420 with CNW — Home Depot Internal Memo Indicates Company Will Stop Employee Marijuana Tests

One of the largest employers in the United States, Home Depot, is rewriting its rules regarding employee drug testing. A recent document states that the corporation is discontinuing pre-employment substance testing for the majority of its personnel and will no longer include marijuana in its substance-screening panels.

The revised policies will go into effect on Sept. 1, 2024, as stated in a message from human resources distributed this week. According to the memo, cannabis will no longer be tested on drug panels in the U.S., which includes tests carried out following workplace mishaps or in circumstances where there is a plausible suspicion of impairment.

The memo also clarifies that only external candidates with conditional offers for positions such as corporate security and asset protection will be subject to pre-employment substance testing. The changes, however, have no bearing on federal Department of Transportation employees, who are still subject to the current testing procedures.

News of the policy shift first surfaced on Reddit in the r/HomeDepot forum. A user posted that they had been informed of the new protocol during a morning meeting. The user mentioned that as of Sept. 1, 2024, cannabis would no longer be included in drug tests, even in cases of reasonable suspicion. Additionally, the user noted that drug testing for lift equipment operators would also be discontinued.

The Reddit post quickly garnered attention, with several other users claiming to work at Home Depot confirming that they had heard similar updates at their workplaces.

If the changes are implemented, Home Depot will be among the largest private corporations to do away with cannabis testing for staff members. The corporation has more than 400,000 employees spread across some 2,000 outlets in the United States.

The move by Home Depot is not entirely unprecedented. Amazon, another corporate giant, announced in 2021 that it would no longer test a large number of its workers for cannabis use. Additionally, several states have also enacted laws that restrict or prohibit employee substance testing for cannabis. For instance, new employee protections were implemented in Washington State and California this year.

Employers in California are no longer permitted to inquire about a candidate’s prior cannabis use and cannot penalize employees for lawful use of cannabis outside of work. Meanwhile, Washington State’s law protects employees against discrimination for using legal cannabis before being hired, but it does not shield current employees from facing disciplinary action or termination due to their usage of the drug.

Major cannabis companies such as Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) are probably happy that the vestiges of prohibition in the form of pre-employment drug tests are being peeled away by one company after another. With time, the substance could eventually gain the same status as other substances, such as alcohol.

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CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of an article each business day at 4:20 p.m. Eastern – a tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. The 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. 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 — Mothers in Brazil Take Lead in Advocating for Medical Cannabis for Sick Children

Brazil’s most populated state, Sao Paulo, home to more than 44 million residents, made history by being the first to pass legislation granting free access to CBD. The legislative victory was largely driven by Brazilian mothers who spent a decade campaigning tirelessly to access CBD for their ill children.

Combining CBD with other medications has shown promise for lowering seizures in individuals with severe epilepsy.

One of the mothers who led the campaign was Maria Aparecida Carvalho. At the age of 10, her daughter, Clárian, was diagnosed with severe epilepsy, which can lead to life-threatening complications, including the sudden cessation of lung and heart function.

The medications prescribed to Clárian had significant side effects, even requiring near-dialysis treatment due to poisoning. Clárian’s prolonged seizures caused immense fear and sleepless nights for her parents, who took turns watching over her.

The story of Charlotte Figi, a U.S. youngster who suffered from the same illness and went on to become a global representative of the advantages of CBD therapy, motivated Carvalho to seek CBD as an alternative. She told her husband right away, suggesting they look into getting it, even from unofficial sources if needed.

However, a few months later, the neurologist treating Clárian succeeded in smuggling some CBD into the nation by bringing it back from overseas. Eventually, with legal assistance, Carvalho obtained a court permit to cultivate cannabis in her compound, allowing her to produce CBD for her daughter and other patients.

Brazil’s current laws permit marijuana use and its extracts for medical and scientific purposes. However, cultivating it remains illegal, forcing the sector to rely on imported marijuana oil and other raw materials, which significantly drives up costs.

San Paulo state legislator Caio França, a center-leftist, drafted a measure in 2019 that would have allowed families to obtain CBD via the country’s public health system. He lobbied his largely conservative colleagues for three years, gradually winning them over with testimonies from families whose children required CBD for treatment.

