AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
Australian Government invests $3m for medical cannabis research [Health Europa]
The research is intended to examine the benefits of medical cannabis for pain, symptom and side effect management for cancer patients. Greg Hunt MP, Minister for Health, said: “Since her own battle, Ms Olivia Newton-John has been an advocate for breast cancer awareness and research, and through her personal experience and ongoing efforts has helped shine a light on the benefits associated with medicinal cannabis.”
The NSW government says it approves medicinal cannabis applications within 48 hours. Newly obtained data shows it often takes far longer. [Business Insider]
“NSW Health used to release monthly updates on how many applications they had received, how many were approved/rejected and how many were pending. But they would always release these figures halfway through the next month, which was strange. Releasing figures in this way happened to hide the fact that most approvals were taking days or weeks to process.”
Driving under the influence of medical cannabis is illegal, but patients are still taking the risk [ABC]
Reason Party MP Fiona Patten says cannabis is being treated differently under the law to other prescriptions drugs like opioids and benzodiazepines. “Cannabis is the only prescription medication that excludes you 100 per cent from driving,” she said.
NORTH AMERICA
Two-thirds of cannabis consumed by just 10% of users [Alaska Highway News]
Just 10% of users consumed about two-thirds of all the cannabis used in Canada in 2018, according to a study headed by a Northern Medical Program professor. “The findings are similar to those in the alcohol field, where we have found that a small subgroup of drinkers usually consumes the majority of alcohol in the population,” Prof Callaghan said.
FBI: Cannabis arrests on the rise for 3rd year running [Leafly]
The number of US cannabis arrests continued to climb last year, new federal data show, in spite of increasing legal and public approval for the plant. Law enforcement made an estimated 663,367 cannabis-related arrests in 2018, according to FBI data released this week, up from an estimated 659,700 the previous year. That’s more than one cannabis arrest per minute in 2018—the same year a record two-thirds of Americans (66%) said they support legalization.
Illinois Maps “Disproportionately Impacted Areas” for Its Cannabis Social Equity Program [Filter]
On October 1, the state released eligibility data and requirements for its cannabis social equity program—which by law is supposed to create opportunity in the new industry for people who are unfairly targeted by the War on Drugs.
Oh LA, LA. The California green rush shows us new frontiers for a grown-up cannabis industry [The Growth Op]
Not only is recreational cannabis legal in California, but it has very quickly matured into a viable and mature consumer market.
Low-Income Cannabis Patients Await CA Governor’s Signature on Compassion Bill [Cannabis Now]
After California legalized adult-use cannabis in 2016, new regulations and taxes put a squeeze on the compassionate cannabis programs that had legally given out medical pot for free since 1996. Activists say one bill could give those programs life again.
In Maryland, the East Coast’s first outdoor, commercial cannabis harvest is underway [The Baltimore Sun]
Marijuana farms in Northern California and Oregon have been growing pot plants outdoors for decades. Farms in Colorado are plentiful, too. But commercial growers on the East Coast until now have cultivated marijuana in warehouses or greenhouses. Mostly, it’s because the humid climate and variable temperatures on this side of the country create less-than-ideal conditions for outdoor cannabis.
BUSINESS & POLICY
U.S. Cannabis Market To Hit $30 Billion By 2025 As More Than 38 Million Americans Try Marijuana [Green Entrepreneur]
Legalisation of medical and other cannabis has little effect on crime [Health Europa]
The study, which looked at legalisation and sales of recreational or broad medical purposes cannabis in Colorado and Washington, found minimal to no effect on rates of violent and property crimes in those states.
Amid Trade War, Farmers Lean on a New Crop: Hemp [The New York Times]
With the rising popularity of CBD products, farmers are growing hemp. Some see it as a way to ride out President Trump’s fight over trade. Others fear it may not last.
Kevin Durant, Snoop Dogg Invest In Cannabis Startup: A Shopify For Marijuana [International Business Times]
Dutchie, a startup for ordering marijuana online, secures $15 million in funding from well-known celebrities. Based in Oregon, Dutchie developed a platform for cannabis dispensaries to create a website where they can manage orders and track pickups. Dutchie, named after the song “Pass the Dutchie,” has grown to service to 450 dispensaries across 18 states and it also eyes $140 million in gross merchandise volume.
