Florida-based multistate cannabis operator Trulieve is the main financial supporter of a Maryland ballot campaign that recently launched to advocate for the passage of an adult-use legalization question going before voters this November.

The “Yes on 4” campaign is chaired by former NFL player Eugene Monroe, the founder and CEO of Heart Community Capital, a group of professional athletes, social activists, philanthropists, coaches, creatives and cannabis industry experts working together to help build black-owned cannabis companies.

“Passing Question 4 will put an end to the failed criminalization of cannabis, create a well-regulated legal marijuana market centered around equity, and open up new doors for local entrepreneurs and small business owners,” Monroe said in a public statement. “I hope every Marylander will vote yes on Question 4 this November.”

While Yes on 4 is “powered by Maryland residents who are ready to bring the era of failed marijuana prohibition to an end,” according to the group’s recently launched website, the campaign currently relies on $50,000 in funding from Trulieve, according to election finance filings from Aug. 30, The Washington Post reported.

Trulieve, a vertically integrated company with operations in 11 states, including 120 dispensaries in its home state of Florida, has three medical cannabis retail locations in Maryland.

Maryland is one of six states where voters are hoping to effectuate policy change through adult-use cannabis legalization ballot measures this November.

Cannabis equity advocates and social equity business leaders in Illinois are urging Gov. JB Pritzker, the general assembly and state department officials to assist equity operators in various ways, including becoming operational and achieving valuable market share.

On Sept. 7, a group of advocates and business leaders led by Chicago NORML, the local chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws; the Cannabis Equity Illinois Coalition; former Illinois state senator and social equity cannabis dispensary licensee Rickey Hendon; and others, held a press conference in front of a downtown Chicago building that houses offices for the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) and the Office of the Governor.

“We’re calling to make changes today in order to move this program in the right direction,” said Douglas Kelly, executive director of the Cannabis Equity Illinois Coalition, during the press conference. He said advocates strives to ensure state officials keep equity and justice in conversations about the state's cannabis industry.

Ambrose Jackson, chairman and CEO of vertically integrated social equity cannabis company The 1937 Group, said: “Our cannabis social equity program is on the verge of collapse.”

Illinois’ cannabis industry has received $3 billion in adult-use cannabis sales totals since adult-use sales began in the state Jan. 1, 2020, Jackson stated. However, he said Black and Brown business owners have not been reaping the benefits as they are hamstrung by state legislative and agency actions and, in other cases, inaction.

On Sept. 8, a spokesperson from Pritzker’s administration provided the following statement to CBT: “The administration is always looking for ways to improve social equity in the cannabis industry, which has been a priority of the Governor’s since day one of this process. Proof of this commitment can be seen in the significant steps already - 185 social equity licenses are now out the door and the application process has been simplified for future applicants. $113 million in cannabis revenue has gone to communities affected by the war on drugs as part of the effort to correct past wrongs. Ensuring equity is a long term process designed to right decades of inequality and help build generational wealth for Illinoisans excluded from doing so in the past. The Governor looks forward to continuing to work with the General Assembly on streamlining the process and helping social equity applicants enter and thrive in the industry.”

New medical cannabis dispensaries have continued to open on a weekly basis during recent months in Florida, but the state’s ever-expanding retail footprint remains limited to 22 operators. 

Trulieve (120 dispensary locations), Verano (59 MÜV dispensaries) and Curaleaf (51 dispensaries) represent 49% of Florida’s 474 retail locations as of Sept. 9, according to a weekly update from the state’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU).

Also as of Sept. 9, Florida has nearly 750,000 qualified patients with active ID cards, meaning each retail location serves almost 1,600 patients on average. For Trulieve, that means dispensing roughly 300 ounces of dried flower at each of its 120 locations every week, according to OMMU data.

But aspiring market entrants hoping to gain a piece of that pie through additional licensing will have to continue to watch from the sidelines following a Sept. 7 decision from Florida’s First District Court of Appeal. The court upheld an order to dismiss a complaint by Tampa-based Louis Del Favero Orchids Inc., which demanded the Florida Department of Health issue additional retail licenses under a default licensure mechanism in Section 120.60 of state law.

A general statute that applies to all state agencies, Section 120.60 states, “An application for a license must be approved or denied within 90 days after receipt of a completed application” or the application is “considered approved.”

Del Favero applied in 2018 for a license to cultivate and dispense medical cannabis from the Florida Health Department, but state officials didn’t approve or deny the application and instead told Del Favero that the department wasn’t accepting applications for additional licenses in the state at the time.

