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I invited Gro\_Doctor Douglas Jacobs, Technical Advisor at Grodan, to write a guest blog for us. The article addresses six common mistakes during the Propagation of Cuttings, including watering too early, overwatering, using too low nutrient concentration in a soak solution, removing too much leaf material, overcrowding cuttings in a tray, and taking cuttings from old mothers. < Back Perfecting the Propagation of Cannabis Cuttings By Douglas R. Jacobs Jan 18, 2022 Ed Rosenthal Ed Rosenthal Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link I invited Gro_Doctor Douglas Jacobs, Technical Advisor at Grodan, to write a guest blog for us. With over 50+ years of precision growing and cannabis cultivation knowledge, Grodan are leading industry experts and if you grow indoors with stone wool you really want to read this. They are addressing six common mistakes during the Propagation of Cuttings. Very well-researched article and very useful information. Ed Growing the perfect cuttings is the cornerstone to growing the best crop. For some growers using Grodan stone wool ensures the cleanest, most consistent start, while for others, it can appear more challenging in comparison to other growing media like Coco or peat plugs for instance. Below we have outlined the six of the most common challenges growers encounter and how best to avoid them. ------------------------------ *Watering too early.* Cannabis cuttings, in particular, are sensitive to overwatering, so applying the first irrigation too early can delay root formation, reducing cuttings’ success and thus compromise the yield and quality of the flowers. Using the weights of the tray or individual cubes can give you valuable insight into when to apply your first irrigation for your specific cultivars and growing setup. To figure out the ideal dry back first weight individual growing cubes or complete try after initial saturation and after placement of the cuttings. Weigh the tray every few days and record the weight. Take note of when your cuttings start initial callus formation and developing roots. Record the weight of the trays when you feel you have proper initial rooting in and through the stone wool. Depending on the light intensity, temp, humidity and leaf area of the cuttings, growers will dry back to 50% or less of the weight at full saturation, which most growers will achieve in 5 to 7 days. Some cultivars under mild environmental conditions might require a much lower water content to develop roots consistently, which in some cases may take more than ten days to achieve. Only through regularly measuring trays or individual cuttings can you determine the optimum dry back and environmental conditions per cannabis variety and repeat it from crop to crop. ------------------------------ *Overwatering*. Grodan stone wool, more than almost any other growing media, has one of the highest water holding capacities. Also, due to the unique composition of the rock fibres, more water is readily available for uptake by the plants compared to other organic media . It’s easy to see how common overwatering can be in smaller Grodan starter cubes and blocks. The more water you apply or the deeper you submerge the cubes, the more air you push out of the substrate. The excess water slows down root development and weakens the cuttings making them more susceptible to diseases. For the first irrigation, after dry back, the water only needs to touch the bottom of the cubes or go up to a quarter of an inch up the side if using a flood or “dip” method of irrigating. If top watering, a quick gentle spray or mist of the growing media is all that’s needed to re-saturate the growing media, refreshing the substrate without drowning out the young developing root zone. Some growers may opt to grade their cuttings at this point, separating ones with roots showing out of the cubes from the ones that are not showing any roots to prevent overwatering. At the time of the first irrigation, growers should measure the tray or cube before and after irrigation and then record the weights and experiment with the saturation levels to find what works best based on the specific variety being propagated. ------------------------------ *Using too low nutrient concentration in a soak solution* Stone wool is inert and doesn’t come with any nutrients for the plant, so it is up to the grower to provide all the nutrients in the soak and feed solution. Growers are often told plants without roots don’t need any nutrients; unfortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The plants are still active, though we have reduced transpiration by removing leaves and leaf tips and placed the cuttings under low light conditions in a mild climate. The cuttings are still taking up water. That is how the plants still maintain turgor pressure and don’t just wilt and die. If there is no nutrient in the stone wool, the plant will become deficient and consume whatever nutrient is available in the remaining leaf material. Just like when you buy cut flowers for someone, and they come with a little package of nutrients to place in the vase with the flowers. Even though the flowers have been cut, they’re still alive, and those nutrients will help keep the flowers alive and vibrant longer even though they have no roots. Not using any nutrients in your soak solution will create weak cuttings with nutrient-deficient tissues that are more susceptible to disease, which can carry through the rest of the plant’s life cycle. Through our scientific trials, we found that 1.5-2.0 EC is ideal for soaking stone wool for cuttings. If you’re not using anything in your soak solution already, we recommend experimenting with different nutrient concentrations as they can be different depending on the cultivar and your unique environmental conditions. ------------------------------ *Removing too much leaf material* It’s relatively common for cannabis growers to cut a lot of leaf and leaf tips off their cuttings to slow transpiration and fit more cuttings per tray. Unfortunately, this common practice can lead to inconsistencies in rooting, and eventually, plant quality and flower success. Leaves are not only solar panels but also batteries, providing a reserve of nutrients and water when the plants need it the most. According to a trial conducted by Caplan (2018), “removing leaf tips reduced rooting success rate from 71% to 53% without influencing root quality. Cuttings with three leaves had 15% higher root quality compared to those with two, but leaf number did not influence rooting success rate.” The trick with keeping more leaves is proper density, as well as proper humidity and measuring the dry back, because cuttings with more leaves will transpire more often, which causes the substrate will dry out faster. ------------------------------ *Overcrowding cuttings in a tray* Much like removing too much foliage, overcrowding cuttings in trays can create inconsistencies and make for the perfect environment for foliar diseases. When leaves touch or overlap, this not only prevents the cuttings from receiving light but also creates moist conditions ideal for creating foliar diseases. Overly crowded conditions also signal the plants to grow up instead of out, so growers should try to give their cuttings just enough room for each to receive full light without shadowing or touching its neighbor. When cuttings are kept in domes, the cuttings touching the dome's edge usually end up growing differently. They can even be more susceptible to disease because the leaves are almost constantly wet. If you have the luxury of space, try checker-boarding. ------------------------------ *Taking cuttings from old mothers* Old mother stock seems to be one of the most significant factors for cuttings’ success. The older the mother, the more stress, pests, and diseases it can potentially harbor and spread to each subsequent batch of cuttings it produces. More from the Caplan (2018) study, “the ability of stem cuttings to form adventitious roots often depends on the maturity of the stock plant. Cuttings from juvenile plants generally have improved rooting over those from mature plants (Altamura 1996). Juvenile plant material sometimes has a higher content of endogenous auxins and other rooting promoters compared to mature material (Husen and Pal 2006).” Ideally, mothers should not be kept and used for cuttings if they are more than 3 or 4 months old. Growers should measure cuttings success rates and the number of cuttings per plant to determine when to get cull mothers. When the success rates start to decrease, that’s your signal to cull and replace those mother plants. Another method, which is beginning to be adopted by more discerning growers, is growing out a batch of mothers and cloning them to destruction. The idea is that the first batch of cuttings from the young mother plants is the strongest. After taking the cuttings, the plants are weakened, and each batch taken after only further degrades the health and quality of the mother, even though it may not show any visual signs of stress. By using only fresh material, you can better ensure that the health and quality of the mother and subsequent cuttings are at peak health from batch to batch. For more technical advice and to learn more about our products, please visit Grodan101.com. Source: Caplan, D. M. 2018. *“Propagation and Root Zone Management for Controlled Environment Cannabis Production.” *The University of Guelph. Thesis. Available at: https://atrium.lib.uoguelph.ca/xmlui/handle/10214/14249 < 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

