A recently conducted analysis has determined that workers in the hospitality and food service industries are some of the most common consumers of marijuana. Workers in extraction and construction, as well as individuals in media, sports, entertainment, arts and design occupations also reported relatively high rates of past-month marijuana use.
The analysis was conducted by investigators at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and is based on data from the agency’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. This survey, which primarily focuses on behaviors and health conditions, started collecting data from respondents about their occupation status and employment in 2013.
For their analysis, the investigators excluded responses from individuals who had been employed for less than a year, were self-employed, or worked for wages.
In total, they included data from 128,615 individuals from the states of Tennessee, Alaska, South Carolina, Colorado, Rhode Island, Mississippi, Florida, North Dakota, Idaho, New Hampshire, Illinois, Montana, Minnesota, Georgia, and Maryland.
The results showed that those least likely to use cannabis were workers in education and libraries, healthcare providers, and law enforcement. By industry, groups with the lowest rates of marijuana use were utilities, public administration and management of enterprises and companies.
The investigators also observed a broad variation in marijuana use across occupations and industries, ranging from 29.7% among travel and tour guides, to 0.5% among workers in law enforcement. This is in addition to finding that the overall weighted prevalence of past-month marijuana use in the states included was approximately 10.7% for employees aged 18 and above.
Furthermore, they observed above-average prevalence of the drug’s use in a number of occupation and industry groups which historically have high rates of fatalities and injuries, like logging, hunting, and fishing.
In their report, they called attention to the fact that their results were almost equal to estimates from a separate survey, which found a 13.0% past-month use rate among those aged 12 and above. The investigators added that restricting their analysis to employed adults may have contributed to their lower estimates.
Additionally, only two of the total states included in the sample had legalized recreational marijuana during the 2016 to 2020 study period.
With regard to public policy, the investigators highlight that their findings may help decrease the adverse impact of marijuana consumption and possibly have implications for drug policies in the workplace. They note that their results could be used to frame future research and policy discussions.
As more information becomes known about the specific groups that are most likely to use recreational marijuana, enterprises like Software Effective Solutions Corp. (d/b/a MedCana) (OTC: SFWJ) could leverage that information to make customized products for those groups.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Software Effective Solutions Corp. (d/b/a MedCana) (OTC: SFWJ) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/SFWJ
About CannabisNewsWire
CannabisNewsWire (“CNW”) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on cannabis news and the cannabis sector. It is one of 70+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers: (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions. With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge.
To receive SMS alerts from CNW, text CANNABIS to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com/Disclaimer
Be on alert for Propganda in the news cycle, as we are in a S-election year. For the voter, it’s time to choose ‘the lesser of two evils.’
In the article, Curb Your Enthusiasm, the propaganda of “Safety Testing” for toxic metals in vaccines is featured:
…to challenge the use of “toxic metals” in vaccines…. at a time where vaccine science has finally advanced enough that said metals – used as “adjuvants” to stimulate a stronger immune response – are no longer required.
By focusing only on the use of “toxic metals” in vaccines… ensures ultimately the integrity the vaccine programme remains in tact.
But look at the timing: the damage has already been done.
The establishment now has little to lose by allowing the whistle to be formally blown, now the aims of the vaccination programme (to subdue fertility, to lower IQ, to create lifelong customers for Big Phama) have been completed for so many millions – and now that they have an alternative that doesn’t require these adjuvants.
Under the subject heading vaccine Safety Testing, the concept of “safe vaccines” is propaganda.
Why? Because there is no such thing as a “safe vaccine.”
Moreover, the technology of mercury and aluminum in childhood CDC-approved injections has been long superseded by mRNA technology, i.e., nanotechnology, which was developed in the 1970s.
The development of vaccines and the lack of safety testing is tied to politics.
Politics and Propaganda
As we approach a new S-election, we have an opportunity to question the status quo and pick apart the Propaganda being fed to the masses. As hindsight is 20/20, let’s return to that year.
In 2020, The CDC and FDA rushed experimental EUA mRNA injections to market without requisite testing.
