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From Dow Jones Newswires...
ALYI Announces Crypto Malta Conference to Advance Africa Electric Vehicle Initiative
1:25 PM ET 1/28/20 | Dow Jones
DALLAS, Jan. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Alternet Systems, Inc. (USOTC: ALYI) today announced meetings in Malta this week with local legal representatives, crypto strategy experts and African electric vehicle partners to coordinate the launch of new business entity domiciled in Malta. The new Malta business is the target organization intended to launch a $100 million initial coin offering (ICO) to fund infrastructure for electric vehicle production in Africa. The company plans to release a summary of the meetings that conclude this Friday on Monday, February 2(nd) .
ALYI African Crypto Strategy Highlights
The firm, IW Global (www.IW-Global.com) has proposed launching and managing an Initial Coin Offering (ICO) on ALYI's behalf specifically targeted at raising $100 million to fund infrastructure for electric vehicle production in Africa. ALYI has partnered with IW Global and ALYI's production and marketing partners in Kenya to form a new company (NewCo) with the specific focus of building a new, state of the art electric vehicle production plant. This NewCo will be a separate company apart from ALYI but exclusively contracted by ALYI for producing ALYI designed vehicles. The NewCo is the business entity that would initiate the proposed ICO. The funds would be dedicated to 1. Building the plant and 2. Funding the production of ALYI's vehicles. A successful ICO would permit ALYI to substantially accelerate and expand upon its existing $300 million in electric vehicle projects. Malta has been selected as the domicile for the NewCo. Malta is credited as the first country to create Cryptocurrency regulations.
ALYI Institutional Commitment
ALYI recently announced securing institutional commitment to support an annual African electric mobility technology conference and symposium to advance the deployment of electric powered transportation solutions specific to Africa. The focus includes environmental sustainability but also overall transportation efficiency applicable to the African transportation infrastructure, economy, and consumer. ALYI CEO, Dr. Randell Torno, contends that the immediate opportunity for electric powered transportation growth in Africa by far exceeds the electric powered transportation opportunity anywhere else in the world and that the electric mobility technology innovations that will be developed for Africa will ultimately form the foundation of commercial electric powered transportation everywhere. In short, Africa is the global proving ground for electric powered transportation. In December, Dr. Torno concluded meetings in London where he secured institutional brand name commitment that will serve as the anchor event and attraction at the annual African electric mobility technology conference and symposium. The planed conference and symposium location is Nairobi, Kenya.
For more information, please visit: http://www.alternetsystemsinc.com
Disclaimer/Safe Harbor: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. The statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Among others, these risks include the expectation that any of the companies mentioned herein will achieve significant sales, the failure to meet schedule or performance requirements of the companies' contracts, the companies' liquidity position, the companies' ability to obtain new contracts, the emergence of competitors with greater financial resources and the impact of competitive pricing. In the light of these uncertainties, the forward-looking events referred to in this release might not occur.
Alternet Systems, Inc. Contact:
Randell Torno
info@lithiumip.com
+1-800-713-0297
View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alyi-announces-crypto-malta-conference-to-advance-africa-electric-vehicle-initiative-300994692.html
SOURCE Alternet Systems, Inc.
/Web site: https://www.alternetsystemsinc.com/
> Dow Jones Newswires
January 28, 2020 13:25 ET (18:25 GMT)
Dow Jones Newswires...
USMJ Announces CBD and CBG Smokables in Pre Roll and Flower Now Available at www.USMJ.com
8:00 AM ET 1/28/20 | Dow Jones
DALLAS, Jan. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- North American Cannabis Holdings, Inc. (USOTC: USMJ) ("USMJ") today announced CBD and CBG Smokables in both Pre Roll and Flower now available on the company's eCommerce site www.USMJ.com.
"One of the fastest-growing hemp sectors bears a striking resemblance to the marijuana industry: dried and smokable hemp flowers." - Hemp Industry Daily
"Bethany Gomez, who analyzes the hemp industry for Brightfield Group, a Chicago-based cannabis market research firm, said her team uncovered the smokable hemp trend this year [2019] while calling retailers, including smoke shops, spas and natural-food stores, to find out what they were selling."
USMJ carries multiple CBD and CBG Smokable products in both Pre Roll and Flower adding to the company's more than 150 CBD, Hemp, and Cannabis Essentials products available on line. The www.USMJ.com brand name recognition is expanding bolstered by the brand recognition of the products available on the site. Products can be purchased using Visa, Mastercard, Discover or an electronic check.
Visit www.USMJ.com now.
To learn more visit www.USMJ.com and www.GrowUSMJ.com.
Disclaimer/Safe Harbor:
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. The statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Among others, these risks include the expectation that any of the companies mentioned herein will achieve significant sales, the failure to meet schedule or performance requirements of the companies' contracts, the companies' liquidity position, the companies' ability to obtain new contracts, the emergence of competitors with greater financial resources and the impact of competitive pricing. In the light of these uncertainties, the forward-looking events referred to in this release might not occur. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Steven Rash
CEO North American Cannabis Holdings, Inc.
info@aciconglomerated.com
+1-800-861-1350
View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/usmj-announces-cbd-and-cbg-smokables-in-pre-roll-and-flower-now-available-at-wwwusmjcom-300994386.html
SOURCE North American Cannabis Holdings, Inc.
/Web site: https://usmj.com
> Dow Jones Newswires
January 28, 2020 08:00 ET (13:00 GMT)
WELL, IT'S ABOUT TIME...
USDA Approves Texas State Hemp Plan
January 27, 2020 at 4:15 pm
Filed Under: AG, Crops, DFW News, Farming, hemp, hemp farm, Sid Miller, Texas Agriculture Commissioner, U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA
AUSTIN, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved Texas’ hemp regulatory plans, State Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said on Monday.
“This is a victory for Texas farmers,” Miller said in a statement. “We are one step closer to giving our ag producers access to this exciting new crop opportunity.”
Miller makes it clear it is still not yet legal to grow hemp in Texas.
“We’ve got to get our rules approved and get our licensing program up and running, but the dominoes are dropping pretty quick. We’re almost there.”
Texas questions out into the open
Posted: 5:02 PM, Jan 22, 2020 Updated: 2:22 AM, Jan 23, 2020
By: Dennis Turner
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Photo by: Turner, Dennis
WACO, TX — Texas leaders heard a lot Wednesday about an old crop that's new to Texas, but one that farmers say could provide big benefits and make them, and the state, lots of money.
Leaders say hemp could easily replace or compliment a Texas staple.
Lisa Martinez and Barbi Nichols of Comanche describe themselves as farmers of the "new cotton."
They grow hemp, a non-narcotic cousin to marijuana, which they say can do anything cotton can, and more.
"We're gonna be doing building construction supplies out of industrial hemp," said Nichols of Central Texas Hemp.
Wednesday, they and farmers from around the state came to give input on how Texas should promote and regulate hemp farming
"So we know that lobbyists work with 'em. We know that groups and organizations work with the government to put these regulations in place, we need to make sure that the little guy's heard," Nichols explained.
She and Martinez believe their crop has potential.
"We think that like the cotton farming can be replaced with hemp farming," said Martinez.
They believe hemp farming could at least supplement cotton, something on which the Texas Ag Commissioner agrees.
”Our goal is to have the best hemp program in the United States,” said Commissioner Sid Miller.
But policymakers, farmers and police have to have a common frame of reference.
"It's kind of like1920s. We're ending prohibition. If you're a pothead and you think this is for you, I promise you, it's not. I promise," said Commissioner Miller.
Among the big topics discussed were what to do with crops that get stressed by water and heat, along with sending the plant into "hot" or "defense mode" where it might produce the narcotic THC.
"Anytime the TDA opens up something like this to hear the farmers opinion, you know, it's good to jump in on that," said Sonny Beber of Waco Hemp Farm LLC.
Right now, the state wants to destroy those crops, but these farmers say, "let them sanitize and use it."
"We would love to just buy the hot crops and just turn 'em into housing supplies," said Nichols.
So it can build a new economy that will help a growing Texas.
Commissioner Miller will take the ideas presented and discuss them with his 24 member advisory council.
POLITICSFDA Would Be Required To Allow CBD Product Marketing Under New Bipartisan BillPublished 3 hours ago on January 14, 2020By Kyle Jaeger
SHARETWEET
A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers have introduced a new bill that would allow for hemp-derived CBD to be lawfully marketed as a dietary supplement.
While hemp and its derivatives were federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is still in the process of developing regulations that would let businesses sell it in the food supply or as nutritional supplements. Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said that rulemaking could take years without congressional action.
This legislation, filed on Monday, could be one way to resolve the problem, in that it amends the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to include CBD in the definition of dietary supplements.
Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN), chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, filed the bill. Initial cosponsors include Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY), James Comer (R-KY) and Chellie Pingree (D-ME).
“The last two Farm Bills were landmark successes for hemp, but we are still very early in this process, and growers need regulatory certainty,” Peterson said in a press release. “This bill will allow FDA to regulate CBD that comes from hemp as a dietary supplement, providing a pathway forward for hemp-derived products.”
Massie told Marijuana Moment that he’s “excited to be an original cosponsor of this bill.”
“Bipartisan allies in Congress and in the grassroots have worked hard for many years to pave the way for hemp legalization,” the congressman said. “In its first year, Kentucky’s industrial hemp industry added hundreds of new jobs and $100 million to the state’s economy! I’m confident H.R. 5587 will be another step in the right direction for industrial hemp.”
As it stands, FDA has said it is using enforcement discretion when it comes to CBD products that are already widely available in markets across the U.S. Only businesses making especially outlandish claims about the therapeutic benefits of the cannabis products are being targeted for the time being, with the agency sending a series of warning letters to select companies.
Numerous lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), have made clear to FDA that Congress intended to allow CBD products to be marketed when it passed the legalization provision, and they’ve urged the agency to expeditiously enact regulations allowing for that activity.
Eric Steenstra, president of the advocacy group Vote Hemp, said in an email blast to supporters that the organization “supports this important new bill which will help provide clarity to the marketplace and ensure that CBD supplements can be marketed and sold nationwide.”
“We urge Congress to pass this legislation quickly and FDA to regulate hemp derived CBD the same as any other supplement under existing regulations,” he said.
The bill, which has been referred to the Agriculture and Energy and Commerce Committees, also includes a provision that would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to study the “regulatory and market barriers for farmers engaged in hemp production.”
Specifically, the department would be required to research the costs of implementing a hemp testing program, the costs of destroying hemp with excess THC content, the “feasibility” of the testing timeline farmers must follow and “other known or potential challenges” related to participation in a domestic hemp market. The department would have to issue a report on its findings within one year of the bill’s enactment.
USDA also became responsible for creating new rules for hemp since the crop was legalized, and it issued an interim final rule outlining proposed regulations in October. Several lawmakers and industry stakeholders have weighed in and recommended certain changes to ensure that the hemp industry isn’t unduly restricted.
POLITICSFDA Would Be Required To Allow CBD Product Marketing Under New Bipartisan BillPublished 3 hours ago on January 14, 2020By Kyle Jaeger
SHARETWEET
A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers have introduced a new bill that would allow for hemp-derived CBD to be lawfully marketed as a dietary supplement.
