Weed in Review: 2.2.2018

Weed in Review: Friday, February 2, 2018

In the United States

San Francisco To Dismiss Thousands Of Marijuana Convictions: San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón said Wednesday that his office will dismiss and seal 3,038 misdemeanor convictions dating back before the state’s legalization of marijuana went into effect, with no action necessary from those who were convicted. Prosecutors will also review up to 4,940 felony convictions and consider reducing them to misdemeanors.

OREGON: Marijuana money can’t be banked: The letter…sent to congressional leaders today, requests legislation that would provide a legal “safe harbor” for banking institutions that provide a financial product or service to businesses involved in the marijuana industry. Oregon U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley is a co-sponsor of the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, which would ensure that legal cannabis businesses can access banking services.

It’s high time for restaurants to pay attention to marijuana: As restaurants wrestle with regulations and how to reach the cannabis crowd, chefs experiment with infusions and edibles.

Veteran Advocate and Humanitarian Leads Charge in Hemp-Based Cannabidiol (CBD) Products for Animals: Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC: MJNA), the first-ever publicly traded cannabis company in the United States, today announced Ian Quinn as the CEO of subsidiary Phyto Animal Health. Phyto Animal Health offers a line of cannabidiol (CBD) hemp oil supplements and hemp products targeted to cats, dogs and horses. CBD hemp oil has been researched by top veterinarians for cardiovascular, orthopedic and mental health in animals.

Stuff You Should Know Podcast: Marijuana Vs. Alcohol: Which Is Worse For You?

January was the biggest month yet for marijuana legalization, despite Trump’s new war on pot: California opened the world’s biggest legal pot market, and Vermont’s state legislature became the first to legalize marijuana. January 1 was perhaps the single biggest day for marijuana legalization yet. On that day, the country’s most populous state — and the world’s sixth-largest economy — officially launched an entirely new industry within its borders.

California Makes Marijuana a Wellness Industry: In a state heavily invested in optimizing personal experience, cannabis offers a new path to sublime good health.

Utah Advances Plan to Allow Cannabis for Terminally Ill, Growing For Research: A Utah lawmaker’s proposals that would allow terminally ill people to use certain forms of marijuana and farmers to grow it for research purposes passed their first hurdle in a committee despite criticism that the piecemeal approach doesn’t go far enough.

Montana’s medical marijuana businesses are off and running: As 600-plus registered caregivers wait for state regulators to finalize industry regulations that were expected last June, many have taken steps to open dispensaries or even expand into retail chains for the first time.

Tennessee Governor’s Race Will Play a Role in Future of Medical Marijuana: The candidates’ views of legalizing medical marijuana could be a deciding factor for some voters.

Civil Rights Icon to Appear at Earth Day Cannabis Village: The prominent civil rights leader, Dolores Huerta, is slated to be the featured guest at San Diego’s Earth Day Cannabis Village.

Medical Research Updates

What are the effects of using marijuana?: This complete guide to the effects of recreational and medical marijuana explores how marijuana makes you feel, how it interacts with the body, and any side effects of which to be aware.

Study: Marijuana Smoke Exposure Not Linked To Poor Lung Health: Long-term exposure to cannabis smoke is not associated with adverse effects on pulmonary function, according to clinical data published in the journal Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases.

Study: Marijuana Use Doesn’t Negatively Impact Human Fertility: Marijuana use does not negatively impact fertility rates in either men or women, according to data published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

Wellness with Weed: Cannabis for Autism: “These results reveal CBD’s potential to reduce autism-like impairments in social interaction and social anxiety that are caused by impaired inhibitory signaling in the brain.” – Dr. Josh Kaplan

Nova Scotia to sell recreational marijuana at only nine locations: Cannabis sales will be co-located with alcohol in Nova Scotia Liquor Corp. stores in Amherst, Dartmouth, Lower Sackville, New Glasgow, Sydney River, Truro, Yarmouth and two locations in the capital Halifax.

‘Rare opportunity’ for NZ to reform medicinal cannabis – Swarbrick: Two Bills on medicinal cannabis will go before Parliament on Wednesday. The Government’s Bill will increase access to pharmaceutical cannabis and create a legal defense for terminally ill people who possess and use raw cannabis plants. The other Bill put together by Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick goes further. It would allow any New Zealander with a “debilitating condition” or terminal illness to use raw cannabis or cannabis products with the support of a doctor.

Canadian Cannabis Companies Set Their Sights On South America: Much has been made of the marijuana M&A spree afoot in Canada. Just this year alone, licensed producer Aurora Cannabis Inc. agreed to acquire CanniMed Therapeutics Inc for $852 million, which would create the largest cannabis company in the world. Bank of Montreal got into the weed game with a $175 million deal with Canopy Growth Corp. Skyrocketing cannabis stocks are leading to comparisons to the dot-com boom, and American marijuana companies are looking North for more capital and a friendly business environment. Amid the frenzy, Canadian cannabis companies are increasingly setting their sights on South America, where several countries are liberalizing their cannabis laws. Meanwhile, other South American countries have been legalizing marijuana for medical use. Peru, Chile, and Colombia have all passed medical marijuana legalization laws.