“The OMMP is dead.”

“Wrong. Long live the OMMP!”

If you are a member of the Oregon cannabis community, you have most likely heard people say, or post on social media, that the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) is dead. While some unnecessary laws and regulations have hurt the ability of many cannabis growers to continue providing for as many as they were previously, the OMMP is alive and well, thanks to many dedicated providers and activists.

It has certainly been a long, strange trip for the Oregon cannabis community since, well since forever probably, but certainly since the state voted to legalize cannabis by passing Measure 91 in 2014. While I certainly do not regret helping end cannabis prohibition in Oregon, when I discuss the cannabis scene since the implementation of M91, I usually bring up the Western classic, “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” as there have certainly been unfortunate laws and policies enacted the past few years.

Despite the text of M91 that stated the legalization should not impact the OMMP, legislators, many who have been skeptical of the OMMP and various lobbying groups successfully, have taken the opportunity to further regulate the growing of medical cannabis. Those that have been lobbying at the Oregon Legislature for several years know that regulations were ultimately inevitable. It was only a matter of time before more regulations were enacted, mostly due to a handful of bad actors tarnishing the OMMP.

Despite the regulations, tens of thousands of patients are still being helped by the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program. Over 60,000 patients are still registered with the OMMP, each receiving the ability to maintain their own medical cannabis garden (or have someone else cultivate for them), avoid the 17% to 20% tax that localities impose on recreational cannabis sales and a wider selection of medical-grade cannabis products. And in spite of plant limitations, compassionate growers are still finding ways to help many patients receive free or low-cost medicine.

Recently, the OMMP issued new plant limit directives following the passage of Oregon House Bill 2198, a bill that includes some good things, such as the establishment of the Oregon Cannabis Commission that will advocate for positive policies for our patients and allowing qualified growers sell up to 20 pounds yearly into the recreational system. Unfortunately, a provision of HB 2198 is nonsensically being interpreted by the state to limit the number of plants allowed at a residence address where a patient (or the patient’s caregiver) is also a grower at that residence.

Thankfully, dedicated patient advocates, particularly those at Compassionate Oregon, Oregon SunGrown Growers Guild, and Right To Grow, have been at work to change this plant limit, but also find ways to still provide for patients. Thanks to Right To Grow’s Sandy Diesel, we have found one such way for patient growers to still cultivate more than 12 plants at their residence. Sandy sought info directly from an OMMP compliance officer who told there that two patients growing for each other, but not listed as one another’s caregiver, could still cultivate for more than 12 plants, giving them the ability to still grow for more patients. (You can see a picture of the correspondence at the end of this blog post.)

It also appears, but this compliance officer’s rationale, that a patient grower could have their grow site at another residence and still cultivate more than 12 plants at their own residence for other patients, so long as they are not listed as a caregiver for any of those patients. (Typical disclaimer: nothing in this blog should be considered legal advice and you should always consult with a practicing attorney if you have any questions as interpretations and law enforcement priorities can vary across the state.)

Yes, it is a hassle to have to jump through so many unnecessary hoops, but the OMMP remains one of the best medical marijuana systems in the world, and navigating these hoops help improve the lives of so many patients. There are still more than 61,000 patients and over 25,000 grow sites across the great state of Oregon. Through Duff Johnson Consulting’s work matching patient and growers and helping qualify patients at Ashland and Northwest Alternative Health, not to mention the benefits we see among our family and friends, I see the benefits of the OMMP firsthand in helping patients lives and will continue working with advocates to protect and improve our state’s medical program.

While the changes to the program and entire political process can seem maddening, working together can help OMMP activists roll back burdensome rules and improve the lives of patients. In addition to implementing more common-sense rules to help growers cultivate effectively for patients, we will be advocating that the state establish a low-income patient program and provide greater access to the commercial market for OMMP growers.

Don’t fall for the “OMMP is dead” rhetoric. Don’t give up. Join forces with other advocates and organizations to continue to fight for the OMMP. I have seen amazing work accomplished by so many tremendous Oregon activists over the years, that I, and many others, will never give up the fight. The Oregon Medical Marijuana Program is too valuable and too helpful and it remains a great benefit for tens of thousands of sick and disabled Oregonians. Long live the OMMP!

The OMMP compliance email regarding medical gardens sent to Right To Grow’s Sandy Diesel:

Be sure to join other cannabis legalization activists and entrepreneurs at the International Cannabis Business Conference in beautiful Kauai, Hawaii, December 1st thru the 3rd. After Kauai, the ICBC travels to San Francisco, February 1st-2nd, just one month after California is scheduled to legalize cannabis commerce for all adults. 

