The world of weed news moves quickly, especially now that many states – and even other countries – are beginning to lean toward legalization. We know you want to keep up with the latest news, so here are the top three weed news stories of the last week.
Weed and Wine: the Next Step for Cannabis Culture?
First, in weed news, California is pushing the envelope of what it means to enjoy cannabis. Now that voters have passed the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA) and legalization will go into effect in 2018, industry pioneers are already looking for the next big thing. What is it? Take a look at the northern part of the state.
Humboldt, Mendocino and Trinity county form what’s known as the “Emerald Triangle,” and they are known for producing some of the most well-known and sought-after cannabis. Just south of this area, you’ll find Sonoma and Napa – counties you’ll often hear in association with wine.
Some intrepid business people have begun “melding cannabis with wine and food in a curated meal”, like Sam Edwards – President of the Sonoma Cannabis Company and host of a unique meal. These dinners are small, with up to a dozen guests who you’ll find tasting wines and taking hits from water pipes.
The unique kicker here is that the cannabis is paired with wine for a peak sensory experience. Edwards says that sativa strains pair well with white wines, while indica strains are better matched to reds.
Is this the new weed wave? Only time will tell.
In Uruguay, Your Dealer is “The Man”
It’s not often that we focus on weed news from abroad, but this story certainly deserves an exception.
Uruguay has just put itself way ahead of the cannabis curve as the first country to completely legalize marijuana. Now don’t rush out to book a tour just yet: the way they’re going about it may leave you scratching your head.
There won’t be any smoking cafes, and non-citizens won’t be able to partake in the new national pastime. You won’t even be able to find edibles or any of the other colorful products inspired by industry competition because there will be absolutely no branding or advertising for the substance.
In fact, the government will control every single aspect of the production process, from the plants’ genetic makeup to the allowable percentage of THC in the cannabis bud. Citizens will also have only one source for purchasing marijuana: pharmacies. That being said, they will be able to buy marijuana for the state-set price of $1.30 per gram. Not bad!
However, the purchase process will be mediated with a method that makes many folks uneasy. The government will use a fingerprint scan that tells the pharmacy how much weed you’re eligible to buy- with a total of 40 grams per user per month. Is the Big Brother-esque government registry worth it for legal and cheap cannabis? Only time will tell.
State of Emergency Declared: Nevada is Running Out of Weed!
Yes, you read that correctly: the governor of Nevada has approved a state of emergency to be declared in response to the news that retail stores are running out of weed faster than it can be supplied.
The Nevada Tax Commission will consider emergency regulations on July 13th which would provide a new structure for the distribution of cannabis to retailers and would let liquor wholesalers throw their hats into the marijuana ring.
The state vastly underestimated the demand for legal weed and many stores are already running out of product after sales began on July 1st. While this is bad for consumers, it’s much worse for the people who are employed by the burgeoning industry. If a distribution agreement isn’t reached, many jobs will be lost. Also, the cannabis market is tied to the state’s school budget, so a halt in marijuana sales will be bad news for education.
Tune in Next Time
Don’t forget to check back next week for more craziness in the world of weed news!
