Cpharm plans to set up an extraction facility in Afghanistan, using marijuana cultivated by local growers and then export the final products to foreign buyers.
The recently announced agreement between a German cannabis company and the Taliban regime of Afghanistan seems to still be up in the air.
The German marijuana company, Cpharm, allegedly in talks with the Taliban about establishing cannabis operations in Afghanistan, is still waiting for certain international issues to be resolved, reported Marijuana Moment.
Photo by Mohammad Husaini via Unsplash
“CPharm is waiting for inter-governmental negotiations between the current Afghan Government and the importing countries. Also, in order to proceed with investments in medical cannabis facility, it is essential for the current government to receive” approval from the United Nations’s International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), a spokesperson told the outlet.
Cpharm plans to set up an extraction facility in Afghanistan, using marijuana cultivated by local growers and then export the final products to foreign buyers.
The company’s previous efforts to open medical marijuana shops in Afghanistan were futile, because the government was “very corrupt” and “in bed with criminals who wanted to keep a monopoly on illicit cultivation and blocked our contract,” CEO Werner Zimmerman separately told Cannabis Now.
Though previous investment numbers discussed were somewhere around $450 million, now current negotiations mention 10 times below that ($45 million) and over a five-year period.
“The lack of UN recognition prevents the project from proceeding because with lack of recognition [the] current Afghan Government cannot export medical goods without the INCB approval and countries may introduce trade embargoes for such sensitive products,” a spokesperson told Marijuana Moment.
“But we firmly believe that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has the prospect to finalize successful agreements with INCB and importing states because they have the ability to reduce drug trafficking significantly if legal alternative paths are enabled,” the spokesperson said, adding that the company is “determined to pursue this project since Afghanistan has the potential to become the world’s largest agricultural cannabis producer.”
While Cpharm is focused on establishing its presence in Afghanistan, its home country of Germany has announced plans to legalize cannabis sales, which is expected to yield $3.85 billion in annual tax revenue.
CBD can help people have better sex by treating different sexual conditions and helping partners feel more relaxed.
Marijuana and sex are compatible for a reason. Cannabis users of all ages support this theory and studies also offer some support, finding that THC can help people achieve more powerful orgasms and a more pleasant sexual experience, especially for women.
While many credit the THC high as marijuana’s most beneficial sexual aid, CBD could help people who have stress or performance anxiety without the psychedelic high that THC produces, which can at times be anxiety-inducing.
According to experts, CBD can reduce pain, promote relaxation and enhance sensations without the fuzzy feeling that THC causes. Here’s how CBD can help with your sex life.
Anxiety and nervousness
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CBD edibles can help people cope with anxiety and nervousness, but there are edibles designed specifically with sex in mind. These types of products contain THC and other aphrodisiac components, while also ensuring that the dosage in them is low enough so that it won’t impair sexual performance. Edibles with a focus on sex tend to contain small amounts of THC in order to provide the best possible results.
Pain during sex
Photo by Irina Shatilova/Getty Images
For women who tend to suffer from painful sex or who simply want to feel more, CBD lubricants can help them relax while also enhancing their experience. CBD is an anti-inflammatory agent; when placed directly on the skin it could provide fast acting effects and could help people focus more and stay present.
CBD and massages go great together, with the compound’s anti-inflammatory properties providing quick and long-lasting relief for sore muscles. CBD products have been associated with more tension relief and more satisfying massages.
Strains with equal amounts of THC and CBD can improve sex, especially when incorporated into foreplay. When the weed kicks in, couples will likely experience stronger desire and arousal, while also adding a new edge to their sexual experience. This method is preferable for people who have some experience with cannabis, since if you consume too large of a dose, sexual pleasure can be reduced.
“Crisis can be… a catalyst or can speed up changes that are on the way — it almost can serve as an accelerant,” said Arun Sundararajan, an NYU Stern School of Business professor and digital transformation researcher. And, it’s true.
We are all aware that the COVID pandemic has negatively affected the overall economy, though some industries have thrived because of it and not in spite of it. Which ones cross your mind? Pharma? E-Commerce? Online gaming? Ed-tech? Or, cannabis?
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As you’re likely aware, the marijuana space experienced growth during the pandemic, albeit quite unexpectedly.
