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North Star Cannabis Consulting has launched Minnesota's first cannabis business accelerator, selecting 22 entrepreneurs to participate. Founded by Jen Randolph Reise, the program offers regulatory guidance, vendor networks, and peer support to help local, craft cannabis businesses compete with larger multi-state operators. The accelerator focuses on community-centered businesses, many of which are women-owned and/or BIPOC-owned, and preliminarily approved for microbusinesses. The program aims to provide infrastructure to help these small operators succeed and achieve profitability in Minnesota's growing adult-use market, which is projected to reach $430 million in sales by 2026. < Back Minnesota’s First Craft Cannabis Business Accelerator Announces Inaugural Cohort Oct 23, 2025 Ganjapreneur Ganjapreneur Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link North Star Cannabis Consulting has announced 22 entrepreneurs selected for Minnesota’s first cannabis business accelerator, combining 15 founding members with seven newly selected participants. The program provides collaborative support infrastructure for craft cannabis entrepreneurs as Minnesota’s adult- use market reaches a critical growth phase. Former securities and cannabis attorney Jen Randolph Reise founded the accelerator after watching talented entrepreneurs struggle with regulatory complexity while lacking resources to compete with multi-state operators. The program offers regulatory guidance, vetted vendor networks, peer support, and accountability systems at a fraction of the cost of traditional legal consulting. The accelerator explicitly focuses on Minnesota’s craft cannabis vision: community-centered, locally-owned businesses rather than corporate, multi-state operators (MSOs) entering Minnesota. “Cannabis is small business on hard mode,” said Reise. “While the state funds allocated to help teach and fuel these small businesses are still unavailable to the entrepreneurs, we’re not waiting. Instead, we’ve leaned into the maxim that many hands make light work. We can accomplish more together. In other words, these 22 entrepreneurs represent what’s possible when small cannabis businesses have infrastructure to collaborate rather than struggle in isolation.” The cohort includes established hemp retailers transitioning to full dispensaries across the state (CannajoyMN in South Minneapolis, Green Apple Cannabis in Breckenridge, Calm Waters-Coconut Cannabis in Bemidji) and new dispensaries (Simply Kind in Starbuck), cultivators building compliant operations (Higher Heights (Legacy Cup Winner), and Smith Farms North), and social equity success stories like Moonbug Cannabis (Christopher and Vivien Benben, military veterans in Minneapolis). Most members of the cohort are preliminarily approved for microbusinesses, Minnesota’s unique, vertically-integrated business model. Further, more than half the cohort represents women-owned and/or BIPOC-owned businesses, statistically the least-likely to receive funding as startup businesses. All members are committed to setting up compliant businesses in Minnesota and learning together how to make them profitable and successful. “The accelerator connected me with the exact vendors I needed and helped me understand which city requirements to tackle first,” said Christopher Benben, Moonbug Cannabis. “Without this guidance, I would have spent months and thousands of dollars figuring out the process alone.” Minnesota’s adult-use sales launched in September with 59 licenses issued to date, while over 1,500 entrepreneurs pursue microbusiness licenses. Industry research from Whitney Economics shows only 24-25% of cannabis businesses achieve profitability, with small operators facing particular challenges. The accelerator addresses this critical moment when craft businesses must establish themselves before market consolidation occurs. The program offers a potential model for supporting small cannabis businesses in newly legalized states, providing systematic infrastructure that addresses the regulatory, capital, and operational challenges driving high failure rates nationwide. With analysts projecting $430 million in 2026 cannabis sales in Minnesota, the accelerator positions participants to capture economic opportunity while creating local jobs and community investment. The 22 businesses represent Minnesota’s craft cannabis vision in action. “We’re building the infrastructure Minnesota’s craft cannabis industry needs to succeed long-term,” Reise said. “These 22 businesses will open their doors, create jobs, and reinvest in their communities.” Applications for future programs will be announced in 2026. Subscribe to updates at northstarcannabis.beehiiv.com. *About North Star Cannabis Consulting* Founded by former securities attorney Jen Randolph Reise, North Star Cannabis Consulting helps Minnesota cannabis entrepreneurs navigate regulatory requirements and build sustainable businesses through the state’s first cannabis business accelerator. Media Contact: Shelisa Demuth 612-254-3613 press@laureldevelops.com < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cake Boss - Fluent, Clearwater (Florida Medical) Cake Boss, available at Fluent dispensary in Clearwater, Florida, is a slightly indica-dominant hybrid strain (60% indica, 40% sativa) th... Cherry AK-47 by Grow West - RISE Dispensary (Silver Spring, Maryland) When a strain name includes both "Cherry" and "AK-47," you can expect two things: a blast of fruity goodness and the kind of impact that... Cookies & Alt Sol "Madrina" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Madrina, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Takoma Wellness Center in Washington, DC, comes with a reputation as bold as its name. In... 1 2 3 4 5

A list of the best cannabis strains in Washington was compiled using information from smoking top strains, speaking with budtenders, and analyzing data. < Back The best strains in Washington Nov 6, 2025 Morgan Rosendale Leafly Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link We've been smoking the cream of the crop, talking to budtenders & digging into data to put together a list of the best strains in Washington. The post The best strains in Washington appeared first on Leafly. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cake Boss - Fluent, Clearwater (Florida Medical) Cake Boss, available at Fluent dispensary in Clearwater, Florida, is a slightly indica-dominant hybrid strain (60% indica, 40% sativa) th... Cherry AK-47 by Grow West - RISE Dispensary (Silver Spring, Maryland) When a strain name includes both "Cherry" and "AK-47," you can expect two things: a blast of fruity goodness and the kind of impact that... Cookies & Alt Sol "Madrina" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Madrina, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Takoma Wellness Center in Washington, DC, comes with a reputation as bold as its name. In... 1 2 3 4 5

