Feds to Investigate Former Oregon Secretary of State’s Relationship with Cannabis Company Owners

6/12/2023

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Federal criminal investigators in late May sent subpoenas to five Oregon agencies for records concerning former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan and the owners of cannabis company La Mota, Aaron Mitchell and Rosa Cazares, whom Fagan worked for as a private consultant, Oregon Public Broadcasting reports. 

Fagan stepped down from her government role on May 8 after it was discovered that she had taken the consultant role and her office had prepared an audit of state cannabis regulations that was viewed as favorable to cannabis companies.  

Following her resignation, the state launched two investigations – one into whether Fagan broke state ethics laws, and another focused on the audit. 

Federal prosecutors have convened a grand jury focused on the scandal, although it’s unclear the nature of the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan Knight, chief of the office’s economic crimes unit, in late May sent the subpoenas to the Secretary of State’s Office, the Oregon Department of Revenue, the Oregon Government Ethics Commission, the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC), and the Department of Administrative Services, seeking records back to 2018. 

Prior to her resignation, Fagan said he had “faithfully followed Oregon’s ethics rules and laws.” 

From the OLCC, federal officials requested documents regarding the audit carried out under Fagan’s tenure, along with any records dealing with Cazares or Mitchell, and “any communications to or from Shemia Fagan regarding the marijuana/cannabis industry,” among other thing, according to the documents outlined by OPB.  

From the Secretary of State’s Office, investigators requested records related to Fagan’s employment, schedules, travel itineraries, use of official credit cards, call and text records, and campaign finance records. They’re also seeking communications with Cazares and Mitchell and records of the couple’s campaign finance contributions. 

From the Ethics Commission, investigators subpoenaed documents related to “Ethical discussions, questions and or conflicts of interest related to Shemia Fagan and/or her election campaigns” and from the Department of Revenue, “Any communications to or from Shemia Fagan regarding Aaron Mitchell and or Rosa Cazares.” 

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Oregon Lawmakers Vote to Crack Down on Landowners Who Allow Illegal Cannabis Grows

6/12/2023

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Oregon lawmakers have approved a bill to crackdown on landowners who allow cannabis to be grown on their property illegally, Oregon Public Broadcasting reports. The law comes after police seized more than 100 tons of illegal cannabis cultivated across the state last year. 

The illegal sites often lead to environmental damage and are not remediated by the criminal grower or landowner after they are shut down by law enforcement. Under the measure, local governments are authorized to file a claim of lien against property used for illicit cannabis cultivation, if the owner doesn’t pay for the cleanup. The bill also bans the use of rivers or groundwater at the illegal site and criminalizes seizing the identity papers of migrant workers who tend the plants or threatening to report them for deportation. 

The measure was opposed by many Republicans, including state Sen. Dennis Linthicum, who, during debate, described the measure as “an assault on property rights.” 

Jackson County Sheriff Nathan Sickler said the waste and refuse left by the illegal grows are “an eyesore” for the community and police have “no means to deal with it.” 

Gov. Tina Kotek is expected to sign the bill into law and it will take effect immediately after her signature. Elisabeth Shepard, Kotek’s spokesperson, told OPB that “The governor supports cracking down on illegal cannabis operations that have been prevalent in southern Oregon.” 

Current Oregon law allows for a maximum of four homegrown cannabis plants per household.

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Antigua and Barbuda Authorizes Rastafari to Grow & Consume Cannabis

6/12/2023

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The Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda has granted Rastafari officials authorization to grow and consume cannabis as their faith considers the plant sacred, the Associated Press reports. In an interview with the AP, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne said the reforms are meant to prevent further discrimination of the Rastafari and bring respect to their culture and faith. 

Browne noted that the nation has already decriminalized cannabis and legalized medical cannabis but wanted to take the next step – “to legalize the use of marijuana for sacramental purposes,” which he notes “most countries have not implemented.”   

“We pride ourselves as an all inclusive government, and we believe that we have to provide a space for everyone at the table, irrespective of their religion. … We believe that we have to be inclusive, just as we have recognized other faiths, we think that it’s absolutely important for us to also ensure that the Rastafari faith is also acknowledged, and they too should be given the opportunity to worship.” — Browne to the AP 

Browne said that the nation has also “created a space for a form of reparatory justice for Rastafari,” including waving fees for cannabis companies owned by Rastafari. 

“When you look at Rastafari within the Caribbean for the last several decades … they were castigated or brutalized or killed, and they stood their ground to the extent that many of their practices are now being embraced globally,” Browne said in the interview. “Who would expect that there’d be a global movement today to move towards the decriminalization and certainly the legalization of marijuana or cannabis globally? And I think that the Rastafari movement in the Caribbean should take credit for that global development.” 

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Rhode Island Expunges 23K Cannabis Possession Charges

6/09/2023

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The Rhode Island Judiciary has so far expunged 23,000 criminal records related to cannabis possession, WPRI reports. The affected cases include 3,015 in Superior Court, 10,650 in District Court, and 9,952 in the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal. 

The expungement provisions were included in the state’s adult-use cannabis law, which was signed by Gov. Dan McKee over a year ago.  

In an interview with WPRI, State Court Administrator Julie Hamil called the automatic expungements “an organizational feat.” 

