Have questions about growing cannabis? Our own cultivation expert, DannyDanko, is here to help with all of your marijuana grow concerns. Today's question is about protecting your eyes in the growroom.
Master chef Miguel Trinidad creates his cuisine with mild doses of THC for secret dinners.
Southern Tyrol is a cultural crossroads. It sits in and trilingual region, nestled between the Latin and German parts of Europe along with a third group, the Ladins, who speak a native language that’s scattered throughout the Alps. It’s in this mountainous melting pot of open borders and varied peoples that a cannabis social club is promoting wider access to the plant.
Despite its location in what’s considered to be conservative area, the Cannabis Social Club Bolzano sees the mountains and valleys of South Tyrol an ideal home. Having opened about nine months ago, the club fits the region’s ecological sensibilities and its affinity for healthy food and natural medicines.
Will the quiet social cannabis revolution proceed? It could. Local Health Minister Martha Stocker is slated to request permission from the Italian government to grow medical cannabis for local needs. If she does, it would be Italy's first request of this kind made by a local authority.
Peter Grünfelder and Stefano Balbo are the helm of Cannabis Social Club Bolzano. Their aim is to improve cannabis access for patients and work with authorities to allow cannabis cultivation cooperatives. Leafly met them at the 'Festival della Canapa' (Cannabis Festival) in Forli on June 18.
Balbo is also vice president of the Italian ACT, the association for therapeutic cannabis, and has been receiving Sativex, the British medicinal cannabis spray, on prescription since 13 years.
When he first tried to obtain a prescription, a provincial official told Balbo he could not get cannabis, citing the influence of the Vatican. So he decided to write to the Vatican directly. The reply that gave him at least some hope. Medicinal cannabis use could be allowed “once the civil and religious duties are fulfilled,” the Vatican wrote. Balbo has been fighting the battle for medicinal cannabis in Italy for years.
Peter Grünfelder, president of Cannabis Social Club Bolzano
Peter Grünfelder, the social club’s president, is a relative newcomer. “When I met Stefano in 2015, I was happy to find a person who was really active on this issue,” he told Leafly. “I didn't know anything about medical cannabis then, but today you could call me an expert, and I know more [about it] than most doctors.”
Grünfelder said he and Balbo work well together “because we seem to reflect the local reality. Stefano's mother tongue is Italian, mine is German.”
It's not easy to battle misconceptions and win over politicians after decades of criminalization and discrimination, Grünfeld explained. When it comes to prohibition, he said, “It's in their bones.” The group actively lobbies politicians and regulators in an effort to expand access, and it’s also is promoting a petition for cannabis legalization that was launched by Italy’s Radical Party.
Membership of the Cannabis Social Club Bolzano is, in principle, open to any adult. “But since medical cannabis is legal in Italy — while any growing, possession and consumption is criminalized — we can at the moment only help patients,” Grünfeld explained. “We deliberately concentrate on medical cannabis, because we cannot be so easily attacked if we do.”
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota's final two medical marijuana dispensaries are set to open Friday, bringing all eight clinics online ahead of a critical expansion that could bring thousands more patients into the program in its second year.
Lawmakers gave the state's two manufacturers time to open the eight locations required by the law that legalized medical marijuana; just two were open when the program launched last summer, both in the Twin Cities. LeafLine Labs' final two clinics opening Friday — in St. Paul and Hibbing — brings the program to full strength, shortening drives for patients and their parents.
Friday also marks the first full year of legal medical marijuana sales, marked by high costs and lackluster patient enrollment that came with one of the most restrictive laws in the country. No plant form is allowed, and only patients with a handful of severe conditions like cancer, seizure disorders or multiple sclerosis can qualify. In a month, however, patients with intractable pain will be added to the program — a condition that's dominated medical marijuana business in other states and could boost Minnesota's registration beyond the roughly 1,500 at last state count.
