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Hemp News, Laws & Product Updates

A curated news hub focused on hemp regulation and policy changes, cannabinoids (CBD/Delta-8/Delta-9/hemp-derived THC), lab testing and COAs, product safety, brands, and industry trends.

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https://hightimes.com/

A Love Letter to the Macrodose

This is a love letter to large things. Microdoses are for tourists.  Sometimes, tourists love a place so much that they move there. As a white girl from the Caribbean, I (and my parents) can certainly understand that.  I think fellow High Times writer Hadley Tomicki said it best in the article that is art titled “In Defense of Macrodosing” with the words (the whole essay is worth a read), “many of us entered the world of cannabis when all we had was a tin can and some dry buds the color of Hershey cocoa.” Younger stoners grew up in a world of millennial pink Indica vape pens, CBD lavender edibles blended with other aphrodisiacs, and multi-course infused dinners, low-dose, of course! Other older folks are putting behind their regressive views and embracing cannabis, but, honestly, kind of screw you if you needed daddy government’s permission to enjoy grass, if that terminology even applies anymore. Consider donating to The Last Prisoner Project if you have enough dough to shell out $120 for a box of dainty edibles clocking in at 2.5mg of THC per serving.  But it’s true that it’s best to “start low and go slow” if you’re new to cannabis. Otherwise, you could risk gobbling down an entire 100mg brownie and trip for 24 hours, unsure if the Wookies around you are real or part of a dream, so you zip yourself up in your hot tent in West Virginia and start having spontaneous orgasms. Like what happened to me in college at a music festival, transforming me into a sexy stoner, like when that radioactive spider bit Peter Parker, transforming him into Spider-Man. Maybe you should have that experience now that I write it out. And I actually have no idea the THC content of the infamous brownie because I got it from a couple tattooed with the THC chemical structure who baked it themselves and just wanted to give ’em out. Once upon a time, the idea of THC dosage printed on a label was absurd.  But enough about sounding old. I’m a hot girl. And I won’t say that macrodosing is “empowering” because, as we’ve established, I got my power from happy hippies at a music festival (and describing women as empowered is just so infantilizing). But there is something about popping back a big one with my best friend before we step out of the subway in our stilettos and click-clack towards the party. Maybe it’s because the devil’s weed is a woman. And, regarding the subway, now’s my chance to blame the macrodose on criminalization. Why did I get into THC gummies? They don’t smell; I can say that they’re candy, and as a result, especially before New York went legal, I feel safer carrying my enhanced sugary delights than a bag of flower.  There are plenty of logistical reasons to argue in favor of the macrodose. It’s more bang for your buck. Companies might be trying to rip us off under the guise of low-dose, as Jimi Devine detailed in “The Great Cannabis Microdosing PR Conspiracy.” The medical marijuana world has been advocating higher THC doses forever. There’s some pain that 2.5, 5, or even 10mg won’t touch. The current cannabis dosing also doesn’t adequately consider the vast differences in bodies. As Tomicki writes, many of us grew up with the plant and now have higher tolerances. And sure, THC can be ingested to avoid emotional pain that one should probably be handling straight on and addiction exists. But I come from a harm reduction perspective. I think the idea that there is morality to sobriety or honor in suffering is absurd. It’s a medicine, and for many people, the line between medical and recreational is blurry. Would you rather I take an opioid for this migraine pain that makes me barf or opt for the plant that also handles nausea? Would you unclutch your pearls if I cut loose with tequila shots instead of a goofy gummy bear? Come on.  But the best reason to adore the macrodose has nothing to do with logistics. The sugar-dusted 100mg gummy bear wants nothing to do with practicality. Because the best argument in favor of the macrodose is just that it’s fun. The more appealing argument for getting totally baked is that, at least for some of us, it’s frilly, frivolous, fun.  Because yeah, low-dose aphrodisia edibles are cool, but when was the last time a micro-dose gave you spontaneous orgasms? 
https://hightimes.com/

Germany Eyes April 2024 for Cannabis Legalization

The Germany’s coalition government called the Traffic Light coalition, which combines individuals from the Social Democratic Party, Free Democratic Party, and The Greens, reportedly reached an agreement for cannabis regulation on Nov. 27. These recent discussions estimate that cannabis legalization could take effect starting on April 1, 2024, with social cannabis clubs potentially allowed to open as early as July 1, 2024. “The #Cannabis law is coming! Finally: We are finally ending the failed ban policy! After intensive negotiations, there is now a law that focuses on youth and health protection , ends criminalization and is practical,” said The Green Party spokesperson Kirsten Kappert-Gonther in a translated social media post. According to news outlet Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA), Kappert-Gonther said that the coalition has come to a consensus regarding possession and cultivation. With legalization, residents will be permitted to grow up to three plants at home, and have no more than 50 grams from cannabis cultivated at home (up from 25 grams in previous discussions). Cultivation will not be permitted within 100 metres (approximately 328 feet) from places where children frequent, such as daycare businesses, playgrounds, and schools. “In the negotiations, we have succeeded in finding practicable regulations that guarantee the protection of young people and health and make the decriminalization of adult users a reality,” said Kappert-Gonther. While possession of more than 25 grams was the initial threshold for criminal conviction in an early draft, now people are allowed to carry 25-30 grams of cannabis in public, and 50-60 grams in private. Any more than these amounts is still considered a criminal offense, with fines of up to €30,000 ($38,000 USD). Previously, the fines were set to a maximum of €100,000 ($126,930). DPA reports that the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure is expected to propose a THC limit for impaired drivers by the end of March 2024 as well. “Communal consumption in cannabis clubs and edibles is not (yet) implemented,” Kappert-Gonther added on social media. “But what we were able to agree on together is a big step forward. Thank you to everyone who has campaigned for this law for decades!” Currently the law is still a draft and subject to change, but the next step includes sending the current draft to the German Bundestag, or parliament, which could happen as early as next week. The Bundestag is separate from the German Bundesrat is a separate governing body that represents the country’s 16 states. The resolution of cannabis legalization has been a long time coming in Germany. The Traffic Light Coalition announced its intentions to work together to legalize adult-use cannabis back in November 2021.  Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, who had previously opposed cannabis legalization, shared that he had revised his opinion in summer 2022. By September 2022, Lauterbach announced that there would be five hearings to discuss cannabis legalization. “We are starting the preparatory phase of legislation. Being able to finally announce this is a special, gratifying moment for me personally,” Lauterbach said at the time. “Like many others, I have been working for years to ensure that we in Germany finally stop criminalizing cannabis users and start a modern and health-oriented cannabis policy.” Earlier this year in April 2023, AP News reported that a scaled-back version of cannabis social clubs was being proposed. By July 2023, Germany officially revealed the details of its draft bill. “It is planned to pass the draft law in the federal cabinet during the summer break. The draft law will then be introduced into the parliamentary legislative process and discussed in both the German Bundestag and the Bundesrat in the autumn. The German Bundestag is responsible for the final decision on the law,” the Germany Ministry of Health stated. “The law does not require the approval of the Bundesrat. It is scheduled to come into force at the end of 2023. Once the bill comes into force, adults can legally smoke a joint in Germany under the proposed law. Until then, cannabis will remain prohibited.” A final reading and vote on the cannabis legislation was initially supposed to be held last week but was delayed so it could be discussed next month, according to Germany politician Carmen Wegge. “The CannG will be decided in December,” Wegge wrote on social media. “This means that we are not keeping to the schedule. I know this is a huge disappointment for many. That’s why this decision wasn’t easy for anyone. However, well-designed improvements are in all of our interests.” Kappert-Gonther also expressed the necessity of more time, with promises of improvement. “The #CannaG comes, just a little later. I am confident that the law will become significantly better as a result of the discussions. Some wording still needs to be worked on on some points. This is for a good cause, quality comes before time pressure. Completion scheduled for December,” Kappert-Gonther wrote online. Hopefully progress will continue on track through December with the German Bundestag, which is said to follow discussion within the German Bundesrat.
https://hightimes.com/

