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You are here: Home / Archives for Viola

Viola Launches Viola Cares With National Non-Profit Organization Root And Rebound

February 26, 2020 by MJ News Network Leave a Comment

Social Impact Initiative Aims to Destigmatize Minority Representation and Increase Social Equity Within the Cannabis Industry

CALIFORNIA: Viola, a nationwide leader in the production and sale of premium quality cannabis products founded by NBA veteran Al Harrington, today announced the official launch of its social equity initiative – Viola Cares. Through education, equitable offerings, expungement, and incubation programs, the initiative will result in more than 10,000 jobs, hundreds of new business owners and expanded industry diversity by increasing representation, facilitating community building and providing employment opportunities.

Viola’s first strategic alliance within its Viola Cares program kicks-off with Root & Rebound. Root & Rebound is home to lawyers and advocates committed to restoring power and resources to the communities most harmed by mass incarceration and the War on Drugs. Their work combines direct legal services with systems-changing policy advocacy and public education, in an effort to move society toward greater racial and economic equity, justice, collective liberation and intergenerational healing. Their educational resources like the California Roadmap to Reentry, the Reentry Planning Toolkit, the National Fair Chance Housing Toolkit, and others have supported thousands of people as they work to navigate the collateral consequences of an arrest or conviction history.

Viola, in conjunction with Root and Rebound, will produce a first-of-its-kind toolkit designed specifically for people with cannabis-related convictions, to be entitled: “A New Leaf: A ‘How-To Guide’ for Successful Reentry After A Cannabis Conviction.”

“At Viola, we live and breathe the belief that a cannabis conviction should never be considered a life sentence,” said Al Harrington, Founder, Viola. “In joining forces with Root and Rebound, we will look to help those communities of color who have historically been the victims of cannabis-related incarceration and who have fallen on hard times, and turn those struggles into opportunities for success within this rapidly growing industry.”

Opportunity within the cannabis industry only continues to grow as legalization progresses and passes into law across the country, and Viola is breaking the barrier of entry for minorities to contribute to that growth through cultivation and entrepreneurship.

“We’re honored to be working side-by-side with Viola on such an important initiative–one that positively impacts thousands who have been unfairly stigmatized by their prior cannabis-related incarceration,” Katherine Katcher, Founder and Executive Director of Root and Rebound. “Together we’re changing that conversation, leveling the playing field for minorities and creating opportunities for those deserving of a second chance.”

In celebration of the strategic alliance between Viola and Root and Rebound, Viola will host a welcome reception and panel discussion in support of the launch of “A New Leaf” toolkit at the Viola headquarters in Los Angeles on February 26, 2020. A moderated panel hosted by Viola CMO Ericka Pittman will include Katherine Katcher, Eliana Green, and Sandra Johnson from the Root & Rebound team, along with Al Harrington and Dan Pettigrew, Co-Founders of Viola moderated by Van Lathan.

Filed Under: Business Tagged With: “A New Leaf: A ‘How-To Guide’ for Successful Reentry After A Cannabis Conviction.”, Al Harrington, legal cannabis industry, minorities in cannabis, MJ News, MJ News Network, mjnews, non-profits and cannabis, normalization, Root and Rebound, Social Equity and Cannabis, the business of cannabis, the business of marijuana, Viola

Viola Closes $16 Million Investment Round Led By Gotham Green Partners

October 7, 2019 by MJ News Network Leave a Comment

CALIFORNIA: Viola, a national leader in the production and sale of premium quality cannabis products founded by NBA veteran Al Harrington, today announced the closing of a $16 million funding round led by Gotham Green Partners. The investment firm, known for its financial support of some of the most reputable cannabis companies in the industry, is the first institutional investment in the company. 

Al Harrington Viola

This latest round of funding will assist with the acquisition of a 34,500 sq. ft cultivation, processing and distribution facility in Adelanto, California as well as the completion of Viola’s 48,000 sq. ft facility in Detroit, Michigan. The funds will also enable Viola to continue to advance the growth of the company’s personnel with key new hires that will continue to establish Viola as a leader in the cannabis marketplace.

