Israel’s cannabis expansion plans, risks of moldy marijuana, smuggling fail, the downlow on "purps" and more

Feb. 8: Israel’s cannabis expansion plans, risks of moldy marijuana, smuggling fail, the downlow on "purps" and more The Cannabist]( [thecannabist.co]( | [@cannabist]( | [fb/cannabist]( [Israel ups ante on cannabis with plans for exports, decriminalizing]( Israel could be on the verge of expanding its “significantly small” medical marijuana industry in a significant way. In the span of 10 days, the country known for its history and expertise in medical marijuana research has seen a flurry of policy moves in the areas of technology development, decriminalization and the potential export of medical cannabis. --------------------------------------------------------------- SUBSCRIBE: Did you catch this newsletter on the web or get it via a friend? [Click here to get these updates in your inbox](. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Mold and bacteria on marijuana a risk to some patients, say researchers]( Researchers at UC Davis are warning some medical marijuana users after identifying potentially lethal bacteria and mold on cannabis samples from 20 Northern California dispensaries. Patients with lowered immune systems are typically told to avoid cut flowers and unwashed fruits or vegetables because they may harbor potentially harmful bacteria and mold, or fungi. Microbiology professor George Thompson says marijuana also belongs in that group. [Help wanted: Alaska marijuana office seeks assist with workload]( A top state marijuana regulator says her office needs more staff to handle its workload. Sara Chambers, the acting director of Alaska's Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office, told a House budget panel this week that her office is seeking two additional licensing examiners to help with marijuana regulation. Chambers says that hundreds of complex license applications have had a major impact on the agency. [Oregon bill would make it illegal for employers to bar workers from consuming weed in their off-hours]( Employers in Oregon would be prohibited from banning marijuana use by employees during their days off under a bill introduced in the Senate. Bill No. 301 would make it unlawful for employers to condition employment on "refraining from using any substance that is lawful to use in Oregon." The bill aims to amend a state law about use of tobacco to include cannabis and any other substance that is legal in the state, but there’s a caveat on how far the measure would extend. [New Hampshire marijuana decriminalization supporters optimistic]( New Hampshire remains the New England holdout of tough marijuana laws. Decriminalization proposals have passed the House many times, including once in the 1970s, but often died in the Senate. Past Democratic governors have also been unsupportive. But supporters have a few reasons to believe this could be New Hampshire’s year. [Colorado puts new focus on worker safety in cannabis industry]( For the first time, Colorado health officials have issued a set of guiding principles for marijuana businesses to address occupational health and hazards. Workers in the cannabis industry, including budtenders, extraction technicians, trimmers and cultivators, are key figures in a report released this week by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The nearly 80-page report identifies potential hazards unique to each job — including exposure to mold, pesticides, gases and even instances of workplace violence. [Former MMJ execs in hot water for allegedly shipping $500,000 worth of cannabis oil across state lines]( Prosecutors in Minnesota have filed felony charges against two former officials from one of the state's licensed medical marijuana manufacturers for allegedly shipping more than 5 kilograms of concentrated marijuana oil to a subsidiary facility in New York. Minnesota and New York have both legalized medical marijuana programs, and parent company Vireo Health cultivates and sells the medication in both states. But shipping products across state lines still violates both state and federal laws. [Other Roots: Denver’s unlikely pot czar Ashley Kilroy now leads the way internationally]( Ashley Kilroy had to research cannabis terminology on Wikipedia when first appointed as executive director of Denver marijuana policy in late 2013. Now lingo around dabbing and edibles rolls off her tongue as she recounts experiences in the field; meetings with regulators from France, Germany, Canada, Caribbean nations and all over the U.S.; and leading conferences for those hoping to follow Denver’s lead in regulating legalized marijuana. In a Q&A with The Cannabist, Kilroy talks about the biggest legalization misconceptions and what’s ahead for Denver regulations. [Wisconsin Senate passes CBD possession bill but refuses to legalize cannabis production]( The Wisconsin state Senate has overwhelmingly approved a bill that would make it legal to use a marijuana extract to treat seizures. Democratic Sen. Chris Larson argued the bill doesn’t go far enough, pointing out that importing cannabidiol oil into Wisconsin would remain illegal. He tried to amend the bill to allow production of the oil in the state but Republicans refused to revise the measure. Get the details on what’s ahead for this legislation. [DEA pulls certificates for two Colorado doctors involved in medical marijuana plant controversy]( The federal Drug Enforcement Administration has pulled the medicine-prescribing certificates of two Colorado doctors, after those physicians had their state licenses suspended in Colorado over medical marijuana recommendations. The doctors were two of five Colorado physicians whose licenses the state Medical Board suspended last summer, alleging that the doctors wrote improperly large numbers of medical marijuana recommendations authorizing high plant counts. [Questions of politics continue to swirl around Maryland medical marijuana license distribution]( Two Maryland companies say the state is wrongly refusing to explain why they were abruptly bumped off a list of 15 finalists to be licensed to grow medical marijuana in the state. The companies have asked a Baltimore judge to decide whether the state is abusing the “deliberative process privilege,” which allows internal deliberations among members of a state commission to be kept secret. [Tip to smugglers: The fake-limes-hiding-marijuana trick has been done and failed]( Officers at a South Texas border crossing have seized nearly two tons of marijuana found inside thousands of green lime-shaped bundles hidden in a load of real citrus. Authorities confiscated nearly 35,000 packages containing marijuana worth almost $790,000. [Purple marijuana explained: What you need to know about anthocyanins]( Ever wonder why some weed strains are so colorful? Purple cannabis foliage is the result of three different factors: genetics, temperature and nutrient levels. Unlock the genetic code in cannabis and you will find anthocyanins, about 400 water-soluble pigment molecules that are classified as flavonoids. Anthocyanins are present in all plants. You have seen how they influence the bright changes in plant colors when summer turns to fall. Learn lots more about beautiful purple weed by clicking through. --------------------------------------------------------------- You are receiving this newsletter because you signed up at The Denver Post. Please add "members@mail.denverpost.com" and "members@direct.denverpost.com" to your trusted senders list. To unsubscribe from this mailing, [click here.]( To change your e-mail preferences, [click here](. To view this newsletter on the web [click here.]( The Denver Post 101 West Colfax Ave. Denver, CO 80202