by Grow Up Conference | Aug 12, 2024 | Grow Opportunity, Media Partners
It started innocently enough. Folks I’d gifted my homegrown to were telling me it was too strong. Others said they wanted to function rather than space out while preparing dinner or minding the kids. Could this be a thing, I wondered?
Then a post about Dad Grass appeared in my LinkedIn feed. Curious, I reached out to its author, Ben Starmer, co-founder and CEO. From there I plunged into the rabbit hole of low-dose THC consumer products. Ben and business partner, Josh Katz wanted weaker weed and surmised that other consumers did too. But the market was focused on potency. Enter Dad Grass, a brand of natural hemp-derived products. I asked him if he had done any market research. “Not really,” he said. “I had a gut instinct. I felt in my bones that low potency is the future.” Starmer explained that his products are all based on organic hemp flower, including a range of dried flower, pre-rolls, gummies, beverages, tinctures and dog treats. It turns out that he was on to something as the market for low-potency cannabis has recently exploded.
Dad Grass tests below the 0.3% THC threshold identified in the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill, which legalized hemp use across the U.S. The threshold was intended to differentiate industrial hemp from ‘marijuana,’ but legislators didn’t foresee consumer demand would grow beyond natural hemp products. Enter a new class (and departure from Dad Grass) of crafted cannabinoids where the CBD contained in hemp flower has been changed through chemical processes to form psychoactive compounds such as delta-8 (D8).
Unlike traditional cannabis, hemp-derived cannabis can be distributed across state lines. Depending on state legislation hemp products may be sold online, through delivery services, inside liquor stores and in supermarkets. Hemp beverages are a small but fast-growing segment of the U.S. cannabis beverage market. Overall, sales of hemp-derived THC beverages grew 143% in 2023 according to the Brightfield Group. By next year the category is forecast to overtake CBD beverages.
Hemp drinks are sometimes likened to craft beer as a sessionable, low-dose alternative to high-THC and hard beverages. On its website the Hemp Beverage Alliance likens the retail model for hemp to the sale of beer and wine which are found everywhere, while spirits (and high THC products) are legally purchased at state-licensed outlets. That’s how the Alliance sees hemp and cannabis co-existing.
Some in the traditional cannabis industry see things differently. According to economist Ruth Fisher, state-regulated marijuana businesses are far from happy. “The 2018 Farm Bill opened a can of worms,” states Fisher as its definition of hemp is open to varied interpretations. The 0.3% THC content threshold distinguishing federally legal hemp from marijuana scheduled under the Controlled Substances Act doesn’t adequately differentiate the two plants because it doesn’t address how chemistry changes potency. This has allowed a “haze of legality [by permitting hemp-based beverages] to backwash into the legal industry,” Fisher says. While makers of higher-potency, cannabis drinks are hemmed in by state borders and have strict regulations on packaging and marketing, low-THC and conversion CBD beverages derived from hemp can take advantage of less onerous promotional rules, and broader packaging, distribution and sales networks.
Despite rapid growth and evident loopholes, all segments of the cannabis beverage business must contend with a patchwork of state regulations. In New York, hemp-derived THC products are limited to one mg of THC per serving and 10 mg per package. Florida recently legislated both D8 and THC beverages, banning D8 and confining THC beverages to five mg per serving and 50 mg per container. In California, all THC beverages must be sold in authorized dispensaries.
Can this situation continue? At the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Supply Chain Conference in May, Terrance Boos, chief of the agency’s Drug and Chemical Evaluation Section, intimated that new rules will soon be proposed to clarify that psychoactive, hemp-derived cannabinoids be treated as controlled substances.
Now that the tech is widely available and these products have been scaled, Fisher wonders whether regulators can extinguish demand. Others, such as policy activist Steph Bowen, think that Pharma and Big Alcohol are poised to pounce once cannabis is de-scheduled.
However the agendas of business, politics and regulators play out, a significant, albeit challenging new market – one that looks quite different from the traditional cannabis industry – has emerged.
Denis Gertler is a regulatory consultant, board member and former government regulator.
by Grow Up Conference | Aug 12, 2024 | Grow Opportunity, Media Partners
Health Canada has announced a recall of several cannabis oils and softgels because they may contain unexpected amounts of THC and HHC.
The agency says both ingredients are intoxicants and could pose a danger to consumers.
The affected products include specific dosages of Emprise CBN+CBD Softgels, NuLeaf Naturals Full Spectrum Hemp Multicannabinoid Oil and Oil Softgels, and Ultra Plus Multicannabinoid Oil and Softgels.
They were sold to consumers by authorized retailers in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Yukon between December 2022 and July 2024.
The products were also sold to medical clients through Rosebud Productions Inc., Open Fields Winnipeg, Open Fields Saskatchewan and Médicibis in Quebec.
