MjLink Cannabis Business News and Press

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) published the first draft of program rules Nov. 10 for the state’s forthcoming adult-use cannabis industry—less than 48 hours after voters approved Amendment 3.

RELATED: Missouri Voters Say ‘Yes’ to Adult-Use Cannabis Legalization

Upon adoption, the constitutional amendment directs DHSS officials to regulate and oversee Missouri’s adult-use cannabis market, including the licensing of cultivators, manufacturers, dispensaries and microbusiness facilities. Department officials will also promulgate regulations for testing, packaging and labeling, among other oversight functions.

The department has had the same regulatory authority over the state’s medical cannabis program since its adoption in 2018. The parallel programs are now being managed within the department’s Division of Cannabis Regulation.

On Dec. 8 (the effective date of the adult-use provisions under Amendment 3), the Division of Cannabis Regulation will begin accepting requests from existing medical cannabis facility licensees to convert to a “comprehensive” facility—to serve both markets.

“Because the department has 60 days from receipt to review and approve those requests, adult-use product should be available as early as February 2023,” a DHSS news release states. Conversion requests not processed within 60 days will be deemed approved, per Amendment 3’s text.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers will again try to legalize cannabis through his state budget proposal.

“We will have a budget that includes legalizing marijuana,” the Democratic governor told reporters Nov. 9, according to a local WISN report.

Previous attempts at legalization—including Evers’ earlier plans to legalize medical and adult-use cannabis through his his budget proposal and bills that would have legalized medical and adult-use cannabis—have been blocked by Wisconsin’s Republican-led Legislature.

RELATED: Cannabis Legalization Discussions Continue to Heat Up in Wisconsin Following Gov. Tony Evers’ Budget Proposal

Voters in Milwaukee, Dane and Eau Claire counties, as well as those in the cities of Kenosha, Racine, Appleton, Stevens Point and Superior, supported legalizing and taxing cannabis in advisory referenda last week, according to WSIN.

WAKEFIELD, Mass., Nov. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PRESS RELEASE -- Curaleaf Holdings, Inc., an international provider of consumer cannabis products, today announced the national rebrand of its Grassroots premium cannabis flower brand, and shared details on the brand's previously announced expansion into California with the launch of Diamond Infused Pre-Rolls.

New York is the latest state where litigation involving the dormant commerce clause could hold up the issuance of cannabis licenses.

U.S. District Court Judge Gary Sharpe issued a preliminary injunction Nov. 10 that temporarily blocks officials from distributing adult-use cannabis retail licenses in five of the state’s 14 regions—Brooklyn, Central New York, Finger Lakes, Mid-Hudson and Western New York—under the conditional adult-use retail dispensary (CAURD) program.

The injunction affects up to 63 of the 150 CAURD licenses that state regulators from the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) announced in August. And the ruling could potentially impact the commercial sales launch of New York’s forthcoming adult-use cannabis retail market, which Gov. Kathy Hochul and state regulators indicated would begin no later than the end of 2022.

RELATED: New York Governor Says Adult-Use Cannabis Sales ‘Still on Track’ to Launch This Year

Sharpe’s injunction stems from a lawsuit filed by Variscite NY One Inc., which applied for a CAURD license. However, because the Michigan-based company “is [51 percent] owned by an individual who has a cannabis conviction under Michigan law” and “has no significant connection to New York,” Variscite was deemed ineligible to be selected under New York’s CAURD program, according to the litigation.

OCM regulators announced in March that they were setting up a “Seeding Opportunity Initiative” for the CAURD program with the aim to issue New York’s first adult-use dispensary licenses to individuals with cannabis-related convictions (or their relatives).  

SAN FRANCISCO, California, Nov. 14, 2022 - PRESS RELEASE - Treez, a enterprise commerce technology platform for the cannabis retail and supply chain industry, announces that the company is offering exclusive advanced access to select cannabis retailers to experience its enhanced Retail Analytics and Integration Hub products. The innovative updates to the Treez platform will be first introduced to the public at MJBiz Conference in Las Vegas, Nov. 16-18 atbooth #9207. As part of the unveiling, Treez will grant select retailers advanced access to the newly updated platform by the end of 2022.

