I S S U E 0 8 // S U M M E R 2 0 2 1
FIND A JOB IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY!
CHARLOTTE’S WEB Completes Landmark Liver Safety Study
CANNABIS FOR MIGRAINES Insights from DENT Neurologic Institute
OPERATION OF THE ART OF GLASS BLOWING
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& THE CRIMINALIZATION
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IN THIS ISSUE 4 PUBLISHER’S LETTER 6 OPERATION PIPE DREAM
& The Criminalization of the Art of Glass Blowing
8 CHARLOTTE’S WEB COMPLETES LANDMARK LIVER SAFETY STUDY
Headed by Local Researcher Jeff Lombardo
10 HEADSHOP HIGHLIGHT SERIES: GLASSROOTS 12 GLASS BLOWERS OF INSTAGRAM 14 H OW THE MRTA WILL IMPACT THE MEDICAL CANNABIS PROGRAM
And Some Key Differences Between Medical and Adult-use Cannabis Products
18 CANNABIS FOR MIGRAINES
Publisher’s
I
letter
think it was Bradley Nowell from Sublime that said “Summertime and the livin’s easy.” Well,
it’s certainly summertime and life is certainly getting easier for some of us as COVID-19 restrictions begin to ease. Life is also getting easier for those with prior cannabis-related convictions as the MRTA wipes these offenses from their criminal records. For those looking to take advantage of this, Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes has been hosting expungement clinics to assist with the process. If you or someone you know needs help removing a cannabis-related offense from their criminal record don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’ll try and connect you with resources that can help.
Promising treatment or Faux Pas?
21 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE 22 TAKEAWAYS FROM CANNABIZ CONVO 104 It’s Legal!! Now What?
26 HOW TO FIND A JOB IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY? 28 WNY CANNABIS BUSINESS DIRECTORY
In this issue, we bring you more important cannabis news relevant to our region. This issue features a brief history of glass blowing, a groundbreaking study on CBD, updates on legislative progress, and much more. CannaBuff is excited with the amount of new advertising support and interest we’ve been receiving. We’re working hard to improve our magazine’s distribution, reach, and overall appeal. We’ve now teamed up with the Buffalo News to deliver this issue to hundreds of locations
THE TEAM
Publisher: Geoffrey Brown Creative Director: Justin DeLuca Distribution & Advertising: Pavel Belov Graphic Design: Alex Monterville
ADVISORY BOARD
throughout WNY. Have a suggestion or want to get in touch? As always feel free to check us out at CannaBuff.com. We hope you enjoy the 8th issue of CannaBuff magazine.
Maria Janda, PharmD Jake Schecter, RN Terrance Bellnier, RPh, MPA Phil Sneider, PhD Michael Monzillo, MS DISCLAIMER: The information and documents herein (the content) are intended for personal, noncommercial, general informational purposes, do not constitute medical advice, and are not a substitute for the advice of a medical provider or other licensed professional. CannaBuff makes no warranty, express or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability, timeliness, correctness, suitability, merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose of the content, and in no event shall CannaBuff or its employees be liable for damages resulting from reading or use of the content. References to specific commercial products, or services by tradename, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, do not constitute or imply an endorsement or recommendation by CannaBuff.
CONTACT
PHONE: (716) 218-0624 EMAIL: Geoff@CannaBuff.com WEBSITE: CannaBuff.com
TWITTER: @CannaBuffNY FACEBOOK: @CannaBuffNY INSTAGRAM: @CannaBuffMag
Geoff Brown Founder, CannaBuff
AGE SPECIFIC CONTENT: CannaBuff does not
promote or endorse the use of cannabis by anyone under the age of 21. Age specific content and ads are marked "Ages 21+". Enjoy responsibly.
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5
& THE CRIMINALIZATION OF THE ART OF GLASS BLOWING
Operation
Pipe Dream V
BY DAV I D N A D E L
irtually every cannabis enthusiast has, at one point or another, purchased a glass pipe of some kind, whether it be a tiny little one-hitter or a bong large enough to rival the height of its owner. Glass pipes are so common in our cannabis-friendly society that we do not think anything of them when we come across them in gas stations, flea markets, and other family-friendly businesses. But, if you ask a handful of glassblowers about their passion, they will tell you that there was a time when they felt endangered by their own occupations.
Back in 2003, the Federal Government created an initiative to put an end to glass blowing specifically for the purpose of making pipes, and its consequences make us question why the initiative ever started. Operation Pipe Dream was a questionable era in our country’s cannabis-dotted history, and many of us, including the most cannabis savvy among us, never even knew it was happening.
A BIT OF HISTORY
The art of glass blowing dates back to the 1st century, likely in Syria and its surrounding regions. Although glass blowing wasn’t developed primarily for pipes, archaeologists over the years have uncovered ancient glass pipes that were clearly intended for smoking cannabis. The glass pipes of the old days were far more fragile than today’s pipes, as the borosilicate glass material used today was not invented until the 19th century. By the 1960s, as marijuana became more mainstream, glass pipes were sold in emerging head shops around the country, starting in San Francisco at the height of the hippie era. They were every bit as dazzling to consumers as they are today, with gorgeous patterns and colors allowing every pipe to be unique in its own 6
CannaBuff.com SUMMER 2021
way. And, decades later, glass pipes remain one of the most popular ways to consume cannabis, with the glass blowing industry continuing to thrive as a result, allowing artisans to put their skills to good use.
So, were glass pipes ever illegal? Well, that is a complicated question. Under federal law, glass pipes are classified as “drug paraphernalia,” but they aren’t illegal on their own, and therefore owning one does not necessarily mean you will get into trouble with the law, although they can be legally confiscated. And, in some states, they are illegal due to state laws that can differ from federal ones. It is even more complicated than that, however, because technically, glass pipes are not solely for smoking marijuana. They can be used to smoke tobacco. Until recently, many glassblowers and head shops have tried to fly under the radar by advertising their pipes as tobacco pipes. ‘Tobacco use only’ signs were common at most head shops. Further, since 2018, hemp has been legal, and so glass pipes can be used to smoke hemp, which is a federally legal substance that is also legal in all 50 states except for Idaho and Iowa.
OPERATION PIPE DREAM & CRIMINALIZING GLASS BLOWING Operation Pipe Dream was first set up in 2003, with essentially no warning, as a federal initiative to crack down on the glass blowing industry in what was referred to as an effort to crack down on marijuana use in general. The initiative was the brainchild of Attorney General John Ashcroft and U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan of the Western District of Pennsylvania, aiming to use a relatively outdated statute to enforce a restriction against the sales of glass pipes, while putting many glassblowers out of a job in the process.
Supposedly, the effort coincided with the emerging e-commerce world, where cannabis users could purchase glass pipes through the online marketplace. Operation Pipe Dream had the ultimate goal of stopping
Glass pipes are a long-standing tradition that goes back thousands of years, and this tradition is culturally and artistically significant in a way that should be honored and dignified rather than scrutinized for political gain and profit. the glass pipe industry completely throughout the country, but they quickly ran into a bit of an obstacle: by and large, law enforcement officials throughout the country had little interest in taking part in this operation, both because of the lack of resources and the lack of interest, combined with the fact that technically glass pipes were never considered illegal on their own in most states.
However, Pennsylvania and Iowa are two states in which law states that drug paraphernalia cannot cross state lines, and so it did not take long for the initiative to focus all of their resources on these states in an effort to follow through with their goals. However, their means for enforcement were questionable, to say the least. In the end, on February 24th, 2003, 55 individual glass blowing operations were shut down, but the means for doing so were considerably aggressive. Homes were raided at abnormal hours, and glass blowers hogtied, handcuffed, and taken into custody. Ultimately, all of these business owners were released from jail quickly as the initiative proved to be a disaster.
THE CHONG CONNECTION
One notable name was Tommy Chong, who was incarcerated as a result of Operation Pipe Dream. He was the only manufacturer who actually served time in jail, and it’s since been determined that this was to set an example to other glassblowers throughout the country, as he was specifically targeted. Chong, at the time, was promoting his son Paris’ glass blowing business, having financed it in order to help his son’s dreams come true. The business, called Chong Glass Works/Nice Dreams, employed 25 glassblowers, and sold high-end pieces to discerning customers desiring aesthetically exceptional pipes of all kinds. To arrest Chong, federal agents pretended to be head shop owners and tried to pressure Paris into selling his pieces to a Pennsylvania business. Chong had been adamant that he would not sell glass pipes to Pennsylvania due to the state’s paraphernalia laws, so the agents posed as employees at the
company’s warehouse, shipping the pipes to Pennsylvania themselves. Chong pled guilty in the end, in exchange for keeping his wife and son out of jail. Later, word came out that targeting Chong came from a desire to retaliate against him for trivializing cannabis drug laws and law enforcement in his popular films.
HOW EFFECTIVE WAS THE OPERATION?
From the very beginning, Operation Pipe Dream was a politically motivated disaster waiting to happen. Over $12 million was spent in an effort to take down glassblowers around the country, and 2,000 law enforcement officials had to use precious resources to comply with the crackdown, which many of them never wanted to be a part of in the first place. The fact remains that the glass pipe industry was never viewed as a gateway to marijuana use, especially among minors, but the initiative went through to make a political statement. Despite the fact that all of those arrested, with the exception of Chong, were released quickly, they remain unable to continue their operations to this day due to their criminal record. Today, it’s seen as a huge mistake, even among top law enforcement officials and federal agents, because of the enormous expense compared to the limited, if not non-existent impact that it had on drug use in our country.
WHAT THE LAW SAYS TODAY
Clearly, Operation Pipe Dream failed and has proved to have zero impact on its original intent. Today, glass pipes remain a big business, employing many artisans who are fully dedicated to their craft and sell pieces that are as functional as they are artistic. Although Operation Pipe Dream is but a distant memory to today’s glassblowers, the fact remains that it serves as a reminder that federal officials can and will use various means to minimize sales between cannabis customers and those who produce various products that contribute to the cannabis industry. And, oftentimes, these initiatives are fulfilled with little to no warning, which can leave those in the industry vulnerable to late-night raids and sudden arrests. But, as the cannabis industry sees more and more legalization throughout the country, these initiatives will become fewer and farther between. For example, Pennsylvania officials are finally considering legalizing cannabis, which would likely change the state’s laws pertaining to paraphernalia. And, in many states across the country, marijuana has been legal for some time now, which means that glass pipes are not associated with any kind of illegal activity.
THE LEGACY OF OPERATION PIPE DREAM At the end of the day, Operation Pipe Dream serves as another blemish on our country’s complicated cannabis laws. The
criminalization of cannabis has seen many blunders over the years, but this one was particularly comical and short-lived due to failing almost immediately. The hope is that as legalization continues to spread throughout the country, glass blowers and other manufacturers won’t be
subjected to these humiliating raids and can continue to share their art with the world. It has been almost two decades since glassblowers were vulnerable to legal penalties, and needless to say, we hope that it never happens again.
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Charlotte’s Web Completes Landmark Liver Safety Study Headed by Local Researcher BY GEOFF BROWN
espite the widespread use and availability of hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) products, officials from the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) say they still need to learn more about the safety of CBD before they determine how to regulate it.
that helps answer this question.
normal, healthy population,
CBD products. This means
Dr. Jeff Lombardo, an assistant
but this rate was no different
businesses selling CBD
professor at the University of
than what would be seen
products nationwide are subject
Buffalo’s Center for Integrated
in the general population.
to a labyrinth of state laws that
Global Biomedical Sciences is
In a healthy, disease-free
are constantly in flux. Federal
leading a collaborative research
population you might see
guidance on the issue would
study into CBD’s effects on the
liver enzyme elevations in
provide clarity and validation for
liver. Charlotte’s Web, whose
approximately 2.5% of the
both industry stakeholders and
development lab is located
population. But in the general
consumers.
in Buffalo, is one of twelve
population, from which the
companies participating in the
participants in this study were
study. The initial cohort recently
recruited, there are people with
completed the first portion of
medical conditions and taking
In March of last year, the FDA
the study and investigators,
medications known to increase
including Lombardo, met with
liver function enzymes, so you’d
the FDA to discuss the results.
expect elevations in a higher
D
issued a statement highlighting the importance of filling gaps in current knowledge about CBD and encouraged collaboration from industry stakeholders and researchers to help answer important questions about CBD’s safety. One of the FDA’s concerns was CBD’s potential to cause liver failure. In clinical trials of Epidiolex, the only FDA-approved drug containing CBD, 13% of patients treated with the drug had significant liver enzyme elevations which signal inflammation or damage in the liver. However, treatment with Epidiolex uses higher doses of CBD than are taken under normal circumstances by the average consumer. Whether liver injury from consumption of hemp-derived CBD is still a risk at the doses commonly used by
The study recruited 839 participants that had been using oral CBD products for the past 30 days. Participants first selected their standard CBD regimen which could include CBD isolate, broad-spectrum, or full-spectrum products from a company of their choice. The sponsoring companies then sent participants the products and had them continue their use
this data will help bring the FDA one step closer to developing hemp-derived CBD products.
– Jeff Lombardo
to repeat this study in cohort 2 and expand their analysis
analysis of liver function enzymes.
using feedback provided by the
The study utilized a decentralized
FDA. This portion of the study
clinical research platform created
has support from 7 additional
by ValidCare, LLC. The ValidCare
companies and should be
platform enabled enrollment of
complete by fourth quarter 2021. The completion of this study represents an important
consumers is unknown.
the COVID-19 pandemic.
milestone for the CBD industry.
A local researcher is working
The study found that individuals
rived CBD products has led
with CBD industry pioneer
self-medicating with oral CBD
many states to develop their
and market leader, Charlotte’s
had a higher prevalence of
own set of rules governing
Web, to generate new data
elevated liver function enzymes
the manufacture and sale of
CannaBuff.com SUMMER 2021
the data it requested. Hopefully,
“The new data we’ve provided will assist the FDA in developing their regulatory stance on these products. This helps bring a new level of safety and trust to consumers.”
had to provide blood samples for
continued participation throughout
and work together to get FDA
“The percentage of patients’ experiencing elevated liver enzyme levels in our sample was no different than we’d expect to see in the general population. This data supports the notion that self-medication with CBD is safe and does not cause liver failure” Lombardo says they’ll now look
District of Columbia and allowed for
able to put competition aside
a regulatory approach for
in a journal. Then the participants
individuals from 49 states and the
competing CBD brands were
~5-10%.
for 30 days while documenting it
than would be expected in a 8
percentage of the population
In this landmark study,
Federal inaction on hemp-de-
Jeff Lombardo, PharmD, BCOP is a research assistant professor at the Center of Integrated Global Biomedical Sciences, Translational Pharmacology Research Core, at the University of Buffalo School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences. Dr. Lombardo is also a pharmacist at the Botanist medical cannabis dispensary in downtown Buffalo.
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The interior of GlassRoots in Batavia
HEADSHOP HIGHLIGHT SERIES
GlassRoots Headshops aren’t the stereotypical places they were once considered. In this series, we examine the rich culture and history of WNY’s headshops. We hope our readers take the time to visit these shops, browse their impressive product selections and appreciate the amazingly intricate pieces of glass art that they offer. What is GlassRoots?
What does GlassRoots mean?
pioneers of glassblowing took
to bring glass art into the
GlassRoots has been a Batavia
GlassRoots is an homage to
to fight and survive (through
public eye in a grassroots
staple for almost 15 years.
the humble beginnings the
many legal struggles) in order
way. For a long time, glass
Located in the heart of the city,
pipes were considered illegal
GlassRoots has found itself
drug paraphernalia by the
on the Center Street of all the
government.* If a pipe wasn’t
action with access to great
labeled “For Tobacco Use
food, drinks, and live concerts
Only” or if it wasn’t referred
during the summer. Founded
to using specific terminology
in 2006 by Jeremy Almeter,
which transpired as a result,
the space has grown and
it was deemed illegal. Terms
evolved to be much more than
like “water-pipe” were used
just a “smoke” shop. Instead,
instead of calling it a bong…
GlassRoots has become a
even though everyone who
creative haven that empowers
purchased the products
local artisans and crafters by
were using them to consume
consigning their work and
cannabis. These beginnings
giving them a space to sell.
posed a lot of risks, and many Abstract glass art made by Jeremy Almeter
10
CannaBuff.com SUMMER 2021
glass artists were only able
to persevere because of their
CBD and THC products, and
passion and commitment to
many other products familiar
the art and plant.
to connoisseurs. However, they
How is GlassRoots different from any other shop? One of the major differences with GlassRoots is that they have live glassblowing onsite! Founder, Jeremy Almeter, has taught many glassblowing lessons and taken several apprentices under his wing. Currently, GlassRoots has four
also have a large focus on art and crafts. From ceramics and pottery to handcrafted incense, both canvas and sculptural art, locally sourced wood slabs, and clothing…local artists are encouraged to bring in any products they would like to sell or see on display.
in-house glass artists: Jeremy
What’s in store for the future of GlassRoots?
Almeter (@pablo_glasscabar),
With the advent of cannabis
Mike DeJaneiro (@mystic-
legalization in New York, there
designmiked), Christopher
is a lot of buzz regarding retail
Byers (@cbphotonglass), and
adult-use dispensaries. The
Don Rimbek (@don_rimbeck_).
GlassRoots team says they’re
As such, they offer a great
certainly interested in pursuing
selection of locally made pieces.
this and want to provide their
This comes with the added
community with high-quality,
benefit that if you (or probably
locally grown, premium buds.
your friend) BREAKS a piece,
However, there are a number
you can bring it back and see if
of rules & regulations the
it can be fixed by the artist that
state needs to clarify first that
made it!
will greatly impact the ability
What can I find at GlassRoots?
of small businesses to enter this new market and operate
GlassRoots houses a large
successfully. In the meantime,
assortment of American-made
feel free to stop by GlassRoots
glass, the majority of which
and enjoy their Delta8 THC
is made in-house! They also
products which are available at
carry traditional consumption
only a fraction of the price you’ll
accessories such as papers
pay at dispensaries!
Stop in to support local artists and hemp farmers. Ask us about our CBD & THC products. AVAILABLE 7 DAYS A WEEK
and wraps, hemp-derived With a distinctive mural adorning the side of the building, GlassRoots is hard to miss
Conscious Cannabis Consulting In-house Glass Blowing! Come see what we can make for you!
GlassRoots 12 Center Street, Batavia
585.345.7420
Mon-Fri: 11am-7pm • Saturday: Noon-6pm Sunday: Noon-3pm
*FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRIMINALIZATION OF GLASS BLOWING READ THE ARTICLE ON OPERATION PIPE DREAMS ON PAGES 6-7.
SUMMER 2021 CannaBuff.com
11
GLASS BLOWERS OF INSTAGRAM Glass pipes are a unique artistic medium. Artists use a number of decorative techniques to produce glass formed pieces that combine a mix of
colors, textures, and shapes. Here are some of our favorite works from artists around the world. All photos are property of the artist listed
(@instagramhandle). 12
CannaBuff.com SUMMER 2021
TAG US ON INSTAGRAM @CANNABUFFMAG TO SHOW OFF YOUR OWN GLASS OR YOUR FAVORITE GLASS ARTISTS!
TAMMY BALLER’S WORK INCLUDES MANY RECOGNIZABLE CHARACTERS FROM POPULAR SHOWS.
ARTISTS DEVELOP THEIR OWN
SIGNATURE TECHNIQUES AND STYLES THAT DRAW FROM MULTIPLE INFLUENCES.
SUMMER 2021 CannaBuff.com
13
How the MRTA will impact the Medical Cannabis Program and Some Key Differences Between Medical and Adult-use Cannabis Products BY BRENDAN MURPHY
W I T H T H E PA S S I N G O F T H E N E W M A R I J U A N A R E G U L AT I O N A N D TA X AT I O N A C T ( M R TA )
we usher in a new era of cannabis legislation in New York. You might be wondering how this affects the current medical cannabis program. Here, we aim to break this down for you. We’ll also discuss some key differences between medical and adult-use (recreational) cannabis products and the regulations that distinguish them. How the MRTA Affects the Medical Cannabis Program Prior to the introduction of the MRTA, medical cannabis in New York State has been regulated by the New York State Department of Health. Under the new legislation, regulation of both medical and adult-use cannabis will be consolidated under the newly-formed Office of Cannabis Management. The MRTA also greatly expands the current medical cannabis program. Currently, medical cannabis products can only be manufactured in certain dosage forms associated with a permissible route of administration. This includes oral, oromucosal, topical, and inhalation products. Oral dosage forms include capsules, tablets, powders, and chewable gels (gummies). Oromucosal dosage forms range from sublingual tinctures and oils to buccal sprays, orally disinte-
14
CannaBuff.com SUMMER 2021
grating tablets, and lozenges. And
In addition to allowing new
licenses. This will allow medical
topical products include salves,
products, the medical program will
cannabis dispensaries (registered
balms, lotions, and suppositories.
expand its eligibility requirements.
organizations) to enter the recre-
Products for inhalation are intended
Until now, in order to qualify for
ational market.
for vaporization and include
medical cannabis, individuals had
cannabis extracts and ground
to prove a diagnosis of at least
flower. Extracts are usually provided
one severe or life-threatening
The Difference Between Medical and Adult-Use Cannabis
as vapor pen inhalers or cartridge
condition from a list laid forth
vaporizers. Ground flower, on the
by the state, accompanied by at
other hand, is provided as metered
least one symptom that is also
pods or as “refills” which are simply
included in the statute. With the
just jars filled with a designated
updated legislation, any health
quantity of ground flower. Raw
condition will be eligible for
unprocessed flower is still not
medical cannabis, provided it is
approved for sale in NY and smoking
recommended and prescribed
is not an approved route of admin-
by a licensed healthcare practi-
istration. Therefore, all flower that’s
tioner. Moreover, under the new
purchased through the medical
medical program, patients will
program is intended for vaporiza-
be permitted to possess up to
tion use only. With the expansion
a sixty-day supply of medical
of the medical program under the
cannabis (as determined by
MRTA, patients will now be able to
their medical provider). This is
purchase raw unprocessed flower
double the thirty-day supply that
The THC:CBD ratio is a key aspect
that’s intended for smoking. Patients
is currently allowed. Finally, the
governing cannabis’s therapeutic
will also be permitted to cultivate
MRTA permits current medical dis-
effects. In New York’s medical
their own plants at home.
pensaries to apply for recreational
program, regulations determine
Considering raw unprocessed flower will now be permitted under the MRTA, the difference between medical and adult-use cannabis will be much narrower than originally anticipated. Beyond the fundamental differences of where the cannabis was produced (i.e. a registered organization’s production facility) and the intent of its use, the contrast essentially boils down to 1) THC and CBD content, and 2) the specific regulations such as taxation, labeling, etc. pertaining to the two.
