Hi everyone,

It’s taken a few years, but WeedWeek now owns the domain WeedWeek.com. You can email me at alex@weedweek.com.

So, what are you waiting for? Send pictures from your latest industry event and I’ll post favorites in our High Society section. 

In today’s newsletter:

• LeafLink reveals top brands of 2021
• GOP bill upends legalization calculus

Enjoy!

Alex

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Cannabis politics just got a lot more interesting. 
WeedWeek

Following Senator Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-N.Y.) bill this summer, Freshman Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) has filed a rival bill she’s presenting as a centrist approach  to federal legalization.

No matter what it means for the industry, or legalization, it looks like a sharp political move. With Republicans heavily favored in next year’s mid-terms, it co-opts an issue that could have benefitted Democrats. 

Here’s my take on what it means for legalization.

Business:

• Business Insider looks at why big time investors prefer software to plant touching companies. Cannatech companies have raised $1.6B this year.
• All the cool kids say pot is about more than THC. Now a new study says THC content isn’t even a good indicator of potency. Expect THC levels and price to remain the most important factors influencing consumer choices.
  Forbes 
• Columbia Care and Trulieve reported earnings.
• Architect asks if hemp is the next disruptor in construction.
• Smith Corona finds “13 women defying the industry shutout.“

State News:

• An Ohio bill would significantly expand the state’s MED program.
  Columbus Dispatch
• Legalization advocate Nicholas Scutari is the new president of the New Jersey state senate.
  AP
• Michigan sales had a record October. Colorado sales did not have a record September.
  New Cannabis Ventures, Westword
• The Mississippi legislature appears unlikely to hold a special session to legalize MED.
  WLBT

Health and Science:

• Research has found heavy cannabis use may be linked to heart attacks in young adults.
  Medical Express
• THC breathalyzers are getting better. But Inverse suggests they could do more harm than good.

Crime:

• J.T.Burnette, husband of Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers, was sentenced to three years in federal prison. Read more about his public corruption case. Trulieve was not accused of wrongdoing.
  Tallahassee.com, WeedWeek
• A new civil lawsuit in Mendocino County accuses local and state cops of corruption and theft during pot seizures.
  NBC

International:

• In Canada, a study found legalization has not led to an increase in traffic injuries.
  Vancouver Sun
• Unfounded fears of heroin-laced weed, could accelerate REC legalization in Germany.
  Vice

Fun and interesting:

• Mary Carreon’s Kitchen Toke article on the Spirit of Hash, features one of the last interviews with Frenchy Cannoli.
• Respect My Region checks out some of the best-selling affordable brands at DTPG in DTLA. 
• Enjoy the new red band trailer for The Freak Brothers.

• Connecticut awarded its compliance software contract to Forian and partner Consultants Consortium.
• Michigan-based Lume hired its 1,000th employee and opened its 26th store. It claims to be the largest SSO in the country.
• California-based, vertically-integrated, Perfect Union acquired manufacturer Bonsai Brands.
• TILT Holdings expanded its partnership with “inhalation product” company Airo into Massachusetts.
• Psychedelics company Numinus Wellness is partnering with MAPS to study MDMA as a treatment for PTSD.
• Marketing firm Hawke Media is accepting pre-orders for its new book, “The Hawke Method.”

• MSO Ascend Wellness Holdings named Danielle Drummond VP, social equity. 
• The National Cannabis Industry Association announced a slate of new board members.
• Bongmaker Puffco named Stuart McFaul CMO and Joy Huffman CFO.
• MedMen appointed financial turnaround specialist David Hsu and former JC Penney CFO Ed Record to its board. Viola CEO Al Harrington and consultant Nicole Christoff departed the board.
• Michigan’s top regulator Andrew Brisbo was voted the new president of the Cannabis Regulators Association.
• Mike Tyson’s brand Tyson 2.0 named its board of directors.

• Hitoki released version two of the Trident, it’s laser combustion smoking device. In black (pictured) or rose gold it’ll set you back $500. In 24-carat gold, $650. 
• Stiiizy has a new line of sour gummy triangles.

• OG Humboldt grower Kevin Jodrey tells the story of a “last plant standing,” rare genetics from Afghanistan. “This particular plant reeks with a rich scent of pistachio paste, bitter cherry and rose oil.” 

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High Society will return soon. Send pics to hello@weedweek.com.