Illinois is holding another cannabis license lottery for previous applicants that were erroneously denied opportunities in previous rounds due to what Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s top cannabis advisor called “clerical oversight in terms of data entry,” the Chicago Tribune reports. Toi Hutchinson, Pritzker’s cannabis advisor, said that as regulators discovered errors in the licensing process, they acted to correct them.
“It’s been painful to watch how long this has taken. As we move forward, this could get better every single year.”— Hutchinson to the Tribune
Out of 937 businesses that submitted 4,518 applications to Illinois last year, just 21 of them earned perfect scores to qualify them for an initial lottery. Losing applicants objected and filed lawsuits, claiming the scoring by consultant KPMG saw different scores for identical application information, the report says. Regulators last month announced more than 50 license winners from three lotteries but there are still seven pending legal challenges that could affect the final outcome. In one case, a Cook County judge ordered the state not to award any of the licenses until the court rules on one case in which applicants challenged the scoring process.
The state attempted to rectify the cannabis licensing issues by passing a law that created two additional lotteries for applicants that scored 85% or better on their application; however, some applicants still argued that that the process unfairly favored white, politically connected, and wealthy applicants by allowing unlimited applications for those who could pay the $5,000 fee for each application, the report says.
Hutchinson told the Tribune that of 79 new licenses awarded to cannabis craft growers, infusers, and transporters last month, 43% went to black-owned firms. She also noted that the state’s cannabis industry is still almost completely white-owned.
A proposed bill in Michigan would eliminate the “moral character” clause in the state’s adult-use cannabis law, WKAR Public Media reports. The legislation sponsor, Democratic state Sen. Jeff Irwin, said the current law could be used to keep out individuals who illegally sold—or sell cannabis—from participating in the industry.
Irwin said in a statement that “it would seem to be especially important” that the door remains open for legal operators to hire “folks who are very experienced in the illicit cannabis space.”
“I don’t think we want to exclude anyone who’s ever participated in the marijuana industry before it was legal from participating now that it is legal because that’s going to make it even harder for us to build the legal space and diminish the illicit space.” — Irwin to WKAR
None of the state’s Republican senators have signed onto the bill but Irwin said the proposal aligns with a bipartisan priority of clearing criminal records that could be used to deny people employment more broadly.
Last month, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (D) filed an amicus brief with the state Unemployment Insurance Appeals Commission (UIAC) arguing that employees fired solely for their off-the-clock cannabis use should still qualify for unemployment benefits.
Under the Medical Marijuana Facilities Licensing Act, the Marijuana Regulatory Agency can deny an applicant because of their “integrity, moral character, and reputation” or if the applicant has any prior cannabis-related offenses, even if the crime has been pardoned, expunged, or reversed, according to a press release from the senator’s office.
The measure was referred to the Committee on Regulatory Reform.
The City Council of Tybee Island, Georgia voted to make possession of an ounce or less of cannabis a civil penalty fine of $150, the Associated Press reports. Previously, simple possession was a misdemeanor charge punishable with up to a $1,000 fine and up to a year in jail. The statute is similar to 12 other Georgia cities—like Atlanta and Savanna—which have decriminalized cannabis, the AP reports.
“I can’t speak highly enough about reducing penalties for marijuana,” Tybee Island Councilman Monty Parks said.
“One of the key parts about this ordinance is that we are not just reducing the fine, we are reducing it from a misdemeanor to a civil penalty.” — Parks via the AP
Despite the penalty reduction in the home of Georgia’s largest public beach, individuals may still be charged with a misdemeanor if a DUI is involved, according to the report.
The move follows Gwinnett County Georgia’s recent announcement that county police would no longer issue misdemeanor cannabis charges. That decision was made after Georgia legalized industrial hemp and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced they did not have a THC potency test that would hold up in court (police departments around the country often have trouble distinguishing high-THC cannabis from federally-permitted hemp).
A 2018 poll found that 55% of Georgians supported adult-use cannabis, with just 35% saying the plant should remain illegal.
Brooklyn, New York’s Medgar Evers College (MEC) is the first City University of New York (CUNY) campus to offer a cannabis minor degree program. The college announced last week that students can now enroll in its Introduction to the World of Cannabis which will serve as a prerequisite for the program.
Students can choose four courses from any of the 13 newly-developed courses to earn the minor in one of four different tracks. Students from other CUNY campuses can also access the classes via the CUNY e-permit system.
Dr. Patricia Ramsey, president of Medgar Evers College and a botanist, said that she is “particularly pleased” that the college “is on the cutting edge of providing educational opportunities to learn about the many beneficial uses of plants such as cannabis and to provide the training necessary” for students interested in entering the cannabis space.
