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Governor Whitmer Announces New Social Equity Program Enhancement in the Cannabis Industry

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MICHIGAN: The Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) is committed to continuous improvement and announced today a new process by which social equity program participants – whose prequalification status has expired – are now eligible to apply anew for prequalification without having to pay an additional application fee.

“Removing this barrier to entry for social equity program participants in the cannabis industry will lower the cost of doing business and promote sustainable small business growth in Michigan,” said Governor Whitmer. “This essential update will directly benefit business owners who have been most impacted by unfair laws and practices and ensure that Michigan continues leading the way in building an equitable, just, and prosperous cannabis industry.”

While social equity applicants will be required to submit a new prequalification application to start the background review process, a new application fee will not be charged.

“Listening to stakeholders is very important to the success of this industry and is one of my top objectives,” said Acting CRA Executive Director Brian Hanna. “I am proud that my team has found a way to make this improvement to our processes a reality for our social equity participants.”

For further information on the application process, please visit the CRA website.

LEGALIZATION 2022: Developments in State Cannabis Laws & Bipartisan Cannabis Reforms at the Federal Level

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Meeting Notes: The hearing will convene in room 2154 of the Rayburn House Office Building and over Zoom, which has been approved by the House.
Date: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 – 10:00am
Location: 2154 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515
Subcommittees:

Chairman Jamie B. Raskin’s Opening Statement [PDF]

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: On Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. ET, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, and Rep. Nancy Mace, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, will hold a hybrid hearing to examine the many benefits of cannabis decriminalization at the federal level, including addressing racial disparities in the criminal justice system, improving treatment options for veterans, and allowing marijuana companies to access traditional banking services.

Marijuana arrests account for 43% of all drug arrests, and nine in ten of those marijuana arrests are for simple possession.  Although Black and white people use cannabis at roughly the same rates, Black people are nearly four times more likely to be arrested for violating marijuana possession laws, which carries life-altering implications for employment, housing, and education.  Decriminalizing cannabis at the federal level and expunging criminal convictions for possession would alleviate these burdens and allow for societal advancement.

As of May 27, 2022, 19 states, two territories, and the District of Columbia have enacted measures to regulate cannabis for adult non-medical use.  In addition, 37 states, three territories, and the District of Columbia allow the use of medical marijuana.  Decriminalizing marijuana at the federal level would allow veterans suffering from PTSD and chronic pain to access medical marijuana for treatment.

On October 6, 2022, President Biden announced that he will pardon individuals convicted of simple marijuana possession under federal law and called for a review of how marijuana is scheduled under the Controlled Substances Act.  Building on this critical step, advocates are calling for action in Congress to decriminalize cannabis at the federal level.

The hearing will examine legislative efforts to remove cannabis from the controlled substance list, including the House passage of the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act (MORE Act), and to balance federal regulation of this burgeoning industry with existing state-based regimes.

WITNESSES

Randall Woodfin

Mayor City of Birmingham, Alabama

Paul Armentano

Deputy Director

National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML)

Andrew Freedman

Executive Director

Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation (CPEAR)

Eric Goepel

Founder and CEO

Veterans Cannabis Coalition

Keeda Haynes

Senior Legal Advisor

Free Hearts

Amber Littlejohn

Senior Policy Advisor

Global Alliance for Cannabis Commerce

Jillian Snider

Policy Director of Criminal Justice & Civil Liberties

R Street Institute

DOCUMENTS

117th Congress

Green Thumb to Launch “RISE Express” Dispensaries in Florida

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Company Expands Retail Footprint Through Exclusive Lease Agreement with Circle K, one of the Largest Convenience Store Chains in the U.S.

ILLINOIS & CANADA:  Green Thumb Industries Inc., a leading national cannabis consumer packaged goods company and owner of RISE Dispensaries, today announced plans to expand its medical retail footprint in Florida through a lease agreement with Circle K, the global convenience store retailer. Starting in 2023, Green Thumb plans to launch its test and learn phase of the rollout with approximately ten “RISE Express” branded dispensaries adjacent to Circle K stores in various Florida locations.

Through the exclusive agreement, Green Thumb can lease space from Circle K in Florida, where the retailer currently operates approximately 600 locations. The “RISE Express” stores will offer patients a selection of branded cannabis products including RYTHM premium flower, Dogwalkers pre-rolls, incredibles gummies and Shine vapes.