The measure passed in 2022 with almost two-thirds approval from the state legislature, and Governor Tarcísio de Freitas, a former member of far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro’s Cabinet, signed it into law in January 2023. Due to his conservative background, de Freitas limited the law’s scope to patients with three rare conditions, including Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes, based on research showing that CBD was effective for these specific ailments.

For companies that have for long manufactured medical marijuana products, such as Canopy Growth Corp. (NASDAQ: CGC) (TSX: WEED), the stories coming out of Brazil about the ways in which cannabis products are helping mothers to manage the conditions of their ill kids serve as case studies of how cannabinoids can manage symptoms that conventional treatments have been ineffective in combating.

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Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (NASDAQ: LEXX) Yields “Extremely Interesting” Results for DehydraTECH(TM) Liraglutide in Ongoing Diabetes Animal Study

Lexaria, a global innovator in drug delivery platforms, has just announced its 4-week and 8-week blood glucose results from its WEIGHT-A24-1 animal study
Two formulations from the study posted outstanding performance, with each utilizing the company’s patented DehydraTECH(TM) technology
DehydraTECH-liraglutide (Group H) and two DehydraTECH-CBD formulations (Groups A & B) posted blood sugar level reductions of 2.50%, 1.90%, and 1.53%, respectively
These results build on the positive results from Lexaria’s 2023 DIAB-A22-1 animal study, which showed a 16.7% blood sugar concentration increase relative to baseline by day 56 for the obese control group that got no treatment

Lexaria Bioscience (NASDAQ: LEXX), a global innovator in drug delivery platforms, just announced its 4-week and 8-week blood glucose results from its WEIGHT-A24-1 animal study (the “study”). This study will examine diabetes and weight loss effects of DehydraTECH-processed GLP-1 drugs and DehydraTECH-processed cannabidiol, alone and in combination . The ongoing study uses diabetic, pre-conditioned Zucker rats, falling in one of three study arms, with dosing lasting 12 weeks (https://cnw.fm/1u3Rj).

Two formulations posted outstanding performance from the study as of day 56 – DehydraTECH-liraglutide (Group H) and two DehydraTECH-CBD formulations (Groups A & B). Most notably, they each posted blood sugar level reductions of 2.50%, 1.90%, and 1.53% respectively. DehydraTECH-liraglutide specifically saw a -2.08% change as of day 28 and a -2.50% change as of day 56 in what Lexaria’s management described as “extremely interesting.”

For Lexaria, these results build on the positive results from its 2023 DIAB-A22-1 animal study, which showed a 16.7% blood sugar concentration increase relative to baseline by day 56 for the obese control group that received no treatment. For the current study, each of the eight active groups of animals either experienced a smaller increase or an actual decrease in blood sugar level relative to baseline compared to the obese control group in the previous study.

The ongoing study featured eight groups. Groups A through D were administered with different DehydraTECH-CBD compositions. Groups E and F utilized reformulated Rybelsus DehydraTECH compositions, whereas groups G and G used pure glucagon-like peptide-1 (“GLP-1”) drugs semaglutide and liraglutide respectively in DehydraTECH compositions. Additional results from this study are expected soon. However, Lexaria’s management remains optimistic that it will replicate both the interim and previous results, ultimately demonstrating the superiority of its DehydraTECH technology.

The global diabetes treatment market was valued at $79.25 billion in 2023. It is projected that by 2032, it will have surpassed $153 billion in valuation, mainly influenced by the growing prevalence of the condition and the increasing demand for effective drug therapies (https://cnw.fm/WhvWz). For the longest time, treatment options have involved painful injections, which, to many, have been a source of discomfort and, to some, an outright deterrent. Lexaria looks to carve out a piece of the diabetes treatment market share by offering an oral alternative and is banking on its DehydraTECH technology to achieve that. Its previous and ongoing studies are a testament to its commitment to this goal and its pledge to creating shareholder value.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.LexariaBioscience.com.

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

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420 with CNW — Could Marijuana Reclassification Be Answer to Maintaining Medicare?

The U.S. Justice Department took significant steps toward changing the legal status of cannabis in May by beginning the process to move the substance from schedule 1 to schedule 3, a less-restrictive category under federal drug laws. This shift is noteworthy because it reflects the recommendations of medical experts at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), who have recognized that cannabis now has an accepted medical use. Equally crucial is that reclassifying marijuana could boost much-needed research into its medical potential.

