history, medical marijuana is legal. It’s legal in Cherokee land, to be exact. Cultivating, selling and consuming medical marijuana has been approved by The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. 

The Tribal Council, unlike lawmakers in North Carolina, recognizes the medicinal benefits. Principal Chief Richard Sneed, who was first elected as vice chairman of the The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in 2015, cites medical marijuana as vital for treating cancer and chronic pain. 

“The Council’s approval of a medical marijuana ordinance is a testament to the changing attitudes toward legal marijuana and a recognition of the growing body of evidence that supports cannabis as medicine, particularly for those with debilitating conditions like cancer and chronic pain,” Principal Chief Richard Sneed said. 

The sovereign nation is located in Western North Carolina. It’s known as Qualla Boundary, where the tribe has its own elections, body of government and laws. “I applaud the Council for their thoughtful consideration, exhaustive research and consultation with experts to develop a system that balances compassionate care for patients with preserving safety and security in our community,” Sneed added. “Passing this ordinance is just the first step, but we are excited to begin building this program. I know that I reflect the sentiments of many patients in expressing my pride and gratitude for the leadership demonstrated by our Council on this issue.”

Medically-qualified patients over the age of 21 can soon apply and receive a medical marijuana card. One ounce and 2,500mg of THC per day is the legal limit and, in a month, the limit cannot surpass six ounces and 10,000mg of THC. 

With the EBCI Cannabis Control Board, the tribe will license the cultivation and processing, as well as dispensary and laboratory locations. There are five members of the board, which is composed of experts in healthcare, law enforcement, the cannabis industry, business and management. The Board will issue regulations and provide licenses to workers.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ decision came shortly after Sneed, along with EBCI government affairs liaison Jeremy Wilson, and Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources Joey Owle, submitted Ord. No. 380. It was passed 11-1 and altered Cherokee Code Sec. 14-95.5 (possession of a controlled substance). Under the order, being charged with a Class C penalty went from possessing half an ounce of cannabis to one ounce. Previously, only one-20th of an ounce to three-20ths of an ounce was legal to carry. 

In May, Sneed called Ord. No. 380 a pivotal first step. “Today’s decision by the Tribal Council to decriminalize small amounts of cannabis by persons 21 or older is a first step towards better meeting the needs of our citizens who use cannabis as a medicine,” he said. “I join those citizens in applauding the Council for its historic, compassionate and morally upright action.”

Reed called it not only morally sensible but economically sound as well. “Now that we are facing times for need of new revenue streams, cannabis fulfills that quest,” he said. “With today’s ordinance passing, the Tribe has now opened the can of opportunity instead of kicking the can down the road. Today’s passing has also brought a peace of mind to those who rely on cannabis for their medicinal needs. Today is a good day for the citizens of the EBCI and a promising future for our economy.”

Meanwhile, Representative Kelly Alexander of Charlotte continues to struggle to legalize cannabis. He first introduced a bill in 2013 in an attempt to do so. In the years since, Alexander has continued his fight for the well-being of North Carolina’s citizens. Recently, Senate Bill 711 to legalize medical cannabis advanced in the NC Senate. Presently, three in four North Carolina residents support legalizing medical marijuana. 

Gallup Poll Finds Almost Half Of US Adults Have Tried Marijuana

Almost half of adults in the United States said they have tried marijuana, according to the results of a new Gallup Poll released on Tuesday. At 49 percent, the figure is the highest that Gallup has recorded in its more than 50 years of asking Americans about their cannabis use. 

When Gallup first began surveying Americans about cannabis in 1969, only four percent of adults said that they had tried marijuana. Since that time the rate has increased steadily, rising to more than 20 percent in the 1977 survey. Roughly a third of adults surveyed in 1985 said that they had tried cannabis, and by 2015 the percentage had surpassed 40 percent. Gallup noted that much of the increase in marijuana experimentation reported over the last 50 years can be explained by generational patterns in the United States.

“The oldest Americans living today, those born before 1945 whom Gallup calls ‘traditionalists,’ are much less likely than those in other birth cohorts to have tried marijuana, with just 19% saying they have done so. That compares with about half of millennials (51%), Generation Xers (49%, and baby boomers (50%),” the polling organization wrote in its report on the survey.

The generational data on marijuana use trends was taken from Gallup’s annual Consumption Habits surveys from 2015 to 2021. Gallup noted that it does not yet have enough information on the trends of Generation Z, the oldest of whom are only 24 years old now. This year’s Consumption Habits poll was conducted from July 6 to 21.

Only 12 percent of those surveyed said that they “smoked marijuana,” a percentage that has held steady since 2017. In 2013, the first year Gallup asked if respondents smoked marijuana, only seven percent replied in the affirmative. The figure rose steadily to 11 percent by 2015 before peaking at 13 percent in 2016. Gallup did not ask the poll’s respondents if they consumed marijuana in any way other than smoking.

Gallup Data: Marijuana Use Higher Among Younger Americans

While the percentage of those who said they have tried marijuana varies little among baby boomers and subsequent generations, Gallup noted that younger Americans are more likely to say that they currently smoke marijuana. The combined data from 2015 to 2021 show that about 20 percent of millenials smoke marijuana. For Gen Xers the figure is 11 percent, while nine percent of baby boomers and only one percent of traditionalists say they currently smoke pot.

In addition to differences by age, the survey revealed that the rate of marijuana use varied among other demographic groups including gender, education, and political orientation. While 16 percent of men said that they smoked marijuana, only nine percent of women said the same. Only five percent with a postgraduate education said that they smoked cannabis, compared to 14 percent of those with a four-year college degree or less education. And those who are politically liberal (22 percent) and Democrats (15 percent) were more likely than conservatives (six percent) and Republicans (seven percent) to say they currently smoked marijuana.

In its analysis of the generational patterns revealed by the survey, Gallup noted that the percentage of Americans who say they have tried cannabis might not rise much higher than 50 percent, despite the upward trend that has been recorded to date.

“The percentage of Americans who have tried marijuana has steadily climbed in recent decades,” Gallup wrote. “Soon it should reach 50 percent, but it may not get much higher than that given the rates of experimentation have been steady around 50 percent in Gen Xers and among baby boomers. Half of millennials have also tried marijuana, and with many in that group approaching middle age, that proportion seems unlikely to increase in future years.”

What is Full Extract Cannabis Oil?

Anyone with a vested interest in the relationship between cannabis and cancer treatment will no doubt know the name of Rick Simpson. One of the most famous advocates of medicinal cannabis oil, Rick decided to take his treatment into his own hands, after being diagnosed with skin cancer in 2003. Rather than going ahead with the usual surgery, he began dedicating his time to the extraction, ingestion and use of cannabis oil. The long and short of it being that soon enough, he found that the cancerous cells have been wiped from his skin entirely.

Which, suffice to say, ignited some of the most furious debate regarding the potential benefits of cannabis oils and medical cannabis in general to date.

Since then, full extract cannabis oil – often referred to as Rick Simpson Oil or simple FECO – has become something of a phenomenon on a global basis. But at the same time, many of those who rely on medical cannabis for a wide variety of conditions are still largely unfamiliar with both the concept and the potential benefits of full extract cannabis oils.

What are full extract cannabis oils?

Starting off with the basics, FECO is essentially a concentrated form of the essential oils within a cannabis plant. The primary difference between FECO and most other cannabis oils is the way in which the extraction process focuses on the actual buds/flowers of the cannabis plant for maximum quality and potency. That said, depending on the product and the respective manufacturer, it is not uncommon for leaves and other parts of the cannabis plant to be used in the extraction process.

The process involves the use of solvents to separate the required resin from the rest of the cannabis plant matter, resulting in an extraction of exceptional purity and strength. While it can be comparatively complex to extract the highest quality FECO in laboratory conditions, it is nonetheless possible to produce rudimentary FECO at home – typically using alcohol as the required solvent.

In terms of medical properties, FECO has been gradually earning a reputation on a global basis as a potentially revolutionary cannabis by-product. As things stand right now, millions of patients all over the world are fundamentally reliant on a wide variety of medicinal cannabis products, for the treatment of countless chronic conditions and diseases. In all such instances, FECO has the potential to represent an outstanding medical cannabis product. 

