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inside this
issue.
contents: Q2 2018
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Strength in Education Supernova Women is creating educational and networking opportunities for people of color in the cannabis industry, while ensuring racial equity in local and state cannabis programs across the nation. ON THE COVER: Photo by Steve Terrebonne
Standing Up Few politicians have been known for their unwavering support for cannabis, Rep. Earl Blumenauer is one of the most passionate.
It’s taken almost a decade for cannabis to become an accepted form of medicine again, and now CBD is gaining popularity in even the most conservative states in the country.
22.
LEGAL
programs that give back to energy efficient cannabis businesses. 4
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Account Alex Brizicky, Eric Bulls, Executives Angie Callahan, Kim Cook, Molly Clark, Casey Roel, Annie Weber, Vic Zaragoza
office Manager Mikayla Aguilar
Distribution Cruz Bobadilla Manager
Publisher David Comden
Israeli researchers have devised a CBDrich strain to aid children who have been diagnosed with autism.
28. It’s important to know about local incentive
photographers John Gilhooley, Tonya Perme, Eric Stoner, Steve Terrebonne
interns Cecilia Juarez, Ryan Leuteritz
Ahead of the Curve
TRENDS
Editorial David Branfman, Esq., Contributors Devon Brown, Hilary Bricken, Jacob Cannon, Julie Hamill, Caroline Hayes, Emily Manke, Nicole Potter, Addison HerronWheeler
graphic designer John Venegas
Cannabis is taking the United States by storm—but Las Vegas, Nevada has proven to be one of the most lucrative and smoothest operations yet.
26. The California Cannabis Industry Association continues its essential work on priority statelevel legislation for California.
Editorial Benjamin Adams coordinator
Production Michelle Aguirre, Manager
16.
Herbal Medicine
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associate Editor Ashley Bennett
Art Director Steven Myrdahl
Leading the Charge
18.
Editor-In-Chief Jamie Solis
in EVERY issue. 06. news bytes 08. by the numbers 30. event listings
Culture B2B Magazine® is published quarterly and distributes 20,000 copies at over 6,000 locations throughout the United States and Europe. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other matter within may be reproduced without written permission. Culture B2B Magazine® is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. Phone / Fax (888) 694-2046 B2B@CultureMagazine.com
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n e w s
bytes
SoCal Cannabis Resort Guests will Have to Consume in Private for Now In August 2017, it was announced that American Green bought the entire desert town of Nipton, California, with ambitious
plans to convert it into a cannabis resort, complete with a buds-and-breakfast hotel and a cannabis drink factory. For now, however,
Blue Moon Creator to Launch NonAlcoholic Beer Infused with THC Keith Villa, who invented the Blue Moon Belgian White golden beer, is set to redefine the beer industry yet again with non-alcoholic beer infused with THC. Villa co-founded CERIA beverages, named after the brewing school that he studied at in Belgian. “I’m ready to introduce another high-impact brand to the industry again, this time with a new line of custom cannabisinfused craft beers,” 6
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Villa said. “Today, the opportunity and the demand are here, inviting Americans to enjoy a more social way of consuming cannabis—by drinking rather than by smoking it or through ingestion of edibles.” The plan is to remove alcohol from beer and add THC to it, which will make it legal, since drinks cannot contain both alcohol and THC. The drinks are planned to be distributed in Colorado this fall.
guests 21 and over will have to smoke privately until American Green is able to secure all of its licenses. American Green sold the town to Delta International Oil & Gas for $7.7 million March, but its original plan continues. “It now becomes Delta’s responsibility to raise capital for real estate and other non-cannabis-related improvements. Delta, as a reporting company, with a much smaller number of outstanding shares (compared to American Green’s) and a much higher trading price, should have a much easier time raising money, at less cost, leading to a sizeable reduction in dilution for American Green and its shareholders,” according to a American Green press release.
Australian Company to Grow Cannabis in Malta Australia-based company MGC Pharmaceuticals recently won rights to grow cannabis on the Mediterranean island of Malta, according to an April 11 announcement. The Malta Enterprise Corporation awarded the company with 4,000 square meters of land for a cannabis production and cultivation facility. The Maltese government will allow the company to utilize both cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in production, which opens up doors to more types of products. “Excitingly, with any CBD and THC strains of medical cannabis permitted under the agreement, we are now able to develop additional pharmaceutical products, which use the benefits of both CBD and THC,” stated Roby Zomer, co-founder and CEO of MGC Pharmaceuticals. Last March, amendments to Malta’s parliament allow for medical cannabis, and companies are seizing the opportunity to grow there. The project will provide jobs for at least 25 Maltese residents.
Maryland Officials Approve Seven Dispensaries
Cannabis Industry on Track to Surpass Soda Sales
The Maryland Senate approved a bill to expand the state’s medical cannabis industry on April 9 and give priority to businesses owned by people of color and also creates a fund for veterans. The expansion bill now heads to Gov. Larry Hogan for approval. On April 10, The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission gave the final approval to seven more medical cannabis dispensaries. This brings the total to 50 licensed dispensaries in the state. A maximum of 102 medical cannabis dispensaries can open up, and so far, 28,000 patients have signed up for the program. The new dispensaries are ReLeaf
According to recent projections from the investment firm Cowen, legal cannabis sales in the United States are on track to hit $75 billion by 2030. Meanwhile, Americans are beginning to realize that soda is full of sugar and that it is incredibly unhealthy, and soda sales are in decline and have been on the decline for many years. According to Bloomberg, American soda
Shop, Culta, RISE-Joppa, HerbaFi, Medleaf and Dispensary Works. Although Maryland’s medical cannabis program was created in 2012, licensed dispensaries have only been able to sell medical cannabis since December 2017. This year, medical cannabis bills have been a top priority for Maryland’s General Assembly.
sales have fallen to $76.4 billion in 2017. In 2016, per capita soda consumption rates in the United States hit a 31-year low. If the pace continues, cannabis sales could surpass soda sales in about a decade. The numbers put into perspective just how large the cannabis industry has become over the last decade. Alcohol sales, as expected, have fallen as states implement cannabis programs. Not even the soda market is safe from the changing trends taking place in 2018.