However, simply changing the plant’s classification won’t be enough to make a substantial impact. True progress will only occur if policymakers take swift and decisive actions to enable more in-depth research into medical marijuana and its potential as an alternative treatment, especially for age-related health issues.

One of the leading proponents of incorporating marijuana-based treatments into elder healthcare is Howard Kessler, creator of the Commonwealth Project in Massachusetts. Kessler played a key role in starting research at the Florida-based MorseLife Health System that discovered more than 62% of senior citizens between the ages of 65 and 75 could cut back on or completely stop taking their prescription drugs by using cannabinoid-based therapy.

Kessler notes that while the findings are encouraging, more extensive research is essential. This kind of research would give seniors and medical professionals the knowledge they need to make educated decisions regarding the advantages of medical marijuana.

Kessler’s advocacy reflects the same commitment that inspired President Lyndon B. Johnson to sign the Medicare and Medicaid Act into law in 1965, creating Medicare to guarantee healthcare coverage for those 65 years of age and older.

Nearly six decades later, this commitment is under strain due to the rising costs of maintaining Medicare. One of the most pressing threats to senior health today is the overreliance on prescribed opioids for pain management. The widespread use of these highly addictive drugs among seniors has led to increased risks of overdose and addiction. In this context, medical marijuana presents a potential alternative.

Evidence from states where cannabis is legal suggests that doctors prescribe significantly fewer doses of painkillers to patients enrolled in Medicare. Based on these figures, medical cannabis might save up to $500 million a year in costs if it were legalized nationwide.

If cannabis is indeed reclassified, conducting more studies to investigate its safe and controlled application in the treatment of pain and other ailments should come first, especially in the context of Medicare Advantage. Such research could not only lead to substantial savings for the Medicare system but also improve the quality of life for seniors by offering them better, safer treatment options.

As entities such as Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NASDAQ: ACB) (TSX: ACB) continue to bring to market more efficacious medical-marijuana formulations, the uptake of these treatments could spur additional reforms that could see the existing restrictions further eased.

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420 with CNW — NIH Study Finds Concurrent Use of Tobacco, Marijuana Is Rising

The proportion of Americans who use both tobacco and marijuana has been gradually increasing, particularly among older persons, according to a recent study. After analyzing national data spanning 20 years, Duke University School of Medicine researchers caution that combining both drugs can increase the risk to one’s health when compared to using either drug alone.

A reported 6.38% of American adults in 2021 reported using tobacco and marijuana together within the previous month. While this proportion might not seem like much, it is a considerable rise over prior years. The researchers credit this increase to the growing legalization of marijuana in a number of states, which has increased social acceptance and familiarity with cannabis use.

Lead author of the study, Dana Rubenstein, a Duke University researcher and fourth-year medical student, pointed out that the data from 2021 indicates some groups are more likely to utilize both drugs. Co-using tobacco and cannabis was more common among younger adults, those with less education and residents of states that legalized medical cannabis.

Prior research analyzing the patterns of tobacco and cannabis use, separately or in combination, concentrated on data from 2003 to 2012. But in the intervening period, marijuana laws have been relaxed in 24 more states. Most Americans now reside in places where marijuana use for recreational purposes is legal.

The study reviewed data from 708,891 adults surveyed between 2002 and 2021 through the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Key findings showed that the co-use of tobacco and marijuana steadily rose between 2002 and 2019. Exclusive marijuana use began increasing after 2007, while tobacco use on its own declined during that period.

Interestingly, while most demographic groups experienced an increase in co-use of these substances, young individuals (18 to 25 years of age) went against this trend, with co-use rates falling after 2014. Rubenstein suggests this decline may be due to fewer young adults choosing to use tobacco over the past 20 years.

In contrast, older adults have shown the opposite pattern, with a notable rise in co-use. The most striking increase was observed among adults aged 50 years and above, where co-use jumped from just 0.42% in 2002 to 3.1% in 2019. Among those aged between 26 and 34, the co-use rate nearly doubled from 6.15% to 10.3%. Similarly, those aged between 35 and 49 saw a stable period between 2002 and 2009, followed by a significant uptick, reaching 6.6% in 2019.