Maui Grown Therapies and Oahu’s Aloha Green Apothecary are the only two medical cannabis dispensaries legally operating under Hawaiian law, both first opening their doors in August. Like many states working out the kinks of a newly established dispensary system, bureaucratic hurdles hindered the Hawaiian dispensaries initially, but their state government seems to be looking for solutions to assist state-regulated dispensaries, including establishing a cashless system that can alleviate some of the problems associated with a lack of access to banking services, an issue plaguing cannabis businesses across the country, and the world. Despite the problems associated of opening up a new business, let alone a federally illegal one, the Hawaii’s only two dispensaries generated over $426,000 in sales.

Pacific Business News reported:

According to data for the state Department of Health, the dispensaries sold 8,890 products and had a combined 7,845 customer visits.

In its presentation to the legislative oversight group for medical cannabis on Wednesday, the DOH said on average, customers bought 3.3 grams and spent $54.33 per purchase.

***

The department also said there were more than 18,600 registered patients as of August, which represents an increase of 615 from the month before.

Fortunately, registered patients in Hawaii now have better access to medical marijuana. Unfortunately, the average price of a gram is $16.45, too much of a price for many patients, especially those on a fixed income. As more dispensaries come online, the price should start dropping for patients. However, demand will increase as more patients get registered with the program, as expected, and when Hawaii starts allowing state-licensed patients from across the nation utilize Hawaiian dispensaries.

Hawaii’s medical cannabis dispensary system will only grow over the coming years and we can expect the Aloha State to legalize for all adults within a few years, becoming one of the first states to end prohibition thru its state legislature. As Hawaii’s cannabis system expands, hopefully the state can learn from the successes of others, as well as look for ways to improve upon what other locales have done.

For instance it would be great to see Hawaii, or any  state, implement policies to ensure all patients have safe access to a safe medicine, such as a establishing a program to assist patients battling poverty. I look forward to learning more about Hawaii’s system, networking, and sharing ideas with business owners, investors, and activists at the upcoming International Cannabis Business Conference in Kauai at the beginning of December, just one month before the state is expected to start accepting the medical cards from other states and California begins full legalization for all adults. While many hurdles remain for Hawaii, and the global cannabis legalization movement, it is clear that we have the momentum and are seeing great progress state by state, country by country.

The cannabis community was rocked when the Republican-led House Rules Committee nonsensically prohibited a vote on the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment, and a whole host of other positive cannabis law reform measures. The Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment, sponsored by Republican Dana Rohrabacher and Democrat Earl Blumenauer, protects state-legal medical marijuana patients and providers from federal prosecution.

Blocking a vote on Rohrabacher-Blumenauer was especially egregious as the amendment had passed with growing bipartisan support for four years in a row and a supermajority of American voters support medical cannabis and the right of states to implement their own cannabis laws. However thankfully, we now have a three-month reprieve under a debt and disaster relief bill first passed by the Senate. The House then followed suit and passed the debt deal as well.

While the cannabis community was shocked to see state medical marijuana programs potentially threatened by the Jeff Sessions Justice Department, politicos, particularly GOP congressional leaders, were stunned to hear that Donald Trump had agreed to a debt relief bill with the Democrats. The deal, now passed by both chambers of Congress, pushes another huge budget bill vote back to December.

All political wrangling and partisanship aside, the debt deal is good news for the cannabis community, as the deal includes the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment. We now have three months to organize and mobilize to ensure that the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment gets the vote it deserves.

A handful of Republican members on the House Rules Committee should not be able to override the will of tens of millions of voters who overwhelmingly support medical cannabis. It will be imperative that the cannabis community remain vigilant and make our voices heard in the Halls of Congress loud and clear.

Congressmen Rohrabacher and Blumenauer have both spoken at the International Cannabis Business Conference multiple times. The ICBC is the cannabis event to learn the latest regarding cannabis business, politics and activism. The next ICBC, in beautiful Kauai, Hawaii, on December 1st thru the 3rd, will be a great opportunity to learn about the latest policy developments and how the cannabis community can organize effectively to ensure that the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment is passed so we can continue protecting medical cannabis patients and their providers from federal prosecution. 

Germany has made great strides improving its cannabis laws in recent years, but there is still so much work to be done, as too many patients are still without safe access to a safe medicine. There was understandably great hope that Germany would start treating marijuana the same as any other medicine, after the country implemented an expansion of the burgeoning medical program, but too many bureaucratic hurdles remain. Hoping to fulfill the practical notion that cannabis should be treated the same as any other prescribed medicine, Dr. Franjo Grotenhermen, on of the world’s preeminent medical cannabis experts, has announced a hunger strike until Germany sufficiently opens up the medical cannabis program to all patients in need.

I had the honor of meeting Dr. Grotenhermen when he spoke at the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin last year, and the man’s dedication to the cause, and expert knowledge, were evident to all in attendance. I hope when the ICBC returns to Berlin in 2018, that Dr. Grotenhermen can reflect on how his efforts have successfully brought medical cannabis fully into the medical mainstream.