Education is a key step in raising awareness of the non-recreational benefits of plants such as cannabis. Oftentimes, communities of color are the last to benefit from emerging economic opportunities. The science faculty and the business faculty collaborated in developing the minor in cannabis education; thus, exposing the students to the science, health, technical and business aspects of this new industry.” — Ramsey in a press release
The program includes partnerships with Women Grow, Cookies cannabis brand, the Webber Wild Impact Fund—which is led by 2021 Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Chris Webber, Columbia Care, Cannabis Advisory Group, and New York City community-focused foundation Gotham Gives. The program was spearheaded by the MEC Cannabis Education Taskforce and is part of the Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science.
Michael Zaytsev, the author of The Cannabis Business Book and founder of New York City cannabis education and networking community High NY, will lead the Introduction to the World of Cannabis course.
In a notice posted to the Federal Registry, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) recommended increased production of cannabis and psychedelics for the development of federally approved drugs, Marijuana Moment reports.
Specifically, the DEA is asking for “significant increases” in the production of “the schedule I substances psilocybin, psilocin, marihuana, and marihuana extract (sic) … for research and clinical trial purposes.”
“DEA firmly believes in supporting regulated research of schedule I controlled substances. Therefore, the [Aggregate Production Quota] increases reflect the need to fulfill research and development requirements in the production of new drug products, and the study of marijuana effects in particular, as necessary steps toward potential [FDA] approval of new drug products.” — Excerpt from the DEA notice
The notice calls for the production of two million grams (about 4,400 pounds) of cannabis, which is an increase of 500,000 grams, . Additionally, the DEA wants to double its cannabis extract production to 500,000 grams this year. Psilocybin quotas are dramatically increased from 50 grams to 1,500 grams and quotas for psilocin—a second active molecule in some mushroom species—are increased from 50 grams to 1,000 grams, according to the report.
The recommendation reflects changing moods in the country surrounding cannabis and psychedelics: 38 states have medical cannabis outlets, 18 states have adult-use cannabis laws on the books, and Oregon has legalized medical psilocybin therapy.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) last week called for concept proposals from cannabis cultivators for its upcoming Cannabis Restoration Grant Program (CRGP). The agency said in a press release the grant program will help cover costly remediation projects addressing “environmental damage in watersheds affected by cannabis cultivation and related activities.”
CDFW will be accepting proposal solicitations from fall 2021 through spring of 2023. The application process is split into three steps: consultation, pre-application, and full application. Consultation is optional, according to the release, but will afford prospective applicants the chance to discuss their proposal’s applicability and eligibility with CDFW staff.
“We expect our new qualified cultivator program will help with remediation projects that may be unaffordable for many smaller cultivators, and also promote environmentally sustainable practices. We hope this support will help cultivators progress from provisional to annual license status.” — Jeremy Valverde, CDFW’s Cannabis Program Director, in a statement
For the full details on the program’s concept consultation and funding priorities, CDFW has prepared a Concept Consultation Request Overview for download.
“This is a great opportunity to assist our local small cannabis farms in overcoming the financial barriers that many face on the road to compliance,” said Peggy Murphy, Humboldt County’s Economic Development Specialist. “I look forward to hearing more about this funding opportunity, participating in the solicitation process and helping members of our cannabis community access this valuable resource.”
Last month, two California cannabis brands faced steep fines for breaking state environmental laws including the alleged use of illegal pesticides and herbicides, the improper removal of vegetation, and other violations.
An Ohio cannabis company is partnering with an organization that helps formerly incarcerated people transition back into society to train people convicted of cannabis crimes how to grow cannabis legally, WKBN reports. The partnership between Riviera Creek and United Returning Citizens aims to help ex-convicts get jobs in the cannabis industry.
Dionne Dowdy, who runs United Returning Citizens, said the two firms are “building out a cannabis, hemp hydroponic school.”
“So we’re going through the school and we’re going to give them business development. Then after that, we did a partnership with Riviera where they’re going to come here for mentorship, for internship.”—Dowdy to WKBN
Brian Kessler, Riviera Creek’s board chairman, called it a “wonderful program” adding that the company’s best employees come with training.
“You’re really encouraging people who maybe don’t have great pasts after they come out of prison to give them something that they’re actually skilled at,” Kessler said in the report, “but now teaching them how to do it safely, how to do it properly, how to do it legally.”
Under grow cannabis law, all cannabis industry employees must be vetted by the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The program is funded by a $200,000 grant from the Hawthorne Social Justice Fund and will see 10 formerly incarcerated people go through the 18-month program, the report says. Two people have already started the training.
LOS ANGELES, California, September 2, 2021 — Heavy Hitters today launched Lights Out, the brand’s first entry into the Sleep space.
According to the CDC, over 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep problems. Lack of sleep is linked to everything from injuries and chronic disease, to poor well-being and lost productivity. As much as we tell ourselves that a good night’s sleep is overrated, our body and mind know better. Experts say that sleep empowers an effective immune system, boosts our brain functions, and even helps minimize a number of mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression. It was clear to Heavy Hitters that improving your sleep was a major step in improving your life.
For Heavy Hitters, it all started with developing a one-two punch of CBN and THC. So what is CBN? CBN is a minor cannabinoid that’s created when THC is aged. When combined with THC, the result can be a more powerful sedation effect than THC alone.