Industries And Stocks That Thrived Amid COVID
But, first things first. Numbers from Censusrevealed thatin the secondquarter of 2020, retail e-commerce sales improved 31.8% from the previous quarter, while total retail sales declined 3.9% over the same period.
Retail e-commerce, as the percentage of total retail sales grew from 11.4% to 15.7% during this time, and Q2 retail e-commerce jumped 43.8% compared to the same period of 2019 while total retail sales dropped 3.6%.
In terms of stocks, e-commerce giant Amazon grew 67.64% from January 2020 until today. The other large e-commerce brand Shopify Inc. gained 240.25% over the same period.
Then there’s pharma and online gaming in addition to other stocks that grew under COVID.
The NYSE-traded British-Portuguese online luxury retailer Farfetch managed to reach profitability after 12 years, thanks to the COVID outbreak. In one year, its shares rose 426% from $10.48 to $55.19.
The demand to work from home boosted freelance services platform Fiverr, with the stock gaining 703% from $27.87 to more than $224 (from March 2020 to March 2021).
Consumer electronics and gaming merchandise retailer GameStop experienced an eye-popping one-year return of 6.422% with its shares skyrocketing from $3.70 to $241.34.
What about COVID-19 vaccine developers Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax? From March 2020 till December 2021, Pfizer grew 83.22%, Moderna jumped 509.54%, and Novavax increased 1148.71%.
Photo by Drew Farwell via Unsplash
Marijuana And COVID
So, what about the cannabis industry? Why was the pandemic a breakout moment for the marijuana sector?
There are many factors involved, starting first with having been deemed an “essential” business, which in turn pushed 2020 weed sales to record numbers. When the New York Times noted that the essential service’s designation represented an “official recognition that for some Americans, cannabis is as necessary as milk and bread,” many agreed that in times of crisis we all turn to that which brings us comfort, peace and helps alleviate stress. Not to mention those who use cannabis for medical purposes and wisely purchased extra because who knows what might happen?
Thankfully, that we know of, there were no shortages among patients when the boom hit. “Cannabis sales exploded in many parts of North America in 2020, with the likes of Oregon seeing a 30% increase compared with the previous year. Meanwhile, in Canada, half of the cannabis users increased consumption during the first wave of COVID-19, according to the country’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health,” reported Investment Monitor.
According to Geoff Miller, director of Cannafi Group, a Guernsey-based cannabis finance business, “Because cannabis can be easily ordered online, it has ridden the COVID eCommerce wave. Then, in terms of investment, it has also been a booming time [thanks to] the vast amount that retail investors have been pumping into many different sectors — because they have got nothing else to do — and the fact that we have still got ultra-low interest rates so asset prices have been squeezed higher and driven up general investment activity.”
What’s more, the industry in general, and cannabis companies in particular, made innovative choices to help to fight the coronavirus pandemic. Hemp businesses manufactured cotton swabs for medical needs and marijuana companies donated protective equipment to front-line health workers.
Photo by Anna Nekrashevich from Pexels
The timely and efficient launch of curbside pickup and delivery services facilitated consumers in need while unintentionally serving to create a positive image of the industry as serious players in good times and bad. The cannabis industry stepped up.
What about publicly traded cannabis companies?
Large marijuana operator Curaleaf Holdings (CSNX: CURA) has seen its shares improve 73.22% from March 2020 to December 2021. Over the same period, Village Farms International gained 95.52%, GrowGeneraion Crop grew 168.15%, and Innovative Industrial Properties advanced 175.63%.
In addition, AdvisorShares Pure Cannabis ETF gained 40.11%, which is notable even though below SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust that grew 67.28%.
It is important to note that most of the cannabis stocks have seen their shares spike in February this year or one year since the pandemic hit in March 2020. By the end of the year, most of those stocks declined.
Cannabis Industry Projections – Why You Should Consider Investing?
Why should the industry continue to grow and why should you consider investing in it?
Several things point to further industry development, the most important of which is the ongoing legalization trend both across the U.S. and globally. So far, 18 U.S. states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational cannabis sales, while more than 30 states now permit some form of medical cannabis.
What’s more, both Democratic and GOP lawmakers have each introduced marijuana legalization proposals, indicating that federal reform just might be around the corner.
In addition to the ongoing global marijuana legalization trend is the overall shift in people’s approach to general health. Over the years, the focus has started to shift from, well, literally everything around us to closer to home: ourselves. Now more than ever, people seem to be interested in healthy food, nature, finding time for themselves, ways to minimize stress, improving sleep and the importance of physical and mental health.
