Drake and Canopy Growth Launch New Cannabis Company

(Top) Jars of marijuana and person rolling a joint. (Bottom) Drake, Telenor Arena 2017.
(Top) Jars of marijuana and person rolling a joint. Photo by Wesley Gibbs on Unsplash. (Bottom) “Drake, Telenor Arena 2017” by NRK P3 is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

Drake is the latest celebrity to partner up with Ontario based company, Canopy Growth Corporation. They have entered into agreements to launch the More Life Growth Company, a fully licensed producer of cannabis-based in Drake’s hometown of Toronto, Canada.

“When we first began talks with Drake we were extremely inspired by and aligned with his vision to bring best-in-class cannabis products to the world,” said Mark Zekulin, CEO, Canopy Growth Corporation. “Drake’s perspective as a cultural leader and entrepreneur combined with Canopy Growth’s breadth of cannabis knowledge will allow our new company to bring an unmatched cannabis experience to global markets.”

Drake’s eclectic career includes experience across a wide variety of industries including music, television, film, fashion, sports, brand development, content curation, and social and digital media strategy. Having launched numerous successful brands over the past decade, he is uniquely positioned to bring his innovative eye to the recreational cannabis industry.

“The opportunity to partner with a world-class company like Canopy Growth on a global scale is really exciting,” shared More Life Growth Company founder, Drake. “The idea of being able to build something special in an industry that is ever-growing has been inspiring. More Life and More Blessing.”

Proudly based in Drake’s hometown of Toronto, More Life is centered around wellness, discovery and overall personal growth with the hope of facilitating connections and shared experiences across the globe.

“All in all, we couldn’t be more excited to partner with Drake to bring his vision for the More Life Growth Company to global cannabis markets,” concluded Mr. Zekulin. “We anticipate a long, successful, and mutually beneficial working relationship.”

In connection with the launch of the More Life brand, a previously wholly-owned subsidiary (the “More Life Growth Company”) of Canopy Growth, has issued shares to certain entities that are controlled by Drake. Following the issuance of the shares, Drake holds a 60% ownership interest in the More Life Growth Company, with Canopy Growth retaining a 40% ownership.

Cannabis and Fashion Holiday Collaboration

Gold kush in a glass bowl.
Gold kush in a glass bowl. Photo by Jacalyn Beales on Unsplash.

This holiday season, award-winning and design-focused Canadian cannabis brand, Tokyo Smoke, is teaming up with an iconic luxury retailer, Holt Renfrew, for a first of its kind collaboration that introduces fashion to flower. The collaboration includes a capsule collection of cannabis accessories wrapped in Holt Renfrew’s Toile print and holiday pop-up accessory shops at Holt Renfrew’s locations in Vancouver and Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre.

The Tokyo Smoke and Holt Renfrew brand intersection offer a unique and groundbreaking opportunity for both retailers, who share the same approach to thoughtful and intentional design. Celebrating the feeling of true Canadian winter, two special edition products were born: the Catch All Tray and the Storage Jar, both featuring Holt Renfrew’s Holiday Toile print inspired by a winter wonderland. The special edition products will be accompanied by a curated selection of Tokyo Smoke’s best selling design and fashion-forward accessories, suited for every type of cannabis user, from beginners to connoisseurs.  

“This collaboration was an incredible opportunity for two seemingly diverse worlds to collide—Tokyo Smoke as a newcomer in the nascent legal recreational cannabis industry, and Holt’s as an established and highly esteemed fashion retailer,” said Berkeley Poole, VP & Creative Director, Tokyo Smoke Brands. “We share a love for design, beauty, and luxury in every experience. This collaboration allows us to introduce Tokyo Smoke to consumers in a way that sparks interest and curiosity. Our chic accessories will make any home warmer this season, perhaps for new customers who may not have considered cannabis as part of their holiday celebrations in the past.”

