TESTSTSARDSARKentucky Now 38th State to Enact Medical Cannabis Program by Sara Brittany Somerset Kentucky governor Andrew Graham Beshar (D) has signed a bill to legalize medical cannabis, making the state the 38th in the U.S. to do so. Beshear, a proponent of the legislation (SB 47) sponsored by Sen. Stephen West (R), encouraged his constituents to appeal to their state representatives to pass the bill. “Far too many of our people face the obstacle of having chronic or terminal diseases like cancer, or those like our veterans suffering from PTSD or Kentuckians living with epilepsy, seizures, Parkinson’s or more,” Beshear said in a press conference. “These folks want and deserve safe and effective methods of treatment.” Beshear also recently signed a measure into law that will regulate sales of delta-8 THC products. West cited the opioid epidemic ravaging Kentucky as a significant factor motivating him to legalize medical cannabis. “One of the prime reasons I sponsored this bill and moved it along is addiction. Other states that have adopted this have seen not only a 20-30% reduction in opioid use, but also a 20 or 30% reduction in drug addiction,” West said at a press briefing. “If you haven’t looked, Kentucky has a severe addiction problem, and I think Senate Bill 47 and medical marijuana can be part of the solution.” Kentucky will not collect sales and excise taxes on medical cannabis.“Today is an incredible victory for Kentucky,” said Matthew Bratcher, Executive Director of Kentucky NORML, who attended this morning’s signing ceremony. “For years, Kentuckians have been calling for medical cannabis legalization, and now they will have the freedom to access regulated, therapeutic products right here at home safely. While there is still work to be done, this is a historic step, and we look forward to continuing our work representing Kentucky patients.” Mr. Elliot Lane, Head of Benzinga’s Cannabis & Psychedelics departments and organizer of the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, said, “As a person raised in Kentucky, raised hearing the words ‘bourbon’ and ‘tobacco’ but never hearing ‘marijuana’ unless in a demonizing fashion, this turn of events is an incredible update! It goes to show that the work from industry participants and activists for decades has been worth the massive effort. There is still a ways to go, but this is huge!” What SB 47 will provide:
What SB 47 will not provide:
A cannabis legislative information session was held as far back as February 15, 2018, at the Pulaski County Public Library. Regulations will need to be finalized for implementation by Jan. 1, 2024. A link to your site, with your site's name and description as anchor text. Via https://cannatechtoday.com/kentucky-now-38th-state-to-enact-medical-cannabis-program/
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TESTSTSARDSARThe Cannabis Concentrate Evolution: Solventless Extracts by Sponsored Within the cannabis market, the concentrate product category has seen exponential growth in As the concentrate market expanded and the products grew in popularity, processors found new Cannabis concentrates have come a long way since the early days of collecting and making The evolution of these cannabis concentrates has been driven by advancements One of the more popular methods is solventless rosin extraction, which is done using just heat Unlike other extraction methods that use solvents like butane or CO2, rosin is free One of the most common and efficient ways to make rosin involves using a rosin press. The The TRP Stack features the patented Easy Pivot drip tech system which allows the The Triminator rosin press is also equipped with a powerful 25-ton BVA hydraulic cylinder and Producing consistent and unrivaled pressure across the large heat platens, ensure the highest yields with the lowest temperatures. The individual temperature controls allow the user to control the exact Because solventless rosin is extracted using only heat and pressure, the end product has higher Solventless rosin tends to be more pure, potent, and flavorful than other extracts in its product category. In addition to its high-quality nature, rosin is also versatile in its uses. Solventless rosin can be used for dabbing, vaping, in joints, or in a bowl with flower, as well as used in the making of edibles. From its high potency to its versatility as a product, rosin continues to be favored among Whether you are an individual producer or operate on a larger, commercial scale, solventless rosin is a lucrative market segment. A high-quality rosin press like the TRP Stack will benefit your workflow and deliver pure, potent cannabis extract at any scale. A link to your site, with your site's name and description as anchor text. Via https://cannatechtoday.com/the-cannabis-concentrate-evolution-solventless-extracts/ TESTSTSARDSARHow the Green Rush is Taking Sin City to New Heights by Ebby Stone More than 41 million people visit Las Vegas, Nevada each year. It’s a haven for foodies, theatergoers, and risk-takers. Beyond the bright lights and diverse attractions, Vegas is a robust ecosystem for cannabis businesses. It’s tax-friendly, a vibrant tourist hub, and well-regulated to benefit cannabis entrepreneurs. Nevada voters passed the Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act in 2016. It legalized the purchase, possession, and consumption of adult-use cannabis for people 21 and older. While the “Entertainment Capital of the World” has always attracted tourists, it’s now a mecca for cannatourism. In the six years since legalization, Nevada entrepreneurs have been busy establishing some of the most unique and alluring cannabis dispensaries in the country. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed by cannabis enthusiasts. Cannabis sales totaled just under $1 billion in the 2022 fiscal year, according to the state Cannabis Compliance Board. Most of that revenue came from Clark County (where Las Vegas resides), which generated $754,357,922 in sales. Nevada charges a 10% excise tax on recreational cannabis sales, all of which is earmarked for education funding. For business owners, Nevada is a tax-friendly state. It has no personal income tax, franchise tax, unitary tax, inventory tax, inheritance tax, or estate tax. The Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance also offers a free operating cost comparison so entrepreneurs can compare Vegas with other U.S. metropolitan regions. Of the 102 licensed dispensaries in Nevada in 2022, 57 are in Las Vegas and Clark County. While it’s a competitive landscape, there are plenty of compelling reasons to do business in The Silver State. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported it’s the top state in America for job growth. Further, the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance noted it consistently ranks as one of the nation’s highest in growth and investment. In this Tech Zone, we’ll explore the innovators and industries making Nevada one of the hottest cannabis hubs in the Western U.S. Safe Plants, Healthy CustomersOne benefit of cannabis legalization is consumer confidence and safety. It was one of the main arguments for adult-use legalization. In Nevada, medical cannabis testing covers a range of contaminants and heavy metals, as well as THC and cannabinoid potency. Despite high demand, there are only 10 licensed cannabis testing laboratories statewide. Those few are serving a record number of clients. While many labs are only recently established, others have decades of experience to support their reputations. Taylor Coomer, Plant Safe LLC director of operations, said Plant Safe’s experience helped them quickly adapt to the needs of the cannabis sector. “A lot of the protocols utilized in the cannabis analytical space are similar to testing protocols used in other industries, such as the pharmaceutical and food science industries,” Coomer said. “It’s less reinventing the wheel and more taking something that exists and adapting it for cannabis.” With so few labs operating in the state, operators are under increasing pressure to find reputable partners. It’s an issue that has become more important as several Nevada labs have lost their business licenses due to unscrupulous practices. Alec Garcia, a managing partner of 374 Labs in Nevada, told the Reno Gazette Journal his lab is suffering because “people are looking for a competitive advantage.” His clients compare results from 374 Labs with others whose analyses are more appealing, albeit false. Lindsay Wagner, Plant Safe’s director of systems and analytics, explained why finding a lab partner with ethical standards is essential. “Whoever our partner is, whether it’s a patient, researcher, or grower, they feel like they’ll succeed because Plant Safe is supporting their business through science, consistency, and accurate reporting,” Wagner said. Plant Safe’s background in medical testing helped it adapt to the pace of cannabis testing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Plant Safe responded to unprecedented demand for rapid testing. The company needed duplicate equipment to keep pace and protect its bottom line when machinery needed repair. Wagner said it’s a valuable lesson for the cannabis industry as well. “We have a robust redundancy of equipment, which is something that’s unique in this space, but it’s something that spawned from the lessons we learned during the height of the COVID-19 crisis.” Candice Leger, Plant Safe VP of business development, said experienced staff is another indicator of a quality lab partner. “To back the redundancy of instrumentation, we also have the knowledge base. The majority of the lab techs and supporting staff have backgrounds in the cannabis industry.” Experience, ample equipment, and a collaborative attitude can make all the difference in separating a poor-quality laboratory from a top-tier facility. Many Nevada cannabis companies are discovering when a laboratory fails, its clients fail — and consumers pay the price. Automating Production for Nevada Cannabis CompaniesThe Silver State is home to more than 100 cannabis production facilities and over 100 dispensaries. The top sellers for these businesses are vapes and pre-rolls, particularly in tourist destinations like Las Vegas. Data company Headset reported that pre-roll sales have increased by 38.9% since 2020. Pre-rolls tend to have a high profit margin for retailers and are popular with customers. They are portable, discrete, and accessible for everyone, from the connoisseur to the novice. Plus, they don’t require any special equipment to smoke, which means there’s nothing to dispose of before entering an airport or traveling across state lines. As demand ramps up, more companies are opting for automated solutions. Automation provides consistent results 24 hours a day, without pulling from a company’s labor pool. PreRoll-Er, an automation company with locations in Canada and Las Vegas, NV, offers seven pre-roll machines to suit big or small producers. The company allows its clients to start modestly with the PreRoll-Er 100 and grow up to the 800 model without losing their initial investment. Options range from 500 to 4,800 pre-rolls an hour. PreRoll-Er’s machines also feature an optional direct-oil injection system for infused products. The company chose Las Vegas as its American base of operations because it’s central to some of the largest cannabis markets in the country. “First of all, who doesn’t like to go to Vegas? And it’s central because California is the biggest market right now, but surrounding states have [legalized] too, so to be right in the middle is ideal,” PreRoll-Er Marketing Coordinator Patrick Grenier told Cannabis & Tech Today. “Traveling is easier from Vegas, too, because there are flights everywhere,” he added. Flower remains the most popular cannabis product in America, another reason pre-rolls have an edge. While cannabis flower tends to have 18-30% THC potency, pre-rolls can be infused with concentrates such as oil, caviar, diamonds, or other forms of concentrated cannabis. The resulting infused pre-rolls can have THC potency of up to 50%. This allows customers to reach the potency levels they want while still consuming their preferred product — flower. PreRoll-Er designed its products for versatility, offering regular pre-rolls and infused options in one machine. The company’s innovative designs helped