The coauthors of the study, Drs. Lauren R. Pacek and F. Joseph McClernon, who were both formerly employed by Duke University, emphasize the significance of developing focused programs to help individuals stop using both drugs. They also note how important it is to distinguish between the purposes of marijuana use — whether they be recreational or medical — and how this affects co-use with tobacco products.

Leading marijuana companies such as Tilray Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) (TSX: TLRY) are likely to delve deeper into the findings of this study in order to tease out any insights that could be beneficial as the companies make strategic plans for the future.

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420 with CNW — NFL-Backed Study Reports Increasing Acceptance of Cannabis Use in Sports

A new study backed by the National Football League (NFL) sheds light on the increasing acceptance of therapeutic marijuana in sports while also highlighting the significant challenges posed by federal restrictions. These limitations continue to hinder research efforts, leaving a gap in understanding both the risks and benefits associated with cannabinoid use among athletes. The closing of this knowledge gap is an urgent matter, according to the report.

The study notes that, largely due to prohibition, healthcare providers lack sufficient understanding of a substance that is becoming more widely available for both recreational and therapeutic use.

The NFL committed $1 million in 2022 to studies examining the potential of cannabis to reduce pain and prevent concussions. This funding supported clinical research investigating the dosage of CBD and its potential as a substitute for opioids, in addition to the current investigation.

The study’s authors highlight the importance of education as a proven tool for reducing harm. “While there are ongoing efforts to educate the public on the risks of cannabinoids, equivalent efforts must be made to investigate and understand their benefits,” the 27-page paper argues.

The paper, which acknowledges both potential advantages and hazards for athletes using marijuana therapeutically, mostly evaluates existing literature. The authors warn against the dissemination of false information and unfavorable preconceptions that continue to impede the public’s understanding of cannabis and recommend a fair and impartial approach to sharing these findings.

The study highlights that concentrating only on negative messages runs counter to the positive experiences that many people who use cannabis products have had, which undermines public confidence in health authorities. Further, the study also discusses how the public’s comprehension of cannabinoid medicines is impeded by the cannabis industry’s emphasis on recreational usage. The industry’s commercial orientation, which permeates legal and political discourse, further blurs the discussion about the possible health advantages of cannabis products.

To truly serve the public, policymakers need to prioritize evidence-based studies, according to the study’s authors. However, this requires overcoming complex regulatory barriers that currently make it nearly impossible to conduct research on real-world cannabis products outside of studies funded by commercial interests.

One of the primary hurdles identified by the report is the limited availability of rigorous studies. The researchers note that many existing studies on humans have significant limitations in design and applicability. Variations in the types of cannabinoids studied, participant demographics and administration methods make it difficult to draw broad conclusions. As such, the authors advise caution when interpreting these findings, because they may not apply to other populations or different cannabinoid formulations.

The report also characterizes the existing cannabis laws and guidelines in sports as ambiguous and contradictory. The researchers urge politicians, medical experts and athletes to be better informed about the possible advantages and disadvantages of cannabis. The research makes the case that by addressing these problems, the sports community can promote a more knowledgeable and fair conversation on cannabis usage in sports.

As the misconceptions and stigma associated with marijuana use by athletes dissipates, many more are likely to use the products made by entities such as SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL) to help in the management of the different physiological and mental-health challenges they face as a result of the rigors of the sports they participate in.

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420 with CNW — Dallas Voters to Decide on Marijuana Decriminalization in November

Dallas voters will have the opportunity to decide in November whether or not the city should decriminalize cannabis. The city’s council decided on Aug. 14, 2024, to add the Dallas Freedom Act to the ballot for the upcoming Nov. 5 election. Local proponents of cannabis reform are leading this effort to loosen the rules governing adult possession of marijuana.

The push for reform is led by Ground Game Texas, a nonprofit organization focused on social justice. The group gathered nearly 50,000 signatures from residents, far exceeding the 20,000-signature threshold needed to get the measure on the ballot.

The measure would forbid police from arresting or ticketing people for having less than four ounces of cannabis in their possession. Possession of two to four ounces of cannabis is currently regarded as a class A misdemeanor in Texas, which carries a maximum one-year jail sentence. Possession of less than two ounces results in a class B misdemeanor, and the punishment is up to 180 days in jail.