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The projected amount of money, in billions of dollars, that will be collected in legal cannabis sales leading up to 2030: (Source: Business Insider)
75
The monetary value of the wholesale cannabis flower market, in billions of dollars, in California and Michigan during 2017 (compared to the $7.4 billion value of wholesale wheat): (Source: USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service)
5.7
The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that New York investment firm Altitude Investment Management raised for its recent cannabis investment fund: (Source: New Cannabis Ventures)
18.7
The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that one Southern Californian cultivator won in an insurance settlement due to the plants he lost in the Thomas Fire: (Source: Santa Barbara Independent)
1
The amount of money, in millions of Canadian dollars, that Supreme Cannabis Company Inc. is investing in a strategic equity investment with Medigrow: (Source: Supreme Cannabis Company Inc.)
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The approximate amount of cannabis, in pounds, that six Canadian companies will supply to the Quebec province during the first year of legal cannabis sales in Canada: (Source: Reuters)
136,687
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The amount of cannabis flower, in metric tons, that an Israeli-based company is selling to an anonymous Canadian company: (Source: Reuters)
50
The number of Californian cities, out of every seven, that allow for recreational cannabis dispensaries: (Source: The Mercury News)
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Spark of Justice S u p e r n o va Women provides e d u c at i o n , services and advocacy to empower people of color in the cannabis industry By Jamie Solis
When successful cannabis industry professionals Amber Senter and Tsion “Sunshine” Lencho joined forces with other women of color back in 2015, they ignited a spark of justice and equity by creating the Northern California-based organization, Supernova Women. That spark has continued to grow into a firestorm of representation for people of color in the cannabis industry, as it’s one of the core values of Supernova Women’s mission. CULTURE B2B was given the opportunity to learn more about the co-founders of Supernova Women, as well as the ways that industry professionals and consumers can support the vital mission of this pivotal organization.
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Photos by Steve Terrebonne
Kindling the Fire “I met Sunshine sometime in the summer of 2015. We met at a Women Grow event,” Senter told CULTURE B2B. “There were three women of color there.” Lencho informed Senter that she was looking for a job, and the very next day Senter got Lencho a job working with her at a consulting firm. There, they helped people in other states obtain cannabis licenses. “We were writing and winning applications for basically very wealthy, very rich, very white groups and helping them get licensed,” Senter explained. “And we were definitely conflicted by that, because we were essentially helping to gentrify our industry.” It was clear to Senter and Lencho that the legal cannabis industry was becoming predominantly white, with the licensing process happening quickly, and a high level of entry was shutting out many people of color and small businesses. The women partnered up with Nina Parks and sat down at Lencho’s house one evening to come up with an action plan on how they could make a difference for their community. Knowing there was not a fair representation of people of color at events, both as attendees and speakers or panelists, Supernova Women’s first goal was to get information out to their community and by their community, free of charge. It was on that night in November of 2015 that Supernova Women was formed, and by January of 2016, the group produced its first event. CULTUREB2B.com
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“So, we put together [our first] event, it was a two-panel discussion. The first panel was about laws and cannabis in California as it was at that time,” Senter said. “The second panel was a panel of entrepreneurs, basically sharing their experiences and what it was like to be a person of color operating in the cannabis space.” Supernova Women’s first event was sold out with over 100 people in attendance, proving indeed that there was a huge demand for people of color to attain the information that Supernova Women was offering, so the co-founders continued forward with even more fervor than before.
I n va l u a b l e I n f o r m at i o n Supernova Women has since grown to empower people of color through its key programs. The organization’s Shades of Green series helps strengthen the involvement of communities of color in the industry through education. Supernova Women’s Cannabis Business Workshops give attendees free cannabis business bootcamps that cover everything from business formation and licensing to basic employment and insurance considerations. Supernova Women also hosts “expungement” clinics in partnership with legal service providers and law firms. “We don’t charge people to come to these things, and we don’t do anything for profit in our organization. We use all of the funds and everything that people donate to us, and it goes directly to our programming,” Senter said. Not only has Supernova Women created an information hub for people of color, but the group has formed a networking community as well. 12
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“We have been able to really hone in on certain subjects and bring a lot of people together, people who didn’t really have a community prior to this, as far as a place to have these conversations in,” Senter explained. “So, people have been able to meet each other, form partnerships, alliances and things like that, because that’s what we’re going to have to do to survive.”
Empowering the C o m m u n i t y A t- L a r g e
“ I t h i n k t h at w h e n w e ’ r e a s k i n g f o r p o l i c y i m p l e m e n tat i o n a n d w e ’ r e u s i n g t h e w o r d ‘ e q u i t y, ’ w e n e e d t o b e v e r y m i n d f u l o f t h at f a c t t h at it is about race, because the impact has been about race.”
Each woman who is a part of Supernova Women brings her own professional experience in the cannabis industry. Lencho is an attorney, and she was involved in
ability to continue advocating for themselves. “I know that for people who are currently operating, I’ve interacted with a lot of current equity business owners there, the expectation is that we’ll come back and continue
the goal to implement policy and demand that equity be first. “That’s a slogan that has been inducted by Supernova, by the California Minority Alliance,” Lencho said. “It’s that if you’re going to legalize, if you’re going to liberalize, if you’re going to
the creation of the equity permit programs in both Oakland and San Francisco first-hand, and her expertise is requested in many other areas as well. Lencho’s essential involvement as an attorney and woman of color has ensured that communities affected by the “War on Drugs” were not left behind in the rapidly evolving world of legal cannabis in the areas that she has been involved in. While Lencho is proud of the work she has done in these communities, she has made an effort to empower the communities in which she has been involved, with the goal that these individuals become self-sufficient and gain the
to do programming . . . But frankly, from my view, Supernova is that we just start the spark,” Lencho said. “And I don’t want to be the person who is speaking on behalf of equity people; I am not an equity applicant. I personally have not been impacted directly by the ‘War on Drugs.’ I’m still a black woman in America. I still face some of the discrimination that my fellow black women face, but I don’t want to be the figurehead for equity, because that’s not what I am.” Lencho continued to share that she is proud to see how many people of color have been forming organizations since 2015, all with
decriminalize, you need to prioritize the people who have been impacted, the people who are discriminated against because of their race.” Lencho has made it a priority to ensure that equity in the industry does not start and end with the permitting process. Instead, equity is a lens in which we should view all legislation that applies to the cannabis industry. Supernova Women views equity as not just helping an applicant obtain licensing, but instead, ensuring an applicant obtains licensing and then is able to maintain it continuously, despite developments in laws and legislation at all levels. CULTUREB2B.com
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Cannabis Business Summit & Expo
Have you heard the news? The National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) is back with its 5th Annual Cannabis Business Summit & Expo coming for three days to the Bay Area in July. If you’re interested in the business of cannabis, you don’t want to miss the chance to learn from more than 6,000 cannabis professionals, with 150 speakers all under one roof. Not only will attendees learn from NCIA professionals, but they will also explore over 120,000 square feet of expo floor space, bringing together exhibitors and industry professionals from all areas of the cannabis industry. If you’re looking for ways to improve your business and/ or if you want to get into the cannabis industry, you don’t want to miss this event. (Cecilia Juarez) WHEN: Wed, July 25-Fri, July 27 WHERE: San Jose McEnergy Convention Center, 150 W San Carlos St., San Jose WEBSITE: www. cannabisbusiness summit.com
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“ I t ’ s t h at i f y o u ’ r e g o i n g t o legalize, if you’re going to liberalize, if you’re going to decriminalize, you need to prioritize the people who have been impacted, the people who a r e d i s c r i m i n at e d a g a i n s t because of their race.” “We have been able to really hone in on certain subjects, and bring a lot of people together, people who we didn’t really have a community prior to this, as far as a place to have these conversations in,” Senter explained. “So, people have been able to meet each other, form partnerships, alliances and things like that, because that’s what we’re going to have to do to survive.”
