In a recent hearing, the head of the FDA said the organization needs support from Congress in order to move forward with CBD, a topic they’ve been stuck on for years.
CBD has been one of the fastest-growing markets in recent years. It’s also confusing and poorly regulated, with hundreds of knockoffs and regulations that vary depending on state and company.
The head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said that not much progress has been made by the agency, but calls out Congress for its lack of support.
Marijuana Moment reports that Dr. Robert M. Califf made a statement in a hearing discussing CBD regulation. The statement was prompted after Representative Dan Newhouse said that there was a lot of confusion surrounding CBD, primarily due to the FDA’s lack of regulation on the matter.
“It looks pretty much the same in terms of where we are now,” said Califf. “We just know more because we’ve done more research.” He said that FDA’s funds are currently trying to spot the risks of CBD and that, in order to move forward, the organization will need more leeway from Congress.
“I don’t think the current authorities we have on the food side or the drug side necessarily give us what we need to have to get the right pathways forward,” he added. “We’re going to have to come up with something new. I’m very committed to doing that.”
The FDA has been very slow in regulating CBD and other cannabis elements, an issue that has affected many businesses. While CBD is hemp-derived and thus legal, it’s not FDA-approved. Still, Califf said that he and his organization is looking forward to devising creative ways to address the topic of CBD.
Last December, the FDA reiterated that CBD shouldn’t be added to foods or dietary supplements, claiming more research was necessary. Recently, the organization has been busy debunking claims from CBD companies that the compound can cure illnesses, among them COVID-19. “Failure to adequately correct any violations may result in legal action, including, without limitation, seizure and injunction,” reads an FDA cease and desist letter.
With so many pre-rolled joints available on the market, how do you choose one that’s right for you? We’ve got you!
Whether you’re new to the world of marijuana or you just want to try something new, pre-rolls are awesome. In essence, pre-rolls are joints that are already professionally rolled, usually by a machine. These are sold individually or by packs, but most importantly they make it so much easier and simpler to enjoy a good smoke.
Pre-rolls are amazing for so many reasons. They are so convenient to consume, which are perfect for beginners but it’s no surprise that even seasoned cannabis users love them too. You save time when consuming them too, plus they come in a wide array of sizes and strains to choose from. They also come in various price ranges, from affordable and budget-friendly, to high-end and even luxurious.
Photo by Terrance Barksdale from Pexels
With so many pre-rolled joints available on the market, how do you choose one that’s right for you?
Type of pre-roll: Pre-rolls may be made from flower, shake, or a mixture of both. Shake is basically small bits of cannabis flower that has fallen off the bud; these are what you’ll find in the floors of cannabis dispensaries or the mason jars that hold your bud.
Some manufacturers make pre-rolls out of the shake taken from a variety of strains then automate the joint making process with machines, resulting in these perfect cones to smoke. But just because a cone is filled with shake doesn’t mean that the quality is bad; you just have to make sure that the shake doesn’t contain any leaves or stems.
Buy from a reputable manufacturer: Not only will you have peace of mind that you know exactly what went into each cone, but reputable cannabis manufacturers will be completely transparent and provide you with information on how they grow or process their cannabis.
If organic cannabis is important to you, then seek those out. For others, they prefer craft grown cannabis or marijuana that has been grown in a certain area. There’s no right or wrong answer – it all boils down to personal preferences. If you’re shelling out serious dough on luxury pre-rolls, the smartest thing to do would be to look out for those that are worth spending on. This usually means companies that provide a Certificate of Analysis (COA).
Strain: Check the strain used in the pre-roll. Each cannabis strain has its own profile of effects, but again it will boil down to your own personal preferences. If you are after an uplifting and energizing high that won’t make you sleepy, opt for an sativa strain. On the other hand, if you want something to help you wind down at the end of the day or help you go to sleep, opt for an indica.
Hybrids offer the best of both words, but it’s always recommended to do your own research. You may have also had experience with a strain that you loved in the past – check out your dispensary for pre-rolls of this strain, or perhaps a budtender can recommend something similar that you would like.
