Campaigners who managed to put a measure to legalize adult-use marijuana in North Dakota know that success isn’t done and dusted. The voters have rejected similar measures in the recent past; in 2022 and also back in 2018. Those working to enact marijuana policy reforms know that they have to do things differently in order to ensure that their third attempt is the charm.
Steve Bakken, who heads the group that is working to see Measure 5 get voter approval next month, says they must be careful to avoid creating the impression among voters that should marijuana prohibition end, a laissez-faire situation like what is in Washington or even Colorado could unfold in North Dakota. Bakken adds that North Dakota is a conservative state and that everything must be done to ensure that the cannabis legalization model proposed doesn’t trigger the sensibilities of conservatives in the wrong way.
For that reason, the ballot measure seeks to create a limited scope of recreational marijuana manufacturing and sales. For example, only 18 retail licenses are to be issued and just a paltry seven licenses will be issued to firms wishing to cultivate and manufacture recreational marijuana products.
Measure 5 has provisions limiting businesses to just one license to manufacture products, and a maximum of four retail shops across the state. This is intended to prevent a few companies from monopolizing the industry as has been seen in some states where no such restrictions were imposed. The proposal also bans an owner of a marijuana business from having an ownership stake in another marijuana business which is located within a 20-mile radius of any cannabis business they own either fully or partially.
It is worth noting that North Dakota is dominated by Republican-leaning residents. Approximately 76% of registered voters favor the GOP, and this had a hand in the last two legalization attempts falling short of the needed support. The efforts to tone down the scale of reforms is intended to show that legalization can happen without trampling on the sensibilities of the voters.
A recent poll shows a tight contest, with voters in favor standing at 45% while those opposed to the measure are 40%. Those who aren’t decided were 15%.
The GOP candidate in the presidential race could also have some influence in the way some voters regard the legalization measure. Trump endorsed a measure aimed at legalizing recreational marijuana in Florida. Will this tilt the scale and make those who are undecided vote for cannabis legalization in North Dakota? That is the same question that industry actors like Green Thumb Industries Inc. (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF) are probably asking themselves as they watch the events in North Dakota unfold in the run up to the elections.
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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.
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Two new studies funded by the federal government may help reduce some concerns about cannabis use during pregnancy. One study found no link between early cannabis use in pregnancy and the development of autism in children, while the other showed no connection to an increased risk of developmental delays in early childhood.
Both studies analyzed pregnancy outcomes where the mother either self-reported marijuana use or tested positive for THC during prenatal visits, typically around the second month of pregnancy.
The autism-related study included information from 146,296 individuals involved in 178,948 pregnancies from 2011 to 2019. The study on developmental delays included information from 106,240 adults and 119,976 pregnancies from early 2015 to late 2019. The kids underwent tests at different phases to check for developmental milestones and autism.
The autism study concluded that prenatal marijuana use was not linked to childhood autism after accounting for factors such as socioeconomic status, other substance use, and maternal health conditions. Likewise, the developmental delay study found no evidence that cannabis use in early pregnancy was associated with delays in motor skills, speech or language, or overall developmental impairment.
However, both studies caution that the results should not be interpreted as indicating that marijuana use during pregnancy is entirely safe, especially with heavy or frequent use. The autism study’s authors did note that, despite the lack of a general link to autism, there might be one with frequent cannabis use, underscoring the need for additional investigation in this field.
One notable finding in the developmental study was a slight reduction in speech and language delays when only urine test results were considered for cannabis use. This finding did not appear in the self-reported data on marijuana use.
The studies also align with recommendations from both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, which advise pregnant people to avoid marijuana use. The authors recommend that people who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should be informed of the potential risks marijuana poses to fetal and newborn health.
The research teams stated that their work represents one of the largest investigations into maternal cannabis use during pregnancy. While their results are consistent with most studies on childhood development following prenatal cannabis use, the researchers acknowledged that some earlier research had suggested a negative impact. They also pointed out that their findings differ from a 2023 study that reported a connection between cannabis use and autism in children.
These studies align with what many in the cannabis industry, such as Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NASDAQ: ACB) (TSX: ACB), have always wanted government-funded studies to reaffirm so that the claims by prohibitionists are proved wrong.
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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.
