SweetWater Brewing launches in Colorado
Michigan poised to enter THC beverage market
2021 predictions from industry leaders
Eight cannabis brands that are nailing holiday marketing
The future of cannabis events
SweetWater Brewing launches in Colorado
Michigan poised to enter THC beverage market
2021 predictions from industry leaders
Eight cannabis brands that are nailing holiday marketing
The future of cannabis events
Latest
Highlands Investments launches Africa’s first contract cultivation business – Canna-Tract
In 2017, Lesotho became the first African nation to issue licenses for the cultivation of medical cannabis. The small mountain kingdom, which is bordered on all sides by South Africa, is one of the continent’s poorest countries.

SweetWater Brewing launches in Colorado
SweetWater Brewing Company today announced its expansion into Colorado. SweetWater’s West Coast style brews, including flagship 420 Extra Pale Ale and a newly launched year-rounder H.A.Z.Y IPA, will be available at bars, restaurants and stores starting February 1, 2021.

Michigan poised to enter THC beverage market
After months of discussions among stakeholders, the Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency (the “MRA”) released a regulatory process that will govern the manufacture and sale of THC-infused beverages in Michigan. The good news for consumers?

“Smoke: Marijuana + Black America” highlights Wanda James of Simply Pure
Getting into the cannabis business was personal for Simply Pure owners Wanda James and Scott Durrah. Wanda’s brother Rick James, who now works for Simply Pure, served time for possession of 4 ounces of cannabis — four years of which he spent picking cotton in a maximum security prison.

Talking with Marie and Allen of California’s MD Numbers on building a better industry
Sibling duo Marie Montmarquet and Allen Hackett are co-founders of MD Numbers, Inc., a 100% Black-owned family of cannabis brands that includes Marie’s Deliverables and Legacy Coterie, a consulting, distribution, and sales service. At the heart of all their work lies a belief in the…
Quick Hits with Roy: Roy Bingham on BDSA’s latest industry projections
We’re excited to introduce Quick Hits with Roy, a monthly video series featuring our fearless leader George Jage (co-founder of MJ Unpacked and MJ Brand Insights) getting the low-down on the latest industry numbers from Roy Bingham, co-founder of BDSA.

Cannabis packaging and the search for a sustainable solution
For an industry that’s big on green, we have a dirty little secret. Single-use consumer packaged goods containers are responsible for a quarter of waste generated in the United States, most of the materials used for packaging are not recycled, and the cannabis industry is part of the problem. In fact…

Glass House Group CEO urges Trump to pardon Parker Coleman
Kyle Kazan, the CEO of Glass House Group, issued a moving open letter to Trump, urging the president to pardon Parker Coleman, who is serving a six-decade prison sentence for a nonviolent marijuana conspiracy offense at USP Beaumont.

Retail Insights: Colorado’s Smokin’ Gun Apothecary
“I’m really particular about our employees,” said Brittany Pittel, general manager of the shop in the Denver suburb of Glendale. “When I interview someone, I make it very informal. I want people to show me that they can interact with people confidently, comfortably and politely. You need to have respect for customers, and you need to want to help them.”

Top ten innovative dispensary designs
Opening a dispensary in today’s rapidly growing cannabis economy isn’t for the faint of heart. Where rigid drug laws once restricted the market, the current pervasiveness of cannabis is driving the need for increasingly specialized branding strategies. As such, savvy dispensaries are pushing the creative envelope beyond…
Highlands Investments launches Africa’s first contract cultivation business – Canna-Tract
In 2017, Lesotho became the first African nation to issue licenses for the cultivation of medical cannabis. The small mountain kingdom, which is bordered on all sides by South Africa, is one of the continent’s poorest countries.

SweetWater Brewing launches in Colorado
SweetWater Brewing Company today announced its expansion into Colorado. SweetWater’s West Coast style brews, including flagship 420 Extra Pale Ale and a newly launched year-rounder H.A.Z.Y IPA, will be available at bars, restaurants and stores starting February 1, 2021.

Michigan poised to enter THC beverage market
After months of discussions among stakeholders, the Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency (the “MRA”) released a regulatory process that will govern the manufacture and sale of THC-infused beverages in Michigan. The good news for consumers?

“Smoke: Marijuana + Black America” highlights Wanda James of Simply Pure
Getting into the cannabis business was personal for Simply Pure owners Wanda James and Scott Durrah. Wanda’s brother Rick James, who now works for Simply Pure, served time for possession of 4 ounces of cannabis — four years of which he spent picking cotton in a maximum security prison.

