Posts by

Jason Kikel

Cannacurio #91: Diving into Cannabis Industry Violations and Recalls

Cannacurio #91: Diving into Cannabis Industry Violations and Recalls

Cannabiz Media has been tracking license violations and product safety recalls as part of its market intelligence platform for nearly a decade. With years of industry data at our fingertips, our research team recently undertook an effort to organize and categorize compliance data into a cohesive, digestible tool: a violations and recalls dashboard. This post dives into that dashboard.

Cannabis and the 2023 Election

Cannabis and the 2023 Election

The November election is nearly a month away, and, like most recent years, there are implications for cannabis. Unlike the 2022 congressional midterms, which saw adult-use legalization on the ballot in five states, next month the only direct legalization opportunity will be before Ohio voters. Additionally, Virginia’s legislative election and a few special elections to fill Congress (US House) seats could have ramifications for the industry nationwide.

Emerging Adult-Use Markets Update: September 2023

Emerging Adult-Use Markets Update: September 2023

Since January, a few new adult-use cannabis programs have rolled out, leading to some of the hottest new markets nationwide. This blog dives into the current program status in Maryland and Missouri and their evolving social equity programs, plus other upcoming opportunities the industry will see in the near future, notably in tribal communities.

Cannabis on the Ballot: 2022 Edition

Cannabis on the Ballot: 2022 Edition

The national midterm election is coming up in just a few weeks with a variety of major races on the map. Control of Congress, nearly every state legislature, and numerous governor’s offices are on the ballot above a variety of other hotly contested races. Voters in some states will see ballot questions — an opportunity to decide the fate of proposed initiatives or constitutional amendments, five of which nationwide, could have impacts on the cannabis industry. This week’s blog will review five proposals on the ballot and their implications for the industry and licensing. 

An Update on Medical Cannabis Program Rollouts

An Update on Medical Cannabis Program Rollouts

While recent news has been focused on adult-use market launches and program rollouts on the east coast, a handful of states are embarking to launch a cannabis market for the first time. In Appalachia, the South, and the Great Plains, numerous regulators have made strides in recent months to launch sales, or are very close to doing so. 

Cannabis in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York: What’s Next?

Cannabis in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York: What’s Next?

Regulators in New Jersey are accepting cannabis license applications, and Connecticut is preparing to do so. New Yorkers will probably wait the longest for stores to open for sales.

Cannacurio #49 - New Jersey Licensing and Legalization Breakdown

Cannacurio #49 - New Jersey Licensing and Legalization Breakdown

As part of the 2020 election, New Jersey voters approved a constitutional amendment to legalize cannabis. Question 1’s passage was expected, and the short constitutional change left many details for the legislature to sort out. Nearly a year later, the legislature has made progress and regulators have issued final rules to expand the medical industry into an adult use one.

Opportunities and Limitations for Microbusiness Licensing

Opportunities and Limitations for Microbusiness Licensing

Of all the license types available to cannabis business operators, the microbusiness license is among the least issued and discussed. Countless cannabis businesses of varying sizes are vertically integrated, with many holding licenses for multiple activities at the same location. Depending on state and local regulations, licensees frequently choose to cultivate, process, and sell cannabis out of the same business.

3 Months after Election 2020 – What’s Happening in the Cannabis Industry?

3 Months after Election 2020 – What’s Happening in the Cannabis Industry?

It’s already been three months since the 2020 General Election. US voters elected a new president, Congress, state legislatures, and governors — most of whom are already settling into their positions for the legislative year. Additionally, five states’ voters made cannabis history by legalizing cannabis to some degree, either establishing medical or adult use markets, or in one case, launching both at the same time.

What’s Next for Hemp Pilot Programs?

What’s Next for Hemp Pilot Programs?

The 2014 Farm Bill included a provision for university-led research into hemp cultivation, processing, and business development via state-initiated programs. Some individual states permitted hemp cultivation through their agriculture agencies while maintaining a required research component for participating farmers.

Cannabis and the 2020 Election

Cannabis and the 2020 Election

Next month, five states will be voting on seven ballot measures to legalize cannabis. A variety of proposals, including constitutional amendments, statutory initiatives, and alternative measures, could establish new medical cannabis markets in two states ...

New Testing Lab License Programs

New Testing Lab License Programs

Over the years, the evolution of the cannabis industry can be tracked along three distinct regulatory timelines: medical marijuana, adult-use (recreational) marijuana, and industrial hemp.

Cannabis in Canada: Private Retail Operations

Cannabis in Canada: Private Retail Operations

Since last October’s Cannabis Act launch in Canada, provinces nationwide have been rolling out retail schemes. Over the past few weeks, we reviewed the federal government’s involvement in licensing cultivation and manufacturing facilities, ...

Cannabis in Canada: Public Retail Operations

Cannabis in Canada: Public Retail Operations

This is Part 2 of Cannabiz Media’s Cannabis in Canada series. Follow the link to read Part 1: Cannabis in Canada and Federal Licensing and Part 3: Cannabis in Canada and Private Retail Operations.

Cannabis in Canada and Federal Licensing

Cannabis in Canada and Federal Licensing

This article is Part 1 of Cannabiz Media’s Cannabis in Canada series. Follow the link to read more from the series: Part 2: Public Retail Operations and Part 3: Private Retail Operations.

Onsite Cannabis Consumption Update

Onsite Cannabis Consumption Update

Last month marked one of the biggest days of the year in cannabis culture, and one of the cannabis industry’s largest sales days: 4/20. For most of the states where cannabis is legal in some form, this meant cannabis was sold in a dispensary and consumed off-site.

Shining a Light on Cultivation and Energy Use

Shining a Light on Cultivation and Energy Use

Sustainability — both economic and environmental — has been a major consideration in the cannabis industry for years, and as more states approve medical and recreational cannabis, the use and overuse of resources becomes a bigger concern.

Irrigation: Know Before You Grow

Irrigation: Know Before You Grow

The marijuana cultivation landscape continues to evolve in the arid western United States. Many Western states have legalized adult-use marijuana (Alaska, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington), and as a result, ...

2018 Election - What's at Stake for Cannabis?

2018 Election - What's at Stake for Cannabis?

Today’s midterm elections will be a pivotal moment for the US Congress, numerous governorships, and state legislatures. Further along the ballot, the expanding cannabis economy once again faces a turning point.

The Dawn of Cannabis Research Licenses

The Dawn of Cannabis Research Licenses

November marks the sixth anniversary since Colorado and Washington state voted to expand their medical cannabis programs and launch the first economies for legal adult use cannabis. In the time since Colorado and Washington voters passed ...