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This November, Marigold PR is bringing together professional women in cannabis with a trio of Radicle Femmes Holiday Networking events across three major Canadian cities. Whether you’re in Vancouver, Calgary, or Toronto, join Marigold PR for the perfect way to wrap up 2024.
These events are designed to celebrate the achievements of women working in the cannabis industry with an afternoon of meaningful conversation, community building, and inspiration.
Celebrating the achievements of women in cannabis is important for many reasons. Most importantly, it promotes diversity and inclusion in a historically male-dominated sector. Networking events like Radicle Femmes help pave the way for a more open and inclusive industry where women are empowered to take on leadership roles and bring their unique perspectives to business, advocacy and product development.
Showcasing these achievements also helps inspire the next generation, showing that success is possible. It also helps to challenge industry norms around gender bias and fosters a culture where women can excel.
Building strong networks of support, collaboration, and mentorship is essential to succeed in this evolving industry. Many women in weed have had to overcome significant barriers working in the industry, and celebrating these achievements acknowledges their resilience and builds momentum for continued progress where it’s most needed.
The Radicle Femmes Holiday Networking event features delicious food, refreshing non-alcoholic drinks, and plenty of opportunities to meet and mingle with some of the most dynamic women in the cannabis community. From seasoned industry veterans to emerging entrepreneurs, Radicle Femmes offers a unique space to foster relationships, share insights, and inspire collaboration. Plus, fabulous gift bags!
Whether you’re looking to expand your network, reconnect with familiar faces, or simply enjoy a relaxing event with like-minded women, Radicle Femmes is the ideal way to end the year.
Tickets are available here for all three locations:
Vancouver: Wednesday, November 13 @ the Water Street Cafe
Calgary: Thursday, November 14 @ The Wednesday Room
Toronto: Tuesday, November 19 @ KISSA
Partners include Spark Creative, Sense & Purpose, Frankie Smoke, Blunt Botanicals, OB Consulting, Social Smoke Co, Sister Merci, Jane West, Jane Dope, Stewart Farms, BZAM, Mindful Vitality Practice, StratCann, Cannabis MarketSpace, Grow Opportunity, ADCANN, Cannabis Retailer, Mixed Sweet Media, Candace Cosentino, Miranda Hudson, and Maggie Jane Marketing, with VIP partner Canadian Cannabis Exchange (CCX).
(CNW) Calgary – High Tide Inc., the high-impact, retail-forward enterprise built to deliver real-world value across every component of cannabis, announced today that its Canna Cabana retail cannabis store located at 97 Bath Road, Kingston, Ontario, will begin selling recreational cannabis products and consumption accessories for adult use as of 4:20 PM on October 31st, 2024. This opening will mark High Tide’s 186th Canna Cabana branded retail cannabis location in Canada, the 72nd in the province of Ontario and the first in Kingston.
Kingston is home to three major Canadian post-secondary institutions: Queen’s University, the Royal Military College of Canada and St. Lawrence College. Two hours from Toronto, Kingston is situated on the banks of Lake Ontario and is a city steeped in Canadian history. This Canna Cabana opens in a robust power centre, surrounded by anchor tenants such as a major pharmacy chain, a Canadian pet retailer, and a prominent Canadian home improvement and auto repair chain. A short drive from the Queen’s University campus, it is a destination shopping centre for students and residents, with a population density of over 50,000 within a three-kilometer radius.
“After 6 years of legalization, we are still expanding into markets where our Canna Cabana brand doesn’t yet have presence. This presents an excellent opportunity for the growth of our ELITE & Cabana Club community. Expanding into Kingston, a city with over 30,000 post-secondary students, fits this strategy well, as does the fact that this new store is located within a major power centre next to well-established Canadian retail giants,” said Raj Grover, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of High Tide.
“Our focus on quality organic growth remains a key part of our sustainable business strategy to ensure we are creating lasting value for shareholders. I look forward to announcing the launch of several more Cabanas to close out this calendar year,” added Mr. Grover
(CNW) London – Curaleaf International, a global leader in medical cannabis, is urging the UK government to take immediate action against the rapidly growing online illicit cannabis market, which is allowing street cannabis to be sold from unregulated and unpoliced websites and platforms.