Below is a press release sent out by Dr. Grotenhermen announcing his hunger strike: 

Cannabis expert starts hunger strike

Rüthen: On August 17, 2017, the German cannabis expert Franjo Grotenhermen entered an indefinite hunger strike. The objective of refusing to accept any food is to decriminalize all citizens who need cannabis to treat their serious diseases.

On March 10, 2017, a much-debated law on cannabis as a medicine went into effect in Germany. It was the declared aim of the legislature to allow all patients who need a therapy with cannabis medicines to do so. The law, however, proves itself in practice as too bureaucratic. Therefore, treatment with cannabis and cannabinoids is unattractive for doctors who in principle support such therapy. Many patients do not find a doctor who allows them legal access to the needed treatment.

“The legislature has taken a great step into the right direction,” explains Grotenhermen. “However, many patients are still dependent on a still as illegal regarded treatment. They face criminal sanctions. This is no longer acceptable. Therefore a basic clarification in the narcotics law must be established. The prosecution of patients to whom a doctor has certified the need for a therapy with cannabis must end. ”

Already today, the German Narcotics Law allows prosecutors to stop a criminal case in the case of a “minor debt”. This possibility is mainly applied in cases of possession of small amounts of cannabis. Grotenhermen urges that criminal proceedings should in principle also be stopped if accused citizens need cannabis for medical reasons. “The need for a cannabis therapy should not be judged by the judiciary, a government agency or a health insurance company, but, as with other medical treatments, also by a doctor,” explains Grotenhermen.

He also strongly supports the uncomplicated access of patients to standardized preparations from the pharmacy. In this respect, it is necessary to improve the existing law. However, the prosecution of the remaining losers of the legal situation must also be ended. “I am not aware of a convincing argument by which patients’ prosecution can be maintained,” adds Grotenhermen. A corresponding amendment to the Narcotics Act is, therefore, logical and unavoidable.

From 7 pm a 21-minute video will be presented on a special website (www.cannabis-hungerstrike.de), in which Grotenhermen explains in detail the background and goals of his hunger strike. On May 12, 2017, he had already begun a short 8-day “warning hunger strike”, by which he wanted to draw attention to a problem associated with the new law.

Franjo Grotenhermen, born in 1957, studied medicine in Cologne. Medical practice in Rüthen (NRW) with a focus on therapy with cannabis and cannabinoids. Grotenhermen is the chairman of the German Association for Cannabis as Medicine (ACM), Executive Director of the International Association for Cannabinoid Medicines (IACM) and
Chairman of the Medical Cannabis Declaration eV (MCD), as well as author of the IACM-Bulletin, which is available in several languages on the website of the IACM. Grotenhermen is an associate of the Cologne nova-Institut in the department of renewable resources and author of numerous articles and books on the therapeutic potential of the hemp plant and cannabinoids, their pharmacology and toxicology. Among others, since 2008 he has been an expert on debates in the
Health Committee of the German Bundestag on the medical use of cannabis products, most recently in September 2016.

Despite the nonsensical naysaying by Reefer Madness prohibitionists, medical cannabis now enjoys mainstream acceptance across the United States, (and support is increasing around the world). Whether it be for chronic pain relief, the treatment of post-traumatic stress symptoms, nausea caused by chemotherapy, or a whole host of medical issues, a supermajority of Americans agree that patients should have safe access to medical marijuana when recommended by their doctor.

Despite the extreme bureaucratic hurdles placed in front of researchers, numerous peer-reviewed studies have concluded that cannabis is indeed medicine. Hawaiians are certainly no different as more than 18,000 patients have already registered with the state’s medical program. Aloha State officials are now expecting a surge in patient numbers now that regulated dispensaries are now coming online (although not without some regulatory hiccups).

Hawaii News Now reports:

“With other states that have similar size programs, we’ve seen up to a 50 percent increase in the first year. We’ve had for our program, from inception to date, about a steady 20 percent per year, so we’re expecting at least 20 percent, up to 50 percent,” said Scottina Ruis, coordinator for the state’s medical cannabis registry program.

More than 18,000 patients have now joined the state’s medical cannabis registry.

“They see a light at the end of the tunnel. It has been a long road since 2000 to today, where we have an opportunity for patients to actually get their medicine from a licensed dispensary with products that have been tested by a laboratory,” explained Ruis.

As more medical dispensaries open, and cannabis continues to become even more mainstream, it makes sense that more Hawaiians will seek out legal access to a safe medicine recommended by their doctor. As Hawaii News Now noted, state officials are taking notice to plan for a dramatic increase in patients, including the hiring of more staffers. After Oregon’s medical cannabis dispensary system was implemented, the patient registry peaked with more than 70,000 patients (after legalizing for all adults and prohibiting out-of-state residents, the number of registered patients sits at nearly 62,000).

