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It’s been well over two years since Mexico’s Supreme Court made its 5th consecutive ruling which knocked down cannabis prohibition. And yet, with no debate as to whether legislation must pass, it still has not, making cannabis remain in the legal gray area of Supreme Court legalization, and legislative illegality. So, what’s the current story with Mexican cannabis legalization?

The world changes quickly – new states are legalizing cannabis every day, and even Mexican cannabis legislation is set to go through eventually, even if not on time. In this ever-changing world of cannabis, one of the newer, and more exciting, additions to the products family, is delta-8 THC, a slightly different variation of delta-9 THC, which causes less anxiety in users, and provides a clear-headed high. Sound beneficial? We’ve got great delta-8 THC deals so you can give it a go yourself, and keep up with the newest change in the industry.

Why cannabis is already kind-of legal in Mexico

The most interesting aspect of the current Mexican cannabis legalization dilemma, is that there isn’t really a debate to be had over general legality. Though the public might be fooled by titles like this from last year: Mexican Senate Passes Bill To Legalize Marijuana Nationwide, which make it sound like the decision was only just made, this is not the case at all.

Back in October 2018, the Supreme Court of Mexico made its 5th of five consecutive rulings related to cannabis possession. The ruling was in favor of the defendants, and since it was the 5th consecutive ruling of its kind, it kicked in jurisprudencia. In Mexico, jurisprudencia takes effect if the Supreme Court makes five consecutive rulings on a specific matter, and when this happens, the ruling becomes binding for all lower courts, essentially creating judicial law.

What does this do? It puts the judiciary branch of government at odds with the legislative branch, which was not changed due to the Supreme Court rulings. The legislative branch of government is then required to update itself in order to stay in concert with the courts. As such, though the decision of legality has technically been made, how this will be done has not been hammered out fully, leading Mexico’s legislature to ask for extensions for 2.5 years running. For anyone confused, the extensions have no bearing on whether legislation will pass, as it has already been decided that it must. The only thing being argued about, are the exact provisions related to the upcoming Mexican cannabis legalization.

Israel’s cannabis market is finally moving into the recreational box this year. Some time this year, if all goes as planned, the country will implement a recreational system for adults over 21. In a page from the American state market, deliveries will be allowed, although cannabis edibles that resemble candy will be banned. There will also be state control of prices to ensure that customers do not return to illicit sales channels.

Public smoking of cannabis however will remain banned (so no coffee shops or clubs allowed). Home grow without a license will also still be forbidden.

Employment discrimination, particularly for those who require background checks, is also expected to come under review (particularly striking given the Biden Administration’s quick and rather embarrassing reversal on the same earlier this year).

Why Is This A Significant Development For Israel’s Cannabis Market And Beyond?

The first interesting aspect of all of this is that Israel will again step ahead – this time on the recreational front – just as two European countries (Luxembourg and Switzerland) gear up for their own recreational programs next year.

What goes in Israel, in other words, will be closely watched and analysed in at least these two federally run programs in a region where recreational reform is increasingly a topic on the national agendas of several countries even if not yet at a point of critical mass.

Australia’s Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA) has warned of the risks of sourcing cannabis products for medicinal purposes via illicit channels.

Interest in medical cannabis in Australia is building, particularly after the TGA’s decision to down-schedule certain CBD (cannabidiol) preparations to Pharmacist Only Medicines (Schedule 3), meaning a prescription isn’t required for qualifying products. While such products have been legally accessible since February 1 this year, there are none yet available.

For a CBD medicine to be supplied without a prescription it must meet Schedule 3 criteria and be listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). None have been, nor are expected to until late this year at the earliest.

“Unless entered in the ARTG, a medicinal cannabis product has not been assessed by the TGA for safety, quality or effectiveness and therefore advertising it to consumers is inappropriate,” says the TGA.

“It may seem like a simple, affordable option, but products bought over the internet may be a serious risk to your health and a waste of money,” it says.

The cannabis space has been less than diverse since its onset as an “industry.” Even behind the scenes, there aren’t too many minorities. During the Winter Emerge 2020 Virtual Cannabis Conference, one panel highlighting diverse voices in cannabis was “Multicultural Experiences in Technology Innovation,” moderated by Sohum J. Shah.

