Fort Lauderdale and Aspen Public Relations Firm Durée & Company Wins ‘Best Use of PR’ Award at Cannabis Marketing Association Seven Awards in Denver

8/15/2023

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Durée & Company is Sole Winner in PR Category for its Work on Columbia Care/Cannabist’s Launch in West Virginia, a New Cannabis Market

Aspen, Colo. — August 15, 2023 — Award-winning Fort Lauderdale- and Aspen-based full-service public relations and marketing agency Durée & Company, Inc. is the sole winner of the inaugural Cannabis Marketing Association Seven Awards’ “Best Use of PR” award. The firm won for its work with Columbia Care/Cannabist’s Launch in West Virginia, a new cannabis market.

Firm President and Founder Durée Ross accepted the award in person at the Cannabis Marketing Association Seven Awards Show, held at the 2023 Cannabis Marketing Summit in Denver, Colorado. Ross was present at the conference to deliver a presentation on crisis communication, by way of special invite from the event organizers. Launched in 2023, Cannabis Marketing Association’s Seven Awards aim to highlight and uplift successful marketing campaigns that are advancing the image of cannabis within the regulated industry. There are 20 unique award categories, including “Best Use of PR”, which focuses on public relations campaigns and crisis communications. Entries were judged by independent jurors who considered a number of criteria in making their final selections.

Durée & Company’s established cannabis practice and multifaceted work with brands in the cannabis space laid the groundwork for a highly successful partnership with multi-state operator (MSO) Columbia Care and the expansion of its Cannabist brand in a number of U.S. markets. The PR/awareness campaign, with a goal to increase medical card holders as well as advancement of medical cannabis use in West Virginia, took place from February–March 2022.

With Cannabist’s plans to enter the new medical market of West Virginia in five cities across the state, the firm devised a campaign to position Cannabist as the go-to resource for a friendly, uncomplicated shopping experience for medical marijuana patients. Because medical cannabis was a new industry in the state, and Cannabist was one of the first dispensaries in each county it serves, the firm worked to dispel any preconceived notions among media and the public, and communicate how Cannabist is committed to the local communities it serves.

Among other efforts, the firm proactively pitched media for story opportunities and publicized educational events to help patients better understand the state’s medical cannabis program, how to obtain a medical card, how to select products, and connect prospective patients with licensed medical providers.

Durée & Company garnered more than 64 million media impressions in just over two months. The media coverage helped to establish Columbia Care/Cannabist as a leading player in the cannabis industry in West Virginia, and helped raise awareness about the benefits of cannabis products and to educate the public about the safety and legality of using them.

“We are honored to be the sole recipient of Cannabis Marketing Association Seven Awards’ ‘Best Use of PR’ award,” said Ross. “Working to launch this new cannabis market was an opportunity for us to use our cannabis PR expertise to lay the groundwork in a state that is newly medical.

“This award is a testament to our established and esteemed cannabis PR practice, through which we work with clients from multi-state operators to labs to cannabis lawyers and more, up and down the cannabis supply chain,” she continued.

For more information about Durée & Company’s cannabis practice, visit its microsite https://cannabismarketingpr.com/, dedicated to its practice providing PR and marketing for clients in the booming CBD, hemp and cannabis industries. Also for more information, call the firm’s Fort Lauderdale office at 954-723-9350, or its Aspen office at 970-452-2195.

About Durée & Company, Inc.
Founded in 1999, Durée & Company is a full-service, well-respected and highly creative public relations and marketing agency serving a diverse client base of local, national and international consumer brands, landmark industries, business leaders and philanthropists from its offices in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Aspen, Colorado. Practice areas include nonprofit, hospitality, business, lifestyle, health and wellness, legal, real estate, yacht and marine as well as cannabis, psychedelics, and other emerging industries. Durée & Company is a member of some of the nation’s most elite professional organizations including PR Boutiques International™ (PRBI), The Florida Hemp Council, Cannabis Marketing Association and is a corporate partner of Cannabis LAB. To learn more, call 954-723-9350; go to dureeandcompany.com; cannabismarketingpr.com; or psychedelicpr.com. Join the social conversation and follow Durée & Company on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn at @DureeCoPR.

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Nearly 63k Cannabis Products Recalled in Missouri

8/15/2023

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The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation (DCR) on Monday issued a recall of products manufactured by Delta Extraction, LLC because they were not tracked by METRC, the state’s seed-to-sale tracking system.

DCR said in a press release that because METRC was not used, the agency could not “verify that the products came from marijuana grown in Missouri or that the product passed required testing prior to being sold at dispensaries.” DCR added that “no adverse reactions for this product have been reported” to the agency.

The recall covers nearly 62,800 products produced by Delta extraction, according to the list provided by state regulators.

