Bermuda House Passes Adult-Use Cannabis Legislation

4/01/2022

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For the second time in two years, the Bermuda House of Assembly passed adult-use cannabis legislation, the Caribbean National Weekly (CNW) reports. The proposal, which passed in 2021 but was tabled by the Senate, would legalize the production and sale of cannabis in British territory.

Named the Cannabis Licensing Act of 2022, the legislation was introduced by Home Affairs Minister Walter Roban who said cannabis prohibition stands as “an unjust colonial legacy” and evidence of “systemic, racialized disparities,” the report says.

“We need radical new thinking – increasingly legalization is not that radical at all,” Roban said, suggesting the changes were “long overdue” and that polls in Bermuda show an “an overwhelming appetite for changes in our cannabis laws.”

Gov. Rena Lalgie has said that adult-use cannabis legalization in Bermuda falls outside Britain’s international agreements. However, Premier David Burt pushed back, saying if Britain does not accept the changes, it could “destroy” the relationship between Britain and the island territory.

Roban admitted the proposal could cause friction but said “that is the type of trouble this [Progressive Labour Party] government is not afraid of.”

“The totality of the proposed legislation provides for better effective regulatory control to displace the illicit market and full economic access at a time when families are suffering and looking for new economic opportunities,” he said.

Shadow Legal Affairs Minister Scott Pearman appears skeptical, however, asking why the government had not made changes to last year’s shelved bill. He says the government is “not listening” and the bill is “ultimately about money” and “corporate cannabis” that will put cannabis on the Caribbean island in the hands of a few.

The bill passed the House 18-6 and now heads to the Senate, where it cannot be tabled for a second time, CNW notes.

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Curaleaf Makes TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Companies List

4/01/2022

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TIME Magazine has named Curaleaf to its “100 Most Influential Companies in the World” list for the second year in a row, according to a company press release. The list is an extension of the magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” list issued each year and highlights companies that are making a difference around the world.

The list is compiled by TIME using nominations from in-house correspondence and editors, as well as industry experts. Business categories range from healthcare to transportation, entertainment, and technology. TIME editors then score the nominees based on things like relevance, innovation, leadership, and success, the press release says.

The company said that the recognition by TIME reflects Curaleaf’s dedication to “cannabis education, accessibility, and customer satisfaction” with “quality products backed by science.”

“Being recognized as one of the world’s most influential companies by TIME is further confirmation that our work is breaking down the stigma of the plant, building an equitable and exciting industry, launching innovative new products for a wide consumer base, and tangibly supporting the communities that we serve. We are humbled and honored to be included alongside change-making companies that are revolutionizing their industries as well. As the only cannabis company included on this list, we hold a unique responsibility in shaping and leading our industry for continued success in the future.” — Joe Bayern, CEO of Curaleaf US, in a statement

In the U.S., Curaleaf has a presence in 23 states, operating 128 dispensaries and employing over 5,000 people. The company also indicated that it is Europe’s largest vertically integrated cannabis provider.

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Pennsylvania Senate Committee Advances Cannabis Banking Measure

4/01/2022

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The Pennsylvania Senate Banking and Insurance Committee on Wednesday advanced legislation to allow state-legal cannabis businesses better access to banking, finance, and insurance services. The measure, sponsored by the committee’s chairman, state Sen. John DiSanto (R), and its Minority Chair Sharif Street (D), would not require banks to serve the industry but would provide them safe harbor for institutions and would allow state cannabusinesses to deduct ordinary business expenses on their Pennsylvania taxes.

“Access to financial and insurance services is essential for operating any business and it is against the public interest to relegate a multi-billion-dollar industry to deal in piles of cash. Banking this cash safely in Pennsylvania provides certainty for businesses, is a huge opportunity to grow our economy, and should ultimately lower costs for medical cannabis consumers.” – DiSanto in a statement

Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition Executive Director Meredith Buettner said the measure would “not only expand financial access for Pennsylvania’s legitimate cannabis-related businesses but will also create significant tax savings for medical marijuana operators that can be passed on to patients without significant loss of revenue for the Commonwealth.”

Under federal Financial Crime Enforcement Network (FinCEN) guidance issued in 2014 – known as the Cole Memo – banks are allowed to serve the cannabis industry but require them to file Suspicious Activity Reports on the businesses and the memo outlines several red flags that would require banks to report businesses that could be out of compliance with the memo’s provisions. The memo does not normalize federal taxes for the industry and does not require banks to serve cannabis companies, which had led the industry to operate on a mostly-cash basis.

The proposal was unanimously approved by the Senate committee

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Reviewing Five of the Top Smell-Proof Bags for Cannabis

3/31/2022

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When I was in my early 20s I came home from San Francisco for the holidays after being fully immersed in the cannabis culture there for years. One afternoon I took my little cousin shopping, of course packing up my weed in my handbag for a quick toke beforehand. We were walking through the store and she looked at me with laughter in her eyes and commented on the thick smell of pot that was trailing me through the store. It was at this moment when I first realized that I needed a smell-proof bag.

Since that day in 2009, there have been major strides in smell-proof and smell-safe technology. Smell absorbing bags come in every form: Dopp kits, fine leather clutches, duffle bags, and designer roll-top backpacks. These products can help the average cannabis consumer like me, but they can also serve cannabis producers who are forced to navigate murky supply chains.

For this review roundup, Ganjapreneur sourced five of the top smell-proof bags on the market, each with its own unique value.

What does ‘smell-proof’ actually mean?

As it currently stands, there are no standards for what can be marketed as smell-proof, smell-blocking, smell-absorbing, etc. Companies like Rubbermaid which market their containers as air-tight, water-tight, and odor-proof have testing standards to ensure their products meet these criteria. There is no such system in odor-absorbing bag technology and as such, some companies claim to be 100% smell-proof when their bags do actually leak aromas. This can be dangerous for people hoping to mask the scent of cannabis in a prohibition state.

It felt essential to mention that in this review we don’t use a standardized test to gauge the level of odor that escapes the bags listed. But I did use my knowledge and experience to suss through each odor-blocking feature like waterproof zippers, carbon lining, and folding tops to gauge the efficacy of odor absorption based on design. It is best to assume, however, that if you are trying to hide cannabis from trained dogs, relying on a bag alone to protect you isn’t recommended.

Now, check out these bag superlatives, each with individual style and features that set it apart from the crowd.
Jump to a bag: Littlejohn New York | Dime Bags | RYOT | Feel Good Flavors | Rebelle

Best Dressed

Littlejohn New York Wristlet Pouch from the Cache Collection

The Littlejohn collection is built with five-layer “scent-conceal” technology. This technology combines a mesh layer, activated carbon lining, durable protective padding, leather air-tight seams, and sealed rubber zippers. The activated carbon lining is sandwiched between non-woven layers on each side. The mesh layer allows smells to reach the surface area of the carbon liner, the air-tight seams support the carbon absorption, and the site states that the sealed rubber zipper preserves the right balance of moisture. I would add that in my experience the sealed zipper is essential in smell-proof bags. I am confident in saying that this is not only an exceptionally made, fashionable bag– but it’s also smell-proof in the real sense.

