Tag: news

New Mexico Legalizes Marijuana, Expunges Records
The governor of New Mexico on Monday signed a bill to legalize marijuana in the state, as well as a separate measure to expunge records for people with prior, low-level cannabis convictions.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) gave final approval to the legislation, a key accomplishment for her administration after she listed legalization as a 2021 priority, according to Marijuana Moment. Although lawmakers failed to pass a legalization bill before the regular session’s end last month, the governor convened a special session to ensure they got the job done.
“The legalization of adult-use cannabis paves the way for the creation of a new economic driver in our state with the promise of creating thousands of good paying jobs for years to come,” the governor said in a press release. “We are going to increase consumer safety by creating a bona fide industry. We’re going to start righting past wrongs of this country’s failed war on drugs. And we’re going to break new ground in an industry that may well transform New Mexico’s economic future for the better.”
“As we look to rebound from the economic downturn caused by the pandemic,” she said, “entrepreneurs will benefit from this great opportunity to create lucrative new enterprises, the state and local governments will benefit from the added revenue and, importantly, workers will benefit from the chance to land new types of jobs and build careers.”
Provisions of the legalization bill and expungements legislation were initially included together in the same package that passed the House during the regular session but later stalled on the Senate floor. When the special session started, however, supporters split up the legislation to win favor from Republicans and moderate Democrats who expressed opposition to the scope of the original proposal.
With Lujan Grisham’s action, New Mexico is the third state to formally end cannabis prohibition within the span of days. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) signed a marijuana legalization bill into law late last month, just hours after lawmakers sent it to his desk. In Virginia, lawmakers last week accepted amendments to a legal cannabis bill that were suggested by Gov. Ralph Northam (D), giving final passage to the bill that they had initially approved in February.
April 13, 2021
Humble Introduces New Hemp Wrap Product Line
Humble Specialty Products announced the launch of its inaugural hemp wrap product line. The Humble Hemp Wraps brand was created by the team behind the vape company Humble Juice Co. and the company intends to deliver a hemp-derived alternative to conventional, tobacco-based rolling papers.
“Humble Hemp Wraps offer a perfectly balanced, sweet inhale and flavorful exhale to provide a pure smoking experience,” said Daniel Clark, CEO of Humble Specialty Products. “We took time in creating our hemp wraps so that they offer superior flavor, a smoother burn and are easy to roll.”
Humble Hemp Wraps come in packs of two and are available in eight flavor-filled options: Apple, Blue Razz, Grape, Mango, Natural, Peach, Vanilla and Watermelon.
Humble Hemp Wraps aims to break the trend of standard tobacco-derived products by creating tobacco-free wraps that incorporate natural hemp ingredients. Humble Hemp Wraps are designed with a super velvety texture, a waved paper edge for easy rolling and rich flavoring for a quality smoking experience, according to a press release. Humble Hemp Wraps are currently available for purchase at select retailers nationwide and online at www.humblehempwraps.com.
April 13, 2021
Blackbriar and Beard Management Agree to Terms

Photo: Tobacco Reporter archive
Blackbriar Regulatory Services (BRS) has entered into a regulatory services, manufacturing and distribution agreement with Beard Management. BRS will become Beard’s exclusive manufacturer and a distributor for the company’s Beard Vape Co. and The One brands’ nicotine products and will take over the pre-market tobacco product application (PMTA) process for these products. As a part of the agreement, BRS will co-brand a range of PRISM e-liquid products that are complimentary to Beard’s product line, which are currently awaiting regulatory PMTA approval and being manufactured under license by BRS.
“We are honored that Beard, a globally recognized and respected brand, has put their trust in BRS as a key strategic partner moving forward,” said Russ Rogers, CEO of BRS. “Our combination of ISO certified cleanroom production and analytical lab facilities and industry leading FDA regulatory application team puts us in a position to provide a very compelling value proposition to customers who are making the investment to be in this industry long-term.
“Beard’s unwavering commitment to high quality products and regulatory practices makes them a great partner and we could not be more excited to provide them with a wide array of business solutions to help them ensure that their amazing brand continues to grow and remains a long-term part of this rapidly changing and maturing industry.
Partnering with BRS ensures the longevity of our brands
Casey Bates, CFO, Beard
BRS will now become Beard’s agent of record with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and will oversee the process of providing to the FDA any additional regulatory and testing work required for Beard’s current PMTA’s to scientifically prove its products are appropriate for the protection of public health.In addition, BRS will be manufacturing all of Beard’s 45 e-liquid products, including the Beard Vape Co. and The One brands. National and international distribution and all newly required domestic shipping registrations and compliance will also be handled by BRS.
“Partnering with BRS ensures the longevity of our brands,” said Casey Bates, CFO at Beard. “With BRS’ proven competencies as a leader in nicotine e-liquid product manufacturing and regulatory services, it puts us in the perfect position moving forward. The merging of our core competencies will allow Beard to continue delivering great products and great customer service to adults looking for tobacco alternatives. We couldn’t have done this on our own and we have a long list of people to thank, both at Beard and BRS, for making this possible.”
April 13, 2021
Juul Leaves Canadian Vaping Industry Trade Association

