MjLink Cannabis Business News and Press

A public cannabis company with a strong focus on the international market is stepping into Mexico’s nascent medical cannabis industry.

Clever Leaves, a cultivator, manufacturer and distributor listed on the Nasdaq, announced its entrance into Mexico last month with an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) supply agreement with CBD Life, beginning with cannabidiol (CBD) isolate.

In 2017, Mexico legalized medical cannabis with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentrations below 1%. But Mexico’s health ministry didn’t pass medical cannabis regulations, including those addressing cultivation and harvesting, until this January. (The country’s supreme court also declared adult-use cannabis prohibition unconstitutional in late June.)

Luisa Conesa, an attorney and cannabis activist, told Reuters of the medical regulations: “[The regulation] is not aimed at patients growing their own cannabis, it is aimed at pharmaceutical companies producing pharmaceutical derivatives of cannabis which are classified as controlled substances that need prescription.”

Some companies aiming to create products can import cannabis plant material, according to the news source.

A June press release from Clever Leaves said the company’s partnership with CBD Life “is Clever Leaves’ first commercial agreement in the Mexican market, and it comes shortly after regulations were fully approved in the country, providing a strategic growth opportunity in one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical markets.”

This week, the world watched as the Pacific Northwest experienced a shocking and unprecedented heat wave. Records were broken on thermometers across the region, and individuals did what they could to stay cool. It was a dangerous situation.

While things have cooled down along the coast, as of July 2, it’s a scary realization: This isn’t the last of the brutally hot weather.

As a b2b publication in the cannabis space, we cover the industry and its attendant regulatory dynamics. But what’s an industry if not people? Families, pets, memories, livelihoods. Shared moments like the PNW heat wave remind us that what goes on inside a business has a lot to do with what’s happening outside that business. We need to take care of ourselves—and one another.

This very idea came up in my interview with Aster Farms CEO Julia Jacobson this week on Beyond the Show, our new Cannabis Conference podcast. Jacobson recounted her horrifying experiences during the Mendocino Complex Fire in 2018. You can listen here. 

As we adjust to dramatically heightened climate realities, let us know what you’re seeing and how you’re responding. We’re listening. 

Here are a few of the latest headlines:

The Olympic dream for American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson has been crushed by cannabis.

The 5-foot-1 track and field star rose to fame in 2019 as a freshman at Louisiana State University, where she clocked 10.75 seconds in the 100-meter dash to break the NCAA record.

On June 19, Richardson won the 100 meters during the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore., where the 21-year-old stopped the watch at 10.86 seconds to punch her ticket to the Tokyo Olympics that are scheduled to begin July 23. That’s the exact same time it took to land a top-three podium spot during the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Richardson’s personal best of 10.72 seconds is the fastest time in the world this year.

But Richardson’s Tokyo aspirations were halted July 1, when it became public she tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive component found in cannabis, from a urinary sample collected during the team trials, as first reported by Jamaica Gleaner.

Since Jan. 1, 2021, cannabis has been classified as a “Substance of Abuse” by the World Anti-Doping Agency and currently carries a maximum four-year ban. However, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) said in a statement July 2 that Richardson accepted a one-month suspension—as permitted under the applicable international rules.

“The rules are clear, but this is heartbreaking on many levels,” USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart said. “Hopefully, her acceptance of responsibility and apology will be an important example to us all that we can successfully overcome our regrettable decisions, despite the costly consequences of this one to her.”

North Carolina took a step toward medical cannabis legalization Wednesday when lawmakers advanced legislation through committee to permit the sale of cannabis and cannabis-infused products to patients with "debilitating medical conditions."

Some of the qualifying conditions written in the bill include cancer, epilepsy, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson's disease, HIV, AIDS, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and more. 

The legislation would establish the regulatory framework for the manufacturing, licensing, distribution and cultivation of medical cannabis in the state.