“The opening of RISE Express stores at Circle K locations is a game-changer. Convenience is a strong channel in retail, and people want more access to cannabis,” said Green Thumb Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ben Kovler. “The new RISE Express model is a huge step forward in making it easier and more efficient for patients to purchase high-quality cannabis as part of their everyday routine when stopping by their local convenience store.”

The products available at these retail stores will come from the Company’s new 28-acre cultivation facility in Ocala that will be operational by the end of 2022. Green Thumb entered the Florida market in 2018 and currently owns and operates medical cannabis retail stores in Bonita Springs, Deerfield Beach, Hallandale Beach, Kendall, Oviedo, Pinellas Park and West Palm Beach. The Company also has an existing cultivation and processing facility in Homestead.

According to the Florida Department of Health, over 700,000 Floridians are currently registered active cardholders in the state’s medical marijuana program. For more information on Florida’s medical marijuana program, visit www.knowthefactsmmj.com.

NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission: Recreational Cannabis Sales Indicate Lots of Room in the Market to Grow

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NEW JERSEY:  Tax revenue from sales of recreational cannabis in New Jersey from April 21, when the market opened, through to the end of June totaled $4,649,202. That amount includes $219,482 in Social Equity Excise Fees and is based on $79,698,831 in total sales on recreational cannabis in licensed cannabis businesses across the state.

“The market is improving. It is performing as we expect with the current number of dispensaries, the spread of locations, and the high prices” said Jeff Brown, executive director of the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission. “As more cannabis businesses come online, consumers won’t have to travel as far to make purchases, and prices will fall with increased competition.

The market will do even better.”Dianna Houenou, chair of the Cannabis Regulatory Commission also sees promise in the numbers. “New Jerseyans are looking forward to supporting new businesses – which will increase sales figures and generate more revenue to be reinvested in our communities,” she said. “We are working to make that happen. We are issuing awards to start new businesses on their path to operation and look forward to the industry growth we see coming in the near future.”

After a small decline to $55,838,072 in the first quarter of 2022, total sales for medicinal cannabis have ticked up to $59,262,014, which is more in line with sales figures the last quarter of 2021. Brown reiterated patients are the NJ-CRC’s priority. “The demand for medicinal cannabis continues to be strong and we are committed to ensuring access for patients.”

Tax revenue certifications come from the New Jersey’s Department of the Treasury Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services. The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission establishes and enforces the rules and regulations governing the licensing, cultivation, testing, selling, and purchasing of cannabis in the state.

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ASTM International Approves Suite of Cannabis Standards

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PENNSYLVANIA: ASTM International’s cannabis committee (D37) recently approved a suite of three new standards related to environmental conditions during packaging, transit, and storage of cannabis and hemp flower.

“These standards are designed to support the safety and quality of packaged cannabis and hemp flower as it moves through the supply chain,” notes ASTM member Jonathan DeVries. “This includes the activities following curing and drying, namely packaging, transit, and storage, until it reaches the final end user.”

Included in the suite of standards developed by the committee’s processing and handling subcommittee are:

  • Standard Specification for Environmental Conditions for Post Packaged Storage and Retail Merchandising of Cannabis/Hemp Flower (soon to be published as D8423);
  • Standard Specification for Environmental Conditions While In-Transit for Packaged Cannabis/Hemp Flower (soon to be published as D8432); and
  • Standard Specification for Environmental Conditions While Packaging Cannabis/Hemp Flower (D8450).

DeVries notes that the suite of standards will be useful to a variety of stakeholders throughout the entire supply chain including manufacturers, transportation and storage companies, retailer purveyors, laboratories, regulators, and ultimately consumers.

There are a number of related proposed standards under development and DeVries notes that anyone with an interest in cannabis/hemp flower safety and quality during packaging, transit, and storage is welcome to share feedback.

ASTM welcomes participation in the development of its standards. Become a member at www.astm.org/JOIN. To purchase standards, contact ASTM International customer relations (tel +1.877.909.ASTM; sales@astm.org).

Visit www.astmcannabis.org to learn more about ASTM’s cannabis committee, existing cannabis standards and publications, relevant proficiency testing programs and certification, training, news and events, and much more.