what THC:CBD ratios dispensa-
While both require clear iden-
The last thing to consider when
added, which is determined by
ries must offer. Each registered
tification and health/hazard
comparing medical cannabis
the amount of THC contained
organization is currently allowed
warnings, medical cannabis
to adult-use is taxation. As we
within the product. This will be
to produce five distinct “brands”
must be clearly designated as
reported in our Legislative Update
highest for edibles, at a rate of
or ratios of products. One of those
such, including a patient-specif-
column in the Spring issue of
$0.03 per milligram of THC. For
brands must be a low THC/ high
ic label with suggested dosing
CannaBuff, consumers will pay
concentrates, it’s $0.008/mg,
CBD formulation, such as 1:20,
instructions and use-by date.
significantly more in taxes on
and for flower $0.005/mg. When
and one must be approximately
Readers should also expect
recreational cannabis. For many
asked about the THC tax, which
equal parts (1:1). The other three
to see regulations that require
of us NYers, this probably comes
is the first of its kind nationwide,
ratios are up for the dispensaries
tamper-evident and child-resis-
as no surprise. For medical
state officials responded this was
to decide. Dispensaries may also
tant packaging. This is currently
cannabis, the current excise tax
to foster and promote temperance
wholesale from one another, which may result in product offerings at more than five distinct THC:CBD ratios. Another aspect of the medical program’s product regulations is the cap on THC content. Currently, no medical cannabis product can contain
“
With the updated legislation, any health condition will be eligible for medical cannabis, provided it is recommended and prescribed by a licensed healthcare practitioner.
more than 10 mg of THC per unit dose. As a result, the highest
required for the packaging of
of 7% will remain the sole levy.
in consumption. This again
unit dose you’ll likely find at most
medical cannabis products and
Adult-use, on the other hand,
highlights the state’s concerns
medical dispensaries is 9-9.5
will almost definitely be adopted
will be subject to a 9% state
about overconsumption and the
mg of THC. This was most likely
for adult-use products.
tax and a 4% local tax, totaling
regulatory innovations the state
an overall base rate of 13%. On
is willing to make to attempt to
top of this, a potency tax will be
address those risks.
done to reduce the likelihood of overconsumption and the risks associated with it. Other states that have legalized cannabis for adult-use have seen sharp rises in emergency room visits due to cannabis (THC) overconsumption and in rare cases (and contrary to popular belief) this has even been associated with some deaths. It’s important to note that it’s possible for these regulations to change as New York expands its medical program under the MRTA.
Possession of allowable quantities is another factor. As mentioned previously, the MRTA will allow medical patients to possess up to a sixty-day supply of medical cannabis. With the adult-use program, individuals twenty-one years or older may possess up to three ounces while outside of their home, and up to five pounds stored inside of their home. The regulations applying to home cultivation of cannabis plants are the same for both recreational
Adult-use cannabis will not be
and medical purposes, though
required to adhere to the same
medical patients may begin home
guidelines as medical cannabis.
cultivation sooner. Each person
This will likely result in a larger
within a household is allowed
selection of product types available
up to three mature plants and
and products that generally contain
three immature plants, with a
higher levels of THC. But again,
maximum of six mature and six
due to the many risks associated
immature plants per household.
with overconsumption, expect
Medical patients are permitted
to see a unit dose cap on THC,
to begin home cultivation six
although one that may be higher
months after the effective date of
than the current cap of 10 mg on
the legislation, whereas adult-use
medical products. There are also
home growers must wait until 18
slightly different labeling guidelines
months after the opening of the
for medical and adult-use cannabis.
first adult-use dispensaries.
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CANNABIS FOR MIGRAINES Promising treatment or Faux Pas? BY DR. LASZLO MECHTLER
Does cannabis have a place in a physician-guided treatment plan for migraine? Emerging research and the works of prominent 19th & 20th-century physicians including Sir William Osler (Father of Modern Medicine), Sir William Gowers (Father of Modern Neurology), and Sir William O’Shaughnessy (the first physician in recorded history to conduct a clinical trial of cannabis products), suggest it may. efined as a recurring disabling
products as part of New York State’s
anxiety (31%), and mood (26%). The
headache disorder involving
Medical Marijuana Program. In total,
improvement noted in these subjective
at least five headaches lasting
177 (56%) subjects realized a decrease
measures is of particular importance as
4–72 hours; satisfying at
in the monthly number of headache
sleep disturbance, anxiety, and mood
least two of the following characteris-
days they experienced. With statis-
disturbance are prevalent among those
tics: unilateral location, pulsating quality,
tically significant reductions noted in
that suffer from migraines and may help
moderate or severe pain intensity, and
both, the average number of monthly
one to reduce consumption of secondary
D
aggravation by or causing avoidance of routine physical activity; nausea and/or vomiting or photophobia and phonophobia. Migraine is a complex headache disorder, which is most prevalent amongst females and affects more than 1 billion people worldwide. The underlying causes of this disease are multifaceted and are not yet fully understood. However, a growing body of evidence suggests one’s own endocannabinoid system may play a role. Dr. Ethan Russo’s endocannabinoid deficiency theory suggests a variety of diseases including migraine are caused, at least in part by a deficiency on one’s naturally produced endocannabinoids (AEA & 2-AG). By correcting this deficiency and restoring homeostatic levels with plant-based cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids) it is
“
... these results suggest medical cannabis therapy may have a role in [a] comprehensive treatment plan for migraines
The results of a large-scale retrospective study conducted by our team here at the Dent Neurologic Institute’s Cannabis Research Center offer support to this theory. In the study we evaluated clinical outcomes of 316 patients who were diagnosed with chronic migraine by a board-certified headache specialist and certified to use medical cannabis
Laszlo Mechtler
MD, FAAN, FEAN, FASN, FAHS Medical Director, DENT Neurologic Institute Chief, Neuro-Oncology Roswell Park Cancer Institute Medical Director, Jushi
These results were most commonly achieved in patients that utilized two cannabis products: an oral tincture for prophylactic or preventive treatment and a vaporizer for acute or immediate treatment, which was not surprising. However, when evaluating the ratio THC:CBD or the chemovar of cannabis product used an interesting relationship was discovered, with benefit being associated with use of either type I chemovar products (High THC) or type III Chemvar products (high CBD) but not Type II chemovar products (equal THC and CBD). This result helps to underscore the complexity of migraine and is suggestive that migraine treatment needs to be tailored to
thought that we are then able to treat the underlying disease.
pharmaceutical interventions.
headache days (24.9 to 16.1) and the average number of monthly migraine days (12.6 to 7.3). Of those prescribed opioid medications for migraine-related pain, 56% were able to reduce their consumption. In addition to these rather robust quantitative outcomes, the study population also noted improvement in a variety of subjective outcomes including headache severity (88%), sleep (40%),
individual patients. These results suggest medical cannabis therapy may have a role in one’s comprehensive treatment plan for migraines when used under the guidance of a properly trained physician. Further research including prospective placebo-controlled randomized trials are needed to legitimize this plant’s role in modern medicine.
Dr. Laszlo Mechtler is Professor of Neurology and Oncology at the State University of New York at Buffalo. He is UCNS certified in Neuroimaging, Neuro-Oncology and Headache Medicine. Dr. Mechtler is the Medical Director of the DENT Neurologic Institute. His training includes institutions such as MD Anderson and the State University of New York at Buffalo. He is a past president of the American Society of Neuroimaging (ASN) and the Hungarian Medical Association of America (HMAA). He was the guest editor of the 2009, 2014 and 2020 editions of Neurology Clinics on ‘Neuroimaging”. He served on the Executive Committee for BrainPAC through the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). He also serves as the Medical Director of Jushi, Inc. Dr. Mechtler has published some of the first major retrospective research trials on Medical Marijuana in Headaches and other neurologic disorders. Dr. Mechtler lectures both nationally and internationally and is recognized as a leader in the fields of Neuroimaging, Headache Medicine, Neuro-Oncology, and Medical Cannabis. He is the Director of the DENT Cannabis Clinic, which has more than 15,000+ patients certified through the NYS MMJ program and continues to grow each day. Dr. Mechtler is also the Founder/Medical Director for the MIND Institute in Budapest Hungary which opened in Fall 2020.