“There has been coordination at every level of the judiciary to execute this process in a timely and holistic fashion.” — Hamil to WPRI 

The law included an April 30 deadline to complete the expungement process for singular, simple cannabis possession charges, and officials met that requirement. The second phase of the expungement process will focus on cases where cannabis possession was one of multiple charges or counts. The Rhode Island Judiciary indicated that the courts are on track to complete the expungement process for those cases by July 1. 

Mavis Nimoh, executive director for the Center for Health and Justice Transformation described the process as “seamless,” adding that “so many Rhode Islanders are grateful for its expediency.”    

“Common sense policy on criminal record relief is desperately needed as the state enters into a burgeoning economy that for far too long has penalized its citizens,” Nimoh said. 

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New Mexico Rolls Out ‘Yes & Know’ Cannabis Public Education Campaign

6/09/2023

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New Mexico is rolling out its first media campaign to educate the public about responsible cannabis use, the Associated Press reports. The “Yes & Know” campaign is centered around the phrase “Yes – cannabis is legal. Know – the rules,” and will be featured on billboards, TV, radio, print, and digital advertisements throughout this month.

The ad buy is worth $400,000. 

Linda Trujillo, who heads the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, which oversees the cannabis division, told the AP that state officials “recognize the need for education in this new cannabis industry.” 

“This campaign opens the conversation for responsible storage and safe cannabis consumption.” — Trujillo to the AP

The campaign features low and slow messaging, urging consumers to start with low doses and go slow. It also tells people proper ways to store cannabis, not to take it across state lines or drive impaired, and to keep it out of reach of children and pets.  

Earlier this year, the state Transportation Department held a summit to increase awareness of the risks associated with driving under the influence of cannabis and to look at evidence-based approaches for preventing impaired driving, the report says, noting that police in Albuquerque have not noticed a significant increase in cannabis-related traffic accidents or other crimes.  

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Teamsters File Unfair Labor Practices Charges Against Green Thumb Industries

6/09/2023

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Chicago’s Teamsters Local 777 on Thursday filed additional Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charges against Green Thumb Industries (GTI), the parent company of RISE dispensaries, after the workers embarked upon a 13-day strike and claim the company spied on them by reading messages in a private Discord server and diverted hours from part-time employees who participated in the strike, giving them to temporary workers.

In a statement, Jim Glimco, Local 777 president said the union is “disappointed, but not surprised, by this latest turn of events.”

“This is the same employer that has lied repeatedly to both its staff and the general public about its conduct. We hoped for GTI to change its behavior but hope and expectation are two very different things.” — Glimco in a press release 

The nearly two-week strike is the longest unfair labor practices strike at a cannabis retailer in U.S. history, the union said.  

Peter Finn, Teamsters Western Region International vice President and Food Processing Division director, added that GTI’s “continued refusal to respect federal law has led them to lose revenue, operational stability, and the trust of their workforce.” 

“Unfortunately, this is not a company that has learned its lesson,” Finn said in a statement. “If they keep committing ULPs, we will keep filing charges.” 

In an email to MJBizDaily, GTI said it regrets that the union is “choosing to continue their campaign of misinformation, distraction, and delay rather than focus on making progress at the bargaining table.” The company denied the spying claims, saying it “had no means of doing so.” 

“We are confident that this baseless allegation will not stand up to scrutiny,” the company said in the email to MJBizDaily. “In the meantime, we are ready and eager to continue working toward an agreement that meets the needs of our employees and the business.” 

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From Cannabis to Crops and Water: Farmer Tom Pivots to Environmental Ambassador

6/09/2023

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Farmer Tom Lauerman, longtime advocate and cannabis educator, takes on a new role with Natura Solve, a company focused on natural solutions for agriculture and pollution control in soil and water.

VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON June 5, 2023 — Social media and the world of cannabis lit up in support for Farmer Tom Lauerman, as he made what he’s calling a ‘pivot’ into the world of biological soil and water treatments. Teaming up with Natura Solve after two years of trying their SoilMix product for himself, Farmer Tom is now looking forward to doing his part to help heal the planet and support global food and water supply, as an Environmental Ambassador.

The irony is, Natura Solve’s first step into agriculture started with cannabis. Though she’d tried, Natura Solve’s CEO Jennifer Mitchell had hit a wall with farmers when first looking to test the product. With a background in business and entrepreneurs as parents, she understood their perspective. “We’re literally asking them to bet the farm when we invite them to try our product. Their families, communities — our food supply — all are at risk. It’s a tough move, but one we’re here for with them. With fertilizer pricing and water scarcity, we know they’ll need support moving forward.”

The first product tested went into the ground pre-market, in 2014. There was a young man named Brooke Golling who, though he didn’t use cannabis, saw an opportunity with the Farm Bill. His parents were at retirement age and their small Oregon farm was struggling, so Brooke went to work. He converted one farm and gave the new soil amendment a shot. His plants, and business, grew. After adding two additional farms, Brooke was doing well in his local community and serving the globe through his work in multiple non-profits. In the town that Brooke called home before a tragic avalanche accident claimed his life, there are t-shirts with the message “Love grows with love given” as an homage to Golling, and rarely a person that’s gotten a new start around him, doesn’t name him as a critical part of their success story. Natura Solve was no different, and Golling provided a start for a small company with a big dream. Cleaning the earth and healing the planet. It was a message that coalesced Golling all those years ago, and today, with Farmer Tom and his dedication to farmers, the planet, and Her people.

