Hawaii aims to start cashless payment of medical pot from October

September 13, 2017

Hawaii State officials have planned to make it the first state to go cashless in marijuana sales. Starting October 1, all the eight dispensaries in the State have agreed to use cashless payment system. The decision has been taken to avoid crimes like robbery, dispensary attacks and also makes the finances transparent.

For the cashless payment system, the patients will be asked to use a debit payment app ‘CanPay’ for purchasing medical cannabis. While CanPay uses a Colorado-based credit union to facilitate transactions, the dispensaries have been asked to open accounts with a credit union called Safe Harbor Private Banking. Customers purchasing medical pot through CanPay will be directed to Safe Habor for payment.

Currently, this debit payment app is in use in a total of six states including California and Colorado. The app is free for customers to use. Other credit card companies like Visa and Mastercard had refused to allow customers to purchase cannabis using their credit cards.

The cashless payment system can also be used by customers who don’t own smartphones. Those without smart phones, need to create an account on CanPay using their email id and personal identification number. Once created, the customers can pay through tablets available in the dispensaries by logging in to their respective accounts.

However, the State lawmakers are yet to decide if customers preferring cash payment will be entitled to purchase or not.

Though Hawaii had legalized medical marijuana way back in 2000, the medical marijuana licenses were granted only last year.

Since the Federal Government regulates banking and bans marijuana, several cannabis business houses deal in cash for the fear of legal trouble from the US Government.

California rules out drone delivery of cannabis

September 12, 2017

Even as California is looking to legalize cannabis from next year, marijuana will not be allowed to be delivered using hi-tech facilities like drones. A rule book formulated by the Bureau of Cannabis Control in California has ruled out the option of delivery of marijuana using unmanned vehicles.

“Cannabis goods will be required to be transported inside commercial vehicles or trailers. Transportation may not be done by aircraft, watercraft, rail, drones, human powered vehicles, or unmanned vehicles,” the report read adding that the vehicles needs overnight monitoring and can’t be left unattended.

The report also cites the details of transporting marijuana (both medicinal and recreational) which needs to be transported in locked boxes and completely secured. The companies have to comply with all the necessary license requirements and shipping manifests for each delivery. Setting the eligibility criteria for the drivers, the report states that the drivers need to above 21 years of age to drive vehicles carrying cannabis. In addition, the vehicles transporting pot needs to have GPS-enabled tracking system and shouldn’t be parked in any residential area. 

The decision is set to affect the plans of several pot start-ups to deliver medical pot using hi-tech technologies.  A number of start-ups including Eaze, MDelivers and Trees Delivery had been proposing to ship medical marijuana with the use of drones.

In April this year, MDelivers had announced the launch of nation’s first fully-licensed drone delivery service. The company had planned to deliver marijuana plants, edibles and other materials in 30 minutes across the state. However, the new legislation is set to be a major roadblock to its future plans. California is the first state to legalize medicinal pot in 1996.

Iowa Agency asked to halt part of medical pot law

September 11, 2017

An Iowa agency which works with another state for transporting medical cannabis has been asked to not implement a small section in the Iowa’s new medical pot law. The decision has been taken amid legal concerns that it could invite scrutiny from the federal government.

The Iowa Department of Public Health has been advised by the Iowa Attorney General’s office to not implement a small section of the State’s new medical marijuana law which requires the state to license up to two ‘out of state' dispensaries. The provision is mentioned in the second last page of the 20-page law.

Those entities would have been expected to bring cannabis oil into Iowa for selling, which is considered illegal under federal law. The Federal Law classifies cannabis as a controlled substance and is hence prohibited from being transported across states.

The Attorney General’s office has asked to put on hold the implementation until the Federal Government provides further guidance.

Though the decision is unlikely to affect other provisions in the law which call for the establishment of an in-state production system of cannabis by the end of 2018, a few law makers have expressed dissatisfaction as the immediate access has been affected.

Under the Federal Law, possessing, manufacturing and selling pot is illegal. While smoking marijuana is prohibited in Iowa, the cannabis oil supply would be supplied in the state by the end of 2018.

The out-of-state dispensaries provision is tucked into the second-to-last page of a 20-page law, and is separate from requirements that Iowa license up to two cannabis oil manufacturers in Iowa and up to five dispensaries to sell it in-state. The oil would be supplied in Iowa by the end of 2018. Smoking marijuana remains prohibited.

