The most visible effect of cannabis legalization in California is the soon-to-be multi-billion-dollar industry. What's less visible--but arguably of equal significance--are the myriad ways it's impacted society. A recent study by BDS Analytics, a cannabis industry market trend and research group, suggests the impact of legalization has shifted Californians’ attitudes, opinions, motivations and actions in regards to cannabis. It also reveals an abundance of details about those who consume, accept and reject the plant, not only illustrating a shift in social culture, but also indicating—at least in the Golden State—cannabis’ archaic stigma is en route to extinction.

The survey assessed 1,001 California residents over 21-years-old in the first quarter of 2017, benchmarking public opinions and behaviors toward legal cannabis. Another group of 1,008 people was then evaluated in quarter one of 2018, examining the public's views toward cannabis laws, efficacy, and testing.

The survey yielded three clear groups. The "consumers,” whose average age is 39-years-old, and have used marijuana or products containing cannabinoids in the past six months. “Acceptors,” whose median age is 49-years-old, and haven’t used cannabis in the past six months, but would consider using it in the future. Lastly, “rejecters,” whose average age is 56-years-old, and haven’t consumed cannabis in the last six months and are not likely to consider future use.

According to the report, there’s been a significant increase in cannabis consumption among Californians' over the past year. Consumers currently account for 29 percent of adults in California, which is up from 23 percent in 2017. The number of acceptors, on the other hand, declined from 38 percent in 2017 to 33 percent in 2018, suggesting more people are currently using cannabis than they were a year ago. Additionally, the number of rejecters decreased from 40 percent in 2017 to 38 percent in 2018, implying the tolerance and acceptance of cannabis is becoming more common.

Read more

Top Image: © Picture Partners | Adobe Stock

The number of states legalizing medical marijuana is continuing to grow. But now, the Colorado House has passed a bill that would allow nurses in schools to administer medical marijuana to their students.

Sen. Irene Aguilar and Republican state Rep. Dylan Roberts are sponsoring the bill, which was passed 47-17.

With six in 10 Americans supporting the use of medical marijuana, there is more support for its use than ever. But the use of cannabis in schools remains a controversial topic. According to supporters of the bill, if school nurses administer medication prescribed by doctors, then the same should be done with medical marijuana. But in Colorado, doctors may recommend medical marijuana to patients, but they cannot prescribe it.

Read more

Top photo courtesy of Adobe Stock

Nevada County officials have set June 20 as the tentative start date growers can begin applying for temporary medical commercial cannabis permits, a first for local cultivators.

The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote at its regular Tuesday meeting on the temporary licensing program. Supervisors meet at 9 a.m. at the Eric Rood Administrative Building, 950 Maidu Ave., Nevada City.

Supervisors would implement the temporary licensing program through an urgency ordinance, which would take effect immediately. It requires a four-fifths vote to pass.

"It ain't perfect, but it's ours and it's better than nothing," said Heather Burke, a Nevada City cannabis attorney.

The urgency ordinance calls for a proposed minimum permit fee of $542.49. The county would bill for any additional time required for processing the permit, viewing plans, inspections and code compliance.

Read more

LITTLETON, Colo.— May 17, 2018 — PRESS RELEASE — CanPay, a debit payment solution for the cannabis industry, has announced it processes ecommerce payments, bringing greater convenience, safety and efficiencies to retailers and their customers. In addition to expanding payments online, CanPay has doubled the number of states it operates in nationwide to 14, including New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Michigan and New Mexico, serves tens of thousands of users across 120 retail dispensaries, and integrates with leading POS systems OMMPOS and LeafLogix. 

With the cannabis industry projected to exceed $24 billion by 2025 and over half of the U.S. population in support of legalization, it’s no surprise the marketplace is thriving. As the industry becomes further established, ecosystem partners are primed to play a key role in further legitimizing it, and leading the charge is ecommerce. An influential aspect of any retail business–nearly 80 percent of Americans have made an online purchase–cannabis will be no exception to the overwhelming convenience and profitability of the digital marketplace. As the original ecommerce–payment integration for cannabis customers, CanPay further solidifies itself as the universal payment tool for purchases wherever cannabis is legally sold, enabling online orders for in-store pickup and delivery.

“The Cole Memo being rescinded caused a lot of market uncertainty in the first part of 2018. Now that the dust has settled, we’re seeing more and more financial institutions come forward to serve the industry through compliant cannabis banking programs. We’re also seeing more retail operators demand transparent, stable, and legitimate payment services to operate above reproach,” said Dustin Eide, CEO of CanPay. “The rapid expansion of CanPay’s services to-date is a testament not only to overall industry growth, but the massive need we’re able to fulfill by de-cashing cannabis purchases.”

Historically, ecommerce has not been available to the cannabis industry partially due to the extreme transparency  online payment systems require. CanPay’s solution opens the door and creates the opportunity for increased profitability for retailers through more effective online selling and higher spend per transaction. Simultaneously, the buying process becomes more convenient and safer for consumers.

“In forging a new cannabis culture built on unparalleled quality, access, and transparency, we’ve partnered with CanPay to provide customers with a legitimate, secure online payment option,” said Patricia Rosi-Santucci, CEO of Wellness Connection of Maine. “As trailblazers, integrating with CanPay allows us to forge the next wave of cannabis retail through an ecommerce experience that offers customers a greater incentive to go cashless from a convenience and speed standpoint.”

Patients and consumers can download the CanPay app by visiting CanPayApp.com. Retailers and dispensary owners can find out more by visiting the CanPay website: www.CanPayDebit.com/retailers.