Government
The Curious Case of Delta-8 THC – Should States Ban Synthetic Cannabis Even Though It is Federally Legal?
Should States Ban Synthetic Cannabis?
Starting July 1, 2022, Oregon became the first state to ever ban synthetic cannabinoids from retailers and grocery stores.
According to regulators, sales of synthetic cannabinoids have been banned due to rising concerns regarding the dangerous chemicals used in these harmful products. To make these products, manufacturers isolate them or make them synthetically through a lab. While they don’t contain THC, most synthetic cannabinoid products are wildly unregulated.
Synthetically made cannabinoids have made headlines due to the numerous dangerous, if not nearly fatal, intoxications that they cause. Delta-8 THC, in particular, has been on the radar of the Centers for Disease Control due to over 100 hospitalizations in half a year. But Delta-8 THC, as well as other cannabinoids that are made synthetically such as CBN and CBD, already exist naturally in the cannabis plant though in such tiny amounts that a laboratory process is needed to make more of it.
According to Christopher Hudalla, ProVerde Labs’ chief scientific officer, there are a lot of serious health and safety risks associated with making synthetic cannabinoids. “It’s very easy to do in your garage,” he told Analytical Cannabis last year. “CBD is almost free. There’s so much oversupply of CBD that it’s very, very inexpensive. It used to be something like 12 cents a milligram. Now I can buy it for probably 0.1 cents a milligram,” he said. “And you can take that and, in your garage, convert it to delta-8. So there’s very good margins in it.”
“There’s no regulatory control,” Hudalla adds. “And so we know children are consuming these products without any indication about how safe they are. That’s hugely irresponsible in my opinion.”
How Did We Get Here?
It was sometime back in the mid-2000s that synthetic cannabis products started to appear in gasoline station shops and convenience stores. They were also known as Spice and K2, made from substances that weren’t specifically banned by federal or state laws. However, once we reached the end of the decade, many states have already banned their sale.
In 2012, President Obama enacted the Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act. This was helpful in making numerous synthetic cannabinoids highly restricted under the Schedule 1 classification – unfortunately, the same classification that real marijuana is on at the moment.
Oregon is the very first state to ban the sale of laboratory-grown marijuana, but at least 43 other states have already placed restrictions of some sort on synthetic cannabinoids. However, I believe that all states should follow suit with Oregon because this highly unregulated product is a serious risk to society. Even though the FDA doesn’t regulate the medical marijuana industry, a strict (and expensive!) licensing process is required for individuals or businesses to establish dispensaries. In addition, there is a huge difference from synthetic cannabinoids and the legal marijuana industry because states set their own regulations about cannabis, and educated consumers know to look for established brands. A certificate of analysis is also provided by some brands for consumers who want peace of mind about what truly goes into every product they put into their body.
Marijuana is cultivated primarily for its therapeutic purposes, similar to its CBD-rich cousin – hemp – which is cultivated for other uses too such as its use in textiles and even concrete substitutes. On the other hand, synthetic cannabinoids, it seems, only merely seeks to mimic the impact of marijuana. That’s why it’s so appealing to those who don’t know better – such as teenagers, who also don’t have the budget to buy from dispensaries. And because of this, there is such a big risk allowing synthetic cannabinoid manufacturers operate in the market.
There needs to be some kind of regulatory framework at the very least so that we can prevent its harms. Back in the day, Spice and K2 were sold as marijuana though one sniff or touch of the stuff and you can already tell that it isn’t the real deal. But these days, synthetic cannabis is already being infused into gummies, after which there’s no way to tell the difference.
Delta-8 THC products are flourishing in the market nowadays, too, but one has to tread with caution, no matter how much of a seasoned cannabis consumer you think you are. According to the FDA, there were 104 cases of adverse reports among people who consumed delta-8 THC from December 2020 through February 2022. Fifty-five percent of them needed medical intervention, such as through hospitalization or emergency medical services while 66% reported adverse effects after consuming delta-8 THC edibles. The adverse effects included vomiting, anxiety, tremors, loss of consciousness, and hallucinations to name a few.
It also puts the real thing in a bad light.
In 2019, the American Association of Poison Control Centers stated that CBD was considered an “emerging hazard” because of cases involving contamination and mislabeling, according to a CNBC report.
At the end of the day, it’s up to states to make use of the necessary prosecution methods and administration actions to ban these substances and sales entirely. While regulating them could help in a way, but all the bad news of the dangers simply outweigh the benefits, and simply put, when the real marijuana is out there, why do people need to succumb to the fake stuff anyway?
Sure, it’s much cheaper to make synthetic cannabis – but is your health worth the risk? Going into a coma, being hospitalized, and feeling like you’re going to die? These are things that cannabis will never do to you.