Other key provisions within the proposal include:

Except for felony investigations, Dallas police would no longer be permitted to use the scent of hemp or cannabis as justification for searching or seizing property.
Except for the restricted circumstances outlined by the proposal, police would not issue a citation for class A or B misdemeanor possession of cannabis or arrest unless instructed otherwise by an orderly ruling from a federal or state court.
Except in cases where testing is required for public safety (such as toxicology tests) or is a component of a violent crime investigation, no cannabis product would be subjected to THC-level testing to assess if it complies with the legal definition of marijuana using city resources or people.

The city council approved the proposal for the November ballot by a vote of 11–4. Supporters of the measure, including Council Members Omar Narvaez, Adam Bazaldua, Zarin Gracey and Chad West, have voiced their backing for decriminalization. West, who first proposed the initiative in June, argued that it is a needed reform for Dallas.

On the other hand, Eddie Garcia, the chief of police in Dallas, expressed concerns, stating that the proposed changes wouldn’t benefit the community. He argued that four ounces is more than a small amount for individual use. Garcia noted that his narcotics unit found that an average illicit purchase for individual use in the city consists of two or three dime bags, which is far less than four ounces.

If Dallas voters decide to decriminalize cannabis possession, other cities may also take the same approach, which could trigger a statewide movement that eventually sees adult-use marijuana legalized. When that happens, plenty of business opportunities could be created, including for companies seeking to offer services that are similar to what companies such as Innovative Industrial Properties Inc. (NYSE: IIPR) are currently offering in other jurisdictions.

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420 with CNW — Americans’ Opinions of Marijuana’s Effects Decline Further, Poll Shows

Americans’ perceptions of cannabis’ effects have become less optimistic over the last two years; a slight majority now worry that most users (51%) and society as a whole are harmed by it. This is a significant change from 2022, when opinions were more evenly divided and more people (53%) thought marijuana had a good impact on users, while only 45% thought it had a negative one.

These new insights are based on a Gallup Consumption Habits survey conducted from July 1 to July 21, 2024, which shows that a sizable portion of different demographics still have favorable opinions of marijuana. This group comprises those who have personally experimented with marijuana, Democrats, young people aged 18 to 34 years of age, and those who seldom or never attend religious events.

Those who have never tried cannabis, Republicans, those who attend religious services regularly, and those who are 55 years of age or older, on the other hand, have different opinions and generally believe that most cannabis users have been negatively impacted. Notably, opinions are more divided among independents and people aged between 35 and 54 years old.

A pattern that is evident in all of these groups is a decline in the perception of cannabis’ beneficial effects as compared to prior years. Furthermore, fewer than one-half of respondents in each of these categories now believe that cannabis has a beneficial impact on society.

In a different section of the poll, Gallup asked respondents to rank the level of danger associated with chewing tobacco, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, pipes, cigars, nicotine patches, cannabis and alcohol.

While all eight narcotics are viewed as “somewhat” or “very” hazardous by most Americans, marijuana is the least of the lot. The majority of respondents — roughly two-thirds — believe that marijuana is either extremely (26%) or moderately (40%) dangerous. This pales in comparison to the broad consensus that products such as e-cigarettes, cigarettes and chewing tobacco are harmful; more than 90% of American people consider these to be dangerous, with the majority believing they are extremely problematic.

Public sentiment on the dangers of cannabis has shifted slightly since 2023, with the percentage of those who see it as very harmful rising from 23% to 26%, and those considering it somewhat harmful shifting from 35% to 40%.

In addition, 13% of American adults today report smoking cannabis, a small decrease from the 17% noted in 2023, whereas 12% of individuals use edibles. In addition, 7% of American adults prefer e-cigarettes or vaping, and 58% of individuals say they drink alcohol, making it the most commonly taken drug.

Major cannabis companies such as Green Thumb Industries Inc. (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF) are likely to analyze these poll results and see what hidden insights they can glean from the data.

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420 with CNW — Ohio’s Adult-Use Cannabis Sales Exceed $11M in First Week

Ohio’s recreational marijuana market has experienced impressive growth, generating more than $11.5 million in sales in its first week. According to the state’s Commerce Department, Cannabis Control Division, the total revenue from adult-use cannabis sales reached $11,530,708 as of Aug. 10, 2024.

Sales officially began on Aug. 6, eight months after Ohio voters approved recreational cannabis legalization, with 57% of voters supporting the ballot measure. The average cost of an ounce of flower was $266. The data shows that 1,285 pounds of cannabis plant material and 173,043 units of processed products were sold.

