420 with CNW – Pennsylvania Senators Seek Cosponsors for Cannabis Legalization Bill

Two senators in Pennsylvania have drafted a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in the state, and they are now seeking cosponsors for their initiative.

State Sen. Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) and Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery) have drafted the bill that reads like a dream come true for any marijuana advocate.

The bill intends to allow adults who are 21 or older to grow a maximum of six mature cannabis plants at home for their own use.

Home delivery of marijuana and its products will also be legal if the bill is enacted.

While it would be illegal to consume cannabis in public, the legislators included provisions that would permit the opening of marijuana consumption lounges where adults can go and indulge.

SB 350 goes further to suggest that not only will minor marijuana convictions and arrests be expunged from people’s criminal records, all individuals on similar charges who are serving time in Pennsylvania jails will be released as well. This goes far beyond what other states have done after legalizing recreational weed.

The bill also touches on where the tax revenue from recreational marijuana will be spent. Sens. Sharif and Leach propose that most of the taxes collected from the industry should go to revamping the public schools in the state.

The taxes generated may be considerable if the projected $600 million in sales for the first year materializes and increases in the subsequent years.

Some of the states that have legalized recreational marijuana have failed to invest cannabis taxes in social services because the funds went to meeting the costs of regulation and law enforcement.

The Pennsylvania Senators want to change that trend by including provisions on tax expenditure in the cannabis law so that there will be no risk of diverting the tax revenue to other expenditure areas.

Senator Sharif Street explains that the legalization of marijuana would help to address the opioid crisis in the state. He cites research data from other states showing that opioid use has reduced by about 33 percent after the legalization of medical marijuana.

While Gov. Tom Wolf is cautiously supportive of cannabis legalization, not everyone is ecstatic about the possibility.

For example, Jake Corman, the Republican Majority Leader in the Senate, says legalizing marijuana is “reckless and irresponsible.” He has gone further to vow that he will do whatever he can to stop any legalization bill from passing.

Cannabis advocates therefore have their work cut out for them if they want to see the bill become law. Therma Bright, Inc. (TSX.V: THRM) (OTC: THRBF) and TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) look forward to hearing vibrant debates about the issues related to cannabis legalization before a decision is made for the good of all Pennsylvanians.

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420 with CNW – Medical Cannabis Bill Passed by Key Kentucky Committee

The House Judiciary Committee in Kentucky voted on Wednesday (March 6) to pass a bill that would legalize medical cannabis in the state. The bill will now be sent to the Rules Committee of the Assembly.

House Bill 136 was co-sponsored by 43 members out of the 100 members in the entire lawmaking chamber. This bill intends to create a Department for Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Control. This agency will then design a medical cannabis program for the state.

The agency will also be responsible for giving medical marijuana licences to patients who meet the criteria for such a licence. Healthcare providers, processors, cultivators and dispensaries will also be regulated by this agency.

16 legislators on the House Judiciary Committee voted in favor of the bill while one lawmaker voted against it.

Opinion polls in the state show that 80 percent of all adults think that it is okay to allow patients to have the option of using medical cannabis if their doctors recommend it. Governor Matt Bevin has also expressed his support for medical marijuana.

Despite that support from the public and the Governor, attempts to legalize medical marijuana in the state still have major hurdles to overcome.

For example, Robert Stivers, the Senate President, has been vocal in opposing medical cannabis. He even went as far as comparing it to alcohol, saying that anyone who wanted to feel better or relax can take a glass or bourbon instead of consuming medical marijuana.

The Kentucky Medical Association is also adamant that it will only support medical cannabis legislation once the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves the use of medical marijuana.

The sponsors of this legalization bill are aware of this strong opposition and made a number of modifications to the bill in order to build some consensus around it.

For example, the original bill had provisions that would allow patients enrolled on the medical marijuana program to grow a maximum of six mature plants for their own use. This was dropped from the bill.

Another change that was made regarded the qualifying conditions for which a patient could use medical marijuana. Originally, the framers of the bill had wanted doctors to use their discretion to decide which patient would benefit from medical cannabis. The bill was amended to create a specific list of conditions for which patients could be treated using medical marijuana.

It is now up to the Rules Committee to decide whether House Bill 136 can now be put before the entire House for a vote. A decision must be made quickly, since this legislative session only has five more days before it ends.

Therma Bright, Inc. (TSX.V: THRM) (OTC: THRBF) and TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) hope that the legislators make the best decision within the limited time left so that patients don’t have to wait longer for a treatment option that is already available in other states.

