At a press conference Thursday, Gov. Andy Beshear (D) called it “great news” that The Post Dispensary in Beaver Dam will officially begin accepting registered medical cannabis patients starting Saturday. supplied by the state’s first licensed cannabis growerFarmtucky.
“This news makes Saturday the first day that safe, regulated medical cannabis is available to patients, and makes The Post the first fully approved and licensed medical dispensary in the state,” Beshear said. “Our priority is to ensure that Kentuckians with cancer, PTSD, MS and other serious medical conditions can now have access to safe medical cannabis.”
“It will be a limited supply that we expect to sell out on Saturday,” he said. “But this certainly shows what’s to come, and it’s a big mark that we’ve achieved in this program.”
It will be the Post Dispensary open on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.-or while supplies last. There will also be a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9 am
The governor, who has long championed cannabis reform, He anticipated a market launch earlier this monthwhile claiming that medical marijuana will help thousands of patients find an alternative to opioids for pain management.
Beshear provided more specific details on the program’s progress, noting that more than 23,000 patients have received e-certificates for access to cannabis, including nearly 1,800 to treat cancer symptoms, and 15,000 with chronic pain, “who would otherwise be taking opioids, which is one of the reasons we’ve pushed this program so hard.”
In terms of licensing marijuana businesses, the state has so far approved 16 cultivations, 48 dispensaries and six security compliance facilities. Officials have also certified 506 doctors to prescribe medicinal cannabis.
In his letter to the president, he noted that a pending proposal to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) is “something you supported during your presidential campaign.”
“That process should be allowed to play out. Americans deserve leadership that won’t move the goalposts in the middle of the game,” Beshear said, noting that he was among the tens of thousands who filed public comments in favor of reform when he began the Biden administration, “showing broad public interest in reprogramming.”
“I joined that effort because it’s about helping people. The rescheduling would give suffering patients the relief they need,” the governor said. “It would ensure that communities are safer because legal medical products reduce the illegal market. It would provide new and meaningful research on health benefits.”
Beshear also cited a letter to the DEA he signed last year asking for rescheduling because “the jury is no longer out on marijuana. It has medical benefits.”
Back at the state level, the governor recently said he recognizes that “it’s taken longer than we’d like” to get the industry under control since he signed into law the legalization of medical marijuana in 2023.
Meanwhile, the governors sent a letter to Kentucky’s congressional delegation in Januaryurging them to “take decisive action to protect the constitutional rights of our law-abiding medical cannabis patients” by repealing the federal ban on possession of firearms by marijuana users.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) warned Kentucky residents late last year that if they choose to participate in the state’s medical marijuana program, they will be prohibited from buying or possessing firearms under federal law.
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The world of refrigerants is changing rapidly, as pressure increases on products with high GWP (Global Warming Potential), and according to Bimco Holland, it is only a matter of time before these refrigerants are completely phased out. Therefore, the company presents its new dehumidification unit, Bimco-4Eco, for which a patent has already been filed.
“It’s a compact and easy-to-install unit, designed with upcoming regulations in mind,” says sales manager Joost de Goeij. “With a GWP of 4.5 and R290 natural refrigerant, the 4Eco is completely future proof.” 4Eco is the successor to the Bimco-4E, a line of dehumidifiers designed to help growers save energy and maintain stable relative humidity inside the greenhouse.
From Bimco-4E to Bimco-4Eco: Future Proof in R290 While the previous Bimco-4E operated with R407C refrigerant, the new Bimco-4Eco switches to R290 or propane. This change brings several great advantages, explains Joost. “With only 4.5 GWP, 4Eco has a much lower environmental impact than traditional synthetic refrigerants.”
Another important advantage is that the unit does not require a mandatory F-gas inspection every year. “Because we use R290 and only use a small amount of refrigerant, the annual emissions check required by law is not required, which saves manufacturers money and administrative hassles.”
Practical benefits in the greenhouse Bimco-4Eco was developed with everyday greenhouse practice in mind, says the young company that focuses on sustainable technology for protected horticulture. For best performance, growers are advised to install multiple units per section to improve air distribution. “Having multiple compact units rather than one big central machine makes the greenhouse climate much more uniform. This helps avoid damp corners and cold spots.”
The unit operates at a low sound level of 63dB and produces a smoother airflow, so it does not create over-dried zones around the machine. “The air flow is designed for a smooth and horizontal release, preventing the immediate environment from drying out and maintaining a more even climate.”
Weighing approximately 140 kilograms, the compact unit is relatively light and easy to position using standard greenhouse logistics. It can be installed well between gutters, passages or above a technical room. “No cranes or major structural changes are required for installation.”
Climate control, energy saving and crop yield improvement Like previous models, the Bimco-4Eco is designed to save energy, allow growers to keep vents and screens closed for longer periods of time, manage condensation and high RH, limit the risk of fungal and bacterial diseases and create a more homogeneous climate, which results in more uniform crops and higher yields. “By treating humidity internally instead of relying on cold outside air, growers can save up to 50 percent energy compared to conventional heating and ventilation, especially when combined with good screen management,” says Joost.
It is possible to apply for EG subsidy in the unit.
Bipartisan congressional lawmakers are making a potentially immediate decision President Donald Trump to move forward with federal marijuana overhaul—Democrats like Rep. Alex Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) call the reform a “no” and others like Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) have pushed back against the proposal.
It was first reported on Thursday that Trump plans to sign an executive order on the reorganization, possibly directing the attorney general to complete the process started by the Biden administration to reclassify cannabis under Title III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
Since then, several lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have weighed in on the plan in interviews with Marihuana Moment. While Democrats may disagree with the president on many policy issues, they have generally welcomed news of the restructuring’s development, though they would eventually like to see the federal ban end entirely rather than increase change.
