CULTURE B2B Q4 2018 by Culture Magazine

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INSIDE THIS

ISSUE. contents: Q4 2018

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jamie Solis ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ashley Bennett EDITORIAL

10. INDUSTRY INSIDER

COORDINATOR

Ophelia Chong, the founder of StockPot Images, has risen to fame thanks to her cannabis advocacy and vision of the future.

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS

ON THE COVER: ©JEREMY HILL / STOCKPOT IMAGES®

IN EVERY ISSUE.

14. Embracing Change Oklahoma’s developing medical cannabis program may prove to be too lenient—find out where the state’s industry currently stands.

24. The Art of Improvement Many rehabilitation facilities are straying away from abstinenceonly methods and utilizing cannabis in order to better treat addiction.

18. Taxing Efforts Money makes the industry go round, and this state-by-state breakdown covers all recreational cannabis taxes that affect consumers’ wallets.

26. Cannabis Commitment Need help retaining customer loyalty? Establish a reliable rewards program that will keep them coming back for more.

22. ‘Tis the Season The holidays are a time to give back to the community, and here are some ways cannabis entrepreneurs can adopt altruism into their business plan.

Benjamin Adams

Devon Brown, Hilary Bricken, Jacob Cannon, Caroline Hayes, Emily Manke, Kiara Manns, John McClain, Nicole Potter PHOTOGRAPHERS John Gilhooley, Tonya Perme, Eric Stoner, Steve Terrebonne ART DIRECTOR Steven Myrdahl PRODUCTION MANAGER Michelle Aguirre GRAPHIC DESIGNER John Venegas ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Alex Brizicky, Eric Bulls, Angie Callahan, Kim Cook, Molly Clark, Casey Roel, Annie Weber, Vic Zaragoza

OFFICE MANAGER Mikayla Aguilar DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Cruz Bobadilla

28. Be Prepared Interest in America’s cannabis industry isn’t limited to U.S. citizens—here’s everything you need to know about foreign direct investment.

06. news bytes 08. by the numbers 30. event listings

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n e w s

BYTES

Cannabis-Infused Drink Market Could Reach $600 Million Over the Next Four Years Cannabis-infused drinks will be a driving force in the future of the cannabis market, according to a report from Canaccord Genuity Group Inc. The worldwide cannabis-infused drink market could grow to $600 million by 2022. Big corporate names such as Coca-Cola, Lagunitas, Molson-Coors and Constellation Brands have introduced or suggested that they may be interested in CBD-infused drinks, which Canaccord valued at $260

Australian Company to Grow Cannabis in Latin America Australian medical cannabis manufacturer AusCann announced on Oct. 1 that its Chile-based subsidiary DayaCann signed a nonbinding memorandum of understanding with Canadian medical cannabis company Khiron Life Sciences Corp. to launch operations in Chile. The partnership could help DayaCann create a monopoly on cannabis production in Chile and throughout Latin America. “We look forward to working with Khiron through our joint 6

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venture DayaCann,” AusCann Managing Director Elaine Darby stated in a press release. “To be supplying them high quality cannabinoid medicines and working together on addressing the needs of the Latin American market. The MoU will not only expand DayaCann’s presence in Chile, but also give DayaCann wider access to the Latin American market.” AusCann holds licenses to cultivate and manufacture medical cannabis in Australia. DayaCann and Khiron plan on not only cultivating and manufacturing cannabis, but also conducting research on the plant in Chile.

million by 2022. In addition, THC-infused drinks could amount to a $340 million market in 2022. “While these trends represent a significant opportunity for U.S. cannabis companies, they have not gone unnoticed by large mainstream beverage players looking to inject growth into their product portfolio,” the Canaccord report read. Now that the beverage industry has caught on, other large corporations will likely follow suit.

Arizona City Nixes Excessive Medical Cannabis Tax

Coca-Cola Announced Intent to Explore CBD Drinks Coca-Cola Company announced on Sept. 17 that it is considering non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) as an ingredient to infuse into drinks. However, the company’s leadership made it clear that psychoactive cannabinoids are out of the question, at this point in time. “We have no interest in marijuana or cannabis,” Coca-Cola clarified in a press release. “Along with many others in the beverage industry, we are closely watching the growth of non-psychoactive CBD as an ingredient in functional wellness beverages around the world. The space is evolving quickly. No decisions have been made at this time.” Not long afterwards, rival company PepsiCo Inc. addressed questions about whether or not it would also be exploring entering the CBD market, but offered mixed answers. Coca-Cola dropped adding traces of cocaine into its drink in 1929, which explains its name, but immediately replaced it with caffeine. The times have changed again as CBD becomes more widely acceptable for infusion in beverages.

On Oct. 2, the Phoenix City Council in Arizona denied a proposed tax scheme that many called unreasonable. It would have imposed a $50 per squarefoot tax on cultivators and processors and a $280 per square-foot tax on dispensaries, adding up to millions per year. Critics pointed fingers at Phoenix Interim Mayor Thelda Williams, because of the lack of transparency about developing the high tax proposal. Williams attempted to defend herself,

Dixie Brands, Inc. to Launch Public Listing in Canadian Stock Market On Oct. 1, Dixie Brands, Inc. announced its merger with Academy Explorations Limited, ahead of the company’s plan to launch a public listing on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE). In preparation for the listing, Dixie Brands closed its Series C fundraising round at approximately $25 million in funding. Recreational sales that began in Canada on Oct. 17 certainly played

citing the reasons for proposing a higher tax rate. “We have recently received information from the Police and Fire Chiefs indicating that our public safety resources in Phoenix are strained,” Williams stated in a letter to the Phoenix City Manager. “It is clear to me that we are unable to keep up with the public safety needs of our city due to financial constraints.” Many businesses that spoke out at the Oct. 2 city council meeting, such as Arizona Natural Selection, claimed that the tax rates would have forced them to shut down.

a role. “The Federal legalization of marijuana in Canada is further proof that cannabis is no longer a fringe conversation or product,” Dixie Brands CEO Chuck Smith stated in a press release. “By going public on the CSE, we’re investing in Dixie’s future for continued growth with a focus on quality, product innovation and scale.” The company began with a single product, Dixie Elixir, but has expanded its product line, as well as sales to four states and has plans on expanding to four to six more states in 2019. CULTUREB2B.com

The number of Michigan House of Representatives votes, out of 105, that were cast in favor of banning the consumption, possession or sale of cannabisinfused alcoholic beverages: (Source: WXYZ)

101

The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that Colorado-based cannabis company Dixie Brands, Inc. received in a Series C funding round that ended in early October: (Source: Dixie Brands, Inc.)