I brought the wristlet pouch from the Cache Collection out to do some errands, the design and craftsmanship make it comparable to any designer handbag I’ve owned. Since this is a bag that I’d take out to have a drink or go out with friends, I considered how smell-proof it would be when opening and closing it when being IDed or grabbing the check. Sometimes a bag will block smells until it is opened but then it all wafts out into the open air — when this happened to me once, it wafted into the face of a bouncer in Arizona prior to the state’s legalization reforms, so it’s pretty important to consider this before going out with your loudest herb. The designers at Littlejohn considered this too, and there is a small inner pocket that has its own five-layer technology for cannabis along with an outer pocket that can hold the things you often need. Using the outer pocket for commonly grabbed items can reduce the number of times you need to open the bag, keeping the smells inside while you grab your phone for a quick selfie.

Life of the Party

Dime Bags Omerta Smell Proof Fanny Pack & Combo Lock

Any stoner or festival kid already knows about Dime Bags — the brand is synonymous with padded hemp pipe and bong bags and was one of the first to introduce smell-proof bags to the market. The Omerta Fanny Pack is a multi-compartment, super handy little bag that features water-resistant zippers and a water-resistant polyester exterior. It is lightly padded and has a lock that you can set to your own three-digit code. The main compartment locks by locking the zipper into the mechanism so it can’t be used. The secondary compartment, internal zippered pocket, and secret internal zippered pocket do not lock. It comes in a few colors and the logo is a velcro patch, so you can use one of the customizable patches which add some personal flare.

As the mom of a baby, the fanny pack served as a fantastic way to keep my essentials nearby while baby-wearing. My takeaway: it’s great for someone whose hands are busy. The bag also transported me back to my former life, something I refer to as my 20s. Going to large EDM shows and gatherings and having your hands free but also having your … valuables … on you at all times is essential at these gatherings. The lock really takes all of the nervousness out of dancing your heart out while holding the group’s weed … and stuff.

Most Athletic

RYOT DRY+ Backpack

I can’t even hide my bias, when I pulled this backpack out of the box it immediately became my favorite of the bunch. Don’t misunderstand, I’m going to be rocking that Littlejohn wristlet/crossover bag for a long time, but the DRY+ is something a little extra special. At first, it looks like a bag that a super rad, hardcore bike messenger chick would be wearing in San Francisco in 2009. Is that hyper-specific? Definitely. But it’s also the truth. Each is outfitted with a waterproof, abrasion-resistant outer layer featuring a water bottle pocket and two outer compartments. The top is a roll-and-chinch style closure that is wide for easy loading. Inside, there is a removable SmellSafe carbon bag for an extra layer of protection for escaping odors.

RYOT uses the moniker Smell Proof when referring to their products with the highest level of odor containment and weatherproof protection possible. These products are designed to let no air escape which would mean no smells escape, they also feature SmellSafe Carbon Series technology to reduce the odors that come out when the bag is opened. If someone in the industry needed to transport large amounts of bud I would recommend this product first. I’m also planning to use it during the dry season for bike trips to the grocery store.

Biggest Flirt

Feel Good Flavors Smell-proof Roll Top Bag

The beauty of the LittleJohn and the utility of the RYOT bag converge in the Feel Good Flavors roll-top bag. The outer shell is weatherproof leather and the inside features a carbon thermal lining described by the brand as 100% smell-proof. It features two external pouches closed by waterproof zippers as well as two internal slide pouches and one internal zipped pouch. The bag is also built with gear loops and a code locking roll-top buckle.

Feel Good Flavors lines their bags with carbon technology along with waterproof zippers to control odors. The roll-top is closed by velcro and a lockable buckle that can be set with a personalized three-digit code. This bag offers almost the same aromatic protection as the RYOT but with a less heavy-duty aesthetic, great for someone who wants a larger bag to conceal cannabis odors but isn’t in need of all-weather, intense protection.

Cutest Couple

Rebelle Jerry Bag in Green and Stone from the Rock and Roll Collection

Rebelle is a Massachusetts cannabis dispensary that is growing into a vertical operation in the Berkshires. The Jerry Bag is available both at their dispensary and online. It is marketed as smell-proof and handmade with soft Italian leather in New York. The pouch is sized well to fit into a purse and features a fold-over top and a removable internal pouch.

This bag is cute and convenient, but I wouldn’t regard it as completely smell proof. First, the fold-over completely negates smells-concealing features in the main bag as aromas will escape out of the corners. Secondly, a normal zipper is used for the internal pouch. While the gold zipper is very aesthetically pleasing, it doesn’t conceal smells as well as a rubber zipper. So, while this is cute and fits perfectly into a larger purse for a night out we wouldn’t recommend it for someone trying to completely conceal the smell of their pot.

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WOCC: Advancing Cannabis Industry Talent & Accountability

3/31/2022

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The New York state cannabis industry is coming online and Women of Color in Cannabis (WOCC) is on a mission to provide industry-related education throughout the five New York City Boroughs. WOCC, pronounced “woke,” is an education-first nonprofit group that empowers women of color to enter the cannabis space. The group was founded by Shaloma Wagstaffe, whose start in the industry was organizing consumption events throughout New York City before scaling that business up to WOCC.

Wagstaffe grew up in Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York and says that when she thinks of cannabis, she thinks of her neighborhood dealer. However, when she attended her first cannabis networking event in 2018, she didn’t see that reflected in the attendees.

“I started to go to industry networking events out here in New York, and I felt completely out of place. I felt like there weren’t a lot of people who looked like me, who came from my background,” said Wagstaffe. “So going to those events, it was very shocking for me because before that experience, when I thought about the cannabis community or industry, I thought I was going to see just a bunch of Black and Brown entrepreneurs who just happen to be in cannabis. I expected it to reflect the industry as I knew it at the time and that’s not what happened at all – not a lot of representation for my race or my culture.”

After that, Wagstaffe attended every event she could from industry networking mixers to underground seshs. She would enter these spaces and ask herself, would her weed guy be comfortable networking in them? Most of the time, the answer was no. In response, she established WOCC to help ease entry into the cannabis space for people of color, but more specifically for women of color. The platform has been education-based since its first offering, a class called “What’s the 411?” that explained the differences in policing, fines, and jail times for possession and intent to distribute in each Borough. Now, WOCC hosts monthly networking events to connect community members who are interested in cannabis entrepreneurship.

WOCC is involved in planning another track of events that are part of CannaCareers, a one-stop-shop employment services program founded by Wagstaffe, Ashley Boucher of Quality Control Analytics, and Danielle Schumacher of THC Staffing. They established the program in 2020 after recognizing the need for assistance in finding high-quality cannabis industry jobs. Each founder brings unique cannabis industry experience that they have used to build a well-rounded curriculum and other offerings. CannaCareers offers education, resume review sessions, and a well-vetted jobs board to people of color, returning citizens, veterans and LGBTQ+ community members looking to find a job in the industry. They often bring in experts to teach modules on topics outside of the founders’ expertise. The topics change monthly and are chosen based on industry trends and community feedback. Wagstaffe wants people to engage with these materials and walk away with usable knowledge.

“I think that education should be fun. I personally like education but a lot of people may not. If you make something enjoyable, people are going to pay attention, people are going to have something to walk away with,” said Wagstaffe. “We’re all about collaboration, we’re all about uplifting not only women but especially women and people of color. So we are very sensitive to the fact that we do not know everything and we are going to play to our strong suits. What was important to us was bringing in trusted partners that can help us build a really robust but equally useful program for our community members.”

CannaCareers builds new modules each month where guest experts provide session materials for members to review on their own time, followed by a live Q&A where experts provide in-depth answers to participants’ questions. For those who don’t watch the Q&A or engage with the speaker’s materials, CannaCareers releases a .pdf worksheet that contains the core information from each session alongside PPT presentations and recordings of the sessions.