Talking with Marie and Allen of California’s MD Numbers on building a better industry
Sibling duo Marie Montmarquet and Allen Hackett are co-founders of MD Numbers, Inc., a 100% Black-owned family of cannabis brands that includes Marie’s Deliverables and Legacy Coterie, a consulting, distribution, and sales service. At the heart of all their work lies a belief in the…
Quick Hits with Roy: Roy Bingham on BDSA’s latest industry projections
We’re excited to introduce Quick Hits with Roy, a monthly video series featuring our fearless leader George Jage (co-founder of MJ Unpacked and MJ Brand Insights) getting the low-down on the latest industry numbers from Roy Bingham, co-founder of BDSA.

Cannabis packaging and the search for a sustainable solution
For an industry that’s big on green, we have a dirty little secret. Single-use consumer packaged goods containers are responsible for a quarter of waste generated in the United States, most of the materials used for packaging are not recycled, and the cannabis industry is part of the problem. In fact…

Glass House Group CEO urges Trump to pardon Parker Coleman
Kyle Kazan, the CEO of Glass House Group, issued a moving open letter to Trump, urging the president to pardon Parker Coleman, who is serving a six-decade prison sentence for a nonviolent marijuana conspiracy offense at USP Beaumont.

Retail Insights: Colorado’s Smokin’ Gun Apothecary
“I’m really particular about our employees,” said Brittany Pittel, general manager of the shop in the Denver suburb of Glendale. “When I interview someone, I make it very informal. I want people to show me that they can interact with people confidently, comfortably and politely. You need to have respect for customers, and you need to want to help them.”

Top ten innovative dispensary designs
Opening a dispensary in today’s rapidly growing cannabis economy isn’t for the faint of heart. Where rigid drug laws once restricted the market, the current pervasiveness of cannabis is driving the need for increasingly specialized branding strategies. As such, savvy dispensaries are pushing the creative envelope beyond…

“Smoke: Marijuana + Black America” highlights Wanda James of Simply Pure
Getting into the cannabis business was personal for Simply Pure owners Wanda James and Scott Durrah. Wanda’s brother Rick James, who now works for Simply Pure, served time for possession of 4 ounces of cannabis — four years of which he spent picking cotton in a maximum security prison.

Talking with Marie and Allen of California’s MD Numbers on building a better industry
Sibling duo Marie Montmarquet and Allen Hackett are co-founders of MD Numbers, Inc., a 100% Black-owned family of cannabis brands that includes Marie’s Deliverables and Legacy Coterie, a consulting, distribution, and sales service. At the heart of all their work lies a belief in the…

Cannabis packaging and the search for a sustainable solution
For an industry that’s big on green, we have a dirty little secret. Single-use consumer packaged goods containers are responsible for a quarter of waste generated in the United States, most of the materials used for packaging are not recycled, and the cannabis industry is part of the problem. In fact…

Talking with Chris Ball of Ball Family Farms about cannabis as community and why California’s illicit market will never die
If you ask Chris Ball, cannabis is a craft as much as it is a business. He is the founder of Ball Family Farms, the first vertically integrated social equity company in Los Angeles…

Nine Washington Clean Green Certified cannabis brands that are going the extra mile
The lack of an across-the-board organic certification for cannabis has long troubled brands and consumers alike. These days, more farms are solving the problem by getting clean Clean Green Certification, a process largely congruent with USDA organic certification and certainly just as rigorous.

2021 predictions from industry leaders
As 2020 winds to an end, It’s difficult to know what lies ahead for the world at large, but a little easier to make predictions for an industry we know so well. To that end, we reached out to some of our favorite speakers from MJ Unpacked and other industry luminaries and asked what they foresee for the year ahead.

Talking with Keith Cich of Sunderstorm on functional marketing, packaging snafus, and true sustainability
“Primarily we’re a food company,” Sunderstorm co-founder Keith Cich said. “We don’t cultivate, and we don’t extract. We buy distillate, a refined oil, and we are basically a fairly traditional food manufacturing company.”

How to write a press release that will stand out and get attention
Every day editors are inundated with press releases. And we ignore the vast majority. Here’s why, as well as tips on how to write a press release that will garner attention in cannabis media.

Cannabis cocktails to go? Yes, please.
Artet is launching two canned cannabis cocktails, Rosemary Jane and Tet & Tonic. The cocktails are an extension of the Los Angeles-based beverage brand’s original non-alcoholic aperitif, which debuted in 2019.

Eight cannabis brands that are nailing holiday marketing
Best pot and CBD stocking stuffers? A handful of savvy cannabis brands are positioning themselves to appeal to holiday shoppers on the lookout for THC beverages, edibles, and topicals. Here’s to shaking the legacy of prohibition and working within packaging restrictions to…
Highlands Investments launches Africa’s first contract cultivation business – Canna-Tract
In 2017, Lesotho became the first African nation to issue licenses for the cultivation of medical cannabis. The small mountain kingdom, which is bordered on all sides by South Africa, is one of the continent’s poorest countries.
Quick Hits with Roy: Roy Bingham on BDSA’s latest industry projections
We’re excited to introduce Quick Hits with Roy, a monthly video series featuring our fearless leader George Jage (co-founder of MJ Unpacked and MJ Brand Insights) getting the low-down on the latest industry numbers from Roy Bingham, co-founder of BDSA.

MJ Packed: A look at California cannabis packaging requirements
For California’s cannabis brands and retailers, packaging is yet another complex industry hurdle. A look at the current packaging restrictions for California cannabis. Operators weigh in on California’s current cannabis packaging requirements.

2021 predictions from industry leaders
As 2020 winds to an end, It’s difficult to know what lies ahead for the world at large, but a little easier to make predictions for an industry we know so well. To that end, we reached out to some of our favorite speakers from MJ Unpacked and other industry luminaries and asked what they foresee for the year ahead.
Quick Hits with Roy: Roy Bingham on BDSA’s latest industry projections
We’re excited to introduce Quick Hits with Roy, a monthly video series featuring our fearless leader George Jage (co-founder of MJ Unpacked and MJ Brand Insights) getting the low-down on the latest industry numbers from Roy Bingham, co-founder of BDSA.

Canadian companies partner to create recycling program for cannabis packaging and vape supplies
Delta 9 Cannabis has a plan to reduce landfill waste and spearhead an industry-wide move toward sustainable packaging. The company has partnered with one of Canada’s leading recycling companies, Emterra Environmental, and a number of…

Retail insights: Cannabis topicals and beverages see holiday season’s biggest sales spike
According to BDSA, during the week leading up to Christmas, daily sales of cannabis topicals jumped 43% compared to the three weeks prior. Cannabis beverages see a similar jump in sales at this time, up 45% the week of December 18–24 in 2019.

Today: BDSA to host free webinar on cannabis beverage trends at 1 PM MST
BDSA will be hosting a webinar to share their insights on the latest market trends in cannabis beverages. Guests will include Luke Anderson (co-founder of Cann), Jeremy Marshall (brewmaster at Lagunitas), and Lori Hatcher (head of marketing at Truss Beverages),

The future of cannabis events
Will we ever return to business as usual in the events space? Is the virtual event a lost cause? A seasoned trade show producer and cannabis industry insider looks at what we’ve learned from 2020 and where we go from here.

Why CBN? Benefits, untapped potential, and the brands that are leading the way
How does CBN work? Will CBN be the next big thing? A look at how CBN works, how CBN interacts with THC, and the brands that are jumping on the CBN bandwagon.
Highlands Investments launches Africa’s first contract cultivation business – Canna-Tract
In 2017, Lesotho became the first African nation to issue licenses for the cultivation of medical cannabis. The small mountain kingdom, which is bordered on all sides by South Africa, is one of the continent’s poorest countries.

SweetWater Brewing launches in Colorado
SweetWater Brewing Company today announced its expansion into Colorado. SweetWater’s West Coast style brews, including flagship 420 Extra Pale Ale and a newly launched year-rounder H.A.Z.Y IPA, will be available at bars, restaurants and stores starting February 1, 2021.

Michigan poised to enter THC beverage market
After months of discussions among stakeholders, the Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency (the “MRA”) released a regulatory process that will govern the manufacture and sale of THC-infused beverages in Michigan. The good news for consumers?

Glass House Group CEO urges Trump to pardon Parker Coleman
Kyle Kazan, the CEO of Glass House Group, issued a moving open letter to Trump, urging the president to pardon Parker Coleman, who is serving a six-decade prison sentence for a nonviolent marijuana conspiracy offense at USP Beaumont.

