HoldHigh
23 hours ago
TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (CSE: TRUL) (OTCQX: TCNNF) ("Trulieve" or "the Company"), a leading and top-performing cannabis company in the U.S., announced the opening of a new medical cannabis dispensary in Hudson, Florida.
weedisgreen
3 days ago
To expose the double standards in Governor Ron DeSantis's stance on the hemp industry versus his opposition to recreational marijuana, here are some key points and contradictions:
## Veto of Hemp Regulation Bill (SB 1698)
- DeSantis vetoed SB 1698, which would have regulated and limited the sale of hemp-derived products containing delta-8 and delta-9 THC. He argued that the bill would impose "debilitating regulatory burdens on small businesses" and fail to achieve its purposes.
- **Contradiction:** While DeSantis advocates for "sensible, non-arbitrary regulation" of hemp products to protect public health and safety, he simultaneously opposes similar regulatory frameworks for recreational marijuana, claiming it would lead to widespread negative impacts.
## Support for Hemp Industry Interests
- DeSantis's veto was seen as a lifeline to the hemp industry, which had warned that the bill would decimate their businesses and cost Florida thousands of jobs and millions in revenue. The hemp industry has pledged significant financial support to DeSantis's campaign against the recreational marijuana amendment.
- **Contradiction:** DeSantis is willing to protect the hemp industry from stringent regulations, allowing them to continue selling products with psychoactive effects, but he opposes recreational marijuana legalization, citing concerns about public health and safety.
## Regulatory Double Standard
- DeSantis suggests that the hemp industry should be regulated to ensure purity, potency, and safety, with guidelines for labeling, packaging, and advertising that prevents appeal to minors. However, he does not apply the same logic to recreational marijuana, instead advocating for its outright rejection.
- **Contradiction:** The governor's call for balanced regulation of hemp products contrasts sharply with his opposition to regulating recreational marijuana, which could also be subject to similar safety and labeling standards.
## Public Health and Safety Concerns
- DeSantis argues that the lack of regulation in the hemp industry could lead to products containing dangerously high levels of THC or other harmful substances, posing risks to young people. Yet, he allows the hemp industry to operate without these regulations while opposing recreational marijuana on public health grounds.
- **Contradiction:** By permitting the hemp industry to continue selling unregulated products, DeSantis is exposing the public, including minors, to potential health risks, which he claims to be concerned about in the context of recreational marijuana.
## Financial Influence and Lobbying
- The Florida Healthy Alternatives Association, a hemp trade group, has paid significant amounts to lobbyists, including those closely tied to the Republican Party of Florida. This financial backing is linked to DeSantis's opposition campaign against the recreational marijuana amendment.
- **Contradiction:** The financial influence of the hemp industry on DeSantis's decisions highlights a double standard where he is willing to accommodate the interests of one industry (hemp) while actively opposing another (recreational marijuana) based on similar concerns.
## Public Statements and Rationale
- DeSantis has expressed concerns about the smell of marijuana and its potential prevalence in public spaces if recreational marijuana is legalized. However, he does not apply the same concern to the widespread availability of hemp products, which also contain psychoactive cannabinoids.
- **Contradiction:** The governor's public statements against recreational marijuana due to concerns about public order and quality of life do not align with his actions in protecting the hemp industry, which also sells products with similar effects.
In summary, Governor DeSantis's actions and statements reveal a clear double standard:
- He supports and protects the hemp industry from regulation, allowing it to operate with minimal oversight despite potential public health risks.
- He opposes recreational marijuana legalization, citing concerns about public health, safety, and quality of life, despite the possibility of implementing similar regulatory measures to mitigate these risks.
This inconsistency suggests that DeSantis's opposition to recreational marijuana is influenced by the financial and lobbying power of the hemp industry, rather than a consistent commitment to public health and safety.
weedisgreen
3 days ago
To expose the connections and motivations behind Governor Ron DeSantis's actions regarding the hemp and marijuana industries in Florida, here are the key details and facts:
## Veto of the Hemp Regulation Bill (SB 1698)
- Governor DeSantis vetoed Senate Bill 1698, which aimed to restrict the sale of hemp-derived products containing delta-8 and delta-9 THC. This veto was crucial for the hemp industry, as the bill would have imposed stringent regulations that could have severely impacted their operations.
## Financial Support from Hemp Industry
- Following the veto, hemp executives pledged $5 million to the Republican Party of Florida to support DeSantis's campaign against the recreational marijuana legalization initiative (Amendment 3). This financial commitment was discussed in a WhatsApp group named "Save Florida Hemp," which includes over a thousand members from the hemp industry.
## Industry Influence and Lobbying
- Key lobbyists from the hemp industry, such as Evan Power and Bill Helmich, who are also leaders of the Republican Party of Florida, played a significant role in advocating for the veto of SB 1698. Power is the chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, and Helmich is the party's interim executive director. Their involvement underscores the deep ties between the hemp industry and the Republican Party.
## DeSantis's Acknowledgment of Industry Support
- DeSantis seemed to tacitly acknowledge that part of his reason for vetoing the hemp ban bill was to gain the support of the hemp industry in his opposition to the marijuana legalization ballot initiative. He mentioned that the marijuana industry's support for the hemp bill factored into his decision, indicating a strategic alignment with the hemp industry.
## Regulatory Favoritism
- By vetoing SB 1698, DeSantis preserved the hemp industry's ability to sell products containing delta-8 and delta-9 THC, which are marketed for their euphoric effects similar to marijuana. This move was seen as a victory for the hemp industry, which had warned that the bill would effectively shutter their businesses and cost the state thousands of jobs and millions in revenue.
## Public Statements and Rationale
- DeSantis justified his veto by stating that the bill would impose "debilitating regulatory burdens on small businesses" and fail to achieve its safety objectives. He suggested that the Legislature reconsider the measure in the next session and work with stakeholders to create a more balanced regulatory framework for hemp and hemp-derived products.
## Opposition to Recreational Marijuana
- DeSantis has been vocal in his opposition to Amendment 3, which seeks to legalize recreational marijuana in Florida. The hemp industry's financial support is aimed at helping DeSantis's campaign against this amendment, reflecting their vested interest in safeguarding their market against potential disruptions from legalized recreational marijuana.
## Names and Roles
- **Ernie Ciaccio**: A hemp industry representative who emphasized the importance of their financial backing to support DeSantis's stance against the recreational marijuana amendment, framing it as a demonstration of solidarity rather than a quid pro quo.
- **Evan Power**: Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida and a key lobbyist for the hemp industry. His role highlights the close relationship between the hemp industry and the Republican Party.
- **Bill Helmich**: Interim executive director of the Republican Party of Florida and another key lobbyist for the hemp industry. His involvement further illustrates the industry's influence within the party.
- **Jonathan Solomon**: Founder of a company involved in the hemp industry, who spoke against SB 1698 and advocated for regulating hemp products similarly to medical marijuana products.
In summary, the evidence suggests that Governor DeSantis's veto of SB 1698 and his subsequent actions were significantly influenced by the hemp industry's interests. The financial support pledged by the hemp industry to the Republican Party of Florida, the involvement of key lobbyists, and DeSantis's public statements all indicate a strategic alliance aimed at opposing the recreational marijuana legalization initiative while protecting the hemp industry's interests.
Canna_Business
2 weeks ago
How Companies Are Selling THCa Online Without a License:
The 2018 Farm Bill has created a legal loophole for selling THCa online. THCa, which is non-psychoactive until heated, can be sold legally if it tests under 0.3% Delta-9 THC on a dry weight basis. This allows companies to bypass traditional cannabis licensing and state regulations.
Key Points:
2018 Farm Bill: Permits cannabis products with under 0.3% Delta-9 THC.
THCa Products: Non-psychoactive until heated but converts to Delta-9 THC when smoked or vaped.
No License Needed: THCa meets legal THC limits, avoiding the need for a cannabis license.
Consumer Impact: Consumers can buy THCa products online, evading stricter state cannabis laws.
Summary: The 2018 Farm Bill has inadvertently allowed THCa products to be sold legally online by staying within THC limits, despite their psychoactive potential when heated.
For example,
https://www.prestonherbco.com/products/100-ozs
HoldHigh
3 weeks ago
Pretty unusual to have both major presidential candidates approving MJ use. So there should be no question this issue will advance toward legalization.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (CSE: TRUL) (OTCQX: TCNNF) ("Trulieve" or "the Company"), a leading and top-performing cannabis company in the United States, today announced the relocation of a dispensary in Tucson, Arizona.
The new Menlo Park location at 1010 S Freeway #130 will host a grand opening celebration starting at 8 a.m. Friday, September 13, with partner giveaways, DJs, special discounts and more.