it win the “Best Packaging Equipment” award at the O’Cannabiz Industry Awards Gala in 2022. Nevada is home to some of the country’s top cannabis dispensaries. With millions of visitors pouring into the state each year, it’s quickly becoming one of the cannabis industry’s most innovative technology centers. Grenier offered these words of caution, noting the temptation to put style over substance is strong in Sin City. “You’re spending so much money on packaging and marketing that you forget the most important thing, which is when you sell a pre-roll, that’s the last thing the customer is going to take from your company. If you do a bad job, you can forget about repeat business — and repeat business is the name of the game.” A Cure for Customer RetentionCannabis cultivation is often a process of delayed gratification. After months of growing, cultivators spend weeks drying and curing crops to create beautiful, shelf-worthy flower. The drying process can be tedious and laden with risks. Nugs that have lost too much moisture (an easy feat in Nevada’s climate) offer a less desirable smoke and sell for less at the retailer. If the humidity in the drying room is too high, mildew quickly settles into the product. Whether its valuable real estate lost to drying or burdensome HVAC expenses, crafting the perfect crop doesn’t stop at harvest. When flower is ready for testing, Nevada regulations allow only 15% moisture content. Loss of terpenes and flavonoids are some of the first noticeable signs the flower hasn’t been properly dried. Improperly cured buds smell less fragrant, taste less flavorful, and ultimately have fewer effects than well-cured flower. Cryo Cure CEO Tracee McAfee told Cannabis & Tech Today the preservation process can dramatically alter a plant’s chemical profile. McAfee and her business partner, President and Chief Cultivation Officer Greg Baughman, created a patented technology that dries and cures flower in less than 24 hours from the time of harvest. While based in freeze drying technology, Cryo Cure is distinct from conventional freeze drying. Where conventional methods leave trichomes brittle and the flower too fragile to handle, Cryo Cure locks in moisture content between 6% and 12%, depending on the cultivar’s needs — just enough to benefit from freeze drying without negatively affecting flower quality. “Commercial freeze dryers don’t preserve the terpene and moisture content like our proprietary technology can,” noted McAfee. She describes Cryo Cured cannabis as “live resin flower.” While freezing flower for live resin extraction isn’t new, smokable flower in this state is garnering more attention. As cannabis markets mature, so does the customer base. People who once asked for high-potency strains begin to shift into more sophisticated buying patterns. MJBizDaily spoke with Ann DeMarco, a Colorado-based retailer, to find out what her customers are asking for. “We have an awful lot of consumers who ask for specific terpene profiles to help them achieve certain outcomes, such as something to help them sleep, something that will help with pain, something that will help relieve migraines,” DeMarco said. While many of Nevada’s visitors are tourists from states yet to legalize cannabis, the whole country is becoming more familiar with the plant. Medical cannabis is now legal in 32 states. Retailers are dealing with the most educated customers in cannabis history. Many are seeking relief from medical issues while hoping to avoid pharmaceutical pain relievers. “We’re able to preserve so many of the terpenes that naturally burn off when [flower] is hanging there to dry,” McAfee noted. “We’re getting a terpene called carene; it’s a fragile terpene that normally dissipates just in the air. Well, we’ve suspended that with our Cryo Cure process. So now you can get the bone healing and anti-inflammatory properties it offers,” she added. Whether customers are seeking medical relief or tasty terpenes, the solution to repeat business is in the cure. This article first appeared in Volume 4 Issue 3 of Cannabis & Tech Today. Read the full issue here. A link to your site, with your site's name and description as anchor text. Via https://cannatechtoday.com/how-the-green-rush-is-taking-sin-city-to-new-heights/ Table of ContentsNormally, U.S. Hemp Roundtable General Counsel Jonathan Miller finds himself battling a couple of anti-hemp proposals at a time, but he now finds himself protecting the hemp industry from a coordinated attack—from cannabis, no less. The “War On Hemp,” as this US Hemp Roundtable article describes it, is an attempt of “a growing, and often discrete minority of monopolistic marijuana interests” looking to tank the hemp retail space so they can move in, hoping this would offset the general decline throughout the marijuana industry. Our team spoke with Jonathan Miller, who, among many other key insights, described the legal tactics this minority of cannabis interests is using against the hemp industry as well as what people can do about it. What We’re Up Against“There’s an effort to penalize the sale of intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids, with delta-8 being the most prominent. The Roundtable acknowledges delta-8’s potential health issues; the Kentucky governor just signed a law to regulate and prevent minor access,” Mr. Miller explained. But the cannabis industry is looking to drive deeper wedges between consumers and hemp products than that of Roundtable-supported HB 544 (the KY bill), backing bills with outlandishly restrictive provisions that seek to limit THC amounts to less than half a milligram per serving, or around 3 milligrams per package when it comes to full-spectrum hemp products. States sponsoring the most restrictive bills include the following:
