Norma Pence

The deadline to submit comments to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on proposed regulations for hemp was Wednesday—and advocates, stakeholders and lawmakers had a lot to say. In the three months since USDA published an interim final rule for hemp , which was federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill, more than 4,600 individuals and organizations took the opportunity to weigh in, with many recommending certain revisions before rules for the crop are finalized. On Wednesday alone, more than 1,000 comments were posted—a significant number considering that the public comment deadline was initially set for the end of last month until USDA extended it based on the volume of responses . Here’s what lawmakers, stakeholders and advocates had to say about USDA’s proposed regulations: While many celebrated the department’s commitment to quickly developing rules for the crop, there have been widespread, bipartisan concerns about select provisions that the industry and its supporte...

As psychedelics reform efforts pick up across the U.S., there’s an increasing weariness among advocates about the potential corporatization that may follow. That’s why many found it alarming when a California-based company announced on Thursday that it had successfully trademarked the word “psilocybin,” the main psychoactive constituent of so-called magic mushrooms. Psilocybin™ is a brand of chocolates that do not contain the psychedelic itself but are meant to “begin educating, enlightening and supporting the community in upgrading their inner vibrations in order to get everything they want of their time here on earth,” according to a mission statement . Soon after founder Scarlet Ravin shared news of the trademark on LinkedIn, advocates raised questions and concerns: What does that mean on a practical level for other psilocybin organizations? Why should one brand get exclusive rights (to a certain legal extent) to the scientific name of a natural substance? The reality of this...

Three companies offer older adults discounts, assistance to those in need, and a DIY option for accessing CBD products. Original Article Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/abbierosner/2020/01/31/three-smart-ways-older-adults-can-cut-their-cbd-costs/

Medical cannabis companies in Missouri could be prevented from hiring employees because state regulators might not be able to access a national fingerprint database. The FBI said it will not allow the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, which licenses the state’s MMJ businesses, to access the agency’s database, The Kansas City Star reported. […] Missouri medical marijuana firms face hiring snafu is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs Original Article Source: https://mjbizdaily.com/missouri-medical-marijuana-firms-face-hiring-snafu/

Utah’s new medical marijuana program will launch on schedule, state health officials said, with one or two dispensaries opening in the first week of March. The dispensaries’ opening coincides with the issuance of cards that will allow patients to legally purchase medical marijuana in the state. However, the number of physicians willing to recommend medical […] Utah’s first medical marijuana stores set to open is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs Original Article Source: https://mjbizdaily.com/utahs-first-medical-marijuana-stores-set-to-open/

Most industry watchers agree that California’s marijuana market problems stem from three main factors including a dual licensing system; high state and local taxes; and the ongoing success of the illegal cannabis market. Some even suggest that Proposition 64, which legalized recreational marijuana in 2016, actually strengthened the illicit sector instead of reducing its impact. How California’s legal marijuana market wound up in crisis mode after two years is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs Original Article Source: https://mjbizdaily.com/california-recreational-marijuana-in-crisis-after-two-years/

The deadline to submit comments to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on proposed regulations for hemp was Wednesday—and advocates, stakeholders and lawmakers had a lot to say. In the three months since USDA published an interim final rule for hemp , which was federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill, more than 4,600 individuals and organizations took the opportunity to weigh in, with many recommending certain revisions before rules for the crop are finalized. On Wednesday alone, more than 1,000 comments were posted—a significant number considering that the public comment deadline was initially set for the end of last month until USDA extended it based on the volume of responses . Here’s what lawmakers, stakeholders and advocates had to say about USDA’s proposed regulations: While many celebrated the department’s commitment to quickly developing rules for the crop, there have been widespread, bipartisan concerns about select provisions that the industry and its supporte...

The deadline to submit comments to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on proposed regulations for hemp was Wednesday—and advocates, stakeholders and lawmakers had a lot to say. In the three months since USDA published an interim final rule for hemp , which was federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill, more than 4,600 individuals and organizations took the opportunity to weigh in, with many recommending certain revisions before rules for the crop are finalized. On Wednesday alone, more than 1,000 comments were posted—a significant number considering that the public comment deadline was initially set for the end of last month until USDA extended it based on the volume of responses . Here’s what lawmakers, stakeholders and advocates had to say about USDA’s proposed regulations: While many celebrated the department’s commitment to quickly developing rules for the crop, there have been widespread, bipartisan concerns about select provisions that the industry and its support...

