Marijuana leaf/American flag graphic. Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay.
The latest Pew Research Center survey released November 14th says the share of U.S. adults who oppose legalization has fallen from 52% in 2010 to 32% today. A strong majority of U.S. adults (91%) say marijuana should be legal either for medical and recreational use (59%) or that it should be legal just for medical use (32%). Less than one-in-ten (8%) favor keeping marijuana illegal in all cases.
Majorities of Millennials (born between 1981 and 1997), Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980) and Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) say the use of marijuana should be legal. Members of the Silent Generation (born between 1928 and 1945) continue to be the least supportive of legalization: Only 35% favor legalizing marijuana, while 64% are opposed.
The generational divide in views of marijuana legalization exists within both political parties. Large majorities of Boomer (81%), Gen X (76%) and Millennial Democrats (78%) say the use of marijuana should be made legal, compared with 53% of Silent Generation Democrats who say this.
Millennial Republicans also broadly favor legalizing marijuana use; in fact, Republicans in this generation are almost as supportive of legalization as Millennial Democrats (71% vs. 78%). Gen X and Boomer Republicans are more closely divided, with 55% of Gen X Republicans and 49% of Boomer Republicans favoring legalization. GOP members of the Silent Generation are the least likely to favor marijuana legalization: Just 21% say marijuana use should be legal, while three-quarters (76%) say it should not.
The increase in public support for legal marijuana has come as a growing number of states have legalized marijuana for medical or recreational use.
Smiling woman smoking a marijuana joint. Photo by paje victoria on Unsplash.
After one year of waiting – the initiative passed in November 2018, Michigan residents will be able to buy marijuana for recreational use on December 1.
According to the Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency, medical marijuana establishments must obtain a recreational license from the state. Michigan regulators started accepting and approving those licenses earlier this month. Once the recreational license is acquired, they can transfer up to half of their inventory to the recreational market.
The use of recreational marijuana is restricted inside a private residence. Using inside a private vehicle or any public place is not allowed. Plants grown at home must be safe and cannot be noticeable to the public.
Michigan laws regarding driving under the influence of marijuana are similar to the state’s drunk driving law which is illegal.
Extensive commercial sales of cannabis most likely will not happen until March or April of 2020 giving licensed suppliers time to grow and harvest their first crop.
However, the law also supports local communities to decide whether they want to allow marijuana businesses within their boundaries. Some mid-Michigan towns have decided against marijuana sales.
Also, companies are allowed to ban marijuana use among their employees. Corporations such as General Motors have said employees using marijuana could face disciplinary action.
Commercial marijuana sales in Michigan are subject to an additional 10% tax. That is expected to raise about $130 million a year for schools, roads, and local governments.
Kikoko has closed an $8 million round of Series A funding led by Bengal Capital. Series A funding is the first round of financing that a startup business receives from a venture capital firm.
FlowKana, Kikoko’s distributor and supply chain partner, also participated in the round, which brings Kikoko’s total funding to $14 million to date. The funding follows a breakout year in which the company’s signature tea products propelled Kikoko to the No. 1 position in California cannabis beverage sales (BDS Analytics).
“We are very excited to align ourselves with Kikoko, a company founded by women that is creating health and wellness solutions for women,” said Sanjay Tolia, a partner at Bengal Capital. “Kikoko has proven hugely successful thus far, and we’re thrilled to assist them in their next phase of growth.”
Established in 2015, Kikoko has set the standard for cannabis botanical wellness products. A women-founded, women-centric company, Kikoko’s cannabis-infused herbal teas, and HoneyShots, and other, soon-to-be-released cannabis-infused botanical products, offer consumers sensibly dosed alternatives to pharmaceuticals and alcohol. Formulated to address issues with sleep, stress, pain, anxiety, libido, mood and focus, Kikoko’s products are made with organically sun-grown cannabis, organic adaptogenic herbs, and pure New Zealand Manuka honey.