Marshawn Lynch's Dodi cannabis brand is expanding from Northern California to Los Angeles through a partnership with Originals. The collaboration features three new strains: Beast Berry, Milk & Cookies, and Charlie OG. A launch event was held on September 27th at Originals' facility in South Central LA, where fans met Lynch and experienced the new flower lineup. < Back Marshawn Lynch Expands Cannabis Empire Oct 10, 2025 Shirley Ju Cannabis Now Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link When you think of Marshawn Lynch, you think of greatness—both on and off the field. The NFL icon, better known to fans as “Beast Mode,” built his legacy by bulldozing through defenses and doing it *his way*. Now, the Super Bowl champion and Oakland legend is charging full speed into the cannabis world with his Dodi cannabis brand, officially expanding from the Bay to Los Angeles through a powerful new partnership with LA cannabis heavyweight Originals. Originally founded in Northern California, Dodi has always been a reflection of Lynch himself—unapologetic, authentic and built from the culture. The brand quickly earned respect for its top-shelf flower and unique genetics, gaining a loyal following of real smokers who care about quality. With Originals now licensing Dodi and taking the reins on cultivation, manufacturing and distribution, the move marks a major level-up for the brand’s national footprint. “Family is a big part of why I’m involved in this industry, and Originals… is… family,” Lynch says. “They’re respected for being the best at what they do, and that means a lot to me. We’re excited that Dodi has a partner we can be proud of.” *Dodi’s New Signature Strains* The first rollout features three signature strains that match Lynch’s energy perfectly: - *Beast Berry* – A Gelato-based hybrid with bold, fruity notes and a heavy hit that lives up to its name. - *Milk & Cookies* – An indulgent cross between an Oreo cut and Runtz, balancing euphoria and calm. - *Charlie OG* – A true LA classic from Originals’ legendary vault, delivering that timeless OG gas. To celebrate, Dodi and Originals hosted an exclusive launch event on Saturday, September 27 at Originals’ flagship facility in South Central LA (6500 Stanford Ave). From 4–6PM, fans got the chance to meet Marshawn himself, tour the state-of-the-art cultivation facility, and experience the new flower lineup firsthand. The vibes were immaculate, as Marshawn took the time to meet every fan who lined up to meet him. *Built Different* It’s wild to think how far Lynch has come since his days tearing up the gridiron. From being one of the most dominant running backs in NFL history—a five-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl champion, and the face behind one of football’s most iconic runs (“Beast Quake,” anyone?)—to now becoming a respected entrepreneur redefining the cannabis space, Lynch continues to do what he’s always done best: move with purpose, power and pride in where he’s from. With this new partnership, Dodi isn’t just expanding—it’s cementing itself as one of the most authentic, culture-forward cannabis brands in the game. Just like its founder, it’s built different. The post Marshawn Lynch Expands Cannabis Empire 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

Women in the cannabis industry are challenging norms and building a more equitable future despite facing significant challenges such as access to capital, compensation disparity, and underrepresentation. They are overcoming these barriers by trusting their intuition, building purpose-driven businesses, forming strategic alliances, and leveraging strong networks. Their contributions bring fresh perspectives, empathy, and inclusivity, and their growing presence as consumers and entrepreneurs is shaping market trends and pushing for greater diversity and equity within the industry. < Back How Women Cannabis Leaders Are Creating a More Equitable Future Jul 16, 2025 Taylor Engle MG Magazine Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Resilient, driven, and deeply rooted in their values, women across the industry are challenging norms and building a more equitable future. The women leading the cannabis industry today arrived in their positions via different paths. Some stumbled into their careers by accident, while others followed a lifelong passion. Some saw an opportunity to leave a legacy in a novel landscape; to help shape an emerging commercial sector into something new and promising. But no matter why they dove in or how they got to where they are, all of them had to develop resilience, a strong voice, and a clear sense of purpose. To thrive, women in cannabis have had to trust their intuition, identify what makes them uniquely valuable, and align themselves with people who share their values. Barriers to success can be high and persistent. Access to capital continues to be one of the biggest challenges for women trying to start or scale a business, and the industry has yet to come to grips with the related issues of boardroom composition and compensation parity. How are women confronting these challenges, carving out space for themselves, and paving the way for future generations? These leaders had plenty of insight to share. Where strength begins Succeeding in an economically volatile space requires more than just skills and industry knowledge. It also demands confidence, perseverance, and the ability to trust one’s gut. Lesley Nickus, president of Scary Plants Foundation, emphasized the importance of taking a firm stand on one’s personal convictions. “It’s important to develop a thick skin and a strong voice,” she said. “You will encounter people who don’t believe in you, who think your ideas are unworthy, and who have no problem telling you those things in passive-aggressive or disrespectful ways. Keep your eyes open, your boundaries firm, and shut any disrespect down in the moment.” The industry can be unpredictable, so trusting intuition is key, she added. If a deal, partnership, or opportunity feels “off,” it probably is. “Believe that feeling in your gut, and tap into your trusted circle if you need to talk it through,” Nickus advised. Part of trusting one’s intuition is understanding the consumer experience—especially in wellness-focused businesses like Nika Antuanette’s BlissIn Out, which incorporates the plant into yoga, mindful movement, dance, music, and holistic therapies. “Not everyone reacts to the same dose or strain in the same way,” she said. “Cannabis is highly personal, much like medicine, and should be treated with the same level of respect. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Patience is key.” The same mindful approach allows for a more intentional relationship with business, as well. “We must take an empowered approach by remembering to take care of our wellbeing, including our physical, mental, and spiritual health,” Antuanette said. [image: Nika Antuanette, BlissIn Out Cannabis] *Nika Antuanette, BlissIn Out* Beyond intuition, defining a strong personal mission is crucial. Business in the industry is subject to distractions like stigma, legal setbacks, and lack of recognition for women in leadership roles. That’s why having a clear purpose helps leaders focus on what really matters. For some female leaders, purpose is rooted in personal loss and a deep desire to create change. That was the case for Queen Mary founder and Chief Executive Officer Tiana Woodruff, whose journey into entrepreneurship began after witnessing the devastating effects of prescription opioid addiction within her family. “In 2014, my aunt passed away from complications related to her addiction to prescribed opioids,” Woodruff said. “Watching a family member struggle with addiction and slowly deteriorate gives you a feeling of helplessness that I can’t begin to describe. “Then, a few years later, I read a book called Change Your Brain, Change Your Life,” she continued. “It talked about using natural supplements as alternatives to prescriptions and how they can provide similar relief without the harsh side effects. That sparked an idea in me to combine those natural remedies with cannabis to offer the same kind of euphoric relief that prescriptions provide but without the addictive risk. “The idea really started to take shape when my ninety-year-old grandmother was prescribed the same opioids that took my aunt’s life,” she added. “Watching her personality change, I knew I had to find a better way to relieve her pain and help her stay active.” When adult-use licensing launched in California, Woodruff saw a chance to turn her vision into reality. She applied, but the process wasn’t easy. Despite being denied in the first two rounds, she kept pushing forward until, eventually, she encountered Our Academy, Our Dream. The program provides a twenty-week course to help small operators navigate the licensing process. With the course’s help, Woodruff finally found the guidance and mentorship she needed to reach her goals. Her journey illustrates how personal passion can become the driving force behind a mission. But once that purpose is clear, success also requires discipline, business acumen, and the ability to adapt in a rapidly changing environment. “Find your passion and make that the core of your business, then always stay true to it,” said Autumn Brands co-owner and Head of Sales Hanna Brand. “Be transparent with your consumers and retail partners. Track everything and measure [key performance indicators] for your initiatives.” [image: Autumn Shelton, Autumn Brands] *Autumn Shelton, Autumn Brands* Co-owner Autumn Shelton emphasized the importance of researching legal and regulatory requirements governing the commercial endeavors to which values and intuition draw women. “Make sure you understand all the regulations and learn from others,” she advised. “Cannabis is a demanding and constantly evolving industry. It requires drive and the ability to adapt and change quickly. “You should also