The new shops are a boon to people like Angie Weaver, who has made 400-mile round trips from her home in Hibbing to Eagan, the closest spot to buy the medical marijuana that she calls "a miracle" for treating her daughter Amelia's severe seizure condition. As of Friday, it will be just a few miles down the road.
"This location opening up for northern Minnesota is so important," Weaver said. "It was just immediate for Amelia. It's the best treatment we've ever found."
The new locations bookend a rapid development for the program — just three dispensaries were open for much of the first year in Eagan, Minneapolis and Rochester, and clinics in Moorhead, St. Cloud and Bloomington recently opened.
The expansion also sticks the companies that grow, refine and sell marijuana products with additional costs. But officials from LeafLine and Minnesota Medical Solutions, the state's second manufacturer, are confident their business is on the right track.
"We want to be in every corner in the state," LeafLine chief executive Andrew Bachman said. "We want to make this as convenient as possible. We want to make this as accessible as possible."
Kyle Kingsley, Minnesota Medical Solution's chief executive, said they've softened the financial blow of expansion by limiting hours at their newest locations; in Moorhead, they're open just a few times a month until the business picks up.
Kingsley and Bachman stressed medical marijuana's potential to replace narcotic drugs for pain treatment and sounded emboldened by the likely influx of patients with intractable pain starting Aug. 1, but neither really know what to expect. The two companies will start getting a better idea in July, when patients can begin getting a doctor's approval to register for the program.
Both companies have drawn up plans for expansion their production centers, where the marijuana is grown and cultivated into medicine.
"This is an industry that is based upon adaptability and agility," Bachman said.
Welcome to Leafly's cannabis products roundup for the month of June, where we take a look at a few of the many different products that are making a splash in the industry. From cleaning products and stash boxes to travel-friendly bongs and cooking classes, we've highlighted the interesting, innovative, or just plain fun items that caught our attention. You can find these products through our own Products section for further information.
First up for the month of June, we have 420 Wipes from the good folks at VapeXhale. These are perfect for sharing smoking devices without passing along germs, as they easily clean and sterilize the mouthpiece of any product you’re using before you hand it off to your friend. Now you can enjoy your group smoke sesh without worrying about swapping spit!
Cost: $6.95
Next we have the small holder from Marley Natural. This discrete yet beautifully-crafted wooden container is a stylish, functional option for carrying any of your pre-rolls or herbs. Beneath the smooth black walnut exterior lies a protective interior with minimal odor and maximum protection for the utmost discretion.
Cost: $30.00
This ingenious device from Roll-uh-Bowl is a foldable silicone water pipe to allow for the ultimate smoking portability, making it perfect for outdoor summer fun. It also comes with a Graffix downstem and bowl for quality hits. The silicone construction also makes for incredibly easy cleaning and storage as well. If you find yourself needing a quick toke but still want the bong experience, this is the product for you!
Cost: $34.99
If you find yourself in Denver, be sure to check out the Cannabis Cooking Class from 420 Tours. The class, taught by the Stir Cooking School, will help you and other adults learn how to add cannabis into your meals through a fun hands-on experience from a professional chef. You will come away from the class not only with a happy stomach, but also with a newfound knowledge of cannabis oil breakdowns and cannabis-infused cooking techniques!
Cost: $99.00 and up
Last but not least, we have some Pot Liquor Moonshine THC True Holistic Cannabis Tea for anyone who’s interested in consuming cannabis-infused beverages. Produced by True Holistic™ Co., this refreshing tea comes packed with 375mg of high quality THC, giving you maximum effects without sacrificing taste. Please note that this product is currently only available in California.
Cost: Varies; check California dispensaries to see if it's in stock
Stay tuned next month for a new roundup of cannabis products! Got a suggestion in mind? Send your favorite products to tips@leafly.com and we may include them in future roundups!
TORONTO (AP) — Canada launched a task force Thursday to study the regulation of recreational marijuana ahead of a legalization measure the government plans to send to parliament in the spring of 2017.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had promised to legalize the drug during his 2015 campaign.
