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Minnesota Cannabis Regulators Say Nearly 400 Weed Shops Will Open Amid Crackdown on Illicit Sales

Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) predicts that the state will need at least 381 dispensaries to meet the requirement for local governments to provide at least one retail shop per every 12,500 residents.

Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management

Though Minnesota legalized recreational marijuana in August 2023, tribal lands were the first and only to launch legal cannabis sales shortly thereafter when the White Earth Nation Tribal Council began to sell on the reservation to both tribal and nontribal members the first week of August.

White Earth Tribal and Community College

The OCM anticipates dispensaries will launch retail sales next year, once the office issues applications and establishes regulations for retailers.

In its report, issued earlier this week, the regulatory body noted that the situation is complicated by the absence of a well-regulated market for fully legalized marijuana.

“It is impossible at this time to understand the necessary supply of cannabis vs. hemp needed to accommodate total demand without further research,” the report authors wrote. “Until the adult-use market is launched and sales for both types of outlets can be thoroughly assessed, estimates of adequate product supply and outlets for the adult-use program will likely be inaccurate.”

Lack Of Regulated Cannabis Sales Boosts Illicit Market

The report also stressed that more Minnesotans are turning to illicit sources to obtain marijuana.

The “high prevalence of obtaining cannabis from a dealer, an illicit source, among Minnesota residents,” can be attributed to the absence of “legal adult-use sources,” according to the report.

Simultaneously, OCM is working on an interagency plan to put an end to hemp retailers that are selling marijuana buds that exceed the state’s limit of 0.3% delta-9 THC as industrial hemp, reported Hemp Today.

(THC) Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol - Learn @ Medicated Guide

The regulators are allegedly exploring the possibility of involving inspectors from the Office of Medical Cannabis and the Department of Agriculture to look into the sales of these products.

#IntheWeedswithSteve Be patient Florida, this too, shall pass! Steven M Smith InspirationalTech.org CEO since 2013.

Thank you for consideration.
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New Cannabis Initiatives to Reschedule Marijuana Raise Stocks and Expectations

The latest news on marijuana rescheduling is that the federal government has been talking about cannabis a lot lately. It seems that the U.S. federal government is expected to reschedule cannabis to a Schedule III substance in 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

HHS.gov

This move is expected to provide relief to the cannabis industry, which has been struggling with market corrections and over taxation. The rescheduling of cannabis is expected to eliminate the burdensome 280E tax regulation, which prohibits businesses from taking normal business deductions on federal tax returns. This is expected to help stabilize and revitalize cannabis businesses.

S Corp Tax Deductions Everything You Need to Know

As a result of this news, cannabis stocks have been on the rise. However, it is important to note that despite the expected rescheduling decision in 2024, there is little hope for any Congressional progress on SAFE Banking or full legalization. The current contentious political environment combined with election-year posturing will virtually eliminate any momentum for legislative accomplishments during the coming 12 months. The lack of progress will continue to impact the cannabis industry, constraining access to capital and maintaining current financial challenges to the industry.

Please note that investing in stocks involves risks and it is important to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions.

After the majority of states legalized marijuana in some way individually, perhaps the Schedule I narcotic may finally be reclassified. The federal government still considers cannabis to be a Schedule I narcotic, which is a substance defined as having no medicinal value and a high risk of abuse. Other Schedule I drugs include heroin, MDMA, and LSD. However, the federal government has admitted that cannabis does indeed have therapeutic potential and may not be as dangerous as previously considered. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has recommended to the Drug Enforcement Administration that marijuana be rescheduled to a lower classification. This might render the SAFER Banking Act less critical and could lead to U.S. exchanges allowing the uplisting of U.S. plant-touching companies. The congressional report is a reminder that the road to legal weed is paved with unexpected detours and Congress and the DEA hold the keys.

Dea Logos

 

#IntheWeedswithSteve Be patient Florida, this too, shall pass! Steven M Smith InspirationalTech.org CEO since 2013.

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Cannabis researchers conclude, “Our results demonstrate that regular cannabis users are able to perform current motor tasks at the same level as nonusers.”

Regular cannabis users may need more brain power to perform simple motor tasks, according to a new study published in Human Brain Mapping.

Cannabis is the most popular recreational drug in the United States, with usage rapidly increasing, but the effects of regular cannabis use on the brain are not fully understood.

Previous studies have clearly demonstrated that cannabis can impair attention and memory, but its impact on functions such as motor control is less clear, with some studies suggesting an impairment and other studies suggesting no effect. The underlying brain mechanisms are even less well-understood.

Motor control is the ability to plan and execute movements, such as walking, typing, or playing an instrument. It involves the activity of nerve cells in the motor cortex, a part of the brain that sends signals to the muscles.

These nerve cells produce rhythmic patterns of electrical activity, called neural oscillations, that can be measured by a technique called magnetoencephalography (MEG), a non-invasive imaging technique used to measure the magnetic fields produced by neural activity in the brain. It offers high temporal resolution, enabling researchers to track brain activity in real time and understand how different areas of the brain communicate during various tasks and cognitive processes.