Hawaii, with about 35% of the population of Oregon, could easily see the number of registered Aloha State patients hit 24,500 or so, a 36% increase, in no time. With an increase in dispensaries and patients, and the state starting to recognize out-of-state patients at the beginning of 2018, it will certainly be a great time to attend the International Cannabis Business Conference in beautiful Kauai this December. (Full disclosure, I am proud to help organize the ICBC). It will be great to see entrepreneurs and advocates from around the nation, and world, converge upon Hawaii to network and learn as we continue the global movement to provide safe access to patients and eventually end the criminal prosecution of all adults who utilize cannabis.

On the heels of New Jersey Senator Cory Booker introducing the “Marijuana Justice Act” to repeal cannabis prohibition, the National Conference of State Legislatures has joined the call for legalization, urging the federal government to remove marijuana from the list of controlled substances. This is the second year in a row that the NCSL has passed such a resolution. It is a sign of the growing support for legalization and the fact that state governments are facing serious complications fully following the will of their voters due to federal law. The people and state legislatures want to end cannabis prohibition, when will Congress act on the needs of their constituents.

Poll after poll shows that the number of marijuana prohibitionists are shrinking greatly in our nation. A majority of voters want to legalize cannabis for all adults, while a supermajority of voters support medical use and want the federal government to allow states to implement their own cannabis laws. Unfortunately, by keeping marijuana as a Schedule I substance, Uncle Sam puts our communities at greater risk by forcing cannabis businesses to keep too much cash on hand by denying banking access while placing too many obstacles in front of researchers hoping to fully unlock the medicinal properties of the cannabis plant.

Despite elected officials lagging behind voters, the cannabis community has made positive strides in recent years at the federal level. The provision prohibiting the use of federal funds to prosecute state-legal medical cannabis providers, now known as the Rohrbacher-Blumenauer Amendment, first passed back in 2014 and a similar proposal for recreational businesses as well, failed to pass by just a handful of votes last year.

While it is very unlikely that Booker’s legalization bill will pass this legislative session (especially if Jeff Session remains Donald Trump’s Attorney General), we have seen support and progress for sensible cannabis laws only increase, at both the state and federal levels. I look forward into discussing the present and future of cannabis laws at the International Cannabis Business Conference in Hawaii this December as advocates from across the nation, and globe, will converge upon beautiful Kauai. The ICBC will have those that have been on the front lines of business and politics, with experienced legislators, lawyers, lobbyists and policymakers to discuss how best to succeed in business, and most importantly, best continue our momentum to end federal cannabis prohibition.

Below is the entire resolution passed by the National Conference of State Legislatures:

WHEREAS, twenty-nine states, Washington, D.C., Guam, and Puerto Rico have legalized certain forms of cannabis usage; and

WHEREAS, Arkansas, North Dakota, and Florida most recently passed measures  permitting the use of medical marijuana; and

WHEREAS, Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington are creating substantial regulatory regimes with respect to the cannabis industry to ensure compliance with laws related to the growth, sale and usage of cannabis; and

WHEREAS, these new regulatory schemes relating to cannabis have created a significant expansion of the cannabis industry authorized under state law; and

WHEREAS, business enterprises need access to financial institutions that provide capital, security, efficiency, and record keeping; and

WHEREAS, cannabis remains illegal at the federal level as a Schedule I drug under the federal Controlled Substances Act; and

WHEREAS, the federal Bank Secrecy Act and its implementing regulations impose substantial administrative and operational burdens, compliance risk and regulatory risk that serve as a barrier to banks and credit unions providing banking services to businesses and individuals involved in the cannabis industry; and

WHEREAS, providing banking services to cannabis related businesses entails additional risk to banks and credit unions arising from the fact that cannabis is a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, substantially increasing risk of 27 civil or criminal liability; and

WHEREAS, the majority of financial institutions have determined that there has been insufficient federal guidance for providing banking services to cannabis related businesses; and

WHEREAS, federal guidance for the banking industry in working with cannabis related businesses is inadequate to create a regulatory environment as it does not change applicable federal laws, imposes significant compliance burdens and is subject to change at any time; and

WHEREAS, without banking options, cannabis related businesses are forced to operate exclusively in cash; and

WHEREAS, a large and growing cash-only industry attracts criminal activity and creates substantial public safety risks; and

WHEREAS, a cash-only industry reduces transparency in accounting and makes it difficult for the state to implement an effective regulatory regime that ensures compliance; and

WHEREAS, the inability of cannabis related businesses to pay taxes in a form other than cash, which may only be remitted in person, creates a large burden on state to develop new infrastructure to handle the influx of cash, and on the business owners 45 who may have to travel long distances with large sums of cash; and

WHEREAS, states have been forced to take expensive security measures to mitigate public safety risks to taxpayers utilizing the system, state employees and the public at large; and

WHEREAS, states do not have any control over the enforcement of federal laws and cannot enact legislation that provides banks and credit unions with protections necessary to overcome federal law; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Conference of State Legislatures believes that the Controlled Substances Act should be amended to remove cannabis from scheduling thus enabling financial institutions the ability to provide banking services to cannabis related businesses; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National Conference of State Legislatures acknowledges that each of its members will have differing and sometimes conflicting views of cannabis and how to regulate it, but in allowing each state to craft its own regulations we may increase transparency, public safety, and economic development where it is wanted.