While hemp and its derivatives were federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is still in the process of developing regulations that would let businesses sell it in the food supply or as nutritional supplements. Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said that rulemaking could take years without congressional action.
This legislation, filed on Monday, could be one way to resolve the problem, in that it amends the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to include CBD in the definition of dietary supplements.
Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN), chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, filed the bill. Initial cosponsors include Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY), James Comer (R-KY) and Chellie Pingree (D-ME).
“The last two Farm Bills were landmark successes for hemp, but we are still very early in this process, and growers need regulatory certainty,” Peterson said in a press release. “This bill will allow FDA to regulate CBD that comes from hemp as a dietary supplement, providing a pathway forward for hemp-derived products.”
Massie told Marijuana Moment that he’s “excited to be an original cosponsor of this bill.”
“Bipartisan allies in Congress and in the grassroots have worked hard for many years to pave the way for hemp legalization,” the congressman said. “In its first year, Kentucky’s industrial hemp industry added hundreds of new jobs and $100 million to the state’s economy! I’m confident H.R. 5587 will be another step in the right direction for industrial hemp.”
As it stands, FDA has said it is using enforcement discretion when it comes to CBD products that are already widely available in markets across the U.S. Only businesses making especially outlandish claims about the therapeutic benefits of the cannabis products are being targeted for the time being, with the agency sending a series of warning letters to select companies.
Numerous lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), have made clear to FDA that Congress intended to allow CBD products to be marketed when it passed the legalization provision, and they’ve urged the agency to expeditiously enact regulations allowing for that activity.
Eric Steenstra, president of the advocacy group Vote Hemp, said in an email blast to supporters that the organization “supports this important new bill which will help provide clarity to the marketplace and ensure that CBD supplements can be marketed and sold nationwide.”
“We urge Congress to pass this legislation quickly and FDA to regulate hemp derived CBD the same as any other supplement under existing regulations,” he said.
The bill, which has been referred to the Agriculture and Energy and Commerce Committees, also includes a provision that would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to study the “regulatory and market barriers for farmers engaged in hemp production.”
Specifically, the department would be required to research the costs of implementing a hemp testing program, the costs of destroying hemp with excess THC content, the “feasibility” of the testing timeline farmers must follow and “other known or potential challenges” related to participation in a domestic hemp market. The department would have to issue a report on its findings within one year of the bill’s enactment.
USDA also became responsible for creating new rules for hemp since the crop was legalized, and it issued an interim final rule outlining proposed regulations in October. Several lawmakers and industry stakeholders have weighed in and recommended certain changes to ensure that the hemp industry isn’t unduly restricted.
POLITICSCongress Will Debate Two Bills To Legalize Marijuana At Hearing With DEA Witness Next WeekPublished 12 hours ago on January 10, 2020By Kyle Jaeger
SHARETWEET
A congressional committee will debate two bills to federally legalize marijuana and several other pieces of cannabis research legislation next week, according to a briefing memo obtained by Marijuana Moment on Friday.
A House Energy and Commerce subcommittee is scheduled to hold a hearing on various reform proposals on Wednesday, with witnesses from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) set to testify.
This comes months after the House Judiciary Committee held a historic vote approving a comprehensive legalization bill sponsored by the panel’s chairman, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY). That legislation—the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act—will be one of two descheduling bills the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health will take up.
The memo starts by providing context on the state of cannabis policy in the U.S., outlining research restrictions imposed under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), the legalization of industrial hemp, past petitions to reschedule cannabis and public health issues.
DEA Senior Policy Advisor Matthew Strait, FDA Deputy Director for Regulatory Programs Douglas Throckmorton and NIDA Director Nora Volkow are listed as witnesses for the hearing.
Here are the bills that the committee will consider next week:
Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act
The MORE Act would federally deschedule cannabis, expunge the records of those with prior marijuana convictions and impose a five percent tax on sales, revenue from which would be reinvested in communities most impacted by the drug war.
It would also create a pathway for resentencing for those incarcerated for marijuana offenses, as well as protect immigrants from being denied citizenship over cannabis and prevent federal agencies from blocking public benefits or security clearances due to its use.
Marijuana Freedom and Opportunity Act
This bill, sponsored by Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), would federally deschedule marijuana, set aside funding for minority and women-owned cannabis businesses and provide grants to help people expunge prior marijuana convictions. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is the lead sponsor of a companion Senate bill.
Medical Cannabis Research Act of 2019
The Medical Cannabis Research Act, sponsored by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), would require the Justice Department to approve additional manufacturers of research-grade marijuana, protect research institutions interested in conducting studies on cannabis and authorize the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to inform patients about federally approved cannabis studies that they can participate in.
Medical Marijuana Research Act of 2019
A bipartisan group of House members, led by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), introduced the bill last year. It would simplify the registration process for researchers interested in studying cannabis and allow certified scientists to obtain research-grade cannabis from private manufacturers.
Legitimate Use of Medicinal Marijuana Act
This legislation, from Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA), would move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule II under the CSA and clarify that the federal government cannot “prohibit or otherwise restrict” state-legal use, possession, transportation, production and distribution of medical cannabis.
Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) is the sponsor of the Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act, a bill that would make it legal under federal law for military veterans to “use, possess, or transport medical marijuana” in state-legal systems. It would also allow Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors to issue medical cannabis recommendations to their patients.
Here We Go: USDA Approves First Round of State and Tribal Hemp Plans - Cannabis Industry News Alert
Riley McDaniel, Whitt Steineker
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
+ Follow Contact
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
On December 27, just two months after issuing its long-awaited interim hemp rule, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved the first round of state and tribal hemp production plans.
Pursuant to the 2018 Farm Bill, the USDA was tasked with both developing a hemp production plan and approving state and tribal plans. To produce hemp, growers must be licensed under a state, tribal, or USDA plan. Currently, hemp growers are operating under more limited state licensing regimes permitted under the 2014 Farm Bill.
After 10 months of anticipation, the USDA issued the interim rule on October 31, 2019 (discussed here). Due to the high level of interest and responses to the interim rule, the USDA extended the public comment period to January 29, 2020.
Despite the lack of finality with the interim rule, the USDA approved the plans of Louisiana, New Jersey, and Ohio, as well as the Flandreau Santee Sioux, Santa Rosa Cahuilla, and La Jolla Band of Luiseno tribes. The USDA is also currently reviewing 17 state plans and 11 tribal plans. An additional eight states and five tribes have notified the USDA that they are drafting plans. A comprehensive overview of the status of plans can be found here. The clarity provided in the interim rule, combined with the quick approval of state plans, is welcome news to the hemp industry, as it should have the downstream effect of enticing more service providers to enter the hemp industry.
While the interim rule is still subject to changes before being finalized, hemp producers should be prepared – in the very near future – to develop robust policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the USDA, state, or tribal plan that governs their operations.
The sidecar serves two purposes...Room for an extra passenger and room for extra battery storage...
Pretty much why I'm sticking around...I've bought enough shares, so I'm done buying any more...Now it's just wait and see...
And the process moves forward...Hopefully Texas will be one of the next states to be approved...
POLITICSUSDA Approves First State Hemp Plans Following Crop’s Federal LegalizationPublished 3 hours ago on December 27, 2019By Kyle Jaeger
SHARETWEET
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Friday that it has approved hemp regulatory plans for three states and three Indian tribes—with many more approvals likely on the horizon.
After hemp and its derivatives were federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill, USDA got to work developing rules for growing and processing the crop, and in October it released interim guidelines that any state or tribe must comply with.
Louisiana, New Jersey and Ohio—as well as the Flandreau Santee Sioux, Santa Rosa Cahuilla and La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indian Tribes—are the first to have their plans accepted by the federal government.
This first set of approvals comes in the midst of a public comment period, which has allowed stakeholders to offer feedback on the proposed rules. The high volume of responses prompted USDA to recently extend the comment window from the end of December to January 29, 2020.
“To produce hemp, growers must be licensed or authorized under a state, tribe, or USDA production program. The program a grower is licensed under depends on the location of the hemp growing facility,” the department said in a notice. “If a state or tribe has an approved plan or is in the process of developing a plan, growers must apply and be licensed or authorized under its hemp program. If a state or tribe does not have a plan and does not intend to have a plan, growers can apply for a license from USDA.”
USDA is maintaining a website that tracks the status of state and tribal hemp plans, and the page shows that the department is currently reviewing 16 state and 10 tribal plans. Eight states and five tribes have notified USDA that they’re drafting plans. Three states have indicated that they will continue to operate under a pilot program enacted under the earlier 2014 Farm Bill, and one state, Maryland, will use the department’s default hemp rules.
In its proposal, New Jersey’s agriculture department said it “is in New Jersey’s best interests to administer a program within the State to ensure the needs of local farmers and businesses are being met.” The state’s existing hemp program, which was enacted in August, “complies with the 2018 Farm Bill,” it added.
While the majority of states and tribes are moving forward with their submissions, USDA’s rules could ultimately change given widespread input from hemp businesses and lawmakers, who’ve identified certain provisions that they feel would inhibit the industry’s growth. They’ve expressed concerns about THC limits and laboratory testing requirements, for example.
Separately, hemp farmers welcomed a recent development from USDA, which announced this week that the crop will qualify for a new insurance pilot program for the 2020 growing season in certain states. That comes after the department said hemp could be covered under a separate insurance program, but that one does not apply to hemp cultivated for CBD oil.
Federal appropriations bill includes nearly $20 million in hemp industry provisions
Published December 20, 2019
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A $1.4 billion federal spending bill that passed both houses of Congress and was expected to be signed Friday by President Donald Trump reportedly includes provisions that would benefit hemp and CBD businesses.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020 secures nearly $20 million in funding for the growing hemp industry, according to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky who is a senior member of the Senate Appropriations and Agriculture Committee, and Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, both Democrats from Oregon, worked to include the provisions in the 2020 federal spending act, according to advocacy group Vote Hemp.
The bill includes:
$16.5 million for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to implement hemp provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill.
$2 million for the research of hemp through Agriculture Research Service (ARS) sites.
A measure encouraging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue formal enforcement discretion guidance for CBD products.
A provision directing the Farm Credit Administration to offer services to hemp producers and businesses.
A prohibition barring the federal government from banning the transfer, production or sale of hemp in accordance with the 2014 Farm Bill.
Support for competitive USDA grants for hemp projects.
A measure to support the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) efforts to deploy technology to enable law enforcement to distinguish between hemp and marijuana in the field.
It seems odd watching this stock inch upwards without the usual herd of pumpers coming through and pushing ALYI for a few days or so...It just feels different seeing it do it all on it's own...
ALYI - Alternet Systems Confirms Thursday London Update
Newsfile Corp.
