Curaleaf Opens New Cannabis Dispensary In Clearwater, Florida

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New Location Marks Curaleaf’s 29th Storefront in Florida and 89th Nationwide

FLORIDA: Curaleaf Holdings, a leading vertically integrated cannabis operator in the United States and one of the largest cannabis operators in Florida, announced today that it has opened a new dispensary in Clearwater, Florida, marking its 29th retail location in the state.Curaleaf Clearwater, located at 2082 Gulf to Bay Boulevard, will carry a wide range of Curaleaf and Select brand products. Select, known as America’s #1 cannabis oil brand now available in 12 states, launched earlier this month in Florida with Select Elite Live, the brand’s new enhanced live resin product, which combines high-quality THC oil and live resin high-terpene extract. The company also recently launched the first-to-market Curaleaf sublingual tablets. The Clearwater location is the first of three new medical dispensaries the company plans to open in the market this quarter.

“Curaleaf remains committed to the Florida market and its patients by providing high-quality medical cannabis products and new consumption formats that make cannabis accessible for all,” said Joe Bayern, President at Curaleaf. “We are thrilled to open Clearwater and support the health and wellness needs of more Floridians.”

Florida’s continued growth in patient registration makes it one of the nation’s fastest-growing medical cannabis markets in the country. Currently, there are over 394,000 medical patients enrolled in the Florida program – about 1.8% of the state’s population – with approximately 5,000 new patients joining each week.

In response to COVID-19, Curaleaf continues to implement new policies and procedures, including curbside services and contactless and cashless payment through approved credit and debit card services, to keep patients, customers and employees safe during this time. To see Curaleaf’s dispensary locations in Florida, please visit www.curaleaf.com/locations/#florida.

Burns & Levinson Hosts Third Annual State of the Cannabis Industry Conference In Boston October 23, 2019

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Capital markets, investments, M&A and regulatory issues will be key topics at event

MASSACHUSETTS: Burns & Levinson will host its third annual “State of the Cannabis Industry” conference, which will focus on capital markets, investments, M&A, and regulatory issues in the rapidly growing multi-billion dollar cannabis industry. The conference will be held on October 23, 2019 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Westin Waltham Boston hotel.

The event, which is also sponsored by CohnReznick and KushCo Holdings, 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, co-chair of the Cannabis Business & Law Advisory Group at Burns & Levinson. This is the second year that Hoffman has participated in this high-profile event, and the two will discuss current and future issues in the Massachusetts cannabis industry.

B&L Speakers 2019

Keynote speakers include: Dan Fireman, founder of Fireman Capital Partners, and Karen Munkacy, MD, founder and CEO of Garden Remedies. 

“Cannabis is already a multi-billion dollar industry, and its growth is projected to increase at an exponential and unprecedented rate in the coming years. This is opening up significant business opportunities in the capital markets, investments and M&A areas to invest in and acquire cannabis and cannabis-related companies,” said Segall. “We want to help the investment and business community understand the risks and rewards, and give them the strategies they need to take advantage of these opportunities,” added Scott Moskol, who co-chairs Burns’ Cannabis Business & Law Advisory Group with Segall.

Past “State of the Cannabis Industry” conferences have focused on banking and institutional investing in the cannabis space.

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 over six years. Burns helps clients navigate the complex legal and business framework that surrounds the rapidly growing marijuana industry in the U.S. The firm has unrivaled experience in cannabis business formation and corporate structuring, M&A, cannabis and hemp/CBD banking issues and debt financing; fund formation, debt and equity financing; real estate acquisitions and leasing; labor and employment issues; intellectual property protection; 280E taxation issues; and cannabis litigation.

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

 

Cannapreneur Partners Appoints Former American Express Senior Manager Doug Lennick To Executive Board

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MASSACHUSETTS: Cannapreneur Partners, the Westborough, Mass-based holding company finding the cannabis world’s 1% outlier entrepreneurs and industry investment opportunities currently in the middle of a $150 million fundraise round open to investors, has announced the appointment of Doug Lennick to their Executive Board of Directors. 

Lennick is world-renowned for innovative approaches to developing high performance in individuals and organizations, and is an expert in creating practical applications of human behavior that have yielded great success factors for his clients and partners alike in financial services and other industries.

Lennick is a certified financial planner (CFP) and a behavioral financial advisor (BFA) and served as Executive Vice President for American Express Financial Advisors (now Ameriprise Financial), where he led an organization of 17,000 to tremendous success.  Lennick has been the author or co-author of six books translated across 13 languages and has been referenced in the best sellers Working with Emotional Intelligence and Power of Purpose.

