Month: October 2023

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GOP-led medical marijuana initiative confronting resistance due to a broader push for full cannabis legalization by Democrats.

A clash of visions over cannabis policy has emerged in Wisconsin, with a GOP-led medical marijuana initiative confronting resistance due to a broader push for full cannabis legalization by Democrats.

GOP Vs. Democrat Cannabis Views

Sen. Mary Felzkowski (R), a proponent of a more constrained medical cannabis system, expressed concerns that broader legalization ambitions are stymying efforts to garner GOP support for her patient-centric reform. “It does make it harder in our caucus,” Felzkowski commented to PBS Wisconsin, pointing out that many Republicans are wary of following in the footsteps of states like Illinois and Minnesota

This sentiment is in direct contrast with the stance of Sen. Melissa Agard (D), who’s pushing for a more comprehensive legalization. In comments to Marijuana Moment, Agard highlighted that nearly 70% of Wisconsin voters favor legalizing cannabis for adult use and asserted, “Republicans are the only people standing in the way of cannabis reform.”

Although Felzkowski acknowledges growing support for her medical marijuana bill among Republicans, she told Marijuana Moment that any approved legislation would come with restrictions, potentially excluding smoking cannabis and limiting eligible medical conditions.

In previous sessions, GOP-led attempts to remove cannabis reform provisions from the budget presented by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers have been recurrent.

Cannabis Spending in Neighboring States

Adding to the debate is a report revealing that half of Wisconsinites aged 21 and over reside within a 75-minute drive to an out-of-state legal cannabis vendor. Furthermore, Wisconsin citizens reportedly spent over $121 million on marijuana in neighboring Illinois last year, translating to approximately $36 million in tax revenue for Illinois.

Influencing Voices at Wisconsin’s Cannabis Crossroads

Medical Or Adult Use? Wisconsin's Cannabis Debate Heats Up

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R) has conveyed a preference for medical cannabis discussions without the shadow of full legalization, being consistent with its previous positions on the subject. However, voices like Gov. Evers advocate drawing parallels between marijuana and alcohol, signaling the need for a more comprehensive strategy.

Amid the heated debate and with cannabis possession still criminalized in the state, reform becomes crucial. As neighboring states move forward with their own cannabis regulation, Wisconsin finds itself grappling with the choice between limited medical legalization or a broader embrace of the cannabis industry.

 

We, at Inspirational Technologies, are informed of all current and future cannabis endeavors which we try to follow and due our diligence to give you the latest HempNews2023.

Steven M Smith InspirationalTech.org

CEO since 2013.

#IntheWeedswithSteve

Thank you for consideration.

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A new bill to federally legalize marijuana has reportedly been filed in the US House by a bipartisan group of Congress members.

A new bill to federally legalize marijuana has reportedly been filed in the US House by a bipartisan group of Congress members.

The States Reform Act, which is being sponsored by Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina, a Republican, was first filed in 2021 as an alternative to legislation introduced by Democrats. The bill would essentially treat marijuana like alcohol and grandfather existing state-licensed cannabis operators, according to cannabis industry news outlet Marijuana Moment.

Court Orders Mediation in 3M Earplugs Lawsuits | Riddle & Brantley

Although text from the latest version of the bill is not yet available, the previous version removed marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act, levied an excise tax, and called for the expungement of records for people convicted of non-violent marijuana violations.

We are following the latest on this new bill and will follow-up with you, with Inspiration.

Steven M Smith

Steven M Smith InspirationalTech.org

CEO since 2013.

#IntheWeedswithSteve

Thank you for consideration.

Inspirational Technologies
InspirationalTech.org for your Health Wellness Beauty and Inspirational Goals

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Happy Half Year Birthday 10/20 Cannabis Lovers.

Los Angeles, CA

 Jimmy Kimmel celebrated the Birthday of Snoop Dogg on the Half Birthday of 4/20. Recognized as the official date for cannabis.

