The week in cannabis has been an eventful one – on a global level. Below is a recap of news that the Green Flower team is following.
World Health Organization recommends rescheduling cannabis
What happened: The World Health Organization recommended this week that cannabis be rescheduled at the international level.
Cannabis is currently scheduled as a Schedule IV substance at the international level – the most restrictive level (not to be confused with Schedule I in the United States).
Why it matters: The recommendation by the World Health Organization is a really, really big deal. If the recommendation is followed, it would pave the way for an explosion of cannabis reform worldwide.
Harvard finds shocking new information about cannabis and sperm
What happened: A study conducted at Harvard examined the sperm of more than 660 men and asked them if they consumed cannabis or not.
The study found that male cannabis users had a higher sperm concentration than males that did not use cannabis.
Why it matters: Researchers expected the opposite to be true, which is likely because of how much stigma and false information has been spread about this topic.
Yet another talking point for cannabis opponents has gone up in smoke (no pun intended).
Potential U.S. Attorney General reiterates a hands-off approach to cannabis policy
What happened: William Barr was nominated by president Trump for U.S. Attorney General and is under Senate confirmation consideration.
This week he reiterated his desire to have a hands-off approach to state-level cannabis policy in a meeting with Republican Colorado Senator Cory Gardner.
Why it matters: It wasn’t that long ago that passionate cannabis opponent Jeff Sessions was U.S. Attorney General.
If Barr gets confirmed, and if he keeps his word, it would be good news for the cannabis industry and consumers in legal states.
House subcommittee to hold a hearing on cannabis banking legislation
What happened: The House Consumer Protection and Financial Institutions Subcommittee will hold a hearing next week on cannabis industry banking access.
The hearing is going to be held at 2 p.m. on February 13.
Why it matters: Banking access has been an issue for the cannabis industry for many years now.
The situation has improved with more financial institutions being open to working with cannabis businesses, and comprehensive reform is still desperately needed.
Florida judge rules that medical cannabis dispensary cap is unconstitutional
What happened: Florida Second Circuit Court Judge Karen Gievers ruled this week that a cap on medical cannabis licenses in the state is unconstitutional.
It is unclear at this time as to how the state of Florida will change its approach to licensing.
Why it matters: Florida’s medical cannabis program has over 176,000 patients, and that number is increasing with every update.
Florida’s medical cannabis patients deserve to have safe access, and hopefully this court ruling helps suffering patients get more access in their area to the medicine that they need.
CBD is ordered off of shelves and from restaurants
What happened: State health officials in Maine have ordered that products containing CBD be pulled from store shelves.
New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene also ordered restaurants within its jurisdiction to refrain from using CBD in food.
Why it matters: The confusion over hemp policy continues. Many consumers assume that CBD is legal at all times, everywhere, but clearly that is not the case.
Fortunately, after the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill CBD moved one step closer towards full acceptance nationwide, and it will still be a bit before CBD has been put through the bureaucratic process.