“Michael Scott is one of the world’s best at combining entrepreneurial expertise with the passion to make a difference. I am confident Cannapreneur Partners will make a difference, and that’s why I accepted this Board position,” said Lennick.

Lennick currently serves as CEO and co-founder of think2perform, a 15+ year-old professional coaching, leadership consulting, and business development services firm that improves the decision-making skills and performance of individuals and organizations. In November 2000, Lennick was honored by Columbia University’s Center for Social and Emotional Education, and is a Fellow at the Carlson Executive Development Center, Carlson School of Management, and University of Minnesota. He is also a member of the prestigious Consortium for Research on Emotional Intelligence in Organizations.

Michael Scott, Chairman and co-founder of Cannapreneur Partners, says: “I am truly humbled and excited to have Doug, a long time mentor, not only join as a Board Director but also as a strategic, values and purpose driven advisor to our company. Doug and I both see the tremendous value the medicinal side of cannabis can bring to the world.”

Scott notes the chasm between the potential applications and deeper understanding of cannabis as a medicine and where the legal industry currently is, means the opportunity to infuse smart capital and strategic operational excellence is now.

Says Scott: “I am very confident with Doug joining the team as a thought leader we will make a significant, meaningful impact in the cannabis industry.”

TILT Begins Trading On OTCQB Venture Market

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MASSACHUSETTS: TILT Holdings Inc., a leading provider of products and services to businesses operating in the cannabis industry, announced that TILT’s common shares have been approved to begin trading on the OTCQB Venture Market, effective immediately.

OTCQB is considered by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as an “established public market” for the purpose of determining the public market price when registering securities for resale with the SEC. Ability to trade on OTCQB generally leads to improved market liquidity and broader public awareness.

“We expect that trading on the OTCQB will increase TILT’s access for U.S. institutional and retail investors, allowing them to participate in the significant growth opportunity we are seeing across North America and select international markets,” said Alex Coleman, Chief Executive Officer of TILT. “We anticipate increased awareness and understanding of our distinctive business model and growth strategy as a result of our listing on this market.”

MJBA Communications Chief Stu Zakim To Moderate Panel On Cannabis In The Media At NECANN Boston

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Panel of Cannabis media leaders to explore “changing attitudes, access and headlines”

MASSACHUSETTS: As reporting on cannabis migrates to a broader range of media outlets and reporters covering this beat find themselves playing catch-up to deal with the daily developments of a growing industry, MJBA‘s Communications lead, Stu Zakim, will moderate a panel at the upcoming NECANN Conference in Boston.

The panel,  “Cannabis in the Media: Changing Attitudes, Access and Headlines, 2019,” is scheduled for Saturday, March 24 at 3PM, at the Hynes Conference Center.   Zakim will be joined by a roster of senior editors from major media outlets including Dan Adams of the Boston Globe;  David Tran from DOPE Magazine; Kristin Jordan, of Manna Events, a weekly calendar listing of cannabis events and news; Brit Smith, on air personality for WBZ Radio/iHeartMedia Blunt Talk podcast; and Emmy winning sportscaster, now Cannabis-caster, Jimmy Young of Behind The Media and the Between The Weeds show.

“Massachusetts presents the media with an excellent opportunity to showcase and tell the stories behind the birth and continued growth of this industry,” said Zakim.  “I look forward to the insight these media leaders offer to help inform and educate the public and dispense the stigma surrounding Cannabis.”
NECANN_GreenBlackFor complete ticket and schedule information, please visit www.necann.com.

Cresco Labs Acquires And Opens Hope Heal Health Dispensary In Bristol County, Massachusetts

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ILLINOIS: Cresco Labs, one of the largest vertically integrated multi-state cannabis operators in the United States, today announced the opening of the Hope Heal Health Dispensary (HHH) in Fall River, Bristol County, Massachusetts. Cresco Labs entered in to a definitive merger agreement with HHH for its Massachusetts cultivation, manufacturing, processing, and dispensary operations at the end of 2018. The merger is pending state regulatory approval.

