George W. Bush Shades Trump With Annual Holiday Card

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December 18, 2020

George W. Bush Shades Trump With Annual Holiday Card

Former president George W. Bush sent a holiday card with a special message as Trump continues to deny Biden win.

While President Donald Trump continues to deny the outcome of the presidential election, former President George W. Bush sent a holiday card with a hopeful and pointed message.

The holiday card, obtained by CNN, features a painting of the Statue of Liberty created by Bush himself, who has become quite an artist since leaving the White House. The artwork in the card is titled “Beacon of Hope, 2020” and is part of Bush’s new art collection, meant to celebrate immigrants. “May the light of the holiday season shine bright in your heart now and throughout the New Year,” reads the inscription.

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A post shared by George W. Bush (@georgewbush)

Bush was one of the first Republican figures to congratulate Joe Biden on his win this past November and has been critical of the Trump administration’s stance on immigrants. The Statue of Liberty is one of the most iconic American symbols for hope, one of the first sights that greeted many immigrants as they entered the New York Harbor.

Inscribed on the statue, a poem, written by Emma Lazarus, commemorating the plight of immigrants: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”

But in 2019, an official from the Trump administration made modifications to the poem to reflect their case for limiting immigration: “Give me your tired and your poor who can stand on their own two feet and who will not become a public charge.” How charitable.

Marijuana Legislative Roundup — Photo by ParentRap via Pixabay

Bush was one of the first Republicans to call Biden and congratulate him on the results of the election. He said that while Trump had the right to ask for recounts, he believed the election results were fair.

“Though we have political differences, I know Joe Biden to be a good man, who has won his opportunity to lead and unify our country,” said Bush. “The President-elect reiterated that while he ran as a Democrat, he will govern for all Americans. I offered him the same thing I offered Presidents Trump and Obama: my prayers for his success, and my pledge to help in any way I can.”

You can read and view the holiday card here.

A Gift Guide For Someone Who’s Had A Rough Year

Maria Loreto

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December 18, 2020

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A Gift Guide For Someone Who’s Had A Rough Year

This year has challenged all of us in different ways. Here are some gift ideas for those who’ve struggled most.

I don’t know if you’ve heard, but this year has been pretty intense. Faced with a pandemic, economic uncertainty, global warming and rising political tensions, this year was tough on everyone, even those equipped with strong coping mechanisms or who were lucky enough to hold on to their income.

The start of the new year provides us all with some hope; even if we logically know that things will stay sort of the same, we close out the year with a new president and a vaccine for COVID-19. There’s a long road ahead and the pandemic is not over, but there are still plenty of reasons to feel fortunate.

Here are some gift ideas for someone who’s had a rough year. So, a gift guide for everyone, basically:

Cannabis

CBD Bath Bombs Sound Relaxing, But Do They Work? — Photo by Pharma Hemp Complex via Unsplash

Cannabis isn’t just a fun gift, it’s also great for stress. If you want to give your loved one something that’s not smokeable, how about something that’s relaxing, like CBD infused bath bombs or soap? There’s also vape pens and bongs, which are reliable standbys for a reason. Here’s a guide breaking down gifts depending on who you’re gifting them to.

Light therapy lamps

Weed — Photo by Burak Kebapci via Pexels

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a common affliction (here are 5 signs you might have it), one that’s usually triggered around this time of the year. With the addition of the pandemic, this winter is panning out to be pretty lonely and blue, with light therapy lamps providing relief for those who need it most. You can find them at Walmart or Amazon with different price ranges.

Talkspace or Calm gift cards and subscriptions

5 Things You Can Do To Make The Most Of Your Therapy Sessions — Photo by Ivan Samkov via Pexels

If you know someone who’s particularly struggled with all the challenges this year, a gift card or subscription from a service like Talkspace or Calm are thoughtful and useful gifts. Mental health aid is notoriously expensive, resulting in a lot of people foregoing this since there’s no way of justifying the expense. Talkspace and Calm provide different services with different price ranges, with the former connecting people with a real therapist through phone or video chat, and the latter providing guided meditations, sleep aid, mindfulness and more.

Restaurant gift cards or at home kits

The Basics Of Wearing A Face Mask When In A Restaurant — Photo by Norma Mortenson via Pexels

A simple way of helping out your local economy and giving something nice to someone is to gift them a gift card from a restaurant they love. Most restaurants have figured this out during the pandemic, providing people with convenient meal kits, gift cards, and more. Food is a great way of showing someone that you’re thinking of them, especially during these sad times.

