420 with CNW – How Marijuana Dispensaries Differ from Liquor Stores

Are you considering visiting a local marijuana dispensary for the first time? You may think that they don’t differ much from liquor stores, they are both retail establishments that sell a drug after all. Heck, cannabis advocates looking to legalize recreational marijuana said that once legalized, it would be taxed and regulated “in a manner similar to alcohol.” Adults 21 and over would ideally be able to stroll into a cannabis dispensary, grab whatever they need, and leave shortly, as they would in a liquor store. However, cannabis is a unique industry that’s unlike any other, and it differs from alcohol in several ways.

For starters, marijuana dispensaries are a lot more serious about the age limit. While you have to be 21 years old to buy alcohol from a retail establishment, liquor stores can be a little lax with their security. It’s not uncommon to see a young fella rifling through their pockets at the liquor store counter for a moment before sheepishly declaring that they left their ID at home but that they are definitely old enough. Dispensaries, on the other hand, require IDs even before you can walk in and many establishments have security personnel posted at the entrance to make sure customers are old enough.

Additionally, liquor stores are known for their fairly quick service. You can walk in, grab whatever you need, pay, and leave in a couple of minutes. You know what you want, you probably know exactly where in the store it is and you don’t need anyone’s help or guidance on how to use your beverage of choice. In a marijuana dispensary, on the other hand, you will most likely have to talk to a ‘budtender’ before you can make a purchase. A budtender is an in-store expert on everything cannabis, and a cannabis dispensary will probably have a few of them on the floor answering customer questions and offering product recommendations.

A trip to a cannabis dispensary will without a doubt take longer. Liquor stores usually have high customer turnovers, with customers completing their transactions within a matter of minutes. At a marijuana dispensary, there’ll probably be a long line of customers, high demand, and all. After showing your ID, you will have to wait for a budtender to guide you accordingly, especially if it is your first visit. Many budtenders are known to spend as much as 10-20 minutes with new customers just to make sure everything is going alright.

While the dispensary experience may be different, most of the measures are there to protect both the dispensary and the customers. They ensure the dispensaries follow state regulations and that customers have access to all the information they need to make informed decisions when they buy and consume cannabis. This could explain why cannabis companies like Cannabis Global Inc. (OTC: CBGL) go to great lengths to give clients lots of information about what is available.

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.

420 with CNW – Planned Study Could Provide Desperately Needed Cannabis Data

As the coronavirus pandemic rages on amid a severe economic crisis, the cannabis industry remains relatively strong. The controversial plant has grown immensely popular over the past few years, especially after researchers started looking into its purported medical abilities. Users say cannabis can be effective against a variety of ailments ranging from chronic pain and anxiety to fighting cancer and regulating and preventing diabetes, but only a few of these claims are backed by hard data. At the moment, it is nearly impossible for American researchers to study cannabis as it is still classified as a Schedule 1 substance.

Canada, on the other hand, has legalized both medical and recreational cannabis and researchers are free to study the effect of cannabis on human illness. In a bid to collect more hard data on cannabis, the University Health Network (“UHN”) in Canada is embarking on a six-month study to see whether there is any truth behind the claims that cannabis can help patients. Dubbed ‘The Medical Cannabis Real World Evidence Study,’ it is looking to enroll at least 2,000 people who have been prescribed medical marijuana to treat certain conditions including chronic pain, sleep anxiety, and depression.

Researchers will use a portal run by Canadian pharmacy retailer Shoppers Drug Mart which contains detailed and accurate information on the medical cannabis products it sells including oils, extracts, dried flower, topical preparations, and edibles. Participants will be required to select cannabis products from the portal and report on their effectiveness in treating their ailments. The nationwide study is the very first of its kind, and it will be led by UHN’s Dr. Hance Clarke, Director of Pain Services at Toronto General Hospital.

UHN will partner with a number of cannabis sellers to see how specific products affect certain ailments. Radient Technologies, a high-quality cannabinoid-based formulation, and products manufacturer will provide three oral spray formulations for the study participants.

