420 with CNW — Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Legalize Cannabis in Pennsylvania

The wave of cannabis legislation reform sweeping across the United States has reached Pennsylvania, and the Commonwealth may very well be the next state to legalize cannabis. A new bipartisan bill introduced to the Pennsylvania legislature last week by state Senators Dan Laughlin and Sharif Street seeks to legalize marijuana, allowing individuals aged 21 and over to purchase and consume marijuana. The new bipartisan bill would also expunge the records of people with previous cannabis-related, nonviolent offenses.

Unlike the state’s medical cannabis market, which has just a few growers due to limited licenses, licenses for recreational cannabis growers would be widely available. Additionally, medical dispensaries that are currently selling medical cannabis would be allowed to sell marijuana for adult use. Although there have been attempts to pass cannabis legislation in the past, they have been unsuccessful in the Republican-controlled legislature. However, this new bill has a greater chance of success compared to past efforts because this is the first time legislation is being backed by a Republican.

Senator Laughlin notes that while he and Senator Street belong to different political parties, they have joined hands to ensure the state has a cannabis market that is based on safety as well as social equity. Speaking on Twitter, he said the new bipartisan bill would ensure legalization in Pennsylvania is done right. Street has been a vocal supporter of cannabis legalization in the state, going as far as helping people to register for medical marijuana cards.

In 2019, he co-sponsored a cannabis legalization bill with Senator Daylin Leach that would have legalized recreational cannabis, expunged prior nonviolent, cannabis-related convictions automatically and allowed home delivery. Unfortunately, the legislation didn’t make it past the committee stage. He later appeared in a news conference in September 2020 with Governor Tom Wolf who said the state needed to legalize recreational cannabis to help the thousands of Pennsylvanians in the criminal justice system as well as to raise revenue at a time when state coffers are running dry.

In a statement, Street said that he and Laughlin in collaboration with stakeholders and key community groups had developed a bill to legalize adult-use cannabis in Pennsylvania. On Twitter, he noted that Blacks and Latinos are four to five times more likely to be impacted by marijuana use, and they were committed to social justice reform. On top of changing the lives of thousands of Pennsylvanians with prior cannabis convictions for the better, legalization would also earn the state more than $400 million in revenue annually.

As discussions continue on the legalization of cannabis in different jurisdictions, many companies are recording success in the market for nonintoxicating cannabis products. For instance, The Alkaline Water Company Inc. (NASDAQ: WTER) (CSE: WTER) has distinguished itself as a supplier of various CBD-infused products (salves and lotions, for example) by adopting a model that ensures that a parking house or warehouse is within 600 miles from nearly the entire population of the United States.

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

About CNW420

CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

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420 with CNW — Virginia Becomes 16th State to Legalize Recreational Cannabis

Virginia’s Legislature recently passed a measure that would legalize adult-use cannabis in the state. The Senate passed the initiative in a 20–19 vote while the House approved it in a 48–43 vote, making Virginia the only state in the Old South to allow legalization. It should be noted that not one Republican in either chamber voted for the measure.

Democratic Majority Leader Del. Charniele Herring, who sponsored the measure, stated on the floor that to her, the legislation was a justice bill, adding that while it still had flaws, it represented a step in the right direction.

While cannabis sales will not begin until 2024, Virginia is now the 16th state in America to approve an adult-use cannabis legalization bill. Apart from Virginia, Vermont and Illinois are the two other states that have approved bills to regulate, tax and legalize recreational cannabis through the legislature.

Under the compromise bill, cannabis for recreational use would still not be legal until January 2024, when regulated sales are scheduled to commence. The state will establish a cannabis regulatory agency this July.

Earlier in April 2020, the state’s Governor Ralph Northam approved a legislation that decriminalized cannabis possession, with the law taking effect on July 1 last year. Legislators approved a legislation this session that would broaden the state’s medical cannabis program to permit cannabis flower products. The first medical cannabis dispensary in the state was launched in August 2020.

Gov. Northam stated last year that he supported legalization, urging legislators to approve his proposal during his state of the state address. The bill was based off of a pair of comprehensive studies on the issue: a report from the independent Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee and his administration’s report on the matter.

