Everyday seems to be an uphill struggle for cannabis in the US. The culture is slowly starting to become normalized but, the many still oppose the industry from fear instilled form the Reefer Madness days of the 30s. Much of this opposition came up in states like Oklahoma in addition to states such as California finding balance in the industries grey area.
Outside of the US, however, one country has moved to decriminalize cannabis possession. According to Ganjapreneur, Israel’s initial vote by the Knesset was unanimously approved by legislators. The deciding vote will take place this week and, if approved, would make Israel the first Middle Eastern country to decriminalize that plant.
As many states, and some countries, came to a head with cannabis legislation and acceptance, let’s look back on how the week was.
Oklahoma’s Battle for MMJ
As the state of Oklahoma moved forward into their medical cannabis market, many legislators disagreed with programs lack of regulation. The program didn’t place a cap of licensing or list any conditions that would qualify for a medical recommendation, in retrospect making the program open to anyone of legal age. After some heavy backlash, Governor Fallin, made emergency rules to the program such as having a pharmacist onsite and banning the sale of smokable cannabis products. In a statement from SFGate, Fallin said this about the change:
“I know some citizens are not pleased with these actions…But I encourage everyone to approach this effort in a constructive fashion in order to honor the will of the citizens of Oklahoma who want a balanced and responsible medical marijuana law.”
In response, two lawsuits have been filed against the state, Governor Fallin, as well as the state’s Health Department for the change. Cannabis advocates feel the changes hinder the market and have been put in place to simple slow it down. One of the filers, Green the Vote, tld local news that they hope “lawsuit will quickly resolve the improper regulations and allow Oklahoma citizens to exercise their rights to manage their own health care.”
State to Pay for Workers Comp Comp MMJ
For the second time in the state, a New Jersey judge ordered an insurance group to cover Cody for a claimants medical cannabis.
Freehold Township, the insurance company, argued that they could not fulfill the claim due to federal law. Despite this, judge Lionel Simon ruled against the insurance company as well as a recent Maine ruling that held insurance companies can’t be forced to pay for cannabis that is still illegal federally.
Judge Simon made this statement in court involving the issue.
“I don’t think the New Jersey Medical Marijuana Act is in conflict with that. Certainly I don’t understand how a [insurance] carrier who will never possess, never distribute, never intend to distribute these products, who will merely sign a check into an attorney’s trust account, is in any way complicit with the distribution of illegal narcotics. … What else is important to note here is in this, Mr. McNeary’s case, there is a documented medical need and the concern is that Mr. McNeary is going to become addicted to opioids.”
California’s Juggle with Compliancy
Some parts of California still struggle with compliance with the states regulations. From the updated laws and rules, a 136-page was released detailing the proposed rules and changes for the industry.
According to the new rules, any cannabis grown and harvested before 2018 just be disposes of our sold by this point. The rush to get state-complaint product after the fact has caused many business to scramble out of desperation.
Given the lack of up-and-running testing labs available, the few that exist are feeling the pressure. The state’s new standards include tests for 66 pesticides, 20 solvents, four heavy metals and three microbes, as well as cannabinoid profiles.
In another attempt to keep the state complaint, the Department of Public Healths Food and Drug Branch made changes to a FAQ regarding the hemp-derived CBD infused foods.
According to Ganjapreneur, the branch has remained firm on the CBD as a Schedule 1 substance despite the FDA’s choice to approve it for epilepsy medication and the possibility of it’s class changing soon. The action can completely disrupt a market of the industry especially, in a state such as California-the largest cannabis market in the U.S.
“Although California currently allows the manufacturing and sales of cannabis products (including edibles), the use of industrial hemp as the source of CBD to be added to food products is prohibited. Until the FDA rules that industrial hemp-derived CBD oil and CBD products can be used as a food or California makes a determination that they are safe to use for human and animal consumption, CBD products are not an approved food, food ingredient, food additive, or dietary supplement.”
— The updated FAQ, via the Food and Drug Branch of California’s 8
Hawaii To Accept Out-Of-State Medical Cardholders
As the island state of Hawaii makes moves for more adult and agricultural uses for cannabis, they’ve opened their market to tourist as well. Beginning next year, any valid medical recommendation holder from the US will be able to purchase a Hawaii MMJ registration card for $45 that will be valid for 60 days, HawaiiNewsNow reported.
Along with Las Vegas, Hawaii has a strong tourist market and could benefit from the added revenue. The state’s department of health estimates 5,000 visitors to buy registration cards the first year, hoping for upwards of 30,000 during peak times of the year.
The state has also put these rules in order:
- Allow dispensaries to sell Safe Pulmonary Administration products (SPAs), which transform marijuana or marijuana oil into an aerosol
- Expedite MMJ registration cards for new patients, minors, and people with cancer and in hospice. Those patients now can obtain cards in just one or two days
- Provide electronic patient registration cards that allow patients to download their registration information onto their smartphones and other electronic devices.
Written by: Joycelin Arnold