Tokyo Smoke has been working to change the perception of cannabis use through thoughtfully designed products, education-led events, and immersive retail experiences. This collaboration is another stepping stone in shifting the narrative and allowing the brand to continue educating Canadians.

Reflective of Tokyo Smoke’s retail locations, the pop-ups will be a sensory experience: bright and spacious with items intentionally displayed. Holt Renfrew associates will be on-site to walk guests through each accessory, educating them on tailored experiences for their specific needs.

The Vancouver pop-up, located at 737 Dunsmuir Street and Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre pop-up, located at 3401 Dufferin St., is now open. Both locations will welcome consumers who are 19 years of age or older until December 31, 2019. 

Colorado – Denver’s Best Cannabis Tours

420 graphic
420 graphic. Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay.

Colorado was one of two states to first legalize marijuana recreationally back in 2012. Denver aka Mile High City, was the first city to make marijuana legal for adult-enjoyment use, so they have had time to tweak, organize, and perfect cannabis tours compared to other cities like San Francisco or Portland.

So, if you’re visiting the Mile High City or a local cannabis aficionado, check out the best cannabis tours Denver has to offer.

My 420 Tours
My 420 Tours offers more than a dozen fun cannabis experiences ranging from luxury all-inclusive weekends for two to budget-friendly two-hour walking tours. They have associated with a curated selection of cannabis-friendly hotels and great dispensaries located in the heart of Downtown Denver and the surrounding areas. Their All-inclusive 420 Vacations include staying in a picked 420-friendly hotel where guests can vape in the comfort of their hotel room or the outdoor smoking area. Guests are treated to VIP insider access to the cultivation and business sides of cannabis, as well as 420-friendly airport transportation.

Puff, Pass, & Paint
Puff, Pass & Paint launched in Denver in 2014 and has since grown to offer cannabis-infused creative classes in 13 cities across the country. The classes aren’t about painting the perfect piece of art. It’s about being part of an atmosphere that is relaxed, comfortable, open-minded and allowing participants to freely create their own original masterpiece. Held in private residences, guests are urged to BYOC (bring your own cannabis) to smoke, vape or eat while following step-by-step instructions on creating their classic painting.

Loopr
Catch a ride on the Green Line. Loopr is Denver’s only mobile smoking lounge. Go hotspot hopping around downtown Denver on their cannabis-friendly Green Line – a safe and smart way to enjoy all of Denver’s cannabis culture aboard the ultimate marijuana lounge. Loopr recently launched its mobile app where riders can schedule pickups and drop-offs.

Cultivating Spirits
Cultivating Spirits presents a sophisticated, complete cannabis dining adventure. They aim to inform people about the importance of becoming a cannabis connoisseur while savoring world-class food and intellectual chat while smoking, not infusing. Their full crew which consists of a cannabis sommelier, chef, and serving staff will curate a one-of-a-kind 3-course dinner experience, pairing the finest cannabis with gourmet cuisine at the comfort of your own home.

Seed & Smith
In 2014 Seed & Smith began to build an innovative company focused on two things: creating exceptional cannabis products and demonstrating their passion and process through innovation and education with unrivaled transparency. They offer a free 40-minute guided Grow Tour which is an exclusive look behind-the-curtain at how cannabis is grown, harvested, extracted, processed, and packaged.

City Sessions Denver
City Sessions Denver concentrates on private custom tours of the cannabis industry with a focus on learning. Servicing four main demographics; first time consumers, regular consumers, industry investors, and medical patients, they present a full-immersion education on the plant and product line. Also, they show guests how to navigate the product line for their unique body chemistry to heighten an experience or help in an illness.

Chelsea Handler Launches New Cannabis Line

Chelsea Handler and woman holding marijuana buds.
(Left) “File:Chelsea Handler 2012 Shankbone 3.JPG” by David Shankbone is licensed under CC BY 3.0. (Right) Woman holding marijuana buds. Photo by LexScope on Unsplash.

