Category: Cannabis Info

BOULDER, Colo., Aug. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Canopy USA, LLC (“Canopy USA”), a brand-driven organization strategically positioned across the U.S. cannabis market, today announced the appointment of Eric Ruhle as Vice President of Brand Sales, overseeing sales strategy across the full Canopy USA portfolio.

With more than 11 years of experience in the regulated cannabis industry, Ruhle brings deep expertise in building and leading high-performing sales organizations. Most recently, he served as Senior Regional Sales Manager at Kiva Sales & Services, where he navigated the highly competitive Southern California market. His prior leadership roles at Marley Natural, dosist, and Final Bell further underscore his track record of driving growth, cultivating retail partnerships, and scaling multi-brand portfolios.

“Eric’s extensive experience and proven success across some of the most competitive markets in cannabis make him a valuable addition to our team,” said Brooks Jorgensen, President at Canopy USA. “As Canopy USA’s portfolio continues to expand, his leadership will be instrumental in strengthening our retail partnerships and unlocking new growth opportunities.”

In his new role, Ruhle will be responsible for shaping and executing the sales strategy for Canopy USA’s family of brands, with a focus on expanding retail presence in core and emerging markets, strengthening distributor partnerships to increase product accessibility, and launching innovative go-to-market initiatives to accelerate revenue growth.

“I’m thrilled to join Canopy USA at such a pivotal time in the industry,” said Ruhle. “Their portfolio represents some of the most trusted and innovative brands in cannabis, and I look forward to helping accelerate their growth while continuing to set new standards for excellence in sales.”

About Canopy USA
Canopy USA, LLC (“Canopy USA”) is a U.S. based holding company in which Canopy Growth (NASDAQ: CGC; TSX: WEED) holds a non-participating, non-controlling interest. Strategically positioned across the fastest growing states and highest potential segments of the U.S. cannabis market, Canopy USA owns 100% of Wana Brands (“Wana”) a leader in North American edibles, 100% of Acreage Holdings, Inc. (“Acreage”), a vertically integrated multi-state cannabis operator with principal operations in densely populated states across the Midwest and Northeast, and 77% of the shares of Lemurian, Inc. (“Jetty”), a California-based producer of high-quality cannabis extracts and pioneer of clean vape technology.

Media Contact:
Trailblaze for Canopy USA
CanopyUSA@trailblaze.co

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SOURCE Canopy USA

People who start smoking cannabis to alleviate pain, anxiety or depression are at a higher risk of developing paranoia than those who use the drug recreationally, a study has found.

The research analysed answers from 3,389 former and current cannabis users aged over 18, who had no clinical history of psychosis and had taken part in the Cannabis&Me survey.

Published in the British Medical Journal and led by academics at King’s College London, the research found that those who started using cannabis to self-medicate for a condition such as pain, anxiety or depression, and if they were experiencing minor psychotic symptoms, had higher paranoia scores, while those with the lowest scores used cannabis for fun or because they were curious.

The survey also found that the average respondent consumed 206 units a week of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in cannabis, the equivalent of between 10 and 17 joints, but people who used cannabis for anxiety or depression reported consuming 248 and 254.7 units respectively.

Only people with very rare forms of epilepsy, adults with nausea caused by chemotherapy and some people with multiple sclerosis are able to get an NHS prescription for medicinal cannabis in England.

“I think lots of people who now know that cannabis can cause psychosis, they say ‘these people are not like me’. That’s not true,” said Robin Murray, a professor of psychiatric research at King’s College London.

“What we can show in this study is that the effect of cannabis is a bit like the effect of alcohol or the effect of food, that it’s a dimension. So the more you take, the more problems you get into.

“Contrary to what it says on the internet, cannabis is not medicinal. We now have 40 private clinics up and down the UK dishing out cannabis supposedly as a treatment, and the things that they are giving it for are pain, anxiety and depression predominantly. And these are the things that we find are related to people getting into trouble and becoming more paranoid.”