From multiple sclerosis to PTSD to Parkinson’s disease to epilepsy, the capacity for medical cannabis to replace and even improve upon conventional drugs and treatments is proving quite extraordinary. The difference with FECO being that in many instances, the strength and purity of the oil means that the patient may require a dose no larger than a single grain of rice on a daily basis. In turn making FECO uniquely convenient to use, though this of course varies in accordance with the condition and the patient in question.

What makes FECO different from other extractions?

The separation between FECO another cannabis extractions centres on the mechanics of the extraction process. In most instances, CO2 and butane hash oil (BHO) extraction methods are used in the manufacturing process of the most common and widely available cannabis oils – a process which results in somewhat different final products. While the purest FECO is designed to be taken orally, alternative cannabis oils focus on consumption by way of inhalation.

What’s more, the curative potency of FECO tends to be significantly higher than that of conventional cannabis extracts. Most patients using FECO apply a small amount directly into the mouth with a pipette or oral syringe, or swallow capsules that contain a measured dose of the product.

Why is FECO an effective medicine?

One of the primary differences with FECO in terms of its effectiveness is the way in which it usually contains an elevated THC concentration. While it’s currently possible to purchase plenty of cannabis oils all over the world without a prescription, most have almost no THC in their makeup. They instead contain CBD as their primary medicinal compound – the non-psychoactive cannabinoid with an extraordinary array of medicinal properties.

Given the fact that FECO contains such a heavy concentration of THC, it remains strictly regulated and controlled in regions where it is legally available. In nations like Great Britain where cannabis in all its forms remains entirely illegal, products like FECO are extremely difficult to come by. Patients in such markets often turn to CBD oils for self-administered treatment, though such products do not have nearly the same kind of power or beneficial impact as FECO.

Can FECO really cure cancer?

Of course, the million-dollar question remains that of whether it really could be possible for FECO to serve as an effective cure for cancer. And if not an outright cure, perhaps a viable treatment. As things stand today, comparatively few experts and medical authorities are willing to give their backing to FECO and medical cannabis in general as an effective cure or treatment for cancer. But at the same time, both anecdotal and scientific evidence are growing that FECO could have uniquely impressive cancer-prevention properties.

In any case, it’s clear that FECO is becoming increasingly popular among cancer patients currently undergoing courses of chemotherapy. Just as specific strains of medical cannabis are able to effectively reduce the side effects associated with the treatment, so too can FECO. The difference being that FECO has the potential to offer a more convenient alternative, serving as an ideal option for those who would prefer not to smoke or inhale their medical cannabis.

As research into the benefits of medical cannabis intensifies, it goes without saying that FECO has a guaranteed important role in the future of the industry. The global scientific community may not yet be willing to sign off on the unique benefits of FECO, but as far as advocates like Rick Simpson are concerned, it’s only a matter of time until it happens.

Doug Fine’s book AMERICAN HEMP FARMER is up for Book of the Year in the Santa Fe Reporter. 

If you love it as much as we do, here’s where to vote!

https://vote.sfreporter.com/local-living/new-book-by-a-new-mexico-author (Takes about 30 seconds)!

Marijuana tax rates in Arizona

Adult-use retail sales: Purchases are subject to a 16% cannabis excise tax in addition to a 5.6% statewide retail sales tax, bringing the total to 21.6%.

Medical marijuana sales: Purchases are subject to a 6.6% state excise tax plus an additional 2-3% optional tax dictated by local municipalities.

For more information, check out applicable pages on the Arizona Department of Health Services website.

After Two Years, American Hemp Experts Applaud USDA Rules While Waiting On Further Clarity

One step forward does not equate to a completed process.

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BY

ANDREW WARD

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

After Two Years, American Hemp Experts Applaud USDA Rules While Waiting On Further Clarity

After two years of deliberating and listening to the public, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its final rule on hemp production on January 19, 2021. The rules, which take effect on March 22, 2021, replace the regulations set in place after the 2018 Farm Bill passage. Much of the industry appears behind the ruling, signaling that American hemp is moving in the right direction. 

That said, one step forward does not equate to a completed process. The USDA’s rules are significant but remain just one piece to a more extensive regulatory puzzle for the billion-dollar industry. 

Several Significant Rule Changes Announced

The USDA’s announcement will soon establish a concrete framework for the hemp market, removing the state-by-state model in place today while leaving states the right to make alterations on specific facets of the law. 

The USDA listened to thousands of public comments, ranging from politicians to advocates to hemp owners. The National Law Review highlighted six key areas the USDA revised: 

While hemp products remain capped at .3% THC, producers received an increase in the negligent threshold. Under the new rules, hemp containing more than .3% THC but less than 1% won’t be labeled as negligent, though remediation or disposal is still required. 

Noncompliant hemp used to require its disposal or remediation be conducted by a government official from an agency like the DEA. Under the new rules, producers are allowed several other means, including composting, burial, and burning. 

Hemp must be tested at DEA-registered laboratories, as previous rules state. However, a lack of sites continues to cause producers’ pain, leading the DEA to delay enforcement of this rule until December 31, 2022. 

Samples are now to be collected by authorities 30 days before harvest. Previously rules called for collection 15 days prior to harvest. 

Producers are now allowed to adopt a performance-based sampling approach, which sets an objective for operators to reach. The National Law Review said the rule enables states and tribes “considerable freedom” with their sampling and which part of the plant is used to achieve the stated objective. 

Tribes are granted the right to invoke their jurisdiction and authority on their territory.

However, the rules could be subject to change, as the Biden administration instituted a regulatory freeze on regulations published before his inauguration. That said, The National Law Review saw the potential as an opportunity for the industry to work with the incoming Biden administration on additional aspects of the rules.

Support For The Final Rule Comes With Several Concerns

Most in the industry seem to support the ruling, saying it provides clarity for cultivators, allowing farmers to operate with clearer rules and regulations. That said, opinions differed on certain rules as well as the two-year window needed to reach the determination. 

“It’s about time that the USDA released rules for the hemp space,” said AJ Payack, president of hemp extraction lab and CBD brand Vermont Organic Science. Payack said it was nice to see “actual rules” that eliminate the guessing in the market. 

“I have had people in the past contact me about what to do with hot hemp or other growing questions, and I really couldn’t lead them in the right direction,” said Payack, adding, “But now I can.” 

J Mitchell, president of hemp producer NuSachi, supports the decision, calling it “extremely critical” for industry guidelines. “The rules are not perfect, but they represent a solid foundation on which to grow the industry,” added Mitchell. 

Mitchell commended regulations focused on delta-9 THC thresholds but called the .3% an extreme limit for hemp genetics and cultivators, positing that the rule will limit innovation and plant research. He also worried that guidelines could encourage operators’ bad behavior in a bid to earn a passing certificate of authenticity. 

Did The USDA Need Two Years To Make Its Determination?

Opinion split over the decision timeline, with some supporting the two-year window and others saying it hampered the industry. 

Michelle Donovan, senior counsel at law firm Clark Hill, supported the timeline. “It’s a process, like anything else, to legalize a new market while making sure all foreseeable hiccups are addressed at the onset of a harvest,” said Donovan. 

Brenda Verghese, vice president of research and development for Colorado cannabis brand Stratos, supported the timeline as well. She said, “Two years was likely necessary in order to fairly assess all of the information provided by the public.”

Operators like Payack disagree, saying the window allowed bad actors into the market. “This industry has really been the wild west, and it is good that there is some regulation now,” he said. 

Roger Brown, CEO and president of ACS Laboratory, considers the wait unfair and unjustified. He said the result left states to make their hemp programs. “Some brave souls moved forward, with the help of a gang of lawyers, but many had to put plans on hold for two years,” said Brown of operators in less defined state marketplaces. 

What’s Next For American Hemp?

The primary focus appears to now be on securing clarity from other influential regulatory bodies. However, concerns over the impact of regulations have some worried that the market may not be long for capital-light companies. 