Yoga mat

how your monthly cycle affects your workouts — Photo by McKinsey via rawpixel.com

At home workouts are the new normal, with gyms opening and closing, and stressing everyone out. A yoga mat is a great present, one that makes all sorts of home workouts comfortable and possible. With a yoga mat, people can practice cardio, yoga, stretches, and more.

A journal or self help book

What Is A Bullet Journal And How Can It Organize Your Life? — Photo via @faithfully_ever/Twitter

Another thoughtful present can be a journal or a self help book, with journals giving people room to discuss their feelings and plan out their lives. Self help books have improved over the years, with many providing people with entertainment, great writing and much needed insight.

CBD Edibles Not All They Claim To Be

Julie Aitcheson

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December 18, 2020

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A new analysis finds only 25% of products tested had CBD levels close to the amount advertised, with a whopping 75% of products off by anywhere from 11% to 177%.

With every passing day and every new bit of legislation passed, more products containing CBD hit the shelves. Word is out that cannabinoids have real and lasting benefits, particularly when it comes to troubleshooting some of the most persistent maladies plaguing consumers today, including anxiety, insomnia, and pain.

Word is also out that not all CBD products are created equal, and that the potency promised on packaging may not be an accurate reflection of the product within. According to the CBD Edibles Market Report (resulting from a collaboration between Leafreport and their partner lab Canalysis, this issue is particularly pronounced when it comes to edibles.

The report found that edibles, one of the fastest-growing categories in the CBD market, are harder to measure compared to tinctures, capsules, and other products. The reason given for this is that “CBD edibles are more difficult to formulate than CBD oil and contain much smaller amounts of CBD per piece, which means that variations of even a few milligrams can have a big effect.” “Big” is no exaggeration.

The analysis, which incorporated 40 products and 21 brands, found that 63% of products tested contained more CBD than stated on the label, with only 11 out of the 40 tested edible products containing CBD levels within 10% of the claimed amount. That’s only 27.5% of products that meet industry experts’ recommendation that cannabis products deviate no more than 10% from the label.

Gummy Products Are Changing The Way People Think About CBD — Photo by Pharma Hemp Complex via Unsplash

Indeed, only 25% of the products tested had CBD levels close to the amount advertised, with a whopping 75% of products off by anywhere from 11% to 177%. Third-party testing, which involves sending products to an independent lab to verify potency and safety, used to be considered a safeguard against such wild variability, but that does not appear to be the case in every instance.

One would expect that the brands with the highest accuracy rating would be from larger or more established companies, yet this, too, was not the case. Using an A through F rating system, with “A” representing products with CBD levels within 10% of what is stated on the label and “F” those products where CBD levels differed from the label by more than 30%, most A-rated brands were from relatively small or new companies (like Vermont’s VT CBD) while some of the more established (like American Shaman) received “F” ratings, and they weren’t alone. 30% of products tested received Leafreport’s worst rating.

Although third-party testing did not prevent companies that used it from putting out products whose potency did not match the label, it was a consistent factor among those that scored well. Independent test results still matter, and the responsible consumer would do well to pay them heed.

RELATED: FTC Announces Crackdown On CBD

For those who don’t want to take the kind of gamble on the potency that edibles represent, Leafreport’s study concludes that CBD oil is the safer option to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth.

This article originally appeared on Green Market Report and has been reposted with permission.

FTC Announces Crackdown On CBD

CBD
News

Daniel Shortt

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December 18, 2020

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Every Hemp-CBD company out there should reevaluate their marketing strategy in light of this breaking announcement.

On December 17, 2020, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a crackdown on deceptively marketed CBD products (the Announcement). We have been warning about the FTC’s regulatory authority over CBD, so while the announcement is important, it is not necessarily surprising. The cannabis industry, especially businesses involved in the manufacture and sale of hemp-derived cannabidiol (Hemp-CBD), should take note of the FTC’s first law enforcement crackdown because we expect more to follow.

The Announcement focused on the FTC’s enforcement actions against six sellers of Hemp-CBD products who the FTC claims made unsupported claims about their products treating serious health conditions. Here is what that looks like, per the Announcement:

The FTC is requiring each of the companies, and individuals behind them, to stop making such unsupported health claims immediately, and several will pay monetary judgments to the agency. The orders settling the FTC’s complaints also bar the respondents from similar deceptive advertising in the future, and require that they have scientific evidence to support any health claims they make for CBD and other products.

The six settlements announced today send a clear message to the burgeoning CBD industry: Don’t make spurious health claims that are unsupported by medical science,” said Andrew Smith, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Otherwise, don’t be surprised if you hear from the FTC.”

