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

420 with CNW — Legislators in Nebraska Approve Medical Cannabis Legalization Bill

Last week, a committee in Nebraska passed legislation to legalize medical cannabis in the state. The bill, sponsored by Senator Anna Wishart, would permit patients living with various conditions that make them eligible for the medical cannabis program to buy and possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana from licensed dispensaries in the state. However, it would not permit patients to smoke cannabis.

Members of the Judiciary Committee passed the legislation in a 5 to 2 vote, which allowed them to advance the measure to the legislature for consideration.

Sen. Adam Morfeld and Sen. Wishart have been champions of marijuana reform for quite a while now. Last year, the two senators announced that while this legislation was a fairly limited measure to legalize medical cannabis in the state, they would continue working on putting the question of legalization of adult use marijuana before voters in the state in 2021.

The pair’s campaign, dubbed Nebraskans for Medical Cannabis, is also gathering signatures for a medical marijuana legalization measure that they plan to place on next year’s ballot. This will not be the first time the group attempts this. Last year, the group qualified a proposal to legalize medical cannabis on the 2020 ballot. However, the state’s Supreme Court hindered the proposal’s progression, citing concerns with a single-subject issue.

Steve Lathrop, chair of the Judiciary Committee, voted in favor of the latest medical marijuana legislation, noting that it was a superior vehicle for marijuana reform in comparison with the measure that would be placed on the voter’s ballot.

If reform activists gather enough signatures to qualify either the recreational or medical marijuana measure, they could still face problems at the polls, as mid-terms voting generally has lower turnouts in comparison with presidential elections.

In spite of this, the driving momentum for reform through the voter’s ballot may encourage legislators to pass medical marijuana legislations such as Wishart’s measure for the time being.

However, another hurdle the activists may encounter is Gov. Pete Rickets, who has been vocal about his stance on cannabis reform and seems likely reject any medical marijuana bill that legislators advance to him. For instance, 2020’s Nebraska medical marijuana measure, which was shut down, would have allowed physicians to recommend marijuana to patients who suffer from debilitating medical conditions. The measure would have also allowed those patients to buy, possess and cautiously grow cannabis for personal use.

Cannabis regulatory challenges aren’t present in Nebraska alone. Companies such as Pure Extracts Technologies Corp. (CSE: PULL) (OTC: PRXTF) have to keep in mind the specific rules in the jurisdictions of their international partners, and tweaking product packaging and other elements often drives up the cost of production. Nonetheless, the companies persevere in the hope that things will get better as more people learn about marijuana.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Pure Extracts Technologies Corp. (CSE: PULL) (OTC: PRXTF) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/PULL

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 — French Government Launches Medical Cannabis Experiment That May Lead to Legalization

Medical marijuana has demonstrated its potential effectiveness in trials and is currently being used legally in medical settings in different countries across the globe as a therapeutic for conditions that range from its use as an appetite stimulant for patients with wasting syndrome usually associated with AIDS to palliative care for cancer.

In Europe, some nations permit the use of medicinal products that contain CBD (cannabidiol) while others do not allow marijuana product manufacture but allow importation of marijuana products. Various countries across Europe have already legalized medical cannabis and have established legislations that regulate its use. They include Portugal, Poland and the United Kingdom. However, there are other countries, also in Europe, where medical marijuana is strictly prohibited and so is its sale, purchase or use. These countries include Albania, Belgium, Latvia and Sweden.

In the middle, there exist countries that allow the supply of some marijuana products under specific conditions or those that are working on making it legal. A good example of such would be France. Earlier in January of this year, France administered a questionnaire on marijuana legalization. The main objective of the exercise was to legitimize the content of a proposal on adult-use marijuana that the French Parliament was working on, as well as ease concerns over possible reform ahead of next year’s elections.

The questionnaire asked respondents whether they believed that the present system that is in place was effective in the fight against the illicit use of marijuana as well as marijuana trafficking.

Last week, the government of France launched a two-year countrywide experiment with medical marijuana. If the program, which was approved by parliament in 2019, is successful, the country may end up legalizing the plant for medical use.

In a statement, the Health Ministry noted that roughly 3,000 patients across France will be administered with medical marijuana treatments. During this period, their health will be observed and recorded by the national medicines observer. The first prescription was given on Friday in the Southern France Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital.