Donald Trump came into office as a complete wildcard on a number of federal policy issues, cannabis included. During the campaign, he stated that he supported medical marijuana and that legalization should be left up to the states, even though he personally opposed ending prohibition. However, Trump’s authoritarian tendencies and emphasis on law-and-order alarmed many Drug War opponents. The appointment of Reefer Madness Jeff Sessions as attorney general sent shockwaves through the cannabis community, but while the Trump presidency has been extremely chaotic thus far, federal cannabis policy has virtually remained the same as the status quo inherited from the Obama administration.

Jeff Sessions has announced a policy change on civil asset forfeiture and called for a comprehensive review of Uncle Sam’s law enforcement policy, including on how the feds should deal with state cannabis laws, but thus far, no news remains good news. The cannabis community recently received some great news on the legislative front as the Senate Appropriations Committee passed a bipartisan amendment prohibiting the Justice Department from using any federal funds to target state-legal medical cannabis providers. While his former Senate colleagues have had Sessions’ back on the attacks he’s faced from Trump, they overwhelmingly rebuked him by tying his hands on enforcing federal marijuana law in medical cannabis states.

There has been so much turmoil within the first 6 months or so of the Trump presidency, that it is hard to follow all of the shakeups. It is rather amazing to see a National Security Advisor, Press Secretary, Chief of Staff and Communications Director already kicked to the curb. The chaos on the White House probably bodes well for the cannabis industry as it has to be hard for anyone to really focus too much time on a low law enforcement policy like marijuana with multiple investigations into possible collusion with Russia plague the administration and staff infighting boils over into the media virtually daily.

It is no secret that Donald Trump seems hell bent on undoing President Obama’s legacy. While far from perfect, the Obama administration did make some positive strides on criminal justice reform and cannabis policy. While our nation took a step back on asset forfeiture, our federal marijuana policy has maintained the status quo thus far, a good sign all things considering. We still have so much work to be done, starting with access to banking, correcting the IRS code and protecting recreational businesses from federal interference, but by all accounts the future still looks bright for the cannabis industry, despite (or partially thanks to) the turmoil of the Trump administration.

No matter what the Trump administration decides on cannabis policy, the industry won’t be stopped and it is important to be informed. The International Cannabis Business Conference is the best place to learn from experts and network with other professionals and advocates. The next ICBC is in Kauai, Hawaii, this December. 

Featured image: Courtesy of Donkey Hotey

It is an understatement to say that Attorney General Jeff Sessions is no friend to the cannabis community. Throughout his political career, Sessions has been on the wrong side of history on marijuana, even joking that he thought the Klu Klux Klan were decent folks until he learned that some KKK members imbibe in the devil’s lettuce. Now that Sessions is clearly in Donald Trump’s doghouse (for recusing himself in the Russia investigation) and the AG is reportedly very upset with the president, we may see someone else leading the Justice Department very soon. If Donald Trump does indeed fire Jeff Sessions, will the cannabis industry and community, be better off? My gut reaction is that Drug War opponents can’t do any worse than Jeff Sessions, but, of course, someone about as bad, like Chris Christie or Rudy Giuliani, could be nominated to be our nation’s top law enforcement officer, and we haven’t made any progress at all.

The cannabis community, and Drug War reformers, were very wary of  Jeff Sessions‘ appointment to be Donald Trump’s attorney general, to say the least. While Trump promised to respect states’ rights on marijuana policy during the campaign, the president hasn’t been known to be very truthful, even by politicians’ standards, and campaign promises are broken frequently. Even Barack Obama, who implemented some positive cannabis and Drug War policies, raided state-legal medical marijuana providers during his first term, going against a pledge he made while campaigning in my home state of Oregon. Anyone that believes Donald Trump is welcome to buy a big beautiful bridge that I have to sell them, it truly is the best bridge. I have the best bridges.

The good news is that tough-but-dumb-on-crime candidates, Chris Christie and Rudy Giuliani, would have a very hard time getting confirmation. The bad news is that Jeff Sessions is scheduled to receive recommendations from his anti-crime task force regarding a new federal marijuana policy, a potential update of the Obama-era Cole Memo, by July 27th. If the Trump Justice Department enacts a new policy that infringes upon the will of the Oregon voters, the next AG may not be confirmed before the existing policy does some serious damage upon good people following their state’s marijuana law.

The truth of the matter is that Jeff Sessions, or any potential successor, cannot stop the long-term viability of the cannabis industry, nor will any federal official stop our community’s long march toward freedom and equality. So long as we keep making progress city by city, state by state and even country by country, the cannabis industry is too strong and the public’s support of legalization is too high, for any Reefer Madness-inspired Drug War dinosaur to stop our advances. However, AG Sessions, or his successor, can unnecessarily hurt the lives of some industry participants, medical patients and ordinary citizens that now rely upon state-regulated cannabis businesses and the jobs and revenue they generate.

