Karma Koala Podcast

Once Cannabis Tourism Is A Thing It’s Effectively Something We Don’t Talk About”A few weeks back i noticed a post about cannabis tourism on Linked In.It got me thinking and i wrote an edtorial in the weekly Cannabis Law Report Newsletter with some thoughts. (See below)Thomas came back to me via Linked In disagreeing with my analysis so I invited him on to the Karma Koala podcast to clarify his and the CCTA’s view on what cannabis tourism is. Both on home ground in Canada and in other jurisdictions.The conversation is illuminating and it appears from the conversation that Thomas sees the notion of “Cannabis Tourism” as more of a means to an end in Canada and that in the final summation it is a way of explaining to both central and provincial government(s) that although “legal”, cannabis, is not as yet integrated into the wider Canadian economy, especially the hospitality industry and the agricultural sector.Should the cannabis sector reflect the alcohol industry?Should it be available at music concerts, sports stadiums and restaurants?We discuss these issues and more.We also discuss thought on other jurisdictions with different cultural mores, political systems and yes cultures. How should cannabis be presented, is cannabis tourism even within the realms of realityHave a listen to Thomas and see what you think.⁠https://cannabislaw.report/karma-koala-podcast-345-thomas-oneill-canadian-cannabis-tourism-alliance-ccta-when-is-cannabis-tourism-not-tourism-or-is-it/⁠

Good as always to speak to Bob and especially as we are only 48 hours away from mid terms, only 40 days and nights in the desert (or thereabouts) from the lemminglike hemp cliff.We also chat quickly about what’s happening in Europe and a few other places around the worldAs always  great catch up2027. We need more clarity in the US, watch what happens in Brazil & Europe.Thanks Bobhttps://cannabislaw.report/karma-koala-podcast-344-bob-hoban-massachusetts-8-the-mid-terms-mcconnell-the-hemp-cliff-around-the-world-too/

First up, apologies for a couple of shaky internet drop outsJason got in touch with some insights about the current state of the corporate cannabis market in the US. We talk about public vs private. The  Rise of the Quiet MSO – The biggest trend says Jason Licensing Deals Royalty Models How are companies dealing with DC and the state legislatures ? California – over regulation. Local politics & regulations in California Distressed assets market Competition in the market  A big thanks to Jason for spreading a bit of light and especially on the quiet achievers.⁠https://cannabislaw.report/karma-koala-podcast-343-jason-wisniewski-fbfk-law-firm-california-whats-happening-in-the-corporate-cannabis-market-throughout-the-us/⁠

First up apologies for a couple of drop outs in the conversation. Indonesia – Ghana connection was a little patchy when we spoke – the rain has arrived in Jakarta!Dickson outlines what the Ghanaian government has legislated for.So far only two licenses have been issued, there are more on the way, but should they even be issued if the pathways haven’t been created to take product to market.He also highlights the series of complicated licensing issues that have been introduced and the fact that control lies with the Ministry of Interior not Health of Agriculture !We discuss his work with the association and the launch of a new lawyers body to explore futher and move debates and analysis of the market forward.Now the Nigerians are getting in touch with him to find out how they are approaching things in GhanaAre we about to see a West Africa cannabis giant awaken.I wouldn’t get too excited but people like Dickson are asking the questions and suggesting solutions to manage administration.Thanks for taking time to talk to the Koalas⁠https://cannabislaw.report/karma-koala-podcast-342-dickson-tweneboa-koduah-esq-barrister-at-law-and-solicitor-of-the-supreme-court-of-ghana-acting-for-legal-counsel-to-the-chamber-of-cannabis-industry/⁠

I came across Chris' latest findings via a report in the Independent this week in which he talks in the main about Spice related products but can also be applied to most "illegal" drugs synthetic or otherwise.TikTok returns 'no violation' decision on 95% of reports of UK-facing accounts advertising drugs, study findsBath study finds that TikTok's in-app reporting system fails to act on most reports made against accounts advertising illegal drugs for sale to UK users.The vast majority of TikTok accounts identified by researchers as connecting drug sellers with potential buyers in the UK remained publicly accessible 14 days after being reported for suspected breaches of the platform’s rules on illegal drugs, according to a new study led by the University of Bath.The findings raise questions about how effectively social media platforms respond to reports of illegal activity and whether the safeguards envisaged under the Online Safety Act are working in practice.Chris's report makes for a great discussion and my apologies to Chris for rabbiting on a bit much but he has hit the nail on the head on a number of fronts, the rise of synthetics and the mega speed that they are being manufactured, marketed and sold in markets around the world with the major platforms, it appears, doing as little as possible to control the trade on their marketplaces whilst the politicians would rather..Learn more at https://cannabislaw.report/karma-koala-podcast-341-professor-christopher-r-pudney-university-of-bath-uk-tiktok-returns-no-violation-decision-on-95-of-reports-of-uk-facing-accounts-advertising-drugs/