Since 1996, Heavy Hitters has been dedicated to only producing the highest quality, purest and most potent products on the marketplace. For something as important as a sleep product, they didn’t just follow what was already out in the marketplace, they made it stronger and better.
Heavy Hitters created the heaviest hitting sleep gummy in the world, packing 20mg of THC with 20mg of CBN in every piece. And since their gummy testing team had to start setting multiple alarms in the morning, naming it “Lights Out” just made sense for this ultimate knockout of a product.
Heavy Hitters didn’t just end the quest to provide better sleep with the product, they created an experience and a service to go with it. Heavy Hitters developed a Lights Out sleep kit that includes a soft, lavender-infused satin eye mask, custom earplugs, and an essential oil-infused sleep candle to help set the mood. To top it all off, we created a custom pair of PowerBeats Pro Wireless Headphones matched with an 8D sleep mix designed to help massage the brain into a deeper sleep, with more epic and vivid dreams. Consumers can enter to win their own sleep kit at any participating retailers, or by going directly to https://heavyhitters.co/sleep
Lights Out hit the shelves today at select retailers, and launches statewide in California at the end of the month. Lights Out is available in bags of 5 pieces for a total of 100mg of THC and 100mg of CBN in each pouch (2 servings per piece).
And just fair warning…set a couple of alarms the first time you try Lights Out…
About Heavy Hitters
Los Angeles-born and family-owned and operated since 1996, Heavy Hitters is a true original amongst cannabis brands. Dedicated since day one to only produce the highest quality, purest and most potent products, Heavy Hitters continues to push the boundaries of what it means to be connoisseur cannabis. Always innovating, their ever-growing brand portfolio includes one of the best-selling vape cartridges in California, along with a variety of edibles, concentrates and pre-rolls. Heavy Hitters products are distributed exclusively by Mammoth Distribution and are available in California’s top dispensaries.
South Dakota lawmakers on Wednesday recommended changes to the state’s voter-approved medical cannabis law including prohibiting home cultivation and allowing local governments to bar dispensaries, the Associated Press reports. The changes were recommended by a legislative subcommittee as the state government faces a deadline to issue patient identification cards and industry licenses.
The recommendations move next to the Marijuana Interim Study Committee which must approve them before they can move to the full Legislature for consideration.
Republican state Rep. Fred Deutsch argued that allowing medical cannabis patients to cultivate their own plants would lead to an influx of illegal cannabis and that when voters approved the law last year, they were voting on a general medical cannabis program.
“I want medical marijuana to be accessible to anyone who qualifies for it. But I do want to put up guardrails and gutters to provide safety for South Dakotans that don’t need it and don’t need to be exposed to it, especially our children.”—Deutsch to the AP
Democratic state Rep. Linda Duba disagreed, contending that the subcommittee recommendations would gut key provisions of the program and that the ballot initiative was “carefully crafted” and reflected the will of voters.
“I’m tired of people saying they are following the will of the people, then they turn right around and say we know better what you meant,” she told the AP, “so we’re going to restrict here, here and here.”
Last year, South Dakotans voted to legalize cannabis for both medical and adult use but a circuit court judge ruled that the adult-use law violated the state’s single-issue rule for ballot initiatives. The state Supreme Court is expected to make the final ruling on that lower court decision.
TerrAscend Corp. is set to acquire Michigan-based Gage Growth Corp. in a $545 million all-stock deal. Upon completion of the deal, the combined business will have operations in five states and Canada, including seven cultivation and processing facilities and 23 medical and adult-use dispensaries.
The agreement will give TerrAscend access to Gage’s brands and genetics library, as well as its licensing partnerships with Cookies, Slang Worldwide, Blue River, Pure Beauty, and Khalifa Kush.
Jason Wild, TerrAscend executive chairman, said the acquisition extends the company’s footprint into Michigan, which is the third-largest legal cannabis market in the U.S with an annualized market size of $2.1 billion.
“Combining our market-leading share in our existing states with Gage’s proven cultivation, retail, and marketing capabilities, creates one of the largest and most dynamic companies in the industry. We look forward to leveraging Gage’s profound connection with Michigan’s consumers, in addition to its established partnerships with award-winning brands like COOKIES, to provide our patients and customers with best-in-class product offerings and retail experiences.”—Wild in a press release
The companies noted the strength of Gage’s balance sheet—a $28 million cash position with minimal debt.
Gage CEO Fabian Monaco said that the two companies’ “strategic and corporate values make [the] combination a strong fit.”
“We also recognize the incredible success that TerrAscend has enjoyed in recent years,” Monaco said in a statement. “We could think of no better company to partner with as we execute on our shared strategy of deep vertical integration and scale in our core markets, with a vision of creating the most consumer-centric cannabis company in the world.”
The deal still requires final approval from Canadian regulators and Gage shareholders.
The chairman of the dispensary subcommittee of the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission is recommending that dispensaries “resemble a pharmacy,” according to WSFA TV. Dr. Sam Blakemore, who has a pharmacy background, suggested that retailers must be certified and can have up to three locations.