“With another fast-to-market example of our successful execution, we are pleased to offer relief and comfort to 60,000 certified patients in Massachusetts,” said Charles Bachtell, CEO and cofounder of Cresco Labs. “Massachusetts is a robust and fast growth cannabis market, and HHH expects its first pilot harvest from its Fall River cultivation facility towards the end of the first quarter. Cresco has applied for adult use licensing for our Fall River dispensary, which opened today with a selection of medical-grade cannabis vape cartridges, edibles, tinctures, topicals, concentrates, and flower from three Massachusetts cultivators.”

Patients can purchase up to 10 ounces every two months after being certified by a physician for any one of the Massachusetts state-approved debilitating medical conditions. Cresco Labs’ core mission of patient education and outreach will help inform patients about using medical cannabis as medicine through private one-on-one consultations.

HHH has licensing that allows for cultivation, manufacturing, processing and the establishment and operation of a medical cannabis dispensary, with the ability to obtain up to two additional medical cannabis dispensary licenses and three adult-use dispensary licenses.

The Hope Heal Health Dispensary, located at 1 West Street in Fall River, MA, is open daily, 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. For more information call 774-377-9333.

NECANN Expands Again In 2019

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New England’s longest-running cannabis convention series expands to Springfield, Massachusetts and New Jersey

MASSACHUSETTS: NECANN, producers of the two largest cannabis industry conventions on the East Coast (in Boston and Portland, ME) announced the addition of two new events making it the largest cannabis convention series in the world. After adding three new markets in 2018 (Reno NV, Burlington VT, and Salt Lake City Utah), NECANN is adding new shows in Springfield MA (June 22-23) and Trenton, NJ (September 14-15) in 2019, to bring their total number of annual events up to 8.

BOS19 1000-400

With the state’s recreational program now active and growing rapidly, NECANN is excited to bring its business and education platform to Western Massachusetts in June. “The marketplace for recreational cannabis use has exploded in Worcester County and throughout the Berkshires,” says President and Co-Founder Marc Shepard, “making Springfield a perfect location for a NECANN convention.

In New Jersey the Governor, Senate, and Assembly Committees are all on board for the legalization of adult use cannabis in New Jersey, possibly in 2019. “We’re excited to work with local leaders, advocacy groups, and businesses to host the first New Jersey Cannabis Convention,” says Jeff Lawrence, Co-Founder and New Market Director.

NECANN’s flagship Boston event (March 22-24), now in it’s 5th year, will see the programming and exhibit hall expand into a third day. Friday, March 22nd will introduce CannaBiz Friday, with a 100% focus on B2B. All speakers and sessions will be business-focused with special break-out networking sessions.

The Friday will also feature the first-ever New England Cannabis Community Awards. “There are so many organizations and entities who have brought the Massachusetts market online the right way,” says Managing Director Beth Waterfall, herself a long-time activist, “we can’t wait to shine the deserved spotlight on their efforts.” Proceeds from the event will go towards Veterans Alternative Healing and the New England Veterans Alliance.

EVIO Labs Receives Provisional License From Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission

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Independent testing laboratory in final phase to perform state compliance testing

OREGON: EVIO, a leading provider of cannabis testing and research for the regulated cannabis industry in North America announced that it received a provisional license from Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) to operate as an independent testing laboratory. The license moves the organization into the final phase of being cleared to commence testing cannabis under the Commonwealth’s Adult Use of Marijuana Program. EVIO Labs in Framingham will be one of only four Massachusetts laboratories approved to perform mandated testing to measure product potency and to verify that cannabis is clean from contaminants including pesticides, heavy metals, including lead and mercury, and microbes, including e. coli and salmonella.

“We are excited to offer full service testing for the state’s exploding adult-use market. The first two recreational cannabis dispensaries opened on November 20, 2018 and according to the CCC, sales exceeded $2 million in the first five days. Additional dispensaries are awaiting final license approval to enter this $1.2B cannabis market. We have already established relationships with a majority of the growers and producers across the Commonwealth and we look forward to serving them,” said Lori Glauser, COO of EVIO. “As more consumers try cannabis including CBD products, it is vitally important that the product is safe, and the product labels are accurate.”

The provisional license permits EVIO Labs to complete the relocation to its new Framingham facility, reoptimize the equipment to support EVIO’s ISO accredited methods and complete preparations for final inspection. We are forecasting this process will be complete within the next 30 to 45 days.

Administration of Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Program To Transfer To Cannabis Control Commission

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MASSACHUSETTS: On December 23, 2018, administration and oversight of the Massachusetts Medical Use of Marijuana Program will transfer from the Department of Public Health (DPH) to the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), a change that is mandated by Massachusetts law, Chapter 55 of the Acts of 2017, AN ACT TO ENSURE SAFE ACCESS TO MARIJUANA. The law requires that the transfer take place by December 31, 2018.

