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Ohio Rec MJ Market Could Generate $275-403M in Taxes in First Five Years

August 21, 2023 Published by

Ohio just approved a statewide vote on adult-use cannabis on November’s upcoming ballot, and it’s looking like business would be booming should it be approved.

A study published earlier this month by researchers at Ohio State University suggests that Ohio could generate between $275 million and $403 million by the fifth year of operations in adult-use tax revenue, should voters move to legalize.

Establishing a Baseline

The study, titled “What Tax Revenues Should Ohioans Expect If Ohio Legalizes Adult-Use Cannabis,” used cannabis tax data from Michigan fiscal year 2021 as the main point of reference to estimate Ohio’s potential cannabis tax revenue gains, as the two states share “demographic and tax structure similarities.” 

Because Ohio does not have an established adult-use industry or tax structure, all tax revenue projections are speculative and based on variables and assumptions that could shift, researchers prefaced, calling them “best-guess” projections.

It also used data from Illinois, given its proximity to Ohio and similar population size, along with Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Colorado, “selected to provide tax revenue trends from more mature cannabis markets.”

The researchers issued their first report estimating possible tax revenues for the state in Spring 2022 and said they wanted to revisit the report given the recent ballot news. 

Researchers used Michigan as a base for cannabis pricing as well. In 2021, Ohio medical dispensaries charged an average of 40% or more than Michigan dispensaries, increasing to over 120% price differential in 2022 largely because of falling Michigan prices.

Projections for Ohio’s Budding Recreational Market

“Consequently, we have thus prepared a set of tax revenue estimates assuming price parity, as well as assuming 10% and 20% higher prices relative to Michigan to account for different possible Ohio pricing scenarios following legalization,” the report notes.

Given the baselines, researchers used Michigan data and applied a conservative rate of diminishing retail sales under three models to establish their $275 million and $403 million range. 

They also noted that the estimates don’t include collections if additional local sales don’t include any collection of additional local sales taxes or any other taxes that cannabis businesses and employees may pay, like state Commercial Activity Tax, local property taxes or state and local income taxes. It also doesn’t include fees collected from cannabis business license applicants or license holders, which can be structured in a way to provide additional significant benefits to Ohio’s expected cannabis revenue.

Authors also note that, regardless of the final tax structure, cannabis tax revenue only makes up a small proportion of the overall state revenue collection in legalization states. They cite that more mature cannabis markets have seen a tax revenue proportion from cannabis markets hovering between 1-2% of the total state revenue.

“Whatever tax structure is adopted, our analysis suggests it is reasonable to predict that Ohio would collect hundreds of millions in annual cannabis tax revenues from a mature adult-use cannabis market,” the study concludes. “But the amount of tax revenue collected would likely still represent a small percentage of Ohio’s $60+ billion annual budget.”

Voters, Advocates Prepare for 2023 Vote

Last week, advocacy group Coalition to Regulation Marijuana Like Alcohol (CRMA) approved their adult-use cannabis initiative, which would legalize cultivation, manufacturing, testing and sales for people over 21. Prospects are promising, as a recent poll conducted by Suffolk University found that 59% of voters support legalizing cannabis possession and sales.

Ohio voters recently rejected Issue 1, which was a constitutional change proposal that would have made it more difficult to enact constitutional amendments. Experts predict Issue 1’s failure will result in increased voter turnout, especially surrounding a proposed ballot measure around abortion rights heading to the polls.

CRMA spokesperson Tom Haren suggested the potential for a higher turnout could work to the cannabis initiative’s favor.

“I think people who go out to vote in November are likely to support us no matter what they vote on the abortion amendment,” said Haren. “I think we will be popular among those who vote yes (on the abortion rights amendment) and we’re going to be popular among those who vote no (on the abortion rights amendment) as well.”

The post Ohio Rec MJ Market Could Generate $275-403M in Taxes in First Five Years appeared first on High Times.

Will Ohio Legalize?

August 17, 2023 Published by

Will the State of Ohio legalize cannabis this November? Officials announced Wednesday that the legalization initiative will appear on the November 2023 ballot. The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol (CTRMLA) submitted more than 220,000 signatures, short by 679. Officials gave them ten more days, and the activists found 6,500 more. Ohio’s Secretary of State found that 4,405 of those signatures were valid. This means in November, residents can decide: will Ohio legalize cannabis? Will Ohio Legalize? “We are grateful […]

The post Will Ohio Legalize? appeared first on Cannabis | Weed | Marijuana | News.

Ohio Cannabis Legalize Initiative Pending For November Ballot

August 17, 2023 Published by

The Ohio-based advocacy group known as Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol (CRMA) is working on a citizen-initiative to legalize cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, testing, and sales for residents over 21.

In July, advocates submitted 123,367 signatures to qualify for the ballot this November, but they actually needed 124,046. “It looks like we came up a little short in this first phase, but now we have 10 days to find just 679 voters to sign a supplemental petition—this is going to be easy, because a majority of Ohioans support our proposal to regulate and tax adult use marijuana,” said CRMA spokesperson Tom Haren.