“A few years ago, I received some samples of this remarkable product, and I must say, the results have been nothing short of amazing,” says Farmer Tom, “Being a farmer, I’ve always strived to enhance the growth and productivity of my plants. Since incorporating Natura Solve into my routine, I’ve witnessed a remarkable transformation. The growth of my plants has increased, giving me healthier and more robust crops. But that’s not all. The flower and fruit production has also increased. It’s a sight to behold—the abundance of colorful blossoms and the bountiful harvests have exceeded my expectations.” Coming from a Federally recognized cannabis grower, and one with access to just about any product he’d like to use, the team at Natura Solve saw an opportunity to work together to grow, and invited Farmer Tom to join the team.

“As an Environmental Ambassador, I’ll have the opportunity to use what I’ve learned to really help people. I see this move as my way of benefitting more farms, families, and the planet. To have the opportunity to promote a product that can help to save the Earth is really an honor.”

So, what is an Environmental Ambassador?

Similar to a brand ambassador, Farmer Tom’s role will be to speak up on behalf of the environment, giving a voice to the unheard plants and animals, bugs and fungi. His job will be to promote ways to get involved with the environment, to clean up after industrial waste and biological contamination, and provide solutions for a healthy ecology. Similar to his start in cannabis, Natura Solve is in a new market and the groundwork for bioaugmentation, the methodology behind Natura Solve’s SoilMix and WaterMix, needs to be laid around the globe. Tom’s no stranger to showing up for those that need help. From 2016 until 2019, he went to between forty-five and forty-nine events per year, meeting with supporters and adversaries alike. His work led to widespread change, with even the term that the Federal Government used to use for cannabis, ‘marijuana,’ changed to better reflect the health and medical implications of the plant. “We got people their medicine for fifty dollars a month if they could afford it. If not, we figured it out.” Now, the planet needs healing, and Farmer Tom is once again at the ready. Having had years of using the products he’ll now be promoting, the focus will be on leveraging his experience and the strength of the product, to increase productivity in a way that benefits the environment. “One aspect that has truly impressed me is the efficient use of resources. With Natura Solve, I’ve been able to reduce my water and nutrient consumption. It’s not only environmentally friendly but also economically beneficial, allowing me to optimize my farming practices.” After following up with the company’s owner, Jennifer Mitchell, Tom learned about the other uses and implications for the natural products he’d been using on his plants, and he started testing those applications, with similarly compelling results. “I sprayed my porta potty, which was just about full. Within about 10 days, there was almost nothing left but water!”

Natura Solve’s product uses natural and benign bacteria and fungi, held in a molasses base. Though the solution is simple to use, the impacts are manyfold. Heavy metals, chemicals, and pathogens are just three of the areas where the SoilMix and WaterMix have an impact. Nutrient runoff that produces algae is another heavy hitter, with an average of twenty-one days to clean up waterways and aquariums laden with sheets of green algae, or with toxic Cyanobacteria. As an Environmental Ambassador, Farmer Tom will help with promoting the implementation of Natura Solve’s sustainable solutions.

“We’ve got SoilMix and WaterMix already in the market, and we’ll be adding our SaltwaterMix and Kirk’s Toilet Mix (a solution designed for aerobic and anaerobic sewage conditions) this year as well. We have a list of technologies, application equipment and more that we are ready to bring to market,” says Mitchell, “and Farmer Tom is an exciting addition that I believe will help take our outcomes to a whole new level, while enabling our team to bring more sustainable solutions to the globe. Our goals are lofty, but we’ve made big impacts everywhere from St George, Utah, to Kenya and Uganda. We’re excited to have Tom on board and look forward to seeing what we can all do together.”

As for Farmer Tom, he’s excited about all of the support he’s gotten from the world of cannabis. From his first event to his last encounter, “Everyone is just really happy for me. They tell me I totally deserve it,” says Farmer Tom, “They know how dedicated I am to the Earth and this is the next step to help.” Farmer Tom has made multiple announcements on his social media accounts and will be traveling to events across multiple markets. Ranches, wastewater treatment plants, mine sites and industrial cleanup will all now become a part of his schedule. If you’d like more information, or to have Farmer Tom at your upcoming event, he can be reached at Farmer Tom at NaturaSolve.com.

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Federal Bill Introduced to Allow Cannabis Research at Universities

6/08/2023

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A House bill introduced Tuesday aims to promote cannabis research at universities and eliminate federal barriers for researchers. The Higher Education Marijuana Research Act was introduced by Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) and Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO). 

In a statement, Titus, a member of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, said cannabis is “a major economic driver in Nevada and across the country and deserves further research.”    

“Most of that research will come from academia, where right now too many universities and researchers do not have robust protections for even possessing what they are researching. As a former professor, I’m introducing this commonsense legislation to support their work and help us all learn more about the effects and potential uses of cannabis.” — Titus in a press release 

Morgan Fox, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) political director, said that “Despite cannabis being one of the most heavily studied substances, there continue to be significant federal barriers to conducting additional research, particularly involving clinical trials and products that are available in regulated state-legal markets.” 

“This bill will facilitate trusted university partners to engage in the kinds of research that will best equip state and federal lawmakers and regulators to develop effective cannabis policies based on public health and safety, will allow consumers to make more informed choices, and will help train the next generation of cannabis researchers,” he said in a statement. 