Hocking College applies for Ohio pot testing lab

September 09, 2017

In a boost to medical marijuana plans in Ohio, the Hocking College has applied to play host to Ohio’s first pot testing laboratory. If approved by the Ohio Department of Commerce, the College will become the first Public University to open a pot testing laboratory.

The decision by the Hocking College comes in the wake of concerns expressed by some policy makers that the public colleges would not come forward to set a laboratory due to threat of losing out on federal funding. The deadline to submit applications for medical cannabis testing lab is September 22.

The Ohio Medical Marijuana Law calls for testing medical cannabis for potency, homogeneity and contamination in a Public University before it is shelved in dispensaries. Private laboratories can be licensed to operate only after one year.

As per information, the technical college with around 3000 students has decided to apply for setting up a testing laboratory and is likely to collaborate with neuroscientist Jonathan Cachat to run the laboratory. Besides, the College is also planning to start laboratory research programs which will train the students in medical cannabis to become lab technicians.

“The research and academic potential of serving as the lab testing site will support the kind of hands-on, high-tech training that is the hallmark of Hocking College,” Young said in a statement. 

For setting up of a pot testing laboratory, each College is required to pay $2000 application fee and $18000 fee for obtaining a certificate for operation. However, the College is planning to not use public money to open the laboratory, and will instead focus on private funding to run the lab.

The laboratory is also expected to churn new job opportunities for the State residents.

Legal medical marijuana plants growing in Maryland

September 06, 2017

Four years after the policy makers signed the law to legalize medical marijuana in Maryland, the first crop of legal marijuana has finally started to grow. Cultivators ForwardGro in Anne Arundel County and Curio Wellness in Baltimore County are growing medical pot.

The legislation to grow medical cannabis was approved in 2013 following which the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission was formed. However, slow process in identifying cultivator and dispensary cost four years of benefit to the medical marijuana patients in the State. Since its inception, more than 10 companies have got the clearance to grow medical marijuana in Maryland while two have already begun cultivating pot. Medical cannabis are expected to flock the dispensary by early 2018.

Confirming the launch, Executive Director of the Commission stated, “The market will determine this moves forward.”

Once grown and harvested, the medicinal pot will be tested in a laboratory for quality, a process which could take up to one year.

Though the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission has finalized more than 10 cultivators, it has approved of only one dispensary so far. The Allegany Medical Marijuana Dispensary, the only approved dispensary in Maryland is situated in Cumberland and is expected to start by the end of this year. However, as per the existing law, one state can have up to fifteen cannabis dispensaries, which gives ample opportunities for legal marijuana to flourish. A few dispensaries are reportedly waiting for final approval.

For patients to access medical pot, the Commission has prepared a list of 12 mandatory conditions. Multiple sclerosis, chronic pain and Alzheimer are among the conditions required to access medical cannabis. The Commission has also prepared guidelines for the physicians on prescribing medical marijuana to patients.

Smoking Marijuana may cause fertility issues, reveals Study

September 06, 2017

A recent study on the effects of marijuana has revealed that smoking cannabis could lead to fertility issues among men. As per the study, men who smoke marijuana feel ‘lazy’ and ‘chilled out,’ while affecting their sperm functions as well.

While smoking pot regularly reduces the sperm count by almost a third, the study has revealed that it also impacts the sperm functions. As per the report, marijuana makes the sperm get ‘high’, causing it to ‘swim in circles.’

Dr. Victor Chow of the University of British Columbia in Canada, who lead the research study said that the ‘weight of evidence is that marijuana probably has a negative impact not only on sperm counts but sperm function.’ Among men, it affects sperm count, while in women it subdues ovulation. However, the study does not reveal the exact manner in which the sperm function is affected.

Besides, smoking marijuana regularly increases the heart rate and also the blood pressure. In pregnant women, it might lead to the baby being born smaller than expected.

Earlier, a study had revealed the difference in walking patterns among cannabis and non-cannabis smokers. The study conducted by the University of South Australia reveals that the knees, elbows and shoulders of marijuana smokers are affected while movement.

As per the report, the pot users have stiffer shoulders, flexible elbows and quicker knees, which enables them to walk faster in comparison to the non-smokers of marijuana. However, the study states no significant differences between neurological functions and balancing activities of cannabis users.

With the ongoing debate on legalizing marijuana in the United States of America, the call of the hour is on more such research on the effects of marijuana on health of the people.

Arkansas Medical Marijuana Association names Board Chairman

August 28, 2017

The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Association has named a Fayetteville physician as the chairman of its board of directors.