Curaleaf’s latest report reveals that illegal online cannabis sales via the open and dark web have risen by 50% in the past two years, and increased by 67% across open web retailers.
This is largely being driven by consumers buying illegal cannabis to seek relief from health conditions like chronic pain, insomnia, and anxiety (73% of online purchasers) – many of whom could be eligible for legally prescribed medical cannabis.
Curaleaf’s report, developed in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University, also found that illegal cannabis is often contaminated with dangerous substances such as mould, lead, and synthetic cannabinoids, posing severe health risks to the 1.8 million people in the UK who use the product to self-treat medical conditions. This unregulated market not only endangers public health but also undermines the legal, medical cannabis industry, which adheres to strict quality and safety standards.
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Despite dangers including respiratory issues, neurological damage, and increased risk of infection, one in five (17%) cannabis consumers mistakenly believe illegal cannabis is safer than regulated medical cannabis or don’t know the difference, highlighting an urgent need for public education to tackle the illicit market and safeguard consumers.
Curaleaf International advocates for a holistic reform strategy that encompasses:
Tightened Regulation of Illegal Channels: Strengthening enforcement against unlicensed online sales and dark web activity to protect consumers from unregulated and potentially dangerous products.
Public Awareness Initiatives: Launching comprehensive campaigns to educate the public on the risks associated with unregulated cannabis products and the advantages of the existing legal medical cannabis market. These campaigns will ensure patients make informed choices based on reliable information about regulated medical cannabis, which meets stringent safety and quality standards, unlike illicit products.
Policy Changes to Improve Patient Access to Medicine: Simple regulatory and policy changes could significantly improve patient access to medical cannabis. For instance, enabling electronic prescribing of cannabis medicines would reduce the bureaucracy imposed on doctors and improve the efficiency of medicine dispensing.
Expanded Research into Medical Cannabis: Promoting further clinical research to unlock the full therapeutic potential of cannabis. As a leader in the industry, Curaleaf International is already pioneering studies to advance the understanding of how medical cannabis affects patients with a range of diagnosed medical conditions, where other treatments have not provided relief.
Juan Martinez, Head of Curaleaf International, stated: “While the online market for illicit cannabis is growing year on year and remains completely unregulated, the UK already has a legal medical cannabis market in place, which adheres to rigorous safety and quality standards. Our research has found alarmingly high levels of contamination in illegal cannabis, putting consumers’ health at serious risk. If the UK government is truly committed to safeguarding public health and supporting legitimate businesses, it must do more to improve patient access to regulated medical cannabis and enforce stricter regulations on illegal sales. This includes educating the public on the benefits of regulated cannabis products and enhanced policing of internet search engines and service providers. By curbing the illicit market and expanding access to legal, regulated options, we can better protect vulnerable individuals and dismantle illegal operations.”
Boris Jordan, Chairman and CEO at Curaleaf Inc, added: “The findings in this new report echo our concerns across the globe, and highlight serious risks to patients in the UK. Similar testing done previously in the US found contaminated products in illegal dispensaries, and this is an issue that weighs on all of us in the industry. Without controlled and legal access to tested, regulated cannabis, patients and consumers are left vulnerable to extreme health risks. Lawmakers around the world must act now to enforce laws against the illicit market and widen access to legal, regulated cannabis products.”
The world of botanical extraction is exploding, but the industry is reaching a curious tipping point. Traditional medicine practitioners have been extracting therapeutic ingredients from various plants for centuries, but this extraction usually occurs in simplified ways. In contrast, the extraction industry presents themselves as better providers of these healing constituents, but this claim rests on the assumption that the extraction industry is more efficient.
Efficiency can be measured in several ways, but any extraction method must rely on data to prove its effectiveness. The more data that is collected, the more definitively the advantages and disadvantages to each extraction method appear. Time is of the essence. If extraction companies plan to cement their status as the best providers of extracted products, they need to prove these claims. One study found a way to do exactly that.
