Priya Prakash’s Post

Attention Wisconsin stakeholders: Significant developments may be forthcoming in the state's hemp industry. While Wisconsin has yet to legalize cannabis for medical or adult use, the landscape for intoxicating hemp products is changing. Husch Blackwell's Hilary Bricken and Jeffrey O'Brien discuss the future of hemp in Wisconsin and its implications: https://lnkd.in/gB6pai4b #WisconsinHemp #CannabisLaw #LegalInsights

"Golly gee corporate cannabis, why do we still have the legacy market? We legalized rec in this state so there's no reason to shop legacy right?" "Well you see Timmy, when big corporate cannabis successfully lobbies a state to keep the barriers to entry so high that they have a virtual monopoly, and then consistently puts profits over patients and plant, some people feel that legacy is probably safer than corporate cannabis...." Seriously. Before you start with "#notallMSOs", stories like this are just a small drop in the bucket of why consumers don't trust you and continue to 'shop small' as it were. Stop trying to be the Walmart/Amazon/Google of weed and pay better attention to your quality. Ask yourself "would I smoke this?" before you try to foist it on the public. Yes, the legacy market has its own challenges - slave labor, foreign cartels, potential contaminants, we all know the list. But until we've got it so normalized that it is like growing tomatoes in your garden, many consumers would rather go by reputation, personal connections and being able to see and smell the flower before buying. (If you own a dispensary and don't already do deli-style a la 6Brick's LLC, as a consumer I am BEGGING you to look into it.) This one is about the tests that failed. But almost every day on LinkedIn a new article, post or picture pops up of grody weed that companies are trying to sell to the unsuspecting public. Seriously, it's easy, don't sell weed you wouldn't smoke yourself. And don't get me started on people in the industry who won't smoke at all, talk about being a teetotaler in charge of alcohol product development. https://lnkd.in/eQWsr_wQ

In its first year of operation, the #recreationalcannabis market in #NewJersey has seen impressive #growth, generating over $328 million in sales and $20 million in tax revenue for the state. These figures, along with the approximately $59.26 million in sales reported for #medicalcannabis, underscore the strong demand for cannabis in the state. By focusing on both recreational and medical sectors, New Jersey is demonstrating its commitment to meeting the diverse needs of cannabis consumers. These numbers illustrate the evolving landscape of cannabis sales in the state and highlight its economic impact.

AB 2223 in California may have died yesterday, but the work isn't over. The bill would have permitted hemp cannabinoids in METRC, which would have lowered the COGS of many CPG cannabis products (that aren't flower or THC rich extracts) in California dispensaries. Opposition from small licensed DCC cultivators and extractors ultimately might have killed the bill, along with the lack of a viable enforcement plan that would have removed the products from independent retailers. The theme of state-level hemp regulations persists: over-regulation benefits larger companies equipped with extensive legal and lobbying teams to ensure compliance and scale operations to counterbalance the reduced margins required for compliance. Meanwhile, without proper enforcement, unlicensed entities would still persist in distributing sketchy products in the retail market. Speaking as a narrowly focused individual, I believe we should segment out low dose beverages to be more regulated like alcohol than state licensed marijuana. Where do you disagree? https://lnkd.in/gAhBdtDc

Delighted to share an article I co-authored with Simon Menkes for Beard Bros Pharms 🌿 In Part 2 of our latest series, we explore the cannabis industry's response to psychoactive hemp. Read it below to learn how #legalcannabis is tackling the "hemp loophole" and what this means for the future of the industry. From calls to Congress for clearer regulation to the introduction of #THCinfused beverages by major retailers, this piece breaks down the complex dynamics at play. We share the latest legislative efforts in states like California and Georgia, and perspectives from both sides of the hemp debate. #StayInformed ✅ subscribe to our newsletter at 420cpa.com for the latest insights on cannabis regulation and finance. If you need assistance with tax and finance strategies in cannabis and hemp, reach out to our expert team at 420 CPA at [email protected] to schedule a consultation. #420CPA #cannabis #hemp #cannabisfinance #BeardBrosPharms Beard Bros Pharms

FYI - Missouri ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION? The Governor of Missouri has filed an Executive Order to end sales of hem derived products in the state of Missouri on September 1, 2024. This could very easily become an issue in Alabama because Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is no friend to Cannabis. @everyone Missouri’s Misguided War on Hemp Governor Parsons announces Executive Order 24-10 Photo John Grady By John Grady Governor Mike Parson’s recent executive order 24-10 banning the sale of intoxicating hemp products is a severe blow to Missouri’s hemp industry, which has been a beacon of legal economic growth and innovation since the 2018 Farm Bill. This executive overreach not only jeopardizes thousands of jobs but also raises serious ethical and constitutional questions, especially considering the timing and the apparent conflicts of interest. The Real Impact on Missouri’s Hemp Industry Parson’s executive order targets unregulated psychoactive cannabis products that include delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), delta-10 THC, hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-O), tetrahydrocannabiphoral (THCP), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), and other similar compounds, under the pretext of protecting children. However, this reasoning falls flat when scrutinized. Governor Parsons discussed a Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) report on hemp derived cannabinoids, saying unregulated hemp products account for 41% of cannabis-related poisoning calls to the poison control center. When asked about the other 60% coming from the highly regulated cannabis industry, officials had no satisfactory response. This discrepancy suggests that the unregulated hemp market might be more effective at keeping cannabis out of children’s hands than the regulated marijuana market. Moreover, the executive order does nothing to prevent online sales or sales in venues outside the control of the Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC), which means that only Missouri-owned retailers with liquor licenses and local manufacturers are impacted. This selective enforcement appears designed to protect the interests of the multi-state operators dominating the state’s regulated marijuana market. (See comments for the remaining verbiage.)

The legalization of marijuana for non-medical use in Canada has had a substantial impact on the economy, consumer behavior, and even the cultural landscape. One particularly fascinating insight from a recent Canadian study is that it has been “associated with an immediate decline in beer sales,” according to researchers from the University of Manitoba, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and the University of Toronto. This unique trend showcases a consumer behavior anomaly directly stepping from the changes in the legal landscape of cannabis.

Some other recommendations: • Require labels to only display "Total" THC or CBD (yay, they took my recommendation!), but require that info to be in a larger font. • Health Canada should ensure the cannabis industry is provided with clear guidance on the promotion restrictions and packaging and labelling requirements, including correcting misperceptions about what information is, and is not, allowed on product labels (or in cannabis promotions). • Create authorities to compel Internet service providers to block illicit cannabis websites and to compel financial service operators to provide financial information that helps identify illicit online operators. • Limit number of personal/designated grows to 1 per site • Consider addition scrutiny on grow applications requesting high authorized daily grams • Review whether excise duty (which they wrongly call "excise tax") should be applied to medical products • Expand definition of intoxicants in Indian Act to include cannabis so band councils have better control on sales in their communities

I read a lot of cannabis related news for work and this is by far the most interesting topic I've read in a while. The feud between hemp, marijuana, and synthetics. In the latest exploration into the cannabis industry, a deeper dive into the intricate world of trade associations catering to both the hemp and marijuana sectors is presented here. These organizations are pivotal in shaping industry standards and lobbying for favorable public policies. However, a discernible tension exists and is often characterized as a 'civil war' between sectors with a focus on the regulation of synthetic cannabinoids and other derivatives. Through conversations with various trade associations it becomes clear that while there is a common goal to ensure consumer safety and uphold industry standards, there is also significant disparity in how each group perceives the path forward. The debates range from how to handle intoxicating synthetic cannabinoids to the future regulatory landscape that might merge hemp and marijuana under a unified framework. The trade associations each with their dedicated missions, provide insightful perspectives on these issues. While some advocate for stringent regulations to protect consumers and ensure product quality, others emphasize the need for a unified industry front to push against prohibitionist policies that could stymie the industry’s progress. This dialogue reveals a complex tapestry of interests, challenges, and aspirations within the cannabis industry and highlights the ongoing efforts to navigate its future. A highly recommended read. #cannabiscommunity #cannabisculture #hemp #cbdlife #hemplife #hempproducts #hempfarmers #hempseeds #weedlife #hempheals #cannabidiol #cbd #cbdhealth #nycannabis #MedicalCannabis #cannabisnews #cbdgummies

According to numbers released by the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), inspectors have confiscated and destroyed 12,094 units of flower—such as bags, jars or pre-rolled joints—with an estimated retail value of $278,000. The illegal products were taken from 58 different retail locations and amounted to nearly 73 pounds of raw cannabis flower. While it has been legal to possess and use cannabis in Minnesota since last August, it is not yet legal to sell it and won’t be until sometime next spring. And while many hemp-derived low-potency products like gummies and beverages have been legal to sell since the summer of 2022, raw cannabis flower falls into a gray area. That is, if it has low THC content, it could be legal. But most of what has been sold exceeds the potency levels that separates hemp from marijuana. #cannabisconfiscated #illegalcannabis #cannabis #cannabisflower #hempderivedproducts #hemp https://lnkd.in/gad-nx_x