At the time, people were unaware that that stage had already been set to prevent ‘safety testing.’ The Emergency Use Authorized (EUA) C19 injections would be exempt from any clinical testing under statute 21 USC 360bbb-3(k), Authorization for emergency use of medical products, Relation to other provisions.
Four years later, after the fact, celebrity politicians claim that all vaccines (many more now mRNA) must be ‘safety tested.’
However, under the amended PAHPR Act, all EUA-Medical Countermeasures (vaccines) are “non-investigational,” exempt from all testing, monitoring and enforcement, outside current regulations.
I believe vaccines should be safety-tested. I don’t think we ought to be mandating vaccines for unwilling Americans unless we know precisely that that vaccine is helping people rather than hurting them.- Presidential Candidate 2024
Does this statement make sense knowing that: 1) all mandates are illegal; 2) under any emergency, no EUA vaccine can ever be tested; and 3) testing will be done using your Digital Twin?
Are people who refuse a digital ID considered “unwilling Americans?”
In an immoral game of propaganda, choosing the lesser of two evils has been made acceptable. Just play along.
The Politics of Acting
Hollywood and government are connected by a revolving door where actors become presidents (Ronald Regan), and presidents become film producers (Barak Obama).
we can draw extensive parallels between acting and politics – between Hollywood and The White House – because these are essentially the same people doing the same jobs (hence why so many politicians have a theatrical background).
They are skilled professional deceivers, embodying scripted characters on the world stage in order to captivate public attention and powerfully shape behaviour.
Gordon Johnson from Pixabay” width=”220″ height=”300″>Hollywood and D.C. are joined at the hip. They work together to promote the propaganda of Social Engineering. The father of Social Engineering is Ed Bernays who wrote his book, Propaganda in 1928. [This 120-page book can be read here].
Propaganda pushes a point of view (and behavior) of the Establishment, to control “public opinion.” If it’s propaganda, the elite will take on a burden for you because you are too dumb. Bernays false assertion that a group mind (hive mind) is more easily influenced and controlled, is found in this quote from Bernays’ book:
The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. …We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of. This is a logical result of the way in which our democratic society is organized. Vast numbers of human beings must cooperate in this manner if they are to live together as a smoothly functioning society. …In almost every act of our daily lives, whether in the sphere of politics or business, in our social conduct or our ethical thinking, we are dominated by the relatively small number of persons…who understand the mental processes and social patterns of the masses. It is they who pull the wires which control the public mind. ― Edward Bernays, Propaganda
The Art of Propaganda
In the Art of Propaganda, a controversial ploy by manufacturers uses doctors to promote their products. If a physician claimed smoking tobacco was safe and beneficial to health, then who was anyone to question it?
As a sign of masculinity and health, no testing was ever required. No one mentioned carcinogens, or that Philip Morris and other tobacco companies had been using ammonia in their products for addiction.
The 1950s brought fears about smoking and health.
Then, in 1964, a report was released, meant to turn things around: Smoking and Health—Report of the Advisory Committee of the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service.
the findings of the 14-month study by the 10-member committee were blunt and unequivocal. Principal among the conclusions: “Cigarette smoking is causally related to lung cancer in men; the magnitude of the effect of cigarette smoking far outweighs all other factors,” and “it is a health hazard of sufficient importance to warrant appropriate remedial action.
The damage had been done, the addiction taken hold.
OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay” width=”318″ height=”272″>Today, masculinity, like the cigarette, is a thing of the past, because propagandists, have moved on to other products, such as those promoted by the CDC, (i.e., mRNA technology).
Support for legalizing cannabis is showing consistent strength across the United States, according to a recent survey by Gallup. The findings highlight that a significant majority of Americans, regardless of political affiliation, continue to endorse marijuana reform.
The survey revealed a slight dip in support compared to last year’s figures, but the change falls within the margin of error and is not considered statistically significant, according to a Gallup representative. As voters head into elections where cannabis reform will appear on various state ballots, the poll indicates that 68% are in favor of legalization, while 31% remain opposed.