Researchers evaluated which technique was better between Soxhlet extraction to hydrodistillation by taking tamarind from the same harvest, and splitting it equally between the two extraction methods. [1] They compared aspects like extraction time, solvents used, yields produced, and quantified the constituents to reach their conclusion. By using the same harvest, they are able to eliminate any variables that could arise from if one process had better or worse organic material. Additionally, the researchers conducting this experiment chose tamarind because of its therapeutic benefits, and because it can be used as a food source. [2][3]
Soxhlet Extraction Results
To conduct Soxhlet extraction, the scientists started with 100 grams of pulverized tamarind seeds and placed them in a thimble holder within the Soxhlet apparatus. [4] They used petroleum ether as a , which was then added to a round bottom flask and heated to temperatures between 30-60°C. Petroleum ether works as a useful solvent because it is both cheap and has a low boiling point, lowering the heat degradation of the botanicals.
The solvent is heated to the point where it evaporates, and the vapors rise through the pulverized tamarind where it absorbs the primary compounds within. As the infused vapors rise, they are transported to a separate chamber within the apparatus where they are cooled. This cooling allows the botanical constituents to separate from the petroleum ether.
From here, the valuable ingredients are collected together, and the solvent is returned to the flask to be reused until the extraction process is complete. This is one cycle within a complete Soxhlet extraction, and, depending on the organic material, a minimum number of cycles must be performed to ensure the plant material is fully utilized. For tamarind, 16 extraction cycles take approximately six to eight hours and are completed when the plant material is clear of any color. [5]
This is obvious with tamarind, as the plant usually has a strong yellow color, which is all transferred to a viscous, yellow-gold remaining oil. To complete the process, the extracted oil is washed in a water bath to remove any lingering solvent. The resulting experiment’s Soxhlet extraction produced 2.5 grams of tamarind oil, giving a yield of 2.5% from the initial 100 grams. This is the biggest advantage Soxhlet extraction provides: this extraction method produces more than 40% more oil than hydrodistillation.
When evaluating the oil itself, this method’s tamarind oil contained 41 distinct chemical compounds, of which only six overlapped with the hydrodistillation method. This means that going beyond the advantage of an increased yield, Soxhlet extraction may also be useful for extracting the other 35 compounds not present with hydrodistillation. There are other advantages to Soxhlet extraction, but it is important to evaluate the hydrodistillation results first to give a sense of perspective between the two techniques.=
Hydrodistillation Results
Researchers used a Clevenger apparatus (HDC) to perform Hydrodistillation and compare the two extraction systems. [6] The use of a Clevenger apparatus allowed the researchers to create a closed system for their extraction, which allowed for an uninterrupted process and the reuse of solvents. This means that, like the Soxhlet extraction, HDC can better utilize its supplies to improve the extraction’s overall efficiency. To perform hydrodistillation, the same pulverized tamarind seeds are placed in a distiller with 800 milliliters of distilled water.
This solution is then heated to 40°C. This lower temperature allows the to happen slowly, and it plays a critical role in the finished product. The rest of the process is similar to Soxhlet extraction. The heated solution is vaporized before moving to a condenser. There, the plant material is separated from the solvent, which can be collected and reused thanks to the recollection via the Clevenger apparatus.
This means the distilled water can be used continuously throughout the extraction, but should not be reused between distillations. Once the extraction is complete, the resulting essential oil is dehydrated with anhydrous sodium sulfate, removing any excess solvent. The entire process takes approximately 3 hours, and resulted in a sample of similar tamarind oil weighing 1.7 grams.
The results present two immediate differences to the oil produced with the Soxhlet extraction. First, it takes approximately half the time to extract the oil, but the yield is also significantly lower. Both of these data points are irrefutable, but they do not provide a complete assessment of the two oils themselves.
In order to fully determine which extraction method is superior, it is necessary to evaluate the quality of the constituents, not just the quantities produced. Thus far, Soxhlet extraction has had an edge when evaluating the numbers of extracted compounds, but hydrodistillation has some key advantages of its own.
Analyzing Which Method is Better
On the surface, the advantages of each system are clear. Soxhlet extraction provides a higher yield, but it takes longer to complete the extraction. When evaluating the extraction times, Soxhlet extraction requires 6 hours to complete the 16 cycles, whereas HDC can be done in approximately 3 hours. This can serve as an advantage and a disadvantage depending on how the extraction company views these factors.
In the same six-hour window, HDC could be performed twice, thus overcoming the problem of producing lower yields from a single extraction. In fact, the same amount of time would produce 40% more oil than Soxhlet extraction if given the same amount of time. However, the downside to this strategy is that running twice the extractions means additional resources will be required, and could increase operating costs overall.