NewsfileDecember 17, 2019, 3:06 PM UTC
Dallas, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2019) - Alternet Systems, Inc. (OTC Pink: ALYI) today confirmed an update scheduled for Thursday this week, December 19th, 2019 to review the outcome of the upcoming strategic meetings in London going on now. The company CEO, Randell Torno is in London to advance a developing opportunity anticipated to bring global attention to ALYI's electric vehicle initiative in Africa. The opportunity out of London has been in the works for months and ALYI management considers the upcoming meetings to be a major watershed event. The next step following the meetings is anticipated to advance rapidly and to be the first step where the public will become aware of the full magnitude of the opportunity.
ALYI is developing $300 million in electric vehicle projects in Africa targeting the shared ride market. The company has signed orders to produce in Africa, electric motorcycles with a side car initially for shared ride providers in Kenya. The company successfully passed an electric motorcycle prototype testing milestone recently and anticipates having its production design pilot motorcycle completed any day. ALYI has also recently announced a $100 million cryptocurrency investment strategy targeted at expanding beyond the company's existing $300 million in electric vehicle projects in Africa.
For more information, please visit: http://www.alternetsystemsinc.com
Disclaimer/Safe Harbor: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. The statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Among others, these risks include the expectation that any of the companies mentioned herein will achieve significant sales, the failure to meet schedule or performance requirements of the companies' contracts, the companies' liquidity position, the companies' ability to obtain new contracts, the emergence of competitors with greater financial resources and the impact of competitive pricing. In the light of these uncertainties, the forward-looking events referred to in this release might not occur.
Alternet Systems, Inc. Contact:
Randell Torno
info@lithiumip.com
+1-800-713-0297
Everything goes through Texas for this company...I know there's the little things like New York & Canada, but I feel the bigger picture for NOUV isn't going to start coming into focus until Hemp farming is finally allowed in Texas...That's when I think this company will start moving up...Just how I see it...
And Texas works on its Hemp infrastructure...Good planning on their part...
plans a giant industrial facility
Texas lawmakers paved the way for the hemp industry when they legalized the crop earlier this year.
Texas’ hemp industry is poised to grow after state lawmakers legalized the crop earlier this year.
Texas’ hemp industry is poised to grow after state lawmakers legalized the crop earlier this year.(Dreamstime)
By Melissa Repko
6:15 PM on Dec 11, 2019
A Dallas-based company is tapping into the Texas’ nascent hemp industry with a new industrial facility that will process the plant and turn it into a material that can be used for clothing, car parts and insulation for houses.
Panda Biotech will open the 255,000-square-foot facility in Shallowater, a small town that’s 12 miles northwest of Lubbock. It will finalize its purchase of the building in early 2020 and begin processing within a year, company spokesman Bill Pentak said.
Texas’ hemp industry is poised to grow after state lawmakers legalized the crop this year. Gov. Greg Abbott signed the bill into law in January — but farmers are still waiting for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s approval of the state program and Texas’ adoption of rules. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said this week that the state will begin issuing licenses to grow hemp in early 2020.
Hemp is a type of the cannabis. It’s related to marijuana but has low or untraceable amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, the psychoactive compound that gives marijuana users a high. Federal and state law defines hemp as having no more than 0.3% of THC.
In this Thursday, June 6, 2019 photo, small hemp plants recently brought outside from a grow room wait to be planted in the field at 5th Sun Gardens, a hemp farm in Lanesboro, Minn. (Evan Frost/Minnesota Public Radio via AP)
POLITICS
Gov. Greg Abbott signs law legalizing hemp production, CBD products in Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott signs law legalizing hemp production, CBD products in Texas
BY LAUREN MCGAUGHY
Congress legalized hemp in last year’s Farm Bill. One of its advocates was Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican who represents Kentucky and sees hemp as a potential replacement for one of the state’s major cash crops, tobacco.
Hemp can be used to make construction materials, automobile composites, textiles and more. It can also be used for edible products, such as hemp protein for smoothies, or cosmetic items like lotion.
Lawmakers are beginning to introduce bills to legalize growing hemp in other states. Advocates of hemp in Texas say they don't want the state and its economy to miss out.
BUSINESS
'It's not the boogeyman': Advocates push to legalize hemp farming in Texas
'It's not the boogeyman': Advocates push to legalize hemp farming in Texas
BY MELISSA REPKO
Panda Biotech was founded by Bob Carter, a Dallas entrepreneur who’s made his money in the energy business. He’s founder of Panda Power Funds, a private equity company that owns and operates investments in clean energy, such as large solar farms. He also founded Panda Energy International, a predecessor to the private equity firm that built power plants, and he previously worked in oil and gas. The companies are not related, except for their common founder.
Panda Biotech picked the Lubbock area for its first facility because it’s in the High Plains, a region known for growing cotton and one that’s primed for hemp growth. Hemp is “a great dance partner for cotton," Pentak said. The two materials can be blended to make clothing, upholstery and linens.
“When you can take the durability of hemp fiber and combine it with the softness of cotton, you really have a premium material,” he said.
The company plans to hire 20 employees and use hemp that’s grown within an 100-mile radius to reduce transportation costs, Pentak said. It expects to process more than 130,000 tons of Texas-grown industrial hemp and is looking for sites for other facilities, he said.
RETAIL
High fashion? Neiman Marcus adds cannabis beauty products to its luxury lineup
High fashion? Neiman Marcus adds cannabis beauty products to its luxury lineup
BY MELISSA REPKO
The facility will process hemp stalks that are harvested before its seeds and flowers mature. The seeds and flowers are parts of the hemp plant that are used for CBD products. CBD or cannabidiol is a compound used as a treatment for epilepsy and other medical conditions. The products, which are sold at retailers from convenience stores to high-end retailers, have also become a wellness trend.
At Panda’s facility, the company will process the bamboo-looking fibrous plant. When it’s done, the hemp will resemble cotton, Pentak said. The material will be sold to manufacturers, which can use it to make cloth, rope or other products.
Texas Farm Bureau spokesman Gary Joiner said the processing facility could give farmers more confidence to enter the emerging industry. He’s spoken with farmers who are interested but cautious. Some want to see the market mature so they know there’s enough demand, he said. Others are researching equipment they’d need and if they could get crop insurance.
And, he added, growing hemp will come with unique requirements, such as a mandatory background check.
“It’s unlike anything else within the agricultural marketplace in Texas," he said. "That may not be for everyone. But there are those saying, ‘We’re ready.’”
Dallas-based Panda Biotech plans to open a 255,000-square-foot facility in Shallowater, a small town that's 12 miles northwest of Lubbock. It will finalize its purchase of the building shown in this photo in early 2020 and begin processing within a year.
Dallas-based Panda Biotech plans to open a 255,000-square-foot facility in Shallowater, a small town that's 12 miles northwest of Lubbock. It will finalize its purchase of the building shown in this photo in early 2020 and begin processing within a year.(Courtesy of Panda Biotech)
No problem...
Time for someone to create a better battery...
World's first' fully-electric commercial flight takes off
11 December 2019 Business
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Image copyrightHARBOUR AIR & MAGNIXA Harbour Air electric aircraft
An all-electric powered seaplane has taken flight in Vancouver, Canada, in what the operators describe as a "world first" for the aviation industry.
The short test flight by Harbour Air and magniX involved a six-passenger aircraft fitted with an electric motor.
The companies said it was a first step to building the "world's first all-electric commercial fleet".
The push to electric could help slash carbon emissions in the high-polluting aviation sector.
"This historic flight signifies the start of the third era in aviation - the electric age," Harbour Air and magniX said in a statement.
The flight involved a six-passenger DHC-2 de Havilland Beaver with a 750-horsepower (560 kW) magni500 propulsion system.
Launched at the Paris Air Show earlier this year, Australian company magniX said its propulsion system aims to provide a "clean and efficient way to power airplanes".
Why the age of electric flight is finally upon us
Could aviation ever be less polluting?
Canadian seaplane operator Harbour Air hopes to electrify its entire fleet by 2022, provided it secures safety and regulatory approvals.
Electric ambitions
Shifting to electric engines is seen as one way to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the aviation sector.
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It comes amid growing concern from travellers over the polluting impacts of flying.
In the UK, aviation is set to be the biggest source of emissions by 2050 .
A recent survey by Swiss bank UBS found people are beginning to cut air travel over concern for the environment - as the Swedish concept of "flygskam" or "flight shame" appeared to spread.
Still, electric aircraft that can travel long distances remain a big challenge for the sector.
Electrical motors, generators, power distribution and controls have advanced rapidly but battery technology has not.
An aircraft like the one flown in Vancouver could only fly about 160km (100 miles) on lithium battery power, according to AFP.
"The [flight] range now is not where we'd love it to be, but it's enough to start the revolution," said magniX chief executive Roei Ganzarski, the news agency reported.
Texas hemp plan sent to USDA
Robert Sims
23 hours ago
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Agriculture Commissioner, Sid Miller, announced Tuesday that he has sent the Texas Hemp Program outline to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for approval.
In October, the USDA announced the establishment of the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program creating a regulatory framework around hemp production in the United States. After the Texas Hemp Program passes the requirements of the USDA hemp framework, the Texas Department of Agriculture will be able to grant licenses for industrial hemp production.
“This is another step closer on the road to legalized industrial hemp in Texas,” said Miller. “I anticipate that the USDA will approve our plan quickly, but this does not mean it is legal to grow hemp yet. We still must finalize our state rules and get our licensing program up and running first.”
Miller has also announced a public hearing on hemp rules will be held in 2020.
Hemp comes from the same species of plant as marijuana, Cannabis sativa, but are genetically distinct — marijuana with high levels of psychotropic compounds and hemp with extremely low levels.
Because of hemp’s relationship to marijuana, it was classified as Schedule I controlled substance. The legalization of hemp is gaining popularity due to its available uses in the textile industry, paper, fabrics and other industrial goods.
Categories: Austin, Local, News, Texas, Top Stories
Chart: Hemp sales could increase by more than $100 million by 2022, USDA predicts
Published 22 hours ago | By Maggie Cowee
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(This story and the accompanying chart have been updated to correct an error in the amount of hemp sales increases the USDA expects as a result of the agency’s new rules for the industry.)
U.S. hemp sales could increase as much as $25 million in 2020 and by more than $100 million by 2022, according to new estimates by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
These estimates are some of the figures outlined in Hemp Industry Daily’s new special report, “USDA Hemp Rules: A Handbook for Hemp & CBD Businesses.”
The free report, released Tuesday, outlines the contents of the USDA’s interim final rules regarding the establishment of a domestic hemp production program. The rules took effect Oct. 31.
The agency points to three drivers of growth for hemp sales:
The rate at which hemp acreage has increased in recent years.
The number of states whose hemp pilot programs produced a crop in recent years.
How many states have passed legislation following the signing of the 2018 Farm Bill.
The long-awaited interim rules were finally released Oct. 29 after receiving final approval from the White House Office of Management and Budget.
While the release of the rules was welcome, hemp producers and industry experts alike have worked to determine exactly what the rules say and how they will impact the burgeoning industry.
Other vital hemp industry information found in “USDA Hemp Rules: A Handbook for Hemp & CBD Businesses” includes:
Projections on the total number of hemp production licensees through 2022.
Per-acre yield and gross revenue estimates for hemp flower, fiber and grain.
