Embassy HEADLINES Issue 358
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
Australian lawyers call for overhaul of ‘unfair’ roadside drug testing [3AW]
Greg Barns, spokeperson from the Australian Lawyers Alliance, told 3AW’s Neil Mitchell that current legislation punishes people whose driving is not affected by drug use.
‘Passive smoking’ defence clears woman of drug driving as research casts doubt on roadside testing [ABC]
The accuracy of drug driving tests has been called into question after a landmark court ruling and new research by a leading academic. Data collected by Sydney University has revealed roadside mobile saliva tests returned inaccurate results more than 20 per cent of the time when testing oral fluids for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis.
‘Legalising’ cannabis in Canberra would put more smokers behind bars, ACT police warn [ABC]
Police warn “legalising” recreational cannabis in Canberra would leave them with no choice but to enforce federal criminal laws, meaning more people would end up imprisoned over the drug as a result. The ACT Government has proposed legalising cannabis for personal use, allowing the cultivation of two plants and possession of up to 50g of the drug.
Will This Doco Push Medicinal Cannabis Into Mainstream Australia? [Pedestrian]
‘High As Mike’, a new documentary that chronicles the journey of Tamworth man and brain cancer patient Mike Gallagher as he questions how medicinal cannabis might help him, could be what politicians and the general public need to see.
High as Mike is booked in at The Bush Theatre, Nimbin
Saturday 22nd June
Starts at 6.30pm
Tickets $10
EP202 – Roadside Drug Testing Panel at Nimbin Mardi Grass [Enpsychedelia]
Roadside saliva drug testing is an increasingly commonplace strategy used by police to apparently address road safety issues. However, there is very little research concerning the effectiveness is a zero tolerance policy of traces of cannabis in saliva and reducing harm on the roads. After many years of rigorous research, an agreed limit of allowable alcohol and safe driving was agreed upon. Why can’t the same be done for cannabis? What’s happening in Australia, and around the world?
Celebrating Cannabis [Australian Cannabis Awards]
Honouring Australian cannabis pioneers and professionals deserving recognition for industry innovation and social progression. As Australia finally takes marijuana mainstream, and as punishment gives way to praise, we give long-overdue recognition to contributions made by individuals and organisations in the cannabis industry.
High hopes for the emerging industrial hemp industry [ABC]
NORTH AMERICA
How Legal Weed Is Killing America’s Most Famous Marijuana Farmers [Politico]
In the forests of Northern California, the regulatory state—not the DEA—is forcing thousands of growers out of business, or back underground.
Surprise! Illinois Becomes the 11th Cannabis Legalization State! [Leafly]
This afternoon, the Illinois House passed HB 1438 to legalize cannabis for adults 21 and older on a 66 to 47 vote. The bill had already passed the Senate and just needs Gov. Pritzker’s signature to become law. Gov. Pritzker has said he’ll sign the bill, stating: “The state of Illinois just made history, legalizing adult-use cannabis with the most equity-centric approach in the nation. This will have a transformational impact on our state, creating opportunity in the communities that need it most and giving so many a second chance.”
NYC Activists Working to Bring Racial Equity to Cannabis Industry [High Times]
We discuss some of the biggest challenges surrounding racial equity in the industry.
BUSINESS & POLICY
How Cannabis Companies Can Utilize Biometric Identification [Cannabis & Tech Today]
Thus far, biometric verification technology has seen innovations and applications in the private sector of the cannabis space. For starters, cannabis tech company American Green has developed a biometric marijuana vending machine. The idea behind American Green’s “ZaZZZ” vending machine is to use biometric technology to verify the age and legal status of a consumer in an unmanned retail exchange.
How Cannabis Cultivation Has Advanced Farming Technologies [Leafly]
Canada’s newly legal cannabis industry might still be in its infancy but the legacy of illicit growers continues to contribute to greener agricultural practices across the globe.
Google won’t allow marijuana delivery apps in the Play Store [engadget]
Ben & Jerry’s Wants In On The Budding CBD Industry [Daily Marijuana Observer]
As a company long known for flavors like Half Baked & Magic Brownies, it’s no surprise that Ben & Jerry’s has an affinity for the newest trend in food, cannabidiol or CBD. Given Ben & Jerry’s history and on-going goal to bring fans the best ice cream possible, the company has announced its commitment to including CBD in its ice cream innovations.
5 Takeaways From the US FDA’s Hearing on CBD [Leafly]
1. There’s too much junk in the CBD market.
2. Consumers have no way of knowing what’s legitimate.
3. Many people still have no clue what CBD is.
4. The FDA has serious concerns about side effects.
5. Anecdotal evidence doesn’t play well at the FDA.
HEALTH & SCIENCE
Researchers Map Cannabinoid and Terpenoid Gene Pathways [Ganjapreneur]
Researchers at the University of Washington have mapped the gene networks of cannabis that are responsible for cannabinoid and terpenoid production.
