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You are here: Home / Archives for Massachusetts

BIPOC in Cannabis Recognizes Juneteenth with Black Owned: Rolling Releaf; a Discussion Focused on Social Equity

May 31, 2022 by MJ News Network Leave a Comment

By Veronica Castillo

From a cannabis related arrest and conviction at the age of 17, to college graduate, to cannabis business owner, Devin Alexander, the founder of Rolling Releaf shares his journey into the cannabis industry. 

Rolling Releaf is a social equity certified cannabis delivery operator currently going through the licensing process in Massachusetts. I have been connected to Devin through social media for a while, and he is one of the names and faces that I continue to see around social media and hear about in my travels around the country. I wanted to learn more about him, his journey, and pick his brain on social equity in cannabis and he agreed to have a sit down. 

He talked about his initial dream of working for ESPN; Devin said: “I wanted to get paid to talk about sports”. Devin told me about his college studies explaining that: “after my record became expunged I enrolled in a local community college and received an Associates Degree in Psychology.” And before getting into his career in cannabis and social equity, Devin discussed the skills he gained before cannabis that helped him transition over into the industry. 


Please continue reading, to learn more.

A Sit Down and Q&A with the Founder of Massachusetts Based, Rolling Releaf

Please tell me a little about yourself and the type of work you did prior to being in the cannabis industry.  

“I was born in Boston,Massachusetts and raised in Quincy,Massachusetts, a suburb 10 minutes outside of Boston. I have always had a passion for cannabis which unfortunately led to my arrest at 17 for minor possession. After graduating College I got a job at a local CVS Pharmacy where I worked as a Pharmacy Technician for 3 years. I quickly recognized how transferable the skills I obtained working as a Pharmacy Tech would be to start working in a dispensary. 

I took online classes at Cannabis Training University to make my resume look more attractive, went around and networked at all the local cannabis events and gatherings, and eventually landed a job at a medical dispensary in my hometown of Quincy as a Budtender. I worked my way up to eventually become the Director of Community Outreach and shortly after I enrolled into the Massachusetts Social Equity Program while still working at the dispensary.”

You’ve had some huge recent wins, can you talk about those?

“Some of the biggest wins I have had recently were receiving the award for New England Young Entrepreneur of the Year from the New England Cannabis Convention, getting accepted into the Eaze Momentum Program; which allowed us to receive an Equity Free $50,000 Grant, and locking down a new Headquarters for Rolling Releaf in the city of Newton which is 10 miles west of Boston.”

What should everyone need to keep in mind about the reality of launching a cannabis business as a social equity applicant? 

“Starting a business is hard, starting a cannabis business is very hard, starting a cannabis business as a social equity applicant is extremely difficult, but just because something is extremely difficult doesn’t mean it is impossible. Social Equity applicants have valuable resources out there for them, they just have to be ready to put in the work. Being a social equity applicant does not guarantee you a cannabis license.” 

In your opinion, is there anything working in any state when it comes to social equity?

“It is still too early to see what is working in the social equity sector of cannabis. There is no one size fits all solution in any state at the moment. What is working for some may not work for others. However, here is what I am seeing in some states that is a good starting point:

    • Expedited Licensing Review
    • Waived Application Fees
    • Free Technical Assistance
    • Pro Bono Legal Assistance
    • Multi Year Exclusivity for Equity Applicants for certain license types.

What needs a complete delete is having a lottery process for Licenses. That in itself can create a multitude of problems.”

Lowering barriers to entry; this is a huge “it’s not going good” across the board. What needs to be fixed here? 

“What needs to be fixed is not requiring applicants to hold down a property while going through the licensing process. Many times these applicants will be paying thousands per month without generating revenue. There have even been cases of people going bankrupt without even getting to sell a single gram of cannabis.”

Can Massachusetts take notes from another state to do better/ can another state take notes from Massachusetts to do better? In what areas/ways? 

“Massachusetts can take notes from other states when it comes to cannabis delivery. In Massachusetts, delivery companies have to have 2 drivers in the vehicle at all times when it has product inside. No other state in the country has this requirement. It is very detrimental to the operating costs of the delivery company and is something I hope is addressed in the upcoming regulatory revisions in September. These delivery operations can be performed with just one driver.”

Do you think social equity is failing on purpose and do you believe things are getting better or worse with federal legalization? 