ASTM International is a not-for-profit nongovernmental organization that develops voluntary consensus standards and defers to appropriate government authorities to determine the legal and regulatory framework regarding the control and use of cannabis.

OLCC Commissioners Plan to Tighten “Change of Ownership” Option

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Bad actors won’t get easy off-ramp to sell their businesses

OREGON:  The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) has grown tired of “bad actors” gaming the system when they’re caught breaking the law or violating OLCC rules, so Commissioners plan to crack down on that group of licensees by limiting their ability to monetize their license.

At their regularly scheduled July 21, 2022 meeting Commissioners signaled that they want to take a new approach against cannabis operators facing license cancelation who want to sell their businesses through a “change of ownership.” That action requires the OLCC to use its discretion to facilitate issuing a new license to the buyer of the discredited cannabis business.

“Should we as a Commission just take that license from the individual because of the egregious way that they handled it?” said OLCC Chair Paul Rosenbaum. “Or should we allow the person to cancel the license and allow that person to sell it [the licensed cannabis business] to somebody else?”

The “change of ownership” is an option available even to licensees facing criminal charges for diverting cannabis into the illegal market, or knowingly selling cannabis to children.

“That an individual has the ability after doing something so illegal and so egregious and now has the opportunity to sell that [licensed business], I’m going to speak against that ever happening again,” said Commissioner Marvin Revoal.

The Commissioners aren’t advocating – nor do they have the authority – to stop the sale of a licensed cannabis business. However the value of that cannabis business is based on the ability for the new owner to receive a new license through a “change of ownership,” despite the current license moratorium. OLCC Recreational Marijuana licenses cannot be sold or transferred, although the sale of a business and the “change of ownership” go hand-in-hand and is usually pro forma.

“It’s not fair to the folks [licensees] who’ve been doing it the right way,” said Commissioner Matt Maletis. “We’ve got enough licensees in the system currently.”

Oregon Senate Bill 408 provides a framework under which the OLCC can revoke a Recreational Marijuana license. The Commission wants to follow that framework to get bad actors out of the legalized system, but they don’t want to reward alleged bad behavior by allowing the licensee to benefit financially through a “change of ownership” business sale. Commissioners believe that’s how misbehaving licensees avoid their punishment for rules violations or breaking the law.

“When you break the law, on purpose you don’t get the benefit of something on the back end,” said Revoal. “That’s a slap in the face.”

The Commission directed the OLCC’s Administrative Hearings Division to consider the limited “no change of ownership” approach in licensee violation cases going forward.

“Nobody on this Commission wants to take away any livelihood, everybody understands that, we’re all pro-business,” said Rosenbaum. “I think it’s important that we set some ground rules on this so that nobody’s going to be surprised in the future.”

In other matters before the Commission, representatives from the cannabis industry echoed the narrative Commissioners heard during their visit to southern Oregon in June. The industry continues to be squeezed by low flower prices and excess production capacity. The continued [Federal] limitation to banking services and deductible business expenses has brought additional financial hardship during the current inflationary period.

Commissioners also appointed new agents to operate independently small business liquor stores in Junction City (Cindy Rust whose mother was a liquor store agent for 40 years) and in St. Helens (sister and brother team Carly Bolander, currently managing an Oregon City liquor store, and Dustin Bolander, currently managing the St. Helens liquor store.)

The Commissioners also ratified the following stipulated settlement agreements (detailed information on specific cases can be found on the OLCC website):

 

Marijuana Stipulated Settlement Agreements

IRON CROSS, a marijuana producer, will pay a $6,250 fine OR serve a 25-day license suspension for three violations.

TRUEHITT 2, a marijuana producer; TRUEHITT 3, a marijuana producer; TRUEHITT 4, a marijuana producer; TRUEHITT 5, a marijuana producer; TRUEHITT 6, a marijuana producer; TRUEHITT 7, a marijuana producer; TRUEHITT 8, a marijuana producer; TRUEHITT 9, a marijuana producer; and TRUEHITT CO., a marijuana producer, will sell their business prior to October 19, 2022 OR their licenses will expire on October 19, 2022 for five violations.