Meet the tight-knit Queens family that turned their dad's 1990s cannabis arrest into a legal dispensary license. The post Alto Dispensary is a family affair in Tribeca appeared first on Leafly. < Back Alto Dispensary is a family affair in Tribeca Feb 4, 2025 Amelia Williams Leafly Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Meet the tight-knit Queens family that turned their dad's 1990s cannabis arrest into a legal dispensary license. The post Alto Dispensary is a family affair in Tribeca appeared first on Leafly. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cake Boss - Fluent, Clearwater (Florida Medical) Cake Boss, available at Fluent dispensary in Clearwater, Florida, is a slightly indica-dominant hybrid strain (60% indica, 40% sativa) th... Cherry AK-47 by Grow West - RISE Dispensary (Silver Spring, Maryland) When a strain name includes both "Cherry" and "AK-47," you can expect two things: a blast of fruity goodness and the kind of impact that... Cookies & Alt Sol "Madrina" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Madrina, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Takoma Wellness Center in Washington, DC, comes with a reputation as bold as its name. In... 1 2 3 4 5

Kentucky hemp farmers are urging Senator Mitch McConnell not to criminalize the sale of hemp-derived cannabinoid products, warning of "catastrophic consequences" for the CBD market. < Back Kentucky hemp farmers urge McConnell to protect CBD market, warn of ‘catastrophic consequences’ Sep 23, 2025 Margaret Jackson MJbizDaily Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link A group of Kentucky hemp farmers are begging Sen. Mitch McConnell not to “criminalize” the sale of hemp-derived cannabinoid products. Kentucky hemp farmers urge McConnell to protect CBD market, warn of ‘catastrophic consequences’ is a post from: MJBizDaily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cake Boss - Fluent, Clearwater (Florida Medical) Cake Boss, available at Fluent dispensary in Clearwater, Florida, is a slightly indica-dominant hybrid strain (60% indica, 40% sativa) th... Cherry AK-47 by Grow West - RISE Dispensary (Silver Spring, Maryland) When a strain name includes both "Cherry" and "AK-47," you can expect two things: a blast of fruity goodness and the kind of impact that... Cookies & Alt Sol "Madrina" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Madrina, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Takoma Wellness Center in Washington, DC, comes with a reputation as bold as its name. In... 1 2 3 4 5

North Carolina's governor supports legalizing marijuana, citing risks in the unregulated hemp market. He signed an executive order for a commission to study cannabis legalization, aiming to protect youth, allow adult sales, and generate revenue. The Advisory Council on Cannabis will make recommendations by May 15, 2026, with final recommendations due by December 31, 2026. < Back North Carolina Governor Says Marijuana Legalization Can Address Public Health Risks In Unregulated Intoxicating Hemp Market Jun 12, 2025 Kyle Jaeger Marijuana Moment Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link The governor of North Carolina is reiterating his support for legalizing marijuana, stressing the need to create a regulated cannabis program to mitigate the risks associated with products in the intoxicating hemp market. “Today, all across North Carolina, there are unregulated THC products that are intoxicating available for purchase,” Gov. Josh Stein (D) said in a video posted on X on Wednesday, referencing consumable hemp products sold at retailers with little oversight or quality control standards. “All you have to do is just walk into any vape shop and you’ll see there is no legal minimum age to purchase these products, which means that kids are able to and are buying them without any enforceable labeling requirements,” he said. “Adults are using them recreationally without having any idea what’s in them or how much THC there is.” “Our state’s unregulated cannabis market is the Wild West, and it is crying out for order,” the governor said, adding that’s the reason he signed an executive order last week creating a bipartisan commission to study cannabis legalization in hopes of moving the GOP-controlled legislature to act on reform. “This group will be tasked with recommending a comprehensive approach to regulate cannabis sales here in North Carolina,” he said. “They will study best practices and learn from other states to develop a system that protects our youth, allows adult sales, ensures public safety, promotes public health, supports North Carolina agriculture, expunges past convictions of simple THC possession and invests the revenues and resources for addiction, mental health and drugged-driving detection.” The newly formed Advisory Council on Cannabis will be tasked with making recommendations to protect young people from intoxicating THC products while legalizing adult use in North Carolina. Let’s get this right. pic.twitter.com/rssf2uHbta — Governor Josh Stein (@NC_Governor) June 11, 2025 “I know we can get this right. Let’s create a safe, legal market for adults that protects North Carolina’s children,” Stein said. The North Carolina Advisory Council on Cannabis that the governor convened will be comprised of up to 30 members, including lawmakers, law enforcement officials, agriculture industry stakeholders, health experts, tribal representatives, advocates and others to explore possible regulatory models for adult-use marijuana and hemp. The order says there’s a need for reform because the “current lack of regulation, including age, potency, and purity limitations, poses a threat to all North Carolinians, particularly our youth.” And “rather than allowing this unsafe and unregulated market to continue, smart and balanced regulation presents an opportunity not only to protect the health and well-being of our people, but also to generate revenue that can benefit our state.” The panel will be required to hold its first meeting in July and then convene at least every other month through December 2026. Members will be tasked with developing and submitting initial recommendations on a “comprehensive cannabis policy, including any proposed legislation” to the governor by May 15, 2026. Final recommendations will be due by December 31, 2026. Rather than sticking to the status quo, the governor has emphasized that the state should move to legalize marijuana for adults 21 and older. That would represent a significant policy change for North Carolina, which is one of the rare remaining examples of a state without a comprehensive medical cannabis program. During his time as the state’s attorney general, Stein led a separate task force under then-Gov. Roy Cooper (D) that examined racial injustice issues and ultimately recommended decriminalizing marijuana and studying broader legalization in response to racially disparate enforcement trends. In recent sessions, multiple limited medical marijuana legalization bills advanced through the Senate, only to stall out in the House. But Stein is making the case that moving forward on comprehensive recreational reform would help avoid issues that other states have experienced transitioning from medical to adult-use marijuana markets. That position might put one of the advisory council’s appointed members, Sen. Bill Rabon (R), in an awkward place, as the senator has long championed bipartisan medical marijuana legalization legislation and insisted it should not be viewed as a step toward adult-use legalization. Meanwhile, in the House, Rep. Aisha Dew (D) filed a bill in April that would legalize medical marijuana for patients with a variety of specified conditions, including cancer, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s disease, PTSD, end-of-life care and other serious ailments. The North Carolina Compassionate Care Act is considerably more detailed than a separate Democrat-led medical cannabis bill introduced earlier that month that would allow access only for patients enrolled in a “registered research study.” Advocates had been awaiting House introduction of a comprehensive bill, especially since Senate President Phil Berger (R) said his chamber is deferring to the House to move first on medical marijuana reform this session. Two other measures introduced so far this session would legalize cannabis in North Carolina. In the Senate, S350 would create medical and adult-use marijuana systems, while H413 in the House would legalize only recreational marijuana. *— Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.* *Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access. —* House Speaker Destin Hall (R) said in early March that Republicans in his chamber could be willing to consider medical marijuana legalization this session. But he didn’t indicate any forthcoming House bills, instead suggesting legislation would come from the Senate. Voters, for their part, seem to be on board with cannabis reform. A poll published in February found that 71 percent of likely voters in North Carolina support legalizing medical marijuana in the state, with majorities across party lines and in every surveyed demographic—aside from people over the age of 80—in favor. Former House Speaker Tim Moore (R) said last year that while he personally supports legalizing medical marijuana, there is an informal rule in the chamber that at least 37 GOP members must back any given bill in order to bring it to the floor. The current House speaker, Hall, has in the past voiced opposition to medical cannabis reform. Former House Majority Leader John Bell (R) said in 2023 that while there were “still discussions going on” about medical marijuana legislation, he was “very sure you won’t see that bill move” due to insufficient support among Republicans. He said that was “unfortunately” the case. An Indian tribe in North Carolina launched the state’s first medical marijuana dispensary last April—despite the protests of certain Republican congressional lawmakers. More than a week after legal marijuana sales kicked off to all adults at The Great Smoky Cannabis Co. in Cherokee last year, thousands from across the region made purchases. Ohio Legislature Can Make Only Limited Changes To Marijuana Law Approved By Voters, Legal Scholar Argues *Photo courtesy of Philip Steffan.* The post North Carolina Governor Says Marijuana Legalization Can Address Public Health Risks In Unregulated Intoxicating Hemp Market appeared first on Marijuana Moment. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cake Boss - Fluent, Clearwater (Florida Medical) Cake Boss, available at Fluent dispensary in Clearwater, Florida, is a slightly indica-dominant hybrid strain (60% indica, 40% sativa) th... Cherry AK-47 by Grow West - RISE Dispensary (Silver Spring, Maryland) When a strain name includes both "Cherry" and "AK-47," you can expect two things: a blast of fruity goodness and the kind of impact that... Cookies & Alt Sol "Madrina" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Madrina, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Takoma Wellness Center in Washington, DC, comes with a reputation as bold as its name. In... 1 2 3 4 5

Green Horizons, a cannabis cultivation facility in Coachella, California, is expanding. The company, founded by Carlos “Los” Arias, Tommy Hilfiger, and Michael Meade, aims to be a leader in the state's cannabis market. They are using sustainable practices and plan to launch their brand, SOL, with Tommy Hilfiger's help. Ally Hilfiger is also involved, focusing on cannabis de-stigmatization and policy reform. < Back Coachella’s Next Big Thing Is Here Apr 28, 2025 A.J. Herrington Cannabis Now Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link To many people, the southern California desert may not seem like the best place to build a world-class cannabis cultivation facility. But for Green Horizons, the company’s location in the city of Coachella is an integral part of its plan for success in the Golden State’s competitive regulated cannabis market. Combining the experience of cannabis executive Carlos “Los” Arias, the marketing prowess of fashion icon Tommy Hilfiger and the real estate and construction experience of developer Michael Meade, the company has targeted 2025 as a pivotal time in its growth and evolution. Green Horizons’ CEO Arias is a lawyer by training and one of the many pioneers of regulated cannabis in the US. As one of the principals at Colorado’s River Rock, he helped create cannabis cultivation and retail infrastructure for the greater Denver area following legalization in the state in 2012. Arias then set his eyes on California, where he established an 18,000-square-foot indoor cannabis cultivation facility near Palm Springs in Cathedral City. Mutual connections introduced him to Meade, who had a vision to make the nearby city of Coachella California’s “Napa Valley of the South,” only with weed instead of wine. [image: Coachella Valley]The Coachella Valley. PHOTO California BLM The Coachella Valley has an agricultural heritage going back more than a century, and Meade believed that history could be reinvigorated with cannabis. Working with city leaders, he helped establish the city of Coachella’s cannabis cultivation zone and improvements to make it operational, such as power and sewer lines. Meade also secured a two percent tax rate for his planned operation for spearheading the development of a local cannabis industry, giving Green Horizons a significant competitive edge in California’s regulated market. With the green light for development in Coachella, Meade partnered with Arias