“I do not think social equity is failing on purpose. I believe things can get better with federal legalization but any bill MUST have rock solid social equity provisions in it before it is considered by lawmakers. Social Equity operators will not stand a chance competing with major players otherwise.”

Column Sponsors

CLS Med-Can: a medical marijuana transportation service based out of Missouri.

Sky High PEO: a full service employment organization that helps companies manage benefits and payroll.Pass Your Test: a company offering detox products that cleanse the body of toxins.

The Number Grinder, a New York based BIPOC Accountant providing a full suite of services, including  as: financial consultations, budgeting, taxes and filing, reporting and more.

 

 

Higher Travels, a black woman owned travel agency based out of Missouri booking cruises, hotels, and experiences all over the world.


Veronica Castillo is a writer, editor, publisher, and bud & breakfast travel partner from Miami, with a pre-cannabis and psychedelics background in insurance and human resources. Currently, she is a resident of the road covering cannabis, psychedelics, and plant lifestyles all over the U.S and soon abroad. Follow her journey on IG: www.instagram.com/v2_traveling_veg_canna_writer and/or on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vee-traveling-veg-canna-writer/ 


MJNews is streaming live on @Cannected.TV

Filed Under: BIPOC in Cannabis, Blogs, Homepage Tagged With: BIPOC in Cannabis, cannabis news, delivery, Devin Alexander, Diversity, Juneteenth, marijuana business, mjnews, MJNews Network, Rolling Releaf, social equity, the founder of Rolling Releaf, Veronica Castillo

MA Cannabis Education Event to Inform and Empower Consumers

April 11, 2022 by MJ News Network Leave a Comment

MCR Lab’s “What’s In Your Weed: The Educated Consumer” to teach consumers what to look out for when purchasing cannabis.

MASSACHUSETTS:  Local cannabis testing laboratory MCR Labs is hosting a consumer education event aimed at empowering consumers with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their cannabis purchases and consumption choices.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature a presentation by MCR’s Vice President of Scientific Development Scott Churchill and InhaleMD’s President & CEO Dr. Jordan Tishler. Dr. Tishler is a Cannabinoid Specialist. 

“There is a lot of speculation out there on terms like ‘Total Active Cannabinoids’ and how factors like shelf life stability affect product quality,” said Churchill. “Our goal here is to help consumers develop a deeper understanding of cannabis so they can choose the right product for themselves.”

MCR Labs provides analytical cannabis testing services to cultivators and product manufacturers. The data produced by these services, such as cannabinoid content, is often advertised on product labels.

“It’s really important that patients understand how compounds like cannabinoids interact with their bodies,” said Dr. Tishler. “This can help them understand their medicine and work with their healthcare professionals to achieve optimal treatment.”

Through his training in Internal Medicine and years of practice as an Emergency Physician, Dr. Tishler brings his knowledge, reason, and caring to patients at inhaleMD, and through his advocacy work at the local and national levels.

“What’s In Your Weed: The Educated Consumer” will be held this Thursday, April 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. at District Hall in Boston. Anyone interested in learning more or attending the event can find details on the event website

Filed Under: Events, Homepage Tagged With: 2022 legal cannabis, canna curious, Consumer safety, Dr. Tishler, legal cannabis, MA, mainstreaming marijuana, Massachusetts, MJ Events, mjnews, MJNews Network, normalization, What's in your weed?

Good Feels Launches Cannabis Drinks In Massachusetts

March 8, 2022 by MJ News Network Leave a Comment

Medway-based company builds brand focused on social equity and sustainability

MASSACHUSETTS: Good Feels, a minority-owned cannabis brand is launching a line of fast-acting cannabis-infused seltzers and beverage enhancers in dispensaries across Massachusetts. The company seeks to bring people together and celebrate life in good health with disruptive, hangover-free alternatives to alcohol. 

Good Feels is releasing four cannabis-infused seltzers (Black Cherry, Raspberry Apple, Blood Orange, Grapefruit) and two beverage enhancers (Lemon-Lime, Flavorless). These fast-acting products provide a manageable experience with zero calories, zero sugar, and are flavored with essential oils extracted from real fruit. Each 12 ounce seltzer bottle contains a 3mg/THC and 2mg/CBD blend. Both beverage enhancers feature 4.5mg/THC and 3mg/CBD per serving (20 servings, 150mg total). All Good Feels products are sustainably manufactured in infinitely recyclable glass bottles within a carbon-neutral facility using 100% renewable energy.