The measures made their rounds in the chambers, with legislators addressing various issues, including how to handle automatic expungements of cannabis offenses and how to prevent big corporations from monopolizing the cannabis market in the state.

The legislation encompasses strong social equity provisions, which include the prioritization of business licenses for people considered to have been disproportionately affected by criminal enforcement. The bill would also permit individuals who are 21 years or older to possess up to an ounce of cannabis, while also allowing individuals to grow up to four plants per household.

Additionally, the bill imposes a 21% excise tax on cannabis, with the tax revenues generated being directed to fund substance use disorder treatment programs, prekindergarten education and other public health initiatives.

Meanwhile, other states that legalized cannabis earlier are also seeing the list of successful industry players growing. For example, Grapefruit USA Inc. (OTCQB: GPFT), based in California, excels at manufacturing cannabis distillates using the ethanol extraction method, and these distillates find use in lots of different applications, such as in tinctures and cannabis-infused edibles.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Grapefruit USA Inc. (OTCQB: GPFT) are available in the company’s newsroom at http://cnw.fm/GPFT

About CNW420

CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

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420 with CNW — Virginia Lawmakers Scramble to Reconcile Marijuana Legalization Bills Before Deadline

Legislators in Virginia spent last week trying to bring together Senate and House cannabis legalization bills in an attempt to reach an agreement on matters such as criminal penalties and business licensing before a looming legislative deadline.

Each chamber had approved its own legalization measure earlier in the month, based on a plan that was introduced at the start of the year by other leaders of the state, who had in 2020 pledged to legalize marijuana. The two initiatives are similar in many ways but have a few differences that span various topics.

Both initiatives — SB 1406 and HB 2312 — would permit individuals who are 21 years and above to grow up to four marijuana plants and buy up to an ounce of cannabis. Additionally, both retail sales and commercial production would be state regulated, while tax imposed on the legal cannabis industry would be directed to various investments.

Both legislations would also establish a new body whose purpose would be to regulate marijuana instead of having the alcohol authority in the state do so. However, the proposals had been amended as they made their rounds through the respective chambers, which brought about the differences. For instance, the House bill would not remove any penalties till later in 2024, which would align with legal sales launching, while the Senate proposal would legalize personal possession of cannabis later in 2021.

Additionally, while both measures would give regulators the power to limit the amount of business license holders in the state, the Senate proposal would limit grower licenses any person can hold while the House proposal would limit individual license holders to just five licenses each, to help prevent the monopolization of the market by large cannabis firms.

Other differences include how violations under the new legislations would be punished. The Senate bill suggested that penalties for consuming marijuana in public be brought down to a misdemeanor instead of the $25 fine that is currently imposed. However, the proposal would criminalize consumption of marijuana in a car that was moving, even if the person is consuming a marijuana edible.

On the other hand, the House proposal would subject a $25 fine for minors who were found with marijuana, in addition to being referred to a treatment program or substance education. Additionally, the Senate proposal would subject a $250 fine for first offenders and jail time or criminal charges for certain convictions.

It should be noted though that, under both measures, the state of Virginia’s first legal adult-use marijuana sale wouldn’t take place until 2024, regardless of whether the state’s legislators approved a reconciled legalization measure in the near future or not.

Meanwhile, plenty of cannabis firms are thriving in states that have legalized marijuana in some form. For example, Golden Leaf Holdings Ltd. (CSE: GLH) (OTCQB: GLDFF) registered revenue that exceeded its 2019 total revenue by the third quarter of last year.

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

About CNW420

CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

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420 with CNW — Lawmakers Urge President Biden to Issue Mass Cannabis Pardons

President Joe Biden expressed his support for cannabis reform during his presidential campaign, and now members of Congress are holding him to his word. More than 30 members of Congress have signed a letter urging the president to grant mass clemency to people with federal, nonviolent cannabis convictions. After signing the letter, the 37 members of Congress then headed to Twitter to drum up support for the letter and push the President into action.