Both Health Canada and the recalling company, iNaturally Organic Inc., have received reports of adverse reactions.
Health Canada says consumers should immediately stop taking the affected cannabis oils and softgels and either throw them out or return them to where they bought them.
To see the specific dosages and lot numbers affected, visit https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 9, 2024.
Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.
by Grow Up Conference | Aug 12, 2024 | Cannabis News Wire, Media Partners
- The company provided updates for its study programs for 2024, with a focus on its glucagon-like peptide-1 (“GLP-1”) agonist research program, targeting a significant step up in addressing worldwide diabetes and obesity, a tremendous market
- Lexaria has its Human Pilot Study #3 lined up, as well as its chronic dosing human study, both studies will begin dosing later this year
Lexaria Bioscience (NASDAQ: LEXX), a global innovator in drug delivery platforms, just released its fiscal report for the third quarter of the 2024 financial year (“Q3, 2024”). Of note was growth in cash and marketable securities from $1.5 million during the same period in the 2023 financial year to $8.5 million as of May 31, 2024. The company reduced certain R&D expenditures and experienced other savings (https://cnw.fm/OxPux).
Most importantly, however, were the program updates for initiatives it embarked on for 2024. A highlight of its projects has been its glucagon-like peptide-1 (“GLP-1”) agonist research program. GLP-1, a class of drugs, has demonstrated an ability to significantly address diabetes and obesity. What Lexaria’s unique drug delivery platform offers is the added ability to greatly improve the otherwise poor oral bioavailability of GLP-1 drugs, making it possible for simple oral application versus traditional injection, an opportunity of huge implication in the marketplace.
Human pilot study #1, utilizing Novo Nordisk’s(R) semaglutide (Ozempic(R), Rybelsus(R)) was reported on in January 2024, and human pilot study #2, using the same drug, is expected to be reported on in August and September, 2024.
Lexaria has made notable progress, having commenced another research program, the completion of which is set for August. This program will be executed by the National Research Council of Canada (“NRC”). It will seek to evaluate the molecular properties of DehydraTECH-processed pure semaglutide using simulated gastric fluid, which mimics conditions in the human gut.
Lexaria also looks to follow through with its chronic (12-week) dosing human study set to be carried out in Australia. This study, which will involve 70-90 human study subjects with pre-diabetic and Type 2 diabetic conditions, will be run in Australia, and preparations have already begun. It will leverage the use of Rybelsus as a positive control, and then in four additional separate arms, DehydraTECH-processed 1) semaglutide, 2)CBD, 3) tirzepatide, and 4) combo CBD plus semaglutide This larger study will be registered as a Phase 1 level study and carried out into 2025.
Human Pilot Study #3 is also in the pipeline, a study that will enroll up to eight healthy human volunteers, intending to evaluate DehydraTECH’s effectiveness in combination with a dual action GLP-1 agonist and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (“GIP”) drug, Eli Lilly’s(R) well-known tirzepatide. The study will aim for several endpoints, including blood sugar, pharmacokinetics, and tolerability. Already, the company has brought a contract research organization (“CRO”) to run the study and is expecting to begin dosing in September.
Lexaria is bullish about its GLP-1 studies, since revenues for this product class exceeded $31 billion, with the market projected to grow significantly in the coming years. The company continues to make progress toward this extremely high-value target.
For more information, visit the company’s website at www.LexariaBioscience.com.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to LEXX are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/LEXX
About CannabisNewsWire
CannabisNewsWire (“CNW”) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on cannabis news and the cannabis sector. It is one of 60+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers: (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions. With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge.
To receive SMS alerts from CNW, text CANNABIS to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)
For more information, please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com/Disclaimer
CannabisNewsWire
Denver, CO
www.CannabisNewsWire.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com
CannabisNewsWire is powered by IBN
by Grow Up Conference | Aug 12, 2024 | Grow Up News
by Grow Up Conference | Aug 12, 2024 | Extraction Magazine, Media Partners
According to an old Japanese legend, there was once a group of Buddhist nuns who went out into the forest searching for food. Monastic living is often simple, but these nuns had fallen on particularly hard times. They needed to find something to eat in that forest, or they may not survive. While on this foraging mission, they came across a small batch of mushrooms nestled amongst the undergrowth. Delicious to the taste, and extremely rare, these mushrooms made the nuns so happy they are said to have danced with joy upon their discovery. From that point on, these mushrooms were called “Maitake” which translates to “The Dancing Mushroom” in Japanese. [1]
Over the last several millennia, these mushrooms remained popular in China and Northern Japan for both culinary and medicinal reasons. These two motivating factors kept demand high, but these mushrooms remained hard to find in the wild. All of this changed in the 1990s, when new agricultural techniques allowed Japanese fungi culturists to start cultivating maitake mushrooms indoors. [2] These developments led to industrial scale production that has dramatically changed the maitake market.