What really sets hydrodistillation apart is the lower temperatures it takes to perform the extraction. This one key variable produces compounds that the researchers determined to be of higher quality than those obtained with Soxhlet extraction. The reason for this is that the organic material’s exposure to lower temperatures helps to protect the compounds from heat degradation, and HDC does so in three distinct ways. First, and most obvious, is that HDC heats the solvent to 40°C instead of the 60°C, so it exposes the pulverized tamarind seeds to lower temperatures. The second comes from the mixture with distilled water.
By mixing the plant material in the water, the botanical material has an additional layer of protective insulation from the heat. Soxhlet extraction exposes the plant material directly to the heated vapors, which can break down the material over time. Finally, since the extraction process can be completed in three hours instead of six, the time exposed to the heat is inherently less.
These three factors lead to the compounds within the essential oil not only being protected, but also being oxidized better than with Soxhlet extraction. Oxidation allows for new functional modifications to be made to the compounds, improving their usage within the body. Specifically, the researchers found a higher concentration of oxygenated monoterpenes, which are not only more fragrant but also have been tied to antibiotic, antifungal, anti inflammatory, and cardiovascular benefits. [8]
This is just one of the 34 distinct compounds found in HDC oil, most of which were deemed of similar caliber. These monoterpenes are one example of many that indicate HDC is better for producing high quality oils in less time. These oils will be more valuable for anyone aiming to utilize the aroma, flavor, or therapeutic benefits tamarind provides.
The authors of this study concluded that the higher quality compounds would be more desired by the market, making HDC a better method than Soxhlet extraction. It is also worth noting that this may not be true for all extraction companies. Just because HDC contains better ingredients doesn’t negate any of the advantages of Soxhlet extraction. Certain producers may choose this extraction based on operating costs, materials available, or to obtain one of the other 35 components that weren’t present in HDC.
The differences between these systems are minor, but the small variables between them ultimately produce dramatically different products. Depending on the desired use of the oil, producers may decide one method over another, but without these valuable data points, they wouldn’t be able to fully assess the advantages of each.
Pros of Soxhlet extraction
High extraction efficiency
Wide range of extracted compounds
Wide range of solvent can be used in an efficient way
Good for thermally stable compounds
Cons of Soxhlet extraction
Involves potentially harmful organic solvents
Time consuming process
Specialized glassware
Not suitable for thermally labile compounds
Not suitable for volatile compounds
Pros of Hydrodistillation
Simple and inexpensive set up
Environmentally friendly
Suitable for volatile compounds
Selective extraction of water soluble and steam volatile compounds
Widely used
Cons of Hydrodistillation
Long extraction time
Only Suitable for volatile compounds
Lower extraction efficiency compared to Soxhlet extraction
High temperatures required
References:
Fagbemi KO, Aina DA, Olajuyigbe OO. Soxhlet Extraction versus Hydrodistillation Using the Clevenger Apparatus: A Comparative Study on the Extraction of a Volatile Compound from Tamarindus indica Seeds. ScientificWorldJournal. 2021 Dec 2;2021:5961586. doi: 10.1155/2021/5961586. PMID: 34899085; PMCID: PMC8660188.
Arshad, Muhammad Sajid, et al. “RETRACTED: Tamarind: A diet‐based strategy against lifestyle maladies.” Food science & nutrition 7.11 (2019): 3378-3390.
Van der Stege, Christine, et al. “Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) in the traditional West African diet: not just a famine food.” Fruits 66.3 (2011): 171-185.
De Castro, MD Luque, and Feliciano Priego-Capote. “Soxhlet extraction: Past and present panacea.” Journal of chromatography A 1217.16 (2010): 2383-2389.
Roopa, Gullipalli Santhosh, and V. Kasiviswanatham. “Extraction of tartaric acid from tamarind pulp and analysis of the acid composition in leaves.” Int J Stud Res Technol Manag 1.5 (2013): 478-488.
Elyemni, Majda, et al. “Extraction of essential oils of Rosmarinus officinalis L. by two different methods: Hydrodistillation and microwave assisted hydrodistillation.” The Scientific World Journal 2019.1 (2019): 3659432.