New Study Suggests Cannabis Does Not Help Opioid Use Disorder

A long-term study on opioid addiction and cannabis use found little to no evidence that using cannabis can help addicts reduce or stop their long-term intake of illicit opioids.  The study, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, was led by researchers at the University of Sydney and followed over 600 heroin addicts for up to 20 years, monitoring their cannabis and heroin intake at regular intervals to try and associate a relationship, positive or negative, between the two.  “The Australian Treatment Outcome Study (ATOS) recruited 615 people with heroin dependence in 2001 and 2002 and reinterviewed them at 3, 12, 24, and 36 months as well as 11 and 18–20 years after baseline,” the study said. “Heroin and cannabis use were assessed at each time point using the Opiate Treatment Index. A random-intercept cross-lagged panel model analysis was conducted to identify within-person relationships between cannabis use and heroin use at subsequent follow-ups.” The results of the study did not find cannabis to be a statistically significant factor in reducing or ceasing a person’s opioid use, despite anecdotal evidence from addicts who claim the plant helps them use less opioids or stop using them altogether. The lead author of the study credited these misconceptions to the way previous studies were conducted, in that they only followed addicts for a short time and did not examine long-term impacts. “Our investigation shows that cannabis use remains common among this population, but it may not be an effective long term strategy for reducing opioid use ,” says lead author Dr. Jack Wilson, from The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, at the University of Sydney. “There are claims that cannabis may help decrease opioid use or help people with opioid use disorders keep up with treatment. But it’s crucial to note those studies examine short-term impact, and focus on treatment of chronic pain and pain management, rather than levels of opioid use in other contexts.” The study actually found data that indicated cannabis use may lead to further opioid use, particularly around the two-three year period of the study.  “After accounting for a range of demographic variables, other substance use, and mental and physical health measures, an increase in cannabis use 24 months after baseline was significantly associated with an increase in heroin use at 36 months,” the study said.  That said, the study did not go so far as to make a claim that cannabis use may increase heroin use, it merely mentioned the data. Rather, the results section of the study indicated that there simply was not a significant enough relationship in the data to draw any conclusive conclusions, if you will.  “Although there was some evidence of a significant relationship between cannabis and heroin use at earlier follow-ups, this was sparse and inconsistent across time points. Overall, there was insufficient evidence to suggest a unidirectional or bidirectional relationship between the use of these substances,” the study said.  Dr. Wilson indicated in a press release from the University of Sydney that based on previous available research there does not appear to be a one-size-fits-all solution to opiate addiction, a sentiment which was further reinforced by the results of this long-term study.  “Opioid use disorders are complex and unlikely to be resolved by a single treatment,” Dr Wilson said. “The best way to support them is evidence-based holistic approaches that look at the bigger picture, and include physical, psychological, and pharmacotherapy therapies.” Previous studies have found somewhat contradictory results compared to this one but as aforementioned, none of those studies were conducted for anywhere near as long. For instance, a study conducted through the University of Connecticut found evidence that cannabis users required less opioids while recovering from a particular major neck surgery. However, the study lasted less than a year and did include data on any possible adverse outcomes that may have occurred after the study, context which is important due to the nature of addicts to sometimes stumble into opiate addiction after having them prescribed for pain. Additionally, a 2022 study published in Substance Use and Misuse found that around four out of five patients who were prescribed opioids self-reported in a survey that they were able to reduce or cease their opiate intake using medical cannabis. However, this study was based on one survey and did not follow anyone long-term. That said, there have been several other studies that found similar, positive results. In general, the issue of cannabis as a potential replacement for opioids appears to be a mixed bag until more research is conducted. 
https://hightimes.com/

More Than 10% of Older Americans Have Used Cannabis in the Last Year

After analyzing available survey data, researchers at the University of Michigan said that 12.1% of adults in the United States aged 50-80 reported using cannabis in the past year.  “Among those who reported cannabis use, 34.2% reported using cannabis products 4 or more days per week,” the researchers said. The researchers analyzed data extracted from the National Poll on Healthy Aging, which they described as “a nationally cross-sectional survey that asked U.S. adults ages 50-80 in January 2021 about their cannabis use in the past year.” (The poll is sponsored by the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation at the University of Michigan.) The researchers noted that “multivariable logistic regression was used to identify demographic and health characteristics associated with cannabis use” for their analysis. “More than one in 10 U.S. adults aged 50-80 used cannabis in the 1st year of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many used cannabis frequently. As access to and use of cannabis continue to increase nationally, clinicians and policymakers should monitor and address the potential risks among older adults,” the researchers wrote in their conclusion. The researchers noted that “cannabis use was less likely among people who identified as Hispanic ethnicity or as ‘other’ races compared with non-Hispanic white respondents.” Cannabis has proven useful to many older individuals, who have turned to pot to mitigate chronic pain and other ailments that accompany aging.  “It is not surprising that a rising percentage of adults consider cannabis to be a viable option in their later years. Many older adults struggle with pain, anxiety, restless sleep, and other conditions for which cannabis products often mitigate. Many older adults are also well aware of the litany of serious adverse side-effects associated with available prescription drugs, like opioids or sleep aids, and they perceive medical cannabis to be a practical and potentially safer alternative,” NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano said in response to the University of Michigan survey. Other pieces of survey data have illustrated the same trend.  Earlier this year, The Hill reported on a survey showing that the “share of over-65 Americans who have used marijuana nearly tripled in a decade, from 11 percent in 2009 to 32 percent in 2019,” and that “more than half of the 60-64 demographic reported cannabis use, another sharp increase.” “Cannabis consumption among older adults reached 35 percent in 2021. But the pandemic affected the survey methodology, researchers said, possibly skewing the results,” The Hill reported. “The graying of cannabis culture signals broadening social acceptance of marijuana, which is now available for recreational use in 23 states. It is also a generational story about the aging baby boomers, a generation that grew up in an era of psychotropic experimentation.  Cannabis use, for many older Americans, is less about getting high and more about getting sleep. And pain relief. And calm.” Another way to put it: more Americans –– young, old and middle aged –– are using cannabis than any time before, a natural consequence of the wave of legalization that has swept over the country in the last decade. Gallup confirmed as much earlier this year. In August, the venerable pollster released findings showing that “half of Americans (50%) say they have tried marijuana at some time, a new high point for this behavior that has been inching up over the past quarter century.” “While essentially unchanged from the 49% and 48% readings in 2021 and 2022, respectively, the new figure is statistically higher than the 45% in 2017 and 2019 who said they had tried marijuana,” Gallup reported.  “In answer to a separate question intended to measure current behavior, about one in six Americans (17%) say they ‘smoke marijuana.’ This is also a new high in Gallup’s trend since 2003, albeit similar to the 16% recorded a year ago. These findings are from Gallup’s annual Consumption Habits survey, conducted July 3-27. The proportion of Americans who say they smoke marijuana has more than doubled since 2013, when Gallup first asked the question. That year, 7% said they did. Gallup’s much longer trend on ever having tried marijuana shows that experimentation increased sharply in the first decade after the initial measure. Between 1969 and 1977, it jumped 20 percentage points, from 4% to 24%. It rose another nine points, to 33%, by 1985, but thereafter stalled at under 40% until 2015, when it ticked up to 44%. It remained at about that level through 2019 but then rose to 49% in 2021, roughly where it is today. Over that same period, Gallup recorded a significant increase in the U.S. public’s support for legalization of marijuana, which has grown from 12% in 1969 to 68% today.”
https://hightimes.com/

University of Utah Launches Medical Cannabis Center, Seeks DEA Approval

Researchers at the oldest college in Utah are opening a medical cannabis research center and seeking for a DEA-approved grow site in order to overcome some of the regulatory hurdles.  On Nov. 21, the University of Utah announced the launch of the new center and its initiative. University of Utah Health, in partnership with the state of Utah, launched a new research initiative to push forward the scientific understanding of medical cannabis and help patients and providers make better informed health decisions. In the years following the launch of the Utah Medical Cannabis Program, Utah State Legislation identified a great need for more medical cannabis research to catch up with the growing number of unproven medical claims. To do this, and fund the center, the Utah State Legislature approved House Bill 230, and it was signed by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox on March 15. High Times reported last March that the University of Utah confirmed that it’s starting the early planning phases to build a Center for Medical Cannabis Research (CMCR). On July 1, the University of Utah established the CMCR to create research opportunities to support the efficacious application of cannabis in our state. Could the center help provide evidence to support medical claims in the future? “The Center for Medical Cannabis Research is focused on creating opportunities for researchers to have the necessary support to begin answering these types of questions,” Valerie Ahanonu, senior manager of CMCR, told High Times in an email. “As cultural views on cannabis have shifted and states have opened access to patients seeing benefits with medical cannabis, research within the field has been a leading proponent to bolstering or dispelling these claims. From epilepsy to oncological supportive care, we have seen research bring to light aspects of safe cannabis use that address patients’ needs and identify risks surrounding cannabis use as well.” Ahanonu continued, “The CMCR plans to be a hub for translational research that through pilot grants, funds collaborative studies and trials that not only focus on advancing our understanding of evidence based medical cannabis outcomes, but also focuses on addressing the standards and quality of medical cannabis products made available to patients. By creating a network of multidimensional researchers working collectively we hope to inspire a bench to bedside model that advances the overall understanding of the therapeutic benefits and risks of medical cannabis.” The CMCR listed several core strategies to achieve this goal: Local leaders are hopeful. “This is one of the premier research institutions in the nation,” said Rep. Jennifer Dailey-Provost, MBA, who represents District 22. Dailey-Provost sponsored the bill that funds the CMCR. “We couldn’t ask for a better place to keep the heart of a meaningful research program than the University of Utah.” Dailey-Provost is a doctoral candidate in public health at University of Utah Health, and believes the university is well-equipped to handle this type of research, and she also recognizes the great need for more data. “We keep hearing from providers that they just don’t have enough information to comfortably recommend this for patients,” Dailey-Provost says. “What we ultimately need is reliable, evidence-based research information on the medication that we are already offering to patients in the state of Utah.” Jerry Cochran, M.S.W., Ph.D., interim director for the CMCR, describes the spectrum of research the center will support as “bench to bedside.” Starting with pilot grants to help scientists begin projects on medical cannabis, the CMCR will promote research ranging from chemical characterization of the active components of cannabis through to late-stage clinical trials.  The center will partner with the Genetic Science Learning Center at the University of Utah to create educational materials to inform the public about medical cannabis. The Genetic Science Learning Center will develop materials designed to help reach patients and providers with the knowledge to make informed decisions.  The CMCR also plans to work with the Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library to produce an accessible database of the most rigorous and up-to-date information in the field. The center acknowledges the roadblocks they face as medical cannabis research is hampered due to the federal status of cannabis. “One significant hurdle to cannabis research is the limited supply of research-grade medical cannabis, especially from sites that are approved by the DEA,” the university reported.  “The CMCR aims to eliminate this bottleneck by supporting the establishment of an DEA-approved cannabis grow site for research.” Setting the stage for change in the way medical cannabis research is hampered at the federal level, on Dec. 2, 2022, President Joe Biden signed into law the “Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act, H.R. 8454,” (the Cannabis Research Bill). In Utah, medical cannabis patients began applying for ID cards on July 4, 2019, and medical cannabis cultivation began in summer of 2020. Regulators finally issued dispensary licenses in Jan. 2020, about one year and two months after the law passed. Medical cannabis sales began in October 2020, about two years after voters approved the law.  But doctors in Utah are reluctant to give out recommendations for medical cannabis as they know it has been marketed as a cure-all and that there are many unproven medical claims. “In certain circles, medical cannabis is being pushed as a cure-all, but I think it’s going to help certain things and not others,” Cochran said in the news release. “Science needs to take the lead in this area so that we continue to help people.”
https://hightimes.com/

