by Grow Up Conference | Jun 13, 2024 | Media Partners, Stratcann
A Nova Scotia court has rejected a claim that the members of a First Nation can operate cannabis stores outside of provincial and federal cannabis regulations.
The defendants in the case argued that provincial regulations for cannabis stores in Nova Scotia do not apply to businesses operating within the territory of the Millbrook First Nation and that they do not need to pay provincial or federal duties on the products sold.
In a provincial court ruling from June 7, a judge said the defendant’s case did not make an effective argument for the existence of aboriginal and/or Treaty rights attached to their cannabis store operations, siding with the Crown, who argued the case was “frivolous” and a waste of the court’s time.
The defendant’s lawyer argued that the First Nation had a historical connection to cannabis and cannabis trade prior to contact with Europeans, that the development of federal and provincial cannabis regulations did not include consultation with the First Nation, and that Millbrook First Nation is on unceded territory.
The judge rejected the claim that a treaty right to sell cannabis exists and rejected claims that there is evidence the First Nation had engaged in the cultivation or selling of cannabis prior to contact with Europeans.
However, the judge also said they welcome a “stronger” argument along the same lines.
The matter cannot proceed on this foundation. I welcome a stronger one,” wrote Associate Chief Judge Ronda van der Hoek in her decision.
“The Court cannot allow the matter to proceed on such a foundation given its role to protect scarce judicial resources and in light of the Crown meeting the test to summarily dismiss, in the words of the Supreme Court of Canada, “manifestly frivolous” applications. This decision is not taken lightly. Instead, it is clear that court time allotted to such an exercise will surely result in Jordan stays being granted in other matters scheduled to proceed in this court. It cannot be understated that decisions affirming and defining, or denying and restricting, aboriginal and Treaty rights are significant for the communities who advance them and Nova Scotians. The Court is aware that we are all Treaty people, but how the Treaties are interpreted must be based on a foundation that warrants consideration. At this time, that foundation has not been established for cannabis sales outside the lawful regime, and the existing regime applies to all Nova Scotians.”
In a similar ruling posted on the same day by Judge van der Hoek, she also rejected efforts to have charges thrown out related to the three raids of unlicensed cannabis stores in the province in 2021.
The defendants in the case heard in a court in Truro, Nova Scotia, attempted to make several arguments intending to have the charges dismissed, including claiming that the Crown could not prove that the cannabis was for sale or that one of the men arrested was not actually working at the store.
The judge rejected these arguments, noting evidence showing the cannabis products were listed as for sale, and the person in question was found behind the counter of the store when police arrived.
One defendant also argued that the Crown had failed to prove the elements of the offences or are subject to the Kineapple principle, which prevents multiple convictions for a single criminal matter. The judge said they were willing to hear that argument at a later date.
Another related constitutional challenge by a band councillor from Millbrook First Nation, Chris Googoo, who has claimed a similar treaty right to sell cannabis, had his case dismissed earlier this year after the court found there was not enough evidence to proceed. Since the case was dismissed, the charter challenge did not proceed.
Nova Scotia RCMP officers raided Chris Googoo’s High Grade Smoke Shop, which sits on reserve land in Cole Harbour, NS, in December 2020 as part of a series of raids on several unlicensed cannabis dispensaries operating in the area. Googoo was arrested and charged with illegal possession and distribution of cannabis.
Googoo—who was represented by long-time cannabis rights lawyer Jack Lloyd—staged the constitutional challenge under section 35 of the Constitution Act, which protects Indigenous treaty rights in Canada. Specifically, Googoo is referring to the 1752 Peace and Friendship Treaty, which promises the Mi’kmaw “free liberty to bring to sale to Halifax or any other settlement within this province skins, feathers, fowl, fish or any other thing they shall have to sell.”
“Exercising our inherent treaty rights is something that all of our people should be doing freely, and not have to be harassed by any bodies of government,” said Googoo at a rally of supporters outside a Nova Scotia provincial courthouse in 2022, where he appeared to set trial dates.
Googoo was being backed by former president of the National Indian Brotherhood (precursor to the Assembly of First Nations) and one of the authors of section 35, Chief Del Riley, who has argued that the section grants Indigenous communities the authority to write their own cannabis regulation in parallel to federal and provincial law and to sell cannabis on reserve land. “You’re actually in a hell of a good position here,” he told members of the Millbrook community in April.