“When we started Kikoko, there was no momentum in the cannabis industry around women, beverages or wellness,” said Jennifer Chapin, co-founder, and co-CEO of Kikoko. “We saw an opening for innovation and leadership, and an opportunity to own the women’s market and create our own category. We chose tea as our anchor product; we knew that if we could succeed with tea, we could succeed with other products.”
Chapin’s premonition was correct. According to BDS, Kikoko has led cannabis beverage sales in California for five straight quarters, with sales dominated by female consumers. The success of the tea is closely mirrored by the robust sales of Kikoko’s new HoneyShots, a line of products that will see statewide distribution in October 2019.
“Kikoko is built on the premise of staying true to our beliefs and doing business the women’s way,” said Amanda Jones, the other co-founder and co-CEO of Kikoko. “As a women-led company, Kikoko is uniquely positioned to create efficacious products that address women’s wellness, and design and package products in a beautiful way for women to notice, listen and give themselves permission to try.”
Kikoko is also stepping up as a leader in sustainable packaging, something not often seen in the cannabis industry. The company has pledged that by Q1 2020, all packaging will be compostable or recyclable to every extent possible. In addition, whenever possible all ingredients in Kikoko’s products are organic, non-GMO and fair-trade — in keeping with Kikoko’s credo, which states in part: “We won’t sell anything we wouldn’t put into our own bodies, and we won’t put anything in packaging that will be on the planet in perpetuity.”
With the new capital, Kikoko will continue to build its team, launch new wellness products, deepen retail relationships and build out its direct-to-consumer sales platform. This latest round of funding will also assist the company in reaching its goal of having the healthiest and most environmentally sustainable cannabis products on the market.
“We take pride in our partnership with Kikoko, an incredible Bay Area company with whom we share a vision of the future,” said Michael Steinmetz, CEO, and co-founder of Flow Kana. “The opportunity for California to create the gold standard for a sustainable cannabis industry is grand, and the responsibility to do so even grander. We are so honored to support Kikoko’s continued growth, as well as its dedication to this mission.”
Double Dragon Pre-roll Tubes in assorted colors. Image provided by Green Street Monster.
With the increasing interest in cannabis both for its medicinal and recreational use, the demand for quality accessories is skyrocketing. Green Street Monster is answering the call in a big way with their new Double Dragon Pre-roll Tube—a 2-in-1 tube with 1 chamber for fresh pre-rolls and a 2nd chamber called the “graveyard” for half-smoked rolls. The first of its kind.
Anyone who has ever used a traditional single chamber tube can relate to the undesired ashes that get on the tips of new pre-rolls when attempting to reuse one.
“It’s the ultimate solution to enjoying a top-notch smoking experience every time and just about anywhere,” commented Green Street Monster. “We know our customers are going to love the Double Dragon as much as we do; there’s nothing like it in the market today.”
The Double Dragon Pre-roll Tube is discreet, airtight, odor-free, waterproof (yes, they float!) and BPA free. It’s also made in the USA. The Double Dragon comes in two different sizes, King and Regular as well as in a variety of colors: smoke, blue, purple, orange, red, and green. It can carry up to 3x more than other tubes on the market.
The Double Dragon is great for personal use, gifts or even stocking stuffers just in time for the holidays.
(Top) 21 strains of gorgeous Oklahoman grown flower. (Bottom) APCO MED-Tulsa bud bar patient lounge. Images provided by APCO Media.
The APCO Group, the parent company of APCO MED, announced the November 15th, 2019 “Grand Opening of Gratitude” – a celebration for its first medical marijuana dispensary concept store located in Tulsa’s Flower District – Oklahoma’s first cannabis-friendly mall. Medical marijuana is legal in Oklahoma, but not for recreational use.
CEO Ford Austin said, “Since it is close to Thanksgiving, we’ve decided to take the opportunity to give back to patients for supporting us. This store, with its extra-large bar-style layout, can service a very large number of patients. We are thrilled to offer our trademark feature – affordable cannabis medicine for all patients in a lounge atmosphere with complimentary beverages. Additionally, our space is ideal to educate our patients about medical marijuana, its effects, and safe dosing techniques, while they wait to be helped.”