The Health Ministry also revealed that the objective of the experiment is to collect as much data as possible about the safety and effectiveness of therapeutic cannabis as well as prepare the logistical circuits for distribution in future.

While the eligibility criteria has yet to be made clear, those who will be allowed to participate in the program include individuals in palliative care, individuals suffering from some forms of epilepsy, individuals with nerve pain that cannot be managed or treated using other methods and patients suffering from various types of cancer.

The patients who take part in the medical marijuana experiment in France will be pleased to learn that the data analytics and IoT sectors are active in the plant medicine industry, as exemplified by the remote dose-measuring device produced by RYAH Group Inc.

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

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 — Governor Cuomo Signs New York Recreational Cannabis Legalization Bill Hours After Legislators Forward It

Andrew Cuomo, the governor of New York State, signed a bill legalizing recreational marijuana last week. This was a few hours after legislators had sent the draft law to his office after both chambers passed it the day before.

Speaking after enacting the law, Gov. Cuomo said that the signing was a historic event, a day on which harsh sentences and decades’ long wrongs would be corrected. He added that the new law would expand New York’s economy, expunge previous cannabis convictions and give priority to the worst-affected communities as the benefits of legalized marijuana are shared.

The governor revealed that he was proud that marijuana legalization, which was at the top of his agenda for the state this year, had become a reality in a way that allowed safety, social equity and economic impacts of the marijuana sector to be addressed comprehensively.

Speaking of comprehensive, the new law is 128 pages long and has a number of notable provisions. For example, with immediate effect, no one will be penalized for possessing less than 3 oz. of cannabis flower or 24 grams of cannabis concentrates. Another noteworthy provision indicates that people who were convicted for cannabis-related crimes that no longer qualify as crimes under the new law will have those convictions expunged automatically. This automatic expungement is a crucial provision since some would-be beneficiaries may not have the means, financial or legal representation, to pursue a manual process of wiping the slate clean.

The law also includes a concession made by the governor to allow people to grow marijuana at home for their own use. A maximum of six plants is permitted, and households with two or more adults can cultivate a maximum of 12 plants, half of which may be mature plants.

Home cultivation will also be allowed for patients enrolled on the medical marijuana program. However, home cultivation for recreational or medical use can only commence once regulators establish rules to oversee home grows. The rules are, by law, expected to be ready within six months for medical marijuana beneficiaries while regulators have a maximum of 18 months to get home-grow rules ready for recreational users.

It should also be noted that the marijuana legalization law prohibits granting licenses to companies that want to be vertically integrated. The exceptions to this rule are the existing medical cannabis companies as well as applicants who wish to run cannabis microbusinesses. The law also has provisions for allowing social marijuana consumption sites to operate, as well as delivery services.

Additionally, jurisdictions, such as municipalities, have been given an opportunity for the rest of this year to decide whether or not they will welcome marijuana businesses within their borders. If the local authorities opt out, voters can use a referendum to overturn the ban.

The countdown is now on to the launch of recreational marijuana sales expected to be in 2022. Only established cannabis companies such as Gage Growth Corp. (d.b.a. Gage Cannabis) in other state-legal markets may know what the preparations for launching legal recreational cannabis sales are like.

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

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 — Marijuana Could Be Legally Available in Virginia This Summer

Democratic lawmakers in the General Assembly of Virginia are now in support of making recreational marijuana legal effective July 1, 2021, instead of having to wait until 2024 when a regulated market for the same is launched. This comes as Senate leaders push for an amendment to the law passed earlier in February stating that marijuana would only be legal in 2024 after the necessary mechanisms to regulate the market are established.

The provision to tie the legalization of marijuana to the date when licensed cannabis businesses can open was a major disappointment to marijuana advocates, and they made their views heard on this matter across the state. They were of the view that such a lengthy delay would only exacerbate the racial problems witnessed as marijuana laws are implemented by law enforcement agencies.

Such a continuation was, according to the campaigners, in stark contrast to the claims that the legalization law was intended to redress the disparities in enforcing laws within the state.

The bill that passed in February is now on the desk of Gov. Northam, and advocates are pleased that he has added his voice to those of the concerned groups that want the legalization date adjusted to this year rather than 2024.