An overview of individual crop and whole farm insurance programs available to U.S. hemp producers.
Hemp Industry Daily’s new special report, “USDA Hemp Rules: A Handbook for Hemp & CBD Businesses,” is available as a free download here.
Maggie Cowee can be reached at maggiec@mjbizdaily.com
Me too 757...
Sid Miller Says Texas Is Ready To Craft Its Hemp-Growing Rules After Feds Approve National Plan
By JERRY QUIJANO • OCT 31, 2019
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Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller recites the pledge of allegiance during the first meeting of the 84th Legislative session at theTexas State Capitol in 2015.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller recites the pledge of allegiance during the first meeting of the 84th Legislative session at theTexas State Capitol in 2015.
JORGE SANHUEZA-LYON / KUT
Texans who want to legally grow industrial hemp are one step closer to making that a reality after the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its framework plan for hemp production on Tuesday.
The federal government legalized hemp as part of the 2018 Farm Bill and Texas legislators followed suit earlier this year.
“This is the big leap forward we’ve all been waiting for. … [It] is still not yet legal to grow industrial hemp in Texas,” Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said. “But we are one step closer to allowing farmers to get this exciting new crop in the ground.”
Even though hemp is legal in the state, farmers wanting to plant hemp had no regulations to follow.
Now that the federal government has a plan, Miller says the state can submit its own hemp program to the USDA — something it could do as soon as next month. Once the plan is approved, the state can begin the application process to permit hemp growers.
“We’re not going to be able to make our plan any less restrictive than theirs. But we’re going to have to add some things to it that [the USDA] didn’t address,” Miller said. “Our plan will be much more detailed than theirs so you’d think they’re probably going to accept it.”
Miller says the federal plan doesn't include rules for transporting hemp, seed regulation and quality, and the uniformity of testing. He says there is still much to be done to finish Texas' hemp plan, but his office has done much of the groundwork already.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue said the USDA wanted to get its plan out so that farmers could be ready to incorporate hemp into their 2020 planting season. Miller says he believes they’ll have a plan ready by next month, but his department has a tight window to finish in time.
POLITICSFederal Regulators Ease Hemp Banking Protocols Following Crop’s LegalizationPublished 4 hours ago on December 3, 2019By Kyle Jaeger
SHARETWEET
Federal financial regulatory agencies are clarifying that banks no longer have to take extra steps to track accounts for hemp-related businesses.
Before hemp and its derivatives were federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill, financial institutions were required to file suspicious activity reports (SARs) for accounts associated with the crop because it was a Schedule I controlled substance treated the same as marijuana.
But the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, as well as the Conference of State Bank Supervisors, issued a statement on Tuesday updating banks on the legal status of hemp.
Federal Reserve
?
@federalreserve
@federalreserve @fdicgov @usocc @CSBSnews and FinCEN clarify requirements for providing financial services to hemp-related businesses: http://go.usa.gov/xpPUB
Agencies clarify requirements for providing financial services to hemp-related businesses
WASHINGTON—Four federal agencies in conjunction with the state bank regulators today issued a statement clarifying the legal status of hemp growth and pr
federalreserve.gov
16
10:01 AM - Dec 3, 2019
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See Federal Reserve's other Tweets
“Because hemp is no longer a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act, banks are not required to file a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) on customers solely because they are engaged in the growth or cultivation of hemp in accordance with applicable laws and regulations,” the memo states. “For hemp-related customers, banks are expected to follow standard SAR procedures, and file a SAR if indicia of suspicious activity warrants.”
In essence, the financial agencies said that while banks don’t have to accept hemp accounts, if they do, those clients shouldn’t be treated any differently than customers from any other legal industry.
FDIC Gov
?
@FDICgov
FDIC, @FederalReserve, @USOCC, and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, along with @CSBSNews, have clarified reporting requirements for banks with customers involved in hemp-related businesses. https://go.usa.gov/xpPPr
6
10:18 AM - Dec 3, 2019
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“When deciding to serve hemp-related businesses, banks must comply with applicable regulatory requirements for customer identification, suspicious activity reporting, currency transaction reporting, and risk-based customer due diligence, including the collection of beneficial ownership information for legal entity customers,” they wrote.
Federal guidance on dealing with marijuana businesses, which was outlined in a 2014 Treasury Department memo, remains in place, the letter added. Banks must still file SARs for those firms, regardless of the legal status of cannabis under state law.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), a chief proponent of hemp legalization, took credit for the release of updated guidance. In April, he and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) sent a series of letters to federal financial regulators requesting clarification on the legality of servicing hemp businesses.
Senator McConnell Press
?
@McConnellPress
At @senatemajldr Mitch McConnell’s request, federal banking regulatory agencies issue joint guidance to assist legal #hemp industry: http://bit.ly/2rO2rxe @FDICgov @USOCC @federalreserve @CSBSNews + Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)
9
10:17 AM - Dec 3, 2019
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“Today’s multi-agency announcement represents continued progress as we work to ensure hemp is treated just like any other legal agricultural commodity,” McConnell said in a press release on Tuesday. “Even after President Trump signed my initiative in last year’s farm bill to fully legalize hemp and remove it from the list of federally controlled substances, I heard from hemp producers around Kentucky about their ongoing challenges, including the lack of access to the financial system.”
“I’m proud federal banking regulators agreed to my request to issue new guidance that affirms hemp’s legality,” he said. “I look forward to more Kentucky producers having the ability to grow their hemp businesses with the help of the Commonwealth’s financial institutions.”
Wyden also cheered the development.
“Hemp was legalized almost a year ago, yet Oregon farmers and producers have been forced to ride the roller coaster of uncertainty,” he said in a press release. “Slowly but surely federal regulators are starting to catch up, and these new banking guidelines are an important step toward giving hemp businesses the certainty they need. The work doesn’t stop here, however, and more must be done to make sure hemp businesses are treated fairly and allowed to fully realize this legal crop’s economic potential in our state and nationwide.”
House Committee on Small Business
?
@HouseSmallBiz
The recent legalization of hemp presents big opportunities for small businesses. Ensuring they have access to banking is an important step in building a business.
…@federalreserve @fdicgov @usocc @CSBSnews and FinCEN clarify requirements for providing financial services to hemp-related businesses: https://t.co/XFFAl0qeOq
— Federal Reserve (@federalreserve) December 3, 2019
PURA and KALY Announce Landing First Kenyan Coffee Shipment Adding To $8 Million 2020 Beverage Revenue Target
Dallas, TX -- December 3, 2019 -- InvestorsHub NewsWire -- Puration, Inc. (USOTC: PURA) today announced the company has landed its first Kenyan coffee shipment. The company recently announced it will begin producing CBD infused Fair Trade coffee from Kenya. Now that the first shipment from Kenya has arrived, the company can begin formulating the CBD infusion. PURA has engaged Kali-Extracts, Inc. (USOTC: KALY) to design the CBD infusion for ground coffee. KALY has a U.S. Patented Cannabis Extraction Process. PURA has the sole license of the patent for beverage infusion.
PURA currently makes and sells EVERx CBD Sports Water, the leading CBD sports drink in the sports nutrition market. PURA has recently confirmed a $4 million 2020 revenue target following the publication of its Q3 financial report. The company has also confirmed an $8 million 2020 revenue target built on the growing sales of EVERx and the introduction of new cannabis infused beverages.
A few months ago, PURA launched an initiative to partner with other beverage companies and introduce CBD Infused beer, coffee and tea beverages. PURA recently introduced TranquiliTeaCBD as its first new beverage from the beer, coffee and tea initiative. TranquiliTea is expected to be on shelves before the end of the year.
As part of PURA’s new beverage initiative, PURA engaged Goldman Small Cap Research to conduct a CBD beverage industry survey (see link below). Goldman has published the final survey results of the survey.
CBD Beverage Survey Highlights
“Key Numbers: When asked in order of preference what CBD-infused beverage they would buy, 77 or 31% said tea and 74 or 30% said water. As a provider of water and tea, PURA leadership certainly is providing consumers the most popular categories of CBD-infused beverages which bodes very well for future sales and market share growth.“
“The Trend is PURA’s Friend: While CBD oils remain the most popular source of CBD products, the data and responses indicate that oils, vapes, and tinctures usage may be swapped on an ever-increasing scale, for edibles and beverages. We expect that they will eventually overtake these product categories which will be a boon to PURA.”
To see the full final CBD Beverage industry survey results, follow the link below:
CBD Beverage Industry Results
For more information on Puration, visit http://www.purationinc.com
Disclaimer/Safe Harbor:
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. The statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Among others, these risks include the expectation that any of the companies mentioned herein will achieve significant sales, the failure to meet schedule or performance requirements of the companies' contracts, the companies' liquidity position, the companies' ability to obtain new contracts, the emergence of competitors with greater financial resources and the impact of competitive pricing. In the light of these uncertainties, the forward-looking events referred to in this release might not occur. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Contact:
Puration, Inc.
Brian Shibley,
info@aciconglomerated.com
(800) 861-1350
(ALYI) ALYI - Alternet Systems Highlights African Crypto Strategy After Twitter and Square CEO Plans Move To Africa
11:48 AM ET 12/3/19 | Dow Jones
Dallas, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - December 3, 2019) - Alternet Systems, Inc. (OTC Pink: ALYI) today highlighted its ongoing African Crypto Strategy after Twitter and Square CEO Jack Dorsey announced plans to move to Africa. Mr. Dorsey, the CEO of both companies has already been in Nigeria for a month meeting with crypto entrepreneurs. Dorsey has Tweeted about cryptocurrency and Square has launched a crypto division.
A CNBC article reporting on Dorsey's plans include some analysts' outlooks:
Lisa Ellis, partner and senior equity analyst at MoffettNathanson said an Africa expansion, "fits tightly with Square's mission to empower the individual entrepreneur and drive financial inclusion."
"I can see products like Square's merchant working capital, and the ability to purchase bitcoin and do fractional investing, having significant applicability in Africa," Ellis told CNBC. "Someone still has to 'mind the store' at home, though."
The region represents the "future of payments," according to Macquarie senior payments analyst Dan Dolev. The move could be "very forward thinking" and an opportunity to learn that market in depth, he said. Dolev is also confident that Dorsey can manage both companies remotely.
"This could provide them with a strong perspective on Africa, and a first-mover advantage in a market that will likely be very dominant in payments over the next decades," Dolev said. "I don't see any issues, only opportunities."
ALYI African Crypto Strategy Highlights
The firm, IW Global (www.IW-Global.com) has proposed launching and managing an Initial Coin Offering (ICO) on ALYI's behalf specifically targeted at raising $100 million to fund infrastructure for electric vehicle production in Africa. ALYI has partnered with IW Global and ALYI's production and marketing partners in Kenya to form a new company (NewCo) with the specific focus of building a new, state of the art electric vehicle production plant. This NewCo will be a separate company apart from ALYI but exclusively contracted by ALYI for producing ALYI designed vehicles. The NewCo is the business entity that would initiate the proposed ICO. The funds would be dedicated to 1. Building the plant and 2. Funding the production of ALYI's vehicles. A successful ICO would permit ALYI to substantially accelerate and expand upon its existing $300 million in electric vehicle projects.
