MjLink Cannabis Business News and Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio, October 18, 2021 -- PRESS RELEASE -- Worthington Industries announced the launch of its newest product family brand, Highpoint by Worthington Industries. Highpoint products are designed with the extraction community in mind to support clean, safe solutions for the cannabis industry.
For too long, the legalized cannabis extraction industry has depended on equipment from other sectors to make extraction possible. As the industry matures and new legal states come online, first-class extraction facilities realize the importance of implementing and using products and equipment designed with the industry in mind.
Bulk hydrocarbon tanks and hydrocarbon gases are an essential part of the extraction process. Highpoint products represent an industry shift with high-quality, clean and safe stainless steel tanks. Extractors know that in a rapidly-growing industry with a thirst for constant innovation, their processes must be purpose-built from start to finish.
"With Highpoint, we're excited to support the rapidly growing cannabis market by fulfilling an unmet need for storage solutions tailored to this industry," said Bobby Weinberg, product director. "Backed by decades of safety, regulatory and manufacturing expertise, we are elevating the process and setting a new standard together with our customers."
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OTTAWA, Oct. 18, 2021 – PRESS RELEASE – HEXO Corp. announced the departure of Sébastien St-Louis, co-founder and CEO, effective immediately, as the company completes a strategic reorganization.
"On behalf of the entire organization, I would like to thank Sébastien for his tremendous impact on the Canadian cannabis industry. Through his years of dedication, he has helped build HEXO into a market leader in Canada," said Dr. Michael Munzar, chair of the board. “The board has established a Special Committee for Succession to identify a new CEO with the experience to defend HEXO's position as a market leader in Canada and secure our place as a top-three global cannabis company."
The company's next leader will be well-positioned to integrate HEXO's recent transformative acquisitions and leverage the company's lean production capabilities, solid brands and robust product offering to lead HEXO through its next phase of strategic evolution.
"Building HEXO from the ground up to become No. 1 in Canada has been the highlight of my career," St-Louis said. "Without question, HEXO's future is bright—I am so proud of the team we established, the brands we launched and the loyalty our customers have shown us. As a significant shareholder I look forward to the company’s next exciting stage of growth."
The board’s Special Committee for Succession is in advanced discussions with a preferred CEO candidate and expects to make an announcement in the coming days.
HEXO also announced the resignation of company Chief Operating Officer Donald Courtney and thanks him for his significant contributions over the last three years. Through his leadership, the company has significantly improved its operational excellence by increasing scale and automation. Don will remain as COO until a suitable replacement is identified.]]>The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) issued 14 long-awaited new medical cannabis business licenses Oct. 15.
Nearly 200 entrepreneurs applied for the licenses when the process launched two years ago, according to an NJ.com report, and the CRC ultimately awarded 10 cultivation licenses and four vertically integrated licenses on Friday.
The cultivation licenses went to Hillview Med INC., CYOURN LLC, GSCC Management LLC, NJ Nectar Ventures LLC, Noble Valley Harvest Company, Green Medicine NJ LLC, ZY Labs LLC, the NAR Group Inc., Bloom Medicinals of PA LLC and Garden State Releaf LLC.
The vertically integrated licenses, which allow businesses to grow, manufacture and sell medical cannabis, went to Etain NJ LLC, Atlus New Jersey LLC, Holistic NJ LLC and Greenhouse Wellness NJ LLC.
All 14 licenses were awarded to minority- or women-owned businesses, NJ.com reported.
SOMERSET, Mass., Oct. 13, 2021 – PRESS RELEASE – United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local Union 328, which represents 11,000 workers in a variety of industries in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, announced that the hardworking team of budtenders employed at Solar Therapeutics in Somerset, Mass., won their union election after voting, 10-4, to join UFCW Local 328. The workers formed their union with a focus on gaining full-time opportunities, improving benefits and securing important workplace protections.
Erin Bosse, a budtender at the Somerset location, stated after the win, “I am so proud of my co-workers for sticking together. We love our jobs and know that by forming our union, we will be able to build a better future for all of us here at Solar. Cannabis jobs can and should be careers and we know that when we stand together, we can make positive changes not only at our workplace but across the industry.”
