According to new data released by the U.S. Department of Justice, federal arrests connected to marijuana have continued to plummet each year as states continue reforming their cannabis laws and creating markets for this substance. The report says that the number of people arrested by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has registered an annual 11% decline from 2010. In that year, a total of 8,215 arrests connected to marijuana charges were made by the federal agency. However, the figure has dropped over time to the 2,576 arrests on record in 2020.

It isn’t immediately clear which specific factors are behind the drop in arrests, but the DEA says the COVID-19 pandemic, which was at its peak in 2020, was responsible for a huge decline (81%) in the number of people arrested on marijuana charges between March and April 2020, when stay-at-home orders had just been issued across the country. During those two months, cannabis prosecutions also registered a 77% slump.

However, marijuana industry advocates see the reason for the drop in a different way. They think that the Department of Justice has used its discretionary powers to refrain from pursuing low-level marijuana infractions, especially since the guidance provided during President Barack Obama’s time in the Oval Office urged the department to be less vigilant in going after marijuana users in states where such possession or use is permitted. The wave of cannabis legalization has also had a hand in reducing the frequency of arrests by the DEA, advocates say.

Of all the arrests connected to drugs, only 16% of those arrests were connected to marijuana. The vast majority of the arrests were related to methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine in powder form. The report clearly shows that of all drugs, cannabis has registered the steepest slump in the number of arrests conducted by the DEA.

It is also noteworthy that the DEA report says that most people serving time in federal prisons have a drug charge as the most serious offense they face. In fact, nearly half (47%) of the entire prison population have a drug charge to their name. In 2010, the fraction stood at 53%, so there is a decline in that regard as well.

Data from different sources backs up the findings of the DOJ. For example, the FBI authored a report in 2020 showing a nationwide drop in cannabis-related arrests. Also, 2018 research conducted by the Cato Institute concluded that the legalization of marijuana in different states had significantly reduced the rate at which marijuana was being smuggled into the country.

These statistics may indirectly suggest that the marijuana consumers have come to trust the products commercialized by licensed marijuana companies such as Flora Growth Corp. (NASDAQ: FLGC) in the jurisdictions where such companies are allowed to operate.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Flora Growth Corp. (NASDAQ: FLGC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/FLGC

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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A recent study has concluded that the cannabis legalization wave sweeping across states and countries has triggered “drastic changes” in the way marijuana is advertised on Instagram. The research found that women are now more noticeable as “marijuana influencers,” and they drive cannabis marketing by posting about the way marijuana can be incorporated in one’s lifestyle.

This study is in stark contrast to pre-legalization years in which men where the more expected face of advertising illicit marijuana. The profiles of marijuana influencers now are also authentic, while those of the previous lot of marketers were anonymous or almost identifiable as fake because of the prohibition of marijuana in the target markets.

The study, whose findings were published in April, analyzed the profile pages of 60 apparently black-market sellers as well as 70 profile pages of cannabis influencers based within the United  States. The researchers focused a great deal on any notable text or visual differences.

The study findings indicate that Instagram is enabling marijuana influencers to flip the stereotypes about the illicit marijuana sector as being built around men. Today, cannabis is gaining the persona of a female user who wants the substance to meet a certain need in the female lifestyle. Such marketing is making it normal for women to use marijuana in the jurisdictions where it is legal.

The authors of the study note that such changes in the ways through which marijuana is marketed can influence consumption habits as well as shape the debate as people discuss the possibility of legalizing this plant.

The research team was also quick to observe that the current federal prohibition of marijuana had made it harder to market cannabis on social media platforms. This is because those platforms were actively censoring content in a bid to avoid being penalized by the federal government. This censorship takes place even in states where cannabis is legal.

It is now common to find cannabis influencers adding disclaimers to their posts, clarifying that the influencer isn’t in any way attempting to sell marijuana; instead, they note that they are only providing an explanation of the different ways in which they incorporate cannabis products in their lifestyles.

The study also notes that the female-dominated cannabis influencers in the United States largely focus their attention on how marijuana products can be used as lifestyle accessories while the previous generation of marketers tended to focus more on the marijuana itself, rather than its benefits. This shift in marketing now presents cannabis not as something hippie but as a substance that is compatible with motherhood, working out, and enjoying good health.