However, in 2019 Millbrook First Nations Chief Bob Gloade also said that such businesses are not supported by treaty rights.
“There is no treaty right protecting them in regards to selling, growing or distribution of cannabis whatsoever,” Gloade said. “It’s not a treaty or an aboriginal right because it does not state that anywhere. Our treaty rights basically focus around hunting and gathering not growing and distribution,” he said. “Individuals feel that it is a right and they’re extending it beyond the meaning of how the treaties are laid out in black and white and it puts us in a difficult situation.”
Since then, the Chief has changed his tune.
“Since that time, council has debated and discussed how to advance a cannabis strategy that is respectful of, and a benefit to, all community members, carried out in a way that prioritizes community sovereignty, safety, and well-being of everyone,” Gloade said in 2021.
“This is consistent with our inherent right to govern and our fiduciary duty to exercise jurisdiction over matters such as the community’s health and safety as a whole,” he said. “We continue to discuss the development of a cannabis regime and measures necessary for the Millbrook First Nation residents’ safety and enjoyment of life.”
Last year, the Assembly of First Nations called on federal politicians to “recognize First Nations jurisdiction over cannabis and remove regulatory barriers that exclude First Nations from the marketplace.” Thus far, federal and provincial governments have held that Indigenous communities can harmonize their regulations with Canadian law, and governments have attempted (to varying degrees of success) to help with that process.
Millbrook First Nation is one that finds itself in just such a position, and they have had a rocky relationship with the legal cannabis industry. Initially hopeful that legalization would be a source of economic opportunity for the community, in 2018 the band council invested $5 million in licensed producer Zenabis’ growing facility in Stellarton, NS, which opened in 2019 but was decommissioned in 2022, less than three years later. Financial statements show that Millbrook had lost more than $4.2 million on that investment, amidst a broader market downturn for public cannabis companies.
In 2022, Millbrook First Nation published a report following a community consultation exploring the idea of sovereign cannabis regulations, concluding that there was significant community support for “developing Millbrook laws and regulations.” A group called the Mi’kmaq Cannabis Association has also formed in the wake of the raids and has argued that “cannabis can be regulated informally by the customs and conventions of the Mi’kmaq people.”
An almost identical case in Cape Breton, where an Indigenous man was arrested for operating a dispensary on reserve land, was dropped by the crown suddenly in 2022, averting a planned constitutional challenge. “I’m kind of upset about it,” said defendant Albert Marshall. “I would have liked to have gone all the way to the end of it—right to the Supreme Court—to justify our inherent right to trade medicine, to trade plants.”
An Indigenous man in BC sued the provincial government in 2023, arguing that both federal and provincial cannabis laws ignore First Nations’ and Indigenous peoples’ jurisdiction.
Ongoing issue of jurisdictional authority
The issue of jurisdiction around cannabis laws is contentious in Canada as it relates to First Nations and Indigenous authorities. Canada’s Cannabis Act and Regulations provide the authority to regulate the sale of cannabis to provinces and territories. Many provinces, including BC, along with the federal government, have said that their own respective cannabis regulations are laws of general application, meaning they apply to all areas in those jurisdictions, including Indigenous land.
In 2020, BC’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Mike Farnworth, said the province does not recognize such sovereignty in regard to federal and provincial cannabis regulations, but it is hesitant to enforce the law on First Nations territory out of fear of a court challenge.
Meanwhile, the New Brunswick government claims it is powerless to enforce its cannabis laws on First Nations land.
In 2023, the federal Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples called for jurisdiction over cannabis possession, sale, and distribution in Canada.
by Grow Up Conference | Jun 13, 2024 | Cannabis News Wire, Media Partners
A group of senators from the Democratic Party is urging a significant committee to ensure small cannabis entities have equitable access to federal Small Business Administration (SBA) lending programs and development resources available to other industries.
In an April letter to the leaders of the Appropriations subcommittee, the senators urged that the FY 2025 FSGG spending measure include provisions to stop the SBA from rejecting loan applications from small cannabis entities operating legally in states that have approved marijuana use and sales.
