In a significant move towards enhancing environmental sustainability and reducing plastic waste, the California legislature has passed a bill that will revolutionize the way marijuana plants are tracked within the state. Proposed by Senator Ben Allen, this legislation has garnered unanimous support in both chambers, with the Senate recently endorsing it in a final concurrence vote.

While the bill’s text does not explicitly address the current use of single-use plastic tags in California’s cannabis tracking system, industry insiders and cannabis businesses contend that this transition away from plastic tags will not only prevent waste but also save the state millions of dollars.

The existing law mandates the issuance of a unique identifier for each cannabis plant, to be attached at the base of the plant or as otherwise required by regulations. The new bill, if signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, would shift the responsibility of determining the unique identifier’s recording method to the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC), giving regulators the flexibility to implement more ecologically sound tracking methods, potentially including digital tags.

Tiffany Devitt, head of regulatory affairs at CannaCraft, a vertically integrated cannabis company, emphasized the urgency of this change, stating, “We eagerly anticipate Governor Newsom’s signature on SB 622, drawing attention to the impact of the past five years: the state has used between 200 and 250 million plant tags, resulting in over 1 million pounds of plastic waste. Astonishingly, this waste carries a price tag of approximately $15 million annually, as the state of California purchases these tags and distributes them to cannabis farms. The most unfortunate aspect of this situation is that these tags failed to fulfill their intended purpose of preventing diversion.”

This shift in policy represents a step forward in addressing not only environmental concerns but also the financial implications of a wasteful system. Policymakers at both the state and federal levels have expressed concerns about the environmental damage caused by illegal marijuana cultivation, including the use of banned pesticides that can harm wildlife. A bipartisan bill in Congress has even aimed to combat illicit cultivation sites in California. However, Senator Allen’s bill targets a different environmental aspect, highlighting how even regulated markets can inadvertently contribute to waste.

Supporters of the legislation include prominent entities like the California Cannabis Industry Association (CCIA), California NORML, Cresco, Humboldt County Growers Alliance, Kiva Confections, Pax, and Project CBD.

In 2021, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife introduced the Cannabis Restoration Grant Program, allocating $6 million in funds from marijuana tax revenue to assist small cultivators in environmental cleanup and remediation efforts.

Meanwhile, as New York prepares to launch its adult-use marijuana program, regulators have proactively endorsed rules to limit plastic usage and promote sustainability in cannabis packaging, aligning with the broader trend towards environmentally responsible practices.

In the California legislature, another cannabis-related bill is now on the cusp of becoming law following a final Assembly vote. This measure would legalize marijuana cafes, allowing dispensaries to serve non-cannabis food and drinks on-site, provided they obtain local approval.

Additionally, the Assembly Appropriations Committee recently approved a Senate-passed bill designed to enhance protections for workers who use cannabis during their off-duty hours. Although the committee incorporated technical amendments to Senator Steven Bradford’s original proposal, the bill is poised to return to the Senate for concurrence if approved by the full Assembly.

In another significant development, the legislature recently forwarded a bill to the governor’s desk that would legalize the possession and cultivation of small amounts of certain psychedelics for adults. This bill also seeks to establish a work group to explore potential regulatory models for therapeutic and facilitated use of these substances, underscoring California’s continued role as a progressive leader in drug policy reform.

In summary, California’s groundbreaking legislation to reform marijuana plant tracking demonstrates the state’s commitment to environmental sustainability and reducing plastic waste. This move not only benefits the environment but also saves the state millions of dollars annually. As the cannabis industry continues to evolve, California’s proactive approach to addressing its environmental footprint sets a precedent for responsible regulation and sustainable practices.

Source: Marijuana Moment

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Spotify, the world’s leading music streaming service, has always been known for its bold and innovative approach. In a groundbreaking move, Spotify has become the first streaming platform to embrace cannabis advertising through its new collaboration with Cresco Labs (CRLBF).

The campaign marks a significant convergence of two influential industries: cannabis and music streaming. Spotify boasts an impressive user base of over 220 million subscribers as of the first quarter of 2023, according to Statista, making it a prime target for advertisers seeking broad reach.

Cresco Labs, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, is the owner of the renowned Sunnyside cannabis dispensary brand. The company believes that advertising on Spotify, one of the most frequented music streaming platforms, will effectively connect with cannabis enthusiasts—an unsurprising association given the historical link between music and marijuana.

Cory Rothschild, National Retail President of Cresco Labs, expressed the company’s enthusiasm for this groundbreaking partnership: “Audio streaming services represent a major opportunity for brands to reach large audiences in a targeted manner, and we’re excited to collaborate with Spotify to launch the first-ever cannabis ads from our Sunnyside national retail brand. Our Sunnyside advertising strategy is built on a data ecosystem enabling best-in-class targeting and measurement. Spotify’s platform will enable our marketing team to target our ads compliantly and profitably to our core shoppers in Illinois where we have a leading share in retail.”

Rothschild also highlighted the broader significance of this partnership, stating, “This important partnership is not only a step in normalizing cannabis, but it also showcases the sophistication and quality of marketing that we have unlocked at Cresco Labs.”