So it’s up to the states to ban them. And it’s high time all states should follow in the footsteps of Oregon.
Corruption
Vigilance Arrests Officials After Bribery Complaints at Supply Office
HARIDWAR, Uttarakhand — Officials from the Dehradun-based Vigilance Department have arrested Haridwar District Supply Officer Shyam Arya and two other employees on charges of accepting a bribe of ₹50,000, authorities confirmed. The arrests took place during a planned operation after investigators laid a trap at the District Supply Office in response to repeated complaints from the public.
According to vigilance sources, the accused were caught “red-handed” while receiving the alleged bribe, reportedly demanded in exchange for official services within the department. The operation, coordinated from the state capital of Dehradun, underscores the department’s commitment to tackling corruption.
Complaints That Triggered the Operation
The arrests followed months of complaints alleging that officials at the Haridwar District Supply Office were routinely soliciting illegal payments for government services. These included the issuance of ration cards, approvals for licenses, and other administrative clearances under the public distribution system.
Vigilance officials said preliminary verification of the complaints indicated a recurring pattern rather than isolated incidents. Following this assessment, the department used a standard anti-corruption tactic of laying a trap to obtain direct evidence of bribe solicitation and acceptance.
Inside the Supply Office
After the arrests, vigilance teams established a presence inside the office, sealing parts of the premises while examining files and records. Investigators are reviewing documentation related to recent approvals and transactions to determine whether the alleged bribery was systemic.
The accused are also being questioned to identify potential accomplices and to ascertain whether accepting bribes was a routine practice. Officials noted that the investigation could expand depending on findings from the document review and interrogations.
A Broader Anti-Corruption Push
The case has drawn attention across Uttarakhand’s administrative machinery, particularly within the Supply Department, which plays a vital role in delivering welfare services. Vigilance officials said the arrests reflect a “zero-tolerance” approach toward corruption and warned that similar operations will continue wherever credible complaints arise.
The state’s anti-corruption drives have intensified in recent months, emphasizing both deterrence and accountability. While the investigation in Haridwar remains in its early stages, officials say it highlights the risks faced by public servants accused of exploiting their positions and the growing willingness of enforcement agencies to act on citizen complaints.
Business
A Tipping Point for Cannabis: President Trump Champions CBD & Cannabis Science on Truth Social
When the President of the United States shares a video about the life changing potential of hemp derived CBD on his personal social media platform, it is more than news, it is a cultural shift.
For decades our government lied to us about cannabis. It demonized the plant, waged war on its users, and filled prisons while allowing pharmaceutical companies to flood the nation with addictive and deadly drugs. For over a century we have been fighting uphill, not just for legalization, but for truth, for science, and for the right to heal ourselves naturally.
Now in 2025, the most powerful political figure on Earth is using his own voice and platform to talk about the endocannabinoid system and the science backed benefits of CBD. That is monumental. It is validation for everyone who has fought, been arrested, been silenced, and been dismissed for telling this truth. The President’s video post is already being described as a pivotal moment in cannabis history, and President Trump CBD Cannabis Science Truth Social is trending across platforms as advocates celebrate the breakthrough.
The Science Behind the Endocannabinoid System
The video begins by introducing something most people, including many doctors, still know little about, the endocannabinoid system. Discovered in the 1990s, the ECS is a network of receptors and signaling molecules that works as the body’s master regulator, coordinating communication between major systems like the nervous, immune, cardiovascular, and digestive systems.
The roots of this discovery go back much further. CBD was first isolated in 1940 by American chemist Roger Adams, but it was Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, an Israeli organic chemist, who fully elucidated the chemical structure of CBD and identified its stereochemistry in the 1960s. His pioneering work not only opened the door to modern cannabinoid science but also earned him the title “Godfather of Cannabis Research.” It was this foundation that led to the identification of the endocannabinoid system itself decades later, revealing how cannabinoids interact with our physiology on a fundamental level.
The ECS is now widely recognized as a vital part of human biology, with extensive research supported by the National Institutes of Health. When functioning properly, the ECS acts like the conductor of an orchestra, ensuring every section plays in harmony. As we age, the system weakens. That imbalance is linked to inflammation, chronic pain, cognitive decline, sleep problems, and many other conditions associated with aging.
Mainstream medicine often addresses these issues with pharmaceutical band aids, dangerous and addictive drugs that treat symptoms rather than root causes. Lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise help, but they only partially support the ECS and do so slowly over time.
Hemp Derived CBD: A Game Changer for Aging
Here is where the science gets exciting. As the video explains, the ECS can be restored much more quickly with hemp derived CBD. Strengthening this system naturally helps the body regain balance, reducing pain, improving sleep, lowering stress, slowing disease progression, and even extending healthy lifespan.
