Is the cannabis industry overregulated?
The Associated Press looks at cannabis laws in Colorado and other states to see if industry over-regulation is stifling growth. As one person said: “Pioneers get slaughtered, and settlers get fat.”
News
Banking?
The House marijuana banking bill got 13 new cosponsors, for a total of 126.
The Hill: Time to bank the unbanked legal marijuana industry in this nation
Key Colorado House Panel Advances Bill Allowing Public and Private Investment in Cannabis Industry
The Colorado House Finance Committee unanimously advanced a bill that would open up the state’s $1.5 billion-a-year recreational and medical marijuana industry to new sources of public and private capital.
Committee members also adopted an amendment to the bill that would seek to address social equity issues in Colorado’s cannabis industry, including increasing opportunities for minority – and women-owned businesses. Read More »
Related story ICYMI:
CPR: Colorado Cannabis Wants To Go Public, But Not Everyone Is On Board
Most people contacted by CPR in and outside the industry think public trading is a good idea. Gov. Jared Polis supports it. A similar bill last session passed easily through a bipartisan legislature, before former Gov. John Hickenlooper vetoed it over fears of tracking ownership. CPR Story »
Things that make you go “Hmmmmmm”
John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods said that “chances are good” the company will begin selling marijuana products in its stores as more states legalize. He also mentioned the company would consider selling “alternative proteins” such as insects. More »
This may be a golden business opportunity for former Colorado U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer, who planned to start a cricket farm after leaving his position last year. The former top prosecutor eats cricket powder himself, and said he believes insect protein will be part of the sustainable food system of the future with the increase in global warming. More »
Former Mexican President Vicente Fox, who calls himself a soldier in the global campaign to legalize marijuana, joined the board of directors for Denver-based Helix TCS. Fox is also on the board of High Times. Más »
Things that make you go “Wait. WHAT? Seriously?!”
Maybe it’s the potential money. Maybe it’s Snoop’s influence. Or maybe she overly embraced her prison nickname (M. Diddy). But Martha Stewart has teamed up with a Canadian cannabis company to create and promote a new line of hemp-based CBD products. Stewart is joining the Canadian marijuana company Canopy Growth as an adviser to help them develop cannabis products for people and their pets. It’s unclear if Stewart’s products will be served in one of her famous decorative gourds.
Stewart will join her friend Snoop, who together co-host the VH1 talk show “Martha and Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party.” Snoop Dogg has partnered with Canopy for the last three years.
Hawaii, yes liberal Hawaii which is considered politically left of California, decided not to legalize adult-use cannabis. Again.
Who Tweeted It?
“#TBT That time I rode a car with an Oregon cannabis business owner to deliver a $70,000 tax payments.”
U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR).
Keep it Safe, Colorado
Denver has developed a food safety and sanitation class for manufacturers, cultivation facilities, and centers/stores.
Members in the news
Dixie Brands has made impressive strides to expand its footprint in the United States and in Latin America.
Lessons cannabis firms can learn from the craft beer industry
Q&A with Nug’s Ted Whitney
Spoiler alert: “The American consumer has the most annoyingly short attention span ever.”