The decreased percentage of Canadianbased Tilray Inc. stock shares after PepsiCo Inc. announced that it has no plans to invest in cannabis: (Source: CNBC)

The amount of money, in millions of dollars, that one of the largest Californiabased cannabis distributors, Nabis, raised in seed round funding in the beginning of October: (Source: Nabis)

The number of Alberta, Canada cannabis dispensaries that began operation on Oct. 17, the day that recreational cannabis officially became legal: (Source: Global News)

1.25

The number of Massachusetts recreational cannabis dispensary licenses that have been approved, as of early October: (Source: Boston.com)

The number of people who registered to become medical cannabis cardholders between January and October 2018 in Illinois: (Source: Chicago Tribune)

46,000

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The percentage of patients participating in an Israeli study who said that they saw improvement with their PTSD symptoms after consuming cannabis for six months: (Source: Forbes)

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INDUSTRY INSIDER

INSPIRED IMAGES

StockPot Images Founder Ophelia Chong has made a positive imprint on the worldview of the cannabis industry

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By R. Scott Rappold There was a time—it may seem like ancient history given the tidal wave of cannabis legalization sweeping the nation—that to be photographed smoking or growing the plant was to risk being arrested. How much has that changed? Just ask Ophelia Chong, founder of StockPot Images, the California-based agency that has become a clearinghouse of cannabis-related photos, some 20,000 of them, the first and largest such collection, available for use by magazines, websites and anyone else who needs a photo, but doesn’t

have the time or resources to hire a photographer. For a 58-year-old who avoided cannabis most of her life, it’s the culmination of a long career in the visual arts and major opening-of-eyes regarding the plant. And she’s on a very personal mission to show that the stereotypes that have long been associated with cannabis are very wrong. “My whole passion is speaking for people who are on the outliers [of society],” said Chong. “That was always my specialty . . . How do you talk about this community and bring it into the mainstream in a powerful yet educational way?” PHOTO BY ©JOSH FOGEL / STOCKPOT IMAGES®

Family Connection

Slashing Stereotypes

Chong (no relation to cannabis icon Tommy Chong) grew up in Canada, a child of first-generation Chinese immigrants. After graduating from the ArtCenter College of Design in 1989, she began photographing musicians for magazines and record labels. “I believe everyone has at least six careers in your life,” she said. Her first career involved photographing and spending time with ’90s radio mainstays such as the Goo Goo Dolls and Alanis Morissette. Alcohol was very prevalent in the scene; cannabis, not so much. She produced films. She taught art. She took photos. She marketed photography. But it took a personal experience to bring her into the cannabis industry. Around 2015, Chong’s sister came to visit her in California, in search of help with the incurable skin disease scleroderma, which causes the skin to harden and tighten. In its most severe form, it can lead to organ failure and death. Her sister wanted to try cannabis as an alternative to pharmaceuticals to treat the pain. “I said, ‘Oh my God, my sister is a stoner,’” said Chong. “I started to cry. Here I was stereotyping my sister into this thing, and I realized how wrong I was.”

Her eyes thus opened to cannabis as a medicine and not a drug, Chong began looking around at the types of stock images available related to the plant. Most were of addicts, convicts or drug dealers. “I realized, ‘This is how the mainstream sees cannabis.’ I was first outraged by my own ignorance, and I was further outraged by how everyone else thought too. I wasn’t the only one.” So, StockPot Images was born. She wanted a way to show cannabis as medicine, consumers as patients and not as criminals, and people like Dennis Peron, who founded California’s first public medical cannabis dispensary and fought for much of his life for legalization before dying earlier this year.

It took a lot of cold calls and a slow gaining of trust to get people to be photographed growing or smoking a Schedule I drug. Said Chong, “I basically started from zero. I didn’t have a foothold in the community. I didn’t know anyone in the community . . . I didn’t even know how to roll a joint.” CULTUREB2B.com

“MY WHOLE PASSION IS SPEAKING FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE OUTLIERS [OF SOCIETY].”

Trust she built, as well as a large network of photographers, since most of the 20,000 images in the StockPot Images collection were taken by others, who receive a royalty when their photos are used. She said her royalties are much more generous than what other major stock photo companies offer. The more she immersed herself in the industry, the more she wanted to convince others of its benignness. Asian Americans, many raised by conservative first- or second-generation immigrants, have not always played a huge role in the nascent industry. Chong hoped to change that by co-founding the Asian Americans for Cannabis Education, to help change attitudes and invite more of that demographic into the industry. The goal, she said, “was to reach out to my own people and tell them what cannabis is about. By highlighting Asian Americans in this industry, I can show that yes, we have families. We pay our mortgages. We have children, and we’re normal. And we’re in cannabis.” After all, if she can change her own opinion, why can’t others? She even consumes cannabis now, strictly at night to help her sleep. “That’s the great thing about the market. If I can market it to myself and bring myself around, then I can do it for my own age group as well.” c

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www.stockpotimages.com

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OPEN SEASON IN OKLAHOMA

OKLAHOMA’S LENIENT MEDICAL CANNABIS INDUSTRY BEGINS TO FORM By Benjamin M. Adams Beyond the metropolitan areas of Oklahoma City and Tulsa, the state of Oklahoma is sprawling with open rural prairies that are perfect for cannabis cultivation. The prairielands are practically begging to be sown with cannabis seeds. Oklahoma’s medical cannabis industry is forming at a rapid rate—and there is little, if anything, that lawmakers can do to slow down the progress. On June 26, Oklahoma voters approved State Question 788, blindsiding some conservative state leaders who didn’t expect medical cannabis to ever arrive in their state. Local media outlets renamed the state “Toklahoma,” because of its loose regulations. Based on these fears, healthcare providers such as Saint Francis Health System and Oklahoma State University Medical Center banned their

doctors from recommending medical cannabis. But the state’s medical cannabis industry is still winning the war. Despite these initial roadblocks, the Oklahoma Department of Health expects to grant over 80,000 patients with medical cannabis recommendations. According to a Sept. 24 tweet by the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA), over 1,100 businesses were approved for licenses, plus over 5,000 patient applications. Only a week later, hundreds more were approved. “As of Sept. 30, we have granted around 1,400 business applications,” Spokesperson Melissa Miller of the OMMA told CULTURE B2B. “Of those, around 700 are growers, around 200 are processors, and around 500 are dispensaries. We just started taking applications for all types of [businesses]—caregivers, growers, processors. We just started taking those applications on Aug. 25. So we’re only a month into the program at this point.” The application process keeps the OMMA crew busy at all times during the introductory period, but the organization’s spokesperson sounded relatively unfazed by the flurry of activity. “We’re in the middle of it right now,” Miller said.