And this is exactly where the cannabis plant fits in perfectly.
Whether users are interested in a non-psychoactive application through a plethora of CBD products or are looking for a full-power THC experience, cannabis has the capacity to provide both. More and more scientific studies are uncovering the knowledge and views on the benefits of cannabis that were held by our ancestors.
On the medical side, advances are already moving at a clip, with medical cannabis serving as a viable option for children suffering from rare types of epilepsy for starters. A recent study on cannabis and breast cancer revealed that medical marijuana drives 6x improvement in killing cancer cells; another study on CBD provides hope for the most aggressive type of brain cancer.
And these studies are just the beginning. Once the legal status of cannabis is resolved on the federal level, even more research can be undertaken that will ultimately benefit the entire industry, including consumers, those in need of cannabinoid medicines and investors.
2021 gave us lots of doozies when it came to weed news, from the Olympic ban a sports superstar to giving us hope that Republicans will come around to legalization.
Given the activity in the news cycle during 2021, some of the more hard to believe or impractical news stories may have flown under your radar. A surprising number were cannabis related in one way or another.
As the stigma around cannabis continues to evolve, it’s safe to assume that the most surprising cannabis-related news stories of 2022 will make this list seem like child’s play. Here’s a small sampling of some of the more unexpected weed stories of the year.
5. Most Massive Marijuana Brownie of All Time Unveiled by Scientists
When it comes to marijuana edibles, it’s fair to assume that as of 2021 most cannabis enthusiasts have seen them all at this point. That was likely the case before Massachusetts-based cannabis company unveiled an 850 pound cannabis–infused brownie on National Brownie Day. The company produced the supersized stoner snack to draw attention to its new brand of edibles called Bubby’s Baked.
The edible contains 20,000 milligrams of THC and measures in at 3 feet wide and 3 feet and 15 inches tall. The previous record for the largest brownie was set at 243 pounds. Needless to say the record set by the Bubby’s Baked brownie is likely to remain in place for some time.
4. Marijuana Use Among Teens Falls in Midst of Reforms
When it comes to the legalization of recreational cannabis, one of the biggest objections proponents dealt with from opposition was that youth consumption would increase. The early results show those concerns have been disproven to say the least. Over the course of 2021, teen cannabis use dropped from 11% down to 7% for eighth graders.
Photo by cottonbro from Pexels
For 10th graders, rates of marijuana use fell from 28% to 17%. There are numerous factors that could have contributed to the decline in teen marijuana use like school shifting to remote learning which takes away from peer pressure. Taking that into consideration, rates of teen marijuana usage will continue to be something to watch heading into 2022.
3. Jaleel White of Family Matters Launches Cannabis Brand
Jaleel White may be best remembered for the time he spent on television as Steve Erkel, but cannabis enthusiasts will be associating him with something totally different pretty soon. That’s because back in April he made the decision to launch his own cannabis line called ‘itsPurpl’. He partnered with 710 Labs to launch the strain throughout California back on April 20th, more affectionately known as 420.
Among his motivations for starting the cannabis brand, he said he hopes to debunk stereotypes associated with cannabis and celebrate medical breakthroughs too. He hasn’t been the only celebrity to get involved in the cannabis industry in recent years, so it’ll be interesting to see which celebrities follow his footsteps in 2022 by starting their own cannabis brands.
2. Sha’Carri Richardson Suspended From Summer Olympics Over Cannabis Use
American track sensation Sha’Carri Richardson stole the nation’s heart this summer after qualifying for the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Her charisma and style was reminiscent of Florence Joyner back in the 1980s, so to say she had the support of both casual fans and die-hards of the sport would be an understatement. That’s why spectators couldn’t believe the IOC banned her from the Olympic Games after returning a positive test for THC.
Sha’Carri claimed she used cannabis to help cope with the stress of losing her mother, but that didn’t matter to the IOC as they continued to ban her for one month as a punishment which barred her from competing in the games. The outcry that resulted from her being banned from the games didn’t allow her to compete, but did raise enough attention that allows fans of the Olympics to hold out hope that they will eventually reverse their stance on cannabis use among athletes.