Ask your budtender: If you’re a newbie to cannabis, budtenders are your best friend. They can provide trustworthy and up-to-date inside information on the best pre-rolls in the market based on your needs, preferences, and budget. It’s always better to get the advice of someone knowledgeable in the industry rather than spending your hard-earned money on questionable pre-rolls sold on the black market because you never really know what goes into them.
Use your nose: By taking a good sniff from the top of the pre-roll container, you can have a pretty good idea if it’s quality weed that they used inside it. The mix of fresh terpenes (citrus, floral, strong weed smells) and a potent aroma is all you need to know that you are getting premium bud inside each cone.
However, if your nose is having a hard time deciphering the aroma, you may be getting into a dry or old cannabis batch. Furthermore, if you detect a woodsy smell that reminds you of tree bark, this could also mean that there are bits of stems that may have been used in the mix.
There’s no hidden or special technique needed to enjoy pre-rolls. Just light it up correctly the way you would light a cigarette, ensuring that the entire cylinder is evenly lit. Afterwards, put it between your lips and take a few puffs to strengthen the burn.
That’s all it takes! If you can’t finish your pre-roll, simply snuff it out carefully and save it for a later time.
Storing Your Pre-Roll
If you are buying several pre-rolls or a package of multiple sticks, you want to ensure that they are kept fresh for future consumption. Place them in an airtight container away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture. If you have a spare mason jar at home where you can tuck them in then keep them in a close, this is even better.
Other options include cigar tubes, if you have some lying around, since these are already built to be airtight. You may also have a Ziplock, glass Tupperware, or any other glass jar – these work perfectly fine in keeping the air out. Just ensure that the pre-rolls are protected from being squished if you intend to travel with it.
A video reveals swimming pools that are being used as justification for water usage but are actually directly piped to a greenhouse and many other disturbing things.
The Sheriff’s Office of the Siskiyou County in the northernmost part of California is asking state and federal regulators to come and see firsthand the problems illicit cannabis cultivation is bringing to the county, reported KRCR abc.
On Monday, Sheriff Jerimiah LaRue posted on Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook page the following message along with the video showing one of many illegal marijuana farms and the associated troubles.
Photo by Olena Ruban/Getty Images
“The purpose of this video is to be transparent about what the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office encounters on a regular basis while performing search warrant operations at illegal cannabis grows within the County,” the post reads.
LaRue is calling for a state of emergency, seeking help from higher-level officials.
“The team is out here, every week, serving search warrants,” LaRue said. “It is my job, as the Sheriff, to uphold my oath; to take care of the community. I carry that burden and it’s serious to me. And I owe it to the community to do all that I can. I just need help from people above me,” he wrote.
The video reveals swimming pools that are being used as justification for water usage but are actually directly piped to a greenhouse and many other disturbing things.
Congressman Doug LaMalfa said he visited Siskiyou County last year and witnessed the damage. According to him, the County needs more finances to help it deal with this enormous problem.
“In your opinion, what’s the solution to help Siskiyou County,” KRCR Mason Carroll asked.
“The bottom line is they need more dollars to do this because they can’t do it with the personnel they have, as hard as they try, and I don’t see any big help coming from the state,” LaMalfa told KRCR Mason Carroll.
Photo by Mikhail Nilov from Pexels
LaRue previously highlighted the negative environmental results of illegal cannabis cultivation. He suggested state leaders should create bipartisan laws to address the issue.
The sheriff recommends protecting legal agriculture via the enforcement of laws that will eliminate illegal grows. He is also seeking more financial support.
As for funding, LaMalfa replied that it may be dependent on the federal government.
“I will do what I can in Congress to find ways to get money in the back door or other ways to make funding eligible to help battle this because this is not adding to the quality of life,” LaMalfa said. “People have to live amongst it or see it sold on the street and somehow endangering their kids.”
A new study shows that healthy lifestyle behaviors can lead to higher life expectancy, even for those with chronic conditions, regardless of age.