Report: 90% of Virginia Med Patients Obtain Weed Outside of State’s Medical Market

It’s not uncommon for residents of states yet to enact cannabis laws to travel and obtain their weed through out-of-state dispensaries. However, one Southern state appears to be experiencing this issue when it comes to medical cannabis, even though it’s had legal, operational medical dispensaries since 2020. A new 78-page report released by the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority (CCA) takes a closer look at the state’s medical cannabis market, most notably finding that the state’s high prices are driving consumers to bordering states to purchase their cannabis products. The report is the result of a request on behalf of the CCA from earlier in 2023, to study Virginia’s medical cannabis program with a focus on patient access and “determining the necessity and feasibility of adding new licenses to the existing program.” The study involved a population survey of past-year cannabis consumers and patients, an assessment of supply based on patient experiences and a policy analysis. “The study found that the Virginia medical cannabis program is struggling to capture patients amid evolving local policies as well as adult-use policies in bordering states, resulting in prices remaining high,” the report notes, adding that 12% of patients report traveling to obtain cannabis from other states or jurisdictions, largely Washington, D.C. and Maryland. According to the report, medical cannabis patients in Virginia spend more on cannabis than non-medical cannabis patients in the state. It also notes that patients in Virginia report spending an estimate of $19 per gram on average for medical cannabis flower, which is higher than the national average for medical cannabis flower — though looking at the publicly available price data, the report found that the average price of a medical gram in Virginia was closer to $14, which is still higher than average. By comparison, the average price per medical gram in D.C. was $8/73 in September 2023; in Maryland, adult-use cannabis is $9.27 per gram on average. Looking broader, 90% of patients purchased cannabis from sources other than the Virginia medical market, and the largest proportion of grams were obtained from “an unregulated, but not necessarily illicit, market.”  Additionally, 57% of medical patients obtained their cannabis by growing at home, while 65.2% of patients received cannabis from a friend or family.  Despite low barriers to patient participation, Virginia’s estimated patient enrollment encompasses 0.5% of the total state population, which authors say supports the assertion that patients can meet their need for medical cannabis elsewhere.  Of those past-year consumers who are not patients, 22% said they did not need to become medical patients because they already had access to cannabis. “Virginia’s restrictive policy framework, including limited licensing and the Health Service Area (HSA) segmentation, coupled with the widespread availability of cannabis from out-of-state markets, home cultivation, and illicit channels, has created an environment in which Pharmaceutical Processors are operating at their profit-maximizing supply quantity,” the report states.  “In other words, licensees may have no expectation of increased profits if they expand their supply and lower prices because substitute markets have recently taken root.” The report notes that the high prices of Virginia’s medical cannabis are “likely necessary” for Pharmaceutical Processors to stay afloat due to the current state market and policies that accompany it, rather than intentionally overcharging medical patients. Authors also lay out five potential pathways to improve patient access to medical cannabis, with the shared objective to increase supply, lower prices and shift patient demand to regulated Pharmaceutical Processors. The pathways include a mix of potential options, like issuing the remaining Pharmaceutical Processor licenses in the HSA or adding limited standalone medical cultivation, manufacturing and dispensary licenses allowed to operate within any HSA while allowing Pharmaceutical Processors to expand beyond the current six-store minimum within their area.
https://hightimes.com/

South Carolina Bill Would Tax, Regulate Delta-8 THC

The delta-8 THC market is bigger than ever before, regulated like hemp, but South Carolina could change that if one proposal takes root. Rep. Rosalyn Henderson-Myers (D-Spartanburg) filed a bill under South Carolina’s upcoming legislative session that seeks to create regulations around delta-8 THC and similar products, which can be sold anywhere that hemp products are sold. H. 4628 was prefiled in the South Carolina House Nov. 16, and referred to the Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs. The bill would create a set of new rules for the production and sale of delta-8 THC and other Under the proposal, only adults 21 years and older could purchase those types of products. The bill would also establish a tax at the retail level, imposing a 5% sales tax. The tax revenue would be allocated towards regulating the industry, according to the bill. Producers and retailers would be licensed by the state, and any hemp-derived cannabinoid product produced or sold in the state must be tested for pesticides and toxins and to ensure it contains only the legal amount of delta-9 THC. The license would be in addition to other required business licensing. The annual licensing fee would be $500 for producers and $250 for retailers, according to the prefiled bill draft. Products would also have to have a variety of safety labeling and be contained in child-resistant packaging. “These products are not controlled substances in South Carolina. So the quote-unquote enforcement that we’re seeing is a misguided view of the existing law,” North Carolina-based hemp attorney Rod Kight told The State. “That’s why I think it’s important that a bill like this gets passed so it’s absolutely and unambiguously clear.”  Despite warnings from law enforcement that the products are considered illegal in the state. Kight provides services to hemp businesses and due to the rapidly changing legal landscape around hemp. Mike Sims, one of his clients, was subject to the murky laws surrounding hemp. Sims’ store in Columbia, South Carolina, Crowntown Cannabis was raided last January when police said he was selling marijuana. Kight clarified, however, that Sims’ store was selling hemp-derived products, not marijuana. Confusion about what constitutes hot hemp is also an issue in South Carolina. Law firm Collins and Lacy reports that recently, the Columbia Police Department (CPD) sent letters to over 30  retailers in the city informing them that delta-8 THC is an illegal substance. CPD is likely following the South Carolina Attorney General’s Oct.4, 2021 opinion that delta-8 is an illegal substance. Per state law, the manufacture, distribution, and possession of a Schedule I drug is illegal and carries penalties ranging from imprisonment of up to six months and/or a fine up to $1,000 for a first offense for simple possession to imprisonment of five to twenty years and/or a fine up to $20,000 for a third or subsequent offense of manufacturing or distribution.  S.C. Code §§ 44-53-370(b)(2) & (d)(2).  “[U]nless specifically excepted”, “Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)” of any kind is listed as a Schedule I drug, separate and apart from marijuana.  S.C. Code § 44-53-190(D)(18).  Therefore, the manufacture, distribution, and/or possession of any form of THC, including delta-8, would be illegal, “unless specifically excepted” by some other statute. The legal gray area is due to whether South Carolina’s Hemp Farming Act specifically outlaws delta-8 THC. Delta-8 THC has seen a surge in popularity due to a legal loophole in federal regulations, the 2018 Farm Bill, that limits THC to 0.3% in hemp products but has no limit for delta-8 THC. High Times reported on the significant differences between delta-8 and delta-9 THC. Researchers have known about it for decades. Roger Adams and a team of researchers at the University of Illinois were the first to report partial synthesis of delta-8 in 1941. It wasn’t until 1966, when Dr. Raphael Mechoulam and his colleague Dr. Yechiel Gaoni, achieved a total synthesis of delta-8 as part of their groundbreaking work at Hebrew University. In 2002, Dr. Mechoulam applied for a patent on the conversion of CBD into delta-8 and THC through various methods, which he received in 2008, and expired in 2022.  Last year, a South Carolina farmer filed a lawsuit against the state over the destruction of his hemp crop in 2019. The lawsuit was filed on Sept. 16, 2022 by John Trenton Pendarvis, and it alleges that a trio of state agencies––the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Department of Agriculture, and attorney general’s office––“all denied him due process after Department of Agriculture officials discovered unreported hemp crops during a check of his Dorchester County property on July 30, 2019,” according to the Associated Press.
https://hightimes.com/