In making the Announcement, the FTC also published a blog post emphasizing that Hemp-CBD marketing is squarely in the agency’s cross hairs. The first paragraph from that post warns of a paradigm shift in the Hemp-CBD industry:

“It’s the Wild West out there!” How often have you heard that statement made about health claims for products containing CBD? But here’s the thing: It’s not the Wild West. In fact, health-related representations for CBD products are subject to the same established requirements of scientific substantiation the FTC has applied for decades to any advertised health claim.

how to use CBD oil to fight inflammation — Photo by BATCH by Wisconsin Hemp Scientific via Unsplash

Much of the legal discussion around Hemp-CBD has focused on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA and the FTC work together to regulate the marketing of food, drugs, cosmetics, tobacco, and a host of other consumer goods. The FDA has been at the forefront of the discussion because it has been more active in calling out Hemp-CBD marketing.

I say “calling out” because that’s what FDA enforcement has looked like. The FDA has sent numerous warning letters to Hemp-CBD companies about unsubstantiated health claims and has frequently issued press releases, policy statements, and FAQs concerning the unlawful marketing of Hemp-CBD. The FTC has also sent warning letters but not with the same frequency as the FDA.

The Announcement ushers in a new regulatory reality with higher stakes. The FTC is not just warning Hemp-CBD companies, it’s filing complaints against them. The six companies targeted by the FTC all settled, according to the Announcement, and five of them “include a financial remedy.” That’s a diplomatic way for the FTC to say that they hit these companies where it hurts, the wallet.

As an attorney who frequently works with Hemp-CBD companies I can say that entrepreneurs in the Hemp-CBD industry are pretty comfortable with some amount of regulatory risk. Risk tolerance can be an asset in an emerging industry because market demands outpace the slow process of regulators face in building a compliant framework for novel products.

But, there is a fine line between being savvy and reckless. Every Hemp-CBD company out there should reevaluate their marketing strategy in light of the FTC announcement. If you are not sure what to do next, give us a call and continue to monitor the Green Light Law Blog for more developments.

Daniel Shortt is a corporate and regulatory attorney based in Seattle, Washington who works extensively with entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry. This article originally appeared on Green Light Law Group and has been reposted with permission. You can contact Daniel at info@gl-lg.com or (206) 430-1336.

Prince William And Kate Middleton’s Christmas Card

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Royals

Patricia Wallace

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December 17, 2020

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Prince William And Kate Middleton’s Christmas Card

The young family of five is captured in a moment of holiday joy in their 2020 Christmas card portrait. Take a look.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have released their official family Christmas card portrait. And considering we’re all going through a global pandemic, everyone seems pretty joyful.

In addition to Kate Middleton and Prince William, the photo shows a smiling Prince George, 7, his younger sister Princess Charlotte, 5, and the youngest, Prince Louis, 2.

Matt Porteous snapped the photo, one of many official shots he’s taken of the family over the years, including their Christmas card from 2018.

“It was an honour to photograph The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their family,” he captioned his Instagram post featuring this year’s holiday portrait. “Capturing the fun and relaxed moments between such a wonderful family is always a true privilege.”⁠⠀

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A post shared by Matt Porteous (@mattporteous)

Per CNN, because of the pandemic, the royal family won’t be spending the holidays like they usually do, at Sandringham, Queen Elizabeth II’s country estate in rural Norfolk, around 100 miles northeast of London.

Instead, according to an official press statement, the Queen and Prince Philip will be celebrating this year’s Christmas “quietly” in their residence at Windsor Castle.

Says a Buckingham Palace official: “Having considered all the appropriate advice, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh have decided that this year they will spend Christmas quietly in Windsor.”

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A post shared by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@kensingtonroyal)

The Cambridges made their red carpet debut last Friday when they attended a special pantomime performance of Pantoland at The Palladium, which was held (socially distanced, of course) to thank frontline workers and their families for their efforts this year.

5 Everyday Places Where COVID-19 Is Spreading

Maria Loreto

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December 17, 2020

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5 Everyday Places Where COVID-19 Is Spreading

COVID-19 cases continue to rise and worsen. Here are 5 everyday spots that have proven to be successful at spreading the virus.

The pandemic is raging in most parts of the U.S., with the winter and the holidays making matters worse. Now that the weather is dropping and people feel the need to celebrate in the face of such a tough year, there’s been an increased amount of gatherings and time spent indoors.

With every month there’s more to learn about COVID-19, from how it works and spreads to the effectiveness of the preventative measures we take. With contact tracing, people and experts are trying their best to figure out where and how COVID-19 spreads.

