TOP STORIES
TGA proposes over-the-counter sales of CBD products
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has announced an interim decision to reclassify cannabidiol (CBD) products so they can be purchased over the counter at pharmacies. The TGA’s provisional ruling entails the down-scheduling of low dose CBD products from Schedule 4 to Schedule 3 of the Poisons Standard. This means companies can apply to register their applicable products to be available through a pharmacist, without the need for a prescription. Many ASX-listed cannabis companies are developing CBD products and have been pushing hard for them to become more accessible in Australia. A link to the full TGA interim decision is here: https://www.tga.gov.au/
NSW police spent $24m on legal settlements, including for battery and false imprisonment
The New South Wales police spent $24m of taxpayer money on almost 300 civil legal claims brought against officers during the last financial year. The figure, obtained by the NSW Greens, includes settlements for serious misconduct claims including battery, false imprisonment and malicious prosecution.
AUSTRALIA/NZ
If reducing harm to society is the goal, a cost-benefit analysis shows cannabis prohibition has failed
The case for a referendum on New Zealand’s cannabis law was already urgent in 2015 when the supposedly more pressing issue was whether we should change the flag. As I argued at the time, prohibition had failed and was costing society far more than the drug itself.
Recreational cannabis regulation and harm reduction in NZ
In early 2019, BERL was commissioned by the Ministry of Justice to support the development of an evidence base to inform the proposed regulations for a legal market for recreational cannabis in New Zealand.
CBD Down Scheduling Interim Decision released today 9/9/20 by the TGA
Health House pharmacist, Paul Mavor is joined by cannabis consultant Rhys Cohen and Elisabetta Faenza from Leafcann to examine the decision. They will look at the decision closely and talk about the effect on pricing, access and the process to register CBD products in Australia. Watch it here now: https://youtu.be/
Pondering Pot launches Australia’s largest database of cannabis companies
Pondering Pot’s database covers over 60 prominent and upcoming cannabis companies operating in Australia, with new additions continuously added. This includes producers, importers, retailers, medical manufacturers and non-profit organisations within the cannabis space.
More Australians back legalizing cannabis national survey shows
For the first time in the survey’s history, more Australians support the legalization of cannabis (41%) than oppose it (37%). This is almost double the level of support in 2007 (21%).
Australian cannabis coverage increases 18,850% in 11 years
We did the math. And triple-checked it because the stats seems completely unrealistic. But it stands – Australian-based cannabis news and articles per year has grown 18,850% since 2010.
Cannabis law reform – SIGN THE PETITION TO QLD PARLIAMENT
Qld residents have started a Parliamentary petition to legalise cannabis. Laws criminalising cannabis have categorically failed to stop or even reduce use, and they ultimately end up overwhelmingly punishing users rather than dealers. In fact, 90% of cannabis-related arrests are patients, carers and other consumers. Medicinal cannabis laws are also inconsistent and difficult to access, ultimately forcing more people onto the black market. We need a health-based approach to cannabis, not a criminal one. I believe we should stop locking people up for using cannabis, and instead legalise and regulate it to keep more people safe and out of the cycle of criminalisation.
NSW Police crackdown on cannabis candy
NSW Police have cracked down on cannabis candy, as part of a new operation targeting online drug sellers. Operation Strike Force Leafed Out was launched back in May with the responsibility to tackle new ways of selling cannabis. Four months later, the task force has arrested seven people in seven days.
Thousands of Australians are forced to break the cannabis laws. It doesn’t have to be this way.
In his first post for Cannabiz, editor-at-large Rhys Cohen analyses the findings of the 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey to find out more about the 97% of Australians who still source their medical cannabis from the black market.
NORTH AMERICA
Maine Finally Approves First Marijuana Business Licenses Weeks Before Legal Sales Launch
Maine’s marijuana regulatory body announced on Tuesday that it has finally issued the state’s first round of cannabis business licenses, with weeks until retails sales are set to launch. This development comes nearly four years after voters approved a legalization ballot measure—a significant delay in implementation compared to California, Massachusetts and Nevada, which also legalized for adult-use on the same day in 2016.
4% of Canadian cannabis licensees Indigenous-affiliated, with systemic barriers ‘baked into system’
In total, 19 Indigenous-affiliated cannabis companies make up a little over 4% of the 459 authorized federal cannabis licenses issued by Health Canada. And none of the latest licensees are located on a reserve.
