TOP STORIES
Global survey of cannabis cultivators
The International Cannabis Cultivation Survey has gone live! This anonymous online survey aims to better our collective understanding of small-scale cannabis cultivation and culture around the world. To take the survey or find out more, head to the website: https://worldwideweed.nl/
NSW Police increases roadside drug testing
Police have spent millions of dollars to nearly triple the number of roadside drug tests conducted in the past four years, as the number of positive results as a proportion of tests completed has fallen and drug-related road deaths have stabilised.
Psychedelics and the TGA: What journalists need to know
Over the past several weeks, a series of misleading news reports have suggested that both MDMA and psilocybin could soon be made ‘legal.’ This reporting aims to dramatize news of an application made by Mind Medicine Australia (MMA) seeking to make Schedule 8 entries for MDMA and psilocybin, which currently only have entries as Schedule 9 drugs.
AUSTRALIA/NZ
The missing question from New Zealand’s cannabis debate: what about personal freedom and individual rights?
The issue of personal liberties has traditionally been at the forefront of cannabis reform activism. At the heart of all public health laws is the conflict between the powers of the state and the individual’s liberty, privacy and autonomy.
NZ Election 2020: School principals split over legalising cannabis
Principals’ Federation president Perry Rush has drawn a storm of protest from some of his own members after endorsing the legalisation of cannabis in next month’s referendum.
Aussie cannabis industry set for painful shakeup – report
Australia’s battered medical cannabis industry is set for even more pain as a looming price war will force some companies out of business, a new industry report predicts.
The Help End Marijuana Prohibition (HEMP) Party’s Submission to the Victorian Inquiry into Cannabis
NORTH AMERICA
CBD food market identified as major Canadian economic recovery opportunity – new report on food and beverages
BC to allow “small-scale producers” to deliver cannabis directly to licensed retailers as well as farm-gate sales beginning in 2022
“I think it’s fantastic they have made this decision,” says Dunn. “It sounds like they are really incentivizing small scale, micro cultivators to join the market and get their products out and make a name for themselves”
Canadian Cannabis Sales Accelerate in July to $232 Million
Overall cannabis sales grew 15% sequentially to C$231.6 million, up 116% from a year ago. The report detailed substantial growth in Ontario, which grew 23% to C$60.3 million, with the other large provinces, Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec all experiencing solid growth as well:
Arizona Company Now Has the Largest Indoor Cannabis Facility in the U.S.
Copperstate Farms now has the largest indoor cannabis facility in the United States with 40 acres under glass. It is also the top employer in Snowflake, Arizona. The company is the largest producer of bulk distillate in the state, supplying a third of the Arizona market, and currently has more than 50 medical marijuana strains in development and 50 in production.
Changing Quickly: Which U.S. States Are Looking to Legalize Cannabis Next?
In the US, between legal medical programs, and recreational adult-use programs, more than half of America’s 50 states now allow some kind of cannabis use, with seemingly a new one joining in every day. Which states haven’t made the plunge yet, but are on the way? Read on.
Oregon wildfires destroyed at least seven marijuana businesses: ‘confirmed total loss’
The wildfires appear to have directly affected a tiny percentage of the state’s 2,300 licensees but it’s too soon to know whether that destruction and other indirect impacts might have a broader effect on this year’s crop.
Americans will spend $60 billion on illicit marijuana this year, report says
Studies estimate that between 12% to 14% of adult Americans enjoy cannabis. That’s a massive group of consumers—and they spend billions of dollars every year on marijuana. Unfortunately, according to a new report, more than 71% of that spending goes to the illicit market, due to various forms of cannabis prohibition enforced in 39 states.
South Dakota aims to legalize cannabis like never before
This November, South Dakotans will try to do something no state has done before—legalize both medical and adult-use cannabis at once. What are the chances? How are the bills written? Why bother with both? Our legalization guide has answers.
A new analysis by the campaign seeking to pass a marijuana legalization ballot measure in South Dakota shows that nearly one out of 10 of all arrests in the state are for cannabis, and that enforcement is carried out in a racially disproportionate manner.
New campaign makes push for interstate cannabis commerce in U.S.
The Alliance for Sensible Markets has released a plan under which the group will urge governors across the country to enter interstate compacts in order to facilitate the movement of cannabis between states where pot has been legalized.
Illinois Revises Marijuana Licenses Process After Complaints
Illinois tweaked how business owners seeking recreational marijuana licenses can apply following complaints that the process favored politically connected and rich applicants over minorities and veterans who were supposed to benefit.
2020 U.S. Hemp Season Sees Farmers Battling Thieves Again
Last year was a shocker for hemp theft in the USA and it’s not clear if this year has any better given increasing awareness and education around the fact that hemp and marijuana are not the same thing. Hemp’s levels of THC, the intoxicating cannabinoid, are so low it has zero recreational value. The number of media reports this year does seem to be lower even though hemp cultivation is becoming more prevalent; so perhaps the message is getting through – but the season isn’t over yet.
British Columbia to reserve shelf space for Indigenous cannabis producers
The program will highlight cannabis products produced by B.C. Indigenous producers in BC Cannabis Stores, helping consumers easily identify those products and make purchasing decisions.
Manitoba weighs on-site cannabis consumption, but not for smoking
Manitoba’s provincial cannabis store regulator is considering a new type of cannabis business license that would allow on-site consumption of ingestible and topical marijuana products, but would bar smoking or vaping.
WORLD
In Luxembourg 630 patients consume 270kg of medical cannabis per year
Obtaining a prescription is not easy. Patients must have a serious illness, often at an advanced stage, experience severe pain, or have symptoms that stimulate fear.
UK regulatory landscape: import and export of medical cannabis
While doctors are now allowed to prescribe medicinal cannabis in certain circumstances, many patients still face an uphill struggle in obtaining this medicine, which can effectively treat or alleviate the symptoms of some medical conditions. One of the many hurdles to overcome is the slow and bureaucratic process of importing medicinal cannabis, which runs paradoxically to the UK’s position as the world’s largest exporter.
Pakistan to Legalize Hemp Cultivation and Production
In what it describes as “a landmark decision,” on September 1st, the government of Pakistan announced its intention to legalize hemp, effective immediately.
Why is India persecuting Rhea Chakraborty when Demands for Legalisation of Cannabis are Growing?
The investigation into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput has revealed evidence of usage of marijuana by him and his girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty, who has been arrested for the same. Cannabis or marijuana is a native Indian plant that finds place in Indian culture.
Japanese couple face arrest for allegedly posting 800 pro-weed messages online
The content was accessible to approximately 80 individuals.
Croatia Company Plans Solar-Powered Hemp Boat, Showing Versatility of Cannabis
With all this talk about the new global medicinal cannabis market, it’s easy to overlook its versatile sister industry – the industrial hemp market. Hemp markets may be slow to open for some countries, but one Croatian company is showing just how useful hemp is, and just how many things it can do.
Senator from Kenya calls for legalisation of bhang
Senator Ledama Olekina has called for the law to be amended to legalise cannabis use for medical purposes. The senator shared a video on Tuesday in which he is in the middle of a farm, full of bhang while on tour in Lithuania. Lithuania has legalised the drug and Kenya should also amend its laws so that the drug can be used to reduce pain in cancer patients.
South Africa’s Parliament is accepting public input on a marijuana reform bill
Macedonian Company Finally Wins EU-GMP Certification
In Macedonia, cannabis is not legal for recreational use at all, and there are no decriminalization or personal use laws to boot. However, in 2016, Macedonia did approve a bill for medical cannabis within the country.
French Committee Pushes for Cannabis Legalization
Israel medical cannabis patient count hits record as imports soar
The number of authorized medical cannabis patients in Israel has more than doubled in the past two years – topping 70,000 – despite persistent supply and regulatory challenges, according to new data from the Israeli Medical Cannabis Agency (IMCA).
UK food regulators reject CBD as narcotic, stand by novel food deadline
Great Britain has rejected the European Commission’s preliminary stance that hemp flower-derived CBD should be regulated as a narcotic.
Paraguay Grows it, Brazil Takes it… Will New Cannabis Laws Change Anything?
South America is becoming a new hotspot for changing cannabis laws, and international cannabis trading. One of the biggest providers of cannabis in South America is Paraguay, with much of its product being moved to Brazil. But it’s all black-market. Can the new rules change this?
SCIENCE & TECH
Cannabis Resource
This in-depth booklet covers different types of cannabis products, routes of administration, dealing with the munchies and much more.
How weed farming is destroying the planet
A total ban on large-scale cannabis cultivation is the only way to tackle the environmental crisis. The harmful methods being used en masse are destroying our land.
Leafly’s cannabis homegrow
It’s flower time! This week Johanna covers flowering essentials like plant anatomy and what you should (or shouldn’t) do to encourage your beautiful buds to grow into their best selves.
HEALTH
Patients prefer medicinal cannabis in chemotherapy trial
The Effects of Cannabis On Your Hormones
I want to focus mainly on how cannabis can affect your hormones, primarily through the pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal glands, and the reproductive system.
