David Purcell: Cannabis Industry Education at Kwantlen Polytechnic University

5/03/2018

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David Purcell is the Director of Emerging Business for the Cannabis Career Training program in the Continuing and Professional Studies division at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in British Columbia.

All eyes are on Canada this year as the nation steadily progresses toward establishing its highly anticipated national adult-use marketplace — so we invited David to an interview to talk about his work with KPU and what he has done to help prepare Canada’s workforce for the impending industry. Check out his responses below as we dive into the complex relationship between cannabis educators, cannabis professionals, and cannabis patients and/or enthusiasts.

Ganjapreneur: What can Kwantlen’s Cannabis Education Series do for someone who wants to join the industry? What are the main takeaways?

David Purcell: The Cannabis Career Training series is currently offered through three, eight-week, online courses which are: Plant Production and Facility Management; Marketing, Sales and Drug Development; and Financing a Cannabis Enterprise in Canada. These courses are meant to provide a foundational understanding of the industry through an in-depth look at the cannabis plant, where and how it is grown, and the industry in Canada all taught based on the current and evolving regulatory framework. We are currently developing a Cannabis Cultivation Technician course, which will be a 32-week comprehensive course to teach students how to grow cannabis in a licensed facility, as well as a Retail Training course to meet the needs of the current medical, and future recreational markets.

When was it clear to you that the cannabis industry would need a dedicated educational series?

KPU recognized very early on that there was going to be a need for an educational platform. As medical cannabis use in Canada increased, we recognized the need to provide education to patients, producers and the general public. The industry was relatively new, and there were no accredited, degree-granting universities taking on the challenge of building a cannabis education program at the time. As the industry began to grow, we focused on key industry experts to assist with the expansion of the program to include the coursework that is currently on offer.

Was there ever pushback from your university over the program due to the plant’s legal status?

When we decided to pursue cannabis education, we ensured that we would only work with legitimate, credible resources within the Canadian medical cannabis industry. Given that medical cannabis had been legalized in Canada at this point helped, but it took a bit of effort, and some excellent work from our staff and industry partners to develop a curriculum that proved to offer a great deal of value to both the general public as well as the industry on the whole.

Considering Canada’s plan for nationwide legalization, what do you expect to be the biggest obstacle or issue to overcome as the program comes online?

I think that the industry is going to have a difficult time scaling up to meet the demands of the country. It is generally accepted that the supply of cannabis will not meet the demands of the recreational market once recreational legalization takes place this summer. KPU educators have the same challenges relating to scaling up. We recognize the importance of providing quality education in the cannabis space to Canadians but can’t possibly scale fast enough to do so on our own. To meet this challenge, KPU has, and continues to establish key partnerships with colleges and universities across Canada to develop and deliver cannabis education as a means to ensure that the needs of the industry and future learners are met.

How often does each 8-week series run and can you enroll in all three at the same time, or do they build off of each other?

The demand for the Plant Production and Facility Management Course has been so high that we are running concurrent intakes every four weeks. All other courses run every nine weeks– that’s an eight-week course with a one week break to grade final assignments etc. The courses currently do not ladder into each other, but we are working on a series of courses that will stream together. You can enroll in all three at the same time, but that would be quite the commitment. From a student’s perspective, the time commitment is typically 8-12 hours per week per course.

Who actually compiles the curriculum for each course and how is the information gathered?

We are fortunate to have a number of working relationships with licensed producers across the country. We often collaborate with these partners to determine what their workforce training needs are and build programming to fill those needs.

How have the licensed cannabis companies you’ve approached reacted to the Kwantlen Cannabis Education series?

The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. There are a number of success stories of our graduates now working for licensed producers throughout the country. Again, we try to keep an open line of communication with the licensed producers so as to be able to build for their current needs as well as anticipate training needs of the future.

Can you share your favorite or most rewarding experience you’ve had since starting this project?

It isn’t one single event, but rather the continuous breaking down of the stigma that surrounds cannabis. I participate in a number of events outside of the cannabis industry and when I tell people what I do for a living, the responses and reactions are typically formulated out of a complete lack of understanding as to what cannabis is all about. The typical understanding is that the industry is just a bunch of “stoners.” If I can open their minds even a little bit with conversation and some high-level explanation of the industry, the plant, some of the therapeutic benefits etc., I find that to be very rewarding.

Do you plan to eventually offer an in-person cannabis education series, and what would you need to make that happen?

We are in the final stages of writing the curriculum for our Cannabis Cultivation Technician course, which will be a full-year course and will be delivered both online and in-person. The intent of the course is to fill the need for trained cultivators as the Canadian industry expands – at an incredible pace! What makes this particular course so unique is that we have secured an agreement with a local licensed producer to allow our students into their facility to have a hands-on experience and work directly with cannabis. This course will be launched this fall. Beyond that, and in addition to our existing courses, we hope to move towards a more formal academic path with our cannabis curriculum.

Besides signing up for a class, do you have any advice for someone who is thinking about getting involved in the cannabis space as Canada’s adult-use market comes online?

Education and knowledge is key. For those wanting to enter into the cannabis industry, it is critical that you have an understanding of the overarching Federal regulatory framework (C-45); and perhaps more importantly, your Provincial regulations, as well as the local regulations. Here in B.C. for example, the guidelines for private retailers of cannabis were just released and while private retail sale will be legal provincially, individual municipalities can dictate whether or not they will allow retailers in their particular jurisdiction. An important element of a successful venture into the space is to know the regulations.

Thanks, David, for taking the time to answer our questions and share your experiences. To learn more about David and Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Cannabis Career Training, check out KPU’s website or sign up here to receive updates about the program.

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Vermont Senate Committee Rejects Roadside Saliva Test Bill

5/03/2018

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The Vermont Senate Judiciary Committee voted 4-1 against a bill to allow law enforcement officers to use a roadside saliva test to test drivers for cannabis impairment, the Burlington Free Press reports. Sen. Joe Benning, a Republican member of the committee and criminal defense attorney, said he opposed the measure because the test doesn’t prove whether a driver is “actually under the influence.”

The bill was approved by the House in March and is backed by Gov. Phil Scott and Commissioner of Public Safety Tom Anderson. In a joint statement with Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police President Jennifer Morrison and Vermont Sheriffs’ Association President William Bohnyak, Anderson called the committee’s decision “a loss for all Vermonters and inconsistent with a commitment to highway safety.”

“This bill is an important part of the state’s highway safety strategy, and its passage would ensure Vermont has a mechanism to effectively remove impaired drivers from our roadways and hold them accountable.” – Anderson, Morrison, and Bohnyak in the joint statement.

The measure was opposed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont. The organization’s policy director, Chloé White, previously told the House Transportation Committee that the bill was “much more invasive of privacy and bodily integrity than a breathing test.”

Vermont’s legalization law takes effect July 1.

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A line of cloned cannabis plants inside of a licensed Washington grow facility.

Scotts Miracle-Gro CEO Says California’s ‘Botched Legalization’ Forcing Company to Cut Staff, Restructure

5/03/2018

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Scotts Miracle-Gro CEO Jim Hagedorn said that the company is going to have to cut staff and restructure the company as sales took a hit from the “completely botched legalization” of cannabis in California, according to a Columbus Business First report. The company expects to save $15 million consolidating operations and $20 million from cutting duplicate jobs, although the company has not indicated how many jobs they expect to eliminate.