While speaking to VPM News, Northam stated that he wasn’t in support of the continued arrest of members of society over a substance that is scheduled to be legalized anyway. He added that he had plans to present several amendments to the state legislature so that the needed changes to the bill could be made.

The legalization bill that the Senate sent to the Assembly had a provision indicating that the legal possession of marijuana, which didn’t exceed an ounce, could be legalized on July 1 this year, but the General Assembly struck out that provision saying that it could allow the black market operators to entrench themselves in the absence of licensed retailers of cannabis.

Now that the leadership in the House has changed its position on this provision, it is expected that the changes Gov. Northam hinted at will not meet any resistance. This comes after Chamiele Herring, the Majority Leader in the General Assembly, revealed that she was in support of moving the legalization date forward as long as plans were made to conduct public education and safety campaigns.

The governor now has until Wednesday to send his amendments to the legislature so that the House can consider those recommendations on April 7.

Marijuana companies that open shop in Virginia once legalization is implemented will most likely enjoy similar benefits enjoyed by those in other jurisdictions where marijuana is legal. A case in point is Pac Roots Cannabis Corp. (CSE: PACR) (OTCQB: PACRF) (FSE: 4XM), which has managed to ensure profitability despite the stiff competition on the Canadian cannabis market. The company succeeds by specializing in high-end genetics that yield superior products.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Pac Roots Cannabis Corp. (CSE: PACR) (OTCQB: PACRF) are available in the company’s newsroom at http://cnw.fm/PACR

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 — Can Cannabis Expire?

If you prefer buying the maximum permitted amount of medical marijuana and storing it on your own instead of having to make a trip to the store every time you need to replenish your supply, there are a few things you need to know before doing so.

First off, you may be curious to know whether marijuana expires. While it does not expire, weed can become moldy. Old or moldy cannabis can affect you, especially if you suffer from underlying medical conditions. Even individuals  with no underlying medical issues can suffer health complications if they consume moldy cannabis.

Marijuana that has been improperly stored may have a weaker potency and may also have a different texture, taste and feel. To ensure long-lasting freshness and an amazing experience, keep these things in mind.

To begin with, you need to know how long marijuana stays fresh.

If you store your marijuana in the right way, it can remain suitable for anywhere between six months to one year. After this period, dried marijuana will begin to lose its aroma and potency. Research has found that marijuana loses 16% of its THC when stored for an entire year, with the THC level continuing to drop the longer it remains in storage.

Marijuana stored for two years will lose 26% of its THC; storing it for an additional year results in the loss of 34% of THC. So if you don’t plan on consuming your marijuana within a six -month period, then there’s no need to purchase it.

But how can you tell if your marijuana is old to begin with?

The good news is, you don’t have to be a marijuana connoisseur to know. The smell will be the first thing you need to check out. Depending on the strain you get, the taste and smell may be different. However, marijuana that is too old will have a different aroma and scent from when it wasa purchased.

If you notice no difference in smell, then look at its appearance. If your cnnabis is too moist or too dry, or it crumbles when you break off a part of it, then it’s too old for you to consume.

So, how can you properly store your marijuana?

It is important to note that light, humidity, temperature and oxygen all affect your marijuana, so don’t store your cannabis in plastic bags. Instead, use a glass jar to store your weed in. Ensure you seal it tightly and store the jar in a dark, cool and dry place.

Learning how to store cannabis is vital. It would be a pity to buy premium quality product from organizations such as Golden Leaf Holdings Ltd. (CSE: GLH) (OTCQB: GLDFF) and have it lose its potency because of improper storage.

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

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 — Poll Finds 67% of Voters in Louisiana Support Marijuana Legalization

According to the recently published results of a poll, at least two-thirds of voters in Louisiana support the full legalization of cannabis, both for recreational and medical use. These voters include the majority of the Republicans in the state, according to the poll.

This recent survey, conducted by JMC Enterprises, indicates that support for marijuana legalization in the state has risen significantly from the time a similar poll was done. For example, only 54% of the voters expressed support for legalization last year compared to the 67% who now say they would prefer to see cannabis legalized.

