{"id":1291,"date":"2021-08-20T12:54:48","date_gmt":"2021-08-20T12:54:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ultimatehealthreport.com\/this-week-in-cannabis-news\/"},"modified":"2021-08-20T12:54:48","modified_gmt":"2021-08-20T12:54:48","slug":"this-week-in-cannabis-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ultimatehealthreport.com\/this-week-in-cannabis-news\/","title":{"rendered":"This Week in Cannabis News"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Humboldt County, a region infamously synonymous with the Shangri-la of cannabis cultivation, was caught in the crosshairs when law enforcement seized over 64,000 unregulated marijuana plants.\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to a news release from the Humboldt County Sheriff\u2019s Office, deputies from their Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) conducted multiple investigations during the week of August 9-12 into illegal cannabis cultivation in watersheds determined to be critical spawning streams for various salmon, trout, and other types of fish.\u00a0<\/p>\n
MET investigated numerous parcels during the service of the search warrants in the South Fork Trinity River, East Branch, Steelhead Creek, Mad River, Van Duzen, and Little Larrabee Creek\/Van Duzen watersheds.\u00a0<\/p>\n
None of the parcels investigated possessed the required county permit and state license to cultivate cannabis commercially.<\/p>\n
In total, deputies eradicated over 64,000 illegally grown cannabis plants and documented approximately 79 environmental violations, including 42 water diversion violations, 24 depositing trash into waterway violations, and 13 water pollution violations.\u00a0<\/p>\n
During the service of the search warrants, environmental scientists and law enforcement found and documented severe damage to the watersheds.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Environmental scientists found numerous deceased wildlife and located Coastal Giant Salamander larvae in a water diversion pool.<\/p>\n
Full story from the Times-Standard.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
In other Humboldt County news, Isabella Vanderheiden of the Times-Standard reports that Humboldt County announced more than $2 million in grant funding through Project Trellis, the county\u2019s cannabis micro-grant, marketing, and local equity program.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The grants are designated to assist the local cannabis community with entering into the commercial cannabis marketplace.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Those eligible can apply for up to $10,000 \u201cper service\u201d per Humboldt County\u2019s eligibility requirements for Project Trellis.<\/p>\n
Applicants may download an application for the grant funding at the county\u2019s website and send the application to ProjectTrellis@co.humboldt.ca.us.<\/p>\n
Potential applicants may request a hard copy by contacting Project Trellis at +1 (707)-445-7745.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hard copies can be mailed or delivered to the County of Humboldt CAO\u2019s Office of Economic Development, Attn: Project Trellis, 825 Fifth Street No. 112, Eureka, CA 95501.<\/p>\n
Applications must be received or postmarked no later than 5 p.m. on September 17.<\/p>\n
Ayr Wellness, a vertically integrated cannabis multi-state operator (MSO), or dispensary chain, has entered into a binding letter of intent (LOI) to acquire Cultivauna, the owner of the Levia branded cannabis-infused seltzers and water-soluble tinctures.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Both companies expect the acquisition to close by the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2021, with a purchase price of $20 million.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ayr intends to purchase 100% of the equity interests of Cultivauna, LLC.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The transaction terms include $20 million in upfront consideration, comprising up to $10 million in cash with the remainder in stock.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAyr Wellness is excited to join the rapidly-growing infused beverage segment through our Levia acquisition. We believe the opportunity to unlock a new consumer base through the beverage market is endless, and we look forward to continuing to make cannabis more approachable and sessionable through our high-quality products,\u201d said Jonathan Sandelman, CEO of Ayr.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Levia is currently available in Massachusetts in three flavors: \u201cAchieve\u201d Raspberry Lime (Sativa), \u201cCelebrate\u201d Lemon Lime (Hybrid), and \u201cDream\u201d Jam Berry (Indica)<\/p>\n