The measure would provide $150 million in cannabis research funding for universities over five years and allow those institutions to obtain cannabis for research through partnerships with state regulators and law enforcement. 

The measure has been assigned for the House Agriculture, Education and the Workforce, Energy and Commerce, and Judiciary committees. 

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D.C. Judge Rules Cannabis Patient Must Stop Smoking in Apartment Because Odor Causes Nuisance for Neighbor

6/08/2023

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A Washington, D.C. judge on Monday ordered a man who smokes medical cannabis in his apartment to stop following a neighbor’s complaint that the odor caused a nuisance in her apartment, the Washington Post reports. Judge Ebony Scott ruled that Thomas Cackett has a license to purchase cannabis but “does not possess a license to disrupt the full use and enjoyment of one’s land.” 

“Indeed, the public interest is best served by eliminating the smoking nuisance and the toxins that it deposits into the air, toxins that involuntary smokers have no choice but to inhale.” — Scott, in the ruling, via the Post 

In the ruling, Scott determined, however, that the defendant, Josefa Ippolito-Sheperd, could not prove she was entitled to damages. Under the order, Cackett cannot smoke at his address or within 25 feet of Ippolito-Shepard’s address.  

The case is believed to be the first of its kind focused on medical cannabis consumption in multiple-unit dwellings, such as apartments. 

Ippolito-Sheperd, 76, argued that she had developed health problems and trouble sleeping since she noticed the smell of cannabis, the report says. She alleged that Cackett smoked cannabis “all day and all night” but he said he typically smokes “eight to 12 puffs” at night after work and notes that he is a registered patient in D.C. for pain.  

The decision does not set a legal precedent as an appellate decision would. 

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Green Check Verified Acquires Komplyd

6/08/2023

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Cannabis compliance and financial services company Green Check Verified on Tuesday announced the acquisition of Komplyd, the first compliance-as-a-service platform designed for business applications targeting the cannabis industry.  

In a press release, Green Check Verified said the acquisition will enable it “to further integrate with seed-to-sale technologies and more seamlessly connect the supply chain of the plant to the supply chain of commerce,” which the company described as “integral to the future of interstate and international cannabis commerce.” 

In a statement, Mike Kennedy, chief strategy officer and co-founder of Green Check Verified, said the partnership will enable “a much deeper level of data connectivity, resulting in an insights-driven, integrated experience” for the cannabis operators using its platform and provide greater value to its marketplace providers and financial institution clients.  

Rose Elliott, CEO and co-founder of Komplyd, said the deal “will equip cannabis business leaders with the financial services and technology platforms they need to move the industry forward.” 

In April, Green Check Verified closed a $6 million Series A funding round and recently closed on its acquisition of PayQwick. In January, the company launched its cannabis business services marketplace, Green Check Connect.  

The terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

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RAW Rolling Papers Parent Wins $1.5M in Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Against OCB Makers

6/07/2023

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A federal judge on Monday ordered Republic Brands, makers of OCB rolling papers, to pay $1.5 million to HBI International, makers of RAW rolling papers, for infringing on the RAW copyright and trade dress. The ruling concludes a seven-year court battle between the two companies. 

In a statement, Josh Kesselman, RAW founder, said the company was “pleased with the outcome, but that doesn’t make this any less frustrating.”  

“Republic has persistently filed lawsuit after lawsuit against our company, perhaps because of our success. We intend to donate the net proceeds we will receive, now that this case is resolved, to organizations working to help small businesses in the cannabis field, particularly businesses that are startups involving individuals who were previously convicted of nonviolent cannabis related crimes. We’re hopeful that Republic will now cease its relentless effort to destroy our business and focus, like us, on helping the emerging cannabis industry achieve greater equity in the marketplace.” — Kesselman in a press release 

The case in question began in 2016 when HBI contacted Republic to point out the similarity between RAW’s Organic Hemp product packaging, which was launched in 2009, and Republic’s OCB Organic Hemp paper packaging, which debuted in 2011. Republic introduced the OCB Organic Hemp product in the U.S. in 2014 and HBI reached out to Republic about the marketing and packaging similarities soon after. HBI asked for the companies to discuss the matter but Republic sued its rival in federal court in Illinois, seeking a declaratory judgment saying it had not infringed on anything.

HBI counterclaimed for infringement, and then Republic brought a series of allegations that RAW products and marketing materials contained various misstatements. Republic accused HBI of false advertising under the federal Lanham Act, deceptive trade practices, and unfair competition under Illinois state law, and alleged that RAW papers and cones were illegal products because of their association with cannabis and celebrity smokers.

That dispute came to a close in February, when Republic won a permanent injunction in a federal lawsuit against HBI, which required HBI to cease the sale of certain products and stop making certain promotional statements. 

In 2021, however, a jury concluded that Republic had willfully infringed on RAW Organic Hemp trade dress, including its copyrighted “Sold Here” sign and awarded the company over $1 million. The jury also found that none of RAW’s product statements violated the Lanham Act, but found for Republic on the Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the claim for unfair competition based on the same factual allegations.

In a statement referencing the recent press release by HBI International, a Republic Brands spokesperson called it a “new and misleading spin on an old ruling,” and an “attempt to deflect” from the fact that HBI was found guilty in February of “violating the Illinois uniform deceptive trade practices act and the law of unfair competition by constantly making false and misleading statements for more than a decade.”