Presence Of THC In Blood Not Associated With Crash Culpability Per Study [Weed News]
Drivers testing positive for the presence of THC in blood do not possess a significantly increased risk of being responsible for a non-fatal motor vehicle accident, according to data published in the journal Addiction.
How cannabis tolerance works and why it develops so quickly [Daily Hive]
Cannabis newbies often marvel at how little it can take to get high, while seasoned users are constantly flummoxed by the meagre lifts left to them after prolonged use.
New Research Investigates the Consequences of Growing Up High [TN]
Research presented by Canadian neuroscientists at the 2019 Canadian Neuroscience Meeting in Toronto on May 25 featured recent discoveries on the effects of cannabis on the adolescent brain.
Researchers tease out genetic differences between cannabis strains [phys.org]
Research from Washington State University could provide government regulators with powerful new tools for addressing a bevy of commercial claims and other concerns as non-medical marijuana, hemp and CBD products become more commonplace. The new analysis of the genetic and chemical characteristics of cannabis is believed to be the first thorough examination of its kind.
Cannabis use among older adults rising rapidly [Science Daily]
The Colorado study is first state-wide investigation of cannabis use among older Americans and the outcomes they experience.
Kicking opioids to the curb [The Growth Op]
A new bill in Colorado would allow physicians there to prescribe cannabis in lieu of opioids for patients with illnesses and symptoms that fit the criteria for painkillers.
Hemp & Climate Change – 7 Ways Cannabis Can Save The World [the cannabis co]
1) Hemp Growth Decreases Pesticides Pollution
2) Hemp Can Re-establish Soil Fertility
3) Hemp is Used for Producing Biodegradable Plastic
4) Hemp Plant Absorbs Lethal Metals
5) Hemp is the Best Inexhaustible Biofuel
6) Hemp Reduces Carbon Emission Impacts
7) Hemp Reduces Deforestation
CBD May Be All The Rage, But Cannabis Terpenes Are About To Hit Big [Forbes]
The essential oils present in the cannabis plant — and in fact in all plants — terpenes are like the hardworking herbal roadies to the cannabis flower rock-star. Laboring behind the scenes, terpenes give cannabis its distinctive aromatic and flavor qualities, as well as imparting a host of therapeutic effects. Cannabis terpenes like linalool (also present in lavender) and pinene (in conifers) have been used to promote sleep and fight inflammation. Studies by the National Institutes of Health have also shown the terpene duo can produce an antidepressant-like effect.
CULTURE & SOCIETY
What Netflix’s “Murder Mountain” Teaches Us About Prohibition [The Marijuana Times]
Over the course of the six-part series, several things become glaringly obvious. The most over-riding takeaway from the series is how cannabis prohibition created an area of lawlessness in the northern part of the largest state in the U.S.
Seniors Are Erasing the Line Between Medical & Recreational Cannabis Use [Leafly]
But a new study that looked at marijuana consumers across Colorado suggests a growing number of Americans aged 60 and older are using cannabis regularly both for medical and recreational purposes. Among those in the study who say they use it medicinally, the majority appear to be self-medicating.
The Best New Cannabis Strains to Grow in 2019 [Leafly]
New cannabis strains sweep into vogue like fashion trends. Breeders constantly refine last year’s award-winners or combine them with something novel, setting off the next round of hype. As multibillion dollar commercialization ramps up, gardeners and smokers alike are enjoying a golden age of cannabis flavors and effects.
EVENTS
Medican Workshop, 22-23 June 2019, Nimbin NSW [Nimbin Hemp Embassy]
The Australian Cannabis Summit, 5-6 July 2019 – Cannabis Education Available to Everyone in Australia [Greendorphin]
We are very excited to announce the first of its kind Australian Cannabis Summit (ACS). Greendorphin Media has teamed up with PlantMed to bring cannabis education to anyone interested for free of charge. The Australian Cannabis Summit is going to be live streamed to your computer, smartphone or tablet screen.
FUNDRAISERS/CAMPAIGNS/PETITIONS/SURVEYS
Gateway to Good Health [Weed Billboards]
The war on drugs and in particular cannabis is well past its use by date in Australia and in an effort to keep the issue on the agenda we have started a weed billboards campaign. Excited that our first billboard is up just north of Grafton in NSW.
It costs $5K for a year, and we’d like to grow weed billboards all around the country. We’d love your help to spread the weed, so there is a gofundme site where you can donate.
Please send in billboard suggestions! We’d like this campaign to support messages from various cannabis and drug law reform groups around Australia, so it would be great to pool resources to create more and more new billboards. We are open to all creative ideas, and any size donations.
We just want an end to being criminals for using one of nature’s absolute gifts.
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
MardiGrass Hemposium 2019 Talks now Available on YouTube [Hemp Embassy]
‘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.