420 with CNW – New Jersey Lawmakers Remain Undecided as Governor Sets Cannabis Legalization Deadline

Approximately a month ago, a vote in the New Jersey senate on a bill to legalize recreational cannabis was postponed after it was realized that the bill may not have enough support among the senators. Now Gov. Murphy has given the legislators up to the end of May to pass the bill or he would use his executive powers to expand the medical cannabis program.

Insiders say that the biggest sticking point is the matter of who qualifies to have their cannabis-related criminal record expunged.

The bill sets the marijuana possession limit at 5 pounds if someone is to have their criminal record erased. Some lawmakers are suffering from “sticker shock” at that number because they think that such a high limit will allow hardened drug dealers to benefit from this law.

However, supporters of the law say that the 5-pound marijuana possession limit is fair, and many of the people who qualify to have their records expunged have already served their jail sentences.

The supporters therefore say that it is hypocritical for New Jersey to collect money from recreational marijuana while continuing to “punish” those who were convicted for possessing the same marijuana that the state is collecting taxes from.

The advocates say ex-convicts should have a chance to rebuild their lives by getting jobs, buying homes and doing any other thing that other residents can easily do without being encumbered by a criminal past related to cannabis possession.

This now sets up the state for a classic catch-22 situation because the framers of the marijuana legalization bill may never convince other senators to support the bill if the limit remains at 5 pounds while some supporters will jump ship if the limit is lowered to accommodate what some Republicans and even Democrats are demanding.

It is believed that the bill needs 1-4 additional votes to pass. Those four votes are turning out to be a huge mountain to climb, yet the clock is ticking on the deadline set by the Governor who came to office having promised to legalize marijuana within his first year at the top.

If a vote doesn’t take place by end of May, then it may be pushed to December after new lawmakers are elected. For now, the Senate leader and other top leaders are scrambling to find a solution to the impasse so that the law can be passed as soon as possible.

The cannabis industry, including Global Payout Inc. (OTC: GOHE) and Golden Developing Solutions Inc. (OTC: DVLP), is holding its breath hoping that a solution is found quickly so that the intended beneficiaries of the law don’t have to wait for longer than is absolutely necessary.

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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Hemp Boom Spawns Lucrative Deals

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Ever since the Farm Bill was signed into law, farmers across the United States have rushed into hemp cultivation, driving demand for the supplies needed to grow the crop necessary to meet surging CBD use.

  • Global hemp industry to reach $22 billion in 2022.
  • CBD market could increase 40 times in the next four years.
  • Hemp farming skyrockets to meet demand.
  • Serious squeeze on hydroponic and cultivation supply products.

Hemp is booming across the country, and nowhere more so than in Kentucky, where the applications to grow hemp are expected to increase fivefold, and acreage dedicated to growing the crop is set to more than triple this year. At the forefront of this explosive market growth, Sugarmade Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD) (SGMD Profile) recently inked a strategic supply contract with Hempistry Inc., a leading Kentucky-based cultivator of high CBD content hemp. Since passage of the farm bill, other major Canadian producers have also been making deals to expand hemp and CBD operations south of the border. Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) announced the acquisition of a large hemp foods maker, and Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED) is making substantial investments in New York state. Aphria (NYSE: APHA) (TSX: APHA) temporarily withdrew from the U.S. market while fighting off a hostile takeover bid. And after a $1.8 billion investment from a U.S. tobacco giant, Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) is expanding globally with eyes to the U.S. markets in the future. Even the largest Canadian licensed producers are betting on hemp CBD, underscoring titanic market growth.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

The Money Pump

In the course of only a few years, CBD extracted from hemp is now marketed for everything from pain relief and reducing inflammation to relieving stress and anxiety. CBD is sold in an array of products from shampoos, lotions and oils to drinks, pet treats and granola. The popularity of CBD isn’t likely to wane any time soon, and the soaring popularity is reflected in market projections.

The CBD boom was presaged by passage of the Farm Bill, an absolute sea change in the balance of power in global hemp markets. Historically, the United States had been an importer of hemp products, but now the U.S. market is expected to lead the global hemp industry reaching an eye-popping $22 billion in 2022. With a market expected to increase 40-fold in the next four years, it’s little wonder there’s such an enormous upsurge in hemp cultivation.