Ontario plans to double monthly pot shop licence authorizations
Ontario cannabis retailers are cheering the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario’s decision to double the amount of pot shops it will authorize and licence in the province to 40 each month, starting this fall. The decision, made late Tuesday, will likely ensure that many of the retailers who have been burning thousands of dollars and waiting months for licence approvals will be able to open their doors sooner than later.
One cure for an ailing American economy: Legalize cannabis
Legalizing cannabis — as 40 states have already done for either medical or recreational purposes— can’t cure all that ails America. Still, for the next president, it can help drive progress on multiple critical issues.
California Must Share Cannabis Licensee Records With Feds
It sounds like certain Southern California licensed distributors are (allegedly) moving cannabis oil out of Mexico into California.
WORLD
Cannabis Falling from the Sky in Israel
As one of the most cannabis user-friendly and research-oriented countries, Israel has been dragging behind in terms of legalization. Yesterday, a drone flew over Rabin Square in Tel Aviv, dropping bags of what is believed to be cannabis, over the square, leaving eager passers-by to run after the free swag. Two men have been arrested so far, and there’s a possible link to activist group Green Drone Group which has been pushing for legalization, and which made the statements on its Telegram account: ‘the time has come’, and ‘Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s the Green Drone sending you free cannabis from the skies’.
Red tape hampers Peru’s medical cannabis market, but new products expected soon
Medical marijuana companies seeking to serve patients in Peru have been stymied by government red tape, but that appears to be slowly changing with a handful of products poised to begin trickling into the Andean country.
Philippines warns public about marijuana-flavored vapes
St Vincent & the Grenadines Cabinet Approves First Cannabis Dispensing Licence
The Cabinet of St Vincent and the Grenadines has given the green light for the start of operations of the first cannabis pharmacy here. This follows approval of the first cannabis dispensing licence.
In spite of strict cannabis laws, Hong Kong’s first CBD cafe is open for business
On a rare pedestrian-only corner of Hong Kong‘s Sheung Wan area, hidden deep within a heavily gentrified maze of sleek micro roasters and dusty Chinese antique shops, there’s a stylish, unassuming shop with a few tables out on its terrace.
EU & France Battle it out Over CBD Laws
France and the EU have been fighting it out in court over import laws concerning a CBD case. If the EU wins it means a forced legalization of CBD across the entire EU… But if France wins, could it be the beginning of the end for CBD?
Scotland’s first cannabis-based medicine approved for NHS
Cannabidiol (Epidyolex) has been accepted for the treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a condition which can cause frequent debilitating seizures.
SCIENCE & TECH
Feds Fund Research On Whether Cows Can Eat Hemp Without Milk Drinkers Getting High
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently took to Twitter to publicize a $200,000 grant it awarded to researchers investigating whether or not feeding hemp to livestock leads to unacceptable concentrations of cannabinoids in resulting food for human consumption.
HEALTH
Medical Cannabis FAQs – Answered by an Australian doctor
As the number of active medical cannabis patients in Australia continues to climb year on year, so does the number of questions patients have surrounding cannabis treatment.
Cannabis can benefit patients with kidney disease
“We have been terribly and systemically misled in the United States for the last 70 years” about the dangers of cannabis, Lisa Miller Hedin, BSN, RN, told attendees at the American Nephrology Nurses Association’s National Symposium said. “We are in a paradigm shift, and I can tell you [cannabis] is not going away.”
Rolling papers, blunt wraps may harbor heavy metals, pesticides
Blunt and joint smokers around the world may want to consider spending a bit extra to get higher-quality papers from now on. New research shows a significant amount of papers and blunt wraps are likely tainted with heavy metals and pesticides which can harm your health.
What Is THCA In Cannabis And What Can It Do For You?
THCA is a unique compound because it’s not only non-psychoactive and medically beneficial, but it’s the acid form of THC that’s found in the raw cannabis plant. What does all this mean though, and how can THCA have a positive impact on one’s life?
Why some athletes are turning to cannabis to help them train
With my injuries getting so stacked against me for a while, cannabis became quite a part of my daily regimen.
What You Need To Know About Treating Joint Pain With Cannabis
While CBD and THC certainly can’t take over the entirety of a pain management regimen, studies on cortisone treatments are bringing the conversations of cannabis to greater light.