Photo: Juul Labs
Juul Labs is leaving Canada’s Vaping Industry Trade Association (VITA), citing nonalignment on critical policy issues.
“While we have appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with VITA , we will not be renewing our membership as we are not aligned on too many critical policy issues,” Juul Labs wrote in a statement. “For example, we support Tobacco 21 legislation—raising the minimum purchase age of tobacco and vaping products to 21—enhanced access controls at retail and limiting flavor options.”
Juul Labs Canada said it will continue to focus on combating underage usage of vaping products, while preserving the historic opportunity to switch adult smokers off of combustible cigarettes.
Vapor Voice profiles VITA in its current issue
April 12, 2021
More Than 10,000 Illegal Juul Pods Seized by CBP
U.S. Customs and Border Protections (CBP) officers in Indianapolis seized six shipments containing over 10,000 unapproved Juul Pods. All the shipments originated from an individual in Ontario, Canada and were headed to various locations in New York and New Jersey.
The FDA determined the shipments violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) as misbranded consumer goods being imported by an unauthorized agent, according to a CBP press release. Tobacco products imported or offered for import into the United States must comply with all applicable U.S. laws. Read more about the FDA’s regulations governing e-cigarettes and other tobacco products.
The shipments arrived separately and were all seized on April 8. The packages were mis-manifested as electrical apparatus, a common practice used by smugglers. CBP believed the shipment was intentionally improperly labeled to avoid detection. A total of 10,464 pods were seized. The pods had an MSRP over $156,000.
“Our officers are dedicated to identifying and intercepting these types of shipments that could potentially harm communities,” said Kerry Carter, Acting Port Director-Indianapolis. “Our officers and specialists enforce hundreds of laws for many partner agencies, and are committed to ensuring the health and safety of American citizens.”
Last year the FDA announced an increased enforcement priority of electronic nicotine delivery systems, and issued detailed guidance to the industry of these new enforcement priorities that regulate the unauthorized importation of tobacco products.
CBP provides basic import information about admissibility requirements and the clearance process for e-commerce goods and encourages buyers to confirm that their purchases and the importation of those purchases comply with any state and federal import regulations.
CBP conducts operations at ports of entry throughout the United States, and regularly screens arriving international passengers and cargo for narcotics, weapons, and other restricted or prohibited products. CBP strives to serve as the premier law enforcement agency enhancing the Nation’s safety, security, and prosperity through collaboration, innovation, and integration.
April 11, 2021
Str8Vape and Xtreme Vapour Receive FDA Warning Letters
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) handed down two more warning letters for vapor companies violating marketing rules for tobacco products on Thursday. Str8Vape and Extreme Vapour received letters for selling products without submitting a premarket tobacco product applications (PMTA) to the regulatory agency by the Sept. 9, 2020 deadline.
The total number of warning letters for the illegal sale of vapor products now stands at 84 in 2021. The letters were posted on the FDA’s website on April 8, the same day the businesses received the warnings.
The FDA states that is had determined that Extreme Vapour did “manufacture, sell, and/or distribute to customers in the United States the following Xtreme Vapour Babylon Vape Juice Pineapple 30ml e-liquid product without a marketing authorization order.” The company manufacturers over 80 products registered with FDA.
The FDA states that is has determined Str8Vape did “manufacture, sell, and/or distribute to customers in the United States the following STR8VAPE AMERICAN BLEND 3mg 70VG/30PG 30ML e-liquid product without a marketing authorization order.” The company is a registered manufacturer with over 27,400 products listed with FDA.
The FDA states that the companies failed to submit PMTAs by the required Sept. 9, 2020 deadline. The FDA also states that “the violations discussed in this letter do not necessarily constitute an exhaustive list” and companies should quickly address any products that violate the same rules as the product mentioned in the letter.
In February, the director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, Mitch Zeller, said that there were over 400 million vaping-related products that required a PMTA in order to remain on the market. “These warning letters are the result of continued surveillance and internet monitoring for violations of tobacco laws and regulations. We want to make clear to all tobacco product manufacturers and retailers that the FDA is keeping a close watch on the marketplace and will hold companies accountable for breaking the law,” said Zeller.
Companies that receive warning letters from the FDA have to submit a written response to the letter within 15 working days from the date of receipt describing the company’s corrective actions, including the dates on which it discontinued the violative sale, and/or distribution of the products. They also require the company’s plan for maintaining compliance with the FD&C Act in the future.
April 9, 2021
Vapor Products Total 46% of All 2021 FDA Warning Letters
In the first quarter of 2021, from Jan. 1 to March 31, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued and posted a total of 166 warning letters. Compared to the same time period in 2020, only 97 total warning letters were issued. In 2020, the 139 letters issued by the Center for Tobacco Products comprised 22 percent of all warning letters issued by the FDA.
Credit: FDA
In the first quarter of this year, 80 of the 166 letters [that number is now 82], or 46 percent of warning letters, were related to tobacco products. The vast majority of products at issue were e-cigarette or e-liquid products that violated the FDA’s requirements for premarket approval before sale in the U.S.
In virtually every warning letter for a tobacco product issued during the period under consideration, the FDA cited the manufacturer because their e-liquid products were considered new tobacco products, and had not submitted a premarket tobacco product application (PMTA), and were not subject to an exemption from the rule, according to Katie Insogna, an analyst with law360.com.
As a result, the products were considered adulterated under Section 902(6)(A) of the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act (FDCA). The agency also flagged many of these products for being misbranded under Section 903(a)(6) of the FDCA, because a notice or other information respecting these products were not provided as required by Section 905(j) of the FDCA.
Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring their tobacco products and all related labeling and/or advertising — including on websites, social media and search engines — comply with each applicable provision of the FDCA and the FDA’s implementing regulations. In many of the recent warning letters, the agency acknowledges that the recipient is a registered manufacturer with thousands of products already listed with the FDA.
As is customary in the case of most FDA warning letters, the agency has typically provided 15 working days for companies respond. Failure to address any violations may lead to regulatory action — including, but not limited to, civil money penalties, seizure and/or injunction. Because many of these companies already maintain authorizations for other tobacco products, they run the risk of additional regulatory scrutiny and negative action when they are flagged for selling unauthorized products, writes Insogna.
Many of the FDA’s warning letters centered on Covid-19-related products making false claims. Like Covid-19-related products, tobacco products — especially vaping products — are receiving exceptional regulatory scrutiny. Companies marketing products in both of these categories should be particularly cautious of applicable federal regulations, to avoid negative action.
April 9, 2021
Poll: More Malaysians Quitting Cigarettes with Vaping