Some politicians will even want to shrink from their duty to protect the will of their voters. However, many elected officials will want to stand up for their constituents and against the federal government’s trampling of states’ rights. It will be imperative of those in the cannabis industry, drug policy reformers, and everyone that supports the will of the voters, to empower the politicians standing up for the sensible cannabis policies that have better prioritized law enforcement resources, created jobs and generated so much revenue.

No matter who is the sitting attorney general, or the federal policies they enact, the fight to end cannabis prohibition and implement sound regulations that benefit patients, consumers, small farmers and mom-and-pop businesses will go on. One of the benefits of cannabis conferences is the sharing of ideas between those on the front lines of the Drug War. It has motivated me to help organize the International Cannabis Business Conference and the Oregon Marijuana Business Conference to help provide good information and networking opportunities to freedom fighters across the United States and the world. Meeting ICBC and OMBC attendees and learning of experiences of entrepreneurs and activists from across the globe always motivates me.

I hope to see many folks at the OMBC in November and the upcoming ICBCs in Kauai, San Francisco, and Berlin, Germany, in the coming months. Personally, while I feel for those that may be harmed by any misguided policies enacted by Jeff Sessions, or the next Trump AG, I know that a well-informed, motivated cannabis community, armed with great allies, united to fight for freedom, is ultimately unstoppable and will survive any Reefer Madness politician or policy.

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore.

There are certainly several disputes and controversies within the Oregon cannabis industry and community, but none greater than marijuana testing standards. Last October, stringent testing guidelines went into place, making Oregon regulated cannabis “safer than food.” The standards for Oregon cannabis were so high, that reports surfaced that a vast majority of California cannabis on the shelves at local dispensaries would fail Oregon’s pesticide testing standards.  However, those strict standards created shortages and price increases throughout the Oregon market, especially for edibles and extracts.

The Oregon Health Authority has proposed new testing regulations, but many feel decreasing testing requirements is bad public policy. For those interested in Oregon’s cannabis testing rules, the Oregon Marijuana Business Conference will cover the latest developments on April 28th, just two days ahead of the April 30th deadline to provide public comment to state regulators on the subject.

The Register Guard reported on the proposed testing changes last December:

Responding to reports of rising marijuana prices, product shortages and processors laying off employees, Oregon health officials Friday eased pesticide and other testing requirements for pot.

Processors and growers had complained that strict testing rules for medical and recreational marijuana imposed by the state on Oct. 1 had created a backlog at testing labs, which led to pot product shortages at dispensaries.

Now, the state has imposed temporary rules that “significantly reduce the amount of testing that cannabis processors or producers have to undergo,” said Andre Ourso, Oregon Medical Marijuana Program manager for the Oregon Health Authority.

My friend Keith Mansur calls the proposed rules dangerous in a recent piece for the Oregon Cannabis Connection, calling out pesticide contamination as the real culprit:

Proponents of the changes decry foul play by laboratories for overcharging and fixing the rules. They point to the shortage of concentrates and edibles on dispensary shelves as the reason these changes are needed, but after delving deeper into the issue, it appears the current shortage is being driven by pesticide contaminated cannabis, not high prices and a long wait for test results.

There are two major provisions of the new rules that are in dispute. One would be to change testing on concentrates from the current levels down to only a single annual random sample from cannabis processors. Concentrates are the most contaminated of all the cannabis products in Oregon. Another rule would dial back the current requirement for at least 33% of the flower batches be tested for pesticides to only 20%. These apply to recreational cannabis only.

The current contamination rates are at 10% failure for flower and 26% for concentrates, according to the OHA.

Finding the right balance between public safety and workable regulations will always be a struggle. The Oregon cannabis industry has already exceeded projections with thousands of jobs created and millions of dollars generated. I am confident that the state will eventually find the sweet spot on testing standards to ensure safe cannabis in a manner that will allow mom and pops to compete in the market. In the meantime, it is important that folks in the cannabis community get informed and make their voices heard. The OMBC will be a great opportunity to learn and share ideas on how the industry should move forward on testing and a whole host of matters. And no matter where you stand on the issue, make your voices heard by emailing the Oregon Health Authority regarding its proposed testing regulations at publichealth.rules@state.or.us.

The Oregon Marijuana Business Conference kicks off the evening of April 27th with a VIP party that will include an appearance by Henry Rollins. All things Oregon marijuana industry related will be covered April 28th. Get you tickets now. 

Cultural icon Henry Rollins is following up his keynote address at the International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) in San Francisco with a speech at the Oregon Marijuana Business Conference (OMBC) on April 28th in Eugene. The cannabis community is fortunate to have a prominent persona like Rollins, who doesn’t use marijuana himself, advocating for legalization.