1. 54% of Republicans Support Legalizing Recreational Cannabis
Among the most surprising weed related headlines to reach news sources during 2021, the one most likely to cause readers to do a double-take is that 54% of republicans now favor federally legalizing cannabis.
The support republicans have for the federal legalization of marijuana could lead to an entirely different landscape for cannabis consumers and investors in 2022 and beyond. That’s the case because republican lawmakers could begin to increase the pressure on President Biden to enact cannabis-friendly legislation sooner rather than later.
There are already numerous bills that have been introduced by Republicans that would federally decriminalize and tax marijuana. Receiving scrutiny from both sides of the aisle could be exactly what it takes for the Biden administration to make much-needed legislative changes to federal cannabis laws.
In a recent analyst note, Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Pablo Zuanic reviewed the retail price differences in cannabis flowers across 14 states (six with recreational and medical sales, and eight with medical-only sales).
The range, from lowest to highest, was as follows:
Connecticut was $9.75 per gram (the whole flower, taking 3.5g formats);
Florida $11.97;
New York $13.70;
Ohio $13.83;
Maryland $13.89;
New Jersey $14.95;
Pennsylvania $15.62;
Virginia $18.60.
Photo by Ethan Miller/Staff/Getty Images
Why Is Cannabis So Cheap In Connecticut?
Retail prices vary widely across the medical markets, with Virginia boasting double the levels found in Connecticut.
“The CT example is surprising, and we made sure to exclude second cuts and grind. There are only four licensed growers in CT, and only 17 medical dispensaries opened at present. But it seems supplies are plentiful relative to demand. We say this because the five stores that we surveyed in CT had a combined 246 SKUs of flower in 3.5g formats, which is well above most of the other medical states that we surveyed ex PA and MD (NY 22; FL 82; VA 88; OH 171; NJ 239; PA 427; MD 516). The lower prices may be reflective also of the quality available,” Zuanic wrote.
Florida Weed Is Cheap Too
Excluding CT, FL had the lowest flower prices among the medical markets surveyed by Cantor.
Zuanic assumes this is partly related to the increased price competition in the state, although it does not have historical data to use as a benchmark.
“The state has 391 stores, which is the highest among the medical states that we surveyed; at 18 stores per 1 million people, FL is above MD (16), PA (11), OH (5), CT (5), NJ (2.7), NY (2.1), and VA (0.7). We do not think the increased store count necessarily and solely explains the lower prices; it probably also has to do with increased capacity and slower growth in the state program’s patient count (+3,000 per week vs. +5,000/week in 2Q),” Zuanic explained in the report.
Middle Of The Road
New York, Ohio, and Maryland are in the same price range ($13.70-$13.90). He noted that prices are similar in Maryland and Ohio, although the MD market is more developed ($550Mn pa vs. $390Mn), with more sales, stores, and SKUs.
Zuanic explained that in NY, the legal industry has to compete with a large illicit market, which he thinks, explains NY prices being 26% below VA (a state that also only recently approved the sale of the whole flower).
“NY just began selling whole flowers, but supplies remain scarce. Yes, there are 40 med stores in the state, but we only counted 22 whole flower SKUs in the five stores surveyed (the five MD stores we surveyed had >500).”
New Jersey And Pennsylvania
Zuanic estimates New Jersey’s medical sales at $375 million on an annualized basis, while Headset estimates Pennsylvania’s at $1.18 billion per annum. About 3% of the PA population are active patients compared with 1.3% in NJ.
Zuanic found medical prices in PA to be the highest (for flower) among the medical states except for VA. He noted this “reflects a vibrant med market in PA for quality whole flower (pop penetration).”
Zuanic also noted that the medical market in New Jersey has not developed much on the demand side, which coupled with a large illicit market, “probably explains NJ prices being well below VA.”
“Despite more supplies, and more stores (139 vs. 23), PA’s prices are in line with NJ,” added the analyst.
Illinois And Massachusetts: The Highest Prices Across Recreational States
According to Cantor’s survey, IL whole flower prices are $18.41 per gram, almost 2x the prices in CO ($9.33/g); in a similar range with MI at $12.18, CA at $12.51, and NV at $12.71.
MA is the 2nd highest after IL, with prices of $14.89. “IL does not rank above MA or MI in per capita spend (IL $141, MI $181, MA $237), but we think few stores and apparently tight supplies vs. other markets, both explain the higher prices,” clarified Zuanic.