to create a premier cannabis cultivation facility. Green Horizons’ mixed-light cultivation facility couples the reliable desert sun with modern lighting equipment, reportedly making it more efficient and sustainable than traditional indoor growing operations. Arias says that Green Horizons is “unabashed about the power of the sun,” noting that a common misconception holds that cannabis produced in mixed-light facilities is inferior to weed grown in more energy-intensive indoor facilities. “We diametrically disagree with that, and we want to put forth a path toward creating something that’s more friendly for the Earth,” Arias says. Blackberry Moonshine With the sun helping to provide the light for Green Horizons’ cannabis plants, the company uses less electricity than a traditional indoor cultivation operation, making the facility more sustainable. The cultivation operation also doesn’t use air conditioning, relying instead on evaporative cooling, a method that takes far less energy to protect the plants from the desert heat. Further savings compared to competitors come from Coachella’s connection to the Imperial Irrigation District’s power grid, which provides electricity at rates that Arias says are 30-40 percent lower than Southern California Edison, the source used by much of the region’s cannabis operators. The Green Horizons facility has a reliable source of water from the Colorado River via infrastructure built to support the Coachella Valley agriculture industry. A well on the site also gives the company flexibility in its source of irrigation water. Construction of the first 100,000 square feet of the projected 1 million-square-foot facility began in 2022 and was completed two years later with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in May 2024. Since then, cultivation operations have begun, with the facility’s first harvest arriving last November. The first four months of harvests yielded about 3,000 pounds, which was sold in bulk or through white label operations to California licensed cannabis brands. Arias says the facility is on pace to triple production by summer 2025, with the first phase of the facility projected to produce about 35,000 pounds of top-quality cannabis per year. A glimpse of Green Horizons company culture The next phase of Green Horizons’ plans includes developing the company’s first brand, SOL (“sun” in Spanish). Arias says it’s an “homage to the Coachella Valley roots.” But with Meade’s expertise lying primarily in real estate development and Arias specializing in cannabis cultivation, they decided to seek expert help with brand development. “We know how to build buildings,” Arias says. “That’s what my partner, Michael Meade knows how to do very well. I’ve cut my teeth in cultivation and regulated markets, going back to 2012 in Colorado. What we needed was the brand building portion.” For that expertise, the Green Horizons executives looked to entrepreneur and fashion mogul Tommy Hilfiger, who became a founding partner and investor in the enterprise. Arias says he met Ally Hilfiger, Tommy’s daughter, through the plant medicines community. Both Meade and Arias are cancer survivors, and Ally, who was diagnosed with Lyme disease at 19 after enduring symptoms for more than a decade, says that cannabis changed her life. After swapping stories with one other, Arias says he and Ally quickly became friends. One of Tommy Hilfiger’s initial goals with Green Horizons is bringing SOL to market. The company also bought an interest in Boast, an apparel and lifestyle brand now co-owned by Hilfiger and Green Horizons. Starting with these two brands, Hilfiger will help chart a path to production of Green Horizons’ own consumer packaged goods. Arias notes that “obviously, something like that just doesn’t happen overnight. But with somebody like that on the ticket, we feel comfortable about doing that a little bit further down the road.” Ally is also intimately involved, serving as Green Horizons’ chief advocacy officer. In this role, she says she plans to work toward the de-stigmatization of cannabis and meaningful policy reform at the federal level. The post Coachella’s Next Big Thing Is Here appeared first on Cannabis Now. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cake Boss - Fluent, Clearwater (Florida Medical) Cake Boss, available at Fluent dispensary in Clearwater, Florida, is a slightly indica-dominant hybrid strain (60% indica, 40% sativa) th... Cherry AK-47 by Grow West - RISE Dispensary (Silver Spring, Maryland) When a strain name includes both "Cherry" and "AK-47," you can expect two things: a blast of fruity goodness and the kind of impact that... Cookies & Alt Sol "Madrina" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Madrina, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Takoma Wellness Center in Washington, DC, comes with a reputation as bold as its name. In... 1 2 3 4 5

Gia Morón, a leading public relations and communications executive, discusses her work in the cannabis industry. She founded GVM Communications and joined Women Grow, where she served as president. Morón guides clients in strategy, marketing, and crisis communications. She has worked with various cannabis businesses and aims to dismantle the stigma around cannabis. Morón's career highlight is entering the industry early and applying her expertise. She advises women and people of color to pursue cannabis careers and is motivated by the industry's strategy and innovation. < Back Gia Morón: The Strategist Talks The Talk Jan 21, 2025 Maria Wyllie Cannabis Now Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Gia Morón is widely regarded as one of the industry’s leading public relations and communications executives, and for good reason. Always a step ahead, Morón brings a dynamic perspective, an outlook that’s been shaped by her impressive career both in and outside of cannabis. As founder and CEO of GVM Communications, Morón expanded her firm’s work into cannabis and hemp a decade ago, a choice she credits to her time in the financial sector that taught her to be on the lookout for trends and forecasts—to be prepared and always look ahead. This mindset has helped her not only grow her clients’ companies; it’s also helped her advance cannabis reform and set the stage for more business opportunities on a larger scale. “I believe my company is able to be a valuable contributor to the direction of how we see the industry going, but in doing that, we have to support the businesses to get there,” she says. And Morón’s clients aren’t the only ones who’ve recognized just how much they can achieve together. In 2016, she joined Women Grow, the largest professional network for women in cannabis and hemp. She went on to serve as the group’s president from 2019-23 and formed a free Cannabis Business Summit Series with Emmanuel Baptist Church in New York City—an initiative aimed to educate and engage her local community in cannabis and one that she still operates under GVM Communications. While Morón’s business acumen is apparent, perhaps equally impressive is her congenial nature and ability to communicate effectively with key stakeholders across industries. She’s worked closely with federal and state agencies, higher education institutions, community organizers and more. The list goes on, and it’ll be exciting to see where it goes from here. *What’s GVM Communications all about?