Verghese said next steps need to include addressing extraction and manufacturing of finished goods. Naturopathic Doctor and CEO of HempFusion, Jason Mitchell, agrees, saying U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clarity is now needed. 

“Farming is the tip of the iceberg,” stated Mitchell. He added, “Farmers now need to be able to sell their crops to processors for use in many different products including Dietary Supplements, Foods and Beverages.”

Brown sees the industry moving towards good manufacturing practices (GMP) standards, which cite the FDA’s guidance on production aspects, including quality and consistency. 

He sees an influx of competition in the market, with more biomass produced. “We’re going to see companies innovating faster and creating ancillary hemp products that utilize the entire plant–not just the cannabinoid-rich flower,” said Brown. 

For his part, Payack highlighted worries over the evolving market and the future of the “little guy,” and the belief that CBD is increasingly considered a supplement. 

“There will be extreme testing that needs to be done on CBD products for GMP compliance,” said Payack. While he supports high testing standards, the capital needed could be too immense for smaller operations. He said, “While I don’t necessarily think that’s a bad thing companies are going to need a lot of capital for GMP compliance.”

New York to Become the 16th State to Legalize Marijuana

On March 30, the New York Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) received final approval from state legislators. The bill now proceeds to the desk of Governor Andrew Cuomo (D), who is expected to sign it into law.

Following the governor’s signature, New York will become the 16th state to legalize cannabis for adults 21 and over. New York will be just the third state to adopt a legalization policy by passing a bill through its state legislature, joining Illinois and Vermont. Thirteen additional states have legalized by voter initiative.

“We applaud the New York Legislature and the tireless work of advocates for their commitment to ending cannabis prohibition through a social justice-centered approach. We expect 2021 to be a record-breaking year for legislatures legalizing cannabis. More than two-thirds of Americans believe it’s time to end prohibition and this move represents the latest example of elected officials joining the chorus of support for legalizing and regulating cannabis for adults,” said Steve Hawkins, executive director at the Marijuana Policy Project.

Under the legislation, it will be legal for adults over the age of 21 to possess up to three ounces of cannabis and 24 grams of concentrate, plus adults can grow a maximum of three mature plants and three immature plants once regulations are adopted. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for automatic expungement, community reinvestment, and measures to ensure the industry includes communities that have been disproportionately targeted by cannabis enforcement. A summary of the MRTA is available here.

“This is a huge victory for the Empire State. This bill’s passage is a monumental step forward towards addressing and repairing the harms caused by cannabis criminalization. Far too many New Yorkers, especially in Black and brown communities, have faced the injustice of cannabis-related arrests and convictions. New York lawmakers and advocates deserve to be commended for their work on the MRTA,” said DeVaughn Ward, senior legislative counsel at the Marijuana Policy Project.

Several other state legislatures are seriously considering legalization this year. Most notably, a bill that would legalize cannabis in Virginia is awaiting action from Gov. Northam, and New Mexico lawmakers convened a special legislative session in order to negotiate the details of a legalization bill. Cannabis legalization bills are also being considered in Connecticut, Delaware, and Rhode Island.

Gov. Cuomo And NY Lawmakers Reach Agreement On Cannabis Legalization Bill

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state lawmakers have reached an agreement to legalize the use of marijuana by adults and establish regulations for commercial cannabis production and sales. State legislators are expected to vote on the bill on Tuesday, in time for provisions of the measure to be incorporated into the state budget due on April 1.

Under the measure, Senate Bill S854A, penalties for possession of less than three ounces of cannabis would be eliminated. Home cultivation would also be legalized, with adults 21 and older permitted to grow three mature and three immature cannabis plants and a cap of six mature and six immature plants per household. The bill also allows for the expungement of past marijuana offenses no longer illegal under the measure.

“For generations, too many New Yorkers have been unfairly penalized for the use and sale of adult-use cannabis, arbitrarily arrested and jailed with harsh mandatory minimum sentences,” Cuomo said in a statement announcing the agreement with lawmakers. “After years of tireless advocacy and extraordinarily hard work, that time is coming to an end in New York State.” 

“Legalizing adult-use cannabis isn’t just about creating a new market that will provide jobs and benefit the economy—it’s also about justice for long-marginalized communities and ensuring those who’ve been unfairly penalized in the past will now get a chance to benefit,” he added. “I look forward to signing this legislation into law.”

New Regulations And Taxes

The bill also establishes the state Office of Cannabis Management to implement regulations for adult-use cannabis, medical marijuana, and cannabinoid-rich hemp. The new agency would license cannabis producers, processors, distributors, retailers, and other businesses in the industry. The measure also expands New York’s medical marijuana program and authorizes research into the medicinal use of cannabis.

The legislation establishes a 9% state excise tax on retail sales, with another 4% local tax to be shared by county and municipal governments. Local governments would be permitted to opt-out of hosting licensed retailers and cannabis consumption lounges. State cannabis taxes collected would be used to implement and regulate the program, with the remainder dedicated to education, community reinvestment grants, and a drug treatment and public education fund.

“I am very proud that we finally have a three-way agreed bill to legalize adult-use cannabis in a way that foregrounds racial justice, while balancing safety with economic growth, encouraging new small businesses, and significantly diminishing the illegal market,” said state Sen. Liz Krueger, a sponsor of the bill in the Senate. “My goal in carrying this legislation has always been to end the racially disparate enforcement of marijuana prohibition that has taken such a toll on communities of color across our state, and to use the economic windfall of legalization to help heal and repair those same communities. I believe we have achieved that in this bill, as well as addressing the concerns and input of stakeholders across the board.”

Deal Hailed By Community And Industry Leaders

Alice Fontier, the managing director of Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem, commented in a statement on Saturday on the effect the legislation will have.

“Police, prosecutors, child services, and ICE have used criminalization as a weapon against them, and the impact this bill will have on the lives of our over-surveilled clients cannot be overstated,” said Fontier.

“This is a historic moment for the state of New York, and one that will bring with it good jobs, investment, and cutting-edge entrepreneurial opportunity through the creation of an entirely new sustainable and equitable industry,” said Allan Gandelman, the president of the New York Cannabis Growers and Processors Association. “Cannabis legalization will jumpstart our state’s economic recovery and serve as a real investment in a forward-looking culture that puts New York cannabis consumers, small business owners, farmers, and cultivators first.”

With the agreement between Cuomo and legislative leaders, the bill is expected to be approved by the New York legislature, where Democrats hold a veto-proof majority in both houses. The law would go into effect immediately, although retail cannabis sales would not begin until regulations for the new industry have been drafted and put in place.

18 facts about Recreational Program

Adults 21 and older would be able to possess 1 ounce of marijuana with no more than 5 grams of it being marijuana concentrates (extracts).

Limits home cultivation to 6 plants at an individual’s primary residence and 12 plants at a residence where two or more individuals who are at least 21 years old reside at one time.

Marijuana use would remain illegal in public places (restaurants, parks, sidewalks, etc). Offenders are guilty of a petty offence (class 3 misdemeanor).

No marijuana products could be sold that imitate brands marketed to children or look like humans, animals, insects, fruits, toys or cartoons.

Marijuana edibles will be limited to a maximum of 10mg of THC per edible, and limited to a maximum of 100mg of THC per package of edibles.

Employers have the right to maintain a drug- and alcohol-free workplace.

Driving, flying or boating impaired to even the slightest degree by marijuana would remain illegal (i.e., zero tolerance rule).

Possessing more than one ounce but less than 2.5 ounces would be a petty offense. Minors caught with less than one ounce would receive up to a $100 fine and four hours of drug counseling for a first offense. A second offense would be up to a $100 fine and eight hours of drug counseling. A third offense would be a Class 1 misdemeanor.

 Smoking in a public place would be a petty offense.

Another Arizona town is attempting to ban aspects of the state’s new recreational marijuana law

known as Prop 207 as well as the Smart and Safe Arizona Act.

The town council in Paradise Valley, an affluent suburb of Phoenix, will be discussing the implementation of an ordinance to ban recreational dispensaries and cannabis testing labs. Medical marijuana dispensaries will not be affected.