Although MA wholesale prices are 11% lower than IL, retail prices are ~20% lower, probably due to a higher store count in MA. “Based on the official state data, IL now is at an annual run rate of $1.79 billion in recreational and medical sales” while “MA is at $1.63 billion.”
Other States
The Virginia medical market is in the early stages. “There are only six dispensaries opened, and we estimate the current patient count at only 35,000 (0.4% population penetration). That said, even though SKU counts are below other states, the average of 18 whole flower 3.5g SKUs per store in VA is well above the 4.4 average of NY. We think the higher prices vs. NY are explained mostly by the larger illicit market in NY.”
NV is a more segmented market. “In NV we surveyed five stores, with AYR Las Vegas having an average price of $11.26 vs. $12.40 for Reef Las Vegas, and the other three stores with prices above $13.60 (MedMen LV, Curaleaf LV, Rise Carson City). We think NV may be a more segment market at retail (in terms of price range).”
Just four years into the start of operations in the state’s cannabis industry, operators are not only struggling with tax payments, they’re also competing with illegal cannabis operators to make a profit.
There is a crisis looming on the horizon for California’s cannabis industry. Prominent cannabis companies in California have warned against an impending collapse of the state’s cannabis industry. Turns out data shows the majority of California marijuana bought from the black market .
In a letter dated December 17th, the group warned Governor Gavin Newsom of the strains caused by the hefty taxes imposed on operators in the industry. To prevent the impending disaster, the group says a rapid expansion of retail cannabis stores is needed to stabilize the marketplace. The letter was also sent to the legislative leaders in Sacramento, as the group understands that the executive arm needs the support of the legislative body to make changes to the industry. In addition to this, the group proposes that mandatory taxes be halted for a while or cut down significantly.
Photo by Mikhail Nilov from Pexels
Some companies, executives, and groups that signed the letter are the California arm of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, the California Cannabis Industry Association, CannaCraft, Flow Kanna, and the Los Angeles-based United Cannabis Business Association.
A Drastic Change Is Needed
In the letter, they explained that the industry is on the verge of collapsing. The industry has been heavily taxed, and little has been done to improve the conditions of the industry, despite the vast sums of money generated by companies annually. California’s marketplace has more or less remained stagnant since it was established, and it is now deteriorating at a fast rate.
Since 2016, when the state passed Prop 64, very little has been done to steady the shaky industry. In the letter, the industry was described as a never-ending rollercoaster ride.
While it can’t be denied that the state has gained massive economic boosts from the legislation, it must also be stated that this current mess of an industry is not what residents expect or deserve.
The industry’s leaders praised the state government for generating significant revenue from the industry for the state coffers. However, they also said that the sector had suffered severe setbacks due to the struggles of local governments to work around bureaucratic red tape at the state level.
A Collapsing Industry
Just four years into the start of operations in the state’s cannabis industry, operators are not only struggling with tax payments, they’re also competing with illegal cannabis operators to make a profit.
According to the details in the letter, the group said that the current rules and regulations guiding the industry had not helped the legal operators in any way. Instead, it seems as though it was set up to ensure the industry crumbles. The group highlighted that this wasn’t the first warning given to the state government. For several months, there have been a series of complaints leveled against the state’s cannabis regulatory agency, but nothing has been done.
Photo by Yarygin/Getty Images
Industry officials and executives have reported the heavy taxes and limiting regulations on several occasions. They backed their complaints with proof of being unable to compete against the widespread cannabis blackmarket in different state regions. They added that consumer prices in illegal markets are meager; hence sales are at least double that of the legal markets. Legal cannabis products are fifty percent more expensive than unlawful cannabis products. Some are pushing for a tax-free cannabis sector to battle the illicit market prices in California.
About 73% of the total cannabis consumed in California is produced and sold on the black market. This means that most of the cannabis products consumed by Californians are untested and unsafe for consumption. The leaders told the state’s government that they had had enough. The government’s inaction to do anything worthwhile in the industry has pushed stakeholders to the breaking point.
Excessive taxation has crippled the industry and caused expansion opportunities to be squandered. To an outsider, California has one of the biggest cannabis industries, but it takes more information to understand that the state could have a more robust legal market.
The Industry Needs Help
The letter, which was co-signed by the leading officials and advocates in the state’s cannabis industry, explicitly said that the industry’s problems require the help of the state government, as these challenges are too numerous to be handled and overcome by the industry alone.