“Dr. Regina Thurman of Fayetteville will replace Dr. Steve Cathey as chairman of the Arkansas State Medical Board”, the association said in a statement on Monday. “Cathey chose not to serve on its board to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest with his position in the board.”

Currently, Thurman occupies the position of medical director for Optimal Pain & Wellness in Fayetteville. She specializes in using comprehensive approaches for the treatment of pain.

"I am eager to begin working with Arkansas' premier medical marijuana industry group to help better educate physicians and medical professionals throughout the state about regulations, policies and best practices for safe medical marijuana use," Thurman stated in a press release.

 The association says it'll be a "leading voice" for cultivators, distributors and business serving the medical marijuana industry.

 “With Thurman on board, the association has board members who have backgrounds in medicine, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and law, and board members who have specific experience within the medical cannabis industry in other states”, said David Couch, a board member and acting executive director of the association, who also headed the campaign for the medical marijuana measure in the state.

The association is a trade group for the state's medical marijuana industry. The board was established last November, soon after Arkansas voters approved a new constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana for patients with certain medical conditions.

Applications for membership to the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Association will soon be available on the association's website, www.armedicalmarijuana.org.

Full membership is open to marijuana cultivators and distributors, while affiliate memberships will be accessible to all corporations and businesses related to the medical marijuana industry.

Massive marijuana farm discovered in Mississippi County

August 28, 2017

The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics on Thursday discovered a sea of marijuana plants spread over more than four acres of land in Jefferson Davis County.

Addressing the media, a Narcotics Director John Dowdy said, their office received a tip that someone was growing marijuana near Prentiss in Jefferson Davis County, and surveillance was conducted by using drone footage and a helicopter.

An estimated 14,000 marijuana plants were found off Polk Oatis Road, about two miles east of Granby Road, and are divided into five different fields spread over more than four acres. There was an underground bunker with a ladder and generator between the fields.

Hoses were running water to the plants from a large plastic swimming pool and a pond. Many of the plants stood over 6-feet tall. Arms and ammunitions as well as some modern technological devices were also found near the marijuana farm, the official added.

Investigators started to uproot the plants on Thursday evening and said every weed plant will be cleared. They had to cut a road into the site with a bulldozer, removing the plants and burning some.

The officials said, this was the biggest operation and largest outdoor marijuana farm they’ve seen in the state in the last 35 years.

The campsites had somehow managed to flee the spot by the time officials reached. The authorities said they don’t yet know who was running the farm, but they do have leads on suspects though.

Earlier reports placed the number of marijuana plants around 6000, which brought an estimated value of at least $10 million. After the initial number more than doubled on Thursday evening, a new estimated worth value is also expected to drastically increase.

Trump Administration prepares to crackdown on marijuana

July 27, 2017

With a view to reduce the number of violent crimes, Trump administration is getting ready to crackdown on marijuana growers, sellers and users across the country under Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

President Trump’s Task Force on Crime Reduction and Public Safety, led by Sessions, is expected to issue a report next week that criminal justice reform advocates fear will link marijuana use to violent crime, and may recommend tougher sentences for those caught growing, selling and using marijuana. 

Sessions has been an outspoken opponent of marijuana use, claiming it's a gateway to illegal drugs and crime. In April, he sent a memo to update the DOJ and U.S. Attorney’s Offices on cannabis policies to be accomplished via a group of subcommittees.

“Task Force subcommittees will also undertake a review of existing policies in the areas of charging, sentencing, and marijuana to ensure consistency with the Department's overall strategy on reducing violent crime and with Administration goals and priorities,” Sessions wrote. In said memo, he gave a July 27th deadline.

Last week, Attorney General apparently also reinstated the criminal asset seizure program in anticipation of the Task Force’s findings. He also asked Congress to rescind a Justice Department budget amendment that stops the agency from using federal funds to block states from implementing their own marijuana legalization bills, both medical and recreational.

President Trump, during his election campaign, said he wouldn't touch state's rights on marijuana. "In terms of marijuana and legalization, I think that should be a state issue, state-by-state," he said.

In the USA, eight states and the District of Columbia have legalized the recreational use of marijuana, and another twenty-one states allow the use of medical marijuana, according to the Marijuana Policy Project. However, marijuana use is still illegal under federal law in the U.S.