Baj, Tomasz, et al. “Effectiveness of the deryng and clevenger-type apparatus in isolation of various types of components of essential oil from the Mutelina purpurea Thell. flowers.” Acta Pol. Pharm 72 (2015): 507-515.
Dias, N., et al. “Oxygenated monoterpenes-rich volatile oils as potential antifungal agents for dermatophytes.” Natural product research 31.4 (2017): 460-464.
A new poll has discovered that roughly 21% of individuals over the age of 50 have used a form of marijuana with THC at least once in the last 12 months. Another 12% admitted to using marijuana on a monthly basis.
The poll, conducted by the University of Michigan, also found that 81% of older adults used marijuana to feel good or relax while 68% did so to improve their sleep. 63% also admitted to using the drug to alleviate pain while 53% did so to manage mental health conditions.
The medical director of Caron’s Older Adult Program, Dr. Barbara Krantz, revealed that her practice had observed a considerable increase in the use of marijuana by individuals aged 50 and above. She explained that most of the older adults grew up in the 60s or 70s, which meant that most may have had earlier life experiences with cannabis and were more open to using the drug.
She added that while they were probably familiar with the effects of the drug, a false sense of comfort was dangerous. This is especially since the cannabis sold to consumers now is stronger, which may make it harder for an individual’s body to process.
Krantz highlighted several potential dangers linked to marijuana use for older individuals, including:
Delayed reaction times that may impair driving, leading to accidents
Issues with balance that may cause breaks and falls
Increased risk of cardiovascular events
Interaction with other drugs, which may reduce effectiveness or heighten toxicity
Accidental poisoning
Psychosis
Increased depression, anxiety, or anger
Increased cognitive impairment
Worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
A licensed social worker, Shari B. Kaplan, stated that marijuana’s interactions with other medications can be particularly fatal. Kaplan, who’s also a plant medicine formulator, explained that drugs for blood pressure or blood thinners needed to be managed carefully for those who’d like to use marijuana.
She noted that patients may benefit from working with a medical marijuana physician, adding that it was important to discuss marijuana use with one’s health care provider before using any products.
The report also touched on things older individuals needed to be aware of prior to consuming marijuana. Botanical Sciences founder, Dr. Robin Fowler, recommended that seniors start using marijuana at low doses, especially if they were new to the drug.
Fowler added that it was also important that individuals source their marijuana products from licensed dispensaries to ensure product safety and quality.
In jurisdictions where companies like Curaleaf Holdings Inc. (CSE: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) are licensed to operate, seniors can conveniently access medical marijuana products. Studies need to be done focusing on states that prohibit marijuana so that data can be collected on how those in need of these products get them, and how much reliable information they access on the suitable ways of managing their symptoms.
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.
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Cannabis company Weed Me has recalled one lot of its Ripped Zone In/Zone Out dried cannabis pre rolls sold in Alberta from October 2 to October 11, 2024.
The recall notice, shared by Health Canada on October 23, says Weed Me has not received any complaints about the product, but initiated the recall because the cannabis had not been properly tested.
Weed Me says dried cannabis that was used in the pre-rolls came from a supplier with the incorrect certificate of analysis. As such, the cannabis was not tested for microbial contaminants as specified by the Good Production Practices requirements of the Cannabis Regulations.
The Ripped Zone In/Zone Out pre-rolls, Lot G271ZIZO-PR05, were sold in Alberta from October 2 to October 11, 2024. The SKU contains 28 half-gram pre-rolls packaged on 2024-09-27. There were 186 units of the recalled product sold.
Health Canada advises consumers to contact the retail store where the product was purchased to find out how to return any affected product.
A new study conducted in New Brunswick reveals high levels of chemical contaminants in illicit cannabis vape cartridges, including high levels of pesticide contamination.
The study, released by RPC Labs, an analytical testing lab, looked at chemical analysis of cannabis vape carts, extracts like hash and shatter, dried cannabis flower, and edibles. RPC is New Brunswick’s provincial research organization.
Results also showed THC levels in illicit products much lower than the labelled amount, with edibles and vapes being from 16% to 86% less THC than the packaging claimed.
They tested 31 illicit cannabis samples (18 vape cartridges, three packages of shatter, one of hash, and one infused pre-roll, plus three flower samples, and four edible samples). RPC also tested 10 legal cannabis vape cartridges, which were analyzed for total THC and chemical contaminants (pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents).