Advocates worked to collect the remaining 679 signatures, but instead submitted 6,545 signatures for the initiative to qualify for the ballot in early August.

Recently Ohio voters rejected Issue 1, which was a constitutional change proposal that would have made it more difficult to enact constitutional amendments. In the case of a proposed ballot measure heading to the polls for abortion rights, the failure of Issue 1 would instead allow the measure to pass with a majority vote, rather than a minimum of 60% in favor.

While the cannabis citizen-initiative would not amend the Ohio constitution, and therefore is not affected by Issue 1, it could be indirectly affected in terms of increased voter turnout. “The failure of Issue 1 really, really is going to create a massive turnout in November and the people that I think would be likely to vote on that abortion issue would also be more likely to vote positively on the recreational marijuana issue,” Attorney David Waxman told the Ohio Capital Journal.

Another attorney, James Sandy, added that the hot topic of abortion rights will distract voters from opposing the cannabis initiative. “Being on the ballot with such a hot issue like abortion, some of the groups that might be willing to fundraise against legalizing adult-use in Ohio are going to be using those resources on the abortion initiative,” Sandy said.

Haren maintained confidence for the success of cannabis legalization. “We have always believed that our issue is popular and will pass no matter the date of the election or who we share the ballot with,” Haren said.

A recent poll conducted by Suffolk University found that 59% of voters support legalizing cannabis possession and sales.

“I think people who go out to vote in November are likely to support us no matter what they vote on the abortion amendment,” said Haren. “I think we will be popular among those who vote yes (on the abortion rights amendment) and we’re going to be popular among those who vote no (on the abortion rights amendment) as well.”

The Ohio cannabis ballot initiative has not yet been officially approved to appear on the November ballot.

A paper published by researchers at Ohio State University, entitled “What Tax Revenues Should Ohioans Expect If Ohio Legalizes Adult-Use Cannabis?” found that Ohio could collect up to $403.6 million in annual tax revenue if cannabis is legalized. This is the second time researchers have published a report on the potential impact of legalization in Ohio, which previously estimated that the state could earn anywhere between $276.2 million (last year’s estimate) to $403.6 million after five years of legalization have passed.

“Though these projections are subject to various assumptions, the tax revenue experiences of other states support claims that Ohio is likely to generate hundreds of millions in tax revenues from a mature adult-use market,” researchers wrote. “For comparison, in FY 2021, Ohio casinos have generated gross tax revenues of over $300 million, so it is possible that cannabis sales in Ohio will generate tax returns comparable to those now collected through the gross casino revenue tax.”

Researchers concluded that these estimates for annual cannabis tax revenue would be impressive, but still only “represent a small percentage of Ohio’s $60+ billion annual budget.”

The post Ohio Cannabis Legalize Initiative Pending For November Ballot appeared first on High Times.

Health Insurance Premiums Decrease in States With Legal Medical Cannabis

August 16, 2023 Published by

A new study featured online in The International Journal of Drug Policy (which will be included in the September 2023 issue of the journal) shows evidence that states with legal medical cannabis have lowered health insurance premiums.

The study authors included professors from Bowling Green State University in Ohio, Illinois State University, and Eastern Michigan University, who reviewed U.S. private health insurance financial data collected by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners between 2010-2021. The most significant reductions were seen in medical cannabis states seven years later, with annual premiums set at $1,662.70, followed by $1.541.80 in the eighth year, and $1,625.80 in the ninth year. “Although the effect does not begin until seven years post-medical cannabis law implementation, there is a significant and sizable reduction in health insurance premiums,” the authors stated.

Ultimately, researchers noted that these savings are “…appreciated by cannabis users and non-users alike in states that have implemented MCLs [medical cannabis laws].”

The study included examining individual market health insurance plans, but not employer-sponsored insurance. It also only analyzed data from states with just medical cannabis, not medical and adult-use cannabis.

“The implementation of MCLs lowers individual-market health insurance premiums. Health insurance spending, including premiums, comprises between 16% and 34% of household budgets in the United States. As healthcare costs continue to rise, our findings suggest that households that obtain their health insurance on the individual (i.e., not employer sponsored) market in states with MCLs appreciate significantly lower premiums.”

Study authors also pointed out that insurance rates varied depending on when the state put its medical cannabis law into effect. “For early, mid, or late adopting states, there seems to be a small increase in premium in the second full years after enactment,” researchers explained. “However, early moving states continue to see a decline in premiums for years three through nine, whereas mid-adopting states see an attenuated impact on premiums after year three.”

Some people have suggested that legalizing medical cannabis would raise health insurance premiums, however researchers in this study suggest those claims are incorrect and lacking in evidence.

The theme of reduction also extends to other studies as well, from lowering risk or symptoms of certain medical conditions to reducing effects of legal cannabis in city or state regions.