To achieve quality and consistency, much of the hemp cultivated in North America isn’t grown from seed but is cloned or propagated from existing hemp plants. Known as micropropagation, this process allows for a large number of plants to be readied simultaneously, facilitating stable, consistent production and guaranteeing that the plants are exact genetic copies of the most desirable mother plants. It’s exceptionally important in hemp cultivation to produce healthy, high-content CBD plants with all the characteristics required by hemp-product producers.

This process gives cultivators more control over how their plants grow and results in more valuable crops. The rapid vegetative propagation of plants under the controlled conditions of light intensity, temperature and precise nutrient mediums requires unique equipment and supplies. The nationwide surge in hemp production has created shortages and increased demand for these much-needed hydroponic supplies. With the boom in hemp cultivation occurring this planting season, many of the supplies required for successful micropropagation operations are in short supply. This supply squeeze has spawned an unprecedented industry opportunity.

The Right Moves

Identifying the upside early, Sugarmade Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD) has been making all the right moves to capture an outsized share of this burgeoning new market. A specialty product and brand marketing company, Sugarmade invests in and develops products and brands with disruptive potential.

Expanding its footprint in the supply of high-demand hydroponic and cultivation products, the company has been on an acquisition spree and executing new supply contracts to capture an ever-increasing market share. The latest supply contract with hemp cultivator Hempistry reflects Sugarmade’s hydroponic trajectory. Utilizing advanced plant genetics and technological innovation, Hempistry is now scaling operations to approximately 2,600 acres aggregated between its subsidiaries, while adding to the product value chain and enhancing production efficiencies.

To achieve these objectives requires a secure, reliable source of specialty equipment and supplies. Sugarmade recognized the potential windfall last year and locked in an option to invest $1 million in Hempistry. That relationship has blossomed into a supply agreement that should serve both companies extremely well. Hempistry is acquiring supplies for its hemp micropropagation operation from Sugarmade, and expectations are that this supply relationship will flourish as Hempistry expands operations domestically and internationally. The agreement will ensure supplies reach supply-starved Kentucky, which is on the leading-edge of the hemp cultivation boom.

“Industrial hemp is promising and is the fastest area of growth in Kentucky agriculture,” said Ryan Quarles, Kentucky commissioner of agriculture, in an interview with CNBC. “We don’t know if industrial hemp will replace tobacco, but we are going to champion it.”

Sugarmade CEO Jimmy Chan, now also a director at Hempistry, commented, “With at least 42,000 acres of hemp expected to be planted in Kentucky and considering an average plant density per acre of well over 1,000, farmers in Kentucky will need hundreds of millions of clones over the coming years. When these numbers are multiplied over the many other hemp cultivation states, it is easy for anyone to see the strong demand scenario that is quickly developing. We have already received our first shipments of micropropagation supplies, and we are in process of making deliveries. Sugarmade plans to significantly expand our operations relative to hemp cultivation.”

E Pluribus Unum

Out of many, one. The Latin phrase emblazoned on U.S. currency should be the slogan for what’s happening in the fractured and fragmented specialty hydroponic supply industry. With demand reaching epic proportions, the clutch of small and inefficient supply companies is ill prepared to service the requirements of the blooming hemp industry.

Cognizant of the shortfall, Sugarmade is on a mission to consolidate the fragmented industry by strategically acquiring other synergistic hemp-based operations. Sugarmade’s brands already include: Zenhydro.com, a comprehensive online hydroponics supply outlet; AthenaUnited.com, a specialist company providing hydroponic supplies to large commercial cultivators; CarryOutSupplies.com, a leader in paper and plastic supplies; and BudLife Cannabis Storage Solutions, which offers the world’s only patented intelligent packaging, storage and distribution for medicinal plants.

Continuing its consolidation strategy, Sugarmade recently announced that it will acquire the flagship operation of Washington State-based Hydro4Less, which is expected to produce about $5 million in revenues and be profitable this year. In the agreement, Sugarmade also gained an option to purchase two additional Hydro4Less retail operations, currently producing in excess of $20 million annually.