Breaking down the numbers by political groups, 85% of Democrats, 69% of Independents and 53% of Republicans support legalization. The survey also showed strong support across different age groups, with approval ranging from 74% among 18- to 29-year-olds to 56% among those 65 and over.
The 68% overall approval rate for cannabis legalization is a slight decrease from last year’s record-high 70%. Between 2020 and 2022, the level of support remained steady at 68%. The recent poll was conducted from October 1 to October 12 and involved 1,023 respondents, carrying a margin of error of ±4 percentage points.
In another survey released in August, Gallup found that the public perceives cannabis as less dangerous compared to substances like alcohol, vapes, and tobacco. It was also noted that more adults reported smoking cannabis compared to cigarettes.
Moreover, a 2020 poll highlighted that 70% of Americans consider smoking marijuana to be morally acceptable, a higher rate than for issues such as animal testing, gay relationships, and abortion.
In a separate set of polls conducted by YouGov in August, there was substantial support among likely voters in key swing states—Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania—for various aspects of cannabis reform, including federal rescheduling, legalization, and access to banking services for the industry.
The strong and consistent support for cannabis reform has not gone unnoticed by presidential candidates. Both major presidential candidates—Kamala Harris and Donald Trump—have publicly supported legalization—a first in U.S. history.
Recent surveys show that a majority of marijuana users plan to vote for Kamala Harris, although around 40% have indicated they will support Trump. Harris recently stated that legalizing marijuana is a top priority on her agenda if she wins, reinforcing her previous commitment to pushing for federal legalization and ensuring legal access to cannabis.
Trump, meanwhile, has also shown support for cannabis initiatives, endorsing Florida’s ballot proposal to legalize cannabis and expressing approval for federal rescheduling and banking reform efforts.
Firms like Curaleaf Holdings Inc. (CSE: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) are probably not surprised by the data on the big fraction of Americans who support marijuana legalization since this same process played out across the border in Canada, resulting in a country-wide policy change.
About CNW420
CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of an article each business day at 4:20 p.m. Eastern – a tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. The concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.
To receive SMS alerts from CNW, text CANNABIS to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com/Disclaimer
Alberta’s cannabis regulator has launched a campaign to encourage cannabis consumers to not use the illicit market.
Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) launched their Forget Bad Budcampaign in October, drawing attention to the differences between the legal and illegal cannabis market in Canada.
Similar to a recent campaign launched in Ontario, AGLC’s Forget Bad Bud campaign focuses on issues like quality control, strain selection and education. It also seeks to educate consumers on how to identify an illegal cannabis store, especially the prolific number of illegal cannabis websites that ship cannabis products across the country.
From the website:
“When you buy illegal, you can’t be sure what you’re getting. A website could look like the real deal but open you up to identity theft and fraud. The same old bud you’ve bought for years may look legit, but instead come loaded with ingredients that cause a dangerous reaction, and potency levels that could result in unwanted effects.”
The campaign includes several short videos with people “breaking up” with their illicit cannabis dealers, as well as an online quiz to test people’s knowledge about cannabis and Canada’s legal cannabis program.
Village Farms International, Inc. sold USD$36.5 million worth of cannabis in Canada in the third quarter of 2024, $9.6 million in gross profit, and $1.2 million in net income (all figures in US dollars).
Village Farms Q3 2024 results are for the three months ended September 30, 2024.
Village Farms is the parent company of Pure Sunfarms, a greenhouse cannabis grower based in BC.
The company also sells cannabis products in the US, CBD-based health and wellness products, including ingestible, edible and topical applications.
Village Farms’ US cannabis sales in Q3 2024 were $3.9 million, bringing in $2.5 million gross profit but a $192,000 loss after all associated expenses, before taxes.
This most recent quarter’s Canadian cannabis sales are up 27% from $28.8 million in the same quarter in the previous year, but down from $40.7 million in the previous quarter.
Gross profit on Canadian cannabis sales was down slightly from $9.9 million in Q3 2023, and net income before taxes was down from $1.9 million. The company attributes the decrease in net income primarily to an increase in tax provisions and an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses.