The recall notice followed a hearing at the Administrative Hearing Commission in which Delta Extraction challenged the state’s immediate suspension of its license, according to a St. Louis Post-Dispatch report. Earlier this month, state cannabis regulators suspended the licenses of three cannabis facilities over “potential product safety concerns,” according to the Post-Dispatch.

During the hearing, Jack Maritz, a manager for Delta Extractions testified that during the distillation process, hemp-derived THCa may be used from out-of-state sources. Delta argued that previous regulations allowed the out-of-state hemp product to be used, while the state countered that using out-of-state products is not allowed and that more recent regulations clarified that.

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Cannabis Beverage Bar Opens in South Carolina

8/15/2023

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A bar specializing in nonalcoholic, cannabis-infused cocktails opened last week on South Carolina’s James Island, WCBD reports. The ‘Cannabis Dry Bar’ is within the Charleston Hemp Collective and is in partnership with High Rise Beverages.

Co-owner Chris Long told WCBD that he quit drinking alcohol six years ago and after that, “wasn’t able to have some of the social…enjoyment” he had when going to bars.

“I feel like this space has just created that social environment where you can come out and enjoy yourself again without having the alcohol aspect.” — Long to WCBD

High Rise Beverage Founder Matt Skinner told BevNet in March that the goal of the dry bar is “to create a more elevated experience for those seeking nonalcoholic alternatives.”

The bar serves a variety of spirit-free cocktails, combining natural ingredients with the customer’s choice of CBD, delta-8 THC, or delta-9 THC. Patrons can also add THC-infused gummies to their order.

Skinner described the bar to Eater as “cannabis themed” but “a wellness bar.”

“We’re going through a big NA movement right now,” Skinner said. “A lot of Generation Z isn’t drinking anymore, and we are getting more and more educated on the medicinal benefits of the hemp plant.”

The business is the first of its kind in the state.

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Nebraska Gov. Rejects Bid to Reform Rules Around Cannabis Use for Law Enforcement Applicants

8/15/2023

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Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (R) has nixed a proposal that would have reduced the number of months that a law enforcement officer recruit could have used cannabis before training from 24 months to 12 months, the Nebraska Examiner reports. The new rules were proposed by the Police Standards Advisory Council, but Pillen said the reforms would be seen as “watering down” the standards. 

The council had recommended the changes as part of its effort to qualify applicants to work in law enforcement in Nebraska. 

In a letter last month rejecting the proposal, Pillen said he didn’t think it was “prudent” to adopt the change without data showing “a significant number” of applicants are being rejected due to the current drug-use standards, the report says.   

“It is therefore imperative that we have the necessary data before making a policy change that could be perceived as watering down the standards to become a law enforcement officer in the State of Nebraska.” — Pillen, in the letter, via the Examiner 

Brian Jackson, the president of the council and an assistant chief with the Lincoln Police Department, told the Examiner that he and others are working on obtaining and providing the necessary data to Pillen. The rules also disqualify applicants that have used a “dangerous drug” within the last five years. Jackson said that it was impossible to know how many people decided not to apply for law enforcement positions after learning about the drug use rules. 

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Cannabis Sales in Michigan Reach All-Time Monthly Record in July of $275M

8/14/2023

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Combined cannabis sales in Michigan reached a new record in July, totaling $275 million, according to Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) data. Adult-use sales in July topped $270 million – a 43.3% increase from June 2022. 

The total puts cannabis sales in Michigan on pace for $3 billion this year. If it reaches that goal, Michigan would join California as the only states to net $3 billion in annual cannabis sales, according to MI Tech News. Through July, adult-use sales in the state neared $1.6 billion, according to CRA data. 

Through the first seven months of the year, Michigan’s dispensaries sold more than 571,000 pounds of cannabis flower, combined for adult and medical use. The total represents a 107% increase from the approximately 276,000 pounds sold during the first seven months of 2022, according to the CRA data. 

Through July, cannabis sales by month averaged $243.3 million. 

Flower comprised the bulk of adult-use sales in Michigan last month, topping $126,000, followed by vape cartridges ($51.8 million), infused edibles ($27.3 million), inhalable compound concentrates ($24.7 million), shake and trim ($23.4 million), and concentrates ($15.1 million).

As of July 31, Michigan has 2,080 active cannabis licensees, including 704 adult-use cannabis retailers. Michigan legalized cannabis for adult-use in 2018. 

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California Officials Eradicate 67k+ Plants in ‘Largest Ever’ Cannabis Enforcement Action

8/14/2023

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California’s United Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce (UCETF) last month eradicated 67,045 illegally cultivated cannabis plants and seized 8,019 pounds of processed cannabis as part of its crackdown on illicit cannabis operations. In all, the plants and processed cannabis were worth an estimated $68.5 million 

The operation, from July 11-13, included 24 search warrants and also uncovered a dozen firearms. The warrants were served in Whitney Creek, Harry Cash, and Shasta Vistas areas in Siskiyou County. The UCETF describe the enforcement action as its “largest ever.”  