 

Snoop Dogg appeared on  Live last night and confirmed once and for all that he knows the most drug dealers of anyone on the planet. Host Jimmy Kimmel asked Snoop about the time Mike Epps enlisted the rapper to help him find weed in Iceland and Snoop confirmed that, yes, he know someone who knows someone in almost every country.

“Well, last time I checked I was the plug to your plug,” Snoop said. “I’m the connect. It’s good to have friends that have friends that are international and global and able to get you medicated and dedicated no matter where you at.”

Kimmel then read off a list of countries that Snoop has visited and asked him to acknowledge whether he has a hook-up in each of them. The rapper replied affirmative to all of them, including Mexico and Ireland, except for North Korea. “Oh no,” he said. “I ain’t got nobody there.” It turns out, though, that Snoop was confusing North Korea with South Korea, although he didn’t have “access” to weed in the south either.

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Elsewhere on the late-night show, Snoop discussed the 30th anniversary of Doggystyle and his cookbook with E-40. He also celebrates his birthday, Oct. 20, which happens to take place six months after 4/20. Kimmel declared the day a holiday dubbed “Dogg father’s Day” with a full proclamation and then aired several (fake) tribute clips, including from the Pope and President Joe Biden.

 

 

 

Steven M Smith InspirationalTech.org

CEO since 2013.

#IntheWeedswithSteve

Thank you for consideration.
Inspirational Technologies
InspirationalTech.org for your Health Wellness Beauty and Inspirational Goals

For More Information on Cannabis and CBD and YOU.

 

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Recreational marijuana could be on 2024 Florida ballot!

Recreational marijuana could be on 2024 ballot.

Josh Cascio reports.

TAMPA, Fla. – The Smart & Safe Florida campaign, funded by Trulieve, says it has collected more than one million signatures to legalize the adult use of recreational marijuana in Florida.

That’s more than enough signatures to get on the 2024 ballot, assuming the ballot language is approved by the heavily conservative-leaning state supreme court.

Attorney General Ashley Moody is among those fighting it, saying the court should reject the proposal. Still, this advancement in the process has the pro-legalization side feeling confident.

“I have confidence that it’s going to pass the Supreme Court review. And then really, you know, it’s up to the voters and the people of Florida,” said Michael Minardi, an attorney and Chairman of Regulate Florida.

If the initiative does pass, it would need the approval of at least 60 percent of voters. In 2016, 71 percent of voters approved medical marijuana.

Minardi believes legalization would increase tourism, jobs and create a tax windfall.

Trulieve says it has collected more than 965,000 signatures for the Smart and Safe Campaign to legalize the adult use of recreational marijuana in Florida.

“Absolutely, I would see in excess of, you know, one to two billion dollars the first couple of years of adult use here in the state of Florida,” he said.

On the other hand, opponents say Florida doesn’t need another intoxicant, especially in the hands of kids.

“There’s more problems with abuse and addiction. We need more treatment. So, I think the costs would be much higher than the average voter would know about,” said Ellen Snelling with the Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance. “It’s kind of like marijuana on crack. We do not need this legalized in our state,” she added.

 

 

It’s still unclear when the state Supreme Court will make its ruling on the ballot language….

#IntheWeedswithSteve

 

Be patient Florida, this too, shall pass!






Steven M Smith

InspirationalTech.org

CEO since 2013.

Thank you for consideration.
Inspirational Technologies
InspirationalTech.org for your Health Wellness Beauty and Inspirational Goals

For More Information on Cannabis and CBD and YOU.

 

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Georgia soon will become the first state in the nation to offer Medical Marijuana products at independent Pharmacies.

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia soon will become the first state in the nation to offer medical marijuana products at independent pharmacies, state officials said.

The Georgia Board of Pharmacy began accepting applications this week, and nearly 120 pharmacies have agreed to provide medication from Botanical Sciences, one of the state’s two licensed production companies, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. 

It will likely take a few weeks before medical marijuana is available in pharmacies. After they submit applications, inspections will be required before the board grants approval.

