California Marijuana

LOS ANGELES — Cannabis deals destination Jerry’s Cannabis Deals has recently launched in the Greater Los Angeles area, enabling cannabis customers to potentially save hundreds or thousands of dollars annually, depending on their consumption habits. The deals site, accessible at jerrysdeals.com , is designed to help consumers easily and instantaneously search for dispensary deals near them, saving valuable time versus looking for deals themselves across numerous retailers. Consumers can filter deals based on their preferences, such as Product Type (flower, edibles, etc), Delivery or In-Store deals, and Group Discounts (First Time Patient, Student, Senior, Veteran and Birthday discounts), so they can save on cannabis every time they re-up. “Jerry’s Cannabis Deals turns deal-searching into a simple and instantaneous process, allowing consumers to consistently save on their favorite quality cannabis products,” explains founder Uri Bogler. “Cannabis deals are plentiful but decentralized, ...

SAN FRANCISCO – Canada’s marquee cannabis trade show will branch out into the United States next year. Lift Events & Experiences , formerly Lift&Co. Expo , will host its first U.S. event in San Francisco in August 2023. The organizers hope to disrupt an American business conference scene that — since the pandemic — insiders increasingly view as becoming hidebound. According to Lift Events & Experiences Portfolio Lead Lindsay Roberts, the American debut will offer advocacy-oriented content, inclusive networking, activations, and opportunities for attendees to see, touch, and smell live product on the show floor. Roberts said the event will be “dedicated to honoring the grassroots legacy of the cannabis industry while serving each of its unique modern audiences.” “Lift is known for avoiding the stuffiness while perfecting the mix of professional and fun for its signature surprises as well as the Lift After Party,” she said. “Hosting Lift at the Moscone Center in San Franci...

Barcelona, Spain – The halls of the Catalonia Plaza Catalunya were bustling with the crème de la crème of the CBD industry, for the long-awaited World CBD Awards . With over 200 attendees from all corners of the globe, the energy was electric as we all awaited in anticipation for the awards to come.  Hosted by the charismatic Mark Patterson, President of PPP Consulting group for the Cannabis Industries, the night was a triumph presenting the prestigious World CBD Award to 30 ground break industry brands and service providers. Among the winners were Holland & Barrett – Best European Retailer, Orange County CBD – Most loved brand, Kanndela Labs – Industry Newcomer, and Reakiko for two awards – Best Extract Based Tincture & Most Charitable Company.  For the full list of winners visit the official World CBD Awards announcement.  Among the winners, Duallok – the well-known child-resistant packaging company took home the award for Best CBD Packaging Company, with t...

High tech smoking device company, Hitoki ( www.hitoki.com ) , best known for its flagship laser combustion smoking device, The Trident , is excited to announce the launching of its brand new product expression, equipped with the technology to lift you to space. The Hitoki ‘Saber’ is a compact and portable rendition of the original laser combustion device making smoking with lasers anytime, anywhere much more easy. The more compact device uses the same laser technology as the Trident, producing the same cleaner healthier smoking experience but ideal for consumers who are on the go.  “We are really excited to bring another new smoking device to the market,” says co-founder Joe Tran. “We believe the use of technology in the cannabis space can take the industry to a whole new level and we’re grateful to be a part of this movement.” Hitoki continues to bring sophisticated products to tech loving individuals who seek new and innovative methods of smoking to incorporate into their da...

LOS ANGELES – Sporos Capital Partners , an established Cannabis private equity firm, today announced that it has closed on its equity investment in Story Companies LLC, (“Story”) a privately-held Multi-State Operator (“MSO”) led by a proven team of operators with an unparalleled track record. Proceeds of the investment, from a Sporos affiliated vehicle, will be used to support the growth and expansion of Story’s vertically-integrated operations. The terms of the Sporos investment were not disclosed. Story was founded by Jason Vedadi, an industry veteran, with a proven track record of successful cannabis operations and multiple successful exits. Story currently has operations in multiple states and is seeking to further expand into additional markets, through a combination of new license applications and strategic acquisitions. “By making an eight-digit investment in Story we are staying true to our belief of investing in businesses with a clear and actionable strategy and, more impor...

NEW YORK — Flower by Edie Parker , a premium line of cannabis and smoking accessories, has announced an exclusive collaboration with Sticky Glass, a design company developed by Grace Whiteside that specializes in multi-functional performative glassware. The two New York-based brands have come together to develop a unique, limited edition catalog of smokable art pieces that merge Sticky Glass’ signature bubble-like forms with Edie Parker’s playful and colorful signatures. Each item in the collection is hand blown, ensuring unique, smokeable art pieces with personality. The collection includes Gum Ashtrays, Double Bubble Pipes and Bubbler Pipes in a palette of vibrant colors including Lime Twist, Grape Twist, Peach Twist, Sour Peach, Tutti Frutti, Sour Peach, Carrot and Berry. “Our goal at Edie Parker is to craft exciting items that sit at the intersection of fashion and flower. This collaboration perfectly embodies that ethos,” said Brett Heyman, Founder of Flower by Edie Parker. “Wor...