Shah is the founder and CEO of Durban Creative Media, a cannabis consultant, and the founder of the Cannabis Commodities Exchange. Other panelists included Solanje Burnett, Rob Tankson, Andy Singh, and Seibo Shen. 

Cannabis and education

When discussing the need for education about the actual effects and benefits of cannabis, Solanje Burnett was quick to add her insights.

During the pandemic, cannabis delivery and drive-thru options became more of a hot topic than ever before. In addition to the logistics and safety it provides, delivery offers a stress-free, convenient system that is here to stay. According to a recent poll from Ganja Goddess, a California-based, online brand for cannabis consumers, cannabis users want to keep getting their weed delivered.

According to the poll’s results, cannabis use has increased and is driven in many cases by managing mental health issues. Edibles have become even more important than flower as a way to consume, and vape pens are not as popular—or at least they weren’t last year because no one was on the go. 

“Since the start of the pandemic, Americans are spending more time than ever at home, leading to an overwhelming national demand for delivery services,” said Ganja Goddess CEO Zachary Pitts.

“The initial spike in cannabis delivery sales was noteworthy, but its continued prevalence more than one year later speaks volumes. A rise in cannabis consumption and greater emphasis on managing health further highlight the impact of these challenging times. Ganja Goddess has been tracking and sharing a variety of cannabis consumer trends throughout this time frame to uncover lasting shifts in consumer preferences and behaviors. The results help our industry make more informed business decisions and better satisfy customers’ needs and desires as we move into the mainstream.” 

Cannabis Delivery Booming During Pandemic And Not Slowing Down

The poll showed that according to 89.9 percent of respondents, cannabis delivery services are the primary purchasing method during the pandemic. This is up 70 percent from pre-pandemic times. Only 6.4 percent of people say they go to retail shops, and 60 percent said they used delivery apps out of convenience, predicting that this new model should be here to stay if businesses want to keep consumers happy. 

Does your eight-hour workday feel like 40? Are you dragging yourself out of bed every morning just to get to work, whether you commute or telecommute? When your day is over, are you so tired you can barely move? Then you may be experiencing burnout.

Burnout can affect you both emotionally and physically and lead to exhaustion, lack of interest and the feeling you can’t be productive. Its negative effects may spill over into every part of your daily life. If left untreated, burnout can result in long-term serious medical conditions such as an increased likelihood for heart disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, respiratory issues and depression.

Between the pandemic, increased health concerns, job loss, and the other stresses that life throws, many are looking for ways to protect their mental health and wellness.

Since this is a cannabis publication, the natural question is “Can cannabis help?”

With all the research on cannabis, many are still at odds on the benefits of using one or both of the natural compounds CBD (cannabidiol) or THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) to aid mental health. Although both are derived from the same plant – cannabis sativa – CBD is a non-psychoactive, so you don’t get the high that you would from THC.

With the medical marijuana industry set to open up in West Virginia in the Fall, some locals are hoping more West Virginia businesses will be granted permits to participate.

Chris Yeager is the head of Appalachian Cannabis, a veteran-owned business that distributes CBD products found it stores across the state. He had hoped to be one of the companies selected to help with the roll-out by applying for a vertical permit.

"It allows you to go from seed to sale. It really allows you to control the quality of the product you put out and you really have your finger on the pulse of the product."

Yeager had initially hoped to have a location on Harper Road in Beckley, but said he was passed over in the permitting process for a company out-of-state. He hopes to make it in the next round as more people apply for cards and the industry expands.

"I would love to see an opportunity for West Virginians to get involved in this industry. I think from a patient or medical side of things, it's a great thing that we are exploring an alternative to prescription drugs."

Start spreading the news. 

New York City cab drivers no longer have to take drug tests for marijuana, according to the city Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC), which gave the green light in a statement:

“Due to the change in the law, going forward, the TLC will no longer test for marijuana in required annual drug tests.” 

But don't expect cabbies to smoke doobies while driving. The TLC, which issues licenses to taxi, livery cab and ride-share drivers like Uber and Lyf, went on to caution:

While the use of marijuana is now legal for adults, it is still the law that TLC-licensed Drivers must be sober when they operate a vehicle

The Louisiana House of Representatives recently passed a law that would grow the state’s current limited medical marijuana program. This would happen by allowing patients to purchase whole-flower cannabis. In addition to this bill, they also advanced another proposal that would secure licensing fees for recreational marijuana. That is if Louisiana moves to legalize marijuana under a different piece of legislation. The state’s House of Representatives also approved a proposal that’s meant to sync with Louisiana’s hemp program.

