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In a groundbreaking move, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) has granted approval to the Swiss Institute for Addiction and Health Research (ISGF) and the Sanity Group to initiate a pilot study on the controlled dispensing of recreational cannabis in the canton of Basel-Landschaft. This study, named the “Grashaus Projects,” is set to commence later this year, with the primary objective of understanding the implications of regulated cannabis access. Insights derived will inform potential future cannabis regulations in Switzerland.

Sanity Group, a German entity, is the sole non-Swiss company involved in the Swiss pilot projects. It will start the dispensing process through a store in Allschwil, followed by another one in Liestal.

See also: The ‘Father Of Cannabis Research’ Discovered Something More Potent Than THC Before Dying: Here’s What

The ISGF-Sanity collaboration received the final nod from the BAG after previously securing the blessings of the Ethics Committee Northwest and Central Switzerland (EKNZ) last year. Prof. Dr. Michael Schaub, the scientific director of the ISGF, will lead the study, which will focus on the regulated sale of cannabis for non-medical use.

The research intends to document consumption patterns and the subsequent physical and mental health impacts on the participants. Additionally, the societal consequences,

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In Washington, D.C., where the pillars of power and politics cast their long shadows, an unassuming cannabis operator quietly marked its territory. With strict industry regulations and limited scale, it was a risky endeavor, but its founders, fueled by their unwavering belief in the healing potential of cannabis, dared to dream big. With headlines from Capitol Hill dominating the cannabis industry headlines in recent times, The Cannabist Company’s (CBOE:CBST) (OTC:CBST) humble beginnings are a story worth telling.

The Tier-1 operator’s history can be traced back to its inaugural dispensary in The District of Columbia. An investment banker by trade, The Cannabis Company CEO Nicolas Vita forged his own path by taking a chance on a risky and immature industry back in 2012. As a native of Bethesda, Maryland—approximately 7 miles north of Washington D.C.—cutting his teeth in the regulatory capital of the United States made sense, however daunting the experience would become.

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It was here that Columbia Care Inc., since renamed The Cannabis Company this past September, opened its first dispensary and cultivation centers D.C. and recorded its first legal sale in 2013. 

Unlike the massive consumer demand which is commonplace today, only nine patients had

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Looting suspects ram car into marijuana dispensary in Philadelphia neighborhood

Video captured the moment a vehicle was repeatedly backed into the Curaleaf located on City Avenue on September 27.

PHILADELPHIA – The storefront of a marijuana dispensary was completely destroyed in Philadelphia’s Wynnefield section last month, and now police are trying to identify those responsible.

Video captured the moment a vehicle was repeatedly backed into the Curaleaf located on City Avenue on September 27.

Smashed glass and mangled debris remained as several suspects rushed into the store. It is unclear how much was stolen during the incident.

Police say they fled in a small silver sedan.

The video is connected to two-day looting spree that erupted across Philadelphia, which has lead to dozens of arrests.

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“Dispensaries have the opportunity to make a positive impact on their communities by promoting education and awareness”

By Olivia Davis, guest contributor

Photo from Canterra.co

Cannabis education is crucial in dispensaries, as it ensures that customers receive accurate information and make informed decisions about their cannabis consumption. Well-informed staff play a vital role in providing guidance to customers and fostering a positive and responsible cannabis culture.

 Through product knowledge, training on strains and effects, safety and compliance measures, and legal awareness, dispensaries can create an environment that promotes responsible use and addresses misconceptions and stigma surrounding cannabis.

The Importance Of Well-informed Staff

Dispensaries must prioritize having well-informed staff members who are knowledgeable about cannabis and its effects. This allows them to provide accurate information and address customer queries and concerns effectively. By ensuring that staff members are well-educated, dispensaries can establish credibility and trust with their customers.

One of the key reasons why well-informed staff is crucial for dispensaries is the ever-evolving nature of the cannabis industry. With ongoing research and discoveries about the various compounds and potential benefits of cannabis, it is essential for staff members to stay updated with the latest information. This knowledge empowers them to guide

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The city of Denver, Colorado surpassed the half-billion mark for cannabis tax revenue and industry fees this summer, topping $501.5 million in August, Westword reports. The total includes all cannabis-derived tax revenues tracked by Excise & Licenses since 2010, which is when medical cannabis dispensaries began operating in the city.  

From 2010 to 2013, the city collected $26.2 million from a 3.62% tax on medical cannabis sales and business licensing fees. In 2014, when adult-use dispensaries began operating, the city collected $23.8 million through licensing fees and a 3.5% sales tax. In 2018, the city increased its tax to 5.5% to help fund local affordable housing programs and in 2021 the city saw its record-to-date for tax and fee collections with $72.9 million in revenue, the report says.    

According to an Excise & Licenses report earlier this year, outlined by Westword, the 2% increase on cannabis sales taxes for affordable housing provided nearly $38.8 million from late 2018 through 2022, which has helped pay for Denver Department of Housing Stability’s land acquisitions, unit development and production, housing assistance, and supportive housing services.  