“We’re going to have to be able to train certified dispensers to be able to pull the correct medicinal cannabis products that have been recommended by a physician. Fill that order correctly, make sure it’s verified appropriately against the patient registry, and then ensure that the physicians have been checked out.” — Blakemore via WSFA TV
Blakemore warned that potential dispensers should not go into the endeavor to make money, rather for “a passion for helping people.”
The Medical Cannabis Commission will meet next week and is expected to elect a new executive director, WSFA reports. The commission was set up earlier this year after Alabama lawmakers approved a medical cannabis bill. In addition to setting up the commission, the law outlines qualifying conditions and what medical cannabis products can be sold in dispensaries.
Usable flower or cannabis vaping products will not be available in Alabama, nor will patients be allowed to cultivate cannabis in their homes. However other products like “tablets, capsules, tinctures, or gel cubes for oral use; gels, oils or creams for topical use, or suppositories, transdermal patches, nebulizers, or liquids or oils for use in an inhaler” will be offered to patients who are registered in the state database.
New York lawmakers approved two officials for the state’s adult-use cannabis program in a special session this week, WHAM reports.
Former Democratic Assemblywoman Termaine Wright was approved as chair of the Cannabis Control Board and criminal justice reform advocate Christopher Alexander will become the Executive Director of the Office of Cannabis Management, which will set the rules and regulations for growers and retailers in the cannabis space.
Both appointees were nominated by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), who recently ascended to the office following the resignation of disgraced former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
New York state Sen. Jeremy Cooney—who is a member of the Marijuana Task Force—said in the report that the confirmations are an important step towards licensing growers and other entrepreneurs to spearhead the new industry.
“They’re anxious. They want a license. They want to find out the timetable and all of that can start as soon as we have leadership at the state level. We have to get this right. We are committed to getting it right. We believe that Chris Alexander and Tremaine Wright are the people to move us in that direction.” — Sen. Cooney, via WHAM
With the appointments, New York’s cannabis industry is on track to begin its licensing process sometime next year.
Uruguay, which legalized adult-use cannabis in 2013, will increase the THC content of cannabis sold in pharmacies and will consider allowing tourists to purchase cannabis products, according to an EFE report.
Since 2017, Uruguayan adults aged 18 or older have been able to enter a government registry to purchase recreational cannabis from state-licensed pharmacies. But while pharmacies have only been dispensing cannabis products since 2017, personal cultivation and cannabis cultivation clubs—where up to 45 registered adults can share a space to cultivate and consume cannabis—have been available since 2014.
Pharmacies currently dispense two strains of cannabis called ALFA and BETA which respectively contain about 9% THC and 3% CBD. Officials hope that by increasing the THC content of commercially available cannabis, the products will better compete with those grown in the cannabis clubs—which average a THC content of about 20%—according to the report.
Concerning tourist sales, Daniel Radío, the general secretary for Uruguay’s National Drug Board, said on Monday that any change was unlikely to take effect this tourist season but that he will study the possible effects of letting international visitors to the country buy cannabis products, including how it may boost Uruguay’s overall tourism attraction.
Uruguay became the first country in the world to legalize adult-use cannabis in 2013 under the leadership of former President José Mujica.
Florida’s Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D) released a financial report this week as part of her gubernatorial election bid, the Miami Herald reports. Fried, who is the state’s only Democrat elected official, filed the disclosure form on Tuesday but the report’s deadline was July 1. As Agriculture Commissioner, Fried helps manage Florida’s medical cannabis program and she previously worked as an industry consultant through a firm called Igniting Florida.
She announced her candidacy for the governor’s office in June but faced early scrutiny after issuing some adjustments to a 2018 financial report, which showed that her consulting earnings from that year were about five times what was first reported. Fried also owns an approximately $130,000 stake in the licensed medical cannabis company Harvest Health & Recreation, Inc.
Harvest, however, is set to be acquired by Florida’s largest cannabis brand Trulieve in a massive $2 billion deal—and just yesterday, Harvest announced the $55-million-sale of its own license to Planet 13, a multi-state operator with dispensaries in Nevada and California.
Following the latest report, she has faced many GOP criticisms over a perceived lack of transparency but Fried said on Wednesday that the delay was for opposite reasons.
“We were just trying to be as transparent and they were just not used to that. We make sure when we found an error that we’re correcting it; we want to be as transparent and open with the public as possible.” — Fried, in a statement
Fried, who initially tried to hide her Harvest connections as Ag Commissioner, has promised to sell her cannabis industry assets if she is elected to be Florida‘s governor.
A family of products including concentrate and dry herb vaporizers grows a little bigger today with the introduction of the Vexil. It’s a reinventive herbal vape that features a unique Zirconia cooling mouthpiece that utilizes a magnetic connection. The spiral mouthpiece not only cools the vapor but extends the airpath length for larger draws. And the body of the vaporizer is constructed from a durable metal casing for years of daily use. The Vexil is available for $119.99 on https://bndlstech.com/ and begins shipping September 15th.
