On September 21, Amazon disclosed that its earlier decision to end drug testing for cannabis also would be retroactive, allowing former employees and applicants penalized for testing positive for cannabis will have their eligibility restored and reconsidered.

Initially in June, Amazon’s position to end marijuana drug testing was widely celebrated but only mentioned future policy. However, the policy was recently clarified by Amazon’s senior vice president of human resources Beth Galetti, who said it also “reinstated the employment eligibility for former employees and applicants who were previously terminated or deferred during random or pre-employment marijuana screenings.” It is Amazon’s position that the state-level legalization movement has made it “difficult to implement an equitable, consistent and national pre-employment marijuana test program, showing it disproportionately impacts people of color and acts as a barrier to employment.”



By Vanessa Orr

With the legalization of medical marijuana in a number of states including Florida, cannabis’ effectiveness in treating everything from PTSD to epilepsy has gained attention, not just in the medical community, but from patients hoping that it can be used to treat other conditions, including cancer. And while it has been effective in treating some side effects from cancer treatment, such as nausea and vomiting, as well as for providing pain relief, helping to stimulate appetite and curb anxiety, there is still much more research to be done to determine if the drug can work on defeating the disease itself.

To date, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved cannabis or cannabinoids for use as a cancer treatment; however, it has approved two cannabinoids, dronabinol and nabilone, for the treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy in patients who have not responded to antiemetic therapy.

Buyer Beware

Despite the fact that the FDA has not approved any medical cannabis cancer treatment, that has not stopped fraudulent claims online from companies claiming that their products shrink malignant tumors, treat all forms of cancer, or are more effective than chemotherapy. Not only are these claims illegal, but they may also prevent patients from receiving the proper treatment for their disease.

According to Jason Humbert, a regulatory operations officer in the FDA’s Office of Regulatory Affairs, if a product is marketed as a natural cure for cancer or a natural treatment for cancer on a website or in social media, unless it has been evaluated by the FDA, there’s no reason to believe that it is safe or effective for that use. These products might even endanger user’s health, or interact with other medications they are taking.

While there have been some early clinical trials of cannabinoids in treating cancer in humans, and more studies are planned, the American Cancer Society reports that while the studies so far have shown that cannabinoids can be safe in treating cancer, they do not show that they help control or cure the disease. However, scientists have reported that THC and other cannabinoids such as CBD slow growth and/or cause death in certain types of cancer cells growing in lab dishes, and some animal studies also suggest certain cannabinoids may slow growth and reduce spread of some forms of cancer.

Further Studies Underway

Following promising results from a Phase 1 study in 27 patients, a Phase II trial, led by the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom, will assess whether adding Sativex—an oral spray containing cannabinoids THC and CBD—to chemotherapy, could extend life for thousands diagnosed with recurrent glioblastoma (GBM). The disease currently has an average survival of less than 10 months.

According to Professor Susan Short, the principal investigator on the new trial and professor of clinical oncology and neuro-oncology at Leeds, glioblastoma brain tumors have been shown to have receptors to cannabinoids on their cell surfaces. Laboratory studies on glioblastoma cells have shown that these drugs may slow tumor growth and work well when used with temozolomide chemotherapy.

The three-year Phase II trial (ARISTOCRAT) will recruit more than 230 patients beginning in early 2022, once enough money is raised by the Brain Tumour Charity, which is funding the study. It is hoped that in this randomized trial, a cannabinoid combination added to temozolomide chemotherapy can help glioblastoma patients live longer.

While this study may provide hope to those suffering from glioblastoma, it is important to note that researchers caution against the use of off-label nabiximols or other cannabinoid products in patients with GBM—or any cancers—until sufficient high-quality evidence supports their use.



What benefits do you see for patients throughout Florida within this space?

Florida, although a large market, is still very young. There is great potential for growth here, but there is also a lot of competition. With that said, any brand coming to market (or already present in the space) needs a solid strategy for the right product offerings and relevant ways to engage patients who are becoming increasingly savvy in how they research, shop and purchase products.

