A U.S. group is calling on Congress to take action on what it says is illegal pesticide use in cannabis production.

Cannabis in its various forms is a pretty hardy plant, but like all plants has its share of predators. For example, insect pests of hemp include aphids, crickets, slugs and snails (well, the latter two are actually molluscs). To help control these pests, pesticides may be used.

Washington-headquartered Beyond Pesticides is concerned about the use of such chemicals on cannabis generally.

“Because marijuana is not a legal agricultural crop under relevant federal law (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act) and hemp has only recently been legalized, EPA has not evaluated the safety of any pesticide on marijuana plants,” says the group.

While marijuana may not be legal at a federal level, it is in some states and those states may have their own and differing  laws regarding the use of pesticides.

Pesticide use on medicinal cannabis plants is a point of major concern for the group, as it states this introduces toxic chemicals into a medicine. The group claims medical cannabis can interfere with the body’s ability to detoxify these substances.

This isn’t a new issue – back in 2016 we mentioned 84.3% of cannabis samples submitted to a lab in California tested positive for pesticide residues. Of particular concern was Myclobutanil, a fungicide that converts to hydrogen cyanide when heated above 205C.

Beyond Pesticides is calling for oversight hearings to document what it says are state violations of federal pesticide law by allowing use in cannabis production and processing, despite not being registered for this use by EPA. It wants to see states establish laws and/or regulations that mandate an organic approach to cannabis production.

In terms of hemp, some pesticides may get the nod from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the not-too-distant future.

The National Industrial Hemp Council (NIHC) and American Farm Bureau Federation recently lodged a submission with the EPA with regard to adding hemp to the labeling of 10 currently registered pesticide products.

“The letter calls for EPA to approve these and additional applications in order to expand the range of approved pesticides and provide our members with lawful options for pest control,” says the NIHC.

The letter can be viewed here.

For many, pot is part of a well rounded lifestyle that includes nutrition, fitness and a balanced work life.

If you feel like you’ve tried everything to boost your workouts and take your physical activity to the next level, have you considered marijuana? Before, after, during — they all have their places. With cannabis being the enhancement plant that it is, it’s no wonder that keeping active and using marijuana go hand in hand. For many, pot is part of a well rounded lifestyle that includes nutrition, fitness and a balanced work life.

To begin with, no matter how often you work out or eat healthily, an essential ingredient for good health is good rest. Cannabis, especially an indica or indica heavy hybrid, puts us in a state where we can more easily drift off to dreamland. Whether power napping before that crunches class or getting a full night’s sleep before tackling a tough day, marijuana helps.

Many yoga studios and private teachers in legalized states are turning to cannabis, especially microdosing, to enhance their practices. Taking the smallest amount of marijuana and mixing it with hot yoga or even just good, deep stretches, will synergize the experience and help move it forward to the next level.

Get in the zone. Literally. Though we don’t recommend getting stoned before hitting the gym, having a puff and getting into the right frame of mind before a mild workout is the perfect way to work into the strain, while also getting into the music playing in your headphones to keep your body going with the flow.

Though cannabis has gotten a bad rap for being a demotivational drug, it can actually energize you for an active session. Here you’ll want to use a sativa dominant strain and again, not too much beforehand, don’t forget about the rewarding cooldown to come. Marijuana is a great motivator and vaping some and then hitting the floor running is the best way to utilize it. Just be sure to keep your head out of the clouds; focus is the goal here and you need to be clear headed to pay the best attention to your muscle groups.

Finally, after working it out and getting that workout high turned on, it’s time to cool down and soothe some sore muscles. Rub CBD or activated THC cream into those worked areas, use some tincture, vape a bit, however it hits you best. Cannabis is a known anti-inflammatory and it goes right to work on where it hurts, soothing aches and pains and readying you for the next round.

Hemp offers untold benefits for the soil, production processes, renewable fuel and sustainable fashion.

There have recently been a series of developments advancing the Australian medicinal cannabis industry.

Key developments include recommendations put forward by Professor John McMillan AO aimed at reducing the regulatory burden on the medicinal cannabis industry, the Australian Capital Territory legalising possession of up to 50 grams of cannabis for an individual over 18 years of age and permitting the cultivation of up to four cannabis plants (excluding artificial cultivation), and the Australian Government announcing it will be investing AU$3 million into the industry for research.

Background

The Australian Federal Government has a fully established cannabis production and manufacturing regulatory regime. The Narcotic Drugs Act 1967 (Cth) (ND Act) establishes a licence and permit scheme to regulate the cultivation, production and manufacture of medicinal cannabis. The scheme allows patients and doctors to access a legal domestic source of cannabis for medicinal use. The ND Act gives effect to Australia’s obligations under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961 as in force from time to time.

Key Developments

Since legislation came into effect on 30 October 2016 to allow the legal cultivation, production and manufacturing of medical cannabis products in Australia, there have been a series of developments advancing the Australian medicinal cannabis industry.

Key developments include:

1. Permitting the export of Australian manufactured medicinal cannabis products, subject to local demand.
2. The introduction of new legislation in Queensland (revoking the Public Health (Medicinal Cannabis) Act 2016 (Qld)) to simplify the process for patients and doctors to access medicinal cannabis.
3. On 5 September 2019, Professor John McMillan AO's Final Report (Final Report) on the operation of the ND Act was tabled in Parliament. Minister Hunt has accepted all 26 recommendations put forward by Professor McMillan which are primarily aimed at reducing the regulatory burden on the medicinal cannabis industry. Notably, Professor McMillan recommends replacing the current three licence structure in the ND Act with a single licence structure. This will require significant legislative and administrative changes.
4. On 25 September 2019, the Australian Capital Territory passed the Drugs of Dependence (Personal Cannabis Use) Amendment Bill 2018 which amends the Drugs of Dependence Act 1989 (ACT) and the Criminal Code 2002 (ACT) to legalise possession of up to 50 grams of cannabis for an individual over 18 years of age and permit the cultivation of up to four cannabis plants (excluding artificial cultivation).
5. On 6 October 2019, the Australian Government announced it will be investing AU$3 million to examine the benefits of medicinal cannabis to manage pain, symptoms and side effects in cancer patients. The outcomes of these studies will greatly assist health professionals in the prescription of medicinal cannabis products. Typically, cannabis products are prescribed for treatment indications such as chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, neuropathic pain, epilepsy and cancer pain. However, there is currently lack of information on dose response and adverse events from the use of medicinal cannabis products.

What’s next?

In the short term, it is anticipated some of the reforms arising from the Final Report will be implemented at the end of this year.

A particular challenge over the course of the next few years will be on developing a streamlined process for supply of medicinal cannabis both at a Commonwealth and State level to avoid unnecessary administrative burden for manufactures and suppliers.