Senator Jacky Rosen led the letter, asking the subcommittee leaders to add clauses to the spending bill that would prevent the SBA from excluding state-legal marijuana businesses from its entrepreneurial development initiatives. Other senators who signed the letter alongside Rosen include Cory Booker, Jeff Merkley, Ron Wyden, Tammy Duckworth, Martin Heinrich, John Hickenlooper, Ed Markey, Michael Bennett and Alex Padilla.
The senators highlighted the change in public attitude toward cannabis reform, pointing out that markets which bring in billions of dollars in tax revenue had resulted from the legalization of cannabis in the majority of states. The senators also noted that most banks are hesitant to work with legal marijuana entities because of federal law conflicts, compelling these businesses to operate mainly with cash. This situation poses public safety risks. The lawmakers argued that SBA loan initiatives could bridge the gap left by private-sector reluctance, providing vital capital for entrepreneurs, including women, minorities and veterans.
This marks at least the third instance where Rosen has led a similar request to the Appropriations subcommittee, but the proposed language has not yet been included in any spending measure.
Senate leadership has been discussing a bipartisan measure to safeguard financial institutions working with legal marijuana entities. However, the progress of this bill remains uncertain, particularly due to resistance from key Republican members such as Mitch McConnell, the Senate minority leader.
Rosen has previously expressed a desire to amend the SAFER Banking Act to allow marijuana businesses to access SBA programs. Additionally, she has advocated for the inclusion of language in a newly introduced federal cannabis legalization measure that proposes an SBA pilot initiative. The initiative would provide intermediary lending, offering direct loans to qualified intermediaries, who would then lend to startups and businesses owned by those affected by the drug war and those from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds.
In a news release regarding the letter and the other efforts she recently spearheaded, Rosen stressed the value of small entities to Nevada’s economy. She emphasized her resolve to slash bureaucratic obstacles to facilitate such businesses’ access to financing and assist them obtain the federal support they require for expansion and prosperity.
Industry actors such as Software Effective Solutions Corp. (d/b/a MedCana) (OTC: SFWJ) would be glad to see that legitimate marijuana companies which need SBA services can access them just as businesses in other industries can.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Software Effective Solutions Corp. (d/b/a MedCana) (OTC: SFWJ) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/SFWJ
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by Grow Up Conference | Jun 13, 2024 | Media Partners, Stratcann
Ontario-based cannabis edibles producer Indiva Limited announced on June 13 that it had been granted an order from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice under the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) in order to restructure its business and financial affairs.
The CCAA filing follows an update from Indiva in early June announcing that its liabilities under an amending agreement with Alberta-based SNDL had been extended to June 13, 2024. In April 2024, Indiva repaid $2 million of the principal amount outstanding from a strategic investment of $22 million provided by SNDL in 2021.
SNDL is a major investor in Indiva and stands to take over the business through a stalking horse transaction. In their most recent quarterly report, Indiva announced a net loss of $1.8 million.
Indiva says the decision to file for creditor protection provides the company with a stay of proceedings in favour of the Indiva Group, the approval of debtor-in-possession financing and the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. as monitor of the Indiva Group. The initial order also relieves Indiva of some reporting obligations under securities legislation and stock exchange rules.
The stay of proceedings and DIP Financing will provide the Indiva Group with a chance to consider potential restructuring transactions and maximize the value of its assets for the benefit of its creditors and other stakeholders, which could include the sale of all or substantially all of Indiva’s business or assets through a court-supervised sales process.
The Indiva Group says it also plans to seek approval to launch a sale and investment solicitation process (SISP) for its business and assets in the near term. Indiva also intends to enter into a transaction for SNDL Inc. to acquire the business and assets of the Indiva Group through a stalking horse transaction.
Located in London, Ontario, Indiva is a cannabis producer with an array of edibles and extracts in the Canadian market, including Pearls by Grön, No Future Gummies and Vapes, Bhang Chocolate, Indiva Blips Tablets, Indiva Doppio Sandwich Cookies, and Indiva 1432 Chocolate.
Earlier this year, SNDL reported its first profitable quarter for cannabis production and increased losses for its retail cannabis holdings.
SNDL has invested in several cannabis companies in the industry’s production and retail sectors. In May, SNDL alleged that Mantioba-based Delta9 Cannabis was in default of its financing agreement with SNDL and demanded immediate payment of a $10 million convertible debenture financing. Delta 9 CEO John Arbuthnot denied the claim.
by Grow Up Conference | Jun 13, 2024 | Grow Opportunity, Media Partners
After a federal judge’s scolding for its “unreasonable” and “unintelligible” handling of a Calgary man’s bid for legal access to psilocybin for excruciating headaches, Health Canada is backing down.
