Louis J. Rinaldi, MBA’s Post

Some news to share:

🌿An expert panel report that could set the stage for changes in the coming months in the way #cannabis is bought, sold, and marketed across Canada is recommending wide-ranging amendments to the country’s cannabis law📝 🛑The report suggests changes to many of the issues that have concerned Canada’s #cannabisindustry, such as the level of excise duties, the cost of government regulations, and the challenges of competing with the illegal #cannabismarket. 📥Download the full article piece for FREE here: https://ow.ly/YolP50R7zX7 #hemp #medicalcannabis #recreationalcannabis #cannabisproducts #cannabisregulation #cannabisretail

...and, if you were surprised by this, you were also caught unaware that there was a total eclipse yesterday (how is life under that rock?)... ...I am sure this happens a lot - it happens with bars and even with the government retailers in bev-alc, and in traditional grocery - the way it's done is more Trumpian-Cohenian, in a code that gets the point across, without being overt - but when the LCBO or LCL want you to do something, they get their point across. Legal cannabis is a dirty business - heck, most industries still have their share of dirt. It's just that legal cannabis seems to have more than its fair share. This won't make it go away - it will (a) reduce it a bit, but more so (b) make the retailers a bit more savvy in how they speak the code. https://lnkd.in/g3Ttp8C5

… I’m trying to understand this... Just trying to figure out my takeaway here and I thought I would free write through it. So.. If you are an LP that owns a chain you are allowed data deals? If you are a LP you are allowed data deals. But a store or independent chain.. where did the 200k number come from. AGCO can just show up and hit you with a 200k fine? Just like that? Did the cannabis express people just wake up to the news and the high tide people just felt lucky today? Ok let’s forget hypocrisy, math and logic and say yes they deserve the fine for charging brands for shelf space. Priority shelf space or just to be there? Did brands have to pay because they weren’t holding value in the market? Let’s look at the deal in question.. It takes two to tango. Where is the other half of that data deal?? How much is the LP side of the deal getting fined? Have they been paying their excise taxes on time? Okay…? If Coca-cola pays for placement in an in-house marketing magazine at Loblaws and as a result gets premium shelf space.. wai?.. Is there a standard here or did cannabis express just not get the memo on who to pay off? Or did they refuse to pay people off to allow data deals? I’m just missing something here. My gut tells me that every government organization that gets near cannabis can’t help but make up random numbers and then fleece smaller business owners. Is that what’s going on here? I’ve personally heard the deals being made here, and they have very little difference from how grocery stores determine how pop is placed on shelves in grocery stores. They do go into the psychology of how consumers shop so that they are exausted from decision making by the time they get to suger beverages and ice cream.. so at that point parents with kids are more likely to over-spend on Coca Cola. They pay per sku, and a premium for extra shelf space. But a cannabis dispensary that doesn’t want to sell bunk… did the LP coherse the deal? I wonder what it would look like if this operator decided not to play in the legal space. Just shift grey.. Would there be repercussions? If so, Would they be any different from not paying this fine? Regulators should be more aware of the potential consequences of thier established regulations. Confusing regulations, government over-reach and indecisiveness, exorbitant fines or fees, and inconsistent treatment of operators are all factors making this space unattractive, and unapproachable for neighbouring sectors. Beyond how shortsighted this announcement is, this is a bad look for the Canadian cannabis industry and I don’t blame the operators of the chain for a second in any creative means they use to make it in this stacked market. If the game is rigged just don’t play at the casino. These are the people that showed up to play the game and this is how they are treated. What’s that say to the rest of us? Is this the ‘go legal’ ad? Wish this was not #cannabisnews in #canada. 🤪

The state of New York must compel towns to follow the law where cannabis is concerned. It is nonsensical for towns that allow liquor stores and smoke shops in plazas in every commercially zoned area to deny cannabis businesses the right to operate in the same places. You practically trip over a smoke shop everywhere you go on Long Island! Alcohol and tobacco are demonstrably more poisonous substances than cannabis, and drunk driving (and driving unsafely while smoking cigarettes) is common everywhere, but somehow the rules for selling liquor and cigarettes are more loose than for cannabis? Anyone who claims that cannabis abuse is somehow worse than alcohol abuse is trying to sell you something (and probably has a law enforcement budget they want to pork up). If New York State Office of Cannabis Management were able to push for this change, they should ask the state to compel towns to allow dispensaries to operate anywhere they have allowed a smoke shop to open, or otherwise forbid smoke shops AND dispensaries from operating in their town at all. Then we'd see some progress!

Did Governor Newsom Ban THC Hemp Products in California? Did you know that California’s new regulation makes it illegal to sell THC hemp products online and imposes a 15% tax on all sales? That’s not all—now, only registered cannabis dispensaries can sell these products, and all purchases require customers to be 21+ with strict limits on quantity. This sweeping regulation will result in lost revenue, higher costs, and limited consumer access for countless businesses. Swipe through to see exactly how this new regulation will impact you. Need help navigating these changes? Contact us today! 📞 787-303-4454 ✉️ Marketing@ElitePay.Pro What are your thoughts on this intrusive, sweeping regulation? Let us know in the comments. #CaliforniaRegulation #THC #HempIndustry

Navigating California’s Complex Cannabis Packaging Laws: (I've spent countless hours decoding them for you) 🌿 The cannabis market is booming in California. But with great potential comes even greater responsibility—especially when it comes to packaging and labeling your products. Why so much fuss? Compliance is king. 🏰 🔍 Here's what I've learned: 1️⃣ Child-Resistant Packaging is a MUST – It's not just about being difficult for the little ones to open, but also easy enough for adults to handle. 2️⃣ Transparency is Non-Negotiable – Your label isn’t just a label; it's a trust pact with your customers, listing everything from THC content to potential allergens. 3️⃣ Stay Informed and Adapt – Regulations are as dynamic as the market. Staying updated is the only way to ensure you don't fall behind. The consequences of getting it wrong? Severe. Think fines, recalls, or license losses. 😱 But, get it right, and you establish trust, safety, and a leading edge in one of the world’s largest markets. ✨ ⚖️ Struggling with the specifics? I've laid them all out in my latest guide. Let's make sure your cannabis products are not just market-ready but law-compliant. (P.S. - Did you know California regulations now require a "Universal Symbol" on all cannabis products? Yes, it's that detailed!) https://lnkd.in/gAwGQ7zs #CannabisCommunity #Compliance #Regulations #CaliforniaCannabis

California hemp legal update: the Temporary Restraining Order aimed at preventing the emergency hemp regulations around hemp-derived intoxicating ingestibles has been denied. Regulators are taking a heavy-handed approach to getting offending products off shelves, so be careful if you are still selling any products in California. Violators could also face penalties and lawsuits from the attorney general and/or private companies taking aim against these products. A couple of takeaways from the opinion: -The State admitted that the existing law, AB-45, was vague and ambiguous as written and created a loophole allowing hemp products to exist because "nothing in AB45 limits the total dose of THC in each serving or package," such that a 2 ounce THC hemp cookie could contain up to 180 mg of THC, which far exceeds the allowable amount even under cannabis regulations. This, IMHO, is a significant admission given that the State has been enforcing their admittedly ambiguous law in a manner that is detrimental to hemp companies by attempting to, among other things, impose cannabis taxes on these companies and/or instituting litigation or embargoing products that were within the admitted loophole created by an ambiguous law (something I've been saying now for years ....). -The court rejects the argument that the regulations conflict with the federal Farm Bill (the regs prohibit ANY detectable amount of any kind of THC vs. 0.3% delta-9 THC). -The court also notes that it is "unclear" whether the regs prohibit transportation of prohibited hemp products through the state of California but concludes that, regardless, the petitioners did not show clearly that it would cause irreparable harm to grant a TRO. This raises an appealable issue or could be cause for further argument in a preliminary injunction or subsequent hearing. A copy of the court opinion is attached. Thoughts? #californialaw #hemp #emergencyregulations #cannabis #hemptro

A federal judge has allowed New York City to continue closing unlicensed cannabis shops. The issue of unregulated intoxicating cannabinoids has implications on the local, state, and federal levels. In this case, it is reassuring to see the alignment between local and federal law and order on this issue that has been complicated because of a federal loophole related to hemp. #cannabis #equity #publicpolicy #regulation #federal #publichealth #piblicsafety https://lnkd.in/eCswUZK6

The transition from legacy to legal is challenging for operators and consumers alike. And while regulated cannabis has it's benefits, there can be downsides as well. Explore the debate in the latest from Rachelle Gordon now on GreenState. https://lnkd.in/gxmNrJF3