“A S O F S E P T. 3 0 , W E H AV E GRANTED AROUND 1,400 BUSINESS A P P L I C AT I O N S . O F T H O S E , A R O U N D 700 HUNDRED ARE GROWERS, AROUND 200 ARE PROCESSORS, AND AROUND 500 ARE DISPENSARIES.”

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Local medical cannabis groups have urged the state to be careful how the medical cannabis program is formed. Not every dispensary that obtains a license can survive in a sustainable market, unless the ratio of patients to dispensaries changes. The OMMA didn’t have any choice but to process thousands of applications for cultivators, processors and dispensaries. On top of that, thousands of patient and caregiver applications are waiting for approval. “The ballot measure that we passed here in Oklahoma, State Question 788, actually specified that we had to start processing applications within 60 days after the passage of the question, which was June 26. So we were bound by law to make that happen very quickly,” Miller explained. Oklahoma is home to the second-largest

Native American population in the United States, only surpassed by California. The tribes of Cherokee, Comanche, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee and many more tribal nations have preserved their ancient ancestry in the area. Even though Oklahoma legalized medical cannabis, it is still illegal on Native American reservations. Leaders of the Cherokee Nation, for instance, reminded its residents that medical cannabis is still against the law. In six other states, a federal statute called Public Law 280 allows tribal lands to enact their own laws, but Oklahoma did not opt into Public Law 280. There are more opportunities for a medical cannabis market in Oklahoma than you might initially consider. Regulatory changes to the state’s medical cannabis program won’t be made again until the next legislative session in February 2019. c

Want to learn more about what’s unfolding in Europe’s medical cannabis industries? Here you can gain knowledge about the latest geopolitics and new legislation that will define the future of the medical cannabis market in the European Union. The conference launches with a keynote lecture by Dr. Jake Felice regarding opioids and how medical cannabis can replace them. Other keynote speakers include Dr. Pavel Kubu M.D., Peter Homberg, Philip J. Cenedella IV and Callie Blackwell. Expand your understanding of cannabis courtesy other industry experts from Europe and nearby places such as Israel, where medical cannabis research is booming. You’ll also hear from experts on cannabis and tech, and how companies are innovating in the industries in Germany, the Czech Republic, Belgium and nonEuropean Union countries like the United Kingdom.

MEDICAL CANNABIS & CANNABINOIDS EU: WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

Having a high number of licensees, however, isn’t always a good thing. Oklahomabased lawyers have raised the logistical question of whether or not thousands of medical cannabis businesses can be profitable in a state with only four million residents. According to The Associated Press, the ratio of medical cannabis patients to dispensaries in Oklahoma is 12:1. Imagine running a dispensary with only 12 customers—making a profit would be impossible. Per the language of State Question 788, there is no cap on the number of businesses. Moreover, local jurisdictions are prohibited from enacting zoning laws to prevent medical cannabis businesses from opening. Few states, if any, have that kind of leniency towards caps on the number of cannabis businesses allowed.

WHEN: Sat, Nov. 15Sun, Nov. 16 WHERE: Union Halle, Hanauer Landstraße 188, 60314 Frankfurt am Main, Germany WEBSITE: forumsandevents. co.uk/medicalcannabiscannabinoids-euwhere-do-we-gofrom-here

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RECREATIONAL CANNABIS TAX LAWS BY STATE

By John McClain The United States has quickly become a hub of the legalized cannabis market. In 2017, the U.S. cannabis market was valued to be worth $8.5 billion and responsible for 90 percent of recreational cannabis production globally. Nine states, the Northern Mariana Islands and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational cannabis, of which seven states have regulated markets. Other states face challenges for creating a regulated market to bring in tax revenue and economic benefits. Each state with a regulated market has made several large decisions, including whether to impose excise or sales taxes, at what points the cannabis product is taxed, and then how the revenue will be spent in each state. Here’s a breakdown of the sales and excise taxes that apply to the cannabis industry of each state, district or territory:

Alaska Alaska voted to legalize cannabis for recreational consumption with Ballot Measure 2 in 2014, and levied a wholesale tax on cannabis sold in the state. The tax is collected from the licensed cannabis cultivation facilities when the cannabis is transferred from the cultivator to the retailer or a cannabis product manufacturing facility. Cannabis flower is taxed at $50 per ounce, and trim, stems or leaves are taxed at $15 per ounce. Alaska has no retail state taxes at the point of sale, but several municipalities do. For instance, Anchorage passed Proposition 2 in 2016 and imposed a five percent sales tax on cannabis and cannabis products in the city. Industrial hemp is not subject to the sales tax. According to the Alaska Department of Revenue - Tax Division, the state collected over $1,700,000 in tax revenue in 2017, and as of June 30 of 2018 had collected over $11 million from cultivators in tax revenue.