It is no secret that many mature U.S. cannabis markets are experiencing stagnant or declining year-over-year sales. For example, the median store in Washington processed more than 8,500 transactions in March 2021 but fewer than 7,500 in February 2022. Nearby, the average basket size at the median Colorado store was $59.73 in July 2021 but fell to $55.21 one year later. Despite these trends, some cannabis brands are finding a way to overcome negative shifts and find success. The transaction volume and average basket size at the median store in Colorado may have dropped by at least 8 percent from July 2021 through July 2022. However, consumers are still showing up to support a trio of innovative vapor pen and concentrate brands . Lazercat Cannabis, a concentrate and vapor pen brand, has increased sales by more than 160 percent since August 2021. Magnitude, an Infusiasm brand, began calling Colorado home in 2020 and performed reasonably well through 2021 with more than $500,000 in monthl...

SEATTLE — Leafly Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: LFLY), a leading online cannabis discovery marketplace and resource for cannabis consumers, today announced that Carlos Pinto recently joined the company as Chief Commercial Officer. Carlos will lead Leafly’s sales, marketing, and award-winning content teams. As part of his role, Carlos will manage and shape the go-to market strategy for existing and new products, oversee the sales planning process and refine the company’s product strategy to increase revenue generation in both existing and new markets. Known as the informed way to shop for cannabis, Leafly is a marketplace that helps connect millions of annual website visitors to more than 7,800 brands and more than 5,200 dispensaries. This addition to the Leafly executive team follows the company’s listing on the NASDAQ earlier this year. Carlos brings many years of experience across a distinguished career in digital media, business development, and intellectual property compliance, and has...

Irvine, Calif. – Petalfast , a route-through-market platform for the cannabis industry, announced its partnership with Legion of Bloom , an award-winning leader in the California cannabis vape category, producing cannabis-derived terpene vape cartridges, live resin vape cartridges & indoor flower. Legion of Bloom joins a growing portfolio of brands represented by Petalfast throughout the state of California and nationwide. Founded in 2015, Legion of Bloom has created a brand devoted to producing cannabis products that not only help consumers but also protect the planet. LEGION’s full range of vape, premium indoor flower and topical products are produced using sustainable and environmentally conscious cultivation and extraction processes. No chemicals, harmful pesticides or flavor additives are used during production, and LEGION has adopted a 100% plastic-free packaging policy for its industry-leading vape lines and compostable plant-based pouches for its indoor flower line. “The...

MIAMI — Ayr Wellness Inc. (CSE: AYR.A, OTCQX: AYRWF) (“Ayr” or the “Company”), a leading vertically integrated U.S. multi-state cannabis operator (“MSO”), is announcing the rollout of its premium live resin concentrates and vapes brand HAZE in Florida. Having recently celebrated surpassing 50 retail stores throughout Florida, the introduction of Hydrocarbon Extraction products to its menus marks another major milestone for Ayr in the Sunshine State. “Ayr has carefully crafted a brand portfolio that appeals to a wide array of consumers throughout the value spectrum, providing quality products at every price point,” said Jonathan Sandelman, Founder and CEO of Ayr. “HAZE represents a premium experience at an attractive price point, enabled by the cultivation and production improvements since we took over the Liberty Health Sciences’ Gainesville facility last year.” HAZE premium live resin concentrates and vapes are formulated for rapid onset and deliver a full-sensory experience. Pro...

Throughout pop culture, a number of figures have referenced an infamous quote regarding the “three sides of the truth.” There is one party’s recollection of events, another party’s recollection of what took place, and the actuality of what occurred. No one is truly wrong, and no one is lying. As clichéd as this notion may be, it can be applied to several legacy markets. Some reports indicate cannabis sales are declining , while others suggest sales continue to improve from where they were in 2019. Each party is correct in its own right, but reality sits in the center. Obtained by Headset, comprehensive real-time sales reporting by participating cannabis retailers paints a vivid picture of where sales currently sit and how they compare to the success achieved prior to the coronavirus pandemic in 2019 and during the early stages of the pandemic in 2020. Revisiting skyrocketing sales during the pandemic During the spring and summer of 2020, sales spiked in several markets as many Ameri...

In the midst of an especially  busy cannabis conference season , one tiny gathering in the Topatopa Mountains north of Los Angeles offered a very different vision of an industry event.  Trailblazers  returned to the pastoral Ojai Valley Inn resort for two-and-a-half days of engaging conversations and workshops, substantive connection, and  luxurious self-care . Read our Trailblazers 2022 event coverage and see what you missed below with photos provided by Trailblazers.

