Author: CannabisNewsWire (CNW)

About CannabisNewsWire CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge. To receive SMS text alerts from CannabisNewsWire, text “CANNABIS” to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only) For more information please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

CannabisNewsBreaks – RYAH Group Inc.’s (CSE: RYAH) RYAH Medtech Enters Exclusive Agreement with DelleD SAS

RYAH Group’s (CSE: RYAH) wholly owned subsidiary, RYAH Medtech Inc., has entered a definitively exclusive software development and product distribution agreement with its France-based partner, DelleD SAS, for the distribution of the RYAH Smart Inhaler. According to the update, the strategic agreement further defines the previously announced arrangement with DelleD to distribute RYAH Smart Inhalers in the territory of France and participate in the upcoming tender for the French government’s national experiment on patient use of medical cannabis. “In addition to distribution of the proprietary devices and accessories, the deal involves a statement of work (‘SOW’) for RYAH to develop customized software for DelleD that would cater to the French patients who intend to use and track their plant-based therapies via DelleD,” said Jordan Medley, head of Product Operations at RYAH, noting this project is the company’s second customized software development order. “Providing a robust data collection mechanism ensures more comprehensive patient feedback — and, consequently, accurate clinical trial results.”

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About RYAH Group Inc.

RYAH is a big data and technology company focused on valuable predictive analysis in the global medical intake industry. The company manages a complete digital ecosystem leveraging both internet of things (“IoT”) and artificial intelligence (“AI”) to create a dynamic data service for the medical plant industry. It is developing a suite of IoT devices, including a dry-herb vaporizer device capable of storing all plant lab results, measuring patient inhalation sessions in real-time and capturing instant feedback for plant dose management. Its robust artificial intelligence platform aggregates and correlates HIPAA-compliant medical data, which is intended to help doctors and patients personalize plant-based treatments to better predict treatment outcomes. The data collection is also relevant for pharmacies, clinics, growers, dispensaries, and licensed processors (“LPs”) to monitor and manage plant strain effects on patients. With a strong IP portfolio, RYAH gathers deep and insightful data on the complete medical plant lifecycle, from seed to consumption. For more information about the company, please visit www.RYAHGroup.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to RYAH are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/RYAH

About CanadianCannabisWire

CanadianCannabisWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

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420 with CNW — NIDA Boss Asks for Reconsideration of Marijuana Criminalization

Decades after the United States began a campaign to hamper drug use in the country, it is pretty clear that the war on drugs has been a failure. Intense policing coupled with harsh sentencing may have worked on other crimes, but in the case of cannabis, this approach only ensured that certain communities were punished harshly for cannabis-related crimes while others weren’t.

The nationwide campaign to decriminalize drug use may have gained a major supporter after the head of a top federal drug agency criticized America’s policy of treating drug use as a criminal problem rather than a public health issue.

The director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (“NIDA”) Nora Volkov has in the past made it clear that she isn’t a big supporter of the country’s anti-drug laws. This time, she wrote an essay, titled “Addiction Should Be Treated, Not Penalized,” for the “Journal Health Affairs” where she argued that the time has come for the U.S. to stop handing out long sentences to individuals with low-level drug offenses. Although Volkov doesn’t explicitly endorse decriminalization, she made it clear that the current policies don’t work, especially for communities of color.

Most studies have found that Black and Latino communities are much more likely to be arrested for marijuana-related offenses compared to white communities despite similar usage rates. The drug policies that are currently in place have led to disproportionate enforcement against communities of color, Volkov says, and rather than hamper drug use, these policies can even increase the risk of overdose deaths. Punishment, especially the kind of punishment proffered in American courts, does not reduce the occurrence of substance use disorders, she writes. Rather, it increases an individual’s risk of experiencing a drug overdose once they are released from prison.

Despite the fact that we have decades’ worth of evidence proving that addiction is a medical problem not a criminal matter, the U.S. continues to criminalize drug addiction. In the interest of both “health equity and population well-being,” the U.S. must approach drug addiction as a public health issue,” Volkov notes. Not only will this allow people who are afflicted with substance use disorders to get the help they need, but it will ensure that communities of color aren’t the victim of disproportionate enforcement any anymore. Volkov writes that the country desperately needs to research public health-based alternatives such as drug courts, diversion programs and legislation decriminalizing drug possession.

In the meantime, she says, NIDA will double its focus on addressing substance use and addiction in minority communities.