Beyond the ability to consistently match demands with a consistent supply, farms can also minimize variables between harvests to ensure consistency of product. As a result the emphasis shifted to quality of products, resulting in a need for better extraction techniques. Experimentation with new solvents and strategies led to improved yields, and it only takes a few simple alterations. It has taken centuries to get to this point, which may provide a new reason to dance.
What Benefits do Maitake Mushrooms Provide?
Maitake mushrooms may have started out as “The Dancing Mushroom” but they soon earned a second nickname: The King of Mushrooms. This “King” status could be a reference to their centuries of popularity, or to the numerous benefits that they provide to humans. Another possible explanation could be their size. In the wild, maitake mushroom clusters can grow to weigh up to 100 lbs. This explains the nuns’ excitement, as early consumers would certainly appreciate the amount of edible material these mushrooms provided. Without realizing it, they were also introducing a food source that is saturated with vitamins and nutrients that play a vital role in dietary health. [3]
Maitake mushrooms provided a good source of:
- Proteins,
- vitamins B and D,
- Copper,
- Zinc
- Phosphorus.
Having all these ingredients in one food may not matter today, considering the large selection at most supermarkets. But this was not the case in the predominantly agrarian societies of ancient China and Japan, where food was limited to the crops you grew and the animals you raised. Maitake mushrooms provided a valuable staple to these young societies, and users soon began to report medicinal benefits as well.
The first recorded use in traditional Asian medicine for these mushrooms was to treat indigestion. [4] Later, other practitioners found this fungi to be helpful with calming nerves. [5] These mushrooms are non-psychoactive, and thanks to modern analytic technology, individual ingredients are being identified and isolated to provide relief for people in need. While those dietary nutrients are valuable, maitake mushrooms have two key ingredients. The first is a high proportion of antioxidants. [6]
Antioxidants prevent the oxidation effect of free radicals, which benefits numerous systems throughout the body. [7] Specifically, the lowering of free radicals has been associated with improvements in regulating blood sugar, preventing heart disease, and boosting long term immunity. [8][9][10] When considering an even lengthier timeline, antioxidants even have a positive correlation with combating cancer. [11]
Antioxidants are certainly valuable for their health benefits, but they can be found in a variety of food sources. Maitake mushrooms are particularly known for another compound that is common across multiple other food sources, but one that this mushroom produces in a special way. What really makes maitake mushrooms so special is their richness in polysaccharides.
What are Polysaccharides, and Why do they Matter?
Sugar comes in many forms. The simplest are called monosaccharides, and they are made up of single sugar molecules. The other simple sugars are called disaccharides, and as the name suggests they are made up of two sugar molecules. These sugars are easy to digest, and make up common ingredients like lactose in milk, fructose in fruit, or the basic sugar glucose. Identified by their sweet taste, these sugars tend to be metabolized quickly, which leads to both a sudden energy burst followed by a crash. This is because these sugar molecules can’t be broken down into smaller units, limiting the energy they provide.
Polysaccharides, on the other hand, are more complex sugars that are made up of numerous smaller units of monosaccharides and disaccharides. [12] Unlike their sweeter constituents, polysaccharides are carbohydrates that are found in grains, starches, and certain vegetables like corn. Their molecular complexity is what gives polysaccharides from maitake mushrooms their nutritional value. Polysaccharides take longer to digest, which gives the body more time to absorb any additional resources within the botanical material. [13]
This extended digestion period may help to explain how maitake mushrooms relieve indigestion, but it also can play a role in treating type II diabetes by helping to regulate blood sugar. [14] Since polysaccharides take longer to break down, they don’t result in blood sugar spikes like simple sugars, helping to create a baseline throughout the day. In addition to diabetes, this may become a fact in treating other metabolic disorders, and could even help to prevent obesity. [15]
This is because carbohydrates from maitake mushrooms have fewer calories than other carbohydrates when comparing equivalent weights. Maitake has half the calories of potatoes, one quarter of the calories of pasta, and 10% of the calories in bread. To help this process even further, polysaccharides are also easier to digest than other carbohydrates thanks to the Humans are also better equipped to process the high concentration of fiber. [16]
Fiber aids the digestive process, and also adds the the association these mushrooms have with indigestion relief, but for a surprising reason. Polysaccharides from maitake mushrooms provide a type of fiber that does not digest completely, and is instead fermented to assist the digestion.[17]
The produced feeds the microbiota in the gut, which plays an essential role in multiple processes throughout the body. Specifically, this could contribute to additional immune system benefits or detoxification through the liver and kidneys.[18] Research is still early, but data suggests that the gut’s microbiota may also provide hypolipidemic activity and could go as far as providing anti-tumor effects. [19][20] This is what makes polysaccharides from maitake mushrooms so prized. Lower calories, extended nutrient absorption, antioxidants, and fiber promoted these mushrooms for centuries.