In 2023, local cannabis tax revenues will fund $8 million in homelessness services, according

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RISE Dispensaries, a rapidly growing cannabis retail chain owned by Green Thumb Industries Inc. announced that RISE Dispensary Sun City Center, the Company’s tenth retail location in Florida and 86th nationwide, will open on October 27th. RISE Dispensary SunCity Center will welcome patients with a grand opening celebration on November 14th, where profits from the day will be donated to Minorities for Medical Marijuana. The event will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony with representatives from the South Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce.

Minorities for Medical Marijuana (M4MM) is a purpose-driven nonprofit organization that provides education and programs to build a more accessible and equitable cannabis industry, such as their Safe Access initiative, which hosts community-centric events targeting low income and veteran patients to help them learn about and obtain a medical marijuana card at no cost. In addition to the RISE Sun City Center grand opening donation, M4MM also serves as the recipient of RISE Dispensaries’ Round Up Program across Florida, where patients have the option to round up to the nearest dollar when making an in-store purchase in support of the organization. Green Thumb joined the Florida community in 2018 and operates two production facilities in Ocala and Homestead where the Company

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Until now, there’s been just one thing missing at NYC’s new weed museum—cannabis itself. But as of this month, museum-goers to the House of Cannabis (THC NYC) can buy cannabis products at the cultural venue, even though they can’t use actually those products onsite.

The museum, located in Soho, has installed kiosks at which patrons can order cannabis products through Union Square Travel Agency: A Cannabis Store. They’ll place their order, then the products will arrive at the museum within an hour. Think of it like placing a to-go order. 

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Union Square Travel Agency is known for its extensive selection of cannabis products, from edibles to flower to tinctures. The museum’s onsite kiosk mirrors the experience of visiting the store but within the immersive environment of THC NYC.

For the dispensary, the partnership is a natural fit, Paul Yau, CEO of Union Square Travel Agency said in a statement. 

“We’ve been a fan of the House of Cannabis since it opened, and like us, they want their guests to explore the cannabis plant, products, and community in the most memorable and educational way possible,” he continued. “Helping people navigate impactful cannabis experiences

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Five years after Canada legalized cannabis for adult use, 65% of consumers said they purchased only from legal sources, according to a survey from Pollara Strategic Insights. The firm found that the public continues to largely accept the reforms, with 52% expressing outright approval, 20% ambivalent, and 23% disapproving. 

Ther survey found that about 30% of Canadians believe legalization has resulted in increased crime, which Pollara said roughly matches expectations, but that about 10% believe it has caused a decrease. Another 70% said they feel like the number of stores selling adult-use cannabis has increased since its legalization, while 30% said they believed the number of illegal stores has increased. 

“Five years since legalization, over a quarter (27%) of Canadians report using cannabis in some form in the past 12 months – representing a 2-point increase from July 2022, a 9-point increase since March 2019, and a doubling of reported levels pre-legalization (+14 points). One-in-ten (11%) of all adult Canadians – including two-in-ten (21%) cannabis users – report having only used cannabis since legalization.” — Pollara Strategic Insights, “Legal cannabis in Canada: 5 years later,” Fall 2023 

Just 36% of Canadian cannabis consumers still tend to view

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The city of Bridgeport, Connecticut this week agreed to pay a settlement to a former police officer who said he was wrongly suspended for being a medical cannabis patient, CT Post reports. The settlement with Donald Bensey came as the case was set for a trial in Superior Court. 

The details of the settlement were not disclosed, and it still requires final approval from the City Council.  

In 2012, state lawmakers passed a bill prohibiting employers from firing employees who consumed cannabis and were enrolled in the state’s medical cannabis program; however, federal law outlaws the possession of firearms by cannabis consumers, which was required for Bensey in his role as a police officer. Bensey had worked for the Bridgeport police since 2006, and was promoted to sergeant in 2016, but had qualified for the medical cannabis program in 2016 following a post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis, the report says.  

In 2016 and 2018, then-Police Chief Armando Perez issued a department-wide memo stating that, despite the medical cannabis law and 2012 law protecting medical cannabis patients, officers “are still prohibited from using or possessing marijuana and will be subject to discipline up to and

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There is a new dispensary in Boston where customers can smell the bud before they buy.

Native Sun Cannabis has officially planted roots in South Boston with the goal to rub their product in peoples’ noses – literally.

Upon entering the 3,000-square-foot store, guests can take a whiff of weed from the flower bar then make a purchase. This is intended to create a more holistic experience for marijuana enthusiasts, according to Chief Operating Officer Matt Gamble.

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“What we want to do here at the store is bring together the fashion, the art, the music and the flower,” Gamble said during a tour of the space on Tuesday. “At Native Sun, we’re more than just cannabis. We’re a cannabis lifestyle experience.”

The company partnered with several local artists and businesses to help bring the store to life. Witch Dr, a glass company in Salem, stocked all the dispensary’s bowls and bongs while Laced, a Boston-based streetwear company, has products for sale.

The new dispensary also features nearly 50 varieties of cannabis-infused beverages, pre-rolls, vapes and edibles.

Read More: In tightening industry, ZaZa Green aims to buck the canna trend in East

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