As expected, the top two targets throughout this multi-fronted legislative push are delta-8 THC and delta-9 THC, with provisions looking to limit per-serving and/or per-package quantities, as mentioned. To put the 2-3 mg of THC per package limit Mr. Miller exposed into context, many full-spectrum products our team has sampled contain upwards of 2, 3, or even 5 milligrams of THC per serving. And, as Mr. Miller wryly and correctly points out, the per-package THC limitation gives the impression that anti-hemp proponents are trying to support the delusion that there is a serious risk of people chugging CBD tinctures—which can cost around $60-100 in many cases—as a means of achieving a single high. What We Can Do About ItAs the Roundtable has been saying for many months now, sensible regulation of intoxicating cannabinoids is the best way to protect both the consumer and the market, not blanket bans that fracture markets and confuse consumers across the country. Examples of such regulations that Miller and the Roundtable want to see include manufacturing standards (mirroring the dietary supplement world), age gates on internet hemp sales (not just a “check box if you’re old enough” screen), child-proof packaging, labeling standards, and cracking down on products that are clearly marketed to minors, to name a few. Kentucky serves as an excellent model, he said thankfully, but if the Roundtable and the rest of the hemp industry are going to summit this hill, they will need massive public support. This is where everyday hemp advocates come in—no super PACs required. Using the US Hemp Roundtable State Action Center—the same State Action Center that kept the 2018 Farm Bill alive after 30,000 emails were funneled through it to an opposing senator overnight—you can make your voice part of the movement to fight back against this anti-hemp attack. via The CBD Insider https://thecbdinsider.com/news/special-cannabis-interests-attack-the-hemp-industry/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=special-cannabis-interests-attack-the-hemp-industry TESTSTSARDSARFrom the NFL to the Greenhouse: Calvin Johnson Jr. by Charles Warner Torn rotator cuffs. ACL and MCL tears. Shoulder separation. These are some of the most common injuries sustained on the football field. Pro players like former Detroit Lions wide receiver and 2021 NFL Hall of Fame inductee Calvin Johnson Jr. know these terms all too well. In his nine seasons in the top league of one the most demanding sports known to man, Johnson picked up more than a few knocks, leading to chronic pain and inflammation. Cannabis’ unique properties allowed Johnson and his teammates to medicate naturally, avoiding the myriad pitfalls associated with opioid treatment. For Johnson, it was a logical process to take the passion he has for the plant and turn it into a business that could help communities experience the same healing that enabled him to get back on the field week after week. That’s why, when he retired from an illustrious career that saw him become one the greatest wide receivers of all time, he turned to cannabis cultivation and retail. “I had a passion for cannabis since I started using it when I was in the league,” Johnson said. “I knew there was some healing behind it because it kept me away from the opioids and what was prescribed for the most part in those days. For one, they didn’t sit well with me. But I always was in the mindset of putting natural things into my body. So cannabis being one of those things, I really believe in the healing powers.” Shortly after retiring in 2016, Johnson entered the cannabis space, buying up real estate for cultivation. The ventures ultimately led to Johnson co-founding his cannabis brand, Primitiv, in 2021 — the same year he was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. According to Johnson and his team, Primitiv is dedicated to the advancement of cannabis as a form of elevated wellness, believing that the plant holds incredible potential as a healing agent. It is an ethos he and his fellow co-founders, many of whom are former Lions teammates, live and breathe, as many of them have personally benefited from plant medicine. Only a year on, Primitiv boasts a 12,000-square-foot grow facility with over 3,600 square feet of canopy space that can grow more than 2,000 plants at any given time, along with a flagship dispensary in Niles, Michigan. Primitiv also recently teamed up with FOHSE, Inc., a leader in the cannabis cultivation space — specifically LED lighting. LEDs have become a game-changer for cultivators in the last few years due to their broad-spectrum UV qualities and low energy strain compared to high-powered sodium lights and other alternatives. Cannabis & Tech Today Editor-in-Chief Charles Warner recently chatted with Johnson about his newest venture and collaboration with FOHSE. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Cannabis & Tech Today: How did you enter the cannabis space?Calvin Johnson: I had a passion for cannabis since I started using it when I was in the league. I knew there was some healing behind it because it kept me away from the opioids and what was prescribed for the most part in those days. For one, they didn’t sit well with me. But I always was in the mindset of putting natural things into my body. So cannabis being one of those things, I really believe in the healing powers. I was just like, ‘Hey, we have the opportunity to get into the business here in Michigan through real estate.’ And we were like, ‘Hey, we could be the landlords here or we could put the team together.’ And we proceeded to do the latter. And now four, probably going on five years later, we’ve been in the cultivation space and opened up our retail this past year. So it’s been a journey, and FOHSE [lighting] is new for us. Being able to implement them into our facility is one thing that’s going to do great things for our productivity, and save costs, along with creating great yields for us. C&T Today: Tell me about your journey with Primitiv.CJ: We launched the brand in early ’21. We branded ourselves Primitiv because cannabis being a plant medicine is one of the earliest known healers. Our plant medicines, cannabis being one of those, are truly primitive in name. So that’s where we got our name, and we wanted to focus on the wellness side of the business. We saw there are a lot of benefits. Especially for myself being an athlete, seeing all the benefits I was able to have, especially when it comes to inflammation. And then, just knowing that this is an untapped industry. There are so many applications to be made from cannabis that it is exciting to have