A Japanese study shows that adopting positive lifestyle changes and sticking to them increases people’s life spans. While unsurprising, these results are encouraging for people of all ages, showing that, no matter how old you are, adopting positive habits can positively impact your life, helping you live happier and healthier.
The study, published in the journal Age and Ageing, was conducted by the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study Group at Osaka University. The group looked into the impact of behavioral changes from middle age forward and how that impacted life expectancy.
Researchers obtained their data from a study containing information on 49,021 people living in 45 areas of Japan, with evidence compiled from 1988 to 1990. Data included information on diet, exercise, sleep habits, body mass, and more, granting researchers a thorough picture of the subjects health habits.
Researchers found that subjects who adopted five or more healthy lifestyle behaviors had a higher life expectancy, even for those with chronic conditions, regardless of age.
“The results were very clear. A higher number of modified healthy behaviors was directly associated with great longevity for both men and women,” said Dr. Ryoto Sakaniwa, the study’s primary author. Subjects who reaped the most benefits were those who adopted behaviors like reducing their alcohol intake, not smoking, and sleeping more often, which could add up to 6 years of life.
In the case of chronic diseases, researchers praised the study’s findings even more, finding that adopting positive behaviors can reduce the harm of a variety of comorbidities, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and more. These results in particular are very important, considering that the majority of older adults are affected by some form of chronic conditions, with these reducing their quality of life.
While it’s logical to assume that adopting healthy behaviors leads to a healthier life, this is one of the first studies to show this in a scientific way. In the case of older adults and those who are aging, it’s important to show that it’s never too late to adopt healthier habits and that they can only impact your life in a positive way.
In the new season of his Netflix talk show, Letterman tells a story about smoking a joint with his girlfriend before a Yankees-Angels game in the ’70s.
During an interview with NBA star Kevin Durant, the legendary Late Night Show host David Letterman talked about his experience with marijuana. In a clip promoting the new season of Letterman’s Netflix series, My Next Guest Needs No Introduction, Durant, who is already in the cannabis industry, also shared his relationship with marijuana and his efforts to destigmatize it, especially among athletes.
Asked by Letterman if he began smoking weed as a kid, an odd question, Durant said “Nah, unless you wanna call 22 a kid.”
Letterman followed up, wondering if Durant had “smoked today.” To which Durant responded, “I’m actually high right now.”
What about Letterman? Initially coming off somewhat naive, he told Durant about the time he smoked a joint with his girlfriend before a Yankees-Angels game in the ’70s. Letterman said he was so stoned that he doesn’t remember who won. While sitting at the stands, he was deeply fascinated by the pitcher’s “mound of dirt,” a clear indication that yes, Letterman was stoned.
Laughing, he asked Durant if that meant he was smoking the wrong type of weed. “No, you were smoking the right kind if you’re thinking about stuff like that!”
Durant also shared more about his partnership with cannabis tech platform Weedmaps owned by WM Holding Company, LLC, and explained how they are “trying to figure out ways to change the narrative around athletes and marijuana.”
Durant’s efforts to destigmatize cannabis use among pro athletes, especially as the NBA still views it as a banned substance, may put the 6 foot ten Brooklyn Nets star center in an awkward position.
Although the NBA announced last year that it’s amending its drug-testing policy and will not be randomly testing players for cannabis. Will NBA continue to loosen its policies around cannabis?
Who knows. One thing is certain: Many athletes are hoping and pushing for more reasonable cannabis policies.
Some state officials say they’re worried that current rules will not make things easier for minority communities when it comes to obtaining cannabis vendor and cultivation licenses.
Connecticut became the 18th state in the union to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes in June 2021, when Gov. Ned Lamont signed the bill into law.
The bill, which allows adults 21 and older to possess up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis, went into effect on July 1, and the sale of recreational marijuana is scheduled to kick off this spring. “People have been working on this for 10 years,” Lamont said back then. “It’s been a long time coming. I think we have a good bill that puts public health first.”
The State Department of Consumer Protection revealed earlier this month that over 15,600 businesses applied for licenses to sell recreational cannabis.