“Radient strongly believes that consistency, safety, and standardization are key elements for all medical products, and are excited to partner with UHN, Shoppers, and TruTrace on this groundbreaking study,” says Radient Technologies CEO Denis Taschuk. “Providing patients and medical professionals with trusted products that deliver repeatable results is a crucial step in having cannabis incorporated into medical treatments and is at the heart of Radient products.”

“Shoppers is creating a standard for medical cannabis, which along with the data from these clinical trials, will increase the confidence of both doctors and patients in using cannabis for medical purposes,” the CEO added.

Industry watchers say sector players like Pac Roots Cannabis Corp. (CSE: PACR) will be eager to learn what data comes out of this first of a kind study.

About CNW420

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.

CannabisNewsBreaks – Cannabis Global (CBGL) Repays, Retires Convertible Notes in Strategic Moves to Impact Balance Sheet

Cannabis Global (OTC: CBGL), a cannabinoid and hemp-extract, science-forward company developing infusion and delivery technologies, has announced the retirement of convertible debt, along with additional moves designed to positively restructure the company’s debt obligations. The convertible notes — three in all — represented a total principle value of $178,500; the company also signed an agreement to finance the payoff of a fourth note. These strategic steps are designed to have a marked positive impact on CBGL’s balance sheet for the fiscal year ending Aug. 31, 2020. “The funds we raised from convertible notes earlier this year were used wisely to jump-start the development of what we believe to be the most robust set of cannabinoid infusion technologies in the marketplace,” said Cannabis Global CEO Arman Tabatabaei in the press release. “As a result, we were able to file six provisional patents, develop several new technologies, which we are classifying as trade secrets, and develop multiple new products based on our IP accomplishments.”

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

About Cannabis Global Inc.

Cannabis Global, 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 CBGL. 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. CBGL markets its consumer products under the Hemp You Can Feel 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. For more information about the company, visit www.CannabisGlobalInc.com.

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

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

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

CannabisNewsWire (CNW)
Denver, Colorado
www.CannabisNewsWire.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

CannabisNewsWire is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork.

CannabisNewsBreaks – The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings (TSX: TGOD) (OTCQX: TGODF) Releases Financials, Achievements for Q2

The Green Organic Dutchman (TSX: TGOD) (OTCQX: TGODF), a leading producer of premium certified-organic cannabis, officially filed its Q2 financial results; the filing also included highlights for the quarter ended June 30, 2020. The report notes that total revenues for the quarter reached $4.83 million, an increase of 58% over the first quarter of 2020, with revenue for Canadian cannabis totaling $2.72 million, an increase of 309% compared to Q1 2020. “Since the beginning of the global pandemic, our top priority has been the health and safety of our employees, customers, and patients,” said TGOD CEO Brian Athaide in the press release. “Despite the additional layer of complexity, we continued bringing innovation to market, seeing sequential month-over-month growth during the quarter while cutting costs and reducing our cash burn rate. While we are not where we had expected to be at this time, we are seeing strong momentum on our innovative products and will continue to right-size our business plans with a focus on getting our monthly run rate to a scale which delivers positive operating cash flow by the end of the year.”

To view the full press release, visit http://cnw.fm/K0Mrz

About The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd.

The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings is a premium, certified-organic cannabis company focused on the health and wellness market. Its certified–organic cannabis is grown 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 organic teas, dissolvables and vapes. 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/TGOD

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.

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

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

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

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

CanadianCannabisWire (CNW)
Toronto, Ontario
www.CanadianCannabisWire.com
905.674.5977 Office
Editor@CanadianCannabisWire.com

420 with CNW – Thailand Hopes Medical Marijuana Will Boost Its Economy

Thailand’s economy wasn’t doing great even before the coronavirus pandemic struck. Similar to plenty of countries, the pandemic has resulted in a severe economic crisis, especially since Thailand’s economy heavily relies on agriculture, tourism, and exports. The Finance Ministry forecasts a likely contraction of 8.5% this year, the biggest decline projected in Asia. In a bid to create revenue and new employment opportunities, the Cabinet is looking into passing rules that would ease the private cultivation and sale of medical cannabis.

On August 10, 2020, the Cabinet amended the Narcotics Act, pending Parliament’s approval, to allow private medical operators to grow, import, and export medical cannabis. ‘Private medical operators’ include some traditional medical practitioners and farmers. The amendment expanded a cornerstone policy of Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul who said that the controlled legalization of marijuana would boost the economy.