If the voices of such high-ranking federal agency officials are heeded and cannabis policy reform is implemented at the federal level, the regulatory landscape within which industry actors such as Hero Technologies Inc. (OTC: HENC) operate will become much more clear.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Hero Technologies Inc. (OTC: HENC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/HENC

About CNW420

CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

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420 with CNW — Free Cannabis for COVID Jabs Turns Out to Be Popular

The latest data from the U.S. CDC indicates that approximately one-third of all adults in the country have received full vaccination against COVID-19. As the statistics of doses administered on a daily basis start dropping, health officials have turned their focus upon individuals who express hesitation to get the jab.

Smaller vaccination centers are mushrooming in a number of unexpected places, such as at strip clubs, to lure more people to get vaccinated. At the same time, people are being given different incentives to encourage them to get vaccinated. Incentives include savings bonds, cash and, in some cases, even booze.

One particular perk — free cannabis for those who have been vaccinated — has turned out to be a master stroke given the enthusiastic response it has generated among those in support of marijuana across the nation.

DCMJ, a pro-cannabis law reform group based in Washington, DC., started this trend by announcing in January this year that it was launching a campaign, dubbed “Joints for Jabs,” the provided free cannabis as a reward for every person who got vaccinated when the country rolled out its inoculation program.

The policy reform outfit says so far it has handed out in excess of 10,000 joints at several events organized outside vaccination locations in the nation’s capital. Those giveaways were an instant hit not just among people passing by but also among the staff vaccinating those who show up for the jab.

Adam Eidinger, co-founder of DCMJ, says he overheard a staff member who was vaccinating people telling individuals to step out and receive a free joint. This was after those inside the vaccination center had heard about the campaign outside.

It wasn’t long before DCMJ’s work in Washington caught on in New York, and NYMJ (a sister advocacy group to DCMJ) teamed up with DCMJ to stage similar campaigns when the 4/20 cannabis holiday came round.

On that day, Union Square in New York hosted a major event by NYMJ, and approximately 4,000 cannabis joints were handed out. On the same day, DCMJ also had events at 35 venues in Washington, DC, at which big giveaways were held.

Volunteers rolled all the cannabis that was given away in New York and they followed strict safety protocols to prevent the spread of infections, including COVID-19. The measures included wearing gloves and masks as well as avoiding licking the papers in which the cannabis was rolled. The campaigners say all the cannabis handed out was donated by people growing marijuana at home since existing laws made it hard for licensed marijuana companies to donate weed.

Some registered firms, such as Arizona-based the Mint dispensaries, have also found ways to hand out cannabis to vaccinated individuals who visit their stores. People qualifie for this perk by presenting their vaccination cards.

The proprietors of these companies hope the recipients see the perk as a reward and not an inducement to get vaccinated.

The foregoing shows that players in the cannabis sector are doing what they can to support the COVID-19 immunization drive, thereby adding to the other benefits such as employment opportunities that entities such as Sonoma Biologics Corp. bring to the jurisdictions where they operate.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Sonoma Biologics Corp. are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/Sonoma

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420 with CNW — Everything You Need to Know About Delta-8 THC

Long before lawmakers were considering legislation that would federally decriminalize cannabis, Congress passed the 2018 Farm Bill. Among other things, this legislation legalized the cultivation and sale of industrial hemp and its derivatives. Hemp is a form of cannabis that has less than 0.3% THC, meaning any products made from hemp or its derivatives do not cause users to get high. For the past year or so, one of the components found in hemp has been enjoying increased market visibility, especially in New York State.

If delta 8 THC sounds familiar, it’s probably because it reminds you of the component in cannabis that creates that feeling of intoxication. Hemp and cannabis produce hundreds of compounds called cannabinoids, including the famous CBD and delta-9 THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) responsible for cannabis’ effects. However, despite sharing a name and sporting a similar molecular structure, delta-8 THC is a completely different ball game. In New York, delta-8 THC products have been available for close to a year.

Many shops that specialize in CBD and other hemp-derived products also stock delta-8 THC products, usually in flower, vap, or edible form. How does this cannabinoid react with the body? According to Garry Colmey, a legal cannabis advocate who operates a indoor cannabidiol gardening outlet in Rome, Italy, delta-8 makes people “feel good.” The feeling lands somewhere between the those evoked by consuming CBD and THC, producing a mild sort of euphoria without the buzz cannabis is famous for.