As the Register-Guard reports, Rollins is urging cannabis entrepreneurs to think about people over profits:

The full-day program begins with entertainer Henry Rollins, who will take the stage as keynote speaker. Rollins is considered a Renaissance Man by many, noted for his gigs as actor, author, musician and spoken-word artist among others. “We’re really excited to have Henry’s energy to kick it off,” Rogers enthuses.

As host of the History Channel’s “10 Things You Don’t Know About …” Rollins did a show on cannabis and hemp several years ago. “I got a really interesting understanding” about the industry, Rollins admits in a recent phone interview. Rollins is not a cannabis user, but if he ever were to use it, he says “I don’t want to go to jail because if one day I get arthritis, I want access to this product that we find has a myriad of uses.”

More importantly, Rollins says, cannabis entrepreneurs have a responsibility to educate the public and to help potential users understand how cannabis, in its various forms, works. “Because to have cannabis legally sold in a state where it was illegal before, we’re making a cultural impact. If you’re only in it for the money, then you’re kind of part of the problem. You have to be cool, patient and realize that you have a responsibility to the history and to helping people.”

The Oregon Marijuana Business Conference is a great opportunity for those in the cannabis industry or thinking of joining to learn the latest information and network with others in the business. In full disclosure, I do help produce the concert, but I am honestly proud to do so. It isn’t often that you get to hear a broader, outside-the-box message at a business conference like the one that Rollins will deliver (let alone, add on a VIP party with the man). Throw in the practical knowledge that the OMBC provides and the event truly is the must-attend event for the cannabis community.

This blog was originally published at Weed News and has been reposted here with special permission.

It was very fitting that the first day of the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin focused heavily on medical cannabis research as the German medicinal marijuana system just recently improved, paving the way for thousands of patients to utilize cannabis to improve their lives. It just made sense that the first day of the Berlin ICBC would be sponsored by Leafly, an international company that has done so much to educate and inform patients about various strains and dispensaries. Suffice to say, the after-party did not disappoint as hip hop MC legend KRS-One took the stage, along with the reggae-dancehall-hip phenom Rocker T.

The ICBC always strives to provide the best, up-to-date information, and the Berlin event was no different, featuring two of the top German medical marijuana doctors, Dr. Eva Milz and Dr. Franjo Grotenhermen, along with other preeminent researchers, extractors and consultants from around the world. In addition to the newest developments in science and business, ICBC events provide excellent opportunities for cannabis advocates and entrepreneurs to network and the Leafly-sponsored after-party definitely didn’t disappoint.

Rocker T, who has performed at many ICBC events and at concert venues and parties, around the world, brought his positive message, getting the crowd hyped. KRS-One, for those that may now know, about this music icon, brings a socially conscious message to his music, peeling back the veil on government corruption and hypocrisy, to his prepared music, as well as his freestyle performances. Inspired by KRS-One, and urged on by Rocker T, ICBC founder Alex Rogers, known as Jahbhang to those familiar with his musical background, even joined in the freestyle fun.

The Berlin ICBC has been a historic conference and such an epic event needs a great after-party and Leafly made sure that the party didn’t disappoint. Leafly, already known around the world as a leading resource for the cannabis community, will be implementing a German-specific site, Leafly.de in the near future, so Leafly has been the perfect partner for Europe’s first business-to-business cannabis industry conference.

KRS-One rocking the mic at the ICBC after-party, sponsored by Leafly. #ICBCberlin #hiphop #legend #arealmc

A post shared by ICBC (@internationalcbc) on Apr 11, 2017 at 3:42pm PDT

Featured photos credit: Matt Emrich.

Leafly has Unique Expansion Plans for the German Medical Marijuana System

My favorite part of helping organize conferences like the International Cannabis Business Conference is learning from cutting edge activists, entrepreneurs and businesses from around the world. One of my biggest goals for the ICBC in Berlin, which has attendees from more than 35 countries in attendance, is highlighting the German medical cannabis provision that covers patients’ medicinal marijuana thru insurance coverage.

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to catch up with Leafly’s Linn Baumgardt who was literally on her way to Berlin. Linn is speaking on Wednesday, April 12th, at noon on the ICBC’s Consumer and Tech Branding Panel. Leafly, of course, has been a leader in helping patients and consumers learn about cannabis strains and dispensaries around the world and it was a pleasure learning a bit more about the company’s plans for Germany.

Anthony Johnson: What is your position and duties with Leafly?

Linn Baumgardt: I’m the Director of Strategic Initiatives. I’m responsible for the expansion of Leafly into Germany, a burgeoning medical cannabis country that is helping the global movement to legalize medical cannabis in Europe, and around the world.

What are Leafly’s plans for the Germany expansion?

Leafly.com is available in every country. However, we will be launching Leafly.de in May 2017. Leafly.de will look and function differently from the US website, as there are currently no dispensaries in Germany.