A total of 8,357 applications were submitted before the deadline for the first six licenses granted to social equity applicants, reported Central Maine. The remainder of 7,245 license applications for adult-use cannabis retailers were submitted to a general lottery.
According to Connecticut’s state website, the lottery will run after all social equity applicants have been chosen. In addition, as of July 1, 2023, up to 75% of marijuana excise tax revenue will be utilized to fund social equity efforts.
As Connecticut’s adult-use cannabis industry moves closer to launching, it seems that more work needs to be done to achieve social equity.
Senator Calls For More Social Equity
The Social Equity Council, one of the cornerstones of the legalization program, has the mission of overseeing how Connecticut’s new industry addresses the historic harms of cannabis criminalization.
Still, some state officials say they’re worried that current rules will not make things easier for minority communities when it comes to obtaining cannabis vendor and cultivation licenses. He explains why.
Dennis Bradley (D-Bridgeport), one of four state senators who voted against the bill, said that the licensing process favors businesses that already hold marijuana permits and operate cannabis businesses in other states, Bradley told Cate Hewitt of the CT Examiner.
“I don’t see the current model that we have to be an effective model to make it easier for minority business owners to come in and be able to get these licenses,” Bradley said. “I just see it’s a way of creating an oligarchy of those who have those licenses to be able to strengthen those licenses and have a stranglehold on the process.”
The current model is creating an “uneven playing field” onto which Black and Brown communities will be shut out by large companies because the legislation allows the submission of multiple applications for a license at a cost of $250 each, Bradley correctly pointed out.
The senator emphasized that minority communities would not earn money from cannabis sales, but rather would be targeted by them. Bradley drew a comparison to issues that arose from the widespread acceptance of tobacco, lottery and cigarettes.
“If you go in any urban part of America from sea to shining sea, whether you’re in Bridgeport, Connecticut, or Compton, California, and everybody in the middle, you see liquor stores in every single corner of our community, and you see the adverse effect that has on the community, right? Whether it’s domestic violence, or issues of thievery, larceny, or just simply, you know, an overall ineptitude, that happens by being addicted to a substance,” the senator said.
Photo by Olena Ruban/Getty Images
What’s To Be Done?
Bradley offered several solutions to avoid such a scenario.
Firstly, he suggested that money from marijuana sales should be invested in more education programs as that would “level[s] the playing field.”
Developing rigorous regulations regarding the number and location of cannabis shops is also essential.
“We have to create red zones or party districts as to where you can get the access and not allow it to go the way of lottery and alcohol, tobacco — we can’t let that proliferation happen — if we do that, then we can hopefully create the safeguards necessary,” Bradley said.
In addition, counseling and drug rehab services would also make a difference for those in need.
Bradley pointed out that instead of being innovative, his fellow Democrats are following what everyone else is doing or has done by using models from other states such as Colorado. To avoid repeating the same mistakes, he proposed doing some research on the downstream costs and effects of the adult-use cannabis market.
Bradley concluded with this question: “We say, well, they’ve gotten all of this money from the sale of marijuana, but then we don’t do the backend study — how much does that cost in police services, emergency response, DCF reports, substance abuse clinics, etc.?”
With the legislation on cannabis at the federal level set to be brought forward in the Senate, marijuana legalized states are now undergoing new research on the risks linked with high-potency cannabis products. Among the questions being asked is the possible link between these high-potency cannabis products and psychosis.
These latest high-potency cannabis products circulating the market are commonly called shatter or wax and are known to have THC levels as high as 85%-90%. Researchers, via comparison, affirmed that the THC levels in a usual joint two decades ago were approximately 5%. Considering this high level of THC, Colorado and Washington are now looking to include potency caps in their legislation.
During a forum held in January, Dr. Nora Volkow, the director of NIDA expressed her concerns that young adults are increasingly consuming high-potency cannabis. Volkow affirmed that she is worried about the negative effects of high THC concentration on mental health. She noted that the higher the THC levels, the higher the chances of psychosis. While the research is still ongoing, Volkow affirmed that another question waiting to be answered is if such psychosis can cause permanent schizophrenia.