New Hampshire Cannabis Commission Fails To Reach Agreement on Legalization Plan

A New Hampshire commission formed to create a cannabis legalization plan for the state held its final meeting this week but failed to produce any recommendations after months of deliberation.  The 19-member commission convened this summer to consider a plan to legalize cannabis for adults under a program that would see retail sales of weed handled by state-run cannabis shops, similar to New Hampshire’s model for alcohol sales. But after months of discussions about a draft legislative proposal from Republican Senator Daryl Abbas, the commission ended its work on Monday without adopting the plan or issuing any recommendations. Some members of the panel placed blame for the commission’s failure to reach a consensus on a proposal on Republican Governor John Sununu, who has opposed the legalization of recreational marijuana for years. Earlier this year, however, Sununu said he would consider a legalization plan that put the control of cannabis dispensaries in the hands of the state liquor commission, which would oversee shops run by franchisees selected by the state. The governor also threatened to reject any legislative plan that did not meet his specifications. “The governor is open to discussing a franchisee-based system, but the success of such a model is in the details,” the governor’s office said in a written statement to local television news. “The governor has been clear that any system meets his outlined framework – or be met with a veto.” Before the commission ended its work on Monday, Sununu added new conditions that he said would have to be met in order for him to approve a pot legalization plan. In addition to his previously stated requirements, the governor wanted a statewide limit of 15 cannabis retail shops and a ban on lobbying by and political contributions from the licensed cannabis industry. Democratic Senator Becky Whitley, a member of the commission, criticized the governor for his demands, which came on the day of the panel’s final meeting. “At the very last meeting, the last half-hour, now, all of the sudden, we’re considering things that flew in from the governor’s office last-minute?” said Whitley. “This is not how we legislate.” While discussing the governor’s new conditions, the commission heard testimony from Paul Morisette, a New Hampshire resident who is a partner in Maine-based East Coast Cannabis, who said that the requested cap on cannabis retailers is not enough shops for the state. “You are not going to collect the tax you are projecting in fifteen stores,” Morrisette told the commission in testimony cited by New Hampshire Public Radio. “You are setting up the liquor commission to fail.” But a representative from the governor’s office said that Sununu is set on the 15-store limit. “I can tell you from the point of view of the governor’s office, we are adamant about that number,” said David Mara, Sununu’s advisor on addiction and behavioral health. The commission also heard from Frank Knaack of the New Hampshire chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, who told the panel’s members that the governor’s requested ban on cannabis industry lobbying and political contributions is likely illegal. “It’s definitely something of concern, something we haven’t seen before in other aspects of New Hampshire law,” said Knaack. After the committee wrapped up its proceedings on Monday, Whitley cited Sununu’s late demands as the cause of the commission’s inability to find consensus after months of meetings. “Disappointed but not surprised,” Whitley wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “@GovChrisSununu yet again interferes with legalization in NH. Setting up a responsible, regulated adult-use market for cannabis will recapture $$$ currently going to our neighboring states AND it’s what Granite Staters want.” The failure of the commission to develop a cannabis legalization plan for New Hampshire, the only state in New England that has not ended the prohibition on weed, leaves the prospect for reform in the near future unclear. But even before Monday’s meeting, Republican Senator Tim Lang noted that any proposals adopted by the commission would be subject to further discussion in the legislature. “This isn’t the end,” said Lang. “We are just getting to the beginning.”
https://hightimes.com/

Drug Trafficker Turned Informant Offers Up Private Island in Hopes of Leniency

An international drug trafficker with possible business ties to a reputed “super cartel” as well as the Italian mafia has handed over the ownership rights to his multi-million dollar private island in an attempt to try and reduce his sentence.  Known drug kingpin Raffaele Imperiale made headlines in 2016 when police raided one of his homes in Naples and found two original Vincent Van Gogh paintings estimated to be worth more than $58 million each. The paintings had reportedly been stolen in a heist at the Vincent Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam in 2002. He spent five years on the run before being arrested in Dubai in 2021 and extradited to Italy in 2022.  Imperiale is now staring down the barrow of a lengthy prison sentence after evading arrest in Dubai for several years. He faces over 14 years prison time if convicted, but Imperiale has been cooperating with authorities by giving them information on international crime syndicates he brushed shoulders with during his heyday. According to the Guardian he also offered prosecutors something much bigger: his man-made private island off the coast of Dubai.  The island called “Taiwan,” not to be confused with the East Asian country, is reported to be worth anywhere from $60 to $80 million. Imperiale is believed to have spent the majority of his time on the run at this island, and on Monday he signed it over to Italian prosecutors. “It is clear that Imperiale wants sentence reductions,” said the prosecutor, Maurizio De Marco to the Guardian. “We are assessing the validity of his statements, but there seem to be no doubts about their genuineness.” Imperiale appeared in Italian court Monday alongside 20 other defendants to face charges related to the enormous criminal empire he was allegedly at the helm of. Italian authorities have also alleged Imperiale has close ties to the Camorra mafia family as well as an international “super cartel” that trafficked drugs from South America through five or more European countries including Spain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates, according to Europol. The super cartel controlled around ⅓ of the cocaine trade in Europe before authorities arrested 49 suspects believed to be associated with the group in 2022. The super cartel was allegedly led by Imperiale and: Authorities have alleged that Imperiale helped run one of the 50 largest drug trafficking operations in the world and had a virtual monopoly secured over nearly all the cocaine produced in Peru. The Guardian said Imperiale got his start running a cannabis cafe in Amsterdam that he inherited from his late brother. Imperiale led a tale worthy of another Godfather movie during his time as a criminal. He was rumored to have spent over $400,000 every single month while he was on the run in Dubai, according to the Guardian. When Italian authorities searched one of his homes in March, they found over 80 firearms and other weapons, including a grenade and three Kalashnikov rifles, hidden underneath Imperiale’s garage floor. He also had over 5,000 rounds of ammunition, according to Reuters. Additionally, controversy was stirred up in Italy shortly after Imperiale’s extradition. According to Sunday World, two Italian judicial officers were caught disposing of documents related to the Imperiale case during the course of their job duties. A hidden camera caught the employee putting certain documents into a bin under her desk. “[They] systematically destroyed, suppressed and concealed, making them untraceable, the following true public documents, represented by documents and / or entire files relating to criminal proceedings pending at the Judicial Offices of the District of the Court of Appeal of Naples,” said officials with the Guardia di Finanza to Sunday World.  The accused judicial workers told authorities they were trying to lighten their own workload by disposing of the documents, many of which were discovered in the garbage by police who made photocopies of everything.  No word had yet been released at the time this article was written on whether or not Imperiale’s island offering will have any definitive effect on his sentencing. 
https://hightimes.com/

From the Makers of the VOLCANO – The Breathtaking New VENTY

German innovation has once again taken center stage with STORZ & BICKEL’s introduction of the VENTY, one of the highest-performing portable vaporizers on the market. As the world’s only medically certified manufacturers of vaporizers and makers of the iconic VOLCANO series, STORZ & BICKEL have come up with truly game-changing features for the new slim, fast, and customizable VENTY. Jürgen Bickel, founder and managing director, introduced the breathtaking new portable device in the company’s latest keynote on October 17th. The first and probably most interesting standout feature of the VENTY is its lightning-fast heat-up time. Equipped with two powerful Li-ion batteries, an intelligent software design, and an innovative mini-heater, STORZ & BICKEL’s new powerhouse reaches the desired temperature within an unmatched 20 seconds. This promises minimal waiting and a seamless vaping experience. About the use of the VENTY, Jürgen Bickel stated: “It technically still is a session vaporizer, but it comes very close to an on-demand device. I just turn it on while walking down the stairs, and the VENTY is always ready for powerful, spontaneous, and discreet moments.” With this astonishingly short heat-up time in a portable device, the German manufacturer and market leader is indeed breaking records, unleashing potential. Distinguishing itself from competitors and giving users full control over their vaporizing experience, STORZ & BICKEL engineered the first portable vaporizer of its kind to offer an adjustable airflow. Moreover, the VENTY is one of the highest-performing portable devices on the market, with an impressive maximum of 20 liters of air per minute. STORZ & BICKEL thereby nearly doubled the amount of cool, tasty vapor in comparison to its predecessor and all-time throne holder, the MIGHTY+. The VENTY’s customizable airflow settings ensure an exceptionally low draw resistance while allowing users to tailor each session to their exact preferences. On top of that, the VENTY includes a newly developed flowmeter that measures the negative pressure of the inhalation and dynamically adjusts the heating to match the draw. This results in consistent and excellent vapor production, no matter the intensity of the inhalation. These new features, combined with the VENTY’s temperature precision, which is modifiable and visible for the user directly on the device, make it as easy as it has never been before to find your own personal sweet spot. STORZ & BICKEL, never shy about groundbreaking innovations, re-designed their patented convection and conduction heater and cooling technology for the VENTY. Moreover, the company came up with a new and, so far, the most sophisticated heating management system these pioneers have ever built. The re-shaped Cooling Unit and housing encapsulating the heater are made of medical-grade PEEK – a material used in medical engineering and aerospace. The ingeniously efficient new mini heater provides the fastest heat-up time of any STORZ & BICKEL vaporizer so far. It consists of an electrifiable, thus heated, wire around the heating block with holes in its center, through which air is drawn. At its maximum stage, the VENTY boasts a maximum power usage of 130 Watts at 16 Amps and therefore exceeds the currently highest-performing portable vaporizer from STORZ & BICKEL – the MIGHTY+, with a maximum of 40 Watts – by far, setting new industry standards again. The smart new VENTY supports Bluetooth and is customizable with the STORZ & BICKEL Web App. Various settings can be accessed and adjusted, like the desired temperature from 40°C – 210°C (104°F – 410°F), two pre-set Booster temperatures, the display’s brightness, vibration settings, and an ECO-charge mode. The new device allows users to modify the vaporizer to their personal taste, while software updates over the air can be implemented – all from the convenience of their smartphones. Crafted according to the high standards for medically certified manufacturers, the VENTY guarantees superior quality in performance and endurance. Therefore, it complements an active lifestyle, offering a breath of fresh adventure, whether on a mountain peak or oceanside. The VENTY is splash-proof, all materials are food-safe, and the housing is non-heat-conductive, making it touch-proof, despite the power unleashed inside this smart, sturdy, and sleek device. STORZ & BICKEL is the unattained global leading brand for high-end vaporizers and is truly unique as the world’s first medically certified manufacturer of vaporizers. Based in Tuttlingen, Germany, STORZ & BICKEL continuously drives the advancement of vaporization technology, providing a safe and efficient means of consuming cannabis for medical as well as recreational purposes. For more than 20 years, the company and their commitment to quality, innovation, and compliance have consistently delivered exceptional products that meet and exceed the highest industry standards. From the iconic VOLCANO series to the new portable VENTY, the state-of-the-art vaporizers of STORZ & BICKEL, Made in Germany, seamlessly blend reliable innovative technology with timeless elegance and promise an elevated everyday vaporization experience.
https://hightimes.com/