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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE In the last issue of Cannabuff, we discussed the landmark passage of the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (“MRTA”). Since then, while there has been much excitement, there has not been much action to implement MRTA. The state legislative session is set for summer recess, and as of the time of this writing, there have been no appointments to the Cannabis Control Board (“CCB”), no nomination of an executive director for the Office of Cannabis Management (“OCM”), and no appointments to the state cannabis advisory board— all called-for by MRTA. Until the implementation of MRTA, the New York State Department of Health (“DOH”) remains charged with regulating cannabinoid hemp. And DOH has been moving forward with its regulatory program. On May 19, 2021, DOH issued updated proposed regulations and standards for the production, distribution, and sale of cannabinoid hemp products in New York. Even though the proposed regulations will become effective after a public comment period ending in July, key provisions affecting packaging, labeling, and laboratory testing will not become effective until November 1, 2021. So licensed hemp retailers can continue to sell most hemp retail products as-is for now.
Smokable vs. Inhalable One of the most significant changes in the DOH regulations is that retailers will no longer be able to sell any cannabinoid hemp products “clearly labeled or advertised for the purpose of smoking.” This includes cigarettes, cigars, pre-rolled, or packaged or combined with other products designed to facilitate smoking (such as rolling papers or pipes). Fear not—smokable hemp is not gone for good. MRTA provides for the sale of smokable hemp products by adult-use cannabis retail licensees. While smokable hemp
products will not be allowed under the DOH program, “inhalable” hemp products are still permitted. All “inhalable” cannabinoid hemp products must be closed systems with pre-filled disposable cartridges—either attached to a rechargeable battery, or a single-use product that cannot be recharged (a fancy way of referring primarily to vapes and e-cigarettes). DOH’s regulations have also shown concern about the contents of inhalables. All non-hemp ingredients in inhalable products must be pharmaceutical grade, and cannot contain ingredients such as synthetic terpenes; polyethylene glycol (PEG); vitamin E acetate; medium-chain triglycerides (MCT oil); or medicinal compounds and illegal or controlled substances. In another move that may disappoint some, inhalable cannabinoid hemp products cannot contain any flavors or flavoring agents—except for hemp-derived terpenes. So say goodbye to that tutti-frutti-flavored pen!
Food, Alcohol, and Tobacco Under the updated regulations, DOH contemplates that cannabinoid hemp products will be largely stand-alone. Hemp products can be added to food and drink, but all must be pre-packaged. Cannabinoid hemp products cannot be added to food or any other consumable products at the point of sale. Moreover, the DOH regulations prohibit mixing cannabinoid hemp products with other ‘vices.’ Cannabinoid hemp products cannot contain liquor, wine, beer, cider, or meet the definition of an “alcoholic beverage” under the Alcohol Beverage Control Law. They also cannot contain any tobacco or nicotine.
Retail Sales A license from DOH is required to sell cannabinoid hemp products in New York. The licensing fee costs $300 per retail location.
Retailers must display any cannabinoid hemp products in a way that distinguishes them from non-cannabinoid hemp products to “aid consumers in locating cannabinoid hemp and avoid accidental purchase or consumption.” Retailers must also have safeguards in place to verify that someone purchasing an inhalable product or flower product is 21 years of age or older. The regulations appear to contemplate offering cannabinoid hemp products in convenience stores and other establishments, albeit in a separate section of the store. Contrast this with the MRTA, which prohibits the sale of alcohol at any adult-use dispensary. It remains to be seen whether and how retailers will abandon their alcohol offerings in favor of selling adult-use cannabis instead.
Importation of Hemp Products In order to distribute cannabinoid hemp products manufactured out-of-state to cannabinoid hemp retailers within New York State, a distributor must have a cannabinoid hemp distributor permit, even if the distributor is out of state. The permit must specifically authorize importation of non-New York hemp. Notably, this includes online retailers, who must be licensed to sell into New York, even if they conduct no separate and distinct business in New York.
Delta-8 THC New York is the latest market to expressly prohibit delta8-THC and delta10-THC in cannabinoid hemp products. Delta9-THC is the cannabinoid traditionally associated with the intoxicating effects of cannabis, and much of the regulatory scheme surrounding cannabis has been directed specifically at delta9-THC. Delta8-THC and delta10-THC are cannabinoids less potent than delta9-THC, but still known to have intoxicating effects. The regulatory focus specifical-
y Patrick J. Hines, Matthew Parker, b & Fallon Martin OF HODGSON RUSS LLP ly on delta9-THC created a “loophole” under which hemp processors could isolate intoxicating cannabinoids from otherwise legal hemp. Cannabinoid hemp products sold in New York may not contain synthetic cannabinoids, or cannabinoids created through isomerization, including delta8-THC. When this article went to print, eleven other states already had laws that address delta8-THC, while at least six other states were considering updating their laws regarding delta8-THC. Expect more changes to address specific hemp and cannabis derivatives as lawmakers and regulators continue to keep up with industry innovations.
The MRTA With these new cannabinoid hemp regulations comes the million-dollar question: What does this mean for the newly-passed MRTA? MRTA provides that existing rules and regulations put in place by DOH that pertain to cannabinoid hemp will remain in place until the CCB and OCM take over the regulation of these products, and either adopt or repeal them. Beyond general alignment with DOH quality control standards, MRTA contains language that suggests CCB may impose additional requirements on the cannabinoid hemp industry, such as an additional permit for wholesale activities. However, expect OCM and CCB to borrow heavily from the work DOH has already done with cannabinoid hemp regulations.
Federal Compliance To obtain a license to process cannabinoid hemp in New York, an applicant must submit its application to DOH. Among other things, the applicant must provide evidence that Good Manufacturing Practices (“GMP”) will be used in the extraction of hemp extract and manufactur-
ing of cannabinoid hemp products. GMP regulations are promulgated by the federal Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”), and create a system for ensuring that products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards. Evidence of GMP can be provided in a number of ways, such as proof of a qualified third-party GMP audit of the applicant’s extraction or manufacturing process. In addition to processing practices, New York manufacturers must comply with all other FDA rules and regulations. Any cannabinoid hemp product that is intended to have a therapeutic or medical use—or makes claims about the ability to prevent, treat, or cure diseases—must go through FDA’s rigorous evaluation for new drugs. Manufacturers cannot get around this requirement by touting cannabinoid hemp products as “dietary supplements,” as consumers may have seen in the past. While FDA considers itself “committed to supporting the development of new drugs, including cannabis and cannabis-derived drugs,” it is particularly concerned that CBD and other cannabinoids are being endorsed as a treatment for all types of health problems without FDA evaluation of those claims. However, both FDA and the New York DOH exclude “cosmetics” from the many strict cannabinoid hemp requirements. A “cosmetic” is any article “intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body or any part thereof for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance.” DOH is currently taking applications for cannabinoid hemp licenses. Those looking to get started with hemp businesses while they await implementation of MRTA should pay close attention to these new changes, and monitor the progress of New York’s new cannabis regime.
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TA K E A W AY S F R O M C A N N A B I Z CONVO 104
It’s Legal!! Now What? BY JACK PORCARI STA F F W R I T E R
State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes co-sponsored the MRTA. Now she is continuing her fight for minority and legacy players through community conversations that host legislators, doctors, and industry experts in an educational round table setting. The experts offer advice to those seeking to get involved in NY’s cannabis industry and share their thoughts on the future of adult-use cannabis.
n New York, everybody from the entrepreneur to the connoisseur is asking themselves one question: “How can I get involved in the legal cannabis industry?” Although it is technically legal, you shouldn’t turn on the lights and pitch a tent just yet.