If passed, a Medical Cannabis Production Commission would issue 10 supplier licenses. The legislation would also reduce the maximum number of medical cannabis centers per supplier from eight to four and would require suppliers to pay the state 10% of the gross revenue derived from cannabis and cannabis-infused products, The Associated Press reported.

The legislation was adopted in a voice vote by Senate Judiciary Committee members, according to the AP, as the majority agreed that cannabis should be offered legally to help alleviate symptoms like pain and nausea caused by severe illnesses and diseases.

Republican Sen. Bill Rabon, bill sponsor and cancer survivor, said the bill had moved him because of his personal experience. "At times, it has been difficult for me to talk to some people about that," Rabon told the committee. "But I will say again that the time has come that this needs to be discussed, and we need to compassionately care for our fellow man in any way that we can."

PORT WASHINGTON, New York, July 1, 2021 - PRESS RELEASE - The Hawthorne Gardening Company, a house of brands that provides an array of tools for a multitude of gardening needs to help people live happier, healthier lives through gardening, announced a 5-year exclusive partnership between owned brand Max-Fan and German-based fan manufacturer Ruck Ventilatoren. The agreement is the latest in Hawthorne’s landmark efforts to join forces with leaders in the indoor cultivation industry, and will enhance product availability and innovation for growers of all kinds.

As a pioneer in indoor air filtration products, Max-Fan has worked with Ruck for more than 10 years. Together, the companies have engineered fans and filters designed to help encourage plant growth and help keep indoor facilities compliant with environmental impact regulations. This new exclusive partnership marks a significant milestone in the two brands’ relationship by empowering Hawthorne and Max-Fan to meet the skyrocketing demands of the indoor cultivation industry with high-quality, custom-designed products more quickly and consistently than ever.

“Max-Fan and Ruck are truly better together. Hawthorne is continuously forming elite partnerships to bring the best fans and filters to the North American market, and Ruck is no exception. We’re ready to push the limits of innovation,” said John Feather, manager, Max-Fan and Can-Filters at The Hawthorne Gardening Company. 

In the third episode of Cannabis Conference's new podcast series Beyond the Show, CEO of Aster Farms Julia Jacobson talks with Digital Editor Eric Sandy about what it’s like to run a cannabis company in Lake County, Calif.—one of the driest areas in the U.S.

Jacobson shares the many upsides to growing in a dry climate (longer growing season, fewer problems with mold and rain, as just two examples); however, Jacobson’s outdoor operation is susceptible to weather events. In 2018, Aster Farms was at the center of the largest wildfire in California history: the Mendocino Complex Fire. Jacobson describes what it was like to lose both her crop and farm animals and explains how the farm has altered its techniques and practices to ensure that it’s better prepared for possible future environmental setbacks.  

Jacobson gives a sneak peek at what she will speak about during her session “Outdoor Cultivation Strategies for Environmental Variables & Disaster Preparedness” at Cannabis Conference 2021, including: 

If you’re interested in hearing more from Jacobson about best practices to protect your crop from temperature swings, harsh weather elements and pests, register for Cannabis Conference 2021 (Aug. 24-26 at Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino). Her session, “Outdoor Cultivation Strategies for Environmental Variables & Disaster Preparedness” will be held Aug. 24 from 11:20 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. PT. Register before regular registration rates expire July 31, 2021. 

Be sure to stay up to date with Beyond the Show, and tune in on Spotify, Google Play, iTunes or CannabisBusinessTimes.com. New episodes air every Friday.   

Adult-use cannabis legislation has yet to be formally introduced this year in the Pennsylvania Legislature, but the state’s medical cannabis program was expanded June 30.

Signed by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday, House Bill 1024 allows qualified patients to legally possess up to a 90-day supply of cannabis, an increase from the previously allowed 30-day supply. It also permits patients to continue utilizing curbside dispensing services. Both changes were adopted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the new law makes those provisions permanent. 

RELATED: Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Advisory Board Discusses Permanently Adopting Temporary Regulations Related to COVID-19

In addition, H.B. 1024 removes the cap that one caregiver may only support a maximum of five patients and authorizes “synchronous interaction,” or physician-patient remote consultations that occur in real time via audio or video conferencing. The law also expands the qualifying conditions for eligibility to include cancer remission therapy, as well as spinal cord or central nervous system damage with “indication of intractable spasticity and other associated neuropathies,” according to the bill’s text.

According to the governor, the new law acts on the recommendations made by the Pennsylvania Department of Health to revise the Medical Marijuana Act, which was signed into law in April 2016.

“It’s been five years since Pennsylvania legalized medical marijuana, and in that time the Department of Health has examined the program’s successes and challenges and made important recommendations on improving the law,” Wolf said in a statement Wednesday. “This legislation provides important updates to our state’s medical marijuana program to ensure that patients have improved access to medication.”

Across approximately 400 licensed medical provisioning centers and 300 adult-use cannabis stores, in addition to cultivation operations, Michigan's cannabis industry is worth $3.2 billion. Still, a recent study shows that illegal sales account for more than half of the revenue. 

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., June 30, 2021 – PRESS RELEASE – HERBL, California’s largest cannabis distributor and supply chain solutions company, announced the retirement of its chief operating officer (COO), Art Smuck, and the appointment of Robert (Bobby) Turner as the incoming COO. Turner joins HERBL with over three decades of management experience at Whole Foods Market and will oversee operations, transportation, purchasing and product security throughout the organization.

Smuck is a supply chain veteran whose 30-plus-year career spanned across leading consumer packaged goods (CPG) and logistics companies, including Nestle, ATC Logistics & Electronics, GENCO and FedEx Supply Chain. At HERBL, Smuck led the company's operations, transportation, human resources, legal, compliance, loss prevention and information technology departments. Under his leadership, HERBL grew its client base to over 850 storefront and non-storefront retail licensees and became one of the most comprehensive supply chain operations in the modern cannabis industry. Smuck will remain in an advisory role with the company following his retirement.

Turner will assume the role of COO starting July 5, 2021. Prior to HERBL, Turner worked through every level of Whole Foods Market, from in-store management to vice president, where he grew the company's retail footprint by nearly 170%, and most recently served as the regional president in the South. Turner will apply his expertise in business development, driving revenue and profit growth, team building and community engagement to HERBL's expanding operations.

"On behalf of the entire HERBL team, I want to thank Art for his leadership over the past two years; his sweeping knowledge of the supply chain ecosystem has established best practices that the entire industry will benefit from for years to come," HERBL CEO Mike Beaudry said. "Bobby's valuable experience in scaling national brands and his ability to create synergies across various internal teams will be a tremendous asset to the company as we enter our next stage of growth."

In June, HERBL announced its acquisition of Blackbird, a premier cannabis distributor and direct-to-consumer software solutions company based in Nevada. Through this transaction, HERBL becomes a leading multistate supply chain solution in the cannabis industry.

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., June 29, 2021 – PRESS RELEASE – Jane Technologies Inc. ("Jane"), a retail software company that created a leading online cannabis marketplace, announced the release of its new headless e-commerce solution, Jane Roots. The proprietary software launched with Forage, an online cannabis discovery tool developed by Columbia Care to revolutionize the customer shopping experience.

The pandemic accelerated the adoption of e-commerce with online orders accounting for 21.3% of total U.S. retail sales in 2020. That equates to roughly $861 billion in e-commerce sales, a 44% increase from the $598 billion spent online in 2019. Despite the massive growth, many e-commerce platforms hamper online retailers' ability to keep pace with digital trends and consumer expectations.

Backend infrastructure for e-commerce is complicated to maintain, especially in the cannabis industry's retail landscape marked by rapidly changing inventory, dynamic pricing and diverse promotions. Jane Roots removes this burden on retailers by taking care of the backend integrations, data cleansing, personalization, reviews and automation so they can focus on designing modernized e-commerce experiences specific to their brand. Isolating the frontend allows brands to easily change the customer interface in line with emerging digital trends and quickly update sales content without losing the complicated backend code. For example, if a new product comes into stock, websites using Jane Roots don't need to spend time updating content—Jane Roots automatically generates the correct product taxonomy, serving size, verified reviews, potency, photos and description into a custom user interface (UI) design on behalf of the retailer.

"As consumers continue to embrace online shopping, a retailer's digital brand is now more closely tied to its customer shopping experience than ever before," Jane co-founder and CEO Socrates Rosenfeld said. "Jane Roots offers brands free expression to design their interface as well as the agility to quickly update content for an enriched user experience that encourages purchases. Our integration with Forage is a best-in-class example of how Jane Roots adds exponential value to e-commerce platforms, streamlining the backend process of content updates, data cleansing and automation. We know the future of retail is digital and we worked tirelessly to create this solution that propels our partners into the next generation of retail."

Forage is a cannabis discovery tool designed to streamline and customize the individual shopping experience for expert and novice patients and customers alike. The web-based platform curates personalized cannabis product recommendations based on an interactive questionnaire covering the user's desired effects, intended activity and preferred product format, then syncs to local dispensary inventories and pricing for online ordering via delivery, curbside or in-store pickup.

Forage.io also adds another layer of data to existing points of sale (POS) by leveraging Columbia Care's data infrastructure to optimize the customer experience. Jane Roots' integration leverages machine learning algorithms to automate all content and structured information, allowing the Forage team to focus its resources on creating a better user experience rather than managing backend code and data. Jane Roots can be easily integrated with any frontend system currently available.

LOS ANGELES, June 30, 2021 – PRESS RELEASE – Nugg Club, a cannabis subscription box featuring full-sized products curated by experts and personalized to each customer, announced that its service is now offering members a more affordable box option.

The new box option starts at $49 and will contain at least two to four full-size products, depending on a subscriber's preferences. This affordable price point allows Nugg Club to introduce a wider range of consumers to the same benefits of curation, discovery, delight and price savings that Nugg Club subscribers enjoy. It also benefits existing subscribers who might prefer to self-select more of their monthly products by purchasing them a la carte from the add-ons menu, instead of having Nugg Club's curators choose for them.

Like the original box, products inside each member's box are specifically chosen for them by expert curators based on their tastes, and selections for each box improve based on customer feedback. Subscribers are able to switch between Nugg Club box tiers at any time, offering consumers greater control over their subscription service while continuing to discover new products at wholesale prices.

“You just can't beat the combination of expert curation, personalized discovery and prices at 30 percent to 60 percent below retail,” Nugg Club co-founder Alex Milligan said. "Our current subscribers love the subscription model, and with the option to choose your price point, we are excited to bring Nugg Club to even more consumers in southern California."

The more affordable box tier is initially available everywhere in So Cal that Nugg Club delivers. All deliveries are contactless and properly sanitized in accordance with state social distancing and safety guidelines. Nugg Club serves all of Los Angeles and Orange County, certain parts of the Inland Empire, and recently expanded its service to Oakland, Richmond, Emeryville, and Berkeley.

Three years after their product launch and over 15 years since the idea came about, Amy and Dave Nudelman have secured a patent for their tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) infused chewing gum, Joygum.

Amy is the owner of Joygum, and her husband, Dave, works as a consultant for her.

The product is currently sold in about 225 stores in Colorado and is available in two of the largest dispensary chains in the state: The Green Solution and LivWell, Amy says.

Joygum comes in seven flavors, with three sugar-free options and varying CBD and THC ratios. 

Each flavor comes in a 10-piece package or ten servings. Lemon Mint, Watermelon Spearmint, Bubba Gum and Strawberry Kiwi (sugar-free) are infused with 10 mg of THC per serving. Blue Raspberry Lime is infused with 5 mg of THC and 5 mg of CBD per serving. Mango (sugar-free) is infused with 5 mg of THC per serving and Peppermint, also sugar-free, is infused with 10 mg of CBD and 1 mg of THC per serving. 

"The active ingredient is released within the first five minutes of chewing it and lasts about [two hours]," she says. "You can keep chewing it like a normal piece of gum. I'd say the flavor profile lasts about 15 minutes."

DENVER,June 29, 2021 – PRESS RELEASE – Holland & Hart announced that it haslaunched a cannabis industry group with the arrival of partner Rachel Gillette, who willlead the firm’s new multidisciplinary team. Gillette joins Holland & Hart with a team of threelawyers from the Denver office of GreenspoonMarder.

Gilletteis one of the country’s first lawyers to dedicate her practice to cannabis lawand is nationally ranked as a Band 1cannabis lawyer in Chambers USA.

“Rachelis a pioneer in the field of cannabis law, and few lawyers can match her levelof expertise,” said Chris Balch, Holland & Hart partner and firm chair.“This new industry group is a strategic opportunity for the firm and ourclients, and we were determined to recruit a team with a significant presence.Rachel is the best of the best and we’re thrilled to welcome her and the teamto the firm.”

Advisingstartups, established cannabis operations, investors, and entities providinggoods and services at all points along the supply chain, Gillette is a sought-afterstrategic adviser. She brings more than a decade of experience helping clientsnavigate complex regulatory, financial and operational challenges to capitalizeon emerging business opportunities. She draws on experience interfacing withregulators and taxing authorities in multiple jurisdictions to counsel clientshow to obtain licenses and permits, and guides clients through tax audits,challenges and adjustments at the local, state and federal levels.  

“Asthe legal cannabis industry matures, businesses have increasingly sophisticatedlegal needs—particularly in corporate, tax and intellectual property—that arebest served by full-service law firms,” Gillette said. “My clients and mypractice needed the support of a firm like Holland & Hart, which hastop-notch lawyers across synergistic practice areas, a national client base andoffices in key geographic locations.”

Gillettehas deep roots in the cannabis industry. She previously served as executivedirector of the Colorado chapter of the National Organization for the Reform ofMarijuana Laws (NORML), and is a founding member of Women Grow and the NationalCannabis Bar Association (now, the International Cannabis Bar Association).

When Ben Telford showed up for work June 23 at the Greenleaf Compassionate Care Center in Portsmouth, R.I., he was shocked to learn that his employment was terminated.

In April, Greenleaf Portsmouth employees became the first cannabis dispensary workers in the state to unionize after a 21-1 vote to join the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 328. The organized Greenleaf team includes budtenders, keyholders, online team members and delivery associates.

Employed by Greenleaf since May 2020, Telford was a keyholder at the Portsmouth medical cannabis retail facility in Portsmouth, where his responsibilities included opening and closing the store, cash management and day-to-day operations, as well as performing other duties in the absence of management. He was also a member of Greenleaf’s union bargaining committee, a role he retains.

“I was definitely shocked,” Telford said of his termination. “I’m a hard worker, both on the job, at the site, and then off the job as far as the effort to unionize and get our team together and get a contract negotiated.”

While his termination came as a surprise, Telford said he had thought about the possibility.

“I’ve been a very loud voice for myself and for others on the team that worked there,” he said. “But the reason I was given the day I was terminated … was that my services were no longer required. And when I asked for further explanation, I was told that there was none needed to be given at the time, so I gathered my belongings and left for the afternoon and said goodbye to everybody.”

Cannabis was meant to burn—but not like this. 

A heat dome trapped over the Pacific Northwest has broiled much of the region, with record-setting triple-digit temperatures being felt from Whistler, British Columbia, all the way to Northern California. Cannabis cultivators in the area are hard-pressed to keep operations going as they try to protect both their crops and their teams from the potentially deadly heat.

“We are roasting both in Ellensburg and Seattle,” Jade Stefano, co-founder and CEO of Washington-based Puffin Farm, told Cannabis Business Times in a June 28 email. Stefano reported temperatures of 105 degrees Fahrenheit, with a weekly high of 112 degrees expected in the coming days.

Per The Washington Post, a heat dome is a pocket “of slow-moving hot air under higher pressure that blocks new weather systems from moving in.”

Stefano, who operates both an indoor extraction facility in Seattle and greenhouse operation in Ellensburg, added that conditions weren’t much improved in the greenhouse—even with shade cloths and swamp coolers, the structures remain above 80 degrees. While that is an improvement on the outdoor temperature, it remains elevated for ideal cannabis cultivation (which typically is set in the mid-to-high-70s).

Alex Cooley, co-founder of Solstice, which cultivates indoors, outdoors and in greenhouses in Seattle, Ephrata and Trinidad, Washington, said the company has moved shifts up earlier in the day, with some starting at 4 a.m. In addition, he noted they have increased irrigation frequency but decreased volume, and water right before the lights go out.

In the second episode of Cannabis Conference’s new podcast series Beyond the Show, Jesce Horton, founder of the Oregon-based cannabis cultivation company LOWD, joins Digital Editor Eric Sandy to talk about his journey in the cannabis industry. As a business owner in one of the most competitive cannabis markets in the U.S., Horton is finely in-tune with the ins and outs of what connoisseur cannabis consumers look for in their products.

When it comes to niche marketing, Horton emphasizes the importance of expressing the culture that you come from in your products and marketing tactics. Although the cannabis industry is quickly shifting to be centered around new consumers, Horton founded LOWD on the principle of marketing to members of the original cannabis community. Environmental sustainability and innovation are also key factors that Horton makes sure to carry over into his product marketing.

Horton also touches on the main points he will discuss during his session “How Cultivators have Succeeded Carving out their Small-Batch Niche” at Cannabis Conference 2021, including:

Beyond the Show airs every Friday on Spotify, Google Play, iTunes, and CannabisBusinessTimes.com.

And to hear even more from Horton about what it takes to effectively reach your target niche market, register for Cannabis Conference 2021 (Aug. 24-26, 2021, at Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino). His session, “How Cultivators Have Succeeded Carving Out Their Small-Batch Niche” will be held Aug. 26 from 11:25 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. PT. Regular registration rates expire July 31, 2021.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 29, 2021 – PRESS RELEASE – New Leaf Ventures Inc., a management and investment organization dedicated to evaluating, investing and accelerating advanced stage operations in the North American cannabis sector, wishes to advise that its wholly owned subsidiary, New Leaf USA Inc., is pleased to announce it has entered into a letter of intent to obtain exclusive licensing rights within Washington State with Denver-based GCH Inc., developers of renowned cannabis brand “WILLIE'S RESERVE.”

The announcement encompasses exclusive rights to source, manufacture, distribute and market the entire lineup of Willie's Reserve and Harvest products in Washington State.

Co-founded by renowned singer-songwriter and cannabis pioneer Willie Nelson in 2015, GCH USA created the iconic Willies Reserve brand which has become widely recognized for its commitment to the celebration of what is possible when enthusiasts and experts join forces to collaborate. WILLIE'S RESERVE embraces the natural diversity of the plant, the range of cultivation methods, and the spectrum of effects cannabis creates.

"Exclusive distribution rights for Willies Reserve in our region is truly momentous for us," said Robert Colwell, CEO of New Leaf USA and director of New Leaf Ventures. "We know there are many consumers who are already dedicated fans of these products, and we are committed to introducing it to the rest of Washington as quickly as possible. The whole story: the founder, the principles behind the sourcing and manufacture, as well as the dedication and commitment to a superior product makes for a wonderful sales and marketing opportunity. Having a quality nationally recognized brand join our existing product mix will undoubtedly interest other brand distributors looking for partnership opportunities. We are a growing team that understands consumer interest in our marketplace and look forward to embracing other creative and strategic growth initiatives in Washington and beyond."

Former NFL quarterback and Super Bowl champion Charlie Batch has joined the advisory board of Hemp Synergistics, providing the perspective of a professional athlete to a Pennsylvania-based company working with cannabinoid formulations for a variety of commercial products.

Batch spent the bulk of his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, so he chose to keep his search close to home.

“When I transitioned [out of the NFL], I didn't necessarily have all the resources that you have as an active player,” Batch said. He was left with more basic pain medication like Tylenol, and quickly came to realize that his physical career had left him with specific and nuanced health needs. He wasn’t training as a football player anymore, but he was working to maintain a healthy lifestyle amid pain and inflammation incurred from years on the field.

In an effort to better understand that sort of pain management, Batch looked to CBD products. It was a trial-and-error process to figure out what would work for him.

“Quite frankly, it probably was about three months before I really got the balance that I felt,” he said. “At one point it may have been too little because I was nervous and not really understanding how my body was going to react, and then maybe it may have been too much to where I possibly was sluggish in the morning. The four areas that I [was interested in treating were] pain, inflammation, anxiety and sleep. That was it. I needed something with that combination.”

He dialed in his understanding of cannabinoid formulations and found the chemical ensemble helpful. He learned ratios, and he learned about the endocannabinoid system—how individual reactions to these compounds tend to vary from person to person. He learned, too, that it would be important to know the source of these formulations. What sort of companies were making these products?

Cannabis Conference, the leading industry event for plant-touching businesses, has launched a new podcast series featuring Cannabis Conference speakers titled Beyond the Show, airing every Friday on Spotify, Google Play, iTunes, and CannabisBusinessTimes.com.

This can’t-miss series provides listeners an idea of what they can expect at Cannabis Conference 2021 (Aug. 24-26 at Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino). Each week, Cannabis Business Times’ Digital Editor Eric Sandy chats with one of the conference’s 65+ featured speakers about how plant-touching entrepreneurs and executives are navigating the business in an ever-changing environment. Tune in to learn about everything from launching an adult-use or medical dispensary to environmental disaster preparedness.

Michelle Hackett – President of Riverview Farms

In the Beyond the Show premiere episode, President of Riverview Farms (RVF) Michelle Hackett speaks about her experience in the cannabis industry. RVF is a fully integrated cannabis company in Salinas, Calif., that is female-minority-owned and made up of 75% minority women.

Hackett’s family has extensive history in the agricultural industry. Greenhouses have been in her family for more than 20 years and are what sparked the idea of getting into growing cannabis. Her father, Mike Hackett, opened RVF in 2016 and Michelle Hackett joined him in 2017 running the company’s sales division. During her tenure at RVF, Hackett has fostered connections with some of the biggest brands, distributors and retail outlets in the state. She says the best choice she and her family have ever made is “doing it all on their own.”

Hackett highlights the main points she will speak about during the session “Facility Design – Greenhouse” at Cannabis Conference 2021. In the episode, she touches on:

Cannabis is more potent but fewer young people view it as harmful. Those two points of interests are underlined in a 2021 World Drug Report released June 24 by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which suggested a worldwide ban on cannabis advertising.

The percentage of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive component in cannabis, rose from about 4% to 16% in the U.S. between 1995-2019, and from about 6% to 11% in Europe between 2002–2019, according to UNODC findings outlined in the five-booklet report.

According to the report, delta-9 is responsible for the development of mental health disorders in long-term, heavy users of cannabis, yet the percentage of adolescents perceiving cannabis as harmful has decreased by as much as 40% during the same period—the latter finding is supported by surveys of schoolchildren and young adults in the U.S. and Europe, according to the UNODC.

“Lower perception of drug use risks has been linked to higher rates of drug use, and the findings of UNODC’s 2021 World Drug Report highlight the need to close the gap between perception and reality to educate young people and safeguard public health,” UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly said in a statement.

The UNODC did not cite where it derived its conclusion regarding mental health disorders being linked to cannabis use in the section of the report it was mentioned. Cannabis Business Times reached out to UNODC for a comment, seeking clarity of a study or scientific entity supporting that claim, but has not yet received a response.

A team of researchers writing in the July 28, 2007, edition of the British peer-reviewed general medical journal The Lancet stated that consuming cannabis could boost one’s risk of a psychotic illness later in life by 40% or more.