Green Wednesday Adult-Use Cannabis Surpassed $9 Million in Sales

The day before Thanksgiving, often referred to as “Green Wednesday” in the cannabis industry, saw a record number of sales once again. According to data collected by Jane Technologies, recreational sales on Nov. 22 reached $9,209,061.73—an 18.12% increase from Green Friday sales data in 2022, which landed at $7,795,803,80 last year. Adult-use cannabis sales on Nov. 22 had also increased by 90.5% in comparison to sales on the three previous Wednesdays, including Nov. 1, Nov. 8, and Nov. 15, which collected a total of $4,833,890.74. In products for Green Wednesday sales, flower led the way with the most sales, clocking in at $3,352,845.91, followed by vape-related products at $2,533,166.62, edibles at $1,207,840.33, pre-rolls at $963,026.92, and lastly, extracts with $448,520.89. According to its website, Jane Technologies serves dispensaries in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. Among these, the states with the highest sales revenue included Illinois ($2,868,215.31), California ($1,084,388.39), New Jersey ($880,127.66), Maryland ($758,727.23), and Washington ($709,599.95). Jane Technologies CEO and Cofounder, Socrates Rosenfeld, said in a press statement to Business of Cannabis that the cannabis industry’s future is continuing to grow.  “As we approach 2024, the US cannabis industry finds itself at an exciting point in time. With the government’s recent actions on issues like SAFER and rescheduling, the end of cannabis prohibition has never felt closer to becoming a reality,” Rosenfeld said in a press release. “With future consumer growth expected to be exponential and large mainstream brands anticipated to enter the space, current Industry operators must continue to invest in scalable solutions to remain competitive.” Medical cannabis sales on Green Wednesday, however, continue to drop. While medical sales reached $8,166,102.75, it was an 11.1% decline compared to last year’s sales at $9,191,493.38. Product popularity was similar to that of adult use sales, with a slight variation. Medical cannabis flowers reached $3,922,135.11, followed by vape-related products at $2,174,895.66, edibles at $896,241.66, extracts $592,565.12, and lastly, pre-rolls at $327,542.51. The states with the highest collection of sales varies a bit more than that of the adult-use sales, with Pennsylvania in the lead ($2,577,176.05), followed by Florida ($1,229,439.36), Ohio ($756,845.71), Maryland ($585,176.82), and Virginia ($561,534.87). Black Friday reports are still rolling in, but traffic was high in many markets. Reports from Michigan show long lines and interest for special deals, according to Levels general manager Drew McCarthy. “Black Friday is a big stressful day, after a big stressful day,” said McCarthy. “So, we wanted to give back to people and be able to have them not just take back the product they bought, but something extra to go and share with people around them and kind of go and promote that holiday spirit.”  According to BDSA data analyst Brendan Mitchel-Chesebro, Black Friday weekend continues  to reflect increased interest and traffic. “Black Friday consistently experiences the highest surge in cannabis sales of any holiday, other than 420,” Brendan Mitchel-Chesebro said, according to The Fresh Toast. “These insights are important for retailers looking to optimize their holiday strategies. By preparing for increased foot traffic with increased staff and an ample supply of popular products instead of leaning into promotions, retailers will win with consumers this holiday season.” Green Wednesday and Black Friday continue to be one of the major cannabis sales holidays of the year. This year, some state cannabis agencies joined in to promote sales and support. The California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) posted on social media to deter black market sales and encourage legal sales. “Don’t follow the hordes of shoppers today! Friday shop smart, shop licensed cannabis,” DCC wrote online. “To find your nearest licensed retailer please visit: https://search.cannabis.ca.gov/retailers.” The New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) shared efforts to support cannabis dispensaries as small businesses.” While you grab some #BlackFriday deals, take a note from #NYCCB member, Hope Knight and support #SmallBusinessSaturdays at one of your local dispensaries,” OCM wrote.  Additionally in Connecticut on Thanksgiving Day, liquor stores were closed and other stores that sell alcohol and were open on that day were not permitted to sell alcohol. However, the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection issued a notice stating that cannabis sales are permitted on Thanksgiving. The holiday season is also the time of year we begin to see cannabis brands offering support to local communities. Puff Cannabis handed out an estimated 2,500 turkeys this year for people in need, which was twice the amount that the brand gave out in 2022. “The goal of Puff Cannabis Company from the beginning has been to offer top- notch cannabis products while building a knowledgeable and customer-focused team,” said Puff Cannabis founder Justin Elias. “We are honored to have grown to 12 dispensary locations throughout Michigan in only four years, with many locations on tap to open in 2024.” MariMed, which operates in Massachusetts, Maryland, Illinois, Ohio, and Delaware, announced that it would be donating 800 turkeys this year as well. “Doing our part to support the communities we serve is an important part of MariMed’s mission to improve people’s lives every day,” said MariMed CEO Jon Levine. “This is the third consecutive year of our Thanksgiving turkey giveaway, which has become a wonderful tradition that our entire MariMed family rallies behind. We’re proud that we can help ease the financial burden for so many people at this time of year.”
https://hightimes.com/