“I started this company because there was no solution to my problem,” said Jason Reposa, founder of Good Feels. “I had to create my own solution. We took an aggressive approach to launch these products as quickly as possible so that people can have access to them. They really are revolutionary in that the innovation didn’t exist so we had to create it. I needed to create something for myself and I knew if I did, others would love it as well.”

In addition to a commitment to quality, Good Feels is reducing barriers for minorities seeking opportunities in cannabis. The Good Feels business structure was designed to support social equity initiatives identified by the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission. These efforts include hiring preferences for individuals from areas of disproportionate impact or with nonviolent cannabis convictions. Good Feels also purchases 25% of its materials from cannabis businesses with social equity or economic empowerment license types. The founding team has rapidly grown to nine employees and continues expanding to meet demand. Minimum wage starts at $20/hour and employees receive comprehensive benefits to provide a better standard of living for these individuals.

“I’m really proud and thankful for our team,” said Reposa. “This started as a solo journey and picked up quickly with the help of some really great people who helped my vision come alive. I have nothing but pride seeing these individuals come together to successfully guide our launch.”

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Good Feels at 617-404-0000 or marketing@getgoodfeels.com.

Filed Under: Business, Recreational Tagged With: BIPOC, cannabis beverages, cannabis drinks, cannabis news, Good Feels, legal cannabis, MA, marijuana news, Massachusetts, minority business, mjnews, MJNews Network, social equity, the business of cannabis, the business of marijuana

Music-Inspired Greatest Hits Cannabis Co. Is Opening First Locations in Massachusetts

February 3, 2022 by MJ News Network Leave a Comment

MASSACHUSETTS: Rhett Jordan, the founder of Native Roots, one of the most successful dispensary chains in the nation, has partnered with Massachusetts local Joe Villatico to bring his latest cannabis dispensary concept, Greatest Hits Cannabis Co. to the East Coast. The venture creates hundreds of employment opportunities in local communities while providing consumers premium, tested products in a truly unique retail environment. The first location opens in Dudley this spring, with storefronts in Taunton and Lynn to follow. 

“Greatest Hits will not only bring jobs to my partner Joe Villatico’s hometown of Dudley, but will also allow us to cultivate and share premium cannabis through a retail experience not seen in any other dispensary along the East Coast,” said Rhett Jordan, Co-Founder and COO of Greatest Hits. “Being vertically integrated means Greatest Hits’ potential is unmatched—as we’ve seen with the 20 Native Roots dispensaries in Colorado. What we’re able to offer our customers now is just a taste of what we’ll be able to offer them as the market matures and expands.”

The company is renovating a 280,000 square-foot mill that will serve as their state-of-the-art cultivation and manufacturing facility. Greatest Hits is on a mission to give East Coast cannabis consumers access to exclusive strain genetics and an immersive shopping experience. DJs, solo musicians or bands will perform daily for customers. In addition, Greatest Hits plans to partner with  local communities to bring live music and events to the neighborhoods in which it serves.

Greatest Hits, located at 35 Chase Ave. in Dudley, is currently hiring.  Job seekers are encouraged to send an email inquiry along with their resume to careers@greatesthitscc.com. For more information, visit greatesthitscc.com.

Filed Under: Business, Dispensaries, Homepage Tagged With: cannabis news, Greatest Hits Cannabis, legal pot shop, MA, marijuana dispensary, Mass, mjnews, MJNews Network, music and marijuana, Native Roots, retail, Rhett Jordan, the business of cannabis, the business of marijuana

Burns & Levinson Hosts Fifth Annual State of the Cannabis Industry Conference on September 28, 2021

August 31, 2021 by MJ News Network Leave a Comment

MASSACHUSETTS: August 31, 2021 – Burns & Levinson will host its fifth annual “State of the Cannabis Industry” conference, which will focus on critical issues in the multi-billion dollar cannabis industry, on September 28, 2021, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET. The conference will be held in person at the Westin Waltham Boston, and all attendees, speakers and staff must provide proof of vaccination. A live stream option will also be available.

 

The conference will feature an interview with Commissioner Steven Hoffman, Chairman of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, in an exclusive one-on-one Q&A with Frank A. Segall, founder and Chair of the Cannabis Business & Law Advisory Group at Burns & Levinson.

The expert panels and Q&A sessions will tackle a wide range of issues impacting the cannabis industry, including regulatory and legislative issues, capital markets, M&A and investments, e-commerce strategies and opportunities, and trends and developments in the marketplace.