The ordinance reads, in part, “the Town seeks to protect the public health, safety and welfare by prohibiting marijuana establishments and/or marijuana testing facilities in the Town.”

The town is also attempting to ban marijuana cultivation.

In late 2020, Payson, Gilbert, Sahuarita and other cities and towns put local restrictions on aspects of the state’s adult-use marijuana law.

With immense thanks, if you have a half-minute, I’d so much appreciate it if you’d go to this link and vote for AMERICAN HEMP FARMER for "Best New Mexico Book" in the Santa Fe’s Reporter’s big annual Best of Santa Fe issue!

https://vote.sfreporter.com/local-living/best-book-by-a-new-mexico-author

When you click on AMERICAN HEMP FARMER, it’ll ask you to register with your email and then it lets you vote – the whole thing takes only a few seconds.

Some history: FAREWELL, MY SUBARU won in 2009 and it helped enshrine the petroleum-free-living-while-getting-outsmarted-by-goats epic in the Land of Enchantment cannon. I can’t overstate my appreciation. Hope to see you soon. 

Oh, also, big thanks for forwarding this to your networks. Anyone can vote from anywhere. The Best of Santa Fe logos can be used, as can the attached photo with the book cover. Sending top energy and massive appreciation you way, as always. 

Best, 

Doug

Survey Finds Majority of Americans View Cannabis As Less Harmful Than Alcohol!

The country’s evolved attitudes toward marijuana has brought a majority of Americans to the conclusion that legalization advocates have preached for decades: alcohol is more dangerous than pot.

That is the takeaway of new survey data published recently in the journal Addictive Behavior, which showed that a majority of United States consumers believe marijuana to bring less potential for abuse than both alcohol and prescription drugs. 

“A majority of the public perceives THC and marijuana as grouped together with prescription medications rather than with illicit substances and as having more medical value and less abuse potential than alcohol,” the researchers wrote. 

They contended that the survey’s results “provide evidence that U.S. consumers would not classify any of the Cannabis derivatives as Schedule I substances,” marijuana’s classification on the Controlled Substances Act, the law that enshrines pot’s status as an illegal substance on the federal level.

“It follows that agencies such as the DEA and FDA need to understand public perceptions and uses of these substances,” the researchers wrote in their conclusion. “This is the first study, to our knowledge, to identify perceptions of Cannabis derivatives among U.S. consumers at the intersection of medical use and potential for abuse. These results highlight the need for more medical research as public acceptance and interest in Cannabis is unlikely to decrease.”

They continued: “The results identify medical uses for cannabinoids among U.S. consumers. They perceive CBD and hemp as medicinal and as having little potential for abuse, making them an attractive replacement for addictive pain relievers. It is important to note that respondents considered hemp as less medically valuable than CBDs, which are derived from hemp. These results suggest that many consumers are not aware of the association between them. Among the substances studied that have both medical uses and potential for abuse… THC and marijuana are the only ones that can be purchased in some U.S. states without a prescription. Overall, the public perceives THC and marijuana as having some potential for abuse but not as much as several prescription medications. That a majority view THC and marijuana as having less potential for abuse than alcohol likely explains why there is wide support for legalization of recreational use.”

Results Consistent With Evolving Laws

Indeed, as the researchers noted in the conclusion, the findings dovetail with the wave of legalization in the U.S. over the last decade, as a host of states have essentially rebuked marijuana’s status on the federal level by passing their own laws legalizing recreational use for adults. Those legalization measures have transcended the partisan lines that have traditionally been associated with the debate, as red and blue states alike have moved to end pot prohibition. In the 2020 election, four states passed measures legalizing recreational marijuana use, including two states—South Dakota and Montana—that were easily carried by President Donald Trump.

In response to the survey findings, NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano likened the federal government’s anti-pot stance to a “‘Flat Earth’ position.” 

“It is time for Congress to jettison this intellectually dishonest position as well and remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act in a manner similar to alcohol—thereby ending the existing state/federal conflict and permitting state governments, not the federal government, to be the primary arbiters of cannabis policy,” Armentano said in a statement.

House To Vote On Bill Allowing Cannabis Research With State-Licensed Products

Now that Arizonans legalized marijuana via Prop 207, many recreational marijuana consumers are already considering becoming medical marijuana patients because it would save them 16% in excise tax per marijuana purchase at a dispensary — a tax not imposed on patients. In other words, patients save $16 per every $100 spent on marijuana compared to recreational buyers.

For example, if recreational dispensaries decide to sell an ounce of marijuana for $300, then the buyer will spend $373.80 total because of $73.80 (24.6%) in combined taxes, of which $48 is the 16% excise tax only imposed on recreational marijuana sales.

Medical marijuana patients can also purchase and possess more marijuana than recreational users and buy edibles with a higher potency. Prices will also be lower on medical marijuana purchases.

It is fairly easy and inexpensive to become a medical marijuana patient: every two years medical marijuana patients have to pay for a doctor appointment of approximately $150 and a state fee of $150. This investment can lead to massive savings at dispensaries.

Arizona Marijuana Taxes

Arizona’s sales tax rate is currently at 5.6%, and the state will also collect a 16% excise tax on all recreational cannabis sales. There are also city and county sales taxes to include. Below are examples of combined sales tax rates (for state, county and city taxes) for adult-use marijuana purchases versus medical marijuana purchases for Phoenix and Tucson.

Phoenix Recreational Marijuana Sales

8.6% sales tax plus 16% excise tax equals 24.6% total taxes on recreational marijuana sales in Phoenix, Arizona.

Phoenix Medical Marijuana Sales

8.6% sales tax is the total tax on medical marijuana sales in Phoenix, Arizona.

Tucson Recreational Marijuana Sales

8.7% sales tax plus 16% excise tax equals 24.7% total taxes on recreational marijuana sales in Tucson, Arizona.

Tucson Medical Marijuana Sales

8.7% sales tax is the total tax on medical marijuana sales in Tucson, Arizona.

Only days after members passed sweeping legislation to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level, the House of Representatives plans to vote on a separate bill that would allow cannabis research using state-licensed marijuana products. Under current regulations, researchers must obtain cannabis for federally-sanctioned study from a single cultivation operation maintained by the University of Mississippi.

The bill, the Marijuana Research Act of 2019 (H.R. 3797), was introduced in the House by Democratic Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon last year. Under the measure, a process would be established for approved scientists to access state-licensed cannabis products for their research. The bill is expected to be voted on by members of the House under a suspension of the rules, which would prevent further amendments and require approval by a two-thirds majority.

Bill Has Bipartisan Support

“As momentum grows in our effort to end the failed prohibition of cannabis, we also need to address failed drug laws like the ones that make it extremely difficult for researchers and doctors to study cannabis. With some form of cannabis legal in nearly every state, it’s inexcusable that the federal government is still blocking qualified researchers from advancing the scientific knowledge of cannabis,” Blumenauer said after the measure was approved by a House committee in September. “The bipartisan support of our legislation in today’s committee markup is an important step in removing unnecessary barriers to medical cannabis research and ensuring that patients, clinicians, and consumers can fully understand the benefits and risks of cannabis.”

“This proposed regulatory change is necessary and long overdue,” Paul Armentano, the deputy director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), said in a press release at the time. “In fact, NORML submitted comments to the US Federal Register in April explicitly calling for this change.”

“Legislative action is necessary in this arena because the DEA has proven time and time again that it is not an honest broker in this process,” Armentano added. “Despite promising over four years ago to expand the pool of federal licensees permitted to provide cannabis for clinical research, the agency has steadfastly refused to do so — leaving scientists with woefully inadequate supplies of cannabis and cannabis products available for human studies. The reality that most high-schoolers have easier access to cannabis than do our nation’s top scientists is the height of absurdity and an indictment of the current system.”

The Feds Have Bunk-Ass Weed

Researchers have often criticized the marijuana procured from the federal government for research, saying that it is not comparable to the cannabis available to patients in both the regulated and illicit markets. The federal government’s current marijuana menu contains only six different types of cannabis in joints, all with less than 7% THC and less than 1% CBD.

