California Marijuana

DENVER and SAN DIEGO – Salaries are on the rise by an average of five to ten percent and 2023 will see the addition of more than 100,000 new jobs, according to a pair of reports from two industry staffing firms that collect information about hiring trends. CannabizTeam and Vangst both released annual salary guides this week. The competing projections paint a similar picture of significant growth across newer Midwest and East Coast markets, which is expected to offset the stagnation or downturn seen in some mature West Coast markets. CannabizTeam’s fifth annual salary guide utilizes proprietary salary data, salary surveys, and “independent research from trusted sources through the end of Q4 2022” to provide detailed and location-based salary benchmarking in 35 states. Based on this data, average industry salaries are the highest in Honolulu and San Francisco, and the lowest in Springfield, Illinois, and Tulsa, Oklahoma. Data: CannabizTeam 2023 Salary Guide Over the past year, in...

LAS VEGAS — Planet 13 Holdings Inc. (CSE: PLTH) (OTCQB: PLNHF) (“Planet 13” or the “Company”), a leading vertically integrated multi-state cannabis company, is proud to announce DJ Snoopadelic (AKA Snoop Dogg) will perform at LP Exotics’ launch extravaganza on Saturday February 4, 2023, at the  Planet 13  SuperStore and Entertainment Complex. Fans and cannabis connoisseurs will join the  Lamborghini Princess  Marianna to celebrate the launch of her LP Exotics brand at Planet 13, with her celebrity friends. On top of the entertainment the event includes an international culinary journey with multiple food vendors featuring a crepe vendor from France and delicious Armenian Barbecue; plus, raffles, giveaways, VIP behind-the-scenes Planet 13 facility tours, and much more. Event Details: When: Saturday Feb 4, 3pm – 9pm (entrance & musical acts start at 3pm) Where: Planet 13 SuperStore, 2548 W Desert Inn Rd. Las Vegas Featured Performers: DJ Snoopadelic, c...

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 the termination of the Company’s previously announced proposed acquisition of the equity interests of Gentle Ventures, LLC d/b/a Dispensary 33 (“Dispensary 33”), and certain of its affiliates that collectively own and operate two licensed retail dispensaries in Chicago, Illinois. Following the mutual termination, Ayr will no longer be required to pay the previously announced purchase consideration of $55 million upfront, including $12 million of cash, $3 million of sellers notes and $40 million of stock. “The cannabis market has changed significantly in the 15 months since we agreed to acquire Dispensary 33. Both parties have acknowledged this reality and engaged in good faith dialogue as we came to the mutual decision to terminate the proposed arrangement,” said David Goubert, President at Ayr. “We are ...

Washington, DC — The use of medical cannabis products is associated with substantial long-term decreases in the daily use of prescription opioids among patients suffering from chronic pain, according to data published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open. Researchers affiliated with the State University of New York at Albany and with the New York State Department of Health assessed the impact of medical cannabis on opioid use patterns in a cohort of over 8,000 chronic pain patients receiving long-term opioid therapy (LOT). Subjects were studied for a period of eight months. Investigators reported that patients’ daily MME (morphine milligram intake) diminished following cannabis therapy and that this decline grew more significantly over time. “In this cohort study of patients receiving LOT, receiving MC [medical cannabis] for a longer duration was associated with reductions in opioid dosages,” they concluded . “These findings contribute robust...

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — New Love Films and Oaksterdam University are proud to announce the feature documentary American Pot Story: Oaksterdam took home the prestigious ”Unstoppable” Audience Award on Jan. 26, 2023, after its world premiere at the Slamdance Film Festival, Jan. 20-26 in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah. Part of the festival’s annual Sparky Awards, the Audience Awards are among the most coveted because they are voted on by Slamdance attendees, reflecting fan favorites and setting the stage for future film festival appearances and commercial success. Oaksterdam University Chancellor Dale Sky Jones attended the Slamdance premiere with her husband, Jeff Jones, and their three kids. Both are featured prominently in the film and participated in surrounding events. “This film proves Margaret Mead correct that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has,” said Jones, after whipping up the audience into shout...

WAKEFIELD, Mass., and DENVER – Two of the cannabis industry’s most visible public companies are taking dramatic measures to survive market volatility. Curaleaf Holdings Inc. is pulling out of three West Coast states, and Akerna Corp. is leaving the industry altogether. Akerna ( KERN ) will merge with Gryphon Digital Mining, a privately held bitcoin mining company based in Las Vegas. The all-stock deal will allow Gryphon to become publicly traded under Akerna’s ticker. Gryphon’s previous attempt to go public, through a similar reverse merger with net-carbon-neutral cryptocurrency miner Sphere 3D, was called off in April “due to changing market conditions, the passage of time, and the relative financial positions of the companies, among other factors,” according to a Gryphon statement. Once the merger closes, Akerna Corp. will be renamed Gryphon Digital Mining Inc. Gryphon Chief Executive Officer Rob Chang will maintain his role leading the combined companies. Akerna CEO Jessica Bill...