Bethany Moore, during an interview with NBC News, asserted that the best way forward is to tackle these concerns through adequate labeling and testing. Apart from that, she believes states should only sell cannabis via licensed dispensaries to fully informed and legal adults. By selling cannabis only via legal dispensaries, Bethany claimed the activities of the illicit cannabis market will gradually fade.
According to several public experts, proponents of the cannabis industry are responsible for the problem of high-potency cannabis products now flooding the market. This is because most industry backers were only focused on legalizing cannabis without considering a market boom in cannabis concentrates.
In fact, a research scientist, Dr.Beatriz Carlini affirmed that they were not fully informed in 2012 before voting on the bill. She believes a lot of people who voted in support voted for the cannabis plant and nothing else. In 2020, Carlini led a research team I’m the state of Washington to study high-potency cannabis. Upon research, the team concluded that high-potency cannabis can have a prolonged negative impact on mental health.
Carlini claimed that while there’s a better understanding of cannabis and its medical benefits, high-potency cannabis is just a different ball game. She compared the situation to strawberry icing marketing. She argued that while strawberries are healthy fruits, strawberry icing is not healthy.
Presently, the high-potency cannabis circulating on the market is legal for purchase for adults above the age of 21 years. However, teens have been able to easily get access to the products.
Efforts of State Legislative
The bill for cannabis legislation at the federal level has been introduced to the house. But while the politics play out, many now look forward to the promise of Chuck Schumer, the Senate Majority Leader he had earlier promised on the 22nd of April that he would introduce another version to the senate come April.
Meanwhile, things are moving fast in Colorado thanks to several doctors’ testimonies last yeast about the increasing cases of psychotic episodes linked to cannabis concentrate. To address the situation, a bill was unanimously passed to curb access to high-potency cannabis concentrates.
Photo by Olena Ruban/Getty Images
A section of the legislation also charged the medical school at Colorado University to carry out a full review of over 800 scientific articles. The articles are said to cover the effects of high-potency cannabis concentrated on both mental and physical health. The report is said to be due come July.
Heading the team is Dr. Jon Samet who is also in charge of the project. In his words, he affirmed the study won’t be an easy one given there is a lot of messy data to organize from the studies whose authors used different methods of measurement. However, he shared his anticipation of creating the latest public research database for the state.
In the state of Washington, researchers are a step further after completing a six-month review executed by 11 scientists in 2020. The research revealed that THC has a dose-response. This implies that the more THC one consumes, the higher the negative impact on mental and physical health. This research kicked off immediately after sales of THC concentrate increased from 9% to 35% between 2014 to 2020.
The researchers also revealed that young adults were most vulnerable to the side effects and getting addicted to high THC concentrations. They then concluded that there’s a need for more police declarations and considerations to support public well-being and general health.
Carlini, who led the Washington researchers, affirmed that other states looking for guidance have also reached out to her. She added that the initial mistakes are glaring for all to see and people are ready to learn from their mistakes. Researchers from both states are now keeping in touch and consulting each other when necessary
Regarding Seattle, researchers are looking for new ways to curb access to THC concentrate. Approaches under evaluation include tax established on potency level or cap on potency which is the approcahbuded in New York and Illinois.
The research team in Washington is considering warning labels like those employed in Canada. The warning label will explicitly state the risks of high THC levels to mental health. The Washington research team’s coming report is due at the end of the year.
Photo by RODNAE Productions via Pexels
Conclusion
As it stands, Vermont is the only state that placed a potency cap on legal recreational cannabis. Meanwhile, an attempt at such has failed woefully in Massachusetts and South Dakota.
Attempts at a long-lasting potency cap have proven difficult due to strong pushbacks from the cannabis industry. Many within the industry have claimed that proof backing the widespread risks of high THC levels are scant and more research needs to be done.
However, Carlini has stood by her team and the research they executed saying she and her team stand by the conclusion reached. The higher the THC levels of cannabis, the higher the chances of dangerous side effects.
He invited Senate members to come and see for themselves what cancer is doing to him and to determine how medical marijuana could help minimize his pain and suffering, something he already knows.