The topic of youth cannabis use has led to numerous studies about the risk or benefits, but some studies such as one published by the University of Illinois found that youths living in ZIP codes with medical cannabis dispensaries were consuming cannabis less than those who did not live near medical cannabis dispensaries.

Cannabis has also been found to improve quality of life and help reduce opioid use in chronic pain patients, according to a study published in April which analyzed more than 700 chronic pain patients enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. Another study found that four out of five patient participants have also reduced opioid use or dropped it completely through the consumption of cannabis. Researchers in Israel also came to similar conclusions when analyzing cancer patients’ pain and their reliance on opiates. Additionally, other studies have examined the trend of legalization reducing prescription drugs which treat conditions such as pain, depression, anxiety, sleep, psychosis, and seizures.

Some of the most powerful examples of cannabis reducing medical conditions is seen in those who suffer from epileptic seizures. One study found that whole-plant cannabis extracts helped reduce seizures by 86%.

A study released earlier this month found that cannabis users have a decreased risk of Type 2 Diabetes, although more research is recommended to further explore the evidence. Other studies have also found that cannabis lowered the risk of liver disease, was associated with lower blood pressure, and decreased fatigue. 

The post Health Insurance Premiums Decrease in States With Legal Medical Cannabis appeared first on High Times.

Ohio Legalization Campaign Submits Additional Signatures To Qualify For Ballot

August 7, 2023 Published by

The supporters of a proposed ballot measure to legalize adult-use cannabis in Ohio last week submitted petitions with more than 6,500 additional signatures from voters who would like to see the proposal appear on the ballot for this year’s general election. The supplemental signatures were collected and delivered by the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol on Thursday after the group’s original submission last month fell just short of the threshold to trigger a vote on the proposal.

“This submission validates what we’ve said all along: regulating marijuana is popular in Ohio,” campaign spokesman Thomas Haren said in a statement to The Columbus Dispatch on August 3. “We’re looking forward to giving Ohio voters a chance to make their voices heard at the ballot this fall.”

Signature Gathering Originally Fell Short

The coalition submitted more than 222,000 signatures to Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose in early July, far more than the 124,046 needed for the initiative to qualify for the ballot for the November 2023 general election. But three weeks later, LaRose revealed that the campaign had collected just over 123,000 verified signatures, adding that the signature verification and tabulation results “indicate that petitioners filed an insufficient number of valid signatures.” He also noted that the campaign would have 10 days to obtain and submit the additional signatures needed to hit the goal.

“To submit a sufficient number of valid signatures, petitioners need an additional 679 valid signatures that are not contained in the original or prior supplementary petitions,” LaRose wrote in a statement on July 25.

After the announcement from the secretary of state, the legalization campaign acknowledged the group’s shortfall in a statement, saying that making up the difference to reach the signature goal would be “easy.”

“It looks like we came up a little short in this first phase, but now we have 10 days to find just 679 voters to sign a supplemental petition – this is going to be easy, because a majority of Ohioans support our proposal to regulate and tax adult-use marijuana,” Haren said in a statement to The Columbus Dispatch. “We look forward to giving Ohio voters a chance to make their voices heard this November.”

The group set to work to gather additional signatures from voters across the state of Ohio, using social media platforms including Reddit to publicize signature-gathering drives. Last week, the campaign submitted an additional 6,545 signatures, one day before the 10-day deadline. 

The supplemental petitions will now be delivered to county election boards, where signature verification will take place over an eight-day period. Results from election boards will then be reviewed by LaRose, who will announce if the campaign has received enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. On Thursday, the coalition said that legalizing marijuana will benefit the community.

“It works, generates hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue every year and makes sure that consumers have an alternative to the illicit market where they can buy products that they’re confident aren’t laced with illicit substances,” Haren said.

Proposed Ballot Measure Would Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis

If passed, the proposed ballot initiative would legalize recreational marijuana in Ohio for adults 21 and older, who would be permitted to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and up to 15 grams of cannabis concentrates. The proposal also legalizes marijuana cultivation for personal use, with adults allowed to grow up to six cannabis plants. Households with more than one adult would be permitted to grow a total of 12 plants. 

The commercial production and sales of cannabis products would be regulated by a new state agency named the Division of Cannabis Control, which would have the authority to “license, regulate, investigate, and penalize adult use cannabis operators, adult use testing laboratories, and individuals required to be licensed.” Cannabis products would carry a 10% tax, which would be dedicated to administrative costs of regulation, substance misuse treatment programs and a social equity and jobs program. Local governments with licensed recreational marijuana dispensaries would also receive a share of cannabis tax revenue. Under the proposal’s social equity program, some cannabis cultivation and dispensary licenses would be reserved for individuals from communities that have faced disproportionate enforcement of Ohio’s current marijuana laws.

“We are proposing to regulate marijuana for adult use, just like we do for alcohol,” Haren said in a press release when the campaign was launched nearly two years ago. “Our proposal fixes a broken system while ensuring local control, keeping marijuana out of the hands of children, and benefiting everyone.”