Here are the top bankers raising money, and raking in millions in the global cannabis industry [Business Insider]
In an effort to figure out who’s making money on these deals, Business Insider put together a list of the top dealmakers in the cannabis industry, based on Dealogic data. We then conducted additional reporting to identify the top cannabis bankers at those firms. This chart is up-to-date as of September 23. It shows the top ten banks working on cannabis deals and an estimate of how much money they’ve made in cannabis since 2015, primarily from deals and stock offerings.
Billions in Hemp Risks Rotting on Farms in Processing Bottleneck [Bloomberg]
While U.S. Congress approved hemp cultivation, the Food and Drug Administration hasn’t cleared CBD yet for use in food and drinks, and the murky regulatory environment has limited expansion in the processing sector. Delta Separations, a Cotati, California-based manufacturer with booming sales of extraction machines used to make CBD, estimated that as much as $7.5 billion in hemp may rot on farms.
Why The Fashion Industry Needs To Turn On To Hemp [Forbes]
Hemp would give fashion brands a new story to tell their customers, one that is first and foremost sustainable and good for the planet.
HEALTH & SCIENCE
Labs Give Legit Cannabis A Clean Bill of Health, But CBD Is “Wild West” [The Marijuana Times]
Two leading cannabis testing companies in California are reporting that analysis of a total of 200 different vape devices sold through that state’s dispensaries and other licensed sources turned up no traces of the two principal agents suspected of playing a role in the vaping illness epidemic. The leading suspects are vitamin E acetate, a thick oil normally used in skin products; and myclobutanil, a fungicide which, when heated above 400 degrees fahrenheit, produces fumes of lung-scorching hydrogen cyanide.
‘Leafly Cannabis Guide’ uses data and design to help people better understand marijuana effects [GeekWire]
Leafly, the Seattle-based cannabis information resource, is aiming to do more to help people understand the effects of marijuana. The company announced Tuesday the release of the “Leafly Cannabis Guide,” which uses data and design to create a visual language for cannabis. Leafly believes the guide will better illustrate what effects users can expect and goes deeper than the generalities of the terms indica, sativa and hybrid.
Cannabis study reveals how CBD offsets psychiatric side-effects of THC [Mirage News]
Researchers at Western University have shown for the first time the molecular mechanisms at work that cause cannabidiol, or CBD, to block the psychiatric side-effects caused by tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive chemical in cannabis.
Raphael Mechoulam: father of cannabis research unveils latest findings [Health Europa]
Professor Mechoulam, EPM Head of Research, revealed the science and the chemistry behind his latest innovation. The innovation is a new family of synthetic, stable cannabinoid acids molecules with a demonstrated higher potency compared to existing cannabinoids and offering potentially promising therapeutic effects.
Yale Doctor Investigates if CBD can Help Lupus and Other Diseases? [Sierra Sun Times]
Fotios Koumpouras, MD, is researching CBD, one of the cannabinoids in the marijuana plant that is believed to reduce inflammation without producing the psychoactive effects associated with THC. “Reducing inflammation is crucial for patients with lupus,” he says.
CULTURE & SOCIETY
Are cannabis hand-trimmers an endangered species? [Leafly]
Hand trimming—manually removing undesirable leaves and stems from the flower—is one of the most time-consuming parts of the production process. Hand-trimmers process an average of one to three pounds per day with each trimmer paid around $12-20 an hour. But auto-trim machines, depending on the model, can process much more.
EVENTS
Rethink Reform [Greens]
Greens are hosting a public forums about our drug laws in NSW: Braidwood, Lismore and Mullumbimby. Come along to find out why the war on drugs has failed, what evidence-based public policy that prioritises harm reduction looks like, and what we can do to move towards decriminalising people who use drugs.