The United Kingdom has barred the government from legalizing cannabis in Bermuda, a British Overseas Territory.

Bermuda’s governor, Rena Lalgie, announced Tuesday that the United Kingdom blocked legislation to legalize the production and use of cannabis, according to  a Caribbean National Weekly report.

“I previously announced that I had reserved the Cannabis Licensing Bill 2022 for the signification of her majesty’s pleasure under Section 35 (2) of the Bermuda Constitution,” Lalgie said in a public statement. “I have now received an instruction, issued to me on Her Majesty’s behalf, not to assent to the bill as drafted.

“The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs concluded that the bill, as currently drafted, is not consistent with obligations held by the UK and Bermuda under the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs and the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances.

“I have informed the Premier and relayed the UK’s continued desire to work with Bermuda on reforms within the scope of our existing international obligations.”

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida, & TORONTO, Sept. 9, 2022 - PRESS RELEASE - Flora Growth Corp., an all-outdoor cultivator, manufacturer and distributor of global cannabis products and brands, announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Just Brands LLC, has acquired substantially all of the assets pertaining to the brand No Cap Hemp Co. (No Cap). The company acquired the No Cap assets without paying any consideration at closing. Instead, Flora will pay to the sellers 10% of the gross revenue received from the sale of No Cap products up to a maximum of $2M.

“This transaction will allow Flora to immediately benefit from a profitable, cash flow positive and growing business,” said Luis Merchan, chairman and CEO of Flora Growth. “This strategic acquisition demonstrates our disciplined capital allocation approach that is consistent with both short-term needs and long-term vision as a leading global cannabis company. We look forward to increasing our product offering through this transaction while broadening our sales team in the process.”

The No Cap acquisition will fast-forward the introduction of high-quality flower and prerolls to Flora’s growing product portfolio and smokeables into JustBrand’s product portfolio. JustBrands will develop and further expand on their flower and smokable line as well as distribute the No Cap brand into Flora’s ~14,000 points of distribution.

The No Cap acquired assets are expected to add approximately 75 SKUs to Flora’s product portfolio, as well as the “No Cap” and “Moonblunt” trademarks. No Cap’s gas infusion technology should also complement Flora Labs’ manufacturing capabilities.

“No Cap’s unique product offering coupled with JustCBD’s robust distribution positions Flora to be the leader in the alternative cannabinoid segment,” Merchan added.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried is fighting back on the state's recently implemented dosing and supply caps for medical cannabis patients.

Fried issued a letter to Joseph A. Ladapo, Ph.D., Florida's surgeon general, who oversees the Florida Department of Health (DOH) and its Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) Sept. 8, requesting for officials to revoke the dosing restrictions outlined in an emergency rule released Aug. 26.

"I have serious concerns regarding the manner of which this emergency rule was put forward, which appears to have lacked any opportunity for meaningful input by those most impacted by them–patients and the doctors treating them," Fried said in the letter. "Unveiling a rule cutting the allowable preparations and extracts dosages by 69.4 percent with less than three days’ notice is not just thoughtless, it's irresponsible. It has caused chaos, confusion, and rightful panic among patients and providers."

The emergency rule, which went into effect Aug. 29, states that patients may not purchase more than 24,500 mg of THC of non-smokable cannabis products within 70 days and no more than 2.5 ounces of smokable products within 35 days, Cannabis Business Times reported.

The emergency rule also included daily dose THC limits per product, which are as follows:

Fried said that by implementing such caps, the state is overriding doctors' professional judgment and endangering patients' health. She added, "Many patients require the ability to purchase a higher dosage in multiple forms in order to test combinations and find the best balance to treat their particular condition in consultation with their doctor. The state has no business inserting itself into nuanced decisions being made between patients and their health care providers."

U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., advocated for the passage of the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act during a Senate banking hearing this week as the legislation continues to stall in the upper chamber.

Menendez, a senior member of the Senate Banking Committee, urged passage of the cannabis banking reform legislation during a Sept. 6 hearing titled “Current Issues in Insurance,” according to a press release from his office.

Witnesses from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and the Federal Insurance Office at the U.S. Treasury Department also testified at the hearing, according to the press release.

