Patient Advocacy Network Medical Cannabis News Digest – September 30, 2018

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Medical Cannabis News Around California

California bill allowing medical marijuana on school grounds reaches Gov. Brown’s desk

https://www.potnetwork.com/news/california-bill-allowing-medical-marijuana-school-grounds-reaches-gov-brown’s-desk

Weed Farmers Are Suing a California County After It Kicked Them Out

https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/ev7gda/weed-farmers-are-suing-a-california-county-after-it-kicked-them-out

Santa Clarita Marijuana Delivery Services In ‘Legal Limbo’ As California Regulates Weed

http://www.hometownstation.com/santa-clarita-news/politics/marijuana/santa-clarita-marijuana-delivery-services-in-legal-limbo-as-california-regulates-weed-247746

As California Raids Illicit Pot Shops, Legal Industry Struggles With Safety Testing

https://merryjane.com/news/as-california-raids-illicit-pot-shops-legal-industry-struggles-with-safety-testing

Big safety testing failure rate for California pot products

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/medical/article/Many-California-marijuana-products-failing-safety-13219785.php

Legal medical marijuana stores could start opening up in Fresno

https://abc30.com/business/legal-medical-marijuana-stores-could-start-opening-up-in-fresno-/4215616/

City Council Could Approve First Medical Cannabis Dispensary

https://www.sfgate.com/news/bayarea/article/City-Council-Could-Approve-First-Medical-Cannabis-13234064.php

Judge rules Santa Rosa girl taking medical cannabis for seizures can attend public school

https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/8765336-181/judge-rules-santa-rosa-girl

After 45 months of planning second cannabis dispensary opens in Santa Barbara

https://www.keyt.com/health/after-45-months-of-planning-second-cannabis-dispensary-opens-in-santa-barbara/799114116

Medical Cannabis News Around The U.S.

Ninth Circuit Cannabis Ruling Gives Biz Owner New Chance to Fight Charges

https://www.law.com/2018/09/13/ninth-circuit-cannabis-ruling-gives-biz-owner-new-chance-to-fight-charges/?slreturn=20180821022603

Legalising medical marijuana shows no effect on crime rates in US states

https://theconversation.com/legalising-medical-marijuana-shows-no-effect-on-crime-rates-in-us-states-102030

Why The Adult Cannabis Market Could Kill Its Medical Counterpart

https://www.forbes.com/sites/irisdorbian/2018/09/11/why-the-adult-cannabis-market-could-kill-its-medical-counterpart/#22f177392a39

Data Shows the Global Medical Cannabis Usage Continues to Grow

https://www.biospace.com/article/releases/data-shows-the-global-medical-cannabis-usage-continues-to-grow/

US scholars back medical cannabis

https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/health/article/2001295343/us-scholars-back-medical-cannabis

Increasing use of Cannabis for Pain Treatment is set to Grow the U.S. Medical Cannabis Market

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/increasing-use-of-cannabis-for-pain-treatment-is-set-to-grow-the-u-s-medical-cannabis-market-881988399.html

Measure to let VA doctors recommend marijuana was again left out of budget bill

https://www.stripes.com/news/measure-to-let-va-doctors-recommend-marijuana-was-again-left-out-of-budget-bill-1.547015

Medical marijuana users are being shut out of public housing

https://news.vice.com/en_us/article/3kezqk/medical-marijuana-users-are-being-shut-out-of-public-housing

Marijuana use among pregnant women is rising, and so are concerns

Solid data on the dangers of the drug to pregnant women and babies are hard to come by

https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/growth-curve/marijuana-use-pregnant-women

The First Medicinal Cannabis Kitchen of Its Kind in the Country Will Debut in Arizona on Friday, Oct. 5

https://tucson.com/business/the-first-medicinal-cannabis-kitchen-of-its-kind-in-the/article_f09b990c-1c1e-5802-8c45-f3994f8a9cf5.html