These evolving trends in cannabis marketing are likely to be followed closely by sector actors such as Flora Growth Corp. (NASDAQ: FLGC) in a bid to stay abreast of the latest trends that can help attain the objectives of the firms.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Flora Growth Corp. (NASDAQ: FLGC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/FLGC

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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Flora (NASDAQ: FLGC), a leading all-outdoor cultivator, manufacturer and distributor of global cannabis products and brands, today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary JustCBD will be launching its line of Novel Foods-registered CBD products on Amazon.co.uk. Since its entry into the now £700 million CBD market in October 2021, Amazon U.K. has expanded the initial pilot-only program to include vendors who have demonstrated compliance with U.K. CBD Novel Food regulations. Producers awarded U.K. Novel Food authorization must prove the product is safe for consumption and labeled correctly. “With health and wellness playing an increasingly important role in customers’ lives, we are excited to increase the selection of quality CBD products offered to Amazon customers in the U.K.,” said Hussein Rakine, CEO of JustCBD. “The JustCBD team looks forward to working closely with Amazon to expand our product offering to other countries as our partnership and brand presence in the United Kingdom grows.”

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

About Flora Growth Corp.

Flora is building a connected, design-led collective of plant-based wellness and lifestyle brands delivering the most compelling customer experiences in the world, one community at a time. As the operator of one of the most extensive outdoor cannabis cultivation facilities, Flora leverages natural, cost-effective cultivation practices to supply cannabis derivatives to its commercial, house of brands and life sciences divisions. Visit www.FloraGrowth.com or follow @floragrowthcorp on social media for more information.

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

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

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A study exploring the concentration of marijuana pollen in the atmosphere in the Spanish city of Murcia has discovered that levels of pollen are increasing in the atmosphere. This is a clear indication that the extent of illicit cannabis farming is trending upwards.

For decades, scientists have been documenting the amount of marijuana pollen present in the air in order to estimate the extent of illegal marijuana cultivation taking place in different cities, including Cartagena, Lorca and Murcia. This trio of cities is of special interest because they are located along the seashore acting as a border between Spain and Morocco.

The researchers were intrigued to discover that, after analyzing the collected pollen, only a small fraction of the pollen could be traced to North Africa. This means that the vast majority of the illicit grows were on Spanish soil and that the country was becoming increasingly less dependent on imported cannabis. Rather, it was now depending on a domestically produced crop to meet the local needs and the needs of the other foreign markets in need of this illicit marijuana.

It was also found that both Lorca and Cartagena were far ahead in the concentration of marijuana pollen detected in the atmosphere. This duo registered in excess of 80 pollen grains in each cubic meter of air. In contrast, Murcia’s illegal grows peaked back in 2020 when the city recorded 66 pollen grains for each cubic meter of air measured.

For comparison purposes, the three Spanish cities logged pollen readings in the range of 19-27 grains per cubic meter back in 2017. This shows that the increase in illegal cultivation activity has been massive over the past few years.

Previously, people only thought of the marijuana clubs around Barcelona when discussions about cannabis use arose. However, the authorities and policymakers are just waking up to the reality that cannabis cultivation and use is widespread across the entire nation.

Consequently, the country is scrambling to find ways to regulate a sector where consumers and their suppliers are ahead of the government. Last year, the country initiated steps to permit the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. The authorities have also granted four licenses to companies  to grow and manufacture pharmaceutical-grade cannabis products. These are exclusively for export.

Strict cannabis laws notwithstanding, Spanish products ranging from CBD products to marijuana products have been found throughout the continent, which explains why recent months have seen widely publicized busts of large illegal marijuana grows. If the country eventually creates a regulated market for marijuana allowing local and international marijuana companies such as Flora Growth Corp. (NASDAQ: FLGC) to operate, scientists will no longer have to analyze pollen collections in order to get an idea about cannabis use.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Flora Growth Corp. (NASDAQ: FLGC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/FLGC

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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New research has found that the legalization of cannabis is associated with reduced use of nonprescription opioids, nicotine and alcohol. The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Washington. Its findings were reported in the “Journal of Adolescent Health.”

For their study, the researchers conducted an analysis of data on trends of substance use in the period between 2014 and 2019. The data, which was obtained from more than 12,000 adults, led to the discovery that individuals who were 21 to 25 years of age were less prone to consuming more “dangerous” drugs after they were legalized within the state.

The study abstract stated that the putting into operation of legalized recreational cannabis coincided with reductions in cigarette and alcohol use and the misuse of pain relievers, which doesn’t align with concerns that legalization would lead to an increase of the use of the aforementioned substances. The study also noted that the weakening link of the use of marijuana with the use of other substances among individuals who are 21 to 25 years old suggested increased need of marijuana-specific efforts for prevention and treatment.

The study did find that the rates of using e-cigarettes grew among this age group post-2016.

In a blog post, NORML deputy director Paul Armentano stated that data from legalization states disputed claims that marijuana was a gateway drug, with marijuana regulation being connected to the reduced use of other substances, such as various prescription medications. A separate study also concluded that the legalization of cannabis was linked to a reduction in the use of prescription drugs indicated for treating conditions such as seizures, pain, sleep and anxiety.

In addition to this, several other studies have identified links between decreased pharmaceutical prescriptions with the enactment of medical marijuana legalization at state level. In 2021, one study found that the use of medical cannabis was linked to an increase in quality of life and significant decreases in addiction to opioids and other prescription medications.

Additionally, a meta-study whose findings were released in 2020 suggested that cannabis could be used as an alternative to opioid-based painkillers because it demonstrated promise as a treatment alternative against chronic pain. That year, scientists also published findings from a study which demonstrated that marijuana could alleviate symptoms of opioid withdrawal.

Furthermore, in 2019, researchers determined that states with legal access to cannabis experienced reductions in opioid prescriptions. Separate research that was released months before this study demonstrated that the daily consumption of cannabis was linked to decreased opioid consumption among patients with chronic pain.

All this scientific data suggests that the cannabis products sold in legal markets by companies such as Flora Growth Corp. (NASDAQ: FLGC) are more beneficial than industry detractors would want to admit.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Flora Growth Corp. (NASDAQ: FLGC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/FLGC

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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• Flora Growth’s Vessel brand just got listed on the Ontario Cannabis Store (“OCS”)
• Vessel also launched its direct-to-consumer online store to take control of its customer relationship journey
• Flora, through this expansion, seeks to tap into the growing Canadian cannabis market, which is valued at an estimated CAD 5.9 billion in 2022
• The company has also expanded its operational footprint in Europe and the U.K. in a move that furthers its international growth strategy

Flora Growth (NASDAQ: FLGC) just announced that its Vessel brand just got listed on the Ontario Cannabis Store (“OCS”) in a move that significantly increases the brand’s footprint in the Canadian cannabis marketplace. In addition, Vessel also announced the launch of its Canadian direct-to-consumer online store, www.VesselBrand.ca, to allow the brand to take control of its customer relationship and journey (https://cnw.fm/WWjdA).

Vessel brand is a leader in the premium cannabis accessories market, having been acquired by Flora Growth back in November 2021. Known for its go-to-market strategy for direct-to-consumer sales in the United States and international cannabis markets, this brand has achieved year-over-year growth of over 90%. Following the acquisition, Flora set out to invest in expanding its market share both in the U.S. and internationally. Its expansion into Canada marks a significant milestone and the beginning of many more expansions.

“We’re elated about our partnership with the OCS and are looking forward to bringing the full Vessel experience to our loyal customers across Canada,” noted James Choe, the Chief Strategy Officer (“CSO”) at Flora.

The partnership with OCS will see the launch of two novel Vessel products in the luxury battery and dry herb categories. It is a significant move, mainly since OCS is a crown agency solely owned by the Province of Ontario, providing safe, responsible access to legal recreational cannabis and ancillary products for adults 19 years and older.

According to Flora Growth’s management, the Canadian cannabis market is estimated at around CAD 5.9 billion in 2022, with the ancillary category accounting for $350-$475 million. Through its Vessel brand, the company looks to tap into this market and carve out a significant market share with time.

“The market potential, coupled with our expectations around meaningful retail door penetration across the country, signals promising growth in this market,” noted Mr. Choe.

Flora Growth also announced the expansion of its operational footprint in Europe and the United Kingdom. This move to further its international growth strategy will see the London-based offices serving as the new regional headquarters for Flora’s sales force and managing its distribution centers in the U.K. and Netherlands.

“Establishing our roots in the U.K. and E.U. will not only afford us opportunities to increase our distribution and grow market share, but it will generate actionable market insights for our team to continue to innovate and deliver the most compelling experiences we can,” noted Luis Merchan, the President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of Flora (https://cnw.fm/WOiGB). 

Flora has further bolstered its strategic positioning in this region by partnering with Hoshi, a fully integrated, European-focused medical cannabis enterprise with strategic assets along the entire value chain. Hoshi will handle the distribution of Flora’s broader product portfolio to 11 countries, including Germany, Portugal, the U.K., Italy, the Czech Republic, Poland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Macedonia, Denmark, and Malta.

“The latest global expansion highlights our commitment to driving exponential growth and scale,” noted Mr. Merchan.

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

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

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

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The U.S. Department of Justice has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to decline taking up a lawsuit regarding claims for medical marijuana treatment reimbursement for injured employees. A section of the arguments given by the DOJ for its recommendation include a statement that the federal legislature is moving to resolve the conflict between federal marijuana law and state law.

The specific question put before the Supreme Court arises from two cases in Minnesota. In both cases, employees wanted compensation after being injured at work. For both of these cases, the supreme court of Minnesota decided that the law at the federal level banning cannabis took precedence over any state law permitting the use of the substance. This meant that the employees in question weren’t entitled to any compensation from their employers for the medical cannabis they used.

However, the plaintiffs in the case insist that availing workers’ compensation for injured employees who use medical marijuana doesn’t in any way contravene federal law since providing such compensation can’t be interpreted as possessing, trafficking or even cultivating a federally prohibited substance under the CSA.

When this matter was presented to the highest court in the land, the Supreme Court wrote to the DOJ seeking its input regarding the subject matter of the suit. That is how the solicitor general filed a response calling on the SCOTUS to turn down hearing that case, noting that a more suitable remedy could be worked out by the legislature or the executive branch.

The DOJ stated that the issues being raised in the lawsuit are in a new legal zone that is rapidly evolving and it is too early for the highest court in the country to take up a matter that hasn’t matured or generated ample case material at the state level in order to require direction from the highest level of the judiciary. According to the DOJ, any state-level law that compels third parties to subsidize the possession or use of a federally banned substance under the Controlled Substances Act contravenes federal law and is therefore unenforceable.

As more states pass marijuana legalization measures, the contradictions between federal and state law are likely to intensify, with sector actors such as Flora Growth Corp. (NASDAQ: FLGC) having to tread a very thin line between operating within state law while staying clear of being found in contravention of federal law. This isn’t a conducive position for the industry to be in, especially given that each state has its own unique marijuana regulations that licensed companies have to adhere to in each jurisdiction.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Flora Growth Corp. (NASDAQ: FLGC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/FLGC

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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Flora Growth (NASDAQ: FLGC), a leading all-outdoor cultivator, manufacturer and distributor of global cannabis products and brands, has signed an agreement to acquire Masaya and its patent-pending CBD formulations, including Masaya Pure. The agreement was made with leading cell biologist Dr. Annabelle Manalo-Morgan, PhD, who created and owns the brand; Manalo-Morgan is a member of Flora Growth’s board of directors and is the company’s scientific advisor. According to the announcement, Masaya’s exclusive CBD oil formulations contain no THC and have garnered numerous testimonials. The brand will be the first offering from Flora Life Sciences in the United States, and the company anticipates distributing the brand globally. FLGC has already started the process of registering the proprietary formulation with INVIMA, Columbia’s regulatory agency. The company will also be including the Masaya Pure formulation in current clinical trials being conducted in collaboration with the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom. “We are excited to announce the acquisition of Masaya,” said Flora Growth CEO and chair Luis Merchan in the press release. “The brand’s formulation was developed by Dr. Annabelle for her son and has since been used by thousands of consumers. Amplifying Dr. Annabelle and her son’s beautiful story and improving the well-being of people around the world is our aim. This acquisition allows us to deliver on our promise to invest in safe, thorough, cutting-edge scientific research that can bring meaningful change via an efficacious and accessible product offering for people worldwide.”

To view the full press release, visit https://cnw.fm/IYhQ7

About Flora Growth Corp.

Flora is building a connected, design-led collective of plant-based wellness and lifestyle brands designed to deliver the most compelling customer experiences in the world, one community at a time. As the operator of one of the largest outdoor cannabis cultivation facilities, Flora leverages natural, cost-effective cultivation practices to supply cannabis derivatives to commercial, house of brands, and life sciences divisions. For more information about the company, please visit www.FloraGrowth.ca.

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

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

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• Cannabis cultivator and distributor Flora Growth has announced its annual financial and operating results, showing “significantly higher” revenues and profit gain for 2021 over the previous year
• Flora maintains an outlook for 2022 of an additional 288 to 400 percent revenue growth by year end, largely driven by the company’s acquisition of consumer wellness brand JustCBD
• The JustCBD acquisition increased Flora’s reach to more than half a million consumers through 14,000 retail stores in the United States
• Flora’s operations are centered at its Cosechemos cultivation facility in central Colombia, where the company enjoys ideal growing conditions year-round and has easy access to an experienced labor force
• The company recently announced the appointment of industry veteran Holly Bell as Vice President of Regulatory Affairs to help guide the company’s expansion strategy throughout the United States and internationally

Cannabis cultivator and brand builder Flora Growth (NASDAQ: FLGC) spent 2021 establishing the company footprint as a global market distributor and on May 10 announced financial and operating results for the fiscal year that show the success of its efforts as revenues and profits begin what is expected to be rapid climb. 