ALYI sees the same digital currency, payment, and investment technology and business practice leapfrog opportunity that it appears Mr. Dorsey is now pursuing. ALYI management also maintains that Africa holds higher potential for eclectic vehicle sector growth than any other region within the global electric vehicle market anticipated to reach over $550 billion by 2025. Africa is urbanizing at a rate that exceeds twice the global average. Car ownership in Africa is extremely low at only 2% per capita compared to 70% in the U.S. and 50% in Europe leaving tremendous room for growth. Shared riding has been a custom in Africa long-before phone apps made the rest of the world aware of the shared ride market. ALYI is betting on the rapid adoption of electric vehicles for the shared ride market in Africa and positioning to be the leader in the field of manufacturing electric vehicles for the African shared ride market. The shared ride market will likely grow through revenue and investment transacted via digital currency transactions.
While Mr. Dorsey has been in Africa for a month and considers extending his stay another six months, ALYI CEO Randy Torno has been in Africa for the past two years and has just committed to at least another year.
ALYI has recently confirmed that later this week Goldman Small Cap Research is expected to issue its initial results from a consumer acceptance cryptocurrency survey intended to measure the viability of a strategy to raise $100 million to expand ALYI's African electric vehicle strategy and to correspondingly refine the strategy in response to the survey results.
ALYI management plans to publish continued progress reports as the ICO strategy develops.
For more information, please visit: http://www.alternetsystemsinc.com
Disclaimer/Safe Harbor: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. The statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Among others, these risks include the expectation that any of the companies mentioned herein will achieve significant sales, the failure to meet schedule or performance requirements of the companies' contracts, the companies' liquidity position, the companies' ability to obtain new contracts, the emergence of competitors with greater financial resources and the impact of competitive pricing. In the light of these uncertainties, the forward-looking events referred to in this release might not occur.
Alternet Systems, Inc. Contact:
Randell Torno
info@lithiumip.com
+1-800-713-0297
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/50360
> Dow Jones Newswires
December 03, 2019 11:48 ET (16:48 GMT)
This is the first time I've seen something on ALYI posted by Dow Jones...
(ALYI) ALYI - Alternet Systems Hemp Electric Vehicle Developments Remain Center Stage
12:19 PM ET 12/2/19 | Dow Jones
Dallas, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - December 2, 2019) - Alternet Systems, Inc. (OTC Pink: ALYI) today announced that its ongoing hemp battery and hemp auto body development initiatives are included in the company's plans to establish a major electric vehicle research and production facility in Africa. ALYI has initiated and continues to develop $300 million in electric vehicle projects in Africa targeting the shared ride market. Through a partnership, ALYI has recently announced a cryptocurrency finance initiative intended to dramatically expand beyond its current $300 million electric vehicle developments in Africa.
The firm, IW Global (www.IW-Global.com) has proposed launching and managing an Initial Coin Offering (ICO) on ALYI's behalf specifically targeted at raising $100 million to fund infrastructure for electric vehicle production in Africa. IW Global, a well-established technology firm with a wide breadth of experience spanning projects for NASA and more has recently implemented multiple blockchain solutions, has proposed launching and managing an Initial Coin Offering (ICO) on ALYI's behalf specifically targeted at raising $100 million to fund infrastructure for electric vehicle production in Africa.
ALYI and IW Global have formulated a partnership plan whereby, ALYI's production and marketing partners in Kenya will form a new company (NewCo) with the specific focus of building a new, state of the art electric vehicle production plant. This NewCo will be a separate company apart from ALYI but exclusively contracted by ALYI for producing ALYI designed vehicles. The NewCo is the business entity that would initiate the proposed ICO. The funds would be dedicated to 1. Building the plant and 2. Funding the production of ALYI's vehicles. A successful ICO would permit ALYI to substantially accelerate and expand upon its initial $300 million in existing electric vehicle projects.
ALYI has recently confirmed that later this week Goldman Small Cap Research is expected to issue its initial results from a consumer acceptance cryptocurrency survey intended to measure the viability of a strategy to raise $100 million to expand ALYI's African electric vehicle strategy and to correspondingly refine the strategy in response to the survey results.
ALYI management maintains that Africa holds higher potential for eclectic vehicle sector growth than any other region within the global electric vehicle market anticipated to reach over $550 billion by 2025. Africa is urbanizing at a rate that exceeds twice the global average. Car ownership in Africa is extremely low at only 2% per capita compared to 70% in the U.S. and 50% in Europe leaving tremendous room for growth. Shared riding has been a custom in Africa long-before phone apps made the rest of the world aware of the shared ride market. ALYI is betting on the rapid adoption of electric vehicles for the shared ride market in Africa and positioning to be the leader in the field of manufacturing electric vehicles for the African shared ride market.
Ethereum is the proposed underling platform for the ALYI cryptocurrency launch.
The Ethereum platform and blockchain is the most reliable existing blockchain and is supported by the Ethereum Foundation, based in Zug, Switzerland and the Ethereum Enterprise Alliance based in the USA with members like Microsoft, Intel, Mastercard, UBS, BBVA, Banco Santander, among others. IW Global is experienced with Ethereum and has launched previous cryptocurrencies build on the Ethereum platform.
ALYI with its partners, plan to soon announce a new company in Kenya that will be the target of investment and building a state-of-the-art electric vehicle research and development and production center. A separate business entity for managing the sale of cryptocurrency to fund the Kenyan business will be established within a European venue. A website on the overall initiative is planned to soon be launched. The website will include a whitepaper on the African electric vehicle development cryptocurrency.
ALYI management plans to publish continued progress reports as the ICO strategy develops.
For more information, please visit: http://www.alternetsystemsinc.com
Disclaimer/Safe Harbor: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. The statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Among others, these risks include the expectation that any of the companies mentioned herein will achieve significant sales, the failure to meet schedule or performance requirements of the companies' contracts, the companies' liquidity position, the companies' ability to obtain new contracts, the emergence of competitors with greater financial resources and the impact of competitive pricing. In the light of these uncertainties, the forward-looking events referred to in this release might not occur.
Alternet Systems, Inc. Contact:
Randell Torno
info@lithiumip.com
+1-800-713-0297
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/50286
> Dow Jones Newswires
December 02, 2019 12:19 ET (17:19 GMT)
The future of cultivation, the more legalization the better...
And two more states begin the process selling legal...
Michigan, Illinois set to usher in recreational pot sales
DAVID EGGERT and KATHLEEN FOODY
Associated PressNovember 30, 2019, 2:42 PM UTC
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — James Daly is eager to make marijuana history on Sunday, when he plans to open the doors to Arbors Wellness, beckon the lengthy line outside and legally start selling recreational pot for the first time in the Midwest.
“We’ve worked very hard to be prepared,” said Daly, who owns the medical dispensary that, for now, is among just six shops in Michigan — mostly in Ann Arbor — also approved to start selling for adult use in December. The business is doubling staff and has fielded calls from potential customers across the state along with neighboring Ohio and Indiana.
“The end of prohibition is historic,” he said. “We wanted to rip the Band-Aid off.”
Both Michigan and Illinois, which allows sales starting on Jan. 1, are officially joining nine other states that broadly allow marijuana sales. Companies are rushing to complete renovations at dispensaries, expand their growing facilities, and get staff hired and trained.
The Midwestern states’ launch into the potentially lucrative recreational market comes at a turbulent time for the industry, which has been rocked by layoffs, the vaping health scare and investor disappointment with Canada’s marijuana program.
In both states, a limited number of businesses have received state licenses letting them sell recreational products initially. But those same retailers must keep enough product on hand to supply people certified as patients under medical marijuana laws.
The conditions are “almost a guarantee” that Illinois and Michigan customers will experience long lines, product shortages and potentially high prices in the early stages, said Adam Orens, co-founder of the Marijuana Policy Group.
“They’ve got to get through the growing pains to get a system implemented,” he said.
Taking marijuana from a small cutting to dried flower ready to be sold or transformed into edible gummies or oils takes months.
In Michigan, where voters legalized recreational pot just over a year ago, regulators who began accepting license applications Nov. 1 are aiding the transition by letting medical growers, processors and dispensaries transfer up to half their products to the recreational side under certain conditions.
But marijuana is unlikely to be more broadly available until more businesses become licensed and additional communities authorize sales.
The state of legalization in America. (Graphic: David Foster/Yahoo Finance)
The state of legalization in America. (Graphic: David Foster/Yahoo Finance)
More than 1,400 of Michigan’s nearly 1,800 cities, townships and villages are not allowing recreational businesses. Even Detroit, home to the most medical dispensaries in the state, has delayed recreational sales until at least Jan. 31.
“This is brand new for a lot of municipalities. I think it’s important that they are doing their due diligence and taking an approach that honors the will of their people,” said Andrew Brisbo, executive director of the Marijuana Regulatory Agency, which has awarded 18 licenses and approved 78 pre-qualification applications.
He said he expects adult sales to occur in “some consistent form” at a greater number of Michigan locations by the end of March.
In Illinois, seven months will have separated Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s signing of legislation permitting people 21 and older to buy and possess marijuana and the start of sales in January.
The first round of applications is limited to existing medical marijuana retailers, and about 30 are newly licensed to sell recreational products. More could be approved before January.
Most of the state’s licensed cultivation companies are expanding their space to meet higher demand for marijuana products. But that work takes time, too.
Mark de Souza, CEO of the state’s largest marijuana producer Revolution Enterprises, said he has heard from dispensary operators “panicked” that they could have empty shelves within months of adult sales beginning.
But he believes the overall structure Illinois’ law created will become the industry’s “gold standard.”
“You’re going to ensure everything from compliance to truth in labeling to taxes to consumer safety,” he said. “We don’t think any short-term supply issues are going to be harmful.”
Still, retailers are considering appointment-based systems rather than lining up customers in winter weather. Others have retrofitted their dispensaries to let medical patients in one door and recreational customers in another, hoping to limit confusion if their product supplies run low.
Amy Manganelli, chief operating officer at Mapleglen Care Center in the western Illinois city of Rockford, said she is anticipating long lines and taking steps to prepare employees.
“We can’t open January 1 and have somebody futzing with the scanner,” she said. “That won’t make the people in line, standing outside in winter, very happy.”
State law lets local governments bar recreational dispensaries, and at least two of Illinois’ existing medical dispensaries are in communities that decided to prevent expanded sales. Chicago set up seven districts with a limited number of dispensaries allowed in each, and business owners only learned at a lottery event in mid-November where they could operate within the city.
Illinois lawmakers said they expected a slow start. Their long-term goals, though, hinge on parts of the law intended to ensure people of color can open and work for marijuana businesses despite historic inequities in enforcement of state and federal drug laws.
The law includes a scoring bonus during the license-award process for social equity applicants — people living in communities most affected by enforcement of marijuana laws, or individuals arrested for or convicted of marijuana offenses that would be legal under the new law. A low-interest loan program for these applicants also was created as part of the law.