Connecticut - Federal Court Rules In Favor Of Worker Rejected For Medical Marijuana Use

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/federal-court-rules-in-favor-of-worker-rejected-for-medical-marijuana-use/

Underground network brings medical marijuana to Georgia residents, and it's legal

https://www.11alive.com/article/news/investigations/underground-network-brings-medical-marijuana-to-georgia-residents-and-its-legal/85-592059409

Louisiana lifts limit on patients who can access medical marijuana

https://www.nola.com/health/index.ssf/2018/09/patient_cap_medical_marijuana.html

Maryland’s medical cannabis program bans food, but plenty of ingestible products are sold

https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/news/nation/maryland-s-medical-cannabis-program-bans-food-but-plenty-of/article_32686a26-8d29-56f5-96d1-ef40c2a9a70b.html

98 Michigan medical marijuana dispensaries will have to shut down

https://www.freep.com/story/news/marijuana/2018/09/11/medical-marijuana-dispensaries-michigan/1266092002/

Michigan - 98 medical marijuana dispensaries won't have to close due to judge's ruling

https://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2018/09/98_medical_marijuana_dispensar.html

Michigan plans online registration for medical marijuana

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/article218786300.html

Minnesota - To make medical cannabis more affordable, allow patients access to marijuana flower

https://www.minnpost.com/community-voices/2018/09/to-make-medical-cannabis-more-affordable-allow-patients-access-to-marijuana-flower/

North Dakota - Medical marijuana law shields manufacturing and dispensary applicants' information

http://www.inforum.com/news/government-and-politics/4496804-medical-marijuana-law-shields-manufacturing-and-dispensary

Fargo, Bismarck locations among first ND medical marijuana dispensaries selected

https://www.inforum.com/news/government-and-politics/4503567-fargo-bismarck-locations-among-first-nd-medical-marijuana

Why Ohio's medical marijuana program is getting a late start and what's next

https://www.cleveland.com/expo/news/erry-2018/09/fc7a88f1fc9531/why-ohios-medical-marijuana-pr.html

Ohio - 'Cannabis regulated like plutonium': Security measures causing delays in marijuana launch date

https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/e-team/ohio-medical-marijuana-system-affected-by-concerns-still-prevalent-in-other-states-systems

Ohio - Medical marijuana roll-out "sloppy," state auditor says

http://www.toledoblade.com/news/State/2018/09/13/Medical-marijuana-roll-out-sloppy-state-auditor-says/stories/20180913153

Oklahoma - More doctors added to medical marijuana registry, over 1,500 patients approved

https://okcfox.com/news/local/more-doctors-added-to-medical-marijuana-registry-over-1500-patients-approved

Patients react to new limits on Oregon medical marijuana

https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Patients-react-to-new-limits-on-Oregon-medical-13245520.php

A year after Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico’s medical marijuana program back on track

https://mjbizdaily.com/a-year-after-hurricane-maria-puerto-ricos-medical-marijuana-program-back-on-track/

South Carolina - Compassionate Care Alliance launches tour in support of medical cannabis

https://www.aikenstandard.com/news/compassionate-care-alliance-launches-tour-in-support-of-medical-cannabis/article_01448310-b483-11e8-a94d-af6afb66bf88.html

Utah - State lawmaker files bill to address medical marijuana proposition

https://www.good4utah.com/news/local-news/state-lawmaker-files-bill-to-address-medical-marijuana-proposition/1434802066

Drug Safe Utah defends radio ad opposing medical marijuana ballot initiative

https://fox13now.com/2018/09/06/group-responsible-for-questionable-political-marijuana-radio-ad-responds-to-criticism/

Utah’s medical marijuana campaign kicks off with a ‘tailwind of support

https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2018/09/16/utahs-medical-marijuana/

Forum panelists support medical marijuana, but some not in favor of Utah’s Prop 2

https://www.parkrecord.com/news/forum-panelists-support-medical-marijuana-but-some-not-in-favor-of-utahs-prop-2/