DENVER — Akerna Corp. (“Akerna”) (Nasdaq: KERN) today announced it will merge with Gryphon Digital Mining, Inc. (“Gryphon”) in an all-stock deal. Simultaneously with the closing of the merger with Gryphon, Akerna will sell its software business to POSaBIT Systems Corporation (“POSaBIT”) (CSE: PBIT, OTC: POSAF), a leading provider of payments infrastructure in the cannabis industry. Gryphon, a leading net carbon neutral bitcoin miner, will be merging with Akerna by way of an Agreement and Plan of Merger to create a leading, ESG-committed, carbon-neutral bitcoin miner. Upon completion of the merger, Akerna will change its name to Gryphon Digital Mining, Inc. The merger is expected to provide Akerna shareholders with access to the bitcoin mining industry with one of its premier operators. Gryphon brings a top-tier bitcoin mining operation to Akerna shareholders. Since it commenced bitcoin mining operations in September 2021, Gryphon has consistently ranked among the top three miners on...

DENVER – POSaBIT has signed an agreement to acquire MJ Platform, Leaf Data Systems, and Ample Organics from Akerna in a $4-million cash deal. The deal is expected to close during the second quarter, pending approval of Akerna shareholders. Enterprise SaaS company Akerna appears to be taking part in a major pivot, unloading enterprise resource planning platform 365 Cannabis to previous investors at 365 Holdco LLC on January 11 for a cash payment of $500,000 and an agreement to terminate an earn-out payment due and payable to the principals of 365 Holdco LLC with a deemed value of $2,283,806. On its surface, the sale looks like a major loss given the $17 million in cash and stock Akerna paid to acquire 356 Cannabis in October 2021. Akerna (Nasdaq: KERN) was trading at $1.78 at the closing bell on Thursday, down from its 52-week high of $33. However, the new year has shown significant signs of improvement with the price increasing roughly 158 percent from the end of December throug...

Niagara, Ontario — Canada’s top licensed producers will hash it out for the ultimate recognition of winning The Canadian Cannabis Championship at the Grow Up Conference in Alberta, taking place at the Edmonton Convention Centre from May 28-30, 2023. Held on Sunday, May 28th, the original Canadian legal cannabis cup will be judged by respected cannabis industry connoisseurs and consumers alike. Health Canada licensed producers nationwide, legal flower and extract brands, cultivators and processors with current SKU listings are eligible to enter their best flower and punchy extracts by February 10th, in hopes of being named as one of the 12 finalists. New this year, the 12 flower finalists along with the 2022 winner, Reef Organics, and a select micro will be packaged into a one-of-a-kind pre-roll pack featuring 14 x half gram joints, labelled with each finalist’s entry. Consumers will have the opportunity to buy the packs across Alberta ahead of the event, and vote online to deter...

DUBLIN — The “International Directory of Medical Cannabis Companies 2023” directory has been added to  ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering. The International Directory of Medical Cannabis Companies is the most comprehensive and accurate Directory of companies and executives in the medical cannabis industry that has ever been published. This Directory has been especially compiled to assist professionals with market research, strategic planning, as well as contacting prospective clients or suppliers. It is also an indispensable guide to all of the world’s medical cannabis companies and key generics decision-makers! This powerful Directory is your connection to key decision-makers in the industry throughout Europe, North & South America, Asia, the Pacific region, the Middle East, and Africa. This Directory is a must-have for anyone who needs to find contacts in this sector worldwide. This Directory will enable you to: Pinpoint key executives Profile a market Build new b...

LOS ANGELES — Alcott Enterprises is pleased to announce its completion of the network backbone infrastructure for Glass House Brands Inc. (“Glass House”) Southern California cultivation facility. This backbone fiber and access layer network will serve as the primary infrastructure serving their state-of-the-art 165-acre facility. As part of Glass House Brand’s efforts to retrofit the greenhouse structures as they transition from growing vegetables to Cannabis, the Alcott team played a pivotal role in planning and implementing the backbone infrastructure for this state-of-the-art farm. As a certified Cisco Systems and Cisco Meraki partner, the Alcott team designed and implemented multi-gig, next-generation networking for the Glass House team. “Glass House’s 165-acre cultivation property is a highly automated farm that is equipped with a fiber optic system. Success is determined by getting all the information input pieces to connect and seamlessly work together,” said Graham Farrar, F...

SILVER SPRING, M.D. – The Federal Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research issued its final nonbinding recommendations for clinical cannabis research this week. The eleven-page guidance document is intended to outline the department’s thinking on several issues regarding the development of human drugs containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds, sources of research materials, and considerations of control status under the Controlled Substances Act. The document, “ Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Compounds: Quality Considerations for Clinical Research ,” specifically deals with cannabis-related products intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, prevent, or treat a disease, or any non-food products intended to affect the structure or any function of the human body. The FDA considers a cannabis product a drug when it’s “marketed with a claim of therapeutic benefit, or with any other disease-related claim,” as defined in section 201(g) of the Federal Food, Drug...

New Products Offer 3,000mg to 6,000mg, Will Come in Jars of 30 and 60mL, Presenting Significant Cost Savings to Rapidly Growing Brazil Market SAN DIEGO, CA – January 24 2023 – Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC: MJNA) (the “Company”), the first-ever publicly traded cannabis company in the United States that launched the world’s first-ever cannabis-derived nutraceutical products, brands, and supply chain, announced today that its subsidiary HempMeds® Brasil launched two new full spectrum products in Brazil. The two products represent the most competitively priced products available in the region, creating greater market opportunity for the subsidiary. HempMeds® Brasil and Medical Marijuana, Inc. were the first companies to receive historic, first-ever permits to import hemp-based cannabidiol (CBD) oil after a Brazilian family successfully sued the equivalent of Brazil’s FDA, the Brazilian Health Surveillance Industry (ANVISA), for the right to access CBD oil for a child with CDKL5 epileps...

ROCKFORD, Ill. – Thirty workers at the Sunnyside Dispensary in Rockford, Ill., have unanimously voted to join Teamsters Local 777. It is the second dispensary in Illinois to join the Teamsters in less than two weeks. “Workers in this field are organizing with us because they want contracts that address the issues that matter to them,” said Jim Glimco, Local 777 President. “These include better wages and benefits, seniority, a voice on the job, respect, and so much more. We’re going to fight to get these workers a contract that addresses their concerns, and then we’re going to take that fight to every remaining non-union dispensary throughout Illinois.” “We’re only three weeks into the new year and already we’ve had nearly 400 cannabis workers join our union,” said Peter Finn, Teamsters Western Region Vice President and Food Processing Division Director. “We aren’t about to let this become yet another sector of the economy where all the revenue goes to shareholders and the C-Suite. S...

NEW YORK — On The Revel, the parent company for a collection of curated educational and networking experiences democratizing information for those interested in the regulated cannabis industry, returns to New York City this February with The Revelry Cannabis Conference — For The People. Commemorating On The Revel’s 14th event to date, The Revelry Winter Conference 2023 will be bigger and better than ever — it’s a one-of-a-kind cannabis business conference known for bringing the best of cannabis business, culture, and New York vibes. The Revelry Winter Conference is a full-day conference for individuals interested in the business of cannabis — from established business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs to service providers, investors, policy makers, community leaders, and the canna-curious. The event will take place on February 25th, 2023 from 10am – 6pm in one of NYC’s most iconic institutions: New York City College of Technology City Tech Theater, 275 Jay St, Brooklyn, NY 11201. “...

ZUG, Switzerland – Essence Investment AG (“Essence” or the “Company”), a leading Swiss holding supporting the growth of the European cannabis industry, today announced the acquisition on 30 December 2022 of a 100% stake in AMP Alternative Medical Products GmbH (“AMP”), a German-licensed importer and distributor of EU-GMP medical cannabis products. In addition to valuing AMP’s intrinsic investment potential, Essence anticipates that its Swiss-based portfolio companies, Marry Jane AG, and Swiss Extract AG, will benefit from AMP’s distribution capacity in Germany’s large and growing medical cannabis market. Henricus J. Stander III, a Member of the Board of Directors of Essence, commented, “AMP’s people are first-rate and have built trusted, strong relationships with key German distributors and pharmacies, as well as leading suppliers of medical cannabis from Canada, Netherlands and Denmark. The Swiss-grown product of Marry Jane and Swiss Extract represents the highest quality and w...

As the temperature chilled and lights went up in yards and streets across the U.S. and Canada, cannabis sales held still or improved in many areas during the first three weeks of the final month. However, there were a few pieces of coal found along the way. During the week of Christmas, cannabis sales in the U.S. dipped by 4.9 percent compared to the previous three weeks. Further north, cannabis sales in Canada dropped by 63 percent from December 21 through December 27. Unfortunately, the downward trend in sales recorded during the week of Christmas extended into the week of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. From December 28 through January 3, U.S. cannabis sales decreased by 12 percent and Canadian cannabis sales fell 65.7 percent compared to the previous three weeks. There are several reasons why cannabis sales dropped in the United States and Canada during the final days of the year. Most notably, many retail locations reduce their hours of operation or close entirely during man...