HERBAL EVOLUTION, a marijuana producer and processor, will sell their business prior to October 19, 2022 OR their license will expire on October 19, 2022 for three violations.

Licensing Stipulated Settlement Agreements

ALEXANDRA DAY, a marijuana producer applicant, accepts restrictions as a condition of the OLCC issuing a recreational marijuana license.

JUSTIN GALLUS, a marijuana producer applicant, accepts restrictions as a condition of the OLCC issuing a recreational marijuana license.

THEODORE DEMOPOULOS, a marijuana producer applicant, accepts restrictions as a condition of the OLCC issuing a recreational marijuana license.

 

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The Bronx Defenders and the Bronx Community Foundation Join Community Leaders and Elected Officials to Launch The Bronx Cannabis Hub

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New Resource Will Help Those Harmed By The War On Cannabis

To Participate In The Legal Cannabis Industry 

NEW YORK: The Bronx Defenders and The Bronx Community Foundation, along with U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, New York State Senator Gustavo Rivera, and Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, joined Bronx community leaders – including the Drug Policy Alliance, Mothers on the Move, 1 Freedom For All, TakeRoot Justice, and All That Jive NYC – who have spent decades fighting for cannabis legalization and undoing the decades of harm caused by its criminalization, to announce the launch of The Bronx Cannabis Hub.

“As public defenders, we have seen first-hand the impact marijuana criminalization and its racist enforcement by the NYPD has had on the people in the Bronx,” said Justine Olderman, Executive Director of The Bronx Defenders. “For decades, a single marijuana arrest could result in a person losing their job, healthcare, home, and even separation from their children and deportation from their families. Now that cannabis is legal, a new economy is taking shape, and the communities most harmed by this failed drug war must be at the forefront. We are proud to join The Bronx Community Foundation and our other partners today to launch The Bronx Cannabis Hub, a new resource that will provide critical training, guidance, and legal support to turn historical harm into economic opportunity.”

“Communities of color in The Bronx have suffered disproportionately from the harms of cannabis prohibition, from arrest and incarceration to job loss and eviction,” said Desmon Lewis, Co-Founder of The Bronx Community Foundation. “The Bronx Community Foundation is proud to partner with The Bronx Defenders on The Bronx Cannabis Hub, a first-of-its-kind initiative that will right some of these historic wrongs, by helping our communities to participate in the new, legal cannabis industry. In doing so, The Hub will further The Foundation’s goals of advancing neighborhood stability, solving systemic and institutional challenges, and building generational wealth.”

The Bronx Cannabis Hub is a new resource designed to give Bronx residents harmed by decades of cannabis prohibition the means to participate in the new, legal cannabis industry. A project of The Bronx Defenders in partnership with The Bronx Community Foundation, the Hub also aims to work in coalition with Bronx-based community organizations to educate, engage, and advocate for Bronxites in the cannabis industry. The Hub will also launch a clinic in partnership with cannabis legal expert Cristina Buccola, Esq., in tandem with pro bono law firms and support from the New York Cannabis Project, to assist eligible candidates with the licensing process and create educational programming.

“We are thrilled to see the launch of the Bronx Cannabis Hub as a true community resource supporting social equity in New York’s legal cannabis landscape. During the decade-long fight to pass the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act we were clear that the people and communities most impacted by devastating enforcement of the marijuana arrest crusade should be those to benefit from the legal industry. The Bronx Cannabis Hub will be a crucial part of fulfilling that shared vision and opening up opportunities and avenues for community members – especially those who have been directly impacted – to thrive in New York’s new green era,” said Kassandra Frederique, Executive Director, Drug Policy Alliance.

“The cannabis economy will give black and brown communities a chance to build generational wealth as we heal from the war on drugs and poverty,” said Wanda Salaman, Executive Director of Mothers on the Move. “Marijuana is a plant many of our ancestors traditionally used for healing. We are happy to partner on The Bronx Cannabis Hub to make sure those most impacted benefit the most.”

“We support community-led efforts. And the work we are set out to do with this hub will bridge the wealth gap created by the “war on drugs” (a.k.a the war on black and brown people), and it will create transgenerational wealth to those same BIPOC communities devastated by this fake war. FREE THE PLANT, FREE THE PEOPLE!,” said Hector Gerardo, Executive Director of 1 Freedom For All.

