420 with CNW — Federal Lawsuit Challenges Cannabis Advertising Ban in Mississippi

Clarence Cocroft, the owner of Tru Source, a medical marijuana dispensary in Olive Branch, Mississippi, is contending that the ban on medical marijuana advertising in Mississippi is hindering his dispensary’s ability to attract customers. He claims that this prohibition infringes upon his freedom of speech, a claim central to the federal suit filed on Nov. 14, 2023.

The lawsuit targets the regulatory authorities overseeing these restrictions, including the state’s health department, the revenue department, and the state’s bureau of alcohol and beverage control.

While medical cannabis is now legal in Mississippi for persons with qualifying conditions and a medical marijuana card, the state law explicitly forbids dispensary owners and cultivators from promoting marijuana products. To establish a medical marijuana shop, one is required to obtain a dispensary license, obtain a sales tax registration and incur considerable fees. Additionally, patrons must possess a medical marijuana card and be at least 21 years old to enter a dispensary.

Tru Source relies on limited advertising channels, including word of mouth, on-location signage and its website. Cocroft, however, faces restrictions preventing him from promoting the dispensary through other mediums. He highlights that potential customers might remain unaware of the store’s existence unless they happen to pass by.

Represented by the Institute for Justice (IJ), a nationwide libertarian nonprofit law firm, Cocroft’s lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of commercial speech regulations. Katrin Marquez, an attorney for Cocroft, points out how these regulations, viewed through the lens of the First Amendment, impede business growth.

When Tru Source was established, Cocroft invested in billboards in the north of the state for advertising but had to lease the locations to other businesses, such as a casino, capable of legally promoting their products. The case and the resultant media attention have attracted new customers to Tru Source, increasing daily visits from about 15 to 20 patients to 20 to 30 patients picking up medical marijuana products.

Cocroft argues that the ban on advertising not only affects dispensary owners but also impacts cultivators. If dispensaries can’t promote products, their purchasing capacity diminishes, causing financial losses for cultivators. He questions the disparity, noting that industries such as alcohol, medications, casinos and strip clubs can advertise statewide, while marijuana dispensaries face restrictions.

Cocroft highlights the financial burden borne by those invested in Mississippi’s medical marijuana industry, where millions of dollars have been spent in pursuit of helping patients navigate a novel business landscape. In his view, the unequal advertising regulations create a puzzling dichotomy where certain industries can freely advertise, while others, such as Tru Source, face stringent limitations.

It isn’t just cannabis companies in Mississippi that are hamstrung by restrictions on advertising. Other enterprises operating elsewhere, such as SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL), are also grappling with limitations on how and where they can advertise their products.

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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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420 with CNW — Study Suggests CBD-Infused Tampons Could Be Effective Against Menstrual Pain

A recent study published in the “Endometriosis and Uterine Disorders” Journal has unveiled promising results regarding CBD-infused tampons for alleviating menstrual pain and severe cramps. The study’s authors posit that these CBD-infused tampons may present a more favorable option with fewer side effects compared to traditional anti-inflammatory medications, offering a parallel pain-relieving impact.

The research team, comprised of six researchers, noted the following in their report: “The outcomes suggest that CBD-infused tampons hold potential as an effective solution for managing menstrual pain.” They emphasized the necessity for further exploration and research into the product, asserting its potential contribution to addressing primary dysmenorrhea, a condition characterized by painful muscle cramps and spasms affecting between 50% and 90% of menstruating women.

The study examined the relationship between CBD, CB2 and CB1 receptors, claiming that because these receptors are extensively dispersed throughout uterine tissue, they provide an ideal target for the localized administration of cannabinoids to reduce pain. A randomized, placebo-controlled methodology was used to conduct the study, and participants were not informed whether they were using a regular or CBD-infused tampon. Participants self-reported their pain thresholds and general levels of satisfaction.

The study group carefully investigated a number of factors, such as systemic toxicity, vaginal irritation, material-mediated pyrogenicity, sensitization, and possible risk of toxic shock syndrome. They confirmed that every test was passed with success, demonstrating the safety of tampons infused with CBD.

Regarding pain alleviation, the report indicated a noteworthy percentage change, reaching 100% in the last menstruation days. Additionally, the study demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in discomfort during particular days of the menstrual cycle, two hours after tampon application.