After the 2016 election, many Americans felt a bit anxious and Chelsea Handler was no exception. It was the post-2016 election that Handler renewed her interest in cannabis, especially edibles.

Marijuana aided Handler to relax and increase her creativity. “I really just needed to take it down a notch, to be still, to not watch the news on a loop, and to chill out,” she says.

Momentarily, Chelsea Handler – comedian, author, talk show host, and now, entrepreneur – specifically, cannabis. Handler will be launching a cannabis line, beginning next year, highlighting edible chocolates and gummies and a variety of pre-rolls.

Due to the current controversy regarding vapes, her vape related merchandise has been put on hold for now. “Creating an extremely high-quality product and positive experience for our consumers is so important to me. For this reason, we are pivoting our product assortment for launch and holding off on releasing our set of vapes until we fully explore all formulation options, ensuring the quality, transparency, and safety of all of our products”, Handler said.

NorCal Cannabis Company of San Francisco will be the source and supplier of Handler’s cannabis products.

Handler explained that after the 2016 election, her outrage was at a high and alcohol didn’t help suppress it. As a matter of fact, alcohol was enhancing her outrage. Edibles opened up a whole new world for her and accommodated her to take her time with things again.

When asked how her fabulous experience with pot made her want to get into the cannabis business, she said, “I wanted to show anyone who’s had a bad experience with edibles, who is too scared to come back: It’s like, “No, no, no — it’s safe now.” I’ve always been vocal about whatever I’m interested in. So then I started pursuing it. But I wanted to do my due diligence, so I met with a bunch of companies. I flew up to a bunch of grows and got as informed as I could. I’ve done my research back and forth. I’ve had every edible under the sun. You could probably give me 100 milligrams of pot right now and you would not see a difference. It’s a constant learning curve. It feels like this whole business is going to get still more informed every day.”

Handler wants to inform anyone curious about cannabis by educating them regarding its advantages and deciphering the best methods to use it as well as destigmatize the marijuana plant.

For more on this story, read Chelsea Handler Gets Into the Cannabis Business by Jonathan Small on Greenwich Time.

Women Thriving in the Cannabis Industry

Woman holding Like a Boss mug.
Woman holding Like a Boss mug. Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash.

According to a report published by Marijuana Business Daily, women currently hold more than one third (about 37%) of senior executive positions in the cannabis industry, compared with a 21% national average for all U.S. businesses. The number dropped to 27% in 2017, however, it has since gone back up.

Now, will this trend last and grow?

Ayr Strategies Inc. Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Drake believes, “Given cannabis is coming of age in an era of increased awareness of the importance of gender and racial equality, cannabis companies have the ability to establish their cultures with this top of mind.”

A hurdle that might get in the way of more female executives in the marijuana business is the “boy’s club” mentality when it comes to cannabis investment. Deciding the future of cannabis companies are mostly men.

“Cannabis legalization was born from a variety of progressive causes and movements, so it makes sense that, overall, we are far more thoughtful about equity than, for example, tech. There have also been a number of amazing female pioneers in the space who have ensured that gender equity has stayed front and center as the industry has grown. But, it is still a struggle.”, said Amy T. Margolis, attorney, and founder of The Initiative, a business accelerator for women-founded cannabis businesses.

Margolis made clear, “We just saw a ton of capital come into the space, mostly from white men, and we also saw a huge rush in new businesses from legalization going into effect in a number of states. Now that those states are stabilizing, we are seeing a little bit more of an equilibrium in the leadership and founder roles women are playing.

The proportion of women leaders may decline again as new states legalize cannabis and another influx of capital comes from white men, but states can prevent this by establishing social equity licensing requirements, such as those stating that a certain percentage of licenses must go to women-owned businesses, and issuing micro-licenses to help small businesses compete.”

For more on this story, read New Report Suggests Women Are Thriving in Cannabis. Are They? by Suzannah Weiss on Weedmaps.