“Sugarmade is expecting to realize exceptional revenue growth this year from all of our hydroponic-related market sectors,” said Chan. “We are excited about having the very talented staff of Hydro4Less join the Sugarmade family of companies. We continue to seek additional acquisitions to further boost our already expected robust revenue growth rate.”

Expanding on a 2017 master marketing agreement with Bizright LLC where Sugarmade would sell its products, Sugarmade also announced that it will acquire Bzrth Inc., a sister company of Bizright. These accretive acquisitions will make Sugarmade one of the largest publicly traded hydroponic supply companies in the world.

“Sugarmade plans to integrate these businesses fully as soon as is possible, making us one of the larger suppliers to this growing marketplace,” stated Chan. “Additionally, we are in process of vetting other possible acquisitions to further enhance our portfolio of hydroponic and cultivation supply products. We are certainly excited about our prospects for the remaining part of this year and into next yea” stated Chan.

Northern Neighbors Look to Capitalize

In its most expensive acquisition to date, Canadian based Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) announced that it has agreed to purchase Manitoba Harvest for $317 million in cash and stock to bolster its thrust into the U.S. CBD product market. Manitoba Harvest claims to be the world’s largest hemp food maker. With operations around the globe, Tilray now expects to launch CBD-derived products in the United States as early as this summer.

Less than a month after the signing of the 2018 Farm Bill, Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED) announced plans to invest up to $150 million to establish its first U.S. production facility in New York state. The company plans to establish large-scale production capabilities focused on hemp extraction and product manufacturing. Canopy called its expansion into the United States “another example of the strategic advantage” last year’s $4 billion investment Constellation Brands provides the company.

Aphria (NYSE: APHA) (TSX: APHA) temporarily withdrew from the U.S. market while fighting off a $2 billion hostile takeover bid from U.S.-based Green Growth Brands. Aphria rejected the bid saying it was being undervalued. Located in the greenhouse capital of Canada, Aphria Inc. is one of world’s lowest cost producers.

With international production and distribution, Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) is committed to building disruptive intellectual property by advancing research, technology and product development. The Cronos Group is building a global network with partnerships, joint ventures, production and distribution spreading across five continents. Cronos Group is intent on building an iconic brand portfolio around the globe.

Evaluating what has transpired and the projections of what is to come, the hemp markets and affiliated products and services appear to be sectors that could offer incredible returns. With multiple contracts in place, several acquisitions completed with more pending and planned, plus immense opportunity ahead, Sugarmade is hotly pursuing its mission to be a dominant player in the hydroponic supply industry piece of that pie.

For more information on Sugarmade, visit Sugarmade, Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD)

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420 with CNW – Dutch Government Unveils Plan to Conduct Regulated Cannabis Market Experiment

The Netherlands has had a unique model in which marijuana is neither legal nor illegal yet it is sold in coffee shops. However, the cultivation of cannabis is illegal in the country, so the cannabis products consumed in the licensed coffee shops are obtained from illegal sources. The government wants to end this situation by conducting experiments in the regulated production of cannabis.

To this end, ten cultivators have been selected and each one of them is expected to grow between six and ten different varieties of marijuana. The THC content of that marijuana will be prominently indicated on the product label.

Additionally, about six or ten local authorities will be selected to participate in this experiment. The cannabis grown by the selected cultivators will be exclusively sold in the local authorities that are selected for the program.

This planned experiment was revealed last year when consultations about the program started. The experiment will last for four years, so a final decision on the matter is likely to be made by the government or cabinet that is elected once the current one runs its course.

Already, opposition to this experiment has emerged from different quarters. For example, the umbrella body of the local authorities in the Netherlands (the VNG) says that the government will have a hard time getting local authorities that are willing to participate in the experiment.

This is because those selected areas will have to commit, and ensure that no cannabis from illegal sources is sold within their jurisdictions during the experiment.

Furthermore, the local authorities near borders are also expected to prevent cannabis from being sold to non-residents of Holland to prevent what the government is calling “drug tourism.”

In response to this criticism, the government stated that it would introduce the legally-grown cannabis in phases so that the participating local authorities and coffee shops don’t get rushed into the program.