the opportunity just to be in the industry from the beginning. As of this year, we’ve become full vertical. We started in cultivation here in Michigan and worked our way into getting a processing and retail license. So we have the ability to do many things in this industry and obviously, flower is one of the things, but being innovative will be our second act as far as being in this industry and being a trailblazer. C&T Today: Michigan’s a pretty good market, isn’t it?CJ: It’s a good market, but there’s a lot of saturation now when it comes to different licenses. You just have to really be conscious of your next move because if you’re really trying to have a whole bunch of cultivation and you don’t have an outlet to back them up in retail, then you have to ride the wave in the market. C&T Today: How did you start your relationship with the lighting company FOHSE?CJ: We started the relationship in early ’21 by buying some lights. We wanted to just get more productive with our numbers, and we just wanted to have a better yield. We felt like LEDs were the play of the future. So, we did our homework and at the end of the day, FOHSE was the one that just was coming out on top from our research. Our cultivators’ research, our consultants’ research, we were all able to agree. So I think we purchased a room worth of lights, and we had success with them. That just led to further conversations and into where we are today. C&T Today: What have you noticed in terms of yields since making the switch to LED? You’re obviously involved with all the aspects of the business, you’re not just a name on it.CJ: Yeah, absolutely. We built this thing from the ground up. We are not like… You usually see somebody come in and use the advertising and whatnot. We started this thing. We’ve done every job in the facility. Whether we do it very well or not, that’s left up in the air [laughs]. But we’ve been up to every job in this whole … from the retail side to cultivation … Not necessarily processing. That’s a little bit out of our realm. But definitely have the teams and the people in place to do those things. With yield, I remember our first harvest, I think we hit maybe around five or six, or just under six pounds a light. But it was something tremendous. It is ridiculous. You don’t believe it when you hear it. But the funny thing is, all of the people that we’ve talked to that used FOHSE lights in their cultivation, they were saying they were getting around that six-pound number. I think somebody might have even mentioned seven. So I’m just sitting here, like ‘No way.’ But lo and behold when we did harvest, we had those results on our first run, which is amazing. So it just goes to show you, it’s something going on with those lights, man. They’re great quality, and we’re able to tune the spectrum, which is awesome, being able to customize that. C&T Today: It sounds like you’ve got a great team there. Is there anything that you noticed you have brought over from your culture of being an athlete that applies to your teamwork now? Whether it’s communication or work ethic. What translates from your days as an athlete to now being an entrepreneur and having a team?CJ: Oh yeah, there’s so many different things, and all those that you mentioned: perseverance, hard work, but understanding that there’s going to be obstacles. As a football player, you don’t win every play out of those victories, but understanding that when there is a setback, you have to get your mind and attitude and effort back to 100% going into that next place. So, if there’s something that happens at work, we need your mind to get back and reset so that we can continue to find solutions to issues. C&T Today: Can you speak to the healing part of the plant? You mentioned that even when you were playing, you tried to stay away from opioids.CJ: For sure. Definitely didn’t have the knowledge base when I was playing that I have now about just our endocannabinoid system and how it reacts to different cannabinoids, terpenes, and compounds. Rewinding to my playing days, I used it for getting great sleep, to help out with the pain. It helps knock the edge off that pain. Knowing what I know now, and the new, different applications that are coming, it would’ve been more of a part of my regimen had I had the knowledge that I have now. At the same time, the technology wasn’t where it was today when I was playing. So, the only way was to roll up a joint or do a bowl or use a volcano to affect that healing. But it was awesome for me, for just recovery, because sleep is a huge part of that recovery. Being able to deal with the pain, that’s part of quality of life. C&T Today: When you played, cannabis was frowned upon. Players would be suspended. Was it just common knowledge among the players that cannabis could help with sleep and recovery?CJ: I think within the culture of cannabis, there’s always been that knowledge that this has been a healing agent. But the way it’s been demonized over the last however long, a lot of people saw it as taboo until you actually had an experience with it. But, at least half the players in the league consume cannabis… Or, I don’t know what that number is now because I’m not there. But it’s a very large percentage, especially with the way the rules have C&T Today: Do you think there will be a day when cannabis or CBD will be just a normal part of the trainer’s regimen?CJ: I believe at some point it will be a common practice. It’s funny because you start to see when there’s no other resort that doctors have, whether it’s a cancer patient or what have you, they send them to try cannabis. And there’s been some success stories there, too. A lot of times it’s about quality of life. But, yeah — 100%. Everybody deals with pain, everybody deals with inflammation, and everybody deals with needing to recover, whether it is hydration or sleep, those are all things that cannabis can directly affect. A link to your site, with your site's name and description as anchor text. Via https://cannatechtoday.com/from-the-nfl-to-the-greenhouse-calvin-johnson-jr/ TESTSTSARDSARLimited Adult-Use Cannabis Sales Project Moves Forward in Zurich by Frank Schuler Switzerland’s experiment with adult-use