Ohio legalized medical marijuana in 2016 through a bill passed by the state legislature, leading to the opening of the state’s first regulated cannabis dispensaries in 2019. In 2015, an earlier proposal to legalize adult-use cannabis was successfully added to the ballot, but the measure was defeated by more than 65% of the state’s voters.

The post Ohio Legalization Campaign Submits Additional Signatures To Qualify For Ballot appeared first on High Times.

Ohio Pot Legalization Initiative Fails To Collect Enough Signatures

July 27, 2023 Published by

A campaign to legalize recreational marijuana in Ohio fell short of the number of verified signatures needed to qualify a proposed ballot measure for the ballot, missing its goal by less than 700 signatures. The effort is not dead, however, as activists have been given 10 more days to make up the signature deficit.

On Tuesday, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced that the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol had collected more than 123,000 valid signatures from registered voters to put the adult-use cannabis legalization initiative on the ballot for an election to be held in November. However, he said that the results of the signature verification and tabulation “indicate that petitioners filed an insufficient number of valid signatures,” adding that the campaign would have 10 days to obtain and submit the additional signatures needed to hit the goal of 124,046 valid signatures.

“To submit a sufficient number of valid signatures, petitioners need an additional 679 valid signatures that are not contained in the original or prior supplementary petitions,” LaRose wrote in a statement.

After the announcement from the secretary of state, Tom Haren, a spokesman for the legalization campaign, acknowledged the group’s shortfall in a statement on Tuesday, saying that making up the difference to reach the signature goal would be “easy.”

“It looks like we came up a little short in this first phase, but now we have 10 days to find just 679 voters to sign a supplemental petition – this is going to be easy, because a majority of Ohioans support our proposal to regulate and tax adult-use marijuana,” Haren said in a statement to the Columbus Dispatch. “We look forward to giving Ohio voters a chance to make their voices heard this November.”

If the signature goal is met, the state ballot board will convene to certify the language used on the ballot and begin efforts to prepare for the November election.

Proposal Would Legalize Weed For Adults

If passed, the proposed ballot initiative would legalize recreational marijuana in Ohio for adults 21 and older, who would be permitted to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and up to 15 grams of cannabis concentrates. The proposal also legalizes marijuana cultivation for personal use, with adults allowed to grow up to six cannabis plants. Households with more than one adult would be permitted to grow a total of 12 plants. 

The commercial production and sales of cannabis products would be regulated by a new state agency named the Division of Cannabis Control, which would have the authority to “license, regulate, investigate, and penalize adult use cannabis operators, adult use testing laboratories, and individuals required to be licensed.” Cannabis products would carry a 10% tax, which would be dedicated to administrative costs of regulation, substance misuse treatment programs and a social equity and jobs program. Local governments with licensed recreational marijuana dispensaries would also receive a share of cannabis tax revenue. Under the proposal’s social equity program, some cannabis cultivation and dispensary licenses would be reserved for individuals from communities that have faced disproportionate enforcement of Ohio’s current marijuana laws.

“We are proposing to regulate marijuana for adult use, just like we do for alcohol,” Haren said in a press release when the campaign was launched nearly two years ago. “Our proposal fixes a broken system while ensuring local control, keeping marijuana out of the hands of children, and benefiting everyone.”

Ohio legalized medical marijuana in 2016 through a bill passed by the state legislature, leading to the opening of the state’s first regulated cannabis dispensaries in 2019. In 2015, an earlier proposal to legalize adult-use cannabis was successfully added to the ballot, but the measure was defeated by more than 65% of the state’s voters.

LaRose first submitted the coalition’s proposal to legalize recreational marijuana in January 2022, but a dispute with lawmakers over the timing of the initiative led to legal action. Under an agreement between the campaign and legislators, the initiative was kept off the 2022 election ballot, requiring the campaign to wait until this year.

Public opinion is in favor of reform, with a Spectrum News/Siena College poll conducted last year showing that 60% of Ohio voters strongly or somewhat support marijuana legalization. If the proposal succeeds at the polls in November, Ohio will become the 24th state to legalize adult-use cannabis.

“We expect that our proposal is going to pass with a mandate from Ohio voters that we want to follow in the footsteps of the other half of the United States that have legalized and regulated marijuana since 2013,” Haren told WSOU Public Media.

The post Ohio Pot Legalization Initiative Fails To Collect Enough Signatures appeared first on High Times.

Ohio Regulators Reject Autism And OCD As Medical Pot Qualifying Conditions

July 18, 2023 Published by

Ohio cannabis regulators last week added irritable bowel syndrome as a qualifying condition to use medical marijuana but declined to approve petitions to add autism and obsessive-compulsive disorder to the state’s list. 

Under Ohio’s medical marijuana laws, interested parties are permitted to petition the Ohio Medical Board to add new qualifying conditions annually. Last week, the board voted to approve petitions to add irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). But at the same time, the board announced it would not add autism or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to the list this year. 