What motivates you to be a part of the cannabis Industry?

Being a part of the cannabis industry ties into Durée & Company’s work in emerging markets. Well before the 2018 Farm Bill passed, we saw incredible potential and were already working in the industry. There is a significant need for ongoing education, branding and public relations so that companies in this space reach customers/patients no matter their comfort level or knowledge of cannabis products. Being able to directly impact a brand, be a part of their DNA, and create a path for success is what keeps us motivated and enriched in our work.

What field are you in within the cannabis space?

Durée & Company is a full-service marketing and PR company, with a burgeoning emerging markets practice. The agency has worked with cannabis, medical marijuana treatment centers (MMTCs), MSOs, hemp and CBD brands/products, processing facilities, farmers, growers, cannabis cultivators, labs and more. We understand the industry up and down the supply chain and work with companies to identify goals, key messaging and competitive advantages that lead to successful outcomes for their brands.

How can people in Florida benefit from the company you represent?

Durée & Company has set itself apart by offering a select group of clients our proactive and strategic counsel. Never a one-size-fits-all PR strategy, we thoroughly understand the industry, the client, and recognize the continued need for education and anticipatory thinking. We keep a watchful eye on local and federal legislation and have a strong pulse on key expos and leadership conferences. We have proven relationships with influencers and thought leaders and utilize these relationships to garner publicity and awareness for our clients. As the industry continues its rapid growth, companies are seeking expert PR help to define their space among consumers/patients and that’s where we come in!

How did you get started within the cannabis industry?

Recognizing opportunities in the marketplace and embarking on industries that others were once afraid to touch has led me to cannabis. An existing real estate client brought me into the space; he was confident I could help move the needle for a company that desperately needed our help. So, prior to the Farm Bill passing in 2018, I took a leap and began representing clients within the cannabis industry. Per my relationships and research, I continued to see a need in the marketplace to represent clients in this space who wanted strategic, proactive PR help. Fast forward to today, Durée & Company has a bustling cannabis practice, but we remain dedicated to a select roster of clients, limiting the amount of brands we work with in each industry segment.

Are you personally a MJ card holder? 

Not yet but I am working on it! I want to make sure to get the full patient experience and document it, so I know how to explain the steps to journalists and others who are trying to obtain one. I also spend part of the year in Colorado at our Colorado office, where a card is not needed. 

Do you see Florida moving forward with recreational Marijuana/cannabis and how will that affect your business?

I think time will tell, but yes, there is potential for this to happen in the future! Recreational cannabis will definitely impact our business, as it will open up a whole new segment that needs public relations – including education, promotion and storytelling. There is huge potential for existing MMTCs to expand their business and reach a greater audience so that it drives more competition and demand – two key areas where our agency can help prepare businesses and strengthen their brand.



Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. conducted its annual and special meeting of shareholders on September 9, 2021.

At the Meeting, the number of directors on the board of directors of the Company for the ensuing year was fixed at nine by the shareholders and the following nominees for election as directors of the Company were elected by a majority of votes cast by the shareholders virtually present or represented by proxy at the Meeting: Boris Jordan; Joseph Lusardi; Dr. Jaswinder Grover; Karl Johansson; Peter Derby; and Mitchell Kahn.

Further, Antares Professional Corporation, Chartered Professional Accountants was reappointed as the Company’s auditor for the ensuing year.

Finally, at the Meeting, the shareholders approved the amendment (the “Amendment”) to the articles of the Company in order to extend the automatic termination of the dual-class structure of the Company and to maintain such dual-class structure of the Company until the earlier to occur of (i) the transfer or disposition of the multiple voting shares in the capital of the Company by Mr. Boris Jordan, the Executive Chairman of the Company, to one or more third parties (which are not Permitted Holders (i.e. members of his immediate family and entities controlled by Mr. Jordan and members of his immediate family)); (ii) Mr. Jordan or his Permitted Holders no longer beneficially owning, directly or indirectly and in the aggregate, at least 5% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company; and (iii) the first business day following the first annual meeting of shareholders of the Company following the subordinate voting shares of the Company being listed and posted for trading on a United States national securities exchange such as The Nasdaq Stock Market or The New York Stock Exchange.