The first piece of help needed is an immediate lifting of the cultivation tax imposed on all legal cannabis growers in the state. A request for a three-year holiday from the excise tax was also listed in the letter. In addition to this, the team asks that the state government expand retail stores across the state. In a state as big as California, only one-third of its cities have cannabis dispensaries. The absence of dispensaries in two-thirds of the state’s cities can be blamed on the sluggishness of local governments in granting sales and production permits to applicants.
Photo by smodj/Getty Images
Other Demands
At a press conference to address the letter’s contents, the co-signers asked the state regulators to cancel out the mandatory 15 percent tax on cultivation and the excise tax on sales. They also pleaded that the state begins to issue more licenses to applicants so that the expansion process can begin.
Erin Mellon, the governor’s representative, said that Gov. Newsom fully supports cannabis tax reforms. She also stated that the governor agrees with the demand of the group to overhaul the system to clamp down on illegal activities within the sector. She also acknowledged that the current mandatory taxes pose severe challenges to the industry’s progress.
She ended her statement by promising that the governor is ready to work with the legislature to bring the much-needed tax reform efforts to fruition.
Bottom Line
The unwillingness of the state’s executive and legislative governments to effectively legislate, implement, or execute laws — and also coordinate a fully functional cannabis industry — is the root of all the problems ailing California’s cannabis industry.
These politicians and lawmakers need to immediately make good on their pledges to wipe off the state’s cannabis black market. Honestly, it makes no sense that a state’s bootleg cannabis market is at least twice the size of its legal market.
The faster these issues are resolved, the earlier operators in the legal sector can begin making their deserved profits while making the industry the most robust legal cannabis industry in the United States.
A new study suggests our genes could have a significant influence in the type of flavors we’re interested in, including our coffee preferences.
Those who enjoy black coffee and dark chocolate might have a genetic predisposition towards these flavors. According to a new study, these people can reap a variety of benefits that will boost their overall health.
Black coffee has long been associated with a variety of benefits, particularly in people who drink 3 to 5 cups a day, lowering their risk of diseases like Parkinson’s, heart conditions, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. These effects are made all the more pronounced when people avoid dairy, sweeteners, and other processed ingredients.
The study, published in the journal Nature, suggests that some people have a genetic variant that prompts them to process caffeine faster. These people prefer bitter and black coffee.
Marilyn Cornelis, an associate professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University, spoke to CNN on the perks of black coffee and the findings of their research. Cornelis and her team theorize that people with this gene prefer black coffee and plain tea, associating bitter flavors with mental alertness.
“We know there’s growing evidence suggesting there’s a beneficial impact of coffee consumption on health. But reading between the lines, anyone advising someone to consume coffee would typically advise them to consume black coffee due to the difference between consuming black coffee and coffee with milk and sugar,” she said.
Like some people enjoy black coffee due to their genes, the number of coffee cups a day can be influenced by their genetic makeup, facilitating the metabolization of caffeine and prompting their bodies to ask for more. “This could explain why some individuals seem to be fine consuming a lot more coffee relative to someone else who might get jitters or become very anxious,” said Cornelis.
Drinkers of black coffee have a tendency to also be interested in bitter foods, like dark chocolate, which have been associated with better health. More research in this areas might prove that these people have an edge in regards to their health when compared to others, preferring healthier flavors and foods and sticking to them throughout their lives.
Although cannabis legalization advocates expressed support for the bill, they urged legislators to allow home cultivation and to add provisions to foster social equity in the cannabis industry.
After months of exploring the ins and outs of legalizing recreational cannabis, Maryland lawmaker Luke Clippinger (D) pre-filed a bill to put marijuana legalization on the state’s 2022 ballot, Forbes reported.
The move came months after forming a 10-member Cannabis Referendum and Legalization Workgroup, which Clippinger chaired. The bipartisan legislative group was appointed by House Speaker Adrienne Jones and tasked with studying issues related to legalizing adult-use cannabis in the state.
Photo by Ivan-balvan/Getty Images
Meanwhile, Clippinger’s House Bill 1 seeks to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot that will be introduced at the start of the 2022 session on Jan. 12. In addition, the bill has been referred to the Judiciary Committee, which Clippinger chairs.