Michigan has cut marijuana licensing fees for prospective business owners living in 41 cities whose residents were disproportionately impacted by drug enforcement.
Toi Hutchinson, a former Illinois state senator who oversees the work of all seven state agencies that interact with cannabis businesses, said she is confident that regulators are hitting their deadlines. And she said they will be prepared for other significant milestones in 2020, including the first round of applicants seeking 75 additional licenses to sell recreational products.
January will bring “hiccups,” Hutchison acknowledged. But she said Illinois must stay focused on broader goals including making sure people of color get opportunities in the marijuana industry.
“If we’re really serious about equity, this is a long game,” said Hutchinson, who co-sponsored the marijuana legalization proposal. “This isn’t just about January 1.”
___
Foody reported from Chicago
I don't see the big deal about this reaching a penny...Ten pennies is when I'll find this interesting...I have a decent amount of shares and a good job...So I'll just watch all of you sell yourself short and keep punching a time clock...I have nothing but time...
Wednesday's marijuana legalization vote was truly historic — here's why
BY JUSTIN STREKAL, OPINION CONTRIBUTOR
The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the view of The Hill
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On Wednesday, members of Congress did something that they had never done before. For the first time ever, a body of the U.S. Congress voted to end cannabis' nearly century-long status as a federally prohibited substance.
By a vote of more than two to one, members of the United States House Judiciary Committee passed passed legislation, House Bill 3884: The Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act.
The MORE Act removes the marijuana plant from the federal Controlled Substances Act, thereby enabling states to enact their own cannabis regulations free from undue federal interference. The vote marks the first time that members of Congress have ever voted to federally deschedule cannabis.
According to a 2018 Quinnipiac University poll, 70 percent of U.S. voters support this policy change. To date, 33 states have enacted laws regulating patients' access to medical cannabis and nearly one in four Americans reside in a state where the adult use of marijuana is permitted.
It is inappropriate for the federal government to continue to either interfere with or stand in the way of these voter-initiated policies.
Members decision to move forward with the MORE Act is significant. This act is the most comprehensive marijuana reform bill ever introduced in Congress, and it's backed by a broad coalition of civil rights, criminal justice, drug policy, and immigration groups.
This legislation seeks to address the millions of Americans who suffer from the stigma and lost opportunities associated with a low-level marijuana possession conviction. It provides funding and inducements to states to enact policies that expunge these criminal convictions from citizens' records so that they can more successfully move on with their lives.
And it also seeks to assist America's military veterans by, for the first time, permitting physicians associated with the Veterans Administration the authority to recommend medical cannabis therapy to patients who reside in legal marijuana states.
It also permits those players in the existing state-legal marijuana industry to access to banking and other necessary financial services.
Currently, federal law mandates that this multi-billion dollar industry operate on a cash-only basis - an environment that makes businesses more susceptible to theft and more difficult to audit. Growing a successful business is hard enough. Doing so without access to banking and credit is even tougher. The MORE Act ensures that these state-compliant businesses, and those millions of Americans who patronize them, are no longer subject to policies that needlessly place them in harm's way.
Commenting on the bill just prior to the vote, Chairman Nadler (D-N.Y.) acknowledged that more than two in three Americans believe that the adult use of cannabis ought to be legal, according to the most recent national polling. He added: "States have led the way and continue to lead the way, but our federal laws have not kept pace with the obvious need for change. We need to catch up because of public support [in favor of legalizing marijuana] and because it is the right thing to do."
It is for these reasons that members of the full House should now take up this issue on the House floor. Not only does this bill reverse the failed prohibition of cannabis, but it also provides pathways for opportunity and ownership in the emerging industry for those who have suffered the most under federal criminalization.
It is time for Congress to right the past wrongs of the federal war on marijuana and for every member to show their constituents which side of history they stand on.
Justin Strekal is the political director for NORML, where he serves as an advocate to end the federal prohibition of marijuana and to reform our nation's laws to no longer discriminate against its consumers.
Wednesday's marijuana legalization vote was truly historic — here's why
BY JUSTIN STREKAL, OPINION CONTRIBUTOR
The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the view of The Hill
TWEET SHARE EMAIL
On Wednesday, members of Congress did something that they had never done before. For the first time ever, a body of the U.S. Congress voted to end cannabis' nearly century-long status as a federally prohibited substance.
By a vote of more than two to one, members of the United States House Judiciary Committee passed passed legislation, House Bill 3884: The Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act.
The MORE Act removes the marijuana plant from the federal Controlled Substances Act, thereby enabling states to enact their own cannabis regulations free from undue federal interference. The vote marks the first time that members of Congress have ever voted to federally deschedule cannabis.
According to a 2018 Quinnipiac University poll, 70 percent of U.S. voters support this policy change. To date, 33 states have enacted laws regulating patients' access to medical cannabis and nearly one in four Americans reside in a state where the adult use of marijuana is permitted.
It is inappropriate for the federal government to continue to either interfere with or stand in the way of these voter-initiated policies.
Members decision to move forward with the MORE Act is significant. This act is the most comprehensive marijuana reform bill ever introduced in Congress, and it's backed by a broad coalition of civil rights, criminal justice, drug policy, and immigration groups.
This legislation seeks to address the millions of Americans who suffer from the stigma and lost opportunities associated with a low-level marijuana possession conviction. It provides funding and inducements to states to enact policies that expunge these criminal convictions from citizens' records so that they can more successfully move on with their lives.
And it also seeks to assist America's military veterans by, for the first time, permitting physicians associated with the Veterans Administration the authority to recommend medical cannabis therapy to patients who reside in legal marijuana states.
It also permits those players in the existing state-legal marijuana industry to access to banking and other necessary financial services.
Currently, federal law mandates that this multi-billion dollar industry operate on a cash-only basis - an environment that makes businesses more susceptible to theft and more difficult to audit. Growing a successful business is hard enough. Doing so without access to banking and credit is even tougher. The MORE Act ensures that these state-compliant businesses, and those millions of Americans who patronize them, are no longer subject to policies that needlessly place them in harm's way.
Commenting on the bill just prior to the vote, Chairman Nadler (D-N.Y.) acknowledged that more than two in three Americans believe that the adult use of cannabis ought to be legal, according to the most recent national polling. He added: "States have led the way and continue to lead the way, but our federal laws have not kept pace with the obvious need for change. We need to catch up because of public support [in favor of legalizing marijuana] and because it is the right thing to do."
It is for these reasons that members of the full House should now take up this issue on the House floor. Not only does this bill reverse the failed prohibition of cannabis, but it also provides pathways for opportunity and ownership in the emerging industry for those who have suffered the most under federal criminalization.
It is time for Congress to right the past wrongs of the federal war on marijuana and for every member to show their constituents which side of history they stand on.
Justin Strekal is the political director for NORML, where he serves as an advocate to end the federal prohibition of marijuana and to reform our nation's laws to no longer discriminate against its consumers.
Good stuff...
POLITICSMarijuana Legalization Bill Approved By Congressional Committee In Historic VotePublished 5 hours ago on November 20, 2019By Kyle Jaeger
SHARETWEET
For the first time in history, a congressional committee has approved a bill to end federal marijuana prohibition.
The House Judiciary Committee passed the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act in a 24-10 vote on Wednesday, setting the stage for a full floor vote.
The vote saw two Republicans—Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Tom McClintock (R-CA)—join their Democratic colleagues in support of the bill.
Debate on the bill generally followed two tracks. Republican lawmakers argued that the bill was being rushed and that it should be subject to additional hearings, while Democratic members responded that there’s been enough debate on the issue and that there’s no time for delay in beginning to reverse decades of harms of prohibition enforcement.
On the other hand, some GOP members who recognized that the status quo is untenable pushed for legislative action on a separate piece of bipartisan cannabis legislation—the Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States (STATES) Act—which does not contain social equity elements or formally remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act and would simply leave cannabis policy up to the states, arguing that a scaled-down approach would fare better in the Senate.
“We may need something a little less than MORE,” Gaetz said.
The approved legislation, introduced by Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), would federally deschedule cannabis, expunge the records of those with prior marijuana convictions and impose a five percent tax on sales, revenue from which would be reinvested in communities most impacted by the drug war.
It would also create a pathway for resentencing for those incarcerated for marijuana offenses, as well as protect immigrants from being denied citizenship over cannabis and prevent federal agencies from denying public benefits or security clearance due to its use.
“These steps are long overdue. For far too long we’ve treated marijuana as a criminal justice problem instead of a matter of personal choice and public health,” Nadler said in his opening remarks. “Arresting, prosecuting and incarcerating people at the federal level is unwise and unjust.”
“I’ve long believed that the criminalization of marijuana has been a mistake,” he said. “The racially disparate enforcement of marijuana laws has only compounded this mistake with serious consequences, particularly for minority communities.”
House and Senate members, and outside legalization advocates, cheered the bill’s committee approval.
“The passage of the MORE Act represents the first time that the Judiciary Committee has ever had a successful vote to end the cruel policy of marijuana criminalization,” NORML Political Director Justin Strekal said. “Not only does the bill reverse the failed prohibition of cannabis, but it provides pathways for opportunity and ownership in the emerging industry for those who have suffered most.”
(See Marijuana Moment’s full reaction roundup piece for more commentary from other stakeholders.)
Earlier, lawmakers that have advocated for cannabis reform held a press conference in advance of the vote on Tuesday to highlight the need for the federal policy change. And while Nadler said that it was possible that compromises could be made later in the legislative process, he doesn’t see the need to scale back the proposal’s reach at the onset and feels that bipartisan support will build around his bill.
He also told Marijuana Moment that he is optimistic the legislation will get a full floor vote before the end of the current Congress, and part of that confidence comes from the fact that his panel has been communicating with other committees where the bill has been referred in the hopes that they waive jurisdiction to expedite its advancement.
Watch the committee markup on the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act below:
Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA), ranking member of the committee, said he does “believe we need to change our attitudes and our processes because the federal government has completely failed in this area,” but that he doesn’t support the MORE Act.
Several amendments were introduced during the markup.
Nadler put forth an amendment to his own bill, which was adopted, that simply adds a findings section noting the racial disparities in prohibition enforcement and the lack of equity for communities targeted by the war on drugs in the legal cannabis industry.
Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) offered an amendment that would replace major provisions of the MORE Act with the STATES Act, but he didn’t request a roll call on it following its defeat on a voice vote. Nadler responded to the proposal by noting various issues such as banking and veterans’ access that the STATES Act doesn’t clearly address since it doesn’t deschedule cannabis.
“If we pass the bill that we want, and the Senate passes a different bill, we can negotiate,” the chairman said. “That’s what conference committees are for.”
Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA) filed an amendment that would expand the justice reinvestment provisions of the bill. The measure, which was meant to clarify that provisions aimed at helping people most harmed by the war on drugs are not limited to individuals but could also be used to invest in community-wide efforts such as mentorship programs, was approved.
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) put forth a proposal, which was accepted without objection, to require the Government Accountability Office and National Institute on Drug Abuse to conduct a study examining the demographic characteristics of people convicted of federal marijuana offenses.
Buck filed a second amendment requiring GAO to study the societal impact of legalization, and it was adopted on a voice vote.
