The House of Representatives in New Hampshire voted on Wednesday to override Gov. Sununu’s veto of a bill that seeks to allow registered medical marijuana patients to grow a limited number of marijuana plants at home for their medical needs.

In the message that the governor wrote to explain his veto, Sununu said that allowing home cultivation would make it very hard for law enforcement to prevent marijuana from registered medical users finding its way onto the marijuana black market.

The House didn’t agree with his reasoning and they voted 259 to 120 to overturn the veto on House Bill 364. This measure now heads to the state Senate where it had earlier passed with a slim majority of 14 to 10.

Under current state law, it is illegal to grow medical marijuana at home even if one is a registered patient or caregiver. HB 364 wants to change this position and allow patients or their caregivers to have three mature cannabis plants, three immature ones, and a maximum of 12 seedlings.

Activists are calling on the state Senate to follow the lead of the House and vote to override the governor’s veto. These activists argue that it is currently very hard for many patients to travel long distances in order to buy the needed medical marijuana products from one of the only four licensed dispensaries.

To compound matters even further, the limited number of dispensaries means that the medical marijuana products available are more expensive than they would have been if there were more players in the sector competing against each other.

The activists therefore see home grows as an opportunity for patients to access the treatment that they need without facing financial ruin due to the high cost of manufactured medical marijuana products.

Two recent polls in the state revealed that nearly 70 percent of the residents support the legalization of medical marijuana. Furthermore, the three states neighboring New Hampshire have all allowed medical marijuana patients to grow a limited number of plants for their own use.

All eyes are therefore going to be on the senators and how they vote once this measure returns to the upper chamber of the state legislature. If all who voted for the bill earlier remain supporting the measure, then the proponents of the bill will have to convince at least two of the ten senators who voted against the bill to change their position and support it.

Without two-thirds of the Senate voting to override the veto, then the decision of the governor will stand and the status quo will remain for the 7,000 medical marijuana patients on the state program.

It is widely believed that the entire industry, including companies like Green Growth Brands Inc. (CSE: GGB) (OTCQB: GGBXF) and Green Hygienics Holdings Inc. (OTCQB: GRYN) will be following the developments around this bill closely.

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

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Thailand legalized medical marijuana last year and it started distributing cannabis oil in state-run hospitals last week. Now the Thai authorities have announced that they will be turning over any seized illegal marijuana to the government agency making cannabis oil for distribution in government-run hospitals.

This week, the police confiscated one ton of marijuana from a criminal gang. Rather than destroy this bust, the Thai authorities have made a decision to transfer the marijuana to the Department of Traditional Alternative Medicine as well as the Department of Medical Sciences.

These two entities are authorized to process the marijuana into about 600,000 bottles of cannabis oil for distribution through the state-run medical marijuana program. 5kg from this 1,000kg batch will be retained by the Medical Sciences department for experimental purposes.

The Thai Office of Narcotics Control revealed that they had received approval to hand over the confiscated marijuana to be processed into medicinal products for use domestically. The Thai authorities seem to be sure about the purity of the seized marijuana, which could explain why they have taken this unusual step of “repurposing” it for medical use.

This month, the medical marijuana project of Thailand has been able to make 10,000 bottles of marijuana oil. Most of this consignment is already en route, or has already reached the hospitals that will be dispensing it to patients.

The first marijuana crop grown by the state flowered in May. That harvest is what the state processed into the oil it dispatched to state-run hospitals. However, this marijuana isn’t enough to meet the existing demand, and the government has turned to using confiscated marijuana as it ramps up its own production capacity.

Patients can get a prescription for medical marijuana if they suffer from chronic pain, epilepsy, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. People who would like to deal with the side effects of chemotherapy can also legally use medical marijuana in the country.

Anutin Chamvirakul, the Thai Health Minister, reassured those who are worried about the potential abuse of medical marijuana that no such thing will happen. He explained that since everything is being done under medical supervision, the dosage that patients are taking will not cause any addiction or drug abuse issues.

This reassurance doesn’t seem to have convinced the International Narcotics Control Board. The group stated that they were “deeply concerned” by the rate at which Thailand was changing its marijuana laws.

Marijuana industry watchers think entities like Green Growth Brands Inc. (CSE: GGB) (OTCQB: GGBXF) and Green Hygienics Holdings Inc. (OTCQB: GRYN) would find the use of confiscated marijuana in the state medical marijuana program of the Thai government bold but creative.

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

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In a notice that was published on Wednesday, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) provided a list of the areas that it considers a priority for marijuana research to focus on. These research objectives show that the federal government is taking note of the increasing levels of success that are being registered by advocates who want to see U.S. marijuana law reform.

NIDA observes that the pace at which marijuana policy reform is taking place outpaces the rate at which knowledge is becoming available to help countries around the world to ascertain how the public health effects of the marijuana policy changes can be assessed.

When the list of 13 priorities is analyzed, it is apparent that the federal agency has decided to be broad-minded as it seeks to understand the wave of cannabis legalization across the country. For example, the agency doesn’t just want to know what effects cannabis has, but also wants to learn why people take to medical marijuana and continue using it.

Some of the other objectives listed in the notice of special interest include developing standards that can be followed while measuring the dosage, impairment and intoxication by cannabis.

Another objective seeks to understand how using marijuana alongside or in substitution of other substances, such as alcohol, prescription and non-prescription drugs, tobacco affects health outcomes. The NIDA notice calls this “polysubstance use.”

The federal agency also wants to know how marijuana industry practices, such as marketing, taxes and product prices impact the health outcomes of cannabis use. From this research objective, one can read that NIDA wants to find out whether cannabis industry players are doing anything to make access to marijuana easier, and whether anything can be done (through taxes, for example) to make the drug less accessible.

Of interest to NIDA are the different policies and systems under which marijuana distribution is done in various jurisdictions across the U.S. Which combination of policies and practices offers the best ways to minimize the potential harms of marijuana to the public?

The recent months have seen a number of federal agencies publish notices of marijuana research funding opportunities. In fact, in May this year NIDA advertised a position which to all intents and purposes required someone who would prepare and analyze cannabis rolls/joints for research purposes.

Industry watchers believe that marijuana industry actors like Green Growth Brands Inc. (CSE: GGB) (OTCQB: GGBXF) and Green Hygienics Holdings Inc. (OTCQB: GRYN)  will view this newly published notice authored by NIDA as a sign that the federal government may be considering how to reform its marijuana policies without taking too many chances on matters of public health.

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Just as skeptics were beginning to grudgingly acknowledge that marijuana’s cannabinoids do have medical benefits, a new wave or revolution is about to start if new research into the painkilling effects of the flavonoids unique to cannabis is anything to go by. A team of Canadian researchers has found that two flavonoids found in cannabis could be 30 times more powerful than aspirin, without the adverse effects associated with the conventional painkiller.

The work of these scientists seems poised to open another front in the medicinal potential of the cannabis plant which is enjoying growing popularity as the decades of prohibition get reversed in several states and jurisdictions.

Many plants have flavonoids, and these compounds give those plants their unique pigmentation. These compounds protect plants from diseases and UV radiation, and they also attract pollinators to the flowers of the plants.

More importantly, flavonoids have anti-inflammatory effects, and that is why many so-called superfoods are hailed as beneficial to people with inflammation in their bodies. The Canadian scientists have identified specific flavonoids that are only present in marijuana, and they have called them Cannaflavins.

Of particular interest is Cannaflavin A and Cannaflavin B which appear to be 30 times more potent than aspirin. Their healing effects were first hinted at by scientists at the University of London back in 1980.

However, there seems to be one major hurdle in the way of tapping the therapeutic value of these cannaflavins. These compounds occur in such small amounts that it could be hard to extract them in a way that makes economic sense.

This is where the work of the Canadian scientists comes in. The team, led by Tariq Akhtar (an assistant professor in the department of molecular and cellular biology at Guelph University), has developed and patented a novel technique through which the genes responsible for the formation of Cannaflavin A and B can be identified.

Their method then uses that genetic information to metabolically engineer the properties of those genes so that the therapeutic compounds can be obtained without having to grow vast amounts of cannabis plants.

The scientists have a lot of hope in these cannaflavins since they deal with inflammation at its source without any adverse effects. They therefore hope to conduct more research into these compounds now that the regulatory environment in Canada is supportive of such research.

Cannabis industry analysts believe that industry players like Green Hygienics Holdings Inc. (OTCQB: GRYN) and Green Growth Brands Inc. (CSE: GGB) (OTCQB: GGBXF) could be very pleased because of the Guelph University research that shows there is still so much more that cannabis can offer in the medical arena.

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

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More than half a year after Michigan voters approved a ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana, the authorities have released emergency rules which will shape the recreational industry in the state. Here are some of key takeaways from those rules.

Local Authorities Have Until Nov. 1 to Opt Out of Hosting Cannabis Businesses

State authorities will start accepting recreational marijuana business license applications on Nov. 1 this year. Until that date, local authorities (townships and cities) can make up their minds whether they will or will not allow marijuana businesses to operate within their jurisdictions. Currently, 600 communities have opted out, but many of those were waiting to review the rules released by the state government before making a final decision on the matter.

Social Use is in the Offing

The state plans to issue special licenses to establishments that wish to have the social consumption of pot on their premises. However, those social consumption lounges will not be allowed to sell food or alcohol. If organizers of festivals and special events apply for a permit, marijuana consumption will also be allowed at such gatherings. Industry analysts wonder what industry players like Green Hygienics Holdings Inc. (OTCQB: GRYN) and Green Growth Brands Inc. (CSE: GGB) (OTCQB: GGBXF) would make of this provision given the fact that marijuana lounges won’t be allowed to sell food or alcohol, but cannabis can be availed at festivals (where food and alcohol are also available).

Starting a Recreational Cannabis Business Will Be Easier Than Starting a Medical Cannabis Business

It will be easier for those interested in starting recreational pot business when compared to the requirements for starting a medical cannabis company. For example, those opening recreational cannabis businesses will not be required to prove that they have funds while those who start medical cannabis companies have to prove that they have between $200,000 and $500,000 in cash and assets before obtaining a license. It is also more affordable to get a license to grow recreational marijuana than get one for growing medical marijuana.

One Store Can Sell Both Medical and Recreational Marijuana

The emergency rules also have clauses allowing medical cannabis provisioning centers to sell recreational marijuana as well if the two types of products are stored or displayed in different sections of the store. The entrance and points-of-sale systems can be the same for both types of buyers.

Medical Cannabis Plants May Be Transferred to Recreational Marijuana Grow Facilities

In the beginning, plants originally cultivated for the medical marijuana market may be transferred to a facility cultivating weed for the recreational market. This provision has been created in order to minimize supply kinks as recreational marijuana sales are launched.

A Plan for Social Equity in the Industry is Being Drafted

The state authorities have also indicated they will release a social equity plan later this month (July) outlining how communities which were hit hard during the days of cannabis prohibition can be supported to benefit from the legal industry. This support could include license fee waivers.

On paper, these rules seem logical and practical enough, but the true test will come once their implementation begins later this year before recreational sales begin next year.

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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