Jim Estill

I’m loving biased #journalism around #cannabis in #canada When I can tell who pays for the publication based on the article it says a lot about you as a writer. Lets start with citing sources. Do that. You should be clear with your sources. As much as this is relevant for journalists referencing data sets and news releases it is also important when talking about specific products. Illicit cannabis with mold in it? Where’d you get it? How much did you spend per gram? We think that part of the story matters? Did you walk into a downtown toronto pop-up storefront with blown out windows? No sign on the wall. Did you buy your pot from behind the bar at a biker roadstop motel and strip club combo? There’s probably opium in the pot and fentanyl in the bag of coke you picked up there. Free vd if you frequent all the stops that illicit store has to offer. Like, where’d you get the weed? As a grower, I would only buy pot from three legal corporate companies because I know the grower/producer. Even then the pricepoint, consistency and accountability for the product isn’t there because of the disturbingly ridiculous supply chain. Hell, I havnt found a legal pre-roll that doesn’t taste like dry hay, or have the overwhelming flavor and throat burn of added flavoring. What a shame. But if I need pot, which is seldom, I go to an illicit store and ask who the #grower is of the premium pricepoint pot. Im still spending 60 on a hal founce, or I spend 20$-30$ on a blunt that is hand rolled by an artisan. Be honest with yourself at the very least. Like, 20$ for an ounce means we aren’t talking to a consumer demographic that cares about mold, metals, amonia crystals or pesticides. The 100$-150$ illicit ounce is still grower centric, and the quality reflects that. The thing we are terrified to hear about the illicit world: There is quality there. Artisan craft quality. A 25$ blunt on that side, with a logo that points to who hand rolled the thing is unstoppable. Should be 80$. The quality is there from the blunt wrap, to the filter, to the hand selected (grown) cannabis within. .. and that item is incomparable to any offering on the legal side. Most comparable to live handrolled Cuban cigars. I’ve seen that at events. If I’m going to write an article about that blunt, I’m going to talk about where it came from, the pricepoint, and what I know of it. I highly suspect the pot being used to test is coming out the back doors of licensed producers… because it didn’t pass testing. Would you believe that there is lab testing with some illicit producers? This is why it’s important to, at the very least.. Cite your fucking sources. The illicit market has many faces. Grabbing a 20$ ounce, and letting that speak for the entire sector is Mickey Mouse journalism and reeks of corrupt propaganda. You want to rage against the illicit market? Start by doing better. #cannabisnews #selfrespect

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Perfect Cannabis Cultivation: Optimal Indoor vs Outdoor vs Greenhouse Setup w @cannacurefarms Noah Whyte Learn the pros and cons of different cannabis cultivation methods, including indoor, outdoor, and greenhouse setups. Discover how environmental control affects yield, terpene production, and plant quality. Find out why we prefer greenhouse cultivation with natural sunlight while ensuring perfect humidity and temperature. Take your cannabis cultivation to the next level! #CannabisCultivation #IndoorGrowing #OutdoorGrowing #GreenhouseSetup #EnvironmentalControl #YieldOptimization #TerpeneProduction #PlantQuality #CannabisFarming #CultivationMethods

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It seems that Elenore Sturko thinks that legalization fuels the unregulated market in BC. Interesting perspective…. In reality what fuels the unregulated market is excessive taxes, over-regulation, lack of enforcement, and supply chain of good craft cannabis products being hamstringed by provincial distributors that prefer not to sell these amazing growers products within BC, resulting in craft cannabis being exported to other provinces or outside of Canada. Stigma is still strong, and lack of education is rampant. Six years into legalization and a statement like Elenore Sturko’s is very disappointing. Pay attention, we’re not going away. Start working with industry in meaningful ways. Create an environment where the unregulated market isn’t appealing anymore. Smoke a joint, see for yourself! This is a plant that heals in many ways 🌱 Be better.