MIAMI — Ayr Wellness Inc. (CSE: AYR.A, OTCQX: AYRWF) (“Ayr” or the “Company”), a leading vertically integrated U.S. multi-state cannabis operator (“MSO”), today announced that consumer packaged goods (“CPG”) and retail industry veteran David Goubert has been appointed President, joining Ayr’s leadership team to oversee the Company’s operational and commercial functions, including production, supply chain, retail, wholesale and marketing. Mr. Goubert will report to Ayr’s Founder and CEO, Jonathan Sandelman. Mr. Goubert joins Ayr from Neiman Marcus Group (“NMG”), one of the largest multi-brand retailers in the United States, where he helped lead the company through a transformation to become one of the strongest retailers in the country. Most recently, he served as NMG’s President and Chief Customer Officer, where he was responsible for the full P&L of the Neiman Marcus brand as well as all customer touchpoints. Prior to that role, he led NMG’s digital and in-store retail operations...

CINCINNATI, Ohio — Prospiant, the agtech business unit of Gibraltar Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: ROCK), today announced the second part of its series of webinars designed to help cannabis growers learn strategies that will help them to build a thriving cannabis cultivation business. This extended webinar series for growers will kick off on Thursday, November 10 at 2 p.m. EST with the webinar, “Cannabis Greenhouse Construction Process,” which will provide an overview of how to plan a successful outdoor cannabis greenhouse construction project and circumvent the typical complications that can arise. Seven new monthly webinars will follow it until June 2023. Aiming to provide attendees with an in-depth understanding of the steps growers need to take to drive success of their small or large cannabis business, the webinar series will cover key factors that affect the growth cycle of a cannabis crop and provide critical information about creating the best growing environment for the crop — wh...

In the midst of an especially busy cannabis conference season , one tiny gathering in the Topatopa Mountains north of Los Angeles offered a very different vision of an industry event. Trailblazers returned to the pastoral Ojai Valley Inn resort for two-and-a-half days of engaging conversations and workshops, substantive connection, and luxurious self-care . Unlike the more well-known business events vying for scraps of budget at this time of year, Trailblazers speaks directly to the executives and founders, and stands out for an unwavering commitment to quality over quantity. “People come to Trailblazers because they’re investing in themselves as leaders,” said Tyler Wakstein, cofounder of Trailblazers and its holding company, OpenNest. “Everyone here is good at what they do, but even better at who they are.” The tightly curated event is anchored around the tenets of “connection, collaboration, and support”, placing professional development and personal growth at its core. With it...

NEW YORK, TORONTO, and FLORIDA – International convenience brands Uber Eats and Circle K announced separate partnership deals this week with Leafly and Green Thumb Industries Inc. (GTI), respectively, paving the way for qualified shoppers in Toronto and Florida to purchase cannabis more easily. The Leafly-Uber partnership marks the first time cannabis will be via a major third-party delivery platform. Torontonians 19+ may place delivery orders through the Uber Eats app through a newly added cannabis category from the first three Toronto dispensaries to participate: Hidden Leaf Cannabis , Minerva Cannabis , and Shivaa’s Rose . According to Leafly, menu data is passed from Leafly to Uber via a custom API integration. Customers will need to be within the delivery radius of the licensed cannabis retailer to place their order. “We are partnering with industry leaders like Leafly to help retailers offer safe, convenient options for people in Toronto to purchase legal cannabis for deliver...

Demand for employees continues to grow in the high-flying cannabis industry, but the celebration over such news eases once today’s tight labor market is considered. In 2021,  47 million workers voluntarily left their jobs, and 43 percent of workers cited inadequate benefits as a factor in quitting. As the cannabis industry is not immune to any of these labor challenges , operators can turn to improved employee benefits to help them stand out as an employer of choice . Adding a 401(k) retirement savings plan can be an essential tool for attracting and retaining employees . Given the complexity of the cannabis industry and its hazy legal status in the U.S., it has been challenging for cannabis companies to find benefits providers willing to work with them to offer retirement plans. However, there are options, as a growing number of boutique firms offer 401(k) programs and other benefits for this industry—it just requires the right partners to find the right plan. 4 tip...

Cannabis consumers are spending less, increasing the need to bring new consumers into the legal market. While there are short-term tactics to offset the effects of shrinking wallets, the most profound impact will come from transitioning more consumers from the gray market to the legal market, increasing the available customer pool. When wallets shrink, retailers must attract more wallets. According to recent research from New Frontier Data, the average decline in consumer spending per transaction has decreased 7 percent nationally year over year (YoY). Economic issues like inflation and a looming recession are primary motivating factors; others include the end of the “COVID bump” that drove sales increases during the coronavirus pandemic and changing regulatory statuses as states transition from medical to recreational. New Jersey provides the perfect example of this transitional effect with the greatest decline in spending per transaction. Typically, medical consumers spend more p...