Jared Botelho, another budtender at the location, stated, “We are absolutely amazed to see all of the wonderful support from our fellow budtenders and are happy to say we have won our union election. We are looking forward to seeing a more bright and equitable future within the Solar Cannabis Co. community in pair with UFCW 328.
Botelho added, “This industry has the potential to provide meaningful and middle-class jobs to thousands of cannabis workers across the country. This goes beyond us and our own dispensary. We hope other dispensaries continue the precedent to establish equity and contracts for their workers. We hold our company in the highest regards and look forward to our negotiations. Destigmatize, legitimize and unionize!”
Sam Marvin, Director of Organizing at UFCW Local 328, said, “We are proud of the amazing team at Solar for sticking together throughout this election process. We look forward to taking the next steps towards negotiating a first contract that rewards the hard work and dedication they bring to the job each day.”
The workers at Solar Therapeutics join a growing movement both locally and across the country of cannabis workers coming together to ensure that workers have a collective voice in this new industry.
BACKGROUND:
Walker, Michigan – October 18, 2021 – PRESS RELEASE – Pipp Horticulture (a division of Pipp Mobile Storage Systems, Inc.), a provider of space‐saving, multi‐level mobile cultivation systems, announced today that it has acquired the GGS Group of Companies (GGS). Based in Vineland, Ontario, GGS is one of the most recognized names in the horticulture industry. It has been the leading manufacturer of greenhouses and turnkey greenhouse growing solutions including traditional rolling benches, heating and ventilation systems, and curtain systems.
“We are thrilled to welcome the entire GGS team to the Pipp family of companies," said Craig Umans, Pipp president and CEO. "GGS has decades of experience manufacturing greenhouse structures and has become a leading supplier to the horticulture industry. The company has consistently impressed us with its ability to deliver value to its customers, and we look forward to our next phase of growth.”
“We are pleased to partner with PIPP as we build an even more expansive platform to serve our customers.” said Leigh Coulter, president and owner of GGS. “Our expertise in designing, manufacturing and installing commercial greenhouse structures, combined with Pipp's state-of-the-art vertical farming and space optimization solutions, will allow us to offer North American growers a complete and efficient solution.”
“We are delighted to see two such complementary companies come together today. This acquisition is another step in Pipp's strategy to become the leading supplier of turnkey solutions to all segments of horticulture globally." said Marc Paiement, senior partner at Novacap. "We look forward to continuing to work with them throughout this process, providing support and expertise to help them achieve their goal."
For the past several years, Pipp Horticulture’s mission has been to help cultivators across the globe save time and money by creating a more efficient grow facility and help streamline operations. Pipp has not only developed a product line that was purposefully designed to serve the cultivation market, but it has strategically acquired companies like GGS and Vertical Air Solutions, the leading provider of air circulation systems for indoor vertical farming, to be able to offer the industry a turnkey cultivation solution, continuously improving upon its services, and developing products that positively affect canopy output and facility operations.
With the wide array of cultivars available, cultivators need to diversify their genetic portfolios to maintain consumer-based interest. While selecting a few fast-growing, high-yielding, potent strains will meet inventory demands, medicinal and adult-use consumers alike seek out specific traits and novel experiences.
Offering a well-balanced menu of sativa, hybrid, and indica genetics is a great place to start, but going above and beyond will set you apart from the competition.
There are also numerous other valuable traits to consider when it comes to selecting that next winning cultivar.
Beyond achieving an elevated THC content, cultivators should consider novel characteristics, such as specific cannabinoid production (THCV, CBN, CBG, etc.) and the ratios in which they occur; unique terpene synthesis (nerolidol, guaiol, bisabolol, etc.) that create distinct aromatic and flavor profiles; and appealing bud structure with a focus on stacking density, color composition, and trichome abundance. Additional considerations include growth and developmental traits, namely genetic stability, the time needed to complete the vegetative and flower cycle, and consistency in growth patterns and flower production.
