My esteemed colleague and frequent medical marijuana commentator, Fred Miles, was quoted in the NY Times article “When Retirement Comes With a Daily Dose of Cannabis“. Check this article out for a great read about the increasing number of older Americans living in assisted living communities and nursing homes using cannabis for relief
Medical Marijuana Challenges Facing Healthcare Providers
, Winn Halverhout and Fred Miles were interviewed by Advisory Board about the main challenges facing providers related to medical marijuana, how the new administration might change the legal landscape, and more.
Check out the article here. Advisory Board is a best practices firm that uses a combination of research, technology, and consulting to improve
10th Circuit Took Oral Arguments on Recreational Cannabis Violating RICO
in a case that potentially could have catastrophic effect on the cannabis industry. At issue is whether the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals will allow private parties to sue state-licensed cultivations and dispensaries under RICO for what are, essentially, nuisance issues. Safe Streets, a Washington, D.C.-based anti-drug and anti-crime organization, filed the lawsuit and
Over $1 Billion Raised by the Cannabis Industry
According to a prominent cannabis advisory firm, the cannabis industry raised over a $1 Billion in investment dollars in 2016. These investments included public companies on the TSXV (cultivation and extract company), NYSE (REIT) and NASDAQ (pharmaceutical company).
What does this mean?
Majority of large investments are going into real estate and pharmaceutical company – as
Establishment of a New Drug Code for “Marihuana Extract”
Yesterday the DEA published a final rule providing for a new drug code for “Marihuana Extract” . The DEA states that this will allow them to track quantities of “Marihuana Extract” separately from marijuana to aid in the compliance with relevant drug treaties. This new rule is set to become effective on January 13, 2017. The
Marijuana Wins! But so does Trump…
California, Massachusetts, Nevada and Maine approved adult-use marijuana initiatives last night. Florida, North Dakota and Arkansas also approved medical marijuana initiatives. Unfortunately, Arizona failed to garner enough support to pass adult-use. Clearly, these votes are a watershed moment for cannabis reform in the United States. As I have stated before, California passing adult-use marijuana will likely signal the true beginning to the end of federal prohibition of marijuana. However, Donald Trump also pulled off a monumental victory for the GOP and won the White House which has created uncertainty for the industry.
What does this mean?
With the approval of adult-use marijuana in the states, the percentage of Americans living in states where marijuana use is legal for adults rose above 20 percent, from 5 percent. A recent Gallup Poll found nationwide support for legalization at 60%, the highest it likely has ever been. Florida passed its’ initiative by a 71% – Florida also voted for Trump.
As we all know, Trump is a wild card but he has not publicly taken any prohibitionist stance on cannabis. Trump recently was quoted as: “In terms of marijuana and legalization, I think that should be a state issue, state-by-state,” Trump told The Washington Post. “… Marijuana is such a big thing. I think medical should happen — right? Don’t we agree? I think so. And then I really believe we should leave it up to the states.”
Marijuana Industry has $2.4bn Economic Impact on Colorado
According to a report from the Marijuana Policy Project, the state-legal medical and adult use marijuana industry in Colorado had a $2.4bn economic impact on the Colorado economy in 2015. Most importantly, the marijuana industry is credited with funding approximately 18,000 direct and ancillary full-time jobs in 2015. While this only represents a small percentage of Colorado’s overall
Legal Adult-Use Marijuana in California – The Next Step Towards a Change in Federal Law
While I am sure we are all fed up with the current presidential election cycle, the upcoming vote in California to approve recreational marijuana has the potential to be a watershed moment for the national marijuana industry and warrants discussion. In addition to California, Massachusetts and Maine both have legalization initiatives on the ballot next
DEA Takes Steps to Increase the Number of Marijuana Cultivators to Manufacture Marijuana To Supply Researchers in the U.S.
On August 12, 2016, the DEA published a policy in the federal register (81 Fed. Reg. 53846) designed to increase the number of entities registered under the CSA to grow marijuana to supply legitimate researchers in the United States. The DEA has concluded that the best way to satisfy the current researcher demand for
Organic Certification of Industrial Hemp Production Allowed by USDA
The USDA retracted its previous policy today and has permitted the organic certification of industrial hemp by certified agents accredited by the NOP, if produced in accordance with USDA organic regulations. For imported hemp, existing regulations and guidelines continue to govern whether products may be certified as organic.
What does this mean?
Industrial hemp cultivated