Infographic: Green Zebras
Eighty-eight percent of Malaysian vapers successfully quit smoking cigarettes due to their vape products, reports the New Straits Times, citing a survey commissioned by the Malaysian Vape Industry Advocacy (MVIA).
Conducted by the Green Zebras market research firm, the survey also reported that 79 percent who are dual users (vapor products and cigarettes) have reduced the number of cigarettes they smoke since they began vaping.
MVIA president Rizani Zakaria noted that the survey’s results clearly show that vaping can be an effective tool to help smokers quit cigarette smoking and is a much less harmful alternative.
“There is a real need for the Malaysian government to recognize the benefits of vaping, especially the potential that it has to help smokers to quit cigarette smoking by switching to a less harmful product,” he said.
There is a real need for the Malaysian government to recognize the benefits of vaping.
Rizani Zakaria, president, MVIA
“As it stands, the vape products are still unregulated, and we believe it is time for the government to look into introducing regulations on the products and adopt policies that would encourage smokers to switch to vaping that is less harmful.”
April 9, 2021
Vape Shops in England and Wales to Reopen on April 12

Photo: Oxford Vapours
Vape shops across England and Wales are expecting huge numbers of customers—Including many smokers seeking expert help and guidance to quit—when they reopen on Monday.
More than 2,000 vape shops across the U.K. are preparing to reopen their doors to customers again on April 12 after the government confirmed the next stage of lifting lockdown restrictions will proceed as previously announced.
Non-essential retail outlets including vape shops will be able to reopen their doors from Monday across England and Wales. In Scotland however, non-essential retail must remain shut until Monday, April 26.
The U.K. Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) welcomes the relaxing of restrictions as the latest step on the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, especially as this coincides with the hugely successful, month-long awareness campaign VApril.
Run by the UKVIA and now in its fourth year, VApril aims to help educate smokers on how to successfully quit conventional cigarettes by transitioning to vaping.