US cannabis sales figures were also down year over year, from $5 million in sales in Q3 2023, with $3.2 million in gross profit and income before taxes of $79,000.
Village Farms International operates two cannabis facilities for the Canadian legal adult use (recreational) market and for export to international markets like Israel, Germany, Australia, and the United Kingdom. The company’s Canadian Cannabis segment comprises Pure Sunfarms in BC and an 80% ownership in Rose LifeScience in Quebec.
The company also holds one of only ten licenses to participate in the Dutch recreational cannabis program. In the most recent quarter, its ownership of Netherlands producer Leli Holland increased from 85% to 100%.
Some 75% of the company’s cannabis sales were in Canada, down from 80% in the same quarter last year, while 25% were in various international markets, up from 20% in Q3 2023.
Branded cannabis sales were $45 million, non-branded sales were $7.4 million, and international sales were $1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023.
The company attributes its 27% year-over-year increase in sales to an 18% increase in net branded sales and a 66% increase in non-branded sales. The increase in net branded sales was because of increased market share across the flower, pre-roll and milled categories. The increase in non-branded sales was from “improved industry supply dynamics and pricing supported by a shift of many producers toward asset-light models and sales of non-brand-spec inventory. International sales increased by 94% primarily due to higher sales to Germany, the United Kingdom, and Australia.”
In the most recent quarter, the company incurred $17.7 million in excise duties (Canada’s $1 per gram cannabis tax), representing 39% of gross branded sales. The cannabis producer says the Canadian excise duty is its single largest cost of participating in the branded adult-use market in Canada.
“As we close out fiscal year 2024, we are focused on driving more profitable sales in Canadian Cannabis, prioritizing profitable growth as we manage inventory levels with evolving supply dynamics and increasing international demand,” said Michael DeGiglio, president and CEO of Village Farms International.
“We are looking forward to more exciting catalysts for our business in fiscal year 2025, with continued international expansion and contributions from sales in the Netherlands. We believe our Netherlands business has the potential to become a strong contributor of profitability and cash flow generation, driven by more favorable pricing and taxes in the Dutch market compared to Canada.”
“We are also increasingly benefitting from our international cannabis focus. Exports from Canada increased 111% from the third quarter last year, with continued increases in sales to our German, Australian, and UK partners. Our EU-GMP certification was also recently renewed, and we are optimistic heading into next year about our opportunities to expand our international business with additional markets and customer wins. In the Netherlands, we received final approval to commence cultivation, are in production now, and remain on target to begin sales to participating jurisdictions in the first quarter of 2025.”
Cannabis has grown for thousands of years, adapting to different environments and cultivation practices through the ages. While legal, commercial cannabis cultivation has existed only for about a decade in Canada, human relationships with cannabis have predated legalization by centuries.
Over the years, strains have grown and developed into genetically unique plants, starting from the wild landrace cultivars, often referred to in the cannabis world as “strains,” and developing into human-cultivated hybrids produced across the country. These legacy strains have become a staple in the cannabis community, revered for their unique traits and signature cannabinoid profiles.
“Cannabis breeders throughout the world have done an amazing job creating these new and exciting strains and cultivars that are not done using conventional breeding techniques, but we produced some outstanding results, and there is always new and exciting stuff coming along,” says Collier Quinton, co-founder and cultivation director of Weathered Islands Craft Cannabis.
Mass cannabis cultivation, the hybridization of all plants, has significantly reduced the genetic stability of many legacy strains. Genetics that were once prized have slowly been diluted, and those genetics are struggling to maintain their place in the rapid production of new cannabis strains.
The question is, will the legacy strains of the past survive among the hybrids of the future?
“We don’t often have pure strains of seeds, and so we’re often doing really wild breeding where we’re crossing one plant with another and it’s not stabilized, but we often find these one-off plants. We do lose a lot of these old ones in the process. It’s the nature of the beast, really.”
Collier Quinton, Weathered Islands Craft Cannabis
History
The natural development of cannabis strains began centuries before nationwide legalization. The original strains, also known as landrace strains, are the foundation of modern cannabis breeding and the ancestors of many of the strains seen across the globe.