“Rather than compelling scientists to access marijuana products of questionable quality manufactured by a limited number of federally licensed producers, federal regulators should allow investigators to access the cannabis and cannabis-infused products that are currently being produced in the legal marketplace by the multitude of state-sanctioned growers and retailers,” Armentano said. “Doing so will not only facilitate and expedite clinical cannabis research in the United States and provide important data regarding the safety and efficacy of real-world products, but it will also bring about a long-overdue end to decades of DEA stonewalling and interference with respect to the advancement of our scientific understanding of the cannabis plant.”

Prop 207 Has Arizona’s Biggest County Tossing Out Marijuana Cases

(AP) — The prosecutor’s office in Arizona’s most populous county announced that all pending cases for possessing an ounce or less of marijuana will be dismissed after the state’s voters approved the Proposition 207 ballot measure to legalize marijuana.

The announcement from the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said the decision would also apply to cases for possessing paraphernalia and marijuana concentrates covered under the new law, the Smart and Safe Arizona Act.

Nearly 60% of voters who cast ballot this month backed the measure eliminating all criminal penalties for simple marijuana possession. The new law takes effect when election results are certified in December, but the county attorney’s office said that it would begin implementing the will of the voters immediately .

“We don’t want people getting arrested or sitting in jail on a charge that Arizona voters believe is no longer a crime,” said county attorney’s spokeswoman Jennifer Liewer.

Liewer did not have an immediate estimate for the number of people who will have their cases dismissed.

Deputy county attorneys are being instructed to prioritize dismissing cases for people who are in custody or have court dates set. Arrest warrants for people who did not show up in court will also be dismissed. People facing additional charges will still have to answer on those cases, but the marijuana charge will be dismissed.

Arizona was the last state to allow felony charges for simple marijuana possession.

The ballot measure also set up a process for legally selling marijuana. Sales by licensed retailers could start in May and people will be allowed to grow their own plants. People 21 and older can possess up to an ounce (28 grams) of marijuana or a smaller quantity of “concentrates” such as hashish.

Approval of the cannabis measure came four years after Arizona voters narrowly defeated a recreational cannabis legalization proposal. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey and fellow Republicans in the Legislature had refused to change Arizona’s tough cannabis laws.

Voters in New Jersey, South Dakota and Montana also voted to make possessing recreational marijuana legal.

What is Rick Simpson Oil?

In 2003, Rick Simpson created a cannabis oil after three suspicious bumps on his arm turned out to be basal cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer. Simpson had used cannabis to treat medical issues in the past, so he made a cannabis oil to treat his skin cancer topically, applying it to a bandage and covering the cancerous spots.

Within days, the cancerous growths disappeared. Although his physician refused to acknowledge cannabis as a treatment alternative, Simpson became a true believer in the medicinal powers of cannabis and spread the word of his cannabis oil, later called RSO after him.

Benefits of RSO

It’s important to note that there are currently no scientific studies that prove the effectiveness of RSO. However, it is mainly used to help treat skin cancer, and many people report that it helps relieve symptoms of other conditions.

Compared to other forms of cannabis, RSO is great because it’s easy to make, it’s discrete and odorless, and can be taken orally on its own, or mixed with any food.

How to use RSO

For medical patients, it is always recommended to consult your physician before starting any new treatment regimen. However, some physicians may be adverse to cannabis as a course of treatment. If you decide to use RSO, proceed with caution and at your own discretion.

Below is a recommended RSO regimen. When looking for symptom relief for a condition or for medical benefits, for one patient, the goal is to gradually consume 60 grams of Rick Simpson Oil over the course of a 90-day period.

Week 1: Start with three doses every day

Each dose should be about the size of half a grain of rice and should be administered once every eight hours (morning, noon, and night); the first dose will be about ¼ drop of RSO.

Weeks 2 through 5: Double your dose every four days

The average person will take between three and five weeks to reach the full dosage of one gram of RSO per day.

Weeks 5 through 12: Take one gram of RSO daily until you’ve consumed the full 60 grams

Eventually, the patient will be taking about 8-9 rice-sized drops of RSO every eight hours.

Side effects

Mainly sleepiness, which is a natural part of the healing process. Increasing the dose gradually will help minimize the psychoactive effects and keep your tolerance to a functional level. Daytime sleepiness should fade within three to four weeks.

The taste of the RSO may be slightly bitter or unpleasant, so patients may prefer to ingest the oil by swallowing it directly or mixing it with food, such as bananas, to help mask the taste.

Continued regimen

After a 12-week regimen of RSO, you may want to continue the treatment but it should be at a significantly reduced rate. About one to two grams of RSO per month is enough for a regular maintenance dose.

Rick Simpson Oil should not be considered a cure-all for medical conditions, but many patients have experienced significant relief from their medical symptoms and conditions with the use of RSO.

What Is THC: Inside the Most Controversial Cannabinoid

At a time when cannabis cultivators and consumers are so heavily focused on terpene profiles, it’s easy to forget that not so long ago the overwhelmingly preoccupation of cannabis enthusiasts could be encapsulated in three letters: THC.

Tetrahydrocannabinol is just one of the more than 110 cannabinoids found in cannabis, but for decades it was assumed to be the primary psychoactive component of the plant. It was synthesized in 1964 by Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, which ultimately led to the creation of dronabinol, a synthetic version of THC best known by the trade name Marinol. Patients who were already using cannabis medicine said the synthetic, THC-only option was less effective and had side effects not associated with natural cannabis.

Raw THC vs. Activated THC

“THC” is a common colloquial catchall, but there are several states of the cannabinoid relevant to the use of cannabis. What many people don’t realize is that cannabis plants don’t produce THC, they produce tetrahydrocannabolic acid, or THCA. This is the non-psychoactive precursor to THC∆9, which is created when THCA is decarboxylated through heat.

This is why consuming raw cannabis, while potentially beneficial in other ways, will not provide psychoactive effects. Many people decarboxylate their cannabis before using it to make edibles precisely to transform THCA into THC∆9, thereby ensuring the edibles will make consumers feel “high.”

THC∆9 is further transformed into THC metabolites, which are produced by the human body when it processes THC, notably 11-nor-9-carboxy THC, which is basically inert but remains in the body for up to three months; it is the primary THC metabolite tested for by most drug tests.

THC & The Endocannabinoid System

Even though the cannabis community’s new obsession is with “the terps,” the legacy of our previous love affair with high THC levels is found in the elevated concentration still found in most strains. But with the widespread popularity of concentrates, high potency is typically given, hence the elevated focus on terpenes.

We now know that the cannabis plant produces phytocannabinoids, which supplement and interact with endocannabinoids that are produced naturally by the human body. The complex neurological network responsible for producing, processing and utilizing these cannabinoids is known as the endogenous cannabinoid system, and it was discovered by the same person who first synthesized THC — Dr. Mecholuam.

There are many distinct physiological processes regulated or affected by the ECS. For example, the endocannabinoid system responds to a physical trauma by suppressing sensitizer and activator release, reducing nerve cell firing and limiting inflammatory response by immune cells near the site of the trauma. These are distinct processes, but they all further the ultimate goal of reducing pain. This is just one expression of the way the ECS is constantly working to maintain balance within your body.

The Entourage Effect

Dr. Mechoulam is also credited with introducing the concept of the “entourage effect,” which first posited that cannabis works in tandem with CBD and other cannabinoids to produce the desirable effects of cannabis. But what is often lost in the new buzz around CBD medicine and CBD-only medicine particularly, is that THC is an absolutely crucial component of that entourage. While it isn’t necessary to consume THC in large quantities, or even necessarily to consume the decarboxylated THC∆9 (though its benefits are numerous), your “cannabinoid diet” should contain some of the foundational cannabinoid THC, even if it’s THCA in the form of a tincture.

THC may not be the primary consideration of most cannabis consumers anymore, but it still serves a vital function in providing the diverse suite of medicinal benefits associated with cannabis consumption.

Some people are just OG KUSH kinda people!

The strain basically tastes like the exhaust produced from a diesel truck that’s shipping crates of lemons over the Grapevine to Los Angeles, which meets a certain sector of cannabis enthusiasts in all the right places.