Jeff Sessions Seeks More Asset Forfeiture from Marijuana Suspects

July 27, 2017

Attorney General Jeff Sessions said on Monday that the U.S. Department of Justice will make it easier for local law enforcement to engage in Civil Asset Forfeiture from crime suspects, specifically in marijuana and other drug related cases.

 “We hope to issue this week a new directive on asset forfeiture -- especially for drug traffickers. With care and professionalism, we plan to develop policies to increase forfeitures. No criminal should be allowed to keep the proceeds of their crime,” the Attorney General stated at a law enforcement conference in Minnesota.

Asset forfeiture is a practice in which police seize cash and property from those suspected of a crime, and then sell the confiscated property to pay for expenses.

The Justice Department sees the assets forfeiture program as a way to strip suspects of the proceeds of their activities, to deter crime and to compensate crime victims.

"Adoptive forfeitures are appropriate," Sessions emphasized in his speech, "as is sharing with our partners."  He also called it as the Equitable Sharing Program, and made clear that he intends to undo a 2015 Justice Department memo authorized by then-Attorney General Eric Holder curtailing the practice.

 However, the practice has been criticized because it allows law enforcement to take possessions — such as cars and money — without indictments or evidence a crime has been committed.

several prominent political groups are opposing the practice on constitutional grounds. They point out under the Due Process Clauses contained within the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, which states “No person shall … be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law …Nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.”

According to the Justice Department’s Inspector General, the DEA alone has taken over $3 billion in cash from American people not charged with any crime in last ten years.

Former NFL player sues Jeff Sessions over marijuana law

July 27, 2017

In an effort to legalize marijuana at the federal level, former New York Jets defensive end Marvin Washington on Monday sued Attorney General Jeff Sessions, the Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration in a federal district court in New York City.

In the lawsuit, Washington alleges that the government has “wrongfully and unconstitutionally criminalized the cultivation, distribution, sale, and possession” of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act, which became law in 1971.

He also claims that the federal government’s classification of marijuana as a Schedule I drug, which is  considered as dangerous as drugs like LSD and heroin, prevents him from receiving federal grants to open a business that would allow pro football players to use medical marijuana for pain management and treat concussion-related issues in lieu of more addictive opioids.

It has long been an area of contention around the NFL with debate continuing to arise over the widespread use of opioids among players.  Last year, former NFL player Eugene Monroe was opened up in the case of marijuana legalization.

Washington, , who played 11 NFL seasons for the Jets, Denver Broncos and San Francisco, is the co-founder of a company that sells hemp-based sports performance products that do not contain THC, the component of cannabis that causes a high in marijuana users.

As many as 29 states and Washington D.C. have legalized medical marijuana, while 8 states and D.C. allowed it for recreational purpose.

However, Sessions has sought to crack down on states’ abilities to legalize and regulate both medical and recreational use. He also leads a DOJ task force that activists and advocates fear will soon seek harsher sentences for anyone caught selling or possessing the drug.

Colorado imposes taxes to stop illegal marijuana business

June 12, 2017

In a first, Colorado, the first recreational marijuana market in the United States, has started imposing marijuana taxes to curb illegal operations of marijuana. The fund will be used by the police department to curb the growing illegal business.

Governor John Hickenlooper is also expected to sign a Bill to reduce the amount of cannabis grown in homes to 12 plants, irrespective of the number of family members living in a house. As per the current law, an adult over 21 years is allowed to grow six plants each in a house.

The law signed by the Governor assigns nearly $6 million a year as tax revenue as reimbursement to the police for investigating black marketing of the pot activity. The amount, however, has increased since recreational cannabis was legalized by the State five years ago.

The Governor has stated the move is set to curb the shipping of illegal cannabis out of State. The decision has been backed by the police department, which had often held legalization of marijuana by the State as a major reason for the growth of the industry.

The legal growers of pot had also blacked the Bill by stating that illegal marijuana operations had reduced the prices of legally-grown cannabis, thereby hampering the growth of the industry.

More than 22,000 pounds of cannabis had been seized following several raids conducted by the authorities last year. Most of the seized pot were intended for shipping outside the State.

Though, there is a facility in Oregon through which 20 per cent of the taxes collected through illegal pot business is set aside for local enforcement agencies and 15 per cent for the State police, but there was no facility to direct the amount to be used for cracking down illegal marijuana business.

Medical cannabis to be discussed in Special Florida Legislative session

June 12, 2017

The issue over regulation of medical marijuana will be taken up in a special session, Legislative Leaders have informed. The decision was confirmed by Senate President Joe Negron and Speaker Richard Corcoran. The subject will be added to the three-day special session.

