420 with CNW — Colorado May Soon Make Sweeping Changes to Its Marijuana Legalization Laws

Despite being relatively young, the state-legal cannabis industry in the United States has made plenty of strides in just a couple of years. The industry is incredibly lucrative, earning millions in tax revenue at a time when state coffers are running dry, and creating thousands of employment opportunities. These days, the cannabis market has become flooded with high-potency products, with cannabis retailers in the U.S. selling $797 million worth of concentrates in 2020. According to some lawmakers in Colorado, this trend is worrying, especially for the nation’s children.

Back in 2014, Colorado made only 14% of the medical and recreational cannabis in the state, with cannabis flower making up most of the sales. By 2019, however, cannabis flower made up less than 50% of the market while concentrates made up one-third. With high THC concentrates becoming more popular and even more accessible, some lawmakers and political groups are worried about teenagers who have no idea about the long-term impact of frequently indulging in concentrates.

Consequently, lawmakers are currently working on legislation to regulate the state’s cannabis industry more tightly. The legislation, which would be the largest cannabis bill since Colorado allowed recreational cannabis back in 2012, contains several proposals that would put the state’s cannabis industry under a tighter leash. That legislation includes a requirement that people only obtain medical marijuana cards in person to ensure doctors and patients have a relationship, better data collection so the state enforces purchasing limits more strictly and a possible cap on THC potency.

Although supporters say the proposal is meant to protect the state’s children, stakeholders and cannabis advocates say it would regress the industry to a level of “soft prohibition” and increase racial inequality within the cannabis industry. The proposal’s public face, Rep. Yadira Caraveo, is a Democrat who was a pediatrician before entering public service. Over the last few years, she has seen an increased number of teenagers who use cannabis concentrates frequently, she says.

Wanda James, owner of Denver-based Simply Pure Dispensaries, sees it differently. Teenagers using cannabis concentrates more frequently isn’t a business issue but a parenting issue, James says. She is one of the state’s few dozen Black cannabis business operators compared to the nearly 2,000 white operators in the state. You can buy a truckload of high alcohol content spirits such as Everclear at a liquor store, she says, but state lawmakers don’t seem to want to install purchasing limits or limit its 95% alcohol content.

Caraveo’s bill would place a cap on concentrates (no percentage has been set yet), create a database of individuals who buy more than Colorado’s daily purchasing limits, and ban medical marijuana patients from applying for or renewing their medical cannabis cards online. The legislation is still in negotiations.

Across the border in Canada, many firms are thriving under the favorable cannabis laws implemented by Health Canada. For example, Pure Extracts Technologies Corp. (CSE: PULL) (OTC: PRXTF) has distinguished itself as the undisputed leader of the marijuana extracts segment in the country.

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

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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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CBDNewsBreaks – The Alkaline Water Company Inc. (NASDAQ: WTER) (CSE: WTER) Announces Participation in 33rd Annual ROTH Conference

The Alkaline Water Company (NASDAQ: WTER) (CSE: WTER), a producer of premium bottled alkaline water, flavor-infused waters and CBD-infused products sold under the brand names Alkaline88(r), A88 Infused(TM), and A88CBD(TM), will be participating at the 33rdannual Virtual ROTH Conference taking place March 15–17, 2021. WTER’s participation will include CEO Ricky Wright attending one-on-one meetings with any interested conference attendees. WTER is well recognized for its flagship product — Alkaline88, which is a leading alkaline water brand. Alkaline88 is available in bulk and single-serve sizes as well as eco-friendly aluminum packaging options. The conference is hosted by Roth Capital Partners LLC, a relationship-driven investment bank that is committed to serving emerging-growth companies and their investors. Because Roth is a full-service investment bank, it is able to offer capital raising, M&A advisory, analytical research, trading, market-making services and corporate access.

