With the growing acceptability and legalization of marijuana use across the country, a worrisome reality has come to light: the state-by-state mosaic of safety legislation can leave cannabis consumers adrift in a fog of confusion, exposing them to potential hazards. Marijuana continues to be categorically illegal under federal law. Therefore, it is up to each state to decide on its own set of rules and safety standards.
The lack of uniformity in legislation fuels divisive discussions about the cannabis sector in the United States. Out of the 50 states, only Nebraska, Kansas and Idaho do not permit any form of cannabis use, while the other 47 have adopted their own laws on an array of issues, including the acceptable THC levels in cannabis products.
The majority of jurisdictions demand that licensed laboratories evaluate the strength of products and look for contaminants such as heavy metals and pesticides in legal cannabis products. However, the lack of uniform testing guidelines has led to inconsistent lab results. A practice called “lab shopping” has emerged among producers as a result of certain labs being found to artificially inflate THC levels to satisfy the demand for potent goods.
Recalls have been required in several jurisdictions as a result of products being cleared for sale despite the presence of dangerous pollutants. At least 18 health problems, including an increase in seizure activity, allergic responses and anxiety as well as a burning feeling brought on by chemical exposure, were associated with a cannabis recall in Michigan in 2021 that involved an estimated 64,000 pounds.
The significant differences could be a result of the variations in cannabis strength and contamination-testing procedures seen across the nation’s laboratories. Others issue licenses to independent labs, while some states run their own labs and enforce a more consistent testing approach.
A study published in the “Environmental Health Perspectives” journal in 2022 suggests that the patchy cannabis laws at the state level may have serious effects on consumer health. The study emphasizes how these regulatory inconsistencies raise the danger of pollutant exposure for immunocompromised people, which may result in illnesses that are potentially fatal. Additionally, the inconsistencies also cause misunderstandings among testing facilities, producers and cannabis cultivators. The study also demonstrates that the same cannabis samples could be accepted in one jurisdiction but not in another.
To maintain product safety and safeguard customers, states have put numerous policies into place. For instance, the maximum amount of THC allowed in edibles in Connecticut is 100 mg per package, with a limit of 5 mg per serving. In Massachusetts, the maximum THC content for edibles is 110 mg per package and 5.5 mg per serving. Moreover, the Colorado legislature passed a law in 2017 prohibiting the creation and distribution of edibles shaped like fruits, people or animals to lessen their attraction to children. Similar steps have been taken by other states to restrict children’s access to cannabis products, including the use of child-resistant packaging.
Marijuana supporters claim that by setting uniform standards and coordinating laws across state lines, federal legalization might provide a solution. They believe that federal legalization, along with possible research funding, might improve consumer safety and streamline the cannabis sector.
No such regulatory confusion exists in the cannabis medicalization space in which companies such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) operate because they follow a clear set of guidelines provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/IGC
About CNW420
CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our 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. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. 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.
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Editor’s Note: I penned this article on October 21st, 2016, and while the 2020 election certainly does offer a uniquely consequential showdown between two extremely ideologically divided factions of the American empire, this articles stands and is even more important today. ~Dylan Charles
If there’s one thing we’ve learned so far from election 2016 it’s that the American people do not understand their government.
The perception is that we have a democracy, and that in this democracy we the people have vested power in our government which we exercise through the act of voting. ‘Throw the bastards out,’ has long since been the war cry of the impotent democrat, yet we no longer even have a democracy to cling to, and although most people choose to ignore it, this fact of life has been visible for decades.
An oligarchical government is a form of rule in which a small group of wealthy individuals have control over the critical mechanisms of state power, industry and economy. These people are unelected, unaccountable and they exercise control on behalf of their personal financial interests, drawing on the productive power of a nation to support their lifestyles and geopolitical ambitions. The ruling class in such a nation is often comprised of dynastic families who pass the baton of power back and forth between themselves, managing the illusion of change and evolution while never actually ceding their franchise over the masses.
The Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton phenomenon is a contemporary example of this exchange.
In 2014, a Princeton study in the academic journalPerspectives on Politics published their conclusion that America had officially transitioned to an oligarchy. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has even recently made comments to this effect, telling Oprah Winfrey and her audience that ‘now it’s just an oligarchy.’ These two warnings follow decades of comments and public admissions by former presidents and key political figures warning us that our country was being taken over by shadowy financial interests.
Voting as a Tool to Create the Illusion of Consent
Even many true dictatorships hold political elections as tools to manufacture the illusion of consent for their party. Stalin is perhaps the most astounding example of this, for, during his rule, while the people of the nation were being brutalized by The Red Terror, election results came in showing over 99% support for the Communist Party.
China’s Mao, arguably the greatest murderer of all time, also forced his subjects into the ballot booth, using the results as propaganda to support his totalitarianism.
America is not yet a dictatorship, it is but an oligarchy with big dreams of becoming one. As such, we are still transitioning out of the ideology of personal liberty and self-rule, and are still dependent on the ritual of voting as acknowledgment of this heritage, even though selecting a president does nothing to favorably influence the direction of the nation.
The oligarchy still needs us to believe that we are free so that we won’t get serious about revolution, and voting is the best tool for maintaining this illusion. It serves the dual purposes of providing an outlet for our righteous indignation, pacifying our anger and sapping our political drive, and of acting as a survey to determine which policies will meet the least amount of popular resistance.
When we show up on election day, knowing full well the candidates we’ve been presented with do not represent our ambitions for this nation, we are tacitly expressing our willingness to being governed in this manner. We are contributing to the perception that our rulers have our permission to carry on, and by doing such we are acquiescing ever further to their dominion over us.
If you’re one of the few Americans who hasn’t already committed yourself, heart and soul, to one of the two majorly phony political parties dominating the U.S., and are still trying to decide which taste of bitters you’ll go for on election day, consider this: there is no Constitutional requirement that you vote.
There is not yet a law in America that obliges you to consent to the corruption, lies, criminality, war-mongering, fear, hate, stupidity, tyranny, surveillance and self-destruction being championed by today’s candidates. You are still free to opt-out and explore the moral highroad of conscientious objection, should your value system be so utterly insulted by the fake election process taking place before us.
“The American people are being guilted, bullied, pressured, cajoled, intimidated, terrorized and browbeaten into voting. We’re constantly told to vote because it’s your so-called civic duty, because you have no right to complain about the government unless you vote, because every vote counts, because we must present a unified front, because the future of the nation depends on it, because God compels us to do so, because by not voting you are in fact voting, because the “other” candidate must be defeated at all costs, or because the future of the Supreme Court rests in the balance.