California As of Jan. 1, when California’s Proposition 64 took effect, taxes on retail and cultivation operations also took effect. Cannabis cultivators, processors, manufacturers, retailers, microbusinesses and distributors in California must register with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) and receive a seller’s permit. Distributors must also obtain a cannabis tax permit from the CDTFA. For both medical and recreational cannabis, a 15 percent excise tax is imposed at the point of sale. Recreational consumers pay the state’s general 7.25 percent sales tax plus the excise tax. The sales tax is made up of six percent state tax and 1.25 percent municipality or county tax. Medical patients are exempt from the state sales tax. The cultivation of cannabis is taxed at $9.25 per ounce of dried bud or $2.75 per ounce of dried leaves. The state excise tax revenue goes toward cannabis research, health department programs and a portion will go towards research on testing for impairment while driving under the influence of cannabis. CULTUREB2B.com

Colorado Colorado residents pay for local, state and excise taxes on recreational cannabis. Colorado’s state sales tax on general goods is set at 2.9 percent, but on July 1, 2017, the state announced that recreational cannabis companies would be exempt from the general sales tax and replaced with an increased cannabis sales tax. Colorado raised its state retail cannabis sales tax from 10 percent to 15 percent also on July 1, 2017. The state levies a 15 percent excise tax on cultivators and collects the tax when cannabis is shipped out to manufacturing facilities or dispensaries. Most consumers don’t see the amount of excise tax in the price they pay because it’s already been added. The state keeps 90 percent of the tax revenue while 10 percent goes to the local government. In addition, and effective on Dec. 1, “sales tax must be collected and remitted based on the jurisdiction’s tax rate at the point of delivery,” when cannabis is delivered to another location outside of the retailers’ jurisdiction, according to the Colorado Department of Revenue. The average local sales tax for the state is just above six percent, but the highest local sales taxes in the state is Winter Park at 11.2 percent. Denver has a more reasonable 7.65 percent sales tax rate. Medical cannabis customers just pay the state’s general 2.9 percent state sales tax and any local sales taxes that apply.

Maine Maine legalized cannabis for recreational consumption in 2018 with Question 1, overriding Gov. Paul LePage’s veto, but still has not established a regulated market. With the new legislation, the state imposed a 10 percent sales tax on recreational cannabis. Maine imposes a 5.5 percent sales tax on general purchases, so the combined tax rate on cannabis is 15.5 percent. Medical 20

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patients pay no taxes. Maine also has set excise taxes at the cultivator level, taxing $335 per pound of cannabis flower or mature plants, $94 per pound of trim, $1.50 per seedling and 30 cents per seed. The state recently announced that consultants who want to write the rules and regulations for recreational cannabis sales could submit proposals before Nov. 1, with the rules taking effect before next May.

Massachusetts Massachusetts planned on collecting tax on cannabis in July of this year after its recreational initiative Question 4 passed in 2016, with an increased excise tax on cannabis at 10.75 percent. However, the state only recently began awarding licenses for dispensaries, missing out on an estimated $16 million in tax revenue so far. On top of that, the state sales tax is set at 6.25 percent and local municipalities can tax up to three percent on retail sales, bringing tax up to 20 percent on cannabis in the state. Boston is one of the cities that will be collecting a local three percent tax on cannabis sales. Massachusetts has missed out on potentially $16 million in tax revenue from recreational cannabis due to delays, and state officials are counting on $63 million in revenue from cannabis to balance the 2019 budget.

Nevada Nevada imposes a 15 percent excise tax on wholesale cannabis paid at the point of retail by cultivators. The state also imposes a 10 percent retail tax on cannabis and cannabis products at the point of sale, plus any local sales tax. Medical cannabis patients pay only a two percent excise tax on cannabis. Nevada imposes a 6.85 percent sales tax on general goods, and

cities and counties with approval can charge an additional tax up to 1.25 percent. Las Vegas imposes 8.25 percent sales tax on top of the cannabis taxes and for all other applicable retail purchases. Nevada collected $69.8 million in tax revenue during the first year of recreational cannabis sales, almost 50 percent more than expected. Wholesale tax revenue goes mainly to education through the Distributive School Account. Sales tax revenue goes to the state’s Rainy Day Fund, which helps the state protect itself against economic downturn.

Oregon Oregon levies a 17 percent sales tax on recreational cannabis in the state. Local governments can also add a three percent tax upon voter approval. Some cities have moved forward and imposed their own taxes. Medical patients are exempt from tax at the point of sale. The collection of cannabis state tax first overwhelmed the Salem tax office because taxes were often delivered in cash and required an appointment. Per Measure 91, 40 percent of the state tax revenue goes to the state’s Common School Fund, 20 percent goes to Mental Health Alcoholism and Drug Services, 15 percent goes to state police, and 10 percent goes to local governments and law enforcement. Five percent also goes to Oregon Health Authority for drug abuse prevention.

Vermont After several previous attempts to legalize or regulate cannabis, Vermont legalized the possession of up to one ounce of cannabis for recreational consumption in July through legislature. Unfortunately, a bill that was created to tax and regulate cannabis in the state died in the House leaving no place to legally purchase cannabis in the state. Last year, Gov. Phil Scott created an advisory commission

The Northern Mariana Islands to study various concerns about the cannabis industry. The commission so far has announced that it expects $15-20 million in tax revenue per year and could use the revenue to fund education, health and highway programs. Democrats used the promise of regulation and taxation of cannabis in the state as a selling point of their platform for the November election. Vermont taxes general retail sales at a rate of six percent, with some cities like Dover collecting up to one percent more in local taxes for a maximum seven percent sales tax on retail purchases. Medical cannabis patients are exempt from the sales tax.

Washington The 37 percent excise tax imposed on medical and recreational cannabis is easily the highest tax rate in the United States. However, it was a desired change by cannabis stores to correct the previous tax structure, which

Tax rates are currently being developed, but some details have been released. Per the passage of House Bill 20-178 on Aug. 30, 2018, the territory’s legislature has been directed to enact sales taxes on all cannabis from producers, as well as an excise tax on recreational cannabis at the point of sale. Medical cannabis patients will be exempt from the excise tax.

District of Columbia Cannabis is legal for recreational consumption, and possession of up to two ounces is legal for adults 21 and over after Initiative 71 took effect Feb. 26, 2015. There are no taxes collected from medical cannabis patients and no regulations are set up for the sales and distribution for recreational consumers. Unfortunately, the United States Congress has oversight of the D.C. local government, so regulating it in stores when it’s still illegal under federal status is nearly impossible. c

If you’re serious about investing in the cannabis space, be sure to mark your calendars for MJBizCon. Sponsored by the cannabisfocused financial experts at MJBizDaily, MJBizCon covers all things business in the world of cannabis. Over 20,000 cannabis professionals will be invited to browse through over 1,000 exhibitors, presenting a seemingly endless number of networking opportunities. Featured speakers include Torsten Kuenzlen of Sundial Growers, Ryan Brown of Native Roots, Dr. Priyanka Sharma and many other well-known individuals. Panels and discussions will include topics such as investing in cannabis globally, the Canadian cannabis market and high-level investing. Once the seminar segments are over, don’t miss out on the Minorities in Cannabis Luncheon or the VIP access to an afterparty at the avant-garde and luxurious 1 OAK Nightclub, where attendees can unwind after the conference and have a little fun.

