Posts by

Susan Gunelius

Tight Regulations Make Medical Marijuana Businesses Unprofitable

Tight Regulations Make Medical Marijuana Businesses Unprofitable

Minnesota’s medical marijuana economy isn’t booming, and there’s one primary reason for the industry’s struggle – regulations. According to information obtained by The Associated Press and reported by CBS, the two licensed medical marijuana ...

Washington State Brings in $23.5 Million in Marijuana Excise Taxes in July

Washington State Brings in $23.5 Million in Marijuana Excise Taxes in July

In the state of Washington, marijuana sales are growing faster than ever. During July, Washington collected a record-setting $23.5 million in excise taxes. That’s a 17.5% increase from the $20 million collected in June.

Are New Restrictions Coming for Medical Marijuana Caregivers in Maine?

Are New Restrictions Coming for Medical Marijuana Caregivers in Maine?

There are 2,800 medical marijuana caregivers in Maine, and about 2,500 of them grow marijuana for patients who are not family members. Today, Maine caregivers can grow marijuana in their own homes for patients, but that might be changing in some cities.

Massachusetts Towns Make Big Bucks on Medical Marijuana Licenses for Dispensaries

Massachusetts Towns Make Big Bucks on Medical Marijuana Licenses for Dispensaries

Unlike other states that have legalized medical marijuana and grant licenses to dispensaries to sell that marijuana to patients, Massachusetts cities and towns use something called “host community agreements” to generate hundreds of thousands of dollars each year.

The High Cost for Patients to Enter (and Stay in) the Medical Marijuana Economy

The High Cost for Patients to Enter (and Stay in) the Medical Marijuana Economy

Not only is it difficult to get certified as a medical marijuana patient in some states, it’s also expensive. As of June 30, 2016, patients could get medical marijuana in 23 states (including the District of Columbia), and all but two of them charge a registration fee to those patients.

Ohio Businesses Have Big Expectations for Medical Marijuana

Ohio Businesses Have Big Expectations for Medical Marijuana

Ohio’s medical marijuana bill was passed in May of this year and will go into effect on September 8, 2016. However, the system won’t be operational until September 2018. Rules and regulations for cultivators won’t be issued until May 6, 2017.

Judiciary Branch Tells Executive Branch to Add PTSD to Medical Marijuana Conditions

Judiciary Branch Tells Executive Branch to Add PTSD to Medical Marijuana Conditions

In Cook County, Illinois last week, Judge Neil Cohen ruled that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) must be added to the state’s list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana. In his ruling, he referenced an unconstitutional, private investigation ...

The Business of Medical Marijuana in Maryland Attracts Diverse Investors and Entrepreneurs

The Business of Medical Marijuana in Maryland Attracts Diverse Investors and Entrepreneurs

A total of 15 marijuana cultivation licenses are up for grabs this summer in Maryland, and a review of the 144 companies that submitted applications for cultivator licenses shows just how big the business of medical marijuana has become.

Revisiting Reciprocity in Nevada

Revisiting Reciprocity in Nevada

It’s easier for people from out of state to get medical marijuana in Nevada than it is for certified residents to get it. While steps are being taken to reduce the amount of time it takes for residents to obtain medical marijuana, the problem still won’t be solved.

The Medical Marijuana Industry Grows Slowly in Illinois

The Medical Marijuana Industry Grows Slowly in Illinois

Medical marijuana sales began in Illinois on November 9, 2015. After seven months, only 9,200 Illinois patients have submitted applications to the Illinois Department of Public Health to access medical marijuana and only 7,000 patients ...

Marijuana License Alerts Now Available from Cannabiz Media

Marijuana License Alerts Now Available from Cannabiz Media

This week, Cannabiz Media launched its newest product, Marijuana License Alerts. Subscribers can receive daily or weekly email messages filled with actionable marijuana license information from the Cannabiz Media database ...

The Burden of State vs. Local Marijuana Licenses to Businesses

The Burden of State vs. Local Marijuana Licenses to Businesses

Marijuana licenses for cultivation, processing, and dispensing are required in every state where both medical marijuana and recreational marijuana are legal, but in some states, those state-issued licenses aren’t enough for a business ...

What Does Medical Marijuana Actually Cover?

What Does Medical Marijuana Actually Cover?

When people hear that 24 states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana, they think it’s easy to access it in those states to treat their ailments. However, that’s rarely the case.

Entrepreneurs are Making Money with Marijuana

Entrepreneurs are Making Money with Marijuana

The marijuana industry is not an easy one to get into, nor is it easy to navigate the long list of regulations that marijuana-related businesses have to adhere to, which differ in every state. However, there are some entrepreneurs who have had great success in the industry.

Pennsylvania Will Boost the Marijuana License Economy by 75

Pennsylvania Will Boost the Marijuana License Economy by 75

Pennsylvania has become the 24th state (including Washington, DC) to legalize medical marijuana. Governor Tom Wolf signed the bill into law on April 17th, but as is usually the case with new medical marijuana legislation, ...

Tourism, Reciprocity and the Business of Marijuana

Tourism, Reciprocity and the Business of Marijuana

What happens when medical marijuana patients travel out of their home states? Many don’t bring their marijuana on airplanes because they’re afraid it will be confiscated or worse, they’ll be arrested since marijuana is still illegal at the federal level.

The Border Effect is Strong in the Marijuana Industry

The Border Effect is Strong in the Marijuana Industry

The border effect happens when a product that is regulated differently in a neighboring state experiences a drop in sales for that product because consumers cross the state line to purchase it in the state where laws are more favorable.

Oregon Marijuana Licenses Just Got More Valuable

Oregon Marijuana Licenses Just Got More Valuable

A marijuana license is only as valuable as its ability to generate revenue for the license holder (or holders) as well as the various third parties who are able to profit indirectly from that marijuana license. New laws in Oregon are making marijuana ...

Marijuana License Lottery – The Surprising Solution to a Big Problem

Marijuana License Lottery – The Surprising Solution to a Big Problem

What happens when too many retailers want to get marijuana licenses? That’s what occurred in Washington State back in 2014 when more than 2,000 retailers submitted applications for the 334 marijuana licenses that were available.

3 Unique Factors that Affect Marijuana License Values

3 Unique Factors that Affect Marijuana License Values

What’s the value of a marijuana license? I’ve tackled that question on the Cannabiz Media blog before when I shared some of the top marijuana valuation factors, but as more states legalize marijuana for recreational use and laws continue to change, ...