To view the full press release, visit https://cnw.fm/5RDRt

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 learn more about the company, please visit www.A88CBD.com and 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

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CBDWire (CBDW) is a specialized information provider focused on (1) reporting CBD-related news and updates, (2) releasing CBDNewsBreaks crafted to keep investors abreast of the latest and greatest in the CBD market, (3) refining and enhancing corporate press releases, (4) delivering end-to-end distribution and social media services to client-partners and (5) constructing effective corporate communication solutions based on the unique requirements of CBD companies. CBDW is exclusively positioned in the burgeoning CBD sector with a proven team of journalists and researchers working to deliver high quality content to an expansive target audience of investors, consumers and industry news outlets. Our dissemination network of over 5,000 downstream distribution points allows us to deliver unparalleled reach, visibility and recognition to companies operating in both cannabidiol and the wider cannabis space. CBDWire (CBDW) is where CBD news, content and information converge.

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420 with CNW — How CBD Oil Differs from CBD E-Juice

Legalized after decades of prohibition by the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD quickly became one of the most popular products on the market. The hemp extract has potent medicinal properties, making it effective against a wide range of medical conditions. Since CBD does not intoxicate users, plenty of people have been using it to help address a variety of issues, with CBD oil and CBD e-juice (vape juices) being among the most popular means of consumption.

CBD oil was the original method of consumption when CBD became legal, but industry growth coupled with advances in technology led to the popularity of CBD e-liquid. So what is CBD oil and vape juice, and how do the two differ?

CBD oil is the cannabidiol extract that is derived from the hemp plant. Although users can consume CBD in its oil form, usually sublingually or orally, it can also be formulated into tinctures, edibles, and capsules. CBD oil products can be taken orally but cannot be smoked or vaped. CBD oil is usually extracted with food-grade oils such as olive or coconut oil that the body can easily digest and absorb. However, these additives make CBD oil too viscous to be smoked or vaped.

CBD e-juice and vape liquids, on the other hand, are designed for vaping. Unlike CBD oil, which is viscous and does not vaporize easily due to the food-grade oils used during extraction, CBD vape juice comprises CBD oil extract coupled with a thinning agent. Common thinning agents include medium-chain triglyceride (“MCT”) oil, vegetable glycerin (“VG”) and propylene glycol (“PG”), and these agents reduce the CBD oil’s viscosity, allowing the vape juice to heat and vaporize easily. Users have to use specialized vape pens that heat the CBD e-juice until it vaporizes and can be inhaled.

Any form of CBD oil that is taken orally will take a while to kick in as the oil first has to be digested before the body metabolizes the CBD, usually in 30 to 60 minutes. The caveat is that the effects will last anywhere up to 12 hours. CBD e-juices take much less time to kick in because they are inhaled, and consumers can start feeling the effects in as little as 30 seconds. However, the effects only last a maximum of five hours, much less than CBD oil.

Both methods have their pros and cons, but at the end of the day, they both deliver cannabidiol to the system. CBD oil may take longer to kick in, but its effects last much longer. And while CBD vape juice doesn’t stay in the system for as long, it offers quick relief. Individuals thinking about consuming CBD should consult their health-care professional.

Of course, CBD oil and CBD e-liquids aren’t the only products that exist. Cannabis companies manufacture different CBD products to serve the needs of different consumers. For example, The Alkaline Water Company Inc. (NASDAQ: WTER) (CSE: WTER) makes a variety of CBD-infused products that include gummies, salves, bath salts and beverage shots.

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

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420 with CNW — Cannabis Stores Benefit from Consumer Loyalty Programs

Ever heard of loyalty programs? This marketing strategy allows brands to offer special offers, discounts and points to their consumers as a reward for brand loyalty. The strategy is being used by regulated marijuana retailers in Canada as well as in the United States.

Providing these perks to loyal customers comes at a price, but operators of loyalty program assert that the benefits easily outweigh the costs.

Recent data provided by Headset, a cannabis analytics company based in Seattle, demonstrates how loyalty programs influence shopping habits. According to Cooper Ashley, a data analyst from Headset, nearly 50% of marijuana stores in the state of Washington use a loyalty program. Over a three-month period, the average basket spend among retailers who had loyalty schemes was 13% higher than the average spend by customers who did not have loyalty programs. This ends up being almost $38 in additional spending.