“BBK Tobacco (dba. HBI International) is not a victim or a victor in this matter — a federal jury found BBK Tobacco guilty of violating the Illinois uniform deceptive trade practices act and the law of unfair competition by consistently making false and misleading statements for more than a decade.”

Editor’s note (6/7/23): This article was updated to include additional information and the Republic Brands representative’s statement.

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San Francisco Set to Impose 3-Year Moratorium on New Cannabis Licenses

6/07/2023

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The San Fransisco, California Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted unanimously to place a three-year moratorium on new cannabis businesses, the San Fransisco Standard reports. The ban does not affect current applicants or operators. 

Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, the bill’s author, said the moratorium was needed due to oversaturation and competition from the illicit market. In San Francisco, there are about 30 licensed medical cannabis dispensaries, 31 adult-use retailers, and more than 100 additional applications in the pipeline.  

“It’s a pause, not a ban, and ultimately, we can revisit where this is in a few years.” — Safaí via the Standard  

Safaí has also acknowledged the anti-cannabis sentiment within the city’s Asian American communities over the potential impact of cannabis on children and other cultural and historical reasons.  

Final approval of the ban is still required, but it is expected to come next week. If given final approval, the law will take effect in 30 days and will sunset in 2027.  

San Francisco has long embraced cannabis culture, including the annual “420” celebration in Golden Gate Park. 

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Pennsylvania Bill Calls on Feds to Deschedule Cannabis

6/07/2023

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The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee is considering a resolution that would urge the federal government to deschedule cannabis as a controlled substance. The resolution notes that 38 U.S. states and four territories regulate cannabis for medical use and that 21 states, two territories and Washington, D.C. have legalized cannabis for adult use. 

The resolution also points out that the World Health Organization has called for cannabis to be removed from the most restrictive category of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 and that the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs has also voted to reclassify cannabis under the convention.  

“Rescheduling cannabis will establish an important step in harmonizing Federal and State policy to improve public health, reduce criminal justice expenditures, raise tax revenue and usher in economic growth; and … removing cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance will facilitate medical research, ensure patient access and remove Federal prohibitions.” — HB 420 text 

The resolution also takes aim at federal mandatory minimum sentencing laws which result in nonviolent cannabis offenders often “serving long sentences often disproportionate to their crime.”  

The legislation calls for the U.S. Attorney General to “initiate a review process to consider available evidence and change a controlled substance’s schedule classification” and for the Drug Enforcement Administration and Department of Health and Human Services to “carry out a review process to reschedule a controlled substance.”  

The resolution is sponsored by 17 state lawmakers. Pennsylvania does have a medical cannabis program but has not legalized cannabis for adult use. 

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Pre-Rolls: Is It Time to Go Straight?

6/07/2023

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New technology and changing consumer demands are suggesting an industry shift from cone-style pre-rolls to straight-cylinder pre-rolls.

Think back to the first time you ever saw a joint being rolled. The key word there is rolled. While pre-made cones have been available for a long time, no cannabis connoisseur that preferred to consume via joints would be caught stuffing a cone. It wasn’t just the ritual of rolling a joint, although for many, this is a near-sacred ritual. And it wasn’t that cones weren’t readily available. It was about performance. A joint rolled by hand in the traditional way simply smoked better than a cone filled from one end. It burned more evenly than a cone which often burns faster down one side or “canoes.” Consumers had more control to make the joint just how they liked it, compacting to their desired density as they rolled it back and forth across their fingers.

Flower prep

Critical to a good joint is the preparation of the flower. When using a cone stuffed or “tamped” from the top, the flower needs to be dryer than any true aficionado would ever want, often down to 5-6% moisture. That problem doesn’t occur when rolling a joint using the traditional method. A consumer can use much stickier, fresher flower, with preferred moisture content in the 10-12% range. That means that hand-rolled joints can smell and taste better because you don’t need to dry and pulverize the flower to the same degree as you would when filling a cone. (Overdrying doesn’t just damage the aroma and taste of the flower, but it actually reduces its efficacy as well. Dried flower retains fewer cannabinoids and terpenes than flower with higher moisture content.)

Consumers had limited choices in the pre-roll category

Ask yourself this: have you ever seen an experienced, self-respecting cannabis enthusiast filling a cone? No. If they love the flower and want to taste and feel its full effect and characteristics, they roll a joint. But that’s the big conundrum for consumers. Not everyone has the time or skill to roll a good joint by hand. Up until 2020, they only had two options: the convenience of a cone-style joint or the better performance and experience of a hand-rolled joint.

RollPros deploys patented technology

In 2020, the pre-roll automation market witnessed the launch of an entirely new technology seeking to produce straight pre-rolls rather than cones. Kyle Loucks — the inventor behind RollPros and a seasoned joint smoker and master roller for 20+ years — wanted to find a way to fix the problems associated with pre-rolls constructed using cones. Loucks wanted to provide consumers with a choice that gave them both convenience and quality, and this is reflected in RollPros’ mantra: “Quality pre-rolls for all!”