Listing the key ingredients doesn’t sound like much, but when totaling the medical maladies they may help to treat, maitake mushrooms are impressive. What became obvious very quickly was that traditional extraction techniques were not good enough to maximize the value these mushrooms provide. As the market changed, so did the extraction industry.
How to Improve Maitake Mushroom Extraction?
Though maitake mushroom clusters can grow to large sizes, they are often difficult to locate in their natural environment. To provide a more consistent supply, Japanese farmers began employing sustainable agricultural practices to develop indoor growing techniques for these mushrooms.[21] This domestication not only stabilized the supply, but also provided quality control from one harvest to another.
By removing external variables, researchers began to evaluate the potency of polysaccharides being extracted from the maitake. What they found surprised them. Traditionally, polysaccharide extraction from maitake mushrooms was usually accomplished using hot water as a . This is a form of maceration that results in either a or food stock that could then be employed in a variety of ways.
By examining compounds like proteins, lipids, and pigments in the polysaccharide extracts, the researchers believed it was possible that maitake mushrooms are susceptible to heat.[22] To determine how much of a role temperature played in degrading the molecular material, this was the first aspect to change. To test the temperature variable, hot was replaced with cold water extraction. [23] This led to positive results, but it may not be the only variable degrading the organic material.
The next question to be addressed was whether or not maitake mushroom components are water-soluble. This led to experiments using supercritical CO2 extraction, which improved yields even further. [24] Supercritical has the added benefit of also avoiding heat by increasing pressure. Carbon dioxide not only limited molecular depredation, but CO2 is more recyclable than water. Both of these techniques improved extractions over the traditional maceration, but this was not the last trick researchers could employ.
Using ammonium sulfate ethanol as a solvent, aqueous two phase extraction systems (ATPS) are providing some of the most promising results yet. [25] ATPS rely on physical properties of the solution to allow a mixing period followed by a separation period through the introduction of a catalyst. This can result in faster extractions while using less energy.
While all of these extraction methods, including maceration, are still being employed today, maitake mushroom polysaccharides typically need to go through one final step before they are suitable for consumption. This involves a purification method involving ethyl alcohol deposition and column chromatography. [26]
This final processing stage separates any other undesirable plant materials from the polysaccharide extracts providing a purity previously unknown to Maitake products. This ensures that no matter what extraction method manufacturers prefer, their polysaccharides can provide users with the most benefits possible. All of these options are viable, but variables like costs, solvents, and intended use will all play a role in determining which extraction method is preferred.
References:
- Halpern, Georges M. “Medicinal mushrooms.” Progress in Nutrition 12.1 (2010): 29-36.
- Mayuzumi, Yoshikazu, and Takashi Mizuno. “III. Cultivation methods of maitake (Grifola frondosa).” Food Reviews International 13.3 (1997): 357-364.
- Kabir, Yearul, Mami YAMAGUCHI, and Shuichi KIMURA. “Effect of Shiitake (Lentinus edodes) and Maitake (Grjfola frondosa) mushrooms on blood pressure and plasma lipids of spontaneously hypertensive rats.” Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology 33.5 (1987): 341-346.
- OHTSURU, Masaru, Hiroyuki HORIO, and Hironori MASUI. “Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Peptides from Pepsin Digest of Maitake (Gnfola frondosa).” Food Science and Technology Research 6.1 (2000): 9-11.
- Mizuno, Takashi, and Cun Zhuang. “Maitake, Grifola frondosa: pharmacological effects.” Food Reviews International 11.1 (1995): 135-149.
- Yeh, Jan-Ying, et al. “Antioxidant properties and antioxidant compounds of various extracts from the edible basidiomycete Grifola frondosa (Maitake).” Molecules 16.4 (2011): 3197-3211.
- Pham-Huy, Lien Ai, Hua He, and Chuong Pham-Huy. “Free radicals, antioxidants in disease and health.” International journal of biomedical science: IJBS 4.2 (2008): 89.
- Konno, Sensuke. “Maitake SX-fraction: Possible hypoglycemic effect on diabetes mellitus.” Alternative & Complementary Therapies 7.6 (2001): 366-370.
- Pashkow, Fredric J. “Oxidative stress and inflammation in heart disease: do antioxidants have a role in treatment and/or prevention?.” International journal of inflammation 2011.1 (2011): 514623.
- Vetvicka, Vaclav, and Jana Vetvickova. “Immune-enhancing effects of Maitake (Grifola frondosa) and Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) extracts.” Annals of translational medicine 2.2 (2014).