Additionally, loyalty program baskets were found to have more commodities per basket with moderately higher commodity prices. Ashley stated that this was a notable advantage to having a loyalty scheme, as consumers tend to have bigger transactions. Ashley also explained that majority of the time, if a store was gathering consumer data, it would be connected with a loyalty program.

Understanding how loyalty programs influence consumer behavior could be used to aim promotions to the most valuable consumers of a store.

Planet 13, a marijuana dispensary which operates in Las Vegas, provides a loyalty member program that is accessible by out-of-state shoppers and also serves residents of the state, offering in-state shoppers extra benefits. All who take part in the loyalty program receive text-message notifications about deals and can accumulate reward points with purchases made.

Planet 13’s VP of sales and marketing noted that residents from Nevada were given a 20% discount off items that are regularly priced while loyalty members were allowed access to the store promotions such as daily deals.

In Canada, a major marijuana retail chain that owns various store brands including Canna Cabana and High Tide operates a loyalty scheme known as Cabana Club. Andy Palalas, the company’s chief revenue officer, stated that the country’s restrictions on using incentives to sell marijuana prevent the company from providing certain loyalty benefits. Despite this, however, other perks, such as giving a 5% discount on items that are regularly priced, are allowed. Palalas asserted that simple discounts helped increase loyalty program sign ups.

Another factor that is likely to impact client behavior is the rapid advances being made within the medical cannabis segment. For instance, RYAH Group Inc. has brought to market devices that leverage technology so that it is possible to precisely control the dosage of medicinal cannabis products such as dry herb, which is inhaled. Such devices are likely to make more patients comfortable taking cannabis medicines, and this will impact product sales.

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

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CBDNewsBreaks – InvestorBrandNetwork to Serve as Official Corporate Communications Firm for USA CBD Expo’s Full Slate of 2021 Events

InvestorBrandNetwork (“IBN”), a multifaceted financial news and publishing company, today announced the expansion of its continued collaboration with USA CBD Expo. Under the arrangement, IBN will serve as the official corporate communications firm for USA CBD Expo’s full line-up of events in 2021. Since its 2017 inception, the USA CBD Expo brand has rapidly established itself as the nation’s largest series of CBD conferences, routinely hosting hundreds of vendors from across the CBD value chain, the sector’s most significant brands and influential thought leaders. IBN also announced that CannabisNewsWire (“CNW”), a specialized communications platform for the cannabis sector and one of the 50+ brands forming the InvestorBrandNetwork, will serve as a Gold Sponsor and the Official NewsWire for the upcoming USA CBD Expo events scheduled for this year. “We are excited to broaden our ongoing partnership with InvestorBrandNetwork and CannabisNewsWire,” said USA CBD Expo’s Marketing Director Nicole Beiner. “IBN’s widespread syndication network and dozens of trusted brands deliver incredible exposure for our sponsors and conference attendees. Moreover, their multi-faceted approach, which incorporates access to millions of followers across a range of social media platforms, helps complement our existing strategy to reach larger audiences.”

To view the full press release, visit https://cnw.fm/AM4P3

About USA CBD Expo

USA CBD Expo is the leading CBD and Hemp event in the nation and South America. Our purpose is to connect the best, most innovative products and brands to our attendees. USA CBD Expo successfully brings together a rapidly expanding industry into one global, unrivaled trade show experience. We’re committed to producing the best show possible to advertise our exhibitors’ brands, drive traffic to their booth, and get them closer to potential customers and other businesses. For more information, visit www.USACBDExpo.com.