The first units of the Blackbird system made their way into the wild at roughly the same time that the Hauni made its category entry. While there were many differences between the two straight joint manufacturing systems, the Blackbird had a new trick that was truly groundbreaking and not borrowed from the tobacco or food industries: it actually rolled joints. Loucks had invented a now-patented technology that applied radial compaction, which is the same way you compact the flower in a hand-rolled joint. Better yet, the Blackbird provided operators with the ability to adjust the amount of tension placed on the joint as it is rolled. This unique feature gave operators complete control over the draw of their joints, something that no other machine on the market can do. For example, when rolling a lighter, fluffier strain, operators can dial up the tension to get the draw just right. Or with a denser, stickier strain, they can reduce the tension. And, as any joint smoker will tell you, one of the most critical characteristics of a good joint and good smoking experience is having just the right draw, or airflow, through the joint.

With the much more accessible price tag of $225k (the cheapest machine in its class), it’s no surprise that the RollPros Blackbird has more than 80 units in the field. Brands from coast to coast have used it to accelerate their success in the pre-roll category, producing true pre-rolls that taste, smell, and sell better. A number of top-selling brands, like Rebel Spirit in Oregon and Joints in Oklahoma, have built their entire business around the Blackbird.

Why do cones still dominate?

So why are cones still so dominant in the pre-roll category? According to RollPros COO Nick Buck, it’s just time. “In the legal cannabis industry, cones have been the norm for years. That’s what people expect; it’s what they are used to. So when you throw something new their way, it takes time for consumers to give in and try it. But once they do smoke a well-crafted rolled joint made with a Blackbird, very few ever go back to cones,” says Buck. “They provide the consumer the experience they’ve always wanted from a pre-roll, but have never been able to get. They had to settle for cones, but they don’t have to anymore!”

Pre-Roll preferences are changing

Slowly but surely, consumer preferences are changing. While Rebel Spirit was growing their brand, they didn’t switch entirely to the Blackbird right away and continued to produce cone offerings. But the balance between the two options continues to shift, and as their brand reaches new heights (currently, they are the best-selling pre-roll brand in Oregon), their sales of Blackbird-manufactured joints continue to grow while the cone-style joints stagnate and decline. “Demand for our rollies, as we call them, quickly outpaced our capacity. So six months after our first Blackbird unit kicked off, we purchased a second one. And we still feel like we haven’t hit our full potential,” says Rebel Spirit COO Chris Belcher. That’s significant in what many see as the U.S.’s most challenging cannabis market.

Straight is the future!

Straight-rolled joints are simply the automated version of what has always provided cannabis enthusiasts with the best smoking experience. When the first consumer cars were invented, eventually everyone switched from horse-drawn carriages — but it happened gradually, and now we can observe the pre-roll category go through the same transition.

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Survey: 70% of Louisianans Support Low-Level Cannabis Decriminalization

6/06/2023

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Seventy percent of Louisianans back allowing adults to possess small amounts of cannabis for personal use, according to the 2023 Louisiana State University (LSU) Louisiana Survey. The support marks a “substantial increase” since the 2013 survey which found just 42% backed such reforms.  

The survey also found 90% of respondents supported cannabis possession for medical use. Louisiana does have a functional medical cannabis program. Last year, medical cannabis patient registrations were up 600% compared to the year prior.  

The 70% mark represents the highest level of support for adult-use reforms in the last decade of the Louisiana Survey. In 2014 and 2015, the survey recorded support at 45% and 55% in 2019.  

In an interview with NOLA.com, Peter Robins-Brown, executive director of Louisiana Progress, an advocacy group that supports legalization, said he believed that cannabis legalization in the state is “inevitable” and probable “within the next few years.” 

“Especially with public opinion being so positive, I think it’s hard for even (Louisiana Attorney General) Jeff Landry or Sen. Sharon Hewitt (R) to veto a legalization bill if it makes it through a conservative legislature.” — Robins-Brown to NOLA 

Both Landry and Hewitt and vying for the governorship.  

In April, the House Criminal Justice Committee voted down a measure to legalize cannabis for adult use in the state. 

Last year, Louisiana lawmakers downgraded possession of up to 14 grams of cannabis for personal use to a misdemeanor punishable by a $100 fine and no jail time. 

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Illinois Hemp Farm Nets $480K Grant to Build Electric Vehicle Chargers

6/06/2023

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A DuPage County hemp farm is among the recipients of $12.6 million in grants to build chargers for electric vehicles. Kerry Farms will receive nearly $480,000 from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) to build the chargers.  

The funds for the program are part of the 2016 Volkswagen settlement, from which Illinois received about $109 million. In all, the grants will fund 348 new Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) ports at 87 locations throughout the state.   

In a statement, Gov. JB Pritzker (D), said the program brings the state “one step closer towards [its] mission of achieving 100% clean energy by 2050.” 

Joe Sheehan, founder and owner of Kerry Farms, told the Chicago Sun-Times that he thinks his company will be able to build six public chargers in high-traffic areas of DuPage, Peoria, and St. Clair counties with the grant. He said he hopes to find a “profitable way to do it” but described the project as a risk “no one else is willing to take.” 

Kerry Farms is the only farm included in the grant program, the other companies include BP Pulse, ChargePoint, Francis Energy, GPM Midwest, Loves Travel Stops, Pilot Travel Centers. Powered Dynamics, Road Ranger, and Universal EV. 

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New York Community College Offering Cannabis Certificate Courses

6/06/2023

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Plattsburgh, New York’s Clinton County Community College (CCC) is now offering three certificate courses focused on the cannabis industry as part of a partnership with cannabis education company Green Flower, the Press-Republican reports. The programs include an advanced manufacturing agent certificate, advanced dispensary associate certificate, and advanced cultivation technician certificate.  