Here are some of the most common places COVID-19 is spreading right now:

Social gatherings

How To Defuse Political Conversations With Work And Family — Photo by Brooke Cagle via Unsplash

Small and large gatherings are some of the most popular places where people contract the virus. While smaller gatherings are safer, exposing you to less people, if there’s someone infected it’s still very likely for there to be transmission. One of the most important factors people should keep in mind are the amount of cases in the area; if you community is flooded with COVID-19 cases right, your risk is increased even if the gathering is small and held outdoors.

Restaurants and bars

decoding the subtle cues of restaurants — Photo by Kevin Curtis via Unsplash

While each restaurant and bar experience is different, varying depending on the state and the precautions taken by the businesses, these places play a factor in transmission. There’s less risk if tables are spaced out and are placed outdoors, and more risk when dining indoors or in a tent where there’s stifled airflow.

Religious services

church — Photo by Daniel Morton via Unsplash

Despite the fact that religious gatherings have been known to be a source of COVID-19, these congregations continue to be held, contributing to the spread of the disease across states. Religious services play an interesting role since people stay in their spot for long periods of time, singing and chanting, all the while staying in close proximity to others. It’s a high risk activity.

Stores and shops

While a quick trip to the grocery store is considered a low risk activity, workers are exposed to a significant amount of risk due to their interactions with people with varying degrees of mask wearing diligence. Then there’s also the fact that many people who’ve contracted the disease don’t know where they get it from, making contact tracers wonder if stores and shops pose a bigger risk than what’s believed.

Home

5 Things You Can Do To Help You Feel Normal — Photo by August de Richelieu via Pexels

Our homes are one of the sources of highest risk. If someone in your household has COVID-19, it’s quite a challenge to contain it. A majority of people catch the disease from a family member or when visiting someone else’s home. The smaller the space, the tougher it is to avoid contracting the virus.

When sharing space with someone who has COVID-19, the best odds of decreasing contagion are to isolate them from other household members, having higher degree of success if the infected person doesn’t share common spaces like the bathroom or the kitchen. Some cities are offering hotels and rooms where people can quarantine at no cost, which might be the most realistic way of preventing further spread.

Cannabis Industry Insiders Look Ahead To 2021

Green Market Report

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December 17, 2020

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Cannabis Industry Insiders Look Ahead To 2021

What can we expect from the cannabis industry in the new year? Insiders reveal their thoughts and predictions for 2021.

Most can agree that 2020 was a year we’d like to leave behind. Even for the ‘essential’ business of cannabis, it was a challenging year with store closures and social distancing in grow facilities. Here now are several leaders in the industry weighing in with their thoughts on 2021.

4Front Ventures

(CSE: FFNT) (OTCQX: FFNTF) a national multi-state cannabis operator and retailer, with a market advantage in mass-produced, low-cost quality branded cannabis products. 4Front manufactures and distributes a portfolio of over 25 cannabis brands including Marmas, Crystal Clear, Funky Monkey, Pebbles, and the Pure Ratios wellness collection, distributed through retail outlets and their chain of strategically positioned Mission branded dispensaries.

Expert: Kris Krane, President

Thoughts:

Cannabis is poised to be an even better market in 2021 for a variety of reasons. New states like New Jersey and Arizona that legalized this November are poised to come online for adult use for the first time. Newer markets like Illinois, Michigan, and Massachusetts are poised to expand and mature. A Biden administration is likely to be friendlier towards this industry than the current administration. But most importantly, the larger companies in the space are now focused on operations and execution, resulting in better overall performance, revenue, and EBITDA. I would expect that we will see more consolidation in 2021, as companies use some of their new profits to acquire businesses and market share.
2021 will likely see a continued focus on operations and execution, separating out the major players from those that were always built on hype and smoke and mirrors. We may see some name brands go under in 2021, but the cream will rise to the top and the likely eventual big winners in the market will start to emerge.

Legal Weed Is Making An Impact On The Billion Dollar Sleep Market — Photo by Cavan Images/Getty Images

Clever Leaves

A multi-national company with operations and investments in Canada, Colombia, Germany, Portugal, and the United States. The company is about to close a SPAC deal with Schulze Special Purpose Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: SAMA) to becoming publicly traded on NASDAQ this month.