“The operation targeted illegal cannabis cultivation sites that threaten the environment, workers, and other members of the public,” the UCETF said in a press release. “The sites in question were associated with suspected environmental violations, including the use of unlawful pesticides and other toxic chemicals. These dangerous chemicals not only degrade California’s natural resources, but also endanger workers and others exposed to them.” 

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) created the multiagency task force in October 2022. In May, the UCETF said that from January 1 through March 30 it had seized more than $52 million in unlicensed cannabis and cannabis products despite serving nine fewer warrants than the previous quarter.  

From October 2022 to May 2023, the UCETF seized $84,652,875 in unlicensed cannabis through the serving of 51 search warrants, while eradicating 82,216 plants and seizing 13 firearms. 

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South Dakota AG Releases Draft Ballot Explanation for Cannabis Legalization Bid

8/14/2023

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South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley last week released a draft ballot explanation for a proposed constitutional amendment to legalize cannabis in the state. The proposal would allow adults 21-and-older to “possess, grow, sell, ingest, and distribute” cannabis and related paraphernalia.

Under the measure, adults could possess up to two ounces of flower and cultivate six plants, with a maximum of 12 plants per household. The document explains that, under the proposal, driving under the influence of cannabis would remain illegal, cannabis possession and use would be restricted at schools and “where tobacco is prohibited,” employers could restrict cannabis use by employees, and property owners could regulate cannabis use.

The statement explains that the proposal would affect neither state hemp nor medical cannabis laws in the state and that “judicial or legislative clarification of this measure may be necessary.”

The measure requires 17,509 signatures to appear on the 2024 ballot. Public comments on the proposal will be accepted until August 21. The final explanation is due to the secretary of state by August 31.

During the 2022 midterm elections, South Dakota voters rejected a similar proposal 53% to 47%. It marked the second time voters in the state voted down the reforms, rejecting a legalization ballot question in 2018.

A poll by the School of American and Global Studies at South Dakota State University released in April found voters were split on the reforms with 30% of respondents saying they “strongly” supported broad cannabis legalization, while 19% “somewhat” backed adult-use legalization. Another 30% “strongly” opposed the reforms, with 11% “somewhat” opposed, while just 10% had no opinion.

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Alabama Awards New Medical Cannabis Licenses

8/11/2023

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The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMMC) on Thursday voided all previously awarded licenses and awarded new ones, WPMI reports. The commission also outlined the errors in the scoring and evaluation of first round licensees which led to the awarding of new permits. 

The AMMC awarded five integrated facility licenses, seven cultivator licenses, four processor licenses, four dispensary licenses, and five secure transporter licenses.  

Applicants who were awarded a license now have 14 days to submit the appropriate license fee and any applicant who has been denied a license may seek an investigative hearing before the AMCC to seek reconsideration of the denial. 

The University of South Alabama was responsible for scoring the medical cannabis license applications but in June the AMCC paused issuing the licenses due to inconsistencies in scoring data tabulation. On Thursday, the AMCC outlined the errors which, according to a WBRC report, included:  

  • A scorer hitting the “submit” button twice for one integrated license, which doubled their score and created errors in the average scores. 
  • Evaluators incorrectly applying the wrong weight to every applicant score in all categories. 
  • Scores in the processor category were sorted/averaged by the evaluator, not the applicant. 
  • Quantitative and qualitative scores were inconsistent in all categories, forcing some scoring changes. 
  • Data-entry errors: some evaluators mis-keyed the numbers and had to be contacted by email to give the correct data, and some of the data they gave was applied to the wrong applicant or not at all. 

The University of South Alabama says it fixed all of the errors and had independent accounting firm KMPG verify the new scoring data, and now is confident in the numbers it’s given the AMCC. 

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New Mexico AG Investigating Alleged Wage Theft and Human Trafficking at Cannabis Facility

8/11/2023

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The New Mexico Attorney General’s office is investigating a cannabis facility for alleged wage theft and human or labor trafficking, KOB 4 reports. While the AG’s office has confirmed the investigation, no arrests have been made.  

“We can confirm that the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office is investigating allegations of potential wage theft and human or labor trafficking at a cannabis cultivation facility in Torrance County. Our special agents, along with state and federal law enforcement partners from multiple agencies, are currently evaluating evidence recently recovered from the facility to determine if there have been any violations of the law. This is an open and active investigation.” — New Mexico Attorney General’s office, in a statement, via KOB 4 

According to the report, there were several signs written in both English and Mandarin at the facility and several Chinese people were transported to Albuquerque for medical care.  