You are under no moral obligation to vote for the lesser of two evils. Indeed, voting for a lesser evil is still voting for evil.” ~John W. Whitehead
Dylan Charles is the editor of Waking Times and host of Battered Souls: A Podcast About Transformation, both dedicated to ideas of personal transformation, societal awakening, and planetary renewal. His personal journey is deeply inspired by shamanic plant medicines and the arts of Kung Fu, Qi Gong and Yoga. After seven years of living in Costa Rica, he now lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where he practices Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and enjoys spending time with family. He has written hundreds of articles, reaching and inspiring millions of people around the world.
This article (In an Oligarchy, Voting is a Tool to Manufacture the Illusion of Consent) was originally created and published by Waking Times and is published here under a Creative Commons license with attribution to Dylan Charles and WakingTimes.com. It may be re-posted freely with proper attribution, author bio, and this copyright statement.
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Are you searching for dependable alternative energy solutions as a prepper or survivalist? Given the fragility of the power grid in disaster scenarios, investing in reliable and sustainable power generation is necessary for maintaining safety and connectivity.
Delving into renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower, this article offers insights into diverse power solutions and their setup requirements.
We will provide the following:
A comprehensive overview of these energy alternatives.
Exploring their roles in prepping.
The pros and cons.
The critical factors in selecting the ideal power source are tailored to your needs and circumstances.
While some folks are already totally off-grid, the rest of us are still looking for answers. Equipping yourself with this knowledge empowers you to harness nature’s power effectively, fortifying your preparation for any contingency.
Solar Power – Definition and Explanation
Solar is a renewable energy source that harnesses the energy from the sun and converts it into electricity.
The technology behind solar power has come a long way since its inception in the seventh century, and it is now one of the most significant green energy sources available. It is an environmentally friendly power source that is plentiful, cost-effective, and easy to maintain. Solar power is a great option for preppers and survivalists looking for alternative sources of energy to traditional sources.
Advantages and disadvantages of using solar power
Solar power is considered one of the most popular and widely used forms of alternative energy.
One of the biggest advantages of using solar power is that it is a renewable source of energy that doesn’t produce any harmful emissions or greenhouse gases. It also helps to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, a finite resource becoming increasingly scarce.
However, the initial cost of installing a solar system can be quite expensive, and the storage of solar energy can also be costly.
Moreover, solar power is weather dependent, and during periods of low solar activity, homeowners may need to rely on other power sources. Read more here and here.
Factors to consider when using solar power
Several factors need to be considered when solar power is an alternative energy source for prepping and survival planning.
Firstly, the location of the area and the specific micro-climate should be analyzed to determine the amount of direct sunlight available and the optimal positioning of solar panels.
Other important factors include the cost of initial installation and maintenance, the lifespan of the panels, and the need for a battery backup system to provide power during periods of low sunlight.
Additionally, the system’s capacity should match the prepper’s or survivalist’s energy requirements to ensure a sufficient power supply.
Hydroelectric Power Definition and Explanation
Hydroelectric power, also known as hydropower, is a renewable energy source that harnesses the natural flow of moving water to generate electricity.
It works by using a dam or reservoir to trap water and create a height difference between the water levels on both sides of the dam.
The water flows through a small tunnel with turbines that generate electricity from an attached generator.
Hydropower accounts for about 28.7% of total U.S. renewable electricity generation and approximately 6.2% of total U.S. electricity generation.
It is also a cost-effective source of electricity that costs less than most other sources.
However, large-scale conventional hydropower dams significantly impact the environment, including displacement of people, loss of valuable farmland and wildlife habitats, and disruption of natural river flow.
Advantages and disadvantages of using hydroelectric power
Hydroelectric power is a popular alternative energy source due to its renewable nature and reliable energy production.
It is also considered inexpensive in the long run and associated with job creation and economic benefits.
However, environmental concerns are associated with constructing hydroelectric plants, including the potential disruption of natural river flow and impacts on wildlife.
Additionally, the reliance on river water for energy production makes hydroelectricity susceptible to droughts, which can limit its capacity.
Despite these drawbacks, hydroelectricity remains a viable alternative energy solution for preppers and survivalists to consider in preparing for any disaster. Learn more about it here and here.
Factors to consider when using hydroelectric power
When using hydroelectric power, there are several factors to keep in mind.
Firstly, location is key. While not necessary, having a fast-moving river or stream on or near your property can increase the potential for power generation.
Another factor to consider is the amount of water flow available. If the water source is seasonal or unreliable, hydroelectric power may not be a viable option.
It’s also important to take into account the potential impact on the environment and local wildlife. While eco-friendly in theory, dams and other infrastructure can disrupt ecosystems and affect fish populations.
Overall, understanding the limitations and benefits of hydroelectric power can help individuals evaluate whether it’s a suitable alternative energy source for their prepping and survival needs.
Wind Energy Definition and Explanation
Wind is a renewable form of energy that is harnessed through the use of wind turbines.
Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy of the moving air into electrical power, making it a clean and sustainable energy source. The wind turbine blades are designed to rotate in response to the wind, which turns a generator that produces electricity.
Wind energy has several advantages, including being an abundant and inexhaustible resource that does not produce harmful emissions.
However, like all energy sources, it also has its challenges, such as being dependent on wind speeds and the need for suitable locations for wind turbines.
Advantages and disadvantages of using wind energy
Wind energy is one of the cleanest and most sustainable energy sources available. It does not produce any greenhouse gas emissions, nor does it emit any pollutants into the air.
Wind power also has the potential to generate electricity at a lower cost than traditional power sources, and it can provide a reliable and consistent source of power in many areas.
But wind energy also has its drawbacks. Wind turbines can be expensive to install and be noisy and visually unappealing.
Additionally, wind turbines can pose a threat to wildlife, particularly birds and bats, and they may require additional infrastructure to connect rural areas to urban centers.
Despite these challenges, wind power remains a promising alternative energy source for many preppers and survivalists.[11]
Factors to consider when using wind energy
When opting for wind energy as an alternative power solution, there are specific considerations you need to bear in mind.
One key factor is the wind speed and direction in your location, which determines the amount of energy that can be generated.