Meaning with the federal rules for the crop that were finalized and took effect under the U.S. Department of Agriculture just 4 weeks ago. State legislators have been passing a range of cannabis reform bills as of late. Yet debatably the most significant bill is one from Rep. Richard Nelson. This bill would create a recreational cannabis market in Louisiana. This new cannabis proposal was passed by the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee last week. With the anticipation to make the floor for consideration in the coming days.

The companion licensing proposal, which is also being backed by Nelson, made its way through the House. Wich took place on the second reading on Monday without any objections. It would set a $2,500 yearly charge for cannabis business licenses and a $100 yearly fee for a personal cultivation license. As well, it would specify that, if Louisiana takes in more money from those charges then it needs to cover administrative costs. This extra money would go to individual municipalities and law enforcement.

Louisiana Is Pushing For Better Cannabis Reform

The committee gave final passage at the start of the week about legislation that would allow medical marijuana patients in Louisiana to access real marijuana flower. After being approved on a 73-26 victory, the bill, which is sponsored by House Speaker Pro Tempore Tanner Magee is now getting ready to head to the Senate.

“One of the reasons why we’re doing this is because the opioid crisis has been so costly to the people of our state,” Magee said before the vote. “It’s been so costly to them. This is a better version. If you’re on hydrocodone, yeah, it treats your pain, but it’s highly addictive. It has lots of side effects that we don’t like.”

Consumers with no access to recreational marijuana have flocked to hemp-derived Delta-8 products. Delta-8 Sprayed Flower, gummies, drinks, and other products have become common in CBD shops, smoke shops, and vape stores across the country, and consumer demand is just getting started. 

The rapid growth of the Delta-8 market, however, has been met with equally swift bans in several states, and more states are joining that list daily. As Delta-8 sits in a legal gray area, retailers are taking risks by selling these products to consumers, but with the enormous demand, the risk has been worth the reward… so far. 

Store Owners Are Getting Nervous

Some states have taken enforcement actions against retailers already, and more store owners are growing concerned over possible raids. Jay Barrios of No Cap Hemp Co said, “This is nerve-racking. We have lawyers working around the clock. Even then, I still lose sleep at night.” 

A New Solution Enters the Market

With Delta-8 appearing to have a shorter future than the industry had hoped, one company decided to create a product that meets the same consumer demand, and the solution may come as a shock.

You have to know what ratio suits you best. And the only way to do this is to sample some strains.

The expansion and growth of the legalized marijuana market in several countries imply that cannabis smokers are free to choose from several options of cannabis. People that procure their products from the right legal sources tend to notice the THC and CBD content percentage stated clearly on the product. In addition to the CBD to THC ratio other key details are also stated.

However, some consumers have no idea of the usefulness of the CBD to THC ratio, the few that do tend not to pay attention to it unless they have to.

Photo by jopstock/Getty Images

Most times, the consumers that pay the most attention to the ratio are the medical patients being prescribed cannabis-based medication.

There are nearly 800 strains of cannabis available on the legal market, with more being cultivated all the time. On top of that, there are countless formulations of edibles, tinctures and other cannabis products.

Like the wine industry, cannabis is a complicated market for consumers. In the wine industry, sommeliers guide consumers into making choices based on region, vintage and other attributes. Cannabis is primed for a similar approach, but not nearly enough dispensaries are staffed with the sort of experts to provide it.

For new cannabis consumers, purchasing product can be a daunting experience. Indica, sativa or hybrid? Flower or concentrate? How much of this candy bar are they supposed to eat? The choices can be overwhelming, and they’re compounded by the gnawing fear that getting the answers wrong will lead to money wasted on a bad experience.

Well-intentioned budtenders do their best to guide the shopping experience, but their advice is almost exclusively based on subjective experience and often delivered while simply trying to make a sale (maybe even a sale of a particular product that’s been on the shelf too long) and keep the line moving. It’s not an ideal situation for consumers.

The retail cannabis industry is ripe for customer service and expert advice provided by certified cannabis concierges.

