Kansas lawmakers introduced a medical cannabis legalization bill Jan. 13 with the backing of the Kansas Cannabis Industry Association, according to a local KSNT report.
The bill’s supporters say that a regulated medical cannabis market may help boost the state’s economy, the news outlet reported, and they are confident the legislation has the support it needs in the legislature if it is called up for a vote.
“We don’t want to miss the economic benefits of that, but we also don’t want to miss the true benefits that have been discovered as other states have gotten into it, and that we’ve heard from people firsthand even here in Kansas that have used it in other states, and that’s the number one priority,” Kansas Cannabis Industry Association Executive Director Spencer Duncan told KSNT.
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Vermont Hemp Agency Implements Contactless Record Inspections
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets will move hemp program inspections online to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) announced that it has began contactless record inspections for all hemp grower registrants to ensure it can continue inspections safely during the COVID-19 pandemic even though operations have moved indoors.
Not only will contactless inspections help limit in-person interactions and the spread of COVID-19, but the VAAFM stated in a press release that it is also a way to stay connected with hemp program registrants and gauge their knowledge of the Vermont hemp rules, as well as collect essential industry data and offer compliance assistance as necessary.
“The online inspection forms are designed to collect information about a registrant’s total number of harvest lots, harvest lot yields, the total number of process lots, results of contaminant testing and more,” according to a press release. “In an effort to reach as many registrants as possible, the Program asks that registrants provide the requested information within ten business days from receipt of the form.”
Hemp registrants can expect the inspections to begin with a phone call, when they will discuss their hemp product lines with a registered processor. The processor will choose a specific type of product line as the focus of the inspection.
“Processors will then be asked to declare up to 10 process lots, submit required certificates of analysis, and fill out a short questionnaire,” the release states.
Following that, the VAAFM will stay connected with hemp registrants via email and use online inspection forms to gather information.
Growers may be asked to describe their 2020 growing season in a short paragraph; however, the question will be optional to answer.
In 2020, Vermont recorded 8,880 acres of hemp planted, 942 hemp cultivation license holders and 124 licensed processors.
If registrants fail to complete an online inspection, it may result in enforcement action.
For more information or questions regarding online inspections, contact Mike DiTomasso, the hemp program inspector, by email at Michael.ditomasso@vermont.gove or by phone at (802) 505 - 3726.
Deseret Wellness Stands for Patient Experience in Utah’s Medical Cannabis Market: The Starting Line
The company, which operates a pharmacy in Provo, will open its second retail location in Park City next month.
When Deseret Wellness Market President Jeremy Sumerix returned to his home state of Utah to launch a business in the state’s nascent medical cannabis market, he crafted a retail operation focused first and foremost on patient experience.
“What we stand for is patient experience, completely,” Sumerix tells Cannabis Business Times and Cannabis Dispensary. “Everything that we do is geared towards limiting wait times, expediting the process and making patients feel comfortable.”
Sumerix grew up in Utah before leaving to pursue a career. Prior to his role with Deseret Wellness, Sumerix worked for a multistate cannabis operator with a presence in New York, Florida, Illinois, Nevada and Arizona. After Utah voters approved medical cannabis in November 2018, Sumerix left that particular role to pursue a cannabis business in his home state, and his team were one of only four licensees awarded two retail locations by the state. The company’s first pharmacy opened Aug. 31 in Provo, and Deseret Wellness will open its second location in Park City during the first week of February.
“I think the thing that I’m continually the most excited about, is the state is conservative by nature,” Sumerix says. “They’re very methodical and careful in what they do. I think they’ve put together a really solid program that allows us to truly take care of our patients the right way.”
Photos courtesy of Deseret Wellness
Deseret Wellness strives to create the best possible experience for its patients, which includes creating a welcoming environment inside its pharmacies.
Creating the best possible patient experience is at the forefront of Deseret Wellness’ operations, Sumerix says, and the state has been very receptive to the company’s feedback on which regulations could be tweaked to improve patient access.
“If something in the current regulations doesn’t necessarily make sense or it limits our ability to take care of the patients the right way, the state is very cooperative and collaborative, so that’s been very, very encouraging,” Sumerix says. “I’ve operated in states that are less that way, so it’s refreshing to work with partners like we have here in the state of Utah.”
Deseret Wellness has implemented a robust, two-week training program for its employees, Sumerix says, which provides education on everything from the company’s products to the state’s regulations. After completing the training program, new hires then shadow an existing employee for a week or so until they are able to answer the wide variety of questions that may come up from patients.
Utah law requires licensed pharmacists to be on-site at cannabis pharmacies during business hours, and Sumerix says the company sought the best pharmacists it could find to join its team. These pharmacists are involved in the training and onboarding of new staff members.
“We look to those pharmacists as experts in the industry and the product,” Sumerix says.
Another way Deseret Wellness strives to offer the very best patient experience is through patient education. The company provides educational materials on-site at the pharmacy, such as articles that explain the differences between cannabis varieties and the various product formulations.
Deseret Wellness also regularly invites the state’s cultivators into the pharmacy to discuss their specific cultivars and products, and how their offerings can help patients with their medical conditions.
“It’s been a great collaboration with the cultivators in the state,” Sumerix says. “We have a great relationship with them, [and] I think the patients get really excited to see them visit the pharmacy because they get to learn about the product firsthand.”
Utah’s medical cannabis law forbids open flame, so Deseret Wellness sells flower and vaporizers, as well as
Deseret Wellness sells flower and vaporizers, as well as vape cartridges, topicals, gel capsules, tinctures and sprays.
vape cartridges and topicals in the form of balms, lotions and patches. The pharmacy also carries gel capsules, tinctures and sprays.