This is the case for longtime cannabis activists and noted OG Kush lovers David Goldman and Michael Koehn. The couple hosts regular OG Kush tastings in their San Francisco home, where friends each bring a variation of the classic strain for a taste off. Sometimes these parties can include as many as 13 different varietals.

Goldman, caught over the phone one morning, can’t say enough about the Titan OG from Northern Emeralds.

“The buds are beautifully, tight and dense,” he says. “The trichomes are plentiful, evenly distributed and milky white.”

The Titan OG ranks among the top five of all the OG phenotypes he’s ever tried. After sampling more than 30-40 different types of OG Kush, that’s saying a lot.

Cody Stross, 32, Founder and CEO of Northern Emeralds, understands a passionate love of OG. He tells me some people drink tequila or whiskey, “and there’s people who smoke OG and that’s their strain.”

Despite the fact that the the strain is low-yielding and difficult to grow, Stross says his grow rooms — and much of the reputation of his Humboldt-based operation — is built around the Titan OG.

“We have to ration our product out,” he says.

Stross has been growing cannabis for seven years. He now heads a cultivation company that’s so successful in producing and brokering high-quality flowers that it’s able to go the extra distance for patients, as well its its own employees — Stross says he’s able to offer his 40 staff members Workers’ Compensation and health benefits.

Northern Emeralds partners with about 50 California dispensaries and 150 small cannabis farms. Their brand is largely built on two flagship strains: the Titan OG and the Sapphire Kush, a Titan OG and Pink Panties cross.

Stross says the quality standards at Northern Emeralds are so high that not all of the indoor strains he grows — alongside two other cultivators with 30 years of combined experience — make the cut to be branded as Northern Emeralds.

The Titan OG has an impressive wide bud shape, the nugs are dense and wide and resemble the structure of a cauliflower.

Stross says the smell of this strain “comes out and smacks you in the face,” and when I crack open a hefty jar of buds the fragrance — orange blossoms with just a bit of the vegetal elements of branches and leaves — immediately fires up my senses. Like the uplifting effects of citrus in aromatherapy, the terpenes coming off of this strain are mood enhancers.

When smoked, the Titan OG delivers an extremely balanced and satisfying stone. In an office wide tasting we joke about the clinical terminology of saying the strain brings about homeostasis, but the Titan OG truly brings on an optimal full body stability. Homeostasis originates from the Greek words “same” and “steady” and if this strain originates from one of the Titans of Greek myth, our expert tasting panel decides it’s Prometheus because he brought the fire.

The Sapphire Kush, which possesses a deep purple hue interspersed with auburn hairs, also exemplifies the classic OG piney citrus mix. But its citrus note is more comparable to a fresh grapefruit, in that it’s more bitter and herbaceous than a sweet orange.

These buds are taller and looser than the Titan, with which this strain shares the classic tastes of OG Kush, with an additional hint of sugar cookie sweetness. The Sapphire Kush is a delightful, calming smoke.

Stross said he first discovered the tranquility that cannabis can provide after a late night phone call from friends in California convinced him to abandon the successful high-end home renovation company he began as an 18-year-old in Austin, Texas and come out West.

He describes his friend’s garage-based grow as the “most tranquil, calming and alive space I’d been in a long time.”

“I didn’t expect to be in this business,” he said. “It felt so right to be here.”

Nowadays he prides himself on providing clients with a reliable chain of supply for a high-end indoor flower.

“It’s hard to get it because it’s an organic product that you really don’t have that much control over,” he says, adding Northern Emeralds is always listening to the feedback of dispensaries as to what patients are looking for. “The only way you can be a specialist is if you have all the information.”

And, as the company moves forward in a dual system of adult and medical-use cannabis in California, Stross is hoping the laws of Proposition 64 — which unlike the state’s medical regulations, allow for cultivators to also distribute their products — will permit Northern Emeralds to continue to have a direct connection to its client base so it can continue producing exceptional indoor marijuana.

“We take a lot of pride to really get to know our patients and give them what they prefer,” he says.

Originally published in Issue 25 of Cannabis Now. LEARN MORE

Can You Use Cannabis If You Have Coronavirus?

Each morning many of us wake up in a panic. Others feel it at night and can’t fall asleep. It’s not that there are no words to describe the pandemic; it’s that we’re making them up as we go along. We can’t do this alone. We need human connection, and we most definitely need our weed. But just as 4:20 smoke seshes have gone digital, the way we use cannabis is changing. Due to coronavirus concerns over lung health, inhalation is out, and edibles are in. 

Because COVID-19 testing availability is crap to non-existent, it’s hard to say for sure which cannabis users have it. “I’m still waiting on an antibody test to confirm, but I believe I first came in contact with coronavirus at the end of January,” says founder and “Chief Conspirator” of sex and cannabis club NSFW Daniel Saynt. “I got a fever and felt like I was getting pneumonia. It became difficult to laugh or cough without being in pain, and it felt like there was a knot in my lungs.” During this time, Saynt decided that it was probably best to reduce how often he smoked. “I cut out joints and went to edibles. I kept up with the edibles for a few more days, mainly to help me sleep at night as it was difficult to do so as my body was in constant pain.”

Yes, some people who experience COVID-19 symptoms continue to use cannabis. Of course, they do. And the doctor says that’s okay. “I think that the idea of using cannabis for the discomfort of coronavirus makes perfect sense,” says Harvard cannabis specialist Jordan Tishler, MD.“I’ve had instances where we used cannabis, typically orally, to treat aches and pains related to surgery. I think cannabis can be helpful for anything that causes general discomfort and malaise.” 

Shannon McGrew, owner, and Editor-In-Chief of Nightmarish Conjurings, found out a few weeks ago that she has bronchitis. “I was like well, I can’t smoke, because I’m coughing all the time, so I’ll start eating edibles. It was around the time when the virus was starting to make headway,” McGrew had all the symptoms for COVID-19 except a fever, so she thinks the pain she experienced was a combination of her pre-existing fibromyalgia and bronchitis “I decided last week that I was going to hold off on smoking because it is a respiratory disease. As somebody who has health issues, I didn’t want to exacerbate them by smoking all the time, so I’ve been trying to do edibles.” For McGrew, in addition to the rapid onset time of inhalation, she missed her smoking routine the most. “I had a ritual down with smoking,” McGrew says. I’m somebody who works a lot, so I don’t smoke during the day. I’d go out on my patio, and I would smoke and read. It was this way of calming down after a crazy day. So that was probably the biggest switch for me. People are like, go outside anyway, and I’m like, it’s not the same.”

Maintaining A Semblance of Normalcy in Times That Are Anything But Normal

Telling you to stick with your routine is impossible. Our habits are now memories. We may mourn them, but to keep our joy (and joy is everything), we must adapt. There is no other option. For many cannabis users, that means putting down the OG stinky joint or the modern problematic vape pen in place of new methods of intake. In cannabis lore, edibles are an unpredictable creature. You might feel nothing, or you might have a trip harder than taking five and a half tabs of acid. COVID-19 attacks the lungs, making inhalation the method of intake to fear. “If somebody were infected with COVID, I would probably avoid inhalation at that point,” Dr. Tishler says. “But if somebody is otherwise healthy and we have no reason to believe that they are infected with COVID, then I think taking them off a successful inhalation regimen would probably be not appropriate.” 

Many will say not to use any cannabis if you believe you have coronavirus. It would be easy to tell everyone not to, as there is no research on using cannabis with COVID-19. But that is an unrealistic request that would deny that cannabis is a safe substance that offers pain relief, especially through the full-body high of an edible. “It’s always easy if you ask somebody with an MD after their name, ‘Should we do this?’ the safest answer is ‘No, don’t do it,’” Dr. Tishler says. “I’m not sure that’s based in science and thinking beyond the immediate question and thinking about the bigger picture of what life is like for that patient.” 

There has been some debate over cannabis and the immune system. “There have been all these discussions on the web about cannabinoids being immunosuppressants and how it probably wouldn’t be safe if you had COVID,” Dr. Tishler says. “Well, cannabinoids are immunosuppressant in the laboratory, but it’s never been shown in human beings.” 

