As we enter our second year at the S3 Collective, I’ve been reflecting on all we accomplished in our first year as a nonprofit. Time flies when you’re turning a vision into reality—especially in the early stages, when so much is driven by the tireless work of volunteers (not to mention the “dog year” effect of working in the cannabis space).
In this reflection, one person’s contributions consistently stand out above all: my fellow co-founder, Alena Rodriguez. I’ve known Alena from her efforts on supporting cannabis standardization efforts and ensuing policy at the state and federal levels since before the pandemic—a time that feels like forever ago. Our visions aligned from our first conversation, and as I’ve watched her dedicate countless hours of hard work in her role as an Officer on ASTM International’s Committee D37 and now as a fellow Board Member at S3 Collective. Alena has been instrumental in driving our success.
She may not always be front and center, but make no mistake—she’s the hero behind the scenes. From organizing this very newsletter to working with the FDA to secure our place as the first nonprofit focused on cannabis and psychedelics in their Network of Experts program, from hosting a regulator workshop to coordinating over 50 volunteers to put science on record as the DEA considers cannabis rescheduling for the fifth time in history—Alena’s technical expertise and attention to detail are major reasons we’ve achieved so much this year.
I want to personally thank Alena for her extraordinary dedication and leadership. It’s because of her that we continue to push boundaries and truly accelerate the scientific research needed to develop and improve standards that enhance product safety.
Building a movement for the greater good doesn’t happen overnight—and it certainly doesn’t sustain itself on hopes and dreams alone. Nonprofits like the S3 Collective need financial support to thrive. Volunteers give what they can, but to keep the lights on, expand our initiatives, and bring our vision for 2025 and beyond to life, we need your help.
That’s where you come in. Your contributions, no matter the size, go directly toward our mission— from funding critical research, providing governmental and industry education, to supporting the development of evidence-based policies and standards. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation (and keep an eye out for an exciting Patreon support model coming soon!).
As we look to the future, I’m filled with gratitude — for Alena, our board, our volunteers, and for so many of you readers who’ve engaged with us, offered feedback, or shared our vision with others. Together, we’re building something truly impactful.
Thank you for being part of this journey,
David Vaillencourt
Want to support our cause? Your tax-deductible donations help us continue working a real difference! Want to help? Get added to our volunteer list for future projects. Why tune in? Our newsletter is your window into the evolving world of cannabis standards, science, and safety! If you know someone who may be interested in our newsletter, let them know that they can sign up here. |
Standards Snapshot
To understand the urgent need for standardized testing, labeling, and risk assessment methods, check out these articles in Cannabis Business Executive and American Banker. |
ASTM D37 Open Main Committee Ballots (all close on 9/28/24)
- Guide for Allergen Control in the Manufacturing of Orally Consumed Products Derived from Cannabis sativa L Plants
- Specification for Packages and Containers for Consumer Products Containing Cannabinoids
- Guide for Techniques to Lower Microbial Load of Post-Harvest Inflorescence of Cannabis and Hemp
- Guide for Implementing High THC Cannabis Transportation Program in a Cannabis Operation
ASTM D37 Open Subcommittee Ballots
- D37.02 Quality Management Systems: WK86775 Practice for Cannabis or Hemp Asset Lifecycle Management (closes on 9/25/24)
- D37.91 Terminology: Revisions to D8270 Terminology Related to Cannabis Including the Terms Solventless, Total Cannabinoids, Consumer Product Containing Cannabinoids, and Sum of Cannabinoids (closes on 9/25/24)
- D37.03 Laboratory: WK87438 Test Methods for Analysis of Terpenoids in Cannabis Materials using Head-Space Gas Chromatography (HS-GC) (closes on 10/21/24)
Science Spotlight
Read the important report from the Congressional Research Service about the legal effect of marijuana rescheduling on FDA’s regulation of cannabis, including confirmation that for scientific research, very little would change.
Read about the new Cannabis Research Institute in Chicago that is set to revolutionize cannabis research, from medicinal benefits to agricultural practices, while shaping the future of cannabis policy. Another story on the institute is here. |
Safety ScoopLearn how OSHA is catching up with the rapidly growing cannabis industry and taking steps to improve worker safety. |
Events
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Rulemaking Meetings, Regulatory Events, & Public Comments
All times listed are in local time.
- Alabama - The Medical Cannabis Commission (MCC) will be meeting on 10/10 at 1pm.
- Alaska - The next Marijuana Control Board (MCB) meetings will be on 11/19 at 9am.