cannabis pilot programs is reportedly expanding, with Zurich’s city government and the Zurich University Hospital indicating today that the Federal Office of Public Health has given the ‘greenlight’ for the local pilot program to proceed later this year. A cannabis pilot program is, in theory, designed to permit limited local cannabis commerce for the purpose of gaining insight and helping craft potential national cannabis industry laws, rules, and regulations. It gives lawmakers and regulators the opportunity to see what works and what does not work at the local level to help them be better suited to create and implement national policies. Zurich will not be the first jurisdiction in Switzerland to launch limited adult-use sales as part of a pilot program. Back in early February Basel, Switzerland launched its pilot program with 180 participants after experiencing various delays. The Basel program will eventually involve 374 people total, all aged between 18 and 76. The pilot program in Zurich, which is the result of a legal amendment adopted by the Swiss parliament in 2020 allowing for adult-use cannabis trials, will be considerably larger than the one in Basel. However, it will still be very limited in size compared to other legal adult-use markets around the globe. Per Swiss Info:
Meanwhile, right on the other side of the border between Switzerland and Germany, adult-use cannabis legalization is on the move at the national level. It will be very interesting to see if/when Germany legalizes cannabis for adult use and launches regulated sales nationwide how it may affect Switzerland’s pilot programs. Presumably, at least some amount of consumers that would have otherwise participated in a Switzerland pilot program will instead go to Germany to make their cannabis purchases. Even for those that participate in the program at home, many will still travel to Germany for various reasons and consume cannabis there instead of back in Switzerland, and that may skew the results of the cannabis trials, at least to some degree. Switzerland would be better served by passing its own national cannabis legalization measure. This article first appeared on Internationalcbc.com and is syndicated here with special permission. A link to your site, with your site's name and description as anchor text. Via https://cannatechtoday.com/limited-adult-use-cannabis-sales-project-moves-forward-in-zurich/ TESTSTSARDSARTourette Syndrome Patients Report Improvements Following Cannabis Therapy by Frank Schuler Global statisticians estimate that around 0.5-1% of the planet’s population has been diagnosed with some level of Tourette Syndrome, although the true diagnosis rate of people suffering from the condition could be larger due to gaps in identification and treatment in some parts of the globe. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, “Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder characterized by sudden, repetitive, rapid, and unwanted movements or vocal sounds called tics.” Currently, there is no cure for the condition. Various treatments for Tourette Syndrome exist, with common options being dopamine blockers, Botox injections, ADHD medications, anti-depressants, and anti-seizure medications. All of those treatments can yield possible undesirable side effects. Fortunately, a recent study in Israel found that cannabis may help. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML: Tel Aviv, Israel: Tourette Syndrome (TS) patients report improvements in their quality of life and reductions in their use of prescription medications following cannabis therapy, according to data published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. Israeli investigators surveyed patients prior to and six-months following cannabis treatment. Subjects in the study consumed products containing roughly twice as much THC as CBD. Participants reported statistically significant improvements in their quality of life and employment status following cannabis treatment. Most subjects also reported reduced symptoms of anxiety and obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Patients reduced their use of prescription medicines. By contrast, subjects did not report statistically significant improvements in their frequency of either vocal or motor tics during the study period. Authors concluded: “Subjective reports from TS patients suggest that medical cannabis may improve their quality of life and comorbidities. More studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of medical cannabis.” A limited number of clinical trials have shown both oral THC and inhaled cannabis to be associated with symptom improvements in TS patients, including decreased tic severity and reductions in obsessive-compulsive behaviors. The results of a randomized, placebo-controlled trial published last month in the journal Psychiatry Research reported that patients with more severe TS symptoms experienced symptomatic improvements following the consumption of a balanced formulation of oral THC and CBD. Full text of the study, “Using medical cannabis in patients with Gilles de la Tourette’s Syndrome in a real-world setting” appears in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. Additional information on cannabinoids and TS is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids. This article first appeared on Internationalcbc.com and is syndicated here with special permission. A link to your site, with your site's name and description as anchor text. Via https://cannatechtoday.com/tourette-syndrome-patients-report-improvements-following-cannabis-therapy/ TESTSTSARDSARThe Cannabis Concentrate Evolution: Solventless Extracts by Sponsored Within the cannabis market, the concentrate product category has seen exponential growth in As the concentrate market expanded and the products grew in popularity, processors found new Cannabis concentrates have come a long way since the early days of collecting and making The evolution of these cannabis concentrates has been driven by advancements One of the more popular methods is solventless rosin extraction, which is done using just heat Unlike other extraction methods that use solvents like butane or CO2, rosin is free