The federal health agency has granted cluster headache patient Jody Lance emergency access to psilocybin, a psychedelic compound found in “magic mushrooms.”
Read the full story here.
by Grow Up Conference | Jun 13, 2024 | Cannabis Prospect Magazine, Media Partners
Puffco, the leading maker of innovative consumption devices for cannabis concentrates, today announces the official artist-line up for their annual Puffcon Block Party, confirming California rapper Larry June as the headlining performer for this year’s event. Taking place Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at Los Angeles Center Studios, this will be the festival’s fourth official return to DTLA.
Reporting over 6,000 attendees in 2023, Puffcon brings together all corners of LA cannabis culture for the city’s largest, day-long celebration of the hash community. Beyond Larry June, 2024’s event will host a suite of iconic rap artists and DJs, including Action Bronson and Human Growth Hormone, 2 Dead Boyz (Zombie Juice and Meech of Flatbush Zombies), Alchemist, Kirkland Summers, and Blake Webber. Music producer and DJ Ryan Celsius is also confirmed to host the “Celsius Sessions” stage, which will include DJ sets from him, Honeycomb and Bamboon.
“Puffcon began as a way to bring our widespread community together in a consumption-safe space,” said Puffco CEO and Founder Roger Volodarsky. “But the growth we’ve seen in the past four years has been undeniable—not just for Puffco’s community, but for the hash community as a whole. This year, we are stoked to be able to welcome more of our favorite vendors, artists and consumers into the vibrant community and culture that is Puffcon.”
In addition to live music performances, attendees will get full access to the Puffcon Lot street market, where they can find exclusive merch, special product offerings, local art, and a wide variety of brands, including Fidel’s, Originals, Dee Thai, Alien Labs, West Coast Cure, Sugar Magnolia Farms and Kalya. The Puffcon Lot will also host the iconic water brand Liquid Death for the second year in a row alongside local food trucks like Leid Cookies, Taste of the Pacific and Prince Street Pizza. Additional activations like glass-blowing demos with artists such as Dwreck and Ryan Fitt will also be integrated into the programming.
In tandem with its expanded festival footprint, Puffco has scaled out this year’s ticket offerings to include a new VIP option, which includes express entry to the festival and access to the VIP lounge, VIP restrooms, and food vendors. The +1 bundle option—which launched last year—will also be available for 2024’s event, this time for both General Admission and VIP. Price points vary, depending on the tier level:
- General Admission: $40
- General Admission +1: $60
- VIP: $150
- VIP +1: $175
To learn more or purchase tickets to Puffcon, please visit www.puffcon.com. No cannabis sales available on site. 21+ only event.
About Puffco
Puffco manufactures an array of innovative devices for cannabis concentrate users which include the Puffco Peak, Peak Pro, the easy-to-carry Puffco Plus, and the versatile, modular Puffco Proxy. The company is acclaimed for its award-winning product designs and advanced cannabis concentrate technology. Established in 2013, the company is headquartered in Los Angeles. Learn more at www.puffco.com.
by Grow Up Conference | Jun 13, 2024 | Cannabis Prospect Magazine, Media Partners
Indiva Limited announced that Indiva and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Indiva Group”) have been granted an order (the “Initial Order”) from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) (the “Court”) under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (the “CCAA”), in order to restructure their business and financial affairs.
Due to, among other things, the fragmentation of the cannabis industry, financial underperformance and pressures resulting from obligations owing to creditors, the Indiva Group has incurred cumulative losses. After careful consideration of all available alternatives including undertaking a strategic review which was unsuccessful in identifying a suitable acquirer or raising sufficient capital to fund certain liabilities, the board of directors of each member of the Indiva Group determined that it was in the best interest of the Indiva Group and its stakeholders to seek creditor protection under the CCAA.
The Initial Order provides for, among other things, a stay of proceedings in favour of the Indiva Group, the approval of debtor-in-possession financing (“DIP Financing”) and the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. as monitor of the Indiva Group (in such capacity, the “Monitor”). In addition, the Initial Order provides Indiva with relief from certain reporting obligations under securities legislation and stock exchange rules.