New York’s off-duty conduct law prohibiting employers from taking action against employees for lawful activity done while off the clock now includes cannabis, a byproduct of the state’s legalization of pot last month.

Here’s the gist, which comes via a helpful primer published by The National Law Review.

New York has a law barring employers from any discrimination against employees for various lawful activities performed outside the job, which include political activities (like running for office or campaigning on behalf of a candidate), recreational activities, and the consumption of certain legal products.

That last part is most relevant here. The off-duty conduct law now covers an individual’s legal use of consumable products, “including cannabis in accordance with state law, prior to the beginning or after the conclusion of the employee’s work hours, and off of the employer’s premises and without use of the employer’s equipment or other property;” and “including cannabis in accordance with state law, outside work hours, off of the employer’s premises and without use of the employer’s equipment or other property.”

But the amended off-duty conduct law carves out circumstances under which an employer would not be in violation for crying foul on an employee’s pot use. Those exceptions include situations when “the employer’s actions were required by state or federal statute, regulation, ordinance, or other state or federal governmental mandate,” or if “the employee is impaired by the use of cannabis, meaning the employee manifests specific articulable symptoms while working that decrease or lessen the employee’s performance of the duties or tasks of the employee’s job position.” 

While the USPS could have banned vaping products altogether as part of the new rule, it now seems that they are taking time to revisit the implications.

In a move that should encourage the cannabis industry, the United States Postal Service (USPS) is delaying the implementation of its new rules for the enforcement of a ban on direct-to-consumer mailing of vaping products. As we reported earlier this year, recent amendments to the PACT Act (Preventing All Cigarette Trafficking) required the USPS to issue regulations putting into effect the new ban on USPS mailing vape products from retailers to consumers.

I remain optimistic about mailability, despite the grim outlook lately with this news. One reason is that the principles of statutory interpretation lend credibility to the argument that the ban does not apply to vaping products that are not used to deliver tobacco or nicotine. While the USPS could have banned vaping products altogether as part of the new rule, it now seems that they are taking time to revisit the implications of an all-encompassing prohibition on shipments of vaping products. The USPS must not exceed its own legal authority under the PACT Act by regulating vaping products that fall outside the definition of tobacco product, as such a rule could be subject to challenge by various industry groups.

Photo via pxhere

If you’ve been following our PACT Act updates, by now you might recall that he amended PACT Act now defines Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) as “any electronic device that, through an aerosolized solution, delivers nicotine, flavor, or any other substance to the user inhaling from the device; includes—an e-cigarette; e-hookah; e-cigar; vape pen; advanced refillable personal vaporizer; electronic pipe; and any component, liquid, part, or accessory of a device described without regard to whether the component, liquid, part, or accessory is sold separately from the device.”

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources released updated guidance on Wednesday making way for more than 70,000 acres belonging to its Agricultural Preservation Restriction and Farm Viability Enhancement programs to be used to grow cannabis and hemp.

The APR program was established in 1977 and offers to pay farmland owners the difference between fair market value and the agricultural value of their farms in exchange for permanent deed restrictions which preserve farmland for agricultural use in the future, according to the department website.

The Farm Viability Enhancement Program, in turn, provides business and technical assistance to established farmers through grant funding, in exchange for signing an agricultural covenant on the farm property to keep it in agricultural use for a five-, 10- or 15-year term, per the state website.

Under the new guidance released last week, both hemp and cannabis production will now be allowed on APR and Farm Viability Enhancement lands, so long as the land in question isn’t federally funded, because cannabis remains illegal at the federal level.

Although the DAR did not say how many APR lands are beholden to federal restrictions, the guidance noted nearly all recently acquired APRs were purchased with federal financing.

Trying heirloom cannabis strains should definitely be high on the bucket list of every cannabis enthusiast.

In plain terms, an heirloom refers to a valuable item or artifact that has been passed down from one generation to another through decades and centuries. Heirloom cannabis strains have also been passed down through generations, but instead of being items and artifacts, they refer to cultivars of cannabis that have been around for a long while. These strains are revered and prized for their purity and historical value, hence the name.

This definition does not quite capture everything about heirloom cannabis strains, this is why this article will focus on everything you need to know about these strains, how they differ from landrace strains, as well as their benefits.

Photo by Yash Lucid from Pexels

What are Heirloom Cannabis Strains?