Jon’s Stone-Cold Cop List #44: Green Everyday

It may be the first week off I’ve had in ages, but you know I couldn’t let another month close without dropping you a new list of heat to acquire. I know last week was all about supposed deals amidst all the stuff we’re already thankful for, but the good news is over here life’s green everyday – we don’t have to limit it to just one that’s designed by corporations to suck your coffers dry. There are always deals if you know where to shop! Anyway, November’s just about over, it’s officially (at least) hoodie weather everywhere, and the real holiday madness is about to begin. I’ve already seen several Christmas ads, and parking lots turning into open-air tree markets, and I’m already sick of the holly jolly nonsense. Maybe I’m cynical, maybe I’m old, but this is by far the least Christmas spirit I’ve ever felt, so, drugs it is to spice things up.  Below are some of my latest favorites, as well as some fun events happening this week that I figured I’d throw in in case you’re in town. For those on the east coast, we’ll be rolling pretty deep to Miami next week for Terp Basel. Come hang out! As always, feel free to pop me a line on twitter to tell me what you hate about this, or on the rare occasion what you loved, I’m always happy to argue with you.  We’re big fans of Preferred Gardens over here. From the immaculate flower they produce, to the massive team/entourage they roll around with, everything about these guys is top tier. I was late to the party only first getting to link up with them at the beginning of the year, but I’ve seen them many times since and the consensus remains: They’re fun to be around, and their work ALWAYS smokes. The last time I mentioned them in a list I gave props to the joints these guys put out. In the immortal words of the team, ‘these doinks don’t suck,’ and in fact, I started calling them one ashers, as that’s really all that you’ll need if you know what you’re doing. That said, having now had a few more chances to get hands on with the flower in its original form, I’m happy to share that they’re all bleeding terps, even through a blunt.  This is one I’d been hearing rumblings of for a while. There are few cultivars that hit the street with this much hype in tow, and typically when I see something pop off that fast I tend to assume it’s a smoke & mirrors play. The hype is usually just marketing. But friends, I’m here to tell you that’s not the case with Venom, this one’s a real smoker. A cross of Animal Face & Sin Mintz, originally bred by Ronin Seeds, grown by Cannapy Builders, and popularized by West Coast Connoisseurs, Ted from Alien Labs showed me some of the Living Soil batch they put out recently and man, I got so high that I forgot what time my flight was – while looking at my confirmation. I hear there’s a new batch that’ll be cured up in Jan that’s expected to be very special, so I’m excited to cop a bit more for myself. I suggest you do the same. At the Full Moon Sesh last month there was one pickup that made it into my bag that exceeded all others in terms of my excitement to consume it. Now this was a hyper privileged batch, and I’m not sure when a full run will hit the streets, but Serge certainly has a hit on his hands with this one, and it seems like a light washer, so if you see this on a menu somewhere don’t sleep on your chance to taste it. Maybe the most Pina Colada-y terps I’ve ever experienced, and from fresh press no less, the Colada was washed by frequent purveyors of hype Feel Good LA. Grown by Serge, but originally bred by Beleaf the Hunter Gatherer, this one’s not only terpy, it smacks too. It might taste like that light drink you sip by the pool, but you’re going to feel it like a tidal wave. Another frequent flier on the cop list, Pelli’s incredible legacy has been shouted from the rooftops (and included in rap songs) for literal decades, but his new hash holes? I gotta say, Pelli’s in the zone right now. He’s been hard at work hunting for his next new flavors, some phenos of which I was fortunate enough to get to check out at Full Moon, but he’s been twisting up the classics lately and they’re just as fresh as ever. His Ropeium (which was paired with GG4) remains my favorite, but that Super Gremlin stays a superstar as well! I actually meant to get this one in the last list so I apologize for the delayed notice, but the Z that Your Highness has been rocking lately is worth calling attention to. A bit darker than most of the Z we typically see floating around – which if anything just makes it more market viable – every time I’ve seen them this year the weed seems to somehow keep getting better. They’re also a ton of fun. At every one of Jimi’s Transbay events they always had one of the best set ups, and the aesthetics and merch continue to set an example for the rest of us. These guys have had a really good year. From winning one of the most coveted competitions on the east coast through a collaboration with Cipher Genetics on ‘Blue Lobster’ – which is a well-known but rare delicacy for those back east (I know a lot of west coasters are like ‘tf is that?’) – to now launching that same strain on the rec market out here in California, a rare feat for an east coast label, the gang from Maine has been doing some truly impressive work. And before you ask, it’s not just the Lobster. I’ve had the good fortune of trying several of their cultivars, and they’re all in the upper echelon. I don’t want this to come off as a slight because the genetics are clearly great, but I also wonder if these guys have some special curing techniques as well because every sample I’ve seen has smoked immaculate. When I did the High Grade Confirmed event last month, Firefly Organics was the brand one of the founders was most excited to show me, and with good reason – these guys were an exciting discovery. I got to check out three cultivars, of which the Albariño was definitely my fav, but it had that orange stain your mouth terp that not everyone loves, so I also want to recommend the White Niño, which was my favorite of the other two. That said, they all tasted delicious, and were clean smokers, so it’s worth tapping in with whatever you can from this crew. I’d been following Pleasant Effects for awhile now, and while from afar I’ve been a fan of what he’s been putting out online, having finally gotten a chance to get my hands on his small batch grow I’ve got to say, it smokes even better than it looks – and that’s already set a high bar. True to his name, the high is *at the very least* effectively described as pleasant, and strong, with all four of the varietals I sampled rocking me. My favorite of the gang was probably his SD Warheads, but the Permanent Market and Sherbanger were also definitely amongst the best expressions I’ve seen. Another one of my favorite finds from my most recent trip back east, Bushwacker’s flower smokes as good as his jar looks, which is worth celebrating in and of itself in this marketing-driven society we live in. That said, while the Grapeful Dead (a Runtz x Coffin Candy) was definitely my favorite jar, it was the Pandemonium (Z x Sherbanger) that stole the show for me. I also smoked the Sake Bomb, which is pictured above and a cross of Sherbanger & Gelato 33, and while not my favorite of the bunch, was absolutely a serious smoker. These guys might’ve been a new name for me, but they definitely know what they’re doing. One to keep an eye on for sure. Sacred Fruits has been producing high quality mushroom products since their inception, and while typically they buck the trends of the market, skipping over-popularized low-hanging fruit like gummies or chocolate, their latest product is likely their most familiar and entry-level SKU yet. We’ve all heard of Mushroom Tea, perhaps the easiest way to down the magic you’re after, but it’s not like they were just selling these tea bags at the grocery store. While still not at the grocer, you can now get a pre-blended journey through their Magic Tea, which I’ve affectionately started calling Sacred Tea. A box comes with 5 teabags, each packing 1.4 grams of mushrooms as well as a delicious blend to help mask the taste. It’s recommended you steep these for 20 minutes to maximize the effect. It was an eventful weekend online for Vandul, who participated in one of the most ridiculous art beefs to ever grace the internet, but I realized amidst the madness that I haven’t told you guys about his Hostage series yet, which I’ve been obsessed with for months. While I recognize there are serious world events happening right now and don’t say this to make light of anything happening abroad, it feels safe to include as he’s attacking corporations, rather than any perceivable innocents, and consumerism is killing us all. He’s been crafting some of my favorite toys for years now, but this new series really tickles me in a special type of way. I’ve already bought Hostages 1 & 2 (Mickey & Kaws) and can’t wait for the next drop. These don’t usually last long so if this is up your alley I wouldn’t sleep on it… This is another artist I’ve been a fan of for a long time that’s making cool shit that I’m realizing I can include in here because who is going to tell me I can’t? Dogman crafts incredibly intricate hand made toys that are far better than most of the handmade DIY stuff you see on platforms like Etsy, and he regularly makes small runs for events in our community, like the Very Heady Halloween sesh. Most of his characters are hilarious commentary on world events or creative bootlegs of pop culture heroes, like the Elmer’s Greenhouse shown above, and honestly I’ve started amassing a collection over here.  Following the success of Hash Hole Island earlier this summer, CGO is back with another event, and this time he’s starting up a national holiday. The combination of 4/20 & 7/10, our two days already dedicated to weed and hash, 11/30 this year represents the inaugural Hash Hole Day. Coming downstate this time to maximize the hype, the event will be hosted by industry godfathers Berner and Adam Ill, who it’s worth mentioning has been celebrating this combo holiday for a few years now, though not dubbing it Hash Hole Day. Taking place at Optimist Studios on the west side, I’m excited to celebrate with you all on Thursday! Speaking of events this week, on Friday some of the best weed-friendly comedians in the game are doing a special night of smoke and comedy at GOAT’s new spot in West Hollywood and it promises to be a night to remember. Featuring WEIRDOS alum Frank Castillo and Steve Furey, as well as Trevor Wallace, Ron Funches and Jil Chrissie, the lineup is clearly stacked, and it’s likely that many of the jokes will be at our expense, so it’ll be worth pulling up if you’re in town. Going to Comedy shows is one of my favorite things to do, and I’ve realized recently how many of my friends just… never go to them, so if you’re not already regularly doing this, this is also just a good idea for your mental, gangster. Doesn’t have to be this one specifically, just get out and laugh a bit. It’s medicine, too.  I simply can’t close this out without once again shouting out Weed & Wagyu and the gang over LA FAV. At Jesse’s memorial at Archie’s earlier this month, LA FAV dropped a new collab with his Weed & Wagyu brand to honor his legacy, and it’s actually the fulfillment of his original plan for Not Another Lemon Cherry Gelato – spoofing the Not Another Teen Movie poster and replacing the characters with our community’s usual suspects. This got the nepotism tag because I’m on the jar, as is Jesse and TrulyRedPanda, but true to form for the gang even the most novice of consumers won’t mistake this Bubble Zum for an LCG. They won’t be complaining about it, either! Also, fuck SSENSE (the fashion co, not the weed guys) for covering up Saber’s mural!
https://hightimes.com/

‘Grim Reefer’ AZ Weed Recalled Due to Mold Contamination

A particular strain of cannabis flower literally named “Grim Reefer” has been recalled from Arizona dispensaries due to potential mold contamination.  The Arizona Department of Health Services issued a recall Monday for certain cannabis products that may have been contaminated with aspergillus mold. “An Arizona marijuana establishment has voluntarily recalled specific products due to possible contamination with Aspergillus, a fungus that can cause allergic reactions or infection, usually in people already sick with something else,” said a written press release from the ADHS. “The products being voluntarily recalled is the Nirvana Center’s Grim Reefer, Batch number PHX1091-GR.” The ADHS said that the cause of the possible contamination was due to laboratory testing that did not follow state guidelines, though the press release did not say exactly how the labs were skirting guidelines, only that whatever was being done elicited the possibility of false negative results for certain contaminants.  “ADHS Laboratory auditors discovered discrepancies during a routine inspection, potentially leading to false negative results for contaminants being reported,” the press release said. “Once ADHS discovered the potential contamination, they contacted the facility that produced the products. The licensee took immediate action to work with all distribution and retail partners to remove any potentially impacted products from store shelves.” There has not yet been any issues reported with people who have consumed the Grim Reefer, nor with any of the other cannabis product recalls from aspergillus in Arizona. The Nirvana Center voluntarily recalled all the potentially contaminated products, presumably before they could make anybody sick.  “To date, no illnesses have been reported. This announcement is being made out of an abundance of caution,” the press release said. “Patients who have purchased potentially contaminated products should not ingest, inhale, or otherwise consume them and should dispose of them. If you have already consumed any of the products and have any of the symptoms described below, please contact your healthcare provider or seek care in the event of an emergency.” According to the Center for Disease Control, aspergillus is a type of fungus with over 180 known species, about 40 of which have been known to cause unpleasant or harmful reactions in humans. Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common “strain,” if you will, of the fungus. People with healthy immune systems typically don’t experience a reaction to aspergillus, but people with weakened immune systems have been known to have reactions to it in the form of ailments like lung or sinus infections which can spread to the rest of the body.  Most people breathe aspergillus every day without getting sick, but in those it does affect the fungus can cause an illness known as aspergillosis. Most of the symptoms of aspergillosis can be likened to a combination of asthma and allergy attacks, according to the CDC.  Aspergillus recalls in cannabis products have actually been happening with some form of regularity as more states legalize and enact different standards of lab testing. In Oregon, for instance, there was a big problem with products testing positive for aspergillus beyond the allowed levels but the laws ended up getting repealed and recalled products were eventually sold after local cannabis farmers appealed to the state legislature that some level of aspergillus is near-impossible to avoid when growing cannabis.  “The industry was concerned that that was not a workable standard that could be met, particularly for growers who are growing directly in soil,” said attorney Kevin Jacoby to KLCC. Jacoby represented the Cannabis Industry Alliance of Oregon in a legal challenge to the state’s aspergillus laws with regard to cannabis.  Oregon’s change of heart has not stopped the ADHS from recalling the Grim Reefer, however. Nor has it stopped the state health authority from recalling nine other batches of potentially contaminated cannabis just this year. Almost all the batches recalled were due to possible aspergillus contamination, though some were for salmonella as well. Several of the past incidents of aspergillus contamination also cited poor lab etiquette or improperly reported lab results.  Interestingly enough, two of those product recalls were ultimately – recalled – because there’s a law in Arizona with regard to cannabis testing facilities that if a product fails testing it can be sent to a second lab. If it passes testing at the second lab, the product is sent to a third lab and the third lab’s result is the final one. Three of the ten batches recalled in 2023 for aspergillus in Arizona met this standard, had their recalls lifted, and were ultimately sold to the general public. 
https://hightimes.com/