The term “landrace” refers to the plants that have adapted and survived in their native environments. These strains evolved over the centuries without human intervention, developing their own unique characteristics, growth patterns, flavours and aromas, and cannabinoid profiles. Some of the most notable landrace strains, such as Afghan Kush, Durban Poison, and Thai, are named after their indigenous grounds.
Since the beginning of human cannabis cultivation, landrace genetics have slowly become sparse. As the original genetics were crossbred with new strains, creating an abundance of hybrids, seeds began to disappear, and the landrace characteristics became much more challenging to track down.
“If you can find a pure landrace strain, you’re a millionaire,” says Jacob Poli, a former grower from Artiva Canada and current budtender at Flower Haze in Ottawa. “If you have the original genetics that is untainted or twisted in any way, shape or form, that’s gold in your pocket.”
Legacy strains are human-cultivated strains, developed using genetics from obtainable landrace strains and combining them to make hybrids. Some of the most notable legacy strains include Northern Lights, Skunk #1, and the OG Kush.
“I think a lot of people are leaving good weed on the table, just based off that one criteria of having high THC. There’s so much, so much more in these plants than just THC.”
Nate Miville, Big River Cannabis
Hybridization
As commercial cannabis production broke out across North America, cannabis breeding techniques and processes evolved into a new age of hybrid plants. Cross-breeding old strains with new ones created entirely new lineages.
“Cannabis is kind of unique in its breeding,” says Quinton. “We don’t often have pure strains of seeds, and so we’re often doing really wild breeding where we’re crossing one plant with another and it’s not stabilized, but we often find these one-off plants. We do lose a lot of these old ones in the process. It’s the nature of the beast, really.”
By storing seeds and cloning plants, legacy strains still have a hold on the current market. On Texada Island, B.C., Quinton incorporates preserved legacy strains such as the Texada Timewarp, Apricot Gold, and the A3 in various breeding projects. According to Quinton, older legacy strains tend to have a later finishing time than the newer strains, making them challenging to maintain.
“There’s a reason people aren’t growing the Texada Timewarp anymore, and it’s because it’s an old strain and it just doesn’t perform that well,” says Quinton. “But there are those Texada Timewarp genetics within a lot of our new strains, so in a sense the spirit and the legacy of these legacy strains is carrying on but it’s kind of in a new creation.”
In some cases, breeders will cross an existing hybrid with a parent strain to purify and enhance strain characteristics. New strains are created by combining unrelated plants with characteristics that complement each other, and those strains often go through multiple generations of breeding before they are available to consumers.
As cannabis production rates continue to climb, the pure indica or sativa strains of the past will all but disappear, their genetics carried on through a variation of hybrid plants. When strains are consistently crossed and new strains are developed annually, the genetic profiles of legacy strains are diluted.
“The more you cross-breed strains without actually un-hybridizing the original cannabinoid profile itself, sooner or later, everything’s going to be 50/50, or a blend,” says Poli. “You’re not going to have those pure indicas anymore. You’re not going to have those pure sativas anymore.”
A factor in the slow disappearance of legacy strains is the nature of the market. Since legalization, the cannabis market has grown and adapted to the new influx of consumers, new product standards, and increased demand for product traits. Nate Miville, the owner of Big River Cannabis, a retailer in Ontario, says that most people prioritize the THC percentage over the quality of the bud or the strain.
“Most customers coming through the door, unfortunately, are looking for high THC, lowest price possible,” says Miville. “There is a small set of customers that are looking for strain-specific, terpene-specific, they don’t care about THC. But those customers, they’re a niche customer. They’re not the majority.”
The demand for products with high THC has shifted the growing practices to prioritize THC percentages and flavour profiles over preserving older genetics. Legacy strains usually have a THC range between 19 and 20 percent, and due to the current demand for high-THC products, those strains are being left behind.
“I think a lot of people are leaving good weed on the table, just based off that one criteria of having high THC,” says Miville. “There’s so much, so much more in these plants than just THC.”