How to measure brain activity in people - Queensland Brain Institute ...

The research team, led by Thomas W. Ward from Boys Town National Research Hospital in Nebraska, set out to better understand motor function with cannabis usage.

They recruited 45 participants between 20 to 59 years old and used MEG to compare the neural oscillations of 18 regular cannabis users and 23 nonuser controls while they performed a motor sequencing task.

To qualify as cannabis users, participants had to consume cannabis no less than three times weekly for a minimum of three years. To qualify as nonusers, participants had to abstain from cannabis and any other illicit drugs, except for occasional past trials, and avoid any illicit drug use in the last 3 months.

The motor sequencing task required all the participants to place their hand on a button pad and tap a sequence of three numbers, after seeing a cue on a screen, with the corresponding fingers on their right hand. For instance, if “1” was visible on the screen, participants needed to tap their index finger, and if “2” was displayed they were required to tap their middle finger.

The researchers found that both groups performed the task equally well, with no differences in reaction time, accuracy, or movement duration.

However, they also found that the cannabis users had stronger neural oscillations in the beta frequency band (16–24 Hertz) in the primary motor cortex and several other movement-related brain regions.The cognitive effects of cannabis - Sensi Seeds Blog

These neural oscillations were increased during the execution phase of the task, but not during the planning phase. This suggests that the cannabis users needed more neural activity to perform the same task as the nonusers.

Ward and colleagues speculated that the stronger beta oscillations may reflect a compensatory mechanism that allows the cannabis users to maintain normal motor performance despite the potential impairments caused by cannabis. They also suggested that the beta oscillations may be influenced by the levels of a neurotransmitter called GABA, which is a chemical known to regulate the activity of the motor cortex and may be affected by cannabis.

Frontiers | Understanding the Role of Sensorimotor Beta Oscillations

The study authors concluded, “our results demonstrate that though regular cannabis users are able to perform the current motor sequencing task at the same level as nonuser controls, the two groups are quite different neurologically. These differences may reflect compensatory processing or be precursors of behavioral deficits that may emerge in the future. These compensatory mechanisms, though adequate for this relatively simple sequencing task, may break down in real-world situations where more complex motor control is needed.”

Image result for regular cannabis users are able to perform the current motor sequencing task at the same level as nonuser controls, the two groups are quite different neurologically.

The study has some limitations, such as not controlling for the amount and type of cannabis consumed by the users, and using a relatively simple motor task that may not capture the complexity of real-world motor control.

The study, titled “Regular cannabis use alters the neural dynamics serving complex motor control”, was authored by Thomas W. Ward, Seth D. Springer, Mikki Schantell, Jason A. John, Lucy K. Horne, Anna T. Coutant, Hannah J. Okelberry, Madelyn P. Willett, Hallie J. Johnson, Abraham D. Killanin, Elizabeth Heinrichs-Graham, and Tony W. Wilson.

#IntheWeedswithSteve Be patient Florida, this too, shall pass! Steven M Smith InspirationalTech.org CEO since 2013.

Thank you for consideration.
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Inspirational Technologies announces ” 1st Cannabis Network USA ” an A.I. First for Innovation Technology in the Cannabis World.

Inspirational Technologies announces ” 1st Cannabis Network USA ” an A.I. First for Innovation Technology in the Cannabis World. Jacksonville, Florida based Inspirational Technologies announced Thursday, December 21st, 2023, that their platform series ” 1st Hemp USA” has reached a newer level of maturity and has evolved into 2024. ” 1st Cannabis Network USA ” will become the company’s new concerted effort to keep the public, at large in the US, informed of their needs being addressed by their respective oversight issues. Said, Steven Smith, founder and owner of Inspirational Technologies

1st Cannabis Network USA 2024

The legal history of cannabis in the United States is a fascinating journey that spans over a century. Let’s explore some key milestones:

  1. Early Introduction:
  2. State-Level Prohibition:
  3. Federal Restrictions:
  4. Medical Cannabis Movement:
  5. Recent Legislation:

So, from its colonial roots in Virginia to the modern-day legalization efforts, cannabis has woven a complex tapestry in the United States. 🌿🇺🇸

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The cannabis industry’s employee enablement and training platform Seed Talent has launched Role-Based Assessments, with support from NAMCE.

The cannabis industry’s employee enablement and training platform Seed Talent has launched Role-Based Assessments, with support from NAMCE.

What’s It All About?

“After gathering feedback from industry professionals and companies alike over the last few years, the challenges we heard were consistent, and it was clear the solution required an outside-the-box approach,” Kurt Kaufmann, CEO of Seed Talent, explained.

Kurt Kaufmann, CEO of Seed Talent
 

Assessments aim to level the playing field for cannabis employees while providing focused growth pathways for professionals, focusing initially on roles such as budtender, cultivation agent and extractor.

These evaluations delve into the distinct skill sets required to excel in such roles, consolidating them into a comprehensive three-part assessment to determine an individual’s competency level.