“Thailand is already a tourist destination for many foreigners, and marijuana will be another attraction for the country and for medical tourists,” says Marut Jirasrattasiri, director-general of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine. He says that private medical practitioners with licenses will have the right to “grow, produce and export marijuana” and that Thai farmers will gain “more options for income.” Thai investors will be prioritized.

“We want to use Thai money, for now, especially collaborations between the government and communities to enhance knowledge, research, and production. We don’t want foreigners to come in and invest, then reap all the benefits,” Marut says. According to the Thai Rice Exporters Association, about one-third of all Thais earn their living from rice alone, while the wellness tourism sector generated domestic expenditures of $12 billion in 2017, more than the combined amounts in Indonesia and Malaysia.

At the moment, marijuana cultivating and dispensing is done solely by government agencies or closely regulated organizations. Not only will the amendment grant Thais access to another income-earning stream, it will also provide medical marijuana to those who need it when they need it. “This will allow more patients to have access to medical marijuana for their ailments and to increase awareness of medical marijuana in Thailand,” government spokesman Traisuree Taisaranakul said in a statement.

According to Director General Marut, both Thais and foreigners will have the opportunity to be treated with medical marijuana in the next stages, “but only after the COVID-19 pandemic has passed and restrictions are lifted.”

Experts say the direction being taken by the Thai government could be what cannabis companies like Pure Extracts Corp. wish the U.S. federal government to take so that patients, the economy and society in general can benefit from this industry.

About CNW420

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.

420 with CNW – States Ask USDA and Congress to Extend Hemp Pilot Program

Although the 2014 hemp pilot program is set to expire on October 31, various state agriculture and hemp industry advocates have expressed concern that some states aren’t quite ready to run their own hemp programs. On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”), received letters from the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (“NASDA”) and National Industrial Hemp Council (“NIHC”) asking it to extend the pilot hemp program.

The groups say that while the USDA’s efforts at developing interim guidelines for the crop under the 2018 Farm Bill have been monumental, several states have been unable to create their own hemp programs due to the coronavirus. They asked Congressional leaders to consider passing supplementary appropriations legislation to extend the pilot hemp program through 2021 to give states more time to craft rules for their individual hemp programs.

“Many states were able to transition from their hemp pilot programs to a USDA state-approved plan. Notwithstanding this progress, many states will be unable to meet the forthcoming deadline. These states have indicated that due to the unprecedented national COVID-19 pandemic, state regulators have been unable to work with their state legislatures to acquire necessary statutory amendments,” the letter states. It adds that while the groups support the House inclusion of an extension in their agriculture spending bill, they are concerned that “the annual appropriations bills may not be completed before the extension is vitally needed.”

NASDA and NIHC also wrote separately to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Purdue asking that the USDA issue enforcement discretion guidance when it comes to the pilot program deadline. “Without a policy of enforcement discretion, hemp farmers will be left in a perilous situation through no fault of their own. We understand this is not a small request. We appreciate the tremendous amount of work that has gone into making American hemp the viable and valuable agricultural commodity it is today. This is the direct result of government serving the timely needs of the industry.”

Larry Farnsworth, a spokesman for NIHC says that “as an emerging industry, hemp growers face a multitude of challenges, among them, is a worldwide pandemic that has complicated everything for everyone. Too many states just have not been able to work through their internal legislative and regulatory processes. We need more time to develop and implement the regulatory framework called for in 2018 Farm Bill.”

It is believed that entities like Sugarmade, Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD) will be following how the USDA responds to this request.

About CNW420

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.

