3 strategies to combat smokable-hemp bans

(Editor’s note: This column is part of a recurring series of commentaries from professionals connected to the hemp industry. Andrew M. Rosner and Kaelan Castetter are vice presidents of the New York State Cannabis Growers and Processors Association.) Government officials nationwide are talking about banning the sale of hemp flower in the name of public… Continue reading 3 strategies to combat smokable-hemp bans

CBD giant Charlotte’s Web positions to enter THC market

Hemp-derived CBD giant Charlotte’s Web Holdings is positioning itself to enter THC and marijuana markets. The Boulder, Colorado, company says it has signed a five-year, $8 million purchase agreement option with a marijuana company started by its founders, Stanley Brothers USA Holdings Inc. The deal allows Charlotte’s Web to take over the marijuana business after… Continue reading CBD giant Charlotte’s Web positions to enter THC market

Sleep and stress worries create opportunities for CBD and marijuana brands

(Editor’s note: This story is part of a recurring series of commentaries from professionals connected to the hemp industry. Jackie Berg is co-founder of CBD Marketing Hub, a digital-to-door agency focused on CBD and cannabis marketing.) Sleep is valued commodity and something many Americans are increasingly bereft of. Many health experts see sleep issues as… Continue reading Sleep and stress worries create opportunities for CBD and marijuana brands

MJBizCon announces return to Las Vegas Oct. 20-22

MJBizCon will return as a live, in-person event in Las Vegas this October, barring any unforeseen developments related to the coronavirus pandemic, Marijuana Business Daily announced Monday. The 10th annual cannabis trade show, the largest in the industry, is scheduled to be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center and will include an online component… Continue reading MJBizCon announces return to Las Vegas Oct. 20-22

Choosing the best location for your retail CBD business

(A version of this story appears in the February issue of Marijuana Business Magazine.) From mom-and-pop shops to corporate chains, everyone in the retail business knows that a carefully chosen location is key to success. The cannabis industry is no exception. Although regulatory requirements, license availability and market demand will vary from place to place,… Continue reading Choosing the best location for your retail CBD business

Canadian hemp, marijuana producer Tilray reports $271 million loss for year

Canadian hemp and marijuana producer Tilray cut its annual loss to $271 million for 2020 — an improvement from the Nanaimo, British Columbia company’s $321 million loss in 2019, according to the full-year and fourth-quarter results released Wednesday. Tilray, which is on the verge of being merged with Canadian peer Aphria, lost only $3 million… Continue reading Canadian hemp, marijuana producer Tilray reports $271 million loss for year

Pennsylvania awarding grants to promote hemp sales, exports

Pennsylvania is awarding $253,000 to organizations with projects designed to increase sales and exports of hemp products. Pennsylvania’s Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the grants until March 5, PennWatch reported. Projects aimed at promoting consumer awareness are also eligible. “Hemp has presented a unique opportunity to build an industry from the ground up,… Continue reading Pennsylvania awarding grants to promote hemp sales, exports

How to head off partnership disputes before they happen

(This story appears in the February issue of Marijuana Business Magazine.) Partnership disputes — whether between business partners or owners and investors — continue to be an ugly feature of the marijuana and hemp industries. Such conflicts can be costly and time-consuming; plus, they can sink a cannabis company. But there are steps companies can… Continue reading How to head off partnership disputes before they happen

DEA asking applicants about hemp use before legalization

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is asking job applicants whether they’ve used hemp before it was legalized in 2018, saying current and past drug use is taken into account in the hiring process. The DEA posted the updated questionnaire for applicants this month, asking prospective employees to “Please include any Hemp or Cannabidiol (CBD) use,… Continue reading DEA asking applicants about hemp use before legalization

Indoor grow facility designer Urban-Gro goes public on Nasdaq

This story first appeared at Marijuana Business Daily. Cultivation facility design and engineering firm Urban-Gro priced an initial public offering on the Nasdaq exchange to raise $54 million before expenses. The IPO put up 5.4 million shares of the Lafayette, Colorado-based company at a price of $10 per share. Urban-Gro also works in the non-cannabis… Continue reading Indoor grow facility designer Urban-Gro goes public on Nasdaq

Parent company of embattled CBD firm files for bankruptcy

A land-development company that includes an Arizona CBD firm battling investor fraud claims has filed for federal bankruptcy protection. Integrated AG is a private equity investor that redeveloped farmland in the western U.S. Integrated AG is a private equity investor that redeveloped farmland in the western U.S. Integrated AG, parent company of Integrated CBD, filed… Continue reading Parent company of embattled CBD firm files for bankruptcy

USDA creating hemp germplasm collection, funding lab to study plant breeding

Dionne Toombs Researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture say they’re studying ways to boost hemp production and profitability for growers, and are collecting the first national statistics on domestic hemp production to be ready by next year. But Dionne Toombs, director for USDA’s Office of the Chief Scientist, gave no indication this week at… Continue reading USDA creating hemp germplasm collection, funding lab to study plant breeding