Canada's Minister of Justice Jody Wilson-Raybould said that the task force will help devise a system regulating cannabis production, distribution and sales.
Anne McLellan, who will chair the task force, said they will be consulting with provincial and municipal governments, as well as with U.S. states like Colorado and Washington, where recreational marijuana is legal.
McLellan said there's been a deeper understanding of the cannabis landscape over the past decade.
"I think so many people have come to the conclusion, for so many reasons, that the current situation is not working and we need a better way forward," she said. "I have, myself, concluded that legalization with a regulatory regime, such as the task force will be exploring, is the way forward."
The task force is made up of experts in public health, substance abuse, law enforcement and justice.
The panel, whose recommendations will be made public, will have to report back to the government by November before legislation is introduced in 2017.
The government will also hold an online public consultation that will be open until the end of August.
The legislation will need to be voted on in Canada's House of Commons, but since the current ruling Liberals hold a majority of seats, the bill is expected to pass.
While it's still unclear what restrictions will be imposed on cannabis growers, Bill Blair, the parliamentary secretary to the justice minister, said the government had a responsibility to put in place legislation "to control the production, distribution and the consumption" of cannabis, especially to keep it out of the hands of children and criminals.
An illegal cannabis growing operation in rural Yamhill County, Ore., resulted in an arrest and the seizure of plants worth around $9 million early Tuesday, the The Oregonian reports.
The grow was found in the wetlands Dayton on wetlands near the Willamette River, as authorities have determined the operation was part of a Mexican drug trafficking organization, the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Wednesday morning.
The Yamhill County Interagency Narcotics Team conducted a two-month investigation into the growing operation. Due to safety concerns, the Oregon State Police SWAT were also called in for the tactical portion of the operation on Tuesday.
Manuel Madrigal, 42, was arrested at the grow on federal drug trafficking charges and transferred to the U.S. Marshals in Portland. Madrigal, who has a San Antonio, Tex., address, also has previous drug arrests.
Sheriff Tim Svenson said the illegal grow is a prime example of the black market’s stubborn presence in Oregon, despite the state’s legal adult-use market opening late last year.
“There is still a profit to be made in marijuana by these illegal organizations,” he said. “As long as this continues, we will need to remain diligent in our investigations to keep this money from being routed to other areas of criminal activity.”
The site was the first large-scale operation found in the county in several years, according to local reports.
Former NFL quarterback Jake Plummer, who played in the league for a decade with the Arizona Cardinals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Denver Broncos, opened up this week about the NFL’s drug problem.
Plummer, who has been retired from the league for a decade now, on Tuesday called out Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on BSN Denver over Jones’ views on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and the league’s marijuana policy.
“Like Jerry Jones, who says it’s ‘absurd’ that there would be a link between brain trauma, football and CTE,” Plummer said. “Shame on him for saying that, that billionaire asshole. It’s the worst thing in the world for a guy like that to say. That’s where we’re sitting; grown-ass men are asked to go out there for millions of dollars — which, yeah, it’s a lot of money— bang themselves around, and completely fuck their lives over for their forties and fifties. So yeah, poor football players is what I say. If you’re a grown-ass man, you should be allowed to make grown-ass decisions.”
You may recall Jones’ comments this offseason on the link between CTE and football. Jones responded in a way only the multi-billionaire could. Jones, quoted in the Washington Post, said he wanted studies to back up the link between CTE and football — like the ones reported by Dr. Bennet Omaulu, who was portrayed by Will Smith in the film “Concussion.” Omalu found CTE in the brains of five players in the early 2000s. Evidence of CTE was also found in the brains of 12 other former players between 2008 and 2010.
As Plummer noted, each person makes their own decision to play football. “They should be able to say, ‘I’m going to have some CBD and puff on this fatty, relax after a football game and take the pain away,'” he said. “Not get tested for it like Josh Gordon, who now can’t play the game that he’s been playing since he was a kid because he smokes marijuana. It didn’t derail him or cause him to underachieve from what I witnessed.