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Do have a #cannabis branded product in #Canada that you want to bring to market? My advice is to be very careful which licensed producer you partner with. Many are just hanging on financially due over taxation, excessive fees and bad management. Taking your time for due dillegence could be the difference between the success and failure of your launch. Wishing everyone tons of success! #cannabisbusiness #brandstratedgy #partnerships #emergingbusiness

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💡 What To Do If Your Disposable Weed Pen Dies Before Empty 💡 Whether you're halfway through your stash or just getting started, this guide has you covered. Discover practical advice for when your disposable cannabis pen gives out too soon. From simple fixes to ingenious methods for extracting every last drop of oil, we've got you covered. Get the full value from your cannabis vape with these helpful tips! Check it out: https://lnkd.in/eDzp9M3x

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🌿 Wisdom with LeVar Eady! 🌿 Discover the Hidden Treasures of Cannabis Wax: Join BluRok Farm CEO, LeVar Eady, as he unveils groundbreaking insights into the world of cannabis processing. 🔍 Unlocking the Secrets: Explore the fascinating composition of cannabis wax by-products using cutting-edge GC-MS and HPLC methods. Dive deep into the intricate web of cannabinoids, fatty acids, and n-alkanes, revealing valuable components previously overlooked in commercial processing. 💡 Maximizing Value: Uncover a startling revelation: a significant fraction of cannabinoids, up to 509.3 mg/g, is trapped within the wax by-product, representing a substantial loss of value during processing. From both scientific and economic standpoints, recovering these cannabinoids presents a lucrative opportunity to optimize yield and profitability. 💄 Cosmetic Potential: Delve into the versatile applications of refined cannabis wax in the cosmetics industry. With abundant fatty acids and n-alkanes, this overlooked resource holds immense potential as a base or binder in various cosmetic formulations. Explore new avenues for valorization and innovation in cannabis-derived skincare products. 🚀 Join the Journey: Ready to harness the power of cannabis wax and unlock its full potential? Enroll in our consultation services or cultivation class to learn the latest techniques for maximizing yield and value in cannabis processing. Elevate your expertise and embark on a journey of discovery with BluRok Farm! 📲 Scan the QR code to join the class or email us if interested in consulting. Let's cultivate excellence together! 🌱🔬 #WisdomWednesday #BluRokFarm #BluRokFam #CannabisProcessing #UnlockThePotential 🚀💼

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Anyone who believes there is a first mover advantage in recreational cannabis has no idea as to how the marketplace really works. Not only is there no advantage, in rec cannabis, moving first is a disadvantage and that has been proven time and time again, on top of the foundation of logic. Consumers will consume whatever they find that best delivers on their given need state, at a price they deem fair - and they will switch brands if they discover one that does so better than what they've been using. And they've done this for a hundred years. Retailers will list whatever generates sales, and sales come from consumption. Add to this the changing regulations and unclear line of sight on market dynamics and any company that jumps in first is doing so because (a) that's what they sold to the investors and/or (b) they don't know what they are doing. Every new jurisdiction that legalizes recreational cannabis goes through this same thing - it's like the companies just can't stop themselves from making bad business decisions. Ego, greed and lack of business smarts is a bad combination.

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It’s insane to me that nothing has really changed between the excise tax, provincial markups, mountains of paperwork, fees, lack of action from government, barriers to entry, and more. Everyone please sign this petition and let’s make some noise about the crushing provincial and federal regulations. The real kicker is how the BC government that’s already creating so many challenges gets to have more stores than the cap, undercuts private retailers, all the while likely cutting a loss from the operations and using our tax money to fill the hole. Even though I’m in the media and accessories manufacturing side and I don’t own any retail or production, this is an important change that needs to happen to allow the industry and the players within to survive. I’ll never stop advocating for what’s important for changes in our industry and the hard working people that are caught in a never ending cycle of crushing beaurocracy. I also encourage you to write to your MP and MLA in your area to create more noise. The writing is on the wall. The grey market is thriving, and there is nobody else to blame than the government. If they made it easier for all of my friends making beautiful product in the grey market, then I’m sure they’d achieve their goal of dismantling underground operations. Although in a different province, the problems are still the same across the country. Jazz Samra recently interviewed someone that transitioned from legal back to illegal operations because it just wasn’t feasible in the legal market, which sheds some light on this issue that won’t go away until regulations become more relaxed and less taxing (literally).