“I’m concerned that businesses that have nothing to do with cannabis could face serious consequences if this bill isn’t enacted,” Mendendez said during the hearing, while questioning Kathleen Birrane from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. “Imagine a scenario where a New Jersey lightbulb manufacturer sells a product to a state-legalized cannabis business and there’s a fire related to the lightbulb, causing the business to suffer losses. The SAFE Banking Act and CLAIM Act would resolve the issue I described, as well as many others. The House has passed this bipartisan measure seven times, and it’s long past time for the Senate to do the same.”

RELATED: New Poll Reveals That Two-Thirds of Voters Support Cannabis Banking Reform

A new poll has revealed that two-thirds of voters support cannabis banking reform as the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act continues to stall in Congress.

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) announced Sept. 6 that the organization’s recent poll, conducted by Morning Consult, showed that 65% of voters support allowing cannabis-related businesses to access banking services in state-legal markets.

“Americans understand that no industry can operate safely, transparently or effectively without access to banks or other financial institutions, and it is self-evident that this industry, and those consumers that are served by it, remain severely hampered without this access,” NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano said in a public statement. “In order to truly bring the marijuana industry out of the shadows, actions need to be taken by Congress to repeal these outdated and discriminatory practices.”

The ICBA’s survey revealed that 71% of voters believe that allowing cannabis-related businesses access to the banking system would help protect public safety by reducing the risk of robbery, according to the press release, while 55% said that cannabis banking reform would advance social equity by supporting cannabis-related businesses owned and led by people of color, women and the LGBTQ community.

The poll also found that more than 80% of voters believe that businesses that operate exclusively in cash have a higher risk of robbery or theft, 62% believe that restricting cannabis-related businesses from accessing banking services poses a threat to public safety, and 63% believe that allowing cannabis-related businesses to access the banking system will help improve public safety.

One university is hosting a symposium dedicated to exploring hemp’s many potentials.

From 8 a.m to 1 p.m. CT Sept. 17, Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIU) is hosting its third Southern Illinois Hemp/Cannabis Symposium—sponsored by SIU’s Cannabis Science Center—which will feature several speakers from the industry, as well as vendors and industry related displays, according to an SIU press release.

The symposium will address various topics related to hemp fiber and seed crops and their produced products.

The speaker list includes:

Speakers will discuss the many end uses of hemp, including the latest developments of hemp materials in building and construction, as well as business models and techniques for marketing cannabis and hemp products.

In addition, hemp experts will also address “cultivating efforts in Illinois and the Midwest, including Farm Bill and federal regulation aspects.” And hemp breeders will unveil the development of “new cultivars optimized for Illinois or for use in unique row crop production systems where fiber, seed and cannabinoids can be harvested from the same crop,” according to the release.

It’s a difficult time to succeed as a cannabis operator, for a number of reasons. Doing so in a mature and jam-packed market only exacerbates the challenges.

But Veritas Fine Cannabis, a vertically integrated operator based in Aurora, Colorado, is doing its best to creatively meet the local consumers’ needs.

Veritas launched a build-your-own four-pack of eighths of flower, equating it to your own mix and match half-ounce of product. The promotion, which is currently available at more than 200 dispensaries across Colorado and runs through September 18, allows consumers to select three different eighths of flower while receiving the fourth eighth for only 10 cents.

Jordan Plunkett, director of marketing at Veritas, says the build-your-own four-pack idea was inspired by the marketing team’s backgrounds in hospitality.

“We like to take some of those tools and tactics that were successful in the alcohol/bar scene and implement them here in the cannabis space. That’s where we got the idea of the build-your-own four-packs, taking a play off craft beer, [where] you can build your own six-packs,” Plunkett says. “We really wanted to give our customers the ability to create their own experience. We believe with our vast strain library, we're able to provide something for everybody.”

Licensed cannabis retailers logged a record $26.8 million in total sales this August, representing continued growth for one of the nation’s newest adult-use markets, according to the state’s Department of Revenue.

That monthly total was a 1% increase over July, despite July having five Fridays and five Saturdays—the two biggest sales days of the week for cannabis retail—to help boost numbers.

Overall, Montana recorded $7 million in medical cannabis and $19.8 million in adult-use cannabis last month, with the latter representing 74% of the total market and growing. When Montana first launched its expanded retail market in January 2022, adult-use sales accounted for 58% of the monthly sales total.

So far in 2022, Montana dispensary operators have sold more than $201 million of cannabis ($133 million coming from adult-use sales) in a state that only houses roughly 1.1 million residents. Those sales have provided the state with nearly $29.3 million in tax revenue.

And that revenue stream comes despite only half of Montana’s 56 counties participating in the state’s adult-use cannabis retail program in August.

