Oklahoma Advocates Ready March 7 RMJ Vote Open in Your Browser for Images
Vol 9, No. 3 -- January 27, 2023 -- Edited by Lloyd Covens, DBA
Is Pharma-Friendly Woodcock On
Track to Destroy CBD at FDA? Creating doubt about CBD and distrust among consumers, media and healthcare providers would be expected had any of the past nine years reported deaths, hospitalizations or CBD side effects.. But with more than 10 million regular users (and an estimated 30 million adults who have tried CBD), the unregulated (and non-euphoric) cousin of marijuana has repeatedly heard positive outcomes for pain, sleep and anxiety.
Responsible CBD makers — ensuring safe sourcing, testing and honest labeling—for nearly 10 years got the final “nail” from FDA undersecretary, Dr. Janet Woodcock issued her Jan. 25th memo, Dr Janet Woodcock is calling for a brand-new pathway for FDA to judge CBD safety and efficacy—not even allowing scrutiny under existing rules for dietary supplements.
In her January 26 determination, Woodcock writes: “The working group, which I chair, has closely examined studies related to the CBD-based drug Epidiolex… as well as studies both conducted and commissioned by the agency. Given the available evidence, it is not apparent how CBD products could meet safety standards for dietary supplements or food additives. For example, we have not found adequate evidence to determine how much CBD can be consumed, and for how long, before causing harm. Therefore, we do not intend to pursue rulemaking allowing the use of CBD in dietary supplements or conventional foods. “ [Full press release:https://bit.ly/3kNV0BP]
Janet Woodcock(at right) is the strategically-placed pharma chokepoint. After paving the way for Oxycontin and other opioid pain killers—she likely will enter her retirement with a nice payday (executive job) by the billion-dollar pharma gods after fomenting market failure and government harassment to further to kill CBD access. Her past 15 years of shilling for pharma is on the record:
Dr. Andrew Kolodny, a senior scientist and medical director of Brandeis' Opioid Policy Research Collaborative, stated “It’s no exaggeration to say that she presided over the worst medical regulatory failure in U.S. history.” (USA Today, Feb.3, 2021)
“In its opioid decision-making, Dr. Woodcock, and the division she supervised, consistently put the interests of opioid manufacturers ahead of public health, often overruling its own scientific advisors and ignoring the pleas of public health groups, state Attorneys General” (Link below)
Woodcock defended the FDA’s opioid approval process, stating that “although higher total daily dosages were associated with fatal outcomes, it cannot be concluded that the higher total daily dosages are causally associated with fatalities … there is no maximum dose for opioids.”
2013-15: Woodcock oversaw the approval of a series of controversial opioid painkillers. An FDA advisory committee had voted 11-2 against approving Zohydro, a narcotic painkiller five to 10 times more powerful than Vicodin, Woodcock and the FDA instead pushed it through.
While Purdue Pharma (maker of OxyContin) had no clinical trials for proof, the FDA during Woodcocks oversight allowed the deadly label wording for Oxycontin: “for the management of moderate to severe pain when a continuous, around the clock analgesic is needed for an extended period of time.”
Analysis: Woodcock is nearing her retirement within years, and having failed to be named to head the FDA (in 2021) over her past coziness with pharma –and 15 years of making pro-opioid access decisions—it now seems that Woodcock has been called up to KILL THE LEGAL CBD sector. Since May, 2019, CBD makers have been promised action by the FDA to set up regulatory “pathways” which would assist evaluation.
Industry could ask the head of Health and Human Services—Sec. Xavier Becerra—to deliver on his promise to “expedite” review on cannabis (and cannabinoid) safety, in response to the Pres Joe Biden October 6, 2022 directive. The industry could put new hope into clarification language in the upcoming (must-pass) Agricultural funding “Farm Bill.” Just as the CBD industry has attempted to educate Congress for years – and even as 10-plus legislative bills dropped with bi-partisan support (from conservative Kentucky Rep. James Comer and liberal Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon)-- nothing is moving. Now this week’s FDA plan to delay any review with new procedures could easily push trials past 2026 or even later. By then, pharma can swoop in and buy any remaining CBD providers for pennies. Maybe pharma can even wait for the inevitable legalization of all naturally grown cannabis.
But even as we wait—continuing to supply safe CBD with the most troublesome FDA oversight possible, one thing is clear: Janet Woodcock must be replaced.