“The unit was kind of designed for someone who is transitioning to vapes from joints or glass,” said Mathias Nastos, Director of Marketing at Boundless. “It was also designed by us here in California. Designed and tested here. Our team tests them a lot… a lot.”
The Vexil was designed with the future of vaporization in mind. The USB-C charger can provide significantly more juice to the unit, which offers a much faster charging time. A 1800mAh (3.7V) battery powers the Vexil for up to six full sessions per charge. Simply take it on the go and enjoy consistent vapor throughout the day. And with the strong metal casing protecting the vape, peace of mind is always there.
Veil Vaporizer Features:
Zirconia Cooling Magnetic Mouthpiece
Metal Casing with Durable Construction
Portability for Convenient Utilization
Conduction Heating Technology
USB-C Charging
Compatible with most Dry Herbs
Four Preset Temperatures
360F/182C (Green)
380F/193C (Purple)
400F/204C (Blue)
420F/215C (Red)
The four preset temperatures have been carefully selected for optimal performance during every session. It’s easy to dial in the perfect temperature, no matter the moisture content of the herbal material. While the conduction heating technology ensures the dry herb is fully vaporized for complete satisfaction. Plus, it includes everything needed to start vaping right out of the box. Consider the Vexil an complete vaporization package, designed for users not only in Washington or California, but anywhere in the world.
About Boundless Technology
Boundless Technology is a leader in the vaporizing industry, continually seeking ways to expand beyond what’s currently available on the market, and striving to create innovative technology that keeps portability, subtlety, and effectiveness at the forefront. Offering an affordable, efficient, and elevated experience is the focal point when it comes to Boundless.
Cannabis has always been about community. Some people assume that consuming cannabis makes one a loner, but the foundation of a smoke “sesh” is communal: a gathering of cannabis lovers, consuming lady cannabis together. In fact, many great bonds are made from cannabis smoke sessions including business talks and industry collaboration. For a magnificent example, see three Massachusetts cannabis business owners who became friends because of their shared admiration for cannabis and each other.
Meet Seun Adedeji, Ulysses Youngblood, and Reginald Stanfield
The journey into cannabis entrepreneurship isn’t easy, especially for the BIPOC community; however, Seun Adedeji, Ulysses Youngblood, and Reginald Stanfield all launched their cannabis businesses despite the industry’s murky waters. Seun and Reginald relocated and lived on-site to make their businesses launch. Ulysses leaned on his network to launch his business. Their journey, their struggle, their hustle is one that any aspiring cannabis entrepreneur can learn from.
NBC News recently covered black entrepreneurs struggling to enter the cannabis industry, reporting that “the numbers are disturbing. Less than a fifth of the people involved at an ownership or stake-holder level were people of color.”
And so, when black people in cannabis are accomplishing what seems to be the impossible, noise must be made and we must give these business owners recognition, especially when their mission in the cannabis industry is centered around community, passion for the plant, and passion for the people.
Seun Adedeji is the Founder and CEO of Elev8, a black-owned multi-state cannabis dispensary with locations in Oregon and Massachusetts. Seun is the youngest black man in America to own a cannabis dispensary. He says the mission at Elev8 is, “to elevate our community.”
Ulysses Youngblood is the Co-Founder and President of Major Bloom, the first black-owned manufacturing operator coupled with a retail and delivery license, located in Worcester, Massachusetts. When it comes to their company mission, Ulysses says, “innovation is at the core of Major Bloom.”
Reginald Stanfield is the CEO and Head Horticulturist of JustinCredible Cultivation, the first black-owned and licensed cultivation on the East Coast, located in Cummington, Massachusetts. Reginald says that the mission at JustinCredible Cultivation is, “to be a positive example to bigger commercial cultivators; keeping the integrity of the cultivation process while scaling.”
A fateful meeting
In a recent trip to Massachusetts, sponsored by JustinCredible Cultivation, I had the pleasure of visiting JustinCredible Cultivation in Cummington, Elev8 Cannabis Dispensary in Athol, and Major Bloom Cannabis Dispensary in Worcester; and the pleasure of spending time and space with cannabis business owners Seun, Ulysses, and Reginald. I was and still am so intrigued by their individual journeys, their businesses, and their friendship. I was intrigued by their individual journeys, their businesses, their friendship, and the way they collaborate and show up for each other, so I asked about how they first met.
Reginald: “I met Ulysses Youngblood through a newly formed organization that focuses on developing black- and brown-owned businesses in the cannabis space, The Block. Someone gave me Seun’s contact information. We had a great conversation then later met face to face, from there a brotherhood bond developed. Now he’s one of the only people I allow to call me at 9 am (LOL).”
Seun: “Reginald reached out and I’m glad I picked up. Our conversation was not forced and I could hear his sincerity and hustle; nothing was given to him and I connected with that right away. I heard of Ulysses in 2018 while lobbying for a license in the state of Massachusetts. His business partner was one of my attorneys/advisors (Lori, aka Big Mama). I finally met Young at the Block meeting, respect was mutual.”