No agreement was reached when the House and the Senate had debated the medical marijuana in a legislative session in May. Last year, the Florida people had approved use of medical cannabis through a 71 per cent mandate. The regulation proposal by the Senate was introduced by Senator Rob Bradley, who will initiate the Bill.

The Senator is hopeful that the Bill will lead to a splurge in the number of medical cannabis treatment clinics and offer opportunities for research, while also ensuring safety.

Though the House had planned to limit one grower to 100 dispensaries and planned to allow thousands of dispensaries by the time the state hit 300,000 patients, the Senate plan only allowed 283 dispensaries.

Currently, seven licensed marijuana growers exist, and the Bill will include ten new medical licensed growers. Unless the Legislature takes further action, the limit on dispensaries will expires

The Legislature would also look into the tax issue. While Senate Negron is backing charging sales tax on medical marijuana and tools used to administer it, the House proposed not charging sales tax for two years.

Governor Rick Scott had called for the lawmakers to gather in the Capitol for a three-day special session to discuss on his rejection of education budget. The Bill also proposes to establish a medical cannabis research institute in Tampa. Though the money had been included in the budget, it was vetoed by Governor Scott.

However, now the subject of medical marijuana has been added to the special session.

Massachusetts-based dispensary introduces pot pizza for Patients

June 12, 2017

Marijuana patients, who don’t prefer pot medication in the form of smoke or sweets, have a rather new option. A medical cannabis dispensary based in Massachusetts has offered another aromatic option – marijuana pizza.

Ermont Inc., a medical marijuana dispensary in Quincy, introduced this new form of medication to its menu. The six-inch frozen pizza is infused with 125 milligrams of Tetrahydrocannabino (THC) concentrate, manufactured by the company. The dispensary which started the sale around four weeks back, are already getting a great response.

“We are pleased to offer a new, more appetizing way for our patients to alleviate pain and discomfort. The combination of a food as popular as pizza with the medicinal benefits of marijuana represents an important milestone in the evolution of our high-quality marijuana-infused products menu,” said Jack Hudson, CEO and founder of Ermont, in a statement.

The pizza is available for $38. The company has sold about 200 pizzas already. The option is available only for people with medical marijuana cards issued by the State.

Earlier, dispensaries had introduced an option of pot brownies for its patients. Ermont, which opened in October 2016, also offers hot fudge, peanut butter, olive oil, honey and a wide range of other options with THC to choose from.

Ermont’s Director of Operations Seth Yaffe, who was part of the team which decided on the menu said the option was introduced to offer a meal without sugar. He also added that the edibles had a longer lasting effect of THC in comparison to smoking cannabis.

The pizza has a crispy crust with cheese and tomato sauce, but is packed in a tamperproof container, in order to be distinguished from other goods. The patients also have options to choose the toppings.

Maryland Highest Court orders stay in Medical Cannabis case

June 07, 2017

Challenging the State’s decision of awarding medical marijuana licenses, the highest Court of Maryland took up the case in order to prevent the State from awarding further licenses.

The Court of Appeals ordered a stay over the proceedings in Baltimore City Circuit Court from holding a scheduled meeting over temporary stopping of cannabis program.

Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera put the stay order till ‘further notice.’ The notice was served after lawyers representing 13 put of 15 companies that are finalist in licensing process asked the Court of Appeals to intervene.

A temporary restraining order was issued last week by Judge Barry Williams which stopped the Marijuana Commission from approving any licenses until the lawsuit is addressed.

 “Individuals who may or could be affected by a court decision have a due-process right to participate in that hearing to defend themselves,” Attorney Alan Rifkin said.

A suit had been filed by Alternative Medicine Maryland, LLC, a company whose application was not chosen for medical marijuana license. The company had alleged the state commission responsible for awarding licenses had not considered racial diversity among applicants. Even as Alternative Medicine Maryland was not selected as the finalist, ForwardGro, a Stevensville based company is the only company which has been awarded a final license to grow marijuana.

The temporary restraining order had led to protests by several medical cannabis patients, who were joined by advocates for a demonstration outside Courthouse East. The advocates are hoping for medical cannabis rollout by the end of this year.

Though the first medical marijuana law was approved by the State in 2013, the attempt was delayed. In 2014, the law was changed to accommodate State-certified doctors to recommend medical marijuana for patients with chronic diseases. The medical cannabis program is one of the slowest in Maryland.