West Virginia Medical Marijuana Remains in Limbo

https://www.wowktv.com/news/west-virginia/wv-medical-marijuana-remains-in-limbo/1460289261

International Medical Cannabis News

Windsor doctor worries for medical cannabis once recreational use legalized

Canadian Medical Association wants medical use 'phased out' but local doctor says that's not the way

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/windsor-doctor-medical-marijuana-legal-1.4817269

Canada’s Medical Cannabis Program Safe (For Now)

https://www.hempgazette.com/news/canada-medicinal-cannabis-hg0741/

Malaysia in Talks to Become First in Asia to Allow Medical Pot

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-09-25/malaysia-in-talks-to-become-first-in-asia-to-allow-medical-pot

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Weed Sells, But Who's Buying? California's Unregulated Market Takes Over

California is experiencing a significant decrease in revenue from medical cannabis sales than what state officials originally predicted.  Some cannabis industry analysts point to adult recreational use as the primary factor.  However, patients and providers will tell you that over-taxation and the added costs of testing, packaging and licensing fees have pushed patients to seek unregulated sources for their medical cannabis.

Cannabis retail providers will tell you that it’s not only patients that have stopped coming in, but local adults, that frequented dispensaries a year ago, also stopped coming in after the new taxes went into effect January 1, 2018. So, who’s buying from licensed and permitted cannabis shops in California?  Tourists.

This benefits cannabis retailers fortunate and/or foresight-full enough to secure a permitted location in a major tourist thoroughfare, such as the Haight-Ashbury or the Venice Boardwalk.  Boutique providers in lesser known communities report that they are having a tough time business-wise – daily visits are low, unregulated options are plentiful, and the cost of doing business is too expensive – unreasonably so.  

Many boutique cannabis business owners see California’s current regulatory system favoring large, wealthy corporations over smaller, local mom-and-pop businesses. Investment money is nearly mandatory these days to keep up and stay afloat.  However, this has always been the way of capitalism and big money and business regulations.  Big money gets what it wants from the rule makers.  The little guy gets hit the hardest.  The consumer ends up paying more in the end.  

Except most California cannabis consumers refuse to pay more and there are plenty of more affordable options outside of the licensed industry.  If smaller cannabis businesses in California want to survive, they are going to have to demand more affordable rules and lower taxation.  The price out of the door has to match or beat the price on the street and right now “black market is king” according to social commentary.   

The $35 affordable eighth to the $65 premium eighth has been the standard on and off the streets for many years.  If regulations can’t meet this consumer demand, then the consumer is going to get it at that price elsewhere.  Does the legislature realize that the excessive taxation and cost of regulation has caused the unregulated market or ‘black market’ to explode?  Do they already know and this is by design? Why?

Always follow the money.

Patient Advocacy Network Medical Cannabis News Digest – September 10, 2018

Medical Cannabis News Digest – September 10, 2018

For more news updates and current information -

Follow us on twitter:

@PAN4Compassion

Watch The Compassion Flower Report at:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnlm6Hrk6cK8ujvxE6Dtkhc6fC33A7FZ2

Please subscribe and like.

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Medical Cannabis News Around California

California Has a Serious Compliance Problem

https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/article/California-Has-a-Serious-Compliance-Problem-13188561.php

Santa Cruz - Medical marijuana users left in limbo as co-op struggles to regroup, reopen

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/article/NE/20180825/NEWS/180829785

California political groups launch website to shoot down statewide marijuana delivery

https://mjbizdaily.com/california-cannabis-delivery-opponents-hawk-anti-delivery-website/

Medical Cannabis News Around The U.S.