Heirloom cannabis strains are strains that have existed for many generations. However, this is not the only thing that makes them unique. Heirloom cannabis strains are distinct from other cannabis strains because of the purity which they offer. Unlike most strains of cannabis, heirloom cannabis strains have never been crossbred with any strain, only existing in their pure, natural form. This unadulterated and unchanged state gives heirloom cannabis its status as a prized strain.

Texas passed a bill through the House of Representatives today, titled HB 1535, that would expand the state’s medical cannabis program to cover more conditions, and therefore, service more people who rely on the plant.

Under HB 1535, the Texas medical cannabis expansion would cover chronic pain, all forms of cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The bill was drafted by Representative Stephanie Klick, a Republican and the same person who wrote the initial 2015 medical cannabis bill in Texas. 

As of now, only patients with terminal cancer, intractable epilepsy, seizures, multiple sclerosis, spasticity, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, autism, and other neurodivergent issues are covered. However, the only treatments available for medical patients are so low-THC that the legalization of hemp in 2019 has rendered the state’s medical cannabis law mostly meaningless, as even those without a prescription now have access to hemp-derived cannabinoids.

HB 1535 would change all of this. It would raise the THC cap from 0.5 percent to 5 percent, meaning that patients in Texas would now actually be able to access medicine with THC.

Still, however, the bill must now make it through a Senate committee, the whole Senate, and then get signed by the governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, to become law, so this is by no means a done deal. 

New research affiliated with the University of Colorado at Boulder and published in Psychology of Addictive Behaviors reveals that consumption of CBD-dominant cannabis may be associated with reduced alcohol intake. 

In order to test this, the researchers looked at cannabis use across 120 subjects and compared use of cannabis that was primarily CBD-heavy, THC-heavy, or a mix of both. This revealed that those who used CBD-dominant cannabis “drank fewer drinks per drinking day, had fewer alcohol use days, and fewer alcohol and cannabis co-use days compared with the other groups.” Those who used THC/CBD cannabis or THC-only did not experience any reduced alcohol intake or change in their drinking patterns.

“Conflicting evidence exists regarding the effects of cannabis on alcohol consumption, with some studies suggesting that cannabis is a substitute for alcohol, whereas others suggest that cannabis complements alcohol, thereby increasing drinking. Cannabidiol (CBD) has shown preclinical promise in decreasing alcohol consumption,” the researchers explained  “This study explores the effects of cannabis containing different potencies of CBD and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on alcohol consumption.

The authors also claimed that the results of reduced alcohol intake were “consistent with preclinical work suggesting that CBD may be associated with decreased alcohol consumption.” Other, past studies that looked at CBD vs. opiates, heroin, tobacco, and other controlled substances revealed similar results.

They concluded: “The present study lends preliminary support to the notion that plant-based CBD may be associated with decreased alcohol consumption among regular cannabis users and suggests that it may be feasible for regular cannabis users to switch to a higher CBD, lower THC content cannabis strain for the purposes of reducing their alcohol intake.”

Every cannabis lover has their favorite stash of accouterments, be it books, smoking accessories, or fashion statements. Why should it be any different for marijuana moms? Whether your mom is new to the cannabis game or a seasoned veteran, you’ll find a perfect selection with this Mother’s Day gift guide for cannabis accessories. Or choose from a selection of THC gifts and hemp and CBD selections for Mother’s Day.

'Feminist Weed Farmer' by Madrone Stewart

 PHOTO COURTESY OF MICORCOSM PUBLISHING

Feminist Weed Farmer (Book) Weed is powerful medicine and growing your own is as empowering as it gets. Experienced Humboldt farmer Madrone Stewart shares her hard-won knowledge gained from years of growing cannabis, Zen meditation, and surviving as a woman in a male-dominated industry. She walks you through the big picture and each detail of growing backyard plants, from selecting seeds to harvest and processing. Humorous, sage, and with a big heart, each chapter is infused with what she’s learned about equalizing the weed industry, applying mindfulness to pest management, and the importance of owning each step of the process. If you’ve ever wanted to grow your own pot or make hash or kief at home, this book is your wise guide. Available online from Microcosm Publishing. For an extra special treat, get Mom’s garden started with a pack of quality cannabis seeds from Seed Vault of California.

Mexican Sugar Skull Bong from Mota Glass.