Tabla de contenidos para Vol. 5 Issue 3 en Cannabis & Tech Today

In April 2022, New Mexico launched its adultuse cannabis industry. When the legalization measure passed, my mom asked if she should try to open a dispensary to help build her retirement fund. My initial reaction was a resounding no. She didn’t have any experience in the industry and I knew it would be capitalintensive to launch if she were fortunate enough to obtain a license. She persisted though, asking friends about raising capital and researching the licensing process. About six months before legal sales launched, she found investors and applied for a retail license. The following year of hard work took our family through ups and downs, tears and frustration, and finally jubilation when the doors opened in June. Through some combination of luck, perseverance, and dedication, she pulled it…

Industry conferences and expos are a whirlwind. From miles-long exhibitor halls to late-night after-parties, these high-powered events are similar to a marathon with lots of ground to cover in a short amount of time. But in addition to the sore feet and time commitment, there’s also the financial factor. Bottom line: trade shows are expensive in more ways than one, so you must see a return on investment. The Cannabis & Tech Today team has attended hundreds of cannabis events over the years. Our expert tips for surviving trade show season will ensure you make the most of your experience — and have fun while you’re at it. Set Your Intention Before booking that ticket to the big show, make sure you know your “why” Are you trying to get…

The Mountain West region of the United States is a vast and diverse area, encompassing the states of Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. The region is home to a variety of landscapes, from the Rocky Mountains to the Great Basin Desert, and is a popular destination for outdoor recreation. In this issue’s Regional Spotlight, we’ll focus on two companies headquartered in Colorado and Nevada, respectively, that are innovating the cannabis space. The Mountain West is a land of extremes, with towering mountains, deep canyons, and vast deserts. It is also a land of opportunity, with a growing economy and a diverse population. It’s a place where people can live, work, and play in a beautiful and challenging environment. Let’s explore more in this Regional Spotlight.…

Veteran journalist Ricardo Baca was The Denver Post’s first-ever cannabis editor, launching its news vertical The Cannabist in 2013. In 10 short years, Baca has become an internationally recognized cannabis authority, appearing in documentaries and news segments, even dropping knowledge on TED stages when hes not speaking at various panel discussions across the country. He is a columnist for several respected publications including Rolling Stone and Adweek. While covering an emerging market in one of the nation’s first legalized states, Baca had a vision to create a business of his own. In 2016, he launched cannabis PR firm Grasslands: A Journalism-Minded Agency. Grasslands represents some of the most influential cannabis brands in the industry, including Cookies, Puffco, and Housing Works Cannabis Co. In this interview, Baca discusses what inspired the…

STM Canna, a cannabis equipment manufacturer based out of Spokane, Washington sponsored one of McKinley's pilot episodes for the new series, McKinley and Redman flew to Washington to film on-site footage of STM's facilities. The footage will showcase the company's automated technologies for grinding, packing, and closing prerolls, inviting viewers to take an inside look at how the industry is scaling up to meet incredible consumer demand. McKinley noted STM Canna provided him with a Mini Rocket Box and an Atomic Closer—allowing him to produce pre-rolls for many nearby cannabis companies. “It's a system we rock every day.”…

Despite the tremendous therapeutic promise of cannabidiol (CBD), some users who try it report they don’t feel its effects. Why could that be the case? “A huge challenge this industry faces is dosing and quality of products” John McDonagh noted. He is the CEO and President of NextEvo Naturals, a leading premium supplement brand focused on revolutionizing the delivery of nutritional compounds. “Someone could be taking a 15 milligram CBD oil tincture and getting very little of that into their body. By underdosing you’re not going to get the full benefits CBD has to offer,” McDonagh continued. How can consumers be sure they’re getting the full benefits of CBD? One approach industry experts are targeting is improving CBD bio availability rates. Bioavailability refers to the rate at which compounds are…

Oh 2023, the year that… fill in the blank. It has somehow managed to check boxes we didn’t even know existed and it just keeps going. It’s like watching Avatar 2, you know there has to be an end, but we just can’t quite see it yet. Every year about this time, we write the “Top 10 Celebrity Cannabis Lines We Wish Existed.” To be honest, for the amount of money I make writing this stuff, it would have been easy for Al to take it from here. There’s so much to choose from, but this year it almost writes itself. Without further ado (it’s a French word, look it up) — here they are. POLITICS OF POT Jim Jordan’s Joints — Starts strong, but after every hit it loses…

GROWER'S GUIDE You won’t want to miss our special Grower’s Guide issue, focused on innovations in farming, emerging legislation, and cultivation technology. Plus, we’ll unveil our C&TT Innovation Awards, highlighting companies pushing the industry to new heights. FINANCIAL FOOTINGS We’ll explore sectors ripe for investment, hot stocks, and updates on SAFER banking. Plus, discover tips for collecting capital and finding reliable partners. We’ll talk to finance gurus, investors, and MSOs who know exactly how to help you succeed. HEMP HEROES Let’s shine a light on the versatile, sustainable world of hemp. From farming to construction, clothes to food, hemp is nature’s wonder weed. Join us as we explore emerging innovations and exciting entrepreneurs in this issue’s spotlight on hemp.…

Veronica Castillo is known as the Traveling Cannabis Writer. Her body of work includes educational and informative insights on cannabis and various plant medicines. She travels the country to provide insight on cannabis-friendly destinations. She is a collaborator, connector, content creator, and traveler specializing in bringing to light hidden gems in the plant space. Follow her journey: #travelingcannabiswriter. Rachelle Gordon is a cannabis and psychedelics writer dedicated to educating the masses on the powers of plant medicine. She is especially interested in the potential these compounds have with regard to the treatment of neurological disorders. A graduate of Hamline University in Saint Paul, Rachelle currently splits her time between Minneapolis and Oakland. Her favorite cultivars include Tangie, GMO, and Lemon Haze. Janelle Lassalle is a freelance content creator, artist and…