Advocacy in Action Racial inequality and institutionalized racism have been a horrific reality in the United States for centuries, but we have an opportunity to create racial equity as we build the quickly emerging cannabis industry. No person should feel powerless when it comes to the larger than life mission of Supernova Women. Instead, there are ways that both industry professionals and everyday consumers can help support the work of Supernova Women. First, it starts with recognizing and learning to talk about the problem we’re facing. “I think that when we’re asking for policy
implementation and we’re using the word ‘equity,’ we need to be very mindful of that fact that it is about race, because the impact has been about race,” Lencho explained. “And so I think that figuring out ways to learn to talk about race is something that Americans are still working through, and I think that the more people who try to understand it from that lens, the better we may become at not creating systematic disadvantage in this new marketplace we’re creating.” The co-founders of Supernova Women have found some powerful support in the cannabis industry already, and they hope to see more cannabis companies jump on board in supporting their mission. “Some of our cannabis sponsors have been extremely helpful in [supporting Supernova’s mission]. Kiva has sponsored quite a few of our events, and that’s been awesome,” Senter said. “Our events are pretty expensive. Helping to support and sponsor our programming is the best way that organizations within the industry can help us.” “In terms of business owners, one thing that I appreciate in my current
role [as Corporate Counsel] at Privateer is the fact that they do view policy implementation through the lens that I was talking about, through the impact on small business, through the effect on the communities impacted by the ‘War on Drugs,’ and I don’t have to wear my politics on my sleeve at work, because it’s part of the fabric of the conversations I’m having,” Lencho said. “And I think that if more workplaces do that, we may get further along.” Cannabis industry folks are not the only people who can make a difference. Consumers and everyday citizens can also be a supporter of this cause. Lencho explained, “Be present. Consumers can come to our programming. They can even help support black and brown businesses in the cannabis community, buying their products and supporting them, that’s also a way to help them be successful.” Ultimately, Lencho, Senter and the other women who make up Supernova Women are working every day to better an industry, one of which has the opportunity to make a dent in the immense damage that the “War on Drugs” has had on communities of color for so long. “We need to level that playing field; it’s not fair,” Senter said. “We need to do everything we can, in every avenue that we can, to make sure that people no longer go to jail for weed. Cannabis is basically a human right, and people should have access to it.” c
+ supernovawomen.wordpress.com
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“. . . Cannabis has been part of human society for thousands of years. It has proven therapeutic effects, and the ‘War on Drugs’ has destroyed the fabric of many communities.”
O n t h e F r o n t L i n e s w i t h R E P.
Earl Blumenauer By Benjamin M. Adams
O
regon Rep. Earl Blumenauer is doing more for the cannabis industry than almost any other politician in Washington. Alongside other politicians who are in favor of cannabis reform at a
federal level, Rep. Blumenauer has introduced a large number cannabis-centric bills to Congress. These bills support veterans’ access to cannabis, gain racial equity for cannabis businesses and criminal justice equity for individuals affected by the failed “War on Drugs.” He has also been part of various bills that aim to regulate and tax state cannabis operations on a federal level. CULTURE recently obtained an exclusive interview with Rep. Earl Blumenauer as he was in the middle of a House voting session. 16
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Photo by Steven Purcell
The “War on Drugs” has failed, yet refuses to die. It has been a tremendously upsetting process. First of all, we’ve wasted a trillion dollars that we could have spent on other things. It has fallen disproportionately on young people, especially young men of color, AfricanAmericans, particularly. It’s contributed to disrupting a million lives. We’ve needlessly incarcerated nonviolent drug offenders for long periods of time, in some cases for things that most Americans think should no longer be illegal. It really does have a devastating effect on individuals,
on neighborhoods and criminalizing behaviors on otherwise law-abiding citizens. It’s frustrating because cannabis has been part of human society for thousands of years. It has proven therapeutic effects, and the “War on Drugs” has destroyed the fabric of many communities. It has put people at a disadvantage for their entire lives, and it has denied access, in some cases, for therapies that could have transformative impacts. We’ve embarked on international policies that have dramatically disrupted countries in Latin America, promoting violence, destabilizing governments. It’s hard to overstate the dramatic sweep and negative impact of this 40-year failed [“War on Drugs”].
The Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment has been extended at least nine times. Why is it only extended for months or weeks at a time? That’s a reflection of how seriously flawed the budget process has been here in Congress. It is tied to Prohibition on expending federal money to interfere with otherwise state-legal activities. It has been limited, in some cases, to a few months or a few weeks because that is how the federal government has been funding its operations. Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment is a victim of the dysfunctional budget process. You introduced the SAFE Banking Act HR-2215. Who or what is currently blocking depository institutions providing services to cannabis businesses? We have administrations that have been very skittish about enacting broad regulatory reform. There’s no reason. Not a single good reason to deny state-legal cannabis businesses access to banking services. In fact, I’ve been working in this issue for decades—I think longer than any other elected official in the United States. It’s at risk for robbery and theft; it’s an invitation to money laundering, to tax evasion, and it [hampers] the ability of emerging businesses to be fully functional. No other business is subjected to that treatment and no other business should be. Because there are people in republican leadership here who are unwilling to allow us to actually deal meaningfully with these issues, it’s very hard to get a chance to vote on it. Ironically, the Trump Administration actually has not rescinded the Obama-era guidance to Treasury, surrounding banking. But people in the financial industry are leery of running [afoul] of federal regulations that were designed to deal with money laundering and illegal activities. House seats are being flipped from the deep south to the rust belt. Is this working in your favor? Absolutely. Because it looks now like there’s an excellent chance that there will be a change in leadership in the House of Representatives. Having a change in leadership is going to make all the difference in the world. We haven’t been able to get a fair shot to be able to deal with this. The amendment we talked about earlier, the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment, has had stronger support every year in Congress. I have legislation that would provide veterans with access to legal marijuana. When we first introduced that years ago, it was close; we got a strong vote, but not the majority. Since then, we’ve had subsequent votes and each one has more strength and last Congress, it passed both the House and the Senate. I’m optimistic that the election is going to produce a Congress that is even more strongly supportive of marijuana reform and the emerging cannabis industry.
