BudDigest

Sapphire Risk Advisory Group, the nation’s oldest cannabis security consultancy, is introducing an innovative online cannabis security training program, ‘My Sapphire Training.’ This program is initially available for dispensaries and is engineered to empower employees with the essential knowledge to safeguard dispensary security and enhance profitability.

‘My Sapphire Training’ offers a range of comprehensive modules, including Loss Prevention, Facility Security, and Payment & Identification Verification. These courses have been meticulously developed in response to client feedback and aim to assist dispensaries in fulfilling state-mandated security training requirements.

This groundbreaking initiative underscores Sapphire Risk Advisory Group’s commitment to fostering a more secure and profitable environment within the cannabis industry, serving as a testament to their dedication to innovation and excellence.

‘My Sapphire Training’ provides a comprehensive solution for businesses looking to elevate their security protocols, satisfy regulatory mandates, and ensure the safety of their employees and patrons.

Image Credit: Sapphire Risk Advisory Group

Read More Here...

According to a paper from Scioto Analysis adult-use cannabis legalization in Ohio would likely generate about $260 million in “net benefits for society,” ranging between $200 million in net costs and $1.9 billion in net benefits.  

“Allowing a market for sale of cannabis for recreational use will impact the state economy. Opening the market will allow people access to goods they would not have had otherwise, generate tax revenue for state programs, create new jobs, and reduce crime by reducing the importance of a black market in cannabis sales. At the same time, other states that have legalized recreational cannabis have seen reduced worker productivity and increased prevalence of impaired driving.” — Scioto Analysis, “Cost-Benefit Analysis of Ohio’s Recreational Cannabis Legalization,” October 2023 

Ohio voters will decide whether to enact the reforms this month. A poll from Fallon Research in September found a majority of Ohioans support the ballot proposal 59% to 32%, with 9% unsure. 

According to Scioto Analysis, Ohio would see an estimated $190 million from cannabis-derived tax revenues which would be earmarked for the Cannabis Social Equity and Jobs Fund and the Substance Abuse Addiction Fund, which the

Read More Here...

ACS Expanded Lung Cancer Screening Guidelines

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommended on Wednesday that anyone with a significant smoking history should get an annual low-dose CT scan for lung cancer, according to STAT. These screening guidelines differ from those prior, which relied on how much people smoked and when they last smoked. The new guidelines also expanded the screening age range from 55 through 74 to 50 through 80. Additionally, the new guidelines lowered the smoking history requirement from 30 cigarette pack years to 20 or more. The new guidelines bring the ACS’ new age range and smoking history requirements in line with the US Preventive Services Task Force’s lung cancer guidelines; most private insurance plans cover lung cancer screening guidelines with an A or B grade recommendation from the task force, but some do follow the ACS guidelines.

Experts Suggest Doing Research Before Buying Health Insurance Through the Marketplace

Experts advised patients to do their research before choosing a plan as it is time for Americans to pick their 2024 health coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s insurance marketplaces, according to the Associated Press. Experts cautioned buyers from picking a plan based on price alone. Instead, to avoid thousands of dollars

Read More Here...

Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D), a founding member of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, on Monday announced he will not seek reelection. In a Facebook post, Blumenauer, who served as a member of Congress for 27 years, said “Now, it is time to refocus on a narrower set of priorities.”  

“There will be time later to reflect on our many accomplishments and where we go from here. But I’m not done with Congress yet. There are 14 months left in this congressional session and a critical election. I will take every opportunity to make progress on the issues that matter most to our families and community. I deeply appreciate and thank you for putting your trust in me. I look forward to our next chapter.” — Blumenauer in a Facebook post 

Blumenauer served as an Oregon state lawmaker in 1973 when the state decriminalized cannabis and has been an ardent supporter of federal cannabis reforms since his election to the House of Representatives in 1996. He was a key supporter of the SAFE Banking Act, a bill to normalize banking services for cannabis industry operators which passed the House six times but was never given a

Read More Here...

ABSTRACT

Objectives: This study examined the impact of insulin products donated by a pharmaceutical manufacturer and dispensed by Dispensary of Hope–partnered pharmacies on medication access and treatment outcomes among uninsured patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Study Design: This was a pilot, single-center, retrospective observational study.

Methods: Uninsured patients with diabetes who were newly established with Ascension Medical Group clinics for the treatment of T2D were included in this study. Participants were prescribed insulin glargine, insulin isophane, or insulin isophane/insulin regular insulin therapy between March 2020 and August 2021. A retrospective chart review was conducted. Information collected included participants’ hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months; change in HbA1c level; insulin prescribed; fill history; whether they had been referred to a patient assistance program; and whether they were seen by a pharmacist under a collaborative practice agreement.

Results: Thirty-eight participants were assessed, and 22 met criteria for the primary outcome. The mean HbA1c level decreased from 11.2% at baseline to 8.9% at 3 months and 8.8% at 6 months, resulting in a mean change in HbA1c of –2.4 percentage points (P = .033). Eleven participants (50%) had an HbA1c level of less than 9% at 6 months. The mean proportion of days covered was 76%.

Read More Here...

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) on Tuesday transferred $13 million from the state’s medical cannabis program to the Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC). It is the fifth transfer to date, bringing the total transferred to $39,978,820. 