CBD Product For Dog Featured on Oprah Winfrey’s Magazine

(Top) CBD oil. (Bottom) Sleeping puppy.
(Top) CBD oil. Image by Julia Teichmann from Pixabay. (Bottom) Sleeping puppy. Image by Pexels from Pixabay.

Dope Dog’s CBD pet products are gaining popularity after being featured on The O-List in the October 2019 issue of Oprah Magazine. This October issue is the first-ever to feature a pet-themed O-List.

The item highlighted is the Dope Dropper which contains 500mg of CBD suspended in biologically appropriate MCT coconut oil. According to Dope Dog’s website, the Dope Dropper is popular for helping with separation anxiety, reducing inflammation, and promoting calmness and balance.

Dope Dog was founded in 2017 by pet parents Erin Mastopietro and Michael Benatar to help treat issues their dogs faced. “Unsatisfied with the quality and strength of products available in the pet market, we knew there was a better way. This is what led to the creation of Dope Dog’s first product, Calming Crunchies.”, said Benatar, Co-founder.

The brand caters to the savvy pet owner with their small-batch, human-grade line-up. They are best known for their line of Calming Crunchies, including an oven-baked peanut butter biscuit with 6mg of CBD per treat, 50% higher than the industry average. All products and ingredients are sourced and created in the United States, a tough claim to make in the pet industry.

Dope Dog uses organic, industrial hemp grown in Colorado. According to their product descriptions, their hemp is extracted by the hydrocarbon method and purified by chromatography, making it top food grade. It is also guaranteed to be free of heavy metals, pesticides, and herbicides. Consumers may appreciate that every batch is third-party lab-tested to guarantee purity and safety. Dope Dog makes it easy to reference test results with a scannable QR code on all products which links directly to a page on their website, updated with the latest lab tests for each product.

The competition in the CBD market for pets is growing. Luckily, trend spotting seems to be Dope Dog’s strong suit. They recently launched Soothing Suds, the first CBD pet shampoo designed to soothe dry, itchy skin by reducing topical inflammation.

“We are in research and development to expand our topical line, which will allow our customers to administer CBD onto their pet’s skin, coat, and paws in new ways. We expect this to be a game-changer because of all the requests we get on this particular topic.”, said Erin Mastopietro, Co-founder.

Debunking Popular CBD Myths

Hemp plant showing CBD compound.
Hemp plant showing CBD compound. Image by cytis from Pixabay.

As the CBD boom continues, more medical researches are being done to understand the health benefits it offers. However, there are still plenty of rumors floating about in public, so let’s address those, shall we?

1.CBD Will Get You High: CBD will not get you high and it is not addictive. Cannabidiol (CBD) is just one of over one hundred compounds of a marijuana plant. Some are psychoactive – like THC and will get you high and some do not. CBD is not psychoactive therefore you will not get stoned consuming it.

2.CBD is Illegal: The majority of CBD products in the market and the ones sold online stemmed from industrial hemp. Hemp is legal to grow in the United States under the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized hemp at the federal level. This bill revised the Controlled Substances Act to clear hemp from the definition of marijuana. Hemp contains less than 0.3% or less THC content (by dry weight).

CBD acquired from marijuana plants is only permitted in states where cannabis is legal recreationally or medicinally. Retailers selling CBD from marijuana in cannabis-legal states must be licensed. Online sales for these types of CBD are not allowed by any states.

3.All CBD Products Are The Same: There are 3 types of CBD products –

  • CBD Isolate: This is the truest form of CBD, comprising 99.9% CBD. It does not include THC or other compounds.
  • Full-Spectrum CBD: Aside from CBD, this encompasses all the compounds in hemp including <0.3% of THC. Full-spectrum CBD provides a greater benefit known as “Entourage effect”.
  • Broad-Spectrum CBD: It contains CBD and all components of hemp, except for THC.