Each of the programs run eight weeks, are entirely online, and cost $900. Students must be at least 18 years old to enroll in the programs.    

Angela Kelley, community and workforce specialist at CCC, told the Press-Republican that officials at Clinton believe backyard growers would likely also take the cultivation course. 

“So that they had the opportunity to not only, you know, have successful plantings, but be safe health wise … in what they were producing so that there wasn’t any kind of cross contamination to where they go to use the product, and then they become ill, because it was not cultivated properly.” — Kelley to the Press-Republican 

Vice President of Higher Education at Green Flower, Daniel Kalef, told the Press-Republican that CCC’s leadership “sees the value in providing students a pathway to become certified to work in cannabis retail, manufacturing and agriculture environments” which will help “to ensure the continued growth of the industry in NY through a well-trained workforce.”  

According to Green Flower’s website, the company now has partnerships with 20 colleges and universities throughout the U.S. 

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Colorado Gov. Signs Bill Allowing Online Cannabis Sales

6/05/2023

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Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) last week signed a bill to allow online sale of cannabis products. The law requires customers to provide proof of age and that purchases are picked up in person at the retailer’s physical location.  

The law’s intent is to limit some of the in-person cash transactions at retailers as federal law continues to limit cannabusinesses’ access to traditional financial services, including the use of credit cards, which often makes cannabis dispensaries targets for theft.  

During debate on the proposal last month, state Sen. Kevin Van Winkle (R) said, from his perspective, the bill “mainly aims” to “reduce cash in the marijuana space.” 

“…Which is something that is exceedingly important to do because when there is a tremendous amount of cash in any industry, it can lead to some troubling outcomes – specifically things like robbery. It sets them up for tremendous amount of potential theft, and other things.” — Van Winkle on the House floor  

The U.S. House has passed the SAFE Banking Act, which would normalize banking and financial services for state-approved cannabis companies, six times but the measure has never been approved by the Senate. The measure was reintroduced in April but has not yet received a vote in the House. 

A 2022 poll by Data for Progress found that 72% of U.S. voters, including nearly two-thirds of Republicans, support giving legal cannabis companies access to traditional financial services. 

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ATF to Minnesotans: Cannabis Use Prohibits You From Firearm Ownership

6/05/2023

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Following the legalization of cannabis in Minnesota, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) clarified that cannabis consumers are still “federally defined as an ‘unlawful user’ of a controlled substance” and therefore “prohibited from shipping, transporting, receiving, or possessing firearms or ammunition.” 

In a statement, ATF’s Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeff Reed, of the St. Paul Field Division, said that until cannabis is federally legal, “firearms owners and possessors should be mindful that it remains federally illegal to mix marijuana with firearms and ammunition.” 

“As regulators of the firearms industry and enforcers of firearms laws, we felt it was important to remind Minnesotans of this distinction as the marijuana laws adjust here in the State of Minnesota.” — Reed in a statement 

In February, a federal judge in Oklahoma ruled that the federal law barring people who use cannabis from owning firearms is unconstitutional. That decision is under appeal. In April, a federal judge in Texas made a similar ruling, and referenced the blanket federal cannabis possession possession by President Joe Biden (D), suggesting that, even if the defendant “were convicted of simple marijuana possession, that conviction would be expunged by the blanket presidential pardon of all such marijuana possessions that, like Connelly’s, took place before October 6, 2022.” 

A House bill introduced in April by Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) aims to end the prohibition of firearm sales to cannabis consumers in states that allow adult- and medical-use cannabis. That measure is currently in the House Committee on the Judiciary.  

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New York Gov. Signs Bill Extending Cannabis Cultivator and Processor Licenses

6/05/2023

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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) last week signed a bill extending the licenses of cannabis cultivators and processors as the state has been slow to get the adult-use market off the ground. The current state permits are still considered provisional as state regulators have not yet issued permanent licenses.  

The law extends the licenses until June 30, 2024.  

The bill also extends the adult-use program’s social equity goals by requiring conditional license holders to participate in a social equity mentorship program.  

In a statement, State Senator Michelle Hinchey (D), the bill’s sponsor who also serves as chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said the package of four bills she authored that recently passed the state legislature “will strengthen…Upstate and Hudson Valley Communities.”  

“Across New York State, agriculture is a core industry that has shaped our local landscape, economy, and way of life, and I’m proud that four of my bills supporting different needs within this industry have passed the Senate this week.” — Hinchey in a press release 

According to the state Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), the state has awarded 215 adult-use cannabis retail licenses since the marketplace went into effect; however, dispensaries have been slow to open throughout the state. According to OCM data, there are currently just 12 operational adult-use retailers, three of which are operating as delivery-only services until they are able to open their brick-and-mortar locations.  

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NECANN to Produce 3rd Annual Cannabis Industry Convention in Illinois

6/02/2023

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Cannabis entrepreneurs, executives, and marketers are invited to attend the NECANN Illinois Cannabis Convention to be held June 2-3 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center in Schaumburg, IL.

NECANN specializes in creating resource hubs for the fast-expanding cannabis industry. Events where entrepreneurs, educators, businesses, advocates, investors, patients, and consumers can learn, connect, and thrive.