Karma Koala Podcast 340: Harold C. Smith, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Cannametrix , “The development of quantitative methods that determine full and broad spectrum cannabis products’ potencies relative to key cellular biomarkers” Over the years i’ve had many discussions on the podcast and many of them end up with the conclusion that testing (driving, medical, safety etc) and education operate in this space with a lot of guesswork rather than science. In terms of policy this has been a disaster.It’s people like Dr Smith who are beginning to combine knowledge, science and tech (yes including AI) to provide solutions to these issues that we still understand so little about.As he says..Is this just malarky or something introduced to the cannabis indusrty by a scientist at the end of his days?No…..This is how all pharmaceutical drugs from Tylenol to everything else are looked at and it is a 3 legged stool,  first chemical purity,  then, what is the composition, the biological target that  he drug acts on with high affinity and finally the third thing …..is it at that dose where it is maximally effective or is it toxic?And so…. those three things are what drive all drug discovery across the globe …Cannabis. has gone into regulations for fees and taxes and has ignored this, in fact most people want it to not happen because they are concerned that this will cost money.Learn more athttps://cannabislaw.report/karma-koala-podcast-340-harold-c-smith-ph-d-founder-and-ceo-cannametrix-the-development-of-quantitative-methods-that-determine-full-and-broad-spectrum-cannabis-products-potencies-rela/

Having worked in the Maltese legislature and the for ARUC (The Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis)  Karen is more than well placed to explain both how the regulatory system works and the reasons that Malta decided to approach cannabis use in this fashion. Rather than the US let's have "equity cannabis" as an afterthought to the always pressing question "How do we make lots of money"  the Maltese have thought through the issues carefully and, like any model, it's not perfect but it does seem to be, in the main succeeding.If the likes of Australia and the UK are really interested in adult use cannabis there are plenty of elements in the Maltese system that make a lot of sense.Learn more⁠https://cannabislaw.report/karma-koala-podcast-339-karen-mamo-maltas-regulated-cannabis-a-human-rights-inspired-model-founded-on-harm-reduction-principles/⁠

I thought it was time to have a quick chat with Rod as hemp races towards this latest deadline.If anybody has an insight it’s Rod.Have a close listen to what he says whatever side of the fence you fall.And yes we end up at One Plant as we should.Learn more at https://cannabislaw.report/karma-koala-podcast-338-rod-kight-the-hemp-train-is-getting-very-close-to-the-11-december-final-stop-whats-next-for-hemp/

It’s time to catch up with Brett & Marleen to see how the Mpondoland Plug Project is going a year + since we last spoke on the podcast.They are connecting rural communities to the new South African cannabis club scene under the law as it now stands in South Africa.There aren’t many projects like this in Africa or around the world for that matter so the model they are working on should be of interest to anyone looking to do things a little differently.Yes not controlling the means of production but rather guiding and being guided is harder but it already sounds as though it is more rewarding.If I’m in the US or Canada and Mpondoland sun grown cannabis was on offer at my local dispensary rather than fake Durban Poioson or blueberry this, bannana caramel that, I know what i’d be spending my hard earned cash on.https://cannabislaw.report/karma-koala-podcast-337-brett-pollack-marleen-theunissen-mpondoland-plug-project-connecting-rural-communities-into-south-africas-nascent-cannabis-market-under-law/

I speak to Chris about his book "The African Roots of Marijuana" and what he learnt from the research.The effects of colonialization and conservative Islam on attitudes towards cannabis from the 19th century through to mid 20th century and the subsequent internationalization of cannabis prohibition.As always with the cannabis plant there's layers of culture, complexity and diversity that we will be unravelling for many years to come.The big question. How do African nations create the structures for themselves and their people's future?