MjLink Cannabis Business News and Press

Last year, the team at Gb Sciences and a cohort of researchers at Michigan State University announced positive results from ongoing study into cannabinoid-based treatments for cytokine release syndrome (CRS). The work continues into 2022, with a paper awaiting publication, but the good news arrived at the onset of the omicron variant of COVID-19 sweeping across the globe.

CRS is a symptom of viral diseases like COVID-19, one that puts the body’s immune response to inflammatory infection into hyperdrive.

The joint study is analyzing the ability of cannabinoids (and certain cannabinoid combinations) to dampen viral hyperinflammatory responses—much like the cellular response to COVID-19, which gives this cannabis-related research a particular urgency. Cytokines are released by the body to draw immune attention to a viral infection, but, to put it simply, too many cytokines is not good.

“When the cytokine systems get out of whack, you end up bringing too much of the immune system to bear on a particular region, and then you have problems,” Dr. Andrea Small-Howard, president and chief science officer of Gb Sciences, says.

Targeting CRS, then, is seen in this study as one way of treating COVID-19.

RELATED: Beyond the Show: Dr. Andrea Small-Howard

A Maine lawmaker has introduced legislation to legalize cannabis delivery in the state.

State Rep. Joseph Perry’s bill would allow certain dispensaries to deliver adult-use cannabis to customers’ homes, a service that as only been allowed in the medical market, according a local WGME report.

“Rather than have people drive very long distances to go to an adult-use store or turn to the illegal market, I think it makes sense to allow them to purchase it legally and have it delivered to their homes,” Perry told the news outlet.

Perry’s legislation would allow adult-use retailers to deliver to customers regardless of whether their local municipalities have approved adult-use stores, WGME reported.

Lawmakers could hold a workshop on the bill in the coming days, according to the news outlet.

South Dakota lawmakers are divided on allowing home cultivation in the state’s medical cannabis program, with some moving to ban it and others voting to allow qualified patients to grow up to three plants, according to a South Dakota Public Broadcasting report.

The state’s voter-approved medical cannabis initiative, which passed in November 2020, includes provisions that allow patients to grow a minimum of three plants at home, the news outlet reported.

However, the  South Dakota Legislature’s Medical Marijuana Subcommittee recommended in September that the state should ban home cultivation.

Rep. Fred Deutsch (R-Florence) has introduced legislation to prohibit patients from growing cannabis at home, and his bill has cleared the House State Affairs Committee in a 10-3 vote, South Dakota Public Broadcasting reported.

Deutsch’s bill may hit opposition in the South Dakota Senate, however, as that chamber’s Health and Human Services Committee has approved legislation that would allow patients to grow up to three plants at home.

Jan. 22 marked one year since Arizona launched its first adult-use cannabis sales, and data from the state’s Department of Revenue shows that adult-use sales topped $520 million in 2021.

While the department has not yet finished tallying December’s sales figures, the Arizona dispensaries racked up $528,001,278 in adult-use sales last year, and the state brought in $44,533,436 in tax revenue.

“I believe that the level of sales is close to where we expected,” Demitri Downing, founder of the Arizona Marijuana Industry Trade Association, told KJZZ. “I think there’s individuals who would like them to be higher. Compared to other states, ... it’s about consistent with what other states show.”

The tax revenue generated by Arizona’s adult-use cannabis sales will be used to support state programs like community colleges, transportation and law enforcement, according to the news outlet.

When December’s sales figures are finalized, Arizona will have a combined total of over $1.3 billion in medical and adult-use cannabis sales for 2021.

DENVER, Colo. - January 24, 2022 - PRESS RELEASE - The Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) released licensee demographic data for January 2022. The Division is committed to reporting information that allows the state and members of the public to understand the diversity landscape of Colorado’s Regulated Marijuana industry and measure progress on statewide social equity-related initiatives. The following tables provide additional insights into the demographics of Colorado’s commercial marijuana industry.

Regulated Marijuana License Demographic Information - January 1, 2022

Cannabis Cabinet Wildly Important Goal (WIG) FY 21-22: Promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in the marijuana industry, measured by an increase in minority-ownership of marijuana businesses from 15.2% to 16.8% by June 30, 2022.

As of Jan. 1, 2022, there are 50 approved Social Equity licensees (4 issued in December).