Since 2015, Scotts has spent $1 billion to grow its Hawthorne Gardening Co. hydroponics subsidiary, including investing in or the acquisitions of: AeroGrow Internatinal Inc; American Agritech LLC, DBA Botanicare; Agrolux Holding B.V.; Gavita International B.V.; Can-Filters; General Hydroponics; and, most recently, Sunlight Supply, Inc – which is expected to close June 1.

“We built this whole business based on the idea the (marijuana industry) would go professional. It’s really disappointing to see the mayhem. It’s grown up in a really entrepreneurial way naturally. The maturation of the marketplace as it goes legal has been really disruptive.” – Hagedorn to Columbus Business First

The agreement to acquire Sunlight Supply – for $450 million – was the company’s largest to date but Hagedorn said it was worth the cost because it represents the “missing piece” of supply chain management for Hawthorne.

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Kentucky Hemp Farmers Net $7.5M from Crop

5/02/2018

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Kentucky’s hemp industry saw more than $16.7 million in gross product sales last year, which led to $7.5 million for hemp farmers and created 81 new full-time jobs, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports. The figures, outlined in a letter by state Agricultural Commissioner Ryan Quarles to Kentucky’s Senators, further bolster Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s legislative push to legalize hemp throughout the U.S.

In the letter, Quarles said his goal is to make the state “an epicenter for hemp farmers and processors” and that Kentucky will “have a head start” in the hemp sector when Congress finally removes the crop from the Controlled Substances Act – which McConnell’s bill would achieve.

According to the report, the Kentucky Narcotic Officers’ Association opposes hemp legalization. Tommy Loving, the head of the organization, told the Courier-Journal that law enforcement officers cannot easily determine the difference between cannabis plants containing less than 0.3 percent THC – which are defined as hemp – and plants above that threshold which are illegal under both Kentucky and federal law.

The 2014 federal Farm Bill – backed by McConnell – allows states to conduct pilot programs for industrial hemp cultivation and under those programs farms must register with their state. So far, 34 states have implemented such programs.

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Massachusetts Opens Next Round of Cannabis Business Licenses

5/02/2018

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Applications for a variety of Massachusetts canna-businesses are now open including craft cooperatives, micro-businesses, transporters, independent testing laboratories, and lab agents, the Boston Business Journal reports. According to the report, 312 applications have already been submitted to the Cannabis Control Commission, but just 25 have completed at least one part of the four-part process.

The agency is still reviewing priority certification applicants. The CCC received some 813 applications by last month’s deadline, but 400 of those were reportedly incomplete. So far, 66 social-equity applicants have been approved for priority certification and 80 medical cannabis operators have been approved to operate under the recreational regime. Transporters were expected to begin applying on June 1; however, CCC Executive Director Sean Collins indicated the CCC decided to include transporters in the current round of applications. He expects the number of applications to increase “pretty dramatically.”

Adult-use cannabis sales are expected to begin in Massachusetts July 1. Collins said that the application process has “launched successfully.” Once implemented, Massachusetts will become the first New England state to allow recreational cannabis sales.

Maine and Vermont have also passed legislation to allow adult cannabis use. Although Vermont’s legislature-approved law does not provide for a taxed-and-regulated industry and Maine’s governor has twice vetoed recreational implementation bills.   

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Court Rules in Favor of DEA in CBD Lawsuit

5/02/2018

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Ninth Circuit appeals court judges have ruled against the Hemp Industries Association in their bid to overturn a move by the Drug Enforcement Agency to classify CBD as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act. The new rule took effect Jan. 13, 2017.

In the April 30 ruling, the panel of three judges concluded that the petitioners – the HIA, Centuria Natural Foods, Inc., and R.M.H. Holdings, Inc. – “did not participate in notice and comment, but insist that a comment submitted by a private citizen adequately raised the concerns that now comprise their petition.”

The ruling focuses on one comment, which asks whether the new DEA rule would cover “100 [percent] pure [CBD] by itself with nothing else?” To which the DEA responded by rephrasing the definition of “extracts” to apply to an “extract containing one or more cannabinoids.” While the petitioners had argued that the rule effectively created a new substance under the federal CSA, the judges ruled that “neither this comment nor any other raised with sufficient clarity Petitioners’ current argument that the Final Rule scheduled a new substance.”

The judges concluded that the rule does not conflict with the 2014 Farm Bill because the notice of the rule change – July 5, 2011 – predates the Farm Bill.

According to a Hemp Industry Daily report, the petitioners plan on appealing the ruling.

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Missouri House Passes Medical Cannabis Bill

5/02/2018

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Missouri’s House has passed a medical cannabis measure that would allow individuals with terminal illness and 11 other conditions to access the program, the Columbia Missourian reports. The bill would allow access to non-smokable products, such as pills or tinctures, and provides for in-state production overseen by the state Department of Agriculture.

The qualifying conditions list includes: cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, Lou Gehrig’s disease, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, ulcerative colitis, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Patients would have to obtain a recommendation from a physician or neurologist to participate in the program. The Department of Health has the jurisdiction to add conditions to the list if it receives a petition signed by at least 10 physicians.

The measure was introduced in the chamber by Republican Rep. Jim Neely, who told his colleagues “there has to be room for compassion.”

“There are thousands of clinical trials being conducted in the United States that provide hope for terminal patients, including dozens of cannabis trials.” – Neely, on the House floor, via the Missourian

The bill passed the House 112-44 and next moves to the state Senate. Under current Missouri law, epileptic patients can access low-THC, CBD-dominant products.

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Push to Put MMJ Ballot Initiative to Idaho Voters Stalled

5/01/2018

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Advocates in Idaho have stopped collecting signatures for the ballot initiative to legalize medical cannabis in the state and the group behind the effort, the Idaho Medical Marijuana Association, has dissolved, according to a Spokesman-Review report. The organization’s president, Tesla Gillespie, said the group wasn’t sufficiently organized or funded to collect enough signatures.

Gillespie said she was unsure how many signatures were collected before the effort was abandoned. The group needed 56,000 by April 30. This is the fourth failed bid to legalize medical cannabis in the state. In 2012 and 2014 advocates were unable to collect enough signatures. In 2016 the initiative was withdrawn before signatures were counted.

Neither this initiative nor any previous attempts would have created a broad industry. Instead, they relied on caregivers with low patient-to-provider ratios. Chris Lindsay, legislative analyst for the Marijuana Policy Project – who drafted a proposal in 2010 – said the initiatives focused “more on regulatory aspects.”

“The timeline is that these laws started heavy on individual protections with barely a mention of business.” – Lindsay to the Spokesman-Review

In 2015, lawmakers approved a bill to legalize CBD for epileptic children; but Gov. Butch Otter vetoed the measure. Earlier this year a debate to legalize CBD oil turned into a shouting match and the bill ended up being held in a Senate committee, preventing it from further consideration. During a Health and Welfare Committee meeting Chairman Lee Heider told his colleagues behind closed doors – in violation of the state’s open meetings law – that the bill was opposed by the governor, state prosecutors, and the office of drug policy. The measure had cleared the House with a veto-proof majority.

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The Iowa State Capitol Building in Des Moines.

