RETAILING CBD PRODUCTS WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR FUELIOWA MEMBERS?
By John Maynes, Regulatory Affairs Manager
FUELIowa members participating in the convenience store industry have likely come across one or more articles in an industry trade publication highlighting the growing opportunities in the retail cannabis industry. Cannabis is the parent plant for hemp and marijuana; hemp consisting of the fiber of the cannabis plant and marijuana consisting of the buds and leaves. The cannabis plant contains a wide variety of compounds but the two most relevant compounds to FUELIowa members reading this article are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Marijuana can contain high concentrations of THC in its buds and leaves. THC is the psychoactive compound in marijuana that is appealing to its users. In 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. Since 2012, eight additional states and the District of Columbia have followed suit and legalized the use of recreational marijuana. 2019 is expected to see the legalization of marijuana continue to gain momentum. A minimum of four additional states, including the state of Illinois, are expected to explore the legalization of recreational marijuana through legislation that has a strong chance of passing through its respective process. The growth outlined above does not take into consideration a similar movement occurring as it relates to state acceptance of med-
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