Author: News Room

“It is unacceptable to me, it is unacceptable to the state of Washington to decriminalize drugs.” By Joseph O’Sullivan, Crosscut State lawmakers have until July to pass a new drug possession statute in response to a 2021 Supreme Court decision that invalidated the old law. Since the Legislature failed to pass a compromise bill on Sunday night before the 2023 regular session ended, a special session likely will be called to finish this work. Senate Bill 5536, one of the last bills debated in the 105-day legislative session, failed 43-55 in the Democratic-controlled House. Several Democratic lawmakers voted against the…

The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) is officially backing the decriminalization of all drugs and paraphernalia, earning the praise of drug reform and harm reduction advocates. Members of APhA’s House of Delegates voted to adopted the revised policy late last month, becoming one of the nation’s largest medical associations to endorse broad decriminalization. “APhA supports decriminalization of the personal possession or personal use of illicit drug substances or paraphernalia,” the plank says. However, the association remains opposed to the “legalization of the possession, sale, distribution, or use of illicit drug substances for non-medical uses.” Members of APhA, founded in 1852 and…

Four New Jersey police officers are preparing to sue Jersey City after being fired for testing positive for marijuana—despite being protected under the state’s cannabis legalization law and guidance from the state attorney general. The Jersey City officers said that they used cannabis, purchased from licensed dispensaries, while off the job. That activity should be legally protected, as the state Constitution prohibits employers from taking adverse action against workers solely for marijuana activity that’s been made lawful. But Jersey City officials contend that the department’s firearm policy puts them in a unique position to penalize the officers, who are required…

We’re delighted to announce that SafriCanna will be joining us as a Bronze Sponsor of Cannabis Europa London, 2023. SafriCanna is a South African medical cannabis company focused on the cultivation, processing and export of high-grade medical cannabis flower to international markets. It is the first and largest purpose built EU-GMP cannabis cultivator in South Africa and is on track to become the largest exporter of dry flower out of the southern hemisphere. The company’s vision is to be the leading Southern Hemisphere  certified medical cannabis producer, by bringing together global best practices and unique South African advantages. SafriCanna has…

The top North Carolina House lawmaker says that medical marijuana legalization has “a better chance of passing this year than in any time in the past,” and he expects a Senate-passed reform bill to be taken up by his chamber’s Republican caucus within the next month. While the GOP-controlled House has previously blocked medical cannabis legislation from advancing, House Speaker Tim Moore (R) said that its prospects have improved, with a floor vote possible depending on where Republican members ultimately come down on it this session. “We have not voted on it in our caucus yet. I get a sense…

Three new polls released on the week of 4/20 show that a strong majority of Americans continue to support marijuana legalization. The surveys were released by CBS News, YouGov and Civic Science. They touched on a number of cannabis-related issues, but one though line was that respondents favor legalization at the state and federal level. The CBS News poll shows that 64 percent of Americans want marijuana to be legal in their state, and that includes majorities of Democrats (73 percent), independents (66 percent) and Republicans (53 percent). MOST STILL FAVOR LEGAL WEEDMost Americans continue to favor the idea of legalizing…

We’re pleased to announce that Firebolt Group Ltd., will be joining us as a Bronze Sponsor of Cannabis Europa London, 2023 Firebolt is a global manufacturer and brand illumination partner, helping light up iconic brands through captivating smart signs and sensing platforms. For over 25 years, Firebolt has enabled brand leaders to enhance their product experiences and spot unseen gaps in brand engagement and efficacy through innovative light-based display materials, promotional gear, and data capture platforms. As an ISO 14001:2015 manufacturer, Firebolt achieves performance goals by leveraging its dynamic engineering, production, and logistics talent and capabilities while maximizing its facilities…

The hemp industry took a major plunge in 2022, a new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows, and stakeholders say the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) refusal to issue regulations for CBD products is largely to blame. USDA’s National Hemp Report shows significant losses in the value and cultivation of the non-intoxicating cannabis crop across every metric that it analyzed for 2022. Last year, “the value of hemp production in the open and under protection for the United States totaled $238 million, down 71 percent from 2021,” the report says. The National Hemp Report Agricultural Statistics Board…

With a debut album ready to drop and a massive European tour on the horizon, rock and roll band Sir Chloe is ready to make a splash both on and off the stage. The group—which was formed by lead vocalist, songwriter and guitarist Dana Foote in her college dorm room and consists of Foote, Emma Welch, Teddy O’Mara, Palmer Foote, and Austin Holmes—has become known for their electric live performances and is eager to share their music with more of the world. “We have a new tour starting May 18th and we’re really looking forward to the album coming out,”…

Oxford Cannabinoid TechnologiesWe’re pleased to announce that Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies Holdings plc will be joining us as a Bronze Sponsor of Cannabis Europa London, 2023.Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies Holdings plc is a pharmaceutical company developing prescription cannabinoid medicines targeting the U$ multi-billion global pain market. OCTP currently has a portfolio of four drug development programmes. Its lead compound, OCT461201, will initially target neuropathic and visceral pain; including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), with Phase I clinical trials, aimed at demonstrating safety and tolerability, due to commence in the near term. Trial results are expected in Q2…