I
Currently, the implementation of the adult-use program is in its infancy. The cost of a license and other important particulars have yet to be determined by the Office of Cannabis Management, the regulatory body that will oversee all things cannabis. On May 22nd, Assembly Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (D-Buffalo) hosted Cannabiz Convo 104, a virtual workshop meant to answer questions from the community, help legacy market operators find a legal path and outline the key points of the revised Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act. Below, you can find helpful information and key takeaways from the event.
1.Criminal records for cannabis The conversation around ending the prohibition of cannabis in most states has been about direct, restorative justice through record expungement and investment into
22
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communities directly harmed by the racist war on drugs. “To me, that [expungement] was one of the most important pieces of the legislation,” Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes said. “I mean, there are literally, in the city of Buffalo, 4000 people who had this record that need to have it removed because it’s been a barrier to them moving their lives forward,” she said. “It will happen automatically, but it will take some time. The Office of Criminal Justice Services and the Office of Court Administration are jointly working to identify who these folks are, but it’s going to take time. We’ve also put resources in the cannabis legislation to add additional staff to both agencies so that they can get this done a lot quicker than two years.” In addition to extra resources, the Majority Leader has dedicated time to expedite the process even further by hosting cannabis expungement clinics. Three of these events were held in April and their office plans on holding more in the fall. If you or someone you know has a cannabis-related offense on their record that needs to be destroyed, feel free to call their office at 716-897-9714.
2. Redefining the narrative Another part of ensuring that legalization produces a positive impact on our communities is through changing perceptions of cannabis, at the most basic level. Dasheeda Dawson, a cannabis author and consultant, said that “eliminating odor as a policing tactic is precedent-setting.” As New York embraces an industry with much potential to be equitable, it is paramount that consumers, business owners, and regulators alike do not lose sight of the real harms of prohibition. Dawson points out that because everyday people were misled and arrested, our state has a role to play in reshaping public opinion around cannabis. The MRTA sets aside 40% of the raised tax revenue to address drug treatment and public education. “We have to make an effort as a government to educate publicly,” Dawson said. “We’ve had a medical program for a while, but it’s actually one of the smallest and not as successful as it could be, primarily because it doesn’t necessarily follow the science…When you think about the COVID-19 track-and-trace public education campaign that we just saw roll out over the last year:
That is what public education looks like. And that’s what we need for cannabis.” Dr. Jessica Knox, the co-founder of the Association for Cannabis Health Equity and Medicine, invited the audience to challenge conventional knowledge about the plant. “We’ve had all of these years of a negative narrative around cannabis and yet the government also has a patent on the cannabis plant’s therapeutic benefits, which is very interesting,” Knox said. “Knowing that it also makes you sort of scratch your head and ask a question of, well, maybe should I be thinking about this differently if these narratives aren’t matching up.” Dr. Knox has specialized in cannabinoid medicine since 2015 and highlighted the sheer lack of knowledge about cannabis treatment within the medical field. When starting out, she and others quickly learned that most doctors are unable to answer questions or provide nuanced information for medical cannabis cardholders. “In medical school, and in residency training, we continue to only learn about cannabis as a drug of abuse or a gateway drug, which is really incredibly unfortunate because we’ve known about the
endocannabinoid system, which is the system in the body upon which cannabis works, since the mid-1990s,” she said. Despite the colliding narratives about cannabis, Knox believes the discovery of the endocannabinoid system has helped society and the medical field accept alternative healing methods including cannabis and beyond. “For me, as a preventive medicine doctor, the exciting and empowering thing about the endocannabinoid system is that not only does it give an explanation to the beneficial effects of cannabis, but it also justifies and gives scientific reason for the use of other botanicals and natural remedies for mind-body therapies for a lot of the ancient and traditional healing methods that Western medicine has often tried to undermine.”
3. Home Grow Unlike Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed Cannabis Regulation and Taxation Act, all adults 21 and over will be allowed to grow cannabis for personal use, with some minor stipulations. On Sept. 31, medical patients will be allowed to start growing. Then, 18 months after the adult-use market opens, it will be extended to all New Yorkers. There is a maximum of six plants per individual and 12 plants per household.
4. Your place in the industry New York’s budding billion-dollar cannabis market has yet to be regulated, but there are a plethora of licenses we know of from the legislation, like a retail dispensary or social consumption license. Aleece Burgio, special counsel for Barclay Damon LLP, encouraged audience members to discover their strengths and niche within the industry. She estimates that the rules and regulations will come out around sometime in August or September. “Ideally, there’s quite a long comment period; it usually takes about six months to do
revisions to comments,” Burgio said. “I think the goal of the legislature and the governor’s office is to wrap up rules and regulations by the end of December, to kick off 2022 with rules and regulations in place.” When asked about how legal cannabis will actually remain equitable to all with the rules and regulations in place, Assemblywoman Peoples-Stokes explained how she structured the legislation to incorporate fairness. “Even the chief equity or equity officer is not just an appointment of the governor. They have to be approved by the Office of Cannabis Management’s board, not by a majority of three, of which the governor has three votes, but by a majority of four, and so now you still have the legislative voice that has to be heard,” she said. “There are a number of really, really sharp applicants who I personally know, will not tolerate any movement away from the intention of the law. I trust that and so I guess I could just ask you to trust me.”
5. Hemp As we wait for the ground rules, there are other ways to enter the cannabis space right now, especially considering that it costs less than $2000 to obtain the required licenses to process and cultivate hemp legally through the USDA. Another reason that hemp is worth considering as a business is that cannabis is still illegal federally. Over zoom, Burgio highlighted how this will impact banking, taxation, insurance, and other factors. “You get a lot of other avenues open; you’re going to have banking available to you because hemp is an agricultural commodity,” Burgio said. “You’ll have insurance, you won’t have this dreaded sense of the FBI coming in to take your plants.” Hemp businesses don’t have to worry about federal agents busting into their legitimately established businesses, and the MRTA allows for the regulation of hemp to be streamlined under the Office of Cannabis Management. Sheldon
Roberts, President of E29 Labs, has expertise in the hemp industry and understands the frustration that comes with constant logistical hiccups. “It was a big conundrum just trying to worry about what you can and what you can’t do,” Roberts said. “That was the big issue so we’re out here selling [hemp] flower, and all of a sudden, now we can’t, you know. What is in these provisions and what’s to come makes things a lot easier.” The opportunity to enter this space also gives newcomers the much-needed education and knowledge to tackle the adult-use market if they so choose. “Now you’ve gotten your feet wet in hemp, but you may be able to use that experience to jumpstart involvement in the adult-use market, and the transition could be a lot smoother,” Roberts said. Touching on this, Dawson says that there are many ancillary routes to “add”
to the cannabis industry, rather than jumping in headfirst trying to start an edible line, for example. “You don’t have to touch the plant to be able to capitalize on the growth of cannabis,” she said. “If you’re already an attorney, if you’re already an accountant, if you’re already in marketing communications—those are all the disciplines needed and more.”
Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes has been fighting for cannabis justice a long time before the passing of the MRTA. Her office has hosted a number of community conversations about cannabis over the past few years. TO STAY UP TO DATE ON WHEN AND WHERE THESE CONVERSATIONS ARE HAPPENING VISIT, NYASSEMBLY.GOV/MEM/CRYSTAL-DPEOPLES-STOKES/.
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Multi-State Operators (Dispensaries) Apply online at AcreageHoldings.com (careers page) Per Diem Driver, Acreage Holdings (The Botanist) SYRACUSE, NY
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How to find a job in the
Cannabis Industry?