Cartel’s Primary Pot Distributor ‘El Mago’ Shot Dead in Los Angeles

A top member of the Sinaloa cartel responsible for allegedly distributing thousands of pounds of illegal cannabis was shot and killed in Southern California. Eduardo Escobedo, 39, was found dead Thursday close to the intersection of Rosecrans and Towne avenues in Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Escobedo and another man were both killed following a shooting incident. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office identified the second man who was shot dead as Guillermo De Los Angeles Jr., 47. Escobedo and De Los Angeles died at the scene after sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of shots being fired in an industrial area filled with warehouses. A third man was taken to a hospital close by with non-life threatening gunshot wounds. The third man was not identified. Police officers and firefighter-paramedics arrived at the scene Thanksgiving morning after the shoot at an industrial property filled with warehouses. ABC 7 reports that details about the shooting are scarce as officers sort through information. “We have no motive at this time. It appears that there was some type of gathering or party at the location from last night to early this morning,” sheriff’s Lt. Omar Camacho told ABC 7 Eyewitness News at the scene. ABC 7 reports that details about the shooting are scarce. “We have no motive at this time. It appears that there was some type of gathering or party at the location from last night to early this morning,” sheriff’s Lt. Omar Camacho told ABC 7 Eyewitness News at the scene. Video footage shows that investigators examined a black sedan that was near the bodies with its front doors open. Forty-foot shipping containers, semi trucks, and a forklift were all located nearby and provided a hidden spot where the crime could take place. The Los Angeles Times reports that Escobedo is a convicted drug trafficker nicknamed “El Mago,” which is “The Magician,” in Spanish. Escobedo was the primary local cannabis distributor for Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar, the son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. Police believe Escobedo also allegedly put out a hit on a rival trafficker who was shot dead in his Bentley on the 101 Freeway in 2008. Escobedo was never charged in the murder, but his brother and another man were convicted and are serving life sentences. In October 2013, Escobedo was wiretapped and allegedly recorded speaking with Guzmán Salazar about smuggling over five tons of cannabis through a tunnel under the U.S.-Mexico border, prosecutors said. Escobedo also allegedly laundered the drug earnings by purchasing exotic cars and shipping them to the cartel’s main hub in Culiacan, Sinaloa. He served nearly five years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute more than 22,000 pounds of pot and laundering drug proceeds. For reference, 22,000 pounds is the equivalent of 11 tons or 10,000 kilos of pot. He was released in 2018 after serving time. Then Escobedo eluded capture by police for over a decade. El Chapo, on the other hand, was arrested in 2014 in Mazatlan. In 2019, he was convicted by a jury of being a principal leader of a continuing criminal under his leadership of the crime syndicate known as the Sinaloa Cartel.  In 2019, El Chapo was sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years, and was ordered to pay $12.6 billion in forfeiture. The sentence marks the end of a 30-year drug trafficking career that saw Guzmán rise to the top of Mexico’s infamous Sinaloa drug cartel.  Addressing the court at his sentencing hearing at the Federal District Court in Brooklyn, New York, Guzmán said he had not been given a fair trial and complained about being held in solitary confinement at Manhattan’s federal correctional facility before and during his three-month trial. “Since the government of the United States is going to send me to a prison where my name will never be heard again, I take advantage of this opportunity to say there was no justice here,” he said. El Chapo’s wife, Emma Coronel Aispuro, was released in September of this year from a California halfway house. Aispuro was sentenced in 2021 to three years in prison after pleading guilty to helping her husband run his multibillion-dollar criminal empire. She had faced a minimum of 10 years in prison, but was spared under a so-called “safety valve” provision because she had no prior criminal record, was not considered a leader, and was not personally involved with violence. Guzman Salazar is one of Mexico’s most wanted men. Escobedo lived it up on social media in recent years, posting photos with Floyd Mayweather, Al Pacino, and others. He donned attire by Dolce and Gabbana and diamond-encrusted jewelry. No arrests have been announced by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
https://hightimes.com/

New York Cannabis Regulators Reach Settlement in Lawsuit Blocking Dispensary Openings

New York’s cannabis regulatory agency on Monday announced that it has reached a settlement in two lawsuits that have been blocking the opening of retail weed dispensaries for months. The settlement sets the stage for more than 400 Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) licensees to finally open their businesses after months of waiting for the lawsuit to be resolved. The lawsuits against New York’s Cannabis Control Board (CCB) are challenging the agency’s process for awarding licenses for the state’s first recreational cannabis dispensaries, which were reserved for individuals with previous marijuana-related offenses on their record. One of the lawsuits was filed by a group of military veterans, while the second legal action was brought by a group of medical marijuana companies seeking access to New York’s lucrative retail weed market. In August, after only a handful of recreational pot shops had opened, state Supreme Court Justice Kevin Bryant issued a temporary injunction blocking the opening of additional dispensaries with licenses issued under the CAURD program. The judge ruled that the CCB had improperly reserved all of the initial retail dispensary licenses for those with pot convictions instead of considering a wider group of social equity applicants outlined by New York’s 2021 law legalizing adult-use cannabis. Some of the businesses were later allowed to open their doors, but less than three dozen shops have begun serving customers across the state. At the same time, more than 400 businesses approved for CAURD licenses have been left in limbo while the legal drama continues. At an emergency meeting of the CCB on Monday, the board voted to approve a settlement agreement state lawyers negotiated with attorneys for the plaintiffs in the lawsuits.  “Today’s approval of the settlement agreement by the New York State Cannabis Control Board marks a momentous step forward in our mission to cultivate a diverse and inclusive cannabis market,” CCB Chair Tremaine Wright said in a statement from the agency. “Once this settlement is approved, we are hopeful those impacted by the injunction will be empowered to open their storefronts and embark on their entrepreneurial journeys, bringing us closer to our goals.” The settlement follows the CCB’s recent approval of a new cannabis application period for licenses to grow, distribute and sell cannabis. The new application window is expected to result in more than 1,000 new licenses for New York’s recreational cannabis market, which has been stunted by the delayed approval of licensed retailers. “Today, we are one step closer to resolving litigation brought forth by equity entrepreneurs and our medical operators who felt that they were being left behind,” said Chris Alexander, executive director of New York’s Office of Cannabis Management. “Now that we have opened up licensing to all equity entrepreneurs and provided a clear pathway to participation in the adult-use market for our medical operators, we are able to continue to move this program forward together.” The CCB noted that with the settlement, more than 400 CAURD licensees will be able to proceed with opening their shops. Michelle Bodian, a partner at the cannabis law firm Vicente LLP, said “It’s a good day for the NY cannabis industry,” when details of the settlement were released on Tuesday.  “With the settlement agreements filed in both lawsuits, we know NY has the potential to have many more adult-use stores in 2024,” Bodian wrote in an email to High Times. “Although the state cannot award any more provisional CAURD licenses till April, the 436 provisional CAURD licensees can move forward towards a final license. In addition, five registered organizations will be permitted to transition one store to the adult-use market on or after December 29, 2023. Osbert Orduna, CEO of The Cannabis Place, owns a Queens-based licensed pot delivery service but was blocked from opening an approved dispensary on Metropolitan Avenue in Middle Village because of the injunction. “After months of the harmful impact on legal operators trying to open, there is some great holiday daze for the entire cannabis community,” Orduna told the New York Post.
https://hightimes.com/

Psilocybin, ADHD Medication Together? Study Reveals Potential of Combined Approach

Researchers observed a notable development in an ongoing study of microdosing for ADHD. Two weeks into the research, participants using traditional ADHD medication reported lower mindfulness levels compared to those not on medication. But at the four-week mark, regardless of medication, both groups demonstrated improvements in mindfulness, indicating a leveling effect as a result of continued microdosing with psilocybin, Psychedelic Spotlight reports.  The study on microdosing, published in the Frontiers in Psychiatry Journal, analyzed data from 233 individuals, most diagnosed with ADHD or experiencing severe symptoms. About a third of the participants used ADHD medication daily. These include pharmaceuticals like Adderall, Ritalin, and Concerta. Both groups, those medicated with such drugs, as well as those “untreated,” microdosed psilocybin mushrooms. As High Times reported, it’s worth noting that for those people in the trial taking Adderall, getting their medicine may have been a struggle recently due to a medication shortage. The shortage of Adderall, which started in the fall of 2022, was initially expected to be a short-term issue. The FDA predicted a resolution within a month or two. However, this has yet to be the case. In August 2023, a joint statement acknowledged the ongoing shortage, describing it as ‘understandably frustrating’ for patients and healthcare providers. The joint notice explained that the shortage began due to a manufacturing delay by one drug maker last fall. Although this issue has been resolved, its impact persists, exacerbated by an unprecedented increase in stimulant medication prescriptions. Over the past decade, from 2012 to 2021, there has been a 45.5 percent rise in the dispensing of stimulants, including amphetamine products and other similar medications in the U.S. So, while the study in question looked at people microdosing and those microdosing in addition to taking such medications, there is also a potential role for psychedelics to step in when traditional pharmaceutical methods fail.  Researchers began the study with an initial assessment of mindfulness and personality traits of all study participants. The scientists continued the research with additional check-ins at two and four weeks. The research team anticipated that microdosing would enhance ‘trait mindfulness,’ which is the ability to be consciously aware of and attentive to present thoughts, feelings, and sensations without excessive reaction. They also expected improvements in traits such as conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and openness, coupled with a reduction in neuroticism. Two weeks into the study, participants on traditional ADHD medication showed lower mindfulness levels compared to those not using medication. Yet, after four weeks of microdosing, this disparity went away, with both medicated and non-medicated groups having similar improvements in mindfulness.  Additionally, four weeks into the study, the microdosers with ADHD showed the average mindfulness levels of the general population. Specifically, they demonstrated increased mindfulness, excelling in areas like acting with awareness and non-judgmentally accepting their inner experiences. Additionally, these individuals exhibited a decrease in neuroticism, indicating reduced emotional instability. PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other comorbid diagnoses had no impact on the study’s participant’s results.  Yet, the participants did not meet all of the researchers’ expectations. For instance, personality traits like agreeableness and openness didn’t change much, suggesting that microdosing may have a “ceiling effect;” in other words, it only helps so much.  The findings still hold important implications. Firstly, they indicate that microdosing has the potential to impact stable traits such as mindfulness and neuroticism for people with ADHD. The result showed that ADHD medication did not affect these changes, suggesting that microdosing could enhance existing treatment models and increase the quality of life for those with ADHD.  In the future, such findings could help people with ADHD plan a multi-faceted treatment approach that yields better results than traditional medications or even just psychedelic therapy alone.  And researchers are studying microdosing psilocybin to treat more mental health conditions than ADHD. In August of this year, scientists explored how psilocybin affects various brain networks and how it can potentially help people with depression, High Times reported.  According to the preprint study titled “Psilocybin desynchronizes brain networks” offers an in-depth analysis of the effects of psilocybin on the brain’s default mode network (DMN). Researchers closely examined how psilocybin interacts with and influences the DMN. “Psilocybin-driven desynchronization was observed across [the] association cortex but strongest in the default mode network (DMN), which is connected to the anterior hippocampus and thought to create our sense of self,” the researchers noted in their findings. The study highlights that the most significant impacts of psilocybin on the DMN were observed in areas like the thalamus, basal ganglia, cerebellum, and hippocampus. The researchers further elaborated in their abstract, “Persistent suppression of hippocampal-DMN connectivity represents a candidate neuroanatomical and mechanistic correlate for pro-plasticity and anti-depressant effects of psilocybin.” Here’s to finding new ways to help psilocybin improve the lives of those living with mental health conditions. 
https://hightimes.com/

