DEA Says Novel Cannabinoids Including Delta-9 THCO Are Illegal
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his week, the DEA revealed in a letter that it views goods containing new cannabinoids like Delta-9 and Delta-8 THCO, also known as THC acetate ester, as Schedule I drugs that are nonetheless unlawful under federal law even if they come from hemp. Rod Kight, a lawyer for the cannabis sector, received the notification after getting in touch with the organization last August to ask about the status of THCO products’ oversight under the Controlled Substances Act. After receiving a follow-up email on February 7, the organization replied to Kight on Monday, claiming that because the new cannabinoids can only be produced synthetically, they do not believe THC acetate ester products are covered by the 2018 Farm Bill, which federally legalized hemp. Delta-9-THCO and delta-8-THCO do not occur naturally in the cannabis plant and can only be obtained synthetically, and therefore do not fall under the definition of hemp.” — DEA, in the letter to attorney Rob Kight In a blog post about the development, Kight said the letter confirms his concerns about “the proliferation of THC acetate ester,” which can be easily found in products sold via online marketplaces alongside other cannabinoids such as CBD and delta-8 THC. Kight notes that delta-8 THC “falls within the definition of ‘hemp’ because it is a ‘derivative’ as set forth in the 2018 Farm Bill.”
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For this reason, many people assume that THCO also meets the definition of a hemp derivative since it is typically created from a starter cannabinoid. This is not correct,” Kight wrote. “D8 is distinguishable from THCO because the hemp plant naturally produces D8; however, it does not produce THCO. From this perspective … THCO is properly seen as synthetic THC, not ‘hemp.’”
Arizona, Michigan, Colorado
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Wu-Tang’s Raekwon Seeking to Rehab Historic New Jersey Building for Consumption Lounge
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ccording to Jersey Digs, the marijuana business that Raekwon, a member of the Wu-Tang Clan, owns a portion of plans to construct an adult-use cannabis club in Newark, New Jersey. The city’s historic building, which once housed the engineering company A.R. Meeker & Co. and Stoutenburgh & Co. Newark Clothiers, will be renovated as part of the rapper’s plans. e Newark Hashstoria lounge’s design would make the structure look more cohesive. The project’s principal, Rachael Grochowski, of RHG Architecture + Design, said there will be “community art in the window that would be changing.”The structure, which was constructed in 1839 and is located in Newark’s Four Corners Historic District, has undergone a number of updates throughout time The application has been unanimously approved by the Landmarks Commission. New Jersey only recently announced it would allow social cannabis consumption and the state is accepting public comments until March 18, after which the rules will be finalized and adopted. Once the rules are filed and published in the New Jersey Register, the commission will accept consumption area applications for dispensaries already in operation or that have their permits.Hashstoria currently has locations in Astoria, Gladstone, and Springfield, Oregon. The New Jersey location is set to open in March..
California Cannabis Cafes Bill Would Allow Live Performances, Food and Drink
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ccording to the Los Angeles Times, the measure that would legalize cannabis cafes in California has provisions that would permit live performances in cannabis-friendly clubs as well as the serving of food and non-alcoholic beverages there. Municipalities would have to agree to the bill in order to approve the cafés and establish their own rules. The bill’s proponent, Assemblyman Matt Haney (D), asserted that legalizing cannabis cafés is essential for the state’s regulated cannabis business “to exist.” He called the establishments operating under the present regulations, which permit on-site use but prohibit the sale of food or beverages, “very terrible places.” “They’re losing to the illegal cannabis industry, and one thing that the legal cannabis small business can offer is an experience. Cannabis businesses told us that they may have to close their doors unless the laws change. The regulations that prohibit them from offering other products like food are a huge burden.” — Haney via the Times Some California businesses have found workarounds to the current laws. In West Hollywood, at the Artist Tree Dispensary & Weed Delivery on Santa Monica Boulevard, cannabis-consuming customers can gather at the second-floor lounge as if dining at a restaurant and order food from Fresh Corn Grill, a restaurant that has a deal with the Artist Tree. Lauren Fontein, a co-owner of the Artist Tree, told the Times the setup mimics “the experience of being in a restaurant” even though they don’t sell customers food. The bill has not yet been sent to a legislative committee but a note attached to the measure indicates it could be heard by a House panel next month.
