Hi all,

Here’s a question: What’s on your mind that isn’t getting covered? Issues, concerns, progress?

I want to hear about it. Send tips and thoughts to alex@weedweek.com. 

In today’s newsletter:

• Biden disappoints cannabiz, again
• Interstate trade talks return

Enjoy,

Alex

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A new bill in California would allow the governor to make independent agreements for trade across state lines. At present, there’s no legal weed trade across state lines.

Vanderbilt Law Professor Robert Mikos has questioned whether there’s any legal basis for the de facto ban. However, it would no doubt take some time for the first interstate agreement to be settled. The states would have to determine acceptable common standards for packaging, potency, testing, tracking and so much else. 

• The group Alliance for Sensible Markets argues interstate trade can create a market that’s “thriving, just, sustainable and broadly beneficial.” 
•  who argued that interstate trade ban is legal warned in another paper that it could have serious negative consequences.
• Only Oregon has passed a similar law.
  OPB
• California Cannabis Industry Association executive director Lindsay Robinson told LA Weekly, “It is going to come down to the details in the agreement,” Robinson said. “We need to make sure that California cannabis is stabilized, and that the businesses here are functioning well, and hopefully thriving, before we would contemplate an import.”

In other California news:

• California begins a months-long rulemaking process today. From the kick-off call, here are the key issues  on the table.
• MJBiz asks why Orange County, the state’s third most populous, is still a cannabiz desert.

Federal:

• More banks reported serving the industry, according to new data from the government’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. 

Business:

• Cura will pay up to $200 to each of the up to 186,000 Oregon customers who received products improperly labeled “100% marijuana.”  Meanwhile, Cura parent company, MSO Curaleaf, faces a separate investigation in Oregon over CBD products which inadvertently contained THC.
  Oregonian
• A U.S. federal court ruled against Canadian operator Canopy Growth in its IP lawsuit against GW Pharmaceuticals, which developed the CBD drug Epidiolex. Attorney Larry Sandell of Mei & Mark discussed the decision.
  Hemp Industry Daily, Marijuana Moment
• Canada’s Tilray said it would buy up to US$211M of ailing rival Hexo‘s debt and take an equity stake of approximately 40%.  
• Cannabis Tech asks if cannabis is ready to compete with Amazon. 
• Respected L.A. growers Jungle Boys were raided by law enforcement over a $66,000 state tax issue over which they have a hearing scheduled.
  High Times 
• MJ Brand Insights takes us inside the burgeoning world of cannabis NFTs.

State news:

• The Michigan Cannabis Manufacturer’s Association opposes a rule change that would expand permissable microbusiness canopies from 150 to 500 plants. The trade association argues such a change requires legislation.
  Grown In
• Colorado released diversity data for its cannabiz.
• Rhode Island lawmakers unveiled a bill to legalize REC.
  Boston Globe
• A poll found more than 60% support for legal REC in Wisconsin.
  Fox6
• An Illinois lawmakers’ CBD company is being forced to return $144k to investors.
  Chicago Sun-Times

Fun and interesting:

• Thrillist takes a weed tour of L.A. with Tess Melody Taylor, founder of infused condiment brand, Saucy. 

• A new 280-page study on Women in Cannabis claims to be the most comprehensive study yet of women working in the cannabis industry. It’s from Lady Jane Branding. 
• Data shop BDSA anticipates $35B in global legal cannabis sales this year, up 22% over 2021. It expects global sales to surpass $61B by 2026.
• A new Headset report looks at hot product trends in the U.S. and Canada.
• The Minority Cannabis Business Association released its National Equity Maps.

• Ukrainian-American founded Bay Area dispensary MediThrive is contributing 100% of sales proceeds on Sunday March 6 to Ukraine relief organization Sunflower of Peace Foundation.
• Benzinga is hosting a Cannabis Capital Conference April 20 and 21 in Miami.
• L.A. Weekly’s Coachella Desert Smoke-Off is coming in April.
  @thejimidevine
• The Awaken Festival wellness weekend will be April 2-3 in Victoria, BC.
• The Cannabis Travel Association is hosting a March 25 virtual advocacy event to promote international cannabis tourism.
• There are several cannabis panels at SXSW, which starts March 14.
• Law firm Vicente Sederberg is hosting a webinar on cannabis real estate for equity companies.
• Hall of Flowers returns to Palm Springs on May 4-5.

• Lindsay MaHarry ranks five rapper-owned brands.
  Uproxx

• Patrick Vinson says budtenders should receive commissions on sales.
• Ave Miller shared some promising data from MSO Unrivaled Brands. 
• Polymath professional Shahbaaz Kara-Virani shares 10 questions brands need to answer. 

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