* GVM Communications is really my initials, but it stands for “Great Visions and Minds Communicating.” That’s the breadth of what I believe we bring to our clients. We add value by helping them see beyond what they can see for themselves as a business, which is why it was always important for me to remain working outside the cannabis industry as well. *How did you get into the cannabis sector? * I launched my company on 4/20 in 2012 and this was before knowing I would enter the cannabis initiative. I started hearing conversations around cannabis, and my past education taught me this is something I need to pay attention to. It was actually one of my colleagues who said, “Instead of going after a license for retail or cultivation, why don’t you offer the services you currently provide for your other clients?” And so that’s exactly what I did. *How has your work outside cannabis helped your weed clients the most?* Because as the industry continues to evolve, clients are becoming more sophisticated. Cannabis companies looking to go public benefit from having someone like me who’s comfortable working with investor relations, preparing for earnings, or doing any of the things that publicly traded businesses would have to do. Having my foot in cannabis as well as outside of the industry allows me to remain plugged into what’s happening within the mainstream that I believe I will see in the cannabis industry. It’s proven right so far. *What have you learned by being in both the cannabis and mainstream sectors? * There’s a natural intersection. Eventually someone is going to ask, “How do we set weight into a more mainstream setting?” This is no different than asking how traditional markets enter the cannabis industry. [image: Gia Moron speaking]Morón speaks at the Business of Cannabis Conference. *You guide your clients in strategy and marketing as well?* Absolutely. And I love crisis communications. I come from financial services—I get a thrill out of working on crisis, and I can tell you, you cannot operate in the cannabis industry and not expect a crisis, so it’s a sweet spot for us. But what I get most excited about is the strategy part because there’s so much innovation that happens within this space. *What kind of cannabis clients do you have? * I’ve worked with plant-touching as well as ancillary businesses. We’ve had clients that have been in the canna-tech space; I’ve worked with dispensaries and cultivation. About four companies have gone public. What I love about my clients is that, while they do need our services, I’m also learning so much from them. One of our clients, Leafwell, I’m excited by them because while the everyday person would see them as a patient registration company, they’re so much more than that. They provide phenomenal research, which I think is instrumental to the industry. *As the industry matures, how is the message around cannabis? * I do believe I have a professional responsibility to help this industry grow. As a communications professional, I feel like my role goes beyond just my clients, but it should go to my community as well. Overall, I want to continue dismantling the stigma around cannabis and helping people understand that cannabis is medicine and even when consumed socially, how is that any different than alcohol, which is far more damaging, right? *What would you say has been your career highlight in cannabis?* I think just being smart enough to come into an industry that many feared—entering early because I feel like I’m growing with the industry. Having the opportunity to be a part of early conversations and applying my professional expertise from traditional industries to cannabis. That’s where I’m proud—to see some of the work I’m doing behind the scenes really grow and evolve. *What advice would you offer other women and people of color who are interested in pursuing a cannabis career?* For my whole career, I’ve always been the only person of color in the room, and that to me isn’t an achievement. It’s my responsibility to continue inviting more people who look like me, who have my experience, my background, who come from where I come from, and to say, “Yes, you can enter an industry like this too. You can be in the rooms like this.” None of this is limited to just me. *What keeps you motivated to get up and go to work every day? To keep “fighting the good fight,” if you will. *I love the strategy, I do. It’s honestly what inspires me to continue working in the industry. To continue to be innovative in this industry, we must constantly think about the content we’re bringing to the audience. It’s not just the present-day challenges and successes, but it’s also looking at the future. It goes back to my days of financial services—what’s the trend, what’s the outlook? We must continue to push as an industry, to be innovative, to really think about the subject matters that not only matter to date, but that will matter in the next five to ten years The post Gia Morón: The Strategist Talks The Talk appeared first on Cannabis Now. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cake Boss - Fluent, Clearwater (Florida Medical) Cake Boss, available at Fluent dispensary in Clearwater, Florida, is a slightly indica-dominant hybrid strain (60% indica, 40% sativa) th... Cherry AK-47 by Grow West - RISE Dispensary (Silver Spring, Maryland) When a strain name includes both "Cherry" and "AK-47," you can expect two things: a blast of fruity goodness and the kind of impact that... Cookies & Alt Sol "Madrina" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Madrina, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Takoma Wellness Center in Washington, DC, comes with a reputation as bold as its name. In... 1 2 3 4 5

The chamber passed legislation to increase allowable uses, licenses and qualifying conditions, and to revise the definition of low-THC cannabis. < Back Texas House Approves Plan to Expand Low-THC Medical Cannabis Program May 13, 2025 Cannabis Business Times Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link The chamber passed legislation to increase allowable uses, licenses and qualifying conditions, and to revise the definition of low-THC cannabis. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cake Boss - Fluent, Clearwater (Florida Medical) Cake Boss, available at Fluent dispensary in Clearwater, Florida, is a slightly indica-dominant hybrid strain (60% indica, 40% sativa) th... Cherry AK-47 by Grow West - RISE Dispensary (Silver Spring, Maryland) When a strain name includes both "Cherry" and "AK-47," you can expect two things: a blast of fruity goodness and the kind of impact that... Cookies & Alt Sol "Madrina" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Madrina, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Takoma Wellness Center in Washington, DC, comes with a reputation as bold as its name. In... 1 2 3 4 5