Ocasio-Cortez said it was a “no brainer” to implement the policy change, which would legalize marijuana but remove some barriers to research and allow cannabis businesses to take a federal tax deduction, symbolically recognizing the plant’s medical value.
“I have honestly felt that it has been a race between the two major parties to get reform,” said the congressman. “I mean, it’s inevitable, so of course I’m all for that move.”
Asked about reports that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) told Trump not to reschedule, Ocasio-Cortez said an executive order would bypass lawmakers who oppose it. The speaker “has no pen” in such orders, he said.
“If he wants to try to pass some legislation and push his entire Republican team to do that, I think that’s within his power,” the congressman said.
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, told Marihuana Moment that while it’s true that Trump plans to advance rescheduling, that would be a “game changer” and a “huge” accomplishment.
However, he said that it is difficult for any member of parliament to take his word seriously, “because the president has often changed his position on various policy issues in the past. “I hope (he will act on the rescheduling) and it will come true,” he said.
Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), another co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, told Marijuana Moment that “Trump’s proposal would be a positive step toward cannabis policy reform, but more work remains.”
Although @POTUS’s proposal would ease restrictions on medical cannabis research and ease some of the state’s tax burden on illegal cannabis businesses, classifying marijuana as a Schedule III substance still allows for the unfair and disproportionate incarceration of recreational users and… https://t.co/wx4J2X3q6F
“While it would ease restrictions on medical cannabis research and alleviate some of the tax burden on state illegal cannabis businesses, classifying marijuana as a Schedule III substance still allows for the unfair and disproportionate incarceration of recreational users and limits access to banking services for cannabis businesses,” he said. “We must continue to address the systemic inequality associated with scheduling cannabis as a dangerous drug.”
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), for his part, did not weigh in on the merits of the reconsideration proposal, but told Marijuana Moment that he was with the president Thursday afternoon and “didn’t hear that” about plans to end the reform process.
One of the House’s most outspoken anti-marijuana lawmakers, Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), insisted that he doesn’t “agree with everything the president does, and I don’t.” He also appears to question the veracity of recent reports about the imminence of a restructuring move, stating that he was told “for sure” it would happen on Thursday, which did not materialize.
There have been mixed reports on the timing of a possible reconsideration action, with some sources still hopeful it will happen on Friday, CNBC to report that the executive order would be issued on Monday of next week and as early as Axios to report that the reform is expected to come early next year.
Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), told Marihuana Moment that rescheduling is a “terrible idea” and noted that he had never discussed the issue with the House Speaker.
In a statement Friday, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) said she was “encouraged to see the first move by the Drug Enforcement Administration under President Biden to reorganize marijuana, and I urge President Trump to continue that effort.”
“Common sense tells us that marijuana should not be in the same category as deadly drugs like heroin, and reclassifying it is a small step forward in creating economic opportunity, supporting research into the medical benefits of marijuana, and increasing public safety,” he said. “However, much more work remains to be done. I will continue to advocate for the complete decriminalization of marijuana and the expungement of the records of Americans convicted of marijuana possession.”
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) reacted to the news by criticizing the Biden administration after it “failed” to complete marijuana rescheduling, and said he hopes the Trump administration doesn’t make the “same mistake.”
Meanwhile, Trump’s former White House press secretary, Sean Spicer, discussed the news development on an episode of his “The Huddle” podcast on Friday and said Trump’s potential reshuffle action, like other policy issues, “comes back to power and money.”
“There are a lot of people who instinctively think it’s a good play with young voters,” he said. “The bottom line, this whole reclassification, really comes down to the financial part of this.”
Spicer added that there is a “bank part” because cannabis companies have long faced a federal ban on accessing banking services, regardless of state laws. However, it inflated the impact of the reorganization on that issue, because placing marijuana in Schedule III of the CSA would not make it federally legal, so some banks would likely continue to avoid serving the marijuana industry even if this modest reform were enacted.
“It’s a big business with a lot of money, and I have to believe that’s what it really comes down to,” he said. “The president is not running for re-election … there are a lot of people who will not be happy about this. I am one of them.”
“You walk through downtown (Washington, DC) or any city, it smells like pot and piss,” he added. “I think, given where we are as a society, the last thing we need to do is make drugs more accessible. I don’t think it’s a good idea, but I’ll tell you, I think where people are missing the story is: Follow the money.”
Trump said this in mid-August he would make the reorganization decision in a week. But despite the growing timeline and rumors, a White House spokesperson told Marihuana Moments on Thursday that “no final decision has been made on rescheduling marijuana.”
The Washington Post reported Thursday afternoon that Trump planned to issue an executive order to federal agencies to move ahead with cannabis rescheduling.
The outlet also said the president met with marijuana industry executives Robert F. Kennedy Jr. earlier this week in the Oval Office. with Secretary of Health and Human Services and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz. During that meeting, Trump called Johnson, the House Speaker, who spoke out against the cannabis redistricting,
If the administration ultimately enacts the rescheduling, it would mark one of the most significant developments in federal marijuana policy since its prohibition half a century ago, when it was banned under Article III. With a reclassification, marijuana has medical value and a lower abuse potential compared to Schedule I drugs like heroin.
Trump endorsed the rescheduling — as well as an initiative to legalize access to industrial banking and adult use in Florida — on the campaign trail. The president had been silent on the issue since taking office for a second term, until a meeting in August where, in response to a reporter’s question, he announced that the administration would decide to reschedule in a few weeks.
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Last month, I gave my thoughts on PL 119-37 banning intoxicating hemp products, concluding that enforcement was an open question. That question is starting to gain traction, especially after a Congressional Research Service report released on December 3rd. CRS report…