Iowa House GOP Threatens to Pull Opioid Bill over MMJ Amendment; Sponsor Pulls Amendment

5/01/2018

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Republicans in Iowa’s House threatened to kill a bill to address opioid addiction if it included expanded medical cannabis language, forcing the amendment sponsor to withdraw the motion, the Des Moines Register reports. While the Senate is still considering a measure to remove the 3 percent THC cap under the state’s current medical cannabis regime, House Speaker Linda Upmeyer has indicated she is not ready to approve any expansion, including the language in Sen. Thomas Greene’s amendment.

“Medical cannabis is an issue that needs to move. This is an issue that cannot be put off year after year after year.” – Greene on the Senate floor, via the Register

The Senate had approved the medical cannabis amendment unanimously. The amendment would have allowed individuals with opioid addiction to access the state medical cannabis program. The bill being considered by the Senate would expand the program to allow physicians to approve medical cannabis for any condition, which, if approved, would allow physicians to recommend medical cannabis as an exit therapy for opioid addiction.

Gov. Kim Reynolds sides with Upmeyer: both want to hear from the state’s medical cannabis advisory board before expanding the program. Upmeyer suggested that if the board recommends changes the legislature could take up legislation to address those suggestions next year.

Medical cannabis sales in Iowa are set to launch in December; however, under the current regime, those non-smokable products will contain 0.3 percent THC or less.

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Colorado Dispensary Faces Loss of All Cannabis Licenses for ‘Looping’ Scheme

5/01/2018

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Colorado’s Sweet Leaf Marijuana Centers could lose its 26 retail, cultivation, and manufacturing licenses after a municipal hearing officer ruled that the company pocketed millions of dollars in a “looping” scheme that allowed customers to purchase the maximum amount of cannabis multiple times a day and sell it in the illicit market, the Denver Post reports.

Sweet Leaf had their licenses suspended last December and 12 people were arrested following the yearlong investigation by local law enforcement.

At least half of the loopers were from out-of-state. Hearing Officer Suzanne Fasing found that people from Arkansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Texas had participated in the scheme; some of those individuals have already been convicted.

Sweet Leaf owners reportedly encouraged and directed the practice. Investigators discovered conversations on Slack promoting the scheme.

“Looping is going to be going on until the new year most likely. Please talk it up with (extended plant-count) patients. We need med sales up!” – Sweet Leaf owners in a Slack conversation, via the Post

Attorneys for Sweet Leaf argue that the law prior to Jan. 1 did not prohibit multiple sales of more than 1 ounce per day. The state changed the rules on Jan. 1 to codify that language.

Denver’s director of marijuana policy will have the final say on the case after a 10-day period for objections and a five-day period for responses. That decision could come in a few weeks.

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A woman signs a petition circulating through her neighborhood.

Oklahoma Advocates Approved to Begin Collecting Legalization Petition Signatures

5/01/2018

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Advocates in Oklahoma have received state approval to begin collecting signatures for a ballot initiative asking voters whether to legalize both medical and recreational cannabis in November, according to a KOKH. The measure would add legalization to the state constitution, rather than as a law, which would also need to be codified by the state legislature.

Oklahomans will vote on medical cannabis legalization in June but the legislature will also need to approve the law. The medical cannabis constitutional amendment ballot initiative would allow excise taxes on sales and divide the proceeds with 75 percent to the state Department of Education and 25 percent to the Department of Health. The initiative would also includes language to legalize industrial hemp – which was already approved by lawmakers last month – but it would add those reforms to the constitution.

The adult-use plan would see the first $40 million raised from tax revenues derived from wholesale excise taxes to be used for school construction funding. The measure caps sales taxes at 20 percent and would see all funds after the $40 million split between the Department of Education (50 percent), the Department of Health (25 percent), and the state General Fund (25 percent).

Green the Vote, the group behind the initiative, can begin collecting signatures May 11. The advocates need to collect 125,000 valid signatures by Aug. 8 in order to put the issue to voters.

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Kushy Punch and “The Nightmare” Make Boxing History: First Canna-Business to Sponsor Title Contender

4/30/2018

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Carson, Calif. (April 30, 2018) — Kushy Punch, a premium cannabis brand, proudly announces its partnership with VANES “THE NIGHTMARE ” MARTIROSYAN (36-3-1, 21 KOs), in his upcoming title boxing match against undefeated World Middleweight Champion GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN (37-0-1, 33 KOs). On May 5, Golovkin vs. Martirosyan will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 11 p.m. ET/PT from the Stubhub Center in Carson, Calif. 

The partnership marks the first time that the California State Athletic Commission, and HBO, have approved a cannabis company as a title contender sponsor.

Ruben Cross, CEO of Kushy Punch, said of the announcement: “Our sponsorship signals a welcome turning point for the sport and how it is marketed to a new generation of viewers. As an underdog like us, Vanes embodies our core values: hard work, a passion to be the very best, and an unrelenting dedication to improving our craft. Win or lose, we know he will take the fight to Golovkin.”

Martirosyan will wear the iconic Kushy Punch logo on his boxing apparel and his team will wear Kushy Punch branded apparel during the televised fight and throughout the duration of the sponsorship.

Cross added, “This sponsorship is a natural fit for us, for Vanes, and the sport of boxing. We hope it is the first of many more to come.”

About Martirosyan:

The 31-year-old two-time world title challenger has been steadily making a name for himself as the WBC’s No. 1 world-rated super welterweight contender. He is a native of Abovyan, Armenia, and currently fights out of Glendale, California. Martirosyan’s resume boasts NABF, NABO, WBO Inter-Continental, WBA International and WBC Silver championship victories with 21 knockouts and only 3 losses in his professional career.

About Kushy Punch:

Kushy Punch is an award-winning manufacturer and distributor of gummies, vapes, and gel caps. Based in California, its products are carried in licensed retailers throughout the state. All Kushy Punch products use premium oils and distillates, are lab tested, and crafted in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. Kushy Punch is wholesome wellness one bite at a time.

For more information, visit www.kushypunch.com; follow on Twitter @kushypunch; become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kushypunch; follow on Instagram @getkushypunch. For media inquiries, email Jae Shin at jae@kushypunch.com.

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Photograph of downtown Seattle with Mt. Rainier in the background.

Seattle Officials Move to Toss Misdemeanor Cannabis Convictions

4/30/2018

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Officials in Seattle, Washington have filed a motion in Seattle Municipal Court to vacate all convictions for misdemeanor cannabis possession for anyone arrested in the city – a total of 542 people. Mayor Jenny Durkan said her office made the request because “it makes little sense for so many in [Seattle] to be punished for conduct that is no longer illegal under state law.”

“Our system is supposed to be a system of justice, and this is an important step forward for justice for all residents of our City. I hope these actions we’re taking here in Seattle can lay the foundation for other cities, counties and state to act, too.” – Durkan in a press release

Durkan called the request a first step to fix the state’s criminal justice system “and address all the damage done to our communities by the war on drugs.”

“We must provide more effective alternatives to prosecution and incarceration through drug and mental health courts, restoring rights and supporting re-entry. Our actions must go far beyond the realm of criminal justice reform; it will require us to make our City more affordable, close the opportunity gap through free community college and technical training, and to continue the hard work of building trust between our community and the Seattle Police Department.” – Durkan in the statement.

Durkan first laid out the plan in a February op-ed in The Stranger. Durkan is credited with creating one of the nation’s first federal drug courts as a U.S. attorney under President Barack Obama.