A key Virginia Senate committee approved a bill to decriminalize possession of marijuana on Wednesday. Meanwhile, a House panel approved separate legislation to create a joint subcommittee tasked with studying the broader legalization of cannabis production and sales in the state. The Judiciary Committee advanced the modest decriminalization proposal in a 11-2 vote. This comes one week after the panel’s Criminal Law Subcommittee passed the bill in a voice vote. If enacted, the measure would make simple possession a civil penalty punishable by a maximum $50 fine. Current policy stipulates that a first offense is punishable by a maximum $500 fine and up to 30 days in jail. “Years of hard work by so many open-minded organizations and legislators have made this bill more equitable and just,” Sen. Adam Ebbin (D), the legislation’s sponsor, told Marijuana Moment. “It is time to recognize that the prohibition on cannabis has failed, and move together away from an outdated system that has d...

Ilera Holistic Healthcare, a medical marijuana grower in Louisiana, plans to sell CBD products nationwide. A contractor for Baton Rouge-based Southern University, Ilera will also sell the over-the-counter CBD products at all but one medical marijuana dispensary in Louisiana. “We’ll be the first university in the United States to do a national CBD launch,” Ilera CEO […] Louisiana medical marijuana grower to sell CBD products is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs Original Article Source: https://mjbizdaily.com/louisiana-medical-marijuana-grower-to-sell-cbd-products/

Australian health authorities expect to conclude their safety review of cannabidiol in low doses in March, the results of which could inform any decision to down-schedule the popular cannabinoid. Any move to reschedule certain doses of CBD, making it available over the counter, could open the door to new market opportunities for businesses. The Therapeutic […] Australia to wrap up CBD review by March is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs Original Article Source: https://mjbizdaily.com/australia-to-wrap-up-cbd-review-by-march/

A review of cannabidiol products being undertaken by Australian health authorities could result in the relaxation of the scheduling status of CBD, potentially making it available over the counter in low doses. In a public submission to a Senate committee studying Australia’s medical cannabis access scheme, the Department of Health said the Therapeutic Goods Administration […] Australia says over-the-counter CBD sales ‘could be considered during 2020’ is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs Original Article Source: https://mjbizdaily.com/australia-could-consider-over-the-counter-cbd-sales-in-2020/

A key Virginia Senate committee approved a bill to decriminalize possession of marijuana on Wednesday. Meanwhile, a House panel approved separate legislation to create a joint subcommittee tasked with studying the broader legalization of cannabis production and sales in the state. The Judiciary Committee advanced the modest decriminalization proposal in a 11-2 vote. This comes one week after the panel’s Criminal Law Subcommittee passed the bill in a voice vote. If enacted, the measure would make simple possession a civil penalty punishable by a maximum $50 fine. Current policy stipulates that a first offense is punishable by a maximum $500 fine and up to 30 days in jail. “Years of hard work by so many open-minded organizations and legislators have made this bill more equitable and just,” Sen. Adam Ebbin (D), the legislation’s sponsor, told Marijuana Moment. “It is time to recognize that the prohibition on cannabis has failed, and move together away from an outdated system that has d...

A key Virginia Senate committee approved a bill to decriminalize possession of marijuana on Wednesday. Meanwhile, a House panel approved separate legislation to create a joint subcommittee tasked with studying the broader legalization of cannabis production and sales in the state. The Judiciary Committee advanced the modest decriminalization proposal in a 11-2 vote. This comes one week after the panel’s Criminal Law Subcommittee passed the bill in a voice vote. If enacted, the measure would make simple possession a civil penalty punishable by a maximum $50 fine. Current policy stipulates that a first offense is punishable by a maximum $500 fine and up to 30 days in jail. “Years of hard work by so many open-minded organizations and legislators have made this bill more equitable and just,” Sen. Adam Ebbin (D), the legislation’s sponsor, told Marijuana Moment. “It is time to recognize that the prohibition on cannabis has failed, and move together away from an outdated system that has ...

Oakland became the first city to decriminalize a wide range of psychedelics last year—and now activists are announcing plans to pursue broader reform through a measure to legalize the sale and cultivation of entheogenic substances in the city. Decriminalize Nature, the advocacy group behind the movement to enact decriminalization in cities across the country, will spearhead the project to pioneer a regulatory framework for substances such as psilocybin, ayahuasca and ibogaine. Councilmember Noel Gallo (D), who sponsored last year’s reform resolution focused on personal possession, will also provide guidance as activists work to draft language for a legalization measure that they hope to have prepared for Council consideration by September. The news comes just one day after the Santa Cruz City Council unanimously approved a resolution to deprioritize enforcement of psychedelics criminalization similar to Oakland’s current policy. When decriminalization came up for a vote in Oakland ...