- California - The next Cannabis Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting will be on 9/19 at 10am. The meeting materials include Upcoming Proposed Changes to Cultivation Regulations.
- Colorado - The Marijuana Enforcement Division’s (MED) permanent rulemaking hearing will be on 10/01 from 9am - 5pm.
- Delaware - The Office of the Marijuana Commissioner (OMC) published the final marijuana regulations in the "Register of Regulations" on 9/01.
- D.C. - The Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABC) Board meets every Wednesday except when in recess. This calendar details meeting dates, with the next ones on 9/18, 9/25, 10/02, and 10/09. The ABC posted a Notice of Emergency and Proposed Rulemaking and is accepting comments until 9/28.
- Georgia - The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission recently met on 9/18. They will be on a Patient Listening Tour on several dates in October and November.
- Kentucky - The Team Kentucky Medical Cannabis Workgroup will meet next on 10/23.
- Maine - The Office of Cannabis Policy's (OCP) Cannabis Hospitality Task Force met on 8/28. OCP's Community Listening Tour will stop in Searsport on 9/24 at 6pm and in Rockland on 9/25 at 6pm.
- Maryland - The Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) Advisory Board on Medical and Adult-Use Cannabis will meet on 9/26 at 2pm.
- Massachusetts - The Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) is soliciting feedback from stakeholders on the agency’s proposed regulatory changes to microbusinesses, delivery license types, telehealth options for patients, and prescribing allowances for providers. Email written submissions to [email protected] with “Regulation Comment” in the subject line of the email no later than 5pm on 10/07. They will hold a public hearing on these proposed rules on 10/07 at 10am. In addition, the Cannabis Advisory Board will meet on 9/26 at 10am and the CCC will host a public meetings on 9/27 and 10/10 at 10am.
- Michigan - The Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) had a public meeting on 9/11. They are hosting several webinars on various tax topics on 9/26, 10/03, 11/21.and 12/05, all at 10am. Their next public meeting will be on 12/11 at 9:30am.
- Minnesota - The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM)'s Cannabis Advisory Council will meet on 12/12 from 10am - 12pm. Their Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline is hosting a Legal Cannabis Industry Forum on 11/08 from 9-10am.
- Montana - The Montana Department of Revenue adopted revised marijuana sampling protocols and quality assurance testing requirements that were adopted on 8/24.
- Nevada - The Cannabis Compliance Board (CCB) met on 9/19 and will meet again on 10/17.
- New Hampshire - The next Therapeutic Cannabis Medical Oversight Board meeting will be on 10/02 from 5:30 - 7:30pm.
- New Jersey - The next Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) public meetings will be on 10/17 and 12/12 at 11am.
- New York - The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM)'s Social and Economic Equity (SEE) Subcommittee and the Cannabis Advisory Board will meet on 9/24 at 11am and 12:30pm, respectively. They are seeking public comments on proposed amendments to cannabis packaging, labeling, marketing and advertising regulations by 10/28 and on proposed regulation of violations, hearings, and enforcement by 11/11.
- Oregon - The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) met on 9/18 for a public hearing addressing amendments and adoption of rules needed to implement 2024 legislation related to hemp. The 2024 Cannabis Bill & Technical Rules Advisory Committee met on 9/24 (recording will be available here).
- Pennsylvania - The Medical Marijuana Advisory Board (MMAB) will meet on 11/13 from 10:30am - 12:30pm.
- Rhode Island - The Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) cancelled their 9/20 meeting and the next one is to be announced.
- Utah - The Medical Cannabis Policy Advisory Board (MCPAB) met on 9/17.
- Vermont - The Cannabis Control Board (CCB) recently met on 8/28 and will meet again on 9/25 and 10/30 at 1pm. They will also host a Municipal Roundtable on 10/08 at 11am.
- Virginia - The Cannabis Control Authority (CCA) Board of Directors will meet on 10/09 from 1 - 3pm.
- Washington - The Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) will have meetings on 9/24, 9/25, 10/02, 10/09, 10/10, 10/16, 10/23 and 10/24 from 10am - 11am (details here).
- West Virginia - The Office of Medical Cannabis (OMC)'s Medical Cannabis Advisory Board met on 9/04.
Are we missing one from your state? Let us know! Have an idea to improve our newsletter or want to get more involved with S3 Collective? Simply reply or fill out the form on our website here.
S3 Collective A nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering a credible and sustainable cannabis industry. Follow us on LinkedIn |
S3 Collective, PO Box 6118, Colorado Springs, CO 80934, United States, 720-443-1962 |