The closure of retail outlets has been especially difficult for some users of vaping products who have struggled to get hold of equipment and advice.
John Dunne, director general, UKVIA
This year’s VApril campaign kickstarted with a webinar featuring leading industry experts including UKVIA Director General John Dunne, All Party Parliamentary Group for Vaping Chair Mark Pawsey, Global Legal and Regulatory Strategist at Andina Gold Corp. Patricia Kovacevic and former Director of Action on Smoking and Health Clive Bates.
“The closure of retail outlets has been especially difficult for some users of vaping products who have struggled to get hold of equipment and advice that they needed and who might well have returned to smoking over the past few months,” said Dunne.
“I am so pleased that the wider vape retail sector in England and Wales is now able to reopen its shop doors on Monday 12th April and begin trading again.
“Given the evidence that vaping is at least 95 percent less harmful than smoking according to Public Health England, it is vital that smokers are now given all the advice they need on making the switch from smoking both in store and using online advice including the VApril website.”

We are fully committed to achieving a tobacco free country by 2030 and, with our expert staff now able to open back up the stores, we are ready to help any smoker make the switch.
Doug Mutter, director, VPZ
“We are delighted to have our stores reopen after another lengthy lockdown,” said Doug Mutter, director at VPZ said. “From the click-and-collect services alone, we have already seen a huge number of smokers coming forward looking for advice and guidance on their quit journey.
“It has been over a year now that smokers have been struggling with getting expert advice and the selection of products they need from specialist retailers. Vaping retailers have been the last remaining service where people can get help and advice on how best to quit smoking, so we are fully expecting a very busy couple of months.
“We are fully committed to achieving a tobacco free country by 2030 and, with our expert staff now able to open back up the stores, we are ready to help any smoker make the switch.”
“We are so pleased to be able to give the service we are renowned for to our local customers once again,” said Dan Greenall, managing director at Oxford Vapours.
“Like many other businesses, despite managing to stay afloat during the past 12 months we have seen a huge drop in aiding smokers on their journey to switching to a less harmful alternatives.
“Vaping is personal and guidance is essential to ensure a successful switch attempt. Education through bricks and mortar retail is the best way to help people looking to make a switch to the less harmful alternative.
“This couldn’t have come at a better time for smokers looking to quit with the UKVIA recently launching VApril 2021—a dedicated educational campaign to help inform adult smokers of the options available to them and to support those wanting to switch on to vaping.
“Now we can reopen our stores we are truly able help people make the switch and support the Government’s efforts for a smokefree England by 2030.”

April 9, 2021
Video: VApril and Debating the ‘State of Vapor’

Industry experts debated the challenges and opportunities facing the vapor business to mark the start of VApril 2021, the annual awareness campaign launched four years ago by the U.K. Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) to help educate smokers on how to successfully quit conventional cigarettes by transitioning to vaping.
Participants in the debate included John Dunne, director general of the UKVIA; Mark Pawsey, MP and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Vaping; Patricia Kovacevic, global legal and regulatory strategist at Andina Gold Corp.; and Clive Bates, director of Counterfactual Consulting and former director of Action on Smoking and Health.
The discussion centered around the repercussions of the pandemic on the vaping industry and vapers; how the sector moves on from the events of the last 12 months; how regulatory review this year and COP9 can be a defining moment and accelerate the shift toward a vaping-driven smoke-free society; addressing the misperceptions of vaping, which are deterring adult smokers from making the switch to less harmful alternatives; and the opportunity for the VApril campaign to take the mantle and in the future make smoking in Britain a thing of the past.
The 2021 VApril month-long initiative will for the second year running be largely digitally based due to the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. Vape businesses up and down the country, together with vaping trade associations around the world, are getting behind the special month.
Smokers can visit a special campaign VApril website, which provides a special guide, the Switch on to Vaping Plan, to help them make a successful switch to vape products and in doing so break their smoking habits. They can also have their questions answered by an online expert panel.
April 9, 2021