Although fewer than 5% of participants reported experiencing irritation as a result of using CBD-infused tampons, between 37% and 40% reported an improvement in their vaginal dryness. Two patients reported vertigo while using the product; however, the symptoms cleared promptly without the need for medical treatment after removing the tampon.

The study’s lead author, Valentina Milanova, who also serves as CEO of Daye, a gynecological research company that claims to offer the first CBD-infused tampon worldwide, stated that the observed alleviation of primary dysmenorrhea throughout the menstrual cycle supports the potential effectiveness of CBD-infused tampons. All authors have financial ties to Daye’s parent company, Anne’s Day Ltd., based in London.

The authors did note the study’s shortcomings, particularly its small sample size, and urged future research and improvements to the research design, including the use of a crossover design to collect full pain data.

Cannabis research is still relatively in its infancy, but as the years go by, much more is likely to be known about the health and wellness benefits of the marijuana products currently commercialized by entities such as SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL).

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420 with CNW — Missouri Expunges 100K Marijuana Cases in Year One of Legal Cannabis Sales

Recent data shows that officials in the state of Missouri have thus far expunged more than 100,000 cannabis cases from court records. Under the law, misdemeanors had to be automatically expunged by June 8, 2023, and felonies had to be cleared by Dec. 8, 2023. The deadline for felony expungements, which lapsed last week, wasn’t met by all courts, however, with clerks still reviewing decades of old cases.

In an interview, Dan Viets, a lawyer and coordinator of Missouri NORML, stated that courts would need additional time to finish the task and noted that it could be years before all cases from the last 100 years were expunged. Viets, who also coauthored the state’s constitutional amendment legalizing cannabis, added that the state had prohibited cannabis for more than a century and, given that most older cases hadn’t been updated on a database, a lot of physical work was needed to find and go through hard-copy records.

In a press release of the state’s NORML chapter, Viets noted that the provision on automatic expungement was a significant part of Missouri’s marijuana law that was approved by voters in 2022. Missouri NORML also highlighted that the ballot proposal, now codified as Article XIV in the state’s constitution, provided funds for the expungement via the 6% sales tax imposed on recreational cannabis.

The organization explained that the tax had generated more revenue than was needed to pay overtime to existing staff or fund the hiring of more staff in the offices of circuit clerks across Missouri. In November, total cannabis sales in the state exceeded the $1 billion mark, with legislators announcing recently that of the total taxes generated, $17 million would fund drug treatment, veterans’ health and legal aid.

Viets also noted that counties that missed the December deadline were in violation of Missouri’s constitution and legal action could be taken. He then revealed that about six of the counties in the state hadn’t expunged any cases on misdemeanor violations, asserting that these were smaller counties where Amendment 3’s support wasn’t as high.

On a broader scale, the state’s cannabis system has experienced significant hitches this year, with thousands of products being recalled over the illegal use of cannabinoids derived from hemp. In November, officials revoked Delta Extraction’s business license, as the company was at the center of the aforementioned dispute.

Another company, Retailer Point Management, also had to settle a dispute with a union over more than 10 charges of unfair labor practices. All this is part of a wider push by workers at marijuana businesses to organize the industry.

These ongoing expungements are likely being watched closely by the entire cannabis industry, including companies such as SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL), given that times have changed and there is a growing consensus that no one should suffer lifelong consequences for being convicted after using a substance that is now legal in a significant portion of the United States as well as several countries around the world.

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420 with CNW — Federal Study Finds That Prohibitionist States See More Hospital Admissions for Cannabis Use Disorder

Despite concerns voiced by critics regarding the potential surge in problematic cannabis use following legalization, recently released federal data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reveals a different narrative. The SAMHSA analysis, which covered 2021 and was released last week, showed that the states with the greatest rates of treatment admissions for cannabis were those where sales of the drug were still illegal. The data showed that admissions to substance-use treatment services at state-licensed facilities for people aged 12 year of age and older totaled approximately 1.5 million countrywide.

According to the Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS), 10.2% of all recorded admissions involved cannabis or hashish as the major drug. This placed cannabis as the fourth most-used drug, following alcohol (34.8%), heroin (20.2%) and methamphetamine (13.5%). Notably, states with the highest per capita admissions for cannabis as a major substance did not have legal recreational sales at the beginning of 2021, despite some allowing medical cannabis use.