One of the workers, through a translator, told KOB 4 that the raid was a “mistake.”  

“They did have lots of people come over, but they were actually thinking the other, some other people were here, but anyway, it comes out to be a mistake,” the worker said, “so they already leave, so everybody fine, no problem, everybody – nobody arrested or anything so, that’s it.” 

Neither the Torrance County Sheriff’s Office nor Cannabis Control Division have commented on the raid or allegations. 

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Connecticut Adult-Use Cannabis Sales Reach $13M in July; Medical Sales Decline

8/11/2023

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Adult-use cannabis sales in Connecticut reached $13 million in July, while medical cannabis sales totaled $10.6 million, according to Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) data. In July, adult-use consumers purchased 324,177 products, while medical cannabis patients purchased 279,240 products.  

The average product price for adult-use products in July was $39.92 while the average price for medical cannabis products was $39.66. More than half of all sales – 52% – were flower, while vapes comprised 31% of sales and edible products represented 11% of sales. 

Adult-use sales in Connecticut have increased every month since sales launched in January. From June to July, adult-use sales increased by about $500,000 while medical cannabis sales decreased from about $11.4 million to $10.6 million over the same period.

So far this year, dispensaries in Connecticut have recorded about $68.9 million in adult-use sales and about $76.5 million in medical cannabis sales. According to DCP data, medical cannabis sales had been higher in the first four months adult-use cannabis was available for sale in the state; however, adult-use sales have exceeded medical cannabis sales in each of the last three months. 

Medical cannabis sales are exempt from sales and excise taxes. Transaction limits of 7 grams of raw flower or the equivalent remain in effect for all adult-use purchases, while medical cannabis patients may purchase up to 5 ounces per month and are not subject to individual transaction limits. 

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New Hampshire to Study State-Owned Cannabis Retail System

8/10/2023

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New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) on Tuesday signed the bill to create a cannabis legalization study commission, the New Hampshire Bulletin reports. The commission will evaluate how, and whether, cannabis could be sold through state-owned shops rather than private retailers. 

Cannabis use and possession is currently not legal in New Hampshire. In 2017, the state decriminalized possession of up to three-quarters of an ounce and anyone caught with less than that may be fined but not arrested.   

Sununu, who is not running for reelection next year, has long opposed cannabis legalization reforms in the state but in May said he would sign a legalization proposal into law if the bill included government control of sales, like how the state handles liquor sales. Were the state to approve such a system, New Hampshire would be the only state in the country to sell cannabis at state-run shops. Sununu has criticized nearby Maine and Massachusetts for, what he calls, “Marijuana Miles” or high concentrations of cannabis dispensaries. 

The commission will include five senators and five House representatives, as well as members representing the Attorney General’s Office; the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police; the New Hampshire Bankers Association; the New Hampshire Liquor Commission; the American Civil Liberties Union; the New Hampshire Medical Society; and Communities for Alcohol and Drug-Free Youth. The commission will be required to consult with the state’s Alternative Treatment Centers, which currently dispense medical cannabis in the state, and the New Hampshire Cannabis Association, which has advocated for broad legalization. 

Under the law, the commission must file a report with its findings and recommendations by December 1.   

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New York’s First Cannabis Growers Showcase Opens Today

8/10/2023

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New York’s first “Cannabis Growers Showcase” is set to open today in a municipal parking lot in New Paltz, the Times-Union reports. The showcases are similar to a farmer’s market and New York is the first and only state to allow cannabis sales via such a program.  

Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) officials said the event will operate weekly for the rest of the year or until the first retail cannabis store opens in New Paltz. The showcase is being organized by High Falls Canna, a family-owned cannabis cultivation company, and will feature products from four farms and a processor. 

Rick Weissman, High Falls Canna founder and president, told the Times-Union that his company has distributed products to a handful of retail dispensaries but that they still have “quite a bit to sell” and thousands more plants in the ground this year. He said they are participating because they “want the ability to sell” the product they grew last year. 

New York regulators approved the showcases last month as the state has been slow to license retailers, leaving growers and processors with excess product. The logjam could get worse as a state Supreme Court justice on Monday temporarily blocked the state from issuing and processing of new retail cannabis licenses following a lawsuit by veterans who claim that officials have failed to follow social equity provisions in the state’s cannabis legalization law.  

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Gallup Poll: Half of Americans Have Tried Cannabis

8/10/2023

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Half of Americans have tried cannabis at some point, according to a new Gallup poll. Another 17% of those polled said they “smoke marijuana” – a new high recorded by the pollster but similar to the 16% found in the Gallup Consumption Habits survey a year ago.   

The proportion of Americans who say they smoke cannabis has more than doubled since 2013, when Gallup first asked the question, when 7% of respondents said they did. Between 1969 and 1977, the number of Americans who said they had tried cannabis jumped 20 percentage points, from 4% to 24% and the share rose another nine points, to 33%, by 1985, but then stalled at under 40% until 2015, when it rose to 44%. It remained at about that level through 2019 but then ticked up to 49% in 2021. 

Over that same period, Gallup recorded a significant increase in the U.S. public’s support for cannabis legalization, which has grown from 12% in 1969 to 68% today. 

The survey found that a majority of Democrats (57%) and independents (52%) had tried cannabis at some point, compared to 39% of Republicans.  

According to the poll, current use is highest among adults aged 18 to 34 – at 29% – and the cohort is more than three times as likely as adults 55-and-older (9%) to be current cannabis consumers. Current use among adults aged 35-54 (17%) matches the national average. 

Similar percentages of men and women say they consume cannabis, while adults without a college degree are about twice as likely as college graduates to smoke it. Democrats (21%) are nearly twice as likely as Republicans (12%) to smoke cannabis, while independents’ use (17%) falls in between. 

The majority of respondents said they are “not too” (32%) or “not at all concerned” about the effects of cannabis on adults (23%), while less than half said they are “very” (19%) or “somewhat concerned” (26%). Respondents were more likely to express concerns about cannabis’ effects on young adults or teens, with 40% saying they are “very” concerned and 35% saying they are “somewhat” concerned.   

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Adult-Use Cannabis Sales in Maine Set Another Record in July

8/09/2023

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Adult-use cannabis sales in Maine set another new record in July, totaling $20.9 million, according to Maine Office of Cannabis Policy data. The previous record of $18.4 million was achieved in June, which surpassed the then-record $17.4 million total realized in May. 

In all, Maine dispensaries completed 360,886 transactions in July; about 40,000 more transactions than the previous month. 

Flower comprised the bulk of sales at Maine dispensaries last month with just over $12.2 million in sales. Infused products were the second most popular category with $3.5 million in sales, while concentrates represented $5.1 million in sales. 

The average price per gram in July was $7.79. Which was up slightly from June’s average price of $7.69. 

So far this year, Maine dispensaries have completed 2,033,596 transactions, totaling $118.3 million, according to OCP data. 

John Hudak, director of Maine’s Office of Cannabis Policy, told Maine Public Radio that customers are getting “comfortable with the businesses across Maine, in terms of how they’re conducting themselves and the products that they’re putting on their shelves.” 

“People see the products that are on the shelves in Maine as ones that meet their needs,” he said. 

There are currently 222 licensed cannabis retailers, 148 cultivators, 115 manufacturers, and four testing labs currently operating in the state. 

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New York Judge Halts Cannabis Licensing After Lawsuit by Military Veterans

8/09/2023

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A New York Supreme Court justice on Monday temporarily blocked state officials from issuing retail cannabis licenses following a lawsuit by military veterans who claim the state is not following the cannabis law’s social equity provisions, the Associated Press reports. 

The order by Justice Kevin Bryant also prohibits the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) from processing adult-use licenses.  

The veterans’ lawsuit argues that the OCM created a licensing system that runs afoul of the state’s adult-use cannabis law and improperly limits initial licenses to people with cannabis convictions rather than a wider category of social equity applicants. The lawsuit claims that the cannabis regulators overstepped their authority by creating the licensing category for people with convictions because that decision was not approved by the Legislature and that the decision violates the state constitution.   

Under the law, social equity applicants are defined as people from communities disproportionately impacted by the enforcement of cannabis prohibition, ethnic minority groups, women-owned businesses, distressed farmers, and service-disabled military veterans. The MRTA initially set aside 150 CAURD licenses; however, last month OCM approved an additional 212 CAURD licenses, bringing the total to 463.   

In a court filing, the attorney general’s office cautioned that halting the program will hurt retailers financially who are spending money to set up shop under provisional licenses. 

Oral arguments in the case are scheduled for Friday. 

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Tilray Brands Acquires 8 Beer and Beverage Brands from Anheuser-Busch

8/09/2023

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Cannabis company Tilray Brands Inc. on Monday acquired eight beer and beverage brands from Anheuser-Busch, including Shock Top, Breckenridge Brewery, Blue Point Brewing Company, 10 Barrel Brewing Company, Redhook Brewery, Widmer Brothers Brewing, Square Mile Cider Company, and HiBall Energy. 

The deal includes current employees, breweries, and brewpubs associated with the brands and is expected to generate pro forma revenue of $250 million. 

The expected sales volume of the acquired brands will elevate Tilray Brands to the fifth largest craft beer business position in the U.S., up from the ninth, with current brands SweetWater Brewing Company, Montauk Brewing Company, Alpine Beer Company, and Green Flash Brewing Company.  

In a statement, Irwin D. Simon, chairman and CEO of Tilray Brands, said the deal solidifies the company’s “national leadership position and share in the U.S. craft brewing market and marks a major step forward” in its diversification strategy.  

“We are excited to work with the teams behind these iconic brands that command great consumer loyalty and have a history of delivering strong award-winning products with tremendous growth opportunities. Tilray is fully committed to invest in and champion the future of the U.S. craft beer industry by fueling new innovation that excites and further accelerates the growth of its consumer base.” — Simon in a press release 

Simon added that once the U.S. legalizes cannabis federally, the company will use its “leadership position in the craft beer industry” and “wide distribution network and portfolio of beloved beverage and wellness brands to include THC-based products and maximize all commercial opportunities.”  

Ty Gilmore, president for U.S. Beer at Tilray Brands, said, with the transaction, the company’s beer business “is expected to triple in size from 4 million cases to 12 million cases annually.” 

“Looking ahead,” Gilmore said, “we will further capitalize on the potential of these brands through product innovation, retailer partnerships and expanded distribution into key markets, including the Pacific Northwest and California.” 

The purchase price will be paid in all cash and the transaction is expected to close in 2023.

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Cannabis Retailers Association of Vermont Announces Two-Day Music Festival Higher Calling to Support Cannabis Businesses

8/08/2023

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The Group Hopes the Superb Lineup Will Help Raise Significant Funds for Businesses Impacted by the Recent Flooding

Winooski, Vermont – The Cannabis Retailers Association of Vermont (CRAV) announced a two-day music festival – Higher Calling – that will be a fundraiser for cannabis businesses in Vermont. On July 10th, Vermont suffered from devastating flooding that has affected businesses across the state including numerous cannabis businesses. CRAV is currently seeking sponsors for the event which will consist of two days of both national and local performers as well as numerous other activities and entertainment.

CRAV is working to cover the expenses of Higher Calling with sponsorship funding. If they are able to raise more money than is necessary to cover the expenses, any excess sponsorship revenue will go directly to cannabis businesses impacted by the recent flooding. In addition to those funds, CRAV will contribute a minimum of 50 percent of the ticket sales to the Higher Calling fund. They are expecting at least 1500 people to attend the two-day music festival.

“We had been planning this music festival for weeks but once the flooding occurred we immediately shifted gears, knowing our community was going to need financial support. Between our pre-roll fundraiser and the music festival we hope to raise at least $150,000 for the people in our community who are trying to recover and get back to business after suffering significant losses due to flooding” said Todd Bailey executive director of CRAV.

The organization launched its Higher Calling fund and subsequent efforts last week starting with a pre-roll fundraiser. Participating retailers will contribute funds received by offering the profits from the pre-rolls going back to the fund to be distributed to qualified cannabis businesses. The Higher Calling music festival will be the culmination of these efforts and will take place on September 15 and 16 at Pransky Farm in Cabot, Vermont. Zenbarn – located in Waterbury, Vermont – will produce the music festival.

“We had musicians from around the country asking us how they could help… even though it was last minute we’ve had artists adjust their busy schedules to support this cause” – Noah Fishman, Zenbarn

In working with Zenbarn as well as Loose Leaf Talent Agency, CRAV has secured a spectacular and diverse line-up that will appeal to music lovers alike. Performances throughout the weekend include, long-time and legendary funk legends, The Motet as well as the eclectic, genre-bending lespecial on Friday night. Saturday will feature the NYC based and internationally touring Bluegrass/HipHop band, Ganstagrass as well as MTV VMA Award winner, Supaman, a one of a kind hip hop artist who stands true to his Native Culture. Marcus Rezak’s Shred is Dead feat. members of Cool Cool Cool, Particle and more, round out the evening with Gentleman Brawlers, La Lovo, as well other Vermont local talent to supply amazing entertainment throughout the entire day.

Tickets are on sale now at Seven Days Tickets for $50 for Friday night only, $85 for Saturday only and $125 for both days. All the ticket prices include camping.

Recovery from the devastating flooding on July 10th in Vermont is still ongoing. It may be several more weeks before many of the businesses in the state can reopen.

“The North Branch was cresting and we needed to drive to safety before we could save everything. We have received dozens of emails, calls and texts from our customers, and friends and partners in the cannabis community, offering help…even when some are facing their own challenges and losses. That has been the silver lining…knowing we are part of a caring community that looks out after each other. In order for us to get back to business and serve our customers we’ve opened a temporary location at the Central Vermont Marketplace formerly known as the Berlin Mall,” aaid Lauren Andrews, owner of Capital Cannabis in Montpelier.

To learn more about the event, the pre-roll fundraiser or CRAV, you can visit their website at CRVT.org. Or to buy tickets go to: Higher Calling Tickets

About CRAV
The Cannabis Retailers Association of Vermont’s mission is to create a thriving, diverse and sustainable cannabis industry in the state of Vermont that supports our working landscape and small business owners while providing the highest quality products possible to our customers from near and far. And help ensure Vermont becomes a destination for the best cannabis products in the world.

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Arkansas Businesses Sue State Over Hemp-Derived THC Ban

8/08/2023

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Four Arkansas businesses are suing the state of Arkansas over its ban on hemp-derived THC products, THV11 reports. Abtin Mehdizadegan, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said the law violates the federal Farm Bill of 2018 and federal protections of interstate commerce.

“I believe all of our clients support reasonable regulation of these substances. This law doesn’t do that.” — Mehdizadegan to THV11

State Sen. Tyler Dees (R) told THV11 that the law aims to keep THC products out of the hands of children. He said he is “not surprised to see a lawsuit by those worried more about their profits than the protection of children and other consumers.”

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin told THV11 that he supports the law and plans to defend it in court.

Mehdizadegan said he believes “the entirety of the act needs to be enjoined and set aside” and that lawmakers need “to come back and come up with something workable that treats hemp for what it is as an agricultural commodity.”

The ban took effect August 1. It covers hemp-derived delta-9 THC, delta-8 THC, and delta-10 THC and each is now included on the state’s controlled substances list. The law also includes provisions requiring any retailer that wishes to sell any hemp-derived consumable products to get a permit from Arkansas Tobacco Control.

The lawsuit was filed in federal court.

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Jesse Ventura Considering Launching Cannabis Brand in Minnesota

8/08/2023

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During a cannabis expo in late July, former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura said he is interested in launching a cannabis brand. Ventura, a former professional wrestler, actor, military veteran, and longtime cannabis advocate, said he wants “to be the first major politician in America who puts his likeness, face and everything behind cannabis.” 

“I want involvement in this, I want involvement in the state of Minnesota. Minnesota grown, Minnesota produced, and promoted by Minnesota’s governor – or former.” — Ventura, Canna Connect MN, 7/29/23 

Ventura testified in front of lawmakers as they considered the bill to legalize cannabis, which ultimately passed. Provisions of the law took effect August 1, but retail sales are not expected until 2025.  

“This is an ego thing for me. I want to have my name considered with cannabis,” Ventura said during his remarks. “…One of the things that’s important for me, is I want to see Minnesota succeed here. … I would prefer … to put my name with Minnesota companies and make cannabis a prosperous business in Minnesota, by Minnesotans, keeping the money in Minnesota.”   

Ventura served as Minnesota governor from 1999 and 2003 and had floated the idea of legalizing cannabis during his tenure. He was present during the signing of the legalization bill by Gov. Tim Walz (D) in May. 

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Ohio Advocates Submit Additional Signatures to Put Cannabis Legalization Question to Voters

8/08/2023

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The Ohio group seeking to put a cannabis legalization question to voters says it has collected nearly 10 times the number of additional signatures it needed to put the issue to voters, WOSU reports. The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol was told last month by officials they were 679 valid signatures short of the goal and had an August 4 deadline to gather the remaining signatures.   

Tom Haren, spokesman for the coalition, told WOSU the group collected 6,545 more signatures and submitted them to the Ohio Secretary of State to be verified.  

“This submission validates what we’ve said all along: regulating marijuana is popular in Ohio.” — Haren, in a statement, via WOSU 

The Secretary of State’s office still has to verify the signatures and if at least 679 are validated, the question will appear on special election ballots in November. 

The ballot measure proposes allowing adults 21-and-older to buy and possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and to grow plants at home. A 10% tax on cannabis sales would support administrative costs, addiction treatment, municipalities with dispensaries, and social equity and jobs programs. 

If approved by the Secretary of State’s office, the cannabis legalization question would require only a simple majority to pass. 

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Florida AG’s Court Filing Says Cannabis Legalization Question ‘Misleads’ Voters to Benefit Trulieve

8/07/2023

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In a new brief filed with the Florida Supreme Court challenging the proposed constitutional amendment to legalize cannabis in the state, lawyers for Attorney General Ashley Moody said the proposal “misleads” voters to benefit Trulieve, the state’s largest medical cannabis company, the Tampa Free Press reports. Trulieve has contributed most of the $40 million to the Smart & Safe Florida political committee, which is leading the legalization campaign. 

In the brief, Solicitor General Henry Whitaker said the ballot summary “misleads in ways that, though sometimes subtle, are likely to influence voters – and to do so in a way that entrenches the sponsor’s monopolistic stranglehold on the marijuana market to the detriment of Floridians.” 

In a statement, Trulieve defended the ballot language as “clear, states the chief purpose of the amendment and – without a doubt – covers one and only one subject.”  

“For these reasons, we trust the court will agree that the voters of Florida should have the opportunity to vote to allow adults in Florida the freedom to use cannabis for their personal consumption.” — Trulieve, in a statement, via the Free Press 

Moody is asking the state Supreme Court to toss the question. The state Supreme Court will ultimately determine whether the ballot initiative covers only a single subject and is not confusing to voters and whether it will put to voters. 

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New York Veterans Claim State Not Following Cannabis Law’s Social Equity Provisions

8/07/2023

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A lawsuit filed last week by New York-based military veterans claims the state Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has kept Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) licenses from disabled veterans and other minority group that the state law “prioritizes,” Spectrum News reports. The lawsuit was filed in the state Supreme Court. 

“The [Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act] had already established a goal to award 50% of all adult-use licenses to social and economic equity applicants,” the veterans said in a press release. “But instead of following the law, OCM and [Cannabis Control Board] created their own version of ‘social equity’ and determined for themselves which individuals would get priority to enter New York’s nascent adult-use cannabis market.” 

In the press release, co-plaintiff Carmine Fiore said the veterans felt “used” to get the law passed. 

“Then, once it was passed, we were cast aside for another agenda,” Fiore said in the statement.  

The plaintiffs seek to prevent the state from continuing the CAURD program’s planned expansion “because it has no basis in the MRTA.”   

The lawsuit claims that the cannabis regulators overstepped their authority by creating the licensing category for people with convictions because that decision was not approved by the Legislature and that the decision violates the state constitution. 

The MRTA initially set aside 150 CAURD licenses; however, last month OCM approved an additional 212 CAURD licenses, bringing the total to 463. 

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Former Adelanto, California Mayor Sentenced to 14 Months for Cannabis-Related Bribes

8/07/2023

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The former mayor of Adelanto, California was sentenced on Friday to 14 months in federal prison for taking bribes from cannabis interests, the Los Angeles Times reports. Richard Kerr. 66, was charged in 2021 for taking more than $57,000 in bribes and kickbacks while mayor for approving ordinances and securing permits for cannabis-related businesses.  

Kerr was voted out of office in 2018 after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) raided his home as part of the corruption probe. He was first elected in 2014.  

In February, Kerr pleaded guilty to one count involving wire fraud. According to his plea agreement, the illegal payments from Kerr’s “co-schemers” – described as an attorney and various business people – were disguised as donations to a charity fund or to his election campaign, the report says.  

U.S. District Judge John W. Holcomb imposed a lighter sentence than the 46 months sought by prosecutors. Holcomb said he took into account Kerr’s age, health, his service as a U.S. Marine, and family obligations in his sentencing.  

The judge ordered Kerr to surrender to federal custody in November to begin serving his sentence. 

Last year, a jury convicted Jermaine Wright, Adelanto’s former mayor pro tem, of taking a $10,000 bribe from an FBI agent posing as a cannabis entrepreneur. Wright was sentenced to five years in prison. 

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Raekwon’s Cannabis Company Approved to Renovate Historic Newark Building for Consumption Lounge

8/04/2023

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Newark, New Jersey’s Central Planning Board on Tuesday approved plans by Architect Rachael Grochowski and Hashstoria to renovate a historical building in the city – the former home of engineering firm A.R. Meeker & Co and Stoutenburgh & Co. Newark Clothiers – for a cannabis consumption lounge.    

Hashstoria is co-founded by Raekwon of the Wu-Tang Clan, civil rights attorney Bakari Sellers, and radio, tv personality, and mental health advocate Charlamagne tha God. Hashstoria currently has locations in Astoria, Gladstone, and Springfield, Oregon. 

The building, located at 799-805 Board Street, dates back to 1839 and is in Newark’s Four Corners Historic District and has undergone several modernizations throughout the years. revival. The Landmark and Historic Preservation Commission greenlit the plans to renovate the facade of the building in February. 

In a statement, Grochowski, of RHG Architecture + Design, said the project “represents an exciting opportunity to merge history, community, and innovation.” 

“Design plays a crucial role in elevating the overall cannabis experience, and we are committed to creating an environment that offers a sophisticated, inclusive, and enjoyable experience. The cannabis industry is undergoing a remarkable transformation, driven by the vision and creativity of innovative designers and creatives, leaders from across the industry who are revolutionizing cannabis consumption. We are so excited to craft a space that harmonizes aesthetics, functionality, and sensory engagement, ultimately enhancing the journey of both seasoned cannabis enthusiasts and the cannabis-curious alike.” — Grochowski in a press release 

New Jersey passed a bill in December 2022 to allow cannabis consumption lounges but has not yet developed regulations or issued licenses and there are currently no lounges operational in the state.  

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