“He dominated the league for two straight years, and now he’s out of the league because he chose an alternative form of medicine.”
CBD — cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis — is something Plummer uses every day. Jake The Snake mentioned that one of his former teammates, Nate Jackson, introduced him to CBD as an alternative to the highly addictive painkillers many NFL doctors prescribe to players.
As Plummer mentioned to BSN Denver, players in the league don't really have a choice when a team doctor prescribes painkillers. The NFL is a revolving door for players; any scrub or star can get cut by any team at any time.
“It’s really hard to explain to the outside, because it’s like having a job and there’s constantly people coming to take your job,” Plummer explains. “If you’re in pain, and you can’t perform or if you’re not healthy, then someone is going to take your job.”
“I know a lot of guys that were using [Percocet] and [Vicodin] if that’s what they had to do to get through an NFL season,” Plummer added. “At that point, I wasn’t going to be the guy to say, ‘Hey man, this stuff is bad for you.’ I knew it was; I knew they knew it was but your job is being threatened and you’re going to do whatever it takes. There was, still is and always has been a pretty high use of whatever drug of choice it is to keep you on the field.”
Plummer’s comments continue the ongoing conversation about medical cannabis and the NFL. Former Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Eugene Monroe and current Tennessee Titans linebacker Derrick Morgan recently pushed to remove league sanctions against cannabis use. Monroe, who was released from the Ravens on June 15, shortly after his public comments, has been the most outspoken active player in support of medical cannabis in the NFL.
Header photo by Keith Allison
Pittsburgh is eager to ramp up for Marijuana businesses to enter the market. At a recent seminar held in the city and hosted by US Cannabis Pharmaceutical Research and Development, locals were able to learn about the new laws, how to navigate them, and what they need to know.
Similar to other states with medical marijuana, participants believe that this is a safer alternate to addictive pain medications currently prescribed. Pennsylvania passed their medical marijuana bill back in April and laws to allow cultivation will soon go into effect in the next 18-24 months.
More from The Pittsburgh Post Gazette:
“If done well, Pennsylvania has the chance to become one of the best medical marijuana markets in the country,” said Michael Patterson, CEO of US Cannabis Pharmaceutical Research and Development. He said New York has 20 medical marijuana dispensaries in operation, New Jersey has just five. However, Pennsylvania law will permit 175 licensed businesses.
“This will create thousands of good-paying jobs,” he said. “For example, every dispensary must have a physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant or pharmacist on site at all times when a dispensary is open to the public. … Each grower/processor location will have from 10 to 30 staff members and dispensaries will have anywhere from five to 20 employees initially. All of these jobs will be created over the next two years.
“Also, this will be the only time in history in which almost every applicant will have no experience. Medical marijuana levels the playing field. Anyone who wants to make a difference has the opportunity to work in this industry.”
The post Pittsburgh’s Marijuana Business Opportunities appeared first on Potbox.
This article is sponsored by PlusCBD Oil, a product line from CV Sciences (formerly CannaVest). CV Sciences is one of the leading suppliers and manufacturers of agricultural hemp-derived CBD bulk and finished products.
In February 2015, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued warning letters to six CBD manufacturers and resellers. In these letters were test results of products purveyed by these companies, all showing that their cannabidiol content was significantly less than advertised or did not exist at all [1]. The following year the FDA performed a similar investigation, citing an additional eight companies for making false product claims [2]. Such bad actors in the hemp industry are not the only companies involved in misleading business practices.
CV Sciences asked our trusted independent laboratory, SC Labs, to weigh in on this issue.
In the medical cannabis industry, there are also major discrepancies between the labeled dosage and actual cannabinoid content in many products infused with cannabis. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in June 2015 highlighted this practice and showed that over half of infused cannabis products purchased from three different metropolitan cities contained a lower cannabinoid content than what was on the label.