Bennett Jones LLP is acting as counsel for the Indiva Group in its CCAA proceedings.
The stay of proceedings and DIP Financing will provide the Indiva Group with the time and stability required to consider potential restructuring transactions and maximize the value of its assets for the benefit of its creditors and other stakeholders. This may include the sale of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Indiva Group through a court-supervised sales process.
In that regard, the Indiva Group intends to seek Court approval to launch a sale and investment solicitation process for its business and assets (the “SISP”) in the near term. The SISP is expected to be administered by the Monitor. In connection with the SISP, Indiva expects to enter into a transaction with SNDL Inc., an existing creditor and significant stakeholder of the Indiva Group, to acquire substantially all of the business and assets of the Indiva Group (the “Stalking Horse Transaction”). The Stalking Horse Transaction is expected to act as the stalking horse bid in the SISP. Additional details in respect of the SISP and the potential Stalking Horse Transaction will be disclosed when available.
The business operations of the Indiva Group will not be interrupted as a result of the CCAA proceedings. It is expected that the Indiva Group will emerge from creditor protection as a stronger company with a healthier balance sheet.
In addition, Indiva also announced that Rachel Goldman resigned from the board of Indiva on June 12, 2024, prior to the board resolving to commence proceedings under the CCAA. Trading of Indiva’s common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSXV”) may be halted for a period of time and, as a result of having filed for protection under the CCAA, Indiva may be suspended or delisted by the TSXV. Additional information regarding the CCAA proceedings – including all of the Court materials filed in the CCAA proceedings – may be found at the Monitor’s website: www.pwc.com/ca/indiva
About Indiva Limited
Indiva is proud to be Canada’s #1 producer of cannabis edibles. Indiva sets the gold standard for quality and innovation with award-winning products across a wide range of brands including Pearls by Grön, No Future Gummies and Vapes, Bhang Chocolate, Indiva Blips Tablets, Indiva Doppio Sandwich Cookies, and Indiva 1432 Chocolate. Indiva manufactures its top-quality products in its state-of-the-art facility in London, Ontario, and has a corporate workforce remotely distributed across Canada.
by Grow Up Conference | Jun 13, 2024 | Cannabis Prospect Magazine, Media Partners
High Tide Inc., the high-impact, retail-forward enterprise built to deliver real-world value across every component of cannabis, announced today that it has entered into binding subscription agreements with arm’s length institutional credit providers (together, the “Lenders“) for aggregate gross proceeds of $15 million in a subordinated debt financing.
“I am very excited to announce that we have signed definitive agreements for an aggregate of $15 million in debt financing, plus a $10 million accordion feature. We have discussed publicly how we believe we are underleveraged, with our gross debt representing less than one times our 12-month trailing Adjusted EBITDA1, and could stand to benefit from obtaining more debt to continue fueling our rapid store expansion across Canada,” said Raj Grover, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of High Tide.
“I believe we have found the sweet spot with this financing, which demonstrates how we prudently manage our balance sheet. We have secured a commitment for $15 million in debt, of which $5 million will not be drawn for several months. By structuring the financing this way, we have secured the additional funds, but avoid paying interest on the remaining $5 million until drawn, as we don’t require the funds imminently given our strategic growth plans and strong free cash flow profile. Further, this financing includes a $10 million accordion feature, which we may pursue should it make sense to do so. Given the turbulence in the cannabis retail landscape in Canada, with several of our peers having recently filed for creditor protection, this financing is yet another sign that the market believes in the strength of our business and the creditworthiness of our Company. On that front, I look forward to sharing more with the release of our Q2 2024 results after the close of markets today, and on our earnings conference call tomorrow morning,” added Mr. Grover.
FINANCING DETAILS
Pursuant to the Financing, the Company will complete an offering of $1,000 principal subordinate secured debentures of the Company (each, a “Debenture“) for aggregate gross proceeds of $15,000,000 at a price of $900 per Debenture, representing a 10% original issue discount. The Debentures will mature on the date that is 60 months from the date of issuance and shall bear interest at a fixed rate of 12% per annum on drawn amounts, payable quarterly.