Since hemp products must contain less than 0.3% THC to be considered legal, delta-8 THC leaves the userr with a sort of body euphoria rather than a head high, says Yardley Burgess. Burgess owns a number of Empire CBD retail shops in New York State, and he says delta-8 THC may also provide relief against pain and anxiety as well as boost feelings of relaxation. The popularity of the milder cannabinoid isn’t just limited to New York; delta-8 THC is going nationwide.

In March this year, a “Forbes” article reported that that delta-8 THC was quickly becoming the most exciting and intoxicating product in the hemp industry. Still, delta-8 THC has plenty of detractors, and the article noted that the booming sector may soon fall. Several states, including Colorado, Alaska, Arkansas, Montana, Delaware, Idaho, Arizona and Mississippi, have banned delta-8 THC, as other states are looking into such hemp derivatives. Kim Stuck, a former cannabis regulator who now runs Allay, a consulting service that advises and provides assistance to businesses in the cannabis space, says this could be because the industry is still brand new and most states are still uncertain about minor cannabinoids such as delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol.

Businesses in this space may be reaping profits, but things may soon change as laws and regulations catch up. Recently, the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) proposed classifying delta-8 THC as a controlled substance, but the rule change hasn’t been made yet.

Hopefully, the rule changes imposed in various jurisdictions take note of the therapeutic potential of various cannabinoids as the therapeutic formulations undergoing trials by XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. (CSE: XPHY) (OTCQB: XPHYF) (FSE: 4XT) and other companies indicate.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. (CSE: XPHY) (OTCQB: XPHYF) (FSE: 4XT) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/XPHYF

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420 with CNW — Public Defenders Accuse Bronx DA of Dragging Feet on Dropping Pending Cannabis Cases

In April, New York passed one of the most progressive recreational cannabis laws in the country, joining a small but growing number of states that now allow adult-use cannabis. On top of allowing adults aged 21 and over to grow, purchase and possess cannabis, the bill also provided provisions for dismissing prior cannabis-related charges and expunging such offenses from people’s records. However, more than one month after New York state legalized recreational cannabis, a number of New York residents still have pending cases and even arrest warrants for offenses that are now considered legal under state law.

Each of the five administrative units, or boroughs, in New York City has got its own district attorney’s office, and public defenders in the Bronx have accused the Bronx DA of dragging his feet rather than making haste to dismiss pending cannabis-related cases. On April 20, 2021, the public defenders sent Bronx DA Darcel Clark’s office a letter urging him to conduct the affairs of his office in line with the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (“MRTA”). The defenders estimate that there are currently hundreds of pending cases involving serious charges such as criminal possession or sale of cannabis that are currently legal or considered lesser violations.

Despite the passage of the recreational cannabis law, those cases are still hovering over people’s heads, says Eli Northrup, a lawyer from Bronx Defenders. For instance, 41 people from the Bronx have been arraigned before court on marijuana charges, and their court dates are coming up. There are also cases involving individuals who, after being arrested, were given desk appearance tickets to present themselves in court as well as warrants issued for people who failed to show up before court or did not pay their fine.

Northrup says this group probably includes individuals with warrants that are decades old, making it the largest category of individuals impacted by the Bronx DA’s inaction. Ruben Fernandez, another attorney allied with the Bronx Defenders, says plenty of judges have been throwing out cannabis-related charges as accused persons appear in their courts. Ideally, individuals who were charged with offenses that are now considered legal would have their records automatically expunged of the offense.

However, some issues such as clearing warrants may take some time, exposing people with such warrants to the risk of arrest if an officer stops them before the process is complete. In fact, some people may not even be aware that there are warrants out for their arrest, Fernandez says. Court dates are an extra hustle, causing people to lose work hours and forcing them to find child care, which can be quite costly.

According to a spokesperson from the Bronx DA’s office, the DA is currently evaluating cases to determine if they fit the criteria for dismissal.

It is unfortunate that some prosecutors seem to be in no hurry to drop charges that can no longer be sustained under the current marijuana laws in New York state; moreover, this is coming at a time when several companies in different jurisdictions, such as RYAH Group Inc. (CSE: RYAH), have a range of products including the RYAH Smart Pen, which help patients take precise doses of their medical cannabis. This illustrates how unnecessary it is to criminalize a substance with therapeutic potential.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to RYAH Group Inc. (CSE: RYAH) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/RYAH

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HempNewsBreaks – The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. (TSX: TGOD) (OTCQX: TGODF) Releases Q1 2021 Financial Report, Corporate Updates