Another important consideration is the size and type of turbine, which should be chosen based on your energy needs and the available space.
The cost of installing and maintaining a wind energy system is also a significant factor, and ensuring that the benefits outweigh the costs is important in the long run.
Finally, it’s crucial to have a backup energy source in case of low or no wind conditions. Considering all these factors can help you make an informed decision about whether wind energy is a viable option for your needs.
Other Alternative Energy Sources
Apart from solar power systems, hydroelectric power, and wind energy, there are other alternative energy sources that can be explored for prepping and survival planning.
Biomass
One of them is biomass energy, which is produced from nonfossilized plant materials such as wood, wood waste, and biofuels.
Biomass energy can be burned to release chemical energy and generate electricity.
Geothermal
Another option is geothermal energy, which derives heat from the earth’s hot interior or near the earth’s surface.
Wells drilled into the earth allow a controlled release of steam or water to the surface to generate electricity, with the earth’s constant temperature utilized in geothermal heat pumps for heating and cooling buildings.
Both have advantages and disadvantages, and it is essential to consider individual needs and circumstances when selecting the best alternative energy source.
Advantages and disadvantages of using these alternative energy sources
Biomass is a renewable energy source since it uses organic materials like wood and agricultural waste as fuel.
This efficiency makes it a cost-effective energy solution.
However, biomass has a higher carbon footprint compared to other renewable energy sources, and its supply chain can contribute to deforestation and land use issues.
On the other hand, geothermal energy uses the earth’s natural heat as a power source. It is a reliable and constant energy source.
Still, it requires a specific geography to be viable, and drilling geothermal wells can be expensive.
It is essential to weigh the pros and cons of each alternative energy source to select the best solution that fits individual needs and circumstances.
If you need help choosing the right alternative energy for your needs, don’t hesitate to get more information here.
Tailoring Your Energy System to Your Needs
Strategically planning for your energy needs requires an in-depth understanding of your power consumption habits. This process can be streamlined through a series of steps.
Inventory Analysis
Firstly, take stock of all electricity-consuming equipment appliances in your premises. This will provide a comprehensive picture of the devices contributing to your energy usage.
Energy Consumption Metrics
The subsequent step involves identifying the energy usage of each appliance, which is generally indicated in watts or kilowatt-hours (kWh) on the device or in the product specifications.
Appliance Usage Patterns
Consider the average duration each appliance is utilized daily. This will contribute to determining your overall energy consumption.
Individual Energy Consumption
For each appliance, compute the daily energy consumption by multiplying its wattage by the daily usage duration.
Aggregate Energy Consumption
By summing up the daily energy consumption of all appliances, you will get a snapshot of your total daily energy requirements.
Peak and Low Demand Periods
Incorporate considerations for energy needs during peak and off-peak times. This factor is crucial to accurately size your power system to meet fluctuations in usage levels.
Power System Configuration
Decide on your preferred system configuration: complete independence with an off-grid system or a grid-tied setup with net metering capabilities.
Gaining insights into your energy requirements enables you to make informed choices about the most suitable type and size of renewable energy systems for your needs.
Calculating Your Power System Needs and Appliance Energy Usage
Here’s how to figure out how much energy you need.
Daily Energy Demand
Start by determining your daily energy demand in watt-hours like above. This entails adding up the wattage of each appliance and multiplying it by its daily usage duration.
Inefficiency Adjustment
To account for potential system inefficiencies, multiply your total daily energy requirement by a factor of 1.3. This provides a more accurate estimate of your power system requirements.
Power System Size
This systematic approach enables you to estimate your power system needs accurately and ensure the chosen setup can meet your energy demands reliably and efficiently.
How to select the best alternative energy source based on individual needs and circumstances
When it comes to selecting the best alternative energy source, there are various factors to consider. First, individual needs and circumstances should be taken into account. For example, a solar power system may be the best option for those living in sunny areas.
At the same time, wind energy may be more suitable for those in areas with consistently cloudy weather and strong winds.
Other factors to consider include upfront costs, maintenance requirements, and local regulations.
It may also be helpful to consult a professional to determine which alternative energy source would be the most beneficial for a specific situation.
Selecting the right alternative energy source can help save money on energy bills and reduce environmental impact.
Importance of considering alternative energy solutions for prepping and survival planning.
Considering energy sources is crucial for preppers and survivalists due to the unpredictability of natural disasters and other SHTF scenarios. When the power grid fails, we rely on electricity for our essential needs, such as communication, food, and heating. Alternative energy sources provide a sustainable solution, enabling individuals to have enough energy to be independent and prepared even in the toughest times.
While traditional fuel sources such as gasoline or diesel are finite resources, renewable energy sources such as solar, hydro, and wind energy are abundant and have far fewer environmental impacts.
Therefore, considering alternative renewable energy sources for prepping and survival planning is necessary and an environmentally responsible choice.
Recap of the different alternative energy solutions
In summary, alternative energy sources offer a viable solution for preppers and survivalists looking to live off the grid or prepare for emergencies.
Solar power, hydroelectric power, and wind energy are the most popular alternative energy sources. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, as well as factors to consider when implementing them. Additionally, biomass and geothermal energy are also alternative energy sources to consider.
Ultimately, selecting the best alternative energy source depends on individual needs and circumstances. It is important to consider these options when prepping and planning for survival.
Do you have any alternative energy sources set up? What do you plan to use when the power goes out? Have you tried any sources that ultimately did not work well for you?
Let’s discuss alternative energy solutions for preppers and survivalists in the comments section.
About Mike
Mike Roth, the founder of SafeBlackout, is a dedicated advocate for preparedness and self-sufficiency. His work focuses on educating others on how to handle unpredictable situations confidently. With a commitment to transparency and thorough research, Mike’s writings provide a reliable source of information on survival scenarios, blackout preparedness, and more. His goal is to empower individuals to navigate any challenge with confidence and self-reliance.
Morphine is the most widely known extract from the capsules of Papaver somniferum L. and it has been used since ancient times as analgesic, sedative and anesthetic agent. The opium poppies contain also other alkaloids in addition to morphine, such as codeine, noscapine, thebaine and papaverine. [1] The medicinal properties of these compounds are accompanied by strong addictive traits and their scaffold can be used as starting material for useful clinical medicine such as oxycodone, diamorphine, dihydrocodeine, etc. or illegal and dangerous drugs like heroin. [2]
Phytochemical Composition of Papaver Plants
Among all the Papaver species, Papaver somniferum L., also known as opium poppy, is the most rich in different types of alkaloids. Other phytochemicals contained in the genus are flavonols, anthocyanins and indole derivatives nudicaulins among other compounds. [3]
In addition to the renowned analgesic and narcotic effects, Papaver plants have a wide range of pharmacological properties including anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial and antidiabetic.