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420 with CNW – Massachusetts Cannabis Regulators Consider Restricting Delivery Licenses to Small Entities

State marijuana regulators in Massachusetts have for long been baffled by how to ensure that there is equity regarding access to the different opportunities available in the cannabis industry. Now that dilemma may be solved if the proposals floated to ring fence cannabis delivery licenses for “equity” applicants are implemented.

The Cannabis Advisory Board has suggested that as the state moves towards making it possible for cannabis to be delivered to people’s homes, all the home delivery licenses should be reserved for minorities that suffered disproportionately during the war on drugs that lasted for decades.

The board is also suggesting that “equity” applicants should also be given priority when home delivery licenses are being awarded by the state. Equity applicants include people who have a marijuana arrest or conviction on their criminal history.

So far, most of the opportunities, such as dispensary licenses, have been gobbled up by the large cannabis companies at the expense of disadvantaged communities and “equity” applicants. This is because the large companies have easy access to resources and can therefore effortlessly meet the requirements needed by various jurisdictions.

This is in stark contrast to the members of minority populations, such as African-Americans, who may find it hard to obtain financing to secure the premises needed to set up a cannabis grow or manufacturing facility.

The recommendations of the Cannabis Advisory Board aren’t binding, so the Cannabis Control Commission isn’t obliged to implement them. However, the Commission has promised to consider the suggestions made by the Cannabis Advisory Board as it drafts the rules that will be followed when licensing home delivery firms.

If the proposals sail through, then home delivery of cannabis will be done exclusively by small businesses and “equity” applicants at least for the first five years.

This special consideration will foster an air of inclusion for those groups and people who felt that big businesses were locking them out of the cannabis industry. The five years of preferential treatment will also allow minorities and people from impoverished communities to accumulate some capital in order to get a shot at participating in the industry at a higher level.

Chances are also high that the bigger cannabis companies that would like to see their products delivered to people’s homes will help people from the minority groups to secure funding for their small home delivery businesses in a sort of partnership that will benefit both parties. The Green Organic Dutchman (TSX: TGOD) (OTCQX: TGODF) and Therma Bright, Inc. (TSX.V: THRM) (OTC: THRBF) hope that the Cannabis Control Board in Massachusetts adopts the suggestions made by the Cannabis Advisory Board so that more people can be included in the industry.

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420 with CNW – Green Growth Brands Set to Open CBD Shops across the US

Green Growth Brands, a cannabis company headquartered in Ohio, has partnered with Simon Property Group to open at least 100 CBD shops in malls across the U.S. Simon Property Group is the biggest owner of malls in the U.S.

John Rulli, the President of Simon Malls, revealed in a press statement that the shopping experience provided by Green Growth Brands was exactly what they are constantly on the lookout for, and that was why they were adding GGB shops in the malls owned by Simon Property Group.

The two entities intend to work together to open a minimum of 108 CBD shops in 2019, and then further expansion will take place in the coming years.

Castleton Square Mall in Indianapolis will have the honor of hosting the first Green Growth Brands CBD shop in March this year with other shops following closely in the coming months.

Green Growth Brands is also having discussions with several other property developers so that a total of 300 CBD shops can be opened during this year. This number includes the 108 shops that will be opened in the malls owned by Simon Property Group.

This partnership between Simon Property Group and Green Growth Brands offers each side unique benefits. For example, Green Growth Brands will have a chance to popularize its CBD wellness products by taking advantage of some of the prominent malls owned by the property group. Such prominent shelf-space will deepen awareness about CBD.

As for Simon Property Group, they will benefit by having a large company as a tenant across the U.S. This is a huge benefit because mall owners have been facing the nightmare of having large clients closing shop or scaling back the number of locations where they operate. A clear example is Sears that went bankrupt.

It is worth noting that the signing into law of the Farm Bill 2018 legalized hemp and the different products that can be got from it, such as cannabidiol (CBD).

However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) still prohibits the addition of CBD to foods and drinks. This may make it hard for restaurants and other businesses to legally sell CBD-infused cocktails and other drinks.

The CBD shops set up by Green Growth Brands can be a way to provide high-quality CBD products so that buyers can make their own CBD drinks if they cannot access them at coffee shops or restaurants.

Therma Bright, Inc. (TSX.V: THRM) (OTC: THRBF) and TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) congratulate Green Growth Brands upon this landmark deal it has finalized with Simon Property Group.

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420 with CNW – Does the Tobacco Industry See its Future in Marijuana?

Tobacco cigarette sales have been on the decline in the U.S. for several decades now, and it seems the tobacco industry now sees its future in marijuana.