In addition to classes, Schumacher and vocational consultant Amber McDonald are available for free one-on-one office hours for resume and cover letter review sessions. They review the resumes before their meetings and provide personalized advice on tailoring the CV and resumes for the cannabis industry or to find a specific role. During these office hours, members are also encouraged to practice interviewing skills and discuss how to prepare for their job search. At this point, they can check out the WOCC Job Board. The board features industry positions across all pay ranges and titles but what sets it apart from other job boards is that every opportunity is vetted by WOCC and CannaCareers partners to determine whether they are safe spaces for BIPOC and other marginalized communities.

Before applying, companies are asked to fill out a basic checklist to show that they foster a safe work environment. Some notable checklist items ask whether there’s an HR representative on staff and another verifies if the company has a plan of escalation for racial sensitivity and sexual harassment. After finishing the checklist, companies will then go through an application process and an interview. Ensuring that members find positions they can thrive in is of the utmost importance to each CannaCareers founder — they have each had their own negative experiences in the cannabis industry, and they’re dedicated to weeding unsafe environments from the jobs board.

“We know a lot of these companies are not safe spaces. Not to women, not to minorities, not to members of the LGBTQ community,” Wagstaffe said. “Fine, let’s just operate under the assumption that everybody is just ignorant and they don’t know better – and that’s us being very generous. Let’s just help educate them, we’re going to provide you as much information as we can.”

“The interview process is another way to say, ‘let’s see your intent,’” she explained. “Maybe you don’t have everything on the checklist, but you have enough and you’ve expressed through the interview and application process that you’re on the right track. We take that into consideration.”

CannaCareers leadership is always interviewing and vetting companies but they will turn away brands who are just looking for a stamp without doing the work. Their goal isn’t to have 1,000 open positions on the job board, it’s to fill the board with valued open roles for the WOCC community.

The founders thoughtfully built these educational pillars and Wagstaffe has approached the next WOCC expansion just as thoughtfully — she identified that the next need for her community was re-entry support. WOCC will soon launch UnCaged, a new initiative that will support victims of the war on drugs and help repair damage caused by the prison industrial complex.

Once someone is released, they face countless barriers to re-establishing their lives on the outside. Many formerly incarcerated people stay in halfway houses with strangers without access to family and with limited job options. Many released individuals face homelessness and hunger as a result. Wagstaffe will be rolling out various initiatives to support the re-entry of the formerly incarcerated. More details will be released soon but she did inform us that part of this work will include providing re-entered individuals with NYC MetroCards to help them get to job interviews and visit family. With these initiatives alongside CannaCareers and CannaSessions, formerly incarcerated legacy cannabis entrepreneurs will have improved access to New York’s regulated cannabis industry.

To stay updated on the launch of UnCaged, get involved in CannaCareers, or support WOCC, check out wocc.world.

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Kentucky Senate Will Not Vote on Medical Cannabis Bill

3/31/2022

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Kentucky Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer (R) told reporters on Tuesday that there are “not enough votes” to pass medical cannabis reforms with only three days left in the state’s legislative session, WHAS 11 reports. The measure was approved by the House earlier this month.

Thayer had previously indicated he would bring the bill up for a vote in the chamber were there enough support from lawmakers.

Democratic state Sen. Morgan McGarvey disagreed with Thayer’s assessment and said that even if it were true, the Senate should still vote on the proposal before the end of the session.

“The people of Kentucky deserve to know who supports it and who doesn’t,” he said in the report.

In January, Senate President Robert Stivers (R) said he was open to discussing the medical cannabis bill but had personal concerns about advancing it.

It is the third time the House has approved a medical cannabis bill and the Senate has not taken it up. The measure was limited in its scope, allowing only patients with cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, epilepsy, chronic nausea, and post-traumatic stress disorder to access the program.

After Wednesday’s session, Kentucky lawmakers will take a 10-day break before returning to the Capitol on April 13 and 14 for the final two days of the 2022 term. The proposal had passed the House 59-34.

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South Dakota Now Approving Medical Cannabis Patients and Physicians

3/31/2022

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South Dakota officials as of Tuesday had approved 306 patients for the state’s medical cannabis program along with 90 physicians to make patient recommendations, according to state Department of Health (DOH) data outlined by KELO. Health officials have also denied 45 applications by physicians seeking to participate in the program.

According to state rules, a physician is required to begin the process of applying for a medical cannabis card. First, patients must schedule an appointment with a physician who is licensed to prescribe medication and patients must meet in person with a physician with whom they have a ‘bona fide practitioner-patient relationship.’

DOH Content Developer and Web Strategist Jennifer Baker noted that the denied applications for physician accounts are usually patients inadvertently applying through the physician portal. It is unknown how many of the physician denials were doctors seeking program approval.

In all, there are 2,214 active physicians in the state and the 90 approved represent just 4.07% of those active doctors. Were medical cannabis sales to begin today, with a total South Dakota population estimate of 895,376, it would mean that there would currently only be one physician to recommend medical cannabis for every 9,948.6 South Dakotans, the report says. If Delaware’s medical cannabis patient rate per population were applied to South Dakota – Delaware’s population is similar to South Dakota’s – the 1.59% rate would mean 14,236 South Dakotans would be medical cannabis patients, and with just 90 doctors approved for the program, there would be just one physician for every 158.18 medical cannabis patients, according to KELO.

The state has so far approved 126 dispensary applications, 16 cultivation-only applications, 10 licenses allowing cultivation, manufacturing, and dispensing, eight cultivation- and manufacture-only licenses, five for dispensaries and cultivation, and just one each for testing facilities and manufacturing-only.

Medical cannabis became legal in South Dakota on July 1 after being approved by voters in the 2020 General Election.

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Minnesota May License Additional Medical Cannabis Producers

3/31/2022

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A bill introduced in Minnesota would add at least two more medical cannabis producers in the state, aiming to increase production, spur more competition, and perhaps drive prices down, 5 Eyewitness News reports. Republican state Sen. Mark Koran, the bill’s sponsor, said there could be “a lot of benefits” to adding more medical cannabis producers by 2024.

“More competition can lead to better prices for patients and then we have to ask ourselves, ‘What does success look like?’ so that we are careful to not dilute the market.” – Koran to 5 Eyewitness News

Dr. Stephen Dahmer, chief medical officer of Green Goods, said he doesn’t think more producers are needed, noting that the company’s “average unit price dropped by nearly 30%” since the flower option was added for patients on March 1. He contended that the $45 price point for flower in Minnesota’s dispensaries “is not too off the market” – which he pegged at $35 in the unregulated market.

“Again, you’re getting a trusted product dispensed by pharmacists from a trusted company that’s gone through the system,” Dahmer told 5 Eyewitness News. “A huge market difference between what you’re receiving at a cannabis patient center than on the illicit market. Ideally, we would love to approach that illicit market costs because, again, patients should not have to buy cannabis on the street.”

The bill was introduced on Tuesday and has bipartisan support but has not yet had a committee hearing.

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Cyo Nystrom: The Intersection of Cannabis Medicine & Vaginal Health

3/30/2022

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Despite our movement towards a more sex-positive society, the topic of vaginal health is still often left untouched. For example, even the medical treatment for a urinary tract infection (UTI) can lead to an environment encouraging yet another UTI.

This cyclical experience is what led Quim co-founder Cyo Nystrom to consider creating her own vaginal self-care products. In this Q&A, Cyo discusses crafting her own vaginal health products and how that led to her founding a business with a childhood friend, Rachel Washtien. The interview also touches on Quim’s research and development process, strategies to help their products reach their target audience, and more!

Scroll down for the full interview.

Ganjapreneur: How did you meet co-founder Rachel Washtien?

Cyo Nystrom: Rachel and I grew up together in San Francisco and met when we were five years old playing soccer in the Golden Gate Park youth rec league.

Why did you and Rachel decide to start Quim together?

I had been making infused vaginal health and sexual wellness products for for myself and some of my girlfriends. I never in a million years thought it would turn into a business but after a few years my friends kept coming back asking for refills and I’d get texts from friends of friends asking to try it. At that point I realized that maybe there was an opportunity to turn this personal project into a real business and started looking for a business partner. I know what I’m good at and what I either hate doing or just simply have no aptitude for so I wanted to find a partner who had a complimentary skill set.

Rachel had just gotten back from 9 months of traveling in South America and we reconnected at a friend’s birthday in Sonoma. She was talking about what she wanted out of the next chapter of her life and career and honestly a light bulb just went off — I knew she would be an amazing business partner and starting Quim would be a true adventure for both of us. I “proposed” to her the following week and we’ve been building ever since.

Did you study plant medicine prior to co-founding Quim?

I haven’t formally studied plant medicine but have always been interested in the medicinal benefits of plants and have been making my own vaginal health products since I was 23.

What does the R&D process look like from the moment that you have an idea for a new formulation to the product hitting shelves?

All of our products are born out of personal need. As someone who has struggled with vaginal health issues for over 15 years, I’m incredibly aware of gaps in the market. We’re not interested in launching “Quim versions” of existing products that are already available and effective. Once we’ve identified a need — both personally and for other folks with vaginas — we brainstorm what we’re looking to solve, if the product can have multiple use cases, and ingredients we’re excited about incorporating. From there we start working with our product development team which includes doctors, herbalists, and naturopaths. Depending on the complexity of the product, the process of taking it from idea stage to sample-testing stage can take anywhere from 4 months to a year. We’ll usually receive a couple of samples with slight variations in the formulation and begin a blind-sampling process with friends, family, and volunteer consumers. Once we collect all the necessary data points and ensure that the chosen formula is scalable with our manufacturer, we’ll move forward with production. Typically, we begin the naming and product packaging process with our design firm, DesignSake Studio, as soon as we’ve identified the key hero ingredients, size, texture, and rough estimation of MSRP. This allows us ample time to incorporate the upcoming product into brand messaging, make the necessary updates to our website, and secure all the packaging components from our suppliers.

What were your priorities when choosing a packaging partner for Quim products?

Sustainability, reliability, and cost.

Have customers shared any noticeable differences between the products that include THC and those that are just CBD?

In general, the effects of the products vary so much from person to person so it’s hard to say what the most noticeable differences are between the THC products and CBD products. Anecdotally, I think the THC products can bring a bigger WOW factor to sexual experiences and that the CBD products are incredibly helpful for folks working to overcome pain, inflammation, or dryness.

How does Quim strategize reaching their target customer demographic in the California adult-use market?

Since launching the THC products in 2018, we’ve learned that Quim is not a fit for every dispensary. And while that lesson was a tough one to learn, it’s allowed us to partner much more deeply with the shops that are a good fit. Our products require a pretty high level of education so we need to work with dispensaries that invest in staff training and prioritize consumer education, not just which products have the highest THC level per dollar amount.

How does the team identify which dispensaries will be a good fit for Quim products?

Since we’ve been in the market for a while, we already have great partners for most geographic locations. We generally look for dispensaries that catered to a more femme identifying audience that carry other high-end “boutique” products like Garden Society or Pure Beauty who are also deeply committed to both staff and consumer education.

Does the brand do trial buys or have any other strategies for testing a new retail partnership?

The California Cannabis regulations make it nearly impossible for a smaller brand like Quim to do trial buys but we do recommend that shops begin with a smaller initial order (one case of each SKU) and that we do a budtender/staff training the week before they launch Quim’s products to ensure quick sell through of existing inventory.

Do you educate retail staff on Quim formulations, uses, and selling points when introducing products to their store?

100%. We will only sell Quim products to dispensaries that are deeply committed to educating their staff members and typically train teams on a quarterly basis.

What has been the biggest challenge in launching a vaginal self-care product in the California cannabis industry?

Educating people on the benefits of putting weed in their vaginas! Most people come into a dispensary looking for flower, edibles, or vapes. If they are looking for topicals, it’s probably to relieve muscle pain of some sort. As a company, Quim has to overcome a number of taboos and really invest in helping people understand the intersection of plant medicine and sexual wellness.

Is Quim working on any new formulations and/or entering any new product categories?

Yes! We’re launching a number of new products this year and are so excited about bringing new plant-based solutions to the market.

What is a piece of advice that you wish you had when starting Quim?

Sometimes the greatest opportunities arise out of what appear to be the biggest challenges, obstacles, or setbacks. Trust your gut and have faith in the process.

Thank you, Cyo, for answering all of our questions! To learn more about Cyo Nystrom and Quim, visit ItsQuim.com.

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Pabst Labs Opens Production Facility for THC-Infused Beverages

3/30/2022

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Pabst Labs is opening a “cutting edge manufacturing facility and distribution center” for its Cannabis-Infused Seltzer in Desert Hot Springs, California, Food & Wine reports. The company describes the facility as “one of the few dedicated cannabis beverage facilities in America,” which would give the company more than triple its current product production capabilities.

Chuck Barlick, Pabst Labs’ director of production said that the new factory “will operate under customary world-class manufacturing practices,” such as Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), Safe Quality Foods (SQF), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Lean Manufacturing, and Visual Work Instructions.

“Leveraging over twenty years of beverage manufacturing experience, the goal while building our factory was to establish a standard for quality and efficiency that would set the bar in all cannabis infused beverages facilities for years to come. It’s a game changer.” – Barlick to Food & Wine

The company will produce its 10 milligram THC, non-alcohol High Seltzer, Not Your Father’s Cannabis-Infused Root Beer, and the St. Ides Cannabis product line – which includes their 100mg cannabis-infused four-ounce shots – at the facility. Pabst will also allow other brands to access the facility through co-packaging relationships, which the company said should “raise beverage quality and opportunity across the industry.”

According to Headset data outlined by Food & Wine, PBR High Seltzer is one of the top-selling THC-infused carbonated beverages in California.

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Kentucky Bill Would Outlaw Delta-8 Products

3/30/2022

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A bill introduced in Kentucky – which passed the Senate earlier this month – seeks to ban delta-8 THC products in the state, according to a Spectrum News report. The proposal comes following a February decision by a Boone County Circuit Court judge that imposed a temporary injunction on officials cracking down on the products in lieu of specific legislation outlawing the compound. That lawsuit was brought by the Kentucky Hemp Association.

State Sen. Paul Hornback (R), who led the effort to legalize hemp in the state, said that while he doesn’t want hemp production to be impeded in the state, he believes the industry is “growing in the wrong direction … with a product that is hazardous to the public.”

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture had previously warned hemp growers and processors that distributing delta-8 products is illegal, claiming it is considered a controlled substance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Dee Dee Taylor, founder and CEO of 502 Hemp and Wellness Center, said that if the bill is approved “it would be detrimental.” She said that her customers use the products most commonly for sleep and anxiety.

“I mean, it will completely decimate the entire hemp industry,” she said.

