Embassy HEADLINES Issue 397

By Kath NoneofyourbusinessPublished On: March 5, 2020Categories: Cannabis

AUSTRALIA

Tiny school one of first in Australia to have hemp uniforms

For Dunoon Public School principal Genevieve Slocombe, making the switch from polyester to hemp-based school shirts has had nothing but benefits.

Dunoon Public School students Charlie Davy, 10, Year 5 and Autumn Reardon, 7, Year 2, sporting the new hemp uniforms. Photo: Marc Stapelberg

Sniffer Dogs At Pubs & Riot Vans At The Beaches: Why Sydney’s Police Presence Is Toxic

Far from being filled with fear, the community is filled with frustration at how more taxpayers’ money than ever before – and how such a highly-trained resource is growing into an overbearing nuisance rather than a supporting partner of the community.

There is currently no subsidy for cannabis products under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Australia claims it has enough cannabis flower to meet demand, but industry says otherwise

The amount of medical cannabis flower Australian companies are authorized to produce exceeds current and anticipated future domestic demand, federal health authorities said in a document, adding that any “depiction of the situation as a shortage is not accurate.” But industry officials beg to differ, saying demand is still largely met by international companies.

Doctor: ‘We need easier access to medicinal cannabis to reduce opioid use’

Dr Orit Holtzman, who practices in New South Wales, said Australia’s laws currently prevent medical cannabis being offered a first-line treatment, with patients instead given opioids or medication for neuropathic pain before they can be considered.

AusCann in medicinal cannabis distribution agreement

AusCann Group Holdings Limited told the ASX the agreement with Clifford Hallam Healthcare (CH2) to store and distribute AusCann’s pharmaceutical products was cost effective and extended AusCann’s distribution network in Australia.

Ecofibre launches affordable medicinal cannabis in Australia

Ecofibre is the first Australian company to import medicinal cannabis into Australia from the United States, and is now supplying two products to Australian patients under its ‘Ananda Hemp’ brand. The products are a 60 count bottle of full spectrum CBD softgels and a full spectrum CBD tincture.

WA becomes hub for medicinal cannabis manufacture

Perth based TetraMed, which holds approved licenses from seed to sale for medicinal cannabis, has announced that it is looking to raise a further $3 million to fuel growth as it seeks to capitalise on WA’s progressive medicinal cannabis regulations.

Tall Poppies Syndrome Smokes Kiwi Pot Celebrities

The U.S. has thousands of them. Snoop Dogg, Woody Harrelson, Willy Nelson, Jennifer Aniston, Tommy Chong – pot smoking celebrities who are unashamed to fly the MJ flag. In New Zealand, you have a round number of them. Zero. Why should that be, in a country which consistently features in the world’s top five list for per capita use of cannabis? New Zealand’s culture of arrest, punishment, and the associated costs, the loss of standing in a close knit community where ‘everyone knows everyone else’ has definitely deterred the number of prominent people willing to be open about their pot use.

GYO Cannabis Guide – How To Buy Cannabis Seeds in Australia

Now that it’s legal to GYO (grow your own) in Canberra, Green Planet can legally share information on how to buy cannabis seeds in Australia. Find out about seedbanks, the best seeds to choose for your needs, how to buy securely online and more.

NORTH AMERICA

Virginia Bill Would Allow Nursing Homes to Administer Medical Cannabis

Lawmakers have introduced new pieces of legislation to tweak the state’s medical cannabis program.

Feds subpoena records from Californian marijuana firm Weedmaps and others

Prosecutors for a U.S. attorney’s office in California issued a grand jury subpoena for records related to 30 marijuana companies, including the parent of Weedmaps. The subpoena “covers documents related to cannabis businesses listed on Weedmaps and records related to its ordering service,” MarketWatch reported.

Illinois Medical Marijuana Patients Start Growing to Avoid Shortages

Illinois, where the adult-use market has only been up and running since the start of the year, is currently experiencing shortages. The state has seen nearly $40 million in sales since January – but that comes at a cost for some medical marijuana patients who shop at the same dispensaries that sell adult-use cannabis.

Utah opens first medical marijuana dispensary

The mostly Republican state now has marijuana available for qualifying patients.