South Dakota led the list with 151 admissions per 100,000 people, followed by Iowa, Connecticut, South Carolina, Minnesota, New York, Wyoming, Georgia, North Dakota and New Jersey. States with the lowest marijuana admission rates were New Hampshire, New Mexico, West Virginia, Montana, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Arizona, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Oregon and Washington, both of which legalized recreational cannabis sales in 2021, did not report data for the SAMHSA report.

Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), a prohibitionist group, pointed out that admissions for marijuana treatment in 2021 declined by more than 10,000 compared to the previous year, despite more states embracing legalization. Heroin treatment admissions also experienced a more substantial decrease during the same timeframe.

However, interpreting admission numbers as indicative of drug-use disorders comes with challenges. Factors such as available space, resources and referral mechanisms impact the types of services individuals receive and for what drugs. For example, self-referral was the most popular referral route in 2021, but the criminal justice system, which differs greatly between states, was the second most popular approach.

A study based on the SAMHSA report from September revealed a decline in referrals for cannabis-related treatment after legalization, attributed to reduced marijuana-related arrests among individuals aged between 18 and 24. Although criminal justice referrals were decreasing nationally, states with legalized marijuana saw a steeper decline post-legalization.

Despite the positive aspect of fewer admissions related to the war on drugs, concerns were raised as admissions fell amid increasing risk factors for problematic cannabis use. Instead of advocating for more criminal justice referrals, the report suggested a greater role for primary care healthcare professionals in recognizing and referring individuals with marijuana use disorder to treatment.

In a different study conducted in August, researchers found that there was a drop in the number of referrals to foster care after cannabis legalization. States that legalized recreational marijuana did not see an increase in foster care admissions associated with drug usage by parents or teenagers.

Conversely, a University of Mississippi study conducted last year linked recreational cannabis legalization to an average minimum 10% drop in foster care admissions, which includes neglect, physical abuse, parental incarceration, and alcohol and other drug abuse.

The body of scientific literature dispelling many of the claims made by prohibitionists is growing, and it shows that ending prohibition and allowing cannabis companies such as SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL) to open shop brings benefits without the harms that legalization opponents often mention.

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420 with CNW — AMA Study Contradicts Claims That Drug Overdose Prevention Centers Fuel Crime

New research has found that overdose prevention centers in New York City have not led to an increase in crime. This is despite concerns that the establishment of harm-reduction centers would cause crime to skyrocket. The new findings add to previous research that demonstrated the centers’ potential in decreasing overdose deaths.

Overdose-prevention centers allow individuals to use illegal substances in a supervised environment, helping reduce the risk of harms associated with drug use, such as a fatal overdose.

The study was carried out by researchers at Brown University, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Connecticut. For their research, the investigators examined crime trends in NYC’s first government-sanctioned overdose prevention centers, which were launched two years ago. They then compared their findings to areas close to more than 15 syringe service programs that did not provide resources to prevent overdose.

The researchers also analyzed 311 and 911 calls, drug-possession arrests, public nuisances, law enforcement summons for criminal infractions and medical events. They observed no considerable increases in calls for emergency services or crimes recorded by law enforcement in neighborhoods where the prevention centers were located.

In addition, they recorded no statistically significant spike in either violent or property crime near these overdose prevention centers. This is despite a reduction in the number of drug-possession arrests made as the state continues to reprioritize law enforcement.

In their report, the researchers stated that statistically significant decreases in narcotics enforcement by the police around these centers was observed, adding that this was consistent with NYC’s commitment to ensuring that individuals could access the centers without any interference by the police. The researchers also noted that more studies were needed to establish that overdose-prevention centers wouldn’t be linked to localized increases in disorder and crime in the long-term.

At the moment, however, the findings strengthen arguments from harm-reduction advocates on the minimal risk associated with using overdose-prevention sites to help alleviate the risk of overdose deaths, as the opioid crisis rages on.

The research’s findings were published by the American Medical Association in “JAMA Public Health.”

A separate study published in 2022 determined that trained staff intervened in more than 100 overdose instances two months after the first overdose prevention center was launched in NYC. The staff are said to have alleviated risks of overdose by administering oxygen and naloxone as well as offering other services to prevent death. Naloxone is a medication that has been approved by the FDA to reverse an opioid overdose.

The positive role that overdose-prevention centers are playing, contrary to the views of detractors, may mirror the positive impact that marijuana companies such as SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL) are having in spite of prohibitionists’ alarmist claims that legalizing cannabis does more harm than good to society.