Led by Congressional cannabis co-chairs Reps Earl Blumenauer, an outspoken advocate for cannabis reform, and Barbara Lee, the members of Congress want Biden to follow the lead set by former Presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter. Back in the 1970s, Ford and Carter used their executive authority to offer clemency to more than 10,000 Americans who went abroad to avoid being drafted for the Vietnam War.

The Congressmen noted that cannabis drug reform has been sweeping across states, with more than 30 states now allowing some form of cannabis. They also mentioned the historic vote made last year by the House of Representatives to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level. But until Congress sends the president a comprehensive bill that will federally decriminalize cannabis to sign, they say, he can use his presidential powers to help advance criminal justice reform and help thousands of Americans who are currently incarcerated for nonviolent cannabis-related crimes.

The move by the representatives from Congress has been met with support from cannabis reform advocates. Justin Strekal, political director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (“NORML”) has praised them for being brave enough to pressure their party’s president to do something about cannabis prohibition in the country. So how would President Biden pardon Americans with nonviolent marijuana-related convictions?

Back in 1977, President Carter issued a proclamation that outlined the criteria for Americans who had violated the Military Selective Service Act and were eligible for clemency. Individuals who had dodged the draft for the Vietnam War then submitted documents showing that they indeed qualified for clemency and were pardoned. This is what the Congress reps would like the President to do, instead of the individual clemency we’ve seen from past presidents.

The members of Congress noted that Biden had voiced support for certain cannabis reforms during his campaigns. Although he is opposed to creating a legal recreational cannabis market, the president supports automatic expungements for people with nonviolent marijuana-related convictions as well as legalizing cannabis for medical use, rescheduling cannabis, and allowing individual states to craft their own cannabis policies.

Meanwhile, the medical cannabis sector is seeing impressive development. A case in point is the way Pac Roots Cannabis Corp. (CSE: PACR) (OTCQB: PACRF) carefully selects cannabis cultivars in order to grow plants that have high medical efficacy due to their terpene profile and cannabinoids they contain.

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

About CNW420

CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

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420 with CNW — What Five Major Studies Say About Cannabis and Your Sex Life

Marijuana has been used for many centuries as an aphrodisiac, with early recordings showing its use in India in the seventh century. Presently, many consumers of marijuana claim that the substance improves one’s sex life. At the same time, others claim that marijuana can also affect sex negatively in different ways. However, science has shown that cannabis can improve an individual’s sex life in various ways. We look at them below.

  • Marijuana users engage in more sex

Research conducted in 2017 examined survey data collected from roughly 50,000 women and men to see if using marijuana had any influence on how often individuals had sex. They found that people who used marijuana had intercourse more frequently that people who did not. This statement remained unchanged for both women and men in every demographic group. Additionally, the study discovered that the use of marijuana did not diminish sexual function.

  • Women who use marijuana have more satisfying orgasms

Research carried out in 2019 found a connection between orgasms in women and marijuana. Researchers in the study surveyed 373 female patients at a gynecological and obstetrics practice and discovered that 127 of them consumed marijuana before engaging in intercourse, which increased their chances of having a satisfactory orgasm compared to women who did not use marijuana. Furthermore, those who consumed marijuana more frequently had higher chances of achieving a satisfying orgasm than those who consumed marijuana on occasion.

  • Marijuana connected to better women’s sexual health

A study conducted last year assessed a group of women who consumed marijuana as well as the survey that examined the link between their sexual health and marijuana use. The survey was made up of questions on pain, desire, satisfaction, orgasms, lubrication and arousal; these are factors most commonly used to  assess sexual health in females.

The researchers found that women who consumed marijuana often usually scored higher on various sexual health measures, in particular satisfaction, sexual desire, orgasms and arousal. This was in comparison to women who consumed marijuana less frequently.

This remained unchanged regardless of how the weed was consumed or the type of marijuana consumed.

  • Marijuana may better men’s erectile function

A 2011 study that reviewed literature on the link between male sexual function and marijuana found inconclusive results with some studies demonstrating negative effects on male sexual health and others finding positive effects, with study authors going as far as concluding that marijuana could possibly boost erectile function. However, more research is needed on this topic.