Pursuant to the terms of the subscription agreements, the funds will be drawn in two tranches: (i) $10,000,000 at closing (the “Initial Tranche“) and (ii) $5,000,000 in November 2024 (the “Final Tranche“). The Final Tranche, until drawn, will be subject to a 1% per annum standby fee.
On closing of the Initial Tranche, the Company will issue to each Lender their pro rata share of an aggregate of 230,760 common shares in the capital of the Company (“Common Shares“) at a deemed price of $3.47 per Common Share, representing the 10-day volume weighted average price of the Common Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV“) ending on June 11, 2024.
It is anticipated that the Debentures will be governed by the terms and conditions of a debenture trust indenture to be entered into by the Company and Olympia Trust Company, in its capacity as trustee and collateral agent. The Company will reserve the right to redeem the Debentures at any time prior to maturity, in whole or in part, upon sixty days’ notice and payment of certain penalties. The obligations under the Debentures will be collaterally secured by general security and guarantee agreements from the Company and certain subsidiaries of the Company and will rank in second position to the Company’s existing senior lender.
The Company plans to use the proceeds from the Financing to repay the remaining balance of its outstanding convertible debentures (currently less than $1,000,000) and will use the remaining proceeds for ongoing development of the Company’s business model and general working capital purposes.
The Financing is expected to close on or prior to June 30, 2024, and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of certain closing deliverables, the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent and the receipt of all necessary regulatory and stock exchange approvals, including the approval of the TSXV.
Echelon Capital Markets is acting as financial advisor to High Tide in connection with facilitating the Financing.
All Debentures and Common Shares issued pursuant to the Financing will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus one day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities legislation in Canada and restrictions on resale in the United States with applicable U.S. restrictive legends as required pursuant to the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act“).
ABOUT HIGH TIDE
High Tide, Inc. is the leading community-grown, retail-forward cannabis enterprise engineered to unleash the full value of the world’s most powerful plant and is the second-largest cannabis retailer in North America by store count2. High Tide (HITI) is uniquely-built around the cannabis consumer, with wholly-diversified and fully-integrated operations across all components of cannabis, including Bricks & Mortar Retail: Canna Cabana™ is the largest non-franchised cannabis retail chain in Canada, with 172 current locations spanning British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario and growing. In 2021, Canna Cabana became the first cannabis discount club retailer in North America.
by Grow Up Conference | Jun 13, 2024 | Cannabis Prospect Magazine, Media Partners
Greenway Greenhouse Cannabis Corporation, a cultivator of high-quality greenhouse cannabis for the Canadian market, today announced that Pink Moon, a new addition to the MillRite family of products will soon be available for purchase in Ontario, and provided an update on other branded pre-rolls.
Highlights:
- MillRite Pink Moon is launching in a 2 x.5 gram Pre-Roll format across Ontario
- MillRite is the #2 ranked brand of pre-rolls by total Ontario retail sales in its size segment, through its first four-months
- MillRites Lavender Haze Pre-Rolls were also the #2 ranked SKU in Ontario, over the last three-months
- With the addition of Pink Moon, MillRite will have both a Indica dominant and Sativa dominant pre-roll in the Ontario market
- Greenway through its first two brand launches, is focusing on the whole flower and pre-rolls segments of the CPG market, which makes up over 60% of all cannabis sales in Ontario
Carl Mastronardi, President of Greenway said, “After seeing success with our Lavender Haze pre-rolls in Ontario, we are excited to be rolling out our new Pink Moon pre-rolls. This expands the MillRite portfolio into having both a traditional indica and sativa, widening the appeal to a larger number of consumers. We look forward to emulating the Lavender Haze rollout with Pink Moon. The feedback we got from consumers has been very positive, and our goal is to continue to exceed their very high expectations.”
About Greenway
Greenway Greenhouse Cannabis Corporation is a federally licensed cultivator for the Canadian cannabis marketplace. Greenway is headquartered in Kingsville, Ontario, and leverages its agriculture and cannabis expertise in its aspiration to be a leading cannabis cultivator in Canada. More information can be found on Greenway.ca and updates can be followed on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
by Grow Up Conference | Jun 13, 2024 | Media Partners, Psychedelic News Wire
Classic psychedelics are drugs that induce altered states of consciousness and intense auditory and visual hallucinations when ingested. Common classic psychedelics include psilocybin, LSD, DMT and mescaline.