If you’re going to make the switch, stick with the rules the cannabis community has always promoted. Start low. If you’re new to edibles, start with 5mg and move up to 10mg, as McGrew did. Patients who use cannabis for pain now also need it for anxiety. The same rules apply as they normally would. While cannabis does wonders for some anxiety patients, for others, THC can exacerbate anxiety. Start low and go slow. Take comfort in the familiarity of such advice. It’s hard to tell you not to overindulge, because we all are trying to survive this with whatever we can, but prioritize your health. That includes using cannabis responsibly. Don’t ruin your relationship with weed by taking advantage of it. 

Relief From Physical and Mental Ailments

Cannabis and its pain-relieving and anti-anxiety properties are also helping people with quarantine. Even if you don’t get COVID-19, you are exposed to the economy-ruining, isolating, terrifying effects the virus has on all of society. 

“I always have CBD topicals on hand when I work from home,” says publicist Melissa A Vitale. “TribeREVIVE’s CBD Pain Relief Cream sits in the same console on my desk next to my recorder for calls, my eye drops for tired eyes and my ashtray since I’m a medical cannabis patient and consume throughout the day.” She says that since going into quarantine, she only used topicals when needed, but now uses them regularly multiple times throughout the day. “Since I’ve been crouched in front of my computer more than usual, I want to make sure I have something to break up the day and also ease the tension that forms from sitting in one place for so long,” Vitale says. 

We already see these trends affect the industry. Reports show that edible sales are up 28 percent. “In my humble opinion not only as an edible producer but as a cannabis enthusiast and smoker, it is a great time to explore edibles and give your lungs a bit of a break,” says Roxanne Dennant, co-founder and CEO of Fruit Slabs.

It’s hard to predict if this will be a lasting trend because morbidly, many of us in the industry are worried about our jobs, health, and livelihood. Studies are being done on cannabis users and COVID-19, but right now, we have to get through this one day at a time. The industry saw a win when dispensaries (with laws varying state to state) was deemed an essential business, but still, we’re all struggling and can use all the joy we can get. If there was ever a time to embrace gummy bears that also make you feel like heaven for up to eight hours, now is it.

High Times Cannabis Cups Go Virtual In Wake Of Coronavirus Pandemic!

High Times, the most well-known brand in cannabis, announced on Friday that one of its signature Cannabis Cup competitions will feature an online format with a digital awards show streamed live around the world. The change will allow High Times to continue its ongoing search for the world’s best cannabis brands while in-person gatherings are restricted in an attempt to contain the global coronavirus pandemic.

High Times’ inaugural Hemp Cup will be the first High Times competition to go online, with an awards show presented by Black Tie CBD and sponsored by Ultratrimmer on Facebook Live on April 4. The event, which was originally scheduled to take place this weekend in Austin, Texas, will allow High Times to honor the competitors with the awards and results of the competition despite the restrictions placed on live events due to the pandemic.

The Hemp Cup 2020 will bring the nation’s best hemp CBD brands together in a (virtually) head-to-head competition. Unlike live events, the online competition allows the entire world a glimpse of what the brands vying for awards have to offer. The livestream will feature the announcement of the first, second, and third place winners, a showcase of the winning CBD products, and commentary from the judges.

In these trying times of social upheaval, celebrating success and maintaining tradition can help us all cope with unfamiliar circumstances. In that spirit, High Times is proud to continue its series of Cannabis Cup competitions in the digital realm and give companies and consumers a way to connect by competing and judging.

The High Times Hemp Cup 2020 digital awards show will be streamed on Facebook Live at 4:20 p.m. PDT on Saturday, April 4.

With over a dozen candidates still in the race to take on President Trump in November, America’s aspiring chief executives are still scrambling for ways to pitch themselves in the lead up to the caucuses, even as the field has narrowed dramatically. So why not use cannabis as a sorting device?

Cannabis used to be a liberals-only issue, but not anymore. In fact, both of President Trump’s declared primary challengers –  former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld and former Illinois congressman Joe Walsh – are outspoken libertarians and full-throated advocates for legalization.

By contrast, former Vice President Joe Biden, one of the Democratic frontrunners, established himself as an ardent drug warrior in the 1990s and can’t understand why so many young people today want to legalize.

We did the research. Here’s what we found (in alphabetical order). Vote, donate, and volunteer as your conscience demands.

Michael Bennet

US senator, Colorado

Although he opposed Colorado’s 2012 legalization bill, Amendment 64, Bennet has since become a champion of cannabis legalization, as well as hemp. Most recently, he co-signed the 2019 Marijuana Justice Act.

“We see hemp as a great opportunity to diversity our farms and manufacture high-margin products for the American people.” (2018)

Joe Biden

Former vice president, former US senator, Delaware

An outspoken proponent of the war on drugs, as well as the former chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Joe Biden hasn’t become much more amenable to cannabis in recent years; he is the only 2020 Democratic candidate who remains explicitly opposed to federal legalization. He supports rescheduling cannabis as a Schedule II drug, which would facilitate scientific research. In May, Leafly characterized Biden’s stand with this headline: Biden Pledges Tepid Support for Cannabis Half-Measure.

“There’s a difference between sending someone to jail for a few ounces and legalizing it…The punishment should fit the crime. But I think legalization is a mistake. I still believe [marijuana] is a gateway drug.” (2010)

Then in mid-July, as Biden looked around and realized he was the only candidate (besides Trump) still standing in the way of legalization, he changed his tune. Kind of. The former vice president released a 10-page justice reform proposal that included: decriminalization of cannabis, $20 billion in prevention funds for communities, efforts to reduce racial profiling by police, more job training in prisons, ending private prisons, and other ideas. “I believe my criminal justice reform package is as strong or stronger than anyone else,” Biden said.

By last November, Biden reversed his course even further, telling reporters: “I don’t think it is a gateway drug. There’s no evidence I’ve seen to suggest that.”

Entrepreneur, former mayor of New York City

Although he supports putting legalization in the hands of individual states, Bloomberg remains explicitly opposed to legalization. As the mayor of New York City, Bloomberg oversaw an expansion of “stop-and-frisk” police tactics–over 5 million stops were made on his watch–which primarily targeted young men of color and led to more marijuana arrests than any other charge.

“And today incidentally, we are trying to legalize another addictive narcotic [marijuana]…which is perhaps the stupidest thing anybody has ever done.” (2019)

Pete Buttigieg

Mayor, South Bend, Indiana

Although he’s never tackled cannabis during his time as mayor of South Bend, Buttigieg has become a vocal proponent of ending cannabis prohibition, and often frames the issue in the context of racial disparities.

“What are we going to do…if we decide that it actually doesn’t make sense to [incarcerate] for unbelievably long amounts of time for non-violent drug offenses, what are we going to do for the people we already did that to?” (2019)

US representative, Hawaii

In the past couple of years Gabbard has sponsored and co-sponsored many cannabis reform bills; a military veteran, she has advocated for veterans’ legal access to cannabis. In March 2019, she and Alaska Rep. Don Young introduced the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act, which would remove cannabis from the federal controlled substances list and allow states to regulate the substance with full authority.

“[The criminal justice system] puts people in prison for smoking marijuana while allowing corporations like Purdue Pharma, who are responsible for the opioid-related deaths of thousands of people, to walk away scot-free with their coffers full.” (2019)

Amy Klobuchar

US senator, Minnesota

Klobuchar addresses cannabis far less than most of the other candidates on the campaign trail. Although she signed on to the STATES Act, she has not supported the Marijuana Justice Act. Shortly before announcing her bid for presidency, she deleted a statement of support for the state’s medical marijuana program from her website. But then in February, a little more than a week after entering the presidential race, she said she now supports adult-use legalization, a full 180-degree pivot from her previous policy.

“I support the legalization of marijuana and believe that states should have the right to determine the best approach to marijuana within their borders.” 

Former governor, Massachusetts

Patrick has long been opposed to incarcerating non-violent drug offenders, but for most of his career his approach to cannabis reform – including medical marijuana – has oscillated between lukewarm support and mild opposition. He recently announced that he supported full legalization.