The Council of State, which is the highest advisory body to the Dutch government, also criticized the cannabis experiment saying that its scope was too small. Just ten local authorities cannot be based upon to get representative information about the whole country, they said.

Nevertheless, the government is pressing on with its plan to announce the ten local authorities that have been selected to participate in this program by the end of this year.

Perhaps this approach of experimenting before passing laws legalizing or outlawing recreational cannabis needs to be adopted by other jurisdictions, such as the U.S. federal government. Such a controlled experiment can bring reliable results instead of passing laws based on preconceived ideas about the perceived effects of recreational cannabis.

Generation Alpha Inc. (OTCQB: GNAL) and Global Consortium Inc. (OTC: GCGX) look forward to the results of the Dutch experiment since those findings will provide valuable lessons that jurisdictions elsewhere can learn from.

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 – Canadian Army Veterans Switch to Cannabis Instead of Opioids

Veterans Affairs Canada has revealed that marijuana use among veterans in the country has skyrocketed so much that $65 million was spent on weed for veterans last year. This rise in medical cannabis use not surprisingly coincides with a decline in the use of prescription opioids by the veterans.

Previously, injured veterans had to take a cocktail of medications for the different conditions they were suffering from. Major Mark Campbell (Rtd) is one such former soldier who lost both legs during a tour to Afghanistan.

The retired major calls cannabis “magic” because it was the only remedy that could give him some relief from the chronic pain he felt since his final tour of duty. He reveals that he has reduced the prescription opioids that he takes by half from the time that his doctor recommended that he tries medical marijuana.

He added that the fact that so many veterans are turning to medical cannabis shows that it works for them. They aren’t taking it just to be high 24/7, Major Campbell joked.

The statistics of cannabis use among Canadian veterans are staggering. For example, 10,000 veterans used medical marijuana in 2018 alone. This is much higher than the 1,700 who used weed in 2015.

That surge in number explains why the department of Veteran Affairs forked out $65 million last year to reimburse medical cannabis dispensaries that dispensed marijuana to vets. That expenditure on cannabis comes as the reimbursements for prescription painkillers are dropping.

For instance, reimbursements for the prescription opioid fentanyl have reduced by 85 percent in just five years while the reimbursements for oxycodone have registered a 75 percent reduction in the same five-year duration.

Veteran affairs experts say that they have witnessed firsthand the switch by veterans from prescription opioids to marijuana without the accompanying depression and other symptoms of withdrawal from the addictive opioids.

The experts, such as Zachary Walsh (a University of British Columbia psychology professor), say that cannabis also holds massive promise because of its ability to combat different health challenges simultaneously. For instance, the veterans who use cannabis say it helps them fight pain, anxiety and sleep disorders.

While the department of Veteran Affairs in Canada has been spending record-breaking amounts of money on medical marijuana for veterans, advocates say a lot still needs to be done. The advocates say the department has a huge backlog of disability benefits to process and they are woefully understaffed.

Addressing those concerns would go a long way in assuring the former members of the armed forces that their contribution to the nation is valued. Earth Science Tech Inc. (OTCQB: ETST) and FinCanna Capital Corp. (CSE: CALI) (OTCQB: FNNZF) call on the federal government in Canada to fix the kinks in the Veterans Affairs department so that the injured former soldiers can access medical cannabis without any needless hassles.

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 – Washington State Passes Medical Cannabis in Schools and Marijuana Testing Bills

Two separate cannabis bills have been passed by the Washington state Senate. One has to do with the use of medical cannabis in schools and another regards testing cannabis products before they get on the market.

The bill on medical cannabis in schools is intended to help students with chronic illnesses for which they are being treated using medical marijuana. The bill will allow those students to get their medical cannabis treatment while at school.

More specifically, the treatment will be administered by a parent, and not a school official or a nurse. This provision was intended to eliminate any liability issues that can arise from the administration of medical cannabis to students.

Secondly, the stipulation that only parents can administer medical cannabis to their children at school will also remove any issues that could have arisen regarding the licensing of the people administering medical cannabis to kids.

The senate bill also bans smoking medical cannabis on school premises. Students can therefore only receive medical cannabis edibles and other forms of marijuana. Cannabis products whose THC content is high are also banned from school premises. Most medical cannabis plants are carefully bred to have a high CBD content and very low, if any, THC.