- Masuda, Yuki, et al. “Antitumor activity of orally administered maitake α-glucan by stimulating antitumor immune response in murine tumor.” PLoS One 12.3 (2017): e0173621.
- Sun, Naxin, Yana Zhao, and Mingyuan Yin. “Extraction, purification, structure and bioactivities of polysaccharides from Grifola frondosa (maitake): a review.” Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization 17.6 (2023): 6200-6213.
- Niaz, Kamal, Fazlullah Khan, and Muhammad Ajmal Shah. “Analysis of carbohydrates (monosaccharides, polysaccharides).” Recent advances in natural products analysis. Elsevier, 2020. 621-633.
- Chowdhury, Pritha, and Santanu Paul. “The potential role of mushrooms in the prevention and treatment of diabetes: A review.” Journal of Biologically Active Products from Nature 10.5 (2020): 429-454.
- Mustafa, Faheem, et al. “Edible mushrooms as novel myco-therapeutics: effects on lipid level, obesity, and BMI.” Journal of Fungi 8.2 (2022): 211.
- Huang, Shih-Jeng, et al. “Nonvolatile taste components of culinary-medicinal maitake mushroom, Grifola frondosa (Dicks.: Fr.) SF Gray.” International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms 13.3 (2011).
- De Giani, Alessandra, et al. “Positive modulation of a new reconstructed human gut microbiota by Maitake extract helpfully boosts the intestinal environment in vitro.” Plos one 19.4 (2024): e0301822.
- Kodama, Noriko, Tadahiro Kakuno, and Hiroaki Nanba. “Stimulation of the natural immune system in normal mice by polysaccharide from maitake mushroom.” Mycoscience 44 (2003): 257-261.
- Lei, Hong, et al. “Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities of MT-α-glucan and its effect on immune function of diabetic mice.” Carbohydrate polymers 89.1 (2012): 245-250.
- Deng, Gary, et al. “A phase I/II trial of a polysaccharide extract from Grifola frondosa (Maitake mushroom) in breast cancer patients: immunological effects.” Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology 135 (2009): 1215-1221.
- Yamanaka, Katsuji. “I. Production of cultivated edible mushrooms.” Food reviews international 13.3 (1997): 327-333.
- Choi, Y., et al. “Influence of heat treatment on the antioxidant activities and polyphenolic compounds of Shiitake (Lentinus edodes) mushroom.” Food chemistry 99.2 (2006): 381-387.
- Sharpe, Erica, et al. “Comparison of antioxidant activity and extraction techniques for commercially and laboratory prepared extracts from six mushroom species.” Journal of agriculture and food research 4 (2021): 100130.
- Sun, Naxin, Yana Zhao, and Mingyuan Yin. “Extraction, purification, structure and bioactivities of polysaccharides from Grifola frondosa (maitake): a review.” Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization 17.6 (2023): 6200-6213.
- Hiwatashi, Kazuyuki, et al. “Purification and characterization of a novel prolyl aminopeptidase from Maitake (Grifola frondosa).” Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry 68.6 (2004): 1395-1397.
- Sezgin, Sema, Abdullah Dalar, and Yusuf Uzun. “Determination of antioxidant activities and chemical composition of sequential fractions of five edible mushrooms from Turkey.” Journal of food science and technology 57 (2020): 1866-1876.
by Grow Up Conference | Aug 12, 2024 | Cannabis News Wire, Media Partners
The marijuana business in Australia is booming, with farms in the country expanding to capitalize on growing demand. Estimates show that global legal marijuana spending may hit $153 billion by 2027. This is quite an increase, especially when compared to the $56 billion spent in 2022.
While most of the growth has been driven by consumers of recreational marijuana in the United States, companies in Australia are focusing on the medical marijuana side of this market. Numbers of medical marijuana patients in Europe are expected to increase by more than 230% during the next four years. This may significantly bolster the European market, with projections from Prohibition Partners expecting that by 2027, spending in Europe may reach $3.3 billion.
While this isn’t a huge fraction for the Canadian and U.S. markets, it’s a significant opportunity for companies such as Australian Natural Therapeutic Group. CEO Matt Cantelo stated that Germany was the primary focus with its fairly progressive stance on medical marijuana.
The company, which has facilities in Queensland and New South Wales, has been exporting its products to Germany since 2020. This is mainly because of UN treaties and the lack of a domestic commercial market, which limits the import and export of recreational cannabis.
With new laws making it easier for Germans to access medical marijuana with a prescription and the nation itself legalizing recreational marijuana, Cantelo expects demand to increase significantly.
Australian Natural Therapeutic Group (ANTG) recently entered into a decade-long supply deal with a company in Cologne, a move that will see the Aussie company increase its total annual production to 4.5 tons from a mere 2.5 tons. Cantelo expects that the new contract will also help create new jobs across the company’s Brisbane and Armidale sites.