One of the most common and efficient ways to make rosin involves using a rosin press. The The TRP Stack features the patented Easy Pivot drip tech system which allows the The Triminator rosin press is also equipped with a powerful 25-ton BVA hydraulic cylinder and Producing consistent and unrivaled pressure across the large heat platens, ensure the highest yields with the lowest temperatures. The individual temperature controls allow the user to control the exact Because solventless rosin is extracted using only heat and pressure, the end product has higher Solventless rosin tends to be more pure, potent, and flavorful than other extracts in its product category. In addition to its high-quality nature, rosin is also versatile in its uses. Solventless rosin can be used for dabbing, vaping, in joints, or in a bowl with flower, as well as used in the making of edibles. From its high potency to its versatility as a product, rosin continues to be favored among Whether you are an individual producer or operate on a larger, commercial scale, solventless rosin is a lucrative market segment. A high-quality rosin press like the TRP Stack will benefit your workflow and deliver pure, potent cannabis extract at any scale. A link to your site, with your site's name and description as anchor text. Via https://cannatechtoday.com/the-cannabis-concentrate-evolution-solventless-extracts/ TESTSTSARDSARHow LED Tech is Leading Cannabis Energy Efforts by Mike MacKinnon Reduced energy consumption provides the quickest path to a smaller carbon footprint. Cannabis marketers have done an excellent job creating the illusion that growing cannabis equates to being environmentally friendly, but the truth is that many environmental practices of the “green” industry are not really so green. As the industry has grown, it has come under increasing criticism for its energy consumption, water use, industrial pollution, and consumer packaging waste. At the top of this list is energy use, which has emerged as the industry’s biggest environmental concern. In an indoor cannabis cultivation facility, fans and lights sometimes need to be working 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure a quality crop. Now, take into account that about 40% of growers in the United States grow solely indoors and 60% choose a hybrid indoor/outdoor system and it is no wonder that a 2012 report on the carbon footprint of indoor cannabis production found that 1% of the nation’s energy consumption can be attributed to these operations. In the highest cannabis-producing state of California, that figure rises to 3% of the nation’s overall energy consumption. An issue that can no longer be ignored, the industry’s energy consumption makes it clear that better sustainability practices must be implemented. As a heat wave swept over the state of California last summer, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, saying that major efforts to curb energy usage had to be taken to avoid a disruption in the state’s energy grid. A spotlight was then put on the industry as the real damages these facilities were contributing to the state’s power grids were being revealed. As part of its emergency measures, California created a $150 million fund to help relieve grid pressure by incentivizing businesses to reduce their energy use. Through this fund, cannabis cultivators are encouraged to switch from conventional lighting fixtures to improved LEDs, for which they can receive up to $500 per fixture that is replaced with energy-efficient technology. This rebate opportunity points to an obvious and immediate energy solution – switch to LED fixtures to save energy. California’s program and others like it across the country make what was once an expensive change more financially accessible through utility-based rebates that help offset the cost of most fixtures. Rebates can help reduce or in some cases nearly eliminate the initial investment required for new LED lights, and once installed they provide a number of cost-saving benefits:
As the industry shifts to correct years of neglected sustainability policies, LED lighting has become a leading solution in the “green” cannabis movement. Unlike other resources such as water and gas, energy use can be quickly managed. Water consumption is much more difficult to reduce and control, and HVAC systems that reduce pollutants are costly and difficult to install without messing with production for an extended period. LEDs have become the go-to for operators seeking to reduce their carbon footprint. To date, 69% of cultivators have made the switch. Although the benefits of switching to LEDs seem obvious, hesitation persists among a small percentage of growers. The best LED manufacturers and retailers provide resources and information to help educate cultivators with everything from setup and installation requirements to even providing assistance when applying for state rebate opportunities. Once operators fully understand how an LED lighting system can improve an overall operation, initial hesitations tend to dissipate. It isn’t long before most cultivators recognize that the benefits go well beyond energy costs and usage. A link to your site, with your site's name and description as anchor text. Via https://cannatechtoday.com/how-led-tech-is-leading-cannabis-energy-efforts/ TESTSTSARDSAR<strong>Cannabis in a Capsule: Innovation at Work</strong> by Aron Vaughan Zelira Has Developed a Technology to Make Consistent Cannabinoid-Based Oral Medications a Reality.One of the most exciting aspects of covering the cannabis industry is the exponentially increasing innovation within the sector. In the medical field, studies are consistently being conducted to validate anecdotal evidence of the benefits cannabinoids offer. Manufacturers of cannabis accessories are using AI to more precisely weigh and distribute flower, and cultivators are using novel and increasingly sustainable technologies to grow larger and more consistent yields. It is a uniquely intriguing industry with some of the greatest minds of our generation on board for the ride. Add to the pot the rollercoaster of emotion felt by business leaders and you have a lively ecosystem that offers almost