It is not theoretical. One in five seniors is already using CBD to manage pain, arthritis, cancer symptoms, sleep disorders, Alzheimer’s, and more. Despite decades of research and acknowledgment from institutions like the National Institutes of Health, most physicians receive no training on the ECS. There are still no FDA standards for CBD products on the market. If that were the case for any other class of medicine, it would be considered malpractice.
The World Health Organization has confirmed CBD’s excellent safety profile and non addictive nature in its critical review report. The result is that millions of older Americans are suffering unnecessarily when a safe and natural solution exists.
Hemp derived CBD is a powerful first step in restoring balance to the endocannabinoid system, but it is only part of the picture. Research shows that full spectrum cannabis extracts, which include a broader range of cannabinoids and terpenes, can work even more effectively. Complete concentrated cannabis oil, containing the full spectrum of natural endocannabinoids, may deliver the most profound results for certain patients. Expanding access to these therapies will be essential if we want to unlock the full healing potential of this plant.
The Economic and Social Impact
The video cites a powerful figure. A PricewaterhouseCoopers analysis estimates that fully integrating cannabis into the healthcare system could save the United States nearly 64 billion dollars annually. These savings reflect reduced pharmaceutical dependency, fewer hospitalizations, improved chronic disease outcomes, and enhanced quality of life for aging Americans. You can read more about PwC’s research on healthcare innovation here.
It is a financial argument, but it is also a moral one. Why should our elders endure pain, anxiety, and cognitive decline when nature has given us tools to help them live longer, happier, and healthier lives?
A Call to Action: Finish What the Farm Bill Started
The message concludes by crediting the 2018 Farm Bill, championed by President Trump, for legalizing hemp and laying the groundwork for today’s CBD market. The Farm Bill was just the first step.
Now the call is for bold next moves.
- Educate doctors about the endocannabinoid system
- Include CBD under Medicare coverage
- Provide clear federal standards for CBD quality and dosing
These steps would constitute the most significant senior health reform in modern history, one that would transform aging and cement a powerful legacy for any administration that makes it happen.
What This Means for Future Cannabis Medicine
For those of us who have been in the cannabis community for decades, this is not just another news story. It is a signal that our movement is winning. A conversation that was once criminalized and censored is now being amplified by the President of the United States on his own platform.
It means the science is undeniable. It means the truth can no longer be buried. It means the wall of prohibition is cracking, not just legally, but culturally, scientifically, and politically.
It also means that everything we have been fighting for at 420 Magazine since 1993, education, access, healing, and justice, is finally moving full steam ahead. The President Trump CBD Cannabis Science Truth Social moment is proof that science and policy are finally converging.
Business
New Mexico cannabis operator fined, loses license for alleged BioTrack fraud
New Mexico regulators fined a cannabis operator nearly $300,000 and revoked its license after the company allegedly created fake reports in the state’s traceability software.
The New Mexico Cannabis Control Division (CCD) accused marijuana manufacturer and retailer Golden Roots of 11 violations, according to Albuquerque Business First.
Golden Roots operates the The Cannabis Revolution Dispensary.
The majority of the violations are related to the Albuquerque company’s improper use of BioTrack, which has been New Mexico’s track-and-trace vendor since 2015.
The CCD alleges Golden Roots reported marijuana production only two months after it had received its vertically integrated license, according to Albuquerque Business First.
Because cannabis takes longer than two months to be cultivated, the CCD was suspicious of the report.
After inspecting the company’s premises, the CCD alleged Golden Roots reported cultivation, transportation and sales in BioTrack but wasn’t able to provide officers who inspected the site evidence that the operator was cultivating cannabis.
In April, the CCD revoked Golden Roots’ license and issued a $10,000 fine, according to the news outlet.
The company requested a hearing, which the regulator scheduled for Sept. 1.
At the hearing, the CCD testified that the company’s dried-cannabis weights in BioTrack were suspicious because they didn’t seem to accurately reflect how much weight marijuana loses as it dries.
Company employees also poorly accounted for why they were making adjustments in the system of up to 24 pounds of cannabis, making comments such as “bad” or “mistake” in the software, Albuquerque Business First reported.
Golden Roots was fined $298,972.05 – the amount regulators allege the company made selling products that weren’t properly accounted for in BioTrack.
The CCD has been cracking down on cannabis operators accused of selling products procured from out-of-state or not grown legally:
- Regulators alleged in August that Albuquerque dispensary Sawmill Sweet Leaf sold out-of-state products and didn’t have a license for extraction.
- Paradise Exotics Distro lost its license in July after regulators alleged the company sold products made in California.
Golden Roots was the first alleged rulebreaker in New Mexico to be asked to pay a large fine.
Source: https://mjbizdaily.com/new-mexico-cannabis-operator-fined-loses-license-for-alleged-biotrack-fraud/
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