MJBIZCON

required stores to report some of that as income for federal purposes. Medical cannabis patients are exempt from the additional eight percent sales tax on general goods in the state. Previously, a 25 percent excise tax was collected from the producers, processors and retailers. Now, the one-time 37 percent tax is collected from retail establishments at the purchase of any cannabis or cannabis products. Recreational consumers pay a total of 45 percent in taxes. Fifty percent of the cannabis tax revenue goes to the Basic Health Care Trust Fund Account, which helps pay for a portion of the state’s Medicaid healthcare costs. The rest is dispersed to other several health and government programs.

WHEN: Fri, Nov. 14Sun, Nov. 16 WHERE: Las Vegas Convention Center, 3150 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas, Nevada WEBSITE: mjbizconference.com

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COMPANIES THAT CARE

EXPLORE WAYS TO ADOPT A CULTURE OF ALTRUISM INTO YOUR COMPANY’S MISSION By Kiara Manns

As the leaders and doers of the world, business owners and entrepreneurs have the unique ability to make positive impacts and influence the community with their brands. While there are a variety of ways in which we can give back to our communities, it can be difficult to know where to start and who to connect with. All across the country there are cannabis businesses both big and small that are making a difference in their own communities and across the world. Through organizing and sponsoring events, donating money and creating unique branded products, cannabis companies are giving back, inspiring and supporting their neighbors.

Event Organization and Sponsorship Event organization and sponsorship are effective ways to support the local community while also demonstrating the positive output of your cannabis business. One great example of this outreach is Cannabis Doing Good. These social events are structured to fundraise while making lasting connections between businesses and the community. These events, set to be held on a quarterly basis, operate to link together leaders in both cannabis industry and nonprofit sector to inspire positive change. Orchestrated by the individuals at KindColorado, the Cannabis Doing Good project hopes that the collaboration between these groups will give back to the community. The first social held in October donated 10 percent of gross sales to the GES Community Land Trust, a nonprofit organization. “Nonprofits, community groups, political advocacy champions, and cannabis sector professionals will have the opportunity to meet, greet, collaborate,” Courtney Mathis, the founder and president of KindColorado, shared with CULTURE B2B. Founders Courtney Mathis and Kelly Perez emphasize that their goal is to, “create pathways for communities and businesses to collaborate, for employers and employees to celebrate, and for businesses and customers to 22

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participate in community outreach.” Through the events by KindColorado, the cannabis community can find ways to influence and support the economy, public health and contribute to policy development. The Cannabis Doing Good project in particular combines charitable actions and networking to bring leaders a space to plan and innovate for future endeavors in giving back to the community. Another cannabis company that supports the community through event sponsorship is Good Chemistry Nurseries. Founded in 2010, Good Chemistry Nurseries views community support as an obligation and has several ties with different organizations that serve in varying sectors. With locations in Nevada, Colorado and

Massachusetts, the company makes it a point to be involved wherever they are. The company recently sponsored Gay Ball, a flag football tournament that celebrates the LGBTQ community. Hosted annually, the tournament has grown exponentially in the last 16 years with a total of 24 leagues nationwide. Good Chemistry Nurseries also provides support to Veterans Community Gardens Program, Ray of Hope Cancer Foundation, Denver Rescue Mission, AIDS Walk Colorado and many others. Whether by providing tools and plants for the Veterans Community Gardens Program or contributing to the needs of the homeless with the Denver Rescue Mission, the company makes a point to be present in its community.

Donating Profits Sometimes the most direct way to support your local community is to put your money where your mouth is and donate. After all, organizations know exactly where funding is needed, and by donating cash, companies can provide direct support where nonprofits and

organizations need it most. Located in Reno, Nevada, Greenleaf Wellness became involved with cancer awareness and support like no other local dispensary had done before. Last year, the business raised $18,000 for the nonprofit, Moms on the Run, which assists with

Limited Edition Products to Raise Awareness Some companies may choose to create and advertise limited edition products to rally spirit and funds for a specific cause, like Green Thumb Industries Inc. (GTI) decided to do. For breast cancer awareness, the company designed the “RHYTHM for a Cause” vaporizer pen. These limited edition vaporizer pens not only give consumers a specially designed product, they allow those consumers to take home something that gives a personal connection to fundraising efforts. Green Thumb Industries Inc. is a cannabis consumer packaged goods company. This year the company partnered with three breast cancer organizations: METAvivor in Maryland; The Lynn Sage Foundation in Illinois and Living Beyond Breast Cancer in Pennsylvania. “We believe it’s our duty to raise awareness for how cannabis

living expenses for women battling breast and gynecological cancers. It was reported that Greenleaf Wellness was the first local dispensary to donate to a nonprofit organization. In October, it began its second annual month-long campaign to raise funds for the nonprofit. “Last year, we were beyond proud of our customers and staff for supporting us [to] reach this milestone fundraising goal to assist Moms on the Run,” said Steve Duque, vice president of Greenleaf. “This year, we hope to surpass our goal and donate over $20,000.” During the month of October, known as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Greenleaf Wellness donated $2 from every transaction to Moms on the Run. While it’s a simple method of community outreach, the dollars add up considerably. Nonprofit organizations such as Moms on the Run can be found in every city in the country, making options endless for business owners to pick their nonprofit of choice and make a difference.

may temporarily relieve pain, ease nausea and restore appetites for people bravely battling cancer,” GTI Vice President of Investor Relations and Corporate Development Jennifer Dooley said. “Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month and partnering with like-minded organizations in our communities to achieve this mission is what this is

all about.” By collaborating with several organizations, GTI reaches a wider audience that allows them to make more connections with various communities. The “RHYTHM for a Cause” pen serves as a physical token of support for cancer awareness that patients and consumers can choose to use to relieve symptoms. c

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RADICAL RECOVERY

CANNABIS IS BECOMING A POPULAR ALTERNATIVE TO ABSTINENCECENTRIC DRUG REHAB PROGRAMS By Devon Alexander Brown In 2016, 63,632 Americans lost their lives to drug related overdoses. Many of these deaths were due to prescription or illicit opioid use—and the numbers are rising every day. But the nation’s ongoing opioid crisis has also bolstered another trend: A resurgence of addiction treatment centers, which profit an estimated $35 billion annually, according to the 24