These drugs have been used for centuries by Indigenous peoples in spiritual ceremonies and healing practices.
In most countries, psychedelics are illegal. Despite their status, various studies have determined that these drugs hold promise in the treatment of conditions such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Now, new research has determined that the link between violence and risky behaviors is weaker among individuals who report lifetime psychedelic use as well as the highly religious.
For their research, the investigators were focused on finding out if the use of psychedelics directly impacted behavior or whether religious beliefs or participation influenced behavior. Sean M. Viña, the author of the study, was particularly focused on the link between use of psychedelics, religiosity and violent behavior.
The investigators conducted an analysis of data that included responses from more than 282,000 participants. The data was obtained from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health, which conducts annual surveys measuring prevalence of mental-health conditions and substance use across the country.
The investigators focused on responses to queries on respondents’ religiosity, lifetime use of classic psychedelics, the frequency with which respondents attended religious services and the total number of times they had attacked someone with the intention to harm them in the last year. They measured risky behavior by gauging how much respondents enjoyed dangerous activities and their propensity for risky behavior.
The investigators discovered that participants who had used psychedelics even once in their lives had higher assault numbers and were also less religious. However, when other factors were considered, individuals who had used the drugs at least once in their lives were less likely to have assaulted someone.
Frequent attendance of religious services and higher religiosity were also linked to a reduced likelihood of assaulting another.
The investigators also observed that those who had a higher propensity for more risky behaviors were more likely to have assaulted another person, noting that this association was weaker among individuals who were very religious. The researchers also noted that this link was weakest among those who had used psychedelics at least once and were also very religious.
In their conclusion, the investigators emphasized that their findings demonstrated that religious factors could influence the association between behaviors and use of psychedelics. The research’s findings were reported in the “Journal of Psychoactive Drugs.”
Research coming out so far suggests that psychedelics medicine could play a transformative role in healthcare, and companies such as Mind Medicine Inc. (NASDAQ: MNMD) (NEO: MMED) (DE: MMQ) could be onto something in their drug-development efforts.
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by Grow Up Conference | Jun 13, 2024 | Extraction Magazine, Media Partners
Cannabis has become a popular drug in the US and globally in recent years. Cannabis flowers, leaves, stems, and seeds are used to create various products, including tinctures, joints, gummies, beverages, ointments, oils, and much more.
However, despite its mainstream popularity, fewer people are realizing that cannabis has many risks associated with its use, especially younger users. This is partly the case because cannabis sold today is about three times stronger than cannabis sold 25 years ago and the . tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content is significantly higher.
According to some statistics, one in ten people who consume cannabis consumption. [1] If an individual begins consuming cannabis before the age of 18, the addiction rate is one in six. Addiction aside, there are numerous other risks associated with cannabis use, and we’ve discussed them in this blog.
What Are The Known Risks Associated With Cannabis Consumption?
According to the World Health Organization, 2.5 percent of the world’s population uses cannabis. [2] This percentage equates to 147 million people. One might find this number quite high, considering cannabis and its main psychotropic constituent, THC, remain largely illegal at the federal level despite select US states legalizing its use.
Unfortunately, many of these people don’t realize the risks involved with using cannabis in the short and long term, and with cannabis becoming one of the fastest-growing industries, this is becoming a problem. If you use cannabis or know someone who does, it’s important to be aware of the risks.
Lung Tissue Issues
No matter how cannabis is smoked, it can harm lung tissues and cause damage and scarring to a person’s small blood vessels in their lungs. This is because studies have found that smoke from cannabis has many of the same toxins, carcinogens, and irritants found in tobacco smoke.
These harmful irritants, toxins, and carcinogens can increase the risk of developing bronchitis, smoker cough, and excessive mucus production. [3] In addition, although more research is needed to understand the links between cannabis smoking, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases, there have been findings indicating it could lead to an increased risk of developing these health conditions.
Adverse Mental Health
In recent years, numerous studies have been conducted analyzing cannabis use and its links to adverse mental health. [4] Although researchers aren’t sure why, many of these studies have determined that cannabis use raises an individual’s chances of experiencing clinical depression and can worsen the symptoms of several mental disorders.
In addition, if cannabis is consumed in high doses, it can lead to psychosis, leading to users seeing and experiencing events that aren’t real. During psychosis episodes, people can hurt themselves and others without realizing their actions.