The major tobacco firms have been watching the cannabis industry as it evolves and they now think that having a part of this nascent industry holds the key to the tobacco industry’s future. The Big tobacco companies have several factors that favor their entry into the cannabis industry.

First, the tobacco industry has a well-known record of manufacturing products in a way that maximizes their addictive potential. You can therefore bet your last dollar that big tobacco will tap into this “heritage” to make marijuana products that will get their users hooked for life. Addiction is good for business because it assures you of repeat customers for decades to come.

Secondly, the tobacco industry has an extensive marketing network across the globe. This capability means that it will not be hard for the companies to get marijuana anywhere buyers or potential buyers may be. As you may know, several states, such as California, are already struggling with surplus supplies of cannabis. The marketing muscle of tobacco companies can fix that problem on a large scale.

Thirdly, tobacco firms have a long tradition of lobbying and navigating their way around tough legislative and regulatory scrutiny. This experience can be an invaluable resource to the cannabis industry that is struggling to shake off the association of marijuana with junkies and criminal gangs. Who knows, the lobbying resources of the tobacco industry can even make the federal government to move faster towards ending marijuana prohibition!

However, the tobacco industry does have some baggage that may make the cannabis industry jittery about jumping into bed with “big tobacco”.

For example, the tobacco industry didn’t win a lot of friends when it was discovered that the industry deliberately misled the public about the health and safety issues of cigarette smoking. Actually, the big players even used taxpayer money to find ways to make smokers addicted sooner!

Additionally, there’s agreement among experts that cigarettes are a product that will kill half of the people who use it as it was intended to be used. Cannabis industry players are a little uneasy about associating with an industry that has such a reputation.

That notwithstanding, a number of deals have already been struck between tobacco companies and players in the cannabis industry. One of the largest is one between Altria and Cronos Group worth $1.8 billion.

The cannabis industry, including TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) (FSE: TH8) and Therma Bright, Inc. (TSX.V: THRM) (OTC: THRBF), hopes that the tobacco industry doesn’t soil the reputation of cannabis as big tobacco jumps on the cannabis bandwagon.

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420 with CNW – Most US Mayors Support Marijuana Legalization, Survey Shows

A survey conducted by a team of researchers based at Boston University shows that a slight majority of all city mayors across the U.S. supports the legalization of marijuana and the regulation of its sales.

110 current city mayors from 37 states in the nation were asked to share their views about marijuana and several other policy issues.

The researchers found that 53 percent of the mayors were in favor of marijuana legalization and regulated sales within their cities while 35 percent of the mayors said they didn’t support the legalization of marijuana in their jurisdictions.

Many of the mayors who took part in the survey revealed that their opinions hardly depended on their philosophical or moral views on marijuana. Instead, they were influenced by several practical matters when forming an opinion on the subject.

For example, some of those who opposed legalization wondered how law enforcement agencies would distinguish between legal marijuana and black market marijuana.

In terms of political party affiliation, 62 percent of Democratic Party-affiliated members said they were in favor of cannabis legalization while 67 percent of Republicans were opposed to cannabis legalization.

So far, ten states have legalized recreational marijuana and many more are queuing up to do so. However, cannabis is still illegal under federal law and this creates a contradiction between what is happening at state level and what federal law permits.

This contradiction prompted the National League of Cities (a group bringing more than 19,000 municipalities together) to pass two resolutions in 2018 asking the federal government to reform the federal marijuana laws.

Furthermore, marijuana law reform proposals in Congress have bipartisan support and there is a good chance that some of them may sail through both Houses this year.

All these changes are on the horizon as support for cannabis legalization keeps growing across the country. Recent polls by Gallup and other reputable entities show that up to 64 percent of Americans now support marijuana legalization.

It may therefore be just a matter of time before all the states legalize marijuana in some form and the federal government may then have no choice but to make some legal concessions on matters of marijuana.

Otherwise, if the views of the mayors in the Boston University survey are anything to go by, change is likely to come sooner than the federal government may have envisaged. The whole cannabis industry, including Therma Bright, Inc. (TSX.V: THRM) (OTC: THRBF) and The Green Organic Dutchman (TSX: TGOD) (OTCQX: TGODF), is watching and waiting to see what happens on Capitol Hill.

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420 with CNW – The Most Expensive Cannabis Product is Sold in Las Vegas

In true Las Vegas fashion, the record for the most expensive cannabis product ever sold (so far) has gone to a cannabis dispensary where a restaurant owner bought a “cannagar” (a cigar that contains marijuana instead of tobacco) at $11,000.

This record-breaking purchase was made by Brandon Hawkins after he flew to Las Vegas from Los Angeles with the sole purpose of buying this specialty product.

