During the inaugural Caribbean Medico-Legal Cannabis Conference dubbed CANNA-BLISS last week, Dr. Terrance Drew, the prime minister of St Kitts and Nevis, unveiled the nation's intentions to use the economic potential of medicinal cannabis. In the meantime, according to industry advocates, the unwillingness of Canada's major banks to engage with the legal cannabis industry results in undermined accountability and support of the country's black market. Thailand's marijuana legalization efforts over the years have transformed the country into a regional hub for weed product development and cultivation. As a result, there has been a surge in the availability of cannabis products in the market, with a portion of these products making their way into stores in neighboring Laos.
A measure aimed at legalizing cannabis cafés in California is being brought back by Assemblymember Matt Haney. Meanwhile, a South Carolina legislator aims to invalidate the scent of marijuana as a reason for probable cause, resulting in law enforcement losing the ability to justify a stop, search, or arrest based on reasonable suspicion, HB1598/SB788 recently authorized the transition of the Virginia medical cannabis program from the Board of. Pharmacy to the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority, resulting in the new regulatory body taking over regulatory oversight of the new market on Jan. 1, 2024. A potential ban of THC-A and certain CBD flower looms in Tennessee as a result of the recently proposed rule by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture that aims to broaden the definition of THC to incorporate the percentage of THC-A.
Canadian cannabis company Tilray has launched two new ready-to-drink THC and CBG-infused beverages as part of its RIFF brand. The RIFF BOOST drinks are available in Tropical Burst and Vanilla Frost flavours, and each contains 10mg of THC, 10mg of CBG and 30mg of naturally occurring caffeine from guarana extract. The beverages are available in 355ml cans. Tilray's RIFF brand debuted its first cannabis-infused beverages in July, with the introduction of sparkling THC drinks in Blue Raspberry Ice and Wild Raspberry Lemonade flavours. The new RIFF BOOST drinks are available in select regions and retailers in Canada, including Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario. Tilray expanded its cannabis beverage portfolio in November with products from its XMG and Mollo brands.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), a founding co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus expects another successful year of federal marijuana reform as lawmakers seize the opportunity to capitalize on massive bipartisan support generated over the last year while urging the Biden administration to advance the cause even further as election season approaches, Last Friday, the New York State Cannabis Control Board held an emergency session to review and consider two resolutions. The first one was to grant approvals to two registered organizations, allowing them to smoothly transition into the adult-use cannabis market. The second vote to approve permits for two cannabis testing labs was a success, with Falkor Laboratories LLC and Aardwolf Labs NY LLC.In the meantime, under a newly filed GOP-backed bill in South Dakota, the state-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries would need to display a sign at their businesses regarding the federal law's restriction on possessing firearms for indi