In this recent poll, only 16% of the people sampled admitted that they wouldn’t want to see marijuana legalized in Louisiana for recreational use, but they would support legalization for medicinal use. Just 8% expressed opposition to both medical and recreational use legalization.

As has been the case previously, Democrats lead the surge of supporters of cannabis legalization. The JMC poll, not surprisingly, shows that 67% of all Democrats support recreational marijuana legalization compared to 58% of Republicans who support the policy change. Youth are particularly bullish on the subject with 93% of all younger voters saying they would like to see marijuana legalized not only for medical but for recreational use as well.

During the same poll, voters were asked to express their thoughts about changing cannabis policy so that people are fined for marijuana possession or use instead of serving time in jail. Nearly half of the respondents said they preferred full legalization rather than decriminalization. Only 27% said removing criminal penalties would be preferred in lieu of full legalization.

At the moment, the marijuana laws in the state only allow patients enrolled in the medical marijuana program access a limited range of cannabis products. An estimated 75% of those who took part in the JMC poll want this to change so that patients have access to a wider variety of products, including the entire marijuana plant.

Last year, Gov. John B. Edwards appended his signature to a bill geared at expanding the state’s medical cannabis program so that licensed physicians could prescribe medical marijuana for any patient suffering from a debilitating condition. Previously, physicians could only recommend medical marijuana as a treatment for a narrowly defined list of conditions and diseases.

JMC Enterprises polled a total of 1,160 voters in the state March 22–23. The findings represent the latest views of registered voters in the state. It remains to be seen how these results will influence policy in the coming years.

As the discussion on whether marijuana should or shouldn’t be legalized in different jurisdictions rages on, many companies have found success in manufacturing products from nonintoxicating ingredients of the cannabis sativa plant. For instance, The Alkaline Water Company Inc. (NASDAQ: WTER) (CSE: WTER) started out selling pH-balanced drinking water, but the company has added a line of CBD-infused products to its offering, and the market has given an overwhelming positive response to those gummies, salves, tinctures and drinks.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to The Alkaline Water Company Inc. (NASDAQ: WTER) (CSE: WTER) are available in the company’s newsroom at http://cnw.fm/WTER

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 — Top Mexican Legislator Reveals Senate Will Soon Pass Bill to Legalize Marijuana

Last week, a senator in the Mexican Senate revealed that the upper chamber is preparing to pass a legislation to legalize cannabis as amended by the Chamber of Deputies this March.

Sen. Eduardo Ramírez Aguilar, who is a member of the ruling MORENA Party, explained that it was important to pass laws in the terms presented to the senate given the deadline they had been issued by the Supreme Court to enact changes in policy by April 30. He added that legislators could consider further revisions to marijuana laws after the preliminary bill had been enacted.

During a press conference, Ramírez Aguilar, who also acts as the Senate Board of Directors president, noted that the legislators’ priority was that the bill came into effect, with the only way forward being to approve it. The comments come roughly a fortnight after the Chamber of Deputies approved a landmark legalization measure that had been amended after it was passed by the Senate in 2020.

While the driving force behind the bill being approved is a Supreme Court mandate, many legislators have advocated for reform. Additionally, earlier in 2018, the court had ruled that the prohibition on growing marijuana and on personal possession was unconstitutional and tasked legislators with approving a change in policy.

For the moment, Senate Majority Leader Ricardo Monreal Avila stated that there was an ongoing thorough review by committees in the body that focused on whether the legislation would contribute to a reduction in fatalities as well as a reduction in crime. Under the measure, individuals aged 18 and above would be permitted to buy and possess up to 28 grams of cannabis and grow up to six cannabis plants for personal use. However, deputies have made amendments to the version that had been approved by the Senate. These revisions include licensing policies and rules for the commercial cannabis market, as well as the market’s regulatory structure.

Of these changes, the most significant one is that the revised legislation would not set up a new independent regulatory body whose work would be to oversee the implementation and licensing of the program as had been approved by the Senate. Instead, this authority would be given to an agency that already exists, the National Commission Against Addictions. In addition, the chamber also passed amendments to prevent forest land from being turned into cannabis growing areas and to increase penalties for the unauthorized possession of huge amounts of marijuana.