“When we launched our conference five years ago, it was the first event of its kind with a specific focus on showcasing cannabis industry pioneers and sharing their experiences and expertise with our audience. It has since grown to attract industry leaders from all segments of the cannabis industry, including major capital market sources who are helping to fuel its growth. The conference has become a best-in-class forum and networking event, and we are excited and honored to be regarded by our industry peers as one of the leading law firms in the nation at the forefront of what comes next,” said Segall.

“We love bringing people together at this conference to make connections, develop partnerships and learn from their peers and industry leaders. We are especially looking forward to gathering safely in person, after being all virtual last year,” added Scott Moskol, who founded and chairs Burns & Levinson’s Cannabis Business & Law Advisory Group with Segall.

The current conference sponsors include: CohnReznick, HUB International, Cannabis Co-Op Fund L.P., KreditForce, KindTap, Opus Consulting, Douglas Washing and Sanitizing Systems, Emerald Media Group, Needham Bank, AdaptiveHR, Agrify, Elevate Northeast, FlowerHire, Lighthouse Biz Solutions, LLC, and Young America Capital.

Burns & Levinson was the first major Boston corporate law firm to develop a cannabis business practice, and has been advising cannabis businesses, entrepreneurs and investors across the country for nearly a decade. The firm has unrivaled experience in cannabis and hemp/CBD business formation and corporate structuring, private placements, venture capital, M&A, securities, banking issues, fund formation, debt and equity financing, restructuring and receiverships, real estate acquisitions and leasing, intellectual property protection, 280E taxation issues, and cannabis litigation.

The firm is well-known for its role in the cannabis banking industry and has worked with multiple financial institutions to establish a framework that allows them to accept cannabis-derived deposits. Burns & Levinson is currently working with regulated financial institutions and non-regulated private funds to set up first-of-their-kind cannabis lending programs. The firm is also among the top law firms in the country handling M&A and high-level corporate and financing deals in the private and public markets in the cannabis market.

For more information about the conference and to register, click here. For information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Kristen Weller at kweller@burnslev.com.

 

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: Burns & Levinson, cannabis and the law, cannabis industry event, Massachusetts, Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commision, Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, MJ Events, mjlegal, MJlegal news, mjnews, MJNews Network, September 2021, State of the Cannabis Industry 2021

Trulieve Becomes First MSO to Launch Clone Sales in Massachusetts

August 19, 2021 by MJ News Network Leave a Comment

Company successfully launches cannabis clone sales, emphasizing support of home grow for Massachusetts residents and expanding product variety in Northampton location

FLORIDA:  Trulieve Cannabis Corp., a leading and top-performing cannabis company in the United States, today announced it has successfully launched a pilot program selling its premium-quality cannabis clones at its Northampton, MA dispensary, in accordance with state law. This marks a significant first-to-market entry for the Company, where it is now the only multi state operator (MSO) to provide home growers with its products in the form of consistent, healthy, top-tier plants.

“Trulieve supports home grow initiatives in Massachusetts and we are excited to offer our top-tier genetics to those who would prefer to grow their own cannabis plants at home,” said Kim Rivers, CEO of Trulieve. “We’re delivering on our promise to meet cannabis consumers wherever they are in their level of experience, as well as our commitment to expanding access to the plant as we continue to grow in the Massachusetts market.”

At the time of program launch, Trulieve is releasing a limited amount of its Chocolope NewBerry Sativa strain, which can be ordered online through the Company’s Northampton location website and will be available for in-store pickup at 216 North King Street, Northampton, MA beginning Friday, August 20. Clones will be sold in packs of three and sales limited to one per customer during the initial launch phase. In the future, the Company plans to offer different strains based on consumer feedback and will expand clone availability across its Massachusetts locations.

For citizens of Massachusetts interested in home grow, the launch of Trulieve’s clone program represents a new opportunity to access the highest-quality genetics in a ready-to-grow format and ensures clone consistency and quality not previously available in the state. Cannabis clones carry the exact same genetic potential as their mother plant and will have similar cannabinoid and terpene profiles when grown properly. When clones are selected from healthy, high-quality mother plants, they also inherit their vigor, and natural resistance to mold, mildew, and pests.

For further information on the Massachusetts home grow program, please see the guidance document provided by the Cannabis Control Commission and refer to the home cultivation section of the Commission’s website.