Opium poppies are highly produced illegally in countries such as Afghanistan, Mexico among others and legally grown in Turkey, Spain and Czechia. [3] Moreover varieties at low-morphine concentration can be grown for the production of seeds widely used in the food industry and for their high fiber content. [4]
The alkaloid composition varies greatly depending on the species, but also in the same cultivar. Opium poppies grow on a wide variety of soils, but the ones with a high-clay content can be relatively hard for the roots of young poppy plants. With a sufficient supply of water and a disposition in full sun it is possible to improve the alkaloid accumulation in the capsules. Nevertheless alkaloid production is generally enhanced and induced by environmental stress conditions. For this reason the concentration of a specific alkaloid can be enhanced in drought periods, even if too little water can affect the morphine accumulation. [5]
Opium poppies are highly produced illegally in countries such as Afghanistan, Mexico among others and legally grown in Turkey, Spain and Czechia. [3]
Mechanism of Action of Morphine
Like other classic opioid analgesics, morphine has high affinity for the delta, kappa, and mu-opioid receptors. The latter is particularly expressed in the central and peripheral nervous system and the analgesic effects are exerted by morphine binding to it. Morphine can activate descending inhibitory pathways of the central nervous system together with the inhibition of the neurons responsible for pain in the peripheral nervous system leading to an overall reduction of the nociceptive transmission.
Long-term morphine administration induces dysregulation at molecular and cellular levels in the brain, leading to addiction. For this reason, despite the wide use of opioids as analgesic medications, there is still a limited management of opioids disorders. [10]
It should be noticed that chronic exposure to morphine induces the phosphorylation of opioid receptors by G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs), inducing a progressive desensitization of opioid receptors. This is the reason why chronic exposure to opioids leads to tolerance that is the decrease of the drug response.
Extraction of Morphine from Papaver Plants
Opium is the crude material retrieved from Papaver somniferum L. . After the flowering, when the petals fall down, the opium capsule containing a white latex stays. Opium capsules grow in a few weeks becoming bigger and they can be incised to retrieve the alkaloid containing milky liquid. The latex in the air becomes thicker and darker.
Morphine occurs naturally in opium and its concentration can vary from 9 to 17% by weight, depending on the Papaver species from which the latex is derived.
Friedrich Sertürner (1783-1841) was the first to isolate morphine from opium, discovering a new class of substances: the alkaloids. [6]
Alkaloids from opium can be extracted using water and oxalic acid. Nevertheless due to the poor solubility of alkaloids in water, the result is a large volume of water solution that has to be extracted with a large amount of organic solvents.
In fact traditional morphine extraction methods involve large amounts of hazardous and potentially toxic solvents such as chloroform and sulfur dioxide, prolonged extraction times, low efficiency and laborious procedures. The separation of morphine from other poppy derived alkaloids is time consuming and relatively complicated due to the characteristic of the substance.
Morphine can be more efficiently extracted refluxing opium in a basic alcoholic solution. In order to reach pH 9 it is possible to use inorganic bases such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonia, etc.
The mixture is filtered and the alcohol removed leaving a residue that can be further extracted with a basic aqueous solution with pH 11. The solution can be stirred, adding a sufficient amount of salt to avoid the formation of an emulsion. [7] The solution at this point can be extracted with benzene or toluene. After that the pH of the solution can be adjusted to 8.5 or 9.5 in order for the morphine to precipitate from the mixture and be recovered. The lowering of the pH can be obtained treating the organic solution with an acid such as sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid or acetic acid among others.
The precipitated morphine can be collected through filtration or decantation and the product can be washed with water prior to drying. This procedure is particularly efficient and cost-effective and the precipitation of the desired product can be conducted in one day. [7]
To recap the steps of a selective morphine extraction from opium these are the general steps to follow:
Extracting opium with a basic alcoholic solution;
Filtering and removing the alcoholic solution;
The left material can be treated with basic aqueous solution (pH 11);
Remove any solid matter after the aqueous extraction step;
Stirring the basic aqueous extract with salt to avoid emulsions;
Extracting the basic aqueous solution with a water-immiscible solvent to remove the non-morphine alkaloids from the solution;
Adjust the pH of the basic aqueous solution to 8.5/9.5 in order to precipitate the morphine;
Collect the precipitate and optionally further purified.
Determination of Morphine in Opium and Medicinal Preparations
Many techniques are available for the determination of opiates and their derivatives. Usually separation techniques are employed such as gas chromatography (GC) or high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or mass spectrometry (MS). To make an example, through column chromatography it’s possible to separate other opium derived alkaloids from morphine. With simple absorption on a celite column wetted by an ammoniacal aqueous opium extract, it is possible to wash out other compounds different than morphine using benzene as mobile phase.
In the case of morphine determination in plasma or urine samples, many techniques have been developed. Most of them involve the use of solid phase extraction followed by GC-MS or HPLC. The latter method can be combined with dual-electrochemical/UV or fluorescence detection. [8]
GC-MS and HPLC don’t offer a fast quantification method capable of providing results in a short amount of time. For this reason there is always a need to find new methods capable of giving reliable on-site results.
Because the detection of drug abuse is of high interest for public safety, many efforts have been made to develop a fast-detecting technique for the accurate determination and quantitation of morphine in urine samples. The method consists in a simple extraction process followed by derivatization using dansyl chloride and direct analysis by paper spray ionization (PCS) and a miniature MS spectrometer. Following this technique it’s possible to have the results on-site in 3 minutes.
The derivatization process permits to avoid the unpleasant formation of clusters of morphine fragments during the analysis with tandem mass spectrometer (MS/MS), permitting a more accurate quantification. In fact the formation of dansyl-morphine can produce highly abundant diagnostic ion product that can be easily detected, enhancing the sensitivity of the analysis of a 10 factor. [9]
The rush to deploy the 5G Network around the world coincided with the global COVID pandemic of 2020. That happened.
Only two years earlier, officials at the World Health Organization called COVID a global threat. But behind the scenes, the media quietly announced that 5G was coming, whether people wanted it or not.