Would you say that U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ approach to state cannabis laws is backfiring? I think it has had a significant amount of blowback. Sessions is on the wrong side of history. Plus, he’s wrong about the facts. Nobody dies from a marijuana overdose. We’re in the midst of an opioid crisis with real people dying in increased numbers. And there’s evidence that when we’ve had access to medical marijuana, we’ve had fewer opioid deaths. Sessions is wrong on the facts, he’s wrong on the politics, and he’s building backlash. If they actually go ahead and become more aggressive and intrusive, I think it will have a major effect on the 2018 elections. Cannabis has already galvanized voters. If they go ahead and attack, it’s going to create a tidal wave of support. When Donald Trump was on the ballot, cannabis got more votes than Donald Trump. He’s had a lot of supporters who support what we’re doing and oppose the Sessions interference. The REFER Act of 2018 would create protections for both recreational and medical cannabis. Why is this needed now? This is one of over two dozen pieces of legislation that we have. We have a bipartisan Cannabis Caucus where we’ve been working on these items for the last three or four years. They’re not able to move, because of the opposition of republican leadership. I think it’s a good idea to basically expand the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment [provisions] to all state-level activities.
“Sessions is on the wrong side of h i s t o r y. P l u s , h e ’ s wrong about the facts. Nobody dies from a marijuana overdose. We’re in the midst of an opioid crisis with real people dying in increased numbers. And there’s evidence t h at w h e n w e ’ v e had access to medical marijuana, we’ve had fewer o p i o i d d e at h s . ”
What legislation are you working on currently that involves cannabis? We have matrix developed—over two dozen bills in the House of bipartisan nature. I personally work with other members to support these ideas. There are a couple of elements that I think bear special attention. One is bipartisan legislation with Congressman Harris from Maryland on cannabis research. Right now, the paramount problem that prevents research from going forward on marijuana is that you can only get marijuana for research purposes from one plantation legally in Mississippi. It’s very difficult to get, and it’s poor quality. Researchers can’t just score cannabis from state-legal operations, because it wouldn’t be recognized for purposes of approved research for federal purposes. c
+ blumenauer.house.gov CULTUREB2B.com
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Tremendous Trajectory L a s V e g a s ’ r e c r e at i o n a l cannabis industry continues its evolution since l e g a l i z at i o n l a s t J u ly By Caroline Hayes
K
nown for its exciting nightlife, high-end services and unique experiences, Las Vegas, Nevada
has marketed itself for years as a destination where the opportunities for fun are endless and where anything is possible. Now that recreational cannabis is well established, “Sin City” actually does have something for everyone. The state of Nevada began to allow the sale of recreational cannabis on July 1, 2017. Recreational cannabis has brought an impressive increase in profits for dispensaries, but there is hope that the medical cannabis community will also reap benefits from these profits. Experts predict that as the cannabis industry will continue to strengthen cannabis regulations, from packaging to consumption lounges, the future will only be brighter for Las Vegas. 18
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Expanding Market Local residents and the estimated 40 million tourists who come to Las Vegas every year may now purchase cannabis, so long as they are 21 and older with identification. Of all the legal major cities, Las Vegas, Nevada might have the biggest opportunity to generate the greatest revenue due to its tourist statistics. “Vegas is a great avenue because we are a recreational city,” said Shanna Phillips, Outreach Coordinator of the Las Vegas Medical Marijuana Association. In a city that is known for
exorbitantly priced bottles of alcohol, hefty club entry covers, fine dining and extravagant shows, Phillips says Las Vegas’ retail margins can be greater because people expect to spend more there. There is actually a market for 24k gold rolling papers and $500 ounces of flower. “That customer is really hard to find in Colorado; it’s even hard to find in L.A. But as this industry becomes more and more corporatized, those extra extravagancies that people do when they are talking about recreation in general, they are going to do in Vegas,” she said.
Armen Yemenidijian, CEO of Essence Vegas Cannabis Dispensary
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“From a business volume level, obviously business has gone up since recreational, which is good because nobody was making any money with medical,” said Armen Yemenidjian, co-founder and CEO of Essence Vegas Cannabis Dispensary. A patient in Nevada used to have to go through the DMV to get a medical cannabis card. And still, they must relinquish their concealed carry firearms permits and still pay the state fee of $50, plus doctors’ fees. “Those factors created a much more depressed medical marijuana program,” Yemenidijian added. But with the introduction of recreational sales, Yemenidijian has heard of anywhere between 10 to 40 percent increase in revenue among local dispensaries. Allowing anyone over the age of 21 to purchase cannabis in Nevada naturally raises numbers from a business standpoint. “Whenever you increase the amount of people that qualify for something, the numbers go up. That’s not just Las Vegas, it’s any market that goes rec sees a boost in sales,” said Yemenidijian.
F r o m P r o f i t s t o P at i e n t s Staying true and supporting the medical cannabis patients is still important to Las Vegas dispensary owners. “Mixing medical and recreational together is just tough. We cherish and value our medical customers,” Yemenidijian stated. “We have separate dedicated lines just for [them]. We have an onsite registered nurse that will meet with any patient or recreational customer, free of charge.” Phillips believes sales will continue to grow, and she hopes that real patients will benefit. “Hopefully we can use that [profit from recreational sales tax] to offset the expense to our medical patients as we go forward,” she said. “We are not reinventing the wheel, it’s what every industry has done.” Transitioning into a recreational market puts more spotlight on any city, so doing things the right way is important in order to set a right-minded example to other states.