Filed Under: Business, Dispensaries, Homepage Tagged With: Cannabis Control Commission, cannabis industry news, clones, Kim Rivers, legal cannabis industry, MA, Mass, Mass Cannabis Control Commission, mjnews, MJNews Network, MSO, the business of cannabis, the business of marijuana, Trulieve

Agrify and Front Range Biosciences Announce Partnership to Develop Next Generation Cultivation and Genetics Solution

May 18, 2021 by MJ News Network Leave a Comment

Research and development partnership will combine Agrify’s cutting-edge indoor agriculture cultivation solutions with Front Range Biosciences’ expertise in creating unique cannabis and hemp cultivars

 

MASSACHUSETTS:  Agrify Corporation, a developer of highly advanced and proprietary precision hardware and software cultivation solutions for the indoor agriculture marketplace, and Front Range Biosciences®, a cannabis and hemp genetics platform company that leverages next generation breeding technology and research and development capabilities, today announced a signed definitive agreement to push the boundaries of cannabis and hemp genetics via the application and incorporation of technology to the genetic and cultivation processes.

The R&D partnership will be based in California and Colorado, including the installation of Agrify Vertical Farming Units at FRB’s indoor breeding facilities. The primary focus of the program will be optimizing cannabis and hemp cultivation environments to drive the best performance from different genetic cultivars to achieve maximum yield, consistency, and terpene output with minimum variance in cannabinoid levels. The program will focus on unlocking the cannabis derived product potential in both adult use and medical markets by optimizing terpene and cannabinoid combinations.

“Combining our expertise in developing optimized controlled cultivation environments through our proprietary hardware and software technology solutions with FRB’s ability to create second-to-none unique cannabis and hemp strains has the potential to transform the market,” said Raymond Chang, Chief Executive Officer of Agrify. “This partnership will bring together Agrify’s granularly controlled cultivation environments and next-level data analytics with FRB’s intentionally created genetics and cutting-edge breeding expertise to form what we believe will be the foundation of the next generation of consumer products with higher levels of consistency and increased concentrations of valuable phytochemicals. We are thrilled to be collaborating with FRB on this initiative and commencing this exciting work together.”

“We believe our strategic partnership with Agrify will leverage our innovative breeding platform and broad product pipeline of cannabis cultivars with Agrify’s leading cultivation solutions to create an offering that will enable cultivators to deliver on growing consumer demands for unique and appealing new products and experiences,” said Dr. Jonathan Vaught, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Front Range Biosciences. “Our emphasis on terpene content and minor cannabinoids will drive new and exciting flavors and experiences as the cannabis market evolves beyond measuring value simply by the THC content. In addition to enabling consumer product differentiation through genetics, we are also excited to leverage the combination of the two platforms to optimize production and deliver yield improvements for large scale cultivation, enabling more efficient scaling of the industry as legalization continues to open up new markets.”

Filed Under: Business, Homepage Tagged With: Agrify, cannabis news, CPG, cultivation, Front Range Biosciences, mjnews, MJNews Network, phytochemicals, the business of cannabis, the business of marijuana, vertical farming units

Curaleaf Completes Acquisition Of EMMAC And Secures $130 Million Investment From A Single Strategic Institutional Investor

April 7, 2021 by MJ News Network Leave a Comment

EMMAC brings vertically integrated operations in Europe with a presence in key medical cannabis markets, including the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Portugal

MASSACHUSETTS:  Curaleaf Holdings, Inc., a leading international provider of consumer products in cannabis has successfully completed the previously announced acquisition of EMMAC Life Sciences Limited, the largest vertically integrated independent cannabis company in Europe, for base consideration of approximately US$50 million in cash and 17.5 million shares of Curaleaf, with additional consideration to be paid based upon the successful achievement of performance milestones. Curaleaf has simultaneously established Curaleaf International Holdings Limited in Guernsey to hold the EMMAC investment and further its European expansion.

To accelerate the expansion of Curaleaf International, Curaleaf has secured an investment of US$130 million from a single strategic institutional investor in exchange for 31.5% equity stake in Curaleaf International, implying a $413 million Post Money valuation, with US$80 million in cash available to spend. The subscription will fund the entire cash portion of the EMMAC acquisition consideration of US$50 million with the remaining US$80 million to be used to fund Curaleaf International’s current capital expenditures plan through 2022, as well as its pipeline of potential acquisitions. This infusion of outside capital into Curaleaf International significantly accelerates Curaleaf’s expansion plans in Europe by fully funding Curaleaf’s cash outlay for the EMMAC acquisition and providing the capital required to support Curaleaf International’s near-term European rollout. With its foreseeable expansion budget fully funded, Curaleaf’s new international business can focus on executing its further European expansion.

Curaleaf and the strategic investor have entered into a shareholders’ agreement regarding the governance of Curaleaf International pursuant to which Curaleaf will have control over operational issues as well as raising capital and the ability to exit the business. In addition, the strategic investor’s stake is subject to put/call rights which permits either party to cause the stake to be bought out by Curaleaf for Curaleaf equity starting in 2025.

Boris Jordan, Executive Chairman of Curaleaf, stated, “The successful completion of our acquisition of EMMAC, and the formation of our new Curaleaf International business, marks a transformational launching point for our entrance into the European cannabis market. Building on our market leading position in the U.S., this transaction establishes Curaleaf as the global, pure play, cannabis market leader by revenue and geographic reach. With our single strategic institutional investor, we have set a strong foundation for Curaleaf International’s future growth trajectory. On behalf of the Curaleaf Board of Directors and management team, we are thrilled to welcome Antonio Costanzo, co-founder and CEO of EMMAC, as the CEO of Curaleaf International, and the entire EMMAC team to Curaleaf.”

The new Curaleaf International platform includes cultivation, EU GMP-certified processing, distribution, and R&D operations across several key European medical cannabis markets, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain and Portugal. Terra Verde, Curaleaf International’s European market cultivation facility in Portugal, is one of the oldest licensed cannabis growing facilities in Europe with approximately 2 hectares of cultivation area and is an industry leader on the cannabis production cost efficiency front. The Portugal based cultivation facility provides Curaleaf International with the potential to serve customers across key European medical cannabis markets as well as supporting exports to countries such as Israel, among others. Curaleaf International plans to significantly increase its cultivation capacity in 2021, and to exceed 10 tons per year by 2022, in order to accommodate future growth related to the expansion of access to cannabis across the major European medical and adult-use, as well as export markets. Curaleaf International also has an operational presence and partnerships in European Union countries that are enacting new medical cannabis access programs. Curaleaf International will also serve as the platform for other possible acquisitions in Europe and adjacent areas, and for its participation in pilot adult use programs.

Joseph Bayern, CEO of Curaleaf, commented, “As the consumer and political liberalization trends around cannabis that are sweeping the U.S. are increasingly taking hold across Europe, our expansion into the international cannabis market presents tremendous new long-term growth opportunities for Curaleaf. With the European population of nearly 748 million1, the potential European addressable market is more than twice the size of the U.S. addressable market2. With the ability to operate our new European business across country borders, with one or two cultivation sites and one manufacturing center to serve the entire region in most cases, combined with our ability to leverage the strength of our consumer packaged goods strategies and innovations from our U.S. operations, we see enormously positive implications for our ability to quickly and efficiently scale the business across Europe.”

Following the successful completion of the transaction, Mr. Antonio Costanzo has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Curaleaf International, with the former EMMAC management team continuing to lead Curaleaf’s new European presence as well as driving local European strategy and day-to-day operations.

Antonio Costanzo, CEO of Curaleaf International, commented, “This is an important day for the European cannabis market as EMMAC transitions to Curaleaf International. I look forward to working closely with the Curaleaf team to shape the future of cannabis for our patients and customers around the world. We will retain our science-led approach to continue to deliver best in class cannabis products for Europe’s growing medical cannabis market, and will work closely to leverage the consumer packaged goods experience and innovation from the U.S. to capitalize on the emerging adult-use market as legislation allows. We are now very well positioned to realize our aggressive growth ambitions.”

Filed Under: Business, Homepage Tagged With: Big Marijuana, CA, Canada, Curaleaf, European cananbis, institutional investment, international cannabis, MJBiz, mjnews, mjnewsnetwork.com, the business of cannabis, the business of marijuana

Survey Finds Changing Cannabis Consumer & Consumption Habits

December 10, 2020 by MJ News Network Leave a Comment

MASSACHUSETTS:  A new survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Curaleaf Holdings, Inc., a leading U.S. provider of consumer products in cannabis, finds that 42% of adults aged 21+ who have ever consumed cannabis have started or increased their consumption since the beginning of the pandemic.