Extraction Manager, Acreage Holdings (The Botanist) SYRACUSE, NY
Dispensary Security Manager, Acreage Holdings (The Botanist) SYRACUSE, NY
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Cannabis & Job Creation
A commonly stated benefit of legalizing cannabis is job creation and there has been increased hype about this since the COVID-19 pandemic. Cannabis is one of the few industries that seems to be pandemic proof. Dispensaries were deemed essential businesses and while massive job loss was reported across many sectors of the economy, cannabis sales actually increased and dispensaries were frequently hiring during the pandemic. Cannabis media company and website, Leafly, published a report earlier this year that states the US cannabis industry now employs more than 320,000 full-time employees. According to the report, cannabis sales rose more than 70% in 2020 and job growth doubled compared to 2019. Certainly, the cannabis industry holds great promise as a means of job creation especially as the economy enters its recovery period following the pandemic. In the coming years, we will start to see the true value of these jobs. Are they positions people want to hold long-term? Do they offer opportunities for advancement? Or are they McJobs*? Labor unions, such as The Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU) are working hard to ensure cannabis jobs are not McJobs. Unions are able to protect workers and guarantee favorable wages and benefits for employees working in dispensaries and elsewhere in the industry. Many states require or incentivize that companies applying for licenses to sell medical or recreational cannabis enter into labor peace agreements with a union. This greatly increases
the chances of unionization. As a result, a lot of jobs in the cannabis industry are unionized. From the employee perspective, this is generally a good thing because this means higher wages and reasonable benefits. From the employer perspective, this means you overpay people with no experience and pay for their entire family’s healthcare.
How to Find a Job in the Cannabis Industry?
Are you interested in working in the cannabis industry? If so, we don’t blame you! Cannabis is an interesting growth industry that has many unique and evolving opportunities. Some jobs in the industry are unique to cannabis, while others are very similar to jobs seen in other settings such as marketing & sales, security, HR, accounting, and managerial roles. The simplest way to find a job in the cannabis industry is to not change roles, and just go work for a cannabis company. As stated above, many of the jobs in the cannabis industry are similar to jobs in other industries. If you’re interested in working in the cannabis industry, the easiest way to do so is to search for positions that are similar to (or exactly the same as) your current role. If you don’t know where to look, do a quick internet search to find cannabis companies operating in your city or region. Most companies will have a careers page where you can search for jobs by location and keywords. If there aren’t any postings related to your current role, take a look at what skills and experience you have. Some of your skills and experiences are surely translat-
*MCJOB (NOUN): A LOW PAID JOB WITH FEW PROSPECTS
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able to the cannabis industry! Remember that dispensaries are not the only facilities offering jobs in the cannabis space! There is a lot of operational support needed at many stages throughout the supply chain. Growing, processing, transporting, manufacturing, and testing cannabis products requires a lot of work. Those with science backgrounds can get involved in research & development, formulation work, or product testing. There are also many ancillary businesses that don’t deal directly with cannabis but support the industry in other ways. The best way to find out about these types of companies is to read about the industry and network as much as possible. Reading CannaBuff magazine is a good place to start, too! If your ultimate goal is to work inside a dispensary, two things that a lot of companies look for in applicants are (1) customer service and (2) experience in a retail setting. You don’t necessarily need to have paid work experience in a retail setting, but if you have any experience dealing with customers I definitely suggest making that a focal point of your application and/or interview. As is important with all jobs, networking is a major key to landing a job in the cannabis industry. Before applying try to talk to people in similar roles and figure out why you may be a good fit. If you don’t know anyone working in the industry we love to make introductions (email geoff@cannabuff.com). For those that are ready to start their search, check out these local postings to see where you could work in this budding industry!
Apply online at MedMen.com (careers page) Security Guard, MedMen UTICA, NY
Hospitality Associate, MedMen BUFFALO, NY
Hospitality Associate, MedMen SYRACUSE, NY
Apply online at col-care.com/jobs Cultivation Technician, Columbia Care ROCHESTER, NY
Dispensary Technician, Columbia Care ROCHESTER, NY
Laboratory Manager, Columbia Care ROCHESTER, NY
Production Technician, Columbia Care ROCHESTER, NY
Production Technician (Post Harvest), Columbia Care ROCHESTER, NY
Transportation Associate, Columbia Care ROCHESTER, NY
Apply online at gtigrows.com/people/join-our-team Patient Care Specialist, Green Thumb Industries (FP Wellness) ROCHESTER, NY
Pharmacist, Green Thumb Industries (FP Wellness) ROCHESTER, NY
Hemp CBD Apply online at CharlottesWeb.com (Careers page) Customer Care Specialist, Charlotte’s Web REMOTE
IT Security & Controls Analyst, Charlotte’s Web REMOTE
Cannabis Companies Apply online at CanopyGrowth.com (Careers page) Senior Counsel Commercial Law, Canopy Growth Corporation ROCHESTER, NY
Want to make sure your application stands out from the crowd of applicants hoping to work in the cannabis industry? Check out the Education Section of our Business Directory (on page 29) for local colleges that offer Certificate and Degree granting programs in cannabis. An education in cannabis will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to jumpstart your cannabis career!
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In d u s tr ia
lo w e r l Hemp F
What hemp should taste like.
Browse our inventory online: coocoou27
111 Tonawanda Street in Buffalo 716.432.6216
An Integrative Approach to Treatment with Medical Marijuana Specializing in Integrative Care, we seamlessly combine medical cannabis with your current treatment regimen SHERRY VEROSTKO-SLAZAK, ANP-BC IS LICENSED AND REGISTERED TO CERTIFY QUALIFYING PATIENTS FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN NEW YORK STATE
SativaRemedy.com 19 MAIN ST. TONAWANDA, NY. 14150
NYHolisticCare.com
sslazak@nyholisticcare.com
716-277-0267
8207 Main Street, Suite 7-8, Williamsville, NY 14221
SUMMER 2021 CannaBuff.com
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WNY Cannabis Business Directory MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES The Botanist
192 Seneca St, Buffalo, NY 14204 (716) 322-4411
MedMen
6850 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14221 (716) 954-8276
Verilife
25 N Pointe Pkwy #30, Amherst, NY 14228 (716) 210-9496
Columbia Care
200 W Ridge Rd, Rochester, NY 14615 (585) 678-8390
FP Wellness
1150 University Ave Bldg 5 Suite 7, Rochester, NY 1460 (585) 242-0203
HEMP-CBD RETAILERS Bison Botanics
19 Main St, Tonawanda, NY 14150 (716) 260-1324
Vitality CBD
Your CBD Store Kenmore
Art of Glass Smoke Shop on the Boulevard
3191 Delaware Ave, Kenmore, NY 14217 716) 768-2020
Your CBD Store Depew
5319 Transit Rd, Depew, NY 14043 (716) 393-3400
Your CBD Store Hamburg
100 College Pkwy, Buffalo, NY 1422 (716) 626-0093
Flowered Wellness
3911 N Buffalo St, Orchard Park, NY 14127 (716) 662-1795
Happy Shack Oils & More
6989 Transit Rd, East Amherst, NY 14051 (716) 428-3340
The Kokoro Way Tonawanda
1856 Colvin Blvd, Tonawanda, NY 14150 (716) 930-4073
The Kokoro Way Clarence
10255 Main St #2, Clarence, NY 14031 (716) 930-4073
The Kokoro Way at Walden Galleria 1 Galleria Drive TH150A, Cheektowaga, NY 14225 (716) 930-4073
The Kokoro Way East Aurora
712 Main St, East Aurora, NY 14052 (716) 930-4073
CannaBuff.com SUMMER 2021
Buff City Smoke Shop
88 Lisbon Ave, Buffalo, NY 14214 (716) 464-3851
California Dreamin’ Smoke Shop
Your CBD Store Williamsville
Cloud 9 Smokes & Vapors on Elmwood
8070 Transit Rd, Williamsville, NY 14221 (716) 458-0075
Your CBD Store Irondequoit
Your CBD Store East Rochester
Buffalo Sport & Spine
3154 Niagara Falls Blvd, Buffalo, NY 14228 (716) 712-5347
4154 McKinley Pkwy Suite 800, Blasdell, NY 14219 (716) 649-1940
Buffalo Botanicals
19 Allen St, Buffalo, NY 14222 (716) 401-9634
Art of Glass Smoke Shop on Delaware
3497 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14217 (716) 712-5347
1971 East Ridge Road, Irondequoit, NY 14622 (585) 978-7441
Buffalo Hemp Supply
HEAD SHOPS & GLASS RETAILERS
67 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14201 (866) 667-2113
1100 Military Rd Unit 1, Buffalo, NY 14217 (716) 259-9001 Derby, NY 14047, US (716)-200-7459
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Sativa Remedy
CANNABIS & RELATED BUSINESSES LOCATED IN WESTERN NEW YORK
7806 Transit Rd, Buffalo, NY 14221 716) 276-8714
476 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222 (716) 881-1100
Cloud 9 Smokes & Vapors on the Boulevard
1594 Niagara Falls Blvd, Tonawanda, NY 14150 (716) 831-8273
129 W Commercial St, East Rochester, NY 14445 (585) 485-0105
Cloud 9 Smokes & Vapors on Hertel
NIRA Physician Formulated CBD (located in Dent Tower)
Decades Psychedelic Daze
3980 Sheridan Drive First Floor, East Wing, Amherst, NY 14226 (716) 466-6363
One Hemp Holistics
2023 Military Rd, Niagara Falls, NY 14304 (716) 362-9499
MEDICAL MARIJUANA PRACTITIONERS
For a full list of practitioners that consent to being listed publicly please visit the NYS Department of Health’s MMJ program website.