During the transition, patients who are currently registered with the Medical Use of Marijuana Program should not experience any substantial change in their service. The only major change expected is the move of administration of the Medical Use of Marijuana Program to a different state agency that also oversees adult-use cannabis in Massachusetts.

“We have worked very hard to put in place an effective, high-quality, and streamlined medical marijuana program that is focused on patient safety and access,” said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH. “We want to assure medical marijuana patients in the Commonwealth that we have worked closely with the CCC and our constituents over the past several months to support a smooth transition of the Program and to ensure that patient access is not impacted by this change.”

DPH has overseen the Medical Use of Marijuana Program since its launch in 2014. Currently, there are 47 Registered Marijuana Dispensaries (RMDs) approved for sales across Massachusetts, serving more than 57,000 patients and more than 7,000 personal caregivers. The 22 staff employed by DPH as part of the Medical Use of Marijuana Program will become employees of the Cannabis Control Commission.

“The upcoming transfer of the Medical Use of Marijuana Program would not have been possible without considerable collaboration between DPH and the CCC,” said CCC Chairman Steven J. Hoffman.  “We appreciate the guidance that Commissioner Bharel and her team have provided for many months, and look forward to welcoming Program staff to the CCC who will help us maintain consistent, top-notch care that all Massachusetts patients deserve.”

The program’s website has been updated with information to answer questions that patients may have about the transfer.

For more details, contact the Medical Marijuana Program Support Center at (617) 660-5370 or by email at MedicalMarijuana@state.ma.us. For inquiries related to adult-use cannabis, call (617) 701-8400.

 

Minority-Focused Cannabis Business Accelerator Accepts Its Inaugural Round Of Applicants

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First participants made up exclusively of women, economic empowerment, and minority owned small businesses.

MASSACHUSETTS: Sira Naturals, a Massachusetts-based registered marijuana dispensary (RMD) group, has accepted the inaugural class of applicants into the Sira Accelerator program, its small-business accelerator designed to help entrepreneurs navigate and succeed within the emerging regulated cannabis industry.

From an initial response of more than 400 applicants, three groups were chosen based on the quality of the teams and viability of the products. The three companies include: Healing Tree Edibles, a women-owned producer of craft cannabis infused edibles and pet snacks based on Cape Cod; Hothouse Holyoke, an aspiring craft cannabis cultivator and product manufacturer based in the disproportionately impacted community of Holyoke; and 612 Studios, an Economic Empowerment applicant based in Boston that produces a women’s and couples’ cannabis infused product line.

“We looked at hundreds of inspiring and enthusiastic entrepreneurs during our application process, and these three successful applicants have demonstrated a vision and dedication to their work that is second to none,” said Michael Dundas, president and chief executive officer of Sira Naturals. “Sira Naturals is grateful to have the opportunity to share what we have learned throughout our journey as an organization, and to accelerate these small businesses to enormous success. Many of the other groups that applied showed tremendous potential and we hope to work with many of them in the future.”

“We are very excited about this opportunity and I can’t wait to start working,” said Leah Samura, one member of the husband and wife team that makes up 612 Studios. “As an Economic Empowerment applicant, the barriers to entry in the cannabis industry are extremely high. This program is so unique and valuable in how it can help our company make the transition to the regulated marketplace.”

“When we moved to Massachusetts we deliberately chose Holyoke as our new community,” said Audrey Park, co-founder of Hothouse Holyoke which has applied to the Cannabis Control Commission for Cultivation and Product Manufacturing licenses. “We believe that the cannabis industry has the economic potential to give back to disproportionately impacted communities and we want to be a part of this movement.”

“This is truly a historic moment in the cannabis industry,” said Michelle Bennett, founder of Healing Tree Edibles. “For a small business like mine, the Accelerator offers the potential to reach a much wider market than I could achieve on my own,” she said. Healing Tree currently manufactures cannabidiol-infused pet treats.

The goal of the program is to provide cannabis entrepreneurs an immediate path-forward in product development, slicing through barriers to entry, and accelerating them to profitability. The Sira Accelerator provides access to world-class lab technology, workspace, and executive mentorship. Additionally, each small-business receives an allotment of Sira Naturals-produced cannabinoid substrate, or cannabis oil, that is invaluable to product development, and often the most prohibitive hurdle for these small businesses to overcome.