APCO MED will be providing many levels of cannabis education training, meditation classes and energy healing sound baths in its 3,000 square-foot events center located on the second floor.
Meditation teacher Lauree Dash had this to say, “Meditation has so many natural benefits to offer, including increasing the density of gray matter in our brains, helping to reduce our fight, flight or freeze response and strengthening the area of our brains where executive functions are performed. Regular meditation improves concentration, reduces stress, improves memory and may help reduce anxiety and depression.”
Other merchant services offered in Tulsa’s Flower District include a full- service bar; plush tattoo parlor; a high-end nail salon; smoking accessories & jewelry store; Tulsa’s best vintage record store; a psychic reading/energy work store; and even a steak dinner delivery service. Many Tulsa residents have mentioned the addition of APCO MED dispensary as the “jewel on the crown” of an already amazing shopping center experience.
“What APCO being in Tulsa means is positivity, unity and a solid cannabis foundation for the Tulsa community,” says Oklahoma resident Crystal Smotherman.
Ford Austin & Shayna Marino, founders of APCO MED, said, “Partnering with the other businesses in the Flower District helps us ensure Tulsa patients have a public place where they are not only permitted, but also encouraged, to medicate in public. By moving the Oklahoma medical marijuana community in this direction, it also helps us increase the visibility of the professionalism of the legal cannabis industry in Oklahoma overall.”
Guy smoking a marijuana joint. Photo by GRAS GRÜN on Unsplash.
Aphria Inc., a leading global cannabis company headquartered in Leamington, Ontario, announced that all five of its medical and recreational brands, as well as its subsidiary Broken Coast Cannabis’ Head Grower, were recognized at the 6th Annual Canadian Cannabis Awards.
The Company received a total of seven awards. An expert panel of judges awarded Broken Coast’s Head Grower Kevin Anderson ‘Master Grower’ and Aphria’s Solei’s CBN Renew oil ‘Innovation of the Year‘. Additionally, after more than 31,000 Canadians voted, the Company’s adult-use brands Solei, RIFF, Good Supply, Broken Coast, and its medical brand Aphria, took home top honors in product categories.
“We are thrilled to have not only all five of our brands across our medical and recreational portfolios – Solei, RIFF, Good Supply, Broken Coast and Aphria – recognized by thousands of Canadians but to have our Solei Renew CBN oil win ‘Innovation of the Year‘,” said Irwin D. Simon. “These awards speak to the quality of our products and strength of our brands, as well as our commitment to innovation and continuously setting the bar higher to deliver products we believe meet the needs of our patients and consumers.”
“We are proud to see the hard work of Kevin Anderson, Head Grower at Broken Coast honored,” added Simon. “Broken Coast’s superior craft quality is just one reason why it continues to receive accolades and remains one of the most sought-after brands on the market; another key factor is Kevin’s expertise, leadership, and direction. We congratulate Kevin, and the teams in British Columbia and Ontario for the award-winning work they continue to deliver. Aphria’s success will continue to be driven by our incredible employees, and compelling and differentiated portfolio of brands and products.”
In the ‘Judged Category’, winners were chosen by an expert panel of judges. The Company is pleased to announce the following two awards:
Innovation of the Year – Solei Renew CBN Oil by Aphria
Top Master Grower – Kevin Anderson, Head Grower, Broken Coast Cannabis
In the ‘Consumers’ Choice’ category, the top dried flower, oil, capsules, sprays and pre-roll cannabis products were chosen by more than 31,000 Canadians. The honors achieved by all five of the Company’s brands are as follows:
Top Hybrid Flower – Ruxton (Sour OG) by Broken Coast Cannabis
Top High CBD Bottled Oil – CBD 25:1 Oil by Aphria
Top Sativa Dominant Pre-roll – Jean Guy Pre-roll by Good Supply
Top Indica Dominant Pre-roll – Subway Scientist Pre-roll by RIFF
Pizza on chopping board. Photo by Chad Montano on Unsplash.
