420 with CNW — Top Minnesota Marijuana Regulatory Official Quits as Background Information Raises Questions

A recently appointed marijuana regulatory official in Minnesota has stepped down just a day after taking the post after an MPR-APM report revealed conflicts of interest and evidence of business impropriety. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz appointed Erin DuPree as the head of the new Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management on Sept. 21, 2023, and his office penned a press release praising her for leading research on cannabis and hemp-derived products while remaining compliant with state cannabis regulations and laws.

However, a background review by APM Reports and MPR News raised major questions about her background and the Walz administration’s verification processes, prompting DuPree to abdicate her post. The investigation by MPR News-APM Reports revealed that DuPree owned a business that sold products with more than the state-mandated THC limit, racked up tens of thousands of dollars in tax liens and was in debt to several former associates.

Starting in July 2022, a website for DuPree’s business Loonacy Cannabis Co. marketed cannabis products containing well over the allowed THC limits in Minnesota and advertised THC vape products that are illegal under Minnesota law.

Even though DuPree cleared out her strip mall storefront at Apple Valley on Friday and said that she had plans to sell the business to avoid conflicts of interest once she assumed a regulatory role, the report revealed that the location was involved in illegal activity. Prior social media posts by DuPree showed her advertising illegal vape pens and edibles that surpassed low-dose potency limits.

Following her exit from the cannabis regulatory post last week, DuPree released a statement saying she never “knowingly sold” noncompliant products. She also said that running a lawful business has always been her business objective and she removed all non-compliant products from her inventory once she learned they were not in line with Minnesota cannabis policies.

Even so, DuPree noted that she had “become a distraction” that could hinder the work that had to be done to launch Minnesota’s recreational industry.

Governor Walz released a statement saying that interim director Charlene Briner would remain in an interim capacity but did not mention DuPree’s resignation. Walz said that state leadership had a duty to guarantee Minnesotans that the nascent cannabis market would be lawful, well regulated and safe. He added that the administration was making progress toward this goal and had begun the process of hiring key leaders for the adult-use market.

DuPree’s decision to quit after questions were raised about her past alleged transgressions is a good one as it allows the industry to start on a clean footing that operators elsewhere including TerrAscend Corp. (TSX: TSND) (OTCQX: TSNDF) would appreciate from an official charged with overseeing the cannabis industry in any state.

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.

To receive SMS alerts from CNW, text CANNABIS to 844-397-5787 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information, please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com/Disclaimer

CannabisNewsWire
Denver, CO
www.CannabisNewsWire.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

CannabisNewsWire is powered by IBN

420 with CNW — US DOJ Starts Issuing Cannabis Pardon Certificates Following Mass Pardons by Biden

The issuance of formal certificates by the Justice Department to individuals who were pardoned by President Joseph Biden in October 2022 seems to have commenced. While neither the Office of the Pardon Attorney nor the Department of Justice have formally announced the issuance of these certificates, some applicants have received digital copies.

Last week, Kevin B. Gilnack shared an image of his pardon certificate on social media.

These pardon certificates will allow those whose marijuana possession convictions were overturned by the executive order to show that they received clemency. This will help prevent hurdles they may face in obtaining housing, education, employment and custody of children as a result of a federal criminal conviction.

Gilnack, who was arrested in 2006 by federal park police in Washington, D.C., for being in possession of roughly an eighth of an ounce of marijuana, is now a public affairs consultant. Following his arrest, he underwent six months of probation.

On his post, Gilnack revealed that applying for the pardon certificate was a straightforward and seamless process, adding that it was received one week after he’d applied for it. He encouraged eligible individuals who hadn’t applied yet to find out their case docket number as well as the date they were convicted.

Cumulatively, the president’s mass pardon affects about 6,500 individuals who were federally convicted of being in possession of marijuana.

This certificate program was launched by the Department of Justice earlier this year, with the Office of the Pardon Attorney estimating that it would take no more than 2.5 hours per person to present all the information requested on the application.

While this move by the Biden administration was a step in the right direction, some of the individuals affected and advocates have criticized the sluggish rollout of the certificate application. The program was launched almost six months after the mass clemency announcement by the president.

Despite this, some officials seem to be following suit at the state level. As of December 2022, almost two million cannabis convictions had been expunged or pardoned countrywide. In Oregon, for example, the governor granted a mass pardon for state-level cannabis possession offenses to offer relief to roughly 45,000 individuals.

In 2019, Gov. J.B. Pritzker of Illinois also announced that his office was pardoning more than 11,000 individuals who had previously been convicted of simple marijuana possession prior to the launch of legal cannabis sales. In Nevada, Gov. Steve Sisolak pardoned some 15,000 individuals who had been convicted for low-level possession of marijuana.

These marijuana pardons further address the harms that marijuana prohibition has wreaked upon different families and communities. As conditions improve, the cannabis industry, major players such as TerrAscend Corp. (TSX: TSND) (OTCQX: TSNDF) inclusive, will stand a chance to thrive even more as a bigger section of the population becomes less apprehensive about consuming the substance.

About CNW420

To receive SMS alerts from CNW, text CANNABIS to 844-397-5787 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information, please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com/Disclaimer

CannabisNewsWire
Denver, CO
www.CannabisNewsWire.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

CannabisNewsWire is powered by IBN

420 with CNW — Study Shows Users of Medical Cannabis Register Improvements in Depression, Anxiety and Pain

A recent study in the “PLoS ONE” journal found that more than 2,300 individuals with persistent health issues experienced improved well-being and reduced fatigue within the first three months of using medicinal cannabis. The study was centered on the responses obtained from eligible Australian patients who participated in the QUEST Initiative.