Cannabis entrepreneurs Reginald Stanfield, Ulysses Youngblood, and Seun Adedeji pose together for a group photo.
Embracing unity and collaboration
A beautiful “no man left behind” sentiment has developed between these three cannabis business owners:
Ulysses: “Our relationships became solid after a local trade association attempted to repel equity provisions, by suing the state over the exclusive delivery license period. We all agreed not to join that trade association when they wanted to do damage control. Additionally, because we are not cultivators, our job is to narrate and share the story and power of creating products with the first black cultivator on the East Coast.”
Seun: “JustinCredible played a role in Elev8’s grand opening. There was a shortage of flower in the state of Massachusetts when we opened and JustinCredible came out, showed love, and made sure we were the first dispensary they sold their flower to. I also had the honor of going out and supporting Major Bloom for their grand opening which was amazing!”
15 tips for aspiring ganjapreneurs
Seun, Ulysses, and Reginald speak from a place of experience and sacrifice—there aren’t many cannabis business owners or CEOs that can talk about the building and launching of a cannabis brand from the same place as this trio. Seun made his dispensary his residence to save money and gave everything he could to the launch of Elev8. Reginald shared an RV with three other people to live onsite while working to build JustinCredible with the rest of the team.
The following 15 business tips come from their blood, sweat, tears, and passion:
Making a decision is better than procrastinating.
Be optimistic and it’s ok to have a subtle naiveté.
Get around those who inspire.
Understand your company values and hire people that meet them.
Motivate your team.
Find your strength and surround yourself with people that can complement your weaknesses.
Even with a small-scale cultivation, you need help to stay compliant.
Test for terpenes.
Be willing to become the COE (Chief of Everything) when you first start. As your company grows, be ready to take on the CEO position.
Win-win collaborations are the best.
Have a pirate mentality; get involved!
It’s ok to revise and update your business plan; even when you are operational, keep reviewing and updating.
Hoarding equity does not increase your overall company.
Raise money when you don’t need it.
It’s not a race, it’s a marathon.
Conclusion
The trio reports some great things coming up. Reginald states that JustinCredible is launching their lifetime strains next harvest. Ulysses says that Major Bloom will continue to carry JustinCredible flower, and bring unique products to the market like slow-burning blunts and infused pre-rolls. They are also working on an edibles chocolate line and a beverage line. Seun says that Elev8 has two additional dispensary openings in Massachusetts, making Elev8 Cannabis Dispensary the first minority-owned company to own and operate three dispensaries in the state.
Michigan’s Marijuana Regulatory Authority has released proposals to expand the number of adult-use cannabis license types by two and lower application fees and license renewal costs, M-Live reports.
The marijuana educational research license would allow schools to purchase cannabis for educational and research purposes from licensed Michigan cannabis producers. However, schools are often hesitant to work with cannabis due to federal restrictions, the report notes. Things like student loans and grants may be affected if schools have large amounts of cannabis on campus, said Northern Michigan University (NMU) cannabis educator Derek Hall.
According to Hall, NMU’s program uses plants other than cannabis to conduct classes. “Currently, we follow the federal guidelines related to cannabis,” he said in the report M-Live. “We do have trace amounts for laboratory use. Those amounts are very, very small.”
The second new license type would expand an existing license category called the Class A micro-business license. The new license would expand the number of allowable plants for micro-business licensees from 150 to 300. Unlike the existing micro-business license, the new Class A license does not allow in-house cannabis processing. Instead, Class A micro-businesses can purchase edibles and concentrates from other Michigan processors.
According to Michigan NORML executive director Rick Thompson:
“[The] class A micro business can double the cultivation output while also selling any other regulated supplier’s non-flower products. This is huge. It makes the existing micro business license undesirable and obsolete.” — Thompson, via M-Live
Under the proposals, application fees are reduced from $6,000 to $3,000. Other license type fees are cut with Class C growing licenses dropping from $40,000 to $24,000. Similarly, processor licenses are reduced from $40,000 to $24,000 and retail, transportation, and lab licenses drop from $21,000 to $15,000.
The agency is accepting public comment on the new rules until September 27. There will be a public hearing on September 27 for those wanting to testify in person on the new rule changes, according to the report.
Thailand on Tuesday legalized the possession and sale of Kratom, which is often used as a painkiller and mild stimulant, the Associated Press reports. The reforms will see thousands of pending criminal cases in Thailand dropped and 121 inmates convicted of kratom possession released from prison.
Ramdin Areeabdulsorma, a politician in Pattani province, told the AP that kratom has historically been a part of the daily lives of Thai people.
“To decriminalize kratom is the right thing to do. Local people or patients who need it will be able to access it more easily. However, I am concerned that teenagers will use it in a wrong way, for example, mixing kratom with other narcotics. We have to control this strictly, otherwise, it can cause damage.” — Areeabdulsorma to the AP
Nimu Makaje, a Muslim community leader in Yala province, said that the nation needs “to have proper controlling measures” of kratom now that it has been decriminalized.