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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. While traditional abstinence-based treatment centers are exceptional at raking in profits, most residents experience multiple relapses after completing their programs. Cannabis-inclusive recovery may be the answer many addicts are seeking. The rapid normalization of cannabis has seen its adult- and medical-use programs gain increasing support among Americans, most notably within the healthcare community. A recent poll published by Medscape found that over 60 percent of physicians support federal legalization, yet the concept of cannabisassisted therapy isn’t receiving the same support from the recovery industry, which champions the cessation of all drug use—including the use of Methadone or Suboxone found in medication-assisted therapy programs. This belief stems from the philosophy found in the 12 steps of Narcotics and Alcoholics Anonymous programs, which have been shown to produce an abysmal success rate of five to 10 percent. However, the notion of cannabis-assisted therapy is gaining traction among addiction-recovery advocates who adhere to harm reduction policies. According to the harm reduction philosophy, cannabis use is preferential to hard drug use as it is non-lethal and leads down a non-lethal pathway. And states like New York, Pennsylvania and New

Jersey have listed opioid dependence as a qualifying condition for their medical cannabis programs. However, cannabis-inclusive therapy is about much more than getting high. In fact, getting high isn’t a goal at all. High Sobriety, a cannabis-inclusive recovery environment based in Los Angeles, California, is a pioneer of this approach to addiction treatment, and its 90-day program is appropriately regimented. High Sobriety works alongside an inpatient recovery center where incoming residents are hosted for 30 days of inpatient detox prior to entering the program. Residents work with an on-campus cannabis clinician who recommends medication and determines the appropriate dosages and frequencies. All cannabis consumed on-campus is non-smokable. Cannabidiol (CBD)-heavy products are used throughout the day, while more tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-heavy products are administered at night. In compliance with California state law, cannabis is not dispensed to residents directly, and it is instead acquired from recommended dispensaries where representatives from High Sobriety acquire it for residents. The goal of cannabis-inclusive therapy is simple—to treat the anxiety, insomnia, cravings and withdrawal symptoms that follow detox and to mediate the frustration and angst that can occur when confronting sobriety and the abuses that often underlie addiction. Residents are not allowed to consume psychoactive cannabis before meetings, and they are not left to consume cannabis all day at their leisure. Cannabis products are only used to achieve a level of comfort that is conducive to the therapy process and residents’ personal progress. “You can walk into High Sobriety at any point in time and all of our residents are able to have a complete and coherent conversation with you,” High Sobriety’s Director of Research and Development, Dr. Sherry Yafai M.D, told CULTURE B2B. “They are attending their meetings, they are putting in the work, they are getting to the next level. In fact we’ve had a number of residents who, once they complete the program, stop using cannabis for a period of time, which you won’t see with Suboxone users, you won’t see with Methadone users, you won’t see with any other recovery program.” Dr. Yafai explained that the most promising aspect of cannabis-inclusive therapy seems to be the newfound excitement most residents find in terms of their perspectives toward sobriety. Rather than feeling like it’s an impossibility, residents begin to see sobriety as a tangible option, something within their reach. Nevertheless, cannabis-inclusive therapy isn’t always the best model for recovering addicts, and any patient considering consuming cannabis to overcome opioid or other substance abuse disorders should do so after weighing their options with a licensed physician. Likewise, those interested in opening cannabisinclusive recovery centers should do so with caution.

“ YO U C A N WA L K I N TO H I G H S O B R I E TY AT A N Y P O I N T IN TIME AND ALL OF OUR R E S I D E N T S A R E A B L E TO H AV E A CO M P L E T E A N D CO H E R E N T CO N V E R S AT I O N W I T H YO U .” “When people are impaired they make bad judgements, especially addicts. One thing seems like it can be handled, so they think they can handle the next step, which is alcohol or other hard drugs,” Yafai said. “That’s where I see the problem of doing this [cannabis-inclusive therapy], the mentality that everyone struggling with addiction can do it or everyone can open a center where all you do is therapy and let them smoke pot. That’s not the idea and that’s not the goal.” c

Dr. Sherry Yafai M.D.

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LASTING BENEFIT

CAPITALIZE ON CUSTOMER RETENTION THROUGH LOYALTY PROGRAMS By Devon Alexander Brown It’s no secret that the cannabis space is becoming saturated. In Colorado, a pioneer of cannabis legalization, there are more dispensaries than Starbucks locations. This means competition is at an all-time high, and every regulated state is bound to follow suit. As customers become increasingly savvy, it’s critical that cannabis retailers do all they can to ensure customer loyalty. So, why not take a page from Starbucks’ book and implement a customer loyalty program? In the loyalty industry there are two prominent program structure models, but one has been shown to offer superior results. A retail space can use a points-per-visit model, which guarantees every visiting customer a set amount of points regardless of dollars spent. Or they can use the points-per-dollarspent model, which is the preferred structure in virtually every noncannabis retail space. And seeing as non-cannabis retailers have been in the game longer, it is wise to follow their lead. “From a budgeting standpoint and from a return on investment standpoint, it is much preferred to use the points-per-dollar-spent model that way you know exactly what you’re spending,” Co-founder and CEO of SpringBig, a marketingas-a-service marketing platform, Jeffrey Harris told CULTURE B2B. “With a points-per-visit model there is no way to calculate that because every customer gets the same amount of points regardless of what they spend. I’ve spent over 20 years in the loyalty industry and points-per-dollar-spent is far and away the preferred model. Any cannabis retailer should be aware of 26

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that so that when they’re building their program they can structure it correctly to drive the right kind of results.” Once an appropriate program structure has been determined, it’s necessary to plot a sufficient marketing strategy. The digital age has dramatically shifted the costs of marketing so a retailer can focus on providing customers with incentives they actually want and will use. Harris advises a communication strategy built on SMS text messaging and email in order to stay in front of customers. He also suggests attributing 70 to 75 percent of a budget to rewards that customers earn in the program. The remaining 25 to 30 percent should go toward software, marketing and administration. Once a marketing strategy is in place, providing the right customer incentives is paramount. “The whole purpose of the loyalty program for a retailer is to drive more visits from the customer. The rewards that are going to be the most successful at bringing them back into the store more often are going to be either percentage or dollar off discounts on your own products,” Harris said. “In the loyalty program, your core offerings should be discounts back into the store, but you should also have additional giveaways and opportunities for the customer.”