  • Women who use marijuana experience less pain and have a higher sexual urges.

A study carried out in 2017 surveyed 289 women and found that the majority of them admitted to the medicinal plant boosting their interest in sex. An estimated 77% also reported that marijuana use decreased their pain during sex.

Meanwhile, The Alkaline Water Company Inc. (NASDAQ: WTER) (CSE: WTER) has relied on innovation as well as expansion to grow from making alkaline water to adding a product line of CBD-infused capsules, drinks, tinctures and gummies.

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

About CNW420

CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

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420 with CNW — Surging Patient Numbers Trigger Hiring Spree in Florida’s Medical Marijuana Sector

In 2020 alone, Florida’s medical cannabis program created approximately 15,000 jobs, and a new analysis revealed that, in total, approximately 31,450 Florida residents are now employed in this industry.

A report authored by Leafly & Whitney Economics shows that the total sales of cannabis last year was valued at $1.23 billion. These statistics show that Florida outdid every state with a legal marijuana program except Colorado and California, where robust adult-use programs exist.

According to the Office of Medical Marijuana, the state agency charged with overseeing medical cannabis in Florida, a total of 170,000 people registered as medical marijuana patients in 2020 in Florida. This number brought the total of active card holders within the state to 485,693. That growth is projected to retain its momentum to an extent that annual sales may hit the $6 billion mark every year between now and 2030.

That notwithstanding, Leafly & Whitney Economics experts are of the opinion that those numbers would pale if the state opted to establish a recreational cannabis program, or at least get rid of the cumbersome and even potentially unconstitutional way in which medical marijuana is currently regulated.

Since the state has a population of approximately 22 million residents, an adult-use mechanism would swiftly double the number of people consuming marijuana. Subsequently, sales would surge to $2.1 billion each year, and taxes for both the state and local governments would total $800 million a year.

One of the regulations that is contentious in the current medical marijuana law stipulates that state regulators can issue up to 22 licenses to vertically integrated entities, or those that can handle marijuana from seed to the time products are sold. A Tallahassee appeals court declared this provision unconstitutional, and the Supreme Court of Florida is set to hear this case early next month.

However, state legislators aren’t waiting for the highest court in the state to pronounce itself on this matter; they are taking a legislative route to reform the system.  For example, SB562 and HB593 are aimed at stopping retail outlets from manufacturing the medical marijuana products that they sell. In other words, the vertical integration under the existing law would be rolled back.

Each of those bills is expected to go through a total of four committees before a floor vote is scheduled, and none of the requisite committees has indicated when it will discuss the bill before it. However, Senate President Wilton Simpson says that another bill that could put a cap on THC concentrations in marijuana products is likely to be discussed soon. This particular bill was vehemently opposed by veterans as well as key Republican members of Florida’s Senate. It remains to be seen how all those bills will fare.

As cannabis gains momentum around the world, companies such as Grapefruit USA Inc. (OTCQB: GPFT) are on course to grab a big share of the market before others whose product range isn’t as unique.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Grapefruit USA Inc. (OTCQB: GPFT) are available in the company’s newsroom at http://cnw.fm/GPFT

About CNW420

CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

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

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

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420 with CNW — Tips for Choosing the Best Medical Marijuana Retail Location

As of November 2020, 35 states had legalized cannabis for medical use. A wave of cannabis reform is sweeping across the country, thanks in part to cannabis’ revenue earning ability as well as its numerous health benefits. Consequently, the medical cannabis space attracts a lot of players, with everyone from mom and pop establishments to regional or even national chains looking to cash in.

Given that different states and even municipalities within the states have varying cannabis legislation, anyone looking to open a medical marijuana retail business ought to consider a few things before making a choice on locations.

Think both local and regional. While acquainting yourself with the area you want to open your operation is crucial, don’t keep your thinking local, advises Michael Lord, CEO at LivWell Enlightened Health, a Colorado-based cannabis firm that operates 22 dispensaries in the state. Don’t just rely on Google Maps or an actual map, he says.