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Maine Gov. Again Vetoes Rec. Cannabis Implementation Bill

4/30/2018

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Maine Gov. Paul LePage has, again, vetoed legislation to implement regulations for the state’s voter-approved cannabis legalization regime. In his veto message, LePage cites federal law, the “failings” of the state’s medical cannabis program, and his desire to see the medical and recreational markets merged.

“As I have stated previously, a concurrent medical program with weaker regulation and a lower tax rate will undermine the regulations established by this bill. The two programs must be fully integrated.” – LePage in his Apr. 27 veto message

The measure passed both chambers of the state legislature with veto-proof margins; however, LePage’s fellow Republicans could decide to sustain his veto. Last year, Republican lawmakers voted to uphold LePage’s veto the first time the legislature approved a different implementation measure.

LePage also claims that states with legal cannabis share a “gruesome similarity” – increases in motor vehicle crashes caused by cannabis impairment.

“After one of the worst years in recent memory for crashes, fatalities, and pedestrian fatalities, we should take every step to ensure safety on Maine roads instead of making them more hazardous. No branch of government has a monopoly on good ideas; if Maine is going to legalize and regulate marijuana, it will require our joint efforts to get this important issue right.” – LePage in the veto message

Voters approved the adult-use initiative in 2016. The bill would have allowed the state to begin issuing licenses next spring. Lawmakers will take up the vetoed bill on Wednesday.

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The foliage inside of a commercial cannabis cultivation site in Bellingham, Washington.

Illinois Legislature Considering Bills to Allow MMJ Use for Opioid Dependence and Schoolchildren

4/30/2018

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The Illinois legislature is considering bills to make two changes to the state’s medical cannabis system – one would allow parents to give their children medical cannabis on school grounds, and another to allow physicians to recommend medical cannabis as an alternative to opioids and allow people addicted to opioids to apply for a medical cannabis card.

The measure to allow medical cannabis for opioid addiction passed the Senate 44-6 on Thursday the Associated Press reports. According to the report, Gov. Bruce Rauner’s spokeswoman Rachel Bold indicated the governor is open to all solutions to help combat the state’s opioid crisis. The measure still needs House approval.

The bill to allow medical cannabis in schools passed the House and next moves to the Senate. In Illinois, smoking medical cannabis is not allowed, so patients rely on edibles, oils, and ointments which would be allowed to be administered by parents on school grounds. Rep. Lou Lang said the measure would prevent children enrolled in the state’s medical cannabis program from missing school.

“If we are concerned, not only about their schooling – we don’t want them to be out of school, we don’t want a parent to take a child out of school to get the child medication – so, let the child take it at school.” – Lang to MyStateline

If approved, the changes would be the first significant reforms to the state’s medical cannabis program through the legislature. In February, Cook County Judge Raymond Mitchell ruled that the state must add intractable pain to the state program finding that Health Department officials were “clearly erroneous” in rejecting the condition which was approved by the now-defunct Medical Cannabis Advisory Board. That decision is still in appeal.

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Photograph of street in the city of Harare, Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe Legalizes Medical Cannabis Cultivation

4/30/2018

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Zimbabwe has opened applications for licenses to cultivate cannabis for medical and research purposes, according to a Reuters report. The approval makes Zimbabwe the second country in Africa to legalize cannabis cultivation after Lesotho approved its own regulations last year.

The licenses will be valid for five years. They will allow growers to possess, transport, and sell fresh and dried cannabis and cannabis oils. Applicants can be rejected if the applicant has been involved in the diversion of a controlled substance “or precursor to an illicit market or use,” according to the report. Annual fees run $15,000, renewal fees cost $20,000, and a research license will cost $5,000. Applicants must be a citizen of Zimbabwe or have proof that they are a resident. Companies must prove they are incorporated in the nation.

“The Minister may not oblige if the issuance, renewal or amendment of the license is likely to create a risk to public health, safety or security.” – Regulations for cannabis cultivation, via Reuters

According to an AFP report, the regulations also reduce prison terms for individuals caught illegally dealing cannabis. Under previous law, those convicted of growing, possessing, or using cannabis could face up to 12 years in jail.

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Cannabis Legalization Will Appear on Michigan Ballots in November

4/27/2018

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Michigan voters will have the opportunity to legalize cannabis for adult use this November after the State Board of Canvassers approved the petition launched by the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol.

What’s in the initiative:

  • Create a taxed and regulated recreational cannabis system, allowing adults 21-and-older to possess and consume cannabis.
  • Legalization of industrial hemp.
  • Licensing for cultivators, processors, testing laboratories, transporters and retailers.
  • A 10 percent excise tax on retail sales in addition to the state’s 6 percent sales tax.
  • Municipal control to ban cannabis operations.

“When you look at the success of other states that have already legalized and regulated marijuana, it is clear this initiative is the path forward. States that have legalized and regulated marijuana have seen decreases in opioid-related deaths while also adding hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue each year.” – Michigan NORML board member Brad Forrester in a press release

The measure has the support of former Detroit Police Chief Ike McKinnon.

“This is an important reform that will help end thousands of unnecessary arrests and redirect law enforcement resources to real needs – like combating violent crime and fighting the opioid epidemic – while also generating hundreds of millions of new tax dollars for our schools, roads and local governments. This isn’t just my opinion. I’ve talked to countless law enforcement officials throughout Michigan and the country who believe the same.” – McKinnon in a statement

Two Michigan polls have found majority support for the reforms. A January poll by Local 4 and the Detroit News found 56.6 percent favored legalization. An EPIC-MRA poll commissioned by Michigan NORML in March found 61 percent support.

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River and farmlands in the Vermont countryside.

Vermont Lawmakers Eye Cannabis Tax-and-Reg as Session Nears Close

4/27/2018

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Lawmakers in Vermont’s House are pushing for legislation to implement a taxed-and-regulated cannabis industry as the session nears a close, Vermont Public Radio reports. The push has support from Democrats, Republicans, and Progressives.

In January, the Legislature legalized cannabis use for adults but the reforms did not create an industry. Last year the state Senate voted to approve a taxed-and-regulated legalization regime but that bill didn’t reach the House.

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Diana Gonzalez, suggested the funds from the industry could be used to help fund opioid addiction treatment facilities and programs.

Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman, a Progressive, said he began reaching out to Republicans following the passage of January’s legalization measure to push for their support on tax-and-regulate.

“And quite a few said, ‘now that it’s legal, I think tax-and-regulate’s a better model.’ So if Progressives, the Republicans that think this is the better way, and the many Democrats that inherently support this come together, I think we have a majority.” – Zuckerman to VPR

House Speaker Mitzi Johnson, a Republican, is less optimistic. She indicated that many House lawmakers are uncomfortable with pursuing the broad reforms as the session closes.

“I think at this point it’s far too large of a policy change to be jumping into the last week or two of the session.” – Johnson to VPR

Moreover, even if it passes Gov. Phil Scott could veto it as he did the first legalization measure that reached his desk.

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Report: Colorado’s Dixie Brands Considering IPO in Canada

4/27/2018

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Denver, Colorado-based cannabis beverage maker Dixie Brands is considering launching an initial public offering and listing in Canada aiming toward expansion and acquisitions early next year, according to a Bloomberg report. Dixie CEO Chuck Smith said the company will have revenues of $20 million this year and anticipates revenues of $50 million next year.

“We need access to capital, we need liquidity because this growth is very expensive. We’re going to continue to acquire brands or innovate them.” – Smith to Bloomberg

The company closed a $4 million funding round this month with plans to expand into 10 states. Currently, the company operates in four states. The company was founded by Smith in 2009 and he remains its majority shareholder.