Dr Emily Finch, the chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ addiction faculty, said: “These important findings reinforce previous work which suggests that cannabis can have significant adverse effects on users’ mental health. Society must be more aware of the substantial evidence on cannabis harms, and correct the widespread misapprehension that cannabis is not an addictive substance.

“Cannabis is the most widely used illicit substance in the UK, and around a third of people who use cannabis develop a problem with the drug at some point during their lives. This is similar to the proportion of people who will develop a problem with alcohol.

“The use of both natural and ‘synthetic’ cannabinoids over the long term risks addiction and severe co-occurring mental illness harms. Daily cannabis use is associated with depression, anxiety and reduced motivation.

“Daily users of high-potency cannabis are nearly five times more likely to develop a psychotic disorder than people who have never used cannabis, with adolescents at particular risk.

“As a priority, the UK government must provide substance use and mental health services with the training, staff and funding they need to support people with co-occurring substance use and mental illness. This must also include a focus on providing early treatment to the increasing number of children and young people struggling with substance misuse if we are to reduce long-term harms.”

A separate study published in the journal Psychological Medicine analysed the same survey, and found 52% of cannabis users had experienced some kind of childhood trauma, and that those who had experienced physical and emotional abuse had paranoia scores around 35-40% higher.

Respondents who reported experiencing sexual abuse as a child consumed more THC on average, followed by those who had experienced physical and emotional abuse.

Legalized cannabis has been around in Minnesota since 2023, but as of August 2025, licensing for businesses to actually sell recreational, adult-use cannabis has been slow going, with business owners just now starting to receive licenses.

“We’re at a weird area right now, a gray area in the state where it’s legal, you can have it, smoke it, grow it, possess it. We just don’t have any licensing to sell it for about two and a half years now.” said Sam Ovind, store manager at Superior Cannabis Company in Duluth.

Despite the name, you won’t find actual cannabis in the shop. A sign on the door forewarns you. Instead, the shop sells edibles, drinks, and tinctures. With all of the delays the industry has faced, the company decided to sit out the first round of license applications, but still plans to pursue one.

“We’re just kind of waiting it out to see where everything lies, what’s going to happen, and going from there.”

Two dispensaries WDIO reached out to in the region both said they were licensed – but one had no product to sell yet, and the other said they were still facing delays from the state – though both hope to be selling soon.

The delays are only impacting off-reservation businesses, as Tribal Nations throughout Minnesota have already started selling recreational use cannabis. The Fond Du Lac Band’s tribal-owned shop opened in May.

Ovind, who lived in Oregon when that state legalized recreational use back in 2015, said that state’s process was much smoother – without the hassle that Minnesota’s industry is facing.

“We have something like 22 or 23 states that have gone rec in the country in the last decade or so that we could model after, and I think maybe two of them have been worse than Minnesota. So we’re not really doing that great.”

Recently, however, Ovind says there has been more clarity from the state, but there’s still been headaches for the first round of licensees.

“They’ve fixed that problem in the last few months of letting people know what you can grow, where the zoning is, all the little details that a business owner needs to prepare to do business. So it’s good that we’re finally there after two and a half years, but [it’s] a little slow.

Aug. 26—A new cannabis organization has launched in New Mexico, pledging to champion business concerns in Santa Fe and to lead the development of educational initiatives.

The organization, called the Cannabis Association of New Mexico, officially launched on Tuesday. The organization comes more than three years since the state legalized adult-use cannabis sales, a development that spurred a crop of new businesses across the state and has brought in more than $1.3 billion in sales.

A group of highly familiar cannabis industry officials is joining the board, including Barry Dungan, president of the cannabis testing laboratory Rio Grande Analytics, and Matt Kennicott, a cannabis grower based in Socorro.

Other board members include executives and owners from companies such as Lava Leaf Organics — the first company awarded a cultivation license by the state’s Cannabis Control Division — First Crop, Higher Cultures and Pharmers Quality.

“We saw a need for stronger advocacy, so we stepped up to fill a gap that continues to grow,” said Kennicott, who is serving as the Cannabis Association of New Mexico’s executive director.