“The mission is to support people who have been the most impacted, who want to be educated on the plant and/or interested in entering the legal marijuana industry and directing the economic benefits of the marijuana industry back into our communities that have been violently targeted and devastated by the Drug War.  Only true democracy will achieve the progressive change we need, especially in this “new” industry, and we look forward to supporting the community/families as they rebuild the livelihood that was taken from them because of outdated racist policies,”said Pilar DeJesus Senior Advocacy Coordinator at TakeRoot Justice.

‘It’s an honor to work on righting some of the harms caused by the War on Drugs by lending my expertise as an attorney and educator to The Bronx Cannabis Hub,” said Cristina Buccola, Esq., a Founding Collaborator. “I’m thrilled to be a part of this program to develop top-tier educational programs and vetted legal services for New Yorkers who’ve experienced the greatest disparate impact due to cannabis enforcement.”

“For far too long, the criminalization of cannabis and the War on Drugs has ravaged Black and Brown communities throughout New York – divesting millions of dollars from these communities through the racially disproportionate enforcement of marijuana laws,” said Akele Parnell, New York Cannabis Project. “Now, as cannabis prohibition comes to an end, New York is on the verge of launching a multi-million dollar cannabis industry, and it’s critical that the communities most harmed by cannabis prohibition are at the forefront of this new industry. The Bronx Cannabis Hub will provide critical training, information, resources, and support to those disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs who are looking to enter the regulated cannabis industry.”

When New York passed the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) last year, it did more than just legalize adult recreational cannabis use and pave the way for a regulated cannabis industry in New York – it also committed to repairing the historical harms of cannabis prohibition and guaranteeing fair and equitable access to the new cannabis economy in three distinct ways:

  • Automatic expungement of past cannabis convictions;
  • Community investment (40% of tax revenue from cannabis sales invested back into communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis arrests); and
  • Social equity in licensing.

Social equity in licensing means that those most harmed by the war on cannabis should be first in line to get licenses to participate in the new, legal market.

“The Bronx Cannabis Hub will catalyze a new generation of cannabis entrepreneurs in a borough that bore the burdens and injustices of the War on Drugs. It is an example for New York and the nation – paving the way for communities and individuals to seize the opportunity for renewal marijuana reform provides,” said U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer.

“I am so proud that respected, trusted Bronx leaders are stepping up to provide free application assistance for cannabis licenses. The Bronx is deeply impacted by overcriminalization and aggressive enforcement of a failed war on drugs, so it’s high time that our community benefit first from economic opportunities in the cannabis economy,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera, 33rd District, The Bronx. “I’m thrilled to support these efforts to ensure that justice-involved and impacted community members can obtain licenses and generate wealth for our neighborhoods.”

“Once underground, the cannabis industry is coming into the light, and it is important that our borough take full advantage of the social and economic benefits to our communities,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “I want to thank The Bronx Defenders and The Bronx Community Foundation for putting equity and social justice in the forefront through their launch of The Bronx Cannabis Hub to educate and empower our residents through this process. The legalization of cannabis is a first step towards undoing the damage caused by years of disproportionate mass incarceration and prosecution of Black and Hispanic New Yorkers, who have suffered under unfair drug laws and policies in our country.”

New York is now set to start handing out these licenses, and the state has made clear that the first 100-200 retail dispensary licenses (Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary or “CAURD licenses”) are reserved for individuals who have a cannabis-related arrest or who have a close family member with such an arrest.

Unfortunately, the application process is complicated, and there are bad actors who have emerged to take advantage of this by charging exorbitant fees and entering into predatory contract agreements. After consulting with community groups, staff, elected officials, and coalitions in this space, it became clear that for these social equity provisions to work, there needs to be non-predatory resources and support to help Bronxites apply for these licenses.

One of the first orders of business for the Hub will be to help screen potential candidates for eligibility for the CAURD licenses. On Wednesday, July 20, the Bronx Community Hub held its first educational webinar to discuss how to navigate applying for a license and explaining how the Hub plans to support Bronx-based community leaders to keep the state accountable.