If the company seeks to go public it couldn’t do so in the U.S. due to federal law. In Canada, medical cannabis is federally legal and companies have access to the national exchanges.

A 2017 report from BDS Analytics found edibles ranked third in terms of market share in Colorado, Washington, and Oregon in 2016. According to the report, the products captured 12 percent ($269.8 million) of the $2.33 billion cannabis market. In Colorado, beverages comprised 7 percent of total edibles sales, or about $1 million.

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U.K. Royal College of Physicians Calls for Legalization of Cannabis, Cocaine, Heroin

4/27/2018

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The Royal College of Physicians, a professional organization in the United Kingdom which represents 26,000 medical professionals, have called for the legalization of cannabis, heroin, and cocaine saying the criminal justice system is stopping people from seeking help, according to a report from the Sun.

The position is in line with a Royal Society of Public Health campaign, called “Taking a New Line on Drugs” that seeks to move the nation from a law enforcement-based drugs strategy toward one based on public health and harm reduction.

The RCP adopted the new policy during the meeting of its general counsel.

“The criminal justice system is not the place to address the often complex needs of people addicted to drugs. We are committed to ensuring that all people who need to do so are able to access timely and appropriate prevention and care services.” – Jane Dacre, RCP president, to the Sun

The proposal would see drug use and possession legalized but dealing would remain illegal.

According to the RCP, drug deaths and hospitalizations are up throughout the U.K. In 2015 there were 2,479 registered drug-related deaths in England and Wales; an increase of 10 percent from 2014 and 48 percent from 2005. Sixty percent of those deaths were individuals aged between 30 and 49.

“The most recent data for England in 2015–16 shows that there were 81,904 hospital admissions with a primary or secondary diagnosis of drug-related mental and behavioural disorders, a 9 [percent] increase from the previous year. Across the same period there were 15,074 hospital admissions with a primary diagnosis of poisoning by illicit drugs, 51 [percent] more than 10 years earlier.” – RCP in an Apr. 25 press release announcing the policy position

Portugal is the only nation to legalize all drugs. Since the 2001 reforms, there are three drug overdose deaths for every 1 million citizens. In the U.K., that figure is 44.6 per million, according to an Independent report.  

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Ryan Smith: Creating a B2B Wholesale Cannabis Marketplace

4/26/2018

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Ryan Smith is the CEO and co-founder of LeafLink, a business-to-business digital marketplace for cannabis retailers, producers, and processors to trade wholesale cannabis products.

Ryan recently joined our podcast host TG Branfalt for an interview about LeafLink’s founding, the success they have found so far, and the difficulties and goals that still lie ahead. He also shares his thoughts about the state of the industry (including which states he is eyeing for future expansion), which professional qualities he looks for when hiring for Leaflink, and more!

You can listen to the interview via the player below or scroll further down to read a full transcript of this week’s Ganjapreneur.com podcast episode.

Listen to the interview:

Read the transcript:

TG Branfalt: Hey there, I’m your host TG Branfalt and you are listening to the Ganjapreneur.com Podcast where we try to bring you actionable information and normalize cannabis through the stories of ganjapreneurs, activists and industry stakeholders. Today I’m joined by Ryan Smith, he’s the CEO and co-founder of LeafLink, which provides a wholesale management platform for the cannabis industry.

In 2016 Smith was included in the Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list. So he doesn’t really need my introduction. But how you doing this afternoon Ryan?

Ryan Smith: Great, thanks TG for having me and Leaflink on the podcast today.

TG Branfalt: I’m really excited in the way that we have a lot to cover. Before we get into the nuts and bolts man tell me about yourself. What’s your background? How did you end up in the cannabis space?

Ryan Smith: I grew up in New York City. In Manhattan and always on the east coast, so I’m just going east coast and started an investor relationship management platform for real estate companies back in college as an undergrad. We exited that to a public company in 2014. And then I’ve always been selling stuff on eBay in my free time. So my parents had a joke that if things would go missing in the house they’re probably in Ryan’s PayPal account.

So I always loved marketplace technology and there’s a really unique opportunity to empower companies in the cannabis industry because it’s so new, it’s defining itself everyday. That if we can build tech in from the very beginning like what does that mean for industry? It’s gonna be and it’s getting to be as big as it is. So that’s when Zack, my co-founder Zack and I connected and began just doing research and hearing what people needed to help grow their businesses.

That’s what gave birth to Leaflink.

TG Branfalt: So why don’t you describe to the listeners what Leaflink is. What sets it apart tech wise from other competitors?

Ryan Smith: So Leaflink is a wholesale B to B marketplace. We have tools that support those business to business transactions and then we enable and empower companies to buy the products they normally buy faster. And then also find new ones because as you know there’s a new company every morning and night in this industry and to keep track of those and their prices and admission is difficult.

So Leaflink is, there’s really two differences. The first is our team. So we brought together a mixture of people that have incredible cannabis experience, have been working in retail locations. Have worked for distributors, have worked for brands. And then we’ve also married those skillsets with people that would never be in the cannabis industry if they weren’t at Leaflink. Incredible engineers with great experience working at companies like Yelp or other tech leaders that you’d recognize.

So those skillsets together is a clear advantage. The second is our community. So we have over 2000 retailers and almost 500 brands now that are active on the platform everyday in six states. And so what we are doing, we’ve always said in the very beginning our focus is to create a new standard in this industry. Define it from the beginning and how people not only communicate with each other but also transact wholesale with each other. So that entire acceptance product fit community that we built we think is the second clear differentiator that makes us powerful and in a good position to continue to grow. Which we still have a lot of growth to do.

TG Branfalt: So you mentioned people first. What do you look for in bringing in this talent? So you’d necessarily find people who weren’t active in this space. What qualities do you look for in people that you bring in?

Ryan Smith: Execution, professionalism I think are two of the biggest ones. We’ve seen … you know everyone says in this industry one year is like seven years, the same things happen, just move so quickly. And if you even look at articles of tech companies two or three years ago, some of which are not even around anymore. There’s this whole branding and cultural story around, “Oh you know this is a tech company for marijuana. People get high there at work and they have a dab room.”

And for us and Zack and I have always thought that this industry deserves just as great software, just as incredible and skilled people working on their teams. And they deserve that same standard from us so from the very beginning we want to bring in people that if you have industry experience, amazing, but we do see this second step, this new level of maturity the whole industry’s entering and we want to do everything we can to further that because that’s how this industry goes as mainstream and becomes commercialized and just everywhere.

There just aren’t enough people that have cannabis experience to fill all the positions and so bringing in talented skilled people to further that goal is to me always been super focused on and think for ourselves. As a tech company looking for incredibly professional and skilled people that execute get stuff done. Facing the cannabis industry.

TG Branfalt: Do people that you might approach, do they ever give you the side eye because you’re in the cannabis industry? Is that stigma still persistent?

Ryan Smith: I almost laugh, because I would laugh at someone if they have that. But what we’ve seen so much more now, we’ve gone through three rounds of funding, is there is such a deep interest in companies that, either they’re institutional capital looking for opportunities or they’re just … some of the people we have one of our first angel investors was a teacher at a Catholic school.