study the plant and develop a great appreciation for her natural traits and abilities,” Shelton continued. “Be frugal and strategic with your investments. Measure every dollar you spend and prioritize cost-effective assets until you have the capital for long-term investments. “Finally, integrate within the cannabis community,” she added. “Build strong relationships and engage with industry events and groups to broaden your network and gain insights. This will not only keep you informed but also open up opportunities for collaboration and growth.” The value of perspective Women bring fresh perspectives, empathy, and inclusivity to an industry historically dominated by men. As more women step into leadership roles, they have the opportunity to challenge outdated norms and create a more collaborative, supportive environment. Willow Industries founder and CEO Jill Ellsworth was drawn to the industry by the opportunity to bring her food-science background to bear on innovation in a nascent sector. “The idea of creating something entirely new in a space that was still in its infancy was incredibly exciting,” she said. “I wanted to help shape the future of cannabis while also making a positive impact on patients and consumers.” [image: Jill Ellsworth, Willow Industries] *Jill Ellsworth, Willow Industries* She shared three essential strategies for other women who want to forge their own path. “Be clear and direct about what you want,” she said. “In such a male-dominated industry, confidence and clarity are key. Don’t be afraid to assert yourself. Second, embrace your unique strengths. Women bring a powerful set of skills to the table that our male counterparts often don’t possess. Recognize and leverage those qualities to your advantage. Finally, never forget that you are an equal. The value you bring is undeniable, so always stand firm in that truth.” Ellsworth’s advice highlights the power of self-assurance and embracing what makes women uniquely effective in business. But while confidence is key, so is clarity—and that means learning when to protect your energy and stay aligned with your purpose. “I think one of the biggest mistakes I see women make is trying to be everything to everyone,” Woodruff said. “We’re natural nurturers, and that instinct to take care of everyone can sometimes work against us. In the cannabis space, especially, you have to stay focused on your mission and your goals. Be flexible and ready to pivot, but don’t let the fear of what people think or how you’re perceived hold you back. That was a tough lesson for me to learn: staying true to what I believe in, even if it goes against the grain.” Define your worth Women’s success isn’t a product of merely knowing the business and being good at what they do. On a deeper level, success also requires knowing and nurturing the elements that make each woman uniquely herself. In a rapidly changing industry that attracts a mix of visionaries, opportunists, and everything in between, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by chaos. That’s why defining a core set of values early on and aligning oneself with complementary others is essential. Nickus advocates “finding your tribe,” especially as a minority woman. “The cannabis industry is huge, chaotic, and oftentimes dysfunctional,” she said. “You have people from all walks of life with all types of reasons for getting into it. With that comes a litany of ulterior motives that might not always be in your best interest. The faster you can identify the network that will uplift you, the smoother your journey will be.” Solonje Burnett, founder of Erven and Weed Auntie, has sought comfort and assistance from marginalized communities (womxn, queer, melanated, softboi). With the support of others who self-identify as nontraditional, she found foundational building blocks and relational nourishment as she navigated the cannabis world. “Show up for each other even though the industry reeks of toxicity, exclusion, and hypocrisy,” she advised. “Seek and solidify long-term, ally-centric partnerships; they will see you through the challenging times. [image: Solonje Burnett, Erven Weed Auntie Cannabis] *Solonje Burnett, Erven & Weed Auntie* “You should also be your authentic self,” she added. “No one else can do what you do the way you do it. Stay focused but flexible, fearless, intentional, and informed. Explore and remain interested in industries, spaces, and cultures that usher in inspiration rather than sitting in circles of sameness. You can’t grow if you don’t know.” For KushKards founder Lauren Miele, learning to stand firm in her worth was a game-changer. Early in her career, she made the same mistake many other brand owners make: lowering prices to secure sales. But she quickly realized saying yes to every deal, especially deals that undervalued her work, wouldn’t help her company grow. “I wish I’d learned sooner not to lower my price just to make a sale,” she said. “Now, I say ‘no’ with confidence, because my worth does not fluctuate based on someone else’s budget. “I know I’ve been hustled down because I’m a woman and because my category is woman-focused, and I know that’s been used against me,” she added. “I often went with what the customer wanted instead of what I needed. But that didn’t help my long-term growth. And the ones I lowered my price for? I don’t even work with them anymore.” Over time, Miele also learned to balance optimism with caution. Passion is a powerful motivator, but allowing passion to occlude warning signs can lead to setbacks. “Be cautious but courageous,” she advised. “It’s empowering to take risks, but don’t ignore red flags. As an optimist, I’ve overlooked warning signs and made decisions with my heart instead of my head. At times, it’s felt like I’ve had more losses than wins. Now, I run every idea through a business lens first, not just emotion. My whole business is built on emotion; that’s what greeting cards are all about. So I’ve learned to have someone on my team, a mentor or advisor, who helps me make the strategic decisions.” Cracking the capital code Funding remains one of the biggest hurdles for women in cannabis. Despite the industry’s tremendous growth, female founders still receive only a fraction of the investment male-led companies attract. But rather than letting financial barriers define them, women are finding creative ways to build and scale their businesses through bootstrapping, forming strategic partnerships, and tapping into women-led investment groups. “The industry still needs to make access to capital easier for women who want to start a business,” Nickus said. “Less than three percent of all cannabis financing goes to women-owned businesses. Women Grow CEO Dr. Chanda Macias talked about this at Women Grow’s 2025 Leadership Summit in February. While I’m a huge fan of bootstrapping and take that approach with most of my projects, the reality is that brands don’t get big without money.” The need for funding is about more than scaling. The female demographic is growing among cannabis consumers, and many actively seek products and retail establishments designed specifically for them. “In 2023, The Harris Poll conducted a survey that showed 91 percent of women who buy cannabis buy it at a licensed retailer, and nearly 37 percent of women use cannabis,” Nickus said. “Who better to tap this market segment than fully funded, women-owned businesses?” [image: Lesley Nickus, Scary Plants Foundation] *Lesley Nickus, Scary Plants Foundation* Even with funding, navigating market dynamics can prove challenging. “This industry is tough financially and you can only spend a dollar once, so make sure it’s going to places that will make you the most successful,” Brand warned. “There are a lot of different companies wanting you to spend with them, so make sure to partner with those aligned with your best interests.” The financial landscape is particularly fraught for women of color, according to Frederika Easley, president of the Minority Cannabis Business Association. “We talk about collaboration and inclusion, but structurally, many systems still reinforce separation,” she said. “Equity work means consistently breaking those silos down.” That work doesn’t stop at systems and structures. It also requires confronting who is centered in conversations about equity and inclusion. To effect real progress, according to Burnett, the industry as a whole—including women entrepreneurs—must move beyond performative allyship and embrace the full spectrum of identities that shape cannabis culture and consumption. “Although the cannabis industry talks a big talk about equity, mass incarceration, and inclusion, it’s all still capitalism and corporate culture,” she said. “You will have to fight hard for your humanity-centered values and beliefs. “We also need to stop supporting one kind of woman,” she continued. “In order to have the diversity the industry needs to do more than survive and actually thrive, we need to support all women, their ideas, their intuition, and intersectionality. Typically, the most successful and supported women in weed are white, cis, and heteronormative. That’s because they are most aligned with the identities of the men who run the industry. “If [industry members] actually stepped out of their circles of sameness, they would realize queer and melanated femme-forward folks are taking over as the largest consumers of the plant in the legal market, and they want to see themselves in the product assortment, leadership, and general conversation,” Burnett added. “Release the control and allow the industry to flourish organically. It will allow for more profit, creativity, and connection.” Unity is power Women in the industry generally believe in lifting up other women. Whether through mentorship, networking groups, or simply