Brett Yader

As the cannabis industry matures, we are starting to get reliable data. This can help make decisions based on real sales figures and not predictions. 10 years ago, there was only one state with adult use sales (#colorado) and a handful of states with medical seals. Now there is 24 sates with adult use sales and an additional 15 states with medical seals. At the moment #california leads with total seals but #michigan leads with per capita seals. #florida leads in medical seals. #missouri with a relatively small population and only 17 months since they launched their adult-use market, is already in fifth place. Thank you Debra Borchardt from Green Market Report for the financial update. #cannabisindustry #cannabiscommunity #cannabisnews #cannabiseducation #cannabispolicy #cannbislaw https://lnkd.in/gc96gcCh

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Here's a summary of the worldwide cannabis news for the week: - **North Dakota**: Advocates filed a ballot measure to legalize adult-use cannabis¹. - **California**: Sonoma County is considering a reduction to cannabis cultivation tax¹. - **Health News**: Doctors are advocating for the regulation of hemp-derived intoxicating cannabinoids¹. - **New York**: The Cannabis Control Board approved 101 new adult-use licenses, bringing the total to 403 in 2024¹. - **Missouri**: A pharmacist who diluted life-saving drugs is set to be released from prison¹. - **Michigan**: Cannabis sales reached a new high in March with $289 million in combined sales¹. - **Illinois**: Lawmakers are seeking to ban intoxicating hemp products, including delta-8 THC¹. - **Florida**: A majority of voters support cannabis legalization, but it may not be enough to pass the measure¹. - **Federal News**: Discussions on marijuana decriminalization and rescheduling are ongoing at the federal level². - **Science & Health**: Studies suggest CBD is a promising treatment for crack use disorder and that marijuana legalization reduces the likelihood of teen use². - **International**: The European Commission set a limit for THC in hemp food & drink⁵. For more detailed information, you can visit the respective news resources. Keep in mind that the legal status and regulations regarding cannabis can vary greatly by country and state, so it's always a good idea to stay informed about the local laws and policies. Source: Conversation with Bing, 4/22/2024 (1) The Latest Marijuana News Today | HighTimes Magazine. https://lnkd.in/gfXSXAGD. (2) Marijuana Moment - All your cannabis news, in one place. https://lnkd.in/ddyd49ZG. (3) As the Weed World Turns - This Week's Global Cannabis Industry News Roundup. https://lnkd.in/gSn7RCrt. (4) International Marijuana Business News | Global Cannabis News - MJBizDaily. https://lnkd.in/g2tdjZxK. (5) The Latest Cannabis News Today | Leafly. https://lnkd.in/g33aatHh.

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Wouldn’t you say that testing cannabis for consumer safety is a regulatory function? If the purpose of labs is to protect consumers, that would mean they are fulfilling a regulatory function and should provide oversight of the cannabis businesses. You will hear a lot of ways to fix testing, but none of them deal with the root of the problem. 1) if a lab fails product or gives low THC scores, they lose the client to a lab that is willing to pass the product and give high THC percentages. 2) if a lab feels there is something wrong at a cannabis business, exposing their client can open them up to a lawsuit. We don’t have real third party testing because the lab is the agent of the cannabis business. This structure itself protects the cannabis businesses from scrutiny and the reason we are seeing a pesticide epidemic. This is extremely easy to fix, but nobody wants real third party testing, including safety advocates.

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Now that we have the new proposed text for the Farm Bill, the bifurcation of hemp interests me. Thanks for the break down Michelle Bodian. HEMP GROWN FOR CANNABINOID EXTRACTION.—The term ‘hemp grown for cannabinoid extraction’ means any hemp grown for purposes of extracting cannabinoids intended for human or animal consumption, inhalation, or topical use INDUSTRIAL HEMP.—The term ‘industrial hemp’ means hemp— (A) grown for the use of the stalk of the plant, fiber produced from such a stalk, or any other non-cannabinoid derivative, mixture, preparation, or manufacture of such a stalk; ‘‘(B) grown for the use of the whole grain, oil, cake, nut, hull, or any other non- cannabinoid compound, derivative, mixture, preparation, or manufacture of the seeds of such plant; ‘‘(C) that is an immature hemp plant intended for human consumption ‘‘(D) that is a plant that does not enter the stream of commerce and is intended to support hemp research at an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) or an independent research institute; or ‘‘(E) grown for the use of a viable seed of the plant produced solely for the production or manufacture of any material described in subparagraphs (A) through (D). It made me think about the last Policy and the Plant with Steven Philpott Jr., MS, CSCS, where he talks about natural vs. synthetic cannabinoids, which I think is going to be a BIG conversation with this new proposed language. If you haven't had a chance to watch the last episode, what are you doing with your life? Get the scoop now. cc: Frederika M. Easley #thepeoplesecosystem #thepeopleareblunt #cannabispodcast #cannabis #cannabisculture #cannabiscommunity #cannabisindustry

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Good morning California Cannabis Industry, Today, in the economic evolution of cannabinoids (both cannabis and help), there's one question remaining: WHO WON THE RACE TO THE BOTTOM?  I'd love to hear your thoughts.  

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Holistic Approach to Revenue Operations A common error in management is compartmentalizing sales, marketing, and operational roles too rigidly: that all teams are aligned and working towards common goals. Marketing should generate leads that sales can close effectively, while operations should ensure fulfillment capabilities match sales efforts. Recognize that while sales teams are directly responsible for driving revenue, other departments like marketing and PR play crucial supportive roles that prepare the ground for sales to succeed. Each function strengthens the other, and their activities should be integrated rather than segregated

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"Since the start of this year, there have been several different weed recalls in #California by the state's Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) for possible contamination of #Aspergillus, a fungus that can grow on cannabis plants. According to the Cannabis Science and Technology website, Aspergillus is a #fungus that can grow on many different plants, including cannabis. Cannabis Science and Technology focuses on educating members of the #cannabis community on "science and technology of analytical testing, quality control/quality assurance, #cultivation, #extraction, and processing/manufacturing." "If cannabis is grown or stored in conditions that are conducive to mold growth, such as high humidity or improper drying and curing processes, it can provide an environment for Aspergillus to thrive," its website reads. Newsweek has created a list of the 13 different products that were recalled for the contamination of Aspergillus from January 10 to May 17. Recalls: May 17: Lax Packs Premium Flower May 6: CANNDESCENT California 100% Whole Flower Pre-rolls April 25: C-Creme Infused Pre-roll April 19: 8 Track 1.0 Gram Pre-roll April 9: TYSON 2.0 Undisputed Cannabis Flower March 25: UPNORTH 3.5 gram flower March 20: Almora 14 half gram pre-rolls March 11: JC Rad Flower March 11: Passiflora Premium Flower March 1: Grizzly Peak Premium Indoor Flower February 21: Lowell Farms Inc. BIG BUDS Blueberry Kush Indica February 21: Roundtrip Pistachio Flower January 10: Gelato Orangeade hybrid Earlier this month, the California #DCC announced the recall for the #Canndescent California 100% Whole Flower Pre-rolls "due to the presence of Aspergillus spp. and due to inaccurate labeling that reports more cannabinoid content than the product contains." #Consumers who purchased this product and other recalled products because of Aspergillus are encouraged to contact their physician if they are experiencing any symptoms. They are also told to check their package numbers and if they match to the recalled product, they should discard the product or return it to the retailer. #Newsweek has reached out to the California DCC via email for comment. According to Cannabis Science and Technology, Aspergillus can pose health risks to consumers who use products that are contaminated with the fungus. Those with weakened immune systems and respiratory issues can face even higher risks." - Newsweek

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Marijuana businesses potential liability: “Twenty-five of 42 legal cannabis products…purchased from retail stores and had tested at private labs showed concentrations of pesticides either above levels the state allows or at levels that exceed federal standards for tobacco. The contaminants include chemicals tied to cancer, liver failure, thyroid disease and genetic and neurologic harm to users and unborn children.  Most of the pesticides found were in low concentrations that risk long-term harm by repeated use, though the extent of the health threat may not be known for years.  Vapes tested from five well-known brands had pesticide loads that exceeded federal Environmental Protection Agency risk thresholds for harm from a single exposure.” #emergingissues #insurance #underwriting #insuranceindustry #reinsurance

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🚨 **Important Update for Cannabis Growers in Washington State!** 🚨 The WSDA has updated its list of approved pesticides with two essential columns: 1️⃣ **Section 3 Pesticides under Worker Protection Standard (WPS)**   2️⃣ **Section 3 Pesticides for "HG Only" Home-Grown Medical Cannabis** **Key Points to Remember:** - Products marked as “HG Only = Yes” are strictly for home-grown medical cannabis use and are **not permitted for commercial production**. - **Spray Adjuvants**: While not listed separately, any spray adjuvant labeled for food crops can be used with an allowed pesticide on cannabis, provided it complies with the adjuvant label. Check the WSU PICOL database for registered spray adjuvants in Washington. 🛡️ **Compliance Tips:** - Ensure all pesticides in use are on the allowed list. - Existing stocks of removed pesticides can be used up, but no new purchases are allowed. - A new active ingredient, **Metarhizium brunneum** (formerly Metarhizium anisopliae) Strain F52, has been added to the list. - Always follow the label directions and precautions for any pesticide use. **🆕 New Products Added:** - Drip Hydro Dip Rooting Gel (Section 3) - LalGuard M52 GR (Section 3) - Liquid Harvest Vinegar Weed & Grass Killer (Section 3) - HygroPunch (Section 25b) **❌Products Removed:** - Green Gobbler 20% Vinegar Weed Killer - Green Step II Caterpillar Control - Mosquito Bits Quick Kill - Onward - Plant Guardian Biofungicide Wettable Powder - Plant Guardian Insecticidal Soap - Prestop WG - Proof Cold-Pressed Neem Oil - Sil-Matrix Fungicide/Miticide/Insecticide - Vinagreen - Whitney Farms Insecticidal Soap - Zio - Banish - BH-B Botanohealth Fungicide - BugZooka - Dr. Earth Final Stop Slug & Snail Killer Spray - Procidic-C - Smite - TCC-IPM 🔍 **For the complete list and detailed criteria, visit the WSDA website.** **Contact Information:** - For Cannabis List inquiries: Laurel Schmalz, 📞 360-974-9759, 📧 Laurel.Schmalz@agr.wa.gov - For pesticide and fertilizer registration: WSDA Pesticide and Fertilizer Registration Section, 📞 360-902-2025, 📧 pestreg@agr.wa.gov, 📧 fertreg@agr.wa.gov - For compliance with pesticide labels: WSDA Pesticide Compliance Program, 📞 360-902-2040, 📧pcompliance@agr.wa.gov - For other questions, contact your Liquor and Cannabis Board enforcement officer. -For a consult with your favorite cannabis attorney, don’t hesitate to reach me at fabiola@lawmeramera.com or (509)900-6182 Stay informed and compliant to ensure the safety and success of your cannabis cultivation! 🌱💼#CannabisCompliance #WSDAUpdate #PesticideSafety #CannabisGrowing #lawmera #WSLCB #cannabislaw #lawyer For more details, visit the WSDA's website at (https://lnkd.in/gwyNeKAQ).

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So what can we expect from the rescheduling to Sch III? We don't know. What we can do is look at the hemp industry and the REMOVAL of hemp from the CSA to get an idea of what might happen based on how the government handled that. (spoiler - it's really bad). The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the Controlled Substance Act. It took three years for the USDA to issue its Final Rule for hemp production. The roll-out was arduous and frustrating. In 2019, the FDA issued a memo that they would regulate CBD and hemp derived products. Five years later, in January of 2024, the FDA decided the framework they have won't work and asks Congress to tell them how to regulate CBD. For reference, from 2014 to 2018, hemp grew into a multi-billion dollar industry, larger than the sum total of the cannabis industry of today. (the hemp products market is still larger than all of cannabis btw) Let's look at some data: Acres of hemp grown in US since removal from CSA (from USDA annual reports): 2018 - removal from CSA 2019 - 511,442 2020 -336,655 2021 - 54,500 2022- 28,314 2023 - 27,680 From 2019 to 2024, hemp acerage grown in the US dropped by 95%! 95%! And the only thing that happened was the federal government got involved - just like they plan to do with cannabis. The hemp industry (aka American farmers) lost over $50 billion dollars after the feds removed hemp from the CSA. A report published in 2019 predicted that over 2,300,000 acres of hemp would be grown in the US in 2023. But thanks to the FDA and federal government's incompetence, that acreage was actually 1000x (!) lower than expected. If you were involved in the hemp industry from 2014 until now, like I have been, you know what has happened and how many thousands of lives were destroyed. What was the primary reason that the hemp industry was destroyed? It was the incompetence of the FDA, its failure to promptly issue regulations, putting a multi-billion dollar industry in limbo, and thousands of farmers out of business. What do you guys think the chances that the FDA, and DEA, alongside Congress will handle the cannabis industry any different than it did hemp?

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Nothing against selling Candy style Infused Cannabis. My issue is with the shopping experience. Shelf Space not being compartmentalized to separate the non cannabis additions from strictly Cannabis derived ingredients, creates a difficult shopping experience. "Drug Type" Cannabis has long been cultivated for its Cannabinoid and TERP profiles, Preserved and emphasized, as well as the combined Entourage Interaction. Personally I prefer Cannabis true to form. In the context of Infusion I prefer Extracts that are pure and unadulterated. When I partake in Cannabis use I want to taste the quality of the Cannabis, with emphasis on where Cultivation has taken its natural profile. I enjoy the Diverse Pool of Profiles Generated by the Plant, Not an Additive. I don't want to read through a product label to discern through the many ambiguous ingredient descriptions to conclude that it has something other than cannabis added to it. I feel it is much more appropriate to allocate the time reading labels comparing products I actually want. Separate Them! Gave up and defaulted. Not a satisfactory shopping experience 🛒

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Awesome morning🌅, Entrepreneurs, Professionals, Leaders, and Creators! Check out this excellent and insightful article by HIGH TIMES A.J. Herrington! Ben Kovler, the CEO of Green Thumb Industries (GTI) is pitching a merger between his company and The Boston Beer Company, the manufacturer of the Samuel Adams family of brews. The Boston Beer Company has a market capitalization of about $3.6 billion, while Green Thumb Industries (GTI) is worth about $2.8 billion! Alcohol consumption is declining with young adults drinking less than previous generations. Stock market analyst Aaron Grey, CFA, CPA, CEO of Alliance Global Partners, said on Monday that the proposed merger would allow The Boston Beer Company to enter new markets as alcohol sales continue to decline. Aaron stated that a Green Thumb merger with Boston Beer would give the cannabis company a listing on the New York Stock Exchange, making its shares available to a wider base of shareholders. Read more below 👇🏿

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What might a "free market" look like assuming cannabis was completely descheduled at the Federal level, inter-state commerce became reality, and the traditional capital and financial sources were actively funding? See California......... Regulatory compliance burdens, 280E crushing Federal tax loads, state/local taxes/fees, & customer pricing pressures are all adding fuel to the fire of California market concentration. Well-funded, large-scale firms clearly have an advantage when it comes to withstanding the strong, volatile headwinds in the legal cannabis space. At some point in time, the big boys are gonna get even bigger, and the little dudes will have their hands full trying to survive. Especially the struggling social equity license holders. #cannabismarketconsolidation #cannabismarketconcentration

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The Future of Cannabis Growing: Seed Versus Clone At Atlas Seed, we're witnessing a transformative shift in cannabis cultivation, putting an end to the sunk cost fallacy embraced by many large-scale growers. Instead of relying on high-cost, labor-intensive clonal propagation and mother stock maintenance, our customers are reaping the benefits of true-to-type, uniform F1 seed production. Moving to seed-based production has proven to lower costs and maintain the quality of the harvest. Precision, quality, and efficiency are at the heart of our genetics. By relying on extensive breeding practices, we ensure that each seed carries 50% genetic composition from top-performing parental lines, leading to consistent, high-quality harvests. Learn more about our high-potency, reliable cannabis seeds and get started with Atlas Seed today. https://lnkd.in/eBSZAkmk

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Cannabis startups are DEF a rollercoaster - 2 wks ago I was reeling from several gut punches... but today, things are looking bright: ✅ LOTS of new products in the pipeline that I'm SO pumped about... our Live Resin Vapes drop in NY before 710 and they're 🔥 🔥 🔥 . A bunch more new stuff I can't reveal them yet too… ✅ in NY, LIVE NUGS are in almost completely sold out - with most places re-ordering after < 2 wks selling a $100+ SKU! We’re getting a ton of inbound interest - shows that innovative products that deliver real value sell. Still early, but we should 2-3X our best month ever... NY as a market feels like it’s FINALLY getting its footing (hope I’m not jinxing us here). ✅ in CA, we've signed 4 MONSTER accounts since HoF and our new SKUs (esp Live Rosin Pre-Rolls and Live Rosin Vapes) are FLYING... it's painful for our cash flow to be scaling to meet demand, but feeling very positive about the turnaround in the most challenging state. About to sign up for the next big show in Sept… ❓thinking about expansion - though it's still early (wanna make sure our foundation & processes are solid in CA / NY)... but what potential partners should we be talking to in NJ for cultivation / processing / sales & distro? HMU via DM pls... None of this would be possible without our incredible team (Martin Mills, Cirona Labs, Peter Pietrangeli, Euphoric life , Lowell Farms Inc.) and our amazing retail partners. In general, I try not to get too high or too low - but feeling immensely optimistic about the state! Gotta celebrate the wins - as tomorrow I'm fully expecting to be punched in the face again LOL. BTW, in the rollercoaster analogy - which part is “good”? I assume it’s when you’re going downhill (despite Kevin Hart’s face)?! But then when we talk about life’s ups and downs or highs and lows - it’s the opposite right? Make it make sense?!

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Organic Blooms LLC, Niagara Nugget LLC, Blackmark LLC, and Windward Management LLC have filed a verified petition and complaint against the New York State Cannabis Control Board (CCB) and the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). This action challenges the respondents' actions, claiming they exceeded their statutory authority under the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA). Key points: - The MRTA, signed into law on March 31, 2021, requires the application period for adult-use cannabis retail dispensary licenses to be open to all applicants simultaneously. - In 2022, the CCB and OCM created the Conditional Adult Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) program, limiting applicants to those with prior cannabis convictions and qualifying business experience. - The CCB and OCM allowed CAURD applicants to apply without identifying proposed premises or notifying municipalities, which contradicts MRTA's requirements. - Petitioners argue that this selective application process was arbitrary and capricious, lacking factual justification, and unfairly burdensome to other applicants who complied with all rules. Petitioners are seeking: - A declaration that the CCB and OCM’s actions were unlawful. - Annulling all licenses improperly granted under these conditions. - Temporary and preliminary injunctions to prevent further licensing without proper compliance. - Damages, costs, and reasonable attorney's fees. The case points to significant concerns about regulatory fairness and adherence to statutory requirements in New York. 

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