The enhanced platform features of the Integration Hub are designed to meet the demands of growing independent retailers, as well as multi-location and multi-state operators to streamline integrations between their business systems. Treez Integration Hub unlocks access to integrations with best-in-breed technology providers from cannabis and beyond, including enterprise-grade CRMs, business intelligence, communications software, ERPs and supply chain software solutions. Retailers can now expect to leverage systems like Odoo, Salesforce, SAP, NetSuite, as well as bring their own tools all through one integrated platform. By connecting these systems and the data that flows between them, Treez Integration Hub creates time savings and reduces labor hours by removing the need for retail employees to manually input or sync that data themselves.

Rather than just providing a barrage of data for retailers to sift through and analyze, Treez’s new Retail Analytics product focuses on making data more usable and action-oriented natively within the point-of-sale. The tool reduces inventory issues and potential lost sales by empowering real-time decision making with real-time sales and inventory numbers. Treez designed the new data product with all aspects of the cannabis retail business in mind, creating solutions for both managers and employees through more streamlined reports and a gamified sales experience for the budtender. Treez has optimized purchasing and inventory management workflows as well with centralized visibility to products and inventory across the client’s retail footprint, scalable from one store to hundreds.

“We’re raising the bar in terms of what cannabis retailers, whether they are growing independents or larger multi-location multi-state operators, can do with a technology partner, and we’re excited to give a few retailers a sneak peek at what we believe is going to be a game changer for the industry,” said John Yang, CEO of Treez. “These new features and enhancements to our product and platform make data come to life as a workable business tool like never before. We’re helping clients create stakeholders at every level of their business with enhanced features that make sales, reporting and data more user-friendly, while empowering decision-makers with data-driven insights that lead to clearer business strategies. Connecting all of it with best-in-class integrations to software partners both inside and outside of the cannabis industry takes our platform to the next level and our clients’ businesses to new heights.”

Treez is offering Advanced Access as an exclusive first look and test drive for select cannabis retailers looking to get the most from their POS, reporting, inventory and enterprise systems. Retailers interested in the Treez Advanced Access Program should visit the Treez booth #9207 to see a live demo or can visit www.treez.io/early-access to request early access.

The announcement follows the company's recent acquisition of Swifter, a payment solutions platform tailored to meet the unique needs of the cannabis industry. The company also recently announced its expansion into eight new states in 2022, exceeding expansion projections made in February 2022 of entrance into five new markets by the end of the year. The acquisition and expansion support the company’s strategy and mission to develop innovative technology to accelerate the growth of the cannabis industry, following its Series C funding round of $51 million in April 2022.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is making adult-use cannabis legalization a priority for the state’s upcoming legislative session.

That’s according to former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, who said during a recent podcast with his son, Tyrel Ventura, that Walz told him legalizing cannabis will be “one of the first things” that state lawmakers will pass next year, according to a CBS Minnesota report.

The former governor also said that Walz invited him to the ceremony when he signs the legalization bill into law, the news outlet reported.

A spokesperson for Walz told CBS Minnesota that the governor and Jesse Ventura “may work together to get something done.”

The Republican-led Minnesota Senate blocked a floor vote on an adult-use cannabis legalization bill earlier this year, but the party lost control of the chamber in the midterm election last week.

On Nov. 15, a U.S. House subcommittee will hold a hearing on state cannabis laws and federal bipartisan cannabis reforms.

The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform’s Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties will hold the hybrid hearing at 10 a.m. ET.

According to the House Oversight Committee website, Reps. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., and Nancy Mace, R-S.C., will hold the hearing to “examine the many benefits of cannabis decriminalization at the federal level, including addressing racial disparities in the criminal justice system, improving treatment options for veterans, and allowing marijuana companies to access traditional banking services.”

Witnesses will include Amber Littlejohn, senior policy adviser for the Global Alliance for Cannabis Commerce (GACC); Randall Woodfin, mayor of Birmingham, Ala.; Paul Armentano, deputy director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws; Andrew Freedman, executive director of the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation; Eric Goepel, founder and CEO of the Veterans Cannabis Coalition; Keeda Haynes, senior legal adviser at Free Hearts; and Jillian Snider, policy director of criminal justice and civil liberties at the R Street Institute.

Cannabis Business Times spoke about the upcoming hearing with Randal John Meyer, J.D., executive director of 501(c)6 cannabis trade organization GACC, and Rezwan Khan, J.D., executive chair and president of GACC, and president of DNA Genetics.

GACC lists three main goals on its website: “Legalize and Regulate Cannabis Commerce Globally,” “Incubate a Vibrant and Competitive Industry” and “Ensure Patient and Adult User Access.”

DENVER, Nov. 10, 2022 /CNW/ - (TSX:CWEB, OTCQX:CWBHF) - PRESS RELEASE - Charlotte's Web Holdings, Inc., the market leader in cannabidiol hemp extract wellness products, has announced a new distribution agreement with Stark Foods International, a distributor of European specialty food and beauty products to grocery and retail.

Stark Foods distributes some of the world's top food brands with coast-to-coast U.S. coverage. Using a direct delivery model in the New York Tri-State area and a nationwide direct to retailer or sub-distributor, Stark Foods supplies some of America's largest drug, club, grocery and mass retailers. Additionally, Stark Foods distributes to specialty independent retail and specialty channels which are not generally served by mainstream distributors. In total, Stark Foods reaches nearly 15,000 doors through its multi-broker network.

"Stark is a well-respected distribution partner with particular strength in curated European products, where Charlotte's Web has the opportunity to significantly increase its awareness to new groups of consumers," said Jacques Tortoroli, CEO of Charlotte's Web. "Initial distribution will focus on making further in-roads to the high value New York Tri-State area through Stark's top independent retailers."

"We saw an opportunity to introduce our customers to trusted wellness products that align with their purchasing habits  but not broadly available  in some of our channels," said Stark Group's COO, Vasilike Miksa. "Our decision to add CBD to our offerings, and specifically Charlotte's Web, is due to  the best-in-class reputation  that Charlotte's Web has earned as the CBD pioneer and market leader. Charlotte's Web, known for quality and brand strength, will provide our customers and end consumers with natural wellness solutions to help them better their everyday lives."

When President Biden announced federal cannabis policy reform on Oct. 6, the industry’s operators listened closely.

Part of that federal reform is pardoning all federal offenses for simple possession of cannabis. President Biden also called on state governors to follow suit and pardon state-level offenses of simple cannabis possession.

RELATED: Where Candidates Stand on Cannabis in All 36 Gubernatorial Races

“Just as no one should be in a Federal prison solely due to the possession of marijuana, no one should be in a local jail or state prison for that reason, either,” Biden said.

There are more than 40,000 individuals incarcerated for cannabis in the U.S., according to an estimate from Last Prisoner Project, an advocacy organization focused on ending cannabis prohibition and restoring justice to those imprisoned on cannabis convictions.

During Tuesday’s midterm election, voters approved measures in Maryland and Missouri to establish a legal adult-use cannabis industry. The measures for adult-use legalization in Arkansas, North Dakota and South Dakota failed.

RELATED: Maryland and Missouri Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis; Three Other Ballot Measures Fail

While the measures’ passage in two states is a major step forward, challenges still lie ahead toward establishing adult-use markets in Maryland and Missouri.

One potential challenge could take place in a courtroom. Opponents of legalization have a history of challenging ballot measures with lawsuits before, and sometimes even after, Election Day.

It happened with South Dakota in 2020 after voters passed a measure to set up an adult-use industry. Nearly a month after that measure passed, Pennington County Sherriff Kevin Thom and South Dakota Highway Patrol Col. Rick Miller filed a lawsuit, which was supported by Gov. Kristi Noem, to challenge the measure.