Why is the connection between 5G and COVID important?
It’s time to play detective and retrace the narrative back to the evidence.
Let The Games Begin!
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The effort to convince people that they needed a new microwave technology called 5G “for faster downloads,” began below the radar when the 5G network was tested during the 2018 South Korean Winter Olympics. Then, the narrative sounded like this:
Let the 5G games begin! 5G will affect everything from self-driving cars and the so-called Internet of Things.
Then, in 2019, the first COVID case was declared. By then, the 5G networks had already been activated and back-page news around the world.
EMF exposure limits set up in 1996 by the FAA and others are based on invalid assumptions. Over 25,000 articles over 30 years provide evidence that shows they are not protective of human health and wildlife. One such 2015 Polish study in the Journal Przegl Lek recognizes EMF-induced biological effects in humans.:
Electromagnetic fields can be dangerous not only because of the risk of cancer, but also other health problems, including electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS).
EHS is a syndrome with a broad spectrum of non-specific multiple organ symptoms including both acute and chronic inflammatory processes located mainly in the skin and nervous systems, as well as in respiratory, cardiovascular systems, and musculoskeletal system. WHO does not consider the EHS as a disease.
It is neglectful that the WHO does not consider EMF-related health effects as a legitimate syndrome or disease. This delinquency becomes a challenge to the medical profession which must base a diagnosis on guesswork.
Inflammation is a key common player in COVID-19 and ARS, and drives the multi-system damage that dramatically alters biological homeostasis. Both conditions initiate a cytokine storm, with similar pro-inflammatory molecules increased and other anti-inflammatory molecules decreased.
Pneumonitis and subsequent drop in blood oxygen levels
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
increase in local neutrophils, cytokines and other immune factors
Serious Adverse Events post Cov-Vax describe the above and more:
A Live Exercise
In 2020, during a Coronavirus Task Force briefing, Secretary Mike Pompeo disclosed the fact that the pandemic “is a live exercise.”
[embedded content]
Do the EMF-induced symptoms mimic COVID-19? Does the added mRNA EUA technologies increase adverse events?
Any investigative mind would first attempt to rule that out a connection between 5G and COVID-19.
So, the first order of business would be to find the alleged causal viral agent for COVID 19.
One small problem.
Officially, the 2019 virus called Coronavirus-19 has never been isolated. in its original state. See page 41 of the 2023 CDC document where the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) reports the suspect virus is “not available.”
Since no quantified virus isolates of the 2019-nCoV were available for CDC use at the time the test was developed and this study conducted, assays designed for detection of the 2019-nCoV RNA were tested with characterized stocks of in vitro transcribed full length RNA (N gene; GenBank accession: MN908947.2) of known titer (RNA copies/µL) spiked into a diluent consisting of a suspension of human A549 cells and viral transport medium (VTM) to mimic clinical specimen.
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What is it?
Did the Corona virus mutate or disappear before it could be identified?
Did it ever exist in the first place?
Is Coronavirus a case of semantics, and not of disease?
If you look up the term, Coronavirus, it is defined as a family of cold and flu viruses. Hence, it is not one virus; Corona virus:
Coronaviruses constitute the subfamily Orthocoronavirinae, in the family Coronaviridae,
The present invention provides a live, attenuated coronavirus comprising a variant replicase gene encoding polyproteins comprising a mutation in one or more of non-structural protein(s) (nsp)-10, nsp-14, nsp-15 or nsp-16. The coronavirus may be used as a vaccine for treating and/or preventing a disease, such as infectious bronchitis, in a subject.
In fact, there are a lot of COVID 19 patents when you look for them. In 2022, there were 3741 COVID-19-related patents.
“Therefore, we examined the capacity of SARS-CoV-2 to infect and replicate in several common primate and human cell lines, including human adenocarcinoma cells (A549), human liver cells (HUH 7.0), and human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293T).
In addition to Vero E6 and Vero CCL81 cells. … Each cell line was inoculated at high multiplicity of infection and examined 24h post-infection. No CPE was observed in any of the cell lines except in Vero cells, which grew to greater than 10 to the 7th power at 24 h post-infection. In contrast, HUH 7.0 and 293T showed only modest viral replication, and A549 cells were incompatible with SARS CoV-2 infection.”
If no wild Coronavirus was ever officially isolated, and if Coronavirus is not harmful to humans, then what could be causing similar symptoms in millions of people all over the world?
It turns out that 5G millimeter waves can and do promote symptoms described as Covid.
Michel Bertolotti from Pixabay” width=”305″ height=”407″>Controlling The Narrative
This chronological overview of the publications published during the initial critical phase of discussions around 5G and health leads to the interesting observation that publications by authors with links to anti-5G campaigning organizations dominated the early phase in which adverse effects related to 5G were discussed..Such patterns of efforts to control the narrative during critical periods. – The population health effects from 5G: Controlling the narrative, Frontiers, 2022
“5G Technology induces Coroavirus in skin cells.” That was the conclusion of a study published in an Editorial from the July 2020 Journal Biol Regul Homeost Agents by Fioranelli et al, that was subsequently retracted:
In this research, we show that 5G millimeter waves could be absorbed by dermatologic cells acting like antennas, transferred to other cells and play the main role in producing Coronaviruses in biological cells. DNA is built from charged electrons and atoms and has an inductor-like structure. This structure could be divided into linear, toroid and round inductors. Inductors interact with external electromagnetic waves, move and produce some extra waves within the cells.
The shapes of these waves are similar to shapes of hexagonal and pentagonal bases of their DNA source. These waves produce some holes in liquids within the nucleus. To fill these holes, some extra hexagonal and pentagonal bases are produced. These bases could join to each other and form virus-like structures such as Coronavirus. To produce these viruses within a cell, it is necessary that the wavelength of external waves be shorter than the size of the cell. Thus 5G millimeter waves could be good candidates for applying in constructing virus-like structures such as Coronaviruses (COVID-19) within cells.
We know the importance of skin cells by their absorptive and alchemical abilities to convert sunlight (the frequency of the sun), into Vitamin D3. [See my article on Vitamin D here]. Yet, even knowing the delicate relationship between light frequencies and human skin, harmful technologies march forward, undaunted.
What happens when scientists take it below the surface, under the skin?
The Internet of Things
Pete Linforth from Pixabay” width=”337″ height=”253″>
The Internet of Things is moving ahead of itself, without attention to detail, safety, or security features.