New President of Ecuador Makes Drug Possession Illegal Again

Ecuador’s newly-elected president has re-outlawed drug possession just a few days after taking power as part of a campaign promise to crack down on narcotics trafficking. President Daniel Noboa announced Thursday, less than two days after taking office, that he would be changing the nation’s drug laws to once again make possession of small amounts of drugs a crime, walking back legislation enacted by Democratic Socialist President Rafael Correa’s administration about a decade ago.  Previously, Ecuadorians were permitted to carry up to 10 grams of cannabis, two grams of cocaine paste (the raw materials made from coca leaves used to synthesize cocaine in a lab), one gram of cocaine, 0.10 grams of heroin and 0.04 grams of amphetamine. However, Noboa’s office opted to enact a zero tolerance drug possession policy on the grounds that to permit possession would encourage “microtrafficking.” “What we promise, we deliver. Through the Ministry of the Interior, I have ordered the repeal of the CONSEP Resolution, thus removing the drug consumption table that encourages microtrafficking,” Noboa’s office said in a translated Facebook post. “In this way, we care for the future of Ecuadorian families and protect our children, girls and adolescents from the use of psychotropic substances and narcotic drugs.” Narcotics trafficking in Ecuador, mainly cocaine, has been responsible for widespread violence, robberies, murder and kidnappings for years much like some of their other neighboring South American countries. There were over 4,600 deaths related to violence in the country in 2022 alone, according to Al Jazeera. In addition to trying to curb drug trafficking, Noboa also opted to direct his cabinet members to create programs that would offer rehabilitation help to habitual users and to additionally develop “coordinated information, prevention and control programs on the consumption of narcotic and psychotropic substances.” The original drug possession laws made in 2013 were made to address what President Correa’s administration characterized as a public health crisis with respect to drug use. Correa directed the courts to somehow distinguish between people who were trafficking and people who were simply using drugs, hence the small possession limits. It was not immediately clear how Noboa’s administration would differentiate between traffickers and users, if at all. His predecessor, Guillermo Lasso, announced that he was going to repeal the laws in 2021 but never followed through.  In a previous Facebook post on the day Noboa took office, Noboa announced that the “Drug Board,” which was the term used for the reference table of allowable drugs and possession limits, was on its way out signifying the end of legal drug possession in the country. He symbolized this by ripping up a piece of paper in a Facebook video.  “Today the Drug Board is leaving! For our children, for our young people, for our families, for our country,” Noboa’s post said. “The New Ecuador is already here.” Noboa defeated a protégée of Correa, Luisa Gonzalez, in the general election on October 15. Noboa will remain in office until May 2025. He is not serving a full term as president because he was elected to finish President Lasso’s appointment. President Lasso stepped down in lieu of having impeachment proceedings take place against him. Violence soared in Ecuador during Lasso’s term as president. The violent murder rate nearly doubled during Lasso’s short reign as president, even to the point of presidential candidates opting to wear bulletproof vests while campaigning.  “The Mission takes note that presidential candidates have had to resort to wearing bulletproof vests in order to campaign, a fact that limits their ability to move and express themselves in public spaces,” said members of the Organization of American States in a statement earlier this year. “The Mission reiterates its concern about the alarming climate of violence that has overshadowed the electoral campaign in Ecuador.” Noboa’s term as president also kicked off with the announcement of his presidential cabinet on Thursday, which his administration touted as being composed of almost all women and young people. It would appear Noboa is taking a somewhat radical approach to leading a country that has been awash with violence and corruption for several preceding leadership terms.  “I want to thank my initial work team who helped me bring together all these people with special qualities. They all  have the courage, the conviction, the strength to serve the country at its worst possible moment. That is not easy, that requires an additional degree of patriotism and empathy towards the  Ecuadorian people.”
https://hightimes.com/

Minnesota Launches Pilot Program for Roadside Saliva Drug Tests

The Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) announced its pilot project to launch a cannabis saliva test for determining impairment in drivers. According to OTS Director Mike Hanson, the test is being designed to determine recent impairment. “We’re not looking to find somebody who used 10 days or 14 days ago. We’re looking for somebody who used within the last couple of hours,” Hanson explained. The saliva test would screen for a total of six substances, such as cannabis and opioids, using both the SoToxa Mobile Test System and Dräger DrugTest 5000. Both devices have already previously been tested in other states. The state’s 320 Drug Recognition Evaluators (DREs), who have been trained to recognize signs of impairment due to substances other than alcohol, will be given saliva devices for the program. A majority of the DREs are local law enforcement officers, but one-third are state troopers. “We’re going to get a good sampling not only in metro areas, but also in the greater Minnesota areas that will give us an idea of how prevalent drug impaired driving is on our roads,” Hanson continued. In practice, if an officer comes across a driver who appears to be impaired, they will ask them to perform field sobriety tests, followed by swabbing their mouth, if they consent. “That swab is then inserted into a cartridge, and that cartridge then is inserted into the instrument. Roughly five minutes later, you will get your result,” Hanson said. A news report from Fox 9 explained that individuals won’t be arrested or have their licenses revoked while participating. The pilot program will help the department gather data by using participants who provide voluntary saliva samples. The goal is to determine the presence of one of the six substances, not the varying levels of a substance within a person’s body. “If you have Delta 9 in your system, that tells the officer [the driver] used recently, and that very likely is the cause of their impairment, or part of their impairment if they’re using other things in in conjunction with that cannabis,” Hanson said. Data shows that between 2013-2017, there were 8,069 incidents involving intoxicated drivers, and between 2018-2022, that number increased to 15,810. The goal is that OTS will gather data and submit it to the Minnesota Legislature in fall 2024, with the goal of asking lawmakers to update state law to allow the devices to be used by law enforcement to arrest impaired drivers. In Michigan in 2017, a similar Oral Fluid Roadside Analysis Pilot Program was launched with the use of a device called an Alere DDS2, which tests for amphetamine, benzodiazepines, cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine and opiates. Between 2019-2020, Phase II of the program was launched. Similar roadside saliva tests have been implemented in Alabama and Kansas as well. Following adult-use cannabis legalization in Canada in 2018, the country altered its laws to permit the use of roadside saliva drug tests with the Dräger DrugTest 5000. In 2019, the Canadian government approved the SoToxa Mobile Test System for use by law enforcement.  The Victorian Parliament in Australia recently approved a bill to address and implement a medical cannabis driving trial in October 2023 as well. “This bill will allow us to deliver a world-leading research trial into medical cannabis and driving, enhancing our understanding of how cannabis affects driving behavior and informing future reform,” said road safety minister Melissa Horne. Victoria was the first Australian province to legalize medical cannabis six years ago. “The reality is patients continue to wait. Medicinal cannabis has been prescribed since 2016, that’s a long time for patients to have to wait for a resolution,” said Australia MP Rachel Payne. “A medicinal cannabis patient should be treated like any other patient who is prescribed medicine by a doctor who also provides appropriate advice about when that patient is safe to drive.” However, there are concerns regarding the efficacy of these roadside drug tests. In 2019, a Vancouver-based attorney found that the Dräger DrugTest 5000 was not a reliable way to determine impairment, claiming that it was producing false positives for people who had only consumed CBD. “We found there was a retention period of half an hour. It was still found in the mouth even though there were no lingering effects in the body,” said attorney Kyla Lee. Other complaints included that the device wasn’t performing properly in cold weather. “We need to put more effort in this country into finding a device that can tell the difference between something that’s impairing a person and something that’s merely present in their system,” Lee explained. In September of this year, an article published on the American Council on Science and Health website explained how these drug tests are still not up to par. In a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of California, San Diego, determined that roadside saliva tests in theory are useful, but not accurate. “One court concluded that ‘there is as yet no scientific agreement on whether, and, if so, to what extent, these types of tests are indicative of marijuana intoxication,'” researchers wrote.

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