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The world of cannabis is as complex as it is exciting. Whether you're a grower with a killer harvest or someone looking to find the perfect product, navigating through all the options can be overwhelming. That’s where a Certified Ganjier comes in. As a cannabis sommelier, a Ganjier is trained to not only identify the highest quality cannabis but also to understand the unique needs of consumers and cultivators alike. From premium flower to tinctures, edibles, pre-rolls, or even medical-grade cultivars—I’ve got you covered. 🎯 How Can a Ganjier Help You? Quality Assurance: I can assess your cannabis harvest and identify the best ways to market it. Whether it’s focusing on the flavor profile, potency, or medicinal benefits, I can help you position your product where it will stand out. Tailored Recommendations: Not all cannabis is created equal. From recreational users to medical patients, each individual has different needs. I can guide you to the right product, whether it’s premium flower, a specific edible, or even a tincture for targeted relief. Market Expertise: With my trained insight, you can find the perfect niche for your product—whether that’s in luxury flower, high-quality pre-rolls, or even medicinal cultivars that require special attention. I'll help ensure your harvest reaches the right market. Speed and Precision: The cannabis market moves quickly, and timing is crucial. Working with a Certified Ganjier means you can solve your problems faster—whether you’re looking to enhance your product’s quality or find your ideal target audience. 🌱 Why Choose a me? In the competitive cannabis industry, hiring a Certified Ganjier is an investment that helps you save time, increase the value of your products, and make smarter decisions. Whether you’re a grower looking to market your harvest or a consumer searching for the right product, a Ganjier is your cannabis expert who understands both the plant and the market inside out. Ready to take your cannabis experience to the next level? Let’s chat! (207)344-5487 #CannabisSommelier #Ganjier #CannabisExpert #WeedQuality #CannabisIndustry #MedicalCannabis #PremiumCannabis #CannabisEdibles #Cannabis

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Top 5 ways that Cannabis dispensary owners can attract new customers. #cannabisseo #cannabismarketing #toronto #newyork #cannabis

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I've been saying this for the past few years. As a Canadian cannabis licensed producer with at least a cannabis processing license you need to maximize the monetization of the space in which you operate under. You can do so by leveraging Health Canada's other licenses ie. drug establisment license, NHP site license, medical device establishment license. All three of these licenses and their respective activities gives an LP the capability to manufacture/process thousands of products with thousands of ingredients.....not just tens of products with one ingredient which a cannabis processing license limits you to. Rescheduling of cannabis by DEA will legalize medical cannabis across the United States. That will also open up the doors for exportation of medical cannabis to the United States. DEA will likely recognize a drug establishment license holder who is following Health Canada's drug GMP over a cannabis process licensed holder. For those operators that have both, they will be in pole position for export opportunities to the United States. Your stock portfolio shouldn't be just one stock. Your manufacturing business must not be based on 1 product or plant. You must diversify to survive and thrive, especially in the competitive cannabis sector. I'm happy to discuss a regulatory strategy to capitalize on this impending reschedule and how it could benefit your business. #cannabis, #DEA, #reschedule, #SiteLicense, #DEL,

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Happy 6th Birthday Canadian Cannabis…Now Start Worrying “The only thing new in the world is the history you do not know”  Harry Truman Around ~80% of Canadian LPs are unprofitable.  Understandably, most LPs blame this situation on punitive taxes, burdensome regulations, and a patchwork of provincial frameworks.  Firms are clamoring for governments to ease their plight. If only survival and success was that simple.   Sector ills are more fundamental and difficult to overcome.  The diagnosis can be found in an economics 101 textbook.  Fact is, it is very difficult to turn a profit, fund growth or mitigate business risk in this kind of market when you lack sufficient scale or market differentiation.  Essentially, there are too many producers (many hundreds in fact) of commodity-like products for a market of our size. And I’m not even factoring in the tens of thousands of illegal operators and home growers. Consolidation will help but it’s happening too slowly. The increase in bankruptcies is offset by new entrants. One would expect large LPs (who are small by market concentration) to be capturing a larger share of the pie.  That’s not happening.  Their total share of market revenues is declining. Sector capacity & inventory levels remain misaligned with demand, dampening prices and balance sheets. To boost profitability and growth, many LPs have shifted some focus to international markets (including US optionality) and other categories like alcohol.  While this kicks the ‘survival can’ further down the road it is no long-term panacea for most companies. Net, the growing Canadian market is simultaneously fragmenting.  This dynamic challenges the ability of most firms to achieve scale economies, fund innovation and build resilience. This situation is not unique to cannabis. Every new industry of the past 150 years faced multiyear ‘booms, busts and recoveries.’ Cannabis is particularly susceptible to this cycle given that it’s an agriculture based, CapEx intensive product with major limitations on how it is sold.   The implications are stark. The vast majority of firms won’t survive even with significant tax and regulatory relief (which is not guaranteed in the short term).  They are in too deep, facing high-cost structures, debt overhangs (including CRA arrears) and restless shareholders. LPs will strike out securing inexpensive capital if they are a small, unprofitable and have a sickly balance sheet. Time to face the music.  You face a death spiral unless you can create scale or find market differentiation. Start with these 3 steps:     1. Accept reality 2. Prudently choose one of 3 strategic lanes. i) Go for scale through smart M&A. ii) Leverage consumer-focused innovation, or iii) Pick & dominate a niche. 3. Quickly reengineer your business model   Call me.  I’ll help you navigate this strategic conundrum and reignite profitable growth. #cannabis #cannabisindustry #canada #LPS #strategy

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I still believe that exporting cannabis from Canada, has an expiry date on it. Meaning, I do not see it as a viable, long-term business strategy. I trace this to 2 issues: 1. Total delivered cost - cannabis being exported from Canada will have a total delivered cost that is likely to exceed that of cannabis being sourced from geographies in closer proximity and/or with lower key input costs. 2. Domestic production - at some point, the importing countries are going to want to internalize the jobs and the infrastructure spends and will license domestic production. They may even make imports more difficult to acquire, to advantage domestic production. Is this going to happen in the next 12 months? No. But think out 3-5 years and I think you will see this as a very real outcome.

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Health Canada has floated some changes to the cannabis act. Some are changes our sector has been advocating for for quite some time.   There hasn’t been a lot of talk about this. Interesting. Is everyone tired of advocating? Too busy to consider it? Not wanting to get your hopes up only to have them dashed once again?   Here’s a list from David Brown at StratCann.   ➡️ Curious what you think. What top 3 changes would have the biggest positive impact on your business? Are there any you feel would have a negative impact? Share your numbers in the comments.   1-    Increasing the threshold for micros from 200m2 to 800 m2 and the micro processing licence possession threshold from 600 kg to 2,400 kg of dried cannabis or its equivalent. 2-    Removing the requirement for actual THC and CBD on product labels, only total THC and CBD. 3-    Increasing the number of permitted alternate Quality Assurance Persons (QAPs) to “one or more” from the current allowance of “up to two”. 4-    Licensed processors would no longer be required to provide printed copies of the consumer information document with every cannabis product package sent. 5-    Formalizing COVID-19 era “flexibilities”. 6-    Adding grounds for suspension of any licences held by the same licence holder, should they have unpaid fees or have failed to submit a required statement of cannabis revenue for a licence as required under the Cannabis Fees Order. 7-    Amending the Industrial Hemp Regulations to remove the maximum THC concentration of 10 parts per million for industrial hemp grain derivatives; the testing requirement; labelling for wholesale; and import and export requirements. 8-    Allowing for differentiation in colour between the lid or cap of a container and the container itself. 9-    Permitting cut-out windows on packaging for dried or fresh cannabis products and cannabis seeds, while upholding the exclusion of cut-out windows for all other classes of cannabis. 10- Allowing dried or fresh cannabis products, in addition to cannabis plants and cannabis seeds, to be packaged in transparent containers while maintaining existing rules prescribing opaque or translucent packaging of all other classes of cannabis. 11- Removing the cumulative 10 mg THC limit for an outermost container of edible cannabis product to allow greater flexibility in packing multiple immediate containers, as long as the immediate containers do not have more than 10 mg of THC each. 12- Removing the requirement to file an NNCP to Health Canada for dried and fresh cannabis products. . #craftcannabis #cannabisindustry #cannabisbusiness #phenologic

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6 More Reasons Why Your Cannabis ‘Unicorn’ Isn’t Getting Funded A cannabis thought leader and capital markets maven Seth Yakatan wrote a terrific post (link in comments) on why some cannabis entrepreneurs and businesses are not getting funded, or even considered for that matter.  I want to add 6 other pitfalls to his list: 1. The investor materials are poor You are asking someone to review and hopefully give you a large sum of money and what you show them is incomplete, inaccurate, shabby looking and verbose. 'Nuff said. When the materials lack 2 vital prerequisites – a detailed financial model and use of proceeds – you are toast. 2. Unicorn claims are made Forget about using this cliche unless your firm is generating high growth, rich profits and fat margins in a rapidly expanding market. That also goes for the claim, ‘We are disruptive!”  Sorry, you probably aren’t.  A highly regulated and fragmented industry like cannabis is unlikely to birth a disruptive product or business model, at least in the short term. 3. Key expertise is missing There is an old investing saw that says you bet the jockey, not the horse. Sophisticated investors won’t give you a dime if you don’t have dedicated staff responsible for key value chain activities.  For example, a large grow operation should have a full time master grower/production lead, regulatory knowhow, and sales experience on the team - and these people better know how to execute. And throwing out well-known names as part time advisors often won’t convince anyone that your team is better than it really is. 4. The business is not differentiated in some meaningful and sustainable way You may not know this, but your company would be the umpteenth one to claim it grows the best weed at the lowest cost.  Prove it with 3rd party validation or go back to the drawing board and tell me again why you deserve the money. Otherwise, I’ll check out your peers, some of whom are farther along their business trajectory. 5. The business case has faulty strategic and financial assumptions To make their opportunity look enticing, entrepreneurs will stretch the bounds of credulity when discussing the TAM, level of competition, likely risks, and time to profitability.   Thats not prudent. Be ambitious yet realistic, including outlining your contingencies if the assumptions don’t pan out.  6. I don’t trust you with my money Funders need to be comfortable that you understand risk and will be a good steward of their capital.  However, the opposite is often conveyed implicitly in your deck or uncovered through some cursory questions. For example, what are your investor reporting plans?  Are key corporate & investor documents readily available?  And, how will you make big decisions around CapEx spend, market expansion and major hires? 🔔 Hit that follow bell to always get my unique, impactful content. #cannabisindustry #funding #capitalmarkets #duedilligence #seedinvesting #cannabis

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Becoming a Hemp Cultivator: Overcoming Disqualifying Factors w Sohan B Discover how to overcome disqualifying factors, such as felony charges, when pursuing a career as a hemp cultivator. Learn about the requirements, including two years of hemp-growing experience, and explore potential solutions to fulfill them. #HempCultivation #StartYourHempJourney #OvercomingObstacles #HempIndustryInsights #GrowingExperience #CultivationCareer #GrowingSolutions #HempFarmingAdvice #HempCultivatorGoals #CultivationRequirements

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