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 – Jamaica to Permit Medical Marijuana to be Sold Online

Although the cannabis industry has taken plenty of hits from the coronavirus pandemic, the health crisis has allowed the pot industry to make, within months, advances that would have undeniably taken years or even decades. In plenty of states and territories, cannabis was one of the handful of industries declared essential, and cannabis sellers were allowed to continue operations while other businesses shut down. And to ensure both the vulnerable customers and staff kept minimal contact and stayed safe, additional safety measures like online booking, curbside pickups, and home deliveries were also allowed.

This was met with appreciation from stakeholders and advocates, and they hoped that measures like online bookings and home deliveries could continue even after the pandemic finally died down. Jamaican officials heeded to this call, and it was recently announced that Jamaican patients will be able to purchase their medical marijuana from the comfort of their homes.

The policy change allowing online sales is part of the country’s ongoing efforts to reduce the coronavirus pandemic’s effect on the marijuana industry. “The CLA is cognizant of the far-reaching effects of the pandemic and remains vigilant and proactive in taking steps to secure the industry,” says Director of Enforcement and Monitoring, Faith Graham.

“Licensed retail herb houses can now sell to their qualified customers from online platforms, following measures established by the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) to facilitate this,” says a posting on Jamaica Information Service. The CLA is an agency of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture, and Fisheries created in 2015 to establish and regulate Jamaica’s legal cannabis and hemp industry.

The CLA states that in order to purchase medicinal cannabis from an herb house, “patients must have previously visited and registered with the herb house. Under the interim protocols, licensees are required to provide documents, including government-issued photo documentation and valid prescription or recommendation from a registered medical practitioner to the CLA at stipulated intervals.” In consultation with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture, and Fisheries, the CLA have created guidelines to enable the online sale of medical cannabis to qualified patients as well as curbside pickups at licensed retail facilities.

This will allow medical marijuana patients, who include the elderly and those with compromised immune systems, to purchase medical marijuana from the comfort and safety of their homes and pick it up later. This will ultimately reduce congestion in retail herb houses.

Experts say these developments in the Jamaican cannabis space are likely to be welcomed by sector players elsewhere, such as Sugarmade, Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD) since any patient who benefits from marijuana makes the entire industry happy that it has contributed to the wellbeing of someone, somewhere.

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 – West Virginia Reopens Applications Process for Marijuana Testing Facilities

On April 19, 2017, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice signed the Medical Cannabis Act into law, effectively allowing cannabis to be used for certified medical use by a West Virginia resident with a serious medical condition. The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau of Public Health and Office of Medical Cannabis pledged to give residents with qualifying medical conditions access to medical marijuana within two years, but they haven’t been able to reach that goal. One factor that held the state’s medical marijuana program back was the lack of certified laboratories to test cannabis for quality control and potency.

The state opened an application process for medical cannabis testing labs late last year, but by the time it wrapped up on February 18, only one business had applied for a license, according to the Office of Cannabis. On June 29, West Virginia officials declared that the application process had been reopened and the state will be accepting applications for an undefined amount of time. Since the program’s problem had been the scarcity of medical cannabis testing labs rather than a surplus, there is currently no cap on the number of licenses the state will offer and it’s not clear if there will eventually be a cap.

“The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Bureau for Public Health today announced its Office of Medical Cannabis will resume accepting permit applications for medical cannabis laboratories. Laboratory permits are not limited in number and the application process will remain open indefinitely,” says a press release on the state website. The state is hoping enough testing labs can get registered for its medical marijuana program to be up and running by spring next year.

“This is a key step in the process to make medical cannabis available to West Virginians with serious medical conditions. We and many others continue to work toward a goal of providing eligible West Virginia residents the ability to procure quality-tested medical cannabis,” said Jason Frame, Director of the Office of Medical Cannabis when questioned about the new program. Like in last year’s application process, prospective testing labs will have their applications reviewed and they will undergo an extensive background check. Afterward, a scoring team will consider the applications and look at recommendations and best practices for issuing permits to the labs that have applied.

Additionally, physicians have been able to register to prescribe and treat their patients with medical marijuana since May 28. Doctors who sign up will have to complete a program called the West Virginia Medical cannabis program and pay a $189 fee.

Industry watchers say cannabis companies like Pure Extracts Corp. are hoping that the program finally takes off so that West Virginians have the opportunity to use medical cannabis to manage their health conditions.

