![](\"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Delaware-Flag.jpg\")
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
In this week\u2019s cannabis round-up, Singapore executes Tangaraju Suppiah for cannabis delivery; Delaware legalizes adult use cannabis in an unusual way; Colorado announces new funding opportunities for cannabis businesses; put your best foot forward in CBD sneakers and record sales reported for this year\u2019s 420.<\/p>\n
Even though he wasn\u2019t found in possession of any cannabis, Singapore has executed a man accused of organizing a cannabis delivery. In 2018, the 46-year-old Tangaraju Suppiah received a death sentence for his role in the trafficking of slightly more than two pounds of cannabis. Trafficking cannabis in excess of a pound is punishable by death in Singapore.<\/p>\n
Suppiah was hanged on Wednesday despite his family\u2019s pleadings for mercy and protests from campaigners who claimed the evidence used to convict him was insufficient. He was identified by the prosecution as the person in charge of organizing the drug deliveries through phone numbers. However, Suppiah had insisted that he wasn\u2019t in contact with the other people involved in the case.<\/p>\n
Nations Human Rights spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani called on the Singapore government to adopt a \u201cformal moratorium\u201d on executions for drug-related offenses at a briefing on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cImposing the death penalty for drug offenses is incompatible with international norms and standards,\u201d Shamdasani said, adding that increasing evidence shows the death penalty is ineffective as a deterrent, a direct contrast to Singapore\u2019s claims. The island state has carried out\u00a011 executions in the last year alone for drug-related arrests.<\/p>\n Delaware became the 22nd state to legalize adult-use cannabis on April 23 with a rather unusual twist: Gov. John Carney didn\u2019t sign the bills into law. Instead, the Democratic governor let the laws pass without his signature as he still opposes legalization in the First State.<\/p>\n Gov. Carney has been a strident opponent of legalization during his six years in office, even though some 60% of his state\u2019s constituents support the legalization of cannabis for adult use. However, on April 21, he released a written statement saying that although his position remains unchanged, he wouldn\u2019t veto a bill to legalize the use, possession or transportation of up to one ounce of cannabis. He also said he won\u2019t veto the bill that created a regulated retail market, stating that there are more pressing issues for the state.<\/p>\n \u201cAs I\u2019ve consistently said, I believe the legalization of recreational marijuana isn\u2019t a step forward,\u201d Gov. Carney said in a statement<\/a>. \u201cI support both medical marijuana and Delaware\u2019s decriminalization law because no one should go to jail for possessing a personal-use quantity of marijuana. And today, they don\u2019t. I want to be clear that my views on this issue haven\u2019t changed. And I understand there are those who share my views who\u2019ll be disappointed in my decision not to veto this legislation. I came to this decision because I believe we\u2019ve spent far too much time focused on this issue when Delawareans face more serious and pressing concerns every day. It\u2019s time to move on.\u201d<\/p>\n His inaction is a change from his veto of a legalization bill supported<\/a> by other Democrats last year. The result was an unsuccessful attempt by House Democrats to overturn the veto.<\/p>\n Combined, House Bills One and Two permit adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce (28 grams) of flower, 12 grams of concentrates or products containing up to 750 milligrams of THC. Public consumption and possession of more than an ounce of marijuana would still be considered crimes as does home cultivation for personal use. Delaware may provide up to 30 initial licenses for retail sales, 30 for manufacturing, 60 for growing and 5 for testing. Specific licensing pools are included for social equity and microbusiness applicants.<\/p>\n Gov. Jared Polis and the Cannabis Business Office (CBO) within the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT) announced<\/a> on April 24 a new funding source for social equity licensed cannabis businesses in Colorado. The Cannabis Business Loan Program (CBLP) is created in partnership between CBO and mission-based lender NuProject to provide financing that isn\u2019t otherwise available to cannabis businesses through traditional lenders.<\/p>\n The CBLP will operate as a revolving loan fund by NuProject<\/a> and the CBO. The interest earned on the loans will be reinvested into the fund to assist future borrowers as they are repaid. Over the following decade, the initial $1 million investment is anticipated to lend $2.9 million, creating and maintaining significant jobs in Colorado.<\/p>\n \u201cThis landmark loan program will create and retain 239 good-paying jobs and promote equity in the cannabis industry by providing growing businesses access to funding. I\u2019m committed to saving small businesses money and ensuring our state remains a great place to start and run a business in every industry,\u201d said Gov. Polis in a statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n Traditional funding options for small businesses are typically unavailable within the cannabis industry, making it harder for cannabis business owners obtain capital for expansion. The CBLP will offer loans between $50,000 and $150,000 for remodeling or expansions, the acquisition of equipment, real estate or usage as operating capital to help close this funding gap. The loans will have manageable conditions based on the demands of the borrower.<\/p>\n The CBLP is the third CBO funding source available for Colorado\u2019s social equity licensed cannabis businesses. The Cannabis Business Grant, introduced in 2021, offers $50,000 Growth Grants to assist current cannabis firms as they expand or improve their operations and $25,000 Foundational Grants to support early-stage cannabis businesses with their startup needs. The new CBLP program will expedite the expansion of larger, more established cannabis enterprises.<\/p>\n Hemp footwear brand 8000Kicks has released a limited-edition shoe made from premium ground hemp flower\u2014500g per shoe, to be exact. The Portuguese company collaborated with Royal Queen Seeds and Nisiseltor Studio to create 100 pairs of Weedo sneakers<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re excited to partner with 8000Kicks and Nisiseltor Studio to bring this exclusive product to our customers,\u201d Shai Ramsahai, CEO of Royal Queen Seeds<\/a> said.<\/p>\n In addition to hemp flower, the shoes are made with other sustainable materials, including hemp and organic cotton blend laces, hemp insoles and a hemp interior, with a water-based glue securing the materials together. Each shoe is reported to take up to 30 hours to make.<\/p>\n \u201cThis limited-edition shoe is a one-of-a-kind product that showcases our commitment to innovation and client demand,\u201d CEO of 8000Kicks, Bernardo Carreira, said. \u201cWe believe that this idea will surprise our customers who are looking for a more eccentric pair.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cannabisnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Delaware-Flag.jpg\")
<\/a>Delaware Becomes Latest State to Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis<\/strong><\/h4>\n
<\/a>Colorado Announces Landmark Statewide Cannabis Loan Program<\/strong><\/h4>\n
<\/a>8000Kicks Debut First Shoe Made from CBD Flower<\/strong><\/h4>\n