Australian Primary Hemp launches hemp-based products aimed at mitigating COVID-19
Seeking to take advantage of the growing trend of wearing face masks, Australian Primary Hemp (ASX: APH) has announced the launch of a hemp-based face mask personal protective equipment (PPE) product.
What Is CBN: Inside the Cannabinoid That Relieves Insomnia
Before people used THC or CBD for healing, they used CBN. This cannabinoid helps assist with sleep and develops from aged THC.
The Scientist (2015) Medical Marijuana: Studying For a Higher Purpose – Prof. Dr. Raphael Mechoulam
“The Scientist” is a documentary that traces the story of Nobel prize nominee Dr. Raphael Mechoulam from his early days as a child of the Holocaust in Bulgaria, through his immigration to Israel, and his career as the chief investigator into the chemistry and biology of the world’s most misunderstood plant. Dr. Mechoulam ascertained that THC interacts with the largest receptor system in the human body, the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
POLITICS & LAW
AOC: “Cannabis should be legalized and records should be expunged ASAP”
Democrats are in favour of cannabis reform, but split on decriminalization or legalization.
Ensuring Continued Momentum for Federal Drug Policy Reform: A Roadmap for the Next Administration
The Drug Policy Alliance published a transition memo on drug policy issues for the next president.
Current drug policy is failing, it’s time we treat addiction as a health issue instead of a criminal justice one
While we continue to isolate and stigmatise drug use the problem will only get worse. We need to reform the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act and introduce safe drug consumption rooms.
Federal Courts Are Going Backward On Cannabis
In 2020, state courts still seem to be a good bet for cannabis businesses in cannabis-legal states. But federal courts are sliding backward. A trio of cases in Washington, Oregon and Nevada show why.
Registered Cannabis Patient Cited for Possession While Hiking on Federal Land
Freddy is just the latest to fall into the gap between state and federal policy on marijuana usage. It’s a gap that’s especially relevant in Arizona, where over a third of the state is federal land, and one that can escalate a simple recreation issue like a missing hiking permit into something more serious.
CULTURE & HISTORY
SpeakEasy Growers – A Family Farming Legacy
Famous Historical Figures Who Used Marijuana
People, including famous historical figures, have been using marijuana for medicinal and recreational purposes for thousands of years. In this video we take a look at 8 of our favorite famous historical figures who used marijuana in the past.
BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
Playboy Launches First Range of CBD Products
The company has announced the launch of the CBD by Playboy range, with an aim to boost sexual wellness and intimacy.
Pot-infused products fail to draw in new consumers, survey finds
The data also showed that interest in cannabis-infused products like edibles and gummies, aimed at attracting customers deterred from inhaling pot, has stagnated over the first half of the year.
The Coin Shortage Is Further Highlighting Cannabis Industry’s Payment Problem
While most brick-and-mortar retailers have been instituting contactless transactions to meet changing customer expectations and prevent the spread of the virus, cannabis dispensaries in the U.S. are still largely operating with cash only. They cannot accept major credit cards because marijuana is illegal under federal law. And now they’re facing a nationwide coin shortage.
Australia’s Largest Database of Cannabis Companies
CBD Oil to hemp, producers to importers, retailers to non-profits, and more. If they work with the cannabis plant and conduct business in Australia, you’ll find them here.
With more than 420+ cannabis companies across 50+ categories, The Green List helps hemp and cannabis companies to promote their products, services, and events online.
EVENTS
Medical Cannabis Live Series – AU & NZ Panel [Online]
Thursday, 1 October 2020 7:00 pm AEST: Join an esteemed panel of industry leaders as they discuss key commercial insights about the Australian and New Zealand cannabis markets.
Cannabis and Mental Health – Dr. Jamie Rickcord [Online]
Thursday, 8 October 2020 7:30 pm AEST: Join Dr. Jamie Rickcord as he discusses his insights into using cannabis as a treatment for mental health during COVID-19.
Drug Policy Public Discussion Forum [Sydney]
FUNDRAISERS/CAMPAIGNS/PETITIONS/SURVEYS
Cannabis law reform – SIGN THE PETITION TO QLD PARLIAMENT
TGA proposes over-the-counter sales of CBD products
Nimbin Hemp Embassy’s New Online Store
Global survey of cannabis cultivators
Inquiry into the use of Cannabis in Victoria
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Michael Balderstone’s Submission to Victoria’s Cannabis Inquiry
- The Help End Marijuana Prohibition (HEMP) Party’s Submission to the Victorian Inquiry into Cannabis