ABOVE: The first of NCIA'S 2023 socials gets underway Jan. 31 in the Bay Area. Follow-on socials ($50 non-NCIA members) will be hosted in Los Angeles (2/7), Denver (2/15), St. Louis (2/22) Seattle (3/8) and Boston (3/30). Register at: https://thecannabisindustry.org/ncia-events/industry-socials/
*|MC:SUBJECT|**|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|*
2022 Social Equity Take Tiny Steps in '22 Open in your own browser
Vol. 8, No. 48-- December 16, 2022 - Edited by Dr. Lloyd Covens
SAFE is too late for this Christmas: Ex-Marine Travis Mason, 24, enjoyed his final Christmas in December, 2015-- with his three young babies on Facebook, along with wife Samantha. Mason had taken a second job--as a security guard at Aurora(Colo) dispensary, Green Heart-- while having hopes of going on to police academy. On June 18, 2016, Mason was brutally slain by two robbers, who have never been found.
Over the past 5 years, an estimated 40-60 #dispensary security personnel have been killed or wounded in vicious robberies in Southern California, Washington, Oregon, Colorado and particularly flagrant attacks in the Bay Area.
Three men died during a series of break-ins in Seattle earlier this year. “People’s lives are being put at risk here,” Washington state Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti said in an interview Wednesday. “This can no longer be a theoretical discussion in D.C.” SAFE banking provides the cannabis industry a way to access banking, ending the "all-cash" nightmare which plagues legal MJ stores.
"Dispensaries in other states, mostly on the West coast, are a constant target for violent criminals because Congress has been too slow to act. Robberies are commonplace and caravans of armed thieves target cannabis businesses. Some people have even died." writes Montana Republican state senator Jason Ellsworth, who praised his U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) for being the lead GOP sponsor on the SAFE act.
MASSIVE PUSH TO FINALIZE a $1.7Trillion dollar OMNIBUS -- SAFE PLUS may be small potatoes. As the cartoon (ABOVE) depicts the two parties will have a lot of ideas on which programs to fund--and at what spending level--as Republicans hold firm from increased military spending, and Democrats push for more funds for domestic programs. "What does the cannabis industry have to trade?" asked one DC observer, noting that a raft of last minute bills/proposals will be pushed heavily this weekend, ahead of the promised 3000-page Omnibus language on Mon., Dec. 19th. MJ advocates continue to pressure the office of Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA), the rankiing Republican on Senate banking, which has authority over SAFE. A full omnibus text is to be released by the House Appropriations committee on Mon., Dec. 19.
In addition to SAFE's possible inclusion, a raft of other un-passed 2022 measures will fight for inclusion. At the front will be an increase for federal agency budgets, passage of the Electoral College reform act, increased aid to UKRAINE, several health and Medicare extensions, consideration of re-installing the popular Child Tax credit, immigration and Dreamer reform, Big Tech's social platform anti-trust and oversight, energy permitting reform and a raft of other state and local "pork-barrel" projects.
Those Republican Senators(9) likely to vote to advance SAFE are:
Co-sponsors Sen. Steve Daines (-MT), Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO, Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Sen. Cassidy (R-LA);
Firmly supporting SAFE-Plus are long-time cannabis supporters Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), her colleague Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK); along with
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Sen. Cramer (R-ND).
Other retiring Senate members have yet to signal their support/opposition to SAFE, and they include Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Penn), Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE) and Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC). Industry watchers were also hoping for support from either Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) or Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah).
NOTE: Web event auto-links only available to paid W420 subscribers
Jan 12-14 - VANCOUVER – LIFT &Company https://liftexpo.ca/
Feb 7 ONLINE – CMA: Future of Cannabis Mktng https://thecannabismarketingassociation.com/
Mar 1-3 SAN DIEGO 8TH EMERALD Cannabis Science https://mjbizconference.com/#show_overview
Mar 3-5 FT. LAUDERDALE, FLA – USA CBD Expo
Mar 7-11 ANAHEIM - Natural Prdcts EXPO/WEST https://www.expowest.com/en/home.html
Mar 10-19 AUSTIN – SouthBySouthwest Festival https://www.sxsw.com/
Mar 24-25 COLO SPRINGS -NOCO Hemp Expo https://www.nocohempexpo.com/
Mar 25-26 – HARTFORD – Connecticut Cann Expo
Apr 11-12 MIAMI BEACH – Benzinga Cann Capital