Jarod Masci, MD of Landmark Health Systems 387 Franklin St, Buffalo, NY 14202 (716) 462-0284
Nerfis Elminowski, DNP-BC of Adult Health DNP PC 2234 Seneca St, Buffalo, NY 14210 (716) 331-3322
Sherry Verostko-Slazak, ANP-BC of Advanced Integrative Care
8207 Main Street, Suite 7-8, Williamsville, NY 14221 (716)-277-0267
1567 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, NY 14216 (716) 836-1111 2895 Seneca St, Buffalo, NY 14224 (716) 677-0311
Decades Too
6053 Transit Rd, Depew, NY 14043 (716) 681-4420
Decades III
2855 Sheridan Dr, Tonawanda, NY 14150 (716) 322-5631
Decades Hamburg
4514 Camp Rd, Hamburg, NY 14075 (716) 202-1953
Glass Roots
12 Center St, Batavia, NY 14020 (585) 345-7420
Golden Pipe Smoke Shop Cheektowaga
3770 Harlem Rd, Cheektowaga, NY 14215 (716) 833-7473
Golden Pipe Smoke Shop Lackawanna 2540 Hamburg Turnpike Unit #3, Lackawanna, NY 14218 (716) 824-7473
Headspace Glass & Gifts Buffalo 67 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14201 (716) 844-8907
Buffalo Fermentation 716-828-6068
CANNABIS EDUCATION Niagara County Community College
716-628-5257
3111 Saunders Settlement Rd, Sanborn, NY 14132 716-614-6222
920 Niagara Falls Blvd, Buffalo, NY 14223 (716) 837-0201
Farm In Peace
Syracuse University
Headspace Glass & Gifts East Amherst
Hempstead Kitchen
Headspace Glass & Gifts Tonawanda
5989 Transit Rd, East Amherst, NY 14051 (716) 428-5730
Headspace Glass & Gifts Orchard Park
4170 Southwestern Blvd., Orchard Park, NY 14127 (716)-648-1111
Local Smoke Shop
42 Allen St, Buffalo, NY 14202 (716) 881-0537
Oasis Smoke Shop
4212 Union Rd, Cheektowaga, NY 14225 (716) 428-3567
Prism Smoke Shop
1079 Union Rd, West Seneca, NY 14224 (716) 671-8006
Shake N Daze
929 South Park Ave, Buffalo, NY 14220 (716) 257-8138
Shake N Daze Depew
5150 Broadway, Depew, NY 14043 (716) 257-8138
Shoot the Moon Headshop & Wholesale
2273 Saunders Settlement Rd, Sanborn, NY 14132 (716) 462-2605
Smoke World Smoke & Vape Shop
1050 Harlem Rd, Cheektowaga, NY 14227 (716) 931-5545
Tasty Clouds Vape & Smoke Shop 3173 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14214 (716) 602-3387
Terrapin Station
1172 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, NY 14216 (716) 874-6677
Village One Stop Smoke Shop
11 Commercial St, Angola, NY 14006 (716) 549-0393
VIP Smoke Shop
3400 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14214 (716) 398-5605
HEMP RESEARCH PARTNERS (FARMERS & PROCESSORS)
Eden Agricultural Resources
716-560-9584 716-261-8051
Niagara Hemp Supply 716-201-9842 716-362-9499
Plant Science Laboratories
649 Wyoming Ave, Buffalo, NY 14215 (716) 836-9520
cannabisprograms@syr.edu
CANNABIS ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS WNY NORML
(716) 440-1560 wnynorml@gmail.com
Office of Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes
Spoth Farms
425 Michigan Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14203 716-897-9714
Steuben Foods
LEGAL SERVICES
716-531-1890 716-655-4000 ext 357
Patrick J. Hines
Three Cord Ranch 716-200-7459
716-848-1679 phines@hodgsonruss.com
Weiss Farms
Aleece Burgio
716-992-9619
Yager Farms
716-472-8484
HEMP MILLING KannaMill
800-447-4634
PRODUCT TESTING Biotrax Testing Laboratories
3580 Harlem Rd #2, Buffalo, NY 14215 (716) 651-0146
HYDROPONICS STORES Buffalo Roots Hydroponics & Organics 3231 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14214 (716) 240-9075
716-858-3846 aburgio@barclaydamon.com
Tristan D. Hujer
(716) 504-5728 thujer@phillipslytle.com
LICENSING CONSULTANTS SLA Solutions
SLASolutions.com info@slasolutions.com
Castetter Cannabis Group info@csghemp.com CastetterCannabis.com
SEED & PLANT TREATMENTS LPC Naturals 716-529-6333
Gramps Garden
7820 Porter Rd, Niagara Falls, NY 14304 (716) 400-8698
Green Zone Hydroponics
2928 Southwestern Blvd, Orchard Park, NY 14127 (716) 677-9663
Harvest Moon Hydroponics
4204 Union Rd, Cheektowaga, NY 14225 (716) 634-8290
Anchor Farms 716-572-2718
CANNABIS EVENTS
22nd Century Group, Inc
CannaHouse
716-270-1523
Canna-House.com
SUMMER 2021 CannaBuff.com
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Because you can’t afford to make a mistake.
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OPE
AILY
(BROADWAY LOCATION ONLY)
GLASS DETOX
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WALK-IN CIGAR HUMIDOR
ND
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0:00 P.M. –1
BUFFALO'S LARGEST KRATOM SELECTION
CBD VAPORIZERS
DIGITAL COUPON
SCAN CODE FOR
20% off ONE GLASS ITEM MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER DISCOUNTS. PRESENT COUPON IN STORE.
ShakenDazeSmokeShop.com 716-257-8138 1380 FRENCH RD. DEPEW 14043
Shake N Daze
1929 SOUTH PARK AVE. BUFFALO 14220
5150 BROADWAY ST. DEPEW 14043
BUFFALO