In the future, Sumerix says Deseret Wellness will also carry cannabis concentrates for patients who might need higher-potency products.
Utah is currently developing a system that will allow the state’s licensed pharmacies to deliver medical cannabis products directly to patients, which Sumerix says will only continue to improve patient access and experience.
“That will allow us to get to patients who aren’t necessarily able to get to our pharmacy, so that’s very exciting,” he says. “[The state needs] to pin down some of the specifics of the delivery platform, the delivery service, but more than likely, it’ll allow us to get to patients who are in more rural parts of the state."
As Deseret Wellness looks toward opening its second location in Park City, Sumerix says he hopes the company can replicate what has worked well in its Provo store, from the welcoming environment to SOPs that keep patient wait times down.
The company will also continue what Sumerix calls a “deliberate approach” to avoid the spread of COVID-19 as the pandemic rages on. Efforts include checking employees’ temperatures every morning, as well as requiring all employees and patients to wear masks while inside the pharmacy.
Deseret Wellness launched curbside pickup very quickly at the start of the pandemic, Sumerix adds, and once a patient has enrolled in Utah’s medical cannabis program and purchased product inside the pharmacy once, he or she can then leverage the company’s online ordering and curbside pickup services.
“Like everybody else, we’ve worked really hard and we’re incredibly nimble, … ready to react if and when things come up,” Sumerix says. “It’s all about being diligent and consistent, and so far, we’ve been able to do that.”
Deseret Wellness is in the final stages of construction and hiring for its Park City store, and plans to hold a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house Jan. 27 with select members of the community, including the director of Utah’s medical cannabis program. The Park City pharmacy will then open its doors to patients the following week.
Looking ahead, once its new location is up and running, Deseret Wellness aims to explore its delivery options, as well as continue its efforts to offer the best possible patient experience at both of its pharmacies.
“It’s just ensuring consistency and constantly making sure that we have the right products for the patients,” Sumerix says.
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New York Cannabis Growers & Processors Association Urges Flower Sales in State Regulations
Smokable hemp flower was left out of state regulations. For the NYCGPA, this is a sticking point.
The New York Cannabis Growers & Processors Association (NYCGPA) provided formal comments on the state’s proposed hemp and CBD regulations, using the opportunity primarily to advocate for hemp flower in the commercial market.
The state of New York released its regulations in October, charting a course toward clarity on how CBD may be used in food, beverages and dietary supplements. Smokable hemp flower, however, was left off the table. For the NYCGPA, this is a sticking point.
“The ability for farmers to access multiple streams of commerce for the products that they grow provides a key mechanism to diversify income streams in an already tight margined business,” according to the comment. “Hemp flower is among the most popular and fastest growing segments of the CBD market, and the prohibition cuts off the only practical and lucrative avenue for growers. By preventing retailers from carrying hemp flower, farmers must rely on selling directly to processors at a significantly reduced per pound basis than if they sold flower.”
As a spokesperson explained in a message to Hemp Grower, the pillars of the NYCGPA’s comments include:
Developing a policy that will allow the sale of flower in retail;
Removing the state’s ability to cap THC in products lower than the federal limit;
Overreaching label requirements that include THC warnings, font size minimums, a listing of minor cannabinoids, and marketing restrictions;
Lowering license fees for retailers and processors and adding a license class for retails who do farmers markets and special events;
Reducing the burden on retailers in regards to record-keeping;
Removing the ban on transdermal patches;
Creating the Hemp Working Group.
The public comment period ends this week.
“The governor and legislature in their wisdom saw an opportunity in this new industry to create direct input that will only enhance the regulations and develop the industry,” according to the comment. “The NYCGPA urges the [Department of Health] to create the working group to continue the dialogue and continue creating a world-class hemp industry for New York state.”
Aurora Announces Agreement with Great North Distributors Inc. for Canadian Retail Sales Execution
Great North will be the exclusive representative for Aurora's leading portfolio of Canadian brands.
EDMONTON, AB, Jan. 14, 2021 /CNW/ - PRESS RELEASE - Aurora Cannabis Inc., a Canadian cannabis company, has announced it has entered into an agreement with Great North Distributors Inc., Canada's first national sales broker for legalized adult-use cannabis. Under the agreement, Great North will be the exclusive representative for Aurora's leading portfolio of brands across the Canadian cannabis retail environment.
"The agreement is designed to significantly bolster Aurora's market position in Canada. Great North brings deep experience across the spectrum of sales capabilities that will further differentiate Aurora as a leader in the growing cannabis space," said Miguel Martin, CEO of Aurora Cannabis. "We have selected Great North for their outstanding execution across regulated businesses. Combining their executional strength with Aurora's leading portfolio of brands is a recipe for success."
Great North has reach across every province in Canada, including established relationships and expertise in working with provincially-owned and operated retailers and private retailers in Canada's cannabis industry. Great North applies data analytics capabilities to the sector, providing suppliers with a powerful data-driven approach to cannabis sales.
"Adding Aurora to our portfolio of companies we proudly represent is a signal of our market leadership," said Doug Wieland, President, Canada – Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits and Great North Distributors. "Great North has executed in the Canadian cannabis market since day one and will immediately bring value in sales execution to Aurora. Aurora has entrusted their family of brands in our team and we look forward to delivering exceptional results."
Great North will assume responsibility for Aurora's sales execution on Jan. 25, 2021.
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