Beau Whitney’s Post

In a significant development in the cannabis industry, a former employee of a California cannabis testing lab is suing the state agency over his termination, claiming it was retaliatory action for whistleblowing on regulatory violations. This case underscores the critical need for robust protections for whistleblowers, especially in industries with complex regulatory landscapes. Read the articles at :- https://lnkd.in/dqPb_rZs At Whistle Sentinel, we understand the importance of safeguarding individuals who come forward with vital information. Our platform provides comprehensive support, including anonymous reporting channels and adherence to international standards, to ensure that whistleblowers are protected and their concerns are addressed effectively.To learn how Whistle Sentinel can enhance your organization's whistleblowing mechanisms, 👉 Connect with us for a free demo https://lnkd.in/gJx3YVbi and visit our website www.whistlesentinel.com or contact us directly at +919867303707 / email at [email protected]. and see how Whistle Sentinel can assist in creating a robust system to protect your organization and its employees. #Whistleblowing #RegulatoryCompliance #CannabisIndustry #WhistleblowerProtection #CorporateGovernance #Freedemo #AnoymousReporting #Robustpolicy

Weed may be legal in California, but that doesn’t mean all cannabis products are safe to consume. A new #LATimes investigation, in partnership with the cannabis industry newsletter “Weed Week,” found alarming levels of pesticides in legal marijuana products sold across the state, including some of the most popular brands of vapes and pre-rolls lining the shelves of dispensaries. The state claims these products are safer than illegal cannabis. But investigative reporter Paige St. John joined us on #LATimesToday to explain how many people are inhaling & ingesting chemicals & pesticides tied to cancer, liver failure, thyroid disease and genetic and neurologic harm to users and unborn children, amongst other health concerns. Meanwhile, California regulators are  failing to protect consumers and get these contaminated cannabis products off the shelves. Watch my latest segment here. https://lnkd.in/grTQw8E2 #news #spectrumnews1 #producer #marijuana #consumersafety #california #dispensary #pesticides #chemicals

🚨🌿 BREAKING: Surprise Inspections Commence for Virginia Hemp Stores 🌿🚨 Attention Virginia hemp store owners! The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has begun surprise inspections, signaling potential changes in the regulatory landscape. Here's what you need to know: 1. Unexpected Checks: VDACS is conducting unannounced inspections at hemp stores, hinting at forthcoming regulatory changes. 2. Stay Vigilant: Ensure your store complies with current regulations to navigate inspections smoothly. 3. Consumer Trust: These inspections aim to bolster consumer confidence by ensuring product safety and compliance. 📣 Need assistance navigating these developments? Reach out to us for: 📣 ✅ Comprehensive Compliance Packages tailored to your needs ✅ Quarterly Soft Audits for VDACS Compliance ✅ Custom Branded Customer Registration Tablet for seamless data management ✅ Cannabis Consumption Guide Books On-site to educate your customers ✅ Sponsored Legal Q&A with Cannabis Lawyer for expert advice And much more! Let's collaborate for a thriving, compliant hemp industry in Virginia! 🌱💼 Contact us Via DM or Email: [email protected] #VirginiaHemp #VDACS #SurpriseInspections #BreakingNews #Virginia #Armintia #VirginiaPolicy #VirginiaLaws #Cannabinoids

UPDATE: This legal requirement has preliminarily been blocked! Attention Stoners! By December 31st, 2024, an estimated 32 million businesses must file a Beneficial Ownership Information report - and if you're in the cannabis industry, there's a high chance your company is on that list. The clock is ticking and the stakes couldn't be higher. Non-compliance can result in fines up to $10,000 per entity. This federal mandate is not something to overlook, and it's critical to ensure your business is protected. At 420 Elevation, we know that regulations shift very quickly in the cannabis space, and we're here to remind you to stay compliant, avoid penalties, and focus on growing your business! Hit us up to check out how we can help your cannabusiness growing like (a) weed! #Cannabis #CannabisMarketing #CannabisCompliance #KalamazooCannabis

#cannabis Recently, California saw the enactment of laws to protect consumers from who-knows-what in unregulated cannabis products. Many in the industry are up in arms about "hemp" and "thca" products being banned. CBD was not banned, so don't get confused. That voices seemingly argue for free-for-alls. Free for all's aren't without costs for those who are treated like guinea pigs or lab rats: instead of focusing on the ground rules that would benefit more people, all around, some are off dreaming up some scheme to "get around" principles and rules that protect people's health, and some are going to say "It's my freedom!" So it's someone's freedom to poison their customers? It's freedom to get people hooked on fentanyl? It's freedom to cause environmental damage and to grow on national parks? With "free-for-alls," we all pay. Those who should taking responsibility and being accountable are getting rich making people sick. It's not about synthetic or not. Market sizes can be grown, but killing, poisoning, or hooking customers on unknown ingredients isn't the way to grow markets or an industry.