In a statement last July, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture argued that delta-8 products are not derived naturally from the hemp plant and are lab-made, which excludes them from the hemp reforms. The agency also claimed that producers use “battery acid and pool chemicals” to make delta-8 products from hemp.

“Now, some want to argue that lawmakers accidentally legalized an intoxicating synthetic substance called Delta-8 THC,” the agency said in the statement. “This position is outside the mainstream, so much so that even Colorado – a state known for legalizing recreational marijuana – has banned Delta-8 THC products.”

The proposal is currently in the Senate Agriculture Committee and Committee on Committees.

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Majority of New York Voters Oppose Prioritizing Licenses for Cannabis Offenders

3/30/2022

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A majority of New York voters – 54% – oppose giving the first batch of the state’s adult-use cannabis licenses to social equity applicants, according to a Siena University poll published on Monday, which found a just a third of voters approved the plan.

According to the poll, the proposal is opposed by 72% of Republicans, with 19% in favor. Less than half of Democrats (45%) support the plan with 43% opposed. More than half (55%) of all independent voters also oppose giving social-equity applicants the state’s first adult-use licenses.

Less than half of Black voters (48%) support the proposal, with 37% in favor, while a slim majority (52%) of Latino voters are in favor, with 30% opposed, the poll found.

“Giving first dibs on marijuana licenses to those previously convicted divides Democrats and New York City voters,” Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg said in a statement. “Strong majorities of Republicans, independents, voters outside New York City, and white voters give it a thumbs down. Latino voters support it by 12 points and Black voters by 11 points.”

Under the program, called the Seeding Opportunity Initiative, the first adult-use retail licenses in the state will be made available to individuals with prior cannabis-related offenses that also have a background in owning and operating a small business.

Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) has said that giving the first licenses to the social equity cohort “takes a major step forward in righting the wrongs of the past.”

Hochul has also included a $200 million social equity investment program in her 2023 Executive Budget.

This Siena College Poll was conducted March 20-24, 2022 among 804 New York State registered voters.

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Top Five Packaging Trends for Cannabis Branding

3/29/2022

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Cannabis packaging is becoming a significant subject as the marijuana industry gains traction and global attention. With support for cannabis hitting new levels, the number of marijuana companies and consumers is expected to rise. For this reason, the future of designer weed packaging holds a great deal of excitement for consumers and packaging companies alike.

Market reports predict that the global cannabis market value will reach $1.6 billion by 2024. Hence, cannabis brands must prepare for the supply challenges imminent with this exponential growth. Moreover, cannabis packaging companies should also brace themselves for the changing regulations within the industry.

As with any other industry, various novel trends are also expected to crop up as the sector advances. Therefore, marijuana firms need to keep up with cannabis packaging trends to ensure they remain ahead of the curve and stay afloat in the competitive market.

Furthermore, since the best cannabis brands are the most likely to benefit from the new changes, small integrated cannabis producers must fight to keep up with the changes. Keeping yourself abreast with the most prevalent cannabis packaging trends can help you position yourself for the growing industry.

Positioning Your Brand For Success

There has been a growing need for cannabis brands to stand out among the masses. Building an effective brand strategy is one of the best ways to position your business for success within the market. Here are some practical ways to develop the best cannabis dispensary branding strategy.

Identify Your Target Audience

A common mistake cannabis brands make when positioning themselves for success is assuming that they serve everyone who consumes marijuana. Unlike previously, when cannabis dispensaries were rare, opening a marijuana store is no longer enough to lure more customers.

For this reason, marijuana brands need to identify their target audience to precisely cater to the consumers who will benefit from their products and services. After that, they must find the weed package design that best appeals to this demographic. Doing this will help you decide the messaging, imagery, and overall tone of your cannabis package design.

Determine What Makes Your Firm Unique

Once you have an idea of your target audience, the next step is figuring out how your cannabis product brand can uniquely cater to their needs. Whether it provides custom cannabis packaging, specific products, or expertise, a unique value proposition will be a plus for your business, setting it apart from the competition. Capitalizing on the factors that make your cannabis packaging design exceptional will lure more clients to your stores.

Keep Up With Local And State Regulations

Lawmakers are yet to legalize cannabis on a federal level. Therefore, weed brands require a mixture of extensive knowledge of local and state regulations and creativity to market their businesses. Apart from dictating where cannabis brands can operate and what products they can sell, these regulations also have a say in advertising policies.

Therefore, staying up to date with these laws will help you stay on the right side of the law, preventing you from incurring costly penalties. For instance, policies require products like custom edible packaging to meet specific standards. Thus, advertising goods with a cannabis packaging design that lacks these specifications could be detrimental.

The Top Five Trends For Cannabis Branding

Change is the only constant thing. This adage is especially true for the cannabis branding industry since it faces regular policy changes.

Consequently, entrepreneurs must keep up with the latest cannabis packaging trends to ensure they don’t break the law while luring consumers to their products. The following are the top five trends for cannabis branding that can help bring substantial changes to your business and position it for success.

Sustainable Packaging

Climate change is a global problem that continues to raise concerns. Radical solutions need to be adopted to tackle the problem head-on. A sustainable weed package design is arguably the most proactive measure to reduce the carbon footprint of the marijuana sector.

It’s crucial to consider the type of cannabis packaging design acceptable in the market since the industry is becoming immensely lucrative.

Hence, creating cannabis dispensary branding that markets biodegradable packaging and sustainable business practices is a significant step in the right direction. Business owners can utilize a recycling marijuana logo design to indicate that their packaging products are free of harmful chemicals.

Customizable Packaging

Customizable packaging is also among the cannabis packaging trends that will take over the industry soon. Custom packaging items make products stand out on shelves, increasing the chances of sales. This is why many cannabis entrepreneurs are sourcing beautiful cannabis packaging unique to their brand to ensure they make as many sales as possible.

Custom weed jars are some of the most customizable packaging items for marijuana dispensaries. The products can accommodate a variety of cannabis packaging design, which makes them versatile. You can match them up with custom labels for jars to make your brand even more spectacular and unique.

Marijuana producers can also use custom cones when making joints for cannabis stores and dispensaries. Apart from giving your products a premium look, the custom weed package design also makes them stand out. You can easily use the beautiful cannabis packaging designs to convey various messages to your clients.

Compliance Packaging

Lawmakers have already legalized marijuana in more than half of the states in America. Consequently, the best cannabis brands are sourcing custom concentrate packaging and other compliant packaging solutions to ensure they remain relevant.

Child-resistant packaging products like custom mylar bags are perhaps the most sought-after compliant packaging goods in the market. Given that cannabis regulations are subject to regular changes, entrepreneurs within the industry must get a cannabis packaging design that eliminates the need to re-envision their packaging.

Fortunately, most of the regulations surrounding marijuana packaging are rules meant to protect the safety of children. Hence, it’s best to purchase bulk child-resistant items like custom pre-roll packaging to avoid overhauls in their cannabis dispensary branding and packaging.

Minimalistic Packaging

There’s no denying that the modern consumer market is filled with advertisements and marketing campaigns. Previously, brands competed for consumer attention using flashy logos and bold colors. However, such cannabis branding may cause more harm than good to a business since consumers feel overwhelmed by the packaging.

Alternatively, business owners can use a minimalistic weed package design to ensure they don’t swamp their clients. Achieving this requires companies to strip down to the essential elements and avoid clutter. The goal of this cannabis branding technique is simplicity and functionality without any unnecessary embellishments and decorations.

