Craig Lyon, who recently joined California brand Connected Cannabis as head of marketing, spent the early years of his career at Nike. I caught up with him to discuss his impressions of cannabis marketing and his vision for Connected.
WeedWeek       

Connected, and its sister brand Alien Labs, manage to sell out their flower at double the price many of its competitors dare to charge. The brand's secret sauce draws on its roots in the legacy market, influential fans in the hip-hop world and engineered scarcity. Consciously or not, the formula owes a great deal to Nike.

Coming to the new industry, Lyon has been struck by how so many brands are trying to demystify cannabis: “Everything seems to be about making this easier, simpler,” he said. Weed does the same thing it always did, but Lyon says its new found accessibility has stripped the “intrigue” and “adrenaline rush” of how it was purchased in the past. 

Read the whole thing.

Amid an unprecedented push for federal legalization, a new group with members representing alcohol, tobacco, and other industries has raised questions regarding how it plans to influence cannabis policy. I spoke to the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education and Regulation's (CPEAR)  executive director Andrew Freedman about its strategy and policy objectives. 
MG Retailer

• Freedman says many of the issues surrounding federal legalization, like pesticide testing, quality control and interstate trade, would benefit from a standardized process only the federal government can bring to the table.
• Freedman was Colorado's top regulator when it rolled out its REC market.
• The group has declined to weigh in on the contentious questions surrounding legalization, including those with significant financial implications for both its members and operators in the existing industry.
• Kris Krane, president of MSO 4Front said that depending on the group's priorities, CPEAR could be a threat or a boon for existing operators.

Which will it be?

Related: Sen. Majority leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said the bill he's currently drafting with colleagues would specifically restrict the roles of alcohol and tobacco companies in cannabis.
Marijuana Moment

What else is happening:

• After being told their past marijuana use would be overlooked, dozens of White House staffers have been sidelined or asked to resign. 
  The Daily Beast
• President Biden personally rejected a bid to add legalization to the party platform for fear it would cost him the election.
  Marijuana Moment
• (Here are 15 former presidential candidates (and several former presidents) who've copped to smoking pot.)
  Fortune
• The Safe Banking Act, which would enable the industry to access the financial system, was reintroduced in the House of Representatives. Business Insider serves up seven things you need to know about the bipartisan bill.
  Cheddar
• Another federal bill would allow insurers to serve the industry. 
  Cannabis Wire
• New York is reportedly close on a deal to legalize REC. Forbes argues it won't kill the illegal market.
• Oklahoma's House of Representatives passed a bill that would limit licenses in the freewheeling MED market.
  Cannabis Business Times
• New Mexico could legalize REC this weekend.
  KRQE 
• Business Insider ranks the bankruptcy risk of 13 major cannabis companies. U.S. operators can't file for federal bankruptcy protection. (Paywall)
• The $1.9 trillion stimulus offers more ways for the industry to obtain financial assistance. And those $1,400 stimulus checks may lead to a bump in sales.
  MJBiz
• Cooking show "Chopped" is creating a 420-friendly version.
  Variety