Apr 19-21 PORTLAND - Cannabis Science
April 20-21 DENVER Jars Cannabis 420 Festival https://www.milehigh420fest.com/festival-information
THU, April 20th - GLOBAL MJ CELEBRATIONS
Apr 23 WASH, DC – National Cannabis Festival
Apr 26-28 NEW YORK – MJ Unpacked
May 3-4 SANTA ROSA, CA – House of Flowers https://www.hallofflowers.com/
May 6-7 BURLINGTON, VT - NeCann Vermont https://necann.com/vermont/
May 15-17 MARCO ISLAND, FL CannaMed23
May 16-18 WASH, DC – NCIA 11th Lobby Days
May 19-20 ALBUQUERQUE – CannaCon/West
May 20-22 DENVER – ACNA Nurses CannaCare
May 20-21 HARTFORD – Conn Cannabis & Hemp https://necann.com/connecticut/
May 31- Jun 1 TORONTO – House of Flowers https://www.hallofflowers.com/
June 1 – TORONTO – LIFT & CO. Biz Conference https://liftexpo.ca/
June 1-3 NEW YORK- Cannabis World Congress https://cwcbexpo.com/
June 2-3 CHICAGO – NECANN Illinois Expo https://necann.com/illinois/
July 6-7 DENVER - 10th CBD OutLook: D8 v. D9 www.chemp7.com/outlook
July 19-20 BERLIN – ICBC
Aug 2-3 SAN FRANCISCO – LIFT & CO
https://liftexpo.ca/ Aug 4-5 LONG BEACH – CannaCon/ West
Aug 12-13 AUGUSTA, ME -- NECANN-MAINE https://necann.com/maine/
Aug 15-17 LAS VEGAS -GIE Cannabis Conf
Sept 8-9 ATLANTIC CITY, NJ -3RD Canna Conf https://necann.com/new-jersey-convention/
Sept 20-23 PHILADELPHIA Nat Prdct Expo East https://www.expoeast.com/en/events-education/events.html
Sept 29-30 ALBANY NY Canna & Hemp Expo https://necann.com/new-york-convention/
Oct 6-7 DETROIT – CannaCon Michigan
Nov 28-Dec 1 LAS VEGAS – 12th MJ BIZ CON https://mjbizconference.com/#show_overview
HOF/Vegas: https://www.hallofflowers.com/
CANNABIS News Briefs.... 2022 was not the year for social equity licensing to take hold. With a handful of licenses awarded (not counting the promises of New Jersey, Connecticut or New Mexico) only Denver was able to grow its social equity awards to 24 licenses—including 3 retail stores, with 8 others pending at year end. Denver also brought the city 3 new licensed social hospitality clubs—and ended with 20 delivery services holding on for more consumer support. In New York, the first 36 retail store awards will include 28 awarded to social equity permittees who were past New York cannabis offenders. Those New York stores are cleared to begin delivery now, and open after the start of 2023. Connecticut is expected to expand MMJ licensees first, opening for six stores on Jan. 10th. The first social equity licensee (of a planned 180-plus) has broken ground in Chicago. Of all the grand plans for major allocation to social equity licenses—Illinois had promised 190 slots—but 3 years of legal challenges meant instead that incumbent MSO’s captured the market massive $2.2Bill Illinois adult market. Massachusetts is the latest mature market--but first on the east coast-- to report sales stress in its legal market, first opened in Nov., 2018. In addition to reporting lower retail pricing for consumer flower(falling to $7/gram- retail), Mass also saw its first "voluntary closing" of "The Source" in Northampton, where 11 other stores have saturated the market. For November, Illinois reported adult-use sales of $130.5Mil. a year-over-year growth of 8.1%, with medical reporting another $28.5Mil sales. Sales figures estimate about 30% of Illinois sales are coming from surrounding states, raising concern for further Illinois sales reductions as adjacent Missouri commences its RMJ sales in 2023.
Link-of-the-Week: New York-based Columbia Care (soon to merge with Chicago's Cresco Labs) has released its "CULTIVATE IMPACT" 23-page social and sustainability report for 2023. In addition to Curaleaf and Trulieve, Columbia/Cresco have spent millions on backing up their commitment to equity/inclusion programs. "Growing the cannabis industry shouldn’t be exclusive. That’s why we’re passionate about bringing social justice, education and entrepreneurship opportunities to cultivate the inclusive cannabis industry of the future," said Columbia. The full report is available at: https://assets.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltc2a866f5b4786ae7/blt649fb6c3e7ec540b/63921939b6458e671e0c155d/Columbia_Care_CSR_2022.pdf
Scott's Miracle Gro subsidiary RVI Capital has completed its acquisition of New York MMJ firm ETAIN, thereby solidying its place among top MSOs. Said RIV, "RIV Capital’s long-term strategy is to build a leading multi-state operating and brand platform, with New York serving as the foundation. The Company intends to develop and expand new brands and products designed to resonate with the New York consumer, with plans to offer as one of its core brands Etain’s popular product line, which will include new form factors and SKUs in the near future." ETAIN received $42Mil in cash, and about 5.4Mil RIV shares to complete the sale, which consists of four New York retail stores, and additional growing/processing licenses.
The WNBA will again see a superstar on the floor.-- Cannabis advocates joined America cheering the return of Brittany Griner to the US, after a horrific 9-year prison sentence for two cannabis vape carts. And her Phoenix Mercury basketball team-mates never gave up. From PBS: "Every day for us in the season, when we went to other arenas, the story of BG was that game,” said head coach Vanessa Nygaard.. “For us, it was every single day that we thought about her, that we missed her. For my players that were teammates with her a very long time, you know, you go into a city and something would remind them of her: The locker room, maybe a place they would go to dinner. Every day they would carry that with them.”
Dexter Eugene Jackson – Athens, Georgia-- Jackson is a 52-year-old man who was convicted in 2002 for using his business to facilitate the distribution of marijuana in the Northern District of Georgia. Jackson was not personally involved in trafficking marijuana, but allowed marijuana distributors to use his pool hall to facilitate drug transactions. He accepted full responsibility for his actions at the time he was charged, and pled guilty. Since his release from custody, Mr. Jackson has converted his business into a cell-phone repair service, and also worked to build and renovate homes in a community that lacks quality affordable housing.
2-- Jose Luis Colunga – Juniata, Nebraska
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana in Tennessee. Sentence: 240 months of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (July 13, 2010).
3-Stacie Demers – Constable, New York
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana; aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute marijuana (New York). Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (October 26, 2016). Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023
4-Carry Le – Duluth, Georgia
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 1,000 or more marijuana plants (Texas) Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (March 4, 2016). Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023
5- Paul A. Lupercio – Blue Springs, Missouri
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana and 5 kilograms or more of cocaine (Missouri). Sentence: 240 months of imprisonment. Commutation Grant: Sentence to expire on August 24, 2022
6-Quang Nguyen – Houston, Texas
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 1,000 or more marijuana plants (Texas).Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (March 30, 2017).
7-Fermin Serna – Rio Grande City, Texas
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute in excess of 1,000 kilograms of marijuana, (Texas). Sentence: 240 months of imprisonment, commuted to expire on August 24, 2022, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release.
Upcoming Webinar Virtual Events
Live Hemp/MJ Events in May
New Jersey Kicks Off-- Media Reports
Replays: VS Minor Cannabinoids --- ArcView: Deal Breakups
JERSEY REC KICKOFFS AT 12 STORES---His 3:30am arrival at the Patterson(NJ) dispensary of RISE (Green Thumb Industries) cemented 23-year old Dan Garcia(above) as one of New Jersey's first adult-use customers on April 21. MJ Biz estimates this year's RMJ haul will sell $625 to $775Mil., rising to 2026 estimated sales of $2-$2.4Bil. Thirteen MMJ stores-- which now service more than 120,000 NJ patients-- have told state officials they will have adequate MJ supplies to keep medical access served, and also start RMJ sales as typical top shelf flower sells for $60 per eighth. Beyond GTI, other MSO-owned stores opened in New Jersey came from Acreage Holdings, Ascend Wellness, Columbia Care(Cresco), Curaleaf, TerrAscend and Verano Holdings. PHOTO CREDIT: NorthJersey.com See TV reports from New York network stations: https://abc7ny.com/marijuana-medical-legal-new-jersey/11775885/
https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/video/recreational-marijuana-sales-begin-in-new-jersey/
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It's 420 Week in Atlanta, Fla, NM, PA, DC, Colo & Calie & More Open in Your Browser for Images
HAPPY 420 WEEK ACROSS THESE CITIES-- Denver will deliver the most dispensares(10 per 100K persons) but can't compete with Portland for BEST PRICES (per ounce) This survey of Best Cities for Legal MJ hosts 50% of the Top Ten from California, and lists only Virginia Beach, VA as a Top Eastern Pot Market. But we will find 420 CELEBRATIONS across the land-- check the events below.... and have a SAFE HIGH HOLIDAY!
WANA DONATING $140,000 IN FOOD --In each of Wana’s 13 U.S. markets, the company is donating $10,000 to local organizations best equipped to meet the need for food assistance in their communities. See how you can help this great 420 cause at https://www.wanabrands.com/blog/how-we-re-fighting-food-insecurity-this-4ward20
PENNSYLVANIA CANNABIS FESTIVAL -- FREE APRIL 23-24, 2022 Renninger's Market -- Kurtsville, PA
http://www.penncannafest.com/
Upcoming Webinar Virtual Events
More Good April Stuff: Expert ARCView Webinar on Connecticutt & Offit's Penn
PENNSYLVANIA LEGALIZATION PROSPECTS -- REPLAY
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Visiting MJ Events in Fla, NM, PA, DC, Colo & Calie Open in Your Browser for Images
CHORUS FOR SAFE PASSAGE-- Unlike the MORE act passage on April 1, the best chance for action is pushing for passage of the SAFE Act--providing safe harbor for MJ banking services. Washington state treasurer Mike Pellicciotti(above, left) ventured to Congress last month to urge passage to help stop the horrific outbreak of robberies and dispensary killings in his home state. Others like the American Bankers Association, Scotts Miracle Grow and staff for sponsor Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) also presented their urgent appeal for positive action in the Senate. More TV reports at KING-TV: https://www.king5.com/article/news/politics/pot-shop-robberies-cannabis-banking-bill/281-4418aef5-04ec-4516-adbf-1e09c29fafa8
"We can no longer have the industry without access to banking when billions of dollars are changing hands in cash each year,” Pellicciotti wrote in a letter to his fellow state Treasurers. Most recently, the House passed the bill 222-210 as part of the America COMPETES Act, sweeping legislation to bolster America’s competitiveness with China, among other things. However, when the America COMPETES Act went to the Senate for a vote, the SAFE Banking Act was stripped out of it. So now, the two houses of Congress will settle on a final version of the bill, which Pellicciotti hopes will contain the SAFE Banking Act. Coverage from KING-TV Seattle: https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/my-employee-saved-multiple-lives-pot-shop-robbery-suspect-killed-after-taking-
hostage/NWLX24JSAVHS7N7ZPUMUDZ3VOE/
Upcoming Webinar Virtual Events
TOP 4/20 EVENTS AROUND THE US
PENNSYLVANIA CANNABIS FESTIVAL -- FREE APRIL 23-24, 2022 Renninger's Market -- Kurtsville, PA
http://www.penncannafest.com/
Replays: Chanda Macias on Seed2CEO-- DEA Challenge at DC Circuit- Moore & Guv Polis-
DEA HEMP-CBD PROCESSING RULE APPEALED --- The upcoming April 19th IFR arguments before the DC Circuit will be crucial to future processing rules for the industry. In this "insider brief" a team of leading hemp attorneys representing the Hemp Industry Association will argue that the DEA has not further regulation over hemp ("no authority") given the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill. Co-plaintiffs RE Botanicals will deliver oral arguments to a centering on DEA’s 2020 interim final rule that purports to regulate hemp manufacturing byproducts that go “hot” hemp during the production process. In this one-hour analysis, leading U.S. hemp attorneys working pro-bono on the appeal gather their thoughts in an advanced analysis of the hemp-CBD crucial issues. Hear from the experts: Patrick Goggin, Garrett Graff, Shawn Hauser, Rod Kight, David Kramer, Shaun Pennington and Matt Zorn. Please consider a company donation to help pay legal expenses and view the sessions at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJAeoepbJBo&t=5s
In addition to last week's interview with Gov Jared Polis, see the Denver TV-7 report on the MORE act passage, along with comments from NCIA's communications director Bethany Moore. https://fb.watch/c8Fbb2CySG/
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NOCO: HEMP PROSPECTS REVISITED Open in Your Browser for Images
April Fools--Not!- REC Comes to New Mexico-- : With its' massive 135,000 medical cardholders--and proximity to Texas-- the April 1st start of adult-use for New Mexico is promising new headway for new MJ micro-businesses, and promising Latino ownership. But the state's unlimited grow/retail licensing may also result in hundreds of failed startups in a saturated market. Above: thousands of hot-air balloons ascend above Albuquerque, expected to open nearly 70 metro RMJ retailers--but facing a possible squeeze on legal RMJ supplies later in 2022. Link here: https://bit.ly/3wx3OQ4
NOCO Hemp 8 Returns To Colo-- Colorado Gov. Jared Polis--as he has done for 5 years-- returns to speak at the 8th annual NOCO Hemp Expo on March 24th. Hemp, CBD, delta-8 and regulatory issues will be discussed by national experts including those below, and others including Bill Richmond (USDA), Jonathan Miller (U.S. Hemp Roundtable), Wendy Mosher ( New West Genetics), Chris Boucher (Calif.Hemp leader), Garrett Graff (Moye-White), Chris Fontes (Trojan Horse) and Native hemp leader Winona LaDuke. Hosted at the Gaylord Rockies hotel in Aurora, you can visit over 190 booths during exhibit hours, March 24 & 25, from 10am-5pm ($69/admission). https://www.nocohempexpo.com/
Upcoming Webinar Virtual Events
MORE NATIONAL APRIL LIVE 4-20 VENUES
PENNSYLVANIA CANNABIS FESTIVAL -- FREE APRIL 23-24, 2022 Renninger's Market -- Kurtsville, PA
http://www.penncannafest.com/
Replays: Cresco Labs Buys Columbia Care -
New NFD Study - Jordan in Israel for CURLF
An excited Chicago Sunnyside customer on Jan., 1, 2019 helps kick off RMJ in Illinois. Sunnyside parent Cresco Labs is acquiring MSO Columbia Care(for $1.9Bil), and the two will become a Top 4 MSO operator with 130 stores in 17 states. Hear Cresco CEO Charlie Bachtell outline the deal and future prospects for the combined cannabis giant:https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/927086691
Above: In Tel Aviv, CuraLeaf chairman Boris Jordan joins the March 23 "AlphaNooner" show discussing prospects for New Jersey and Germany. Rebroadcast at: https://www.linkedin.com/video/event/urn:li:ugcPost:6912048328515997696/
The CuraLeaf Dispensary wall says "Ask Us Anything" So again, West420 News asks: Did your 7-month CFO (Ranjean Kalia) quit last week due to pending IRS audits? Why is your stock pummeled losing 30% of value? Will CURLF release shareholder info on direct investments from Moscow's Andrei Bloch(21% CURLF owner) and his mentor UK-sanctioned oligarch Roman Abramovich (EvRav energy/Renaissance Insurance)? Hemp Today Reports: https://hemptoday.net/u-s-cannabis-giants-russian-american-ceo-equivocates-over-war-on-ukraine/
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MASKS OFF, CROWDS BACK -Austin crowds will return to SouthBySouthwest(SXSW) for 9 days beginning March 11--but all of the 14 cannabis panels and presentations will occur March 14-15. Above: Dr. Sue Sisley will detail her struggles with NIDA and the DEA, where she got help from attorneys Matt Zorn(left, of Yetter Coleman) and right, Vicente Sederbergs' Shaun Pennington. Counting the sponsorship of Cresco Labs SXSW will offer 14 panels on business issues within cannabis, including these leading cannabis experts from Top 5 MSOs:
March 14 (11am)"Nationwide Cannabis Legalization: Are You Ready?" Vivien Azar(Cowen), David Culver (Canopy Growth) & Darren Weiss(Verano Holdings)
March 15 (2pm) "Cannabis: The Next Frontier in CPG" with Kate Lynch(CuraLeaf) Valda Coryat (TruLieve) & Cristin Rudolph (Green Thumb Industries)
CRESCO/SEED underwrote this 24-min. documentary on another long-termer (40-60 years) in jail for a minor cannabis infraction in Michigan. The film follows Michael’s daughter Rashawnda and his lawyer Kim during the fight for clemency and examines the harm the War On Drugs has caused on communities and explores paths forward as national Cannabis legalization gets closer to becoming a reality. Directed by Kyle Thrash and Haley Anderson. Playing times during SXSW are March 13(11:30a), Mar. 14 (9a) and Mar 17(8p). Preview at https://www.crescocannabis.com/michaelthompson
FREE ONLINE VIRTUAL EVENTS
Thur, March 3rd Curaleaf Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year End 2021 Financial Results Conference Call. 5:00 p.m. ET--Live Call: +1-888-317-6003 (U.S.), +1-866-284-3684 (Canada) or +1-412-317-6061 (In't) Passcode: 1618049 --- Webcast: https://ir.curaleaf.com/events
TOP LIVE EVENTS FOR THE NEXT MONTH
CANNABIS PANELS AT SXSW (March 14-16)
"Cannabis: The Next Frontier in Consumer Packaged Goods"
"Cannabis versus the Opioid Crisis" "Diversity Drives Profit: Investing in Cannabis"
"Exploring Cannabinoids in the Future of Medicine"
"From Legacy to Legal Cannabis: How and Why?"
"The Future of Cannabis Consumption & Hospitality"
"Global View: Weed on the World Stage"
"Offsetting Cannabis' Sustainability Crisis"
"Sue'n the DEA: Breaking the 50yr NIDA Monopoly" (Sue Sisley)
MARCH 14--16 in Austin: Info: https://schedule.sxsw.com/2022/search?q=cannabis
After making your own donation below, please reach out and encourage MSOs to help contribute to alleviate the border crisis for refugees from Ukraine. ABOVE: Ukraine's (sitting left) first lady Olena Zelenska and her Ukrainian president & hubby Volodymyr Zelensky during happier days.
With one click, you can send needed relief to refugees through
World Central Kitchen, Razom for Ukraine, Florida's GEM, Save The Children, WKC and International Rescue Committee to name a few. NBC Today show link at https://lnkd.in/ee5_ekxv
Founded in 2014, West420 NewsWeekly is published for the
B2B adult-use and medical community, and not an offer or
solicitation for any cannabis product. *See more news and CannaPlanna archives at www.Chemp7.com
Sha-Carri's Ban for Pot Smoking Burns Again-- While Olympic justice may have been delivered in the 4th place finish for Russian skater Kamila Valieva (accused of using a performance enhancing drug) the Oregon track superstar still got no apology from the IOC this week. Last May when Sha-Carri Richardson legally consumed cannabis in Oregon several weeks before the 2021 Summer Olympics, she was banned. Valieva was given a shot to compete in this week's Beijing Olympics despite her proven enhancers. Why the hypocracy? Said Richardson in a tweet: "Can we get a solid answer on the difference of her situation and mines? My mother died and I can’t run and was also favored to place top 3," she said, adding "the only difference I see is: I’m a black young lady." Cannabis is NOT a performance enhancing drug, and the Olympic-watching world ONCE AGAIN saw ignorant MJ stigma play out again.
TOP LIVE EVENTS FOR THE NEXT 60 DAYS
ICBA with Cannabis Farmer/ Entertainer JIM BELUSHI
Ritz-Carlton After Party on March 10th
https://internationalcbc.com/barcelona/
CANNABIS PANELS AT SXSW (March 14-16)
"Cannabis: The Next Frontier in Consumer Packaged Goods"
"Cannabis versus the Opioid Crisis" "Diversity Drives Profit: Investing in Cannabis"
"Exploring Cannabinoids in the Future of Medicine"
"From Legacy to Legal Cannabis: How and Why?"
"The Future of Cannabis Consumption & Hospitality"
"Global View: Weed on the World Stage"
"Offsetting Cannabis' Sustainability Crisis"
"Sue'n the DEA: Breaking the 50yr NIDA Monopoly" (Sue Sisley)
MARCH 14--16 in Austin: Info: https://schedule.sxsw.com/2022/search?q=cannabis
Other SXSW featured speakers include Sara Bareilles, BEEPLE, Cast ofThe Boys, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Mark Cuban, Greg Daniels, James Ellroy, Falon Fatemi, Scott Galloway, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Sec. Deb Haaland, Tristan Harris, Frances Haugen, Ethan Hawke, Noah Hawley, Rashida Jones, Donna Langley, Ben McKenzie, Jonathan Van Ness, Bob Odenkirk, Guy Raz, Chrissy Teigen, Noah Oppenheim, Busy Philipps, Al Roker, Tye Sheridan, Jim VandeHei, Pam Wasserstein, and more.
Replays: Perlmutter Hearing with MCBA - Clark Hill's Hoban on "MJ Workers" & SuperSNOOPY
The Consumer Protection and Financial Institutions subcom-mittee chaired by Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo) hosted a Feb. 17th hearing on small business funding, including testimony from Amber Littlejohn (above) executive director of the Minority Cannabis Business Association. Her comments (full written statement below) underscored the lack of critical financing for small MJ startup--especially for People-of-Color who often are victims of predatory terms and sky-high interest rates. Her comments come at 31:30 into the hearing, and also ina key answer to Rep. Perlmutter(author of the SAFE Banking Act) at 47:10. Access the full hearing at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgOaNJiUHTQ
Other witnesses appearing at the hearing:
• Marla Bilonick, President and CEO, National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB)
• Stephanie DeVane, Vice President for Entrepreneurship & Business Development, National Urban League
• Dr. Alicia Robb, Founder and CEO, Next Wave Impact
• Dane Stangler, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Bipartisan Policy Center
The full text/analysis from Littlejohn as submitted to the committee can be read at: https://financialservices.house.gov/uploadedfiles/hhrg-117-ba15-wstate-littlejohna-20220217.pdf
Long-time cannabis industry supporter, MJ brand creator, and mega-superstar Snoop Dog (right) joins Dr. Dre and host of superstars in what many have called "The Best SuperBowl Half-Time Show Ever." If you missed it, or want to see the Pepsi Half Tiime Show again, enjoy it (especially Mary K. Blige) at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdsUKphmB3Y
Cannabis Stigma is too much for "Brock Olli"-- Weedmaps asked SuperBowl ad handlers to be allowed to buy a $7Mil spot on next Sunday telecast. No, they said. But Weedmaps released its response anyway. ADWEEK, the advertising industry news service, reports: Cannabis is legal in some capacity in 37 states, and NBC airs multiple ads by both alcohol and sports betting brands. “We strongly believe that censoring content doesn’t prevent people from accessing the plant,” said Juanjo Feijoo, Weedmaps COO and CMO. “It just prevents them from doing it safely," he said. Article at: https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/why-this-broccoli-is-fed-up-with-cannabis-censorship/ The 90-second WeedMaps video showing the live "Brock Olli"-- brocholli has become a social media "meme" for refer to cannabis -- rising, eating breakfast, calling an Uber and arriving at work where he is contantly (wink-wink) hearing stigmatic comments about cannabis use. It ends with the frame below, asking Americans to normalize their conversations about cannabis. See the 1:24min. video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0KYgXiqxc0
NUWU's VALENTINE'S DAY INFUSED LOVE IN DOWNTOWN VEGAS:
NuWu Cannabis Marketplace and the Vegas Tasting Room will host a Valentine’s Day special dinner event. On February 14, get stoney in Nevada’s only cannabis consumption lounge, with an extremely delicious THC infused three-course-meal presented by Caider Nation. For $200, you and your significant other can reserve a table at the Tasting Room, each selecting a dish from all three courses (totaling six dishes), with two delicious THC infused canna-cocktails, and two pre rolls of your choice. The Vegas Tasting Room is the only place in Vegas serving up infused, gourmet meals for Valentine’s Day --
Rolling solo? We also have $100 tickets which include one option per course, one THC infused cocktail and one pre roll. Each dish contains 10mg of THC, while each canna-cocktail contains 5mg of THC. Feel free to light your selected pre roll whenever! We will also have additional pre rolls, grams of flower, infused macarons and coffee, as well as dabs at the Dab Bar available for additional purchase. NUWU's unique canna-cocktails chocies include Liquid Marijuana, NuWu Sunrise, Canna-Rita, Canna & Sour, and Arnold Palmer. Join Jimmy Kimmel Live in their visit to NUWU's customer Drive Up on Nov. 9, 2018 at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_ClF45WfYA
ONLINE EVENTS FOR FEBRUARY, 2022
AFTER-COVID (LIVE) IN-PERSON EVENTS
Above: MSO Executives like Verano Holdings co-founder Sammy Dorf brought their golf skills to Vegas in last year's LemonHaze Classic, which returns this year in 12 key states. For 2022, getting in will be tricky, as the LemonHaze Classic promotes itself as an invitation-only event. More info: https://www.lemonhaze.com/executive-golf-classics 2022 Golf Classic at:
Feb. 21: Phoenix, AZ
March 7: Tampa, FL
March 21: Coto De Caza, Calif.
April 21: Las Vegas (Bear's Best/Summerlin)
May 16: Granite Bay, Calif.
May 23: Cleveland (Concord Twp), Ohio
June 20: Parker, Colo
August 22: Ipswtich, Mass
Also, courses TBA for New Jersey (August) and
September Golf Tour in Michigan, Illinois & Missouri.
CANNABIS PANELS AT SXSW (March 14-16)
"Cannabis: The Next Frontier in CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods)"
"Cannabis versus the Opioid Crisis" "Diversity Drives Profit: Investing in Cannabis"
"Exploring Cannabinoids in the Future of Medicine"
"From Legacy to Legal Cannabis: How and Why?"
"The Future of Cannabis Consumption & Hospitality"
"Global View: Weed on the World Stage"
"Offsetting Cannabis' Sustainability Crisis"
"Sue'n the DEA: Breaking the 50yr NIDA Monopoly" (Dr Sue Sisley)
MARCH 14--16 in Austin: Info: https://schedule.sxsw.com/2022/search?q=cannabis
Replays: SAFE's Perlmutter - COVID Interview New York & Northeastern Mkts Webinars
With SAFE banking once again attached to a bill heading to the Senate, lead sponsor Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Colo(above), talks about the positive impact its' passage would have on both the cannabis and hemp sectors. You Tube replay at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0KYgXiqxc0 Interviewed by Alyssa Erickson (U.S. Hemp Roundtable), Perlmutter said the idea of legal banking access is well-supported across both parties, realizing that business access in state-legal venues is a basic business right. To offer your support tfor SAFE banking, contact your Senator using this quick tool from NORML: https://norml.org/act/keep-safe-banking-in-the-america-competes-act/
West420 calculated the relative market share of the top20 global cannabis leaders as the new year begins. Major mergers and acquisitions from this group will change the future MJ landscape forever, and that doesn't consider further interest from consumer packageds goods(CPG), liquor and beverage giants, pharma or the tobacco sector. Pressure on the (orange) Canadian group will accelerate, on the (red) next largest MSOS (multi-state operators) who join--or outgrow-- market leaders like Verano, Cresco or Columbia Care. Non-retail sectors in green further fill-out the major movers in cultivation, CBD (Charlottes's Web) and the soon-to-boom cannabis synthetics, as pioneered by GW Pharma. And privately-held firms--like PharmaCann/LivWell-- will also be targets, but global growth means new European corporations will be on this "word-map" soon.
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