EP86 (04.12.2019) Willowbilly Farms

EP84 (04.01.2019)_Mike and Brittany from Willow Billy Farms
Willow Billy Farms is located in Southern Oregon. They are all about: Craft Cannabis + Craft hemp + Family owned & operated  + Living soil + Sun-grown + River-fed
*They won the 2019 Terpene Cup 1st Place: TERPINEOL & LINALOOL*


//CANNABIS NEWS// (April 8th-15th 2019)

//HEADLINES//

• Last week, friend, comedian and cannabis community activist, Dustin Brandon aka @2lesslegswas hit by a car in his wheelchair. Then, this happened, as described in his own words: “Last night I was gifted legally purchased from a dispensary, 2 cannabis pre-rolls (olcc approved packaged) from a friend, that were bag pack feet away from me. Shortly after my friend left, my nurse At OHSU Hospital - asked me why my room smelled of cannabis, to which I truthfully explained as well as confided the cannabis pre-rolls had not been smoked or consumed. She explained that I can store them with the hospital until discharge and take home. I agreed and went the extra steps to wrap the packaged joints in separate storage in addition to what it came in, to which she agreed. Literally as I handed the newly extra sealed item, she said she would be contacting law enforcement. Law enforcement showed up around 30 min later and what you see is the entire interaction with Portland Police. And my legal personal items as were told, destroyed. And the Police Officers reason for not providing his name; “I don’t have time”.
  
• Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that he "encourage[s]" Congress to pass bipartisan marijuana banking legislation, because "we and the regulators have no way of dealing with" the issue. The head of the U.S. Treasury Department said on Tuesday that there is no regulatory solution to existing banking access issues for the marijuana industry, and he encouraged Congress to resolve the problem with legislation “on a bipartisan basis.” During a House appropriations subcommittee hearing, several lawmakers asked Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin about what could be done to provide state-legal cannabis businesses with access to financial institutions. “Let me just say, I hope this is something that this committee can on a bipartisan basis work with since there are people on both sides of the aisle that share these concerns,” Mnuchin told Rep. Charlie Crist (D-FL). “I will just say I don’t believe this is a failure of the regulators. I want to defend the regulators on this issue.” “The problem is there is a conflict between the federal law and the state law, and I’m not making a policy comment on what the right outcome is, but I, too, share your concern,” he said.
  
• Attorney General William Barr said during a Senate hearing that he would prefer Congress pass the STATES Act—a bill to let states legalize marijuana—than continue the current approach of states ending cannabis prohibition contrary to federal law. He also said he’s not sure if Cole Memo protections should apply to cannabis businesses that started operations after his predecessor Jeff Sessions rescinded it, though he won’t go after those who were operating under its protections before then. And, he pledged to act on pending applications for licenses to grow cannabis for research.
  

//Politics//

• According to MarijuanaMoment.com, There are currently 1,026 cannabis-related bills moving through state legislatures and Congress for 2019 sessions.
  
• Sources told Marijuana Moment that Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) overruled her staff and removed herself as an original cosponsor of a bill filed last week to protect state cannabis laws. She had signed onto last year’s version of the legislation amid a reelection battle.
  
• In an interview with Marijuana Moment, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) said there will never be another anti-cannabis president—and that includes former Vice President Joe Biden, as long as he remains opposed to legalization.
  
• Pro-legalization Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) spoke about why he is refusing to cosponsor a new bipartisan marijuana bill in Congress. “At this point it’s too obvious and urgent and unfair that we’re moving something on marijuana on the federal level and it doesn’t do something on restorative justice. I want that bill to have some acknowledgement of the savage injustices that the marijuana prohibition has done to communities.”
  
• Several members of Congress will participate in the National Cannabis Policy Summit on April 19. The National Cannabis Policy Summit brings together a diverse group of activists and leaders from government, business, healthcare, veterans groups, and civil rights organizations to discuss today’s most pressing cannabis policy challenges and opportunities. Timed to take place the day prior to the National Cannabis Festival, the Summit is Washington, D.C.’s premier celebration of cannabis advocacy and a call to action for American leadership in defense of state’s rights and the will of the voters, in Washington, D.C. and around the country. We hope you will join the conversation.
  
• Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D), a presidential candidate, touted his state's legalization of marijuana—which he initially opposed.
  
• Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee (D), a presidential candidate, included "marijuana" in a list of issues in his "progressive record" that he is "proud of," even though he opposed ending prohibition prior to the voters of his state enacting it.
  
• Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Cory Gardner (R-CO)—along with a fifth of the entire Senate— filed a bill to let marijuana businesses access banks. Identical legislation already cleared a House committee two weeks ago.
  
• Rep. Alex Mooney (R-WV) introduced a bill to amend federal law to let medical cannabis patients exercise their Second Amendment rights to purchase and possess guns.
  

​//Medical, Health & Research//​

• Veterans Affairs Sec. Robert Wilkie spoke about why his department doesn't allow its doctors to recommend medical cannabis. On why the VA does not allow medical marijuana prescriptions: "Well, it is the federal law and it’s simple. The other thing that I will say and I said this in testimony is this is not the 1960s. We still have no idea the effects of a more potent type of marijuana that we’re seeing in the country and I’m not going to be in the position to replace the opioids that we are dispensing with, with a drug that we still have no idea what kind of effects it has the brain. We are still really in the early stages of determining that impact. As long as it is against federal law, it is up to the Congress to change the way we do things."
  
• In related news, a new bill filed by Reps. Greg Steube (R-FL) and Gil Cisneros (D-CA) would shield military veterans from being stripped of their Department of Veterans Affairs benefits over state-legal marijuana use, and would also also allows VA doctors to issue medical cannabis recommendations.
  
• A review concluded that "cannabinoids are efficacious for PTSD in animal models of the disorder."
  
• Participants in a study on a blistering condition "reported a significant reduction in pain levels experienced whilst undergoing [cannabinoid‐based medication] oil treatment relative to their previous drug regime."
  
• A study concluded that "an oral cannabis extract with THC/CBD, in higher dosages than in other studies, was well tolerated and greatly improved behavior problems, rigidity, and daily care in severely demented patients."
  
• A review concluded that studies have "demonstrated an improvement in seizure reductionin children taking CBD as compared to the placebo groups."
  
• A study found that medical cannabis law "implementation increases the probability that an individual increases their [cigarette] smoking consumption by 0.06 percentage points."
  

//Industry, Business & Financial//​​​

• AMID BREXIT FALLOUT, AMSTERDAM'S COFFEE SHOPS TO BAN BRITS. In retaliation to Brexit, Amsterdam’s city council announced its plan to issue a rule banning British nationals from entering  or cannabis coffeeshops, once the separation is finalized. Read More...
  
• TD Ameritrade tweeted tips for investing in marijuana businesses. Jason Wilson, President, Budding Equity Asset Management says patience will be key: “It's going to take a little bit of patience, and that will allow these companies to ultimately grow into and exceed their valuations."
  
• Northern Swan Holdings Raises $58 Million for International Distribution Network. The company holds a majority ownership stake in Colombian cannabis producer Clever Leaves.
• A study concluded that "cities that allow retail dispensaries saw home values increase $22,888 more than cities where marijuana is illegal from 2014 to 2019 (controlling for population and initial home values)."
  
• ManifestSeven Signs a Definitive Merger Agreement With P&P Ventures. P&P Ventures will be filing a listing application with the Canadian Stock Exchange and changing its name to ManifestSeven Holdings, Inc.
• Wildflower Brands to Buy Vancouver Dispensary for $45 Million in Stock. The final structure of the Acquisition will be determined by the parties following receipt of tax, corporate and securities law advice.
• Quantum Capital, Inc. Signs LOI to Acquire Hemp Kings, Corp. Upon completing the transaction, Quantum will assist Hemp Kings, Corp. in creating a network of branded cannabis products.

//Legal//​

• California regulators are being sued by 24 cities over a rule that allows marijuana deliveries in places that have banned cannabis retail stores.
  
• The city of Salem, West Virginia is being sued in federal court for blocking a marijuana decriminalization measure from appearing on the ballot.
  
• A German court ruled that people should not be automatically stripped of their licenses for driving under the influence of marijuana.
  

//Hemp//

• The Food and Drug Administration is now accepting online comments about CBD regulations. Marijuana Moment spoke to a medical cannabis advocate who gave some advice about how people can effectively make their voices heard and help shape the process.
  
• Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT) and Jon Tester (D-MT) sent letters urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to finalize hemp regulations sooner rather than later.
  
• South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) signed a hemp bill into law, expanding South Carolina's hemp program, removing the limits on the number of farmers who can grow it and the number of acres each of them can grow.
  
• Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue accepted an invitation from Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) to tour hemp farms in Oregon. "I probably know less about that than I do most of the crops, and certainly I would welcome that.”
  
• Rite Aid announced it will begin selling CBD products on a test basis in Washington and Oregon. Former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said it's not a smart move.
  

//Culture & Lifestyle//

• Kim Kardashian West is planning a CBD-themed baby shower. There will be massages and a tea ceremony with crystals, she said while promoting her new line of sunglasses. The baby, the second boy for Kardashian West and husband Kanye West, is due soon. It’s her second by surrogacy.
  