Stephanie Goodman, CEO of Bricks and Mortar, a cannabis real estate brokerage firm in Boston, adds that on top of knowing your local market, make sure you do regional research. This way, she says, you can scout locations that may have medical cannabis markets in the near future, allowing you to better forecast future medical marijuana sales.

Start small, at least for smaller businesses without the capital large corporations have at their disposal. Founder and CEO of Elev8 Cannabis Seun Adedeji says such businesses may have a better chance of starting out in smaller towns. He started with just one dispensary in Oregon and expanded to border towns close to New York, New Hampshire and Vermont where real estate is cheaper compared to larger cities. Since each of those small towns gives only two licenses for recreational cannabis, your value will increase, he says.

This works in cities as well, says Farrell Miller, chief compliance officer at Erbn Green Cannabis Co. The Canadian retailer opened its initial operation in the uptown area of Toronto, and according to Miller, this has allowed Erbn Green to serve underserved locations in suburbs that don’t allow cannabis stores.

Will you buy or lease? After his first landlord refused to renew his lease, Adedeji has been turned off of leasing real estate. If you absolutely have to lease, he recommends a 10-year lease with an option for an additional 10 years. Due to cannabis’ illicit status at the federal level, property owners are usually afraid of turning off their mortgage lenders by leasing to cannabis owners.

Companies that have the capital can execute a leaseback deal where they acquire a property and sell it to partners, who then lease it back to them, says Goodman. This allows you access to real estate, a more amenable landlord, and free capital to run and expand your business.

After finding your ideal location, you will need top-rate products to sell, and plenty of companies are positioned to address those pressing inventory needs. For example, RYAH Group Inc. is putting the finishing touches to a smart pen that can dispense liquid medicines, including medical cannabis products.

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

About CNW420

CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

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

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

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

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420 with CNW — New Jersey Governor Signs Bill to Legalize Recreational Cannabis

Earlier this week, Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey signed three legislations into law, which decriminalized small amounts of cannabis possession and made adult use cannabis legal in the state. After the bills were approved, state officials moved to end arrests and dismiss any pending cannabis charges.

This makes New Jersey the 13th state in the United States to legalize marijuana, joining Massachusetts, California, Vermont, Colorado and Maine, where marijuana is legal. The state legislature in Pennsylvania is also considering legalizing cannabis.

The legislations also limit the use of prior cannabis convictions and create a carefully regulated marijuana marketplace that will give the state of New Jersey a boost economically. Murphy stated that in place of unreasonable cannabis laws were laws that would help establish a new industry that was based on equity, and that would reinvest into communities.

During the November 2020 elections, a majority of voters from New Jersey voted in favor of legalizing cannabis through a change in the constitution of the state. However, as no law had been enacted at the time, New Jersey law enforcement made arrests of more than 6,000 individuals for low-level cannabis possession.

Carly Wolf, a member of NORML, a group that supports cannabis legalization, stated that the enactment of these legislations was long overdue. Wolf added that residents of the state would no longer be subject to a criminal record and arrest for their personal use of cannabis.

Among many other clauses, the new cannabis laws in the state of New Jersey mean that:

  • Retail cannabis sales are subject to state sales tax, with 70% of tax revenue going to lower-income communities.
  • Adults in the state can legally buy up to an ounce of cannabis.
  • Adults can possess up to six ounces of cannabis without facing any civil or criminal penalties.
  • Individuals found with larger quantities of cannabis will have their criminal penalties reduced.
  • A Cannabis Regulatory Commission whose purpose is to oversee the applications for licensing marijuana businesses will be set up.
  • For the first two years, the state will give out licenses to 37 cannabis growers.
  • The bill created a pathway to vacate active sentences for individuals who had already been charged with cannabis offences, with pending charges and cases also being dismissed

Murphy acknowledged that a commission would be required to address the issue on when cannabis will be sold in stores.

As New Jersey is gearing up to get its recreational marijuana market off the ground, other companies are flying high in jurisdictions that have had enabling marijuana laws for years. An example is Pure Extracts Technologies Corp. (CSE: PULL) (OTC: PRXTF), which has established itself as the leader within the cannabis extracts segment in Canada.