NEWYORK, Jan. 24, 2022 – PRESS RELEASE – Sugarmade Inc., an emerging leader in the licensed cannabissector, announced the signing of a binding letter of intent (the “LOI”) withGenCann Inc., the exclusive licensor for a set of cannabis chemovarsparticularly rich in the cannabinoid Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THC-V) (the“GenCann chemovars”).

Underthe terms outlined in the LOI, Sugarmade and its licensed cannabis cultivatorpartners will be granted a five-year license to cultivate what the companybelieves to be some of the highest THC-V-containing strains in existence.Sugarmade and GenCann plan to begin clone production immediately upon thesigning of the final agreement with a cultivation program beginning this springin Lake County, Calif..

“WhileTHC-V is sometimes referred to as a ‘rare cannabinoid,’ we believe the term nolonger applies relative to our planned cultivation effort using GenCann’s chemovars,”Sugarmade CEO Jimmy Chan said. “The test results from certified Californialaboratories of these chemovars are certainly impressive, with THC-V yields inflower of up to 8 percent. We think the GenCann chemovars are a game-changer inthe cannabinoid space. Sugarmade plans to make a substantial commitment to bringproducts based on THC-V to the California market and perhaps to other states inthe future.”

TheGenCann chemovars are covered by multiple issued U.S. patents, including patentnumbers PP33212 for the plant called “V1,” patent number PP33211 for the plantcalled “V2” and patent number PP33210 for the plant called “V3.” All three ofthese chemovars contain abundant THC-V, with the V1 variety being especiallydistinguished by producing more THC-V than THC by percent weight. The V3strain, also known as Skelator, will be the predominant strain utilized forspring cultivation due to its early finishing characteristics and its higherTHC-V content, although the V1 and V2 varieties are also planned for Sugarmade’scultivation effort.

Sugarmadeplans to utilize the THC-V-rich biomass in a series of products it plans tointroduce to the licensed California marketplace. The first of these will beTHC-V-rich smokeable flower and THC-V-rich gummy candies. In the future,Sugarmade plans to also produce distillate and isolate products based on itscultivated biomass.

“TheTHC-V smoking and edibles consumption experience is very different compared totraditional cannabis,” Chan said. “Where legacy cannabis strains often producea sedating effect, consumption of THC-V-rich products produces a pleasant anduplifting effect. It’s a remarkable experience, and we believe consumers willgravitate to it.”

Veritas Fine Cannabis is always looking for new ways to engage with the end consumer, and this past year, the Colorado-based company has found success in a variety of limited-edition product drops.

The Veritas team likes to curate experiences, according to the company’s marketing director, Jordan Plunkett.

“That’s the thought process behind our new product lines and our new product drops,” Plunkett says. “We want to do something that goes above and beyond just giving someone a new product to try out. We want to tie that into an experience somehow, and we’ve done this in the past with previous product lines, such as our Pheno Hunts.”

While “pheno hunting,” or determining a cannabis cultivar’s best traits, is usually reserved for a company’s internal product development team, Veritas has given its customers the chance to try and vote for their favorite phenotype. The one with the most votes then becomes a permanent cultivar in Veritas’ genetic library.

“That [idea] derived from our gardeners coming to us and basically saying, ‘We have all these phenos and these incredible strains, and we don’t even … know where to choose from,’” Plunkett says. “We then came up with an idea to actually … get consumers engaged somehow.”

South Dakota has issued its first three medical cannabis dispensary licenses to retailers in Wagner, Watertown and Keystone, according to a South Dakota Public Broadcasting report.

The licenses went to Custom Touch in Wagner, Dakota Dispensaries in Watertown and Puffy’s in Keystone, according to the state’s website.

South Dakota must still license medical cannabis cultivators, manufacturers and testing facilities, and the Department of Health is continuing to process applications, South Dakota Public Broadcasting reported.

The state’s voters approved medical and adult-use cannabis legalization measures in the November 2020 election, although the South Dakota Supreme Court has since overturned the adult-use initiative, ruling that it violated the state’s single-subject rule.

South Dakota lawmakers are currently considering several proposed bills on medical and adult-use cannabis during the 2022 legislative session, which kicked off Jan. 11.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, California, January 21, 2022 - PRESS RELEASE - Dama Financial (Dama), a provider of access to banking and payment solutions for the cannabis industry, has entered into an agreement to acquire GrowFlow Corp. (GrowFlow), whose business management and compliance tools have processed more than $3.3 billion for cannabis retailers, cultivators, processors, and distributors.