• Skateboarder Tony Hawk is partnering with a CBD company. House of Hawk and 1933 subsidiary Infused MFG said they will launch several co-branded CBD wellness products over a two-year term in North America in a news release on Monday. The partnership will leverage Hawk’s iconic Birdhouse Skateboards brand. Birdhouse team members Clive Dixon, Ben Raybourn, David Loy and Clint Walker will help support the new partnership via social media.
  
• Quest Diagnostics Inc. reported that positive employment tests for marijuana are increasing.
  
• Weedcraft Inc., a new video game allows players to get an inside look at how a black market operation can turn into a legitimate and successful business venture.  Read More… The video game, however, is running into censorship issues on Facebook and YouTube.
  

​//International//

• Sens. Ed Markey (D-MA) and Marco Rubio (R-FL), along with three cosponsors, filed a resolution condemning "the Government of the Philippines for its role in state-sanctioned extrajudicial killings by police and other armed individuals as part of the 'War on Drugs.'"
  
• Prices for legal cannabis in Canada are nearly 57 percent higher than street cannabis, according to crowdsourced price data released by Statistics Canada. In Canada, the average price per gram of legal cannabis is at C$9.99 ($7.50 USD), while the average price per gram on the street is C$6.37 ($4.78 USD). This makes the price at purchase from legal sources 56.8 percent higher than cannabis purchased from illegal sources. The most expensive category was cannabis purchased from storefront government-licensed sources, with an average price of C$10.73 ($8.05 USD) per gram. Read More...
  

//Northeast//

• Maine's top marijuana regulator said he expects the state's adult-use market to launch by the end of the year.
  
• New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's (D) secretary said he and lawmakers have a “conceptual agreement” on marijuana legalization legislation.
  
• New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) and legislative leaders met to discuss strategy for passing a marijuana legalization bill.
  

​//The Southeast//

• In a move signaling that they want to take the hard road to patient-access, Florida has taken steps to again find a way to block medical cannabis patients from getting the medicine they need. Less than a month after Florida reversed its ban on smokable medical cannabis, a House committee approved a bill to limit the strength of cannabis flower to 10% THC  for medical cannabis patients. Read More...
  

//The Midwest//

• The Minnesota Department of Corrections came to a decision that as of April 1, paroled offenders can use medical cannabis in accordance with state law. Read More...
  
• After much deliberation, Texas authorities decided to omit hemp from the state's controlled substances list. The Dallas Morning News reported that the Texas Department of State Health will be taking hemp out from its list of Schedule I substances, a list of drugs that by definition have no medical significance and bears the possibility of being abused. Read More...
  
• New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham recently signed a bill that will decriminalize cannabis in the state. Once the bill goes into effect on July, 1 cannabis possession will be considered a civil offense rather than a criminal offense. KRQE reports that under the new law, less than half an ounce of cannabis possession will now cost a person a $50 fine rather than jail time. Read More...
  
• Oklahoma medical cannabis sales exceeded $12 million in March.
  

//The West & West Coast//​

• The Idaho Senate State Affairs Committee approved a bill to allow the transportation of hemp through the state.
  

​//Oregon//​

• The Oregon Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Natural Resources held a hearing on cannabis regulations.
  
• The Oregon Senate defeated a bill to let the state to marijuana cultivation licenses based on supply and demand. The proposal responds to a rampant oversupply of marijuana that’s caused prices to plummet. The measure would have allowed the state to limit the number of marijuana production licenses it issues based on supply and demand for the product. Democrat Sen. Michael Dembrow from Portland said oversupply has left the state with enough marijuana to last nearly seven years. He said managing the amount of marijuana produced could prevent the product from slipping into the black market. Senate Minority Leader Herman Baertschiger, Jr., said the state should instead let the free market dictate prices. He said the plan amounted to “socialism” and was “a stab at capitalism in pure form.” Lawmakers voted down the proposal 17-13. The measure was moved back to the Rules Committee for further consideration.
  
• Oregon Anticipates Interstate Marijuana Commerce. The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced a bill empowering the governor to enter into agreements with other states for cannabis transactions.
• Legislation to create cannabis social use areas in Oregon died. A plan that would have paved the way for the creation of cannabis lounges went up in smoke, dealing a blow to the state’s budding marijuana industry. Brandon Goldner, supervisor of Portland’s Cannabis Program, argued that the legalization of indoor cannabis lounges would provide a safe, regulated space for users to consume the drug. He said that tourists often visit Oregon to purchase recreational marijuana, but find they have no place to consume it. Parents and public health officials raised concerns that cannabis cafes would normalize marijuana use among teens and weaken the state’s public health laws. The proposal also would have allowed for the sale and consumption of marijuana at festivals and other events, something cannabis retailers claimed would generate more tax revenue and tourism for the state. A representative for Sen. Lew Frederick, who sponsored the measure, said the bill died “seemingly because of opposition to the use of Cannabis itself among members.”