Mapping the Future One of the only cannabis dispensaries on the Strip, Yemenidijian’s dispensary, recently celebrated its two-year anniversary. To keep up with the growing industry on a national level, Yemenidijian and his partner have plans to expand into other states by 2019. “It’s a really interesting time in cannabis. There is a lot of activity. I think the rest of 2018 is going to be a wild ride for cannabis. I think you are going to see a lot of strategic things taking place,” he said. The future of the Las Vegas cannabis industry is already showing signs of positive growth. “We have been able to spend the last few years making sure we could be the casinos of cannabis and we did. Now, hopefully other states will mimic what we are doing so we can set a national standard in the industry,” said Phillips. “I see Las Vegas as being the product hub for advertising . . . products coming from other states and getting licensing deals in Las Vegas. I think that it’s very important in our industry to look at the nation at this point.” One could say that the Las Vegas cannabis market was set up for success from the beginning, thanks to some of the city’s most prominent business owners who obtained the allotted number 20
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“Whenever you increase the a m o u n t o f p e o p l e t h at q u a l i f y for something, the numbers go u p. T h at ’ s n o t j u s t L a s V e g a s , i t ’ s a n y m a r k e t t h at g o e s r e c sees a boost in sales.” of licenses back in 2014. The city is not currently issuing licenses to any new dispensary owners, but this will be open for review in 2019, said Phillips. Yemenidijian doesn’t think that legal cannabis has people running for “Sin City” just yet. “People come to Vegas because it’s Vegas. I think we will see an increase in tourism once Las Vegas adopts the idea of smoking lounges and actual consumption of cannabis somewhere,” he said, “When we create experiences here that are surrounded by, not only the purchase of cannabis, but experiences surrounded by the consumption of cannabis, I think that will be a differentiator. And, if we do what we should do, and do the Vegas version of it, then I think it’s going to be incredible.” And according to Yemenidijian, local municipalities are talking of passing a law to allow consumption sites where adults can enjoy their legal cannabis purchases. Smoking lounges may be the new wave of cannabis business ventures, and Yemenidijian is ready for it. Staying true to the medical patients and practicing good business ethics not only will make or break this industry, but also creates a model for other states looking to turn rec to follow. If Nevada’s cannabis industry follows suit and ends up being as eminent as its world famous casino industry, then we could see its one of the highest rollers in the trade. c
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The Heartland of America
T h e CBD m a r k e t i s emerging in rural s tat e s a c r o s s America—in the form of eggs, feed and textiles
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By Benjamin M. Adams
T
he unbridled cannabidiol (CBD) market is unfolding in ways that you might not expect in rural states that depend on agriculture, such as areas in Tennessee and Kentucky. Joe Kirkpatrick is President of the Tennessee Hemp Industries Association. From 2015 to 2017, Kirkpatrick was the chief lobbyist for Tennessee State University cannabis research legislation and assisted in
the passage of the industrial hemp pilot program housekeeping bill. He also has a heavy hand in the role hemp-derived CBD will play in the area’s future. Senate Bill 1828 would allow CBD-rich industrial hemp leftovers to be fed to livestock in Tennessee. “We did pass a law this year,” Kirkpatrick told CULTURE B2B. “It has yet to be signed by the governor, but it has passed both houses to allow the feeding of industrial hemp to livestock, which previously wasn’t legal.”
“ . . . The difference between CBD derived from industrial hemp versus CBD derived from marijuana is r e a l ly s o r t o f a nuance. A molecule is a molecule. CBD is CBD.”
People benefit from CBD, but livestock also can benefit from the trace elements that are left behind after the CBD extraction process is completed. “People want to feed the biomass to chickens for better quality eggs,” he said, “But the [Food and Drug Administration] (FDA) still considers hemp an adulterant, and we agree with that language. So now,
the interpretation of the law is to sell hemp-fed livestock meat, dairy and eggs, so long as you disclaim that it contains industrial hemp. We’re going to have hemp-fed eggs here in Tennessee pretty soon.” Labeling products as containing cannabinoids, as anyone in legal states know, is great for business. “It’s really sort of a marketing opportunity that they’re going to call it an adulterant, because people know that it’s far from the truth,” Kirkpatrick said. CBDenhanced eggs could be something that are extremely beneficial to human nutrition and won’t get consumers high. As you can imagine, CBD-fed chicken eggs will probably fly off the shelves of grocery stores. While hemp is suitable for development of textiles, fuel and housebuilding, one facet of the plant stands out among the rest. “The real profit involved is in high-CBD
genetics,” Kirkpatrick explained. “Hopefully some of those profits can be turned into large fiber crops and seed meal and oil crops, because we do need to start competing with Canada on these food products.” The road to CBD freedom has gone through its ups and downs, most notably in rural areas such as Tennessee, Indiana and Alabama. In the cases of Tennessee and Indiana, seized CBD-infused products were returned to vendors once the cases fell apart in court. But the unintended consequence of CBD raids was a heightened awareness of CBD. “Operation Candy Crush” was a raid operation on vape shops and grocery stores in Rutherford County, Tennessee, locations which were targeted for allegedly selling CBD-infused candies. Illinformed law enforcement officers confiscated products containing
CBD. On Feb. 12, over 20 stores were shuttered, and their products were confiscated. It was a strange move, considering that the CBD-infused candies contained only hemp-derived CBD and didn’t have any psychoactive effect. “Those charges were dropped,” Kirkpatrick said. There are civil actions pending against law enforcement, but the law that we passed here in 2017 was upheld by the judge. They had CBD isolate in a lot of the products, and everything was completely compliant. Of course, the difference between CBD derived from industrial hemp versus CBD derived from marijuana is really sort of a nuance. A molecule is a molecule. CBD is CBD. But they were going to say it’s a marijuana-derived product, but they couldn’t prove it. They dropped all the charges on all 21 defendants.” But the rash of CBD raids had a silver lining, and Kirkpatrick would rather see the positive side of the incidents. “All of this law enforcement misconduct on CBD products has really generated a lot of free publicity and a lot of interest in our industry that didn’t exist previously,” Kirkpatrick said. “Of course I’m sorry for the victims of their overreach, but it’s helped the industry at-large.” Once law enforcement and others come to a consensus on what defines CBD products, the market is bound to reach new heights. c CULTUREB2B.com
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The Full Spectrum
T i k u n O l a m m ay h av e f o u n d a n effective aid FOR those with autism 24
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By Benjamin M. Adams
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sraeli cannabis brand Tikun Olam is behind a groundbreaking study on the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in children with autism. Researchers observed 53 children and young adults ages four to 22 over the course of two months. During this time, they observed a colossal drop in autism symptoms. Parents who received licenses through the Israeli Ministry of Health received detailed instructions on how to administer oral drops filled with extracts of Avidekel, a strain loaded with CBD and specifically formulated for autism. Researchers observed a 67.6 percent drop in selfinjury and rage attacks. In addition, hyperactivity and sleep symptoms improved by about 70 percent each. Finally, communication skills improved by 86.7 percent. In Hebrew, Avidekel translates to “father of a palm tree.” In Israel, the Avidekel strain is available in flower form, tinctures, concentrates and capsules, in a variety of different strength percentages and CBD to THC ratios. In the United States, the available options vary by state. “There is still no standard treatment for autism,” Israel-based Ma’ayan Weisberg, international relations for Tikun Olam told CULTURE B2B. “Cannabis is a safe option to provide to children and their parents to help treat the wide range of symptoms. We have seen incredible changes in our pediatric patients once they begin rich CBD strains use, such as reduction in aggressiveness and violence, improvement in communication abilities and improvement in quality of life for the entire family. In light of these remarkable and moving results we see in our pediatric department every day (treating 500 children suffering from autism), it is important to provide access to the knowledge and information to everyone that can be helped by it, so parents can provide relief to their children and their families.” Self-injury is sadly a common symptom among children on certain levels of the autism spectrum. The energy and aggression coming from children with autism can be exhausting for any parent, and anything that helps becomes an option. “At Tikun Olam clinics in Israel, we are seeing miracles every day, and reduction in aggressiveness and violence is one of the most dramatic improvements we see in our [patients with autism]. CBD is truly a life changing treatment,” Weisberg said. The company’s pediatric department is led by Na’ama Saban RN BSC and treats 1,000 children. Out of those, 500 children are treated with cannabis-based oils made from Tikun Olam’s Avidekel, Erez and Alaska strains. Although some parents of children with autism claim that they need high levels of THC in addition to the CBD, the results are no less impressive.