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420 with CNW — Study Suggests Cannabis Enables Users Quit Prescription Sleep Medications

A recent study into the sleep habits of marijuana users facing sleep difficulties shows that a majority of participants prefer cannabis over other sleep aids, citing improved outcomes the following morning and fewer side effects. The consumption of CBD, THC and myrcene-infused joints or vaping products emerged as particularly popular choices among participants.

Contrasted with conventional sleep aids or abstaining from them altogether, respondents conveyed a heightened sense of refreshment, focus and improved functionality in the mornings after using cannabis. This was coupled with a decrease in nausea and headaches. However, users did acknowledge some adverse effects, such as waking up feeling groggy, anxious and irritable.

The study, undertaken by psychology researchers from Washington State University (WSU) and published in the “Exploration of Medicine” journal, is the first to compare marijuana to both over-the-counter (OTC) sleeping medication and prescription sleep aids (PSAs). According to Carrie Cuttler, coauthor of the study, cannabis did not exhibit a hangover effect, differentiating it from alcohol and long-acting sedatives. However, lingering effects SUCH AS sleepiness and mood alterations were reported.

The survey, conducted through the Strainprint medical cannabis app, involved 1,216 participants. A substantial 64.9% disclosed experiencing sleep issues for a minimum of five years, and nearly 70% claimed to have utilized marijuana for sleep aid for at least a year. About 38% had been employing marijuana for sleep assistance for one to three years.

Approximately 82% of marijuana users do not currently rely on PSAs or OTC sleep medications. However, more than one-half admitted to having used those substances in the past, signaling a shift toward perceiving marijuana as a superior option. More than 50% of respondents also revealed using marijuana every night to facilitate sleep, predominantly through smoking joints (46.1%), vaping flowers (42.6%) or marijuana oil (42.5%) before bedtime. Edibles and vape pens were chosen by nearly one-third, while 14.6% opted for cannabis capsules.

Although inhaled forms of cannabis were generally favored, the researchers noted a preference for smoking and vaping among those with sleep issues due to the rapid onset and the high percentage reporting difficulty falling asleep. The surprising observation was the lesser popularity of edibles or capsules, which have a more prolonged effect and could be more beneficial for maintaining sleep.

Concerning product composition, most participants favored high-THC products (60%), with 21.7% choosing a balanced THC–CBD blend. Myrcene emerged as the most popular terpene (49%), followed by linalool, limonene and beta-caryophyllene. Respondents attributed the positive effects of marijuana on sleep to its ability to relax both the body (81%) and mind (83%). It was also seen as preventing sleep interruptions (36.3%) and promoting deeper (56.2%) and longer (41.6%) sleep.

Among the 526 participants who used prescription and OTC sleep aids alongside marijuana, a significantly higher number reported feeling more refreshed, focused and functional after using marijuana compared to other sleep aids or none at all. They also experienced less nausea and fewer headaches. However, some side effects, such as dry mouth and red eyes, were more prevalent with cannabis use. Notably, participants reported more extended sleep durations and fewer nighttime awakenings when using cannabis alone compared to traditional sleep aids. Despite potential side effects, researchers suggested that cannabis’s side effects might be more tolerable than those associated with conventional sleep aids.

Acknowledging the survey’s bias toward individuals already using cannabis, the researchers stressed the need for future research to incorporate more objective sleep measures for a comprehensive understanding of cannabis’s effects on sleep.

It is eye-opening that despite what the prohibitionists say about marijuana, consumers are increasingly relying on products from cannabis companies such as SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL) to attain improved sleep and reduce their reliance on prescription sleep aids.

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420 with CNW — Senate Passes Bill Giving VA Doctors Leeway to Recommend Marijuana Treatments

The U.S. Senate has approved a measure that will allow doctors to recommend medical marijuana treatments to military veterans. Titled the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Act, the bipartisan congressional bill will allow veterans to access medical marijuana as long as they have a government doctor recommendation.

Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) doctors will now have the ability to recommend medical cannabis to their patients as long as they reside in states with legal marijuana markets. The measure will provide support for American military forces and their families in critical facets such as housing and infrastructure while increasing healthcare and benefits funding for military veterans.

It advanced by a unanimous vote of 28–0 and will be a godsend for U.S. military veterans and their families, a community that often doesn’t receive the support it needs. Military veterans are much more likely to develop crippling mental disorders such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, especially soldiers who see active combat.