From dental sensors that collect your data, to medication sensors to track compliance with prescriptions, to kitty litter that tracks your cat’s bowel movements, artificial intelligence (A.I.) is moving inside. And its all hackable.
Before putting the cart before the horse, humans must understand 5G frequencies.
The Studies
There is a wide range of evidence to interpret the newly emerging microwave exposures as an invisible stressor. Microwaves are absorbed by living tissue. The frequencies used for cell phone technologies have a half-life penetration depth of several centimeters, whereby cell membranes constitute no obstacle. – Klaus Buchner and Horst Eger, German Study, Electromagnetic Fields, 2011
The 5G rollout preceded the vaccine rollout by several months, not only in the U.S., but in other parts of the world as well. For more information see my 2020 article, Induction of COVID Symptoms via 5G Frequencies.
Fortunately, the question of association between EMFs and COVID-related symptoms can be answered by a long list of medical journal studies:
An increasingly common response includes clumping (rouleau formation) of the red blood cells, heart palpitations, pain or pressure in the chest accompanied by anxiety, and an upregulation of the sympathetic nervous system coincident with a downregulation of the parasympathetic nervous system typical of the “fight-or-flight” response.
Ria Sopala from Pixabay” width=”335″ height=”223″>
This assessment clearly shows exposure to 5G mmW technology is statistically significantly associated with higher COVID-19 case and death rates in the U.S.A. The mechanism–should this be a causal relationship–may relate to changes in blood chemistry, oxidative stress, an impaired immune response, an altered cardiovascular and/or neurological response.
Research suggests that the circadian rhythm, which controls several physiological functions in the human body, can be influenced by light but also by the earth’s EMFs. … Severe disruption of the circadian rhythm increases inflammation which can induce fatigue, fever and flu-like symptoms in a fraction of the population and worsen existing symptoms in old and diseased individuals, leading to periodic spikes of infectious and chronic diseases.3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8580522/
We present evidence that WCR may: (1) cause morphologic changes in erythrocytes including echinocyte and rouleaux formation that can contribute to hypercoagulation; (2) impair microcirculation and reduce erythrocyte and hemoglobin levels exacerbating hypoxia; (3) amplify immune system dysfunction, including immunosuppression, autoimmunity, and hyperinflammation; (4) increase cellular oxidative stress and the production of free radicals resulting in vascular injury and organ damage; (5) increase intracellular Ca2+ essential for viral entry, replication, and release, in addition to promoting pro-inflammatory pathways; and (6) worsen heart arrhythmias and cardiac disorders.
Ria Sopala from Pixabay” width=”366″ height=”275″>
…a decrease in the water membrane permeability of the irradiated samples was observed. We advance the hypothesis that both the above effects may be explained in terms of a change of the polarization states of water induced by the radiation, which causes a partial dehydration of the membrane and consequently a greater packing density (increased membrane rigidity).
A second project of two large life-span carcinogenic bioassays was conducted on over 3000 Sprague Dawley rats exposed from prenatal life until natural death to 1.8 GHz GSM of mobile phone radio base station, alone or combined with acute exposure to gamma radiation. Early results from the experiment on 1.8 GHz GSM alone show a statistically significant increase in the incidence of heart malignant schwannoma among males exposed at the highest dose.
A wide pathogenic potential of the induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their involvement in cell signaling pathways explains a range of biological/health effects of low-intensity radiorequency radiaiton (RFR), which include both cancer and non-cancer pathologies. In conclusion, our analysis demonstrates that low-intensity RFR is an expressive oxidative agent for living cells with a high pathogenic potential and that the oxidative stress induced by RFR exposure should be recognized as one of the primary mechanisms of the biological activity of this kind of radiation.
Wireless devices used at home such as DECT, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth amplify the effect of the GSM radiation. In the case of adrenaline and noradrenaline, almost exclusively children and chronically ill subjects (here mostly subjects with allergies) are affected.
Especially in children below age ten, it is not thought possible to maintain a chronic state of anxiety for one and a half years due to an abstract term such as cell tower radiation.
The clinical relevance of changed PEA levels is well documented for mental illnesses. Endogenous depression is associated with lowered PEA levels, whereby the transition from depression to maniac episodes is accompanied by an increase in PEA levels
After having exhausted the biological feedback mechanisms, major health problems are to be expected. The possible long-term consequences of remaining caught in the exhaustion stage have already been described by Hecht and Selye
pulsed electromagnetic fields can be more active biologically than continuous ones. According to the present theory, the low frequency fields are the most bioactive ones. The basic mechanism is the forced-vibration of all the free ions on the surface of a cell’s plasma membrane, caused by an external oscillating field. We have shown that this coherent vibration of electric charge is able to irregularly gate electrosensitive channels on the plasma membrane and thus cause disruption of the cell’s electrochemical balance and function.
The question is does the 5G Network play a role in creating a pandemic with symptoms identical to the condition dubbed as COVID 19?
According to a 2021 study, published in J Clin Transl Res, there is indeed evidence for a connection between coronavirus disease-19 and exposure to radiofrequency radiation from wireless communications including 5G.
… we investigated a possible environmental factor in the COVID-19 pandemic: ambient radiofrequency radiation from wireless communication systems including microwaves and millimeter waves. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic, surfaced in Wuhan, China shortly after the implementation of city-wide (fifth generation [5G] of wireless communications radiation [WCR]), and rapidly spread globally, initially demonstrating a statistical correlation to international communities with recently established 5G networks.
Foresight: Looking Ahead
Tumisu from Pixabay” width=”348″ height=”232″>
Hindsight is always 20/20.
This means that it is easy to clearly see what should have been done or said in the past. We are looking back on what has already happened, so the reasons it happened should now be crystal clear.
In truth, 20/20 is not perfect vision. It is average or ‘normal’ vision, because is possible to have better than twenty-twenty vision with the naked eye.
We see, now, that we may have a case of a missing virus!
For people to stay ahead of any future live exercises, and where the problem is clear as mud, people must lead with foresight. How did the prophet-authors of the past, Orwell and Huxley, seem to predict a dystopian future that is now? Did they have foresight, or did they have a blueprint?
These are times for discernment. People must raise their private investigator magnifying glasses. They must stay one step ahead, before the next games begin.
It’s the time of year when farms and fruit orchards invite the public to come and pick fresh fruit! It’s one of my favourite summer things to do, and here are a few tips I’ve learned along the way to make it super enjoyable.
Bring A Cooler
Once picked, ripe berries lose their juice, flavor and texture unless refrigerated. So bring a cooler to keep them fresh until you get home and into the freezer or fridge.
Hat, Sunscreen, And Good Shoes
The sun is hot, and sunscreen is a must for your outing. A hat provides shade and keeps bugs away. Remember you are going to a farm with mud and dirt. Getting to the middle of the berry field or the orchard can be a hike, so good walking shoes are essential.
Pack A Lunch
Bring snacks so you aren’t eating all the fruit and berries before you get home. And remember to bring a water bottle to stay hydrated; it’s hot out there!
Go Early Or Late
Going early in the day beats the heat and the crowds that come later and also guarantees the juiciest and ripest of berries and fruits that day. Did you know that strawberries are more plump in the morning because they have absorbed all the dew from the night?
Early evenings are also a great time to pick. The air is a little cooler, and sometimes the farm will drop the price per picking pound towards the end of the day. It’s an excellent time for a bargain!
Leave Fido At Home
Pets can be a distraction, dig up dirt, run through bushes, break off branches, stomp on nicely spaced crops, and be tempted by fresh-off-the-vine snacks. Fido’s better off at home for this adventure.
Do Some Homework
Call ahead and ask what the farm’s per-pound price is and whether or not you should bring your baskets or buckets for picking. Usually, they’re provided, but it’s good to double-check.
Make sure to ask beforehand if the farm uses pesticides or herbicides.Becoming “certified organic” is expensive and time-consuming, so many small farms choose not to go through it.
And most importantly, ask if it’s OK to sneak a berry or apple while picking. Because the farm charges per pound, some will discourage this, wanting to get as much money as possible from the picking.
Picking Tricks
Now it’s time to pick! A few pointers will guarantee the ripest and best fruit. If picking blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries from a bush, bend down and look at the bottom branches. Many people ignore a berry bush’s lower half, which can be where the best fruit is.
Pick only the fruit that easily falls off branches and stems; this means it’s ripe. If you can reach it, the fruit or berries near the top of a bush or tree are usually the sweetest as they’ve baked in the sun the longest.
Best tip: have fun and enjoy all the fresh fruit goodness now, made into pies or preserved as jam and jelly. Yummy!
In addition, Organigram blames lower sales on THC inflation and no longer being able to sell “ingestible extracts,” and StratCann profiled BC micro Kush Mountain.
In other news…
Saint Andrews, a town in New Brunswick, rejected a private retailer’s efforts—supported by Cannabis NB—to open a mobile private retail store. Although Cannabis NB operated a “pop-up” cannabis store in Saint Andrews last year, the town council said a mobile cannabis store was a step too far, with one councillor worrying about the town’s image.
“I just see a big CBC,” said councillor Lee Heenan referring to a potential news headline, according to the CBC. “Saint Andrews, first town to have mobile cannabis truck. I don’t know if that’s the publicity that we’d like to see.”
Greenway Greenhouse Cannabis Corporation, a cannabis nursery and processor in Ontario, entered into a debt settlement agreement with a marketing services provider, issuing 964,285 common shares at a deemed issuance price per share of $0.28 and a cash payment of $35,100.
In similar cannabis stock news, Canopy Growthsigned agreements with lenders to reduce its debt by $437 million over the next six months, weeks after the Canadian firm raised doubts about its ability to continue as a going concern. The company’s total debt outstanding as of March 31, 2023, was $1.3 billion.
Saskatchewan RCMP say they are seeing an increase in cannabis-impaired driving at check stops, something RCMP Traffic Services Unit Cpl. Brian Ferguson attributes it to officers becoming more adept at “recognizing signs and symptoms of someone utilizing THC products and, as well, we do have some extra tools now that are available to us in more quantities.”
Health Canada’s Forward Regulatory Plan 2023-2025 includes references to proposing amendments to the Cannabis Regulations relating to Flavours in Cannabis Extracts. This is an extension of previous messaging from Health Canada on the subject going back to 2021. The regulator has yet to provide any new details on specifics or an expected timeline.
A new Indigenous-owned cannabis storeopened in Stratford, Ontario, eschewing provincial and federal cannabis regulations, with the owner arguing that he is within the Charter of Rights to operate the store on traditional land. In a statement, Stratford police said they “recognize the complexities of the issue and want to ensure that all lawful rights are taken into consideration.”
Retail cannabis chain Trees, with about a dozen locations in Ontario and BC, announced that it has entered into a business combination agreement with 420 Investments Ltd., which operates FOUR20, a cannabis retail chain in Alberta with about 40 locations. The agreement says that 420 will undertake a reverse takeover of Trees. The move came just as BC announced they are considering lifting the 8-store cap for cannabis retailers in the province.
Freida Butcher, Chair of the Board at 420, said they “are very proud of the performance of FOUR20 to not only survive the pandemic but to have grown from 14 stores in 2020 to our current 40 stores. We are very pleased to have found another retailer in Trees with the same values and with stores that will expand our brand in Ontario and allow us to take our first steps into BC.
The BC Government plans on making several changes to provincial cannabis rules, which it says will assist the cannabis industry and cannabis tourism in BC.
As part of a broader industry outreach initiative, BC’s Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) is seeking input from the cannabis industry and related stakeholders regarding plans to eliminate provincial constraints on promoting locations for cannabis consumption and to allowing cannabis consumption on patios, with the latter limited to areas where smoking and vaping are already permitted under provincial regulations.
Currently, BC does not allow anyone to smoke or vape cannabis on a patio, even in places where they can smoke tobacco or vape non-cannabis products. Provincial law also does not allow anyone to promote a place at which to consume cannabis. Municipalities and local First Nations may also have their own restrictions in place that would not be affected by any provincial rule changes.
The proposed changes would not allow for in-store consumption, but are a step towards creating allowances that will allow for the formal marketing of spaces and events that can more directly cater to consumption.
BC has announced that this feedback exercise, available to stakeholders until August 11, is a crucial step in the gradual development of cannabis hospitality and tourism “experiences” in the province.
BC has been increasingly focussing on the issue of consumption spaces and cannabis tourism, launching a province-wide engagement paper last year. The What We Heard report from that engagement process was then released in January 2023. The report showed significant public support for consumption spaces, balanced with concerns from law enforcement and public health agencies.