When It Comes to Medical Marijuana, Veterans Often Have to Improvise

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2018/09/02/when-it-comes-medical-marijuana-veterans-often-have-improvise.html

Connecticut - State Approves Use Of Medical Marijuana For Stubborn Headaches, 7 Other Conditions

http://www.courant.com/health/hc-news-new-medical-marijuana-conditions-20180828-story.html

Florida - Fort Lauderdale Enforces Law Limiting Medical Marijuana Clinics, Even Though The State Says It Can't

http://www.wlrn.org/post/fort-lauderdale-enforces-law-limiting-medical-marijuana-clinics-even-though-state-says-it-cant

Georgia lawmakers eye expansion of medical marijuana law

https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2018/08/24/georgia-lawmakers-eye-expansion-of-medical.html

Illinois opioid patients may soon have medical cannabis alternative

https://chicago.suntimes.com/cannabis/pot-topics-cannabis-weed-edibles-medical-marijuana/

New Illinois law allows medical marijuana pain prescriptions

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-08-illinois-law-medical-marijuana-pain.html

Massachusetts - Northborough, Bellingham bans on medical marijuana facilities upheld by AG

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/20180826/northborough-bellingham-bans-on-medical-marijuana-facilities-upheld-by-ag

AG Healey changes decision, says towns can't ban medical marijuana

https://www.wcvb.com/article/ag-healey-changes-decision-says-towns-cant-ban-medical-marijuana/22888240

Michigan considers allowing home delivery of medical marijuana

https://www.southbendtribune.com/news/local/michigan-considers-allowing-home-delivery-of-medical-marijuana/article_a5abbe54-88c4-53d2-a3cf-9402251bf144.html

Medical marijuana tally: 146 applications for 6 shops as New Jersey expands medicinal weed

https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/new-jersey/2018/09/05/nj-medical-marijuana-expansion-draws-146-dispensary-applications/1201036002/

New Mexico producers seeing green on medical pot sales

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/new-mexico-producers-seeing-green-on-medical-pot-sales/article_aae72561-2a8d-594b-ac02-27d71db7e5b5.html

Ohio - Central State medical pot lab will require more police, armored truck

https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local/central-state-medical-pot-lab-will-require-more-police-armored-truck/IgjE79MxGztyDP2OuIQ9wO/

Medical marijuana update: Where each piece of the industry stands as Ohio tries to catch up

State misses September deadline, production won’t meet demand for months

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2018/08/30/medical-marijuana-update-where-each-piece-of-the.html

Applications for medical marijuana beginning in Oklahoma

https://www.koco.com/article/applications-for-medical-marijuana-beginning-in-oklahoma/22826322

Oregon - OLCC Vastly Reduces Daily Purchase Limits for Medical Cannabis

https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2018/08/24/22351409/olcc-vastly-reduces-daily-purchase-limits-for-medical-cannabis

Oregon - Liquor Control Commission to seek $7 million in pot taxes to track medical marijuana

https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2018/08/30/oregon-liquor-control-commission-seeks-pot-taxes-medical-marijuana/1139940002/

Reformers Hopeful the 2019 Legislature will Expand Texas’ Medical Marijuana Law

https://www.texasobserver.org/reformers-hopeful-the-2019-legislature-will-expand-texas-medical-marijuana-law/

Utah governor says he'll use 'bully pulpit' to get lawmakers to act on medical marijuana

https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900029944/utah-governor-says-hell-use-bully-pulpit-to-get-lawmakers-to-act-on-medical-marijuana.html

Virginia to keep medical cannabis licensing process secret

https://www.sacbee.com/news/article217841880.html

International Medical Cannabis News

Drug expert supports current Australian medicinal cannabis policies

https://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2018/09/drug-expert-supports-current-australian-medicinal-cannabis-policies

Unraveling DNA of medical cannabis

Israeli firm NR-Gene and a Swiss-based firm will use cutting-edge algorithms to precisely map the genome of the cannabis plant.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/251071

New Zealand license granted for cultivating medicinal cannabis

https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/364937/nz-licence-granted-for-cultivating-medicinal-cannabis

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