“I think high THC polyhybrids will continue to dominate,” says Adam Hicks, founder and head grower of Green Rose Farms. “Older legacy strains, or the ones that still remain, will continue to be used for hybrids, and some may find a way onto retail shelves on their own if they can approach the mid-20s in THC percentage. Unfortunately, I think the future is bleak for a lot of legacy strains that can’t hit 20 per cent.”
Although the pure strains of the past may one day vanish from the market, their legacy will remain in generations to come. The genetics of famed original strains such as Northern Lights and Gorilla Glue will live on in their children, a hint of the past to carry us forward into the future of cannabis genetics.
“I think, unfortunately, [legacy strains] are probably not going to fare that well. I think that’s just the nature of the business,” says Quinton. “Their legacy will carry on, but they themselves in their entirety will not.”
Different jurisdictions across America voted on initiatives to legalize marijuana on Election Day. Voters in the states of Florida, North Dakota and Nebraska voted on measures to legalize adult-use and medical marijuana this month.
A recently conducted analysis projects that the new markets could jointly generate $3 billion in their first year of sales.
The analysis shows that the majority of the projected revenue would come from Florida if voters approve recreational sales by passing Amendment 3. Consumers are expected to spend about $2.9 billion on recreational cannabis once the new market is launched in Florida. By the fourth year, the state is expected to have exceeded $4 billion in sales.
Many expect Florida to become a huge cannabis market competing with Michigan and California, since 7% of the country’s population lives in the state.
Polls showed that the initiative had the votes required for approval and with a booming tourism industry, things are looking good for the recreational marijuana market. If approved, the new law will take effect in May 2025.
Over in North Dakota, voters had their say on whether to legalize adult-use cannabis by voting on Measure 5. If the measure is approved, a licensed system for recreational sales would be established by October next year.
Initial recreational sales will be supported by the state’s medical cannabis program, which has been active for almost 5 years now. The program supports almost 10,000 medical cannabis patients.
It is expected that North Dakota will bring in $70 million in recreational sales during its first year of operation. By the fourth year, this is expected to rise to $115 million. Overall sales may be affected by sales tax imposed by the state’s legislature though, with experts arguing that higher rates may hinder the growth of a recreational marijuana market in the state.
In Nebraska, voters had an opportunity to decide whether to legalize the use and possession of medical cannabis and set up an agency to regulate the program by approving initiatives 437 and 438.
The latest polls suggested that voters in the state favor medical cannabis legalization by 59%.
It is expected that during the program’s first year in operation, medical cannabis patients will spend about $50 million on the drug. By the 4th year of the program’s operation, Nebraska with its almost two million residents, is expected to generate roughly $102 million from the market.
The analysis’ projections also show that by the 4th year of operations, the markets will have collectively hit $4.3 billion in cannabis sales.
Industry actors like SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL) are hoping that the voters in those states where marijuana policy could be changed get their wishes turned into reality so that vibrant markets for legal marijuana can be launched at the earliest opportunity.
About CannabisNewsWire
CannabisNewsWire (“CNW”) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on cannabis news and the cannabis sector. It is one of 70+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers: (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions. With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge.
To receive SMS alerts from CNW, text CANNABIS to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com/Disclaimer
Ontario Provincial Police say they raided an unlicensed cannabis store again in London on October 24, seizing cannabis, cash, and tobacco, charging one.
The store, Spirit River Cannabis at 72 Wellington St., faced enforcement action by OPP in August when a second shop was also closed, seizing more than $350,000 in cannabis products.
Both locations later reopened. The raids were conducted by the OPP’s Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team (PJFCET). The team was created in 2018 to address the illicit cannabis market in Canada and is made up of officers from across the province.
In the most recent enforcement action, a 36-year-old London man was charged with possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling, possession of illicit cannabis, possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000 and trafficking in contraband tobacco. He is scheduled to appear in London court on Nov. 29.
Signage on the Richmond St. store advertised $20 ounces of cannabis.
The store, which claims to be Indigenous-owned, has been operating without a provincial cannabis retail licence, or any apparent authorization from any Indigenous organization or Band council in Canada. Attempts by StratCann to contact Spirit River Cannabis for more information were unsuccessful. Under provincial law, a licence from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario is required to sell cannabis.
The business has a poster on the building noting sections 25 and 35 of the Canadian Constitution Act. Section 35 of the Constitution Act says that the existing aboriginal and treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada are recognized and affirmed. Section 25 ensures that the designated rights and freedoms of Indigenous peoples are protected.
Some Indigenous store owners and other legal experts have argued that federal and provincial cannabis laws don’t apply to Indigenous-owned cannabis businesses. While the majority of these stores have opened on recognized treaty territory, some have opened on traditional lands outside of those treaty territories. The latter tend to be more likely to face enforcement by police or bylaw officers.
The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is seeking the public’s assistance in locating two suspects they say are responsible for robbing a cannabis store in south Edmonton.
EPS said that on Sunday, October 20, 2024, at approximately 10:45 p.m., two male suspects entered a cannabis store in the area of Desrochers Gate SW and Daniels Way SW. An employee at Planet Hollyweed confirmed their store was the location in question.
Police say one suspect approached the store clerk and demanded cannabis products. The clerk refused, leading to a fight in which the employee received minor injuries. The suspects then fled on foot. The employee was later treated in a hospital.
The first suspect is described as a younger male between 18-24 years old, approximately 5’7-5’10, with a slim build. He wore a dark blue Calvin Klein hooded sweatshirt, black sweatpants and pink, aqua and black Nike Air Max shoes. He wore a blue medical mask.
The second suspect is described as a younger male between 18-24 years old, approximately 5’7-5’10 with a slim build. He wore a black Nike hooded sweatsuit with grey runners and a white medical mask hanging below his chin.
Police ask anyone with any information about this or any other crime to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at t www.p3tips.com/250.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) recently removed marijuana from its list of prohibited substances. This change means that fighters in the state who possess, use, or consume marijuana products will no longer face penalties for violating anti-doping rules.
For years, cannabis was classified as a banned substance, and fighters were often penalized if it was detected in their system. UFC fighters such as Trevin Jones, for example, have seen their victories overturned, changing their records to no-contests due to positive tests for marijuana.
Additionally, in 2015 popular fighter Nick Diaz received a severe penalty for marijuana use: a five-year suspension and a fine of $165,000. The NSAC explained that the severe punishment was due to Diaz’s perceived disregard for the commission’s rules, not solely for the marijuana use itself.
Many fans saw this penalty as excessive, especially since Diaz was at the peak of his career following a high-profile match against Anderson Silva. The suspension effectively sidelined him for six years, frustrating fans who believed he was unfairly targeted over a minor infraction.
Now, at age 41, Diaz continues to fight, though many fans feel he should retire due to his health and age. Cannabis, however, is no longer a barrier to his participation, as it is now fully permitted for MMA fighters in the state.
The policy shift is particularly relevant in Las Vegas, where the majority of UFC events are hosted, including Diaz’s forthcoming match at UFC 310 against Vicente Luque. Fighters beyond the Diaz brothers have also been open about their cannabis use, often citing its therapeutic benefits for managing pain and physical strain caused by their demanding sport.
There are still steps ahead before the policy is officially enacted, as the revised guidelines need another review by the state’s Legislative Counsel Bureau (LCB) to confirm they meet legal standards. After this, the state legislative commission, composed of six assembly members and six senators, will review the proposal and decide on its official adoption.
Other professional sports organizations at various levels have been reevaluating and updating their policies regarding marijuana in response to broader legalization efforts at the state level. For instance, the NCAA recently removed cannabis from its list of banned substances for Division I athletes.
Similarly, the UFC announced in December that it would formally remove cannabis from its updated list of banned substances, building upon previous reforms in this area.
The easing of restrictions against the use of marijuana by fighters and other athletes is a development that the wider marijuana industry, including entities like Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON), will be pleased about.
About CNW420
CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of an article each business day at 4:20 p.m. Eastern – a tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. The concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.
To receive SMS alerts from CNW, text CANNABIS to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com/Disclaimer
Recent Comments