“I mean I have heard the views on both sides and I’m respectful of the views of both sides, and I don’t have a lot of energy around [legalizing medical marijuana]…I think California’s experience has been mixed, and I’m sympathetic to the folks who are in chronic pain and looking for some form of relief.” (2012)

Bernie Sanders

US senator, Vermont; Former US representative and mayor of Burlington, VT

Sanders is one of the most pro-cannabis candidates on this list, and he didn’t just discover the issue last month. He first pushed for cannabis legalization 20 years ago, and, during the 2016 election, became the first major party Presidential candidate to support cannabis legalization. He’s currently one of the leading sponsors of the Marijuana Justice Act in Congress.

Last year, Sanders announced he would legalize cannabis through executive order,if necessary.

“Right now, marijuana is listed by the federal government as a Schedule I drug—meaning that it is considered to be as dangerous as heroin. That is absurd.” (2015)

Hedge Fund Manager, philanthropist

Steyer has become a vocal champion of legalization. Last year, he took a stance against federal banking laws that prohibit the social justice-oriented community bank that he founded from investing in cannabis businesses.

“Tom will legalize marijuana, let states pass their own policies, expunge past records, and direct the federal government to open banking services to the marijuana industry. “ (2020)

Donald Trump

US president, businessman

Trump has sent mixed messages on cannabis over the past few years. He has said that the issue should be determined by individual states, but also nominated an epically anti-cannabis attorney general, Jeff Sessions. Trump had issues with Sessions, but the AG’s bizarre obsession with cannabis was not one of them. Trump did nothing to halt Sessions’ major move on cannabis, rescinding the Cole Memo in early 2018. Recently his administration shot down a series of bills to facilitate veterans’ access to cannabis. And the White House has blocked a bill that would make it easier to study the use of medical cannabis by those same veterans. In a recent column, Leafly’s Bruce Barcott said this about the gap between Trump’s words and deeds on cannabis issues:

Still wondering what Trump thinks about legalization? Hang on, let me order a big-ass neon billboard from Obvious Signage & Sons. Here’s what it says: HE’S AGAINST IT.

“In terms of marijuana and legalization, I think that should be a state issue, state-by-state. Marijuana is such a big thing.” (2015) 

Elizabeth Warren

US senator, Massachusetts

“No one should go to jail for a joint. But more Americans are arrested for marijuana possession than all violent crimes combined.” (2018)

Former governor, Massachusetts

Weld has had a bizarre relationship with cannabis. Or maybe he’s just evolving. He was President Reagan’s man in Massachusetts during the height of the war on drugs in the 1980s, but by 2016 he was the Libertarian party’s candidate for vice president, running alongside former cannabis company executive Gary Johnson, on an anti-prohibition platform. He’s now come back to the Republican fold and currently sits on the board of Acreage Holdings with former US Speaker of the House and longtime cannabis opponent John Boehner.

“I think [national legalization] is inevitable. I don’t think any politician is going to be able to stop it.” (2018)

Entrepreneur

Yang has been explicit about his pro-legalization views since jumping into the campaign; recently, however, he had to walk back a promise to pardon all non-violent drug offenders on 4/20 to only include individuals convicted of violating federal marijuana laws.

“Our criminalization of marijuana is stupid and racist, particularly now that it’s legal in some states.” (2018)

Thanksgiving is just days away, and this time it's all about the gravy.

California-based Kiva Confections, which creates cannabis-infused treats, is attempting to take the traditional Thanksgiving dinner to a "higher" level with its cannabis-infused turkey gravy.

The release of the limited-edition dish comes as California, known for its high taxes, is aiming to lift duties on the legal marijuana market yet again. But those increased hikes may be passed along to consumers.

Kiva's twist on a traditional holiday staple is said to feature "fast-acting technology that allows for faster THC absorption," which the company touts will help eliminate those "awkward family dinners."

“Fast-acting edibles technology is an exciting industry innovation because it has the potential to change the way people use edibles, breaking down the barriers to entry,” said Kiva's co-founder and CEO Scott Palmer. “What better way to start than with America’s favorite Thanksgiving dressing?”

The company says it utilizes cutting-edge technology that allows the cannabinoids to take effect in as little as two to 15 minutes, much faster than typical edibles.

"Awkward family dinner conversation? In just under 15 minutes you’ll start feeling the effects, so you can sit back, relax, and let the holiday cheer wash over you. "

- Kiva Confection

The gravy is infused with 10mg of THC and is made with turkey stock, salt, onion and garlic in order to "create a familiar taste with an uncommon ingredient."

For many, the jolt of caffeine and the mellowing effects of cannabis make a perfect combination. When the two meet in the body and mind, they can amplify one another, but research is limited as to how they interact on a chemical level.

Scientific studies on what happens when your morning joe meets your morning joint are scattershot and inconclusive, but they provide a rough map of what to expect of this mental terrain. But culturally, caffeine and cannabis seem like natural bedfellows, with everyone’s favorite (legal) upper most likely to be paired with cannabis from a retail perspective. 

Murky Conclusions 

For starters, we know caffeine operates in the endocannabinoid system – the same brain region that makes weed do its thing. Both substances have been shown to cause an uptick in dopamine activity, and some report that the kick from caffeine creates a brighter, more euphoric cannabis high.

In many ways, however, the two seem to be awkward dance partners, canceling out certain effects and amplifying others.  Caffeine can have an anxiety-producing effect, while THC can make one mellower in low doses and freaked out at high doses (CBD seems to generally have a calming effect at any dosage). It’s possible for coffee jitters to add to cannabis shakes, paranoia or couchlock for an unpleasant cocktail. But it’s also easy to find individual reports of just the opposite effect, with the two mixing for a relaxed yet upbeat feeling. As always, it is advisable to take it slow when trying new combinations and pay attention to one’s own body.

Though coffee has been shown to enhance one’s cognitive powers, combined with weed, the overall effect may actually be the reverse from coffee alone: Some studies suggest that coffee and cannabis combine to inhibit memory. Others have shown that caffeine can partially protect against the forgetfulness associated with high doses of CBD.

This research, while certainly better than nothing, is hard to synthesize into solid conclusions. The studies tend to be one-offs, with little in the way of confirmation or corroboration, are often conducted on animals and may use chemical compounds that replicate caffeine rather than the real deal. One hopes that looser cannabis laws will bring more research on this topic.

Coffee Shops and “Coffeeshops” 

Culturally, coffee and cannabis have been siloed into separate realms by their opposite legal statuses. But as legalization takes shape across North America, the café provides one model for the cannabis lounge, with their proclivity for comfy seating, art on the walls and maybe the occasional open mic or music performance.

For many a Netherlands resident and cannabis tourist, their first experience with social cannabis consumption came at a “coffeeshop,” the go-to euphemism for a place to smoke pot in Amsterdam. While some are more like bars or dispensaries, others capture the cozy ambience one associates with a café. Many do in fact serve coffee.

Though states have been slow to legalize and permit cannabis sales and cities have been slow to allow lounges, this new sort of cultural space is gradually making its way into North America. This expansion has been further helped along by coffee shops savvy enough to exploit CBD’s gray area legality and offer a little boost to your morning brew — for a few extra bucks, of course.

Despite the issues noted above, the combination of the substances is less discombobulating (more… combobulating?) than alcohol and cannabis. Furthermore, some states, such as California, don’t allow alcohol and cannabis to be sold by the same establishment — but there are no similar restrictions on caffeinated drinks. Inevitably, cannabis consumption will chart its own course, but as legal, public consumption becomes more prevalent in the U.S., our spaces built around coffee and tea provide the most obvious jumping off point.

Though the research on caffeine and cannabis provides some warning signs, the gaps in our understanding of their interaction are larger than the parts of the picture that are filled in. For instance, we have no research comparing how cannabis interacts with different caffeinated beverages: coffee, tea, energy drinks, etc.

Zooming out, coffee and tea houses provide the clearest model for what social consumption might look like in the U.S. Given how popular coffee and cannabis are, their meeting is inevitable. What remains to be seen is to what degree coffee and tea mores slip into the cannabis culture bloodstream.