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CannabisNewsBreaks – Grapefruit USA Inc. (GPFT) Flagship Products Now Available through Key California Mobile Retail Distribution Platform

Grapefruit USA’s (OTCQB: GPFT) patented, disruptive Hourglass(TM) time-release THC+ Cannabinoid delivery cream and full-spectrum RSO cannabis oil are now available on Crown Genetics’ retail delivery online platform. GPFT’s flagship products can be found in the Wellness section and can be purchased in California. This means that consumers living in Los Angeles can order the Hourglass cream of full-spectrum RSO oil online and have it delivered to their homes or offices; once stocked, the products will also be available at 250-plus licensed retailed dispensaries that are serviced by Crown, a leading licensed cannabis distributor in California. The Grapefruit products were only included on the Crown online store and in its retail distribution system after being carefully tested and evaluated. “The approval of Grapefruit’s Hourglass THC/Cannabinoid delivery cream for inclusion on the Crown cannabis product platform represents yet another milestone for our company,” said Grapefruit CEO Bradley Yourist in the press release. “We can think of no more powerful affirmation of Hourglass’ safety and efficacy than to have a company of Crown’s reputation include a product manufactured by an industry peer such as Grapefruit in its menu of offerings to its retail and wholesale clients. Furthermore, Hourglass will now be significantly more available to Los Angeles area residents which should provide a healthy jump start to Hourglass revenues and adoption. Our customers can simply go online to both locate brick and mortar stores that inventory and sell Hourglass or order it online and have it delivered directly to their home or office in California via the Crown delivery system. We anticipate that our inclusion in the Crown system will not only attract many new retail customers for Hourglass and other Grapefruit products but will also expose the ‘Grapefruit’ corporate name, Grapefruit’s trademarked ‘Hourglass name, and our OTCMarkets ticker symbol ‘GPFT’ to an ever-increasing national and international cannabis-centric audience.”

To view the full press release, visit https://cnw.fm/Agwnn

About Grapefruit USA Inc.

Grapefruit’s corporate headquarters is in Westwood, Los Angeles, California. Grapefruit holds California permits and licenses to both manufacture and distribute cannabis products in the Golden State. Grapefruit’s extraction laboratory and manufacturing and distribution facilities are located in the industry-recognized Coachillin’ Industrial Cultivation and Ancillary Canna-Business Park in Desert Hot Springs, California. To find out more about the company, please visit www.GrapefruitBlvd.com.

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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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420 with CNW — Hawaii Senate Passes Bill to Legalize Cannabis, Bill to Broaden Decriminalization Laws

The Hawaii Senate recently passed legislation that would legalize cannabis in the state and that would considerably broaden the current decriminalization laws in the state. Under the first bill, adults would be permitted to grow the plant for personal use as well as possess up to an ounce of marijuana. The proposal got a 20 to 5 vote in the chamber.

The second proposal would add onto the existing decriminalization law in the state, which states that the possession of three grams or less of cannabis is punishable by a $130 fine. The Senate approved the proposal to increase this limit to 30 grams, or just over an ounce, in a 24 to 1 vote.

Both legislations have now been advanced to the House, with some concerned about how Governor David Ige will approach these legislations.

In an interview earlier this month, the governor declined to comment on whether he would veto the legalization proposal or approve it. He did, however, state that the ongoing federal prohibition on cannabis created obstacles that he’d have to factor into his decision.

Ige explained that he had concerns, seeing as cannabis was still classified as a Schedule 1 substance and is therefore highly regulated by the federal government. He continued, stating that until this classification was changed, it would be confusing for the public to think that marijuana was legalized in the state.

In spite of this, the state of Hawaii already has in place a medical marijuana market place. The adult-use legalization measure would maintain this medical program and allow registered patients to possess up to four ounces of marijuana. The measure would also require that the Department of Health in the state develop and establish regulations that will govern retail sales and business licensing by July 1 this year. However, it has not been made clear when stores would be launched.

The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii board president Nikos Leverenz stated that it was a historic day for marijuana reform in the state, adding that it was now up to House leadership to make sure that the bill progressed. Leverenz noted that adult-use legalization of marijuana would help create quality jobs in retail, agriculture and other businesses that would be influenced by marijuana’s production and distribution.