Almost anybody in the American cannabis industry is aware of the limitations imposed by the federal government that hamper critical medical cannabis research, because of cannabis’ classification under Schedule I with no accepted medical value. “Unlike the United States,” Weisberg explained, “Israel has a national medical cannabis program that sanctions and encourages this kind of clinical and scientific research. This allows Tikun Olam to partner with universities and hospitals to conduct advanced studies, and we have been doing it for many years.” In America, children with autism are commonly prescribed pharmaceutical drugs like fluoxetine (Prozac) with sometimes horrific side effects. They’re the same drugs that are prescribed for
“ U n l i k e t h e U n i t e d S tat e s , I s r a e l h a s a n at i o n a l m e d i c a l c a n n a b i s p r o g r a m t h at s a n c t i o n s a n d encourages this kind of clinical and scientific research. This allows Tikun Olam to partner w i t h u n i v e r s i t i e s a n d h o s p i ta l s t o conduct advanced studies, and we have been doing it for many years.” completely different purposes. “Pharmaceuticals often have many unhealthy and unpleasant side effects, and their effectiveness is unreliable at best. However, when we begin medical cannabis treatment, we do not change any of the conventional medications they may be taking. Only when we reach a positive outcome in our patients, and with the recommendation of their physician, do the patients reduce other medications.” The research team has seen very few side effects from their cannabis treatment on the children, which reinforces the concept of safety while using medical cannabis as a treatment for such a vulnerable population. Even though recent research has indicated the efficacy of medical cannabis for common symptoms such as ADD, mental illness, hyperactivity, concentrating, depression and mood disorders, in Israel, those do not qualify for medical cannabis, so it cannot be recommended as a treatment. There is still plenty more work to do, when identifying all the ways that medical cannabis can help children with autism. c
+ tikun-olam.info CULTUREB2B.com
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LEGAL
Strength in Numbers
Chris Coggan, Chairperson of the CCIA’s Manufacturing Committee
C a l i f o r n i a C a n n a b i s I n d u s t r y A s s o c i at i o n ’ s Manufacturing Committee has prioritized its efforts t o f i x t h e s tat e ’ s r e g u l at o r y s y s t e m By Jacob Cannon
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itnessing existing cannabis markets as they shift into compliance with the bureaucratic changes that come with recreational legalization can be painful. Being cannabis business owners whose businesses are being greatly affected and burdened by these changes is even more daunting. Luckily, there are organizations around the nation who work feverishly to improve state and local regulations that disrupt practical business operations. The California Cannabis Industry Association (CCIA) is one of the most recognized and acclaimed cannabis industry associations in the nation, and its mission “to promote growth of a responsible and legitimate cannabis industry and work for a favorable, social, economic and legal environment for our industry in the state of California” has not gone unnoticed. Made up of various committees representing all facets of the industry, the CCIA’s Manufacturing Committee in particular represents cannabis manufacturing businesses in the state, which have been heavily affected by the Bureau of Cannabis Control’s new regulations that were set into motion as of January 2018. CULTURE B2B sat down with Chairperson of the Manufacturing Committee, Christopher Coggan, to discuss his role in the committee, as well as the biggest priorities that the committee is currently working toward. Tell us a little bit about your involvement in the cannabis industry. My name is Christopher Coggan, and I am the founder and CEO of Therapy Tonics & Provisions, a San Diego-based cannabis company specializing in a number of infused drinks, tinctures and other edibles. I am committed to putting the power of dosing in the hands of the consumer and providing them a consistent experience every time they indulge in our healthy products! I am also the chairperson of the California Cannabis Industry Association (CCIA) Manufacturing Committee. 26
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What is the CCIA Manufacturing Committee? In California, there are two main business-oriented cannabis-centric associations that have been working hard to normalize our industry by promoting practical regulation. The CCIA is one of those organizations. The CCIA Manufacturing Committee, with over 60 participants, is one of the most active committees within the CCIA. What does the committee do? The committee identifies shared priorities as manufacturers with specificity, as they relate to proposed regulation or legislation. Once these issues are identified,
we then take a collaborative approach to providing potential ways to address the issues, promoting both practical change to regulation and direction for new legislative action. Last year alone, under the guidance of Kristi Knoblich, one of the co-founders of Kiva Confections, we generated a number of white papers that were submitted and shared with many of the state agencies. These efforts, along with many face-to-face meetings with regulators and legislators, have had a significant impact on the evolution of these regulations. How has the impact been significant? It has been significant in two ways. Firstly, as it relates to the actual regulations, there is zero doubt in my mind that we have been an instrument of change. Many of the most over-reaching regulatory proposals made last spring were absent from the emergency regulations released in the fall. The combined efforts of the cannabis community were the reason for that. Secondly, after decades of demonizing marijuana, there was some initial discomfort and skepticism amongst lawmakers and cannabis operators alike. That skepticism has been replaced by mutual respect and great rapport which, in the long run, might be the most significant part of our continuing efforts.