Recreational cannabis delivery in Colorado hinges on equity program
Two Colorado cities that are planning to allow recreational cannabis delivery in 2021 will require the businesses to obtain social equity licenses from the state. The state legalized cannabis delivery in 2019, allowing for medical deliveries in 2020 and recreational deliveries in 2021. So far, only a handful of…

Cresco brings Good News to Michigan
Thanks to Cresco Labs, Michigan cannabis lovers are about to get some much-needed good news going into the new year. As of December 2020, Cresco has extended their edibles brand Good News, which is designed to elevate moods, into Michigan’s fast growing cannabis market.

Cannabis skincare brand wins upset victory over mainstream brands in international clean beauty awards
More proof that full-spectrum cannabis skincare may be the next big thing. California’s Green Bee Botanicals won ‘Best Serum’ for its CBD-rich Perfecting Serum in the 2020 Dirty Thinkers’ Choice Awards, an international competition…

Canadian companies partner to create recycling program for cannabis packaging and vape supplies
Delta 9 Cannabis has a plan to reduce landfill waste and spearhead an industry-wide move toward sustainable packaging. The company has partnered with one of Canada’s leading recycling companies, Emterra Environmental, and a number of…

Today: BDSA to host free webinar on cannabis beverage trends at 1 PM MST
BDSA will be hosting a webinar to share their insights on the latest market trends in cannabis beverages. Guests will include Luke Anderson (co-founder of Cann), Jeremy Marshall (brewmaster at Lagunitas), and Lori Hatcher (head of marketing at Truss Beverages),

U.S. House of Representatives votes to decriminalize cannabis
In a historic first, today lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Marijuana Opportunities, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act, which would expunge federal marijuana convictions, decriminalize cannabis at a federal level, and impose a 5% federal tax on…

Retail Insights: Colorado’s Smokin’ Gun Apothecary
“I’m really particular about our employees,” said Brittany Pittel, general manager of the shop in the Denver suburb of Glendale. “When I interview someone, I make it very informal. I want people to show me that they can interact with people confidently, comfortably and politely. You need to have respect for customers, and you need to want to help them.”

Top ten innovative dispensary designs
Opening a dispensary in today’s rapidly growing cannabis economy isn’t for the faint of heart. Where rigid drug laws once restricted the market, the current pervasiveness of cannabis is driving the need for increasingly specialized branding strategies. As such, savvy dispensaries are pushing the creative envelope beyond…

2021 predictions from industry leaders
As 2020 winds to an end, It’s difficult to know what lies ahead for the world at large, but a little easier to make predictions for an industry we know so well. To that end, we reached out to some of our favorite speakers from MJ Unpacked and other industry luminaries and asked what they foresee for the year ahead.

Retail insights: Cannabis topicals and beverages see holiday season’s biggest sales spike
According to BDSA, during the week leading up to Christmas, daily sales of cannabis topicals jumped 43% compared to the three weeks prior. Cannabis beverages see a similar jump in sales at this time, up 45% the week of December 18–24 in 2019.

Colorado dispensaries showcase the latest in innovative retail design
Not so very long ago, a hasty sweep through a fluorescent-lit room with tinted windows was about the most memorable “retail experience” a cannabis shopper could hope for. Thankfully, dispensaries in mature markets are opting to ditch the classic low-profile design aesthetic for…

Top five things to consider when designing a cannabis retail space
In a few short years, cannabis retail design has become big business and an important consideration in competitive markets. We asked the design team at eie-greencloud to share their insights …

The truth about Green Wednesday
Cannabis businesses across the country are gearing up for a surge in customers on what’s become known as Green Wednesday — the day before Thanksgiving. Due to people stocking up on munchies-inducing treats before the ultimate food holiday, Green Wednesday now rivals Black Friday…

Retail Spotlight: Tacoma’s Emerald Leaves
Leroy Duane Dunn of Tacoma’s Emerald Leaves on the importance of building community, how Washington’s high tax rates make it harder for small minority-owned businesses to succeed, and what needs to happen to…

Bottlenecks, roadblocks, and the black market: An overview of Michigan’s adult use cannabis market in 2020
Michigan’s adult-use cannabis market is on pace to eclipse $500 million in sales in 2020, a relatively average first year performance that’s been held back by…

Trend Watch: The move toward “premium” products
As the cannabis industry matures, consumers are growing up along with it and gravitating toward more sophisticated products. Most cannabis data-tracking companies don’t distinguish premium brands from the rest of the products available on the market, but