The Green Organic Dutchman (TSX: TGOD) (OTCQX: TGODF), a leading producer of premium certified organically grown cannabis, announced its unaudited interim financial numbers for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, as well as key corporate updates. Financial highlights included revenue Q1 revenue of $8.98 million, an increase of 194% from Q1 2020 numbers; gross profit for the quarter reach $3.13 million, an increase of 83% over the same period during the previous year; and net income totaled $12.46 million. In addition, the company provided status reports on various business operations, including the company’s planned entry into the U.S. market, the sale of its Quebec facility and other key strategic initiatives designed to maximize shareholder value, which include the potential sale or spin-off for an IPO of HemPoland, TGOD’s wholly owned subsidiary, and the potential for mergers and acquisitions in the Canadian cannabis LP sector. In conjunction with the release of its financial numbers, TGOD announced an investor conference call and webcast to discuss the Q1 2021 report. The event is scheduled for May 13, 2021, at 10 a.m. ET. Anyone desiring to participate may dial 416-764-8688 in Toronto or 1-888-390-0546 in North America and use the conference ID 19888977. “This quarter’s improving financials demonstrate how we are strengthening TGOD’s foundations by executing our turnaround plan,” said TGOD CEO and interim CFO Sean Bovingdon in the press release. “From monetizing underutilized assets to streamlining our organizational structure and strengthening our balance sheet, our new leadership team is making great strides towards completing the transformation of TGOD into a profitable and agile organic cannabis producer that stands to benefit from accelerated growth in Canada and abroad with opportunities in Germany, Mexico, Australia and the United States. The achievement of net income reflects the positive outlook for our cash flows in relation to our right-sized operations. We look forward to the potential lifting of COVID restrictions as vaccinations increase, which will allow for better access for consumers to our organically grown quality products, that are now consistently achieving THC levels greater than 20%.”

To view the webcast, visit https://cnw.fm/ODgfS

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About The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd.

The Green Organic Dutchman is a premium certified organically grown cannabis company focused on the health and wellness market. Its organic cannabis is cultivated in living soil, as nature intended. The Company is committed to cultivating a better tomorrow by producing its products responsibly, with less waste and impact on the environment. Its two Canadian facilities have been built to LEED certification standards and its products are sold in recyclable packaging. In Canada, TGOD sells dried flower and oil, and recently launched a series of next–generation cannabis products such as hash, vapes, organic teas and dissolvable powders. Through its European subsidiary, HemPoland, the company also distributes premium-hemp CBD oil and CBD-infused topicals in Europe. By leveraging science and technology, TGOD harnesses the power of nature from seed to sale. For more information about the company, please visit www.TGOD.ca.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to TGODF are available in the company’s newsroom at http://cnw.fm/TGODF

About HempWire

HempWire (HW) is a dedicated information provider focused on (1) aggregating hemp-related news, (2) issuing HempNewsBreaks designed to update investors on the latest developments in the hemp market, (3) enhancing corporate news releases, (4) providing full-service distribution and social media offerings to public and private client-partners and (5) designing and implementing all-inclusive corporate communication solutions. HW is strategically positioned within the rapidly expanding hemp sector with a team of journalists working to help a growing roster of public and private companies reach a wide audience of investors, consumers and members of the media. We leverage a vast network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets to deliver unparalleled visibility, recognition and content to the hemp industry. HempWire (HW) is where HEMP news, content and information converge.

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420 with CNW — Minnesota House Likely to Vote on Marijuana Legalization Bill This Week

Minnesota, home to one of the strictest medical cannabis programs in the country, is one step closer to an adult-use market. For the first time ever, a bill that would legalize recreational cannabis and expunge minor cannabis convictions has advanced far into the legislature and is expected to receive a full floor vote in the Minnesota House during its final hearing this week. The bill, which was authored by Democratic House Leader Ryan Winkler of Golden Valley, has been through a dozen hearings so far and is especially focused on criminal justice.

To help develop the landmark legislation and drum up support, Winkler held forums in at least a dozen cities. By involving tons of people in the process, listening to their issues, and addressing those issues, the campaign built up a lot of support, Winkler says. As expected, the bill received plenty of support from Democrats in the House while four Republicans voted in its favor in committee. As the legislation moves to final passage in the Minnesota House, Winkler expects to garner more supporters.

Cannabis reform advocates and Democrats in the state have framed the adult-use bill as a racial equity issue. Despite relatively similar usage rates, Black Minnesotans are 5.4 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana compared to their white counterparts. A report from the ACLU of Minnesota published in 2020 showed that in terms of racial disparities in marijuana possession arrests, Minnesota ranks eighth in the country. Additionally, Black and Hispanic communities were victims of intense policing and harsh sentences for years under the guise of cannabis policies.