The participants’ age spectrum spanned from 18 to 97 years of age, with an average age of 51. Among the participants, 62.8% were women while 37.2% were men. The majority of participants reported experiencing chronic pain (69%), followed by insomnia (23%), anxiety (22%), and a combination of anxiety and depression (11%).

Before starting cannabis treatment, the participants were tasked with completing initial surveys concerning their health-related quality of life (HRQL), pain levels, sleep patterns, fatigue levels, and depression and anxiety symptoms. Subsequent follow-up surveys were administered at the two-week mark and then on a monthly basis for three months.

All participants were prescribed Little Green Pharma’s medical marijuana oil, comprising CBD and THC dissolved in MCT oil. This product was available in four different formulations featuring varying THC-to-CBD ratios: 1:20, 10:10, 20:5 and CBD only.

When compared to initial baselines, patients who faithfully adhered to the three-month treatment regimen reported notable enhancements in their overall health-related quality of life. In contrast, individuals who only completed the first follow-up assessment demonstrated less progress compared to those who persisted with the treatment.

With regard to pain management, the study revealed that participants, on the whole, exhibited improvements in pain-related metrics. The magnitude of improvement, however, was more pronounced among those diagnosed with chronic pain conditions compared to those not receiving pain-focused treatment.

Sleep patterns did not witness any significant amelioration among the respondents; nevertheless, a reduction in fatigue levels was noted, signifying clinically meaningful improvements.

Regarding depression, the research disclosed that while scores shifted from moderate to mild severity, they failed to reach the five-point threshold indicative of clinically meaningful improvement. However, substantial improvement was observed among individuals diagnosed with specific conditions.

Anxiety scores displayed analogous trends, revealing significant improvements over time but falling short of reaching the expected threshold, except in cases where participants were diagnosed with anxiety conditions.

Throughout the three-month period, a total of 127 participants formally withdrew from the study, citing various reasons for doing so. These included perceived ineffectiveness of the treatment, alterations in treatment plans, unwanted side effects and the perceived high cost of cannabis products. However, the majority reported at least some degree of relief from their ailments.

Despite the generally favorable outcomes, the researchers acknowledged that certain reported improvements might be attributed to the placebo effect.

Looking ahead, the study intends to continue tracking patients for a full 12 months to assess the sustainability of the observed improvements in patient-reported outcomes. Additionally, further subgroup analyses will be conducted to ascertain whether patients with specific conditions experience superior outcomes when evaluated using condition-specific questionnaires.

This study pointing to the beneficial effects of medical marijuana could be good news to companies that are looking to popularize their medicinal cannabis products in different markets around the world, such as TerrAscend Corp. (TSX: TSND) (OTCQX: TSNDF).

About CNW420

To receive SMS alerts from CNW, text CANNABIS to 844-397-5787 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information, please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com/Disclaimer

CannabisNewsWire
Denver, CO
www.CannabisNewsWire.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

CannabisNewsWire is powered by IBN

420 with CNW — Program Targeting Illicit Marijuana Operations Announced in California

Officials in California have announced the launch of a program to crack down on illegal cannabis operations in the state and boost the legal market. The program will connect Attorney General Rob Tonta’s office with local authorities and support them in efforts to combat the illicit marijuana market by targeting the finances of illegal cannabis operators. Tonta said that the anti-illicit cannabis program will deal with illegal marijuana as a land use and public nuisance issue.

Even though California is now home to the largest legal cannabis market on the entire globe, the state’s cannabis program has struggled to compete with the illegal market since its inception. Bonta noted that illicit marijuana is “problematic for many reasons” and said that constituents expect their leaders to team up and address the escalating issue of illegal cannabis.

Illegal operators regularly outsell California’s legal cannabis market, depriving the state of tax revenue and funneling funds into illegal operations. Furthermore, the illicit cannabis market has been implicated in illicit land use, significant water waste and environmental pollution. Cheaper cannabis from the black market has also made it incredibly difficult for licensed cannabis retailers to remain competitive as a myriad of fees and taxes makes legal cannabis significantly more expensive than black-market marijuana.

In addition, because illegal sellers aren’t subject to safety and quality controls, black-market cannabis can contain contaminants that endanger the health of unsuspecting cannabis users. In some cases, the criminal enterprises behind the illicit drug trade exploit and traffic their workers.

The new anti-illicit cannabis program will provide education and resources for enforcement programs and help collect evidence that could be instrumental in prosecuting large statewide cases. California’s Department of Justice will fund the program through administrative orders, fines, enforcement actions, lien, and settlements, allowing the program to be almost wholly self-funded. Fresno is the first city to join the program and will work with the justice department to help provide running costs.

A news release revealed that the statewide illicit cannabis enforcement efforts will supplement civil and criminal action by California Governor Gavin Newsom’s Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force and the state Department of Cannabis Control. According to Fresno City Attorney Andrew Janz, the city’s partnership with the attorney general’s office is meant to help boost Fresno’s legal cannabis industry and expand the city’s tax base. He hopes that other large cities in California will emulate Fresno’s joint venture and accelerate efforts to target the state’s massive cannabis black market.

It isn’t only California that is battling black-market operators. As multistate operators such as TerrAscend Corp. (TSX: TSND) (OTCQX: TSNDF) are all too aware, the challenge of illicit actors plagues all markets where marijuana is legal.

About CNW420

To receive SMS alerts from CNW, text CANNABIS to 844-397-5787 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information, please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com/Disclaimer

CannabisNewsWire
Denver, CO
www.CannabisNewsWire.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com