In addition, another proposal that would have legalized psilocybin mushrooms for therapeutic use had also been introduced for this session in the state. However, the proposal got held up in committee in February.

As Hawaii is debating whether or not to legalize recreational cannabis, companies in states that have enacted favorable cannabis laws, such as Michigan, are already reaping the benefits. For example, Gage Growth Corp. (d.b.a. Gage Cannabis) registered a 157% rate of growth in its sales in the first three quarters of 2020—the first year in which the company launched in that market.

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

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420 with CNW — New Study Suggests CBD May Increase Your Lifespan

As 2018 drew to a close, Congress passed a bill that finally legalized industrial hemp after years of prohibition. Among other things, the 2018 Farm Bill legalized the cultivation and sale of industrial hemp plus its extracts. Soon after, demand for a hemp extract called cannabidiol (“CBD”) boomed to immense heights, based mostly on claims that it had extensive medical benefits. Subsequent studies have found CBD to indeed be effective against everything from anxiety, stress, and insomnia to chronic pain and pediatric epilepsy.

While CBD has been proven to be effective against a wide range of medical conditions, does it have the ability to actually increase your lifespan? According to the results of a new study, hemp extract actually may be able to help you live longer. A study by Canopy Group Corporation concluded that worms that consume CBD had a longer lifespan compared to worms that didn’t. Consuming hemp-derived CBD increased the overall lifespan of the worms by 20% and their late-stage activities by 200%.

Additionally, the worms did not exhibit signs of prolonged lifespan toxicity, which refers to the negative side effects of sustained exposure to a stressor. However, note that these results were from an animal study, so more research, specifically on the effect of long-term CBD use by humans, is needed. Still, the fact that cannabidiol increased the worms’ lifespan by 20% without causing any chronic toxicity is impressive.

Nonetheless, translating the methods used in this study for human research will prove difficult. Since worms have a lifespan of only two to three weeks, researchers had enough time to monitor the worms and document how CBD affected their lifespans. On the other hand, humans have a much longer lifespan, making the prospect of studying the long-term effects of CBD consumption on their lifespan more daunting. Fortunately, human and worm genes are quite similar, so the preclinical model used by the Canadian Cannabis Grower’s Association can be used for human studies.

The researchers’ objective was to find out how long-term CBD use affected the worms, especially in regards to solubility, acute toxicity and stability. The researchers found continued CBD use to be safe from any acute toxicity, with none of the worms dying that were exposed to acute CBD. In fact, exposure to concentrated CBD had the opposite effect and extended their lifespans.

A separate study by the University of Bonn looked at the effect of CBD on the memory performance of older mice and found that cannabis had the ability to reverse aging in the brain. Future studies will be needed to concretely prove cannabis’ effect on patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

This research pointing to the potential of CBD to extend human life gives the innovative products of many cannabis companies added value. For example, California-based Grapefruit USA Inc. (OTCQB: GPFT) has technology that makes topically administered CBD more absorbable, thereby increasing the likelihood that a user will get maximum benefit from the cannabis compound.

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420 with CNW — Pennsylvania Governor Announces Marijuana Pardons

Legal cannabis hasn’t just provided states with millions of dollars in tax revenue at a time when their coffers were running low, it has also given people who were shackled with cannabis convictions a new lease at life. Although the decades’ long war on drugs was meant to take down the criminal enterprises behind the illicit drug trade, it is ordinary people who were by and large law-abiding citizens who suffered the most. For most cannabis legalization proponents, marijuana legislation would remove cannabis-related offenses from their records, ridding them of the stigma associated with a criminal record.

In Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf has announced a round of pardons that will include individuals with prior nonviolent, cannabis-related convictions. The governor, who is known for his pro-cannabis views, has already pardoned a total of 310 people, 69 of them being part of a program that was granted expedited review to overturn prior marijuana-related charges. Dubbed the Expedited Review Program for Nonviolent Marijuana-Related Offenses, the program was launched in 2019.