Sanded Fruit Salad Candies on a White Background

In accordance with the corporate and securities legislation, the special resolution authorizing the Amendment was duly approved at the meeting by:

(i) 99.53% of the votes cast at the Meeting by all holders of subordinate voting shares and multiple voting shares present in person or represented by proxy, voting together as a single class;

(ii) 100% of the votes cast at the Meeting by all holders of multiple voting shares present in person or represented by proxy, voting as a class;

(iii) 97.528% of the votes cast at the Meeting by all holders of subordinate voting shares present in person or represented by proxy, voting as a class; and

(iv) for the purpose of confirming the requisite minority approval under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions has been obtained, a majority of the votes cast at the Meeting by the holders of subordinate voting shares, excluding the votes attached to 59,235,411 subordinate voting shares beneficially owned or over which control or direction is exercised by Mr. Jordan as at the record date; and the Subordinate Voting Shares beneficially owned or over which control or direction is exercised by related parties of Mr. Jordan and persons acting jointly or in concert with Mr. Jordan (including affiliates and associated).

The Company expects to file a notice of alteration with the British Columbia Registrar of Companies declaring that the articles of the Company have been amended in accordance with the Amendment on September 10, 2021, the first business day following the Meeting, and the date on which the Amendment will become effective.



By Carol Newman

Dr. Jeff Konin

Dr. Jeff Konin, a Clinical Professor in the Department of Athletic Training in the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Florida International University (FIU) is spearheading the efforts for the recently established Global Initiative for Cannabinoid Research and Education.

“We are excited to devote a sincere interest and multi-disciplinary effort toward the study of cannabinoid science and the timely and much needed education for our community,” Konin emphasized. To date, faculty from the areas of athletic training, nursing, analytical chemistry, epidemiology, occupational therapy, speech/language pathology, public health, and psychology comprised the initiative’s team.

The stated mission reads as follows: “The Global Initiative for Cannabinoid Research and Education is committed to high-quality education, contemporary and evidence-based research and creative activity, and collaborative engagement with our local and global communities.”

Dr. Konin also speaks to the fact of how important it is to build partnerships with this initiative as the cannabis space is growing so rapidly. “There is so much we want to do, and so many areas that could benefit from the research ideas and educational dissemination that we have planned. It is not only essential, but we welcome with open arms anyone in the industry that has an interest in collaborating with us,” Konin added.

The Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences’ vision is to be globally recognized as the higher education destination organization that is innovative, inquiry-driven and technologically advanced, drawing diverse top-class faculty, students, staff and others for positive transformation of society with a focus on the healthcare needs of underserved populations. The University was just named as the #78 best public University in the nation according to the U.S. News and World Report 2022 National University Rankings.

Dr. Ora Strickland, Dean of the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences at FIU excitedly shared, “The work of our Athletic Training faculty and students to gain evidence about the effective use of cannabinoid products is crucial for the quality of care of athletes and others that are faced with pain from injuries or who have anxiety or sleep disturbances. This database evidence will provide guidance for use of these products.”

Additionally, the initiative is being facilitated by the efforts of the Department of Athletic Training and under the guidance of its Doctoral program. FIU’s Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT) degree is one of only 8 in the entire country, and the only one that has a focused effort on cannabis research and education. This exciting endeavor has fostered the ability to recruit some of the very best individuals from all over the country to pursue FIU’s innovative degree and have the opportunity to work with industry leaders.

Dr. Michelle Odai, the Chair of the Department of Athletic Training stated, “This initiative adds to the rich history of success and innovation within the Department of Athletic Training at FIU. We look forward to research and educational outcomes that will enhance the field of sports medicine and beyond.”

To learn more about FIU’s cannabinoid research and education initiative visit their website at go.fiu.edu/GlobalCannabis. Anyone wishing to collaborate and partner with the program can contact Dr. Konin at jkonin@fiu.edu.