Consequently, every community Winkler visited pointed to social equity as a top priority when it comes to adult-use cannabis legislation, and that equity was one of the main reasons he threw his weight behind cannabis reform. He calls the state’s continued efforts to prohibit and criminalize cannabis using the criminal justice system as a “public policy failure.”

According to Republican Rep. Pat Garofalo, most Republicans are apprehensive about the adult-use bill due to its complexity. Like most cannabis reform legislation, it touches on several issues including labor laws, criminal and sentencing laws, and taxation, among others. He says that even though the proposal needs more work, the fact that Democrats accepted his amendment to direct some cannabis tax revenue to a tax relief account as a “big step in the right direction.”

On the other hand, law enforcement has expressed concern over the proposal citing negative health effects such as increased addiction rates and impaired driving.

If Minnesota eventually establishes a regulated marijuana market, it will be one fewer state without recreational cannabis, and that would potentially exert more pressure on the federal government to enact reforms that could ultimately allow sector players such as Gage Growth Corp. (CSE: GAGE) (d.b.a. Gage Cannabis) to operate across state lines, unlike the current legal regime which bars cannabis from crossing state boundaries.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Gage Growth Corp. (CSE: GAGE) (d.b.a. Gage Cannabis) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/GAGE

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420 with CNW — US Conservative States Warm Up to Medical Marijuana

A wave of cannabis reform is sweeping across America, and the country’s most conservative states are taking notice. At the moment, more than 30 states allow medical cannabis use for patients with qualifying conditions, and there are several more medical cannabis bills in state legislatures. Studies have found the controversial plant to be capable of treating conditions such as anxiety, chronic pain and epilepsy, and a majority of Americans are behind medical cannabis use.

Conservative states have been slow to adopt cannabis reform, with most of them outlawing recreational cannabis and launching some of the strictest medical cannabis programs in the country. Still, there has been an influx of medical cannabis bills in Republican-controlled states, and advocates are hoping even the most conservative states will eventually see the potential of cannabis.

North Carolina’s medical marijuana program has the support of Republican Sen. Bill Rabon, who is also the chair of the Rules Committee in the state senate. The program would see patients suffering from debilitating medical ailments such as glaucoma, epilepsy, and cancer gain access to medical marijuana. According to the founder of NC Cann (a legalization advocacy group) Garrett Perdue, Rabon’s backing affords the legislation ‘decent chances’ of making it past the Senate wall.

The Alabama House recently passed the medical cannabis bill with a 68 to 34 vote. The bill had initially been passed by the Senate in February before heading to the governor’s desk. While Republican Gov. Kay Ivey already passed other fairly limited medical marijuana bills in the state’s past, it is unclear whether she supports broad cannabis legalization.

Kansas probably won’t pass a medical marijuana bill this year despite having a Democratic governor who is a vocal supporter of legalizing medical cannabis. Although the Kansas House passed a draft bill to make medical marijuana legal by a 78 to 42 vote, the bill didn’t go past the state Senate. Still, the Senate has referred the bill to committee and plans to pick it up next January, so all hope is not lost.

Texas, which is home to a limited medical cannabis program, recently approved a bill to expand the state’s program. The bill was sponsored by Republican Rep. Stephanie Klick, and it will expand Texas’ list of eligible conditions from intractable epilepsy to include autism, PTSD and multiple sclerosis (“MS”). It would also raise the maximum THC limit from 0.5% to 5%.

Minnesota is also on track to expand its relatively limited medical cannabis program. This would include an end to the prohibition of cannabis flower products, which cannabis reform supporters say has made medical cannabis too expensive and reduced enrollment in the state’s medical cannabis program.

As these conservative states enact cannabis laws, a time may come when national policies will be eased thereby creating uniform laws which sector players such as Pure Extracts Technologies Corp. (CSE: PULL) (OTC: PRXTF) can analyze as companies ponder how to make their entry into the U.S. market.

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420 with CNW — Colorado Governor Enacts Bill Allowing Students Access to Medical Cannabis

Last week, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed a bill to expand access to medical cannabis for students in schools. The state’s current law allows principals the discretion to establish policies that prevent or allow schools to administer and store marijuana-based medicines. Under the new legislation, this discretion is eliminated, which means that school boards will establish policies on how to store marijuana medicines while also allowing their personnel to volunteer to administer it to students who need it as well as possess it.