As the emergency ban takes effect this week, it's disheartening to witness yet another decision that punishes compliant businesses and their consumers. How is this progress? Temporarily banning federally legal products to weed out bad actors makes no sense. This broad sweep targets a massive group of legitimate consumers who rely on these products, all while delivering a "temporary solution" that will have long-term negative impacts on both businesses and consumers. The only justification seems to be the tired "loophole" argument. Maybe it's time to come up with a real, viable solution. It's ironic how, not too long ago, California's marijuana industry was at the forefront of controversy for packaging that blatantly mimicked well-known food brands. Yet somehow it's only the hemp industry that suffers under these crackdowns. We need real action against bad actors, not blanket bans that drag the legal market down. https://lnkd.in/gfFpxtJj

NEW BLOG 📰 It’s 2024, Colorado. Let’s Streamline Marijuana Regulations! In a mad dash, SB24-76 passed on the very last day of session, is heavily amended, and now on its way to become law. Here's what you need to know. Outline of areas of impact below and link in comments. Read it and let me know your thoughts. - Import & export of immature plants, seeds, and genetic material - Testing requirements reduced - Changes to badge requirements for some owners and new applicants - Changes to the Social Equity Program - Changes to Track & Trace of Marijuana Inventory (Removal of RFID tags!*) - Changes to license renewal process - MED must categorize violations as safety vs. technical.  Technical violations can be expunged from a licensee’s record on the later of one year or at their next renewal - Exemption from excise tax for transfers of unprocessed cannabis transferred exclusively for microbial control. #comj #cannabiz

Get ready for my once-a-decade political post: Florida Amendment 3 and why it’s a big no from me. (1) Legalizing commercial marijuana doesn’t belong in our state Constitution. This isn’t a constitutional issue; it’s a legislative one. End of story. (2) This amendment only legalizes commercial marijuana. You and your small farm won’t suddenly have the right to grow or sell it. Instead, it hands the reins over to big corporations, creating a monopoly in Florida. Think about it like this: it’s Bud Light taking over the entire weed industry, leaving no room for local craft growers. I’m all for legalizing marijuana in a way that lets Floridians grow and use it freely. Back to the beer analogy—right now, you can brew small batches at home, so why shouldn’t small farmers have that same chance with cannabis? This amendment doesn’t allow it. If grandma wants to make pot brownies for her knitting circle, I’d say go for it. But this amendment? It doesn’t go there. (3) Let’s talk about the limits. The amendment allows up to 3 ounces at a time, which would make Florida’s limit the highest in the country. That’s three times more than most states! And since personal growing won’t be allowed, you’re only allowed to buy from commercial sellers. Who do you know that needs to carry around 84 joints worth of marijuana at once? (4) Marijuana-infused products in commercial packaging. Do you know how challenging it is to teach kids to check for allergens in gummies or snacks? I really don’t want to add “watch out for marijuana in packaged foods” to that list. If Florida put forth a bill that let grandma plant a little in her garden, allowed small farmers to grow and sell it, and decriminalized a reasonable amount for possession, I’d be on board. I fully support a smart approach to marijuana legislation—but this amendment isn’t it. This is poorly written language creating a commercial monopoly. We can do better than this.

👏 CCIA applauds Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom, the California Department of Public Health, and the California Department Of Alcohol Beverage Control, for their swift action to protect public safety, preventing Californians — particularly youth — from accessing highly intoxicating and mislabeled hemp products. These unregulated products are rampant across the state, and require urgent solutions. We are proud to be working with Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) to advance #AB2223, to rectify the regulatory disparities between the cannabis and hemp industries. #cannabis #hemp #publicpolicy #youthprevention