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

About CNW420

CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

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

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

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

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CBDNewsBreaks – The Alkaline Water Company Inc. (NASDAQ: WTER) (CSE: WTER) Partner with Yesway to Carry A88CBD(TM) Products in Midwest C Stores

The Alkaline Water Company (NASDAQ: WTER) (CSE: WTER) has finalized an agreement with Yesway/Allsup convenience stores to A88CBD(TM)ingestibles in an estimated 365 C stores in the Midwest. The Alkaline Water Company is 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, respectively. Yesway is No. 17 on Convenience Store Products (“CSP”) 2020 top-200 stores, calculated by number of retail outlets. Yesway is working to grow its portfolio to more than 500 convenience stores. “We are excited to announce that our A88CBD lemon-lime flavored water and four flavors of our gummies will be carried by one of the fastest-growing convenience stores chains in the U.S.,” said The Alkaline Water Company president and CEO Ricky Wright in the press release. “Yesway merged with Allsup stores in November of 2019 to create a leading c-store operator with almost 402 retail locations and growing. This is a meaningful win for our A88CBD brand and came in coordination with our CBD-focused DSD partner, BettermentRS. They will also assist with fulfillment efforts to all Yesway stores. Our recent engagement with BettermentRS is off to a great start. This will be the first of many wins with BettermentRS, and we are excited to be working with a great partner.”

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

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

About CBDWire

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 — Elon University Survey Finds North Carolina Residents Support Cannabis Legalization

Elon University conducted an online survey earlier this year, between Jan. 29 and Jan. 31, 2021. The university recently released the results of the statewide poll, which asked residents of North Carolina to share opinions on legalizing cannabis for various purposes.

More than 1,450 individuals provided feedback through the survey, which asked individuals to share their opinions on legalizing cannabis for recreational and medical use. The survey also asked individuals to share their views on how they perceived cannabis and how its legalization would impact society.

A similar poll on the views of North Carolina’s residents and the issues surrounding cannabis legalization had been conducted by Elon University earlier, in April 2017.

The results for this year’s poll are as follows: 17% of the individuals surveyed said that they did not support cannabis legalization for medical purposes while 73% did support medical use of cannabis. The proportion of individuals who did not support the change in policy has only changed slightly, with results from the 2017 survey showing that the percentage of those who opposed legalization of cannabis for medical use was 18%.

While the number of respondents in favor of legalizing recreational cannabis was lower than previous results, 54% of the respondents were still in favor of the legalization of recreational cannabis. This year’s poll showed that 34% of the respondents weren’t in favor of legalization of the recreational use cannabis. This is a significant decline as the 2017 survey had the number of those who were against recreational legalization of cannabis at 51%.

The survey also asked residents whether they were in favor of reducing penalties for cannabis possession from a criminal offense to a civil offense. The survey noted that 67% of the  participants revealed that they supported a reduction of the penalty for cannabis possession.

The state of North Carolina has decriminalized the possession of small amounts of cannabis — but only for first offenses. It is possible for a first offense to be ruled as a suspended sentence. However, instead of a civil violation, the offense will carry the weight of a misdemeanor.

In addition to this, 64% of the survey participants admitted that legalizing cannabis would help the state’s economy; 45% of respondents also stated that crime rates would drop with the legalization of cannabis, although 31% were undecided on whether it would drop or increase.

Presently, 35 states in the United States have legalized cannabis for medical purposes and 15 states have legalized the use of marijuana for recreational purposes.

All states with legal medical marijuana programs are onto something because many companies have developed a number of cannabis-based medicines. A clear example is XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. (CSE: XPHY) (OTCQB: XPHYF) (FSE: 4XT), which has been busy with drug formulation as well as drug delivery systems, including its CBD and THC combo sublingual strip targeting MS-induced spasticity.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. (CSE: XPHY) (OTCQB: XPHYF) (FSE: 4XT) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/XPHYF

About CNW420

CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

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