“Currently, a lot of people have lost their jobs and they may use it to reduce their stress,” Makaje said to the AP. “This is very dangerous.”
In the U.S., kratom is considered a “drug of concern” by the Drug Enforcement Administration but it is not federally outlawed. Kratom is banned in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin, according to Kraoma, which notes there is pending legislation on kratom in Hawaii, Louisiana, Michigan, New Hampshire, and New Jersey.
Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson said in a letter to the State’s Attorney General he did not feel his agency could help facilitate the state’s medical cannabis program due to cannabis’ federal Schedule I status, according to Mississippi Today. In the letter to Attorney General Lynn Fitch, Gipson said that “elected officials took an oath of office to ‘faithfully support the Constitution of the United States … and obey the laws thereof.’”
Currently, Mississippi‘s medical cannabis system is in limbo after the state Supreme Court struck it down on the grounds that signatures for the 2020 ballot measure were incorrectly gathered. Despite continued negotiations, the legislature has been unable to pass a replacement measure. One proposal puts the Mississippi Department of Agriculture in charge of licensing medical cannabis producers—but in a radio interview with Supertalk, Gipson said that if the legislature does pass such a bill, he has a draft legal challenge ready to go, according to the report.
“If the Mississippi Legislature were to enact and the governor were to sign into state law a medical marijuana program, how would it be legal under the federal act to truck, ship, deliver, manufacture, distribute or dispense any part of the cannabis seed or plant as a Schedule 1 substance into the state of Mississippi?” — Gipson, in the letter, via Mississippi Today
State Sen. Kevin Blackwell (R) pointed out in the report that many of the 38 states with medical cannabis programs allow agriculture department-licensed farms to produce the federally prohibited crop.
Mississippi voters overwhelmingly passed the medical cannabis initiative during the 2020 election. However, the measure was quickly challenged by a Mississippi mayor who said the law did not give local government enough control over cannabis businesses. And earlier this year, the Mississippi Supreme Court threw out the law on the grounds that signatures were incorrectly gathered due to the legislature’s failure to redistrict the state as ordered by a federal court.
In a last-minute scramble, the Mississippi legislature attempted to pass replacement legislation but they have been unable to get the measure to the governor’s desk, leaving Mississippians without a medical cannabis system.
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court on Monday ruled in favor of a cannabis business that it can operate as a for-profit business, Courthouse News reports. In the ruling, the justices determined that the state’s cannabis legalization law preempted the town of Mansfield’s bylaws which required cannabis dispensaries to operate as not-for-profits.
The dispensary owner, Ellen Rosenfield, started the medical cannabis dispensary prior to the state’s passage of the broad legalization law and in 2017 the state began allowing dispensaries to operate as for-profit ventures. The following year, Rosenfield converted her business to for-profit status, but neighboring businesses filed a lawsuit arguing that while state law had changed, the town’s bylaws had not.
“The Legislature evinced its clear intent to allow for-profit entities to distribute medical marijuana. This legislative purpose cannot be achieved in the face of [Mansfield’s] by-law on the same subject.” — Massachusetts Judicial Supreme Court Ruling via Courthouse News
The court also rejected the town’s argument that under the state law medical cannabis dispensaries could only convert to for-profit status if their facilities were actively “engaged” in cannabis sales and that since Rosenfield’s business was in start-up mode at the time the state law was passed, she wasn’t “engaged” in sales.
The court ruled “engaged” means simply involved or occupied with and that “it hardly can be said that the plaintiffs were not ‘involved in’ and ‘occupied’ by the sale of marijuana, even though the dispensary is not yet operational.”
Rosenfield’s attorney, Jason Talerman of Mead, Talerman & Costa in Millis, told Courthouse News that, in the ruling, “the court is saying, ‘Let’s not throw up artificial barriers; let’s figure out how to manage it instead of just saying no.’”
All seven of the court’s justices were appointed by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker who opposed the ballot initiative to legalize cannabis in dispensaries.
Panama on Monday legalized medical cannabis becoming the seventh Latin American country—but the first in Central America—to approve the reforms, according to a Jurist report. The bill passed the national assembly unanimously after five years of attempts.
Home cultivation of cannabis remains illegal under the law and the illegal production and sale of cannabis is still punishable by up to 10-15 years in prison. Advertising cannabis products will also remain prohibited.
The measure allows very limited commercial cultivation in Panama while relying on imports in pill and liquid forms, the report says. The Ministry of Health is tasked with distributing medical cannabis products to licensed pharmacies. Under the law, pharmacies must apply for a permit to sell medical cannabis and pass a site inspection.
The bill also requires the creation of a registry for medical cannabis patients and allows research on the plant, Reuters reports. The measure includes language allowing medical cannabis for pets, according to Canex.
Assembly President Crispiano Adames described the legislation—which still requires the signature of President Laurentino Cortizo—as “innovative.”