One of friends and family, wrote a small check but albeit a check, and there’s this openness that we’re seeing now that that look doesn’t happen really as much as we think anymore. And part of what we were just talking about before, and the things that you’re seeing, some of the people that you’ve been having this podcast before, that next level of professionalism is coming to this space and it’s becoming as it should be treated as though it’s any other. With the same everything that people take for granted in other industries.

So it doesn’t happen as often as it does and if it does happen it’s clearly not a good person for us to be speaking with because they have a clearly antiquated way of seeing reality.

TG Branfalt: So you’d mentioned successful fundraising round. What has led to that success, especially in this era of uncertainty given federal policy?

Ryan Smith: Startups are always risky. They’re whatever, 80% of them fail. When you think about startups in this industry, that’s a startup itself, it’s even crazier. And I think a lot of people in this space aren’t used to it and they’re looking at deals that are … to name half a dozen companies that get a lot of press, seem really exciting, seemingly say the right things. But then the truth shakes out, who is getting stuff done, who’s moving forward, who’s achieving their goals, surpassing their goals and who’s just talking a lot.

And what we’ve built at Leaflink and what we’re always gonna continue to push ourselves to build is a company that does deliver and does complete the things that we saw and promise to our clients, the community, to our investors who our team that we’re gonna do. And then it really goes a long way. So if you can create at some level … and by the way there’s a ton of risk and we are still a startup and have a lot to do. But when you begin to mitigate some of that risk by doing what you said you were gonna do six months ago and maybe even doing a better job with it you begin to build that trust with people.

And that’s really what we’ve done and at a very high level.

TG Branfalt: So you said earlier operating in six states. And as you said this industry’s moving at a breakneck pace. We see everyday another potential medical program. You see states like where I’m at in Vermont and these gray markets that start to emerge. Which obviously isn’t a market that you would operate in because there’s really no infrastructure. But how do you identify which markets to enter and which ones not to enter?

Ryan Smith: So you’re right that Vermont is not a market for us right now. There is not gonna be as far as we know any retail locations or commercialized brands with CPGI out there, and packaged consumer goods that are gonna be selling. But what we do think … but that’s positive, it’s still positive right, it’s the right direction, it’s positive momentum for people that have become more familiar and see how the industry’s growing. See the potential that’s there.

And then maybe two or three years in a row, it advances and matures in a way that will become interesting to us, for us at Leaflink though the markets that make the most sense and the first market that we launched in … usually maybe something similar to the Colorado regulatory design. So usually states start with vertical integration, you have to own the land where it’s grown. The factory where it’s made, the store where it’s sold.

And then more licenses are given out, people begin to be allowed to specialize. Who’s an amazing retailer, who’s a rock star brand, who can do an incredible job with logistics? And then people begin to specialize in just that thing. And those are markets that, the ones that are not vertically integrated. So for us it doesn’t really matter if it’s medical or recreational, what matters more that there’s a free market with a licensing structure that let’s companies do one thing very well.

And then they can all connect to the community on Leaflink and do deals with each other. But those are the ones that we target the most. And the States that we’re live in right now are, first it was Colorado, then Washington, then Oregon, California and Nevada and Arizona. So Arizona being an example that’s medical but companies are allowed to specialize, it’s not vertically integrated and it’s been a great tip for us there so far.

TG Branfalt: And you’d mentioned brands, and man, I can’t tell you how many emails I get of brands. Then a few weeks later they’re gone. So how do you identify the brands that you guys are gonna offer?

Ryan Smith: We’ve been trying, and this is something we can definitely and are always trying to improve. The qualifying participants and members of Leaflink’s community is challenging. Because in certain states it could be let’s say if the state only has 70 retail locations, if they’re in 50 that’s amazing, they have great market penetration, they’re clearly a company that’s doing business, they’re fit. But then in some other states if you have only 25 or 30 dispensaries or retailers in your sales book you’re just getting started.

And so we see a lot companies come out really loud, they wanna get on Leaflink, they think that they’re gonna put their stuff up on our platform. They may not have a sales team, they may not even have a finished product or an advertising strategy or really any clients and they expect that magically, it’s cannabis, everyone’s making so much money and we’re gonna do a bunch of sales and here we go, eight figures of revenue. And then it doesn’t happen.

And then they kind of teeter out. And so it’s, we’re trying to be as objective as we can when we qualify leads and prospect. But it’s tough and there’s a level of subjectivity to just talking to the other side of the marketplace, which retailers are excited about certain brands, which purchasing managers want to buy and sample certain items. It’s tough and it’s changing quickly.

TG Branfalt: So what trends are you seeing? I’ve seen a lot about the plummet of flower sales while concentrates are taking over the market. I’ve heard the same thing about edibles that flowers dying and that whole thing. What trends are you seeing in terms of product? Is this flower dying narrative accurate?

Ryan Smith: Of course not. It is, I’d say it is as a business that anyone can access. But of course it’s not as the key raw ingredient. There will always be a market for flower but the people that have the ability to grow it … so let’s say two or three years ago you and I could get together and have a 15, 20000 sq ft. facility grow loose flower and sell it and that would be a good business. But what we’re seeing is that that’s becoming increasingly more difficult as the price continues to drop, even in Oregon right now. It’s just rock bottom prices.

And so what we think is gonna happen and we’re seeing more of this is there’s gonna be massive operations at scale, high volume production facilities that will be able to make money but only because they’re moving such a high amount of product at a very tight margin, kind of like a paper company. That will still be in business but what we’re seeing, the reason why concentrates are exploding is because people that were previously growing flower can’t make real money on flower so they turn to a concentrate, brand it, put it in a package.
And then there’s usually a higher margin on that. And our bet at Leaflink and what we’ve seen happen, what we see happening all of these states as they mature is that the edibles packaged branded goods are clearly the future. There’s just all of these new companies that are starting in the space need a mission, need a brand, need something that a buyer and a consumer can relate to and can understand.

And it’s hard for most demographics to understand the differences between all the different strains. But it’s easier to understand a cream that I’ve seen before that looks like it’s made from veno or something similar. And buy that, have that connection. So I think brands are the future, flower will always have its place. But raw flower will continue to drop in pricing as we’re seeing in every single market now.

TG Branfalt: That’s really really interesting stuff man. I want to talk to you a bit more about what we’re seeing on a federal level. But before we do that we gotta take a break, this is Ganjapreneur.com Podcast I’m TJ Branfalt.

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TG Branfalt: Hey there welcome back, this is the Ganjapreneur.com Podcast. I’m your host TG Branfalt here with Ryan Smith CEO and co-founder of Leaflink. Super super smart guy, really really stoked to have you on the show, man.

So in a December 2016 Marijuna Business Daily article you said that you were in the wait and see camp regarding Trump’s cannabis policy. On the campaign trail he had said that it was a state’s rights decision. Now he’s saying that all drug dealers should be murdered. That was more than a year before the Cole Memo was rescinded by Jeff Sessions. How do you feel now more than a year later about this administration as it relates to cannabis policy?

Are you still in that wait and see camp?

Ryan Smith: A lot of feelings for sure about what’s happening in DC but I think we are still in a wait and see. If you look at what’s changed, no new laws have been enacted at a federal level. No new laws have changed. There’s been a press conference and the rescinding of the Cole Memo which wasn’t a law either. And it was really just a guidance from the federal agency to each of the state district attorneys to give them guidance.

