Kevin McKeon’s Post

The cannabis industry has long been a complex landscape, full of regulatory challenges and changing legislation. One of the most contentious issues is the exploitation of the THCA loophole, which has allowed hemp-derived products to skirt THC regulations. With new legislation on the horizon, the industry is poised for significant changes. While the closure of the THCA loophole spells the end of an era for some, it opens up new opportunities for others, particularly for national lifestyle based brands who can cross-over into the realm of edibles and drinks, organically. https://lnkd.in/g5JEQCmN

Following an incident in Halifax where several students under the age of twelve were taken to hospital after eating cannabis edibles, a new media report confirms the edibles were not legal. An article from the Canadian Press shows a picture of what is clearly an edible from the illicit market, but the article itself fails to clearly note the distinction between legal and illegal edibles and how they are packaged and sold, or the THC content of those products. This is an ongoing issue, with researchers, academics, and the media still seemingly unaware of how widespread these illicit, unregulated edibles are, packaged to mimic traditional candy and snack foods like Nerds, Doritos, Oreos, Skittles and many more. Despite the image shown in the article showing a package of “Nerd Bites” advertising 1,000 mg of THC, with each “bite” containing 200 mg of THC, the article itself does very little to clearly communicate that these are not products from Canada’s legal cannabis industry. Legal cannabis edible products cannot be packaged in such a way, do not resemble regular candies like Nerds, and can only come with 10 mg of THC per package, not 1,000 mg. Read the entire article here: https://lnkd.in/g7KTsgg7 #Cannabis #CannabisIndustry #CannabisCommunity #HalifaxNS

More than half of Americans live in states where recreational cannabis is legal. While alcohol remains the most-used drug in the US, daily cannabis use has actually outpaced daily drinking, according to a study following four decades of consumption trends. Changing drinking habits and new products likely play a role. We keep our eye on these trends so we can help guide your beverage company as the industry landscape changes. https://hubs.la/Q02HgGm20

About half of Americans now live in a state where recreational cannabis is legal — and the market for cannabis is growing exponentially. So who’s buying cannabis-infused drinks? I got the scoop on that — and the legalities around THC-infused drinks — from Diana Eberlein, president of the Cannabis Beverage Association (CBA), a non-profit trade association established to represent and advocate on behalf of THC and CBD beverage brands. In the latest episode of the Business of Drinks podcast, Diana walks us through the regulatory landscape of THC drink, as well as the lobbying efforts underway to expand access to these beverages. And as to the audience question: Turns out, it’s largely Millennials and Gen Zs, with older consumers mixed in.   We know that marijuana use is displacing alcohol among younger audiences. From 2015 to 2022, the percent of US adults aged 18 to 25 who reported they had used any alcohol in the past month dropped by 8 percentage points to about 50% of those surveyed. Over the same time period, that group’s use of marijuana shot up by 6 percentage points, to about 25% of those surveyed, per the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. It appears — looking at the data, and speaking with executives from cannabis drinks companies — that these consumers are NOT going sober. Rather, declines in alcohol are somewhat proportional to gains in cannabis use. In this episode, we cover: > The appeal of cannabis-infused beverages for consumers looking to cut back on alcohol.   > The difference between hemp-derived Delta 9 THC drinks and traditional cannabis. > Where THC drinks are legal in states across the country (and where they’re available in bars and restaurants!). > CBA’s 2024 education and lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill. > The emulsion technology behind making fast-acting THC drinks. > Predictions for the future of the cannabis drinks business (spoiler: big things are coming). And that’s just the beginning. Give a listen for more: https://lnkd.in/eGHwGnyb #cannabisbusiness #cannabisindustry #drinksindustry #drinksbusiness #alcoholicbeverages #alcoholindustry

Dope piece in NY Cannabis Insider featuring Ellis Soodak from #VERDI #Cannabis dropping some knowledge about the similarities and, more importantly, the differences between alcohol and cannabis. It's true that many states model their #cannabislaws after their regulated alcohol market - but its not apples to apples. This is a must read. #cannabispr "If we are going to be regulating the two industries in similar ways, we should be honest about the inherent differences between cannabis and alcohol...On the business-side, the two are different in one key way: long-term storage and expiration dates. Alcohol is sold in large containers that take up a lot of space. Cannabis is much more compact with hundreds of thousands of dollars of product occupying just one room. Additionally, alcohol often gains value over time, whereas cannabis goes bad fairly quickly in comparison...Because of this, cannabis purchasers must be wary of over-purchasing products that then expire before being sold. Since expiring products are bad for everyone, regulations pertaining to cannabis should target volume restrictions, especially minimum order quantities and large-volume discounts." #cannabiscommunity #MarinoCannabis

In the ever-evolving world of legal cannabis, the preferences and tastes of consumers are as diverse as the strains available on the market. The spectrum ranges from Gassy Terps, known for their potent, diesel-like aroma, to Fruity Terps, renowned for their sweet, juicy notes. Do you lean towards the energetic kick that Gassy Terps, found in strains like Sour Diesel and Chem Dawg, provide? Or, are you more inclined towards the uplifting relaxation that Fruity Terps, bursting with flavors in strains like Blueberry and Tangie, offer? These preferences not only shape consumer behavior but also drive the innovative cultivation practices at the heart of the industry. At Vibe by California, we strive to cater to this broad spectrum, creating products that resonate with diverse consumers while pushing the boundaries of cannabis innovation. The cannabis sector presents significant opportunities for investors. Not only is it a rapidly growing market, but the innovation in the field is staggering - from cultivation to consumer products. Moreover, the industry's positive economic impact cannot be understated, contributing to job creation and tax revenues at a time when many other sectors are struggling. The growth of the legal cannabis industry is fueled by pioneering companies like Vibe by California, creating economic value while satisfying the evolving preferences of consumers. As we continue to explore the world of terpenes and their impact on our cannabis experience, we invite you to join the conversation. Are you Team Gassy Terps or Team Fruity Terps? 👉 Check out Vibe by California, a legal California Cannabis Company, at www.vibebycalifornia.com 👈 🌿 Click Photo to Learn More 👇

Hemp-Derived THC and Other Intoxicating Hemp Products: Let’s Talk About It As most of us know, Texas is considering a ban on all THC, including hemp-derived products. Meanwhile, other states like Minnesota are embracing these products—you can even buy hemp-derived THC drinks at a regular bar. There’s also a semi-pro baseball team somewhere in the U.S. selling these drinks at their ballpark for on-site consumption. I have my own opinions on the hemp industry. In my view, it’s added even more legal confusion to an already complicated cannabis landscape. Right now, we effectively have two industries: the 280E cannabis market and the hemp market, each governed by different levels of government and regulations. And with the possibility of a Schedule 3 industry on the horizon, we could soon have three separate industries for the same plant, all controlled by different entities. The federal government has made it clear that anything not classified as “medical” or federally approved will remain Schedule 1 activity. While I acknowledge that the hemp industry is underregulated, banning these products isn’t the solution. History shows us that bans rarely help. Instead, underregulated industries should be fixed—introducing clear regulations that prioritize safety and accountability for the public. Going the full ban route and justifying it with “for the children’s safety” rhetoric doesn’t solve the core issues.

You quickly learn that mentioning you work in cannabis is a highly effective conversation starter. Recently, at dinner with a local brewery owner and brewmaster, we discussed the potential impact of increased cannabis access on the craft beer market, even though recreational cannabis is not yet legal in TX. He posed a thought-provoking question: Could the next two decades mirror the craft beer revolution, but with cannabis? Data from Canada, where recreational cannabis is legal, suggests this shift might be underway, impacting tax revenue generated from alcohol sales. This raises an important question: with potential market changes, will we see increased taxes on cannabis consumers, retailers, and manufacturers to compensate for potential revenue losses in other industries? How can we safeguard these small businesses? Food for thought this Tuesday morning. #cannabisbusiness #cannabis https://lnkd.in/g9u3EFM9?

Municipalities in the Yukon say there is a need for public consumption spaces in the Territory to provide a legal space for tourists to smoke cannabis when visiting. Currently, cannabis consumption is only allowed in a private residence in the Yukon, and adjoining property, although the Territory’s regulations do allow for other possibilities for other types of locations in the future. Despite this ban, in a recent survey, municipalities told the territory about what they say are high rates of cannabis smoking and vaping in outdoor public spaces. The territory sees hundreds of thousands of tourists annually, a significant part of the economy. This call for public cannabis spaces was just one of many pieces of feedback provided to the Yukon government as part of its recently released five-year review of its cannabis legislation and regulations, as well as the overall impact of federal legalization. In a new What We Heard report, which helped to inform its Five Year Review report, an array of issues are highlighted from the 307 responses received, as well as engagement with First Nations, municipalities and local advisory councils, RCMP, MADD, and many other organizations and government officials. Read more here: