Embassy HEADLINES Issue 421
AUSTRALIA/NZ
Make a submission: Inquiry into the use of Cannabis in Victoria
$50 Million Hemp Fibre Processing Facility To Be Built In NSW
The plant will be capable of processing hemp fibre for use in concrete, building materials and plastics.
A look inside Australian Natural Therapeutics Group medical cannabis farm near Armidale
At an undisclosed location near the NSW university town of Armidale, an ex-banker, an IT specialist and a former lettuce farmer pull on protective coveralls, masks, hairnets, gloves and plastic boot covers in a roughly four-square metre space before they head in to work.
An ANTG staff member at the facility. Photo: Gareth Gardner 300720GGA24
Tasmania Alkaloids Cut Ribbon on New $10 Million Cannabis Facility
Controlled substance company Tasmania Alkaloids have announced the opening of their new secret facility in Westbury, Tasmania. Since 1975, the company has produced controlled substances, expanding further into medical cannabis production with a loan from Tasmania’s State Government.
NORTH AMERICA
Recycling cannabis related products in Canada just got easy
An in-store, free of cost program for retailers that helps recycle vape pens, cartridges and batteries.
Cannabis store approvals in Alberta surpass 500, many more on the way
The 509 stores approved by Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) are about half of all pot retail locations in the entire country, and are raising concerns about market oversaturation.
Automated weed vending machines rolling out across the U.S.
Last week in Colorado, “anna”, an automated weed vending machine, made its debut in a Strawberry Fields dispensary in Pueblo, reports the Denver Post. The machines will also be heading to Starbuds, a second Colorado-based dispensary, later this year.
Canada accused of cannabis ‘protectionism’ by blocking imports – even as exports soar
The Canadian government is being accused of insulating domestic cannabis producers against foreign competition by not allowing imports of medical marijuana. Canada has the most developed, and largest, medical cannabis market in the world – one that’s prized by international producers.
New York tobacco retailer expanding smokable hemp assortment
Smokable hemp sales are growing faster than sales of traditional tobacco and that smokable hemp appeals to older customers looking for non-intoxicating cannabis.
Massachusetts Division of Alcoholism Administration Funded By Cannabis Taxes
The majority of Massachusetts’ cannabis-derived tax revenue, $53.8 million out of $78.8 million, was allocated to the state’s Division of Alcoholism Administration.
WORLD
UK Athletes to Face Shorter Bans for Cannabis and Cocaine Use
Athletes who fail drug tests for cannabis and cocaine use are set to face shorter bans, due to changes in the UK Anti-Doping organisation’s new rules. The move will target drugs that are not intended to enhance the athlete’s performance.
Argentina To Open First Industrial Park For Cannabis Cultivation, Processing
San Pedro will soon open Argentina’s first industrial park for the production of cannabis and its derivatives, pending certain approvals from the country’s federal government.
Philippines Supreme Court speaks out on drug war: If rights trampled, it’s war vs people
In a stunning rebuke of the government’s war against drugs, the Supreme Court, acquitting a drug suspect, reminded law enforcers, “[W]hen the Constitution is disregarded, the battle waged against illegal drugs becomes a self-defeating and self-destructive enterprise. A battle waged against illegal drugs that tramples on the rights of the people is not a war on drugs; it is a war against the people,” it added.
Call for freer licence to grow cannabis in Bermuda
Many black people in Bermuda will be frozen out of legal cannabis use because they will be unable to afford an annual $750 licence fee for personal cultivation, campaigners warned yesterday.
U.K. family seeks judicial review of what they regard as rigid medical cannabis rules
The parents of a three-year-old, U.K. boy diagnosed with severe epilepsy are advocating for a groundbreaking judicial review of what they argue are inflexible rules that effectively block National Health Service (NHS) physicians from prescribing cannabis oil.
Thailand Hopes Medical Marijuana Will Boost its Lagging Economy.
SCIENCE & TECH
The Rise of CBD Strains
In the southern Oregon town of Takilma one farm is focused on developing new strains of cannabis. Their mission is not to breed for maximum THC or any particularly trendy flavor expression, but to create strains with an optimal balance between CBD, THC and various terpenes to achieve tailored effects.
Leafly’s cannabis homegrow
Watch as our writer Johanna Silver grows a set of marijuana plants from seed to harvest in her backyard.
Fermentation-Based Cannabinoid Production Ready for Industrial Scale
Lygos, Inc. announced this week it had finalized a novel process of cannabinoid production that uses proprietary fermentation and processing technology.
CBD Oil: A How-To Guide for At-Home Extractions
If you’re looking for a way to make your own oil, however, this article is here to show you how to extract CBD from a cannabis plant at home.
HEALTH
The Amazing Nutritional Value of Hemp and Why We Should All Be Using It
The most nutritional part of the plant is the seed – which can be eaten alone or used to make milk and oil. Hemp seed oil shouldn’t be confused with CBD oil, which is a concentrated oil from the plant.
Cannabidiol Improves Blood Flow to Brain’s Hippocampus
Cannabidiol (CBD) increases cerebral blood flow to areas of the brain associated with memory processing, specifically the hippocampus. The findings identify a potential mechanism for the use of CBD to treat disorders associated with altered memory processing, including Alzheimer’s disease, PTSD, and schizophrenia.