‘Get Ready, Get Set’ NY Office of Cannabis Management Announces Workshops to Help Equity Entrepreneurs Apply for First Retail Cannabis Licensees

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NEW YORK: The Office of Cannabis Management announced the first “Get Ready, Get Set” virtual workshops t o help eligible New Yorkers prepare applications for Conditional AdultUse Retail Dispensary (CAURD) Licenses to sell cannabis in New York. The CAURD licenses are one of the cornerstones of the Seeding Opportunity Initiative, announced by Governor Kathy Hochul in March, which ensures the first adult use cannabis is grown by New York farmers and sold by individuals directly impacted by the over criminalization of cannabis prohibition. 

“As a former coffee shop owner I know how hard it can be to launch and operate a retail space. And that’s why I’m excited to offer the ‘Get Ready, Get Set’ workshops. These trainings will simplify and explain the process for applying for a license to sell adult use cannabis in New York,” said Control Board Tremaine Wright, Chairperson of the Cannabis . “This isn’t just about us sharing information, it’s also about OCM learning from those interested in applying for CAURD licenses and seeing exactly how we can meet the needs of applicants, then empower them to be successful cannabis business owners.”

The “Get Ready, Get Set” workshops are a two-part series of virtual events in May. The first phase of events will be two learning-sessions focused on providing information and education to CAURD-eligible individuals and the organizations that work with them. The second phase of events will be two listening-sessions the first focused on obtaining feedback from individuals and community organizations on how to support cannabis cultivation in New York State, followed by a second session on how to help ensure equity is successfully integrated into the developing New York State cannabis industry.

These workshops were announced by OCM Executive Director Chris Alexander today in Rochester at the Cannabusiness Conference hosted by the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce.

Nationwide Surge in Labor Activity Continues as Two More New Jersey Cannabis Locations Vote to Unionize with UFCW Local 360

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At Columbia Care, Inc. and The Botanist, employees took different routes to the same result: unionizing with the United Food and Commercial Workers union

NEW JERSEY: The United Food and Commercial Workers union, Local 360, announces that, within the last week, employees at Columbia Care, Inc.’s Cannabist retail location and at The Botanist have voted to organize through the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union. Employees at Columbia Care’s Cannabist dispensary in Deptford submitted a petition to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) that ultimately led to the recent successful vote to organize. In contrast, The Botanist, which had signed on to a state-required Labor Peace Agreement, allowed employees to organize directly with the UFCW and maintained a neutral position throughout the organizing and voting process. 

Workers at both companies made the decision to organize to ensure their rights are protected and acknowledged as their fast-growing industry continues to evolve and expand. Union membership also gives employees an important voice in setting and maintaining operating and management standards.

“Across the cannabis industry, a new generation of workers is discovering that labor unions play a critical role in properly balancing the needs of employees, local communities and employers,” said Sam Ferraino, Jr., UFCW Local 360 president. “These votes are a declaration of confidence in what is still a young industry. Workers are telling employers that they are committed to high operating standards, long-term growth and success, and a diverse and skilled workforce supported by good working conditions.”

Columbia Care’s Cannabist dispensary in Deptford is the company’s first U.S. location to unionize. Columbia Care is currently licensed in 18 U.S. jurisdictions and bills itself as one of the largest and most experienced cultivators, manufacturers and providers of cannabis products and services in the nation. In March 2022, it announced a definitive agreement to be acquired by Cresco Labs before the end of the year.

The Botanist, a brand of Acreage Holdings, operates dispensaries for both the Medical Patient and Adult-Use markets. It has 17 dispensary locations spread across five states, including its New Jersey sites in Egg Harbor Township, Atlantic City and Williamstown. The Botanist describes itself as providing “an immersive, educational hub for people who aspire to live a balanced and socially responsible lifestyle … Our retail locations set the gold standard for cannabis dispensaries nationwide.”

“Wherever cannabis is legalized, UFCW is committed to building a successful, responsible industry,” said Hugh Giordano, UFCW Local 360’s director of organizing. “Every vote to unionize represents workers saying they want to be part of something special and they are here for the long-haul. The most successful employers will hear this message and embrace its implications.”

From seed to sale, UFCW is a recognized leader in organizing cannabis industry employees and is the official AFL-CIO designated cannabis labor union. Representing tens of thousands of cannabis workers in dispensaries, labs, delivery, manufacturing, processing, grow facilities and more, UFCW works with employees and business owners to achieve the shared goal of a regulated cannabis industry that delivers family-sustaining jobs and is focused on social equity.