Little Green Pharma, a manufacturer and grower, is also working to meet forecasted demand. CEO Paul Long revealed that the company’s focus was on France, which could have a legal medical marijuana market by 2025. He explained that he expected the many French people currently using marijuana illegally to shift to legal medical use. Data from the U.N. estimates that 6.8 million French people use marijuana illegally.
Long expected a similar shift in Australia’s market, which had recorded considerable increases in prescriptions since 2016, when it legalized the use of medicinal marijuana. The cannabis industry as a whole hopes that the relaxation of regulations in Europe will increase the total cannabis produced for domestic and overseas use.
As more jurisdictions in Europe consider enacting cannabis law reforms, more established companies, such as Canopy Growth Corp. (NASDAQ: CGC) (TSX: WEED), from more mature markets could significantly expand their reach on the continent.
About CannabisNewsWire
CannabisNewsWire (“CNW”) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on cannabis news and the cannabis sector. It is one of 60+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers: (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions. With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge.
To receive SMS alerts from CNW, text CANNABIS to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)
For more information, please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com/Disclaimer
CannabisNewsWire
Denver, CO
www.CannabisNewsWire.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com
CannabisNewsWire is powered by IBN
by Grow Up Conference | Aug 10, 2024 | Media Partners, Stratcann
This past week at StratCann, a few of our more popular stories were about the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club receiving a $3.2 million fine from the BC government and an announcement from Organigram about new nanoemulsion technology.
Delta 9’s monitor posted a Notice of Sales and Investment Solicitation Process for Delta 9 Bio-Tech Inc., and Health Canada is seeking feedback on the PMRA’s new proposed approach for pesticide use for cannabis and hemp.
Meanwhile, cannabis sales rebounded in April/May following post-holiday declines.
In financial news, SNDL released its Q2 2024 results, Christina Lake Cannabis shared its Q1, Q2 2024, Aurora Cannabis shared its Q1 2025, Cronos shared its Q2 2024, Village Farms shared its Q2 2024, and Canopy shared its Q1 2025.
In law enforcement news, the CBSA seized 32 kg of cannabis at Toronto Pearson International Airport, while inspectors in New Brunswick seized more cannabis under new inspection powers.
In other cannabis news in Canada…
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) Board of Directors has approved a new retail training program in Ontario from Cannabis Training Canada Inc., providing an alternative to CannSell.
Health Canada shared some updates to the Cannabis licensing application web pages, including the reduction in the submission requirements for physical security measures, examples of scenarios where an applicant might choose to self-identify as Indigenous affiliated, new content to support descriptions of virtual witnessing of the destruction of cannabis in submission packages, and new content to clarify submission requirements when a Quality Assurance Person works remotely.
High Tide announced that its Cabana Club loyalty program has surpassed 1.5 million members across Canada. The company also announced the closing of $15 million in subordinated debt facility. The debentures will mature on July 31, 2029, and bear interest at a fixed rate of 12% per annum on drawn amounts, payable quarterly.
The transition from the illicit cannabis market to the legal market has occurred more quickly than initially expected in Quebec, says Marie-Claude Lacasse, communications director for Québec’s Ministry of Health and Social Services.
Indigenous supporters of My Legacy cannabis dispensary recently engaged city officials at the launch of Market at 70 King in downtown Oshawa and secured a meeting with Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter.
Owen Sound Police Service responded to a break-in call at a cannabis store on August 2 at 3:20 a.m. Police arrested two youths nearby.
Patrick Lee Warnecke, the owner of an unlicensed cannabis store who had charges against him stayed earlier this year, says he plans to re-open his Best Buds Society store in some capacity.
A Calgary father and son are facing charges after police seized more than $100,000 in illegal drugs during a search in the city’s southwest last month, including more than 4 kg of cannabis.
International cannabis…
Using cannabis daily for years may raise the overall risk of head and neck cancers by 3.5% to 5%, according to a new study from the US that analyzed millions of medical records.
National Geographic takes on the Indica/Sativa myth, which includes comments from Sean Myles, an associate professor of agriculture at Nova Scotia’s Dalhousie University.
The first human clinical trial to test how cannabigerol (CBG) impacts anxiety and stress has turned up encouraging results among 34 healthy users.
Demecan Group, one of Germany’s largest cannabis producers, recently completed its latest round of funding, bringing its valuation close to 100 million euros. The funding round was led by Florida-based Trog Hawley Capital, marking the first institutional investment by a U.S.-based investor in Demecan, reports Reuters.
There have been more than 20 applications now submitted for cannabis cultivation for personal use associations in Lower Saxony, a state in northwest Germany. Eight have already been approved, and eight have been rejected.
Disgruntled investors have filed a $5 million class action lawsuit against High Times.