The scene of this purchase was Nuwu Cannabis Marketplace found on tribal land. The cannagar was wrapped in a 24-carat gold leaf, part of the reason why it was so expensive.

Brandon Hawkins said that he was buying the expensive product on behalf of a business partner that wished to remain anonymous. The sale took place on December 28, just in time for Brandon Hawkins and his unnamed business partner to secure a unique way to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

Hawkins paid for the product by handing Joe Delarosa (a budtender, who had been expecting him on that day) stacks of $20 bills. The two men shook hands, and the deal was closed.

Interestingly, this purchase took three months to arrange. First, Hawkins was intrigued by a similar cannagar that was bought in June 2018 at $10,000.

Hawkins had spent more than a decade working in Las Vegas before he moved to LA. One of his workmates during his stint in Las Vegas was Ranson Shepherd.

Shepherd co-founded Virtue, a Las Vegas cannabis grower. It was therefore no mistake when Hawkins contacted Shepherd after hearing about the $10,000 cannagar. Shepherd reached out to Leira, the Washington-based maker of the cannagar sold in Seattle.

Shepherd and Ariel Payopay (of Leira) agreed to form a partnership that would see the cannagars produced by Leira sold in Las Vegas. The sale of the record-breaking cannagar marked the official launch of Leira’s cannagar sales in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas is likely to witness such high-end purchases more frequently when cannabis lounges open in the city. The tribe that owns Nuwu Cannabis Marketplace also received a gift of a smaller version of the cannagar purchased by Hawkins. The gift was from both Virtue and Leira as a token of thanks for what the tribe is doing to spur growth in the cannabis industry.

Does an $11,000 cannagar taste better than a cheaper version? Maybe yes, maybe no. However, this video explains that our minds trick us into believing that costlier products are of superior quality. So, don’t have any harsh words for Hawkins and his business partner! After all, that purchase is good for the industry because it is pushing cannabis culture in a whole new direction, exactly what industry players, including TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) and Therma Bright, Inc. (TSX.V: THRM) (OTC: THRBF) want.

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420 with CNW – Cannabis is More Potent than it was a Decade Ago, Study Finds

Researchers who collected and analyzed data taken from at least 28 European countries have discovered that the potency and price of cannabis has increased significantly over the last decade.

The researchers from King’s College London and University of Bath found that the strength of cannabis has doubled from what it was 11 years ago. The data used in this study was taken from the data collected by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction.

The researchers looked at cannabis from two perspectives or categories. One was herbal cannabis and the other was resin cannabis.

The concentration of THC doubled from five percent to 10 percent between 2006 and 2016 in herbal cannabis. Similarly, cannabis resin had its THC content jump from eight percent to 17 percent between 2006 and 2017.

The price of herbal cannabis and cannabis resin also rose steadily during the years analyzed by the researchers. For example, the price of a gram of herbal cannabis rose from 7.36 Euros ($8.41) to 12.22 Euros ($13.97) between 2006 and 2016.

The researchers also observed that while the THC content of cannabis was increasing with time, there was no commensurate rise in the CBD content of cannabis over the same duration covered in the study.

This increase in the concentration of THC raises many concerns since users are more likely to show the psychoactive (and potentially harmful) side-effects of using marijuana. In contrast, a higher CBD content moderates the psychoactive elements of cannabis, so it would be beneficial to see CBD rising in tandem with any increase in THC content.

However, the seizures made by British police show that cannabis resin has stable or reducing levels of CBD and yet the THC content has been growing. This is in contrast to herbal cannabis whose CBD level has been relatively constant even if THC has increased.

Globally, approximately 192 million people use cannabis either for medicinal or recreational purposes. However, these numbers are likely to increase as more jurisdictions pass laws ending prohibition or allowing medical marijuana.

It is therefore necessary to conduct thorough research about the likely impact of this highly potent cannabis on the market. Similarly, regulators need to find ways to regulate the potency of the cannabis released into the market in a way that is similar to how alcohol potency is controlled. For now, consumers should take a cautious approach and remember that a gram of cannabis today may be the equivalent of more than two grams of cannabis a decade ago, so less can be consumed while still offering the same ‘high’.

TransCanna, Therma Bright, Inc. (TSX.V: THRM) (OTC: THRBF) and other industry players have been calling for the relaxation of prohibitionist laws in the U.S. so that the scientific community there can study marijuana and facilitate the growth of the industry without exposing users to avoidable risks.

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420 with CNW – US States Hope Legal Marijuana Will Fix Pension Crisis

Several U.S. states, such as Illinois and New Jersey, are facing an epic pension crisis and they hope that legalizing marijuana will avail badly needed funds to fix the crisis before it boils over.