According to Wolf, the 310 convictions gave the affected individuals an opportunity to put their cannabis-related “crimes” behind them and allowed them access to additional opportunities while they lived their lives without the shadow of a cannabis conviction constantly dogging them. He noted that pardons for nonviolent, cannabis-related offenses were expedited, reducing what usually took years to just a couple of months.

Six pardons are currently being held for additional review while Wolf denied 13 others. All in all, Pennsylvania’s governor has signed off on 1,559 pardons since 2015, more than any governor in the last two decades. Of these pardons, 95 were from a group that was part of the Expedited Review Program for Non-Violent Marijuana-Related Offenses. Secretary of the Board of Pardons Brandon Flood says that by establishing an accelerated evaluation process for specific individuals requesting pardons for minor offenses, the state Board of Pardons broke with administrative tradition.

Although the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons initially made this expedited review program available for individuals with nonviolent, cannabis-related offenses on their records, the board will soon extend the program to include additional nonviolent, low-level and nonsexual crimes, Flood says.

Wolf made his commitment towards pardoning cannabis offenders clear back in 2019 when he supported efforts to fully legalize recreational cannabis in the state. Although a legal recreational cannabis market has so far eluded his grasp, he is still a fervent advocate for cannabis reform, supporting cannabis legislation and granting pardons to individuals with cannabis-related convictions on their records.

While Pennsylvania has so far not enacted a law creating a legal recreational marijuana market, other states, such as Oregon, have established markets, and many companies are flourishing in the state. Golden Leaf Holdings Ltd. (CSE: GLH) (OTCQB: GLDFF), for instance, has a whopping five brands through which it offers premium cannabis products to savvy consumers in the markets where the company operates.

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

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420 with CNW — USDA Secretary Approves Final Hemp Rules Despite Industry Concerns

The new head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently gave final approval to a federal rule that established the regulations for the hemp industry, despite concerns from advocates about some provisions. Widely considered to be a supporter of the hemp industry, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack approved the rule after a department review, which started during the presidential transition had been concluded. The rule will come into effect on March 22, 2021.

The head of the USDA Domestic Hemp Production Program Bill Richmond stated in an email to stake holders that the final rule had been under additional review by the department as part of the new administration’s transition. Richmond added that the rule would now advance as stipulated in the Federal Register, as it had received approval from Secretary Vilsack.

The Agricultural Marketing Service in the department also released a message stating that the USDA and other agencies had taken the opportunity to review pending and new regulatory actions as part of the new administration’s transition. The statement noted that the routine procedure was done to make sure that new programs as well as those that had already been established were resourced and structured appropriately and that the programs were implemented to best serve their stakeholders.

The USDA had released the rule earlier in January, which came nearly two years after hemp was federally legalized under the Farm Bill 2018. Stakeholders in the industry say that these regulations being approved represent a positive step forward that offer businesses needed guidance. However, they have also indicated some policies that they hope to amend as the crop’s market grows.

With Vilsack’s final seal of approval, the rules will not be subject to further revision ahead of their enactment date. However, stakeholders and advocates have indicated that they will continue to call for changes as the market matures.

The U.S. Hemp Roundtable’s general counsel Jonathan Miller stated that the organization was pleased to see the final regulations’ improvements over the provisional final rule, referring to amendments that the department had made after issuing its initial interim regulations. Miller noted that the regulations were much improved, adding that it was clear that the USDA had listened to hemp farmers as well as the industry and paid attention.

However, Miller also observed that there were a few issues that were still pending. Those issues include the Drug Enforcement Administration’s continued involvement in registering laboratories to test hemp. He mentioned that the group was hopeful that these issues could be resolved through legislation in Congress or discussions with the USDA.

Despite the somewhat unfriendly sector regulations, many companies are doing well in the hemp space in and outside the United States. An example is Pac Roots Cannabis Corp. (CSE: PACR) (OTCQB: PACRF), which has opted to protect its profit margins by carefully selecting the strains from which it manufactures its premium products for the Canadian and international markets.

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

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