Embassy HEADLINES Issue 399

AUSTRALIA/NZ

Nimbin MardiGrass [and most other events] Postponed!

We’ve reluctantly decided to postpone MardiGrass 1-3 May 2020 due to the uncertain times surrounding the corona virus. The plan is to let things settle and move the dates forward once we are in the clear. Tickets will be fully refunded or carried over to the next MardiGrass. Scomo leaves us no choice anyway and lots of people need to make travel arrangements. So hopefully see you all later in the year, or at the worst, May 2021. We may do some MardiGrass events online over the Mayday weekend so keep an eye out for that as we go truly global.

Cannabis Eradication Program 2020 seizes 5,818 cannabis plants

The CEP is an annual operation, led by detectives from the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad, which targets the outdoor cultivation of cannabis throughout Northern NSW.

Nearly $12 million worth of cannabis plants destroyed in major bust

Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad came across the huge haul during this year’s Cannabis Eradication Program, which targets the outdoor cultivation of cannabis throughout Northern NSW. During the program, detectives seized 5,818 plants, with an estimated potential street value of $11.6 million.

Coronavirus: Police won’t test for alcohol, drugs due to virus risks

Police across the country have stopped conducting static roadside tests of drivers for alcohol and drugs because of risks to officers and the public from the coronavirus.

Cannabis medicine could help stop insomnia, researchers hope

The Woolcock Institute of Medical Research has partnered with the Lambert initiative to trial a new medicine containing two chemicals from the cannabis plant.

Medical Cannabis company kicks off Perth medicinal cannabis trial

MGC Pharmaceuticals has teamed up with the University of Notre Dame in Perth to commence a new clinical trial for its “CogniCann” phytocannabinoid-derived medicine, after the first bulk shipment of the medicine arrived in Australia. The company said CogniCann was developed with the specific aim to treat symptoms associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Study proves pot reduces a very specific kind of cancer pain

Cannabis can reduce breast and prostate cancer pain by well over a third, according to results from a phase one clinical trial by Medlab Clinical (ASX:MDC).

Medical Cannabis company drafts former AFL star Liam Picken to its advisory board

Australian medical cannabis company Impression Healthcare (ASX: IHL) has taken yet another assertive step towards completing its clinical research program into concussion and traumatic brain injury (TBI) by drafting in former professional AFL footballer Liam Picken into its ranks. The 33-year-old former AFL star will assist with the development of Impression’s IHL-216A formulation for the treatment of concussion and traumatic brain injury, after a star-studded career that saw him playing 198 games for the Western Bulldogs.

NORTH AMERICA

Arkansas medical marijuana sales top $50 million

According to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, patients have spent $50.7 million on 7,932 pounds of medical marijuana since the first dispensary opened in May 2019.

Bill Could Reduce Cannabis Taxes for California Shops and Consumers

Cannabis retailers are hoping Assembly Bill 1948 will bring some tax relief to the industry as retailers compete with unlicensed illicit shops that sell products without taxes. If passed, the bill would reduce the current 15 percent excise tax to 11 percent and would also suspend the cultivation tax until 2023.

Large cannabis operators positioned to dominate potential Arizona recreational cannabis market, shut out small businesses

Some experts worry that the industry-backed recreational cannabis ballot initiative – the Smart and Safe Arizona Act – favors existing MMJ license holders and would shut out small businesses, which would enable large multistate operators to dominate.

Cannabis Legalization in South Carolina: Where It Stands Now and Where It’s Headed

The South Carolina Compassionate Care Act was scheduled to be voted on by state lawmakers in April of 2019, but the vote was tabled because some amendments to the bill are still being decided on. Since then, the issue of medical cannabis in South Carolina has been stalled, and the vote was pushed to 2020.

New Law Brings Texas One Step Closer to Legalizing Marijuana

Texas is one step closer to joining the 34 states where medicinal marijuana is legal after state legislators passed a law to expand the conditions that can be treated with medicinal cannabis. Although the law narrowly defines which conditions can be treated with medicinal marijuana, it is a significant expansion.

New York Expediting Marijuana Legalization Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the coronavirus outbreak has not stopped his intention to legalize recreational marijuana in New York. Because the government doesn’t know how the coronavirus will affect their ability to convene and pass legislation, Cuomo talked of an “accelerated” budget process in the coming days to push through bills.