Divided America: 34 Percent Of U.S. States Still Don’t Allow Medical Marijuana

Medical marijuana is legal in 33 states, but has hit a brick wall in the remaining 17 despite growing support.

WORLD

In major shift, UN drug chief questions whether control treaties involving cannabis are out of date

Next year will mark the 60-year anniversary of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.

Peru sells out of medical cannabis

Francesca Brivio, who represents a Peruvian patients association, wrote on her Facebook page that there’s no “single, formal way to access medical cannabis” in Peru.

Netanyahu vows to erase criminal records of marijuana offenders

Rival Benny Gantz accuses the Israeli prime minister of a campaign ploy to court pro-legalization vote, and claims that he will not make good on the promise.

Majority of German parliament favors recreational cannabis reform, but change neither sure nor imminent

The Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) clarified its stance on recreational marijuana last week in favor of decriminalizing possession and allowing pilot programs involving the legal distribution of adult-use cannabis. The move is seen as a positive because it represents a step forward. But a long and uncertain path remains before any material adult-use cannabis reform takes place in Germany.

Croatia Introduces Bill to Legalize Recreational Marijuana

Will Croatia be the first country in Europe to fully legalize recreational marijuana? According to Croatian MP Mirela Holy (SDP), the upcoming proposed legislation would allow each adult to grow up to nine marijuana plants with high THC content for personal use. Nobody has ever died from a natural cannabis overdose, she emphasized.

Former UN drug policy chief joins Thai cannabis company as president

A former head of the United Nations body responsible for international drug treaty compliance has been hired as president of Thailand’s leading medical cannabis company. Viroj Sumyai will take the reins of Thai Cannabis Corp., effective immediately. “Over the last decade, the clinical effectiveness of medicinal cannabis has been scientifically proven,” Sumyai said in a statement.

Malawi legalises cannabis amid hopes of fresh economic growth

Malawi has passed a bill decriminalising cannabis for medicinal and industrial purposes, almost five years after a motion to legalise industrial hemp was adopted.

Lebanon Just Legalized the Growth of Marijuana

In July 2018, a draft bill was introduced to parliament which legalizes the cultivation of marijuana for medical and industrial purposes. The bill has now finally been approved by parliament on February 26th.

HEALTH & SCIENCE

Two Cannabis Flavonoids Believed to be Stronger Than Aspirin

The research, which was published in the journal Phytochemistry, revealed that two flavonoids, cannflavin A and cannflavin B, have extremely powerful anti-inflammatory effects – 30 times more potent than OTC drug Aspirin. This actually has been discovered in other studies as well.

Artisanal Vs. Pharmaceutical Cannabidiol

“Artisanal” refers to a product made in a traditional or non-mechanized way. Artisanal cannabidiol is manufactured outside of what would be considered an industrial laboratory environment. The preference for artisanal cannabidiol could be any of a number of reasons – including cost. It’s been used by some patients for years to help manage epilepsy.

Nothing Good Will Come From THC Limits

From attempts in Colorado to more recent efforts in Arizona and Florida (again), lawmakers are hard at work keeping medical patients and adult-use customers from the dangers of the cannabinoid most of them are seeking when they buy cannabis in the first place.

The Latest Cannabis Gear for Older Adults and Those with Accessibility Issues

From rolling joints to grinding flower, as we age, people often lose the ability to perform the tasks for which we once excelled. But with some cleverly designed cannabis gear, patients can continue to medicate effectively with cannabis, regardless of their physical abilities.

Cannabis and coronavirus: Here’s what you need to know

The global concern over the coronavirus known as COVID-19 has many people taking precautions against contracting the virus. Here’s what we know about cannabis and this novel coronavirus.

Study finds cannabis better than toothpaste when it comes to stopping cavities

Cannabinoids also hold potential to prevent rise of antibiotic resistant infections. Colgate recently purchased Hello Products, an eco-friendly company that sells various lines of vegan toothpastes and mouthwashes, some of which are infused with hemp seed oil.

LIFESTYLE

Louis Theroux on Legalising Marijuana

Louis Theroux joins Big Narstie and Mo Gilligan, discussing marijuana and his weirdest interviews!

Major sports leagues are easing up on marijuana

With public support for marijuana legalization at an all-time high, and more athletes using cannabis to treat pain, the four major U.S. sports leagues are reducing restrictions and punishments — though the NBA lags behind the other three.