“While this addition will help expand patient access to medical marijuana and help many Ohio patients with this condition, we are disappointed the board did not approve autism spectrum disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder,” said Charlie Trefny, the director of government affairs for the industry group the Ohio Medical Cannabis Industry Association.

Board Followed Committee Recommendations

The board’s decisions followed the recommendations of its Medical Marijuana Committee. Dr. Frederick Slezak, the committee’s expert on IBS, said that medical marijuana use could help relieve symptoms including vomiting, pain and nausea. He also noted that cannabis can be effective for acute symptoms, while most other therapies for IBS are focused on long-term treatment.

Dr. LaRae Copley, one of the committee’s autism experts, said that there are not enough placebo-controlled studies of cannabis treatment to support adding the condition to the state’s list of qualifying conditions. The committee’s OCD expert, Dr. Timothy Kantz, said some studies showed promising results, but added that he believes the quality of some of the evidence is weak.

In both cases, the committee’s experts said the potential risks of cannabis, including psychosis, negative impacts on cognitive development and cannabis use disorder, outweighed the benefits. But patient advocates challenged that assertion.

“The available scientific evidence and the experience of countless patients and doctors tell us that there are thousands of Ohioans suffering from these conditions who could benefit from treatment with medical marijuana,” said Matt Close, the executive director of the Ohio Medical Cannabis Industry Association.

Aaron Bloom, the CEO of DocMJ, a nationwide medical marijuana physician practice, applauded the addition of IBS as a qualifying condition for Ohio’s medical cannabis program. But he added that we should “strive for a healthcare system that values the expertise of medical professionals and respects the diverse needs of patients.”

“To truly harness the full potential of medical cannabis, it is essential that doctors are empowered to exercise their professional judgment and recommend it for patients based on their individual needs rather than being limited by a predefined list of approved conditions,” Bloom wrote in a statement to High Times. “By allowing doctors to make informed decisions about medical cannabis recommendations, we can ensure that patients receive the best possible care and have access to a comprehensive range of treatment options.”

More Than A Dozen Qualifying Conditions

Ohio’s medical marijuana program currently lists more than a dozen qualifying medical conditions that make a patient eligible to use cannabis medicinally, including acquired immune deficiency syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cancer, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Crohn’s disease, IBS, epilepsy or another seizure disorder, fibromyalgia, glaucoma, hepatitis C, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, positive status for HIV, post-traumatic stress disorder, sickle cell anemia, spinal cord disease or injury, Tourette’s syndrome, traumatic brain injury, ulcerative colitis, and chronic and severe or intractable pain.

The next opportunity to submit petitions to the Ohio Medical Board to add new qualifying conditions to the state’s medical marijuana program begins on November 1 and runs through December 31. In order for the board to reconsider conditions that have been previously rejected, petitioners must submit new scientific information to support the proposed change.

Recreational Marijuana Legalization Could Be Next

Ohio activists are also working to legalize recreational cannabis in the state, with a proposed ballot measure likely appearing on ballots later this year. Earlier this month, the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol submitted petitions for a legalization initiative with more than 222,000 signatures to the Ohio Secretary of State’s office. To qualify for the ballot for the November election, state officials must certify about 125,000 signatures, giving the group a significant margin to account for signatures deemed invalid. 

“We are thrilled to have reached this milestone,” campaign spokesperson Tom Haren said in a statement when the signatures were submitted. “This is a testament to the hard work of our campaign and the support of Ohio voters who are ready for common-sense marijuana reform.”

If passed, the proposed ballot initiative would legalize recreational marijuana in Ohio for adults 21 and older, who would be permitted to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and up to 15 grams of cannabis concentrates. The proposal also legalizes marijuana cultivation for personal use, with adults allowed to grow up to six cannabis plants. Households with more than one adult would be permitted to grow a total of 12 plants.

The commercial production and sales of cannabis products would be regulated by a new state agency dubbed the Division of Cannabis Control, which would have the authority to “license, regulate, investigate, and penalize adult use cannabis operators, adult use testing laboratories, and individuals required to be licensed.” Cannabis products would carry a 10% tax, which would be dedicated to administrative costs of regulation, substance misuse treatment programs and a social equity and jobs program. Municipalities with licensed recreational marijuana dispensaries would also receive a share of cannabis tax revenue. Under the proposal’s social equity program, some cannabis cultivation and dispensary licenses would be reserved for individuals from communities that have faced disproportionate enforcement of Ohio’s current marijuana laws.

The post Ohio Regulators Reject Autism And OCD As Medical Pot Qualifying Conditions appeared first on High Times.

Moxie Launches in Ohio

July 7, 2023 Published by

Moxie, California’s first licensed cannabis brand, has launched its premium medical cannabis products in Ohio. Moxie is one of the original, premium California-based brands known for pioneering extraction techniques, its award-winning concentrates, live resins, Liquid Moxie, and delectable gummy products, and for breeding world-renowned curated cannabis plant genetics.  Moxie is now part of High Times, the original and authentic media and cannabis operator, headquartered in California and known for its Cannabis Cup competition.