According to the survey by the independent pollster, conducted online in October 2020 among nearly 2,000 U.S. adults aged 21+, the main reasons many Americans have chosen to start or increase their cannabis consumption since the pandemic began include:

  • to reduce stress and anxiety (54%; women (64%) and men (47%))
  • to relax (50%; women (50%) and men (49%))
  • to help them sleep (48%; women (52%) and men (45%))

This shift in consumption habits extends to parents of children under 18 (“parents”). In fact, more than half (52%) of parents who have ever consumed cannabis say they have started or increased their cannabis consumption since the beginning of the pandemic, compared to 33% of those who are not parents of children under 18. These moms and dads of children under 18 are also more likely to consume cannabis primarily for medical use (58% vs. 44%).

The survey also found that more than half (57%) of parents with children under 18 who have ever consumed cannabis have reduced or replaced their alcohol consumption with cannabis since the start of the pandemic.

Overall, amongst all adult cannabis consumers aged 21+, 45% say they have reduced or replaced their alcohol consumption with cannabis, and one-third (33%) of those who consume cannabis for adult use say they prefer cannabis to alcohol.

“Educating consumers around cannabis consumption is so important,” said Stacia Woodcock, PharmD and Dispensary Manager for Curaleaf in New York. “Curaleaf’s pharmacists and committed dispensary associates make it a priority to educate our patients and consumers and help them find the right products to make cannabis a part of their lives.”

The survey results come as the cannabis industry continues to become destigmatized and evolve into an increasingly mainstream role within society. Governors across the country designated the industry an “essential service” throughout the pandemic, acknowledging the important role cannabis plays serving the health and wellness needs of consumers. In November, voters in five states approved ballot measures expanding access to cannabis. Medicinal cannabis will be available in 36 states and adult-use in 15 states and Washington D.C.

“Since the start of the pandemic, we have seen an increase in new consumers at our dispensaries with more people exploring cannabis,” said Joe Bayern, President of Curaleaf. “The liberalization of the plant — and the increasing diversity among consumers who enjoy it — will continue as the general public become more interested in incorporating cannabis into their health and wellness routines.”

The survey also found similarities in cannabis consumption regardless of educational level or marital status, and across different regions of the country.

Filed Under: Business, Homepage Tagged With: adult use, cannabis consumer behavior, cannabis consumption, changing attitudes, Curaleaf, MA, market research, Mass, MJ News Network, mjnews, mjnewsnetwork.com, The Harris Poll

Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Approves Final Adult Use, Medical Use of Marijuana Regulations and Rescinds Colocated Regulations

November 30, 2020 by MJ News Network Leave a Comment

MASSACHUSETTS: The Cannabis Control Commission (Commission) today approved new medical- and adult-use regulations and phased out 935 CMR 502, Colocated Adult-Use and Medical-Use Marijuana Operations, after bringing sufficient parity to the medical- and adult-use regulations.

“I’m excited that the revised medical- and adult-use regulatory revisions poise the Commission to make significant progress in our mission and statutory mandates on equity, patient access, and public health and safety,” Chairman Steven J. Hoffman said. “While we’ve made tremendous headway over the past three years, we now turn to critical work to implement new provisions, including; the increased caregiver/patient ratio, development of guidance documents, rollout of the Delivery Operator application, and a host of provisions establishing a more equitable and safe industry.”

In the coming weeks, the final regulations will be filed with the Secretary of State’s Regulation Division for promulgation and published on the Commission’s website.

Approved policies include:

Medical Use of Marijuana Program

  • Optimizing Patient access and preserving public safety by:
    • Allowing Caregivers to care for up to five Patients with a Canopy not in excess of 500 square feet;
    • Clarifying that Caregivers may seek a waiver to care for more than five Patients but cannot exceed the 500-square-foot limitation;
    • Preventing perceived risk of diversion by requiring Caregivers to create a log-of-growing and make that log available to the Commission upon request;
    • Broadening the types of physicians who can serve as the second physician making the recommendation for pediatric patients;
    • Requiring Certifying Health Care Providers (Providers) to have a plan to provide discounts to low-income Patients;
    • Allowing Patients with certain hardships to renew every two years instead of one year;
    • Permitting Patients to cultivate up to 12 flowering plants without hardship cultivation, and if more are needed, requiring hardship cultivation;
    • Allowing certain out-of-state Patients to be certified and registered as a Patient in Massachusetts; and
    • Restricting Caregivers from participating in paid advertising.