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CannabisNewsBreaks – Round Meadow Holdings Corp.’s Budtender Awards Announces Launch of New “OG” Categories

Round Meadow Holdings’ (“RMH”) Budtender Awards on Monday announced that its team has created nine award categories, referred to as the “OG Awards,” with five finalists in each category to be announced at the end of the summer. The update reads, “Our new website has launched! Check out the new site and start nominating for this year’s “OG” Awards!”

For more information, visit www.BudtenderAwards.com.

About Round Meadow Holdings Corporation

Round Meadow Holdings is a professional organization that represents accountability, delivering business solutions created exclusively for the expanding cannabis industry. A synergistic portfolio of cannabis service companies, RMH is dedicated to supporting the competitive cannabis landscape and its participants as the industry evolves and faces historic growth spurts and challenges. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.ROMHCorp.com.

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

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.

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CannabisNewsBreaks – Sugarmade, Inc.’s (SGMD) BudCars on Pace to Hit Annualized Revenues at or Above $11M

Sugarmade (OTCQB: SGMD), together with its BudCars Cannabis Delivery Service (“BudCars”), today provided an update on revenue expectations for July and calendar Q3 BudCars performance. According to the update, management now forecasts continued month-over-month sequential sales growth of 30% in July and August, positioning the Company for July sales of at least $650K, and a pace lined up to close out September with annualized BudCars revenues running at or above $11 million. “We believe we have enough visibility and enough data in hand to forecast that we will continue to see extremely robust growth in July and August,” Jimmy Chan, CEO of Sugarmade, stated in the news release. “Many of the trends we saw come together in June to drive our performance remain in place and suggest new records across many metrics are likely this month as well.”

To view the full press release, visit http://cnw.fm/1qk0Q

About Sugarmade, Inc.

Sugarmade, Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD) is a product and branding marketing company investing in operations and technologies with disruptive potential. Its Brand portfolio includes CarryOutsupplies.com, SugarRush(TM) and Budcars.com. For more information, please reference www.Sugarmade.com.

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

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CannabisNewsBreaks – Marijuana Company of America, Inc. (MCOA) to Webcast Live at VirtualInvestorConferences.com

Marijuana Company of America (OTCQB: MCOA), based in Escondido, California and focused on cannabidiol (“CBD”) products, on Tuesday announced that its CEO Jesus Quintero, CMO Gloria Albarran Lynch and Strategic Partner Robert Hymers will present live at VirtualInvestorConferences.com on July 9, 2020. The MCOA presentation is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time at the live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. Interested parties are encouraged to pre-register at http://cnw.fm/5VEMx and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

To view the full press release, visit http://cnw.fm/pB2Lc

About Marijuana Company of America Inc.

MCOA is a corporation that participates in: (1) product research and development of legal hemp-based consumer products under the brand name hempSMART(TM), which targets general health and well-being; (2) an affiliate marketing and retail sales program to promote and sell its legal hemp-based consumer products containing CBD; (3) joint ventures and acquisitions of business entities engaged in the growth and sale of hemp and cannabis products in jurisdictions where cultivation is legal; and (4) the expansion of its business into ancillary areas as market opportunities in this segment mature and develop. For more information, visit www.MarijuanaCompanyofAmerica.com.

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

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420 with CNW – Lawmakers in Virginia Reveal Plans to Legalize Cannabis

As of July 1, 2020, Virginia’s marijuana decriminalization policy officially came into effect, making the Commonwealth of Virginia the 27^th state to enact such a policy change. This came a month after Gov. Ralph Northam signed a bill that would make possession of up to one ounce of cannabis punishable by a $25 fine with no threat of jail time and no criminal record. Prior to this policy change, simple possession was punishable by a maximum $500 fine, up to 30 days in jail and a criminal record.

And just a day after the marijuana decriminalization law took effect, Virginian lawmakers announced their plans for a legal cannabis market. On July 2, 2020, a group of Democratic state legislators announced plans to introduce a bill to legalize and regulate a commercial cannabis market. The measure won’t be filed until next year, but lawmakers have said that the legislation is necessary in the fight for racial and social justice.

“Decriminalizing marijuana is an important step in mitigating racial disparities in the criminal justice system, but there is still much work to do. While marijuana arrests across the nation have decreased, arrests in Virginia have increased,” says House Majority Leader Charniele Herring. The measure for broader cannabis legalization was also backed by Sens. Adam Ebbin, Jennifer McClellan, and Del. Steve Heretick.

“This bill will prevent low-level offenders from receiving jail time for simple possession while we move toward legalization with a framework that addresses both public safety and racial equity in an emerging market,” says Herring regarding the decriminalization bill. She sponsored it in the House of Delegates while Ebbin led it in the Senate. The bill also contains a provision to study further legalization, and it requires agencies including the “Secretaries of Agriculture and Forestry, Finance, Health, and Human Resources, and Public Safety and Homeland Security” to convene an expert working group to study further legalization. The panel is expected to turn in a report in November.

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (“JLARC”) is also studying the impact of possible legalization and its report is due in December. According to lawmakers, the JLARC report would inform how they shape the legalization bill they plan to file in 2021. “Elements of the JLARC study include a review of best practices from states such as Illinois that have developed a legal framework, testing and labeling recommendations, and measures to reduce illicit sales,” said a press release from Ebbin’s office.

“The study will also examine how best to provide redress and economic opportunity for communities disproportionately impacted by marijuana prohibition, and recommend programs and policies to reinvest in affected communities.”

Analysts say this plan to go for full legalization of marijuana in Virginia is likely to be watched closely by cannabis companies like Sugarmade, Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD) who would like all adults to be free to choose whether to or not to consume cannabis as is the case with alcohol and cigarettes.

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420 with CNW – Congressional Committee Approves Measure Allowing Marijuana Users to Reenlist in the Military

Although plenty of states have now legalized medical and recreational marijuana in various forms, it still carries a lot of stigma. Most employers are uncomfortable with employees consuming cannabis, even during non-work hours, and plenty of sports organizations do not allow their athletes to use marijuana. The military has a harsh stance on marijuana too, and veterans who admit to using marijuana even in a legal state can be barred from reenlisting.

A measure introduced two years in a row by Rep. Ruben Gallego and approved by a Congressional Committee would help resolve the issue. The measure would allow heads of military branches to grant waivers on a case by case basis to service members seeking to reenlist who admit to consuming cannabis or were convicted of a misdemeanor marijuana offense. Text from the measure states that “within 90 days of the enactment of the bill, the Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regulations that permit any Secretary of a military department to grant a reenlistment waiver to a covered person if the secretary determines that the reenlistment of that covered person is vital to the national interest.”

It further states that service members who have “admitted to or been convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction of a single violation of any law of a state or the United States relating to the use or possession of cannabis” would be covered as long as it was a misdemeanor offense and did not occur while they were on active duty. “Smoking pot just once shouldn’t prevent a patriotic American from fighting for our country. We need to finally exercise some common sense when it comes to our marijuana policies, and I’m glad my amendment will lead us in that direction,” says Rep. Gallego.

This is the second year in a row Rep. Gallego has filed a measure to allow service members who admitted to smoking marijuana to reenlist. At the House Armed Services Committee meeting, he stated that it was important to fundamentally rethink the military’s enlistment policies regarding marijuana, “especially given our nation’s recruitment crisis.” “Our nation’s views on marijuana use are changing, and the services have changed their recruitment process accordingly. The services can, where appropriate, grant waivers to former users of marijuana who want to serve their country in uniform,” he said at the time.

This year’s measure was adopted as part of a package with several other amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act by the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday. As it heads to the House Floor, it will be attached to a large scale defense spending bill for the next fiscal year.

It would be interesting to hear what industry actors like Green Growth Brands Inc. (CSE: GGB) (OTCQB: GGBXF) have to say about the likelihood of this amendment making it through both legislative chambers.

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CannabisNewsBreaks – Round Meadow Holdings Corp.’s Budtender Awards Recognizes Brandon Scott

Round Meadow Holdings’ (“RMH”) Budtender Awards today named Brandon Scott as 2019 Mastermind Winner. The update reads, “Our 2019 Mastermind winner was Brandon Scott of Mission dispensary in Chicago… He is know-it-all, in the most likable and essential way possible. He is an expert with next-level knowledge and expertise in all aspects of the cannabis industry from strains to terpenes to vapes to edibles & dosing etc!’”

For more information, visit www.BudtenderAwards.com.

About Round Meadow Holdings Corp.

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

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HempNewsBreaks – Cannabis Global, Inc. (MCTC) Announces Launch of Marketing Phase for Hemp You Can Feel(TM)

Cannabis Global (OTC: MCTC), a cannabinoid and hemp extract science-forward company developing infusion and delivery technologies, today announced the completion of initial product development of the Hemp You Can Feel(TM) product lines, and the launch of the next phase of the Company’s operations, which will focus on bringing the product lines to the marketplace. According to the update, Cannabis Global will be launching several new product marketing initiatives designed to move its innovative hemp extract and rare cannabinoid products into the marketplace over the next coming weeks. “It has been approximately one year since we reorganized the Company, which today is known as Cannabis Global, Inc. During the first year, we concentrated on designing products that are distinct from the competition with established advantageous barriers,” Cannabis Global CEO Arman Tabatabaei stated in the news release. “We are very pleased with the results in that we not only have a unique product set, but also one based on both quality ingredients and solid intellectual property.”

To view the full press release, visit http://cnw.fm/tP2mM

About Cannabis Global, Inc.

Cannabis Global, Inc., formerly known as MCTC Holdings, Inc., is a fully audited and reporting Company with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission, trading with the stock symbol MCTC. The Company is an emerging force in the area of cannabinoid sciences and highly bioavailable hemp and cannabis infusion technologies. The Company does not engage in the production, distribution, or sales of any controlled substances, including marijuana. The Company has an actively growing portfolio of intellectual property having filed six patents in the areas of cannabinoid delivery systems and cannabinoid polymeric nanoparticles. The Company markets its consumer products under the Hemp You Can Feel(TM) brand name. Cannabis Global launched its Project Varin early in 2020, to develop new delivery methods for rare cannabinoid Tetrahydrocannabivarin (“THC-V”) and to develop products based on this cannabinoid. THC-V and CBN are not scheduled at the federal level. The Company’s THC-V products contain zero tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”), far below the acceptable federal level of 0.3%, and zero heavy metals, pesticide and herbicide residues, nitrates and other impurities that are contained in most cannabis and hemp products. The Company’s products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and are not for use by or sale to persons under the age of 18. The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your health care professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.CannabisGlobalInc.com.

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

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 – It’s Official: Austin PD Stops Misdemeanor Marijuana Arrests and Citations

On July 2, the Austin Police Department in Texas officially stopped arresting and issuing citations for marijuana possession. This decision was communicated in an internal memo from Brain Manley, the department chief.

The internal memo categorically states that the police officers in Austin, Texas will no longer be required to cite or arrest suspects in cases when an officer determines that a suspect has committed misdemeanor marijuana possession cases identified as Class A or Class B offenses.

However, the person can still be arrested or be subjected to other law enforcement actions if the misdemeanor marijuana possession offense is committed alongside another felony-level narcotics crime, or when the person poses an immediate safety threat to either police officers or members of the public.

Greg Casar, a councilmember in Austin, applauds the decision made by Chief Manley. He says that in his view, Texas needs to move towards full marijuana legalization so that the substance can be regulated and taxed. In the meantime, Greg Casar says that the step taken by the Austin PD is commendable since police resources and personnel will no longer be allocated to following up minor marijuana possession cases.

Casar adds that people of color and other minority groups have suffered disproportionately during the war on drugs, and while the Texas police decision to stop enforcing misdemeanor cannabis possession cases doesn’t go far enough in addressing these wrongs, it is nevertheless a step in the right direction of reforming the entire criminal justice system in Texas.

Jax Finkel, the executive director of the Texas chapter of NORML, agrees with Councilmember Greg Casar. Finkel revealed that he was excited that the Austin police department had finally taken this decision. He believes that the decision would have been communicated back in January, but some internal issues may have delayed the making of the decision.

Nevertheless, Jax Finkel is happy that at long last, the die has been cast. He adds that things are happening across the country which show that there is a huge divide between the community and the police which is supposed to serve those communities. He therefore hopes that this one small decision can get a process started to mend the relationship between the police and the community.

In his memo, Chief Manley revealed that the police department had never regarded enforcing personal marijuana possession cases as a law enforcement priority. However, the legal changes that kept being passed gradually made marijuana possession cases more prominent until industrial hemp was legalized in the state. This legal change made it complicated for law enforcement to distinguish hemp from marijuana, and as a result, several police departments unilaterally decided to put a halt to prosecuting marijuana possession cases until the attorney general of the state clarified how the police and prosecutors could handle this complexity.

Now that the command structure of the Austin PD has been trained about what is to happen going forward, marijuana industry actors like Pure Extracts Corp. will be hoping that other law enforcement agencies in different cities and states where recreational marijuana isn’t legal also take a similar progressive step.

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