Flora Growth’s financial growth arises from operations based in Colombia’s prime growth conditions heartland, the nation’s new regulatory openness to cannabis product exports for health and wellness uses, and Flora’s prescient preparedness to reap the benefits of the changing legal landscape. 

The company’s 100-hectare (about 247-acre) Cosechemos facility is capable of producing 600 kg of dried cannabis daily and more than 10,000 kg of cannabis derivatives annually under EU-GMP guidelines. Flora has filed licenses for about two dozen cannabinoid-infused food and beverage products that include juices, sparkling seltzers, gummies, chocolates, ghee butter and healthy snack foods, and the company received authorizations that allowed it to be the first Colombian cannabis operator to move international distribution forward under the new laws.

The year-end financial results show about $9 million in revenues, which is “significantly higher” than those reported the prior year before the law change and Flora’s IPO launch on the Nasdaq Capital Market. The report maintains the company’s outlook for ending 2022 with revenues of $35 million to $45 million, which would be growth of between 288 percent and 400 percent over 2021. 

Much of Flora’s momentum is driven by its acquisition of consumer wellness brand JustCBD, which increased Flora’s profile to more than half a million consumers through 14,000 retail stores in the United States.

“We are proud of the milestones we achieved in 2021, including the completion of key strategic infrastructure projects, the strengthening of our balance sheet and the deployment of our M&A strategy,” Chairman and CEO Luis Merchan stated in conjunction with the report’s release (https://cnw.fm/T7cAy).

“The completion of our cultivation and extraction facilities has positioned Flora for success in this rapidly evolving industry, as we satisfied the requirements for the cultivation, transformation and export of up to 43.6 tonnes of THC cannabis flower,” he added. “And in our Life Sciences pillar, we look forward to potential commercial distribution of pharmaceutical-grade products based on the research of Dr. Annabelle Manalo-Morgan.”

Flora’s management conducted a live earnings call webcast on May 10 to discuss the report, and the webcast is archived on the company’s website. 

On May 16, Flora also announced that industry veteran Holly Bell has been appointed Vice President of Regulatory Affairs to help guide Flora’s domestic and global expansion strategy and lead the company’s government relations in target international markets as it grows.

“I am excited to be working with Flora, supporting our work on the global stage, by advancing how the world views cannabis as a product and as a medicine,” Bell stated (https://cnw.fm/qYg0s). “I’m looking forward to leveraging my experience launching Florida’s hemp program to help Flora improve access to some of the best wellness brands in the world.”

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

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

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A bicameral conference charged with negotiating the final text of a large-scale bill intended to make the U.S. competitive against China saw many conferees express support for including cannabis banking language in the manufacturing bill. This was during the first sitting of the conference.

At least half a dozen conferees took to the floor to mention the marijuana banking issue when debate on the manufacturing bill started. The majority of these members spoke in support of including the banking bill in the final document agreed upon during the conference.

For example, Rep. Earl Blumenauer from Oregon stated that several overdue policy changes, such as allowing cannabis companies to access banking services, needed to be addressed. He went on to mention that in just one week, there were three fatalities in the home state of the chairwoman and those fatalities were linked to robberies targeting cannabis shops.

He added that SAFE banking was now an issue of life and death and, having been passed half a dozen times before, now was the time to include it in the manufacturing bill so that public safety could be ensured.

Senator John Hickenlooper from Colorado also added his voice to those calling for cannabis banking during the conference meeting. He said that the conference was an opportunity to reinvigorate manufacturing in the United States, and reforming banking laws in order to facilitate access to banking services by marijuana companies can bring this industry from “the darkness” and into the light of the formal financial system.

Senator Patty Murray, the third-highest ranking senator on the Democratic side of the political aisle, expressed her hope that the conference would reach an agreement to include cannabis banking in the COMPETES bill so that marijuana companies in different states, including hers, would no longer face the threats arising out of operating on a cash-only basis.

Only one conferee, Senator John Barrasso, a Republican from Wyoming, spoke against including cannabis banking in the manufacturing bill. He wondered how cannabis banking is connected to competing with China on the global stage and therefore saw no reason to keep SAFE banking in the COMPETES bill.

Pressure has been mounting to enact reforms aimed at granting marijuana companies access to banking services, especially in the wake of the armed robberies that have targeted state-legal cannabis companies. As the death toll rises from this violent crime wave, so will the ridiculousness of denying marijuana industry actors such as Flora Growth Corp. (NASDAQ: FLGC) access to mainstream financial services.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Flora Growth Corp. (NASDAQ: FLGC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/FLGC

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