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Incredibly excited to be one step closer to bringing Ohioans safe, legal adult-use cannabis products. bit.ly/4bV5dkx

Ohio is gearing up for the launch of recreational marijuana sales. But before you start imagining a dispensary festival with music, food trucks, and freebies, let's discuss the rules of the game the state has established. Spoiler alert: it's not exactly a party. The No-No List: 🚫 No cannabis consumption on-site. 🚫 No samples (infused or not). 🚫 No outdoor music. 🚫 No food trucks or free munchies. 🚫 No product displays outside. 🚫 No celebratory decor outside. 🚫 No ribbon-cutting outside. The Yes-Yes List: 🎶 Indoor music (pre-recorded only). 🥤 Complimentary non-alcoholic drinks (inside only). 📦 Product displays (inside only, and packaging must be empty). 🎈 Approved indoor decor. ✂️ Indoor ribbon-cutting ceremonies. Dispensaries must be discreet and maintain customer privacy, with no unauthorized photos or videos. Plus, all advertising must pass state approval. Violations could cost up to $50,000 each. Ouch! Four cultivators and six processors have dual-use certificates, ready to serve medical and recreational needs. Over 100 dispensaries are waiting for their final nod from state regulators. So, how will dispensaries drum up excitement for the Ohio recreational launch? We could see these bizarre rules affecting awareness—and revenue. #OhioMarijuana #CannabisIndustry #RecreationalMarijuana

Fascinating!

With Biden stepping out of the 2024 race and Kamala Harris stepping into the spotlight, we can’t help but wonder if anything will change regarding cannabis rescheduling and a push toward federal legalization. Here's what we know so far: During her tenure as District Attorney of San Francisco, Kamala Harris oversaw the conviction of over 1,900 individuals for cannabis offenses. However, reports indicate that most of those arrested for minor possession did not face incarceration, with only a few imprisoned for cannabis-related crimes. Harris initially opposed California’s Proposition 19 in 2010 but later evolved her stance, advocating for decriminalization and federal legalization, reflecting a significant shift in her position on cannabis reform. More recently, she's been an outspoken supporter of rescheduling, saying it's “absurd” and “patently unfair” that cannabis is classified alongside heroin, and urged the DEA to “get to it as quickly as possible." Given the growing public support for cannabis legalization and the Democratic Party’s trend toward reform, Harris will probably maintain her pro-marijuana stance. Shifting away from her current position could alienate a substantial voter base that supports legalization, which she can’t afford to lose in a tight race against a formidable opponent like Donald Trump. Dropping the ball now would be politically risky and counterproductive to the progress already made, but the only thing we can expect right now is the unexpected. Do you think Harris will continue what Biden started? Weigh in ⬇

Some Friday humor to hopefully give you a chuckle if you’re dealing with the outage.

New York is on track to smash $700M in #cannabis sales this year! 2023 was a bumpy ride for the Empire State, with only one licensed dispensary at the start and just 32 by year’s end. Fast forward to 2024, and we're witnessing an epic turnaround. The state’s licensed dispensaries raked in $260.6M from January to June alone. And with weekly store openings, this momentum shows no signs of slowing down. The secret? A blend of policy shifts and enforcement efforts. The New York Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) and the Cannabis Control Board (CCB) are working to ensure a robust, equitable market. With 137 dispensaries and eight delivery-only operators now serving adult-use customers, New York’s #recreationalmarijuana and #medicalcannabis scene is buzzing with potential. As OCM Policy Director John Kagia said, “We are seeing very green shoots in the doors we have open and the folks that are getting open.” Are you a #NewYork dispensary? Learn how you can keep even more of your record-breaking revenue by using the performance-based marketing power of HighRewards. Learn more ⬇️

Illinois just hit a major milestone—$1 billion in combined #adult-use and #medicalcannabis sales so far in 2024. The Prairie State has not only surpassed this impressive figure but did it two weeks earlier than last year. The breakdown of the $1 billion includes $850 million in adult-use sales and nearly $150 million in medical cannabis sales. “This isn't just about big numbers and record-breaking sales; it's about using this revenue to make a real impact," Governor JB Pritzker said of the money milestone. "From funding economic development to youth programs and violence prevention, the tax dollars from these sales are being funneled back into the community, particularly those hit hardest by the War on Drugs." Nearly half (49%) of all cannabis sales are flower, followed by vapes (32%) and edibles (22%). And the majority of the sales—81%—are from in-state consumers. Tax revenue from these booming sales has already led to more than $244 million in R3 Grants aimed at economic development and social equity initiatives. Almost $22 million in forgivable loans have been issued to social equity craft growers, transporters, and infusers through the #Illinois Cannabis Social Equity Loan Program.

Flyover country? More like High country. Interesting write-up on the Midwest's emergence as a cannabis stronghold.

It's always fascinating to see what products are trending and where!