FDA Finds E Coli – Company Says Seeds Used Were the Cause

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The FDA has found a genetic match to the E Coli strain they were investigating and found that it was present in Chicago Indoor Garden products containing red clover sprouts. The products with the “best buy” dates of 12/1/19 to 3/12/20 may be affected by E Coli. You should return them or throw them away instead of using them. Chicago Indoor Garden says that they believe the seeds were the cause of the E Coli and is now growing seeds from a different supplier.

Key Takeaways:

  • E Coli was found in Chicago Indoor Garden products specifically ones containing red clover sprouts. 
  • Products with the “best by” dates of 12/1/19 to 3/12/20 may be affected and should be discarded or returned from which they were bought for a refund.
  • The company says that they believe that the seeds they used are the culprit and are growing their produce from different suppliers.

Quote: “If you have purchased any of these products with those best by dates and in those package sizes, don’t eat them. Throw them away in a sealed container in a secure garbage can, or take them back to the place of purchase for a full refund. The company has held the are material that may be contaminated, and is growing their sprouts with seed from a different supplier.” (Larsen, 2020)

Link to article:
foodpoisoningbulletin.com/2020/chicago-indoor-garden-red-clover-sprouts-recalled-for-e-coli-o103/

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North Bud Farms Inc. Gets Cultivation License – Still Aiming for More

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North Bud Farms Inc. applied for and received a cultivation license for a 24,500 sq. ft. indoor cannabis cultivation farm. They said they will also apply for an amendment so that they can have another million sq ft outdoor space to grow their product. If that succeeds then they plan to achieve the goal of growing 20 million grams annually. They will be focusing on growing mother plants along with clones so that they will be ready with outdoor growing season begins.

Key Takeaways:

  • North Bud Farms Inc. successfully obtained a cultivation license for a 24,500 sq. ft indoor cannabis cultivation farm.
  • They plan to apply for an amendment for the right to create a million sq ft outdoor space as well.
  • They also are planning to focus on making mother plants and clones with the space.

Quote: “In the beginning, GrowPros MMP will concentrate on creating an inventory of mother plants and clones to get ready for the outdoor growing season, the company said.” (Zdinjak, 2020)

Link to article:

https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/20/03/15560570/north-buds-quebec-facility-obtains-health-canadas-cultivation-license
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Williamstown Presents Two Bylaws Over Banning Marijuana Grows in Town

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Williamstown has two bylaw proposals that may conflict with each other. Many places are concerned with the amount of odor coming from marijuana grows that are done outdoors. One bylaw is to ban it all together within city limits. The other has written it so tightly that the grows are restricted only to an acre of plants. 

Key Takeaways:

  • Williamstown has two bylaws that could compete with each other in order to be ratified.
  • One bylaw would make it illegal to grow cannabis outdoors inside the city limits.
  • The other would restrict it to only an acre of plants.

Quote: “The Planning Board this week advanced a proposal that would update some of the language in a 2017 town bylaw, establish guidelines for odor control at indoor pot growing facilities and ban outdoor commercial cannabis production in town. Meanwhile, the Agricultural Commission is going forward with a plan to propose a competing bylaw amendment that would allow outdoor production by special permit and with more restrictive setback requirements than currently in place.” (Dravis, 2020)

Link to article:

https://www.iberkshires.com/story/61855/Williamstown-May-Face-Competing-Bylaw-Proposals-on-Pot-Production.html


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The City of Medford Mulls Over Banning Hemp Grows in the City

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The City of Medford has had concerns over the growing of hemp in its city. The City Council has heard these complaints and is mulling over making hemp illegal to grow in the city. The code already states that growing marijuana is illegal within city limits. The article gets a little unclear as it states there is indoor cannabis grows in the city. It states there are no indoor grows of hemp in the city.

Key Takeaways:

  • Medford City Council is looking at code changes that would make growing hemp in the city limits illegal.
  • It already has a code that says that growing marijuana in city limits is illegal.
  • The concern seems to stem from the strong odor emitted by the flower according to the article.

Quote: “The city doesn’t have any language in its ordinance that restricts hemp production or processing, though the city passed a number of ordinances from 2015 to 2018 related to marijuana, with councilors expressing concern about the impact on neighbors, particularly because of the flower’s strong odor.” (Mann, 2020)

Link to article:

https://www.journal-news.com/business/inside-the-change-how-hamilton-acres-works-the-front-lines-farming-tech/s7mXWc1IzHelM3g3jFWrQN/

medford, hemp, growing ban, cannabis

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Scotts Miracle-Gro Surges Ahead and then Loses Footing in the Stock Market

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Scotts Miracle-Gro experienced a great increase in sales. However, COVID-19 has also affected the business and taken away some of the growth. It has, however, managed to regain some of that momentum by garnering a 1.6% rise as of March 12, 2020.

Key Takeaways:

  • Scotts Miracle-Gro segment, Hawthorne Gardening Company, focuses on indoor growing operations and also experienced a 41% increase in sales.
  • COVID-19 accounts for some of the downturn as it became apparent that the virus would take root and affect many industries.
  • Scotts Miracle-Gro has experienced somewhat of a rebound with a 1.6% gain as of March 12, 2020.