When Mexico finally establishes a regulated market for marijuana products, the country should expect to see a lot of innovative products introduced on the market in the same way that other jurisdictions have witnessed. A clear example is the patented HourGlass system introduced by Grapefruit USA Inc. (OTCQB: GPFT). This system makes it possible for cannabinoids such as THC to be efficiently absorbed through the skin.

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

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.

To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

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420 with CNW — Medical Cannabis Caregivers in Maine Express Concerns about Proposed Rule Changes

Maine was a pioneer in the medical cannabis space, legalizing marijuana for medical use more than two decades ago. Now, the state is looking to introduce a slew of changes to its medical cannabis program, changes that have been widely opposed by medical cannabis caregivers. Currently, Maine has registered an estimated 3,000 caregivers, and state regulations currently allow caregivers to grow and sell medical cannabis to registered medical marijuana patients.

The 80-page proposal that was introduced by the state would force these caregivers as well as other medical cannabis operators to electronically track their medical marijuana across the supply chain and to install 24-hour surveillance in some areas of their establishments, among other things. The changes would require registered manufacturers, dispensaries and caregivers to install tracking software, which is already used in the state’s recreational industry, onto their products and track them across the supply chain.

Developed by Metrc LLC, a Florida company that signed a six-year contract worth $540,000 with the state last year, the software would cost medical marijuana operators around $40 a month. Those operators would also be required to pay extra fees for equipment and tracking tags.

State officials have defended the requirement for tracking software, stating that a medical cannabis law passed back in 2019 mandates medical cannabis operators use this tracking software on their products. The changes are designed to align Maine’s medical marijuana program with a variety of new medical cannabis laws the state has passed in the last couple of years, say regulators from Maine’s Office of Marijuana Policy. Additionally, the changes will bring the medical cannabis space closer to Maine’s recently launched but tightly regulated recreational cannabis industry.

However, public comments and a public hearing held all day Monday last week show that the proposal has very little support, especially from the state’s small medical marijuana caregivers. They say that the rules are too expensive, burdensome, and intrusive in an industry where patients still face plenty of discrimination for using medical cannabis.

The caregivers argue that they have been operating responsibly and safely since the state last updated medical cannabis rules three years ago. The high costs would lock out independent caregivers and the patients they serve as well as patients in rural, less wealthy jurisdictions. Nicoli Botti, a caregiver who testified last week, says that such patients will be forced to go back to the black market, undoing the progress the state has made in undermining the illicit market.

After the first round of public comments, regulators made some changes to the proposal, removing security requirements for caregivers operating out of their own homes and reducing the number of days caregiveres need to store footage from 45 to 30. Catherine Lewis, the board chair for the Medical Marijuana Caregivers for Maine, still isn’t impressed. Although she greatly appreciates the changes, she still finds the remaining proposals quite “disturbing.”

As the regulators in Maine seek to tighten controls on caregivers growing medical cannabis in the state, Canada-based XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. (CSE: XPHY) (OTCQB: XPHYF) (FSE: 4XT) is taking medical marijuana to a whole new level by conducting several pilot trials for drug formulations, such as a sublingual strip containing a mix of THC and CBD aimed at treating epilepsy, which is unresponsive to existing remedies.

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

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 — Why the Alcohol Industry Is Investing in Cannabis

Over the last couple of years, the stance on marijuana in the United States has shifted, which can be observed by the number of states that have decriminalized and/or legalized the medical and recreational use of marijuana. According to BDS Analytics, marijuana sales in the United States are expected to be $16.2 billion this year, with marijuana beverage sales making up $1 billion of that amount.

According to the National Cannabis Industry Association, only three states in the country lack some form of legal marijuana; those states are Nebraska, Kansas and Idaho. During the November 2020 elections, Arizona and New Jersey approved measures for adult recreational use of marijuana, with New York possibly following suit in the months to come.

A New Frontier Data survey found that while prior studies couldn’t agree on whether marijuana legalization affected alcohol sales, wellness and health have progressively become consumer priorities, with 81% of marijuana consumers claiming that marijuana is safer when compared to alcohol. This may explain why many alcohol companies have been making considerable investments in marijuana, particularly in the industry’s beverage space, and hedging their bets.