Yellowstone County, the most populous in the state with roughly 160,000 residents, accounted for an estimated $3.2 million in adult-use sales and $1.3 million in medical sales in August—more than any other county in Montana—representing roughly 16.6% of the state’s combined retail market for the month.

Verano Holdings closed its acquisition of all equity interests of vertically integrated Sierra Well (WSCC Inc).

Verano’s acquisition includes two operational dispensaries – one in Reno, the other in Carson City – as well as an active 100,000-square-foot cultivation and production facility in Reno and real estate property in each city. Sierra Well is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Verano, according to a company release.

With the acquisition, Verano’s Nevada portfolio now totals five dispensaries and two cultivation and production facilities. The acquisition also includes two medical cannabis cultivation licenses, two medical dispensary licenses, one medical production license, two adult-use cultivation licenses, two adult-use dispensary licenses, one adult-use manufacturing license, and one adult-use distribution license.

“Today signifies a huge step forward for our business in Nevada, a state that we have long considered a core growth market and key piece of our operational footprint,” said George Archos, co-founder and CEO of Verano. “Gaining a presence in Reno and Carson City provides Verano with comprehensive retail and distribution opportunities in Northern Nevada that complement our current operations in the Las Vegas area. With a growing population, booming tourism and an abundance of natural beauty, we look forward to a bright future in the great state of Nevada.”

RELATED: Verano’s Preparedness Drives Anticipated Growth in New Markets: Q&A with CEO George Archos

Verano’s total U.S. footprint now spans 116 dispensaries and 14 cultivation and processing facilities across 13 states.

The Seattle City Council unanimously approved a package of legislation Sept. 6 to help create a more equitable cannabis industry.

The bills, backed by Mayor Bruce Harrell, would, among other provisions, establish a social equity cannabis license for qualifying entrepreneurs in the city.

RELATED: Mayor Introduces Cannabis Equity Bills in ‘One Seattle’ Approach

The legislative package is made up of three bills, as outlined in a press release:

“I am very pleased to see that this joint effort between my office, the Council, [Finance and Administration Services] (FAS) and community stakeholders has resulted in the passage of this suite of bills,” Harrell said in a public statement. “It’s worth repeating that this is a first—but necessary—step toward equity long overdue in the cannabis industry. The work still to come will highlight additional opportunities for improvement in our current system, and I look forward to the recommendations that result from the Cannabis Needs Assessment. This work won’t be easy, but I believe together we can foster an open conversation between workers, community members and industry leaders to identify common priorities and align on efforts to advance our shared values of equity and restoration.”

The New Mexico Cannabis Control Division of the Regulation and Licensing Department announced Sept. 7 that the state’s total cannabis sales set a new record in August, with total medical and adult-use sales surpassing $40 million.

Medical cannabis sales totaled $16,459,951.69 last month and adult-use sales totaled $24,219,338.50, for a grand total of $40,679,290.19.

RELATED: New Mexico Total Cannabis Sales Top $40 Million in July

Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, Hobbes and Rio Rancho reported the highest sales numbers, with Albuquerque racking up $14,628,736.33 in total sales.

Glass House Brands, a vertically integrated cannabis company, has expanded its California footprint by acquiring Natural Healing Center (NHC) dispensaries in Grover Beach and Lemoore, Cali.

Under the agreement, Glass House will acquire two operating NHC dispensaries in Grover Beach and Lemoore and is expected to close the acquisition of two additional NHC locations in Morro Bay and Turlock (upon the store’s opening) by the end of this year, according to a press release.

“As we stated when announcing the execution of definitive agreements for the NHC transaction, this acquisition will advance us further in our goal of becoming one of the largest retailers in the state of California, adds further support to our recently acquired PLUS edibles business and provides incremental outlets for CPG (consumer packaged goods) sales as the SoCal farm continues to expand its output,” said Kyle Kazan, Glass House Chairman and CEO. “Given NHC’s positioning in limited license markets and its strong consumer following, we are excited to add these [four] dispensaries to our retail portfolio. We are now poised to execute a dramatic transformation in the size of our retail dispensary business.”

In addition, the company also acquired three active retail, distribution and cultivation licenses, “as well as six city-level adult-use and medical cannabis retailer, distributor and cultivation licenses,” in early August from The Pottery dispensary in Los Angeles, Cannabis Business Times reported.

NHC CEO, Valnette Garcia, also expressed her excitement about the acquisition.

