The year in review

Well, at least none of us have to live through 2020 again. The year began with many in the California industry hoping for stabilization. While that certainly didn't happen, 2020 did deliver unprecedented growth and sunnier prospects for 2021. Willis took a look at the key issues for California's industry over the last 12 months -- Covid, taxes, climate change and more -- and how many businesses persevered.

Next week, we'll have a preview of the year ahead. 

*

Cannabiz awaits the vaccine

Many in the weed world view the plant as an alternative to conventional medicine. As such, it makes sense that some operators might be skeptical of the two newly approved vaccines for the coronavirus. However, Laura Bianchi, a partner at Arizona law firm Bianchi & Brandt, says operators are largely eager to protect their work forces and businesses. "I think people are anxious for some sort of resolution," she said.

*

Weed's a hot Christmas gift

A survey from vertically integrated Glass House Group anticipates a great deal of cannabis-related gift giving through the new year. No surprise that it expects a lot of cannabis use as well. Of survey respondents, about two-thirds plan to give flower as a gift. Find out what else they're thinking about how cannabis will help them endure this strange holiday season and ring in the new year. 

WeedWeek offers several ways to reach our influential audience of 9,000 subscribers.

• Email blasts: An email designed by you sent to our audience, limited to one per week to maximize opens. $1,000 each, four for $3,000.
• Banner ads: Banner ads in the newsletter and on the home page: $150/week, four weeks for $500
• Classifieds: Text only ads of up to 300 characters in the newsletter. $100/week, four weeks for $300.

WeedWeek publishes two California-centric newsletters per week.

SPECIAL OFFER: 25% off all ads placed through January 31.

Contact us at hello@weedweek.net to lock in a deal.

WeedWeek's advertising policy.

Dealflow hasn't slowed down for the holidays. Here's what else caught our attention:

• Two big deals: Columbia Care said it would acquire Green Leaf Medical for $240M and Ayr Strategies announced it would acquire Liberty Health Sciences for $290M, largely a Florida play, and make a big move into New Jersey as well. 
• At least 57 L.A. businesses -- 14% of the cities' total -- are poised to see their licenses expire before the end of the year.
  MJBiz
• Cookies is getting into the mushroom market.
• MedMen has a new interim CFO.
• Poseidon Asset Management managing director Michael Boniello discussed why he's bullish on 2021.
• Kate Hudson named Cranberry Sage Cann and a shot of King Street Vodka her "official drink of the holiday season." Cann co-founder Luke Anderson posted: "While many of our customers use Cann as an occasional alcohol substitute, a growing number are using it as a complement / mixer - and both groups report drinking a lot less alcohol than before and feeling generally happier and healthier overall."