If approved by at least three-fifths of the votes in both the Senate and House of Delegates, the new piece of legislation will place this question on the Nov. 2022 election ballot: “Do you favor the legalization of adult-use cannabis in the State of Maryland?”
Once voters pass the bill, possession of cannabis by adults 21 and older will be legal as of July 2023. Lawmakers would also be responsible for establishing rules permitting the “use, distribution, possession, regulation, and taxation of cannabis within the state.”
Although cannabis legalization advocates expressed support for the bill, they urged legislators to allow home cultivation and to add provisions to foster social equity in the cannabis industry.
“While we are grateful legislative leaders are prioritizing cannabis legalization in 2022, we are disappointed the pre-filed House referendum would continue the devastating war on cannabis for months after voters legalize cannabis,” Karen O’Keefe, director of state policies for the Marijuana Policy Project told Marijuana Moment. “We strongly urge legislators to revise the proposal to legalize possession and home cultivation upon enactment.”
Researchers concluded that “cannabis decriminalization seemed to be particularly beneficial to Blacks, who were suffering the most from the adverse consequences of criminal penalties.”
African Americans are nearly four times more likely to get arrested for marijuana possession laws than whites, though both groups use cannabis at roughly the same rates, according to the ACLU. Various analyses of marijuana-related arrests in recent years have proved this fact to be true.
However, according to a new study conducted by the Researchers from the University of California San Diego, cannabis decriminalization policy seems to be reducing the racial disparity in arrests for possession, Forbes reports.
Photo by Gleti/Getty Images
A Sharp Decline In Cannabis Possession Arrest Rates
The findings suggest that cannabis decriminalization in 11 states resulted in a 70% drop in cannabis possession arrest rates among adults and over 40% among youths.
The study, published in the peer-reviewed academic journal Social Science & Medicine, has taken into account FBI Uniform Crime Report data coming from 37 U.S. states from 2000 to 2019.
And while a 17% decline in racial disparity among adults is evident, there was no evidence of a drop in the racial disparity between Black and White young people following the decriminalization of marijuana. However, it was related to a decline in arrest rates among Blacks and Whites.
The study found that the main drivers of such a decline seem to be recreational cannabis laws. In addition, there was limited evidence for such an association in terms of medical marijuana.
Marijuana Decriminalization As Option For Cannabis Liberalization
“Cannabis decriminalization seemed to be particularly beneficial to Blacks, who were suffering the most from the adverse consequences of criminal penalties,” the study reads. “Taken together, we recommend that lawmakers and public health researchers reconsider cannabis decriminalization as an option of cannabis liberalization, particularly in states concerning the unintended consequences and implementation costs of medical and recreational cannabis legalization.”
However, the researchers disclosed that they did not identify a relation between recreational cannabis legalization laws and racial disparity in arrest rates due to a lack of evidence.
They also could not ascertain whether the drop in racial disparity among adults was due to individual cannabis possession or behavioral change on the part if law enforcement officers.
Photo by sakhorn38/Getty Images
In the end, the research pointed out that “it is possible that law enforcement behaviors did not change: Blacks might still be more likely to be stopped, questioned, or searched for cannabis possession than Whites after decriminalization.
“But if these behaviors did not result in arrests because of decriminalization, racial disparity in arrest rates would still decline,” the study reads.” It is also possible that Blacks were more likely to respond to decriminalization by possessing less cannabis below the threshold amount for the lowest level of criminal offense compared to Whites.”
Another Study Proving The Same
With the study, California researchers reaffirmed the findings of a recent study published by the American Medical Association.
Researchers from Eastern Virginia Medical School and Saint Louis University analyzed data from 43 states — gathered from 2008 to 2019 — only to find that removing or loosening laws around marijuana is connected to notable decreases in arrest rates compared to states that have kept cannabis illegal.
Moreover, the study also revealed that “cannabis arrests for adults and youth went up over time in states that did not implement a cannabis policy change,” with racial disparities in arrest rates increasing as well.
Earl Jacobe’s family said that an unfortunate series of episodes began after he consumed large amounts of THC from mislabeled Curaleaf hemp tinctures.
Earl Jacobe’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Curaleaf, an Oregon cannabis company. The family claims the mix-up between the product’s labeling early in the year played a huge role in his death.