The governor’s office stated that Polis is also planning to sign another legislation that was recently advanced to his desk. This legislation would increase the recreational marijuana possession limit in Colorado from one ounce to two ounces.

Victoria Graham, who is the governor’s spokesperson, noted in an email that Polis intended to sign the legislation. Earlier, Polis stated that he was pleased to sign SB 21-056, which would allow marijuana to be treated in the same way prescribed medicines were treated. He added that the legislation would make it harder to discriminate against volunteers such as teachers and school nurses who had come forward to administer medical marijuana.

NORML state policies manager Carly Wolf stated that students who depend on medical marijuana shouldn’t be denied access simply because the marijuana needed to be administered in a school setting.

Cannabis advocates note that while this legislation is a step in the right direction, they look forward to the governor signing the bill to double the cannabis possession threshold for individuals aged 21 and above in the state. This legislation would also need courts to grant requests to seal previous records of marijuana possession if the proper documentation has been provided. This would eliminate the need to consult with a district attorney.

Wolf explained that passing this law would prompt law enforcement to direct their resources toward fighting other crimes instead of expending resources to arrest individuals for minor, nonviolent offenses. The law would also make sure that low-level offenders don’t have to pay fines they couldn’t afford.

This change in policy may significantly influence future pardons. In October 2020, the governor issued an executive order that gave clemency to nearly 3,000 individuals who had been convicted of possession. However, his office decided not to pardon individuals who had been convicted of possessing more than an ounce of marijuana because that amount was in violation of the present state law.

It is such progressive laws that give cannabis sector players such as Golden Leaf Holdings Ltd. (CSE: GLH) (OTCQB: GLDFF) hope that a time will come when the existing regulatory hurdles that make it challenging to operate in the cannabis space will be eased to enable the sector to grow even faster.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Golden Leaf Holdings Ltd. (CSE: GLH) (OTCQB: GLDFF) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/GLDFF

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420 with CNW — Limited Medical Cannabis Compromise Bill Sent to Tennessee Governor’s Desk

The state of Tennessee is one step closer to legalizing medical cannabis after the legislature sent a limited medical cannabis bill to the governor’s desk. The legislation would expand Tennessee’s limited medical cannabis industry and create a commission tasked with analyzing broader medical cannabis reform. Although the bill is a compromise between cannabis reform advocates and those against cannabis reform, the advocates aren’t happy that a more comprehensive medical marijuana bill failed to pass.

The limited compromise bill would expand the list of qualifying conditions from only intractable epilepsy to include cancer, ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, sickle cell disease, inflammatory bowel syndrome, HIV/AIDS and multiple sclerosis. Patients with the qualifying conditions would be allowed to possess CBD oil that contains a maximum of 0.9% THC. They will be required to have proof of their medical condition as well as a recommendation from a licensed doctor to possess cannabis.

However, since the limited compromise bill doesn’t legalize the cultivation and sale of medical cannabis in the state, qualifying medical marijuana patients will have to source it from neighboring states with legal medical cannabis markets or the black market. The bill only ensures that patients who meet the strict conditions of qualifying for medical marijuana have certain legal protections.

The nine-member commission established by the bill would be charged with studying state and federal cannabis laws and helping Tennessee lawmakers prepare legislation to legalize medical cannabis in the state. However, everything the committee learns will only be implemented in the state’s own medical marijuana space if Congress federally legalizes cannabis. According to language in the bill, it does not authorize a medical cannabis program in Tennessee. Until the federal government stops classifying cannabis as a schedule I controlled substance, the state shall not authorize the licensing of medical cannabis dispensaries.

The bill passed the Senate with a 19 to 12 vote before the House unanimously passed it in a 74 to17 vote. An amendment that would have removed the Senate addition requiring cannabis to be federally legalized before the state can launch its medical cannabis market was quashed in the House right before the bill was passed.

In the meantime, the nine-member committee will be busy studying other state and federal medical cannabis legislations specifically looking at registration, patient qualification, roles of medical professionals and pharmacists, registration of cannabis businesses and testing protocols, among other factors.

The restrictive nature of the cannabis law passed in Tennessee highlights how narrow the legal space within which marijuana sector players, such as Grapefruit USA Inc. (OTCQB: GPFT), have to live within in jurisdictions where cannabis is legal in some form, especially with the added complication of federal law that prohibits marijuana.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Grapefruit USA Inc. (OTCQB: GPFT) are available in the company’s newsroom at http://cnw.fm/GPFT

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