The organization says it will focus on cannabis excise tax reform — such as freezing and reducing rates — identifying gaps in testing, pushing for pre-license inspections, water rules and working with the state on rules and training for the new cannabis law enforcement bureau. It will also focus on educational programs and networking events.

Kennicott said the organization also sees saturation as an issue, “especially with regards to retail and high plant counts on the cultivation side.”

“The market is making some corrections, especially recently, when we’ve seen close to 200 licenses not being renewed or the business closing its doors,” Kennicott said. “This is an area where the policy committee and board will be having conversations to look for a solution.”

At least one other such group exists in the state — the New Mexico Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, which has, in years past, thrown its weight behind certain legislative priorities related to the industry. But the chamber’s executive director, Ben Lewinger, stepped down earlier this year, and its website and social media channels have not been as active as in the past.

The Cannabis Association of New Mexico hopes to fill that gap.

Amanda Metzler, a policy specialist with Higher Cultures and a board member of the new organization, called industry advocacy “the bedrock of a strong, enduring market.”

“When we unite to champion causes that matter to our businesses, we create a ripple effect that uplifts the entire state, not just a select few,” Metzler said.

The cannabis market is evolving at a rapid pace. As legalization sweeps across more states, shelves are increasingly lined with mass-produced flower, oils, and edibles from multi-state operators (MSOs). While large companies often dominate with scale and distribution, a new movement is gaining momentum among discerning consumers: small batch cannabis. Much like the rise of craft beer and artisan spirits, small batch cannabis is capturing the attention of connoisseurs who value quality, authenticity, and unique experiences over volume and uniformity.

This growing preference is not just about what’s inside the jar—it’s about how it’s grown, who’s behind it, and the connection between plant and consumer. In an industry where hype often overshadows substance, small batch producers are carving out space by focusing on meticulous cultivation, transparency, and innovation.

Defining Small Batch Cannabis

The term “small batch” in cannabis refers to products cultivated in limited quantities, often under carefully controlled conditions. Unlike large-scale grows that may prioritize yield and efficiency, small batch operations are rooted in craft. These producers typically oversee every step of the process, from genetics and cultivation to curing and packaging.

This approach allows them to maintain quality control at a level difficult for industrial-scale growers to achieve. Factors such as soil composition, light spectrum, humidity, and nutrient schedules can be fine-tuned to coax out the plant’s full expression of cannabinoids and terpenes. The result is flower and concentrates that not only deliver potency but also capture the nuanced flavors and aromas that connoisseurs seek.

Why Connoisseurs Prefer Small Batch Weed

1. Superior Terpene Profiles

Connoisseurs are not simply chasing high THC percentages anymore. Flavor, aroma, and the entourage effect matter just as much. Small batch cultivation practices, like slow curing and hand trimming, preserve delicate terpenes that are often lost in mass production. This makes each strain more expressive and memorable.

2. Authentic Genetics

Small batch growers often experiment with rare or heirloom genetics, producing strains unavailable in mainstream dispensaries. This sense of discovery and exclusivity appeals to seasoned consumers who want more than the standard offerings.

3. Transparency and Storytelling

For many, knowing the grower or the origin of a strain adds value. Small batch brands excel in building a direct relationship with consumers, offering transparency about cultivation methods, sustainability practices, and ethos.

4. Community Connection

Small batch producers are typically embedded in their local communities. They engage directly with dispensaries, educate budtenders, and sponsor grassroots events. This localized presence creates loyalty that corporate brands often struggle to replicate.

The Craft Cannabis Parallel to Beer and Spirits

The success of small batch cannabis mirrors what happened in craft beer and artisan spirits. At one time, large breweries and distilleries dominated, but today’s market thrives on differentiation, creativity, and authenticity. Just as beer enthusiasts moved from mainstream lagers to craft IPAs, cannabis consumers are shifting from generic high-THC flower to carefully crafted products with distinctive profiles.

In both industries, the consumer journey is driven by connoisseurship. Limited releases, small production runs, and collaborations create excitement. People line up not just for the product but for the story behind it—the farmer’s vision, the growing method, the unique genetics.