Spokesperson: Kyle Detwiler, CEO

Thoughts:

Expectations for the cannabis market in 2021: The market will increasingly perform well
- As the pandemic lingers, we still see the medical cannabis market performing well. The resilience, professionalism, and creativity in times of setback, have been critical to the success of our team to navigate complex regulatory frameworks and to maintain our customer’s and investor’s support. While a great deal of cannabis companies are still strapped for cash, we were able to raise the necessary capital to withstand the market headwinds in these extremely challenging times and we believe this will help us achieve our ultimate goal of transforming the cannabis supply chain on an international scale.
- With approximately $125 million raised to date, which includes institutional investors with a demonstrated track record in the cannabis sector, Clever Leaves has established significant competitive advantages and positioned itself to achieve global scale as we enter 2021 between its Colombian cultivation and extraction operations, its Portuguese cultivation facilities and its global distribution infrastructure in the EU, which is currently headquartered in Germany.
- With a low-cost operating model, significant asset base and solid leadership, investors believe our company is well-positioned for substantial revenue and is expected to achieve positive free cash flow by the fourth quarter of 2021.
Defining theme for the cannabis market in 2021: M&A will play a huge role
- M&A will be an ongoing theme as we enter the new year. As we are about to close our definitive agreement with Schultze Special Purpose Acquisition Corp. (SAMA) we will become a NASDAQ-listed public company and that will be a significant opportunity for strategic acquisitions. Clever Leaves’ global sales and distribution capabilities can be meaningfully expanded through strategic decision-making and thoughtful capital deployment, including through disciplined M&A.
- Clever Leaves is expected to be one of a few cannabis companies listed on the NASDAQ thereby making this investment opportunity available to a substantially broader base of investors. Our business combination with SAMA will significantly strengthen our balance sheet and take us to the next level, enabling us to accelerate the commercialization of our high-quality products as well as expand our operations and distribution in attractive markets around the world.

How to Choose the Best Cannabis Strain — Photo by Add Weed via Unsplash

NewLake Capital

A cannabis real-estate investment vehicle that has tenants across the supply chain in the U.S. including cultivation, manufacturing, and retail. The company owns 20 properties across 8 states that are operated by experienced, well-capitalized medical and adult-use operators like Columbia Care, Trulieve, Curaleaf, and PharmaCann.

Spokesperson: Anthony Coniglio, CEO

Thoughts:

Expectations for the cannabis market in 2021:The Cannabis industry will continue maturing on all three fronts of financial performance, investor acceptance, and legalization.
- We believe the Cannabis industry will continue maturing on all three fronts of financial performance, investor acceptance, and legalization. Good 2020 financial performance will improve in 2021, more investors will support the industry and legislative action is only a matter of time.
- The election sealed the fate for the cannabis industry declaring it a clear winner in the years to come. This success at the ballot box is a strong catalyst for the cannabis industry. Each state with ballot initiatives has moved forward to legalize cannabis for medicinal or adult-use, further solidifying the inevitability of federal legalization and positioning the industry for sustainable long-term growth in 2021.
Defining theme for the cannabis market in 2021: Approval of Adult-use sales in New Jersey will create a domino effect in the Northeast
- We think approval of Adult-use sales in New Jersey will create a domino effect in the Northeast and result in over $1Billion of sales in NJ alone, during 2022. We think approval by NJ voters will be a catalyst for coordination with New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania creating an adult-use region with a population of nearly 45 million people.
- Significant investments in real estate and related infrastructure – Similar to adult-use in Illinois, we will see increased demand for retail, cultivation and manufacturing properties in New Jersey and the surrounding states We could see over 5million square feet of real estate reallocated to the cannabis industry in the coming years. NewLake is positioning to be a provider of choice for the real estate capital needs of the industry.
- Success at the ballot box will be another strong catalyst for the cannabis industry – Each state that legalizes cannabis for medicinal or adult-use, further solidifies the inevitability of federal legalization and positions the industry for sustainable long-term growth. Over the next three years, we expect meaningful expansion of existing medical programs, new adult-use markets, and new states to legalize medical-use and adult-use cannabis sales. By 2025, we expect legal sales in the US to exceed $35Billion.

How Long Does A Marijuana High Last? It Depends On A Few Factors — Photo by Shannon Fagan/Getty Images

The Valens Company

A global leader in the end-to-end development and manufacturing of innovative, cannabinoid-based products. Valens (OTC: VLNCF) is focused on being the partner of choice for leading Canadian and international cannabis brands by providing best-in-class, proprietary services including extraction, analytical testing, formulation and product development and custom manufacturing. Valens is the largest third-party extraction company in Canada.