And the response that we’ve seen I think even since that announcement was made by Sessions is the federal government is beginning to force people to make a decision. So immediately after Jeff Sessions had that Cole rescinding action that he did, Vermont and New Hampshire come online. And then if you’re gonna force people to make a decision on legalization we know the vast majority of people regardless of party, regardless of demographic, regardless of territory are in favor of legalizing marijuana. And that’s just in the way we continue to move. So I think there hasn’t been any federal changes for us to react to really and if there are then we will think hard about those.

We want to be compliant, we spend a ton of time at Leaflink understanding and with lawyers to have a good comprehension of what is developing compliance wise, regulatory wise in each state. And we’ll do the same once there is something to follow and guidelines to go through by the federal government.

It just seems like there is so much changing so quickly. And until there’s a real announcement or a real enforcement action not much for us to really do right now other than keep the pace and continue the momentum that we have in building our company. And the 30 people that we have on staff that work so hard everyday to make Leaflink real.

TG Branfalt: So what do you think then would happen if they were to start cracking down? You operate in six states so you have a really good look at a large portion of this market. What ramifications would that have on the ground literally to stakeholders now?

Ryan Smith: Fear. I think that would be to me the MO behind any kind of enforcement action from the federal level. It’s just not … we’re a technology company, we don’t touch the product, we don’t touch the money. We’re just a software provider for the industry. But if something like that happened it would definitely spook some investors, but then you have other people that are running companies too, brands that are in multiple states that are employing hundreds of people, retail locations that have patients that rely on them every single day.

People that are really … this is a part of their life, they’re super passionate about it, it’s more than just a living. And I don’t think that’s gonna change. So the lives will change of anyone that the enforcement acts against of course, but for the whole market, to take something down that’s this large and growing faster than almost any other industry, really hard to do. I think fear would be the number one thing. Maybe would dry up capital coming into the space from more institutional traditionally minded investors. But the long term I think the die’s already been cast on the potential here. And just general societal acceptance.

TG Branfalt: We can hope at this point, but sometimes I have no idea what’s going on in DC most of the time, sometimes. So looking into your crystal ball, we got Maine, that’s pretty close, there might be some setbacks because of what page and some of the lawmakers there who really want to push it back. Massachusetts is still set on that July 1st date. We could be looking at social use in Alaska.

So there’s changes happening within the market that already exists and some policy changes that are the result of 2016 referendum. In your opinion looking through a crystal ball which states do you think might be next to turn green?

Ryan Smith: So I can say which ones we’re most excited about that fit for Leaflink. I think Michigan and New Jersey this year are really exciting. Very populous states, obviously not quite the size of California which is what everyone is regularly talking about. I’m actually calling from LA this week. Those two states are most interesting to me because what has, if you look at a map, the whole west coast is in line.

They’re legalized, challenges of course but industry booming. You look at the west coast, that’s what that was for. On the east coast, there are states that have legalized, there are really not super active market or they’re in this weird in between, putting their foot in the water. I think as soon as Massachusetts starts opening up some doors, New Jersey particularly being right next to New York.

Cuomo and New York already put together a commission to give him a report on the effect of legalizing marijuana because they know all of these super populous border states to New Jersey to Michigan, Michigan being in the middle, New Jersey being obviously in the east coast, it will create this domino effect I think. So those are the ones that we’re most excited about because when you have people in New York going to Hoboken to buy marijuana, New York state’s gonna say this is ridiculous, we should have the same accessibility for patients and buyers here.

And then that state turns. Some of the states that we’re looking at too, obviously Pennsylvania, Illinois, Alaska you mentioned. And Ohio. There’s a few other states that we’re looking at but our goal at Leaflink is to open up … we’re in six states now so to be in 15 by the end of the year. Some of them are very much Q3 Q4, but the Michigan and Pennsylvania really seem to be before the summer activity for us to launch there. So we’re keeping our eye on those.

TG Branfalt: I covered the New York state legislature for several years before I started writing about cannabis. One of the things I’ve always said is Cuomo won’t let this happen on his watch for a lot of different reasons. So as somebody else from New York did you get that same feeling before he put together that commission? Do you think that he will actually allow this to happen? As a centrist democrat?

Ryan Smith: All of these elected officials … so Cuomo was so incredibly against it. His father being Rockefeller drug New York days, there’s that obviously trickles down. And then all these elected officials are realizing even though Cuomo is so against legalization and even medical usage several years ago, it’s clearly a losing position. And every election it seems like this issue’s gonna be coming up more and more and they are not blind to that. The midterm election I think it’s gonna be a huge issue.

People are gonna talk about it all the time, same with the current governor of New Jersey promised first hundred days. I don’t know if that’s gonna happen but it was a point to discuss and now will continue to build up steam. So I would have said two years ago Cuomo probably wants to run for president or some other more senior office. So this issue is not a done deal and if there’s a majority of people that are in support of it, and now that’s beginning to happen, it would be ill advised for him not to at least explore it.

So him having a commission is perfect. He could say I set the things in motion for us to look at it as a state. Maybe won’t, nothing significant will happen in New York while he’s in office but he could always go back and say but I began it. These things take time. But he could also I never changed anything, I didn’t make anything open up.

So he’s playing both sides but even that’s a positive momentum. Before he wasn’t trying to play both sides. It was just against us.

TG Branfalt: It’s really frustrating as somebody who went to school in Albany and very liberal part of the state knowing that the rural part of the state is just hemorrhaging money, there’s no jobs. This is something that, that farmland, that’s how you use that farmland. Even a proper hemp program for that matter. So it’s really interesting for me to watch in my home state, or my ex-home state I guess, inch towards it but knowing what I know about Cuomo and having covered him for so long.

I want to talk to you about your personal success but before we do that we gotta take a break, this is Ganjapreneur.com Podcast I’m TG Branfalt.

At Ganjapreneur we have heard from dozens of cannabis business owners who have encountered the issue of canna-bias which is when a mainstream business whether a landlord, bank or some other provider of vital business services refuses to do business with them simply because of their association with cannabis. We have even heard stories of businesses being unable to provide health and life insurance for their employees because the insurance providers were too afraid to work with them.

We believe that this fear is totally unreasonable and that cannabis business owners deserve access to the same services and resources that other businesses are afforded. That they should be able to hire consultation to help them follow the letter of the law in their business endeavors. And that they should be able to provide employee benefits without needing to compromise on the quality of coverage they can offer.

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Go to ganjapreneur.com/businesses to create your profile and start connecting with cannabis entrepreneurs today.

TG Branfalt: Hey welcome back to the ganjapreneur.com podcast I’m your host TG Branfalt here with Ryan Smith, CEO and co founder of Leaflink. So what, man, do you credit your personal success to, such as being named to Forbes as one of the 30 Under 30 in the emerging tech space. That’s super cool man. What do you credit that to?

Ryan Smith: I forget to say execution again. I have trouble with the question of being, crediting success because that implies that we have some success. In my mind we’re just getting started and haven’t really accomplished all that much yet. There’s way more in front of us than behind. So I appreciate the compliment and everything but I don’t feel that successful. I have way more to do before I can sit back and get comfy that way.

TG Branfalt: But when Forbes reaches out to you and tells you this what’s going through your mind? Did you think maybe at that point like you’re closer to making it?

Ryan Smith: The first thing that crossed my mind is, “Great I can now be in a group of other people that are thinking similarly or trying to do challenging and exciting things and seeing what happens from those relationships.” It is cool to be in those lists because there’s not very many, aside from taking your company public or having some great acquisition, awards for entrepreneurs. So it’s definitely an honor to be on it and I’m very excited about it. I was excited too for Leaflink and the company to be on, the first cannabis firm, cannabis facing firm to be on that list, it’s huge for mainstreaming, just to have everyone thinks about this industry.