This wasn’t the only problem the study illuminated. A smaller fraction of these products actually contained a substantially higher amount of cannabinoids than advertised, which could increase the likelihood of a patient experiencing adverse effects [3]. Ingesting high doses of THC has been shown to induce states of anxiety and panic in inexperienced users because the metabolism of Δ9-THC by the liver leads to its conversion to 11-hydroxy-Δ9-THC. This metabolite is estimated to be three to seven times more potent than THC, making accurate dosing in the case of naïve users all the more crucial [4].
The trends for smoked products aren’t much better. A study released this month in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology showed similar results in e-cigarettes infused with medical cannabis, and found that the average product tested contained 42.6% THC and 0.5% CBD compared to the advertised 69% THC and 1% CBD [5].
These issues currently facing the industry are being dealt with through lab testing using methods like high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC). However, there too are many growing pains in this sector of the industry at present. Among them is a lack of standardization in testing methodology amongst labs in states without mandated testing, which contributes to significant variations in results. Also, while GC analysis can provide some information about cannabinoid content, it does not provide dependable data about the acidic cannabinoids because it involves the use of heat. This use of heat causes the acidic cannabinoids to convert to their neutral counterparts, which in turn gives an inaccurate measurement.
Ensuring your products have been tested with a lab that uses accepted methodologies is crucial to optimizing your intake and finding the right dose for you. Without accurate labeling backed by lab testing, it’s inevitable that we will see more cases of fraudulent practices and adverse effects.
It is precisely because of such uncertainty that CV Sciences ensures that every product is thoroughly tested at every stage of the process, utilizing potency, microbiologic, residual solvent, pesticide, and heavy metal analyses. By ensuring every batch meets our rigorous specifications, we remain unmatched in our commitment to setting the standard for the CBD industry.
References
The Fourth of July is fast approaching, a holiday dedicated to celebrating the many freedoms our country has to offer. For millions of Americans, one such freedom is cannabis; after all, what better way to celebrate the United States' liberty than with some legal bud?
Indeed, cannabis is an industry worth celebrating, and many people will be flocking to nearby dispensaries to stock up on product for the busy holiday weekend. To help you prepare for the rush, consider these tips that may help you connect with your cannabis clientele on this special day dedicated to the stars, stripes, bowls, and pipes.
July 4th might just be another American holiday loaded to the brim with light beer and charcoal briquettes, but it’s also a day of national reverence. Treading this line in a commercial space can get dicey, especially if the significance and importance of patriotism to some customers is undermined. Get festive, but don’t be patronizing. Hang your flags and banners, but make the relationship to sales a secondary factor. If people are showing up at your establishment, it's probably because you have quality products and customer service, not excess amounts of flair.
That said...
If you have any red, white, or blue-themed strains (like Red Dragon, White Widow, or Blue Dream), consider showcasing them front and center or offering them at a special price. Likewise with any patriotic-named strains like American Kush or American Dream -- a winking nod could put a smile on your customer's face and get him or her in a positive mindset leading into the extended weekend.
Many customers may be taking their products to barbecues or get-togethers, making pre-rolls and pre-packaged edibles a more appealing purchase option since they're easier to bring to a party or gathering. Highlight any inventory you may want to clear out -- infused lemonades and brownies are a fun holiday-appropriate bundle, as are pre-rolls and a lighter (they can be your "sparkler" special).
Customers will be looking to you for guidance on products that will complement their weekend plans. Perhaps they're looking for active, giggly strains, or options that will help curb their social anxiety before they head to a big event. Maybe a military veteran is looking for something to curb his pain or PTSD, or someone wants to pick up a high-CBD option to share with his grandfather at the family BBQ. Anticipate a variety of scenarios and make appropriate recommendations for your diverse clientele. The unique circumstance surrounding this holiday affords us a particular opportunity to talk liberty in a tangible way.