Spokesperson: Everett Knight, Executive Vice President, Corporate Development & Capital Markets

Thoughts:

Cannabis 2.0 Products Will Dominate the Market in Canada with 3.0 Products Gaining Market Share: Similar to the US we will see 2.0 products take more market share and next generation products such as cannabis/CBD infused bath bombs, lip balms or CBD-infused honey will start to gain market share in 2021. We’ll also see an explosion of stores in Ontario and the beverage market in Quebec will gain massive steam compared to the rest of Canada because of the restrictions on other products.
The US Will See More Regulation: With many more legal markets in the States, the FDA will pass more regulations in 2021. The liability risks because of lack of regulations reminds regulators of the tobacco industry when it was unregulated in the past. Expect to see increased safety requirements and product recall processes instituted in the US market. US MSOs will have to transition to GMP and food safe regulations imposed on Canadian LPs.
International Market Expansion: A strong trend has emerged in the last couple of years across the world – medical legalization paves the way for adult-use – this will come through bigger and faster in 2021. Mexico and Israel are close to legalization. These markets will open up a landslide of opportunities for established companies in the US and Canada looking to capture global market share. Everyone has to remember the cannabis space is just getting started.

Why you didn't get the cannabis strain you think you did — Photo by Zummolo/Getty Images

Fotmer Life Sciences

A global cannabis cultivator and extractor and one of the world’s largest Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) and Uruguayan GMP certified cannabis exporters. Fotmer is the first fully licensed company in Uruguay producing top medical-grade cannabis flower (also known as Flos), Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), cannabis extracts and manufactured products for the international market.

Expert: Dr. Jordan Lewis (Latin America)

2021 will be the year companies pivot their focus to generating positive cash flow and exhibit a viable business model to investors. The market no longer rewards aggressive expansion but is now looking for material profitability. Companies who can articulate a near-term path to profitability will be able to witness an industry kick and have a higher probability of becoming highly profitable.
Watching the international markets develop at a rapid pace and to see cannabis normalized at an even greater pace than years prior.

o Brazil appears have also become an attractive market as more companies are able to introduce their products and as local pharmaceutical companies develop and register more products.

o Uruguay is gaining a new momentum as the government provides support to help develop and efficient industry, particularly in accelerating the export process. Uruguay’s latest milestones achieved by the industry have positioned the country as one of the largest exporters of dry flower in the world and a logistics hub.

o Recently ranked as the most attractive country to invest, Uruguay is synonymous with trust, transparency and economic resilience and is positioned hand in hand with the most developed nations

This article originally appeared on Green Market Report and has been reposted with permission.

How the Georgia Runoffs Could Shape Cannabis Reform

Andrew Ward

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December 17, 2020

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How the Georgia Runoffs Could Shape Cannabis Reform

Despite being mostly anti-cannabis reform, Georgia is likely to play a substantial role in the short-term future of cannabis legislation in America.

The balance of power remains up in the air on Capitol Hill. Which party ultimately gains power should determine how much of president-elect Biden’s agenda passes through Congress during the first two years of his term.

The Democrats are sure to hold power in the upcoming White House and the House of Representatives. However, two January 5 runoffs in Georgia will determine which party has the majority in the Senate.

The races’ results are expected to impact an array of Biden policy initiatives, including cannabis reform.

How Georgia’s Runoffs Could Impact The 117th Congress

The runoffs pit incumbent Republican David Perdue against John Ossoff, while the other race features another GOP incumbent, Kelly Loeffler, against Atlanta area pastor Raphael Warnock.

The Democrats need both races to secure a 50-50 share of the Senate, with Vice President-elect Harris serving as the tiebreaker. The Republicans will retain their hold of the Senate with a win in one or both races.

Despite being mostly anti-cannabis reform, Georgia is likely to play a substantial role in the short-term future of cannabis legislation in America.

The majority of the Senate is crucial, as GOP Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has made it clear that cannabis reform is not happening under his leadership.

Kevin M. Bell, a Washington, D.C.-based partner at Arnall Golden Gregory LLP said, “Unless both Senate seats in Georgia flip to the Democrats, [legislation] won’t go anywhere.”

Henry Baskerville, managing partner Fortis Law Partners, discussed the impact a flipped Senate should have on cannabis reform. Baskerville, who founded Fortis’ cannabis practice in 2017, said, “If Democrats ultimately take control by winning the two Senate runoff seats in Georgia, then the push for federal legalization should gain strong momentum.”

The managing partner said that the industry would expect rulings on legislation like the MORE Act and the SAFE Banking Act. He highlighted additional areas of concern, including proposed interim DEA rules on the criminalization of certain cannabinoids, as well as the USDA’s determination on THC testing in hemp.