California cannabis sales dropped after lawmakers increased taxes, according to recent data. < Back California cannabis sales tumbled after tax hike, data shows Dec 8, 2025 Chris Roberts MJbizDaily Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Sales tumbled after lawmakers hiked California cannabis taxes, recent data shows. California cannabis sales tumbled after tax hike, data shows is a post from: MJBizDaily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cake Boss - Fluent, Clearwater (Florida Medical) Cake Boss, available at Fluent dispensary in Clearwater, Florida, is a slightly indica-dominant hybrid strain (60% indica, 40% sativa) th... Cherry AK-47 by Grow West - RISE Dispensary (Silver Spring, Maryland) When a strain name includes both "Cherry" and "AK-47," you can expect two things: a blast of fruity goodness and the kind of impact that... Cookies & Alt Sol "Madrina" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Madrina, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Takoma Wellness Center in Washington, DC, comes with a reputation as bold as its name. In... 1 2 3 4 5

The cannabis company's Onward and Upward premium beverages are available to consumers 21 and older. < Back Trulieve Expands Distribution of Onward, Launches THC-Infused Energy Drink Upward Jul 23, 2025 staff Cannabis Business Times Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link The cannabis company’s Onward and Upward premium beverages are available for consumers 21 and older. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cake Boss - Fluent, Clearwater (Florida Medical) Cake Boss, available at Fluent dispensary in Clearwater, Florida, is a slightly indica-dominant hybrid strain (60% indica, 40% sativa) th... Cherry AK-47 by Grow West - RISE Dispensary (Silver Spring, Maryland) When a strain name includes both "Cherry" and "AK-47," you can expect two things: a blast of fruity goodness and the kind of impact that... Cookies & Alt Sol "Madrina" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Madrina, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Takoma Wellness Center in Washington, DC, comes with a reputation as bold as its name. In... 1 2 3 4 5

The dry ice kief separation method extracts cannabinoid-rich resin from cannabis by freezing the resin glands with dry CO2. These frozen glands are then shaken through a mesh sieve (120-220 micron) and collected. Dry ice, which is solidified CO2 gas, sublimes (goes directly from solid to gas) and is extremely cold, making it ideal for this process. Safety precautions like gloves and eye protection are necessary due to the cold temperature. This method is effective for processing large quantities of cannabis, yielding 15-18% kief by weight. The quality of the kief depends on the original buds, with the first few shakes yielding the highest quality and smaller sieves (120, 160 micron) allowing less green matter through. The process involves placing dry ice and cannabis in a container, covering it with a 160-micron mesh sieve, shaking the mixture to freeze the resin, inverting the container, and shaking it over a smooth surface to collect the kief. Different grades of kief can be collected by shaking for varying durations, with the initial shakes producing the highest quality. Any remaining kief in the container and sieve can be scraped and used for cooking, though it will be of lower quality. < Back Demystifying the Dry Ice Kief Separation Method Oct 8, 2025 Jorge Cervantes Cannabis Now Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link The primary goal of any extraction method is to separate the cannabinoid-rich resin of the cannabis plant from the inert plant matter. In the dry ice kief separation process, dry CO2 literally freezes the resin glands on the plant, making them easy to shake loose from foliage. These frozen glands fall through a 120- to 220-micron mesh sieve and are collected in a container below. Done properly, CO2 extraction is exceptionally efficient, and the most common method of small-scale CO2 extraction is dry-ice separation. A Few Notes on Dry Ice Dry ice is actually solidified CO2 gas. It’s super cold, because the freezing point of CO2 is very low, and it must be kept in specialized freezers that are even colder. When not kept in a frozen state, dry ice doesn’t melt — it “sublimes” or “sublimates.” That means it transforms directly from a solid to a gas without going through a liquid state. This unique feature, along with its super-cold temperature, makes it ideal for CO2 separation. As a safety note, remember that dry ice is so cold that it can cause frostbite on contact, so always handle with gloves and wear eye protection. Getting Started The following step-by-step technique is excellent for processing and preserving large quantities of leaf and small buds that might otherwise go to waste. In simple experiments, this method yields 15 to 18 percent of the source material’s weight in the final product —kief. As with any kief or concentrate, that final product is contingent on the original buds. Resinous buds make the best kief. Lower-quality leaf and buds make lower-quality kief. The final product can be of many grades, but the first few shakes will always yield the highest quality. These smaller sieves (120, 160, etc.) let less green matter through. Larger mesh (200, 220, etc.) lets a lot through! And always remember to shake over a large, flat mirror or large, smooth surface. Such an area makes it easy to scrape up kief. The Dry-Ice Kief Separation Process * Step 1:* Place a few chunks of dry ice directly into a container. A can would work. Add about 3 times as many leaves and small buds to the container and let the pieces of dry ice mix with the chilled cannabis so it freezes the resin glands. The cannabis should be as intact as possible, so don’t grind it up. *Step 2: *Use a Bubble Bag (or something similar with a 160-micron mesh sieve) to cover the opening of the container. The sieve end of the bag should be secured so it is pulled taut over the opening of the container. *Step 3:* Holding the container right-side-up, shake the CO2 cannabis mixture in the can so the chunks of dry ice break up and freeze the supercooled cannabis. *Step 4: *Turn the container upside down so the sieve is facing the mirror below. Shake the container for a few seconds or up to 5 minutes. During this time, white vapor should emerge from the container as the CO2 sublimes and resin glands slide through the sieve onto the mirror. In the first couple of shakes, you’ll get top-quality resin glands. The resulting powder progressively turns to green leaf matter. Shake the container a few times so that the highest-quality kief passes through the sieve. Collect this kief before progressing to the next grade. Repeat the process as many times as desired and keep separate jars for different potency grades *Step 5:* Remove any remaining pieces of dry ice. Scrape kief still stuck to the sieve and the inside of the container onto the mirror. Scrape all this kief into a pile and store it in a glass container to use for cooking. This hash is of lower quality and contains contaminants, but the cannabinoids are concentrated in the final product when you cook with it. *This story was originally published in the print edition of Cannabis Now.