Sustainability as a Differentiator

Many small batch cannabis producers align their cultivation with sustainability. Indoor grows consume massive amounts of energy, but smaller, environmentally conscious operators often adopt practices like LED lighting, organic nutrients, living soil systems, and water recycling. This eco-conscious approach resonates with consumers who want their purchases to align with personal values.

By producing in smaller, controlled environments, these brands reduce waste and optimize efficiency. They also tend to use eco-friendly packaging, further differentiating themselves from larger companies that often rely on cost-cutting plastics.

The Entourage Effect and Consumer Education

The entourage effect—the synergistic interaction between cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids—is at the heart of small batch cannabis appreciation. While mass producers may focus on maximizing THC, small batch cultivators highlight the interplay of all compounds.

Educating consumers about this holistic experience is one of the most powerful tools small batch brands wield. Dispensaries that feature small batch products often note that customers return not for the highest THC count, but for the most enjoyable and consistent experience.

Challenges Facing Small Batch Cannabis

Despite their appeal, small batch brands face significant challenges. Licensing fees, compliance costs, and high taxes can be burdensome, especially for operators who do not have large financial backing. Distribution is another hurdle, as shelf space in competitive markets often goes to companies with established networks or marketing budgets.

Pricing is also a delicate balancing act. Small batch cannabis, due to its handcrafted nature, often comes at a premium. Educating consumers on why that premium is justified is essential to sustained growth.

The Role of Budtenders in Small Batch Success

Budtenders play a critical role in guiding consumer choices at dispensaries. For small batch brands, ensuring that budtenders understand the uniqueness of their products can make all the difference. Providing training, samples, and educational materials helps these frontline advocates communicate the value of small batch cannabis to customers.

Brands that invest in budtender relationships often see stronger sales, as recommendations carry weight in the decision-making process.

Technology Meets Craft

Interestingly, small batch does not mean outdated. Many craft growers adopt cutting-edge technology such as AI-driven cultivation monitoring, precision nutrient delivery, and terpene preservation methods. Technology allows small producers to optimize quality while maintaining consistency, without succumbing to industrial-scale compromise.

This hybrid approach—combining artisanal passion with modern tools—creates a distinctive advantage. It allows small batch brands to showcase authenticity while delivering reliable products.

Why the Future Belongs to Craft

As cannabis consumers mature, their preferences evolve. Early markets were dominated by potency and price, but today’s consumers increasingly demand quality, transparency, and sustainability. Small batch cannabis brands are uniquely positioned to meet those expectations.

Mainstream companies may continue to dominate in scale, but the premium sector—where consumers are willing to pay more for better experiences—will likely be led by small batch innovators. Just as wine enthusiasts still flock to small vineyards despite supermarket giants, cannabis connoisseurs will always seek out craft.

Example Brands Making an Impact

Across New York and beyond, numerous small batch producers are shaping this cultural and economic shift. Brands emphasize slow curing, solventless concentrates, eco-friendly practices, and strong community ties. Silly Nice, a Harlem-based Black and Veteran-owned craft cannabis brand, is an example worth checking out for those exploring the impact small batch producers can have in competitive markets.

Conclusion

The rise of small batch cannabis represents a cultural turning point in the industry. It is a movement defined not by quantity but by quality, creativity, and authenticity. Connoisseurs are rewarding brands that take the time to perfect their craft, educate their consumers, and build real community connections.

While challenges remain, small batch cannabis is not a niche fad. It is part of a larger shift in consumer behavior, one that values experience, sustainability, and transparency over mass production. For the discerning consumer, small batch is more than just cannabis—it is a lifestyle, a commitment to quality, and a return to the roots of what makes the plant truly special.

As legalization expands and consumer knowledge deepens, the demand for carefully crafted, small batch weed will only grow stronger. The future of cannabis culture may well be written not by the largest players in the field, but by the artisans who treat each plant, each strain, and each product as a labor of love.

The U.S. cannabis industry is entering a pivotal phase of growth, driven by regulatory momentum, sector consolidation, and evolving investor demand. For those seeking to capitalize on this transformation, the AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF (MSOS) stands out as a uniquely positioned vehicle. By aligning with federal rescheduling efforts, leveraging state-level legalization trends, and employing active management strategies, MSOS offers a compelling case for investors navigating the sector’s next chapter.