FILE - Dr. Andrew Bachman holds the pill form of medical marijuana during a tour of LeafLine Labs, a medical marijuana production facility, in Cottage Grove, Minn., June 17, 2015. The Georgia Board of Pharmacy began accepting applications early Oct. 2023, and nearly 120 pharmacies have agreed to provide medication from Botanical Sciences, one of the state’s two licensed production companies, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)

Medical marijuana is only available to Georgians with approval from a physician to treat severe illnesses including seizures, terminal cancers, Parkinson’s disease and post-traumatic stress disorder. Low THC oil can contain no more than 5% THC, the compound that gives users a high.

The expansion of medical cannabis sales into drug stores will put low THC oil within reach of many more patients, adding to the state’s seven dispensaries that have opened since April.

Patients will be able to buy cannabis oil at pharmacies if they show a state-issued low THC oil registry card and identification.

“Pharmacists have been fielding questions from patients for years without ever having the ability to do anything about it,” said Gary Long, CEO for Botanical Sciences. “Finally, they have the ability not just to give people advice but provide them with the therapies they’ve been seeking.”

About 90% of Georgia’s population will be within a 30-minute drive of a pharmacy selling medical marijuana when they open, according to the company.

“Pharmacists are a trusted provider, and it’s a way for us to destigmatize this new medicine,” said Mindy Leech, a pharmacist and the owner of Lee-King Pharmacy in Newnan. “It will make people more comfortable if they want to come in and ask questions about it.”

View on WatchThe Georgia General Assembly approved distribution of low THC oil as part of a state law passed in 2019, but it has taken years to create regulations for safety, inspections, licensing and distribution. Gov. Brian Kemp approved rules last month that were passed by the Georgia Board of Pharmacy, clearing the way for pharmacy sales to begin.

The Georgia Department of Public Health recently disclosed it had miscounted and inflated the number of registered medical marijuana patients. Just 14,000 active patients and caregivers are currently signed up, far fewer than the 50,000 previously reported.

“We’re going to have patients that need this health care in some remote parts of Georgia that probably would never have a dispensary near them,” said Jonathan Marquess, vice president for the Georgia Pharmacy Association and the owner of several pharmacies in the Atlanta area. “But they do have a caring professional, a knowledgeable professional pharmacist, in their communities who can talk to them.”

There are over 400 independent pharmacies in Georgia, and Marquess said he expects most of them will be interested in selling low THC oil. The product isn’t being sold by national drugstores like CVS and Walgreens.

Andrew Turnage, executive director for the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission, said the pharmacy rule is “definitely big news.”

“It helps both our licensees and especially our patients,” he said. “It will put access in virtually every county in the state.”

Steven M Smith InspirationalTech.org

CEO since 2013.

COMING SOON 2024      #IntheWeedswithSteve

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Inspirational Technologies’ “In the Weeds with Steve” begins Production as Writer’s Strike ends.

Inspirational Technologies “In the Weeds with Steve” to promote the diverse and disruptive Cannabis Culture.

Inspirational Technologies premieres “In the Weeds with Steve.” The long-awaited series, originally set to begin in September 2020, has finally begun production. Inspirational Technologies Production Company, Background Noise Productions, in the upcoming weeks, is slated to premier the anticipated, “In the Weeds with Steve”. Originally set to start in January 2021, was shelved due to the constraints of those days.

Beginning in November 2023 Inspirational Technologies will promote the long-awaited series, “In the Weeds with Steve “. An Inspirational Technologies production under their own “Background Noise Productions Studios.

 

Steven M Smith InspirationalTech.org

CEO since 2013.

#IntheWeedswithSteve

Thank you for consideration.

Inspirational Technologies
InspirationalTech.org for your Health Wellness Beauty and Inspirational Goals

For More Information on Cannabis and CBD and YOU.

AllRightsReserved2023

1st Hemp USA News is a resource of Inspirational Technologies (2023)
Continue reading Inspirational Technologies’ “In the Weeds with Steve” begins Production as Writer’s Strike ends.