About United Food and Commercial Workers: The UFCW International Union represents over 1.3 million hardworking families across the U.S. and Canada. These members work in essential industries such as Retail, Warehousing, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Transportation, the Public Sector and Cannabis.

Medgar Evers College Chemistry & Environmental Sciences to Host Outdoor Showcase for Cannabis Degree Minor

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NEW YORK: The Medgar Evers College (MEC) Chemistry and Environmental Sciences Department is set to host a free spring event to bring awareness to the success of its Cannabis Minor Degree Program.  In partnership with Digital Venture Partners, Black Enterprise, and Green Enterprise, the Outdoor Cannabis Degree Minor Showcase opens to the public with a musical pre-show at 10:30 am and the main event from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday, April 30, 2022. This showcase also has the distinction of being the last stop on the Green Enterprise HBCU College to Career Initiative, with MEC joining other participating PBIs (Predominantly Black Institutions) and HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) from across the country in highlighting the importance of educating communities impacted by the war on drugs on this emerging industry.

“For far too long, black and brown communities are locked out of opportunities available at the dawn of new industries,” said Andrew Farrior, Managing Partner at Digital Venture Partners. “The foresight of the MEC Chemistry and Environmental Sciences Department to bring its innovative cannabis degree program into the heart of justice-impacted communities across the CUNY system embodies the mission of the Green Enterprise HBCU initiative.  This event is a fitting way to mark the end of our nationwide campaign to bring awareness to HBCUs and PBIs about opportunities to build lives, careers, and generational wealth through cannabis.”

The first MEC degree showcase to be held entirely outdoors will turn a section of Brooklyn’s Crown Street (between Bedford Avenue and Franklin Avenue) alongside the MEC science building into a neighborhood cannabis education festival celebrating the rich diversity of the New York City cannabis community.  Rain or shine, the day of education and entertainment will feature DJ sets, live music, and food trucks amongst an overview of the MEC cannabis degree program, student testimonials, and panel discussions covering topics such as Women in Cannabis, the War on Drugs, Urban Cultivation and the NY Space, Cannabis Equity, and New York State Cannabis Licensing. In addition, MEC’s Black Male Initiative will be presented, as well as thought-provoking presentations on the  Legacy Cross-Sectional Study and Psychoeducation and the Creation of Safe Spaces.

“With the NY cannabis market projected to become one of the largest in the US, New Yorkers must have access to current and relevant education,” said Dr. Alicia Reid, chair of the MEC Chemistry and Environmental Sciences department. “Such education will be an invaluable tool to best position New Yorkers to take advantage of the numerous opportunities this multi-billion dollar industry holds. This cannabis education showcase will not only highlight the groundbreaking degree minor program at MEC, but will also bring together community, academia, industry leaders, and influencers to have much-needed conversations towards equipping participants with the knowledge needed for significant participation.”

Introduced during the fall 2021 semester, the MEC Cannabis Degree Minor Program is available to all students across CUNY’s 25 campuses. It is centered through four tracts, including Formulation and Testing, Cultivation, Health, and Commercialization. Exemplifying its core mission to provide educational workforce development and opportunities for economic expansion, MEC’s cannabis minor features the skill-building instructional support needed to foster new cannabis leaders and the workforce necessary to support the budding industry.

Coinciding with New York State’s recent adult-use cannabis legalization, the MEC Cannabis Minor Degree Program seeks to engage students, faculty and staff, advocacy groups, and community members, including the formerly incarcerated and those transitioning from the legacy market. The program also serves as a resource for policy-makers through its diverse instructors and relationships with support organizations, including multi-state operators, state license holders, and advocacy groups, including the cannabis leadership organization Women Grow.

“Women Grow congratulates Dr. Reid and her team for hosting this timely event,” said Gia Morón, president of Women Grow. “As the reality of adult-use cannabis comes to fruition, this free event is an invaluable resource for communities once besieged by the war on drugs to gain access to important information and education.”

 

To register for the MEC Chemistry and Environmental Sciences Outdoor Cannabis Degree Minor Showcase, please visit Eventbrite.com.