Alabama Senate Approves Medical Cannabis Bill

After a five-hour debate, the Alabama Senate passed a full-plant medical cannabis bill in a 22-10 vote last week; the bill, however, faces an uncertain future in the Alabama House. If passed into law, the bill would allow patients to purchase medical cannabis at 34 access points throughout the state. However, only pills, patches, and topicals would be available under the proposal.

San Francisco cannabis dispensaries win reprieve from coronavirus shutdown order

San Francisco officials are allowing cannabis businesses to remain open while many other stores are shut down over the next three weeks as the city goes to extreme lengths to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Illinois allowing curbside medical marijuana sales until March 30

Illinois is allowing cannabis dispensaries to sell to medical cannabis to patients outside a limited access area until March 30, provided they follow certain guidelines. The guidelines will permit a dispensary to sell medical cannabis on its property or on a public walkway or curb adjacent to the dispensary.

NFL to Stop Player Suspensions for Positive Marijuana Tests

The National Football League will put a stop to suspending players for testing positive on marijuana tests as one of the major points on the league’s recent Collective Bargaining Agreement. For one, there will be more relaxed rules on drug testing as the window for such tests will be narrowed from four months to two weeks at the beginning of training camp. This should put a decrease in the number of players subject to testing.

New Jersey Supreme Court Rules Employers Must Accommodate Workers’ Off-Duty Medical Cannabis Use

The decision marks a shift in the courts’ view of medical cannabis in the state.

Marijuana equity programs in Massachusetts helping bridge social, economic gaps within cannabis industry

So far the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission has issued four licenses to minority-owned businesses or to those disproportionately affected by the war on drugs.

Would edibles-only cannabis cafes work in Canada?

While industry and government tout legal edible consumption venues, longtime advocates question whether the model would work.

WORLD

Holland REOPENS its cannabis cafes after coronavirus lockdown saw huge queues outside coffee shops, prompting government U-turn

Dutch cannabis users had something to cheer today when the country re-opened its famous ‘coffee shops’ just two days after shutting them over coronavirus fears. The weed suppliers will now be open for takeaway purchases during Holland’s virus lockdown after a Dutch government U-turn on Monday night. Cannabis smokers had queued around the block to stockpile cannabis when the ban was initially announced on Sunday, putting a twist on the usual search for pasta and toilet paper.

Saint Vincent: Illicit Cannabis Cultivators Get an Amnesty Offer

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has started its long-awaited cannabis cultivation amnesty program, a major move to pivot cultivators of illicit cannabis into the legal industry.

One Country Just Legalized Medical Marijuana

Malawi is the latest African country to change its laws on cannabis.

UK’s Health Service Urged to Consider New Medical Cannabis Guidance

Medical cannabis is being unfairly denied to British patients, according to the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society (MCCS), a UK expert group that provides a confidential, independent network for clinicians working with medical cannabis.

Germany launches application process for distribution of domestically produced cannabis flower

Germany is looking for a distributor to service the government’s cannabis agency. The winning company will be responsible for shipping all domestically produced medical cannabis flower to pharmacies. The requirements and awarding criteria for the post indicate that companies with experience distributing narcotic drugs – and those able to offer a low price for their services – will have the highest chances of winning. No cannabis-specific experience is required.

Lebanon set to legalise medical, industrial cannabis cultivation

Critics say draft law fails to address criminalisation of drug use.

Top 4 Countries Leading in Cannabis Research

The Netherlands, Israel, Canada and Czech Republic.

HEALTH & SCIENCE

CBD Pillows – Is the CBD Hype Getting Out of Control?

Among the many potential benefits of cannabidiol (CBD), improved sleep may be one of the more popular reasons for giving it a go. Although many people might opt for a simple CBD oil tincture or capsule – or maybe even a CBD-infused gummy bear – some companies are taking things a step further (and, some may argue, too far). That’s right, we are now seeing companies release CBD pillows…

Cannabinoid CBM identified as potential treatment for type 2 diabetes

Cannabimovone was shown to increase sensitivity to insulin.

CBD Is The Most Researched Wellness Trend On Social Media

There are over 500,000 Google scholarly articles on CBD and millions of Instagram photos tagging the hyper-popular compound.