sharing resources, the sense of community is undeniable. In an industry that still presents significant challenges for those who identify as female, the collective effort makes a real impact. More women-led brands are emerging, women-owned dispensaries are thriving, and advocacy efforts continue to push for true equity in the space. But for progress to continue, the industry must do more than just acknowledge the challenges. It also must actively work to dismantle them. “The industry must continue to recognize women as equals and work toward placing more women in leadership roles,” Ellsworth said. “Gender disparities should be a thing of the past. It’s frustrating that we’re still having this conversation. We need to see more women in C-suite positions and in boardrooms — especially at publicly traded companies.” For many women, success requires more than just breaking barriers. They’re rewriting the rules. “Build your village. Relationships are everything,” Easley advised. “This is a marathon, not a sprint, and having a community of support, collaboration, and accountability makes an incredible amount of difference. Equity cannot happen in isolation.” Easley uses her platform at the Minority Cannabis Business Association to challenge the industry’s deeply ingrained biases, urging women to embrace their full selves in leadership. “Leadership has too often been defined through a patriarchal lens. Reject that,” she said. “There’s power in feminine energy, emotional intelligence, and holistic thinking. The cannabis plant itself reminds all of us that the best part is female. Bring your full range of experience to the table. That’s your edge.” Beyond leadership, Easley also highlighted the importance of setting boundaries—especially for women of color, whose efforts often are not given the weight or consideration they deserve. “Be about a necessary ‘no,’” she said. “Your time and labor will often be undervalued, so set boundaries. You may face unnecessary scrutiny when raising capital or entering partnerships. Know what is worth your energy and what is not.” [image: Frederika Easley] *Frederika Easley, Minority Cannabis Business Association* Miele said many women learn there is power in the journey to build a brand, even if—maybe especially if—the journey is onerous. Challenges help women build networks and teams that contribute to long-term success. “I’ve struggled in this area, but today I know the kind of people I want around me,” she said. “In the early days, I’d roll up my sleeves and do everything myself. That taught me a lot, but I wish I had slowed down and really taken the time to hire people I didn’t know—not just friends or people already in the industry. The right people come at the right time, and I’ve learned how important that is for long-term growth.” She also believes female-helmed ancillary businesses deserve more attention and support. “No one talks about how hard it is to get placements in stores,” she said. “There should be way more categories at industry award shows to highlight creativity and hustle outside of flower and product. Women are building ecosystems around this plant. It’s time for people to see us.” Despite the negatives, Miele remains optimistic about the industry’s growth potential and changing entrepreneur demographics, particularly as cannabis reaches new consumer bases. “With more legalization, the different kinds of people going to stores—especially the older crowd—is increasing,” she said. “The industry just needs to recognize consumers want [women-owned brands]. That’s why I go to trade shows. I’m the unexpected booth that brings joy, and the industry needs that.” Leaders across the space agree that change will come, thanks in large part to the power of the dollar in female consumers’ hands. “Women consumers are a large part of the market, and it’s important to make them feel seen and create products with their wants in mind,” Brand said. “We have dispensary partners who highlight women-owned brands in-store, and we love participating in Women Weed Wednesdays, but it would be great to see more dispensaries create opportunities for brands to reach consumers.” The message is clear: Women are not content merely to participate in the industry as minor characters. They are determined to shape the story. Through leadership, community, and unwavering determination, they continue to work toward developing a sector that is more diverse, inclusive, and equitable. ------------------------------ Answering the Big Questions About Women in Weed 1. What challenges do women face in the cannabis industry? Women in cannabis face significant challenges including access to capital, compensation disparity, underrepresentation in leadership roles, and navigating a male-dominated industry. Many also confront implicit bias and a lack of mentorship opportunities. 2. How are women overcoming barriers in cannabis entrepreneurship? Women are overcoming barriers by trusting their intuition, building purpose-driven businesses, forming strategic alliances, participating in accelerator programs, and leaning on strong networks for support and mentorship. 3. Why is equity important in the cannabis industry? Equity is vital because the cannabis industry was built on the backs of communities disproportionately harmed by prohibition. Ensuring women and minorities have access to opportunities, funding, and leadership roles is essential for building a truly inclusive market. 4. What role does intuition play in women’s cannabis leadership? Many women leaders credit their success to trusting their intuition, especially when vetting deals, managing teams, or developing products. This inner guidance, paired with strategic business thinking, helps them stay aligned with their values and avoid costly missteps. 5. How are women-owned cannabis brands impacting the market? Women-owned brands are helping shape consumer trends by creating wellness-focused, inclusive products that resonate with diverse audiences—especially women, who now represent a major share of cannabis consumers. Their presence is also pushing dispensaries and distributors to rethink visibility and shelf space. < 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 Pooled Employer Plan (PEP) offers expanded retirement savings access for employees in the cannabis and other heavily regulated industries. < Back Würk Partners With Seeds to Dreams Savings Plan, Launches 401(k) Program Jul 17, 2025 staff Cannabis Business Times Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link The new Pooled Employer Plan (PEP) expands access to retirement savings for cannabis and other highly regulated, compliance-heavy industries. < 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

Rare Cannabinoid Company (RCC) has introduced a new product in their Mood line designed to relieve stress and uplift spirits, utilizing hemp cannabinoids. The brand is from Hawaii, and the post is about trying their THC+CBC Mood Oil, originally appearing on Leafly. < Back We tried Rare Cannabinoid Company’s THC+CBC Mood Oil Aug 14, 2025 Leafly Staff Leafly Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link The latest addition to RCC’s Mood line melts stress & lifts your spirits Rare Cannabinoid Company (RCC) takes your mood as seriously as you do. They’re constantly on the front lines of innovation, creating products using exciting blends of hemp cannabinoids that can help relieve stress and help you find your joy. The Hawaiian brand […] The post We tried Rare Cannabinoid Company’s THC+CBC Mood Oil 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

Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) opposes a proposed blanket ban on hemp THC products, arguing that even a small amount of THC is crucial for the health effects of CBD products due to the "entourage effect." He believes such a ban would devastate the hemp industry and has introduced a bill, the Hemp Economic Mobilization Plan (HEMP) Act, to triple the legal THC concentration in hemp. While some colleagues, like Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), initially sought a complete ban, McConnell ultimately agreed to pull the language from an agriculture bill after Paul's procedural protest. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) also reported that such legislation would effectively prohibit hemp-derived cannabinoid products. Meanwhile, the alcohol industry is expressing concerns about unregulated hemp products, viewing cannabis as a threat to their market. < Back GOP Senator Says Nobody Will Buy Hemp Products If Strict Federal THC Ban Is Enacted Sep 11, 2025 Kyle Jaeger Marijuana Moment Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link A GOP senator says that if Congress moves forward with a proposal to ban hemp products with any amount of THC, nobody is going to buy the remaining CBD preparations—in large part because “even a little bit” of the intoxicating cannabinoid makes an important difference for health effects. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) has made abundantly clear that he’s opposed to a blanket ban on hemp THC products that have been proposed in both chambers this session. And while he’s in favor of increasing regulations for the hemp market, he told LEX 18 in an interview published on Tuesday that an outright prohibition would be disastrous for the industry. Some of his colleagues, including Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), “want a product where, if you were to buy the product, it would have no THC in it—or no measurable THC,” Paul said. “I don’t think anybody will buy those products, because, frankly, the THC– even a little bit of it—is probably what helps to make people more calm, sleep better, or [have] less anxiety,” he said. The senator described what scientists refer to as the entourage effect, where the efficacy of cannabis appears to be enhanced when its cannabinoids work together, rather than being isolated. If legislation is enacted to ban hemp items with any measurable amount of THC, Paul said “we’ll eradicate the hemp industry.” “There’ll be no more hemp industry. It’ll completely eradicate it–all the CBD oil, all the gummies, it’ll be gone,” he said. Paul said last month that he has plans to meet with House lawmakers to “reach a compromise” on an approach to regulate hemp in light of his opposition to the THC proposal. Part of that compromise, he said, is to address concerns he and other stakeholders have about vague language that leaves it up to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to determine what constitutes a “quantifiable” amount. Without specifications, the worry it that essentially all consumable cannabinoid products could end up being re-criminalized. Paul successfully prevented the ban from being incorporated into a Senate agriculture spending bill recently passed by the body, with the senator pushing for regulations that he said would promote public safety while preserving the hemp industry that’s proliferated since the crop was federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill—a reform that McConnell played a key role in advancing. But while McConnell has contested the idea that the legislation he sponsored would “completely destroy” the market, as Paul and industry stakeholders have insisted, he ultimately agreed to pull the language from the agriculture bill following Paul’s procedural protest. Meanwhile, Paul recently filed a standalone bill that would go in the opposite direction of the hemp ban, proposing to triple the concentration of THC that the crop could legally contain, while addressing multiple other concerns the industry has expressed about federal regulations. The senator introduced the legislation, titled the Hemp Economic Mobilization Plan (HEMP) Act, in June. It mirrors versions he’s sponsored over the last several sessions. Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), who championed a hemp THC ban in his chamber version of the agriculture spending legislation, told Marijuana Moment that he wasn’t concerned about any potential opposition to the hemp ban in the Senate—and he also disputed reports about the scope of what his legislation would do to the industry. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) released a report in June stating that the legislation would “effectively” prohibit hemp-derived cannabinoid products. Initially it said that such a ban would prevent the sale of CBD as well, but the CRS report was updated to exclude that language for reasons that are unclear. The hemp language is largely consistent with appropriations and agriculture legislation that was introduced, but not ultimately enacted, under the last Congress. Hemp industry stakeholders rallied against that proposal, an earlier version of which was also included in the base bill from the subcommittee last year. It’s virtually identical to a provision of the 2024 Farm Bill that was attached by a separate committee last May via an amendment from Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL), which was also not enacted into law. A leading alcohol industry association, meanwhile, has called on Congress to dial back language in the House spending bill that would ban most consumable hemp products, instead proposing to maintain the legalization of naturally derived cannabinoids from the crop and only prohibit synthetic items. Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) President and CEO Francis Creighton said in a press release that “proponents and opponents alike have agreed that this language amounts to a ban.” Separately, key GOP congressional lawmakers—including one member who supports marijuana legalization—don’t seem especially concerned about provisions in the bill despite concern from stakeholders that it would put much of the hemp industry in jeopardy by banning most consumable products derived from the plant. *— 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. —* Jonathan Miller, general counsel at the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, told congressional lawmakers in April that the market is “begging” for federal regulations around cannabis products. At the hearing, Rep. James Comer (R-KY) also inquired about FDA inaction around regulations, sarcastically asking if it’d require “a gazillion bureaucrats that work from home” to regulate cannabinoids such as CBD. A report from Bloomberg Intelligence (BI) last year called cannabis a “significant threat” to the alcohol industry, citing survey data that suggests more people are using cannabis as a substitute for alcoholic beverages such a beer and wine. Last November, meanwhile, a beer industry trade group put out a statement of guiding principles to address what it called “the proliferation of largely unregulated intoxicating hemp and cannabis products,” warning of risks to consumers and communities resulting from THC consumption. The post GOP Senator Says Nobody Will Buy Hemp Products If Strict Federal THC Ban Is Enacted 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

The cannabis company's board has approved a plan to change its place of incorporation from Canada to the U.S. < Back Verano Proposes to Redomicile Parent Company From British Columbia to Nevada Sep 15, 2025 Cannabis Business Times Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link The cannabis company board approved the plan to change its place of incorporation from Canada to the U.S. < 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 GOP-controlled congressional committee is set to vote on bills targeting Washington, D.C. policies, including a measure to repeal a local law expanding expungements for marijuana possession. This effort is aimed at "restoring law and order" in D.C., according to Rep. James Comer. The proposed repeal targets the Second Chance Amendment Act, which mandated automatic expungement of certain marijuana possession records. This comes amidst ongoing frustration from advocates and D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton regarding congressional interference with the District's cannabis laws, particularly an annual appropriations rider preventing D.C. from using its tax dollars for regulated recreational marijuana sales. Despite this, local officials have expanded the medical marijuana program as a workaround. < Back Congressional GOP Moves To Repeal Marijuana Expungements Law In Washington, D.C. To Fulfill Trump Goal Of ‘Restoring Law And Order’ Sep 8, 2025 Kyle Jaeger Marijuana Moment Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link A GOP-controlled congressional committee is set to vote on a series of bills this week targeting various Washington, D.C. policies, including one measure that would repeal a local law expanding expungements for marijuana possession. The House Oversight Committee, chaired by Rep. James Comer (R-KY), will meet on Wednesday for the markup of 14 bills focused on amending or repealing multiple D.C. laws. “President Trump and House Republicans are committed to restoring law and order in our nation’s capital city,” Comer said in a press release on Friday, noting the president’s push to address perceived inadequacies of local law enforcement. Part of that effort involves the proposed repeal of the Second Chance Amendment Act, a D.C. law passed in 2022 that took effect the next year. Under the law, the District’s judiciary was mandated to automatically expunge marijuana possession records for offenses that took place before D.C. enacted a limited cannabis legalization law in 2014. *Heres’s the key text of the D.C. law that the congressional bill would repeal:* “The Court shall order automatic expungement of all criminal records and court proceedings related only to citations, arrests, charges, or convictions for the commission of a criminal offense that has subsequently been decriminalized, legalized, or held to be unconstitutional by the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia or the Supreme Court of the United States, or records related only to simple possession for any quantity of marijuana in violation of § 48-904.01(d)(1) before February 15, 2015…” “Under President Trump’s decisive leadership, crime in D.C. is now falling at an unprecedented rate,” Comer said. “The House Oversight Committee stands ready to back the President’s swift action by advancing comprehensive legislative reforms that empower District law enforcement and tackle the escalating juvenile crime crisis head-on.” Advocates have already been frustrated with congressional interference with the District’s cannabis laws—particularly the annual renewal of an appropriations rider from Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) barring D.C. from using its local tax dollars to implement a system of regulated recreational marijuana sales. While Comer put the new repeal bill on the committee’s agenda for Wednesday, he previously signaled that he’d be open to revisiting the rider. Asked about the possibility of lifting restrictions on D.C. legal cannabis sales, he said in late 2023 “if that’s what Washington D.C. wants, yeah.” Last week, the House Appropriations Committee again advanced the underlying spending bill with the rider kept intact. *— 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. —* Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) has criticized appropriators for putting forward a bill that restricts the District’s autonomy in a number of ways, including the rider to “prohibit the use of funds to commercialize recreational marijuana.” “I am outraged at the number and scope of anti-D.C. home rule riders in the bill released today,” Norton said when the measure cleared subcommittee in July. The congresswoman said in May that she would again again push her colleagues to join her in an effort to remove the cannabis language. “As Congress works on the fiscal year 2026 appropriation bill, I will continue to fight to remove this rider,” she said, while referencing a statement from the White House that called the District’s move to enact local marijuana reform an example of a “failed” policy that “opened the door to disorder.” Trump’s budget request that he released in June similarly contained the Harris rider preventing marijuana sales in D.C., despite voters in the jurisdiction voting to approve legalization in 2014. Former President Joe Biden also repeatedly requested the continuation of the D.C. cannabis rider in budget proposals during his time in office. While D.C. hasn’t been able to use its local funds to implement a system of regulated recreational cannabis sales over the last decade, local officials have taken steps to expand the city’s existing medical marijuana program as a workaround. The post Congressional GOP Moves To Repeal Marijuana Expungements Law In Washington, D.C. To Fulfill Trump Goal Of ‘Restoring Law And Order’ 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