Many of them fail to integrate into society when they return from war due to limited access to mental-health care services, resulting in tens of thousands of military vets living on the streets.

According to Senate Appropriations Committee vice chair Susan Collins, the bill will provide “much-needed funding” to support the housing and treatment of American military veterans. Collins said that she would keep pushing for funding for the country’s veterans as the measure moves through the appropriations process in her capacity as the Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman. She also noted that the investments made by the legislation are critical to America’s national security and will reduce maintenance costs in the military while ensuring safety and readiness.

Expanding medical marijuana access to veterans has been a hot topic since states began legalizing medical marijuana. While several studies show that cannabis can be effective at alleviating conditions that tend to affect veterans such as chronic pain, anxiety, low appetite and insomnia, federal law still classifies the plant as a Schedule I controlled substance with no medical applications.

Consequently, VA doctors have been unable to recommend medical cannabis to their patients even if they live in states with regulated cannabis markets.

With the new bill’s passage, veterans around the country now have access to medical marijuana with a government doctor’s recommendation, providing them and their families with another tool to deal with the long-term effects of military service.

Companies such as SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL) will be watching this development closely as the cannabis industry awaits the DEA’s recommendation regarding the rescheduling of marijuana in the United States. This is because these developments can open more opportunities for not just U.S.-based companies but also enterprises from other countries.

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420 with CNW — Brazilian Scientists Find Cannabis Compound Inside Unrelated Plant

Researchers have discovered that a common plant in Brazil contains the cannabis ingredient cannabidiol (CBD). This discovery creates new opportunities for the production of the well-known substance from alternative sources.

A group of scientists from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro uncovered CBD in the flowers and fruits of the Tremamicranthablume (trema) plant, a common shrub found throughout Brazil. According to lead scientist Rodrigo Moura Neto, the plant, which is sometimes categorized as a weed, is a promising source of CBD.

CBD, recognized for its potential in managing anxiety, chronic pain and epilepsy, stands as a key active component in marijuana, alongside tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is responsible for inducing the “high” associated with cannabis use.

While CBD’s medicinal efficacy remains under scientific scrutiny, Neto’s chemical analysis confirmed the presence of CBD in trema while ruling out the existence of THC. This development points to the likelihood of discovering additional sources of CBD, evading the legal constraints tethered to marijuana, which remains prohibited in many regions, including Brazil.

“It presents a legal alternative to marijuana use,” said Neto, highlighting the ubiquitous growth of trema throughout Brazil and emphasizing its potential as a more accessible and cost-effective CBD source. He also noted that CBD had previously been found in a related plant in Thailand.

Additionally, a different study published in May 2023 in the “Nature Plants” Journal revealed that the woolly umbrella, a plant native to South Africa, contained more than a dozen different types of cannabinoids. Despite the plant’s inability to produce CBD or THC, researchers did discover notable concentrations of cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), cannabichromene (CBC) and cannabibigerol (CBG).

Although Neto has not yet formally published his findings, he stated that he intends to broaden the study’s emphasis to include improving trema CBD extraction techniques and evaluating the drug’s efficacy in treating patients for ailments that are currently being treated with medicinal cannabis.

The Brazilian government recently awarded his team a grant of 500,000 real ($104,000) to continue the research, which he predicts will take at least five years to finish.

According to a survey conducted last year by market research company Vantage Market Research, the global market for CBD is currently expected to be worth close to $5 billion. The study also predicted that the industry will likely expand to exceed $47 billion by 2028, primarily due to the substance’s increasing popularity in health and wellness.

These research findings could open up new opportunities for the wider cannabis industry, including established actors such as SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL), which could explore diversifying their operations.

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420 with CNW — Marijuana Contaminants Could Have Health Risks for Users

Cannabis use, whether for medical or recreational purposes, may have adverse effects due to the presence of harmful fungi contaminating the plants, according to a recent peer-reviewed study. The study, published in the “Frontiers in Microbiology” journal, employed data derived from earlier studies, combined with U.S. and international regulations related to the marijuana industry. The researchers examined various contaminants, including mucor, fusarium, penicillium, aspergillus and other fungi capable of infecting cannabis plants and generating mycotoxins.