This day has a well-defined military background, and many people celebrating the holiday either serve or have served in the armed forces, or they know someone who has. Remember that veterans are people, not a tool of commerce or a sounding board for annotations about military service. Be cautious about thanking veterans for their service -- remember, we have no idea how veterans feel about their service, so it's better to err on the side of caution rather than risk reopening old wounds. A better way to honor these individuals is by making helpful product recommendations or offering a military promotion or discount. Just be sure to consider the delicate balance between appreciative and patronizing behavior.
Learn more about how Leafly can help you successfully market your cannabusiness, and happy Independence Day!
Registering and voting are the single most important things you can do to further the cause of marijuana’s legalization in the United States.
Have questions about growing cannabis? Our own cultivation expert, DannyDanko, is here to help with all of your marijuana grow concerns. Today's question is about genetic drift.
Emboldened by legalization and society's increasing fascination with all things pot, some of the country's top chefs have begun pairing cannabis with their cuisine and offering elusive "pop-up" dining experiences featuring high-end THC-infused food. Feas...
On Friday, June 17, nearly a hundred police officers descended on Christiania, a famous autonomous neighborhood in Copenhagen where cannabis is freely bought and sold. The authorities raided 37 stalls on the open-air cannabis market called Pusher Street, tearing down structures, arresting 17 people, and seizing about 10 kilos of cannabis.
It certainly wasn't the first time Christiania has been raided by police since it began as a commune in 1971. But this time, the action was met with strong condemnation by other prominent figures in Danish law enforcement.
A visit to Christiana is an unforgettable experience. What started with a handful of hippies squatting in old army barracks on the edge of Copenhagen has grown into a full-blown alternative village, with its own shops, restaurants, and a thriving, open-air cannabis market. Known as Freetown Christiania by some, the area covers 84 acres, has about 900 residents, and receives more than half a million visitors every year.
Photo by Derrick Bergman
Pusher Street, a row of outdoor stalls that sell cannabis, has been the main interest of both tourists and authorities ever since Christiania was founded. And for years police have sporadically raided Pusher Street, arresting sellers and confiscating products. The result is always the same: Soon after the raid, consumers turn to the black market and other dealers throughout Copenhagen. After a while, the stalls reopen, and buyers return to Christiania.
Two things were different this time. First, the police acted quite aggressively. They chased people down, screamed at observers, and even beat bystanders with clubs. Within a week of the raids, a video of the police brutality was posted to YouTube. It was shared on Facebook more than a million times.
The second difference was the outspoken response from a number of prominent figures in Danish law enforcement.
Photo by Derrick Bergman
Anne Birgitte Stürup, a senior prosecutor at the Copenhagen Public Prosecutor’s Office, was one such voice. “I personally believe we should legalize the sale of cannabis, because this is a fight we cannot win,” she told newspaper Jyllands-Posten. “We’ve tried fighting this for so many years and have gotten nowhere.
“We cannot stop the use of cannabis by outlawing it. It is expensive and of very little use.”
The city of Copenhagen has requested permission three times from the national government to begin a pilot program to regulate cannabis in the city, but parliament has consistently voted down the proposal. Per Larsen, a former Copenhagen Police chief inspector, told Jyllands-Posten after the this month’s raid the city should be allowed to move forward with the trial: “The money is going into the wrong hands today,” he said, “and I think it could be used for something much more positive.”
Photo by Derrick Bergman
Former public prosecutor Erik Merlung accused the prohibitionists in Parliament of “shutting their eyes to reality.”
“You make huge raids on Christiania, in which all of the stalls are torn down in the afternoon and then up and running again the next morning,” he said. “If not in Christiania, then other places in the city. It's a hopeless strategy.'
The outpouring of support for a more tolerant cannabis policy, however, isn’t likely to lead to change anytime soon. In an email cited by Jyllands-Posten, Danish health minister Sophie Løhde destroyed hopes of a quick change. “Just like the previous government,” she wrote, “we have no plans to legalize cannabis.”