Find the best hemp retailers, cultivators, and services in Virginia along with reviews of their top cbd, cbg, and other products. Virginia HEMP Businesses REVIEWS VA FAVORITES GUIDE MAP DISPENSARIES Check out our reviews and ratings of hemp companies across the State of Virginia. These are businesses that have been licensed by the state of Virginia for hemp retail sales and/or cultivation. Their products include hemp flower, CBD, CBG, and more. LEARN MORE VA Hemp Reviews Recent Reviews ALL REVIEWS Grandma's Secret Recipe (Delta-8) Peanut Butter Cookies - The Dispensary RVA I always enjoy having alternatives to vaping and smoking when I'm on the go. I have quite the high tolerance so often I rely on edibles... Terp Interpreter Feb 1, 2023 2 min read Snow 1 - District Hemp Botanicals (VA Recreational) This afternoon I had the grand pleasure of not getting high, but rather, simply relaxing the afternoon away in a state of clear-headed... Ben from Kannabus Sep 15, 2022 3 min read Karma Space Brownie - Flowerz As I set out to review the Karma Space Brownie from Flowerz, I chose to take a different path with this product than my flower reviews.... Ben from Kannabus Aug 23, 2022 3 min read Pink Panther CBD Flower - Flowerz For this CBD flower review, it only seemed fitting to take an afternoon bike ride and enjoy the rare cool air that is unique for August... Ben from Kannabus Aug 12, 2022 3 min read 1 2 VA Favs VA Favorites BY REGION GUIDE MAP REVIEWS Find the list of our favorite hemp stores, lounges, cultivators, and other places to visit across the state of Virginia arranged by Region below. Click an image or company name to learn more or use our Guide Map to help locate the one nearest you. VA Region Select Your Region NORTHERN COASTAL CENTRAL Northern Virginia Northern Virginia Here's a list of our favorite stores, lounges, and other hemp oriented establishments to visit in the Northern Virginia region. Click an image or company name to learn more. Cannabreeze Clyde's Hemp Root Source Deep Roots District Hemp Nature's Cure Coastal VA Coastal Virginia Here's a list of our favorite hemp stores, lounges, and other establishments to visit in the Coastal Virginia region. Select an image or company name to learn more. Hemp House CBD Chesapeake OMG Everything Central VA Central Virginia Here's a list of our favorite stores, lounges, and other hemp establishments to visit in the Central Virginia region. Click an image or company name to learn more. RVA Cannabis THE Dispensary Greener Things VA Rec Guide Map Guide Map REVIEWS LISTINGS Use our Guide Map below to help locate the nearest VA hemp business location that we recommend visiting. Then click for more information.

Members of an Indian tribe in Mississippi approved a referendum to legalize marijuana. The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians voted to enact cannabis reform, making the tribe the only source of legal adult-use cannabis in Mississippi. Other tribes are also enacting reform. < Back Mississippi Indian Tribe Approves Marijuana Referendum, Making It First Jurisdiction In The State Poised To Legalize Jun 11, 2025 Kyle Jaeger Marijuana Moment Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Members of an Indian tribe in Mississippi have approved a referendum to legalize marijuana within its territory. About a month after holding a series of public hearings on the proposal, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians voted to enact the cannabis reform, 55 percent to 45 percent, according to unofficial results posted by the tribe on Tuesday evening. The question that tribal members saw on the ballots read: “Do you support the Tribe developing legislation to decriminalize and regulate the possession, production, and distribution of marijuana on Tribal lands?” With its approval, this makes the tribe the only source of legal adult-use cannabis in Mississippi. “This vote does not automatically authorize or legalize marijuana on Choctaw tribal trust land,” Chief Cyrus Ben said at one of the hearings, according to The Mississippi Free Press. But now that the measure has been approved, the Tribal Council is poised to engage consultants to conduct a feasibility study of legalization, along with research on potential regulations. This is one of the latest examples of increased interest among certain Native American communities to enact reform within their borders—despite federal prohibition and, in cases like Mississippi, state law. More than a fourth of Indigenous communities in the continental United States are now involved with marijuana or hemp programs, according to a map recently published by the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA) in collaboration with the law firm Vicente. In North Carolina, where cannabis remains illegal for medical and adult-use purposes, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians approved a legalization referendum in 2023, and sales began last year. It’s drawn attention from congressional lawmakers, including Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), who last month asked President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to investigate the legal implications of the policy. In Montana, meanwhile, marijuana was legalized statewide through a ballot initiative in 2020, and the legislature recently passed a bill that would allow the governor to enter into compacts with Indian tribes to remove barriers to their participation in the industry. A similar compact agreement system has been in place in Minnesota, where cannabis is also legal for adult use. Last month, Gov. Tim Walz (D) signed the state’s first cannabis compact with the White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. It’s believed that in 2020, the Oglala Sioux Tribe, located in South Dakota, became the first tribe to vote to legalize marijuana within a U.S. state where the plant remained illegal. In Wisconsin, indigenous leaders have worked together to craft a campaign called Wisconsin Wellness, which last year held an event at the state Capitol in favor of legalizing medical marijuana. Back in Mississippi, medical cannabis was legalized in 2022, but marijuana remains prohibited for adult use. Hawaii Governor Signals Veto Of Medical Marijuana Expansion Bill, Calling One Provision A ‘Grave Violation Of Privacy’ *Photo courtesy of Mike Latimer.* The post Mississippi Indian Tribe Approves Marijuana Referendum, Making It First Jurisdiction In The State Poised To Legalize 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

Certificates of Analysis (COAs) are considered the standard for confirming cannabis product purity and potency, but the current system is flawed. COAs often reveal only what labs are asked to test for, and labs have a bias toward favorable results, leading to a quality crisis with inconsistent ingredients, even if test results appear clean. This lack of visibility threatens brand consistency and consumer trust. The industry is also limited by a lack of mechanism-first research. To raise quality standards, the industry needs broader impurity panels, transparency from labs about what isn't tested, redundant COAs from multiple labs, supplier guarantees for batch consistency, and open collaboration. A COA should be a starting point, not the finish line, for ensuring quality. < Back The Quiet Quality Crisis Behind Cannabis COAs Nov 4, 2025 Shane Johnson, MD MG Magazine Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Most cannabis product developers treat a certificate of analysis (COA) as the gold standard. It’s how they confirm purity, potency, and, in an ideal world, product safety. But behind the clean-looking lab report, something more complicated is unfolding. Across the supply chain, a quiet quality crisis is brewing. Cannabinoid COAs have a history of being selectively framed or outright manipulated. Ingredients that look compliant on paper are inconsistent in practice, and product developers are paying the price in reformulations, delays, and broken consumer trust. COAs reveal only what labs are asked to test for The deeper issues? Most COAs reveal only what the lab was told to look for, and labs have a hidden incentive to give favorable results. Even the cleanest COAs may leave out a slew of factors that can impact consistency, potency, quality, and brand credibility. Some cannabis ingredient producers know exactly how to pass a COA without offering a clean product. By selectively testing one part of a lot, using narrow detection thresholds, or leaving entire classes of impurities