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Montana GOP Lawmaker Wants To Eliminate Recreational Dispensaries

March 29, 2023 Published by

More than two years after voters approved a measure legalizing recreational cannabis, and more than a year after the launch of the state’s regulated marijuana market, a Montana lawmaker wants to undo all of that. 

Last week, Republican state Sen. Keith Regier introduced a bill that includes a slate of reforms to Montana’s cannabis policy, most notably “eliminating adult-use dispensaries.” 

According to Montana Free Press, the bill “additionally raises the state tax on medical marijuana from 4% to 20% and puts significant limits on medical marijuana potency and allowable amounts for possession,” and although it would once again prohibit recreational cannabis, it would not “re-criminalize marijuana possession for adults.”

Regier’s bill states plainly its objective: “reduce the demand for marijuana sales.”

Montana Free Press has more background on the proposal:

“If passed into law, the bill would drastically reduce the potential consumer base for existing marijuana businesses and eliminate a significant source of revenue for state coffers. Since adult-use sales began in January 2022, Montana has generated $54 million in tax revenue from the industry. Less than one-tenth of that revenue came from medical marijuana taxes. Currently, recreational customers pay a 20% tax to the state; some counties add an additional 3% local tax.

The outlet reported that the bill will be the subject of a hearing on Wednesday in the Senate Business, Labor and Economic Affairs Committee.

Nearly 57% of Montana voters approved Initiative 190 in 2020, which legalized marijuana for adults aged 21 and older, and also laid the groundwork for cannabis sales to be taxed. 

Recreational cannabis sales launched last year, bringing in more than $200 million to the state in 2022.

According to the state, recreational marijuana sales amounted to $202,947,328 in 2022, while medical cannabis sales totaled $93,616,551. (Voters in Montana legalized medical marijuana treatment in 2004.)

The two combined to generate a grand total of $303,563,879 in marijuana sales last year. 

Montana generated $41,989,466 in tax revenue off recreational pot sales, according to the Department of Revenue, and $3,744,662 in taxes from medical cannabis sales. Combined, the state pulled in $45,734,128 in tax revenue from marijuana sales in 2022.

Marijuana reform has been a hot topic in Montana’s legislative session this year. 

Earlier this month, the Business and Labor Committee “heard testimony on two marijuana-related bills,” according to local news station KTVH –– one of which “would prohibit marijuana businesses in Montana from promoting their business or brand in print, over TV and radio or using a billboard,” while the other “would revise the required warning labels that marijuana businesses must put on their products, to say that marijuana use during pregnancy could result in ‘congenital anomalies, and inherited cancers developed by a child later in life.’”

The station reported that the proposed ban on advertising “drew opposition from marijuana businesses and from the Montana Newspaper Association,” with opponents saying that “most people in the industry have gone to great lengths to make sure their advertising follows the current rules, and most of the issues people are concerned about have come from a few bad actors.”

There have been debates over other cannabis bills, too, including one that “would require marijuana growers and manufacturers of marijuana products to install air filtration systems to address concerns about odor,” according to KTVH, as well as several proposed bills to change how the state distributes the marijuana tax revenue.

“In particular, they propose removing a section in state law that directs a percentage of taxes from marijuana sales toward Habitat Montana – a program that uses state funds for wildlife habitat conservation projects. Gov. Greg Gianforte has said the program has more than enough funding and no longer needs the marijuana revenue,” the station reported.

The post Montana GOP Lawmaker Wants To Eliminate Recreational Dispensaries appeared first on High Times.

Georgia House Passes Bill To Increase Medical Pot Licenses

March 13, 2023 Published by

The Georgia House of Representatives passed a bill on March 7 that would expand the number of medical cannabis licenses available. The passage of House Bill 196, which received 170 votes in favor and only two opposed, would boost the current license number of six to 15. According to the Capitol Beat, the passage of this bill is to address the lawsuits that the state of Georgia has received from cannabis businesses that were denied a license.

Although Georgia first legalized medical cannabis oil possession in 2015, it took four years for legislators to introduce bills that would regulate cannabis cultivation and sales. In 2019, six licenses were issued in total, including two Class 1 licenses (for cultivation up to 100,000 square feet) and four Class 2 licenses (cultivation up to 50,000 square feet). 

This includes two Class 1 licenses owners Botanical Sciences LLC and Trulieve Georgia, and four Class 2 licenses that were delayed due to numerous lawsuits, which caused the suspension of all chosen applicants.

Initially, the Class 2 licenses were awarded to FFD GA Holdings, TheraTrue Georgia LLC, Natures GA LLC, and Treevana Remedy Inc. in July 2021. Protests were filed by applicants who were not chosen. According to Kristen Goodman, the lawyer representing these four of the applicants who did not win a license, the license process was a “train wreck.” She also stated that the two licenses that have been confirmed went to out-of-state companies. “They’re not serving the children who have excessive seizures in Northwest Georgia. They’re not serving the children with cancer in Southwest Georgia,” said Goodman. “They have all the market they need right here in the central part of the state.”

In an attempt to remedy the situation, the House introduced HB-1425 in February 2022 which would have completely started the license process over from scratch. The Senate offered a substitute to HB-1425 that would ask the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission to award licenses to six applicants, but not specifically the same six applicants that were originally chosen. Ultimately, the House bill was shut down and the Senate version advanced, but eventually died at the end of 2022.

Rep. Alan Powell spoke to legislators on March 6 about the necessity of HB-196 as a way to resolve the ongoing issue. “Let’s fix the system,” said Powell. “Let’s get it moving and go forward.”

The HB-196 also requires that a Medical Cannabis Commission Oversight Committee be created to manage “membership, inspections, provision of information, plan for accredited lab testing, and patient and physician input.” If passed, it would also allow the commission to increase the number of dispensaries based on how many medical cannabis patients are registered. Every increment of 5,000 patients would allow an additional Class 2 license, and every 10,000 patients would allow an additional Class 1 license, in order to keep up with demand. As of February, there are almost 25,000 medical cannabis patients on the state registry.

Now HB-196 moves on to the Senate for consideration.

In the meantime, owners of Botanical Sciences LLC and Trulieve Georgia are moving forward with their respective businesses. Botanical Sciences CEO Gary Long told Georgia Public Broadcasting about his progress. “We have already begun the production process, which starts with the seeding of cannabis plants in our indoor growing facility producing a variety of tinctures, capsules, and topicals formulated to address the needs of Georgia patients,” Long said. “The opening of our facility was a key milestone for our company, for the city of Glennville, and for the many thousands of those in need awaiting access to this critical form of medicine.”

Trulieve released a press statement on Dec. 6, 2022. “Trulieve is thrilled to receive a Georgia cannabis production license and we appreciate the Commission’s diligence throughout the selection process,” said Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers. “We look forward to educating the Georgia market on the numerous health and wellness benefits of cannabis, as well as providing patients statewide access to the medical cannabis they have been seeking.”

The post Georgia House Passes Bill To Increase Medical Pot Licenses appeared first on High Times.

Top New York Democrats Seek To Change Cannabis Tax

March 8, 2023 Published by

A pair of influential New York lawmakers are seeking to overhaul the state’s tax structure for adult-use cannabis sales, which they say is currently too complicated.

Crystal Peoples-Stokes, the majority leader of the state assembly, and state Sen. Jeremy Cooney, both Democrats, announced a proposal on Monday that would make major changes to how the Empire State taxes recreational cannabis sales. 

As reported by NY1, under the proposed legislation, “the current tax which levies based on potency would be replaced with an increase in the current excise tax.” The outlet noted that it was “not immediately clear what the fiscal implications of the change would be if granted final approval.”

“After careful consideration, it became clear that we need to simplify the tax structure of adult-use cannabis,” People-Stokes said, as quoted by NY1. “As the state continues to build out licensed cannabis operations, a simpler tax structure will be better for businesses and consumers. It is imperative to establish the licensed cannabis marketplace as the best option for consumers and stamp out the illicit cannabis operations popping up all over the state. This new tax approach will ultimately lead to thriving cannabis businesses at all levels of the supply chain. We will see higher tax revenues, which will result in more funds being reinvested in communities and invested in education and other important programs.”

Cooney echoed that, saying that if New York is to meet its “goal of building the most diverse and inclusive cannabis market in the nation, we must create an environment where small businesses can thrive.”

“Replacing the potency tax with an increase in the excise tax will allow licensed operators, including social equity operators, to sell competitively-priced products and be less susceptible to undercutting by illicit market prices without sacrificing revenues to be reinvested and used for valuable community programming,” Cooney said.

According to an official legislative summary of the bill, the measure increases “the tax from nine to sixteen percent of the amount charged for the sale or transfer of adult-use cannabis products to a retail customer; removes requirements that records reflect the total amount of THC content of the adult-use cannabis products sold to or produced by persons who sell such products; makes related provisions.”

Peoples-Stokes was heavily involved in the effort to legalize marijuana in New York, which officially ended the prohibition on recreational pot use in 2021.

Last year, after the state approved the first 52 cultivation licenses for the new recreational cannabis program, Peoples-Stokes said that the state was on its “way towards realizing our goal of creating a viable and inclusive path for minorities and small farmers to have the opportunity to create generational wealth for their families and communities.”

Her new tax proposal comes at a time when the state is looking to expand the nascent cannabis program.

Last week, regulators in New York announced they are doubling the number of cannabis retailer licenses, going from an original plan of 150 to 300.

“With this expansion, more entrepreneurs will be able to participate in the first wave of this industry, allowing them to capitalize on the growing demand for cannabis products,” Tremaine Wright, chair of the New York Cannabis Control Board, said at the time. “As more businesses enter this market, the innovation and competition will increase, leading to better quality experiences for consumers. The expansion of New York’s cannabis market will benefit everyone involved in this exciting industry.” 

According to NY1, the new tax measure from Peoples-Stokes and Cooney is “being proposed as New York lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul are negotiating a broader $227 billion budget plan that is expected to pass by April 1, the start of New York’s fiscal year.”

The post Top New York Democrats Seek To Change Cannabis Tax appeared first on High Times.

Tennessee Bill Would Regulate the Sale of Delta-8 THC

January 27, 2023 Published by

Tennessee leaders are again putting forth a bill that would regulate hemp-derived cannabinoids like delta-8 and delta-10 THC, after a previous attempt failed last year. Some hemp advocates applauded the bill, while others would rather simply legalize cannabis, naturally rich in delta-9 THC.

State House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) and Sen. Richard Briggs, (R-Knoxville) introduced a bill on Tuesday to regulate products containing hemp-derived cannabinoids, such as delta-8 and delta-10 THC—his second attempt to do so.

House Bill 403 would tax and regulate cannabinoids derived from hemp via what some describe as synthetic processes. Typically products with delta-8 THC are marketed as being somewhat psychoactive, with effects weaker but similar to delta-9 THC.

“Delta-8 is a legal substance that can be sold and packaged in the form of candy or gummies; it often has a very high concentration of THC,” Rep. Lamberth stated. “There are no regulations and no legitimate way for anyone to know exactly what they are buying. Nothing in our current law prohibits a child from purchasing delta-8.”

The bill would ban the sale of hemp-derived cannabinoid products to people under the age of 21; adds a 5% additional sales tax to any product sold at a store; and create a licensing, quality testing, regulatory and enforcement process through the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

“We need to regulate this because the horse is out of the barn,” Sen. Briggs said. “This stuff is everywhere, and we can’t put that genie back in the bottle.”

What is Delta-8 THC?

The idea is that hemp-derived CBD can be converted to other compounds, frequently being marketed as psychoactive. This doesn’t mesh with the general U.S. definition of hemp, bred specifically to not be psychoactive.

Delta-8 THC occurs naturally, but only in trace amounts: According to Chemical & Engineering News, cannabis plants naturally contain just 0.1% delta-8 THC or less—though some plants contain as much as 1%. Jeffrey Raber, cofounder and CEO of the Werc Shop told C&E News that there isn’t enough delta-8 THC found naturally in hemp to be economical for extraction.

But hemp growers in the state are supportive of the bill despite some suspicion about emerging hemp-derived cannabinoids. “We support anything that doesn’t put burdensome regulations on the industry,” Kelley Hess, executive director of the Tennessee Growers Coalition, said.

While hemp growers may support delta-8 products, others do not.

Artists such as Margo Price support legalization, but don’t support hemp-derived cannabinoid products in Tennessee. Opponents don’t like the way certain cannabinoids are extracted from hemp, which usually means altering the CBD molecule, which is found in hemp in larger amounts, using natural solvents and acids.

Attempt to Regulate Delta-8 Last Year

While some states moved to restrict hemp-derived cannabinoids, such as Utah, Tennessee would be taking a much different approach by regulating it instead.

Rep. Lamberth sponsored an earlier attempt to regulate delta-8 THC and similar compounds. Some Tennessee lawmakers and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said that by regulating delta-8, the state would be legitimizing the industry. 

House Bill 1927, which was introduced previously, would regulate delta-8 by making it illegal in most cases outside trace-level concentrations. The bill was amended in April 2022 to be more specific to include other hemp-derived THCs such as delta-9 and 10 and the derivative hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), but exclude non-THC hemp cannabinoids such as CBD.

Tennessee is one of 11 non-green states that hasn’t legalized, regulated, or decriminalized cannabis in some form. 

The post Tennessee Bill Would Regulate the Sale of Delta-8 THC appeared first on High Times.

Quality Genetics: The Most Important Factor in Cannabis Sales and Marketing

September 16, 2022 Published by

You can have a state-of-the-art cannabis cultivation facility, but if you don’t have the quality strains people demand, you won’t generate as much money as you could. That is, if you care about making money. Don’t believe me? Try to grow out and sell some strains like AK-47, White Widow, Early Pearl, Great White Shark, Skunk, Jack Herer, Durban Poison, or any of the classic strains that are currently not in demand. As a commercial cultivator and/or dispensary owner, it isn’t about what you like, it’s what’s in demand, and currently driving sales. There are very few classics that still stand the test of time like all the “Chemdog”, “Sour Diesel”, and “OG Kush” variants. The “Gas” Family as I like to call it.  No one is lining up, or camping out to get some “old” genetics, flower, or concentrates unfortunately. If you want to sell those strains, your target demographic market is going to be in the 40 and up age range. 

If cannabis genetics wasn’t such a major force in driving sales, dispensaries/cultivators wouldn’t be linking up to do licensing deals with these seed companies and brands, specifically for the genetics they possess under their brand. Personally, I wouldn’t have a problem with this tactic, if the cultivators acquiring the licensing deal actually grew good weed. Currently, most of the big cultivators who grow all these “Dessert-Themed” strains don’t grow good enough weed to justify the prices they are getting. You can only take people for a fool once, MAYBE twice, but the people falling for the hype are getting taken for a fool, and they are paying top dollar to look like a fool. How can you justify paying about $80 for 3.5g of weed that isn’t good? But some will overlook it because the mylar is flashy, and the strain name is trendy, but grown horribly. And you want to flex with that on social media when other people that know good quality know you are promoting garbage? You are making yourselves look like fools. The sales are mainly based off major advertising power that pushes these new strains. If you strip the marketing, branding, and strain from these licensed strains, 99% of them wouldn’t be able to stand on their own merits. It would probably collect dust on a shelf.

Years before recreational cannabis legalization, elite cannabis genetics were hard to acquire. Now, it’s available to the highest bidder. Currently, there’s an incredible amount of “Seed Banks” or “Clone Nurseries” that will send you just about every clone out there if you look hard enough. But everything will be irrelevant in a few months. It’s almost like fashion, or anything else trendy. Very few strains have the staying power to last in today’s quickly-evolving market. Due to that, we have almost every dispensary around the country wanting to grow the same genetics, based off of hype demand, and/or yield. If there was no hype, and demand for those genetics; they wouldn’t cultivate them. Just about all that hype, branding, and demand stems from the black market. Let’s be real for a minute. You really think dispensaries or RECREATIONAL cultivation facilities that are vertically integrated, that specialize in commercial flower production, are the ones making the next new strain to blow up? Ninety nine percent of them can barely grow good weed, and are usually last to grow the trendy strains because they don’t want to pay top dollar to source the genetics upon release, so you expect me to think they are putting in all that work that goes into breeding, hunting, and selecting strains properly? Let alone make anything anyone wants? Usually if I hear of a dispensary/licensed cultivation facility making seeds, it’s almost never intentional. I’d like to help be apart of that change. The end-user is the one who is driving demand, so it is up to the cultivators, budtenders, or someone on your team to know what’s currently popular, in-demand, coming up, and all that. It pays to have someone on your team whose got their ear to the streets. That is an important position to hold for the company. It always pays to be two steps ahead of your competition. That is partially what I have been doing with Dark Horse Genetics for the past five years.

Unfortunately, the end-user’s interest and demand has been changing faster than ever, due to social media always hyping up a new strain or brand. We’ve reached a point in time where smell, taste, burn, and efficacy are secondary, while visual appeal is driving sales. The flashier the mylar, and the darker the weed, the easier it is to make the sale it seems. Nowadays, something can LOOK flawless, but smell, taste, burn, and hit like garbage, and it will still sell. Add a flashy, die-cut mylar, slap a dessert name on it, market and brand it properly, and BAM! You are selling mids for a higher price point that you would have in unbranded bulk pounds. This tactic can only get you so far, and will only last for so long. If you want to future-proof yourself, here are a few recommendations I have for you to start your own wave, that is if you’d like to take my advice:

GROW FROM SEED!

Have an area where you can “pheno hunt” a good variety of several strains. Try and avoid growing all the same or similar type of genetics. Do you really need 12 different kinds of Gelatos, or RuntZ that all look, smell, and taste similar, with different dessert names? What makes you stand out above all the rest is having a good variety of something everyone wants, but no one can access unless it’s through you. If you grew out some seeds, and potentially found the next game-changer, like the next RuntZ, Gelato, ZkittleZ, something like that, there is A LOT of money to be made if you can market it properly and get it to the right hands.

Document and record the entire life cycle for the public to access. 

It seems to me since I have started making my own seeds under the brand #NYCeeds, documenting the entire growing cycle from start to finish will put you far ahead of your competition when it comes to data collected. I have slowly been building buzz on my new strains that I am planning on releasing in December. If there was no documentation, there would be no buzz, and nothing to build hype and demand. No one would know what I am doing, and what I plan on releasing if I don’t document the growth, and have some kind of social media presence. For me, it has been difficult to get off the ground since February 2022, but once everything started going, the momentum doesn’t look like it going to slow down. I have only been building more and more interest and demand since I started earlier this year. As of recent, I reversed SpritZer, and made several feminized crosses. All are currently being tested and documented on multiple platforms with a select few testers and will not release until testing is completed. Platforms like Instagram, YouTube,  Twitch, TikTok, Twitter, Reddit, and ESPECIALLY Discord are all vital tools you should be using to build a community of followers, and supporters. I can not stress this enough. USE DISCORD. It might take some time to learn, but this is one of the best platforms for cannabis documentation. These other platforms do not have draconian censorship rules in place like Instagram now does.

Public phenotype hunting

I noticed specific brands who grow from seed, getting the public involved in their pheno hunts. This is a great idea. The public is making you $, so why not get them involved in the process, and get lots of feedback to see which phenotype suits your customer-base best. The last thing you want to be is out of touch when it comes to knowing what sells, what is in demand, and what next strain wave is coming. If you want to be in the loop with all of that, you need to keep an ear to the streets. Find out what each customer likes if possible. Grow those strains, or something with that strain in it. DO NOT be afraid to ask questions. BE AFRAID to lose money, and be out of the loop. Include them in helping you narrow down your keeper(s). It isn’t always about yields, but some corporate entity reading this will probably laugh at that statement. Certain strains can yield high and test high in THC, but smell and taste like nothing. Those aren’t enjoyable. The strains with the most flavor usually don’t test high in THC. Look at ZkittleZ. Sour Diesel. Tangie. They don’t test high in THC, but their terpene content is out of this world. Aroma drives more sales than you might think. If something smells so good that I can taste it, I probably would want to spend my money on that. No strain has won more cannabis awards than ZkittleZ has in one year. It has nothing to do with yields, because it yields low. Not for it’s THC percentage, because it tests around 17%-19% THC. IT IS ALL ABOUT THE TERPS. You can keep your 40% THC. Show me the flower with 6-7% Terps! Custies and uneducated consumers buy weed based off the percentage. If you drink, do you go into a liquor store asking for their strongest? It’s usually Everclear, or do you get the lower percentage stuff which is more enjoyable? The lower percentage stuff usually is cheaper, but definitely more enjoyable.