Much of the conversation during the markup, even among Republican members, involved recognition that prohibition isn’t working and federal policy should change regardless of personal opinions about cannabis.
“I don’t sing the praises of marijuana, I simply recognize the limitation of our laws and also the limits on my ability to try and run everybody’s lives for them,” McClintock (R-CA) said.
McClintock introduced an amendment that would have divided tax revenue generated from legal cannabis sales between local law enforcement and the general revenue fund within the Treasury Department, but it was ruled not germane, with the chairman saying its provisions fall under the jurisdiction of the Ways and Means Committee.
The committee vote comes two months after the House approved a bill that would protect banks that service state-legal cannabis businesses from being penalized by federal regulators. That vote ignited a debate within advocacy circles about whether Congress should pursue incremental reform that might be more amenable to the Republican-controlled Senate first or instead focus their resources on passing comprehensive legalization legislation that addresses social equity from the outset.
Prior to the vote on the marijuana banking bill, several advocacy groups, including the ACLU, urged House leadership to delay the action until wide-ranging reform cleared the chamber.
Many observers expect the MORE Act to receive a favorable vote if it reaches the House floor. The bill’s fate in the Senate is much less certain, however, and may depend on the kind of compromises that Nadler said he hoped to avoid.
This markup garnered significant attention, as it represents the first of its kind that isn’t simply a debate about whether cannabis prohibition should be ended—which occurred in a House subcommittee over the summer—but an actual vote on a bill that would accomplish legalization.
POLITICSMarijuana Legalization Bill Approved By Congressional Committee In Historic VotePublished 5 hours ago on November 20, 2019By Kyle Jaeger
SHARETWEET
For the first time in history, a congressional committee has approved a bill to end federal marijuana prohibition.
The House Judiciary Committee passed the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act in a 24-10 vote on Wednesday, setting the stage for a full floor vote.
The vote saw two Republicans—Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Tom McClintock (R-CA)—join their Democratic colleagues in support of the bill.
Debate on the bill generally followed two tracks. Republican lawmakers argued that the bill was being rushed and that it should be subject to additional hearings, while Democratic members responded that there’s been enough debate on the issue and that there’s no time for delay in beginning to reverse decades of harms of prohibition enforcement.
On the other hand, some GOP members who recognized that the status quo is untenable pushed for legislative action on a separate piece of bipartisan cannabis legislation—the Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States (STATES) Act—which does not contain social equity elements or formally remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act and would simply leave cannabis policy up to the states, arguing that a scaled-down approach would fare better in the Senate.
“We may need something a little less than MORE,” Gaetz said.
The approved legislation, introduced by Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), would federally deschedule cannabis, expunge the records of those with prior marijuana convictions and impose a five percent tax on sales, revenue from which would be reinvested in communities most impacted by the drug war.
It would also create a pathway for resentencing for those incarcerated for marijuana offenses, as well as protect immigrants from being denied citizenship over cannabis and prevent federal agencies from denying public benefits or security clearance due to its use.
“These steps are long overdue. For far too long we’ve treated marijuana as a criminal justice problem instead of a matter of personal choice and public health,” Nadler said in his opening remarks. “Arresting, prosecuting and incarcerating people at the federal level is unwise and unjust.”
“I’ve long believed that the criminalization of marijuana has been a mistake,” he said. “The racially disparate enforcement of marijuana laws has only compounded this mistake with serious consequences, particularly for minority communities.”
House and Senate members, and outside legalization advocates, cheered the bill’s committee approval.
“The passage of the MORE Act represents the first time that the Judiciary Committee has ever had a successful vote to end the cruel policy of marijuana criminalization,” NORML Political Director Justin Strekal said. “Not only does the bill reverse the failed prohibition of cannabis, but it provides pathways for opportunity and ownership in the emerging industry for those who have suffered most.”
(See Marijuana Moment’s full reaction roundup piece for more commentary from other stakeholders.)
Earlier, lawmakers that have advocated for cannabis reform held a press conference in advance of the vote on Tuesday to highlight the need for the federal policy change. And while Nadler said that it was possible that compromises could be made later in the legislative process, he doesn’t see the need to scale back the proposal’s reach at the onset and feels that bipartisan support will build around his bill.
He also told Marijuana Moment that he is optimistic the legislation will get a full floor vote before the end of the current Congress, and part of that confidence comes from the fact that his panel has been communicating with other committees where the bill has been referred in the hopes that they waive jurisdiction to expedite its advancement.
Watch the committee markup on the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act below:
Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA), ranking member of the committee, said he does “believe we need to change our attitudes and our processes because the federal government has completely failed in this area,” but that he doesn’t support the MORE Act.
Several amendments were introduced during the markup.
Nadler put forth an amendment to his own bill, which was adopted, that simply adds a findings section noting the racial disparities in prohibition enforcement and the lack of equity for communities targeted by the war on drugs in the legal cannabis industry.
Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) offered an amendment that would replace major provisions of the MORE Act with the STATES Act, but he didn’t request a roll call on it following its defeat on a voice vote. Nadler responded to the proposal by noting various issues such as banking and veterans’ access that the STATES Act doesn’t clearly address since it doesn’t deschedule cannabis.
“If we pass the bill that we want, and the Senate passes a different bill, we can negotiate,” the chairman said. “That’s what conference committees are for.”
Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA) filed an amendment that would expand the justice reinvestment provisions of the bill. The measure, which was meant to clarify that provisions aimed at helping people most harmed by the war on drugs are not limited to individuals but could also be used to invest in community-wide efforts such as mentorship programs, was approved.
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) put forth a proposal, which was accepted without objection, to require the Government Accountability Office and National Institute on Drug Abuse to conduct a study examining the demographic characteristics of people convicted of federal marijuana offenses.
Buck filed a second amendment requiring GAO to study the societal impact of legalization, and it was adopted on a voice vote.
Much of the conversation during the markup, even among Republican members, involved recognition that prohibition isn’t working and federal policy should change regardless of personal opinions about cannabis.
“I don’t sing the praises of marijuana, I simply recognize the limitation of our laws and also the limits on my ability to try and run everybody’s lives for them,” McClintock (R-CA) said.
McClintock introduced an amendment that would have divided tax revenue generated from legal cannabis sales between local law enforcement and the general revenue fund within the Treasury Department, but it was ruled not germane, with the chairman saying its provisions fall under the jurisdiction of the Ways and Means Committee.
The committee vote comes two months after the House approved a bill that would protect banks that service state-legal cannabis businesses from being penalized by federal regulators. That vote ignited a debate within advocacy circles about whether Congress should pursue incremental reform that might be more amenable to the Republican-controlled Senate first or instead focus their resources on passing comprehensive legalization legislation that addresses social equity from the outset.
Prior to the vote on the marijuana banking bill, several advocacy groups, including the ACLU, urged House leadership to delay the action until wide-ranging reform cleared the chamber.
Many observers expect the MORE Act to receive a favorable vote if it reaches the House floor. The bill’s fate in the Senate is much less certain, however, and may depend on the kind of compromises that Nadler said he hoped to avoid.
This markup garnered significant attention, as it represents the first of its kind that isn’t simply a debate about whether cannabis prohibition should be ended—which occurred in a House subcommittee over the summer—but an actual vote on a bill that would accomplish legalization.
This story was updated to include additional details from the markup.
POLITICSMarijuana Legalization Bill Approved By Congressional Committee In Historic VotePublished 5 hours ago on November 20, 2019By Kyle Jaeger
SHARETWEET
For the first time in history, a congressional committee has approved a bill to end federal marijuana prohibition.
The House Judiciary Committee passed the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act in a 24-10 vote on Wednesday, setting the stage for a full floor vote.
The vote saw two Republicans—Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Tom McClintock (R-CA)—join their Democratic colleagues in support of the bill.
Debate on the bill generally followed two tracks. Republican lawmakers argued that the bill was being rushed and that it should be subject to additional hearings, while Democratic members responded that there’s been enough debate on the issue and that there’s no time for delay in beginning to reverse decades of harms of prohibition enforcement.
On the other hand, some GOP members who recognized that the status quo is untenable pushed for legislative action on a separate piece of bipartisan cannabis legislation—the Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States (STATES) Act—which does not contain social equity elements or formally remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act and would simply leave cannabis policy up to the states, arguing that a scaled-down approach would fare better in the Senate.
“We may need something a little less than MORE,” Gaetz said.
The approved legislation, introduced by Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), would federally deschedule cannabis, expunge the records of those with prior marijuana convictions and impose a five percent tax on sales, revenue from which would be reinvested in communities most impacted by the drug war.
It would also create a pathway for resentencing for those incarcerated for marijuana offenses, as well as protect immigrants from being denied citizenship over cannabis and prevent federal agencies from denying public benefits or security clearance due to its use.
“These steps are long overdue. For far too long we’ve treated marijuana as a criminal justice problem instead of a matter of personal choice and public health,” Nadler said in his opening remarks. “Arresting, prosecuting and incarcerating people at the federal level is unwise and unjust.”
“I’ve long believed that the criminalization of marijuana has been a mistake,” he said. “The racially disparate enforcement of marijuana laws has only compounded this mistake with serious consequences, particularly for minority communities.”
House and Senate members, and outside legalization advocates, cheered the bill’s committee approval.
“The passage of the MORE Act represents the first time that the Judiciary Committee has ever had a successful vote to end the cruel policy of marijuana criminalization,” NORML Political Director Justin Strekal said. “Not only does the bill reverse the failed prohibition of cannabis, but it provides pathways for opportunity and ownership in the emerging industry for those who have suffered most.”
(See Marijuana Moment’s full reaction roundup piece for more commentary from other stakeholders.)
Earlier, lawmakers that have advocated for cannabis reform held a press conference in advance of the vote on Tuesday to highlight the need for the federal policy change. And while Nadler said that it was possible that compromises could be made later in the legislative process, he doesn’t see the need to scale back the proposal’s reach at the onset and feels that bipartisan support will build around his bill.
He also told Marijuana Moment that he is optimistic the legislation will get a full floor vote before the end of the current Congress, and part of that confidence comes from the fact that his panel has been communicating with other committees where the bill has been referred in the hopes that they waive jurisdiction to expedite its advancement.
Watch the committee markup on the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act below:
Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA), ranking member of the committee, said he does “believe we need to change our attitudes and our processes because the federal government has completely failed in this area,” but that he doesn’t support the MORE Act.
Several amendments were introduced during the markup.
Nadler put forth an amendment to his own bill, which was adopted, that simply adds a findings section noting the racial disparities in prohibition enforcement and the lack of equity for communities targeted by the war on drugs in the legal cannabis industry.
Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) offered an amendment that would replace major provisions of the MORE Act with the STATES Act, but he didn’t request a roll call on it following its defeat on a voice vote. Nadler responded to the proposal by noting various issues such as banking and veterans’ access that the STATES Act doesn’t clearly address since it doesn’t deschedule cannabis.
“If we pass the bill that we want, and the Senate passes a different bill, we can negotiate,” the chairman said. “That’s what conference committees are for.”
Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA) filed an amendment that would expand the justice reinvestment provisions of the bill. The measure, which was meant to clarify that provisions aimed at helping people most harmed by the war on drugs are not limited to individuals but could also be used to invest in community-wide efforts such as mentorship programs, was approved.
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) put forth a proposal, which was accepted without objection, to require the Government Accountability Office and National Institute on Drug Abuse to conduct a study examining the demographic characteristics of people convicted of federal marijuana offenses.
Buck filed a second amendment requiring GAO to study the societal impact of legalization, and it was adopted on a voice vote.
Much of the conversation during the markup, even among Republican members, involved recognition that prohibition isn’t working and federal policy should change regardless of personal opinions about cannabis.
“I don’t sing the praises of marijuana, I simply recognize the limitation of our laws and also the limits on my ability to try and run everybody’s lives for them,” McClintock (R-CA) said.
McClintock introduced an amendment that would have divided tax revenue generated from legal cannabis sales between local law enforcement and the general revenue fund within the Treasury Department, but it was ruled not germane, with the chairman saying its provisions fall under the jurisdiction of the Ways and Means Committee.
The committee vote comes two months after the House approved a bill that would protect banks that service state-legal cannabis businesses from being penalized by federal regulators. That vote ignited a debate within advocacy circles about whether Congress should pursue incremental reform that might be more amenable to the Republican-controlled Senate first or instead focus their resources on passing comprehensive legalization legislation that addresses social equity from the outset.
Prior to the vote on the marijuana banking bill, several advocacy groups, including the ACLU, urged House leadership to delay the action until wide-ranging reform cleared the chamber.
Many observers expect the MORE Act to receive a favorable vote if it reaches the House floor. The bill’s fate in the Senate is much less certain, however, and may depend on the kind of compromises that Nadler said he hoped to avoid.
This markup garnered significant attention, as it represents the first of its kind that isn’t simply a debate about whether cannabis prohibition should be ended—which occurred in a House subcommittee over the summer—but an actual vote on a bill that would accomplish legalization.
This story was updated to include additional details from the markup.
ALYI – Alternet Systems Confirms $100 Million Electric Vehicle Production Facility Project Kick Off Underway
GlobeNewswireNovember 19, 2019, 3:15 PM UTC
DALLAS, Nov. 19, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via OTC PR WIRE - Alternet Systems, Inc. (ALYI) today confirmed IW Global ( www.IW-Global.com ), and ALYI’s Kenyan electric vehicle production partner started meetings in Dallas, Texas on Monday, November 18, 2019 to kick-off a joint project to raise $100 million to fund infrastructure for the ongoing production of electric vehicles in Africa. ALYI management reported confidence today that the meetings will result in a definitive plan with a highly likely prospects for ultimate success. ALYI management tentatively plans to issue an update on the joint project to raise $100 million to fund infrastructure for the ongoing production of electric vehicles in Africa next week on Tuesday, November 26, 2019.
Separately, ALYI has already initiated and continues to develop $300 million in electric vehicle projects in Africa targeting the shared ride market. The project with IW Global is intended to substantially expand ALYI’s electric vehicle initiative in Africa.
IW Global has proposed launching and managing an Initial Coin Offering (ICO) on ALYI’s behalf specifically targeted at raising $100 million to fund infrastructure for electric vehicle production in Africa. IW Global, a well-established technology firm with a wide breadth of experience spanning projects for NASA and more has recently implemented multiple blockchain solutions, has proposed launching and managing an Initial Coin Offering (ICO) on ALYI’s behalf specifically targeted at raising $100 million to fund infrastructure for electric vehicle production in Africa.
ALYI and IW Global have formulated a plan whereby, ALYI’s production and marketing partners in Kenya will form a new company (NewCo) with the specific focus of building a new, state of the art electric vehicle production plant. This NewCo will be a separate company apart from ALYI but exclusively contracted by ALYI for producing ALYI designed vehicles. The NewCo is the business entity that would initiate the proposed ICO. The funds would be dedicated to 1. Building the plant and 2. Funding the production of ALYI’s vehicles. A successful ICO would permit ALYI to substantially accelerate and expand upon its initial $300 million in existing electric vehicle projects.
ALYI has engaged legal counsel to ensure the cryptocurrency launch would be executed in compliance with prevailing regulatory guidelines.
ALYI has engaged Goldman Small Cap Research to conduct a survey with first time and experienced cryptocurrency investors in conjunction with a potential $100 million initial coin offering (ICO) that would provide strategic financing to fund a major expansion of the company’s electric vehicle developments.
Ethereum is the proposed underlying platform for the ALYI cryptocurrency launch. The Ethereum platform and blockchain is the most reliable existing blockchain and is supported by the Ethereum Foundation, based in Zug, Switzerland and the Ethereum Enterprise Alliance based in the USA with members like Microsoft, Intel, Mastercard, UBS, BBVA, Banco Santander, among others. IW Global is experienced with Ethereum and has launched previous cryptocurrencies build on the Ethereum platform.
ALYI management plans to publish continued progress reports as the ICO strategy develops.
For more information, please visit: http://www.alternetsystemsinc.com
Disclaimer/Safe Harbor: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. The statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Among others, these risks include the expectation that any of the companies mentioned herein will achieve significant sales, the failure to meet schedule or performance requirements of the companies' contracts, the companies' liquidity position, the companies' ability to obtain new contracts, the emergence of competitors with greater financial resources and the impact of competitive pricing. In the light of these uncertainties, the forward-looking events referred to in this release might not occur.
Alternet Systems, Inc. Contact:
Randell Torno
info@lithiumip.com
+1-800-713-0297
Wink...
POLITICSKey Congressional Committee Officially Schedules Vote On Marijuana Legalization BillPublished 3 hours ago on November 18, 2019By Kyle Jaeger
SHARETWEET
A key House committee has officially announced that a vote on a comprehensive marijuana legalization bill is scheduled for this week.
The House Judiciary Committee said on Monday that the panel will mark up legislation introduced by Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), which would federally deschedule cannabis and address social equity, on Wednesday at 10:00 AM ET. The announcement confirms what sources familiar with the planned development told Marijuana Moment last week.
Nadler’s Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act has been lauded by advocates for its emphasis on restorative justice for communities most impacted by the drug war.
It calls for a five percent federal tax on marijuana sales, and that revenue would be used to fund programs such as job training, legal aid for those affected by prohibition and small business loans for individuals who are socially and economically disadvantaged. The bill also seeks to lift barriers to licensing and employment in the industry.
Additionally, the legislation would expunge the records of those with prior cannabis convictions, provide for resentencing, block federal agencies from denying public benefits or security clearances as a result of marijuana use and protect immigrants from being denied citizenship over cannabis.
House Committee Press Releases
@PressreleaseB
Committee on the Judiciary - DemocratsH.R. 5038, the “Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019”; H.R. 3884, the “Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act of 2019” or the “MORE Act of 2019”; H.R. ___, the “Satellite Television Community Prot… https://ift.tt/35em0ND
H.R. 5038, the “Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019”; H.R. 3884, the “Marijuana Opportunity...
judiciary.house.gov
4
10:34 AM - Nov 18, 2019
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“Our marijuana laws disproportionately harm individuals and communities of color, leading to convictions that damage job prospects, access to housing, and the ability to vote.” Nadler said in a press release. “Recognizing this, many states have legalized marijuana. It’s now time for us to remove the criminal prohibitions against marijuana at the federal level. That’s why I introduced the MORE Act, legislation which would assist communities disproportionately impacted by the enforcement of these laws.”
House Judiciary Dems
?
@HouseJudiciary
.@RepJerryNadler: Our marijuana laws disproportionately harm individuals and communities of color, leading to convictions that damage job prospects, access to housing and ability to vote. It’s time for us to remove the criminal prohibitions against marijuana at the federal level.
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Text of an amendment in the nature of a substitute from Nadler that Judiciary members will take up was also released on Monday. It includes a new “findings” section that discusses racial disparities in marijuana enforcement, the growing state-level legalization movement and the challenges that individuals from disadvantaged communities face in participating in the market.
“The communities that have been most harmed by cannabis prohibition are benefiting the least from the legal marijuana marketplace,” one provision reads. “A legacy of racial and ethnic injustices, compounded by the disproportionate collateral consequences of 80 years of cannabis prohibition enforcement, now limits participation in the industry.”
Much of the language of the new section is borrowed from a resolution that Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, introduced last year.
“Our federal cannabis policies have been rooted in the past for far too long. As states continue to modernize how we regulate cannabis, Congress has a responsibility to ensure that our policies are fair, equitable, and inclusive,” Lee said in a press release. “I’m pleased that this critical bill includes key tenets from my own legislation to right the wrongs of the failed and racist War on Drugs by expunging criminal convictions, reinvesting in communities of color through restorative justice, and promoting equitable participation in the legal marijuana industry.”
Legalization advocates cheered the committee’s move to take the first congressional vote on ending cannabis prohibition.
“A supermajority of Americans, including majorities of Democrats, Republicans, and independents, support regulating the use of marijuana by responsible adults,” NORML Political Director Justin Strekal said. “Thanks to the leadership of the House Judiciary chairman, never in history have we been closer to ending the failed policy of marijuana criminalization and providing pathways to opportunity for our brothers and sisters who have suffered under its oppressive reign.”
“The MORE Act is the most comprehensive marijuana policy reform bill ever introduced in Congress and is backed by a broad coalition of civil rights, criminal justice, drug policy, and immigration groups. Those who oppose this legislation moving forward are defenders of a failed status-quo that ruins the lives of otherwise law-abiding adults on a daily basis, overwhelming enforced against the poor and communities of color.”
The Leadership Conference
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@civilrightsorg
BIG NEWS: @HouseJudiciary will meet Wednesday to vote on the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment & Expungement Act.
Good. It's past time to address the decades of harm faced by communities of color & low-income communities due to failed marijuana policies. http://bit.ly/2QtZDzC
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Advocates have been eagerly awaiting a committee vote on the MORE Act, especially since the House overwhelmingly passed a bill to protect banks that service the cannabis industry in September. Some groups, including the ACLU, had implored leadership to delay the banking vote until the chamber passed legislation like the MORE Act that addresses social equity.
“The data speaks for itself—low-income communities and communities of color have disproportionately borne the brunt of the devastation brought on by marijuana prohibition,” Queen Adesuyi, policy manager of national affairs for the Drug Policy Alliance, said. “The MORE Act is the most robust bipartisan legislation so far not only to end federal marijuana prohibition, but also to ensure that the communities that have been hardest hit by prohibition are not left behind.”
“It would be a tragic mistake to have the only marijuana reform bill that passes this Congress be one that solely benefits the industry, despite both the unprecedented support for legalization nationally amongst Americans and all the harm that we know federal prohibition has caused to individuals and communities across this country,” she said. “Fortunately, by ensuring the MORE Act moves forward, several leaders in the House are showing that they understand that this is a matter of fundamental justice that the US Congress needs to address.”
Committee members on both sides of the aisle will be able to introduce amendments to the legislation, but it’s generally expected to advance out of the panel and onto the floor. That said, its fate in the Republican-controlled Senate is far from certain.