Another Central American nation, Costa Rica, is also considering a measure to legalize medical cannabis and hemp in the nation, according to Canex. That bill is expected to be taken up by lawmakers this month.
U.S. Navy veteran Howard Bailey, who was deported to Jamaica over a cannabis conviction, was allowed to return home after more than 10 years thanks to mounting pressure on the Biden Administration, Marijuana Moment reports.
Bailey, who served four years with the U.S. Navy, was arrested more than 20 years ago after a package containing cannabis meant for someone else was delivered to his home. Based on his lawyer’s advice, he ultimately pled guilty in the case but when he later applied for U.S. citizenship, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement used the offense to justify denying his application and ultimately arrested and deported him.
Sens. Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Mark Warner (D-VA) delivered a letter last month to the Head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requesting the reopening of Bailey’s case, while 30 members of the Congressional Black Caucus had previously each called on Biden to reopen similar deportation cases. But the Congressional pressure was preceded by advocacy from the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) and the Immigrant Defense Project (IDP).
Welcome home, U.S. Navy veteran Howard Bailey! Howard reunited with his family yesterday evening in Virginia after a decade of living in exile in Jamaica following his unjust deportation. Read more here: https://t.co/gaz30ot1vYpic.twitter.com/ehpnnhWtYS
“I’m relieved that our calls to bring U.S. Navy veteran Howard Bailey home were heard by [Biden] and that he is now reunited with his family. We must continue to undo the harmful immigration policies that are hurting our veterans, service members, and their families.” — Sen. Alex Padilla, in a tweet
Bailey was already pardoned for the cannabis incident by Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) in 2017, according to the report.
Bring-your-own cannabis smoking lounges in Illinois are off to a slow but successful start, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Illinois state law prohibits the public use of cannabis so the licensed consumption sites are a welcome addition for tourists—but before a new lounge can open, local regulators must first approve the business model. Lounges are currently open in DeKalb and downstate Sesser, according to the report, with plans for additional businesses in West Peoria and Carbondale.
For now, the lounges are not allowed to dispense their own cannabis products so consumers have to bring their own. One Carbondale dispensary called Consume Cannabis, however, is seeking to become the state’s first retailer with an attached consumption site after local regulators approved the business model.
“The City Council is in full support of cannabis business,” said Carbondale’s Economic Development Director Steven Mitchell.
“Cannabis has been here since cannabis has been around. Southern Illinois University got a reputation in the 1960s and ‘70s as sort of a hippie town. Lots of folks came from the Chicago area and introduced a new culture to the region, and it has remained.” — Mitchell, via the Tribune
Cannabis lounges remain off-limits in Chicago after Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s proposal stalled in the City Council. Additionally, statewide expansions to cannabis consumption lounges and business tours failed to pass the legislature this year but will likely be reconsidered next year.
Alaska was the first state to approve cannabis social use sites statewide although cannabis cafes/consumption lounges have also been operating in parts of California, Nevada, and Colorado.
Washington state will transition from Leaf Data Systems (LDS), the state’s problematic seed-to-sale tracking system operated by MJ Freeway, to an “in house” data collection system, according to a Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) announcement.
Named the “Cannabis Central Reporting System” (CCRS), the new database will be a “revamped, simplified, data-reporting platform.” WSLCB expects CCRS to be simpler, more flexible, and less costly for licensees. The WSLCB will begin testing the new system in September, with a complete transition and end to the LDS contract expected by June 2022. The agency has launched a website for CCRS and a webinar explaining the transition process is scheduled for September 8, the announcement says.
Although the state has spent millions on LDS and is now moving to a new reporting regime, the Director of Washington NORML Kevin Oliver told Ganjapreneur that there is no actual law requiring cannabis to be tracked so closely.
“There is no law requiring traceability as we know it. It simply isn’t necessary to maintain compliance with I-502 as written and passed by voters, nor is there federal guidance demanding it.” — Kevin Oliver, via an online communication
Things started going wrong with Washington‘s traceability system in late 2017 when the state changed vendors from Biotrack THC to MJ Freeway’s Leaf Data System. The system was targeted by a cyber attack in 2018. Then, when MJ Freeway missed numerous 2018 launch dates, the WSLCB moved to a “Contingency Reporting System” (CRS), which eventually was maintained at an operational level due to continued problems with LDS. The CRS remains in place as the WSLCB begins to transition to the new system, according to the Cannabis Observer.
Georgia Jablon, a representative for Leaf Data Systems’ parent company Akerna, told Ganjapreneur in a statement, “Four years ago, in partnership with WSLCB, we built a unique cannabis tracking system that answered the state’s complex regulatory needs and business requirements.
“Since then, Washington’s enforcement and regulatory requirements have evolved into a simplified model that they can support in-house, which we consulted with them to create. At the same time, we have developed other government cannabis models by bringing both robust and simple solutions to states and countries depending on their needs to ensure ongoing success. We wish the WSLCB the best and look forward to witnessing their accomplishments while rolling out their new state track and trace system.”