The Cresco ad campaign is expected to center on the Sunnyside “shopping experience.” It will feature 30-second audio advertisements and in-app digital banners, primarily focusing on the company’s proprietary e-commerce platform.

Spotify has earned a reputation for being an affordable platform for advertisers, with per-ad prices starting at just $250.

In this innovative partnership, Spotify and Cresco Labs are not only pushing boundaries but also contributing to the evolving landscape of cannabis advertising, marking a significant step toward its normalization.

Source: The Street

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Vermont’s cannabis marketplace is celebrating its first year of operation, and the results are nothing short of impressive. With projections indicating retail sales for the current fiscal year reaching over $100 million, the state has reaped more than $20 million in additional revenue. This milestone underscores the success of Vermont’s foray into regulated cannabis sales.

In October of the previous year, the Vermont Cannabis Control Board took the pivotal step of granting licenses to a select few retail stores. Since then, the Control Board has been tirelessly working to expand its reach, and the fruits of their labor are evident with the issuance of nearly 70 retail licenses, with more in the pipeline.

James Pepper, the Chairman of the Control Board, is enthusiastic about the positive response from Vermont consumers to the state-controlled cannabis marketplace. He notes that consumers have demonstrated a strong preference for regulated products. They seek out the educational resources provided, desire transparency through labeling, and appreciate the consistency and variety offered within the state’s regulated cannabis market.

Pepper is optimistic about the financial windfall that these cannabis sales will bring to the state. The substantial new revenue is slated to make a significant impact on vital programs. The chairman highlights that the funds will primarily bolster “after school” programs, providing opportunities for Vermont’s youth to engage in constructive activities during their free time. Additionally, the revenue will be channeled into drug education and prevention programs, serving as a proactive measure to address substance abuse and related issues.

As Vermont’s cannabis marketplace gains momentum, it not only offers an opportunity for responsible adult use but also contributes to the betterment of the state’s communities. The success of this venture demonstrates the effectiveness of regulated cannabis sales in meeting consumer demand while simultaneously benefiting important social initiatives. Vermont’s journey into the world of legalized cannabis continues to set an example for responsible and profitable cannabis regulation across the nation.

For More Information, Visit https://www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2023-09-18/vermonts-cannabis-marketplace-has-been-open-for-a-year-and-is-generating-millions“

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New Jersey’s cannabis regulatory authorities are currently open to public feedback regarding an innovative proposal aimed at introducing a novel permit. This permit would enable “clinically focused” dispensaries to collaborate with research institutions, facilitating comprehensive studies on cannabis using the products they cultivate and sell to patients.

The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) is actively seeking to amend the state’s existing marijuana legislation to establish what they are terming “clinical registrant permits.” These permits are designed to encourage more targeted research into the medical benefits of cannabis, particularly in therapeutic or palliative contexts. Importantly, this research would not rely on externally sourced cannabis products.

Under the proposed system, clinical registrants would possess the same privileges as traditional dispensary license holders. However, they would also have the unique capability to form “written contractual relationships with academic medical centers in their respective regions.” These partnerships would empower them to engage in clinical research centered around the use of medical cannabis.

In essence, this groundbreaking initiative would permit researchers to conduct clinical trials involving patients within the state, utilizing the very cannabis products that patients purchase from dispensaries.

The proposed rules state, “A clinical registrant may dispense usable medical cannabis and medical cannabis products, in any form authorized by an institutional review board (IRB), directly to an academic medical center as part of a research study.” Additionally, academic medical centers engaging in such research would be required to handle cannabis items with the same high standards applied to other patient medications.

It’s important to note that clinical registrants would be prohibited from simultaneously holding non-clinical medical cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, or dispensary permits, or a personal-use cannabis business license. Furthermore, academic research institutions partnering with clinical registrants would be restricted from accepting “anything of value” from these clinically focused dispensaries, except for reasonable compensation stipulated in the research contract.

The public is invited to provide comments on this proposal until October 6, with the CRC emphasizing that these new rules could substantially benefit society by achieving the statutory objective of ensuring safe access to medical cannabis for patients in need through the introduction of this additional permit type.

This novel permit type could play a pivotal role in addressing research gaps caused by federal cannabis prohibition. Researchers have been burdened by stringent registration procedures with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to access cannabis for studies. Additionally, they have had to rely on government-grown cannabis products that are often of inferior quality and potency compared to those available in state-legal cannabis markets.

This issue was a point of discussion during a recent meeting among representatives from several federal agencies. Nora Volkow, the Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), has herself expressed support for allowing researchers to study cannabis from state-licensed retailers.

While a bill signed by President Joe Biden last year aimed to streamline the cannabis research process, it lacked provisions found in a House version that would have granted scientists access to cannabis from licensed dispensaries.

Many of the research roadblocks surrounding cannabis could potentially be resolved if the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommendation to reclassify the substance from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) is accepted. However, it remains uncertain whether the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will endorse this recommendation.

Source: Marijuana Moment

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