Revenue officers in Ireland reported discovering 39 kg of cannabis resin and 11.8 kg of cannabis flower in several shipments originating from the USA, the United Kingdom, India, Canada, Spain, Thailand, Sweden, and New Zealand.
And finally, a Canadian man was indicted on Aug. 1 for smuggling about 20 kg of cannabis into Taiwan for a drug cartel. The man flew from Vancouver with two checked suitcases of cannabis supplied by another man who, court records show, booked the flight and accommodation.
by Grow Up Conference | Aug 9, 2024 | Media Partners, Stratcann
Health Canada has issued a notice of an expanded recall it first issued in June for cannabis products containing an “undeclared intoxicating cannabinoid.”
The updated recall, issued on August 9, adds eight new lots to the voluntary recall, including two new product brands. The issue section in the recall has also been clarified.
In total, 14 lots of iNaturally Organic Inc’s Emprise CBN+CBD 50 mg Softgels, NuLeaf Naturals 1800 mg Full Spectrum Hemp Multicannabinoid Oil Softgels, NuLeaf Naturals 1800 mg Full Spectrum Hemp Multicannabinoid Oil, Ultra Plus 1200 mg MultiCannabinoid Oil and Ultra Plus 750 mg MultiCannabinoid Softgels cannabis extracts have now been recalled.
Inspection, testing, and sampling by Health Canada showed that each sample contained a significant quantity of the intoxicating cannabinoid hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) and of THC in products identified as containing more than three (3) mg per unit (for softgels) or g (for oils).
The presence or quantity of HHC is not indicated on the label. HHC is considered a “semisynthetic CBD”, often synthesized from CBD.
The tests are also said to have shown significantly less cannabichromene (CBC) than identified on the licence holder’s certificate of analysis and/or product labels.
In response to this testing, Alberta’s iNaturally Organic Inc. began a voluntary recall of the affected products, which were sold in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Yukon.
These products were also sold to medical clients through Rosebud Productions Inc. (Herbal Dispatch), Open Fields Winnipeg, Open Fields Saskatchewan, and Médicibis.
Health Canada says that consuming these products when alertness is required could pose “potentially serious adverse health consequences, such as when performing safety-sensitive activities like driving motor vehicles or operating heavy machinery.”
To date, iNaturally Organic Inc. has received two adverse reaction reports about these products, and Health Canada has received five adverse reaction reports and one complaint related to these products.
There were 8,526 units of Emprise CBN+CBD 50 mg Softgels distributed, 2,286 units of NuLeaf Naturals 1800 mg Full Spectrum Hemp Multicannabinoid Oil Softgels distributed, 2,534 units of NuLeaf Naturals 1800 mg Full Spectrum Hemp Multicannabinoid Oil distributed, 3,324 units of Ultra Plus 750 mg MultiCannabinoid Softgels distributed, and 600 units of Ultra Plus 1200 mg MultiCannabinoid Oil distributed.
The recalled products were sold from December 2022 to July 2024.
Health Canada says consumers can return the product to the retailer where it was purchased or dispose of it themselves.
by Grow Up Conference | Aug 9, 2024 | Cannabis News Wire, Media Partners
For decades, Chinese criminal organizations have covertly operated in major U.S. cities such as New York and San Francisco. Their activities, which include cybercrime and wildlife trafficking, have largely flown by without law enforcement noticing due to their nonviolent nature.
Historically, these groups have remained more active and visible in the Pacific and Asia, especially in nations such as Singapore and Australia, where they have targeted Chinese companies with their money-laundering operations. However, their new partnerships with drug-trafficking groups in Latin America have elevated them to the status of leading money launderers globally.
In 2018, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Special Operations Division initiated Project Sleeping Giant, a coordinated effort among various government agencies to combat Chinese-associated money-laundering and drug activities. The DEA had identified some Chinese money brokers who were engaged in the fentanyl trade in locations including Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago and New York. Over the following months, investigators began to uncover the extent of Chinese involvement with Mexican cartels.
The money-laundering process starts with Mexican cartel members delivering cash from fentanyl sales to Chinese money brokers in the United States. After that, these intermediaries make sure the cartels in Mexico get paid the same amount in pesos or cryptocurrencies. Large sums of money are occasionally delivered straight to cartel stash houses by a Chinese partner in Mexico.
In Mexico, the brokers use unofficial trade networks to keep a regular supply of cash on hand. Purchasing expensive devices, associates in China, especially in Guangzhou, ship the devices to Mexico. Later, Mexican companies sell these products for less money, giving the cartels the money they need.
Unlike traditional methods, this Chinese money-laundering system doesn’t involve physically moving cash across borders. It’s safer, faster and cheaper, allowing Chinese brokers to charge the cartels less than other groups, thanks to their additional revenue stream from Chinese customers buying U.S. dollars.