The Kansas House of Representatives recently appointed key lawmakers from both chambers to a conference committee that will lay out details for a medical marijuana legalization bill. Cannabis advocates called the move a clear sign that reform is inevitable and can be expected soon.
However, it seems that Senate Bill 12, which is still in committee, will not gain traction when lawmakers return on May 23 to tie up the legislative session.
“Given we plan to only be there one day, it’s unlikely that work could be completed on that item,” Mike Pirner, a spokesman for Senate Leadership told Kansas Capitol Bureau in an email.
Without accessibility to medical marijuana, many patients in the state are struggling, some from terminal diseases, such as cancer. One of them is a U.S. Army veteran and resident of Paradise, Kansas. His name is David Auble. Despite his serious condition, Auble is not only fighting for his life, he’s also pushing for cannabis reform.
A lifelong Republican who supported Trump, Auble sent a letter to members of the Kansas Senate explaining how some cancer patients like himself are in desperate need of cannabis, and how the plant can and does help the symptoms, reported The Wichita Eagle.
Addressing the letter to Senate President Ty Masterson and members of the Kansas Senate, Auble wrote:
“I’m running out of time.
I’m fighting cancer and am running out of options for treatment.
The steroids I’ve been on since September are making me weaker and weaker.
I can barely lift my head; my legs are tingly and I have a trachea breathing tube. You have no idea how terrifying it is when you can’t move air in or out.
This is actually my second bout with cancer. After suffering tremendous pain the first time — having part of my jaw and front of my neck removed — I learned how patients in other states have benefited from medicinal cannabis.”
The Veteran further explained that he’s been advocating for medical marijuana in the state for over five years.
Auble had previously met with Sens. Rob Olson and Dinah Sykes and a representative of the governor’s office, all of whom gave him hope and encouragement that they’d push for MMJ legalization.
Political Power Versus The Lives Of The People
“My hope was that this session would be ‘the year’ and that treatment would be available to help my situation. With the House passing the bill in 2021, there has been plenty of time for you and other senators who have questions or concerns to learn about the benefits of medicinal cannabis,” Auble wrote.
“I’ve sent you messages, called your office and yet, I’ve heard nothing back.
“I know you were also invited to the meeting with other senators prior to the start of session. I guess if you don’t respond or engage with me, you don’t have to think about the suffering I am going through. It feels you are more worried about political power than the lives of the people you represent,” he wrote.
Auble also revealed that while his friends suggested he get cannabis illegally, he didn’t want to do it that way. “That’s not who I am,” he said, further revealing how serious and life-threatening his condition is.
“If you won’t even help me, then my guess is you really aren’t interested in helping anyone. If you can’t make decisions for the good of the people, then you shouldn’t be making decisions at all.”
Final Plea
“I know you return to session May 23. I am asking you to please do the right thing and help patients like myself who are suffering,” Auble wrote.
In conclusion, he invited Senate members to come and visit and see for themselves what cancer is doing to him and to determine how medical marijuana could help minimize his pain and suffering, something he already knows.
COVID-19 reinfections are possible, especially now that there’s Omicron variants in circulation. Here’s what experts want you to know.
Two years into the pandemic and a large percentage of the world has been infected with COVID-19. In the U.S, the most recent statistics show that almost 60% of people have had past infections. As states jump back into COVID-19 high alerts, the possibility of reinfection becomes all the more likely. But how many times can you have COVID?
That’s a difficult question to answer, but there are several things experts have learned about the virus over the past couple of years.
The New York Post spoke with infectious disease expert Dr. Michael Phillips, who provided some context and answers regarding COVID-19 reinfections. While there’s no way of knowing how many times a person can get Covid, people who were infected with Omicron appear to have less protection than those who were infected with previous variants, like Delta.
The New York Times spoke with a variety of experts, who surmised that Omicron created a whole new set of problems, disrupting what people knew about the virus and its capabilities for reinfections. Before the variant existed, experts believed that vaccines and natural infections would kill the virus off naturally. Now, the situation is difficult to predict, since Omicron has evolved to dodge immunity.