Founded in 2013, Stoner’s Pizza Joint is a millennial-focused, quick-service pizza franchise. Recently purchased, Stoner’s Pizza Joint launched its franchising program in late 2018 along with fresh new branding that is in line with the convergence of cannabis culture sweeping the food industry. Since the launch, Stoner’s has continued to identify the Southeast region as a key market for expansion.
The company freshly announced that it is accelerating its franchise development efforts with the opening of its newest franchisee-owned location in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
“2019 has been an exciting year for Stoner’s Pizza Joint with the launch of our new branding and accelerating our franchise program with the addition of strong multi-unit franchisees. It’s been a wonderful journey introducing the brand to Florida and insulating it with everything it needs to be the leader in this space and the Ft. Lauderdale market is no exception,” said Nick Bergelt, Chief Concept Officer of Stoner’s Pizza Joint, “we’re extremely excited to bring Stoner’s to this area with our fresh, new look and customer experience. We look forward to growing quickly in this market.”
Stoner’s Pizza Joint considers itself to be a delivery-focused concept, with delivery and off-premises dining accounting for approximately 50 percent of total sales. Committed to providing customers with a best in class experience, the brand has invested its resources into developing and incorporating state-of-the-art technology, which helps to streamline operational efficiency and provides customers with the best product, faster. The new Fort Lauderdale location has been equipped with this technology and will be launching the brand-new Stoners app this month for convenient ordering and rewards.
Stoner’s Pizza Joint is currently seeking qualified franchisees to help the brand grow nationwide in college town markets, with a focus on the Southeast region. Prospective franchisees should have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The ideal candidate is a proven, multi-unit operator in the restaurant industry and has a strong knowledge of their market. Stoner’s Pizza Joint’s Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) reveals an estimated initial investment range of $90,000 to $206,000 for the first location, including a franchise fee of $25,000. If franchisees chose to develop multiple units, the franchise fee for three units is $65,000 and, for five units, $95,000.
Marijuana Company of America announced its wholly-owned subsidiary, hempSmart, has entered into a CBD beverage product supply agreement with MCTC Holdings, Inc.
hempSMART will market MCTC’s powdered drink mixes and other CBD edibles online and via hempSMART’s network marketing partners. The products, which are branded under the trademarks: Hemp You Can Feel, will be based on the MCTC’s patent-pending cannabinoid infusion technologies that offer high bioavailability of cannabinoids.
Mr. Trevor Muehlfelder, COO of hempSMART commented, “Over the past few quarters we have gained traction with our products here in the U.S. and in our new European markets. These new products, which are based on unique and highly bioactive infusion technologies, fit well within our product line. We are looking forward to rolling out these products across our marketing channels.”
“There are now hundreds of CBD brands in the marketplace, so differentiation is critical,” commented MCTC CEO, Arman Tabatabaei. “Our differentiation is strong by way of our unique super bioavailability infusion of broad-spectrum hemp extracts and cannabinoids. We are very excited to be working with Marijuana Company of America and hempSMART as our first customers for our unique hemp extract powdered beverage and edibles products.”
Under the terms of the agreement between the companies, MCTC will private label its products for hempSMART, which will be responsible for marketing the products via direct online channels and through the hundreds of hempSMART network marketing partners. Products will include four varieties of powdered drink mixes under the MCTC’s Hemp You Can Feel trademark.
MCTC filed three patents on a cannabinoid delivery system and has collaborated with Cannabis Nanosciences, Inc. on technologies for the Company’s first patent filing for an edible dissolvable film for the delivery of cannabinoids and a second patent filing for cannabinoid nanoparticles combining TPGS, a water-soluble form of vitamin E.
The polymer-based nanoparticles being developed by MCTC should not be confused with the simple oil-in-water nanoemulsions being marketed as interim solutions to the food and beverage industry, as these two technologies are significantly different. The polymer-based particles the Company is developing will allow for significant loading of active ingredients and unparalleled flexibility in creating custom cannabinoid combinations with unique performance characteristics. MCTC believes polymeric nanotechnology particles will be an important technology area for the cannabinoid formulation marketplace.