DEA analysts identified individuals around the country by carefully examining these Chinese money-laundering networks between 2018 and 2020. It was found that a large number of them had a passing acquaintance with a specific Queens, New York, neighborhood. Plans were made to target more than 100 money launderers in various cities, but the COVID-19 pandemic and a surge in fentanyl deaths shifted federal focus to drug seizures and trafficker arrests.
Before the pandemic, investigators found that money-laundering organizations were also involved in the cannabis trade. The brokers in New York were buying properties in states such as California and Colorado to cultivate cannabis, which was then distributed to cities across the country. However, the DEA had largely ceased pursuing cannabis cases following a 2013 U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) memorandum discouraging federal enforcement in states that had legalized cannabis.
Chinese groups seized control of the cannabis business from Mexican cartels, who had moved on to more lucrative substances such as fentanyl and heroin because there was less chance of prosecution. There are 23 states where Chinese-owned marijuana businesses are known to operate, and the money made from these operations is frequently used to finance additional crimes, including human trafficking.
Oklahoma has been a production center since 2021 due to its cheap land and lax medical cannabis legislation. More than 3,000 farms have been closed by local authorities, with 80%–90% of these farms being connected to Chinese organized crime.
Recently, Chinese manufacturers have moved to Maine, where it is thought that an estimated 100 illicit businesses are still in operation, although more than 40 have been shut down since January. According to former DEA agents, attempts to dismantle Chinese criminal networks have been hampered by the move away from marijuana charges.
Although there are no clear connections between marijuana businesses and the Chinese government, inquiries are still underway, according to a June testimony given by FBI director Christopher Wray. Meanwhile, a report by a bipartisan house committee revealed that the Chinese government supports the production of illicit drugs that are exported to the United States.
Chinese officials, however, deny these allegations. Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy, stated that China has been cooperating with U.S. antimony-laundering operations and emphasized that Chinese citizens are urged to follow local laws abroad.
While U.S. officials have long criticized China for inadequate cooperation in combating the drug trade, a recent exception occurred in June when federal law enforcement in California indicted 24 individuals, 9 of whom were Chinese nationals, for laundering $50 million in illegal drug proceeds for the Sinaloa cartel. One suspect, Peiji Tong, was arrested by Chinese authorities after fleeing the U.S. This indictment follows similar cases in North Carolina, Massachusetts, Virginia and Arkansas.
Even with these initiatives, congressional representatives and veteran DEA officers emphasize that much more work has to be done.
This issue of Chinese cartels cornering sections of the marijuana industry without being licensed to engage in commercial industry activities undercuts not only licensed cannabis companies but also ancillary entities such as Innovative Industrial Properties Inc. (NYSE: IIPR) that are denied an opportunity to serve more legitimate businesses since the market is being cornered by these illicit actors.
About CNW420
CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of an article each business day at 4:20 p.m. Eastern – a tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. The concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.
To receive SMS alerts from CNW, text CANNABIS to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)
For more information, please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com/Disclaimer
CannabisNewsWire
Denver, CO
www.CannabisNewsWire.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com
CannabisNewsWire is powered by IBN
by Grow Up Conference | Aug 9, 2024 | Media Partners, Stratcann
Health Canada is seeking feedback on the Pest Management Regulatory Agency’s (PMRA) new proposed approach for registering pesticide uses on cannabis and industrial hemp.
While pesticide registrations for cannabis in Canada have historically focused on microbial products and non-conventional pesticides (biopesticides) like canola oil, sulphur, or garlic powder, Canada is now looking to also identify other potential risks, including risks from ingestion or from inhalation due to smoking or vaping of products made from crops that have been treated with either a biopesticide or conventional pesticide.
Health Canada anticipates that as the industry grows, producers of cannabis and industrial hemp crops could face serious disease, insect and weed pressures, which could create a desire for these companies to use more conventional chemical pesticides for adequate control.
Currently the PMRA considers seven use-site categories as appropriate: Food crops grown in greenhouses or other enclosed structures; Non-food crops grown in greenhouses or other enclosed structures; Terrestrial non-food and non-feed seed, fibre, and industrial crops; Seed and plant propagation materials: food and feed; Seed and plant propagation materials: non-food and non-feed; Terrestrial feed crops; and Terrestrial food crops.
Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency has invited the public, stakeholders, and partners to submit written comments on Regulatory Proposal PRO2024-03, entitled Consultation on the proposed approach for registering pesticide uses on cannabis and industrial hemp: use-site categories, data requirements and label statements.
That public consultation is open from August 9 to October 7. Following that timeline, Health Canada will make the consultation results available on its website. The final version of the policy will be published on PMRA’s Policies and Guidelines website.
Recent Comments