CannabisNewsBreaks – The Alkaline Water Company Inc. (CSE: WTER) (NASDAQ: WTER) Expands Channel Partner Distribution to Include Leading ‘DSD’ Provider – Mahaska

The Alkaline Water Company (CSE: WTER) (NASDAQ: WTER), a producer of premium bottled alkaline and flavored-infused waters and CBD-infused products, today announced that its entire line of beverage offerings, including flavored waters, will be carried by Mahaska, a leading direct-store-deliver (“DSD”) provider in some of the major markets in the Midwest. “We are excited to announce the addition of Mahaska to our growing list of channel partners. As a best in class provider, the partnership opens an important regional market for us in our pursuit to be a national lifestyle brand across all major retail channels,” Richard Wright, president and CEO of The Alkaline Water Company, stated in the news release. “In addition to their strong presence in the supermarket and convenience store channel, Mahaska also serves an extensive network of vending providers and micro-markets, which could eventually open an exciting new growth market for us. This ties nicely with our major growth initiative of penetrating the hospitality space during our current fiscal year. With our superior taste profile and increasing consumer demand for healthier and eco-friendly options, we believe our brands will be a hit with their customers.”

To view the full press release, visit http://cnw.fm/r1csf

About The Alkaline Water Company

Founded in 2012, The Alkaline Water Company is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. Its flagship product, Alkaline88(R), is a leading premier alkaline water brand available in bulk and single-serve sizes along with eco-friendly aluminum packaging options. With its innovative, state-of-the-art proprietary electrolysis process, Alkaline88(R) delivers perfect 8.8 pH balanced alkaline drinking water with trace minerals and electrolytes and boasts its trademarked label “Clean Beverage.” Quickly being recognized as a growing lifestyle brand, Alkaline88(R) launched A88 Infused(TM) in 2019 to meet consumer demand for flavor-infused products. A88 Infused(TM) flavored water is available in seven unique all-natural flavors, with new flavors coming soon. Additionally, in 2020, the company launched A88 Infused Beverage Division Inc., which includes the company’s CBD water and flavor-infused water. For the company’s topical and ingestible offerings, A88 Infused Products includes both the company’s lab-tested full-spectrum hemp salves, balms, lotions, essential oils, and bath salts, along with broad-spectrum hemp beverage shots, powder packs, oil tinctures, capsules, and gummies. To purchase A88CBD(TM) products online, visit www.A88CBD.com. To learn more about The Alkaline Water Company, visit www.TheAlkalineWaterCo.com.

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

About CanadianCannabisWire

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

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

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

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

CanadianCannabisWire (CNW)
Toronto, Ontario
www.CanadianCannabisWire.com
905.674.5977 Office
Editor@CanadianCannabisWire.com

CannabisNewsBreaks – Cannabis Strategic Ventures Inc. (NUGS) Posts Record Revenues in July, Reaching $2.3M

Cannabis Strategic Ventures (OTCQB: NUGS), an emerging leader in the U.S. cannabis marketplace, has released monthly performance data for July. Those numbers — $2.3 million in total sales from cannabis products — exceeded company projections and mark a record sales performance for the company. The report attributes much of this record-breaking growth to its improved positioning in the California cannabis market among partners and distributors. “It would be easy to lose perspective at this point because we exceeded our own expectations by such a wide margin in July,” said Cannabis Strategic Ventures CEO Simon Yu in the press release. “That said, we believe we understand what’s driving this accelerating growth: a combination of better products, better distribution relationships, and better pricing coming together in a favorable environment. And we have a strategy in place to continue to drive progress in all of these areas going forward.”

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

About Cannabis Strategic Ventures Inc.

Cannabis Strategic Ventures is one of the largest publicly traded marijuana cultivators in the United States. Based in Los Angeles, the company incubates, develops and partners with category leaders within the cannabis and ancillary sectors. The firm’s NUGS brand experience provides operational and financial strategic partnerships and a range of essential services to emerging and existing cannabis consumer brands. For more information, visit www.CannabisStrategic.com.

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

About CannabisNewsWire

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

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

CannabisNewsWire (CNW)
Denver, Colorado
www.CannabisNewsWire.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

CannabisNewsWire is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork.

420 with CNW – Arizona Court Rules in Favor of Marijuana Ballot Initiative

Cannabis legalization activists in Arizona can finally breathe easy after a judge dismissed a lawsuit claiming that their recreational cannabis legalization measure was unfit for the November ballot. Last month, Arizonans for Health and Public Safety filed a lawsuit arguing that the measure wasn’t accurately described in the 100-word summary included in the petitions that voters signed. The group said that plenty of information was left out of the summary, denying voters all the information they needed to make an informed decision.