The agency also transferred $3,836,919 in funds generated by Missouri’s adult-use cannabis program to the MVC ($1,278,973), the state Public Defender’s Office ($1,278,973), and DHSS ($1,278,973) for a drug treatment grant program.   

MVC Executive Director Paul Kirchhoff said the “funds will help MVC continue to support the existing infrastructure of our seven Veterans Homes.” 

“It is incredible that Missouri voters passed the adult use amendment less than one year ago,” added Amy Moore, director of the Division of Cannabis Regulation with DHSS, “and we are now starting to see the financial impact the program’s success will have on multiple organizations and the Missourians they serve.” 

The amendment to legalize cannabis for medical use was voted into Missouri’s constitution in 2018. It requires that fees and taxes generated by medical cannabis be transferred to the MVC to give veterans better access to healthcare. In November 2022 an additional amendment was voted in that gives the fees and taxes generated

Read More Here...

One of the best insurance policies a cannabis business can get is a written contract. Paying a lawyer a little bit up front can save hundreds of thousands when things go south. A lot of folks in the cannabis industry are still doing deals on a handshake basis (you can see some of our older posts on handshake deals below). In this post, I’ll outline a few of the best reasons why written contracts beat handshake deals 99% (if not 100% of the time).

#1 The statute of frauds!!!

The Statute of Frauds is a legal doctrine that requires certain types of contracts to be in writing. If they are not in writing, they are generally not enforceable. For example, California’s Statute of Frauds requires written contracts for, among other things, agreements that cannot be performed within a year, for leases for a year or longer, and for loans over $100,000 in certain cases. If the parties try to do a handshake deal for something within the Statute of Frauds, one or both of them may be in for a rude awakening if there is ever a contract dispute if the court refuses to enforce the agreement.

#2 Cogently memorializing

Read More Here...

Matthew Casey/KJZZ

Flowering marijuana plants are on the cusp of being ready to cultivate.

When marijuana was outlawed in Arizona, smoking the plant’s flower was the primary way to feel its effects.

Now adults and medical patients can instead choose vape pens, gummies and even beverages.

Machinery filled and sealed a long line of tall slender cans made and sold by the Flower Shop AZ on a recent Thursday morning.

The ingredients are flavored water, some of the psychoactive chemical THC and an injection of carbon dioxide.

Seltzers grew popular as booze drinks. A link with alcohol might chafe some in the marijuana biz. But Vikki Doolitte thinks that it’s spirit makers who should be annoyed.

“We’re coming in on their market share,” Doolitte said. 

Doolittle is sales director for a firm called YourWay Cannabis Brands. The publicly traded company owns an Arizona-based extract maker that also does white-labeling of marijuana products known as shatter, diamonds and distillate. 

Arizona’s third year of legalized marijuana has been hard for people in the industry. The thumbs of growers have become so green that there is an oversupply. And as multistate operators set up, local brands have to compete for shrinking shelf space in a limited number of dispensaries. 

“It’s definitely a big

Read More Here...

Matthew Casey/KJZZ

Flowering marijuana plants are on the cusp of being ready to cultivate.

When marijuana was outlawed in Arizona, smoking the plant’s flower was the primary way to feel its effects.

Now adults and medical patients can instead choose vape pens, gummies and even beverages.

Machinery filled and sealed a long line of tall slender cans made and sold by the Flower Shop AZ on a recent Thursday morning.

The ingredients are flavored water, some of the psychoactive chemical THC and an injection of carbon dioxide.

Seltzers grew popular as booze drinks. A link with alcohol might chafe some in the marijuana biz. But Vikki Doolitte thinks that it’s spirit makers who should be annoyed.

“We’re coming in on their market share,” Doolitte said. 

Doolittle is sales director for a firm called YourWay Cannabis Brands. The publicly traded company owns an Arizona-based extract maker that also does white-labeling of marijuana products known as shatter, diamonds and distillate. 

Arizona’s third year of legalized marijuana has been hard for people in the industry. The thumbs of growers have become so green that there is an oversupply. And as multistate operators set up, local brands have to compete for shrinking shelf space in a limited number of dispensaries. 

“It’s definitely a big

Read More Here...

Join NY Cannabis Insider for our next full-day conference on Nov. 16 at the Sonesta White Plains.

Jeffrey Hoffman is a New York City-based attorney who hosts “Ask Me Anything about Cannabis Legalization in New York” each week on LinkedIn. Hoffman and NY Cannabis Insider have partnered to bring those sessions into print in a Q&A format.

Hoffman’s practice focuses on cannabis industry clients, including licensees in the adult-use market, practitioners in the medical cannabis space, and cannabis adjacent product and service providers. He has a particular interest in social and economic equity cannabis license applicants, and he also informs and assists those convicted of cannabis offenses in getting such convictions expunged from their record. He can be reached at info@420jurist.com.

The following AMA from Oct. 24 has been edited for length and clarity. Hoffman’s next AMA is on Nov. 8 at 4:20 p.m.

What’s your application update?

The deadlines have been moved back to November 17 and December 18, respectively. That puts us into the week before Christmas, so I would expect the overwhelming majority of licensing activity will happen in ‘24. It is possible that the OCM will want to get out a few (likely non-provisional) licenses before the end of the year,

Read More Here...