What are currently the biggest priorities for the committee? Well, as you are probably aware, there are still a number of major issues that need to be addressed. In no particular order, I can say with confidence these are serious issues that could have a major impact on safe access to all cannabis products statewide. For one, we have the taxes. Since January, the size of the illicit market has grown considerably, and a lot of this has to do with the heavy tax burden on those operators working towards compliance. For example, the proposed trim tax on cultivators amounts to upwards of 50 percent tax on trim, which is typically what manufacturers rely on for their infused products. Then of course there is the “medical” or “adult-use” designation at the seed level. In this scenario, the minute a seed is planted, it needs to be designated as either “medical” or “adultuse.” This not only requires the cultivator to predict demand in four to six months, but creates two parallel supply chains, nearly doubling expenses for anyone serving both markets (as all A and M products must be made, tested and stored separately). As the “adult-use” market is expected to amount to 80 percent of future sales and the cost of all this is so expensive, cultivators and manufacturers will most likely choose the more lucrative market, and the medical market will swiftly meet its demise. In addition to those big issues, manufacturers are also saddled with extremely high packaging costs. These costs threaten to push our products out of the competitive marketplace, products that represent the most accessible, most innovative efforts to normalize the cannabis industry. In addition, the excess packaging will result in many times more waste. Another potentially destructive regulatory stance revolves around testing. Much more burdensome than any other
“ C u r r e n t ly, there are 55 b i l l s t h at are cannabisr e l at e d , a n d t h e y m ay present an opportunity to add additional l a n g u a g e t h at m ay a l l e v i at e some of our issues. Bottom line, this is politics and this is a process.”
food or combustible market in the world today, the standard deviations as related to potency (i.e. +/-10 percent), for example, are not consistent with the reality manufacturers have experienced for the last 10 years. The list goes on from there, but those represent the biggest problems in my book.
That sounds pretty serious. So what is your committee doing to address these issues? Once we’ve identified a problem and agreed on an appropriate solution, we then try to determine how to change policy. If it is regulatory, we have a lot more leverage, and the regulators are propelled to work with us and others to implement a solution. If it is statutory, meaning it will either require a two-thirds majority vote at the state capital or possibly a ballot initiative that will go before the voters, which represents a much more prolonged and challenging effort. In both cases, we look at up and coming bills that may prove a good platform to promote our position. Currently, there are 55 bills that are cannabis-related, and they may present an opportunity to add additional language that may alleviate some of our issues. Bottom line, this is politics and this is a process. There is a fair amount of administrative B.S. involved, but the relationships we have forged, and the professionalism we represent have gone a long way in cutting through the red tape. How do you propose we could fix all these issues? That, is a much longer conversation! Moving through 2018, I would love to address the issues one-by-one, as they are involved and complex. The good news is, the various state agencies overseeing our industry finally have come to understand that a seemingly insignificant or small issue in one place can resonate throughout the supply chain resulting in unintended and catastrophic consequences for our industry and consumers alike. That understanding has set the stage for meaningful change. Now it is on us as an industry to prove our positions practical and solutions ideal. c
+ www.cacannabisindustry.org CULTUREB2B.com
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World Cannabis Congress 2018
TRENDS Civilized presents an exciting new event, World Cannabis Congress, where cannabis industry leaders from all over the world will come together and connect, share ideas and engage in conversations that will help and shape the cannabis industry. The event will feature a lineup of expert and celebrity speakers, panel discussions, major announcements and networking opportunities. Representatives from Brazil, Canada, Germany, Mexico, South Africa, along with other countries are expected to attend. Conversation topics will include global cannabis innovation, ideas to enhance business practices, and advancing policy reform; and you’ll hear from many leaders such as scientists, researchers, policy makers, government officials and innovative businesses. (Cecilia Juarez) WHEN: Sun, June 10-Tues, June 12 WHERE: Hilton Saint John, 1 Market Square Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada WEBSITE: www. worldcannabiscongress.com
Environmental Awareness Energy-efficient cannabis companies benefit from local incentive programs By Addison Herron-Wheeler
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annabis companies across the nation are proving to make a very positive impact on their surrounding
communities. Tax revenue is being given to schools and local programs, and crime rates are going down due to the decrease in black market activity. But one under-the-radar issue still remains in certain instances; some cannabis companies consume a lot of energy or produce a lot of runoff. Fortunately, many cannabis companies are deciding to actively make a change in the way they do business, using sustainable practices and taking advantage of energysaving initiatives to save money and make a positive impact on the environment. CULTURE B2B talked to a couple businesses who are utilizing energy initiatives to help ensure that they’re serving as a positive role model in the industry, being mindful of their businesses’ impacts on the environment.
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The Green Solution Colorado is one of the pioneer states for legalized cannabis, and it continues be a leader in sustainable practices, which other states are now emulating. The Green Solution, one of the biggest cannabis chains in the state, uses the most sustainable practices possible and takes advantage of local initiatives from Xcel Energy. “We care deeply about the environment, and as such are working day in and day out to ensure we cut every possible waste out of the manufacturing process,” Kyle Speidell, CEO and co-founder of The Green Solution, told CULTURE B2B. “In fact, we have led the charge on everything from utilizing more organic and natural methods for eradicating bugs to only using a growing medium that can be cleaned and reused. At The Green Solution, we are looking each day to cut waste and find new ways to protect the environment. We also work with our government relations team to find ways to partner with government entities in their work toward more efficient business solutions.” The company takes advantage of rebates that Xcel offers due to efficiencies they installed in The Green Solution’s facilities. Because the company has been transparent and vocal about its efforts, The Green Solution has been able to reap the benefits of local energy initiatives. Dedicated to continuing his business’ focus on energy-efficient practices, Speidell plans to take even more advantage and further improve his company’s carbon footprint during the coming year.
“A t T h e G r e e n S o l u t i o n , w e a r e l o o k i n g e a c h d ay to cut waste and find n e w w ay s t o p r o t e c t t h e e n v i r o n m e n t. ”
“TGS works with every regulatory agency to do our best around energy consumption, and we have many new focuses in this area that will be realized in 2019,” Speidell added. “From energy saving lights, to proprietary, hydroponic growing systems, reusable growing mediums and a dedication to collaboration with government, we are working hard to find solutions that can be replicated.”