Jacobe, 78, is one of the customers who purchased mislabelled hemp tinctures in Oregon. He experienced strange reactions after consuming the product, and after that, he suffered more complications after succumbing to COVID-19 some weeks later. In the last weeks before his death, he was hospitalized at least twice; his family claims he had stroke-like reactions which lowered his immunity and made him contract the dreaded virus.
The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) subsequently issued a product recall and immediately uncovered this mixup. Cannabidiol products are not supposed to have any significant level of psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as they are supposed to be produced from hemp.
In the report issued by OLCC in September, customers got to know that the mistake occurred at Cura Cannabis’s Portland manufacturing site. The products were not meant to have THC, and negligence on the production site led to this mixup. From the tincture’s packaging and labels, customers thought that the product was made from hemp and contained no detectable THC.
In an interview, Mark Pettinger, OLCC spokesperson, said that the regulation immediately retested samples from the bottle. The results came back positive for THC; more bottles were tested and found to have the same impact. The investigation revealed that the product, Select Tincture 30ml THC drops– 1,000 mg unflavored, produced and sold in Oregon from June to August 2021 were mislabeled and had to be recalled for more tests or destruction.
The regulatory body, OLCC, also issued another recall for the brand’s THC tinctures for testing, but they were found to be safe as they contained no THC.
A Human Error
In a statement to respond to the ensuing backlash, Curaleaf blamed the mistake on unintentional human error. This so-called human error has led to the hospitalization of many and possibly the death.
Jacobe’s family is the first to file an alleged wrongful death lawsuit against Curaleaf. However, nine previous lawsuits have already been signed against Curaleaf Holdings in the last ten weeks. More cases may still pop up.
Photo by Rocky89/Getty Images
The tragic death of Earl Jacobe, as well as the pain he endured in his final days, are the focal points in this wrongful death suit. His family sadly explained that he had to be transported to the hospital via helicopter twice and that it was the doctors who let them know that the patient had exhibited stroke-like symptoms. His family said that an unfortunate series of episodes began after the deceased consumed large amounts of THC from the mislabeled Curaleaf hemp tinctures.
According to their reports, he was virtually comatose, and his immunity lowered significantly, which caused him to get infected with the COVID-19 virus some weeks later. Michael Fuller, the Portland attorney, handling all den cases against Curaleaf Holdings, said that the other customers who filed the previous case’s all suffered from dizziness, moodiness, confusion, paranoia, psychosis, and a few even had several thoughts of death after consuming the tinctures.
Trials, Trials, and More Trials
Micheal Lopez is the name behind another severe lawsuit. He was also admitted to the hospital after showing stroke-like symptoms, which led to unnecessary surgery. Lopez also added that he experienced psychosis and had a vivid fear of death. Fortunately, he is alive to tell the story.
Michael Fuller has disclosed that each client will have separate trials because each has their individual experience and injuries, which should not be combined with others. Many of these clients are elderly and in their late seventies; hence they have no interest in a prolonged trial and are willing to settle out of court if they can. Their age is also one of the reasons why the mislabeled products have such adverse effects on them.
No Comment
Curaleaf is yet to comment on the growing numbers of lawsuits filed against them. The only stated in September, a few days after the recall order was issued. They noted that a team member had confused the two containers holding THC and CBD while filling and packaging the tinctures.
Photo by CRYSTALWEED cannabis via Unsplash
The company added that this confusion resulted in an entire batch of THC laced tinctures being mislabelled as CBD drops and vice versa. In the issued statement, the company pointed out that THC in the product was the standard limit for their THC drops. Still, most complications occurred because the customers unknowingly consumed more than one dose. The amount of THC in these products was not precisely disclosed.
Curaleaf Holdings have assured the public that such a mix-up would not occur again. They said that the company had introduced a new control unit which would provide more training to the staff on the ground and also ensure the cameras are continuously monitored at all times. They also wrote that there is a new Quality Technician at the company’s unit in Oregon. The contract of the individual responsible for this mix-up has also been terminated.
Bottom Line
There is a high probability that there are other seniors out there who also experienced the same fate as Earl Jacobe or Michael Lopez after consuming these mislabelled products. Some of these recalled products could also still be with these consumers, as it’s not everyone that gets to know about recalls.
To ensure this does not occur again, these lawsuits have to be judiciously tried or settled out of court to allow these elderly clients to go back to their everyday lives, and for the Jacobe family, they need to know they did all they could. Multiple testing stages by third parties can also ensure this costly mistake never occurs again.