Any customer entering a store is interested in the product being sold. So it only makes sense to offer discounts on premium store products. Yet loyalty programs can also help offload excess inventory by promoting specials on slowmoving products and overlooked goods. However, offering rewards members deals on non-cannabis related items can also be a great way to incentivize future purchases and gain new customers through

“ T H E W H O L E P U R P O S E O F T H E LO YA LT Y P R O G R A M F O R A R E TA I L E R I S T O D R I V E M O R E V I S I T S F R O M T H E C U S T O M E R . T H E R E WA R D S T H AT A R E G O I N G T O B E T H E M O S T S U CC E S S F U L AT B R I N G I N G T H E M B AC K I N T O T H E S T O R E M O R E O F T E N A R E G O I N G T O B E E I T H E R P E R C E N TAG E O R D O L L A R O F F D I S CO U N T S O N Y O U R O W N P R O D U C T S . ”

they reach a particular spending limit (currently $50 to $75). There is a $15 to $20 listing fee charged to dispensaries associated with WeedPass, but loyalty customers are able to claim rewards directly from retailers. Although the initial costs of loyalty and rewards programs may seem offputting, money talks and the data shows. Loyalty customers generally visit two times more often than nonloyalty enrolled customers. On average they spend $194 more than nonmembers, and they spend $25 more per transaction than non-members. And SMS and email recipients visit five times more than non-recipients, which translates into more purchases overall. If large corporations like McDonald’s and Starbucks feel a need to implement loyalty and rewards programs, there’s a good chance it’s good for a business’ bottom line. c

INDO EXPO

referrals. And the digital age has also made it easier than ever to team up with technology platforms to drive sales through unorthodox offers. MassRoots, a leading technology and social network platform for the regulated cannabis industry, has been beta-testing its own rewards program, WeedPass, since August 2018 in the California and Colorado cannabis markets. And MassRoots intends to expand the program into every state with a regulated cannabis market. The program participates with subscribed dispensaries and consumers to offer unorthodox promotions with key features. WeedPass makes bulk purchases on items like concert, movie and sports tickets and offers them to participants for $5 to $10 per ticket. WeedPass then distributes the tickets to participating dispensaries who then pass them on to reward customers after

Prepare to get lost among the aisles of exhibitors during the first quarter of the fiscal year 2019 at this massive convention. Ancillary products will be on display from over 350 exhibitors including indoor, outdoor, greenhouse, production, processing and retail businesses. Don’t miss out on the most recent cutting-edge innovations that could shake up the industry in 2019. Sellers will present apparel, gifts, jewelry, hydroponics, art and lots of glass products. Plenty of industry aspects will be involved— including everything from legal teams, HVAC, IT, packaging, security and real estate. While you’re at it, don’t miss The Industrial Hemp Pavilion, which will include hemp-derived CBD products for pets, hempcrete, hemp seed products, hemp coffee and many other hempinfused goods to discover. WHEN: Sat, Jan. 26-Sun, Jan. 27 WHERE: Denver Mart, 451 E 58th Ave., Denver, Colorado WEBSITE: indoexpo.com

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FOREIGN FINANCING

UNDERSTANDING THE INTRICACIES OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY By Hilary Bricken As states continue to legalize cannabis, there has been increasing interest and questions in and about foreign investment into the U.S.’s booming cannabis industry. As would be expected, much of this interest is from Israel, Canada, Spain, Turkey, South America, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Germany. These investors are interested in certain states in particular, like California, because of the size of their markets, but also because certain states have no residency or citizenship requirement to be able invest in cannabis businesses. In general, foreign direct investment (FDI) refers to any type of cross-border transaction where a company or investor from Country A invests money in a company 28

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located in Country B. It generally doesn’t refer to dumping money broadly into stocks and bonds—it is specifically about a concentrated, singleenterprise investment. FDI exists in several forms. Foreign investors can start a new company and can finance and build it from the ground up. They can participate in a joint venture with U.S. partners. They can wholly or partially acquire a U.S. business. They can also take a lighter touch, where they provide primarily branding and process support while having U.S. parties take on the bulk of the financial risk—the basic franchise model. In the cannabis industry, there are already large FDI projects in cannabis ancillary services (i.e., the companies that provide the goods and

services that support the actual cannabis plant touching business). Foreign investors have opened up domestic companies for the manufacture and import of cultivation equipment like grow lights and hydroponic equipment, processing equipment like automated trimmers and extraction machines, and associated inputs including soil, fertilizer, vaporizer pen batteries and cartridges. There have also been large amounts of foreign money invested into cannabis real estate projects. In addition to buying the real estate, the foreign investors put money into greenhouses, grow lights, storage facilities and more to offer turnkey cultivation and processing facilities for lease to local businesses. These companies are largely

considering foreign ownership in the context of the Department of Justice cannabis enforcement memoranda that cannabis-legal states are working under. The main takeaway from the Aug. 2013 Cole Memorandum (which has been rescinded by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions) was that if the states want to keep federal law enforcement away, they need to make sure their regulations prevent state licensees from violating the various federal enforcement priorities. One of those priorities was that state regulations need to prevent “revenue from the sale of marijuana from going to criminal enterprises, gangs, and cartels.” If the state and federal criminal background check databases don’t have extensive coverage on foreign crimes, how can a state, including California, have faith that the foreign investors don’t fall into one of those categories? For now, with no broad pronouncements apparent, it appears that the federal government is taking a wait-and-see approach to foreign ownership of state cannabis businesses. That means it is up to state cannabis business participants and the states themselves to ensure that foreign owners do not violate federal enforcement priorities. c

“THESE INVESTORS ARE I N T E R E S T E D I N C E R TA I N S TAT E S I N PA R T I C U L A R , LIKE CALIFORNIA, BECAUSE OF THE SIZE OF T H E M A R K E T, B U T A L S O B E C A U S E C E R TA I N S TAT E S H AV E N O R E S I D E N C Y O R CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENT TO BE ABLE INVEST IN CANNABIS BUSINESSES.”