* The post Demystifying the Dry Ice Kief Separation Method appeared first on Cannabis Now. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cake Boss - Fluent, Clearwater (Florida Medical) Cake Boss, available at Fluent dispensary in Clearwater, Florida, is a slightly indica-dominant hybrid strain (60% indica, 40% sativa) th... Cherry AK-47 by Grow West - RISE Dispensary (Silver Spring, Maryland) When a strain name includes both "Cherry" and "AK-47," you can expect two things: a blast of fruity goodness and the kind of impact that... Cookies & Alt Sol "Madrina" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Madrina, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Takoma Wellness Center in Washington, DC, comes with a reputation as bold as its name. In... 1 2 3 4 5

- Legislative Bill 1235 in Nebraska would grant the Medical Cannabis Commission broader power to regulate patients, caregivers, and health care practitioners than voters approved in 2024. - Proponents argue the bill provides necessary regulatory structure and funding (including a 5.5% sales tax), but opponents say it is "extremely concerning" as it would strip patient protections and consolidate power. - The bill would require patients, caregivers, and physicians to pay application fees and follow new commission rules to legally possess medical cannabis. - Advocates worry the new restrictions and fees will leave medical patients behind, while some lawmakers suggest opponents are actually seeking recreational legalization. < Back Nebraska Bill Would Let Medical Marijuana Regulators Remove Patient Protections, Advocates Say Jan 28, 2026 Marijuana Moment Marijuana Moment Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link *One senator said the bill would grant discretion and authority to a commission that “has already demonstrated that it is openly hostile to the will of the voters.”* *By Zach Wendling, Nebraska Examiner* The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission could be granted broader power to regulate patients, caregivers and health care practitioners than voters approved for it in 2024 under a new legislative bill. Legislative Bill 1235, from the Legislature’s General Affairs Committee, would allow the commission to write regulations around the “Nebraska Medical Cannabis Patient Protection Act,” which 71 percent of voters approved in 2024. The law voters approved allows patients to possess up to 5 ounces of medical cannabis with an in-state or out-of-state doctor’s recommendation. Voters, with 67 percent approval, created the Medical Cannabis Commission with a second ballot measure in 2024—the “Nebraska Medical Cannabis Regulation Act.” It gives the commission “exclusive” regulatory authority over licensed cannabis establishments. State Sen. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue, who is leading LB 1235 as committee chair and is carrying the bill on behalf of the commission, described the proposal as providing additional regulatory “structure” for the commission. Of the additional powers being proposed, he said he’s “not real familiar.” “But, apparently, that’s a good thing to have, I mean, as a commission,” he said. “I’m not sure why that was left out of the referendum, but that’s about really all I know about that part of it.” Holdcroft’s four fellow Republican committee members in the officially nonpartisan Legislature cosponsored the bill, allowing it to come from the committee rather than one senator. The committee’s three Democratic members did not sign on. The bill would need five votes to advance from committee. Crista Eggers, executive director of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, which led the 2024 ballot measures, disagrees with Holdcroft’s approach. She said the bill is “extremely concerning” and would strip protections from patients who legally possess medical cannabis and consolidate power in a governor-appointed commission that advocates have pushed back against for months. “This bill forces us to face reality that our own children and most others will have protections ripped away from them,” said Eggers, a mother who seeks access to medical cannabis for her 11-year-old son, Colton, who has epilepsy and severe seizures. “Although there are some provisions of this bill that we would support, we do not believe this is a good-faith effort,” Eggers continued. “Currently, as written, we will seek to see it fail.” ‘Failing patients’ The commission has leaned toward a small, tightly regulated program. Regulators have so far gone through multiple rounds of temporary regulations. Under the latest version of commission regulations, dispensaries could not sell smokes, vapes, most edibles and products with high tetrahydrocannabinol concentrations. Cultivators could only have so many flowering plants at once. Physicians would need to sign up for the commission’s program and complete additional education to stay in. Patients would only be able to access commission-licensed dispensaries through one of these licensed in-state physicians. Under LB 1235, patients and caregivers, as well as physicians, would need to pay an application fee and follow the commission rules if they want to legally possess medical cannabis in Nebraska at all. Nebraskans who turned to other states for the medicine in the meantime would legally be left behind. The Holdcroft-led bill, by giving power over the Patient Protection Act, also could lead to more restrictions, such as limiting availability to people with qualifying conditions alluded to but not listed in LB 1235. Eggers said families and advocates fought for patient and caregiver protections. Advocates have continued to push for similar protections for physicians because many patients have said that few, if any, Nebraska physicians have recommended cannabis since the laws took effect in December 2024. Eggers pointed to those challenges and said the commission has been “failing patients and bowing