untested, a supplier can stay technically compliant even if the material is flawed. This is compounded by the fact that labs that consistently report higher potencies and fewer fails for residual solvents or other contaminants will get more repeat business. Consequently, there is a built-in bias toward reporting favorable results. Even reputable brands can be misled. If a cannabinoid extract contains residual solvents, synthesis byproducts, or unexpected isomers, but those impurities fall below the lab’s reporting limits — or aren’t tested for at all — they’ll never show up on the COA. The result of this lack of visibility is more than just a missed data point. For brands, it’s a threat to consistency and consumer trust. Consistency is the real promise brands must keep Consider Coca-Cola: The formula is designed to deliver the same taste and experience in every can someone cracks open anywhere in the world. The same expectation now exists for cannabinoid products. When ingredients vary from batch to batch — even if the test results come back clean — consistency is undermined, especially for sensory- or effects-driven products like gummies, tinctures, and topicals. Say a hypothetical emerging wellness brand recently launched a functional gummy line using a “THCV-rich” extract. The supplier’s COA promised high purity and verified dosage. But within weeks, customer complaints start rolling in. Some consumers felt no effects at all, while others described outcomes that didn’t align with the product’s promise. After third-party analysis, the brand asks their lab to test for both delta-9 tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV; the cannabinoid the plant makes) and delta-8 THCV (an isomer that is the signature of degradation and/or suboptimal production techniques). The tests indicate the batch contains mostly delta-8 THCV. Consequently, the brand is forced to pull product off shelves, source new inputs, rerun tests, and re-market the finished product, which costs the team weeks of time, tens of thousands of dollars, and immeasurable reputation damage. And it’s not just consumer-facing brands that feel the impact. Real-world variability has real-world costs One example distributors could face is inconsistency in batch production. Say a distributor purchases a standardized cannabitriol (CBT) isolate after a successful pilot batch was third-party verified. At first, the product works well and is sent to multiple formulator partners. But the second shipment — labeled identically as the original batch — shows obvious differences in color, solubility, and performance. Partners must pause launches, rerun tests, and delay production. The COA was the same for all shipments, but the material clearly was not. In a fast-moving category where timing and consistency are everything, those discrepancies can destroy momentum and brand integrity. Part of the issue is structural. The industry remains underfunded when it comes to mechanism-first research. Instead of asking how cannabinoids work — and how different inputs affect biological pathways — most companies focus on outcome-first claims that validate what’s already being sold. A research gap is limiting progress “Mechanism-first research gives us a blueprint,” said Dr. Tony Ferrari, an analytical chemist with deep expertise in cannabinoid formulation. “Outcome-first research gives us a sales pitch.” This creates a scientific blind spot that affects everything downstream, from testing standards to ingredient consistency. Without fully understanding how minor cannabinoids interact with the body or degrade during processing, we miss clues that could inform better safety protocols and formulation techniques. In most industries, research starts in the lab, but “in cannabis, the reverse happened,” said economist Dr. Ruth Fisher. “People were using it on a massive scale, and then the researchers came in and started looking at what was happening in the real world.” This process reversal may be the industry’s greatest asset. By aggregating real-world data across use cases, outcomes, and product formats, we can uncover patterns and side effects we might never have detected in a traditional laboratory setup. How to raise standards for ingredient quality We can use this asset to raise the bar on cannabinoid quality. The effort will take more than more-accurate COAs. It will require: - Broader impurity panels and updated reference standards. - Transparency from labs about what *isn’t* being tested. - Redundant COAs from at least two different labs for the same batch of material (to demonstrate results are consistent). - Ingredient partners that guarantee consistency batch to batch and ship the actual product represented on the COA. - Open collaboration across brands, labs, and researchers to share real-world observations. COAs should never be the finish line. In a space as complex and rapidly evolving as cannabinoids, a COA should be the starting point, providing a baseline that invites deeper questions, better research, and long-term trust-building. Because what’s not listed on your COA could end up being what costs your brand the most. ------------------------------ FAQ: COA Challenges and Solutions 1. Why isn’t a COA enough to confirm cannabis ingredient purity? Because COAs only show what the lab was instructed to test for — and reporting limits may exclude relevant impurities or isomers. 2. How can a brand verify ingredient consistency across batches? Request redundant COAs from two labs and require suppliers to guarantee batch-to-batch equivalency. 3. What impurities are most commonly missing from standard COA panels? Isomers, synthesis byproducts, residual intermediate compounds, terpene-derived artifacts, and degradation markers. 4. How can labs reduce the incentive bias that leads to inflated potency reports? Transparent methodologies, standardized reference materials, and third-party auditing reduce incentive pressure. ------------------------------ [image: Shane Johnson MD] Shane Johnson, MD, is senior vice president and general manager at BayMedica, which specializes in producing and distributing rare cannabinoids at scale. For the past four years, his work has focused on cannabis and cannabinoid science, and he has developed a strong working knowledge of clinical opportunities in the sector. A Fulbright Scholar, he earned his medical degree from Stanford University School of Medicine. < 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 author, Adam Terry, argues that the new federal ban on hemp products containing THC, pushed by Sen. Mitch McConnell, is a critical opportunity for nationwide cannabis legalization by 2026. The ban, which limits THC and redefines "total THC," will abruptly remove access to cannabis for millions of Americans, particularly in red states, creating political leverage. Terry proposes a simple plan: federally de-schedule cannabis, create baseline federal regulations (including age-gating and excise tax), and leave specifics like dosing limits and licensing to the states. He emphasizes the urgency, stating that if action is not taken before 2026, the moment will be lost. < Back The New Federal Hemp Ban Is An Opportunity To Legalize Cannabis Across The Board (Op-Ed) Nov 18, 2025 Marijuana Moment Marijuana Moment Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link *“Millions of Americans in red states are about to lose access to cannabis, and I intend to ensure that they know it.”* *By Adam Terry, Cantrip* This is the moment—2026 is our last, best chance to actually legalize cannabis in America Last week, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) pulled off something that many of us in the hemp side of the cannabis industry thought infeasible but long feared: He passed a ban on virtually all hemp products containing THC. After passing the very legislation that underpinned the enormous hemp boom over the last seven years, McConnell managed to force in language to the recent agriculture appropriations bill that limits THC in hemp to 0.4mg of THC, redefines “total THC” to include anything vaguely resembling d9-THC and criminalizes intermediates between plant and product—effectively banning the process that creates CBD isolate. The most surprising result of this? We are going to use this to finally and truly legalize all cannabis nationwide. Hear me out. I have been in the cannabis industry for over a decade, and I was a cannabis legalization activist in the five years before that. I worked on phone banking for Colorado, Washington State and California during their ballot processes in the early 2010s. I campaigned hard for legalization in Massachusetts before we even had a ballot initiative by organizing events and letter campaigns. I believe in cannabis reform as a moral imperative. Each year, cannabis reform has been important work by activists who care about personal freedom and the miscarriage of justice that each arrest for cannabis represented, as well as an important initiative to expand the growing state-legal marijuana industry in America. And each year, major media outlets and most Americans have treated cannabis legalization as a mildly interesting side show, perhaps funny but nowhere near as important as the myriad issues that face our nation today. But one thing changed last week: There has never before been a situation where we have seen access to cannabis given to millions of Americans and then abruptly taken away. 359 days until MILLIONS of Americans lose all access to cannabis. There has never been a riper time to push for comprehensive cannabis reform in America. https://t.co/JPRks6NwC0 — Weed Drinks Guy (@cantripguy) November 18, 2025 The hemp industry has had problems with many bad and potentially dangerous products since its inception. I don’t think anyone can legitimately