Australia’s largest hemp and cannabis event – HHI Expo
Cannabis, Health, and Crypto – Where to next? [CandoHive]
Medicinal Cannabis & You [MCRA]
GreenLight: Saving Lives at any Cost
In cinemas from 10 October. You can also see it at the Nimbin Medican workshop 26-27 October. In Australia, two men work to provide the last hope of relief — and in some cases cure — for thousands suffering chronic and terminal illnesses. They provide black market medicinal cannabis for people who have nowhere else to turn.
Annual General Meetings
Nimbin Hemp Embassy AGM 2019
11am on Saturday 16 November 2019 at the Town Hall, 45 Cullen Street, Nimbin.
MardiGrass Organizing Body AGM 2019
12pm on Saturday 16 November 2019 at the Town Hall, 45 Cullen Street, Nimbin.
Australian HEMP Party AGM 2019
2pm on Saturday 16 November 2019 at the Town Hall, 45 Cullen Street, Nimbin.
Australian Industrial Hemp Conference
FUNDRAISERS/CAMPAIGNS/PETITIONS/SURVEYS
URGENT REVIEW of the medical cannabis delivery system [Medical Cannabis Users Association of Australia, MCUA]
Your petitioners ask that the Senate: Take the necessary steps to initiate an Independent Inquiry by the Australian Advisory Council on the Medicinal Use of Cannabis (AACMC) to review the current delivery system with the view creating a fairer, more affordable delivery model in consultation with the end users.
Medical Cannabis Access – Patient Satisfaction Survey [Medical Cannabis Users Association of Australia, MCUA]
MCUA is keen to get feedback on how the government’sMedical Cannabis delivery system is working for Australian patients 3 years after it was implemented. This survey is only open to Australian residents who have have qualified for approval by the TGA under the SAS. We have suggested to the Federal government that a Review / Inquiry be held into the current pharmaceutical delivery system and we want collate the information we get here to use it to demonstrate how well the pharmaceutical model is working for the end user ie the patients. We thank you for participating and appreciate your support.
HELP GROW OUR CANNABIS CAMPAIGN [The Greens]
The ACT took one small step towards legalising cannabis, and already the rapid News Corp media is after them. If we’re ever going to win this fight and #JustLegaliseIt, we need to take them on.
Next stop Canberra – we’re taking the fight to Parliament! [United in Compassion]
When Barnaby Joyce recently showed just how ignorant he was about medicinal cannabis, comparing it to “pulling bongs”, I realised something: the majority of Australians support medicinal cannabis. It’s the politicians who need to be convinced.
Inquiry into drug driving reform [Enpsychedelia]
The National Drug Driving Working Group clearly states that drug driving laws are specifically a driving offense and not a drug offense. Despite this, people who are not impaired, but may still have trace amounts of one of three prescribed substances in their bodily fluid, are frequently charged with a road offense. There is a significant economic and social burden from these unjustified infringements.
E-Petition: Inquiry into drug driving reform [Parliament of Victoria]
Gateway to Good Health [Weed Billboards]
Celebrating Cannabis [Australian Cannabis Awards]
E-Petition: Legalise cannabis for recreational use [Parliament of Victoria]
Just Reform It! Let’s Get Real about Drugs [The Greens]
Survey: What’s the link between cannabis use and psychotic experiences? [The University of Queensland]
EDUCATION
Trailer: Green Light [Film Ink]
MardiGrass Hemposium 2019 Talks now Available on YouTube [Hemp Embassy]
EP202 – Roadside Drug Testing Panel at Nimbin Mardi Grass [Enpsychedelia]
‘Sex, Drugs and the Electoral Roll’: MP’s Memoir Goes On Sale [Reason]
Medicinal Cannabis & Hemp Tasmania & “the leaf” Newsletter [Facebook]
Nimbin Medican Workshops on YouTube [Hemp Embassy]
DRUG WAR OVER! [Radio Documentary]
View five new EGA video presentations on ethnobotanical plants and psychedelics [Entheogenesis Australis]
To mark the anniversary of our special gathering and end the year on a high note, we’ve released five new videos of talks from the Psychedelic Symposium that are now available to watch online and can also be found below in this email.