So we’re happy about it and obviously honored to be on that list and the fast company list we were on last week. But still so much more ahead of us.

TG Branfalt: So what advice do you have for entrepreneurs looking to enter this space? From a tech perspective especially?

Ryan Smith: Meet more people. So everyone knows that the industry is … everyone knows it’s a hot industry, that it’s real, that it’s growing very quickly. But to go to states where it’s legal, to spend time with the incredible entrepreneurs there that are building these amazing companies and realize that there are serious challenges that are presented to all business owners but particularly in this space there are so many opportunities to serve them with great technology, with great services, with great solutions.

And so if you want to get into this space I do again work … what Zack and I did we flew out to Colorado, we emailed a bunch of people and whoever agreed to meet with us, we sat down with them and then built a relationship and we were helping people pack boxes and going on sales calls just to get what they do and understand the industry. So really if you want to know more, dive in and meet more people really. In person meet more people.

TG Branfalt: How nerve-wracking is that man? I don’t go to conferences, I’m a very very private person. So how nerve-wracking is it being a startup and reaching out to people cold calling them to get your opinion on what you’re selling? What goes through your head?

Ryan Smith: Two things. First is if I keep my promise or my intention behind meeting them, their life should be a little bit better from the solution that we’ve created. And the second is you gotta rev yourself up. So sometimes I’ll go into a meeting, my first thought before sitting down is, “This is gonna be an awesome get together, we’re gonna learn a bunch of things.” And the other side of this meeting … you can either go in being nervous or you can say, “You know what? The other side of this meeting is gonna one day say they had a meeting with Leaflink when we were two people or we were three people.” And there was like, “Naw, no way.”

And whether or not that’s the case you need to rev yourself up. So that’s just one of the tricks that I do. I know our team does. We want to help people but you also need to be excited to put yourself out there because it’s the only way you get things done.

TG Branfalt: This has been really a super cool conversation man. I’m really stoked that you could take the time out to join me on the show. Where can people find out more about you, where can they find out more about Leaflink?

Ryan Smith: Yeah thank you by the way TG for having us. Always love Ganjapreneur and glad we could chat about all these things. If you want to find out more about Leaflink you can visit us at Leaflink.com. If you’re a retail dispensary we’d love to have you on the community with the 2000 others that are really active in the six states that we’re currently live in, much more to come. And if you’re a brand, same thing, go to Leaflink.com, if you’re looking for work, we’re out hiring actively after our most recent raise.

So send resumes to jobs@Leaflink.com. Otherwise happy to walk you guys through any kind of demo if you send an email to sales@Leaflink.com and set it up there.

TG Branfalt: Again man, thank you so much. It’s really nice to chat with you. Pick your brain a whole lot. A fellow New Yorker too, I don’t get too many of those on this show. Congratulations. You’re a humble guy obviously, but congratulations on all your personal success this far as well as success of Leaflink man, this is super cool stuff.

Ryan Smith: Thank you for … appreciate all those kind words. Happy to chat more another time.

TG Branfalt: Looking forward to it man. You can find more episodes of the Ganjapreneur.com Podcast in the podcast section of Ganjapreneur.com and in the Apple iTunes store. On the Ganjapreneur.com website you will find the latest cannabis news and cannabis jobs updated daily along with transcripts of this podcast. You can also download the Ganjapreneur.com app in iTunes and Google Play. This episode was engineered by True Media House, I’ve been your host TG Branfalt.

End

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions speaks to a crowd of GOP supporters during a Trump rally in 2016.

During Senate Appearance, Sessions Admits MMJ Could Be Helpful and Ducks Cannabis Questions

4/26/2018

by

Attorney General Jeff Sessions appeared before the Senate Appropriations subcommittee this week to answer budgetary questions regarding the Department of Justice. During his appearance, however, Sessions was also asked about cannabis enforcement, state-legal cannabis markets, and the now-defunct Cole Memo — and, to the surprise of many, Sessions appeared to admit that cannabis could have medicinal benefits despite being a Schedule 1 drug on the Controlled Substances Act.

“There may well be some benefits from medical marijuana,” Sessions said during testimony on Wednesday, according to a report by Marijuana Moment‘s Tom Angell.

Sessions also said that cannabis is “perfectly appropriate to study,” but — according to a Washington Times report — the attorney general ducked Senators’ questions about the enforcement of federal cannabis laws in legalized states, telling Congress that the power to undo cannabis prohibition lies in their hands, not his.

“Our priorities are fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine. People are dying by massive amounts as a result of those drugs. We have very few, almost zero, virtually zero small marijuana cases. But if they are a big deal and illegally acting and violating federal law, our agents may work that case.” — Sessions, to members of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee

During his testimony, Sessions acknowledged that research has shown a trend of states with medical cannabis programs seeing a reduction in opioid overdose deaths, but said that he doesn’t believe the trend will hold up “in the long run.”

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Chandelier and legislative hall inside of the Illinois Capitol Building.

Bill to Expunge Low-Level Cannabis Convictions in Illinois Approved by House Committee

4/26/2018

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An Illinois House committee has advanced a measure that would allow individuals with a low-level cannabis or paraphernalia possession conviction to have the charge expunged, according to a WQAD report. The measure, sponsored by state Rep. La Shawn Ford, would add to 2016 reforms that decriminalized cannabis possession of less than 10 grams; allowing those convicted to have charges prior to the law change expunged.

The 2016 bill requires law enforcement agencies to expunge the non-criminal citations from records twice a year but that does not apply to previous convictions. Under Ford’s legislation, individuals would need to go before a judge in order to have the previous charges expunged, so long as three or more years have passed since the petitioner finished their sentence.

“If we can find ways in Illinois to put more people in the tax bracket, that’s what we should be doing and not having people stuck with felonies on their record that probably shouldn’t have been a felony in the first place.” — Ford to WQAD

The Sheriff’s Association opposes the legislation; preferring to keep the current expungement process. The legislation, which passed the committee despite opposition from two of the three Republicans, moves next to the House for a full vote.

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Sen. Corey Gardner Believes Trump ‘Will Be True to his Word’ on Cannabis Policy

4/26/2018

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In an interview with Yahoo News, Colorado Sen. Corey Gardner said he believes President Donald Trump “will be true to his word” that the Department of Justice’s rescission of the Cole Memo would not impact state-approved cannabis programs.

Gardner, a Republican, had been preventing Justice Department nominees from being confirmed due to the threats to the legal cannabis industry by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. He said he planned to introduce “a federalism bill” that would allow states to move forward with legalization plans despite federal statutes without the fear of crackdown. He suggested the measure could be introduced “later this week” or “a couple weeks from now.”

“It opts the state out of the marijuana provisions of deferral law, of Schedule I. While this doesn’t change Schedule I at all, it simply says if the state wants to do this, it no longer violates the law. So if Oklahoma wishes to maintain a prohibition on marijuana, then it would be illegal under state and local law in Oklahoma. But as far as Colorado goes, there would no longer be an illegal activity.” – Gardner to Yahoo News

Gardner indicated that he was working with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle on the legislation, including Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who represents Massachusetts – where recreational cannabis sales are expected to commence this summer.

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