argue that is not true. We have seen hemp used as an excuse to pass off illegally grown cannabis as legitimate, a proliferation of synthetic cannabinoids that no one has any historical safety data on and an unfortunate market for cannabis infused trademark infringements so frequently touted by lawmakers and regulators when they push for bans. In this way, I applaud Congress for taking action to address synthetic cannabinoids and the myriad terrible products launched into the hemp marketplace. What we have also seen is many states choose to regulate hemp in one form or another. Indeed, 40 states in the U.S. regulate hemp in some capacity or another, and many have strict regulations and taxation—look at Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Minnesota and Tennessee as strong examples of states that have chosen to regulate instead of ban these products. Mandatory age gating, batch specific testing, certificate of analysis (COA) transparency, specifying venues of sale, dosing caps and banning synthetic cannabinoids to a very large extent are common themes of these programs. Now, millions of Americans have come to rely on hemp as their access to cannabis both in states where marijuana dispensaries exist and where they don’t. Veterans, seniors, soccer moms and average Americans of all walks of life have gotten used to easy access to full spectrum CBD products to alleviate various wellness issues they have—from sleep benefits all the way up through PTSD. Many have switched from alcohol to THC drinks sold at legitimate outlets like Total Wine & More and even Target as regulations and good governance rolled out across multiple marketplaces. Americans are not huge fans of losing personal freedoms, and seniors and veterans know how to activate politically. In my time in the cannabis industry, I have never seen a cannabis policy that instantly removed access to people across the entire country in the way this sweeping sledge-hammer of a ban has. Never before have so many people been affected in a negative way on this issue all at once. Which brings me to my main thesis: For one year only, legalizing cannabis across the United States is now more possible than ever. As someone who has operated businesses in both the hemp and marijuana industries, I have empathy for the operators who have long seen hemp as an unfair competitor to their industry. While I take issue with their logic in many cases, I do understand the emotional state that it comes from. State-legal programs are overregulated, overtaxed, frequently punitive to operators and in many cases prevent meaningful scaling of a brand or business. One of many examples is in my home state: In Massachusetts it is nearly impossible to even grow cannabis outdoors with the way our regulatory scheme works, forcing most flower sold to be grown indoors and sucking up 10 percent of all commercial electricity in the state for something that was grown outdoors safely for millennia. On the hemp side, thousands of legitimate businesses across the country have flourished by operating above board. People have opened up hemp retailers, many focused on wellness and sourcing quality products with quality ingredients. In states like Kentucky, Minnesota and Tennessee, which have very strict regulatory requirements, people have invested their money and time in building businesses compliant with their local regulatory schemes. Many scrutinize the brands they carry heavily, checking for legitimate COAs (there are ways to spot faked ones), spot testing their own products and focusing on quality full spectrum CBD and THC products over synthetic cannabinoid soup. Farmers have come to grow thousands of acres of hemp to support the nearly $30 billion (by some estimates) hemp industry and invested heavily in that infrastructure. Manufacturers and copackers like Scofflaw Brewing in Georgia, which now touts 80 percent of its business as THC manufacturing, have invested millions in equipment that they can’t suddenly get back. Businesses like mine (a beverage brand called Cantrip), born in dispensaries but finding their true success in liquor and grocery stores, pour over state packaging and testing regulations and spend tens of thousands on various attorneys to ensure we create a product compliant with the maximum number of states. To date, I have not found a way to fit language on my can to sell in every state that permits hemp particularly since in some cases that language contradicts other states’ requirements, forcing me to still produce slightly different labels for different states for some products. Cantrip, like others, has forgone otherwise lucrative opportunities in California and New York in order to respect those states’ choices to ban hemp products even when I vehemently disagree with such mandates. Then there’s the alcohol industry. It may be no surprise to find that liquor retailers and distributors love selling THC beverages—indeed in some cases they have seen sales lifts upwards of 25 percent carrying such products, as opposed to the typical 1 percent lift we see in state-legal dispensaries from beverage products. The big suppliers—the macro brands of beer and spirits—have largely been unhappy with the state of the industry and its competition with alcohol. However, I think they could be convinced, given a way to participate. Alcohol consumption is declining independent of the rise of THC beverages, and a ban on THC isn’t going to stop that. I am certain these companies could be very successful in this space if they saw a pathway to participation without risking their other business. I believe that we can bring these stakeholders together for an historic moment in an upcoming critical election year. I’ve met few folks in the hemp industry who don’t believe that cannabis should be de-scheduled nationwide—pending specifics, of course. Millions of Americans in red states are about to lose access to cannabis, and I intend to ensure that they know it. This is an issue that is going to be palpable as Democrats in tough races like the one for a Georgia Senate seat seek an edge. Red state politicians are going to never want hear the word “cannabis,” again by the time this election is over. We have never had larger awareness or popular support for cannabis, as it is something that has often been reserved for blue states. My proposal is simple, but not easy: we use this moment, where millions of people are about to lose all access to cannabis in states that have zero dispensaries and millions more will lose the easy access they’ve come to enjoy, to once and for all decriminalize, deschedule and regulate cannabis in the U.S. We know that this president loves to do things people think simply can’t be done—why not do something that most Americans already support in poll after poll after poll? It would be a lasting legacy of freedom for Americans. How would we do this? The specific policy proposal is as follows: 1. De-schedule cannabis federally; 2. Create a Code of Federal Regulation chapter with input from industry stakeholders, regulators, and the Department of Health and Human Services that creates baseline guidance for how cannabis and cannabis products need to be treated—this includes age-gating THC products and specifying definitions of intoxicating and non-intoxicating compounds, creating a federal excise tax and reporting system (in spirits, excise tax reporting is actually also your track and trace system) and other general points; 3. Leave questions about milligram limits, licensing, state and local taxes and venue of sale to the states such that Georgia, Kentucky, Minnesota and Tennessee can keep their programs mostly as is. Generally, a low dose product in major venues like grocery and liquor stores and higher dose products like flower, concentrates, and stronger edibles in more specialized dispensaries seems like a good way to go, but each state can have the debate. My proposal is not the only valid solution, but simply a way to start a conversation. It is a policy debate worth having, in the open, and quickly. Should the federal ban go into effect, there can be no question of “state-legal” hemp. There would be no difference between hemp and marijuana at that point; no alcohol retailer or distributor could participate without losing their license and companies like Target would be de-listed from the NYSE and suffer billions in 280E penalties across goods. We need federally legal cannabis; until now, that has been hemp. I propose we make the words marijuana and hemp obsolete and have one unified system for one plant, and I believe we can do this. After 2026, we will lose our shot. On Veterans Day 2026, a deeply painful irony, millions of Americans including veterans will lose access to cannabis products they’ve come to rely on. We will have lost their faith in the professional cannabis community to protect their rights. The issue will fade; Congress will become more jammed than ever with investigations if Democrats win and all legislation will come screeching to a halt. We must take this opportunity now, as one cannabis community, to activate voters in every corner of the U.S. to support descheduling cannabis and creating a viable path to access. To force politicians in tough races to talk about it and support changes. We don’t have much time in 2026 either, as most legislation in an election year tends to conclude before the summer recess given the intensity of the fall campaign. Less than a year, multiple industries, and millions of Americans. We can do this. We will do this. Let’s legalize weed in America. *Adam Terry is the co-founder and CEO of the THC-infused beverage company Cantrip.* The post The New Federal Hemp Ban Is An Opportunity To Legalize Cannabis Across The Board (Op-Ed) 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