The findings showed that specific fungi could induce infections in lung and skin tissues, with such infections being more prevalent when marijuana is smoked compared to when it’s ingested. Cancer patients using marijuana to alleviate nausea and enhance their appetite, along with transplant recipients and individuals with type 1 diabetes or HIV, are particularly susceptible to these infections. Additionally, the findings suggest that individuals involved in cannabis harvesting might be at risk.

Lead author Kimberly Gwinn said, “Cannabis and hemp are relatively new crops, and our comprehension of their interactions with pathogens is in its infancy. Many pathogens produce mycotoxins, which are compounds known to have detrimental effects on human health and are closely monitored in other crops.

“In our review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current literature regarding mycotoxins in cannabis and hemp products,” she continued. “We also highlight the existing research gaps regarding potential mycotoxin contamination in these crops, drawing from insights gained in other crop systems.”

While cannabis research has predominantly focused on the substance and its medicinal applications, there is an imperative need for a more extensive examination of potential health hazards associated with its consumption, according to the study. The authors noted that the absence of standardized human health-risk assessment methodologies applicable to the emerging hemp and cannabis industries has resulted in fewer studies focused on their risk. Additionally, the diverse array of consumer uses for these substances, including medicinal use by patients with specific medical conditions, presents a unique challenge in evaluating and mitigating the health risks associated with contaminants.

The differing cannabis regulations from state to state, particularly in the United States, also pose a challenge to mitigating risks. Notably, fusarium mycotoxins, a common class of fungal contaminants that result in vomiting when consumed, currently lack regulatory oversight in most states.

In light of these discoveries, the authors strongly advise immunocompromised consumers to opt for products that have undergone sterilization, at least until more comprehensive data becomes available. The study’s authors also recommend further exploration and possible regulatory adjustments to safeguard consumers, particularly those with compromised immune systems.

This risk of consuming tainted cannabis products is the reason why it is better for consumers to access their products from licensed companies, such as SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL), as opposed to riskier black-market products, which don’t adhere to specific standards.

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420 with CNW — Marijuana Classes Register Explosive Demand Growth in Wake of Minnesota Legalization

Several months after Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed a recreational cannabis legalization measure into law and nearly two months after the legislation took effect, the state has seen a significant increase in demand for marijuana classes. Minnesota is a relatively late entrant into the recreational cannabis game, but Minnesotans proved that they overwhelmingly supported legalization via a ballot vote, and they are now eager to learn as much as they can about the often-controversial plant.

According to Minnesota Cannabis College president Tanner Berris, demand for marijuana classes across the state is huge as many residents are itching to tap into the recently launched recreational cannabis industry. Berris says the college has been receiving calls every day, every hour from people who would like to become part of the cannabis industry by either opening a cannabis business or getting a job in the nascent industry.

Although the college’s marijuana program isn’t accredited, the nonprofit has been able to expand from its hemp roots to recreational cannabis now that the state has legalized adult-use marijuana. The college’s goal is now to provide support to entrepreneurs interested in joining the cannabis sector and provide them with the training they will need to flourish in the industry. The school will soon start to offer classes on cannabis cultivation, business management, and “budtending” training to people who want to work in retail cannabis stores.

Since Minnesota’s recreational cannabis law won’t allow the launch of retail marijuana dispensaries until 2025 (with the exception of some tribal nations), interested entrepreneurs have plenty of time to learn about cannabis commerce before official sales commence.

In the meantime, state law currently allows Minnesotans to cultivate up to eight cannabis plants at home.

Although the Minnesota Cannabis College began offering cannabis cultivation classes in reaction to home cultivation laws, the nonprofit is more interested in providing business-related cannabis knowledge. Berris says the most surprising thing has been the number of Minnesotans who have expressed interest in launching their own business. This includes people who use cannabis either sporadically or regularly as well as people who don’t use cannabis but are entrepreneurs who noticed a business opportunity in Minnesota’s burgeoning cannabis sector and are looking for industry-specific information before taking the plunge. Berris says all of the cannabis classes at the nonprofit are full.

Minnesotans interested in an online cannabis education certificate can also head to St. Cloud State University for programs that cover cannabis healthcare and medicine, cannabis compliance and risk management, cannabis agriculture and horticulture, and business of cannabis.

This explosive interest in Minnesota could be signaling to entities operating elsewhere, such as SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL), that the cannabis industry still has plenty of room for growth, and any policy changes at the federal level will probably take this growth to a whole new level, bringing massive opportunities to sector players.

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