Ohio’s medical marijuana market is also thriving, pulling in more than $8.3 million in sales in the same period. When recreational sales are factored in, the state’s annual revenue is expected to approach $1.3 billion. This amount would be much more than Michigan’s first-year cannabis sales revenue in 2020, which came in at $474 million for medical use and $510 million for recreational use. Conversely, Illinois recorded sales of about $11 million in the first week of 2020.

Currently, Ohio has 120 dual-use stores registered to sell marijuana for both recreational and medical purposes, up from 98 when recreational cannabis sales first started. The state intends to grant about 170 more licenses to increase retail options and 50 licenses set aside for social-equity candidates.

Despite the success, more than 70 cities across Ohio have enacted local bans preventing recreational cannabis entities from operating within their jurisdictions, as reported by Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law.

Under the ballot initiative that legalized recreational marijuana, a 10% tax is applied to all nonmedical cannabis purchases. Revenue from this tax is allocated to five different state funds: the Marijuana Social Equity and Jobs Fund, the Recreational Use Tax Fund, the Host Community Marijuana Fund, the Substance Abuse and Addiction Fund, and the Cannabis Control Division and Tax Commissioner Fund. These funds are designed to address a range of needs, from social-equity initiatives to addiction services.

Meanwhile, large marijuana operators are moving quickly to capture market share. Ascend Wellness Holdings launched recreational sales at its Carroll store on Aug. 15, 2024, following its initial rollout at locations in Sandusky, Cincinnati, Piqua and Coshocton. Verano Holdings, based in Chicago, also began recreational sales at its five Zen Leaf stores across the state.

Recreational cannabis currently is legal in 24 states, the District of Columbia and two territories. The entire cannabis industry, including companies such as Canopy Growth Corp. (NASDAQ: CGC) (TSX: WEED), will be rooting for the industry in Ohio to grow and reach its full potential so that the consumers who need these products can access them legally and conveniently.

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420 with CNW — California Senators Pass Bill Authorizing Cannabis Growers to Sell at Farmers’ Markets

California Senate lawmakers have advanced a bill that would grant small cannabis cultivators a new license to sell directly to consumers at state-run farmers’ markets and other transient events. Additionally, the bill would allow adults to use cannabis at events that have been approved.

The bill does not, however, imply that small marijuana farmers can openly sell their goods at farmers’ markets alongside other merchants. Cannabis sales in approved locations would require certain regulatory permits from state and local authorities.

The assembly initially approved the bill in May, where it received overwhelming support before heading to the senate. The bill is now poised for a full senate vote after passing through two senate committees.

If the senate approves it, the bill will return to the assembly for approval of the senate’s amendments. One key amendment states that license holders may only offer products for sale and permit on-site consumption at temporary events organized by the state, not at other kinds of temporary gatherings.

Temporary event licenses would be issued by the Cannabis Control Department (DCC). With these permits, those 21 years of age and older would be able to purchase cannabis and consume it on-site at establishments that have local approval.

These activities require permission from local governments, and licenses would only be granted to those who meet the requirements for small-scale cannabis production. This group of growers consists of individuals who grow no more than an acre of marijuana or those who have mixed-light tier 1 or tier 2 permits, each of which has a maximum square footage requirement.

The measure expands on a 2018 California state law that authorized cannabis event permits for a limited time in locations where municipal governments have granted permission. For the first time, marijuana sales and on-site consumption were made possible by the 2018 law at gatherings such as the California State Fair. The new rule would give small-scale producers that obtain the required permits the same sales chances as licensed shops, which are now permitted to sell their products.

In parallel developments, a more comprehensive legislative proposal aimed at overhauling California’s hemp and cannabis regulations seems to have stalled. A committee in the senate failed to bring the proposal to a vote before the deadline, leaving its future uncertain.

The plan, backed by Governor Gavin Newsom, included an amendment that would have integrated hemp-derived products into the state’s licensed cannabis market. Additionally, it aimed to permit hemp farmers from other states to market their goods in California.

This new legislation breaks new ground, and many cannabis companies such as Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NASDAQ: ACB) (TSX: ACB) will be watching to see if other jurisdictions also take up this approach of helping smaller cannabis growers to access the final consumers of their products.

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