The samples of unregulated products were from materials seized by law enforcement in New Brunswick in early 2024, and then provided to RPC. The 10 legal vapes were sourced from CannabisNB and represented 10 different products from different producers.
Andrien Rackov, the lead author of the study and the director of research and controlled substances at RPC (Research & Productivity Council), says one of the goals with this kind of research is to provide a clearer picture of what is in products in the illicit market across Canada.
“You really don’t know what you’re getting and these products are not being screened for contaminants.”
Andrien Rackov, Research & Productivity Council
This is the second time RPC has conducted this kind of sampling on products seized from the illicit market, the first in 2021 that primarily looked at flower and edibles. He says this time they wanted to look at concentrates, especially vape pens in the illicit market.
“This is the importance of continued studies,” Rackov tells StratCann. “The more studies done over time, you can take all of that data together. It starts to paint a pretty clear picture, and we see this as adding to that picture.”
“The intent here is very much for people to have a better understanding of the reality of the illicit cannabis market,” he adds. “You really don’t know what you’re getting and these products are not being screened for contaminants.”
While there have been isolated instances of contaminants found in products from the legal market, Rackov also points out that these are more likely to be discovered through active product testing in the legal supply chains, and can come with corrective actions like product recalls and public notices. With illegal products, consumers have no way to hold producers accountable.
“If there are any issues that pop up with legal cannabis, we actually have mechanisms for doing recalls, investigations, whether it’s cannabis or the salad you buy at the grocery store, you can actually try to do something about it as opposed to illicit products where you’re not going to know what you’re getting.”
Although the sampling RPC has done has been on products seized from the unlicensed market in New Brunswick, he also argues that similar testing in other provinces helps show these results are not isolated incidents, but rather reflect the current state of Canada’s illegal cannabis market.
Some of the pesticides present in cannabis vape carts from the unregulated cannabis market in New Brunswick. Chart via RPC.
Alarming levels of chemical contaminants
The results show not only “alarming” levels of chemical contaminants in illicit cannabis vape cartridges and extracts, including a 93% positivity rate for pesticide contamination, but also revealed that the illicit vapes and edibles were often well below their stated THC label claims.
While all legal vape samples had THC label claims that were compliant with Health Canada regulations that allow for a 15% discrepancy in label claims, 10 of the 11 illicit cannabis vapes that had THC label claims were 16% to 24% lower than the THC listed on the label or package.
In addition, all four edible products from the illicit market included in the test were from 42% to 86% below the label claim for THC levels. One gummy that was advertised as having 50 mg THC actually contained only 6.81% THC. A cannabis chocolate from the illicit market that was claimed to have had 600 mg THC per piece was actually 272 mg THC per piece.
None of the legal vape samples had pesticides detected at the Health Canada limits, but 25 of 27 of the illicit cannabis extracts and cannabis flower (which includes vapes) products tested had pesticides detected above Health Canada limits, in some cases three orders of magnitude above the limit.
Samples collected from the illicit market included 18 vape cartridges, three samples of shatter, one of hash and two infused pre-rolls. The dried flower samples were one pre-roll and two dried flower, while the edibles were from two chocolates and two gummies.
Graph via RPC
The gap between label claims and testing results
Of the 10 legal vape carts tested, label claims for THC were all less than 5% difference, while one cart was found to have 109.4% more CBD than advertised (1.6 mg/g label claim vs 3.35 mg/g actual).
Mylcobutinil, commonly used as a fungicide to deal with things such as powdery mildew, was found in 22 of the 27 samples from the illicit market. RPC found 31 different pest control products above Health Canada’s allowable limits. One sample showed myclobutanil present at 63 mg/kg – more than 3,000 times above the Health Canada limit of 0.02 mg/kg for this pest control product.
Boscalid, another fungicide often used for bud rot, was found in 17 samples. Acequinocyl, an insecticide, was found in 16 of the illicit market samples. Sixteen samples had five or more pesticides detected above Health Canada’s allowable limits, with one vape cart having 22 pesticides above Health Canada limits. Only two samples from the illicit market, both shatter, had no detectable amounts of pesticides.