Cannabis Advocates Call On Governors to Protect Patients During Coronavirus

Americans for Safe Access has issued a letter to state governors and medical cannabis program directors calling on the officials to make special allowances for medical cannabis patients amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Cannabis Researcher Receives $3.9M to Study Terpenes and Pain

The National Institutes of Health National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health have awarded a $3.9 million grant to the University of California, Los Angeles Cannabis Research Initiative to study whether terpenes can reduce the amount of opioid medication a person needs to lessen pain.

New Study Shows Cannabis Could Help with Fibromyalgia Symptoms

There have been a number of studies assessing the efficacy of cannabis in treating chronic pain. However, few of these studies focused specifically on Fibromyalgia. Yet, a new study, published in Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology, has yielded results that may support the use of medical cannabis in Fibromyalgia.

LIFESTYLE

Coronavirus Hits Colorado FlyHi Festival & New Zealand Medcan Summit

More major cannabis events have been postponed or canceled due to the coronavirus.

Coronavirus and Cannabis Conventions – List of Cancelled Industry Events

Here’s a look at some of the major cannabis events that will be experiencing scheduling changes over the next few months.

How Cannabis Dispensaries Can Adjust to Social Distancing

With COVID-19 taking the world by storm, here are some general steps that cannabis dispensaries can consider to help keep their patients and employees safe.

It’s Stoner Madness: Leafly’s ‘What’s The Best Way To Get High?’ Tournament

Greetings and welcome to Leafly’s Stoner Madness—a cannabracket challenge where we’ll compare your favorite cannabis consumption methods in order to answer life’s most burning question: What is the best way to get high from weed?

POLITICS & LAW

Could Bernie Sanders Legalise Cannabis on his First Day as President?

Despite the US Presidential election still being almost eight months away, Party Candidate elections mean that candidates’ policies are already gaining a lot of interest. Policies on Cannabis are particularly among the frontrunners of the Democratic candidacy as they represent a stark difference of opinion on the issue of legalisation.

This book assembles an international who’s who of cannabis scholars who bring together the best available evidence and expertise to address questions such as: How should we evaluate the models of cannabis legalization as they have been implemented in several jurisdictions in the past few years? Which scenarios for future cannabis legalization have been developed elsewhere, and how similar/different are they from the models already implemented? What lessons from the successes and failures experienced with the regulation of other psychoactive substances (such as alcohol, tobacco, pharmaceuticals and “legal highs”) can be translated to the effective regulation of cannabis markets?

FDA Re-Opens Public Comments On CBD Regulation

Officials from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are seeking more public feedback on cannabidiol (CBD) and have re-opened a public comment period from April 2019 to gather more information.

Do You Still Need a Medical Marijuana Card in 2020?

Though the numbers increase every year, not all US states have legalized recreational marijuana — most merely permit the medicinal use of marijuana to treat various physical and mental ailments. Yet, even in states where recreational weed is legal, plenty of residents pursue medical marijuana permits, despite the fact that they can obtain recreational weed without the hassle of doctors’ appointments and prescriptions.

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY

COVID-19 restrictions sparking a run on cannabis stores

As governors and mayors across North America order the shutdown of bars, restaurants, and gathering events, cannabis stores are experiencing a dramatic surge in sales that started over the weekend and now continues into the work week. (Leafly has an updated page tracking store closures, openings, and new delivery allowances.)

COVID-19 could be a boon for cannabis retail

While the pandemic exasperates the strain on producers, there are signs people are stockpiling weed along with their towers of toilet paper.

How coronavirus exposed fragility in the marijuana vape supply chain

With nearly all hardware for cannabis vape products sourced from China, the coronavirus outbreak highlights how delicate the supply chain is for marijuana businesses in the sector. Industry analysts estimate 90%-95% of all components that comprise a cannabis vaporizer are manufactured in factories in Shenzhen, China.

Little Green Pharma obtains expanded medicinal cannabis licence

Having acquired the new licences, Little Green said it expects first planting at its expanded cultivation facility to take place in next quarter with as many as nine flowering rooms, and at full capacity, is able to produce sufficient cannabis flower to manufacture more than 110,000 bottles of medicinal cannabis oil every year.