POLITICS & LAW

Lib Dems Call on SNP Ministers to Support Cannabis Decriminalisation

The Liberal Democrats have become well-known for the party’s support of a complete overhaul of drug policy. Since 2015, the party has gone as far as advocating for the legalisation of Cannabis in the UK, and the introduction of a regulated market. The Lib Dems have now issued new calls, aimed at the Scottish National Party, for the decriminalisation of Cannabis.

Viola Cares launched with Nonprofit Organization Root & Rebound

On Feb. 26, Viola, a nationwide leader in the production and sale of premium quality cannabis products announced the official launch of its social equity initiative, Viola Cares. Through education, equitable offerings, expungement, and incubation programs, the initiative will result in more than 10,000 jobs, hundreds of new business owners and expanded industry diversity by increasing representation, facilitating community building and providing employment opportunities. Viola Cares first strategic alliance kicks-off with Root & Rebound. Root & Rebound is home to lawyers and advocates committed to restoring power and resources to the communities most harmed by mass incarceration and the War on Drugs.

Updates from the 63rd Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs

At this year’s CND one of the most anticipated discussion items was the World Health Organization’s recommendation to reschedule cannabis from Schedule IV, the most restrictive, to Schedule I, the least restrictive. Unfortunately, it appears the vote to reschedule will be postponed until December by member states.

Decriminalization works, but too few countries are taking the bold step

Decriminalization of drug use and possession for personal use reduces the stigma and discrimination that hampers access to health care, harm reduction and legal services.

Candidates & Cannabis: Where Do They Stand?

Cannabis opinions among the candidates vary greatly and are more or less towing the party lines. Here is a breakdown of each of the candidate’s previous statements and published policy stances, if available, presented by party and in alphabetical order.

Opinion: Governments Should Rethink Drug Policies

Draconian drug laws harm citizens the world over. It’s high time to use sound science to change the landscape of prohibition.

The NSW Government has rejected major recommendations from its own inquiry into the drug ice, including pill testing and more supervised injecting rooms. Commissioner Dan Howard also called for the decriminalisation of drugs for personal use, and he urged NSW Police to stop using drug detection dogs at music festivals and to limit its use of strip searches.

Government launches border crackdown on illegal vaping imports

A spokesman for Mr Hunt said the government had “a strict commitment to opposing vaping or any liberalisation on laws” and the supply or sale of liquid nicotine “is not legal in any state or territory”.

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY

CBD + THC Drinks – Can Aluminium Cans Reduce Potency?

Start-up companies, artisan brands, and big businesses, alike, are racing to bring new drinks – infused with cannabinoids – to the market. And with many having already done so, the timing couldn’t be worse to discover that aluminium cans may actually be absorbing CBD and THC from the actual drinks…

As China’s Hemp Industry Suffers, U.S. Hemp Growers Prepare to Pounce

The U.S. hemp market continues to heat up for a variety of reasons, mainly because the general populace is finally starting to understand the difference between cannabis as marijuana and cannabis as hemp (and the benefits of CBD and other cannabinoids derived from cannabis). In this post I’ll discuss why China’s pain can be U.S. hemp producers’ gain.

Cannabis Drinkables – Are They More Popular than Edibles?

CBD drinks and edibles are seeing massive growth. The development of nano-emulsion technology has allowed companies to create more effective and, importantly, better tasting formulations.

Facebook Is Finally Getting Sued for Its Anti-Weed Policies

Even though Facebook officials recently said they would revise their cannabis policies, the world’s largest social media network keeps deleting accounts devoted to freeing (and selling) the plant.

Marijuana information firm Leafly closes Germany operation

Leafly’s move is the latest example of a North American cannabis company scaling back its international operations to preserve cash.

HISTORY

Ancient cannabis queens: 5 legendary weed-loving women

Many women today use cannabis medically, and many more just love a good high, which in ancient times was one and the same says Ellen Komp, author of Tokin’ Women: A 4000-Year Herstory of Women and Marijuana and deputy director of cannabis advocacy group, California NORML. “What has come down in recorded history as healing was done in a more ritualistic fashion, tied to spiritual practices where a shaman or shamaness partook of the cannabis or dispensed it to her patients.”