Eco Firma Farms Another leader in the cannabis industry, Oregon offers initiatives to businesses with healthy environmental impacts, and local grower Eco Firma Farms takes advantage. The company works with Energy Trust of Oregon to use renewable wind energy to help power its farm. “They set my account up, and they have a certain amount of electricity they will allocate, and it has to be a certain amount of metering” explained Jesse Peters, CEO. “They went in and audited all of our usage, found that we qualified and set up our accounts, and immediately started us towards being carbon neutral. We have now been authorized a grant to convert to solar as well, so the next phase would be to put a solar grade on the roof of our building.”
Energy Trust of Oregon is well aware that cannabis businesses are taking advantage of its program, and it is happy to assist interested companies. “In 2017, Energy Trust supported the efficiency of Oregon’s cannabis production industry through 44 efficient lighting upgrades—up from 16 in 2016,” explained Becky Engel, senior communications manager for Energy Trust of Oregon. “Lighting upgrades at cannabis facilities accounted for approximately 21 percent of our overall lighting savings. Energy Trust programs also supported our first three non-lighting projects for cannabis growers, including HVAC, dehumidification and insulation.” In addition to complying with energy regulations, Eco Firma Farms is aiming to be a zero-impact company, but says the effort is harder than many realize. “The steps we are taking with the electricity are obviously our largest steps, and the fact that it is an indoor farm,” Peters explained. “We also have our recycling program, and the next step for us is getting into a position where we can eliminate all waste from the farm. When it comes to becoming carbon neutral, the first 90 percent is easy, and the last 10 is hard. You have to consider how you get your nutrients, how you store things, if your employees bring their lunches to work
and what happens to that waste. It’s easy to go pretty far down the rabbit hole with this, so our biggest step is figuring all of that out.”
E n e r g y I n i t i at i v e s Across the U.S. In light of the success in places like Colorado and Oregon, other states are following suit. California has its own energy initiative for cannabis growers, where cultivators are offered affordable agriculture rates, which are aimed toward eligible growers who have a sustainable environmental impact. “At this time, there is not a specific rate plan for residential customers who wish to grow cannabis for personal use,” Pacific Gas and Electric’s rate sheet explains. “But we are committed to providing choice for our customers, and you can still choose the rate plan that works best for you based on your changing budget and energy needs. First, make sure you have an online account. Next, log into your online account for a personalized rate comparison.” Washington State offers a variety of energy saving programs overall, like Seattle City Light, which are intended to help with energy consumption. However, despite these efforts, the cannabis industry was reported to be using 1.63 percent of all the state’s electricity as recently as 2017, according to OPB. Hopefully, more companies are now taking advantage of energy-saving programs. Nevada also offers energy programs like SureBet, a program that looks at lighting and other power costs, and would be a good fit for the cannabis industry. Alaska does not currently have any energy efficiency programs in place, but it does offer a disruptor program that gives clients a discount if they don’t mind their power occasionally going out. This would not be the best program for growers and other cannabis industry insiders who rely on sustained power. As the industry continues to grow, it appears that even more companies will begin taking advantage of energy saving programs, and legal cannabis will get even greener. c CULTUREB2B.com
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EVENTS
Expo Cáñamo Sevilla, May 11-13 For those interested in the hemp industry, Expo Cáñamo is returning as a three-day event that is bigger and better than ever. The convention is a hemp culture fair where attendees can enjoy exciting experiences from live music to delicious food, activities and seminars. Palacio de Congresos y Exposiciones de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain expocanamo.com Cannabis Europa, May 22 Cannabis Europa is the place to discover, share knowledge and shape the future of cannabis in Europe with great opportunities to connect with leaders in business, science and public policy. Attendees can also gain inspiration from the minds of significant political figures such as MPs Crispin Blunt, George Freeman and Jeff Smith. Barbican Centre, London, United Kingdom cannabis-europa.com Lift Cannabis Expo, May 25-27 Coming to Toronto just weeks before the Canadian government’s promised cannabis legalization date, Canada’s largest leading business conference for the cannabis industry, the Lift Expo, will bring more than 200 exhibitors from around the world. You’ll get the chance to learn from cannabis leaders, witness live cooking, enjoy the vape lounge, hit up a cannabis career fair and check out growing demonstrations. Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada liftexpo.ca Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition, May 30-June 2 Dispensary owners, distributors and other companies need your help. Here you can get the best 30
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insight from experts, whether you’re involved in the cannabis industry or just want to get your foot in the door. Learn and grow with Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition where you can attend seminars and workshops that pique your interest—the answers you seek might be right here. Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York, New York cwcbexpo.com/new-york/2018 CannaCon, June 1-2 Coming to Michigan, CannaCon is a two-day event that allows business owners to learn, grow and network. Attendees will obtain great information with hundreds of exhibitors. Two days will be filled with educational seminars featuring experts in cultivation and business. If you’re unable to attend CannaCon in June, you can plan to visit the same event in July, which takes place in Boston, Massachusetts. Cobo Center, Detroit, Michigan cannacon.org BALKANNABIS EXPO, June 1-3 Cannabis is the future; however it’s also been part of Greece’s culture for thousands of years. Balkannabis Expo is your destination, where you can learn everything from the business of cannabis to its medicinal benefits during this three-day showcase. This event features over 30 speakers, countless workshops and four masterclasses with physicians, medical personnel, growers and processors all sharing knowledge about medical cannabis and hemp applications. Technopolis City of Athens, Athens, Greece balkannabisexpo.com Southern Cannabis Conference and Expo, June 8-9 Weedmaps presents the 2nd Annual Southeast Cannabis Conference and Expo, a professional and educational conference about medicinal
cannabis, where you can expect over 70 speakers and more than 150 exhibitors. It’s a place where individuals who are interested in the industry can learn more with a special keynote speech by Montel Williams. Broward Country Convention Center, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida seccexpo.com O’CannaBiz, June 8-9 Cannabis is taking the spotlight with new opportunities for the future. O’Cannabiz is the place to explore the industry’s standards for both medical and recreational cannabis, where you will learn about the latest regulations and best business practices. Patients, industry professionals and the general public are gathering from around the world to learn from and network with each other. International Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada ocannabiz.com HEMPCON, June 15-17 This three-day event is happening in the hot state of Arizona, where the focus is on education, cultivation and investing in the future of cannabis. Gather new information from important speakers, investigate investment opportunities and attend seminars and workshops. Phoenix Convention Center, Arizona hempcon.com International Cannabis Business Conference, June 24-25 With the legalization of cannabis in Canada well on its way, join other industry professionals for a twoday conference where top industry personnel are coming together to connect and network. This is the perfect place to learn what is right for your business, and perhaps make the right connections to excel in the industry. Sheraton Wall Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada internationalcbc.com/vancouverhome
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