Dama Financial has entered an agreement to acquire GrowFlow, creating a comprehensive solution for cannabis companies.

Combining Dama's fintech and payment solutions and GrowFlow's software platform will create a sophisticated, comprehensive solution for cannabis companies, integrating product, operations, compliance, and financial data in a more usable and flexible solution. The highly scalable platform will fulfill the business needs and regulatory obligations of any licensed cannabis business—dispensary or wholesale—everywhere cannabis is legal in the United States.

"With this acquisition, we are creating the leading platform for cannabis operators, essentially a one-stop-shop for the business tools they need to thrive," said Anh Hatzopoulos, Dama's co-founder and chief executive officer. "We created Dama to solve real problems for the industry through innovation, and integrating GrowFlow's software into our fintech is a huge step forward in that mission. To be successful in the long term, cannabis operators need legal, compliant, forward-looking solutions like Dama's that don't skirt restrictions through workarounds, and this sets us up to keep innovating to champion our customers and propel a booming market."

Cannabis is currently legal in 37 U.S. states and four U.S. territories. The U.S. market is expected to reach $43 billion by 2025, according to New Frontier Data. Dama is one of the only solutions available in every state where cannabis is legal.

"I could not be more excited about this merging of minds and technologies," said Travis Steffen, GrowFlow chief executive officer. "Our leadership teams have nearly identical views of the industry and how it is evolving. Bringing our solutions together will allow us to serve customers in many unique ways and compete on much more than price."

Who will be the next set of leaders in Nevada’s cannabis industry as the state works to launch its much-anticipated cannabis consumption lounges?

For the Nevada Chamber of Cannabis, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization with the goal of advancing inclusivity in cannabis commerce, and its industry partners, it is imperative that the state works to create a more diverse marketplace.

Since its inception in early 2020, the Chamber of Cannabis has grown to over 400 registered members and 65 cannabis businesses, as well as roughly 10 ancillary businesses. The organization hosts monthly meetings, much like a regular chamber of commerce, to gather industry leaders to share ideas.

“Our chamber board has been able to use their network to bring people together,” says Tina Ulman, the co-founder and president of the Chamber of Cannabis “We’ve helped place talent, we’ve helped make business introductions, and … those are things that just weren’t happening as strong as they should’ve been previously.”

Earlier this month, The Source, a vertically integrated cannabis operator with dispensary locations in Henderson, Las Vegas and Reno, joined the Chamber of Cannabis at its “Game Changer” level with a donation of $10,000 or more.

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 19, 2022 – PRESS RELEASE – Wonderbrett, a legendary West Coast cannabis brand best known for world-renowned genetics, exotic terpene profiles and pioneering cultivation techniques, announced the launch of the brand’s ultra-premium indoor flower and rare strains in Michigan, in partnership with Michigan operator Cloud Cannabis Co.. The first-of-its-kind strategic cultivation partnership was first announced in September 2021. 

Together, the two “people-first” operators have co-designed a state-of-the-art grow facility that will provide Michigan customers with the safest, ultra-premium cannabis strains available.

Wonderbrett founders Brett Feldman and Cameron Damwijk spent decades in California perfecting the output of cannabis flavor and terpene profiles with custom-designed irrigation systems, time-tested growing techniques and a creative approach to strain selection. Cloud Cannabis sought a true cultivation partnership with the founding growers, wherein the company could provide its extensive distribution network, dispensaries and grow facility in exchange for a true collaborative partnership on the design and build of its recently acquired cultivation facility, and Wonderbrett’s gift for creative flavor selection. 

“We knew launching in Michigan would be an important moment in our company’s history and the only way to do it authentically would be to collaborate with our partners on the cultivation design and harvesting process,” Damwijk said. “That’s why I spent the past year working directly with Cloud Cannabis Co. leadership and their cultivation team to design and engineer a customized, state-of-the-art facility that’s fine-tuned for consistent small batch, craft style harvests of our strains at scale. I’m excited to see the result of our hard work. To walk into Cloud’s stores and see people engaging with our products is an indescribable feeling.”  

Wonderbrett’s sell-out strains: “Grapes of Wrath,” “Orange Banana” and “Peach OZ” will first become available at Cloud Cannabis stores across the state in pre-rolls and 1/8th-ounce jars. Wonderbrett’s other famed strains: “Black Orchid,” “Pink Picasso” and “Melon OG” will come online in the weeks and months to follow. 