Social media presence

I can not stress this enough. Without utilizing these tools at your disposal, you will not be able to reach as many potential customers as you could. Stop it with the old mentality, and learn something new for once. Especially if it’s beneficial. Just about every successful cannabis strain, breeder, or brand is out there is using social media. Not only do you have to use it, you have to keep it constantly updated with fresh content, or you will become irrelevant faster than you think. Utilizing these various tools to maximize outreach to create a larger audience with eyes on your product, brand, strain, etc. You better put that strain in front of everyone’s face as much as you can, as often as you can to get them interested. Get other big social media accounts to talk about your product. Cross-promoting is HUGE. If you can get people from not knowing about you, into wanting to try your product, you are doing something right. Just about all social media is free. Utilize it. You might need to pay someone monthly to operate your social media, but if they know how to build that audience, and get that reach, they are worth what they are asking. Content creation is making more and more money as we go deeper and deeper into this digitized world. 

Release your keeper clone as your upcoming project(s) is/are about to drop to maximize hype and demand.

It usually takes up to 2 years for a specific clone to gain popularity once it has been released. If the public sees it as good, you will see it being passed around, sold, bred with, and if it’s really good or popular, you will see everyone else but you make S1’s of your strain and sell it before you. If you want to avoid that, do all that work yourself before you release your genetics to the world. Be ahead of what others will try to do once you make your release. Look at M.A.C. from Capulator. The hype and demand was there once the seeds were available because he built that up with him releasing the M.A.C #1 Clone, only to those who deserved it. By the time the seeds were available to the public to access, Cap already made crosses with M.A.C, knowing everyone else would want to cash in on the hype. Once he released those seeds, several seed companies bred with the MAC, but Capulator was already ahead of everyone else by then. Look what happened with Purple Punch, Gorilla Glue #4, RuntZ, Gelato, OreoZ, Bruce Banner #3, ZkittleZ, etc. As soon as your genetics are accessible to the public, you’ll start seeing other people make a name off your work. This isn’t something you ask for to happen, it just happens if the genetics are worth it to the public eye, nose, and lungs. No one wants to breed with genetics that are bad, so everyone is always after the quality genetics or the hype genetics. You can be humbled if your work is being copied, or you can just future-proof yourself. Like Cap and other breeders/seed companies do, because they know what is to come once your Intellectual Property (your strains) are out there. Try staying ahead of the game if possible so you don’t get people capitalizing on your own wave. Most people get mad when they see their genetics get released through someone else other than the person who made or found that specific strain. If you made a strain that is in such high demand that people are wanting to take credit for it, you can always make another strain that people will want. If they know it came from you or you made it, you have a customer for life.

Be open to collaborating with other brands for maximum exposure/reach.

It really helps with exposure, and getting to other customers you normally wouldn’t have reached. If you can find a brand that is bigger than you to collaborate with you, this is what you would ultimately want, but feel free to uplift the smaller companies trying to make a name as well. One hand washes the other. It can be an ancillary brand as well. Non-cannabis-related brands can be just as successful as the cannabis brands, and vice-versa. It’s all about coming together with great ideas that both markets can appreciate and enjoy. These analogies might be a little out there, but look at Kanye West + Adidas, Travis Scott + McDonald’s, Fortnite + EVERYONE, Supreme + EVERYTHING; collaborations are a great way to generate alternate avenues of revenue and build a new following/customer base with the company you are collaborating with. Open yourself up to wanting to work with other cannabis, and non-cannabis brands. Cannabis breeders and seed companies collaborate all the time to make new strains, plus they help cross-promote each other. If you are a licensed cultivation facility, look for a good breeder/seed company with good references, and good public feedback from within the cannabis community.  Think about signing a licensing deal with that specific breeder/seed company  that actually has great genetics and great weed. Good person, good genetics, good strains, good ethics, and good public perception. Those are the people you want to align yourself with. You’d be surprised at the amount of seed companies that have okay genetics bred and ran by a sketchy, shady person that people in the cannabis community would never respect or support. 

Honesty is key. Don’t rename strains—be transparent.

No one who knows about good weed cares about celebrity-branded cannabis products. Most of the deals are complete garbage, and it seems people with the most money to spend on marketing tend to use this marketing tactic with celebrities to push their mediocre brands and product. Just about every cannabis brand backed by some celebrity is complete garbage. It is one of the worst bait-and-switches you could think of. You would think if a celebrity is going to be putting their name on a cannabis brand, that this would be their seal of approval. It’s completely false and unethical. It’s simply a cash grab.

Also, don’t rename the breeder’s strain name. It is one of the worst ethics violations in cannabis. If you don’t like the name, don’t grow it. Simple as that. Pheno hunt something else and put in the same work that others have done., vs. just buy a good clone and rename it and take the credit like you did something special. Breeders put hard work into branding strains and thinking of names only for you to just act like you can do whatever you want with the name is not okay. Call your specific phenotype whatever you want, but if someone asks what the cross is, do not lie about it. Some people don’t know the newer strain names, but will make their decision on the lineage. No one is out here renaming “vodka” to “tequila,” so how do you stand to benefit from withholding information, or switching stuff around, and calling things “indica” when you know that they are “sativa” and vice versa? It’s like erasing my name on my homework, and you submit it with your name on it.

I can call out too many dispensaries putting strains on their sativa shelf, when the genetics clearly state it isn’t a sativa. If an indica takes 8-9 weeks to flower, and a sativa takes 12-14 weeks to flower, why would I sell you something that took me longer, and cost more to produce for the same price as the stuff that took less time, effort, energy, work, and resources?  This is a major reason why real sativa strains aren’t on dispensary shelves. Greedy cultivators want more harvest in a year of the fastest flowering strain, but won’t grow the longer stuff to satisfy the sativa market, but will instead recategorize indicas and sell them as sativa when they know it is not. That can do some form of harm to someone who isn’t used to the opposite of what they are asking for, and it is not okay.

ESPECIALLY DO NOT rename someone else’s strain “Calm,” “Joy,” “Bliss,” or anything stupid like that. I don’t buy drinks called “Quench,” “Drink,” “Parched,” or food called “Hunger,” “Food,” or “Meal,” so why would I purchase my weed labeled in a similar fashion? No one buys weed like that, and no one should; if they do, it’s because of their lack of education. Teach them the effects and terpene profiles of different “indica” and “sativa” strains. How about trying to teach them correct information vs. perpetuating a lie? People should be making their decisions based on the strain lineage, terpene profiles, test results, and such. People loved being lied to, but no one wants to be lied to. I am incredibly blunt. I love telling the truth, because people hate to hear it. I do get a lot of hate for my blunt attitude, but it all comes from confidence, ethics, and passion which all stems from personal experience. I hate to see anyone get taken advantage of—especially in cannabis—so I highly suggest taking the time to learn more, or educate others with proper sources.

Please, if anyone needs help with specific cannabis genetics-related questions, I might be able to forward you to someone who can help if I can not. Please feel free to contact via email or my several social media links, or contact info down below.

(303)390-1234 Ext 703
Brand Ambassador of Dark Horse Genetics
Chief Genetics Officer of Dark Horse Clones
Cesar@DarkHorseGenetics.Com
TheKanyeOfCannabis@Gmail.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyceedz/
Twitch: thcaeczar_
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgwVKddgOEJkqDRSucAIABQ
Discord:https://discord.gg/MBebNvqbHW 

The post Quality Genetics: The Most Important Factor in Cannabis Sales and Marketing appeared first on High Times.

Texas Supreme Court Bans Smokable Hemp Production, Sales

June 29, 2022 Published by

Hemp was classified as an agricultural product when the 2018 Farm Bill was passed, but the Texas Supreme Court banned smokable hemp in 2019. This was challenged and overturned in August 2021 by the Travis County District Court, stating that it is unconstitutional to ban smokable hemp, and in December 2021, the Texas Supreme Court agreed to hear the case.

In March 2022, the Supreme court case was held with the Texas Department of State Health Services (and its commissioner, John Hellerstedt) and four smokable hemp companies (Crown Distributing, America Juice Co., Custom Botanical Dispensary, and 1937 Apothecary).

However, on June 24, the Texas Supreme Court Judge Jeffrey S. Boyd wrote in his opinion that smokable hemp is still banned. “Considering the long history of the state’s extensive efforts to prohibit and regulate the production, possession, and use of the Cannabis sativa L. plant, we conclude that the manufacture and processing of smokable hemp products is neither a liberty interest nor a vested property interest the due-course clause protects,” Boyd wrote.

The Texas Constitution mentions the right “to engage in any of the common occupations of life” and “pursue a lawful calling, business or profession,” but in Boyd’s opinion, these rights don’t apply to hemp production. “It is enough to observe that the due-course clause, like its federal counterpart, has never been interpreted to protect a right to work in fields our society has long deemed ‘inherently vicious and harmful.’”

Dallas-based hemp company Wild Hemp was the primary funding behind this effort, but the legal battle has come to an end. The company’s CEO, Zain Meghani, spoke with Dallas Observer about the ruling and how it will affect local hemp companies.

“This ruling hurts the Texas hemp industry top to bottom,” Meghani said.

Chelsie Spencer, founding member of Ritter Spencer PLLC in Addison, Texas, represented the hemp companies. “The Texas Supreme Court has determined that the Texas Constitution does not protect the economic liberty interest of smokable hemp manufacturers and processors in the state of Texas,” Spencer said. “We are profoundly disappointed in this decision and disheartened by the continued stigma surrounding cannabis. It is telling when the Court insinuates that cannabis is ‘inherently vicious and harmful.’”

Furthermore, the effort has been defeated and according to Spencer, Wild Hemp isn’t willing to spend more money to fight it. “They funded this case entirely and are now being kicked out of their home state.”

According to Spencer, the state loses with this decision to maintain a ban on smokable hemp. “I would anticipate increased consumer costs for Texas products, simply because the state kicked them out this morning, and they all have to move now,” Spencer told the Dallas Observer. “Most telling, our economic expert found that the state will lose one million in tax revenue from Wild Hempettes alone by 2024 by kicking them out.”

Wild Hemp sells a wide variety of hemp goods, such as hemp wraps, CBD Cigarillos, tinctures, topicals, paper cones, and of course their Hempettes CBD Cigarettes. Each cigarette pack can contain up to 1,500mg of CBD and come in four flavors: Natural, Menthol, Pineapple Blaze, and Sweet.

Smokable hemp will continue to be banned for sale and production, but there are other cannabis-related efforts happening in Texas that could lead to decriminalization for consumers. But there are still opposing parties to recreational legalization, including the Texas State Republican Party, which recently issued numerous planks, or stances, on cannabis and hemp. The party endorsed decriminalization in 2018, but stances announced at the 2022 Texas State Republican Convention support classifying cannabis as a Schedule II substance, but also states that recreational marijuana should remain illegal.

The post Texas Supreme Court Bans Smokable Hemp Production, Sales appeared first on High Times.

Weed Sales Outpace Alcohol for First Time in Massachusetts

January 28, 2022 Published by

Cannabis tax revenue in Massachusetts is performing better than projected, over four years into the state’s adult-use market. According to the most recently available data, Massachusetts reported collecting $74.2 million in marijuana excise taxes—much more than the $51.3 million in alcohol excise taxes that were collected. 

Alcohol sales continue the downward trend that began two decades ago, according to data collected by Gallup polling, despite a temporary sharp uptick in alcohol sales amid COVID. Analysts have wondered if there is a correlation between cannabis reform and alcohol sales.

The trends seen in Massachusetts are no different. Fortune reports that alcohol excise taxes imposed on each gallon of alcohol produced also remained flat over the last five years, at $0.55 per gallon of wine, and $4.05 per gallon of hard alcohol. 

Massachusetts collected over $112 million in adult-use cannabis sales excise tax revenue in 2021—206 percent higher than projected—according to a Monthly Public Meeting presentation from data from the state’s Cannabis Control Commission. 

“This number also underscores the entire agency’s tireless efforts, particularly those of our hardworking staff, to thoughtfully regulate a safe, accessible, and effective adult-use marketplace that keeps critical tenets of our mission—public health, public safety, and equity, among others—front of mind,” Commission Executive Director Shawn Collins said in a statement on January 25. 

The state charges an excise tax of 10.75 percent on the projected retail price of recreational cannabis in addition to a 6.25 percent state sales tax, plus a local tax of up to three percent. 

Cannabis sales are doing much better than anticipated, despite all of the hiccups along the way such as COVID. But analysts say the surge in cannabis sales in Massachusetts comes at no surprise.

Vivien Azer, a Wall Street research analyst and managing director at Cowen who covers the emerging cannabis sector told local news station WCBV that when states convert from medical cannabis to adult-use, it typically leads to a doubling or even tripling of revenues “almost overnight.”

Kicking off recreational cannabis sales in any state is something of a spectacle to be celebrated.

Mikayla Bell, community outreach manager for NETA, one of the largest cannabis retailers in the state. “I think that people are looking for an alternative to make them feel better,” Bell told WCBV. “Oftentimes people are turning to alcohol for relief. And now they found another product with without the hangover, without the calories.”

Cannabis sales in Massachusetts high a milestone last September when sales in the state eclipsed $2 billion.

During the first year of cannabis sales, from November 2018 through 2019, 33 cannabis retailers generated $393.7 million in gross sales. Sales for all of the 2019 calendar year reached $444.9 million. 

In 2020, 91 adult-use cannabis retailers tallied $702 million in gross sales, despite being closed for two months due to the pandemic.

Most states impose a relatively high excise tax rate on cannabis. California’s cannabis tax hike didn’t go over well with legacy growers, for instance. But cannabis isn’t the only industry that faces steep taxes.

Alcohol taxes in Massachusetts could soon see a hike as well. State Representative Kay Khan filed a bill to double the excise taxes on beer, wine and liquor with H 2973. The state spends $2.6 billion each year to combat alcoholism and addiction, and should consider making the industry pay for that themselves.

The post Weed Sales Outpace Alcohol for First Time in Massachusetts appeared first on High Times.

New Year’s Deals: Shop the Best Year-End Discounts

December 30, 2021 Published by
Year 2021 is coming to an end, and we have collected the best year-end discounts for you. As part of ‘THC WEEKLY’ New-Year’s deals, all Delta-8, HHC, THC-P, THC-O, THC-V, Delta-10 and even Delta-9 THC are now offered with huge discounts. This is your opportunity to stock-up on premium products.

Our famous New Year’s deals are your best opportunity to stock-up on top-selling products, as they are offered way below their regular price. Whether they are psychoactive products, such as Delta 8, Delta 9 THC, THC-O and HHC vape carts, non-psychoactive, such as CBD, CBG and CBN softgels, or any other product in between, they are currently on sale and you can get them easily online, without leaving the safety of your home.

This is your final chance to stock-up on premium products, as starting next week, prices are back to normal. Take advantage of the New Year’s deals and get yourself the products you always wanted.

As always, the best New Year’s deals are first offered to the subscribers of the THC Weekly newsletter, so make sure to SUBSCRIBE below.

Best New Year’s Deals:

Best Delta 8 THC Deals:

Binoid Premium Delta 8 Vape Cartridges

(25% discount sitewide)

Binoid Delta 8 Premium Vape Carts – Coupon: HOLIDAY25

Our ‘Best Choice’ award goes to ‘Binoid Delta 8 Premium Vape Cartridges‘, offering you a combination of quality, variety and price. Upon our request, they have created a special bundle for our readers, with an additional 25% discount.

If you want to experience the full range of Delta 8 THC, you should choose the special bundle, currently sold with an additional 25% discount, when using code ‘HOLIDAY25‘.

The 12-pack bundle includes the following flavors: Hybrid (Blue Dream, Gelato), Indica (Grand Daddy Purp, Mango Kush) and Sativa (Lemon Haze, Strawberry Lemonade) + 2 extra vapes, as a special bonus.

MUST HAVE PRODUCT: The Blue-Dream hybrid Delta 8 THC vape cart is amazing. If you want to relax, but at the same time, feel great and energetic, this is the one for you. Whatever you do, don’t leave without it (but don’t let that stop you from choosing one of the bundles, as all carts are very good and you get them for a great price).

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose the 6-pack or the 12-pack bundle and use coupon code HOLIDAY25 for the additional 25% discount. With the extra 2 bonus cartridges, you will only pay $13/cart, an amazing price for such a high-quality product.

Click HERE to get premium Delta 8 vape cartridges

(With ‘HOLIDAY25’ coupon code)

High-Potency THC-P Vape Cartridges

(25% discount sitewide)

25% Discount On THC-P Vape Cartridges – 8 Pack - New Year's Deals
25% Discount On THC-P Vape Cartridges – 8 Pack

Looking for a high-potency product?

THC-P (AKA Tetrahydrocannabiphorol or THCP) is a new super-potent cannabinoid that is considered to be stronger than both THC-O, Delta 8, Delta 10 and even Delta-9 THC. Each of the new THC-P vape cartridges contains premium THCP distillate, Delta 8 THC and terpenes.

Both the 4 pack and the 8 pack bundles feature the following strains:  Aurora (Indica), Trainwreck (Sativa), Fruit Loops (Hybrid), & God’s Gift (Indica).

TIP: Start low and grow slow as this is one strong cannabinoid… Choose one of the bundles and experience the differences between Sativa, Indica and Hybrid.

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose the 6-pack or the 12-pack bundle and use coupon code HOLIDAY25 for the additional 25% discount.

Click HERE to buy THC-P vape cartridges

(With HOLIDAY25 coupon code)

Sweet Slices Delta 9 THC Gummies

(15% Discount with Testers coupon code)

sweet slices delta 9 gummies - New Year's Deals
Sweet slices delta 9 gummies

With 10 mg of hemp-derived Delta-9 THC, and 20 gummies per pack (200mg total), the new Sweet Slices Delta 9 Gummies is a great choice for anyone looking to buy Delta 9 products. Currently, using the Testers 15% discount code, you can get the whole box for $17, which is 85 cents per gummy, an amazing price for this product.

TIP: Get an additional 15% discount using the TESTERS coupon code.

Click HERE to buy sweet slices delta 9 gummies

(With Testers coupon code)

Vegan Hemp-Derived Delta-9 Gummies

($5 off with code GUMMY5)

35% Discount On Vegan Delta-9 Gummies - New Year's Deals
($5 off with code GUMMY5)

The Vegan Delta 9 Gummies are another top-selling Delta 9 product. With 10 mg of hemp-derived Delta-9 THC it is a great choice for anyone looking to buy Delta 9 THC products online. Each pack contains 10 of these small babies, total 100mg THC.

Stocking-up opportunity: Take $5 off the price with the GUMMY5 coupon code. This great offer will allow you to get Delta-9 THC gummies for as-low-as $1/gummy! A great price for Delta-9 THC gummies, finally available online.

New Year’s Deals – $5 off with the GUMMY5 coupon code)

Choose between: Guavaberry Fruit, Blueberry Citrus and Kiwi Mixer.

Click HERE to get vegan Delta-9 THC gummies

(With GUMMY5 coupon code)

High-potency THC-O gummies

(25% discount sitewide)

High-potency THC-O gummies - 6 pack - New Year's Deals
High-potency THC-O gummies – 6 pack

Have you tried the new THC-O edibles? The Long-awaited THCO gummies have arrived and they are so strong! Be the first to try them and see for yourself why the internet is already obsessed with THC-O.

THC-O is a new potent cannabinoid. Some even believe it to be stronger than regulat THC (delta-9 thc) and slightly psychedelic, as in some cases people report it to produce a mild spiritual experience. With 25mg of THC-O in each gummy, 500mg total, the Mixed THC Gummies is a prefect choice for anyone looking to try this new cannabinoid.

Effects: THCO might produce a strong uplifting and happy feeling with a calming body sensation.

TIP: Choose the 3 pack or the 6 pack and get an additional 25% discount using the HOLIDAY25 coupon code. 

Click HERE to buy THC-O gummies

(With HOLIDAY25 coupon code)

Entourage Hybrid Gummies – $80/lb

Entourage Hybrid Gummies - $80/lb - New Year's Deals
Entourage Hybrid Gummies – $80/lb

If you want an effective product, try the Entourage Hybrid 40 mg Mini Fruit Slices, featuring both HHC, Delta-8 THC, THC-O, CBN, CBD and CBG in one well-balanced product. Using this product you can expect to feel euphoric, focused, relaxed but at the same time feel a little energetic and experience body buzz.

Also available Entourage Indica Gummies and Entourage Sativa Gummies.

TIP: Choose 1 LB (90 ct) and use the cbdflowers coupon code for an additional 20% discount. This will take the price down to as-low-as $80/lb, an amazing price for this popular product.

Click HERE for the entourage hybrid gummies

(With cbdflowers coupon code)

New Year’s Deals: 35% Off The Entire Mellow Fellow Site

(With the NEWYEAR promo code)

New Year's Deals

High-Potency THC-P Tinctures

(25% discount sitewide)

25% Discount On THCP Tinctures -
25% Discount On THC-P Tinctures

Another great way to experience this new high-potency cannabinoid, is by using a THCP tincture and getting full control of the dosage. As THCP is considered to be one of the strongest cannabinoids, using a tincture will allow you to start low and grow slow, which is the right way to handle new products.

Currently, as part of our ongoing promotion, you can get a 25% discount on all bundles, using the HOLIDAY25 coupon code. Take advantage of this great stocking-up opportunity and buy premium THCP tinctures (1000mg) for as-low-as $25/bottle, a unique price for this hard-to-find product.

TIP: Start low and grow slow as this is one strong product…

Click HERE to buy THC-P tinctures

(With HOLIDAY25 coupon code)

Entourage Get Krispy Bar – 100 mg

Entourage Get Krispy Bar – 100 mg
Entourage Get Krispy Bar – 100 mg

Another great product is the new Entourage Get Crispy Bar, infused with 100 mg of the same entourage cannabinoid blend! As the product contains 100 mg a piece you can share it, as there are 2 to 4 servings per snack.

Choose between Indica, Hybrid and Sativa.

Don’t forget to use the cbdflowers coupon code for an additional 20% discount. This will take the price down to only $8/Treat, a very good price for this effective product.

Click HERE to buy entourage Get Krispy Bar – 100 mg

(With cbdflowers coupon code)

New Year’s Deal: BOGO (Buy One Get One Free)

BOGO: HHC Vape Carts & Edibles

BOGO: HHC Vape Carts & Edibles - New Year's Deals
HHC Vape Carts- BOGO Deal

Want to try high-quality HHC products? Be the first to try the new HHC vapes and edibles, currently offered as part of a BOGO deal (Buy One Get One free).

Choose between Sure Diesel, Purple Punch, Zkittlez, Wedding Cake and 8 more flavors of HHC vape carts, both Indica, Hybrid and Sativa.

Don’t forget to use the BOGOX2 coupon code at checkout.

Click HERE to buy HHC vape carts

(With BOGOX2 coupon code)
HHC Mellow Rope - New Year's Deals - BOGO
HHC Mellow Rope – BOGO Deal

Looking for 500mg HHC gummies? Choose between Rope, Clusters, Fellows, Worms, Bites & Sour Watermelon.

Don’t forget to use BOGOX2 coupon code for the BOGO deal.

Click HERE to buy HHC gummies

(With BOGOX2  coupon code)

The CBN Saver Bundle

(40% discount with THCWEEKLY coupon code)

The CBN Saver Bundle
The CBN Saver Bundle

The new ‘CBN Saver Bundle‘ offers us a great way to experience the relaxing benefits of CBN, heavily discounted for the holiday. CBN has been known for it’s great night time relief and it is usually taken right before going to bed.
 

The bundle iscludes the following items: 600mg CBN Tincture, 100mg CBN Gummies, and CBD+CBN Softgel pack. If you have never tried CBN before, now it’s your chance to do it, as all products are on sale!

Want to save more? Get an additional 15% discount, using our ‘THC WEEKLY‘ coupon code. 

Click HERE to buy the CBN saver bundle

(With THCWEEKLY coupon code)

Product Reviewers Wanted – Get Free Cannabis Products!

DELTA-8 THC WAX DABS:

Delta 8 THC Wax Dabs – Bundle

Delta 8 THC Wax Dabs - New Year's deals
Delta 8 THC Wax Dabs – Bundle

Bundle up these great Delta 8 THC wax dabs and save big. Use ‘HOLIDAY25’ coupon code and the get the 12-pack for a great price. In spirit of 420, the 12-pack comes with an extra 2 dab concentrates FREE!

INSTRUCTIONS: Use the ‘HOLIDAY25′ coupon at checkout for an additional 25% discount. With the extra 2 bonus wax dabs, you will only pay $13/dab, a great price for this product.

Click HERE to get Delta 8 THC wax dabs – bundle

(With ‘HOLIDAY25’ coupon code)

Want to feature these New Year’s Deals in your shop?
Click HERE to register a wholesale account

Our New Year’s Deals will continue to be updated regulary, so keep returning here, or SUBSCRIBE to the THC Weekly newsletter, as more hemp-derived THC deals are added on a weekly basis

Having a promotion and want to send us your New Year’s Deals? Please contact us or email advertise@cbdtesters.co

Get New Year’s Deals All Year Around: Subscribe to the THC Weekly newsletter

Looking for the best products, subscribe to the THC WEEKLY and get the best deals on Delta 8, Delta 10, THC-P, THC-O, THCV, HHC and even Delta 9 products

Affiliate disclaimer: We work hard to find and verify the best products, so we may include affiliate links to support the maintenance and development of this site.

Best Hemp Flower Deals, Coupons and Discounts

The post New Year’s Deals: Shop the Best Year-End Discounts appeared first on CBD Testers.

‘Our Industry is Collapsing’ Warn California Pot Leaders in Letter to Gavin Newsom

December 20, 2021 Published by

Five years into legal adult-use cannabis sales in California, and the industry is at “a breaking point.” Top cannabis industry insiders sounded the alarm as the industry teeters towards implosion amid impossible tax rates and other serious issues.

In a letter dated December 17, over two dozen cannabis executives warned California Governor Gavin Newsom, President pro Tempore Toni Atkins and Speaker Anthony Rendon that the state’s cannabis industry is on the verge of collapse.

According to the letter, only major tax cuts and a rapid increase of retail operations can save the industry. Two-thirds of California cities lack dispensaries, since local governments authorize sales and production.

California is set to raise the cannabis cultivation tax next month—despite the Legislative Analyst Office estimating that the state will have a budget surplus of $31 billion next year. On January 1, 2022, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) will raise the state’s cannabis cultivation tax for dry-weight flower by almost five percent, raising it to a whopping $161 per pound, and over $10 per ounce. It’s this tax that is exceptionally difficult for farmers who cannot even break even. This was the reason California NORML sent out a warning about the tax hike last month.

The letter provides a solution for some of the immediate problems. Specifically, the industry leaders asked for three things that need to change in order for California’s legal cannabis industry to survive: an immediate lifting of the cultivation tax, a three-year holiday from the excise tax and an expansion of retail shops throughout much of the state.

“It is critical to recognize that an unwillingness to effectively legislate, implement, and oversee a functional regulated cannabis industry has brought us to our knees,” the letter reads. “The California cannabis system is a nation-wide mockery; a public policy lesson in what not to do. Despite decades of persecution by the government, we have been willing and adaptable partners in the struggle to regulate cannabis. We have asked tirelessly for change, with countless appeals to lawmakers that have gone unheard. We have collectively reached a point of intolerable tension, and we will no longer support a system that perpetuates a failed and regressive War on Drugs.” 

The current system “is rigged for all to fail,” they wrote.

cannabis-tax-letterDownload

High tax rates are pushing consumers back into the black market, where the tax-free cannabis is cheaper. “The opportunity to create a robust legal market has been squandered as a result of excessive taxation,” the letter said. “Seventy-five percent of cannabis in California is consumed in the illicit market and is untested and unsafe.” Some local governments took the issue into their own hands. San Francisco Board of Supervisors, for instance, unanimously approved a measure to temporarily suspend the city’s Cannabis Business Tax to fight illicit pot sales.

Once the higher cultivation tax rolls in, “most consumers are going to take off,” Darren Story of Strong Agronomy said during a conference call on December 17 with journalists and members of the media. Organizers are preparing for a January 2022 Boston Tea Party-inspired rally on the Capitol Steps in Sacramento to protest tax rates and other industry issues. “Forget the Boston Tea Party. Here comes the California Weed Tax Revolt,” read the headline of a The San Francisco Chronicle. The leaders represent nearly every sector of California’s cannabis industry.

The full list of industry leaders who signed the letter is listed below:

  • Alec Dixon, Co-founder of SC Labs 
  • Amy Jenkins, President of Precision Advocacy
  • Andrew DeAngelo, Co-founder of Harborside, California Cannabis Industry Association, Last Prisoner Project 
  • Conrad Gregory, President of CCIA Executive Board 
  • Dale Gieringer, California NORML Director 
  • Darren Story, Founder of Strong Agronomy
  • David Hua, CEO and Founder of Meadow
  • Dennis Hunter, Founder of CannaCraft 
  • Erich Pearson, Founder of SPARC farm and dispensaries
  • Ingrid Tsong, Independent Farmer and Co-founder of Beija Flor Farms 
  • Jacob Heimark, CEO and Co-founder of Plus Products
  • James Kim, CEO and Co-founder of STIIIZY
  • Jamie Warm, Co-CEO of Henry’s Original
  • Jeff Gray, CEO of SC Labs 
  • Jerred Kiloh, Owner of Higher Path dispensary and President of the United Cannabis Business Association trade group
  • Jigar Patel, Co-CEO, NorCal Cannabis Company
  • John De Friel, CEO and Co-founder of Raw Garden
  • Joshua Keats, Founder and Co-CEO of Henry’s Original
  • Karim Webb, CEO 4thMVMT
  • Kristi Palmer, Co-founder of KIVA Confections
  • Lindsay Robinson, Executive Director of California Cannabis Industry Association
  • Michael Ray, Founder and CRO, Bloom Farms 
  • Michael Zumpano, CEO of Versagenix
  • Flavia Cassani, Co-founder of Flow Cannabis Co.
  • Mikey Steinmetz, Co-founder of Flow Cannabis Co.
  • Nara Dahlbacka, Partner The Milo Group
  • Ray Landgraf, Founder and CEO of Island Cannabis Co.
  • Steve DeAngelo, Cannabis Rights Activist, Chairman Emeritus of Harborside Inc.
  • Vince C. Ning, Founder and Co-CEO of Nabis

Newsom spokeswoman Erin Mellon responded to the letter, and said in a statement that the governor supports cannabis tax reform and recognizes the current problems, while expanding enforcement against illegal sales and production. “It’s clear that the current tax construct is presenting unintended but serious challenges. Any tax-reform effort in this space will require action from two-thirds of the Legislature and the Governor is open to working with them on a solution,” Mellon said.

The letter ensures that state leaders understand the sense of urgency and the scope of the problem. “The solution to these issues and the possibility of saving this industry lies in your hands,” they wrote in the letter.

The post ‘Our Industry is Collapsing’ Warn California Pot Leaders in Letter to Gavin Newsom appeared first on High Times.

Friday, April 30, 2021 Headlines | Marijuana Today Daily News

April 30, 2021 Published by

Marijuana Today Daily Headlines
Friday, April 30, 2021 | Curated by host Shea Gunther

// Key Senate Chair Shifts Stance On Tying Marijuana Banking Bill To Sentencing Reform (Marijuana Moment)

// Louisiana Lawmakers Approve Marijuana Licensing Bill In Anticipation Of Legalization (Marijuana Moment)

// Louisiana Governor Says He Has ‘Great Interest’ In Marijuana Legalization Bill Advancing In Legislature (Marijuana Moment)

These headlines are brought to you by Agilent, a Fortune 500 company known for providing top-notch testing solutions to cannabis and hemp testing labs worldwide. Are you considering testing your cannabis in-house for potency? Agilent is giving away a FREE 1260 HPLC system for one year! If you are a Cultivator, processor, or cannabis testing lab you may qualify for this giveaway. Open up bitly.com/cannabis-contest to answer a few quick questions to enter to win!

// Canadian Cannabis Sales Grow 74% in February to $263 Million (New Cannabis Ventures)

// Maryland Cannabis Industry Grew By 40 Percent in 2020 (Outlaw Report)

// Legal pot in R.I. ‘inevitable’ but may not happen this year State House leaders say (Providence Journal)

// Ascend Wellness Raises $80 Million in IPO (New Cannabis Ventures)

// Gage Cannabis Turns In Solid Fourth Quarter Fiscal Year (Green Market Report)

// Bipartisan Lawmakers Want Federal Protections For Marijuana States In Next Spending Bill (Marijuana Moment)

// Maine Proposal Would Legalize Psilocybin Mushroom Therapy For Adults No Medical Diagnosis Needed (Marijuana Moment)

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