Be sure to purchase from trustworthy and licensed retailers no matter what type of CBD product you buy. Unfortunately, many of the products are mislabelled due to a lack of FDA regulations. If you are not buying CBD products from a licensed store, then you should look for the “Certificate of Analysis” on the company’s website. Every legitimate company will have a COA.

4.You Need THC For CBD To Work: No compound is superior or inferior to the other in over the hundred compounds in hemp. CBD alone affects more of the greatest source of pain in the body, such as inflammation; while CBD with THC provides an entourage effect that may have a grander impact on relieving psychological symptoms, such as anxiety.

5.You Can Take CBD in Any Dosage: CBD products are not FDA approved meaning there is no standard recommended dosage and that can be a likely problem.

In general, CBD products are considered quite safe. However, a recent studay shows liver intoxication was noted at 2460mg per day, while a dose of 615 mg per day started showing liver toxicity from day 3-4. These are all extremely high dosages that would never normally be consumed.

There are general guidelines you can find from reputable sources online, such as the chart below from Green Flower Botanicals. And, of course, for safety measures, it is recommended you check with your physician especially if you’re taking prescription medications regularly.

CBD oil dosage chart by Green Flower Botanicals.
CBD oil dosage chart by Green Flower Botanicals.

6.CBD and Marijuana Are The Same: No. The end.

As mentioned above. Most CBD products are made from hemp which is legal and contains less than <0.3% THC and does not get you high. CBD made from marijuana does not include the THC which is the psychoactive compound that gets you high.

For more on this story, read 6 Most Common Myths About CBD That Need To Be Debunked by Sneha on Heaven Wellness.

Canada’s Seniors Receives Cannabis Discount

Senior gentleman smoking a marijuana joint.
Senior gentleman smoking a marijuana joint. Image by Ben Kerckx from Pixabay.

Forbes contributor Abbie Rosner interviewed Moses Znaimer, President of CARP (Canadian Association for Retired Persons) – Canada’s version of AARP, to talk about medical marijuana and CARP’s support to help members learn about and obtain medical cannabis.

Recently, AARP vocalized the need for education on medical marijuana for seniors. Rosner asked Znaimer about CARP’s record on this issue to which Znaimer replied, “CARP has been well ahead of the curve regarding cannabis. As far back as a decade ago, we endorsed the idea of decriminalization first, and then legalization. And, even before that, I myself was active in the movement that led to that coming about politically. Beyond that, we have polled our members from time to time and learned that they are comfortable with cannabis, especially from a medical point of view.

Right now, we have an arrangement with the largest marijuana producer, Canopy Growth, so that, if you are a CARP member, you can receive certain strains of medical cannabis that carry the CARP recommended seal for a significant discount (20% off). For patients who may spend as much as 4 to 5 thousand dollars a year on this medicine, this can represent a savings of a thousand dollars a year or more.”

The CARP seal is a ‘seal of approval’ the organization awards to companies that offer either products that are created with CARP members particularly in mind or, for which they offer a large benefit, like a big discount.

CARP also has a program affiliated with ZoomerMedia called ONE: GET FIT that is currently boosting its attention on cannabis. Said Znaimer, “It currently specializes in yoga, meditation, healthy living and cooking, but we are turning it into more of a marijuana information channel, with various program components, short and long, with the overall positioning of “Cannabis for Beginners”.”

ZoomerMedia is a media company – magazine, television, and radio, that focuses on the senior demographic age group.

For more on this story, read Canada’s AARP Members Get Information—And Discounts—On Cannabis by Abbie Rosner on Forbes.

Brewbudz – Cannabis-infused Coffee For Your Keurig

(Left) Marijuana buds and marijuana leaf. (Right) Coffee and coffee beans.
(Left) Marijuana buds and marijuana leaf. Image by chuck herrera from Pixabay. (Right) Coffee and coffee beans. Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay.