NECANN Illinois will focus on businesses and products serving the emerging cannabis industry.

A great substitute to the generic national canna-convention franchises, NECANN Illinois is focused on each local market’s opportunities and needs. The convention will feature industry leaders from across the region presenting and taking part in panel discussions. This multifaceted convention offers a platform for big cannabis business deals to be simplified while providing attendees an opportunity to learn about the cannabis industry.

NECANN is proud to be a part of the Illinois cannabis community and hopes to help evolving cannabis markets succeed and grow.

Tickets: https://necann.com/illinois/2023-illinois-cannabis-convention-tickets/
More info: https://necann.com/illinois/
https://www.necann.com

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California Assembly Passes Cannabis Cafés Bill

6/02/2023

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The California Assembly on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a bill to allow cannabis cafés in the state, KTVU Fox 2 reports. The measure passed the chamber 64-9.  

The legislation would permit the sale of non-cannabis products for consumption at the cafés, which is prohibited under current state law although limited on-site cannabis consumption is allowed. 

Assemblymember Matt Haney (D) tole KTVU that “There’s absolutely no good reason from an economic, health, or safety standpoint that the state should make that illegal.” 

“Lots of people want to enjoy legal cannabis in the company of others, and many people want to do that while sipping coffee, eating a scone, or listening to music. … If an authorized cannabis retail store wants to also sell a cup of coffee and a sandwich, we should allow cities to make that possible and stop holding back these small businesses.” — Haney via KTVU 

In a statement of purpose sent to lawmakers in support of the bill, the California Nightlife Association said allowing cannabis cafés “the commonsense option to sell food and beverage that isn’t ‘prepackaged’ and giving them flexibility to provide entertainment will give a much-needed lifeline to legal cannabis retailers who are struggling mightily to survive in the industry.” 

“Additionally, this bill will give our communities new, exciting opportunities to offer arts and entertainment in spaces where it was previously impossible to do so economically,” the statement says. 

In a letter opposing the legislation, health-related industry groups, including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American Heart Association, and the American Lung Association, warned the bill “could essentially turn a cannabis establishment into a restaurant and potentially force workers to accept exposure to toxic chemicals in order to keep their jobs.” 

“Workers should not have to choose between their health and a good job,” the groups wrote in the letter. “California has fought hard to protect workers and ensure a safe, healthy, smoke-free work environment. AB 374 will undo that by re-creating the harmful work environments of the past.” 

The measure moves next to the Senate.

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Florida Cannabis Legalization Campaign Reaches Signature Threshold to Put Issue to Voters

6/02/2023

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The Florida campaign seeking to put an adult-use cannabis question to voters in 2024 has surpassed the signature threshold to get the issue on ballots, according to Florida Division of Elections data.  

Meeting the quota represents a major benchmark for the campaign but state Attorney General Ashley Moody has already moved to challenge the proposal in the state Supreme Court, and the court has indicated it will review her challenge. Moody plans to argue that the ballot measure violates the state’s single-subject rule on ballot measures for constitutional amendments.    

The constitutional amendment, proposed by Smart & Safe Florida, gathered 967,528 valid signatures – more than 70,000 above the requirement to get on the ballot. The campaign had spent $38.4 million through April to get the new measure on the ballot, according to a Politico report. Multistate cannabis company Trulieve Inc. is the only campaign’s only donor.  

In a statement to Politico, Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers said the company is “thrilled the campaign has made this milestone and look forward to seeing this initiative on the ballot next November.”

“Our investment demonstrates our firm belief that Floridians are ready to experience the freedom to use cannabis for personal consumption; a freedom which is currently enjoyed by more than half of America’s adults.” — Rivers to Politico 

Under the proposal, adults 21 and older would be allowed to possess up to three ounces of cannabis for personal use and current medical cannabis dispensaries would be allowed to sell cannabis for adult use. 

A previous legalization initiative in 2019 was ultimately blocked by the state Supreme Court for violating the state’s single-subject rule. 

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Trulieve to “Wind Down” Operations in Massachusetts

6/02/2023

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Multistate cannabis operator Trulieve Cannabis Corp. on Thursday announced plans to “wind down” its operations in Massachusetts. The company said the move is part of its broader plan to “preserve cash and improve financial performance.” 

Since mid-2022, Trulieve has also shut down some of its California assets, exited the Nevada wholesale market, and idled some of its production capacity “to match consumer demand across multiple markets.” 

The company said it would close its dispensaries in Framingham, Northampton, and Worcester by June 30 and would end all its operations in Massachusetts by the end of the year. 

In a press release, Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers described the measures as “difficult but necessary” and part of the company’s “ongoing efforts to bolster business resilience” and its “commitment to cash preservation” as the company continues to focus on its “business strategy of going deep in our core markets and jettisoning non-contributive assets.” 

“We remain fully confident in our strategic position and the long-term prospects for the industry.” — Rivers in a statement 

Trulieve previously closed its retail locations in Palm Springs, Venice, and Grover Beach California. Once it ends its Massachusetts operations, Trulieve will be operational in 10 states.  

The company said it “continues to evaluate the performance of assets and markets within the current macroeconomic environment and will take additional steps as needed to optimize the business” and “is focused on cash preservation and cash generation while continuing to make targeted investments in retail expansion as well as advanced data and technology platforms to set the foundation for a future defined by integrated commerce.” 

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