For example, Chicago’s pension scheme alone will need a minimum of $1 billion to be injected each year into the retirement benefits scheme four years from today if the city is to meet its obligations to those who served and retired.

Consequently, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is suggesting that the taxes generated once cannabis becomes legal should be ring-fenced and sent to the pension scheme immediately.

The situation in New Jersey is no better. Debt repayment and pensions are expected to consume at least one third of the state’s budget by 2023. The legalization of recreational marijuana may help to bolster tax collections so that this risky situation is managed before it spirals out of hand.

New Jersey and Illinois still have a lot to do before cannabis can become available to the residents and bring revenue to the state coffers.

Of the two, New Jersey seems to be the closest to passing the necessary enabling legislation. Towards the end of November, committees in the state legislature passed some bills to put an end to cannabis prohibition.

One of the bills made it possible to wipe out some convictions and criminal records related to cannabis, such as those for misdemeanor possession.

However, the major sticking point that is yet to be agreed upon is the rate at which recreational marijuana will be taxed once it becomes available in the state. The Governor wants marijuana to have a 25 percent sales tax imposed on it while the proposed legislation puts it at 14 percent.

Each side is advancing its own reasons explaining why a certain tax percentage is appropriate, but a consensus hasn’t been arrived at as yet.

As already mentioned, Illinois still has ways to go before recreational cannabis is legalized. The incoming governor is in favor of legalization, but no details have been worked out as yet. Analysts suggest that it may take at least one year before adult-use cannabis becomes legal in the state.

Before that happens, however, the opposition of Republican legislators will have to be overcome. This task may be made easier by the approximately $525 million tax kitty expected from the industry each year. Setting up the right legal framework and the related infrastructure will be key to realizing that tax revenue dream or waking up to a different reality.

All in all, the problems that these two states face may not go away even if cannabis brings in the projected taxes since those revenues will be just a fraction of what is needed to keep the states solvent. All that the cannabis industry, including Therma Bright, Inc. (TSX.V: THRM) (OTC: THRBF) and TransCanna, can do is wish Illinois and New Jersey the best as they find solutions to the funding gaps that they face.

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420 with CNW – Missouri Welfare Recipients Uncertain Whether Medical Cannabis Will Affect Benefits

The midterm elections last month saw a large number of Missouri voters turn out to vote in favor of Amendment 2, the ballot measure which was intended to legalize medical marijuana. The passing of that amendment means that Missourians have an extra option to deal with various health conditions, such as PTSD, cancer and Parkinson’s disease. However, those receiving welfare benefits from the state aren’t sure whether the use of cannabis will make them ineligible for the benefits which they rely on for their sustenance.

The Department of Social Services in Missouri revealed that it has not yet reached a position regarding the status of beneficiaries who opt to use medical marijuana. However, the department offered no timeline regarding how soon the policy review would be complete.

Currently, the law requires that applicants for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families be screened for drug use. Those who don’t show up for the test, and those who test positive for various drugs, including marijuana, immediately become ineligible to receive the benefits for three years.

Nonetheless, not everyone is tested, although everyone is asked about drug use. The welfare officers have the discretion to decide who is selected to be tested and who enrolls for the program without undergoing the drugs test.

As things stand, welfare benefits recipients may have to play it safe and abstain from medical marijuana even if they badly need it. This option is a tough one, but if one is faced with a choice on whether to risk being declared ineligible for three years after testing positive for cannabis or waiting until the Department of Social Services decides the way forward, then the abstinence choice becomes the less harmful one.

The dilemma on whether to consume medical cannabis or not isn’t just weighing on the mind of welfare recipients alone. Employees in various government departments, such as those working in the correctional facilities, also don’t know where they stand regarding the recently passed law legalizing medical marijuana.

The law bars the consumption of marijuana in all correctional facilities. However, it is not clear whether someone working in a correctional facility (warders, for example) can lose his or her job when drugs tests return a positive result for marijuana. Once more, the officials in charge of the Department of Correctional Services aren’t ready to commit one way or the other regarding this grey area.

One is tempted to think that it is still early days since medical marijuana was legalized in the state, so different stakeholders are still digesting the implications, and how to react to the new reality. Meanwhile, welfare recipients and workers in government departments remain uncertain about what the future holds for them regarding medical marijuana. Everyone watching the developments in Missouri, including Therma Bright, Inc. (TSX.V: THRM) (OTC: THRBF) and TransCanna is hoping that the necessary clarification is provided sooner rather than later so that those who desperately need medical cannabis can access it without fear of being victimized.

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