"Our work with Wonderbrett is a true operational and cultural partnership,” said Tyson Macdonald, chief financial officer at Cloud Cannabis. “Together, we’ve built something the Michigan market can be proud of for years to come. The cannabis industry in our state is leading the way for record-breaking recreational cannabis sales, and yet it has been sorely lacking products that deliver on flavor and potency. The quality, flavor and experience of what we’ve released today will change that.” 

Digging his heels in the sand to avoid moving forward with a proposed medical cannabis bill in 2021, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves now finds his veto card fading quickly in 2022. 

That’s because the House passed an amended version of the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act, 105-14, on Jan. 19, displaying overwhelming bipartisan support of a legalization effort that ignited with November 2020’s voter-approved Initiative 65. The state’s Supreme Court struck down that initiative on signature-gathering technicality in May 2021, and state lawmakers have been working on crafting legislation since.  

RELATED: Mississippi Supreme Court Overturns Voter-Approved Ballot Initiative for Medical Cannabis

“Why are we here?” Rep. Lee Yancey asked on the House floor Wednesday. “We’re here because in November of 2020 there was a ballot initiative. In that ballot initiative, [68.5 percent] of the people indicated they wanted a medical marijuana program. They indicated that that was something they thought would be good for relief for those who were suffering.”

Despite the Mississippi Legislature’s 2021 adjournment coming a month before the Supreme Court decision, state Sen. Kevin Blackwell and Yancey, both Republicans, began working on a legislative pathway aimed at honoring the voters’ will while the congressional body was out of session.

But that legislative effort came to a standstill in fall 2021, when Reeves refused to call a special session. Despite opposing Initiative 65, the governor indicated his willingness to call a special session should Senate and House leaders come to a compromise proposal that attracted majority support in both chambers.

CHICAGO – January 20, 2022 — PRESS RELEASE — Cresco Labs, a vertically integrated multistate operator and a U.S. wholesaler of branded cannabis products, today announced an exclusive partnership agreement with multi-platinum-selling, GRAMMY and Golden Globe Award-nominated recording artist Wiz Khalifa’s brand, Khalifa Kush. Through the cultivation and product collaboration partnership, FloraCal Farms and Continuum will be the sole producer and distributor, respectively, of premium branded products featuring Khalifa Kush’s signature “KK” strain in California.

“Wiz Khalifa has been a longtime advocate for cannabis legalization, with a namesake OG strain beloved by many in other states. Today, we’re thrilled to bring his brand to cannabis lovers and his fans in California,” said David Gacom, West Region Regional President at Cresco Labs. “We’re focused on bringing a curated portfolio of leading brands to California retailers, and Khalifa Kush is a natural addition with its focus on delivering top quality cannabis. We’re excited to work with the talented Khalifa Kush team to grow its cannabis and commercialize its products.”

"We're excited to launch Khalifa Kush in California with Cresco Labs, we've been working for years on this project." said Wiz Khalifa. "The KK grown at FloraCal is the best I've smoked and can't wait for the people of California to enjoy the original KK."

“FloraCal Farms and Continuum, with their best-in-class cultivation capabilities and significant scale and penetration, have proven to be the premier cultivator and distribution platform in the largest and most competitive market in the country, and we’re honored to partner with their teams to expand Khalifa Kush’s footprint in California,” said DJ Saul, CEO of Khalifa Kush.

Initial products available to California consumers will include flower and pre-rolls, with an expanded line to arrive later in the year. Khalifa Kush products will be sold exclusively at Cookies stores at launch, with expansion to additional retail partners throughout the year.

WAKEFIELD, Mass., Jan. 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PRESS RELEASE -- Curaleaf Holdings, Inc., an international provider of consumer products in cannabis, today announced plans to open two new dispensaries in Pennsylvania. Curaleaf's latest locations in Greensburg and Wayne will increase the company's retail footprint to 14 dispensaries statewide and 125 across the country. Two additional locations, Curaleaf Erie (7891 Peach St.) and Curaleaf State College (1248 S Atherton St.), are expected to open by the end of February, pending regulatory approval.