Apart from achieving a more refined and fresh look, weeding out unnecessary elements in your cannabis packaging can help reduce the number of materials required. What’s more, you can achieve all this without compromising the quality of your goods.

Bold New Designs

Although many cannabis companies are leaning towards minimalistic cannabis packaging trends, innovation is not dead within the sector. Marijuana brands can use a mix of bold and contemporary ideas to produce excellent new packaging designs.

Given that the number of marijuana consumers is on the rise, other forms of consuming cannabis are becoming more popular by the day. Cannabis-infused edibles like cookies and sweets are among the most suitable alternative way to enjoy cannabis for many people. Therefore, cannabis producers must adopt bold new designs for custom edible packaging to keep their products fresh.

For this reason, weed brands are coming up with ingenious designer weed packaging solutions to accommodate these products. Marijuana firms must select befitting packaging products to help retain the potency and shape of the edibles. This has led to the rise of bold new concepts within the cannabis industry.

These innovative packaging products are the best solutions for cannabis edibles, from tin containers to custom mylar bags. Not only do they prevent the edibles from losing their taste, potency, or shape, but they also help increase the longevity of the goods on shelves.

The Bottom Line

Cannabis legalization is rising rapidly in America and across the world. Entrepreneurs in this sector must keep up with trends in the market to strategically position themselves for success. Considering that packaging is a significant part of any marketing strategy, keeping up with cannabis packaging trends is paramount for companies within the sector.

Fortunately, there are numerous innovative packaging options for cannabis companies to explore. Nevertheless, with policies and regulations constantly changing within the industry, staying ahead of the curve is paramount to succeed in such a competitive business environment.

One of the most popular packaging trends that can help cannabis companies retain clients is customizable packaging. While other trends may vary depending on industry policies, custom cannabis packaging will always give marijuana firms an edge over their competition by allowing them to dictate the appearance of their packaging solutions. Even so, the other marijuana packaging trends can also help your business stay afloat and are worth a deeper look.

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New Mexico Issues Medical Cannabis Recall

3/29/2022

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The New Mexico Cannabis Control Division (CCD) has issued a recall for products sold by licensed medical cannabis vendor Sacred Garden, according to the NM Political Reporter. The recall comes after a medical cannabis patient found flower tainted with mold and reported it to the Division.

Although the flower passed presale pathogen tests, the more contaminated flower was found upon further inspection. The CCD says all Sacred Garden products must be retested before they can return to the shelf.

Customers should be on the lookout for “cannabis bud, pre-rolls, and food products” of the Gardens Snow Cone and Protégé strains at locations in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Ruidoso, and Santa Fe. For those who may have purchased recalled products within the past 30 days, the lot numbers are available for viewing.

The moldy flower tested at 35,000 Colony Forming Units, 35 times the 1,000 Colony Forming Unit threshold allowed under New Mexico’s medical cannabis rules. Inhaling mold can be extremely dangerous, especially for those with certain medical conditions, the report says.

Sacred Gardens was previously involved in the decision to exempt medical cannabis sales from New Mexico’s gross receipt tax like other prescription drugs. The case began in 2014 when Sacred Gardens asked for a refund on their gross receipt taxes paid that year to the Taxation and Revenue Department. The department denied the request. Sacred Gardens filed an appeal and in 2020, a court of appeals ruled in their favor. The state disagreed with the ruling and in February 2022, New Mexico‘s Supreme Court settled the question, siding with Sacred Gardens and other plaintiffs in the case.

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B Real Launches New Dr. Greenthumb’s Flower Line

3/29/2022

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Cypress Hill frontman B Real has announced a new line of flower coming out under his Dr. Greenthumb brand. Available first in Dr. Greenthumb dispensaries in April, wider distribution is planned for the brand in May across California.

Recognizing consumers’ different price point tolerance, the line is divided into three categories, “loyal,” “legacy,” and “unapologetic.” In addition to each batch of flower passing B Real’s quality test, Dr. Greenthumb flower producers are vetted for their “history, authenticity, and dedication to cannabis culture,” the company said in a press release.

In an email to Ganjapreneur, B Real said he plans to expand the brand in the near future outside of California, possibly starting in Colorado, Michigan, and Massachusetts. He said he wants to deliver what he “would smoke, at the price point it is worth, from a gardener that I would stand behind as a soldier in this war against both prohibitionists and culture suckers looking to appropriate the plant.”

“I have a twofold mission with Dr. Green thumb’s flower. I want to honor the legacy of cannabis by ensuring the original cultivators have a place in the industry and provide accessible, quality cannabis for everyone’s budget.” – B Real in a statement

Dr. Greenthumb partner farms are approved by B Real and his team, who share the approval process via online video through a QR code that comes with each purchase. Strains will change according to each farm’s menu and will be exclusive to the brand. Farms will change regularly, the company said in a press release.

The rapper indicated that a line of concentrates will follow flower in each market and he wanted to assure fans Dr. Greenthumb “remains independent” and everyone should expect to “see the brand in a lot of really cool places, doing some awesome things.”

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Arizona’s Social Equity License Drawing Set for April

3/29/2022

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Arizona officials are set to hold a drawing next month for social-equity cannabis licenses. In all, there are 26 licenses set aside for individuals from communities that were disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs.

The state Health Department said in a press release that more than 1,500 applications for the licenses were filed but it is not yet clear how many of those will make it into the April 8 drawing.

The lottery will be conducted by New Jersey-based Smartplay International Inc. which is used throughout the U.S. for state lottery and raffle drawings. The company serves more than 400 lottery, gaming, and promotional organizations in 114 countries. The accounting and auditing firm Henry and Horne will oversee the drawing, the agency said.

The drawing will be held at the Arizona Department of Health Services with industry and news media representatives witnessing and streamed live on the agency website.

The social-equity licenses are each valued at more than $10 million. Applicants had to pay a $4,000 non-refundable fee to enter the lottery and the state made $6 million from the applicants.

Under the state’s social equity requirements, principal officers or board members of the applying company holding at least 51% ownership in the entity must meet three of four criteria, including having an annual household income in at least three of the years from 2016 through 2020 that, for the respective year, was less than 400% of the poverty level; has – or had expunged – a prior state or federal cannabis-related conviction; a close relative who has a prior cannabis-related conviction; and has lived for at least three years from 2016 through 2020 in an area that has been identified by the Health Department as being disproportionately affected by the enforcement of Arizona’s previous cannabis laws.

 

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Louisiana Bill Would Jail Minors for Low-Level Cannabis Possession

3/29/2022

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A bill proposed in Louisiana would reimplement jail time for individuals under 18-years-old convicted of possessing 14 grams or less of cannabis, the Louisiana Illuminator reports. The measure would impose a 15-day jail term for a minor’s first offense, a two-year sentence for a third conviction, and a four-year term for a fourth offense.

The proposal comes less than a year after state lawmakers approved a cannabis decriminalization law that eliminated jail time for individuals convicted of possessing 14 grams of cannabis or less, opting instead for fines that cannot exceed $100.

Under the bill, proposed by state Rep. Larry Bagley (R), adults would still face no jail for possessing less than 14 grams of cannabis. The measure also includes exceptions for children possessing their own medical cannabis products.

Bagley said the change is needed because K-12 schools in his community are unable to keep cannabis off their campuses and that the district attorney in his hometown, DeSoto Parish, has no way to force minors into drug treatment through drug court without the threat of incarceration. Bagley said he believes that the threat of incarceration could be used to push the children into the rehabilitation programs and argued that the proposal is not about “trying to put people in prison.”