In Ohio, Moxie has partnered with Green Investment Partners, and its operator Rooted Management Services, run by Gabe Perlow, Matt Borders, Cody Boyer and Ray Boyer, who pioneered the introduction of the Moxie brand with PurePenn in Pennsylvania, Organic Remedies MO in Missouri, and with the affiliate of Moxie during its time in the Michigan medical market. 

Green Investment Partners (GIP) and Rooted Management Partners spent the past year transitioning the company’s operations to Rooted’s industry-leading procedures, including capital investments to improve GIP’s cultivation and processing operations, while introducing new genetics, including Moxie genetics into GIP’s operations. GIP has also expanded its processing operations to increase production of concentrates, vaporizer cartridges and gummies for the Moxie brand. Moxie’s premium indoor grown flower will be available in Ohio by the Fall of 2023.

Rooted will be introducing a new product to the Ohio medical market known as Caviar Dots under the Moxie brand. Caviar Dots will be available in Ohio in July. Caviar Dots are a potent blend of ground flower, delta-9 THC oil, and keef meant to enhance the patient experience regardless of the method of consumption to add potency and flavor to even the most bland of other products. 

Moxie, GIP and Rooted look to take their approach to scale craft cannabis offerings in Ohio to the next level by providing patients with high quality products at affordable prices.

“It has taken [Rooted] about a year to make the necessary capital improvements, implement its standard operating procedures, and add the necessary scale to the GIP facilities required to operate a world-class cannabis production facility. In parallel with those efforts, we have worked diligently to bring in new Moxie genetics, as well as those of GIP’s value brand, Eden’s Trees, which allows us to offer Ohio’s patients with the most well regarded and sought-after products in cannabis,” said Gabe Perlow, operator of GIP’s facilities and former CEO of PurePenn, which produced Moxie’s products in Pennsylvania.

Perlow also stated that “the key to our success is the emphasis we place on quality and consistency, at an affordable price. We make the kinds of products that we as patients and caregivers would want for ourselves and our family.”

Perlow and his team seemingly perfected the model for multi-state operations, after successful operations in Pennsylvania, and most recently, Missouri as part of Organic Remedies-Missouri.  

“We replicate the same model at each location, our facilities are designed or redesigned in Ohio’s case, with the same training, equipment, and culture.  The culture is the key to our success, with values of patient welfare, trust, respect, integrity, collaboration, innovation and commitment to excellence to name a few. We hire to these values and maintain these expectations to the entire team, bottoms up and top down. We recreate the same successful workflow using the same standard operating procedures and the same materials and equipment that have yielded excellent results in other markets.  We have taken the guesswork out of operations with replicated results in multiple states,” Perlow said.

GIP’s flower and processed products are led by managers trained at and brought in from other markets affiliated with Rooted Management Services, ensuring that the genetics are cultivated in a way that ensures the highest level of consistency and potency possible. By controlling the cultivation of the plant material used in our products, and replicating the same model by bringing in team members and leaders from existing facilities, Moxie and Eden’s Trees brands avoid many of the pitfalls that new or inexperienced manufacturers face. 

While the business model creates uniformity, the leadership team at Rooted Management Services ensures only the highest caliber of cannabis products are being produced for the Moxie brand.

Perlow stated that “It’s not about coming in and making a quick buck for us. We have the business experience and want to build successful brands and strong businesses, but we are also very passionate about this plant and the products that we produce. As medical patients and caregivers ourselves, we have seen first-hand the amazing benefits the plant has to offer. As enthusiasts of the products, we appreciate that cannabis-based medicine can offer an enjoyable experience while also experiencing relief from serious medical conditions. We bring a lot of passion to the business and products we make, and are proud to serve the patients of Ohio. Our management team and employees share the same enthusiasm, excitement, passion, pride and dedication to producing high quality, affordable products.”

GIP and Rooted Management Services aim to be what we call “competimates” (competitors working together to build a highly compliant industry while serving the Ohio patients) with other licensed operators and are working with dispensary partners to ensure that retail teams are as informed and educated as possible about what Moxie and Eden’s Trees offers and the benefits to the dispensary partners and the Ohio patients. Perlow says the company is proud of the products they produce, and they want retail partners to be equally excited about what they’re able to offer to Ohio patients. 

The post Moxie Launches in Ohio appeared first on High Times.

Week In Review: Is DEA Issuing New Rules for Delta-8 THC?

May 27, 2023 Published by

In this week’s cannabis news round-up, the DEA considers issuing new rules for Delta-8 THC and CBD; country music star Paul Cauthen debuts new “Wild Man” single after drug arrest; bipartisan lawmakers in Ohio reintroduce cannabis legalization bill and Lil’ Kim announced plans to launch her cannabis brand Aphrodisiak in Las Vegas.