Read more: 5 Tips for Cultivar Selection at Scale
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TORONTO, Oct. 15, 2021 /CNW/ - PRESS RELEASE - Bullrider, a cannabis brand with a storied history in the Canadian cannabis landscape, is welcoming Aubrey Drake Graham (Drake), a Grammy-award winning rapper, singer-songwriter and producer as the brand's new partner and strategic advisor.
Under this partnership, Drake joins OVO co-founder and producer, Noah "40" Shebib as an investor, partner and advisor. 40's involvement with the brand was spurred by the brand's namesake strain, Afghani Bullrider, which he credits as a life-changing product that has helped manage symptoms related to his decades long journey with multiple sclerosis. Drake now joins Bullrider, a subsidiary of Robes Inc., as co-owners alongside industry veterans 40, Maxim Zavet and Lorne Greenberg. The brand's offerings have expanded to multiple high-grade strains, merchandise, retail and premium cannabis products.
Encouraged by 40's tenacity and knowledge of the recreational cannabis space, Drake will play a role in advising and helping with strategy as part of the brands mission to bring an unmatched cannabis experience to the North American market. "I've always viewed 40 as the expert when it comes to cannabis so I'm very excited to invest, partner and contribute to setting a new standard for a premium cannabis experience," said Drake.
"My involvement with Bullrider stems from the urge to help consumers access high-grade strains with the same recreational therapeutic benefits that I've been able to enjoy," said 40. "It's not just another cannabis brand. Bullrider has a deep reverence for quality cannabis and its medicinal properties which I've always been extremely passionate about."
"At the heart of Bullrider is the convergence of street art, hip-hop and limited premium Cannabis product drops," said CEO Maxim Zavet. "We're honored to create a space for Drake and 40 to continue their iconic partnership in lending their innovation and drive to sharing our products with the world."
Bullrider is set to open their unique farm-gate flagship store in Brampton, Ontario offering a one-of-a-kind cannabis production and retail experience in October 2021.
]]>LAS VEGAS – PRESS RELEASE – Nevada’s legal cannabis industry reached a major milestone as sales exceeded $1 billion in fiscal year 2021. A total of $159 million generated through cannabis industry tax revenue and fees went into the state’s Distributive School Account, which funds K-12 education across Nevada.
Cannabis sales for the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2021 were up more than $300 million from the prior year’s total of $684 million. Sales had decreased in the spring of 2020 as COVID-19 restrictions forced stores to shut down and then reopen with reduced capacity. Nevada retailers were able to pivot their operations to expand home delivery and curbside pickup, enabling them to safely serve customers and to keep the industry’s 10,000 workers in their jobs during the pandemic.
“The record-breaking amount of tax revenue generated by the cannabis industry for education is really something to celebrate,” said Layke Martin, executive director of the Nevada Dispensary Association. “Retailers, cultivators, producers, and businesses up and down the supply chain, as well as the thousands of employees in the industry, should all be proud of the hard work and innovation that helped the industry bounce back from a challenging year.”
Unlike other businesses, the cannabis industry was not eligible to receive CARES Act or other federal relief because cannabis is still federally illegal. Additionally, Section 280E of the IRS Tax Code prevents legal cannabis businesses from deducting normal business expenses such as rent and payroll, because cannabis is classified as a Schedule 1 drug. As a result, cannabis businesses pay an effective tax rate of more than 60%.
In spite of these challenges, Nevada’s legal cannabis industry has grown steadily since recreational sales began on July 1, 2017. Nevada is among 19 states that have legalized recreational cannabis sales, with 86 dispensaries open statewide.
Recent summers have delivered record temperatures to all of California, including both the southern and northern regions, and 2021 has been no exception.
With such extreme environmental temperatures up and down the state, one possible recourse that doesn’t require increasing air conditioning capacity is to use either shade cloth or a greenhouse whitewash to control excessively hot environmental conditions, both ambient temperatures as well as radiant temperature.
A whitewash consists of coating the greenhouse glass with one or more coats of non-permanent, white, washable paint. Operations that use automated glass cleaning machines can fill those systems with whitewash instead of a cleaning solution. Some larger scale operations can also apply whitewash by helicopter.