The state’s supreme court ultimately ruled that Amendment A violated the state’s single-subject rule in Article XXIII of the South Dakota Constitution and therefore was an unconstitutional ballot initiative.

JUPITER, Florida, Nov. 11, 2022 - PRESS RELEASE - eBottles, the cannabis industry’s leading rigid packaging provider, announced an overhaul of its brand and website. Building on the company’s top market position and expertise in the field, eBottles has created a distinct and compelling brand that embodies its standing as an expert in the cannabis packaging space.

Voters in Los Angeles County approved Measure C, which sets a tax rate for yet-to-come cannabis businesses in unincorporated areas of the county, by a 59% to 41% margin in this week’s midterm election, according to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.

Today, all cannabis business types are prohibited in unincorporated parts of the county. In February, the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs’ (DCBA) Office of Cannabis Management began the process of developing regulations.

Based on recommendations submitted in December 2021 by the county’s Board of Supervisors, the program will launch “with a low number of licenses (up to 25 retail, 25 delivery, 10 cultivation, 10 manufacturing, 10 distribution, and 10 testing licenses) with a priority for equity applicants.” 

RELATED: California’s Cultivation Tax Cut: ‘A Step in the Right Direction’

In the meantime, the county’s Board approved the tax measure for inclusion in the Nov. 8, 2022 midterm elections—the revenues from which would go toward the county’s General Fund.

According to the DCBA’s website, “If Measure C is approved by voters, cannabis businesses would be taxed at the following rates starting July 2023:

The debate amongst cannabis enthusiasts is ongoing: What determines ‘quality’ cannabis? Is it THC percentage? Is it the terpenes? Or is it something else?

The answer is right in front of your face: Your nose. Smell and/or aroma are the defining characteristics of ‘quality’ cannabis, according to newly published research.

The report, “The Nose Knows: Aroma, but Not THC, Mediates The Subjective Effects of Smoked and Vaporized Cannabis Flower,” was published this month in the journal Psychoactives and authored by Dr. Ethan Russo, Jeremy Plumb, Shaban Demirel, Jeremy Sackett, and Adrianne Wilson-Poe.

The report sought to define what “quality” cannabis means, noting that “studies have shown that cannabis consumers are willing to pay more money for higher-quality products … THC potency has been adopted as the primary marketing-driving feature of cannabis products.”

The research studied 276 volunteers, who each randomly received a sample kit containing eight to 10 random samples of cannabis flower, weighing about 1 gram each, in sealed glass jars. Volunteers were given 30-plus days to consume the samples, and were encouraged to abstain from cannabis use for 48 hours prior to consumption in order to normalize baseline sensitivity to cannabis’ subjective effects.

The research measured subjective appeal via two domains: raw enjoyment and mood, ranking both on scales from one to seven, equating to a total of 14 possible points.

Wana Brands, an international cannabis-infused edibles brand, announced it is donating $3 million to Johns Hopkins University to fund cannabis and psychedelic medicine research through its recently launched Wana Brands Foundation (WBF).

WBF is a $50-million charitable organization dedicated to providing individuals with the necessary resources to live happy and healthy lives. The organization’s areas of focus “include research & education, food security, shelter, safety, mental health, sustainability, connection, and social justice,” according to a press release.

WBF is donating $2 million to the university’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences to support cannabis and cannabinoid research led by Ryan Gregory Vandrey, Ph.D., a professor in the department. The research will also explore the potential use of cannabinoids to treat autism, according to the release.

“The Foundation’s gift will give us resources we need to take our research to new heights,” Vandrey said. “An unrestricted gift like this provides us the opportunity to get creative in our research and conduct studies that we believe will be most impactful, rather than trying to fit our ideas to the priorities of other funding agencies. The Johns Hopkins Cannabis Science Laboratory is committed to the conduct of objective science that expands our basic understanding of the behavioral pharmacology of cannabis and informs policy, patient-provider decisions regarding medicinal cannabis, and the prevention and treatment of potential harms associated with cannabis use.”