“But thankfully, the vast majority of people [who] get the infection tend to recover without too many problems,” explains Dr. Phillips, meaning that while the subvariants that are circulating are highly contagious, they’re not likely a high risk for the majority of the population provided they’re vaccinated. The problem with this issue and with the lax mentality that most states and countries have adopted is the unpredictability of these new batches of reinfections. A large percentage of people will be fine, but those who are over a certain age or have comorbidities to contend with stand on much shakier ground.
While our knowledge of the virus suggests that getting reinfected with the same variant is unlikely, experts make it clear that it’s possible, especially if the person isn’t vaccinated, and especially now that there are Omicron subvariants in circulation.
Lastly, when addressing protection from a COVID infection, Dr. Phillips explained that the average immune system can fight off COVID reinfection for three to five months after the previous round. After six months you can expect COVID antibodies to have waned significantly.
He reiterates the importance of vaccines since these prevent strong infections and help keep the virus under control. While reinfection can’t be completely ruled out, vaccines and boosters are the most efficient way of reaching a point where the virus becomes endemic and it’s not as big of a threat for people with deal with all types of conditions.
Senator Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester) announced Wednesday a package of two cannabis bills designed to lay additional groundwork for the future of legalized cannabis in New York State.
Senate Bill S.9217 would permit New Yorkers to cultivate cannabis in licensed personal cultivation facilities. Current regulations allow for personal cultivation eighteen months after the first adult-use sales commence. However, the plants must be grown at the individual’s personal residence.
These guidelines would exclude those without sufficient open space, especially renters/tenants. This bill would authorize the Cannabis Control Board to make regulations allowing for personal cultivation in specified licensed facilities open to adult use. This will ensure individuals who do not have a residence that is suitable for personal cultivation, such as most renters and individuals living in urban communities, still have the opportunity to utilize personal cultivation in a safe and controlled setting. This is about achieving equity in the home grow process.
Senate Bill S.9218 would allow certified medical cannabis patients from other states to access NYS medical dispensaries provided they present sufficient documentation. States such as Nevada, Michigan, Ohio, and Missouri already allow for reciprocity with other states’ medical cannabis programs. New York is one of the most visited states by domestic travelers in the country, and these visitors should continue to have access to medical cannabis products throughout their stay.
“I am proud to introduce legislation that will further support the fast-growing New York cannabis industry. Since the passing of the MRTA last year, the Office of Cannabis Management has made necessary reforms to the medical cannabis program and this legislation will continue that effort by expanding access to medical cannabis for medical patients in-and-outside of New York,” said Senator Jeremy Cooney.
Photo by Anton Petrus/Getty Images
“Although the legal ability to personally cultivate cannabis is several months away, we must be proactive in reducing the barriers to participate, especially for New Yorkers in urban areas who are most likely to be excluded from home grow. Renters and individuals who are unable to cultivate cannabis in their homes should still have the option guaranteed to them in the MRTA.”
The New York Cannabis Growers & Processors Association added, “The New York Cannabis Growers & Processors Association applauds Senator’s Cooney’s efforts to expand the accessibility of New York’s personal cultivation program through a bill that would allow community gardens, which if passed, will be another crucial component of achieving the vision set out by the MRTA. Renters and individuals residing in New York’s urban areas, many of the same areas most negatively affected by prohibition and the war on drugs, should have equal ability to participate in personal cultivation and enjoy the full spectrum of benefits and opportunity that legalization and the creation of an adult-use market brings to the table.
“New York State continues to forge a path to establishing a truly accessible and equitable cannabis industry, but we must continue to be mindful of where improvements can be made and pursue legislation that is reflective of our goals.”
Finally, the New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association commented, “The NYMCIA strongly supports S.9218, which will improve New York’s anemic medical cannabis program by increasing patient access and affordability. Smokable products, and whole flower, are often the most effective, most affordable, and most popular types of medicine for sick patients. New York’s medical cannabis program needs common-sense policy reforms and we urge the Legislature to pass S.9218 without hesitation.”