Marijuana reform groups submitted petitions containing over 80,000 signatures to the South Dakota Secretary of State to qualify two separate marijuana reform ballot initiatives for next year’s election. One initiative would establish a medical marijuana program for qualified patients with debilitating health conditions, while the other would legalize marijuana for adults aged 21 and older and require the state legislature to enact a hemp cultivation law.
“We are proud to have submitted petitions on behalf of over 80,000 South Dakotans who believe that voters should decide our state’s marijuana and hemp laws,” said Brendan Johnson, a former United States Attorney who is the sponsor of the legalization ballot initiative.
New Approach South Dakota submitted over 30,000 signatures for a statutory ballot initiative that would enact a medical marijuana law for patients with debilitating medical conditions.
South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws submitted over 50,000 signatures for a constitutional ballot initiative that would legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana for adults aged 21 and older and would also require the legislature to enact laws regulating the cultivation, processing, and sale of hemp.
The minimum number of signatures required for ballot qualification is 16,961 for a statutory initiative and 33,921 for a constitutional initiative. Today was the deadline for submitting signatures, and the South Dakota Secretary of State will now begin verifying the validity of the signatures.
“For many years, we have asked the legislature to address the issue of medical marijuana,” said Melissa Mentele, director of New Approach South Dakota and sponsor of the medical marijuana ballot initiative. “Despite the fact that a strong majority of South Dakotans support allowing legal, regulated, and safe access to medical marijuana for patients with debilitating conditions, elected officials have failed to take action. Patients cannot afford to wait any longer, and this ballot initiative is our only recourse.”
Two of the leading national marijuana policy reform organizations, the Marijuana Policy Project and New Approach PAC, are supporting the South Dakota campaigns.
“Right now, there are South Dakotans with serious health conditions who are forced to break the law in order to access effective medical treatments that allow them to live healthier and more productive lives, and that is unacceptable,” said Marijuana Policy Project Deputy Director Matthew Schweich, who has worked on successful marijuana reform ballot initiative campaigns in Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Utah.
Eleven states have legalized marijuana for adults, and another 22 states have enacted medical marijuana laws. South Dakota would be the first state to enact both policies on a single ballot.
“Across the country, voters are recognizing that it makes no sense to waste law enforcement resources on arresting adults for marijuana possession and that it also makes no sense to force marijuana sales into an unregulated illicit market,” said Schweich. “Simply put, legalizing, regulating, and taxing marijuana is the policy decision that best serves the interests of public health and public safety.”
(Top) Colorful marijuana flower. Photo by Esteban Lopez on Unsplash. (Bottom) The U.S. Congress building. Photo by Darren Halstead on Unsplash.
In response to increasing reports of illnesses largely tied to illicit market vape cartridge products, the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) delivered a letter to both chambers of Congress urging sensible and timely federal action. The letter, which was signed by nearly 800 business leaders, advocates, and policy experts, asks lawmakers to immediately work to remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act so that cannabis products can be effectively regulated at the federal level. These actions would remove barriers to research, allow the federal government to establish uniform safety protocols and provide guidance to state regulatory bodies, and help displace the illicit unregulated cannabis market that is the source of the vast majority of the products tied to illness cases.
The full text of the letter with signatories is available here.
“This outbreak of illnesses is a terrible and unnecessary tragedy and the direct result of failed prohibition policies,” said Aaron Smith, executive director of the National Cannabis Industry. “It is imperative that lawmakers understand this, and know that the cannabis industry is committed to working with them to help solve this issue and prevent further suffering. We have the tools to protect cannabis consumers and improve public safety, and are ready to help Congress implement them without delay.”
Earlier this week, NCIA released an in-depth set of recommendations that should be used to establish a federal regulatory structure for different types of cannabis and hemp products through existing federal agencies.
“State regulators and responsible, licensed cannabis businesses have been doing an excellent job at keeping potentially dangerous products out of the legal market,” continued Smith. “We urge Congress to help us continue – and improve upon – this record by ending prohibition and creating an efficient and intelligent national regulatory structure.”
Yes! Cannabis! 