Brewbudz is the world’s first product line of cannabis-infused coffee, tea, and cocoa delivered through a 100% compostable flower-based single-brew pod. It works with all Keurig® and Keurig 2.0® brewers. As a flower-based edible, the products will not introduce oils that can build up within a brewer and obstruct the brewing process.

And don’t worry, the pods are eco-friendly. Scientists and world-class environmental experts got together to create the world’s first and only compostable single-serve brew pod of its kind. The distinctive ring on every one of the Brewbudz pods comes from the skin of roasted coffee beans (chaff) and the lid is a combination of compostable materials and inks. When composted correctly, the pod and outer packaging (box) can break down in weeks, creating an Eco beneficial bi-product (fertilizer) that leaves no toxic residue and returns to the earth and not landfills.

Brewbudz offers various dosage options to fit every lifestyle. Consumers can select from a variety of dosing strengths infused with either sativa cannabis to give them a pickup or indica to help them relax and sleep. Once brewed, Brewbudz cannabis-infused beverage is virtually absent of cannabis odor and taste while protecting and delivering the effects safely and naturally.

Brewbudz Products:

  • West Coast Roast (Coffee) – Made from responsibly sourced 100% Arabica beans
    • Available in: Regular and Caffeine-Free
    • THC Content: 10mg, 25mg and 50mg
  • Artisan (Tea) – Carefully crafted with the most delicious tea leaves and high-quality cannabis to create exhilarating blends that delight the senses
    • Available in: Black, Green and Herbal Tea’s
    • THC Content: 10mg, 25mg and 50mg
  • Decadent Dark Chocolate (Cocoa) – Made with the highest quality chocolate and other all-natural ingredients
    • THC Content: 10mg, 25mg and 50mg

Brewbudz is now available in dispensaries located across Nevada. Availability in Colorado and California will soon follow, with additional state launches to be announced shortly thereafter.

Brewbudz is a brand by Cannabiniers, a food service, technology, and brand management company revolutionizing the cannabis industry with patented, safe and natural flower-based extraction technology.

Encouraging Introductory Medical Marijuana Research in Reducing Opioid Use

Marijuana leaf on canvas.
Marijuana leaf on canvas. Image by M. Maggs from Pixabay.

Further meticulous controlled study must be done to conclude if there are pain relief advantages to medical marijuana that can help chronic pain and surpass possible risks. However, a methodical study of published researches to be presented at the Anesthesiology 2019 annual meeting notes initial promise to reduce opioid use and potential abuse with medical cannabis.

Five of the seven studies the analysis focused on concluded medical marijuana may be linked with advantages such as decreased opioid overdose rates, decreased opioid use, improved quality of life and improved pain control.

Mario Moric, MS, a biostatistician at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and lead author of the study said, “Overall the results suggest medical marijuana may provide some benefit in mitigating opioid misuse, but the studies were not randomized controlled trials comparing marijuana to a placebo, which is what we need to determine a true benefit. There are other issues to consider as well, including side effects and the fact that these products often aren’t regulated.”

Added Asokumar Buvanendran, M.D., chair of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Committee on Pain Medicine, vice-chair of research at Rush University Medical Center, and co-author of the study, “Long-term effects of medical marijuana are not known and haven’t been studied yet. Early clinical evidence suggests that marijuana might have detrimental effects on the brain.”

The many data from the five studies that displayed a positive advantage included a 29% decrease in opioid overdoses in states with medical marijuana and a 44% to 64% decrease in opioid use with chronic pain patients. The two other studies saw no evidence of decreased opioid use overall. One of these studies found that pain actually rose for a small subset of patients using marijuana who had more illnesses and generally sicker.

The researchers concluded the effect of the combined studies was .59, indicating the advantages of medical marijuana were found to be weak to moderate overall, but important. Anything above 0 is positive and anything below 0 is negative, with 1 or higher showing a substantial effect for this type of research.

For more on this story, read Preliminary Medical Marijuana Research Shows Promise in Lessening Opioid Use by American Society of Anesthesiologists on Medical Xpress.