The bill has a trigger clause that allows schools in Washington State to suspend accepting medical marijuana for students once the federal government threatens to cut off the funding of the schools over the medical marijuana program.

In a related development, the senate also passed a bill to modify the marijuana testing requirements of the state. This bill looks at various testing parameters, such as potency, mold, and pesticides.

The lawmakers observed that the existing law had gaps which allowed players in the cannabis industry to make some claims that are hard to verify on their product labels.

The bill wants to transfer oversight of cannabis testing labs from the Liquor and Cannabis Board to the Department of Ecology.

If the bill becomes law, the ecology department will be expected to table new testing guidelines in 2020 and 2021. These guidelines will stem the tide of facilities springing up and claiming to be cannabis testing labs.

The two bills had already got the nod from the state Assembly. The “yes” vote from the senate therefore means that the modified bills will be sent back to the House so that the lawmakers there can approve the changes made by the senators. Canopy Rivers Inc. (TSX.V: RIV) (OTC: CNPOF) and Chemistree Technology Inc. (CSE: CHM) (OTCQB: CHMJF) welcome the two bills because they will not only inspire confidence in cannabis products but also make it easy for students to receive their medical cannabis treatment while at school.

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 – New York City Council Wants to End Employee Drug Testing

As New York State gets closer to legalizing recreational marijuana, the city council of New York has voted in favor of a bill that will ban employers from subjecting prospective employees to pre-employment cannabis tests.

If enacted into law, this bill will be a trailblazer because no other city or municipality in the U.S. has passed such a law explicitly stating that employers are no longer allowed to test job applicants for marijuana before considering them for employment.

The bill contains a clause that it will only be enacted a minimum of one year after the bill has been passed. This lag time is understood to mean that by the time the bill is enacted, the State of New York will have passed its own recreational cannabis legalization law.

Advocates for this bill in the City Council should have no fears because the Mayor of New York City has indicated on several occasions that he will sign the bill when the time comes.

This bill will apply to employees in both the private and public sector. However, some categories of workers would be exempted from the protections of this law. For example, truck drivers, pilots and police officers will still be tested for marijuana.

Similarly, employees who are suspected of smoking marijuana on the job will also not be exempted from this ban on employee testing.

The city council of New York also passed another bill that removes marijuana testing as a condition for parole or probation. This particular bill will be enforced as soon as the Mayor signs it into law.

Analysts say the bill on parole and probation could possibly have a more significant impact than the one on pre-employment cannabis testing. This is because the bill brings a major shift in the dispensing of justice in the City.

According to available statistics, more than half of the companies in New York City perform pre-employment marijuana testing. These tests are expensive, as each test costs approximately $31-$40.

However, the usefulness of such tests has been brought into question since cannabis metabolites can be detected in a sample of blood or urine months after the individual consumed marijuana. Additionally, a positive test result doesn’t give any indication of the frequency of cannabis consumption, or whether the person tested was impaired at the time the test was done.

As more states legalize either recreational or medical marijuana, the likelihood of getting a positive test result increases exponentially and it gets harder to decide what to do with those results since an individual can claim to have consumed cannabis months back when traveling through a state where it is legal.

ChineseInvesters.com (OTCQB: CIIX) and Choom Holdings Inc. (CSE: CHOO) (OTCQB: CHOOF) applaud the framers of the bill since the law will prevent the needless waste of precious resources on drug tests for a substance that is legal in for medical use two-thirds of the country.

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 – Cannabis Inhalers Could Be the Next Asthma and Cancer Pain Medication

Whole smoking is the most common administration method for medical cannabis, not all patients are willing or able to use this method. For example, those who have respiratory challenges like asthma are unable to smoke cannabis because it may aggravate their condition. Terminally ill patients may also find it hard to smoke marijuana as part of their treatment. For such patients, two Israeli companies have teamed up to develop cannabis inhalers through which they can take their medication.

The two firms are Panaxia Pharmaceuticals and Rafa Pharmaceuticals. The two companies are working together to bring marijuana inhalers to the market so that patients have one more way to get their medication.