Moreover, it’s been proven that if cannabis is used from a young age, frequently, and for an extended period of time, it can increase an individual’s chances of developing schizophrenia and other psychosis-related mental health conditions. [5]
Problems With Child Development
One study recently revealed that about 20 percent of pregnant women aged 24 and younger screened positive for cannabis. [6] Pregnant women who consume cannabis are at a much higher risk of giving birth to premature babies and having newborns that are underweight.[7]
It has also been uncovered that using cannabis during pregnancy can lead to an increased risk of behavioral and brain problems in babies. Children who have been born to mothers who used cannabis while pregnant also have an increased risk of problems with problem-solving, memory, and attention compared to children not exposed to cannabis.
Raised Heart Rate
A normal heart beats 50 to 70 times a minute, but this can increase to 70 to 120 beats per minute for up to three hours after the effects of cannabis use begin. [8] This increased heart rate places strain on your heart, which can lead to strokes and heart attacks. This is especially true for older adults and those who are already experiencing heart problems.
Increased Accident Involvement
It might be difficult to believe, but cannabis consumption can lead to increased accident involvement. In fact, the one component most frequently reported in impaired driving and accident cases is cannabis. [9]
According to scientists, immediate and long-term exposure to cannabis can impair an individual’s ability to drive safely. Studies have revealed that blood THC levels of 2 to 5 ng per milliliter are associated with substantial driving impairments. [10]
In addition, meta-analysis has proven that involvement in an accident increases by a factor of around two if an individual has used cannabis and drives soon thereafter. Ultimately, smoking, vaping, dabbing, or consuming cannabis increases an individual’s chances of being involved in car accidents and suffering injuries and even death.
The Wrap-Up On The Risks Associated With Cannabis Consumption
Evidently, cannabis consumption carries many risks, which is why it’s usually best to be cautious when using cannabis recreationally or for medical reasons. Now that you know the risks you might face, you have a better understanding of whether or not cannabis use suits your needs.
References:
- Know the risks of marijuana. SAMHSA. (n.d.). https://www.samhsa.gov/marijuana
- World Health Organization. (n.d.). Cannabis. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/teams/mental-health-and-substance-use/alcohol-drugs-and-addictive-behaviours/drugs-psychoactive/cannabis
- A; C. R. P. (n.d.). Marijuana use and risk of lung cancer: A 40-year cohort study. Cancer causes & control : CCC. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23846283/
- Patton, G. C. (2002). Cannabis Use and Mental Health in Young People: Cohort Study. BMJ, 325(7374), 1195–1198. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.325.7374.1195
- Di Forti, M., Sallis, H., Allegri, F., Trotta, A., Ferraro, L., Stilo, S. A., Marconi, A., La Cascia, C., Reis Marques, T., Pariante, C., Dazzan, P., Mondelli, V., Paparelli, A., Kolliakou, A., Prata, D., Gaughran, F., David, A. S., Morgan, C., Stahl, D., & Khondoker, M. (2013). Daily Use, Especially of High-Potency Cannabis, Drives the Earlier Onset of Psychosis in Cannabis Users. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 40(6), 1509–1517. https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sbt181
- Young-Wolff, K. C., Tucker, L.-Y., Alexeeff, S., Armstrong, M. A., Conway, A., Weisner, C., & Goler, N. (2017). Trends in Self-reported and Biochemically Tested Marijuana Use Among Pregnant Females in California From 2009-2016. JAMA, 318(24), 2490. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2017.17225
- National Academies of Sciences, E. (2017). The Health Effects of Cannabis and : The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research. In nap.nationalacademies.org. https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/24625/the-health-effects-of-cannabis-and-cannabinoids-the-current-state
- Beckerman, J. (2004, December 8). Anatomy and Circulation of the Heart. WebMD; WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/high-cholesterol-healthy-heart
- Brady, J. E., & Li, G. (2014). Trends in Alcohol and Other Drugs Detected in Fatally Injured Drivers in the United States, 1999-2010. American Journal of Epidemiology, 179(6), 692–699. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwt327
- Hartman, R. L., & Huestis, M. A. (2012). Cannabis Effects on Driving Skills. Clinical Chemistry, 59(3), 478–492. https://doi.org/10.1373/clinchem.2012.194381
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