Seized cannabis products displayed by law enforcement in New Brunswick earlier this year
Heavy metals and elemental impurities
In addition to pesticides and cannabinoid levels, RPC also tested samples (except the edibles) for elemental impurities, including arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury.
All 10 legal cannabis vape carts showed these heavy metals at acceptable levels except for one with lead detected at 1.49 µg/g. The research report notes that this lead may have leached into the cannabis vape distillate from the heating element in the vape cartridge or other packaging components.
All vape products were tested as they were in the packaging, rather than following the heating and cooling cycle of consumer use.
Of the 27 illicit samples tested for heavy metals, seven had values above the allowable reporting limits. Only one of the illicit vape carts had heavy metals over allowable limits (0.17 µg/g), but the hash, both infused pre-rolls, both dried flower samples, and one pre-roll all had levels of at least one heavy metal well over the allowable detectable limit.
The hash was found to have higher levels of arsenic, cadmium, and lead, while the infused pre-rolls were found to have cadmium, lead, and mercury.
A need for continued research
Stability studies, extractable/leachable studies and screening of components used for making vape cartridges would be useful for understanding more about the source of metal contamination.
Funding for this study was obtained from the Cannabis Education and Awareness Fund (Government of New Brunswick). The New Brunswick Department of Justice and Public Safety legally provided the Illicit samples to RPC Labs.
Similar research results have come from other organizations working with provincial governments in recent years, showing high levels of pesticides and inaccurate labelling of products from the unregulated and illicit market.
A 2021 report from the New Brunswick Research and Productivity Council found THC levels in the black market were much lower than advertised and also found high levels of moulds, heavy metals and pesticides.
A 2022 study from the National Research Council on behalf of the OCS and Ontario Provincial Police showed that 86% (19 out of 22) of the illegal cannabis edibles tested contained multiple pesticides, in many cases at levels several hundred times above Health Canada’s limits. THC levels in those edibles were also often much lower than advertised.
British Columbia has released similar testing results looking at illicit products, as well.
Last week’s Benzinga cannabis conference, held in downtown Chicago, offered a glimpse into an industry that is anxiously awaiting full legal recognition.
The event seemed, at first appearance, to be very similar to most business conferences. There were notably fewer women in the gathering than men, who made up the majority of those in suits. While many participants left with complimentary T-shirts or tote bags, there was no overt smell of cannabis in the venue. However, it was more difficult to locate actual cannabis on-site.
Most of the people present had experience in traditional corporate settings before transitioning into the marijuana space. Many had backgrounds in industries like alcohol, law, or medicine. Surprisingly, several marijuana company CEOs admitted they had never personally tried marijuana until they began working in the industry.
The conference covered a variety of topics, from taxation to lobbying efforts. However, speakers occasionally touched on the reality that thousands of individuals have been imprisoned for participating in the illegal cannabis trade. These individuals, who are often left out of the conversation, would likely never get to attend such events.
In addition to broader legal challenges, the inconsistency of cannabis regulations across different states also poses significant hurdles for the sector.
For instance, designer Dang Nguyen of The Packaging Company shared that he often has to create multiple versions of the same packaging to meet diverse state cannabis requirements. Some states mandate that warning labels cover a significant portion of the package design, while others prohibit the use of bright or attractive colors on packaging.
The complex regulatory environment has even given rise to new industry sectors. Certainty Labs’ creator, Brandy Young, launched her company when recreational marijuana became legal in New York. Her lab specializes in third-party testing, which is required by law to guarantee that marijuana products have proper potency labels and do not contain harmful levels of contaminants like heavy metals or pesticides.
However, Young pointed out that labs face criticism from both within the industry and from consumers. “Regulators place us in a role where we’re seen as policing the industry, but that’s not our purpose,” she explained. On top of that, labs can lose credibility with consumers due to incidents like a recent exposé by the Los Angeles Times, which revealed that some marijuana products contained harmful chemicals that did not show up in lab tests.
For many marijuana businesses struggling to stay afloat, the hope is that federal legalization could bring financial security and stability. However, according to some experts, this could come with its own set of problems, such as higher taxes. Nonetheless, the entire industry, including firms like Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (CSE: TRUL) (OTCQX: TCNNF), would appreciate a uniform regulatory structure across the country.
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