POLITICS & LAW
Billy Caldwell’s mother Charlotte pleads for new prescription as medicinal cannabis supply runs out
Charlotte Caldwell, from Castlederg in Northern Ireland, fought and won a battle two years ago against the Home Office’s ban on bringing medicinal cannabis into the UK to help treat her then 13-year-old son Billy, who was having up to 300 seizures a day.
Cannabis decriminalization, expungement called top priorities for Biden-Harris
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris don’t believe anyone should be in jail for drug offences only. They believe that marijuana should be decriminalized and folks with marijuana convictions should have those automatically expunged.
CULTURE & HISTORY
A Photographer’s Guide to the Cannabis Galaxy
Nugshots founder Erik Christiansen produces cannabis photography that zooms viewers in for a cosmic ride.
Son of Peter Tosh Dies Due to Injuries from 2017 Prison Beating
The son of late reggae legend Peter Tosh, died in his Boston area home on July 17 at the age of 40. He had never fully recovered from a brutal 2017 beating in a New Jersey jail, where he was serving time on a cannabis charge.
BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
Study Shows Cannabis Consumers Prefer Flower to Concentrates
Cannabis Equity Programs Often Fail, But We Can Fix Them
How hemp is making packaging more sustainable
We are selling this medicine, these healing products, but we’re selling it in one of the most irresponsible ways possible. So the cannabis industry, in particular, has gotten to the point that it is begging for sustainable packaging solutions.
Australia’s Largest Database of Cannabis Companies
CBD Oil to hemp, producers to importers, retailers to non-profits, and more. If they work with the cannabis plant and conduct business in Australia, you’ll find them here.
With more than 420+ cannabis companies across 50+ categories, The Green List helps hemp and cannabis companies to promote their products, services, and events online.
EVENTS
Top international industry trends: A deep dive into the key cannabis markets [online]
Thursday, 17 September 2020 11:00 am AEST: Join me as a speak with Matt Lamers about the key markets across the globe. Matt is one of the most informed cannabis experts on the plan. Matt’s territories cover North and South America, Asia Pacific, Europe and Africa.
Five key policy insights (New Zealand) – A Conversation with Tara Creaven-Capasso [Online]
Wednesday, 23 September 2020 2:00 pm AEST: Join one of New Zealand’s top regulatory advisors, sharing their insights on New Zealand’s newly formed cannabis regulations.
Australian Cannabis Prescribing Doctors FREE Webinar
Wednesday 23 September 7pm AEST : Join us as we speak to 3 Australian doctors involved in prescribing medicinal cannabis:
- Dr Orit Holtzman (www.compassclinics.com.au)
- Dr Matty Moore (www.mattmooremd.com)
- Dr John Teh (www.plantmed.net.au)
Medical Cannabis Live Series – AU & NZ Panel [Online]
Thursday, 1 October 2020 7:00 pm AEST: Join an esteemed panel of industry leaders as they discuss key commercial insights about the Australian and New Zealand cannabis markets.
Drug Policy Public Discussion Forum [Sydney]
Hemp, Health & Innovation Expo Postponed until 2021!
Garden States – Cultivating Plant Knowledge Postponed until 2021!
FUNDRAISERS/CAMPAIGNS/PETITIONS/SURVEYS
Global survey of cannabis cultivators
Nimbin Hemp Embassy’s New Online Store
New Parliamentary Friends of Medicinal Cannabis Group
Legalise Cannabis Queensland launched!
2020 Cannabis Awards are here!
Michael Balderstone’s Submission to Victoria’s Cannabis Inquiry
Help Entheogenesis Australis [EGA] fundraise for a new website’
Petition: Help Stop Suicides – Legalise Cannabis Now
Story Lab: It’s time for a new conversation about drugs in Australia.
Queensland’s prison crisis: Some modest proposals
Australian Senate committee issues report on medical cannabis barriers
117 Public Submissions for Senate Inquiry
Scott Morrison (ScoMo): Legalise Recreational Cannabis
HELP GROW OUR CANNABIS CAMPAIGN
Next stop Canberra – we’re taking the fight to Parliament!
Inquiry into drug driving reform
EDUCATION
Voices from the Real World – Medical Cannabis Testimonials
Adam Miller’s Cannabis Conversations Series
- Episode 01: What is the next major cannabinoid?
- Episode 02: Three Important Patient Treatment Statistics
- Episode 03: Will Australia legalise cannabis within 2 years?