infinite opportunity. Of course, there is one sector that is conspicuously missing from the equation: the pharmaceutical industry. The complicated nature of legality surrounding cannabis has left the behemoths of the pharmaceutical world largely out in the cold. I know, cue the world’s smallest violin for America’s biggest lobbyist network. Medical cannabis is big business, but prescribers merely allow patients to access THC and its derivatives. The FDA does not currently have federal approval to test THC-containing products, giving start-ups a considerable head start in an economy that — for the time being — is being held up by state laws. However, the opening of markets worldwide has allowed pharmaceutical companies to begin testing novel technologies, bringing cannabis into the government-regulated prescription game. This, in turn, is fueling innovation in the sector. A New Vehicle for Cannabinoid DeliveryZelira Therapeutics Ltd is a global leader in the research, development, and commercialization of clinically validated cannabinoid medicines. The company is focused on developing branded cannabinoid-based medicines for the treatment of a variety of medical conditions, including insomnia, autism, and chronic non-cancer pain. It is also a technology platform development company working to enhance cannabinoid delivery or application. Zelira’s research and development have yielded several products geared toward the regulated pharmaceutical markets worldwide, including Australia and Germany.. In the U.S., Zelira licenses its products through partnerships in Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., and Louisiana. Zelira’s latest breakthrough is a product called Zyraydi — a proprietary enhanced distillate capture and dissolution matrix (EDCDM) technology that substantially traps the distillate in a free-flow powder matrix and increases the rate of dissolution. Distillate is a cannabis extract in which the final product has been systematically stripped of all materials and compounds except one specific cannabinoid. The most common forms of distillate on the market are THC oil and cannabidiol (CBD) oil. Multi-Lane HighwayThere are different lanes in the cannabis market. Some patients prefer to use only flower, whereas others look for tinctures, gummies, concentrates, or powders. Zelira wants to provide an option for patients that is consistent, validated, and comes in a traditional pill or capsule form. Many patients shy away from the use of cannabis as a viable medication due to its somewhat mi xed reputation. Think hippies sprawled out on a grass lawn at a Phish concert. Until now, powders and capsules have been unreliable, lacking the same bioavailability as other ingestion methods. Under the HoodZelira uses extracted cannabinoids to formulate medicines that target needs in many therapeutic areas through a traditional pharmacetical drug development path. Drugs are validated clinically and as regulation allows, are moved through clinical programs. The ingredient matrix in Zyraydi achieves three things: As a cannabinoid capture technology, it allows producers to take the honey-like extract and create a consistent free-flow powder that does not separate. It is 100% pharmaceutical grade, meaning it is 100% consistent. It enhances the dissolution of cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are inherently difficult to isolate. The traditional way of separating cannabinoids from flower is by binding it to a lipid such as butter or oil. Zyraydi is a novel technology that increases dissolution of cannabinoids in biorelevant fed and fasted states. “I believe that what we have with cannabinoids and cannabinoid-based pharmacology, is that it gives us access to a natural compound with the longest documented history of safety and efficacy among natural compounds at any point in time,” said Zelira CEO Oludare Odumosu. “With that, we already have half a drug.” The question is, because cannabis and the cannabinoid safety profile have stood the test of time, how does it translate to a pharmaceutical-grade drug? “Whatever the traditional rigors of clinical validation are, when you make a cannabinoid-based medicine, it must be able to stand and walk through those doors,” Odumosu said. Drugs developed for diabetic neuropathy, insomnia, autism spectrum disorder, or any specific indication, must be able to go through the regulatory and clinical validations that other medicines in that space have gone through. According to Odumosu, the cannabis medical space will only evolve or be taken seriously when solid oral dosage forms the pharmaceutical industry recognizes can be made; a format that patients and prescribers recognize. “The reason cannabinoids are captured in a tincture of another liquid suspension right now is that that is the most efficient format,” said Odumosu. “But when we can now translate that to solid oral dosage forms such as capsules and tablets and be pharma-grade then we are one step closer to approaching regulatory bodies such as the FDA.” Opening the RoadPresident Biden recently announced he will pardon federal simple cannabis possession charges and convictions and called on governors to follow his example. The historic move could signal a shift in Congress toward federal legalization. If and when that happens, according to Odumosu, Zelira is situated perfectly to advance its portfolio of cannabinoid drugs through the regulatory process. Local start-ups have had time during prohibition to upscale to multi-state operators, but the time may soon be approaching when the pharmaceutical industry comes into play on a national level. Zelira is poised and ready for that eventuality. A link to your site, with your site's name and description as anchor text. Via https://cannatechtoday.com/cannabis-in-a-capsule-innovation-at-work/ |
ABOUT MEHallo, ik ben Renz Verspaget, ik ben een betrouwbare administratief medewerker in de gezondheidszorg met 4,5 jaar ervaring met patiëntendossiers, medische facturering, werkschema's van ziekenhuizen en gezondheidszorgbeleid. Ziekenhuiskosten met 13% verlaagd door nieuwe factureringsmethoden te implementeren. Archives
April 2023
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