State Rep. Nicholas Muscarello (R) agreed that laws around minors possessing cannabis should be tighter but argued that “no judge” would put “a kid in jail for six months for marijuana.”

“We are trying to rehabilitate children,” he said in an interview with the Illuminator. “This allows our courts to kind of keep them in check and put them in drug courts.”

State Rep. Danny McCormick (R) questioned why the penalty for minors possessing cannabis would be harsher than that for possessing alcohol.

“Alcohol, in my opinion, would be greatly more harmful than marijuana,” he said in the report.

The bill was advanced last week by the House Committee on the Administration of Criminal Justice to the full chamber.

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Austin, Texas May Let Some First Responders Use Medical Cannabis

3/29/2022

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The Austin, Texas City Council Public Safety Committee is considering allowing some city employed first responders to use medical cannabis, FOX 7 reports. If approved, the policy would cover all first responders except those that carry firearms – such as police officers and arson investigators – and those who operate commercial vehicles due to federal prohibition.

The policy would also prohibit the use of any THC on the job, which is prohibited under the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act.

Assistant City Manager Ray Arellano said the state’s medical cannabis law is “silent” on whether registered patients are permitted to use low-THC products at work. He looked at other cities’ medical cannabis policies and found that, of the 20 cities surveyed, only Boston allows medical cannabis use among first responders – nine cities surveyed do not allow it while 10 did not respond.

“I think what we’re trying to do is find a solution that keeps us square with all the regulations that are out there.” – Arellano to FOX 7

The proposal comes as some city agencies, like Austin Police Department and Austin-Travis County EMS face staffing shortages; EMS in November removed a question from their applications about prior cannabis use but first responders can still be fired if they test positive for cannabis on a drug test.

Arellano said he would defer to individual agencies to address the issue during the contract negotiation process but a specific measure has not yet been introduced to the council.

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How to Get the Most Out of B2B Cannabis Events

3/29/2022

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Business-to-business (B2B) cannabis conferences are an extremely useful resource for cannabis entrepreneurs at any stage of launching and/or operating their business. Whether you are attending your first-ever cannabis conference this year or you are returning to the events circuit after a pandemic-driven hiatus, this is a guide to help you get the most out of your ticket.

Setting your expectations

While cannabis consumption is not necessarily prohibited at these B2B conferences (although it frequently is, due to either state law or restrictions set by the hosting venue), these are not typically consumption-focused events. It is important to set this expectation so neither you nor anyone on your team is surprised or disappointed with their event experience.

That said, it’s not like attendees are going to be offended by some light cannabis use and you’re unlikely to be ostracized if someone spies you sipping on a vape pen outside (note: this can of course vary to a degree, depending on the city and/or venue). The bottom line is that one must “know thyself” — i.e. make your own call on consumption. Just remember that most of the people attending these events are either there on the clock as a representative for their company or brand, or they are there to both develop themselves professionally and expand their industry knowledge.

Our last tip here is to consider saving your smoking circles for the after-parties! (More on those, later).

Endless opportunities to learn

B2B cannabis events offer a wealth of educational opportunities including keynote speaker presentations and topic-specific seminars featuring industry experts at the top of their fields. Such seminars also typically end with open Q&A sessions so you can get answers to your questions directly from the masters of their craft. Some events even offer roundtable discussions where you can get your answers in a more intimate/efficient setting — but if not, there is plenty of opportunity for gathering peer-to-peer knowledge by networking on the exhibition floor!

The latest trends on display

From advanced robotics to the latest in grow light technology, the cannabis space is a petri dish for innovation and cannabis industry events are where service providers and inventors go to show off their latest goods. You never know what you’re going to see; it could be the latest development in nano-emulsification technology, the newest fish-based fertilizer to hit the market, or something way out of left field — like a fleet of flying robots to monitor your massive industrial hemp crop — if it’s new and successful, it’s going to be a hit for the industry.

Business-to-business cannabis conferences are often where these trends are first proven or discovered.

From keynote addresses to intimate Q&A sessions with the industry’s leading experts, B2B conferences are an excellent resource for the modern cannabis entrepreneur.

Exhibiting your brand

While attendees obviously stand to gain a lot from their trip to a cannabis conference, there are also enormous benefits to being an exhibitor at one of these events. The ability to put your brand and/or product face-to-face with hundreds if not thousands of potential purchasers can be worth the asking price of exhibition alone, but there are other advantages.

“Networking” at these events, for example, is often more than just meeting new people or collecting business cards — some businesses at these shows are conducting wholesale purchases on the exhibition floor, signing new partnerships, meeting and securing investors, and more. Even though they may have paid for admission or an exhibition booth, a particularly successful conference will generate huge savings for a brand in the long run due to these special opportunities.

Some tips for networking

Nearly everyone at a B2B cannabis conference is going to be after the same thing: expanding their knowledge of the industry and pursuing new, fruitful partnerships.

Here are some final tips to consider as we return to the B2B events circuit:

  • You’re going to see more ancillary businesses on display — such as accountants, insurance agents, packaging firms, security consultants, etc. — than you will actual cannabis entrepreneurs (and that’s by design). People in attendance, however, are much more likely to be “touch-the-plant” entrepreneurs, or at least considering such a career.
  • Cannabis is going mainstream, so don’t be surprised to encounter representatives from the more “mainstream” brands you would find in any other industry. They might even be attending their first-ever cannabis industry event, so be friendly and say “hello” — they are probably just as excited as you!
  • Don’t forget about the after-parties! There is an impressive amount of business networking that goes on during the after-hour parties that inevitably crop up around a B2B cannabis conference. Keep your eyes and ears out if this sounds like something you would enjoy — lots of times, these parties will be arranged by brands who are local to the area, and sometimes even by the event coordinators themselves.

Conclusion

Our final recommendation is simply to remember to approach each event with a goal or list of goals that you hope to achieve. Whether it’s finding some new investment dollars, connecting with a staffing agency, or just learning more about the cannabis cultivation process from experts at the top of their field, cannabis industry conferences are an excellent and exciting resource.

Bottom line: in-person events are back! It’s time to make your plan and get back to doing business.

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U.S. House Poised to Approve Federal Cannabis Legalization

3/28/2022

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The U.S. House is set to vote this week on the MORE Act, which would legalize cannabis federally, The Hill reports. The vote could come as soon as Wednesday, and the Democrat-controlled chamber has the votes to pass the broad reform package.

Last week the Senate unanimously passed a bill to expand scientific and medical research on cannabis and last month the House passed the SAFE Banking Act for the sixth time, which would allow cannabis businesses access to traditional financial services from which they are currently blocked due to federal prohibition; the Senate, which is narrowly controlled by Democrats, has never taken up the proposal.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), a co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, told The Hill that this Congress “represents a sea change” on cannabis policy.

“What we have seen is that the majority of people now realize that the War on Drugs failed. Drugs are more accessible and cheaper and more potent and dangerous. Nobody won this war, except people who were involved with the drug dealers themselves.” – Blumenauer to The Hill

The MORE Act – or the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act – would establish a process to expunge nonviolent federal cannabis convictions and impose a federal tax on cannabis sales that would be used to fund programs to help communities negatively impacted by the war on drugs.

The chamber passed the legislation in December 2020 by a 228 to 164 margin with five Republicans crossing party lines to vote in favor and six Democrats joining the opposition. One of the Republicans, Rep. Don Young (AK), who voted for the bill died last week and Blumenauer said the margin “might be tighter” for the vote.