Researchers See Promising Results Using Cannabis Terpenes To Treat COVID-19
A recent study examining the use of cannabis terpene formulation – NT-VRL on inflammatory conditions has had some promising results in treating cytokine storm syndrome caused by COVID-19.
New Documentary Explores The Science Of Medical Cannabis
“CBD Nation” shines a light on the science behind medical cannabis…and the people who depend on it.
Clinical trial shows potential of cannabis to lessen sickle cell disease pain
People who live with sickle cell disease suffer chronic pain. In this clinical trial co-led by University of California, Irvine, researcher Kalpna Gupta and Dr Donald Abrams of UC San Francisco, cannabis appears to be a safe and potentially effective treatment.
POLITICS & LAW
Drive to Free Black Woman With Marijuana Life Sentence Exposes “Habitual Criminal” Laws
Mississippi’s habitual criminal laws have had devastating effects. A November 2019 analysis revealed that over 2,600 people have been incarcerated under these statutes: 906 people were serving 20 years or more in prison, and 439 people were serving life sentences. There are 78 people who are serving life sentences only for drug charges. The racial disparities are also shocking: 75 percent of people serving 20 years or more under these laws are Black men.
You can help free America’s cannabis prisoners. Here’s how
The Last Prisoner Project works to free people who are suffering under extreme sentences handed down during the height of the war on drugs—and also some who were just sentenced last week, last month, or last year.
CULTURE & HISTORY
Cannabis Use in Ancient Times – From Nomadic Warrior Women to Egyptian Pharaohs, and beyond
Did you know cannabis has been trendy for millennia and was also used regularly by our ancient ancestors?
A Conversation With Tommy Chong
In this interview, Chong, counter-culture legend and industry veteran, shares details on his new retail venture, offers his advice for others in the business, and reflects on his place in cannabis history.
What is hash?
Hash comes from trichomes, the ripe, resinous gland heads that line the surface of cannabis plants. Processes to achieve resin separation have been practiced for centuries, however, the rapid rise of cannabis legalization in the Western world has brought new methods in hash preparation that are sweeping legal markets by storm.
BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
Study: After-Hours Cannabis Use Has No Negative Impact On Worker Performance
A San Diego State University study found that after-hours cannabis use has no negatives effects on workplace performance but did find a negative correlation between those who used cannabis before and during work with task performance.
US Cannabis Industry Employs More People Than Drinks Industry
Legal cannabis in the US will support almost 300,000 jobs by the end of 2020, according to the 2020 Marijuana Business Factbook, making it the countries fastest growing industry.
Cheaper pot might be the way to go for Canadian producers
It turns out selling your cannabis for cheap is a novel way to win customers.
U.S. Cannabis Price – Which Is The Most Expensive State?
Cannabis is the new must-have product in legal States, opening up an industry that didn’t exist before, and diverting money from the longstanding cannabis black market. But change doesn’t always come cheap, and depending on where you live, the taxes are steep, and the price of cannabis is skyrocketing.
EVENTS
Medical Cannabis Cultivation Webinar [Online]
Wednesday, Sep 2, 2020 07:00 PM AEST: Join us as we speak to Australian cultivators growing medicinal cannabis. We will discuss strains, lighting, fertiliser and exactly what it takes to grow a medical crop.
3 Important Patient Treatment Statistics [online]
Will Australia legalise recreational cannabis within 2 years? A Conversation with Fiona Patten MP [online]
What are the trends in cannabis clinical research? [online]
Thursday, 3 September 2020 7:00 pm AEST: Join one of Israel’s lead Government scientist as she discusses trends in Israel’s cannabis research field.
Drug Policy Public Discussion Forum [Sydney]
Australian Medicinal Cannabis Conference 2020 [Melbourne]
Hemp, Health & Innovation Expo Postponed until 2021!
Garden States – Cultivating Plant Knowledge Postponed until 2021!
FUNDRAISERS/CAMPAIGNS/PETITIONS/SURVEYS
Nimbin Hemp Embassy’s New Online Store
New Parliamentary Friends of Medicinal Cannabis Group
Legalise Cannabis Queensland launched!
2020 Cannabis Awards are here!
Help Entheogenesis Australis [EGA] fundraise for a new website
Make a submission: Inquiry into the use of Cannabis in Victoria
Petition: Help Stop Suicides – Legalise Cannabis Now
Story Lab: It’s time for a new conversation about drugs in Australia.
Queensland’s prison crisis: Some modest proposals
Australian Senate committee issues report on medical cannabis barriers
117 Public Submissions for Senate Inquiry
Scott Morrison (ScoMo): Legalise Recreational Cannabis
HELP GROW OUR CANNABIS CAMPAIGN
Next stop Canberra – we’re taking the fight to Parliament!
Inquiry into drug driving reform
EDUCATION
Voices from the Real World – Medical Cannabis Testimonials
As the struggle over medical cannabis intensifies and patients find themselves increasingly on the periphery of a debate in which their role should be central, we reproduce – with thanks – a selection of anonymous testimonials from individuals using cannabis medicines throughout Australia between late 2015 and 2020. The collection continues to grow . . . Got any true life mediweed stories of your own? If you’d like to include your personal experience among these important voices, please email info@hempembassy.net We’d love to hear from you!