On Friday, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge rejected the claims that the 100 word summary on the initiative excluded the measure’s principal provisions. The judge, a Gov. Doug Ducey appointee, ruled that voters who signed the initiative had not been misled and that the measure could be on the ballot. “At 100 words, the summary also cannot include everything. That is why the full initiative must accompany the petition.”

He also chided foes of the initiative for suggesting that voters in Arizona might not be able to understand the implications of the measure’s provisions such as changing laws on advertising and altering regulations on driving under the influence of drugs. “This initiative is plain. It wants to legalize recreational marijuana. That is the principal provision,” wrote Smith in a 15-page ruling. “It is unlikely electors signing these petitions would be surprised by cascading effects of legalizing a formerly illegal substance.”

Arizonans for Health and Public Safety chairperson Lisa James, who filed the lawsuit with “eight concerned Arizona voters,” says an appeal is likely. Although the recreational cannabis legalization measure promises to direct substantial funds collected from sales tax towards community development, James says the summary failed to provide crucial details. This includes the fact that the measure would legalize more concentrated resins as well as cannabis flower.

She also claimed that the summary did not make it clear that if the measure became law, people could legally drive with metabolites of marijuana in their system, with the test being whether they were “impaired to the slightest degree.” However, according to Smith, that is irrelevant. He pointed out court cases that already say that medical marijuana patients with marijuana metabolites in their blood, evidence of earlier usage, cannot be convicted of driving under the influence of drugs unless they show evidence of impairment.

“An elector signing a petition to legalize recreational marijuana would likely be surprised if the initiative did not decriminalize driving with any amount of metabolite in one’s system.”

Industry watchers say the ruling in this case is likely to give the entire cannabis industry, including The Alkaline Water Company Inc. (NASDAQ: WTER) (CSE: WTER), since it removes a possible barrier to giving people in Arizona a chance to decide whether marijuana should be legalized or not.

About CNW420

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.

420 with CNW – Vermont Could Be Close to Legalizing Marijuana

2020 looked to be the year for cannabis. Several states had plans to legalize cannabis via either voting on the November ballot or inclusion in the budget at the start of the year, but the coronavirus threw everything into disarray. The resultant health and economic crisis forced many of them to postpone legalizing cannabis to 2021 and beyond. However, some states were able to take the steps needed to initiate legalization despite the crisis. Vermont, for instance, seems poised to advance legal marijuana sales very soon.

S.54, legislation that will legalize retail marijuana sales in Vermont beginning in 2022 is set to advance in a special session either this month or next, says an inside source. Although the state legalized the possession of up to an ounce and cultivation of two plants, there is no regulatory system for retail sales. Bill S.54 would create a comprehensive regulatory structure for cultivation and retail sales. Two versions of S.54 have been approved by both chambers but they differ in certain ways.

The House version of the bill would impose an excise tax of 14% of the retail value and a 6% general sales tax while the Senate version would impose a 16% tax and allow for a local option of 2%, The senate bill would exempt recreational marijuana from the general sales tax levied by the state and it would also ban flower with more than 30% THC and concentrates with more than 60% THC. A bicameral conference committee appointed in March has been charged with reconciling the two different versions into one proposal to send to the governor.

“S.54 is currently in a committee of conference and we expect that committee to meet during the August/September legislative session. That’s consistent with what the leader said during a June telephone town hall, where she said they were ‘aiming to get it passed in August,’” said the chief of staff to House Speaker Mitzi Johnson. If S.54 is passed, Arizona will join a growing number of states which tax marijuana by retail price.

According to estimates from the Legislative Joint Fiscal Office (“JFO”), a 14% excise tax (House version) would raise $4.2 million in the first full fiscal year. 30% of the revenue would be allocated to misuse prevention while 60% would go to the general fund. A 16% retail tax (Senate version), one the other hand, would raise around $5.4 million in the first fiscal year.

Dave Silberman, a pro bono drug policy reform advocate says that beyond earning the state tax revenue, “an adult-use cannabis market will provide an economic lifeline to thousands of Vermonters by creating new, well-paying jobs that support our rural economy.”

It would be enlightening to hear what companies like Cannabis Global Inc. (OTC: CBGL) think about these two versions of the legalization bill.

About CNW420

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.