While the goal of whitewashing is to reduce radiant temperatures, it also impacts the amount of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) light reaching the crop. If light levels drop below target levels, consider washing off the paint and applying fewer coats or a more diluted paint mix. Ultimately, growers must weigh the risks of heat exposure against loss of light when determining how much light and radiant heat they want to take out of the greenhouse.
Shade cloth comes in a multitude of configurations; it offers various percentages of shading capabilities (e.g., 10%, 20% or 30% shading, meaning the cloth will block that amount of light from entering the greenhouse).
Like whitewashing, shade cloths do reduce the amount of light that reaches the crops. Thankfully, shade cloths can be pulled up during peak sunshine hours and removed as the sun sets to minimize the loss of light while maximizing the reduction of radiant heat.
DENVER, Oct. 12, 2021 – PRESS RELEASE – Flowhub, the cannabis retail point-of-sale (POS) platform for dispensaries, announced the closing of $19 million in strategic funding, bringing the total amount of capital raised to nearly $50 million with a valuation of over $200 million. The financing was led by venture firms Headline and Poseidon, and included a personal investment from world-renowned rapper, entrepreneur and entertainment mogul Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter.
With the additional funding, Flowhub will accelerate expansion into emerging markets, further develop its dynamic product line and grow its social equity program. Launched in June 2021, Flowhub's social equity program invests in those who have been adversely impacted by the war on drugs. Per the program, eligible social equity business owners receive Flowhub's POS software discounted at $4.20 for up to three years, the mobile Stash and Greet apps, the View app and free implementation. To date, Flowhub has awarded more than $1 million worth of software products to eligible cannabis entrepreneurs via this program.
"We are thrilled to announce this capital raise. Headline is an incredible Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm, Poseidon is a pioneer investor in the cannabis industry and Jay-Z is a cultural and creative global force no matter the industry he is involved in," said Kyle Sherman, founder and CEO of Flowhub. "I couldn't think of a better group to be working with as we take this company to the next stage. This funding not only underscores the significant value that Flowhub provides to our customers, but also the maturation of the cannabis industry at large. We remain committed to developing innovative products that help our retail customers run better businesses."
Flowhub processes more than $3 billion in cannabis sales annually and is trusted by over 1,000 dispensaries. Built specifically to serve the highly regulated cannabis industry, Flowhub helps dispensaries operate compliantly, effortlessly expand and deliver exceptional guest experiences. By automating the compliance process that cannabis retailers have to deal with on a daily basis and helping dispensaries sell smarter, Flowhub is working to enable a future where cannabis is accessible to every adult on planet Earth.
Recently, Flowhub appointed Leandre Johns as Chief Operating Officer. The former Uber executive was brought in to help shape the business for the next stage of growth. The company also announced a recent integration by Weedmaps to streamline online ordering for consumers and Flowhub-powered cannabis retailers.
To learn more about or apply to Flowhub's social equity program, please visit flowhub.com/social-equity-program.
Tim Houseberg’s ambitions for hemp are nearly as expansive as the opportunities for the plant itself.
After a nearly 30-year career with the Cherokee Nation in environmental protection and financial services, Houseberg has spent the past three years building a hemp-related non-profit and genetics company, conducting multiple studies on the plant, and forming numerous partnerships across the hemp sector. It’s all been to support his ultimate vision of bringing tribal sovereignty to his community and others.
But Houseberg’s latest hemp initiative may be his most ambitious yet.
In September, Houseberg’s newest venture, Native American Cannabis Alliance (NACA), announced it had signed three memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with Indigenous farmers from tribes including Mohawk Nation, and Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal Nations.
NACA is a joint venture between Houseberg and Everscore Inc., a startup direct-to-consumer marketplace for THC and CBD products.
Houseberg and Sampson say the MOUs will open up access to 500,000 acres of tribal farmland for not just growing cannabis and hemp, but also creating manufacturing campuses to process the crops grown on that land.
The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) is hosting a “listen and learn” session Oct. 20 to engage with the industry and get public and licensee feedback on the new draft rules before they are finalized.
The LCB proposed the draft rules to update its cannabis quality control sampling and testing requirements, according to a press release from the LCB.
According to the session agenda, the meeting will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. PT, dive into the rulemaking process and the conceptual draft rules, and discuss attendee feedback, suggested revisions, and the next steps.
