It’s been a busy post-holiday week for the weed world. Here are some headlines you may have missed in the flurry.
Whoa…Biden signed the bill. The president made history by signing a marijuana research bill into law–the first-ever standalone piece of federal cannabis reform legislation. The landmark bill is meant to make researching the plant easier, as well as push the federal government to examine its potential therapeutic effects. Potential findings could help with Biden’s promise to review the plant’s scheduling status.
Curaleaf has a new Director of Social Equity. The company recently appointed Darius Kemp, a community activist who previously worked as the Head of Equity and Community Change at Eaze, to the position. Kemp will establish social equity partnerships and work with 420×25, a program for underrepresented communities in the cannabis business.
El Blunto is coming to Canada. Toronto-based Olli Brands struck a partnership with the company and will bring two initial product offerings to Ontario in January 2023. Ontarians will be able to buy a .75-gram El Bluntito cannabis cigarillo and a two-gram El Blunto cigar infused with THCa diamonds in the new year.
Cannabis workers in Illinois are fed up. Teamsters Local 777 members employed at Schaumburg-based Enlightened Dispensary recently led a strike over unfair labor practices. Teamster members allege the company has been retaliating against union activists and refusing to acknowledge their rights under the National Labor Relations Act. Not looking very enlightened, if you ask me.
And they’re off! Rhode Island retail has begun. The state has converted five existing medical dispensaries to hybrid stores, selling both medical and recreational products. Little Rhody is expected to bring in about $15 million in tax revenue in its first year of sales.