A Pew Research Center poll from last April found 91% of U.S. adults said cannabis should be legalized federally, with 60% saying it should be legalized for both medical and adult use and 31% saying it should only be legalized for medical purposes.

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Georgia Police Forced to Return Cash and Hemp-Derived Products Seized During Raids

3/28/2022

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Law enforcement agencies in Georgia are being forced to return hemp-derived products they seized during recent raids, Channel 2 Action News reports. The products range from CBD to hemp-derived THC products, such as delta-8, that are considered legal under the state’s hemp law.

In November, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office raided Sahil Kumar’s grocery store in Danielsville and seized all of their delta-8 and CBD products – worth $30,000 – along with all of the money in his register.

“He took cash out of my register, and my cousin was there, and he had cash in his pocket. For two days, I couldn’t sleep, because I’m thinking in my mind, ‘We’ve done something wrong, we’re going to go to jail for breaking the law.’” – Kumar to Channel 2

Kumar’s products and cash were ultimately returned after he hired an attorney, Devin Rafus, who proved the products were legal and that deputies didn’t understand the state’s hemp law.

“Because the label has THC on it, law enforcement or the prosecutor’s office thinks it must be illegal because we all think it’s delta-9, which is illegal,” Rafus told Channel 2.

Earlier this month, Fulton County, Georgia Superior Court Judge Craig Schwall issued a 30-day restraining order against Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gaston from prosecuting people for selling or possessing delta-8 and delta-10 extracts. In his ruling, Schwall questioned whether Austin-Gaston was acting as a “rogue DA.”

A lawsuit has been filed against Austin-Gaston and the state by companies that were subject to over-enforcement.

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Michigan Cannabis Sales Reach $1B During Fiscal Year 2021

3/28/2022

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Michigan cannabis sales topped $1 billion during the fiscal year 2021 which equates to $42.2 million distributed to the state’s municipalities, the Oakland Press reports. In the fiscal year, the state collected $111 million from the 10% excise tax on cannabis sales and other fees and the state had $172 million available for distribution from the Marijuana Regulation Fund.

State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said the funds represent a “doubling” over last year’s payment amounts which she said, “will have a larger impact on local government budgets.”

In all, 62 cities with 262 adult-use cannabis retailers and microbusiness licensees will split $14.7 million; 15 villages with 31 adult-use cannabis retailers and microbusiness licensees will split $1.7 million; 33 townships with 81 adult-use cannabis retailers and microbusiness licensees will split $4.5 million, and 53 counties with 374 adult-use cannabis retailer and microbusiness licensees will split $21.1 million, the report says.

Another $49.3 million from cannabis taxes and fees will be sent to the School Aid Fund for K-12 education and another $49.3 million to the Michigan Transportation Fund once appropriated by lawmakers. The remaining $31.2 million will be used toward start-up and administrative costs.

Marijuana Regulatory Agency Executive Director Andrew Brisbo told the Press that it is “rewarding to see that the agency’s balanced regulatory approach is effectively protecting consumers while still allowing Michigan businesses to grow and thrive.”

“The funding provided directly to local governments – and the thousands of jobs created across the state – show that Michigan is leading the way in the cannabis industry,” he said.

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New York Potency Tax Could Drive Prices as High as $70 an Eighth

3/25/2022

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New York’s adult-use cannabis law includes a potency tax, which, in addition to the state’s sales and local taxes, could drive the price per eighth as high as $70, Syracuse.com reports. The law taxes distributors half a cent per milligram of the amount of total THC for flower, eight-tenths of one cent per milligram for concentrates, and three cents per milligram of THC for edibles.

The state’s sales tax rate is 9% and localities can impose their own taxes as well, which could raise the overall tax rate for flower as high as 30% or as much as 55% for edibles, said tax attorney Jason Klimek, who co-leads the Cannabis Team at law firm Barclay Damon.

By comparison, neighboring Massachusetts has a maximum 20% tax rate which is tied to sales which could put New York at a competitive disadvantage once sales launch. The state is also home to several Native American tribes, some of which have already launched cannabis sales, and carry no taxes.

Kaelan Castetter, founder of business consulting firm Castetter Cannabis Group and co-founder of the New York Cannabis Growers and Processors Association, told Syracuse.com that including a potency tax could also work to squeeze out smaller operators who are not in the financial positions of large multistate operators who would be able to withstand the tax and still offer competitive prices.

“Really, you’re setting up cultivators to be in a position down the line where they’re not able to eke out a profit, and the ones that will are the biggest ones.” – Castetter to Syracuse.com

Lauren Rudick, co-founder of law firm Hiller, PC’s cannabis law practice, said the THC tax could incentivize cultivators and distributors to offer products that are lower in THC but balance other cannabinoids and terpenes to create a better user experience and that it could offer an opportunity for the industry to better educate consumers who may think THC is solely responsible for the experience of a product.

“I see this as a tremendous opportunity for people to become educated on the endocannabinoid system,” she told Syracuse.com. “I think it’s going to spur some really unique product development.”

Ulrik Boesen, director of excise tax policy at The Tax Foundation, an independent tax policy nonprofit, said that the THC tax makes sense from the government’s perspective because, generally, cannabis markets start out hot but sales fall as markets mature and since THC is one of the few commonalities between cannabis products, it seems logical to pin the tax to the molecule.

“It’s really hard for states to forecast revenue if it’s based on the price of a volatile commodity,” he said. “It’s much easier for them to forecast volume.”

New York lawmakers approved adult-use reforms last year but sales are not expected to commence in the state until 2023.

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Ukraine’s ‘Freedom March’ Calls on Global Cannabis Industry for Wartime Assistance

3/25/2022

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Cannabis legalization activists with the Freedom March campaign in Ukraine are calling on the global cannabis industry for donations to help the Ukrainian people in their fight to defend their lives and national sovereignty from neighboring Russia.

Originally founded in 2005, Freedom March is a cannabis advocacy group that pushes for reforming Ukraine’s cannabis laws, expanding access to medical cannabis, and which defends in court people accused of possessing cannabis products, which remain outlawed in Ukraine.

In a statement provided to Ganjapreneur, Nazarii Sovsun, a representative for Freedom March, described the effort:

“Today, with weapons in our hands, we have to defend our sovereignty and democracy, shining rays of hope at the uncertain future of the entire free world. This war was cast on Ukraine not just to steal our territories and resources and eradicate our population. This war is against freedom and identity, a threat that reaches beyond borders. We invite all cannabis professionals to stand by our side while we still resist.” — Sovsun, in a statement

The group says donations will go towards two primary efforts: first, supporting the children of slain soldiers and civilians who need medical and psychological care and financial support; and second, providing proper treatment for the patients of Ukraine including wounded soldiers and civilians, cancer patients, and “other vulnerable groups impacted by the war.”

Notably, Freedom March is soliciting the donations not through their own platform but via the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE), which has updated its website to describe a new humanitarian campaign “together with Ukrainian businesses and state-owned companies … to provide food supplies, transportation, refugees help for Ukrainian citizens affected by the war,” and to “purchase necessary medicines, first aid and protective kits for the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, Ukrainian Paramedic Association, and the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces to shield them against Russian aggression.”

Russia launched its military invasion of Ukraine 31 days ago on February 24, 2022, in what has become the first major war in Europe in decades. Since the invasion was launched, millions of refugees have fled the country while countless more have joined the resistance effort.

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