PHOTO Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP

DEA Could Issue New Rules for Delta-8 THC, Impose Regulations on CBD

The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is suggesting revisions to federal drug-control laws that could effectively prohibit almost all currently available Delta-8 THC products. This proposal could potentially significantly disrupt the country’s $5 billion CBD industry.

Under the 2018 Farm Bill, products that contain Delta-8 THC and other cannabinoids derived from hemp were federally legalized. These products gained immense popularity in states without regulated adult-use cannabis markets. CBD products, which can be converted into the intoxicating Delta-8 THC through a chemical process, have also gained substantial traction.

However, Delta-8 THC and other newly identified cannabinoids, many of which have either unknown or poorly understood safety profiles, have attracted increasing attention from lawmakers and law enforcement agencies. Although 14 states have outright banned Delta-8 THC, it continues to be sold online, in smoke shops and other retail establishments.

Hemp is defined as cannabis plants containing 0.3% THC or less by dry weight. Critics argue that the thriving trade in hemp-derived cannabinoids deviates from Congress’ original intent when legalizing hemp. They claim that the industry takes advantage of a loophole that the DEA now intends to close with its proposed changes.

The proposed changes to federal drug laws would encompass any cannabinoid “synthetically manufactured instead of extracted from the plant.” As most Delta-8 THC and other intoxicating cannabinoids derived from hemp are typically produced through a chemical process using CBD as the source material (referred to as “chemical synthesis” in the presentation), they’d be classified as controlled substances.

The specific schedule under the Controlled Substances Act that the DEA intends to propose for Delta-8 and other synthetic cannabinoids remains uncertain. Additionally, it’s unclear how committed the DEA would be to enforcing these regulations.

If implemented, the DEA’s new rules on Delta-8 THC would effectively ban almost all products containing the cannabinoid currently available. Furthermore, the proposal would significantly impact the CBD product market, leading to a drastic transformation.

Watch Paul Cauthen’s “Wild Man” video.

Paul Cauthen Shares “Wild Man” Single Four Days After Drug Arrest

Only days after being arrested for possessing a controlled substance with intent to distribute, country singer-songwriter Paul Cauthen surprised fans by releasing a new single titled “Wild Man.” The arrest occurred on the morning of Thursday, May 18, in Isle of Palms, SC, approximately 80 miles away from Cauthen’s scheduled performance that evening at Suck Bang Blow in Murrells Inlet, SC. Charges included possession of a Schedule I controlled substance and manufacturing and possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute in Schedules I, II and III. Cauthen posted bail amounting to $27,275 and was released from custody later that day.

In a social media post on Monday, Cauthen corroborated that he was arrested for cannabis possession, stating: “I was arrested last week on tour in South Carolina for cannabis possession and want to clear up some of what’s being said. I’m not a drug dealer and I don’t “manufacture” drugs. The legal process will play out and my side of the story will be told, hell or high water. Amidst all the hell last week, a good friend reached out with his support (as did so many that I respect and love) and told me to keep my head up and ended it by calling me “a wild man.” So, I had to go ahead and put this song out today. This is for everyone that reached out and who has supported me. Love you all.”

As a result of the arrest, Cauthen had to cancel upcoming concerts in Knoxville and Hurricane Mills, TN, which were scheduled for Friday and Saturday, respectively. The cancellations were attributed to “extenuating circumstances.” The show at Suck Bang Blow on Thursday was also called off, although the venue cited weather conditions as the reason.

The incident unfolded on Thursday morning when an officer from the Isle of Palms Police Department noticed that Cauthen’s tour bus was illegally parked and detected the distinctive smell of cannabis as he passed by the vehicle. The officer approached two individuals outside the bus, including Cauthen himself. During their interaction, the musician admitted to having approximately an ounce of cannabis on the bus. However, according to the police report, the officers discovered and confiscated nearly four ounces, along with other items, including a white powdery substance in a small tube, three-and-a-half pink oval pills, two pink circular pills and a clear plastic bag containing another white powdery substance.

While at the scene, Cauthen confessed to the officers that the pills were Xanax and Diazepam and that he didn’t possess a prescription for them. He claimed ownership of all the cannabis found on the bus, which amounted to slightly less than four ounces, as well as the pills. However, no one on the bus took responsibility for the powdery substances. Due to the weight of the cannabis discovered, Cauthen was charged with manufacturing and possession of controlled substances with the intent to distribute. He also received an additional possession charge for the pills.

A statue of William McKinley stands in front of the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus Ohio.
Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. PHOTO Jack

Bipartisan Lawmakers in Ohio Reintroduce Cannabis Legalization Bill as Ballot Drive Moves Forward

A bipartisan group of Ohio state lawmakers reintroduced a bill to legalize adult use cannabis. Previous attempts by Ohio lawmakers to legalize cultivation and possession for adults aged 21 and older through the legislative process have been unsuccessful.

Known as the Ohio Adult Use Act, House Bill 168 is sponsored by Republican state Rep. Jamie Callender and Democratic state Rep. Casey Weinstein. Retail sales of cannabis would be subject to a 10% tax, aligning with the proposed rate in the ballot initiative. Furthermore, the bill offers the potential for expungement of criminal convictions related to marijuana cultivation and possession.