Quote: “There are certainly companies that are going to take a significant hit — at least in the near term — from the coronavirus outbreak, but Scotts is arguably not one of them.” (Samaha, 2020)

Link to article:

https://www.fool.com/investing/2020/03/12/why-scotts-miracle-gro-fell-136-in-february.aspx
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South Dakota Senate Staves Off Hemp Legalization Till Last Day

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House Bill 1008 has to do with the legalization of hemp production in South Dakota. It is reaching the final phase where a decision will have to be made on whether hemp production should be allowed or continue to be rejected. March 12th is the cut off date where a decision must be made. The final issue is funding which has been estimated to be 3.5 million dollars.

Key Takeaways:

  • House Bill 1008 has reached the final day on which it can be ratified.
  • The date is March 12th, 2020. A decision will have to be made.
  • The only hurdle left is funding which will cost an estimated $3.5 million.

Quote: “Any leftover funds allocated to the hemp program implementation will be deposited back into the state’s general fund. The Senate will decide to send the bill to Noem’s desk or kill it during session Thursday, March 12.” (Marvel, 2020)

Link to article:

https://www.agweek.com/news/government-and-politics/4994653-Committee-sends-revised-hemp-bill-to-South-Dakota-Senate

#southdakota #hemp #legalize

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The Colorado Hemp Institute Is On the Market for 6 Million Dollars

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The Colorado Hemp Institute, known for being one of the first research and treatment facilities using medical hemp, is on the market for $6,875,000. It was designed to be a one-stop-shop for everything that a person needs for hemp. They are hoping the new owner or owners will continue working in the hemp industry.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Colorado Hemp Institute has been placed up for sale. It is 70 acres.
  • The current owners and founders want to retire after running the institute for four years.
  • It is listed for $6,875,000.

Quote: “And after four years of running the Institute, the Lyonses are ready to retire for good this time. It’s unclear what their plans are for retirement or what led them to it, as they weren’t available for comment — but they hope that future owners of the property continue working in the hemp industry.” (Petrovic, 2020)

Link to article:

https://www.westword.com/marijuana/hemp-research-facility-the-colorado-hemp-institute-is-up-for-sale-11660906

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InFarm Enters Canadian Grocery Stores With Indoor Farms

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InFarm managed to raise $100 million and has parlayed that money into partnerships with Kroger, Irma, and M&S. They are slated to bring their indoor farms to Sobeys, Thrifty Foods, and Safeway Canada. They hope to provide a way for consumers to get their fresh produce faster than if it was shipped from a farm.

Key Takeaways:

  • InFarm raised $100 million and has deals in place with Kroger in the USA, Irma in Denmark, and M&S in the UK.
  • The indoor farms will begin appearing in Empire related stores this spring.
  • The stores include the following places: Sobeys, Thrifty Foods, and Safeway Canada.

Quote: “InFarm will launch a range of herbs at two Safeway stores in Vancouver this spring, according to the press release, and Empire will also put farms in stores across seven Canadian cities.” (Marston, 2020)

Link to article: 
https://thespoon.tech/infarms-high-tech-vertical-farms-head-to-canadian-grocery-stores/

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Forbes Names Eight Women Who are Leaders in the Cannabis Industry

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Forbes recently ran a piece for International Women’s Day on eight women who it believes are leaders in the field of cannabis. The people were picked because they created something out of nothing. They range from CEOs to people trying to teach people how to build successful cannabis businesses with a program partnered with Oaksterdam University and Hood Incubator.

Key Takeaways:

  • Forbes recently ran a piece on 8 women who are leaders in the cannabis industry.
  • The list included: Julia Jacobson of Aster Farms, Liz Jackson-Simpson and Angela White of Success Centers SF, Chrissy Hadar of Oregrown Industries, Marie Montarquet of MD Farms, Shelby Hartman and Madison Margolin of DoubleBlind, Sally Nichols of GirlVentures and Bloom Farm Distribution/Bloom Farms CBD.
  • The author says they were selected because they created something out of nothing.

Quote: “In honor of this day, even if I am a day late, I’m lucky to be able to share the enthusiasm and verve of the following women in cannabis who have faced adversity during their climb to success.” (Bobrow, 2020)

Link to article:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/warrenbobrow/2020/03/09/international-womens-day-celebrate-eight-female-leaders-in-cannabis-2020/#4daa7f5332b1

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New Mexico has 9th Revenue Generated from Tax on Marijuana

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New Mexico, despite its smaller size, ranks highly in several areas in the US for the marijuana industry. It also has the 9th highest revenue generated from taxes on marijuana according to the article. The article is quick to state that only cities with at least 50,000 people were part of the survey. Therefore, the numbers could be skewed for smaller cities. 

Key Takeaways:

  • New Mexico is the seventh of the states with the most dispensaries per capita.
  • The ratio is 5.2 dispensaries per 100,000 people.
  • Santa Fe is in the 5% of US Cities with dispensaries per capita. It has 5.9 shops per 50,000 people.

Quote: “Just three other New Mexico cities met the population threshold. Albuquerque was measured at 3.3 dispensaries per 50,000 residents. Rio Rancho and Las Cruces came in at 2.3 and 2.4, respectively.”(Last, 2020)

Link to article:

https://www.abqjournal.com/1428613/nm-ranks-high-in-new-cannabis-study-ex-state-is-7-in-dispensaries-per-capita-and-9-in-tax-revenues-from-pot-sales.html

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