WBF is also donating $1 million to the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, “which focuses on how psychedelics affect behavior, mood, cognition, brain function, and biological markers of health,” according to the release.

Moreover, future research will look at the benefit and effectiveness of using psilocybin, or “magic mushrooms,” to treat Alzheimer’s disease, opioid addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder, post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, anorexia nervosa and alcohol use in people with major depression, according to the release.

Minnesota hemp growers and processors can now apply for a license for the 2023 growing season.

Individuals must apply or renew their licenses by April 30, 2023; however, individuals actively cultivating hemp after Dec. 31 must renew their license by the end of this year, according to a press release from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). The minimum cost for a grower license is $400, and the minimum cost for a processor license is $500.

Growers must complete and submit a Farm Service Agency (FSA) form to the agency for all hemp varieties and locations planted within 10 days after planting. Growers must also submit a planting report to MDA within 10 days after reporting lots by variety to FSA, and must submit a harvest report to MDA no more than 30 days after and no less than five days before harvest, according to the release.

Moreover, “a grower license no longer includes one regulatory sample for pre-harvest THC testing. Each official regulatory sample collected by MDA will cost $100,” according to the release. The MDA will also continue to conduct random inspections of processor locations.

This year, Minnesota has 245 licensed hemp growers and 56 licensed processors. Those numbers are down from 2021, which recorded 348 licensed growers and 77 licensed processors, according to the release.

Louisville, Colorado, Nov. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Surna Cultivation Technologies LLC, a subsidiary of CEA Industries Inc., has entered into a non-equity strategic alliance, combining its controlled environment agriculture (CEA) systems engineering and technologies with Hydrobuilder Holdings’ expansive commercial-first omnichannel platform.

The alliance combines the strong architectural expertise, MEP design services, and curated line of HVACD products from Surna with Hydrobuilder Holdings facility programming (layouts) and deep catalogue of related consumables and equipment.

“Solidifying this relationship with Hydrobuilder Holdings is a breakthrough achievement for Surna,” stated Tony McDonald, chairman and CEO of CEA Industries Inc. “Our combined offering can fully serve our customers with every conceivable service and product they would need to build out or refurbish an indoor cultivation facility. I am confident this will not only be of great value to our customers but will be a great source of growth for both our companies.”

“We have worked closely with Tony and the Surna team over the past few months to establish this value-added alliance that brings quality, convenience and simplicity to our customers,” said Dustin Bertram, Hydrobuilder Holdings’ chief commercial officer. “Hydrobuilder Holdings brings decades of experience and a broad and deep catalogue of leading cultivation products, and we’re excited to expand our offerings to include Surna’s leading design services and HVACD products. The strength of our brands, combined with our technical expertise, industry knowledge and channel coverage will be a huge benefit for our customers.”

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PRESS RELEASE -- According to the CDC, 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep problems, so STIIIZY knew it could make a big impact in its fans' lives by developing products to help you unwind and relax. Now, after a lot of time and effort in the lab, the company is finally ready to unveil its new line of CBN Gummies.

Available now in three delicious berry flavors--Crimson Berry, Midnight Berry, and White Berry--and retailing for $14, each package is segmented into 10 servings of 10 mg THC and 5 mg CBN (2:1 THC to CBN). The CBN gummies are now available at California STIIIZY retail locations and other cannabis dispensaries.

These delectable edibles are precisely formulated to harness the potential relaxing properties of cannabinol (CBN) and are packed in a delicious gummy to deliver a long-lasting and peaceful high that may help combat restlessness, nausea, and stress.

As STIIIZY has written about in-depth, while peer-reviewed research on CBN is limited due to the federal designation of cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance, anecdotal evidence shows a wide variety of promising benefits, and initial studies around CBN as a sleep aid and neuroprotectant have been promising.

In addition, there's mounting evidence that cannabinoids work best together in the "ensemble effect," which is why STIIIZY developed its CBN gummies to offer a 2:1 THC to CBN combination and help unlock the full healing potential of the plant.

Visit STIIIZY's CBN product page to learn more and find a delivery or retail option near you.

Heat and Control, Inc., an equipment manufacturer and food/non-food processing industry supplier, will be exhibiting at MJBizCon 2022. The tradeshow will be held Nov. 16-18 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Visit Heat and Control at Booth 9649. 

SAN DIEGO and TORONTO, Nov. 10, 2022 - PRESS RELEASE - StateHouse Holdings Inc., a California-focused, vertically integrated cannabis enterprise, announced that the sungrown craft cannabis brands, Swami Select and Sonoma Hills Farm, will be available beginning Nov. 10 and Nov. 21, respectively, at Harborside Oakland, Harborside San Jose and Urbn Leaf San Diego.

By its very nature, sungrown is the most natural method of cultivating cannabis, especially when paired with regenerative farming techniques. Prioritizing soil health and energy efficiency yields cannabis that is not only good for the environment but is also of the highest sustainable quality. With a focus on California–one of the few states in which outdoor grows are feasible–StateHouse is committed to supporting small-scale sungrown cannabis farmers and believes offering sungrown products provides a platform for the company's growth and success.

"Sungrown is an integral part of California cannabis, so we are thrilled to support small-scale outdoor growers and bring California sungrown craft brands like Swami Select and Sonoma Hills Farm to Harborside and Urbn Leaf," said Ed Schmults, StateHouse CEO. "As with wineries that have cultivated complex, full-body wines with notable varietals and stellar vintages, sungrown craft cannabis brands focus on rich flavors, terpene profiles and terroir. We celebrate the integrity and stewardship that craft outdoor cannabis growers stand for. With regenerative practices, organic farming principles and a passion for enduring strain diversity, craft growers like Swami Select and Sonoma Hills Farm uphold the standard for sustainably produced cannabis that offers enjoyable consumption experiences like no other."

Angela Pih, StateHouse's head of marketing added, "Harborside and Urbn Leaf respect the commitment of regenerative craft growers; the quality of premium award-winning cannabis; and the experience that comes from consuming plants that have reached their full genetic potential because they have been grown in living soil and under full-spectrum sunlight. Similar to organic farming, regenerative farming is a healthier option for both the environment and consumers, so if you care enough about your health to buy organic in the grocery store, you should be looking at cannabis the same way. Not only is the overall flavor markedly better, but so are the plant's cannabinoid and terpene levels."

Swami Select cannabis is grown outdoors in living soil and full sunlight, using only regenerative and responsible methods. Swami Select has been certified for growing with pure organic methods by the Clean Green Certified program since 2011. Dragonfly Earth Medicine (DEM Pure), which recognizes cultivators who set the standard of regenerative sustainable farmers, has also certified Swami Select since 2017.

"The thing about growing outdoors, growing in the sun, is that it teaches you how to grow; your life is enriched just by having that live plant in your garden," said Swami Chaitanya, founder of Swami Select. "At Ganja Ma Gardens, we employ proven techniques like hugelkultur and composting so our plants develop more florid terpene profiles; produce richer aromas and flavors; and attain stacked cannabinoid profiles for potent effects."

Outdoor cannabis cultivators in California can now apply for up to $2,500,000 to fund in-field studies.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is accepting grant applications through Dec. 30 for the Sustainable California Grown Cannabis (SCGC) pilot study, according to a recent CDFA announcement.

The grants will fund projects throughout the state to help determine best management practices for outdoor cannabis cultivation in a pilot program authorized by Senate Bill 170, which appropriates $9 million to the CDFA to create the program.

Eligible applicants—including non-profits, Resource Conservation Districts, federal and California-recognized Native American Indian Tribes, and public and private academic institutions—may request up to $2,500,000 to fund in-field studies that investigate and analyze best management practices for sustainable outdoor cannabis cultivation.

The funds awarded through the competitive grant process will ultimately support in-field studies on practices that reduce the environmental impact of outdoor cannabis cultivation.