Equity Programming

  • Promoting a more inclusive and diverse industry by:
    • Waiving all Delivery application and license fees for Certified Economic Empowerment Priority Applicants (EEA) and Social Equity Program (SEP) participants in their first year of licensure under the exclusivity period;
    • Reducing annual license fees by 50%, or to $2,500, for EEAs and SEP participants upon renewal and all subsequent years for applicants;
    • Expanding SEP eligibility to certain categories of individuals and EEAs;
    • Requiring majority ownership by SEP participants in order to access license-related benefits, and potentially expanding these program benefits to microbusinesses and minority-owned, veteran-owned, and women-owned businesses; and
    • Clarifying that individuals who are EEAs, whether on their own or as part of a business entity, can apply as part of a new entity with EEA status so long as it continues to meet three or more of the six criteria, at least one of which shall be a majority-equity-ownership criterion.

Delivery

  • Increasing adult-use access and evolving the Delivery license type by:
    • Approving the Delivery Operator license type, which allows licensees to purchase wholesale Finished Marijuana Products with stringent requirements to warehouse;
    • Clarifying the statutory allowance of up to three Retail licenses and the regulatory allowance of up to a combined total of two Marijuana Courier and/or Delivery Operator licenses;
    • Extending the initial exclusivity period to three-years;
    • Allowing Third-Party Technology Platform Providers to contract with an unlimited number of Delivery Licensees;
    • Authorizing Delivery Operator Licensees to white label, or affix a product label that includes the branding (name and logo) of a specific Marijuana Establishment (ME) to a finished marijuana product that was previously produced and packaged by a licensed Product Manufacturer, Cultivator, Microbusiness, or Craft Marijuana Cooperative for sale to consumers;
    • Allowing Delivery Licensees to sell marijuana accessories and ME-branded goods and non-edible items directly to consumers; and
    • Automatically converting existing Pre-Certified “Delivery-Only” applicants to Delivery Courier Applicants.

Ownership & Control

  • Tightening stringent ownership and control measures further by:
    • Requiring EEAs to report to the Commission all changes of ownership and control and upon renewal and certifying to the Commission that the requisite ownership and control has been maintained by the requisite class of people identified on the EEA’s certification;
    • Preventing monopolies with the addition of safeguards between Third-Party Technology Platforms and Delivery Licensees by explicitly prohibiting:
      • monopolization or attempts at monopolization;
      • inducements;
      • direct or indirect investments from Third-Party Technology Platforms; and
      • restricting determinations of product and licensee placement on an app to objective, customer-oriented criteria.
    • Updating the definition of Persons or Entities with Direct Control by encompassing the equivalent of a Director in a business entity such as a Limited Liability Company, which has Managers in lieu of a Board of Directors, and setting a specific dollar amount with respect to what the Commission considers “significant contracts;” and
    • Confirming that EEAs hold majority ownership (51% or more) over the license to maintain priority status.

Product Database

  • Ensuring that the public is knowledgeable of the hallmarks of legally sourced products, preventing underage access, and lowering the risk of purchasing illicit products by adopting a requirement that Marijuana Establishments, including Delivery Operators, and MTCs comply with the Product Database requirement, just as adult-use licensees must.

Advertising and Branding

  • Modifying advertising and branding regulations by:
    • Allowing of branding sponsorships at certain events, with continued prohibitions on activities that target underage participants or entrants; and
    • Approving targeted advertising through mechanisms such as geofencing, provided they retain documentation of audience composition data related to these marketing activities.

Testing

  • Increasing testing accountability for licencees by:
    • Allowing marijuana products that fail initial contaminant screens to be:
      • Reanalyzed;
      • Remediated and retested by at least the original Independent Testing Laboratory, and a different Independent Testing Laboratory; or
      • Licensees may attempt remediation of a batch that has failed a second test prior to disposal or destruction.
    • Adding new pesticides to the list of pesticides currently required of Independent Testing Laboratory protocols; and
    • Requiring continued testing for vitamin E acetate and a secondary screen for heavy metals from finished vapes.

Video recordings of the Commission’s previous policy discussions and public hearings regarding the new regulations are available on Facebook and YouTube.

Filed Under: Homepage, Legal Tagged With: 2020 MA regulations, adult use, adult-use cannabis, Cannabis Control Commission, delivery, legalization, MA, Massachusetts, medical marijuana, MJ Legal News, MJ News Network, mjnews, mjnewsnetwork.com, social equity, testing, the business of cannabis, the business of marijuana

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