For now, the companies are targeting asthma and the pain suffered by cancer patients. The companies hope to avail an administration mode that will bring quick relief to cancer pain or respiratory distress resulting from asthma symptoms.

This administration mode may easily gain acceptance in the market for several reasons.

First, inhalers aren’t a new mode of administering medication to patients. Asthma sufferers carry them around, so it would not be hard for them to switch to the cannabis version.

Secondly, it is possible to determine what precise dose of cannabis a patient should receive when using inhalers since the patient can be told to inhale a given number of times at stipulated intervals in order to get the right dose of cannabis into the body. Medical practitioners can therefore easily see cannabis as medicine if its dosage can be controlled.

Additionally, inhalation can provide faster therapeutic outcomes when compared to other modes, such as consuming cannabis edibles. This is precisely why asthma sufferers often carry an inhaler so that they can use it and see results faster when an asthma attack occurs.

At the moment, the innovators are conducting clinical trials together with the Israeli Ministry of Health in order to ascertain whether the product is ready to hit the market, or some kinks remain which need to be resolved.

Meanwhile, the companies have decided to start a marketing drive for the inhalers while the clinical trial is ongoing.

The plan is to avail the inhalers on the Israel market later this year. Only patients with a doctor’s prescription will be able to access the product. It is not yet clear when the two companies will start exporting their invention to the rest of the world. Remember, the Israeli parliament passed a law towards the end of last year allowing companies that have been licensed by the state to export medical marijuana.

Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ: YGYI) and Cannabis Strategic Ventures, Inc. (OTC: NUGS) congratulate the two Israeli companies for finding a solution to administering medical cannabis to patients who are unable to use the modes that are currently available on the market.

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 – Cumbersome UK Medical Cannabis Program Forces Parents to Resort to Smuggling

Legally, patients who qualify can access medical cannabis across the UK ever since an enabling law paved the way for this treatment to be available from November 1, 2018. However, the reality is another thing altogether as patients are made to jump endless hoops in order to access medical marijuana through the National Health Service (NHS).

The cumbersome bureaucratic system has compelled many desperate parents of kids who badly need medical marijuana to resort to smuggling the medicine from other countries.

Emma Appleby is one of those parents, and her story is heart-wrenching. She says her daughter, aged nine, suffers from severe epilepsy that causes the child to have more than 300 seizures every single day.

Appleby tried to follow the official channels in order to get her daughter on the medical cannabis that has been documented to help patients like her child. However, she got one flat “no” after another as she presented her case before various medical officials who had to approve her application before her daughter could get medical cannabis.

This rejection pushed Appleby to the edge and last week, she decided to take matters into her own hands. She travelled to the Netherlands and bought medical cannabis oil worth nearly $6,000. This was sufficient to treat her daughter for three months.

However, customs authorities seized the medicine as soon as she landed back home. She is angry that her daughter continues to suffer while the medical professionals and the NHS keep arguing about what sort of evidence is required for one to access medical marijuana.

Emma Appleby has vowed to fight until the seized medication is returned so that her child can be treated. Hers isn’t a farfetched dream, since there is a precedent on this issue.

Earlier this year, another parent, Charlotte Caldwell, also tried to smuggle medical cannabis into the UK but it was intercepted by customs. However, the medicine was quickly returned to her (in less than a week) after her sick son’s health deteriorated and he was admitted. Cannabis had been keeping the boy stable, so when he went without it as the authorities prevented his mother from treating him with the smuggled medicine then his health went downhill rapidly.

Such cases have led medical cannabis supporters in the British parliament to rise up in arms against the implementers of the medical cannabis law who have made it hard for the intended beneficiaries of that law to access badly needed treatment.

The program is so hard to navigate that only 12 patients have got licenses to receive medical cannabis since November 1 last year when the law came into effect. TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) and VIVO Cannabis Inc. (TSX.V: VIVO) (OTCQX: VVCIF) sympathize with the parents who have been forced to try and circumnavigate the law in order to access medical cannabis. The authorities should do whatever is possible to make it easier for patients to get the treatment they need.

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 – California’s Cannabis Home Delivery Policy Faces Legal Challenge

Recently, California passed a rule to allow the statewide delivery of cannabis. However, a legal battle between the state and 25 cities is brewing after the cities went to court to have that rule overturned.

When California legalized marijuana, local governments were given the right to decide whether cannabis businesses and sales would be permitted in their jurisdictions and the conditions under which such operations could be permitted.

Many local governments exercised their right and opted to ban recreational cannabis from their jurisdictions. The new rule allowing cannabis retailers to deliver cannabis to “any address” within the state has angered the local authorities and 25 of them have gone to court over the matter since the rule would, in effect, render their position to ban cannabis ineffective.

At the core of this lawsuit is a desire to determine whether it is the state regulators in charge, or the local authorities where marijuana is cultivated and sold.

Marijuana companies and consumers advocated for the passing of the rule allowing the delivery of cannabis in the state because there were large “marijuana deserts” created by the action of local authorities that banned marijuana in their jurisdictions.

Those “deserts” made it difficult for people, especially frail patients, in those areas to access cannabis and yet the products were legal in the state.

Prop 64, the law under which cannabis became legal in California, indicates that cannabis can be delivered anywhere in the state by employees of a licensed cannabis retail business.

The cities that have gone to court therefore seem to be interested in establishing whether that provision overrides their power to restrict cannabis businesses from operating within their jurisdictions.

The state insists that the delivery rule is merely reinforcing what is already in the law while the cities argue that cannabis businesses are trying to circumvent the ban imposed by local governments. The cities insist that the deliveries should only be to the areas where the local governments have consented to the operation of cannabis businesses in their areas.

Currently, California is the largest cannabis market within the U.S., but many residents have been finding it hard to buy marijuana because of the ban imposed by several local authorities. This case is therefore going to be a landmark one since the ruling may make a definitive determination of how the cannabis industry in the state will operate.

The Green Organic Dutchman (TSX: TGOD) (OTCQX: TGODF), Therma Bright, Inc. (TSX.V: THRM) (OTC: THRBF) and the entire marijuana industry are watching with bated breath to see how the court will rule on this latest source of friction between the state and the local governments.

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 – New Mexico Makes Sweeping Changes to its Medical Cannabis Law

Ever since the Compassionate Use Act was signed into law in 2007, no major changes had been made to it until last week when Gov. Michele Grisham appended her signature to Senate Bill 406. This bill, now a law, makes numerous changes to the medical cannabis law of New Mexico.

One major change that will take effect on June 14 has to do with medical cannabis in schools. Under the updated law, medical cannabis will be administered on school premises under specific circumstances. For this to happen, parents of kids on medical cannabis will present to the school a detailed treatment plan designed by a medical professional.

However, schools will still reserve the right to accept or outlaw medical marijuana if the school district thinks that their federal funding may be at risk.

The new changes to the law will also allow patients who have a license to grow their own medical marijuana to take their produce to a manufacturer for processing into edibles, concentrates or any other form desired by the patient. This will, of course, be at the expense of the patient.

Previously, only Non-Profit producers of medical marijuana could take it to manufacturers for processing.

Medical cannabis users from other states also have a reason to smile after the governor signed this bill. Out-of-state medical cannabis users will now be able to take part in the medical marijuana program of New Mexico. Previously, only residents could benefit from this program.

The validity period of medical cannabis cards issued by New Mexico has also been extended from one year to three years. This will save the time and expenses associated with renewing a card each year.

It has also been hard for patients to find a place outside their homes where they can consume medical cannabis. The new law intends to put an end to this since it contains provisions for the licensing of consumption areas. The only condition here is that those consumption areas have to be approved by the New Mexico Department of Health.

The law has provisions that cement the protections accorded to patients using medical cannabis. For example, a patient will not be fired from a job just because he or she uses medical cannabis. However, this protection doesn’t save you from being fired if you are under the influence while at your job. Similarly, a parent will not be denied visitation or custody rights on account of being a user of medical cannabis.

The entire cannabis industry, including Supreme Cannabis Company Inc. (TSX.V: FIRE) (OTCQX: SPRWF) and The Flowr Corporation (TSX.V: FLWR) (OTC: FLWPF), welcomes the updates which have been made to the cannabis law in New Mexico in order to bring the law in line with the evolving needs of the patients using medical marijuana.

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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