Hosted by comedians Doug Benson and Ngaio Bealum, The Emerald Cup will award cannabis products in dozens of categories including Best in Show Flower and Best Infused Edibles. Meanwhile, The 2018 Farm Awards will focus on the principles of environmental ethics and regenerative cultivation practices. Now in its 15th year, The Emerald Cup continues to provide a celebratory experience for all cannabis lovers covering several aspects of the industry. Live performances from groups like Big Gigantic, STS9, Gogol Bordello, Chali 2na and Lyrics Born will spice up the weekend. The Emerald Cup is also all about appreciating talented big-name glass-blowing artists whose art is astounding to witness. This year, the event will feature the glass-blowing masters Banjo, Darby Holm, Claire Lipton and Erin Bourgornin, to name a few.

THE EMERALD CUP

unregulated at the state level, and their foreign investment issues are similar to non-cannabis businesses, dealing with things like registering as U.S. taxpayers for partnership taxed businesses, complying with the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act and dealing with immigration issues. For firms directly involved in the buying and selling of cannabis, statespecific restrictions become more of a concern. States like Washington do not allow anyone who is not a state resident (much less not a U.S. resident) from having any profit interest in a cannabis business. Contrast that with California and Oregon, which are extremely liberal with their cannabis regulations, and there is no residency or even citizenship requirement to participate. Still, state regulations and state laws are typically written with U.S. residents in mind. In turn, things like criminal and financial background checks on foreigners remain in a bit of a grey area. Ultimately though, neither state officials nor the Federal Bureau of Investigation are likely to have any real information on foreign nationals who haven’t had prior contact with the United States. How the U.S. federal government will react to foreign ownership in terms of the Department of Justice (rather than via immigration through the Department of Homeland Security) still remains to be seen, though nothing’s been publicly reported that’s a red flag against foreign cannabis business ownership in states that don’t have resident or citizenship requirements. As far as federal laws go, the Controlled Substances Act doesn’t differentiate between activities that are international, interstate or fully intrastate in nature. Possessing, manufacturing and distributing cannabis are illegal federally regardless of where the company’s owners live. Still, there are a couple of criminal statutes that add fuel to the fire when interstate and international commerce are involved. 18 U.S.C. § 1952, for example, criminalizes traveling or using the mail in interstate or foreign commerce with intent to distribute the proceeds of cannabis sales. More questions arise when

WHEN: Sat, Dec. 15Sun, Dec. 16 WHERE: Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa, California WEBSITE: theemeraldcup.com

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EVENTS

WEED (it’s complicated), Nov. 15 At “WEED (it’s complicated),” Consultant Ben Cort from Boulder, Colorado will help Pennsylvanian residents learn some of the tricks of the trade for the medical cannabis industry. Pennsylvania legalized medical cannabis in February, and there’s a lot to discover before going to one of Pennsylvania’s 30 new stateoperated dispensaries. Montgomery Township Community and Recreation Center, Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania conversation.zone/events Canna Compliant Supply Chain, Nov. 28-30 Get a grasp on the supply chain that connects California’s cannabis industry together, and learn how to stay compliant and up-to-date. Confirmed speakers include Cat Packer, Troy Dayton, Andrew DeAngelo and several local government officials from Los Angeles County and the city of Los Angeles, California. Sofitel Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California infocastinc.com/event/cannacompliant-supply-chain Aspen High Summit, Dec. 2-5 Aspen High Summit calls itself the “anti-conference,” because here you will find the most successful entertainment and cannabis industry insiders in a cozy, high-end and relaxing setting unlike any other cannabis conference you’ve been to. An opening address will be provided by Steve DeAngelo, Troy Dayton and Jim Lewi, plus several sessions will allow influencers to uncover their secrets. Limelight Hotel, Aspen, Colorado aspenhighsummit.com 30

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International Cannabis Policy Conference 2018, Dec. 7-8 This event takes place just after the UN Commission of Narcotic Drugs receives final scheduling recommendations for CBD from the World Health Organization, and the world is watching. This is the opportunity for stakeholders, researchers, policymakers and other interested individuals to make their voice heard—in a big way. UN Vienna & Austria Center, Vienna, Austria cannabis-conference.com Understanding Hemp-Derived CBD, Dec. 12 Join Robert Genco of CV Sciences for a seminar on the benefits of CBD. CBDinfused products can be found everywhere nowadays, but it’s important to know which brands are trustworthy, and how CBD products interact with our bodies. Whole Earth Center, Princeton, New Jersey centralcanna.com/sccbig NECANN 1st Annual Springfield Cannabis Convention, Jan. 12-13 NECANN presents the firstever major cannabis convention in western Massachusetts. See what’s going on in New England’s cannabis scene, and meet cultivators, business owners and entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry, who are representing the East Coast. Mass Mutual Center, Springville, Massachusetts necann.com Athens Cannabis Expo, Greece, Jan. 12-14 What better place than the ancient city of Athens, Greece to discover all there is to learn about the relatively new cannabis industry in Eastern Europe? Lectures will be provided by speakers

like Avihu Tamir, and DJs sets including Kid Bamboo, Eno Pareita and DJ Rollit will rock the house. Faliro Sports Pavilion Arena, Athens, Greece athenscannabisexpo.com CBD Expo West ENCORE, Jan. 25 Get ready for a celebration of all things containing CBD, with over 65 exhibitors, including experts in the production, distribution and sale of CBD products. Don’t miss the Pet CBD Pavilion, with a specific focus on CBD products designed exclusively for pets. Embassy Suites, Anaheim, California cbdexpo.net Cannabis Women’s Empowerment Society: Annual Summit, Jan. 25-27 Eight female speakers at Cannabis Women’s Empowerment Society: Annual Summit include former CULTURE featured women Whitney Beatty and Adelia Carrillo, who will discuss female empowerment within the cannabis industry. Attendees will include members of Fortune 500 companies, founders and entrepreneurs. Downtown Los Angeles, California, location provided with RSVP pages.kalogia.com Cannabis Wedding Expo, Jan. 26 What’s going to be a major trend in 2019? Cannabis weddings. Over 50 wedding experts and specialty cannabis vendors will present their wares including gift bags, samples, photo booths, and you can dance to live music or enter the raffle for a prize! Sportsmen’s Lodge Events Center, Los Angeles, California cannabisweddingexpo.com

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