Cannabis legalization is sweeping the nation, but it remains taboo to much of the world. Many understand the unjust laws surrounding cannabis and the stigma that rose from the war on drugs, so cannabis is slowly reclaiming its place as medicine. For others, without guidance and education from the government, adapting to cannabis as part of legal society can be difficult. Those who trust the government and allow federal guidelines to inform their decisions aren’t being educated as it relates to cannabis. Though some legislators support legalization and understand the healing power of cannabis, it’s usually at the state level that people are learning more and seeing the de-stigmatization of cannabis. At the federal level, cannabis remains a Schedule I drug. Today, many cannabis businesses realize the government can’t be…

“A man doesn’t need brilliance or genius, all he needs is energy.” — Albert M. Greenfield Cannabis, similar to the man described by Greenfield, needs energy to grow — lots and lots of energy. Cannabis cultivation consumes more than 1% of America’s electricity production each year. Outdoor grows and greenhouses are less energy intensive than indoor facilities, but indoor is by far the most popular option for cultivators. Benzinga reported indoor grow facilities use eighteen times more energy than outdoor operations. Indoor grows offer more precision in lighting, temperature, and moisture levels, but are a burden on power suppliers. After Colorado legalized adult-use cannabis, Denver showed a 45% load growth on its power grid. Boulder, CO is now assessing a $2.16 fee per kilowatt hour for commercial cannabis growers to…

JANUARY 8-9 | SUNY Cannabis Conference | Niagara Falls, NY 11 -13 | Lift Cannabis Business Conference | Vancouver, BC 19-22 | Virginia Cannabis Conference | Richmond, VA FEBRUARY 22-23 | Lift Cannabis Business Conference | San Francisco, CA MARCH 12-16 | Natural Products Expo West | Anaheim, CA 14 | ICBC B2B Trade Show | Barcelona, Spain 15-17 | Spannabis | Barcelona, Spain 22-23 | New England Cannabis Convention | Boston, MA APRIL 1-3 | The Emerald Conference | San Diego, CA 9-11 | MJ Unpacked | Atlantic City, NJ 11-13 | NOCO Hemp Expo | Estes Park, CO 16-17 | Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference | Hollywood, FL 16-17 | ICBC B2B Trade Show | Berlin, Germany Can’t wait for the next cannabis event? Scan now to discover what’s happening…

It would be nice to show up to the dispensary with ajar and say, “Fill it up!” Sadly, customers must purchase cannabis like so many other goods, wrapped in layers of packaging. It's ugly news for America's landfills but great news for packaging companies. The packaging sector is raking in revenue and earnings are forecasted to increase in the coming years. Let's break down the numbers. U.S. Cannabis Packaging Market…

The Cannabis & Tech Today Sustainable Leadership Awards are a prestigious recognition program honoring organizations making significant contributions to sustainability in the cannabis industry. The awards cover a broad spectrum of sustainable practices, encompassing everything from cultivation methods to packaging materials. These awards are an excellent opportunity for organizations to showcase their commitment to sustainability and to be recognized as leaders in the cannabis industry. If your organization is dedicated to reducing its environmental impact and promoting sustainable practices, we encourage you to apply in 2024. Walnut Industrial Park | Energy This innovative 130,000-square-foot facility in Hillsboro, Oregon offers cannabis entrepreneurs a shared ecosystem in which to expand their operations. Its home to 43 licensed cannabis companies, ranging from growers to processors to wholesalers and even research facilities and testing…

When I started writing for Cannabis & Tech Today, friends would suggest questions I should ask during celebrity interviews. Often, people wanted to know who the celebrity would love to smoke with and why. Viral YouTube series The Dab Roast takes this premise to another level, inviting celebs to smoke hash while answering increasingly difficult questions. The show scored some big names willing to take on the challenge. Actress Rose McGowan, former NFL athlete Ricky Williams, comedian Doug Benson, and many more stepped up to offer viewers a fascinating glimpse into the stoned celebrity mind. Scott McKinley, co-creator of The Dab Roast, sat down with Cannabis & Tech Today via teleconference to discuss what inspired its inception and how hes reimagining the series for streaming platforms with Director and Executive…

Americans for Safe Access (ASA, safeaccessnow.org) American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp(ATACH, atach.org) Association for Cannabis Health Equity and Medicine (ACHEM, achemed.org) Cannabis Regulators of Color Coalition (CRCC, crc-coalition.org) Clergy for a New Drug Policy (CNDP, newdrugpolicy.org) Council for Federal Cannabis Regulation (CFCR, uscfcr.org) Doctors for Drug Policy Reform (formerly Doctors for Cannabis Regulation, D4DPR, d4dpr.org) Drug Policy Alliance (DPA, drugpolicy.org) Global Alliance for Cannabis Commerce (GACC, gacc.io) Immigrant Defense Project (IDP, immdefense.org) International Institute for Cannabinoids (ICANNA, www.institut-icanna.com/en/) JustLeadershipUSA (JLUSAJIusa.org) JUSTÜS Foundation (justus.foundation) Marijuana Policy Project (MPP, mpp.org) Minorities for Medical Marijuana (M4MM, minorities4medicalmarijuana.org) National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA, thecannabisindustry.org) National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana LawsiNORML, norml.org) Parabola Center for Law and Policy (parabolacenter.com) Society of Cannabis Clinicians (SCC, www.cannabisclinicians.org) Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP.…