I wrote a story for Slate about why states keep getting equity wrong: 

"New York and New Jersey’s new cannabis laws aim to create paths for entrepreneurs of color to join the industry. Within the cannabis world, this concept is known as “equity.” In theory, it promises an elegant symmetry: Massive demand for cannabis will pump money into the communities most damaged by drug-war tactics. In recent years, however, as marijuana legalization has made headway state by state, numerous jurisdictions have implemented similar plans with only token success. The people running and profiting from legal cannabis are overwhelmingly rich white guys, and without drastic changes, it’s likely to stay that way."

Read the whole thing.

The end of the week saw two more big deals: 

Canadian operator Canopy Growth, the world's largest cannabis company, said it would acquire competitor The Supreme Cannabis Company for approximately US$350M.
Reuters

• Canopy CEO David Klein said Supreme and other recent acquisitions, will help Canopy dominate the U.S. market. (Paywall)
  Insider 
• Technical 420 offers seven key takeaways.
• Headset CEO CY Scott said the deal embodies the "premiumization of cannabis."

Also, Glass House Group, California's biggest grower, said it would go public in Canada through a $1B+ SPAC deal.
Reuters

• Glass House will take over dispensary Element 7's dispensaries and acquire a 5.5M square foot tomato greenhouse to grow you know what.
• MarketWatch has more.

Thanks largely to SPACs, cannabiz companies raised more money in Q1 2021 than any quarter since Fall 2019.
MJBiz 

Other doings:

• Debate is heating up over a Florida bill that would impose potency caps in the booming MED market. The bill's Republican sponsor defended it while Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said the bill declares war on MED and MED patients.
  Florida Politics, The Capitolist, Tallahassee Democrat 
• The new Koch-backed group Cannabis Freedom Alliance wants to sell Republicans on legalization. Reason has more.
  Salt Lake Tribune 
• Delaware activists boycotted dispensaries which oppose a REC bill.
  Marijuana Moment
• Analysts at investment bank PI Financial think this MSO stock could pop 200%. 
  Insider
• A Boston Globe opinion piece discusses big tobacco's plans for weed.
• MJBiz serves up three security practices that will save you money.
• Ohio employers are struggling with workplace pot policies. (Paywall)
  Crain's Cleveland Business
• Is it possible to create an ethical psychedelics company?
  Vice
• Her Canna Life talked to Space Coyote "brand visionary" and proud stoner Libby Cooper. 
• A study in Preventive Medicine found cannabis users exercise more than non-users.
• The prestigious journal Nature looks at the industry's greenhouse gas emissions.
• Ganja god Willie Nelson is launching a virtual cannabis convention to celebrate his 88th birthday.
  Austin-American Statesman
• This was my favorite weed Instagram this week.
  @weedandgrub