Federal transportation officials are collecting data on how to improve DRE programming.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), part of the Department of Transportation (DOT), has submitted an Information Collection Request to the Office of Management and Budget on the topic. They want funding for three years of data collection from law enforcement agencies that want to participate. NHTSA expects 15 agencies to apply and submit 36 monthly reports and 12 quarterly calls.
“As the number of States legalizing marijuana continues to increase, the need for effective strategies to address the growing concerns about impaired driving is imperative,” the notice reads.
“Law enforcement agencies are eager for strategies to improve their efficiency, consistency, and completeness of their DRE programs.”
The “demonstration project” will improve the DRE program by equipping law enforcement agencies that want to participate.
“This program will play a critical role in a State’s efforts to reduce impaired driving,” the notice reads.
Virginia regulators prep for medical cannabis market study.
The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority is seeking an entity to conduct a “data-driven study of Virginia’s medical cannabis program,” according to a tender spotted by Cannabis Wire.
“The study report,” due in November, “should include recommendations for action that would address any identified gaps in supply, product types, and/or patient accessibility and enhance the patient-centered nature and medical orientation of Virginia’s medical cannabis program,” the notice reads.
Among the considerations: “whether expansion of cultivation sites, dispensaries, and/or processing facilities is necessary to meet demand,” “whether patients must travel excessive distances and/or spend excessive time to access dispensaries,” and “whether any identified gaps in supply, product types, and/or patient accessibility can be addressed by modifying Virginia’s vertical-integration requirement for participation in the program to allow the licensing of non-vertically integrated participants (e.g., retailers, cultivators, and processors).”
+ More: Meanwhile, the rollout of Virginia’s adult use industry, which was supposed to launch sales next summer, remains stalled. Why? In short: Republicans. Catch up on Cannabis Wire’s analysis, in case you missed it.
FDA warns companies selling delta-8 THC products in kid-friendly forms like Cheetos.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission issued warning letters to six businesses that sold “copycat food products containing Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as delta-8 THC.”
The letters flag similar themes, like these products’ direct appeal to kids. The letters specifically called out delta-8 products like gummy bears, peach rings, sour belts, “flamin’ hot” Cheetos, Doritos, Nerds, and Pop Tarts —infused versions of childhood favorites.
“Children are more vulnerable than adults to the effects of THC, with many who have been sickened and even hospitalized after eating ‘edibles’ containing it. That’s why we’re issuing warnings to several companies selling copycat food products containing delta-8 THC, which can be easily mistaken for popular foods that are appealing to children and can make it easy for a young child to ingest in very high doses without realizing it,” FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner Janet Woodcock said in a statement.
“The products we are warning against intentionally mimic well-known snack food brands by using similar brand names, logos, or pictures on packaging, that consumers, especially children, may confuse with traditional snack foods. We’re also concerned that adults could unintentionally take them or take a higher dose than expected and suffer serious consequences,” she continued.
The companies that received warning letters are:
Delta Munchies, Dr. Smoke LLC, Exclusive Hemp Farms/Oshipt, Nikte’s Wholesale LLC, North Carolina Hemp Exchange LLC and The Haunted Vapor Room.