Medical cannabis is a new topic to many Germans, and Leafly.de will serve as a competent and trustworthy informational resource for German speaking patients, doctors, pharmacists, and adults who are interested in learning more about the topic.

Germany’s plan is to start having medical cannabis covered by health insurance, do you think that this would be a good approach for other countries?

It will be interesting to see how this will be implemented by doctors and health insurers. Germany’s health insurers may cover medical cannabis prescriptions for the “seriously ill” as stated in the new law. Rather than creating a new legal category for cannabis (the way US states and Canada are doing it,) Germany is modifying their narcotics prescription medication law to include cannabis. If other countries go down the same path as Germany, it would make sense for them to look at what is working in the German system and adapt similar practices accordingly.

 Have you heard good feedback from patients and customers about Leafly’s services?

One of the reasons we are launching Leafly.de is that we are hearing of an overwhelming need for information from German patients, medical practitioners, media, and regulators. While there are activist groups in Germany that have been very passionate and vocal about the topic for a long time, for mainstream Germans this is new territory. We are very excited to launch Leafly.de and get feedback on what our site visitors like and what they would like us to add on and develop.

The last few months has seen a flurry of activity with regard to congressional support for modifications to the laws governing medical marijuana in the United States of America. So much so that that a bipartisan US Congressional Delegation is heading to Europe next week to study the various drug policies and regulatory systems that are currently in place in several countries in Europe today. The trip caps off in Berlin at the International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC).

Germany has recently legalized medical marijuana and is expected to have an industry bigger than Canada’s within just a few years.  As Germany’s Cannabis Agency is being established, and other kinks in the new cannabis laws get ironed out, the visit from the representatives comes at an auspicious time. “We are more than excited to have the bipartisan delegation at our event,” says Alex Rogers, founder and producer of the International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC). “Our goal is to connect and educate people in the industry, as well as help move cannabis policy forward in all of the places around the world we do our events”.

As part of a multi-country tour, Congressman Brian Higgins from New York and California Congressman Dana Rohrabacher will stop by the ICBC to answer questions regarding   cannabis laws and the new Trump administration, and discuss national and international drug policy. Congressman Rohrabacher, a former speechwriter to Ronald Reagan, will keynote the April 12 session. Representative Rohrabacher commented on the progress of marijuana law reform, “This is an exciting time for drug policy reform. I haven’t witnessed this scale of reform in the world since I worked with Ronald Reagan in 1987, when he uttered those famous words: ‘Mr. Gorbachev tear down this wall.’  Now, almost 30 years later, the Berlin Wall of medical marijuana prohibition is crumbling.”

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore

MedCann founder Pierre Debs has a rather remarkable story about how he rose to the highest ranks of the medical cannabis industry in Germany. The European powerhouse’s medical law has emerged as a progressive beacon that is helping lead the way for the rest of the world in a number of areas, thanks to pioneers like Dr. Debs. I am really looking forward to meeting with Pierre at the International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) in Berlin and am appreciative that he could set aside a few minutes to talk with me over Skype about his history with medical cannabis.

Pierre Debs’ tale with cannabis started with a family member’s bout with cancer.  Pierre delved into learning about medical cannabis, including the the human endocannabinoid system and the phytocannabinoids in the plant itself. Debs intensely focused upon his research and science, after leaving the lab in early  2015 he co-founded MedCann to help German patients acquire safe medical cannabis.

“It is fantastic that in Germany insurance companies will cover medical cannabis. What is even more fantastic is that the ruling conservative political party pushed the policy,” Debs told me.

MedCann was the first German company to import dried medical cannabis flowers from Canada, helping add to the momentum for international cooperation that Germany has fostered to implement its medical cannabis system. MedCann has been acquired by Canada’s Canopy Growth recently, and the German operation remains the same, they “just have a different owner.” Germany has recently expanded its medical cannabis program and will soon start licensing domestic production.

As someone born in the states, but living in Germany since 1999,  Pierre has a unique perspective on the medical policies in both Europe and the United States, noting that, “Each country is in its own process. The laws and restrictions in the United States have provided an opportunity for Europe to take the lead on medical cannabis research in many ways. But it hasn’t been easy in Germany, and we are making progress to get where we need to go. And we will. And so will the United States.”

With so much progress recently in Germany, it is easy to see that it is helping lead the way internationally. Hopefully, other nations will soon follow in Germany’s footsteps and cover medical cannabis with healthcare insurance. With researchers and dedicated minds like Pierre Debs forging a path that is normalizing and mainstreaming medicinal cannabis at a rapid pace, the world will be hearing from, and learning from, the German medical cannabis community in the months and years to come.

Join Pierre Debs and other great medical and business minds at the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin, Germany, on April 10-12. This is a truly historic event that is expected to sell out, so get your tickets soon. 

This blog was originally published at www.internationalcbc.com and has been reposted here with special permission.