“I am excited to see the Grover Beach and Lemoore transactions finalized and look forward to sharing best practices between NHC, the Farmacy stores and The Pottery to drive operating efficiencies, amplify purchasing bargaining power and heighten profitability, while always providing our customers with a world-class experience and the highest quality cannabis at an affordable price,” she said.

Michigan lawmakers are considering a bill that would lower the minimum age to work with cannabis in an effort to allow college-aged students engage in cannabis-related studies in the classroom setting.

House Bill 6061, sponsored by Rep. Kevin Coleman, D-Westland, would amend the state’s adult-use cannabis law, the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act, to lower the minimum age to work with cannabis in certain capacities from 21 to 18 years old, according to an MLive.com report.

Michigan’s 2016 Medical Marijuana Facilities Licensing Act set the legal age for employment at medical cannabis operations at 18, according to the news outlet, but when voters enacted the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act in 2018, it legalized the possession, use and cultivation of cannabis for adults 21 and older.

H.B. 6061 would allow adults 18 and older to possess, consume, purchase or otherwise obtain cannabis, as well as process, transport and sell it, but only if doing so as an agent of a specified cannabis licensee, MLive.com reported.

The legislation would also allow adults 18 and older to volunteer for or work at a cannabis facility, according to the news outlet.

BOSTON, Sept. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PRESS RELEASE -- Bountiful Farms has won first place in the Massachusetts Cultivator's Cup, held Labor Day Weekend in Worcester, Mass. This marks the second year in a row that Bountiful Farms has taken home the "best in show" recognition and been awarded "the best grass in Mass" at this blind-tasting competition judged by Massachusetts cannabis enthusiast consumers.

Bountiful Farms took home first place in the cannabis Flower Category for their coveted Slap and Tickle just one year after winning the cup for their signature Pina Grande strain. The team also came in second place in the Solventless Category for their Colorado Chem as well as second place in the Vape Category for their Papaya Cake.

LISTEN: Growing Indoors with Zachary Taylor

The Massachusetts Cultivator's Cup is a true-blind cannabis competition aimed to discover who grows "the best grass in Mass." The Cultivator's Cup was developed to empower and establish emerging licensed cultivators of cannabis while allowing for consumers to provide honest feedback of various cannabis and cannabis-infused products.

"We are humbled and honored to have won this coveted award once again, and we couldn't be more excited, said Zachary Taylor, General Manager of Cultivation at Bountiful Farms. "This award is truly a testament to our entire team at Bountiful Farms who pour our lives into growing the best, highest-quality cannabis possible.  We live, eat, breathe, and sleep cannabis at Bountiful Farms and this blind competition is truly all about the love and the art of growing. We are grateful that our hard work and passion is being recognized and enjoyed by cannabis lovers across Massachusetts."

Bountiful Farms has gone from a brand-new cultivator and dispensary to an important player in Massachusetts cannabis in just two years through its commitment to quality and innovation. These latest awards add to the team's growing list of coveted Cannabis Cups including three out of four awards at the inaugural Massachusetts Cultivator's Cup in 2021, and the High Times Massachusetts Cannabis Cup first-place winner for "Best Indica Flower."

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PRESS RELEASE -- Today, Pro Football Hall of Famer, Calvin Johnson Jr., along with his co-founder of Primitiv, Rob Sims, and Fohse, announced their new exclusive partnership where Fohse will equip Primitiv's Michigan based cannabis cultivation facility with LED fixtures to increase and optimize its cannabis production.

Calvin Johnson Jr., and Rob Sims, former NFL teammates, founded Primitiv in 2021. The company is dedicated to the advancement of cannabis as a form of elevated wellness. Both Johnson and Sims suffered from the long-term effects of the physical and mental punishment sustained during their playing careers. As they explored ways to achieve a higher state of healing, Johnson and Sims discovered that the cannabis plant holds incredible potential as a healing agent. 

Primitiv's vision is to positively impact the global cannabis industry, changing stigmas and stereotypes by educating people about the plant's benefits and producing innovative products that help people and athletes optimize their wellness through plant-based medicine.

To reach these goals and dominate the cannabis industry as they did the football field, Primitiv has teamed up with Fohse, a manufacturer of LED grow lights. Fohse has outfitted the cultivation facility with their state-of-the-art fixture model The Scorpio, a 1000 W industrial grow light.

Calvin Johnson Jr. says, "I truly believe in the healing power of the plant and it's our mission to educate the public about our mission to help break down the stigmas associated with cannabis, while also pushing the envelope in product innovation. Part of growing quality product comes from surrounding yourself with the best team possible, and after doing our research, we have decided to partner with Fohse since they make the best grow light on the market."

Rob Sims adds, "The Scorpio LED light is allowing us to optimize our grow and increase our yields to increase our production while producing an extremely high-quality product. We want to bring this product to anyone searching for mental or physical relief, specifically those who are looking for a natural, plant-based remedy to what ails them."

DENVER, Sept. 8, 2022 /CNW/ - PRESS RELEASE - Schwazze, a vertically integrated, multi-state operating cannabis company with assets in Colorado and New Mexico, announces the grand opening of its adult-use dispensary, Star Buds located in Glendale, Colo. Star Buds Glendale is at located at 492 South Colorado Blvd at the corner Virginia Avenue and Colorado Boulevard.

Schwazze kicks off the grand opening celebration at Star Buds Glendale on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, at 11 a.m. The celebration will feature swag bags for the first 50 shoppers, games, food trucks, social media scavenger hunts, and representatives from various prominent cannabis brands such as: O.Pen, Wyld, Kaviar, 1906 and more. In addition, Star Buds Glendale will offer all-weekend, in-store discounts including 50% off flower and Buy One Get One 50% off products. Shoppers also receive a house pre-roll for $1 with a minimum, pre-tax purchase of $60.

"Our team is excited to open Star Buds Glendale and to bring customers the largest selection of flower, vapes, edibles and more," said Collin Lodge, President of Colorado Division for Schwazze. "We're thrilled to become a part of the Glendale community and look forward to introducing everyone to the Star Buds difference related quality, service and product selection."

The dispensary, located at 492 South Colorado Blvd, Glendale, CO 80246, has undergone extensive remodeling this summer following the acquisition of Smoking Gun in December 2021. The acquisition and rebrand under the Star Buds name are part of an aggressive expansion plan in Colorado led by Schwazze, which has grown the total number of Colorado dispensaries to 23 statewide.

Star Buds Glendale

492 South Colorado Blvd

SEATTLE, Sept. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PRESS RELEASE -- Headset, a provider of data and analytics to the cannabis industry, today expanded access to its competitive intelligence tool, Headset Insights, to businesses in Massachusetts and Florida. This expansion will mark Headset's fourteenth and fifteenth cannabis market reads based on aggregated Point of Sale data at the receipt level for the U.S. and Canadian markets. Headset Insights is also available in Arizona, Alberta, California, Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, Illinois, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.

Headset Insights will equip businesses in Massachusetts and Florida with informative real-time market data and valuable consumer trend insights. Cannabis businesses in these markets will be able to identify growth opportunities and develop data-driven strategies that will allow them to stay ahead of the curve. More specifically, the platform will offer category-level data to better understand Florida's medical market, while the deeper Massachusetts read now allows cannabis businesses to leverage more granular data down to the SKU-level.

"We're excited to introduce Headset Insights to the southeast and expand the platform further into the northeast," said Cy Scott, founder and CEO of Headset. "Massachusetts and Florida each have unique cannabis industries that continue to evolve daily. Headset Insights will serve as a unique guide for businesses looking to navigate medical and recreational marketplaces."

Florida is one of the five most notable cannabis markets in the U.S. Bringing in $1.04B in medical cannabis sales from January through July 2022. The Sunshine State sits behind Illinois as the fifth largest cannabis market in the U.S. with a 21+ population that is expected to exceed 16 million. Florida has the ability to generate more than $3 billion in cannabis sales by 2025. Headset also indicates that there is a 50% chance that Florida could legalize recreational cannabis use by 2025. The introduction of recreational cannabis use could make Florida home to the second largest cannabis market in the U.S. The category level read now available in Headset Insights will greatly assist growing cannabis companies in seizing opportunities in Florida as the marketplace continues to evolve.

Massachusetts is among more than a dozen U.S. states that have welcomed recreational and medical cannabis businesses. The Bay State recorded positive year-over-year growth in July 2022, unlike many other U.S. markets currently experiencing year-over-year sales retractions. Furthermore, the state has produced nearly $1 billion in cannabis sales this year, surpassing more mature markets such as Washington and Oregon. By year's end, Massachusetts could also record higher sales than Colorado. Headset Insights will help companies track Massachusetts' cannabis market growth, product category sales and shares, basket size and make more accurate projections for the growing cannabis market.

To learn more about Headset Insights, please click here.