While many sources predict a two-race win for either party, Reggie Snyder, an Atlanta-based litigation attorney and partner for the firm Taylor English, could see a split result.

Georgia On My Mind: The Future Of The MORE Act — Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images

Syder noted the nearly 2% margin incumbent Perdue beat Ossoff by in November as an indicator. Meanwhile, Democrat candidate Warnock beat incumbent Loeffler by 7% in November. However, the latter race could tighten as Doug Collins, a Republican opponent in November who garnered 20% of the vote, is no longer pulling votes from Loeffler.

While saying he could see a split with Warnock and Perdue winning, Snyder noted several factors could impact the result, with showing up being the most important of them all. “It truly is dependent on turnout,” said Snyder. He added, “And by and large, people just don’t show up for these one-offs.”

Market Growth, Stalled Reform Expected Under A GOP-Held Senate

While most proponents in the cannabis space prefer a Democrat-held Senate, some acknowledge that the Republicans won’t end market optimism. However, with Sen. McConnell still in power, cannabis is unlikely to see progress on Capitol Hill.

Despite a possible continued lack of growth on the federal level, experts in the space expect cannabis to thrive. “If it continues to be led by Republicans, we are still optimistic about market growth, but we are not confident about a path to federal legalization,” said Cannapreneur Partners co-CEO Todd Sullivan.

Others, including Cresco Labs co-founder Joe Caltabiano, predict that market growth should continue, regardless of leadership. However, the outcome could bring its own drawbacks. He predicted that an outcome like this would leave operators in a further banking bind.

Said Caltabiano, “The industry will continue to advance and reform will eventually occur, but near-term growth will remain hobbled by lack of banking and 280E reform.”

Is Marijuana Really Legal Without The Freedom To Grow At Home?

Cannabis

Mike Adams

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December 17, 2020

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Is Marijuana Really Legal Without The Freedom To Grow At Home?

With other “legal” substances, free rein in terms of production is not always associated with a taxed and regulated system. In fact, it usually isn’t.

While more states across the U.S. have legalized marijuana for one reason or another, not all of them will have the same rules and regulations by the time they roll out their markets. One of the main points of contention that officials often run into when trying to put these scenes together is whether people should be allowed to grow their own weed at home for personal use.

Some lawmakers argue that home grows contribute to the black market, while others believe it disrupts the course of legal commerce and cheats local and state governments out of tax dollars.

Meanwhile, cannabis advocates complain that it isn’t really legalization without the freedom to grow their own. In some states where medical and recreational cannabis is legal, the rules allow adults to cultivate between 2-4 plants at home for personal use. In the early days, Colorado’s system made it easy for people to grow nearly 100 plants without getting into any trouble with the law. That rule has since changed. The state found that allowing home gardens that much flexibility did, in fact, provide a serious loophole that really only benefited criminal organizations.

In other states, however, although marijuana is legal to buy and sell, it’s still a crime to grow it at home. New Jersey, which just legalized in the 2020 election, is so dead set against people growing weed at home that they are fully prepared to put them in jail. And we’re not talking about a night or two in the county slammer. Anyone who grows 10 plants or more can be sentenced to 10-20 years in prison. Part of that sentence includes a mandatory minimum, so there is no chance of an offender entering into a plea agreement. Even growing smaller amounts at home would be considered a crime and treated with some rather harsh consequences.

But is banning home grow still considered legalization?

That depends on who you ask. To some, having the ability to step inside a cannabis dispensary, flash an ID, fork over some cash, and walk away with legal weed is enough progress to fall into the definition of legalization. It beats chasing down drug dealers. Others think that as long as the government has a foot on the neck of the average citizen — telling them that they can’t grow weed — there’s nothing legal about it. But if we look at other “legal” substances, free rein in terms of production is not always associated with a taxed and regulated system. In fact, it usually isn’t.

For example, alcohol was made legal once again in the United States back in 1933 following years of prohibition. But it wasn’t until 45 years later that the law was changed to allow people to brew their own beer and wine at home. President Jimmy Carter signed a law in 1978 legalizing homebrewing at the federal level. Until then, it was mostly done by bootleggers and later in specialized clubs. There are, however, still restrictions on homebrewing, and those rules vary from state to state. Some jurisdictions don’t allow beer over a certain ABV, and some restrict the amount that can be produced. In the eyes of the federal government, distilling spirits at home for personal use remains a crime. Still, most Americans would consider alcohol fully legal.

What about tobacco? Well, most adult citizens are perfectly content with getting their tobacco from retail outlets. But it is legal to grow at home for personal use. The production of tobacco is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Still, the rules do not restrict people from growing their own. And there are no quantity restrictions either, so Americans can plant fields of it if they want to. But selling or even trading homegrown tobacco for goods and services is a federal crime that comes with significant penalties. Some could even land a person in prison. Yet, most would say the product is fully legal.

Marijuana will get its time, eventually. It’s possible that federally taxed and regulated marijuana could get started in the United States like alcohol, and no home production would be allowed. Then again, the rules could borrow from states like Colorado and California and give people the freedom to cultivate small amounts for personal use. But that’s only if Big Marijuana doesn’t have a say in the matter.

Some cannabis companies argue that they cannot climb to profitability if people are allowed to grow weed at home. So it is possible, depending on which lobbying efforts sway lawmakers first, that we could see a time when home pot gardens are banned everywhere.

Hemp is a prime example of what is likely to come with respect to legality. Although this crop is legal to grow and sell at the federal level, regular citizens cannot cultivate it at home for any reason. Whether this concept falls in line with the term “legalization” well, that’s up to the individual to decide.

5 Questions About COVID-19 Vaccines Answered

Maria Loreto

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December 16, 2020

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5 Questions About COVID-19 Vaccines Answered

How long does immunity last? Can I still spread COVID? And other vaccine questions answered.

Everyone is talking about the COVID-19 vaccine. Now that the FDA approved its emergency distribution, people are asking themselves all sorts of questions for the moment we’ve been awaiting since the start of the pandemic.

While we know that the COVID-19 vaccine has gone through a human trial phase and is safe to use, there are dozens of questions we all have. While not all of them have answers, here are 5 of the most important COVID-19 questions experts have answers for.

How does the vaccine work?

Here's What It Feels Like To Get A COVID-19 Vaccine — Photo by Gustavo Fring via Pexels

The COVID-19 vaccine is different than previous vaccines that have been distributed in the United States. These shots will feel like your average flu shot, but you’ll have to get two shots instead of one, getting the first shot and then, about 3 weeks later, the second one. Some pharmacies are recommending that people download an app that will notify them when they need to get their second shot, that way they get the necessary dosage for immunization and their efforts aren’t lost.

How long does immunity last?

Here Are The Side Effects Of The COVID-19 Vaccine — Photo by cottonbro via Pexels

One of the main questions people have is how long the protection of the vaccine will last. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been pretty clear with their answer, explaining that it’s too early to know and that more time and research is necessary in order to provide an accurate response. “However, it’s encouraging that available data suggest that most people who recover from COVID-19 develop an immune response that provides at least some period of protection against reinfection — although we’re still learning how strong this protection is, and how long it lasts,” explained WHO.

What happens after you get the vaccine?

covid-19 vaccine — Photo by RF._.studio from Pexels

Once you get the vaccine, is the pandemic over? Will you be able to hang out with friends and not wear your mask in crowded spaces?

According to experts, if a large percentage of the population takes the vaccine then by mid 2021 people could be more lax with their distancing guidelines and precautionary measures. In the meantime, since no vaccines are 100% effective, people will still have to take care of themselves and each other until experts have a firm belief that we’ve acquired herd immunity.

Can you spread the coronavirus after you get your shot?

How To Stop Coughing So Hard From Marijuana Smoke — Photo by cottonbro via Pexels

While you’d think that a vaccine against a disease would prevent you from catching it and thus spreading it, the issue is a bit more complicated. While the vaccine should prevent the appearance of strong symptoms of COVID-19, there’s still no data out there that confirms that the disease can’t still be spread by those with their vaccinations, which is why it’s likely that people will continue to use masks and follow social distancing guidelines for a bit more than necessary.

Will you need another COVID-19 vaccine in the future?

It’s not known how long immunizations last, which means that there’s no way of knowing how often we’ll need shots.

“If we can come through the huge challenge of efficient, mass distribution and vaccination with a high level of uptake ― and none of these is a sure thing ― the next question will be some large scale monitoring to understand stability of immunity,” professor of immunology Daniel Altman told the Huffington Post. “This won’t be a simple one-size-fits-all answer. Durability may be different with: age, obesity, prior infection, genetics. So we need to keep checking. We’ll then know if we need to re-immunize at one year, two years, etc.”

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With other “legal” substances, free rein in terms of production is not always associated with a taxed and regulated system. In fact, it usually isn’t.

How long does immunity last? Can I still spread COVID? And other vaccine questions answered.

How does the vaccine work?

How long does immunity last?

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Can you spread the coronavirus after you get your shot?

Will you need another COVID-19 vaccine in the future?

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