If passed, the newly renamed Division of Marijuana Control would regulate commercial cultivation, processing and sales of medical and adult-use cannabis in the Buckeye State. This regulatory body would oversee the implementation and enforcement of regulations in the industry.

“It’s time for Ohio to act on this before we fall too much further behind our neighbors,” Weinstein said in a news release. “Adult use [cannabis] is good for our economy, good for our justice system and the right thing to do.”

Simultaneously, a campaign is underway to gather signatures for an adult-use legalization ballot initiative that may be presented to voters in November. Ohio residents are actively engaged in a signature-gathering campaign to place an adult-use cannabis initiative on the ballot in November. The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol has submitted a proposal for legalization using an initiated statute, a lawful method that allows citizens to propose modifications to state law. To meet the July 5 deadline, the coalition aims to collect approximately 124,000 signatures from at least 44 of Ohio’s 88 counties. Many are optimistic that this goal can be readily accomplished, considering the level of support and enthusiasm surrounding the initiative.

PHOTO Gracie Malley for Cannabis Now

Lil’ Kim Launches Aphrodisiak in Las Vegas

Iconic rapper, Lil’ Kim and her Aphrodisiak partner Priscilla Vilchis, the self-proclaimed “Hollyweedqueen,” have launched their cannabis brand Aphrodisiak in Las Vegas, NV.

“As female entrepreneurs, we know how important it is to support other women and marginalized groups,” Lil’ Kim says. “We’re proud to be part of a brand that not only provides amazing products but also makes a difference in the world.”

Aphrodisiak’s premium product line features a diverse selection of strains and cannabis-infused products carefully crafted to enhance intimacy and pleasure. The brand debuted its offerings at the renowned Planet 13 dispensary in Las Vegas with a meet and greet for fans.

“We want to create a brand that empowers and uplifts women and promotes healthy, enjoyable relationships,” Vilchis says. “We’re proud to partner with Lil Kim, who shares our vision for creating a brand that is inclusive, empowering and forward-thinking.”

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Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb Moves to Expunge Low-Level Cannabis Convictions

May 24, 2023 Published by

Cleveland, Ohio is speeding up the process to expunge records for low-level, misdemeanor cannabis convictions after a state bill unlocked the mayor’s power to do so. 

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, who won office at age 34 as the city’s first millennial mayor, is once again connecting with his constituents and giving them what they asked for—cannabis expungements.

“I talked to so many residents who couldn’t get a job, who couldn’t get access to a student loan, who couldn’t get access to qualify for housing because they had collateral sanctions on their record, many of which stem from low-level marijuana convictions,” Bibb said.

Grants to cover filing fees and expungement clinics are rolling out to make expungements possible. “We knew we were going to face some uphill battles in the legal system,” he said.

Bibb also advocated for Senate Bill 288, which was signed into law by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine last January. The bill helps enable the city of Cleveland to provide expungements by removing barriers that previously hindered Bibb’s attempts to expunge records even earlier.  

“We try to fight on behalf of our residents,” Bibb said.

Now that SB 288 was approved, Bibb and the city are free to take further action. The Bibb administration is working to notify eligible people with cannabis conviction records. After that, the city will file motions on behalf of those people using a $10,000 grant to help pay for filing fees related to expungement and the sealing of records. The city is working with organizations to host expungement clinics where people can file and close their cases, without going to court. 

“So now cities and counties now have legal standing to expunge those minor marijuana misdemeanors all across the state of Ohio,” Bibb said.

Spectrum News 1 reports that Bibb’s actions were applauded by the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). “During college, I got a firsthand look at the justice system after being arrested for simple possession,” said NORML Program Director Morgan Fox.

“I would see the people that were there that had the exact same charges me with the exact same legal history as me, but who did not look like me getting significantly larger sentences, whether it be larger fines, longer probation or in some cases even jail time, just for very simple possession of cannabis.”

Bibb’s proactive measures are an example other leaders could follow.

“I think Mayor Bibb has ever shown fantastic leadership on this issue,” Fox said. “And, you know, from a national perspective, I wish there were a lot more people like him that were leading the way on starting these programs that directly affect the communities that they have been elected to lead.”

According to the Bibb administration, 838 people have received expungements after his office coordinated with the Biden administration. The mayor announced that he had assisted with over 4,000 court cases on April 4, with the goal to seal those records. “We will continue to spread the message that the City of Cleveland stands ready to help our citizens make positive steps forward in their lives,” Mayor Bibb said at the time. 

The idea is to make the process simpler. “We understand that citizens don’t always want to engage in the criminal justice system, it’s not always user friendly. And sometimes it’s really hard for citizens to get access,” said Chief Prosecutor Aqueelah Jordan. “We can, as a city, do this on behalf of these residents who have been negatively impacted by historical inequities.” 

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