Former NBA star Isiah Thomas invests $3 million in his hemp and marijuana company

NBA Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas is investing $3 million in his company One World Pharma, which grows hemp and marijuana in Colombia. Thomas, who played 13 seasons for the NBA’s Detroit Pistons, became CEO of One World Pharma in July. The company is located in Las Vegas but has a 30-acre regional cultivation facility… Continue reading Former NBA star Isiah Thomas invests $3 million in his hemp and marijuana company

Hemp operators interested in federal checkoff program, survey shows

A clear majority of hemp farmers and processors support establishing a federal program to promote the crop, according to a survey by two industry groups, but not everyone supports paying for it. The National Industrial Hemp Council and the Hemp Industries Association polled their members late last year on the question of having a checkoff… Continue reading Hemp operators interested in federal checkoff program, survey shows

Time to invest in cannabis in Mexico is now, attorneys say

Mexico is moving ahead on medical marijuana regulation — and all hemp and marijuana companies that envision doing business there in the future should start preparing now, lawyers say. The Mexican government has begun setting a regulatory structure for medical cannabis in the country, making it possible for companies to start applying for research licenses… Continue reading Time to invest in cannabis in Mexico is now, attorneys say

New Mexico judge repeals hemp regulations that revoked licenses without notice

A New Mexico district court has invalidated the state’s hemp production rules that allowed regulators to revoke or suspend licenses without notice and imposed strict testing requirements. Santa Fe District Court Judge Bryan Biedscheid said the New Mexico Department of Health’s rules were invalid because the agency failed to consult with the Medical Cannabis Advisory… Continue reading New Mexico judge repeals hemp regulations that revoked licenses without notice

New USDA hemp rules: Find out what you need to know to succeed

The U.S. Department of Agriculture kicked off 2021 with the release of federal regulations that will govern hemp production going forward. Find out the key elements of the new rules with a free webinar with leading industry professionals who will provide an overview of what hemp operators need to succeed. There is still time to… Continue reading New USDA hemp rules: Find out what you need to know to succeed

Thailand legalizes hemp production for all uses

Thailand’s public health minister has approved regulations legalizing hemp production beginning Friday. The new rules allows hemp cultivation for commercial, medicinal, and research purposes, the Bangkok Post reported. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul approved the rules Thursday. The regulations will allow both exports and imports and the plant can be cultivated for extracts, beverages, cosmetics,… Continue reading Thailand legalizes hemp production for all uses

First Big Tobacco cannabis player backs out after bankruptcy

The first Big Tobacco company to join the hemp and marijuana industries is getting back out. Pyxus International, one of the world’s largest tobacco suppliers, said Thursday that it will focus on its more profitable tobacco and liquid nicotine products after filing for bankruptcy in June. Based in Morrisville, North Carolina, Pyxus was growing hemp… Continue reading First Big Tobacco cannabis player backs out after bankruptcy

Reports: French energy startup nets €18.8 million to launch hemp-fueled plant

Qairos Energies, a startup with aspirations of using agricultural biomass to produce methane and hydrogen in northwestern France, has raised nearly €18.8 million ($23 million) to build and launch a facility that will use local hemp to make fuel for buses, trains and France’s chief natural gas distributor. The eight-figure support for the project, reported… Continue reading Reports: French energy startup nets €18.8 million to launch hemp-fueled plant

Investor lawsuit against NY hemp biotech company tossed

A federal judge in New York has dismissed an investor’s lawsuit accusing a hemp biotech company of lying to promote its stock price. Based in Williamsville, 22nd Century Group researches the genetics of tobacco and cannabis plants and was accused of trying to manipulate its stock price through misrepresenting its business. Plaintiffs were seeking class-action status.… Continue reading Investor lawsuit against NY hemp biotech company tossed

Molson Coors, HEXO launch CBD drinks in Colorado

Molson Coors Beverage Co. says it has launched CBD drinks in Colorado through TRUSS CBD USA, its joint venture with HEXO Corp. The beverage line will be available in three flavors – Grapefruit Tarragon, Strawberry Hibiscus and Blueberry Lavender under the name, “Verywell,” Molson Coors and HEXO said Wednesday. The companies first partnered in 2018… Continue reading Molson Coors, HEXO launch CBD drinks in Colorado

Private investment in Puerto Rico needed for hemp industry to thrive, official says

Puerto Rico’s agriculture secretary says private investment is needed to build the infrastructure for the hemp industry to thrive in the U.S. territory. Secretary Ramon González told a local news outlet, Noticel, that without hemp processing plants, “the business of investing in the fields is for nothing,” “I believe that a lot of expectations were… Continue reading Private investment in Puerto Rico needed for hemp industry to thrive, official says