Curaleaf Greensburg, located at 5133 US-30, is the first of the dispensaries to hold a Grand Opening today, Jan. 20. Curaleaf Wayne, located at 707 Lancaster Ave., has already undergone a soft opening and will celebrate its Grand Opening on Thursday, Jan. 27. The company's newest retail locations are dedicated to being a leading resource in research-based patient education and advocacy. Patients will have access to a selection of Curaleaf's top-selling vaporizer and whole flower products, including Select Elite, Select Elite Live, Grassroots Full-Spectrum RSOs, RSO capsules, prepackaged flower, distillate cartridges, strain-specific vape cartridges, as well as cured and live concentrates.

Since becoming a Clinical Registrant recognized by the Commonwealth's Department of Health in 2020, Curaleaf's Pennsylvania subsidiaries have supported research initiatives examining the potential benefits of cannabis by providing medical marijuana and guidance to patients. Curaleaf's first-in-the-nation research program builds upon the company's ongoing efforts to provide clinically supported resources to Pennsylvania's over 681,000 registered patients.

"Curaleaf is proud to broaden its scope of patient care and provide premium medical marijuana products to our Greensburg and Wayne medical communities," said Chief Executive Officer Joe Bayern. "Our latest retail expansion allows us to further support patients in the state of Pennsylvania and work with esteemed scientists on essential medical marijuana studies that will empower both physicians and patients to make confident and informed decisions."

In addition to Curaleaf's latest two locations, the company also serves patients through its Curaleaf dispensaries in Altoona, Bradford, Brookville, City Avenue, DuBois, Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Horsham, King of Prussia, Lebanon, Morton and Philadelphia. In the coming weeks, Curaleaf will offer grand opening discounts to veterans, seniors and first-time patients at all Pennsylvania locations. For more information on store openings, along with product offerings and hours of operation, please visit https://curaleaf.com/locations#pennsylvania.

BOCA RATON, Florida, January 19, 2022 - PRESS RELEASE - ACS Laboratory, a cannabis and hemp testing facility in the eastern U.S., has developed the THCOa Safety Bundle Test, a testing panel to test for THC-O acetate (THCOa), acetic anhydride, and other specific cannabinoids. With the THCOa Safety Bundle, ACS Laboratory now tests for a total of 22 cannabinoids.

"When creating our THCOa Safety Bundle, we not only took the time to create a method for THCOa, but also a method for the potential harmful chemical, acetic anhydride, that is used as a reactor–to ensure safety and purity for the consumer and for ACS Laboratory to continue to be a good corporate citizen," said Roger Brown, ACS Laboratory president. "Although there is excitement surrounding this cannabinoid, safety is our main priority, and we strongly encourage suppliers to test beyond potency to ensure safety."

“Lean and mean” is the current approach at Lake County, Calif., cultivator Napa Valley Fumé, company founder and CEO Eric Sklar tells Cannabis Business Times.

The company is pivoting from a partnership with Eaze to more brand development. “Eaze has picked up those delivery dispensaries as they’ve gone vertical, and our entire focus is on our brands, both fumé and LAKE GRADE,” Sklar said.

The company plans to launch more brands this year, Sklar said, adding, “And [we’re] really excited because that was the goal from the very beginning, was to be a house of brands—a small handful of really super-high-quality brands. Whatever the price point, we want the quality to be one of the best in that niche.”

RELATED: Napa Valley Fumé: Chicken Soup & Camaraderie Part of the Company Culture Recipe

Changes at the company mirror some of the predictions that Sklar has for the wider cannabis industry in 2022—sustainable growth for businesses and more product development. But Sklar has additional hopes for the industry, both as a whole and specific to the Western U.S.

CBT caught up with Sklar, who has been involved in national, state, and local politics, and serves on the California Fish and Game Commission, to discuss his cannabis industry predictions for this year—from M&A to banking to possible California tax abatements.

The CEO of Ohio-based medical cannabis cultivator and manufacturer Ancient Roots LLC has been cut off from his company’s facilities and record books by the state’s Department of Commerce (DOC).

David Haley, who founded the company in 2018, had his employee license suspended by DOC last week, roughly two months after department officials first began investigating accusations by regulators that Ancient Roots was giving out samples of cannabis grown at his facility, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported.

DOC officials allege that Haley provided free cannabis products to visitors at his Wilmington facility, just northeast of Cincinnati. The sampled product had been intended for retail distribution, and Ancient Roots’ records inaccurately showed those samples remained in the company’s processing inventory after Haley allegedly gave them away.

Under rules, regulations and guidelines set forth by Ohio’s Board of Pharmacy, and the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program—following Ohio voters’ approval of Issue 3 in the November 2015 election, and subsequent passage of House Bill 523 by the state Legislature in September 2016—handing out free samples of cannabis is prohibited. The sample ban applies to those licensed by the state program, but also to events, expos, job fairs, parties and the like.

After Ancient Roots passed its final inspection in November 2018, the company began operating as a tier-2 cultivation license holder—the smaller of two license types—meaning it was limited to 3,000, 6,000 and 9,000 square feet of cultivation space during its first three years of operation.

Under a proposed medical cannabis expansion bill in Ohio, tier-2 license holders would be able to expand their operation to 20,000 square feet, while tier-1 licensees would be able to expand from 25,000 to 75,000 square feet.

Roughly 70% of California’s cannabis businesses currently hold provisional licenses ahead of a June 30 deadline to secure annual licenses through the state.

That’s why the Sacramento Office of Cannabis Management plans to use a $5.7-million grant from California’s Department of Cannabis Control to hire experts to help business owners transition from provisional to annual licenses, according to Davina Smith, the office’s manager.

When California launched legal adult-use cannabis sales on Jan. 1, 2018, the state allowed cannabis businesses to operate under provisional licenses, which have since been renewed on an annual basis, to give businesses time to work through the necessary requirements to get a more permanent annual license.

“Now, it’s become a situation where the provisional licenses need to end on the state level, and they want to only issue annual licenses,” Smith said. “They’re looking at how they can resolve these issues, and they’ve enlisted the help of local jurisdictions that permit cannabis … to assist them in that. So, Sacramento got a grant, as well as a number of other cities and counties across the state that license cannabis.”

The Office of Cannabis Management is Sacramento’s regulatory body that issues local cannabis permits and takes enforcement action on the permits, such as revocation or denial. The office also creates policies to govern the local cannabis industry, as well as operates a social equity program, called the CORE program, which aims to support minority-owned businesses.

WAKEFIELD, Mass., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PRESS RELEASE -- Curaleaf Holdings, Inc., an international provider of consumer products in cannabis, today announced plans to open two new dispensaries in Florida by the end of this month. The expansion will increase the company's retail footprint to 44 dispensaries statewide and 119 across the country. 

Curaleaf Tampa Bay Mabry, located at 13755 North Dale Mabry Highway, opened on Jan. 15 and Curaleaf Largo, located at 10289 Ulmerton Road, is expected to open later this month, subject to final regulatory approvals. In December, Curaleaf added four additional dispensaries in Stuart, Lady Lake, Wesley Chapel and Miami to continue to expand access to the company's quality products and services. 

Florida has evolved into one of the largest and fastest growing medical markets in the country. Curaleaf has quickly expanded its retail presence and cultivation footprint and introduced more innovative products, including Select Squeeze, Select Bites, Select Nano Bites, and its breakthrough vape hardware Cliq by Select, which features a proprietary gravity-fed pod and variable battery voltage settings, allowing patients to customize cannabis consumption experiences to their individual preferences. The company's Florida growth strategy resulted in significant gains last year, with Curaleaf doubling its market share to fifteen percent in the state. 

"We are excited to kick off this year continuing our momentum of expansion and growth in Florida," said Matt Darin, president of Curaleaf. "Throughout this year our patients can expect to see Curaleaf continue to lead the Florida market with new innovative products and convenient new locations." 

For more information on Curaleaf's latest openings in Florida, along with product offerings and hours of operation, please visit www.curaleaf.com/locations/#florida.

Applicants for Illinois’ new craft grow licenses are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in rent payments and losing contracts with experts they had lined up to help run their businesses as they wait for the state to tell them what they all want to know—whether they are among the 60 who will ultimately be awarded a license.

That is according to a brief filed by Irina Dashevsky and Ryan Holz, partners in Greenspoon Marder’s Cannabis Law Practice who are working on a case that has landed in the Illinois Supreme Court.

The case is one of several pieces of litigation pending in the state as officials slog through their licensing process to issue new adult-use cannabis dispensary and craft grow licenses to social equity applicants.

Illinois awarded 32 craft grow licenses last summer and was required by law to issue 60 additional craft grow licenses by Dec. 21, 2021, Dashevsky told Cannabis Business Times.

When they announced the initial 32 license winners, state officials said they would issue the next 60 licenses to members of the same applicant pool, Dashevsky added, which was not required under Illinois’ adult-use cannabis law.