Below are details from the press release regarding how to virtually join the session:
Attendees can join on their computer or smartphone using this Microsoft Teams link.To listen to the meeting on the phone (audio only): Dial: +564-999-2000 and type in the phone conference ID: 241 255 30# The phone option is intended only for listening to the session. To participate and contribute to the forum, attendees must join online via Microsoft Teams.If you plan to join the session online, the LCB has a few reminders:
The LCB will structure online participation to allow one speaker at a time through a hand-raising feature on Microsoft Teams.If there are difficulties with audio or visual elements of Microsoft Teams, please be patient with the LCB as they work to address them.Attendees can also provide feedback to the LCB via email at @[email protected].
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Oct. 12, 2021 – PRESS RELEASE – Cresco Labs, a vertically integrated multistate operator and the No. 1 U.S. wholesaler of branded cannabis products, announced the conversion of One Plant dispensary to its Sunnyside national retail brand, following approval from the Florida Department of Health’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU).
Effective immediately, eight One Plant locations in Avon Park, Bonita Springs, Boynton Beach, Orlando-Fern Park, Jacksonville, Ocala, Port St. Lucie and St. Petersburg have transitioned to Sunnyside. This August, Cresco Labs opened its first full-concept Sunnyside in Fort Lauderdale. Additional locations are planned to open this year.
“We’re thrilled to bring Sunnyside to the Florida cannabis market and have picked a fantastic partner in One Plant, known for cultivating some of the highest quality cannabis products,” said Cris Rivera, Florida Regional President at Cresco Labs. “Sunnyside will bring welcome aesthetic changes to existing retail locations. Similar to our stores across the country, our Sunnyside Florida stores will provide the same great products from One Plant and Cresco Labs’ House of Brands, an easy, online ordering experience and knowledgeable wellness advisers who will meet our customers wherever they are on their cannabis journey.”
Sunnyside elevates the value cannabis dispensaries can bring to a community. Stores feature a bright, upbeat and welcoming aesthetic. Wellness advisers are knowledgeable across forms and usage frequency to help customers wherever they are on their wellness journey.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department (SBSD) Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) and other deputies seized nearly 64,000 illegal cannabis plants in weeks four, five and six of “Operation Hammer Strike.”
The operation is designed to discover unlawful cannabis cultivations in San Bernardino County, Calif.
RELATED: 1,335 Pounds of Processed Illegal Cannabis Discovered in California
In week four of the operation from Sept. 20-24, investigators and MET agents served 24 search warrants for various locations across six cities in San Bernardino County: Lucerne Valley, Wonder Valley, Apple Valley, Pinon Hills, Phelan and Newberry Springs, according to a press release from SBSD headquarters.
Investigators arrested 33 suspects and discovered over 16,000 pounds of illegal cannabis plants, nearly 6,000 pounds of processed cannabis, and liquidated 101 greenhouses and one electrical bypass. Deputies also found seven guns and $41,000 cash.
In week five of the operation from Sept. 27 to Oct. 1, MET served 26 search warrants for different locations within the same cities as week four in addition to Twentynine Palms.
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga., Oct. 13, 2021 – PRESS RELEASE – FabricAir Inc., the original manufacturer of fabric HVAC duct, introduces the FabricAir Rack Flow System, the agricultural industry’s only air delivery system for multitier grow racks that doesn’t use sheet metal duct or plenums.
Rack Flow consists of fabric duct, high-efficiency fans, variable speed controllers, and a suspension system of stainless-steel cables and powder-coated mounting brackets. The system is designed for multitier cannabis growing as it delivers conditioned ambient air through the racking into the plant canopy to prevent yield-restricting microclimates.
Rack Flow is the only multitier rack air delivery system designed by an air distribution manufacturer. The lightweight system is adaptable to all rack brands and compatible with any lighting grid. FabricAir guarantees the grow industry’s highest CFM/watt efficiency. The system serves racks up to 64 feet long.