Upon completion, individuals are recognized as entry, skilled or advanced, highlighting both their strengths and areas ripe for development.

“Assessments will serve as a solid step forward in bridging the gap between cannabis professionals and their employers, particularly for high-volume cannabis-specific roles,” Kaufmann continued. “We are excited to build upon these initial Assessments through industry feedback to ensure that this solution makes our industry more approachable, equitable, and scalable.”

Air Marketing Announces Launch of SaaS Recruitment Agency, Seed Talent ...

 

How Does It Work?

Start with the entry-level Assessment for a desired industry role. Each assessment is a prerequisite to advance to the next level.

Participants will be certified for the highest-level assessment that they achieve. Upon completion, Seed Talent will provide a digital certificate for each participant’s determined competency level. After completing the assessment, there is a brief survey for participants to help fine-tune the process to better serve the entire cannabis community.

What’s Next

Upon full commercial launch of the offering in early 2024, professionals and employers will be able to better communicate role readiness through the sharing of the assessment results, as well as create more targeted learning pathways based on skill or knowledge gaps identified through the reporting.

 

Those interested can participate in Seed Talent’s pilot program, where they are offering these Assessments free through the balance of 2023.

 

#IntheWeedswithSteve   Be patient Florida, this too, shall pass! Steven M Smith InspirationalTech.org CEO since 2013.
Thank you for consideration.
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US States legalizing recreational use represents the Restart of a Newly Energized Cannabis Movement in the United States.

Half of all U.S. states have fully legalized marijuana and there are only six states where it is fully illegal — Kansas, Idaho, Nebraska, Wyoming, North Carolina and South Carolina (though cannabis is decriminalized in North Carolina and Nebraska).

It’s a cultural shift that has been decades in the making.

California became the first state to experiment with legal cannabis when it made medicinal marijuana legal in 1996. Maine, Hawaii, Nevada and Colorado followed suit over the next five years, allowing their citizens to also purchase medical cannabis.

The U.S. government gives the Drug Enforcement agency over $3 billion a year to fight its war on drugs, so a state openly defying the government’s edict against the plant was extremely radical at the time.

But between then and now, there was nearly two decades on no movement on the issue as the United States’ archaic federal laws against the growth and distribution of cannabis held firm.

But then in 2014 Colorado and Washington took it a step further than California did and became the first states in the union to legalize the recreational use and sale of marijuana.

That year, about 22.2 million Americans aged 12 or older reported current cannabis use, according to a national survey.

It turned out those two states legalizing recreational use represented the start of a newly energized cannabis movement in the United States. Since then, nearly two dozen states have also legalized recreational marijuana.

Washington and Colorado set the example

More than two-thirds of Americans polled by Gallup support legalizing marijuana. The 70% rate of support reached a record-high in October this year. Gallup has been issuing that cannabis poll since 1969.

Back then, just 12% of Americans admitted supporting the legalization of weed.

Gallup’s poll results also show the influence Colorado and Washington’s move to end prohibition in their states in 2014 helped spur the rapid adoption by the next 23 states.

While public support for cannabis legalization crossed the 50% mark for the first time in 2013, jumping up to 58% from 48% in 2012, it fell back down to 51% in 2014.

But since that year, support for legalizing marijuana has ballooned to the levels seen today.

“Although some health organizations and political commentators have raised concerns about the medical risks of marijuana, this hasn’t blunted the public’s desire for legalization thus far,” Gallup said.

“For now, the high level of support among younger adults suggests national backing will only expand in the years ahead, likely resulting in more states, and perhaps the federal government, moving to legalize it.”

 

Money is a major issue

If you think cannabis legislation moves slowly only at the federal level, you’d be wrong.

It took Hawaii, for instance, 20 years to graduate from legalizing medical marijuana — it was the first state to do so through a state legislature vote — to decriminalizing use of the plant in 2019.

While the journey has been long, the real inflection points for legalization came during the pandemic.

Shutting down the economy for over two years exposed and stressed many of the cracks in local economies that had been able to be hidden previously, and the money from taxes on cannabis (along with gambling) suddenly became more palatable for politicians who objected to legalization on moral grounds (see: John Boehner for reference).

Since 2020, Vermont, Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, South Dakota (later reversed by a circuit court judge) New York, Virginia, New Mexico, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland, Missouri, Delaware, Minnesota, and Ohio have all legalized recreational marijuana.

Alabama, South Dakota, Mississippi (reversed by the Supreme Court of Mississippi) and Kentucky have legalized medical cannabis since then while Louisiana decriminalized the drug.

Maryland launched its adult-use cannabis industry in July this year and is seeing sales of $89.5 million a month. Thanks to the state’s 9% excise tax on adult use cannabis sales, the state has also received tens of millions of tax dollars it did not have access to last year.

So the economic case for legalizing cannabis is apparent for the states that are now participating. But for the rest of the country, it may take the federal government changing its laws in order for them to get on the cannabis train.

#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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