A good example of this would be Constellation Brands, which made a 10% investment into Canopy Growth, a cannabis company based in Canada, a few years ago. This move was followed by other big companies in the alcohol industry getting involved in marijuana. For instance, Great North Distributors, a Southern Glazer subsidiary, started distributing marijuana brand Aphria in 2018 while earlier this year, a CBD-infused sparkling water known as Truss was launched by Molson Coors. Additionally, Pabst and Lagunitas, which are both owned by Heineken, have launched beverages that are infused with THC.

The marijuana beverage market is made up of two primary categories: hemp-derived CBD beverages and THC beverages. With cannabis beverages being seen as healthier alternatives to alcohol and marijuana gaining benefits from the shift towards wellness and health, especially now that millennials are consuming less alcohol, Canopy predicts that the market demand for CBD products derived from hemp will be valued at $10 billion by the year 2023, with hemp-derived CBD beverages making up nearly $1.1 billion of that amount.

However, there are still a few issues these companies have to overcome, both with regard to market challenges and legal hurdles. The first is the fact that CBD and THC are not allowed in alcoholic beverages. With a growing number of players in this burgeoning field, many are excited to see what opportunities this field may offer.

One company that is set to benefit from the interest of the alcohol industry in the cannabis sector is Pure Extracts Technologies Corp. (CSE: PULL) (OTC: PRXTF), whose vast experience and dominance of the extracts segment in Canada puts it in pole position to be the ingredient supplier of choice for alcohol companies venturing into making cannabis-based drinks.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Pure Extracts Technologies Corp. (CSE: PULL) (OTC: PRXTF) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/PULL

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.

To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information please visit https://www.CNW420.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

Do you have questions or are you interested in working with CNW420? Ask our Editor

CannabisNewsWire420
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http://www.CNW420.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

CNW420 is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork.

420 with CNW — Illinois City Uses Marijuana Taxes to Offer Reparations

The African American community has been through a great deal over the past few centuries. After being plucked from their homes in Africa, the first enslaved Africans hit America’s shores around 400 years ago, starting a long period of absolute misery for African Americans. Even after slavery was abolished, Blacks had to fight to end institutionalized racism and racial segregation in the country.

Although the Civil Rights Movement achieved a great deal, Blacks soon had to contend with extreme policing and sentencing due to the war on drugs, poverty, gang violence and the crack epidemic through the ’80s and ’90s. Believing that Blacks deserve some sort of restitution for all they’ve been through, especially slavery, an Illinois city has become the first in the country to offer reparations.

In an ironic twist, a 3% tax levied on the sale of recreational marijuana was used to fund these reparations. The Chicago suburb of Evanston had initially pledged to distribute $10 million over the next 10 years to certain communities, and on Monday, the City Council voted 8-1 in favor of the pledge. As such, the city will provide $400,000 in reparations to qualifying Black households in Evanston; $21,340 will be provided by private donors.

Every eligible Black household will receive $25,000 to cover home repairs, down payments for property, and late penalties or interest accrued on property located in Evanston. To qualify, a resident must be either a direct descendant of a Black individual who resided in the city from 1919 to 1969 or they must have lived in Evanston themselves. Descendants of people whose housing was affected due to the city’s past discriminatory policies, ordinances or practices and residents who were victims of Evanston’s discriminatory policies after 1969 also qualify for reparations.

Although the move is certainly a first, hundreds of organizations and communities have been considering the possibility of providing reparations to communities that have been impacted by discriminatory practices. According to Alderman Robin Rue Simmons, the groups pushing reparations have offered free legal assistance in case the reparations program runs into a legal challenge. Simmons, who first proposed the program back in 2019 before its adoption, says it is designed to help the Black community, which has been held back by Evanston’s anti-Black housing policies.

The money is just a start, he says, adding that repairing the harms done to the Black community will be a long road filled with several initiatives, programs, and even more funding.

Legalizing cannabis isn’t only facilitating the repair of the social justice harms done in the past. The industry has also allowed companies such as RYAH Group Inc. to impact how the patients of the future will be treated by tapping the power of data analytics through IoT devices.

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

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.

To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information please visit https://www.CNW420.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

Do you have questions or are you interested in working with CNW420? Ask our Editor

CannabisNewsWire420
Denver, Colorado
http://www.CNW420.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

CNW420 is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork.