March 21st, 2022
Web3 itself is a paradigmatic shift in internet commerce. Driven on one hand by the most successful internet advertising firms as well as their videogame competitors and on the other hand by Web3 advocates focusing on metaverses, cryptocurrencies, NFTs, decentralized finance (DeFi) and distributed autonomous organizations (DAOs). Come plugin as our panel of experts discusses how cannabis companies, small and large, can leverage this new world and stake their claim while navigating the pitfalls of shifting operational and regulatory environments.  
 
If you are a member the event is with our compliments. If you are not, now is the time to join! If you would like to attend via ZOOM or watch the recording it is $20 - RSVP today!
GOP Congressman Who Fought For Marijuana Legalization Dies, Honored by Bipartisan Colleagues

Rep. Don Young (R-AK)—a rare example of a pro-legalization Republican congressman, who was one of just five GOP members of the House of Representatives to vote in favor of a bill to end marijuana prohibition—died on Friday. As the longest-serving member of the House and one of four co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Cannabis Caucus—along with Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Dave Joyce (R-OH)—Young left a legislative legacy on the issue that crossed partisan divides.

In a Twitter post early on Saturday morning commenting on the news of Young’s passing away during a plane flight while sitting next to his wife, Lee said, “As Cannabis Caucus Co-Chair, Don was a fierce advocate for ending the failed war on drugs. My thoughts are with his wife, family, his staff and his constituents.” Read more.

Researchers Invent Hemp-Based Rebar for Cement Construction Project

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in New York have developed hemp-derived rebar that the team says is more resistant to corrosion and produces a significantly smaller carbon footprint than rebar made from steel, according to a Dezeen report. The hemp rebar consists of intertwined natural hemp fiber that has been encased in thermoplastic — the result is a strong, highly durable, and corrosion-resistant reinforcement for cement-based construction projects.

Alexandros Tsamis, assistant professor of architecture and associate director of RPI’s Center for Architecture Science and Ecology, said in the report that concrete structures “in environments with high salt concentration” have an expected lifetime of “40-50 years” due to the corrosion of steel-based rebar. Read more.

European Commission Sets Standards for Hemp Food

The European Commission, the regional body tasked with establishing cannabis regulations across the vertical for all EU members, has finally created guidelines for the acceptable amount of THC that can be found in commercially available food products containing CBD. There are two of them. The first, approved by the EC’s Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed, says that THC levels for hempseed derived oil should be no greater than 7.5mg/kg. The second is that THC levels for dry foods containing hemp, such as hemp seeds themselves as well as flour and protein powder that contain them, can be no greater than 3mg/kg. 

To put this in an international perspective, Canada has established a 10mg/kg limit for both oils and dry foods. Switzerland has a limit that is double this at 20mg/kg for oils and 10mg/kg for dry products. Read more.

Federal Marijuana Cases Continue to Decline, With Fewer Than 1,000 Cannabis Charges in 2021

Federal prosecutions over marijuana dropped again in 2021, with fewer than 1,000 people charged in cannabis trafficking cases—yet another sign that the plant is becoming a lower enforcement priority as the legalization movement scores wins in more states.

There were 996 federal marijuana trafficking cases last year, according to an analysis from the federal U.S. Sentencing Commission (USCC). Those cannabis busts account for 5.7 percent of the total drug-related cases that when through the federal justice system in fiscal year 2021. This represents a continuation of a trend that’s been playing out in recent years, especially as more states have move to legalize cannabis and federal officials have seemingly adopted policies placing less emphasis on going after people over marijuana. In 2020, USCC documented 1,118 cannabis cases. Read more.

 

Elevate Your Grind is Back!

We sat down with CEO of Kush Rewards, Angelo Anzalone. Angelo is a seasoned professional in the cannabis, debt, and referral industries and is building the first centralized loyalty and rewards program for the cannabis industry. Listen or watch now!

The 6th Annual Cannabis Law, Accounting and Business (CLAB) Conference & Expo will be focused on the critical issues and challenges impacting the entire industry. More than just your typical conference, this will be an immersive educational experience with all the best that Miami has to offer. We invite you to join us if you are interested in what the industry has to offer, you are seasoned industry veteran or just looking to grow.

This year’s theme is United WeGrow and will embody exactly why gender and race issues will shape how we advance. It is time for all of us to get back out, learn, connect and grow. This June, at Mana Wynwood, in Miami, we will have more educators, thought leaders, exhibitors and attendees than ever before. We have a created a hybrid B2Band B2C environment so whether you are a CEO, start up, ancillary business professional, legacy market, canna curious there will be something worthwhile. Before the day even starts and after it ends we will have a number of extracurricular activities as well including health and wellness that have you covered mind and body. To register and learn more go to www.clabconference.com.

Conference Speaker Spotlights

Christine Senne is the VP of Legal and Compliance for Fluent, a medical cannabis company with operations in Florida, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Texas, and Canada. She has extensive experience in state and federal administrative and procurement law, and is the head for legal compliance, quality assurance, and administrative law/licensing matters at the multi-state cannabis company. Christine also oversees development of the company's quality assurance program in accordance with state laws, current good manufacturing practices (cGMP), and FDA food manufacturing standards.

Tamieka Range serves as the Managing Partner of Range Law Firm where she focuses on cannabis law, rules, regulatory matters; cannabis business compliance; contract drafting, negotiations and review; and business transactions. As a cannabis advocate, she serves as Co-Founder and General Counsel of ART420, an art company focusing on Cannabis Inspired Art. And she also supports Minorities 4 Medical Marijuana, a non-profit organization focusing on public policy, business development, medical access and social justice for minorities in the cannabis industry. Lastly, she serves as an Adjunct Professor at FAMU, College of Law teaching “Cannabis Law and Social Justice.”

 
Cresco Labs Expands Brand Portfolio to South Florida Launching Expansive Product Lineup in March

Cresco Labs, a vertically integrated multistate operator and the number one U.S. wholesaler of branded cannabis products, today announced the launch of its High SupplyGood News, and Remedi brands in Florida. In addition, the Company released a new edibles brand, Sunnyside Chews, available only in the State of Florida.  

Cresco Labs will soon expand to Florida its premium craft-quality flower brand, FloraCal Farms, and bestselling flagship brand, Cresco. Throughout March, Florida patients can expect the branded products to be available for sale exclusively at the Company’s 15 Sunnyside locations in North Miami, Avon Park, Boynton Beach, Orlando (Fern Park), Lady Lake, Jacksonville Beach, Ocala, Port St. Lucie, St. Petersburg, Bonita Springs, Fort Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Tallahassee, Pensacola, Sarasota, and Clearwater.

California Debuts Website to Help Cannabis Business Stay Compliant 

California launched a website designed to support licensed cannabis businesses and help them stay compliant with industry rules. According to a news release, the site, CannaConnect, is “the Department of Cannabis Control’s resource hub” for all marijuana companies and is intended to be a “one-stop-shop for cannabis businesses to find the information, resources and support they need at each stage of the regulatory process.” 

The site will be home to an array of fact sheets and existing educational materials. Some of the upcoming fact sheets will be titled “You’re Licensed – Now What?” and “What to Expect When You’re Inspected” and are intended to help educate licensees on the California marijuana system. Read more.

California Bill Would Give Tax Credits to Cannabis Retailers

A bill introduced in California aims to create tax credits for the state’s cannabis retailers as lawmakers seek to help the industry compete with the unregulated market. State Sen. Scott Weiner (D) said the proposal is necessary due to the high taxes imposed on the industry which leaves legal operators unable to compete.

Under the legislation, legal cannabis businesses would receive a tax credit equal to the amount of the following qualified business expenses: employment compensation, safety-related equipment and services, employee workforce development, and safety training. The measure has the support of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Western States Council. Read more.

Oklahoma Thieves Impersonate Cops and Raid Several Pot Farms

On March 13, a group of six individuals—donned in believable law enforcement gear—furnished a fake search warrant and attempted to raid a Hughes County, Oklahoma medical cannabis grow operation in a brazen attack. The next day, other locations were hit including a medical cannabis business in Seminole County. Over 100 pounds of cannabis, machines, cash and cell phones were stolen. Law enforcement agents believe the rash of incidents are connected.

The names of the cannabis businesses weren’t released. Cannabis farms are already a target given cannabis’ value, but being forced to deal in cash due to the federal status of cannabis makes the industry a bit more dangerous. Read more.

 
Jobs to Watch
Outreach Manager at MUV FL
Product Development Specialist – CA
Retail Store Manager – MI
Cultivation Director – MA
Manager of Financial Planning – FL
Cultivation Manager – CA
CFO – Remote
Events Coming to South Florida

The Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference is taking over Miami, FL April 20-21st to bring you the premier gathering for cannabis investors and entrepreneurs alike. This is THE place to meet & share ideas with cannabis industry professionals & market leaders! To purchase tickets head over to www.bzcannabis.com.

Chance to Invest in Bloomstack Corp - an All-In-One Cloud Enterprise Platform Serving the Cannabis Industry

Bloomstack's Wefunder campaign is LIVE - this round is an opportunity for you to be a part of the next phase of our journey to disrupt enterprise software.  We need your support to take it to the next level. SME Entrepreneurs face challenges to manage processes besides growing their business! Albeit an apt solution, access to Enterprise software is their major struggle. Its exorbitant cost and misleading per-user pricing model allow access only to highly-funded firms or large corporations. Click here to learn more.

 
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