to the political pressures from our governor and attorney general.” Medicinal vs. recreational The commission is still in the process of writing regulations. Three cultivator licenses have been issued, but regulators are still setting up a seed-to-sale tracking system before growing begins. Such a system would be provided under law and possibly funded via LB 1235. The state is still likely months away from licensing dispensaries and hosting its first legal sales. Without the commission’s licensing system, cannabis can’t legally be purchased in the state. LB 1235 would help the commission’s regulatory mission by allowing it to collect fees and fines. A funding mechanism has been an important component for Eggers, Holdcroft and other lawmakers. Under LB 1235, medical cannabis could also be subject to sales taxes, at a statewide rate of 5.5 cents per $1. The proceeds would go to property tax relief. The bill would also give the commission regulatory power over testing facilities for cannabis products. Regulators could hire a dedicated executive director, at a salary set by commissioners, and commissioners would be paid $12,500 each year, plus reimbursements for commission-related expenses. Of the public’s concerns over the current commission, Holdcroft said the regulatory commission is what voters put in place. Lawmakers declined to support an advocate-backed bill in 2025 seeking additional regulatory guardrails. Some senators hesitated, they said, in part to give the commission time to act first. “I think the people voted for medical cannabis,” Holdcroft said. “I think most of the voices you’re hearing would like to see it transition more into a recreational piece.” Eggers and other advocates say they aren’t pushing for recreational marijuana and that, under the committee bill, patients seeking medicine would be left behind. Supporters and opponents have both acknowledged that the gridlock might accelerate efforts to legalize recreational marijuana. ‘Respectful of the voters’ State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha, committee vice chair, is one of the three Democrats on the General Affairs Committee who did not sign on to LB 1235. He said the bill would grant discretion and authority to a commission that “has already demonstrated that it is openly hostile to the will of the voters.” Cavanaugh said successful regulations would make medical providers feel safe in exercising their judgment, not feeling like writing recommendations would put them at risk. He added that voters created the commission as a “necessity” for a well-regulated industry. “A successful program is respectful of the voters but, more importantly, respectful of the patients and the families of those patients who just want help,” Cavanaugh said. Cavanaugh’s frustrations similarly led him to introduce LB 933, to explicitly give physicians protections, and LB 934, to make seats on the cannabis board elected. The election bill is also up for a public hearing Monday in Holdcroft’s committee. Next week’s committee hearing will be at the same time the Medical Cannabis Commission meets. Asked about the scheduling overlap, Holdcroft said, “I don’t know. I don’t follow that.” Physician protections Holdcroft said he views the distinction between a “medicinal” and “recreational” program as the doctor-patient relationship. He said allowing the purchase of 5 ounces of raw cannabis flower, which he said could make 400 smokable joints, isn’t medicine. Raw flower was a point of contention last year, and the 2026 bill would strike language saying “medical cannabis accessories” include equipment to smoke, vape, inhale or otherwise ingest cannabis. “I don’t think that we ever envisioned smoking medicine,” Holdcroft said. Holdcroft said he wanted the bill to preserve the ballot language around medical cannabis equipment and accessories. He said the proposed changes around smoking, vaping, inhaling and ingesting medical cannabis were inadvertently left in and that he would be bringing an amendment to change that. State Sen. Stan Clouse of Kearney, who joined Holdcroft and the three Democrats on the committee to advance the 2025 bill from committee, before it failed 23-22, said he’s talked with physicians who say well-regulated, prescribed cannabis can be helpful. He said lawmakers need to be thoughtful and careful but should move forward. He said giving the commission authority over qualifying conditions is “key” to the program’s success and that physicians need to have the opportunity to prescribe “as they see fit, not as we direct them to … if they believe that it helps.” “They should not be refrained from doing that based on the risk of prosecution,” Clouse said. ‘The law of the land’ State Sen. Jared Storm of David City, another Republican committee member, led opposition to the advocate-backed bill in 2025 for additional regulatory structure. His opposition was also because of a pending Nebraska Supreme Court case over whether the ballot measures were properly on the 2024 ballot. A district court judge said they were, but the attorney general, secretary of state and a former state senator appealed the decision. The case was argued in December and could be decided at any time. Storm said adding a funding mechanism was a positive, “but I don’t want to see the bill get hijacked and have a bunch of stuff attached to it.” Funding for the commission has also been contemplated in the state’s budget bills from Pillen, LB 1071 and LB 1072. Pillen’s budget proposal sets aside $1.75 million for the Medical Cannabis Commission through mid-2027. Storm said he had no thoughts on the proposed expansion of the commission’s regulatory power. He said the bill was probably a little broader than it needed to be, at 28 pages but that the committee wanted a “placeholder” before the Feb. 2 hearing. “If the Supreme Court rules it’s all valid, and we have medical cannabis in Nebraska, then that’s the law of the land,” Storm said. “But I want to see it stay medicine.” *This story was first published by Nebraska Examiner.* The post Nebraska Bill Would Let Medical Marijuana Regulators Remove Patient Protections, Advocates Say appeared first on Marijuana Moment. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cake Boss - Fluent, Clearwater (Florida Medical) Cake Boss, available at Fluent dispensary in Clearwater, Florida, is a slightly indica-dominant hybrid strain (60% indica, 40% sativa) th... Cherry AK-47 by Grow West - RISE Dispensary (Silver Spring, Maryland) When a strain name includes both "Cherry" and "AK-47," you can expect two things: a blast of fruity goodness and the kind of impact that... Cookies & Alt Sol "Madrina" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Madrina, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Takoma Wellness Center in Washington, DC, comes with a reputation as bold as its name. In... 1 2 3 4 5