Industry response is mixed
According to Jaclynn Pehota, the executive director of the Retail Cannabis Council of BC (RCCBC), the organization’s members are supportive of the proposed changes regarding cannabis consumption locations in BC. However, Pehota highlights that the members are primarily focused on several other industry concerns.
“RCCBC’s member retailers are pleased to see the LCRB opening consultation on restrictions around consuming cannabis in outdoor spaces. RCCBC’s members are broadly supportive of leaving decisions specifically related to the appropriateness of cannabis consumption on patios to local governments. It seems reasonable that citizens and their representatives are best equipped to decide how to integrate outdoor cannabis consumption in their communities.”
“Membership welcomes the LCRB regularly revisiting BC’s regulatory framework for cannabis. Regular policy review ensures BC’s framework remains in step with the reality of today’s sector,” she added.
“Encouraging the government to undertake a review of the wholesale fee structure has been a focus of our advocacy since the launch of the Direct Delivery program in August 2022.
Jaclynn Pehota, Retail Cannabis Council of BC
In regard to raising the eight-store cap for cannabis retailers, Pehota says the RCCBC is cautiously supportive as long as the government takes a careful approach that can “safeguard the diverse community of small businesses that has been fostered in BC’s cannabis sector” and avoid the kind of downward price pressure seen in provinces that have a greater number of large discount chain stores.
Still, Pehota says the priority for RCCBC’s members is reducing the LDB’s 15 percent wholesale markup, especially for sales made through the direct delivery program that allows small-scale BC producers to ship products directly to retailers. The LDB charges this “proprietary fee” on products that go through its centralized distribution centre in the Lower Mainland, as well as on products that producers sell directly to retailers, without ever making their way through the central warehouse.
Instead, RCCBC’s recommendation is a reduction to 2.5 percent or lower, which Pehota says would be more comparable to the markup for craft beer
Jeff Curtis, the owner of Boro and Beyond in BC, which offers among its services, dab bars for cannabis pop-up events in the province, says the proposed changes to allow the promotion of locations for cannabis consumption and to allow cannabis consumption on patios, while modest, are a big first step towards what he sees as a more compressive approach to consumption spaces.
“Besides being able to mitigate public nuisance impacts, consumption spaces represent a place where government can concentrate marketing efforts to educate about overconsumption and where trained professionals can give first experiences and education to reduce adverse reactions.
“Aside from these, having licensable, insurable establishments and destinations to promote 19+ events would be huge. We’ve seen how big events and festivals bring in local revenue and generate jobs, and opening up cannabis would be no different.”
15% Direct Delivery fee an industry priority
While many producers and retailers say they are very happy with the direction of the Direct Delivery program, the fact producers still have to pay this fee while also taking on the extra work of distribution has made it less than ideal for others.
“Our member retailers and our associate member producers have delivered the message loud and clear that reducing the 15 percent markup, especially in the context of Direct Delivery, is an advocacy priority,” Pehota told StratCann. “Encouraging the government to undertake a review of the wholesale fee structure has been a focus of our advocacy since the launch of the Direct Delivery program in August 2022.
“A lower whole markup can’t come soon enough for both retailers and producers,” she adds.
The retail organization instead recommends fees comparable to what the LDB charges for craft beer producers to sell directly to retailers. In a memo the organization sent out to members earlier this month, Pehota said they hope to see changes to the fee structure sometime in 2024.
“RCCBC continues to deliver the message that strong sectoral supports, like a reduction in wholesale fees, are desperately needed in BC as licence holders continue to fight to win market share from unregulated operators.”
The priority is saving BC craft cannabis. And in order to do so, this government has to make a substantial reduction or elimination of the wholesale markup on direct delivery.
Ehren Richards, Sunrise Cannabis
BC’s Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, which oversees the cannabis file in the province, says it’s committed to reviewing the direct delivery program and is expected to “include consideration of the 15 percent markup that is applied to products registered for the direct delivery program, and the program’s eligibility criteria.”
Some Vancouver retailers StratCann spoke with were somewhat more candid about their concerns over BCs focus on lifting the store cap rather than addressing the direct delivery fees.
Ehren Richardson, the co-owner of Sunrise Cannabis on Kingsway in Vancouver, says he doesn’t see the changes in consumption as particularly significant, and doesn’t understand the call to lift the eight-store cap. Instead, he says the removal of the 15 percent fee that producers must pay to sell into the direct delivery program would benefit retailers like him because it would allow them to carry a greater variety of local products at more competitive prices.
“I think that issue [the eight-store cap] is probably among the lowest priority issues facing the cannabis industry right now,” says Richardson. “The priority is saving BC craft cannabis. And in order to do so, this government has to make a substantial reduction or elimination of the wholesale markup on direct delivery. That’s the only thing that’s going to save us, not lifting the eight-store cap.”.
“There seems to be a disconnect between what the industry needs and what the BC government is doing”
Feven Berhane, KushKlub Canada
Grant Pan, General Manager at La Canapa, with three locations in Vancouver, shares a similar sentiment. While the BC government says it wants to support BC’s small craft growers, Pan is skeptical.
“It seems all their policy changes just benefit the big players. We’re a small store with three locations, and we don’t need the cap lifted. I think that’s just the big chains. That doesn’t help the BC craft industry. I don’t think the government really wants to help the little guys.”
However, Jeff Guignard, Executive Director at Alliance of Beverage Licensees (ABLE BC), which recently launched its own cannabis division to represent industry concerns, says he understands the concerns some retailers have but sees the change, if it happens, being modest in comparison to other provinces.
“I don’t think anybody wants to see a massive, single monopoly chain controlling the retail industry,” Guignard tells StratCann,“ but there are economies of scale that come from scaling up. I’m not suggesting we necessarily remove the cap. I don’t think industry so far says they support that. But there’s definitely some interest in increasing it, doubling it or increasing it to twelve, something like that.”
Feven Berhane, the co-founder of retail store KushKlub Canada, with a handful of locations in BC, Manitoba, and Ontario, says she is also unsure of why BC is prioritizing raising the store cap rather than prioritizing changing the 15 percent fee.
“There seems to be a disconnect between what the industry needs and what the BC government is doing,” says Bernhane. “If they help the micros they help everybody. But I don’t think the BC government understands that. That is what will help independent retailers. Even lowering that fee by a few points would make a big difference.”
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