Rack Flow ducts are supplied with conditioned ambient air from two high-efficiency, ETL-listed, Energy Star fans. Growers can adjust the air flow to accommodate different stages of grow cycles. Fans come standard with variable speed digital controllers, are easily integrated with grow automation systems (GAS) and are compatible with feedback controls. Rack Flow’s fans are controllable using 0-10V or pulse wave modulation (PWM) formats. Rack Flow uses two premium antimicrobial, flame-retardant and durable fabric cloud ducts that span the length of the rack.
Rack Flow outperforms other rack air delivery systems because of the following advantages:
Uses a proprietary linear venting that produces uniform, predictable airflow and velocitiesDoesn’t use metal plenums or ductwork that are labor intensive to install and clean ECM fans cut power consumption by up to half versus conventional AC fansFans conform to UL–507 and CSA C22.2 standardsCan be quickly disassembled, laundered and reassembled up to six times faster than conventional systemsOther benefits of Rack Flow are:
Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada & Boulder, Colorado, USA [Thursday, October 14, 2021] - PRESS RELEASE - Canopy Growth Corporation and Mountain High Products, LLC, Wana Wellness, LLC and The Cima Group, LLC (collectively, “Wana” and each, a “Wana Entity”) have announced that they have entered into definitive agreements providing Canopy Growth with the right, upon federal permissibility of THC in the U.S., to acquire 100% of the outstanding membership interests of Wana, the No. 1 cannabis edibles brand in North America by market share.
Wana manufactures and sells gummies in the U.S. state of Colorado and licenses its intellectual property to partners, who manufacture, distribute, and sell Wana-branded gummies across the U.S., including California, Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, and Florida, giving Wana a total footprint of 12 U.S. states currently, and across Canada. Wana expects to have license agreements in place in more than 20 U.S. states, including in future adult-use markets in New York and New Jersey, prior to the end of calendar 2022.
Strategic Benefits
Strengthens Canopy Growth’s U.S. Ecosystem: Wana’s leadership position and ongoing expansion across the U.S. bolsters Canopy Growth’s product, brand, and geographic exposure to the U.S. cannabis market upon federal permissibility.Dominant Edibles Category: The gummies category is one of the fastest growing segments in both the U.S. and Canadian cannabis markets accounting for more than 71% of all edibles purchased. Based on Canopy Growth’s consumer research, edibles are expected to continue to serve as the primary point of entry for new consumers into the THC category and as such having a leadership position in the gummy category is critical.Market Leadership in the Edibles Product Category: Wana is the leading cannabis edibles brand in North America based on market share, with the largest multi-market presence of any independent edibles brand across the U.S. gummy market, and No.1 share of the Canadian gummy market, respectively.Increases Exposure to U.S. Cannabis Market Upon Federal Permissibility: Upon exercising its right to acquire Wana, Canopy Growth will own and operate Wana’s vertically integrated facility in Colorado as well as its rapidly growing licensing division, which currently covers 11 states and is expected to cover more than 20 states by the end of calendar year 2022. This expands upon the coverage provided by the company’s existing right to acquire Acreage Holdings, Inc., a U.S. multi-state operator, and the company’s conditional ownership interest in TerrAscend Corp., another U.S. multi-state operator. Profitable and Highly Scalable Business Model: Wana has a profitable business with a track record of generating strong revenue growth and category-leading gross and EBITDA margins. Wana’s proven licensing model provides an opportunity to scale the brand ahead of U.S. federal permissibility. Further Strengthens Canopy Growth’s Leading House of Brands: Wana is the No. 1 cannabis edibles brand in North America and will complement Canopy Growth’s diversified product portfolio across the recreational cannabis industry.“As we establish Canopy Growth as the world’s leading cannabis company, acquiring the No. 1 cannabis edibles brand in North America will serve to strengthen our market position in both Canada and the United States,” said David Klein, CEO, Canopy Growth. “The right to acquire Wana secures another major, direct pathway into the U.S. THC market upon federal permissibility, and in Canada we’ll be adding the top-ranked cannabinoid gummies to our industry-leading house of brands. We’re confident in the future growth of the edibles category and the tremendous opportunities with Wana.”
“Today’s announcement reflects the culmination of more than a decade of hard work, dedication and vision put forth by our employees and partners, as well as an unwavering commitment to the plant and -our customers,” said Nancy Whiteman, CEO and co-founder of Wana Brands. “We have long considered what the next phase of our growth might look like, and this deal is not only a great testament to our focus on bottom line growth and fiscal diligence, but also to the value we believe Wana can bring to Canopy and its shareholders now and in the future. We have met many partners along the way over the past 11 years, but none have felt like the best and right fit until today. We are incredibly humbled and honored to be part of what Canopy Growth is building in terms of the future of this industry.”
Compliant packaging and labeling can get tricky in a highly regulated industry like cannabis.
This became evident last month, when the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) issued recalls for mislabeled cannabis tinctures produced by Cura CS LLC and sold under the company’s Select brand. Curaleaf, Cura’s parent company, acknowledged that the company mixed up its THC and CBD tinctures, ultimately labeling the THC drops as containing only CBD and labeling the CBD drops as containing 17.25 mg of THC per serving.
RELATED: Mislabeled Cannabis Products Result in Hospitalizations, Lawsuits in Oregon
California-based cannabis operator Papa & Barkley also produces both CBD- and THC-based products, and Guy Rocourt, the company’s co-founder and chief product officer, has worked diligently to avoid this kind of product mix-up.
Here, Rocourt offers tips to streamline the packaging and labeling process when producing both THC and CBD product lines.
Participation in Missouri’s medical cannabis industry will be fully open to out-of-state operators.
U.S. District Judge Nanette Laughrey ruled last week to make her temporary injunction against the state’s residency requirement permanent, The Kansas City Star reported.
RELATED: Missouri Federal Judge Prevents State From Enforcing Residency Rules
In 2018, Missouri voters approved legalization through Amendment 2, a ballot measure that required potential cultivators, dispensaries and manufacturers to be majority owned by residents who have lived in Missouri for at least one year prior to filing license applications.
Missouri’s first medical cannabis cultivation facility became operational in June, 2020, and the retail market opened Oct. 17, 2020, when the state’s first two dispensaries began serving patients.
Two months later, Mark Toigo, a cannabis investor from Pennsylvania, filed a federal lawsuit to strike down Missouri’s requirement that medical cannabis licenses be reserved for businesses majority owned by state residents.
Mislabeled cannabis products have resulted in hospitalizations and lawsuits in Oregon after customers thought they were ingesting CBD wellness drops that actually contained THC.
The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) issued a recall Sept. 21 for a product produced by Cura CS, LLC and sold under the company’s Select brand. The product was labeled as a hemp-derived CBD tincture but contained “undisclosed levels of THC,” according to an OLCC press release.
The OLCC then expanded the recall Sept. 21 to include a Select tincture that was labeled as containing 1,000 mg of THC because the drops do not actually contain any detectable THC.
Curaleaf, which acquired Cura in 2019, has acknowledged that the company somehow confused the two tinctures and mislabeled them, according to The Chronicle.
The OLCC told the news outlet that 13 people reported ingesting the mislabeled drops. At least three visited emergency rooms and at least one was hospitalized, according to The Chronicle, and the incidents have resulted in four lawsuits against Curaleaf.
Arizona’s 26 social equity licenses for adult-use cannabis dispensaries will be tied to applicants who have recently lived in qualifying ZIP codes, the state’s Department of Health Services (ADHS) announced Oct. 8.
To meet the geographic residency requirement, applicants must have had a physical address and lived in one of the 87 postal codes for at least three of the past five years.
While ADHS officials did not release details about their selection process—there are more than 500 ZIP codes in the state—the chosen areas appear heavily focused on or near Native American reservations, The Arizona Republic reported.
Social equity programs have been met with criticism and lawsuits in other states that have, or are trying to, adopt them. Illinois, where three lotteries were held in July and August, is unable to issue 185 retail licenses until a standing court order is lifted.
RELATED: Illinois Cannabis Retail Licenses Still in Limbo After Third and Final Licensing Lottery
Former ADHS Director Will Humble, who led the effort to implement Arizona’s medical cannabis program, told the Republic that he expects some who think they should be eligible for the 26 social equity licenses—but who later find out they are not eligible—to challenge the rules in court.