Viola emerged on the scene with a commitment to making an impact by promoting social equity through increasing minority participation in the cannabis industry and positively impacting communities by reinvesting in individuals most affected by the war on drugs. Viola raised $15 million prior to this round of funding, which enabled the company to grow its product offerings and footprint within the cannabis industry. The company is currently operating in California, Colorado, Oregon and Michigan, with plans to expand into Maryland, Nevada and Arizona in 2020.

“Over the last five years, Viola has been dedicated to creating and producing quality herbal experiences for our customers,” said Al Harrington, CEO of Viola. “With the financial support and investment of Gotham Green Partners, our ability to dedicate more physical space to growing and cultivating our flowers and team will make the possibilities endless.”

“We are thrilled to be aligned with Viola as the company expands its lifestyle brand into new markets,” said Jason Adler, Managing Member of Gotham Green Partners. “As the firm’s visionary, Al has successfully launched the concept and subsequently surrounded himself with a top-notch management team. Further, Al’s background and the company’s mission resonate with a broad and engaged consumer base, and we are excited to see Viola products on more retail shelves across the country.”

Filed Under: Business, Homepage Tagged With: Al Harrington, cannabis and sports, celebrity stoner, funding and legal cannabis, Gotham Green Partners, legalization, MJ News Network, mjnews, NBA, the business of cannabis, the business of marijuana, Viola

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WSLCB Board Action: Withdrawal of Proposed Rules for Social Equity in Cannabis Program.

WASHINGTON: During a regularly scheduled meeting, the Liquor and Cannabis Board took the following action: Proposed rules filed – public comment period now open: Withdrew proposed rule-making (CR 102) originally filed as WSR 22-09-036  on April 13, 2022 regarding amendments to existing rules and a new rule section that would establish the Social Equity in Cannabis program in Read the full article…

Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency Announces New Social Equity All-Star Program

MICHIGAN:  The Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) announced today a new initiative to encourage cannabis industry licensees to be proactive in their diversity, equity, and inclusion campaigns through its new Social Equity All-Star Program.  “Michigan’s cannabis industry is abounding with business owners who have invested their time and money in initiatives to help those who were Read the full article…

Oklahoma: OMMA to Become Stand-Alone Agency on November 1, 2022

OKLAHOMA:  Following Gov. Kevin Stitt’s signing of Senate Bill 1543, the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) will become an independent state agency effective Nov. 1. Oklahoma voters authorized the state’s medical marijuana program in 2018 with State Question 788. SQ 788 created OMMA and the state laws that launched the industry. It also placed the new medical marijuana regulatory Read the full article…

CANNECTED TV expands Global Distribution to XBOX, Samsung and LG CTV, Sony, Panasonic, Philips, Sharp, and TCL Smart TV’s

NEW YORK:  CANNECTED TV, a cannabis streaming channel, is now expanding and will have distribution across gaming, televisions, mobile, and online devices for cannabis programming and advertising with shop-able content. CANNECTED TV is a destination platform for cannabis education through entertainment. It can be currently accessed via ROKU, Apple TV and IOS devices globally, Android Read the full article…

OLCC Task Force on Cannabis-Derived Intoxicants and Illegal Cannabis Production Meeting

OREGON: The Task Force on Cannabis-Derived Intoxicants and Illegal Cannabis Production will hold its initial (virtual) meeting on Thursday, May 12, 2022 from 9 AM to 11 AM. A meeting agenda can be found on the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission’s website in the public meetings section.  The Oregon Legislature established the Task Force (2021 HB 3000 Read the full article…

Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency Announces New Social Equity All-Star Program

Oklahoma: OMMA to Become Stand-Alone Agency on November 1, 2022

CANNECTED TV expands Global Distribution to XBOX, Samsung and LG CTV, Sony, Panasonic, Philips, Sharp, and TCL Smart TV’s

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