Author: News Room

German cannabis stakeholders are urging legislation critical to the hemp industry be prioritized so it can come into force before any early elections next year, amid the country’s ongoing political crisis.The Cannabis Industry Association (BvCW) called for the Hemp Liberalization Act to be put on the country’s list of critical legislation after Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that “immediate measures for industry” are needed to quickly strengthen the German economy.The Chancellor’s remarks came in his statement on the dismissal of Finance Minister Christian Lindner last week. Scholz has announced a vote of confidence in the Bundestag for Jan. 15. If he…

The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) announced it will begin enforcing strict regulations on the sale of intoxicating hemp products, following a recent federal court decision that limited the full implementation of the law.Originally passed in September, the law prohibits unlicensed sales of hemp-derived intoxicants containing “high”-inducing synthetic cannabinoids or THC not derived from naturally occurring compounds.The rules, which officially took effect on Oct. 12, faced immediate legal challenges that temporarily stalled the enforcement of several key provisions. However, as of Friday, Nov. 8 the CRC confirmed it would proceed with enforcement.21 and olderThe new regulations in New Jersey…

Curaleaf International, a market-leading global cannabis company, has been announced as the Headline Partner for Cannabis Europa, scheduled to take place in London on 25-26 June, 2024.Cannabis Europa is Europe’s foremost conference series that connects influential leaders in science, policy and business, helping to build a responsible and effective European cannabis industry that nurtures access and growth. With a focus on innovation, regulation, and investment opportunities within the rapidly evolving cannabis industry, the conference serves as a platform for business leaders, policymakers, investors, patients and advocates to collaborate and drive progress.As the Headline Partner for Cannabis Europa, Curaleaf International brings…

“It was mandated by the General Assembly, but this governor has a different philosophy of civil discourse.” By Nathaniel Cline, Virginia Mercury After top Democrats and community leaders called for the firing of the state’s diversity chief last spring over his “DEI is dead” comments, the General Assembly included language in its budget to redirect funding from the Office of Diversity, Opportunity and Inclusion to a loan program to help licensed cannabis sellers unless “equity” is put back into the state’s diversity office title by this summer. In January 2022, Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) renamed the Office of Diversity, Equity…

A panel of lawmakers in Vermont has advanced a measure that would establish a working group to study whether and how to allow therapeutic access to psychedelics in the state. If the bill is enacted, a report from the working group would be due to the legislature in November with recommendations on how to regulate the substances. The Senate Appropriations committee approved S. 114 on a 6–0 vote last week. The panel did not adopt any amendments, though members at one point floated the idea of reducing the working group’s number of planned meetings from eight down to five. The…

A Senate-passed marijuana legalization bill in Hawaii has survived a close vote on the House floor, with members narrowly advancing the proposal to its final legislative committee as some lawmakers who oppose the reform warned of dire threats to public safety and everyday life in the state. After nearly an hour and a half of discussion Friday, the chamber voted 25–23 to refer the bill in its current form to the House Finance Committee, where some lawmakers have indicated it could face a critical reception. Of those 25 yes votes, three members formally expressed reservations with the plan. Some of…

The bill “is an important step forward in addressing drug use as a health issue by linking people to lifesaving services and treatment and making sure people who possess residual amounts of illicit drugs are not saddled with criminal records.” By Christopher Ingraham, Minnesota Reformer A Minnesota Senate committee has advanced a bill that would eliminate criminal penalties for people found in possession of illicit drug residue. It would also require law enforcement to refer illicit drug users to treatment providers if they request it. The bill (SF3663/HF3952) builds on first-of-its-kind legislation passed last year that decriminalized drug paraphernalia, as…

A new study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has found that a citrusy-smelling terpene in marijuana could help ease anxiety and paranoia associated with THC. The findings, researchers say, could help unlock the maximum therapeutic benefit of THC and protect public health. Published in the latest issue of the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, the new paper says that subjects who vaporized the terpene D-limonene along with a dose of THC experienced less anxiety and paranoia compared to those who consumed THC alone. “Ratings of anxiety-like subjective effects qualitatively decreased as D-limonene dose increased,” the report…

A Republican House advisory committee is formally opposing marijuana banking legislation and a separate bill to remove past cannabis use as a disqualifying factor for federal employment and security clearances, while broadly criticizing the substance as a “gateway drug” that causes “violence, depression and suicide.” The House Republican Policy Committee’s new marijuana report also says that Vice President Kamala Harris was “mistaken” when she said cannabis brings people “joy” as a 2020 presidential candidate, instead arguing that it is a “hazardous drug with short and long-term impacts.” The guidance, which is meant to inform how the GOP caucus should approach marijuana…

A new poll from the American Bankers Association (ABA) shows that roughly three out of five Americans support allowing marijuana industry access to the banking system—a finding that comes amid a renewed push for reform among congressional leaders. On Thursday, ABA released the survey that found 63 percent of Americans back cannabis businesses banking access, compared to just 17 percent who are opposed. “Americans have made it clear that Congress should resolve the ongoing conflict between state and federal law on cannabis banking issues by passing legislation that will enhance public safety, tax collection and transparency,” ABA President Rob Nichols…