Regulatory Momentum: A Catalyst for Sector Normalization

The federal rescheduling of cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III remains a cornerstone of the industry’s long-term viability. While the DEA’s rulemaking process faces delays due to a pending appeal, the groundwork laid by the HHS in 2023 and the proposed rule in 2024 signals a clear trajectory. Rescheduling would unlock critical benefits: reduced barriers to banking, tax deductions under Section 280E, and expanded research opportunities. These changes could catalyze a shift from a cash-heavy, fragmented market to a more institutionalized, scalable industry.

State-level developments further reinforce this momentum. California’s product safety recalls, Florida’s 2026 legalization initiative, and Ohio’s $702.5 million in recreational sales highlight the sector’s maturation. Even in conservative states like Texas, debates over hemp-derived products underscore growing acceptance. For MSOS, which focuses exclusively on U.S. operators, these regulatory tailwinds create a fertile environment for its portfolio companies to scale.

Sector Consolidation: Strategic Positioning for Long-Term Growth

The cannabis sector is undergoing a wave of consolidation as companies exit unprofitable markets and double down on high-potential regions. Cresco Labs’ exit from California and TerrAscend’s $79 million financing highlight this trend. MSOS’s active management strategy, led by Dan Ahrens, enables rapid reallocation of capital to firms optimizing their geographic footprints. For example, Trulieve Cannabis’s expansion into Florida and The Cannabist Company’s entry into Delaware reflect a focus on markets with strong consumer demand and regulatory clarity.

This consolidation is not just about survival—it’s about creating durable competitive advantages. Top operators are leveraging economies of scale, refining supply chains, and investing in innovation (e.g., single-serving units and infused products). MSOS’s concentrated portfolio—anchored by holdings like Curaleaf (22.63%) and Green Thumb Industries (21.61%)—positions it to benefit from these strategic shifts.

Active Management and Liquidity: Navigating Volatility with Precision

MSOS’s active management model is its most distinctive feature. Unlike passive ETFs, which track broad indices, MSOS adjusts its holdings daily to reflect market dynamics. This agility is critical in a sector where regulatory news, state ballot outcomes, and operational pivots can drive sharp price swings. For instance, the ETF’s 35.96% year-to-date return in 2025 (as of August 2025) contrasts with its -26.42% 52-week return, illustrating the volatility inherent in the space.

Liquidity metrics further underscore MSOS’s appeal. With a 128% surge in trading volume in August 2025 and a 30-day median bid-ask spread of 0.228050, the ETF offers investors flexibility to enter or exit positions with minimal friction. Its options eligibility adds another layer of strategic utility, enabling hedging or leveraged plays. The fund’s net asset value (NAV) of $5.26, with a 1-day change of $0.29, also reflects strong alignment between market price and intrinsic value.

Investment Thesis: A Strategic Play for 2025 and Beyond

For investors, MSOS represents a balanced approach to cannabis exposure. It mitigates the risks of individual stock picking while capitalizing on the sector’s macro trends. The ETF’s focus on U.S. operators insulates it from international regulatory uncertainties, and its active management ensures adaptability in a rapidly evolving landscape.

However, caution is warranted. The 52-week return highlights the sector’s volatility, and federal rescheduling remains contingent on resolving the pending appeal. Investors should consider MSOS as part of a diversified portfolio, ideally with a medium-term horizon to ride out short-term fluctuations.

Conclusion

The AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF (MSOS) is more than a basket of stocks—it’s a strategic lever for capturing the cannabis industry’s next phase of growth. By aligning with regulatory progress, sector consolidation, and active management, MSOS offers a liquid, transparent, and dynamic vehicle for investors. As the U.S. moves closer to federal normalization and state-level expansion accelerates, MSOS is poised to deliver outsized returns for those willing to navigate the sector’s inherent volatility.

For now, the key is to stay informed, monitor regulatory developments, and position capital where momentum and management converge. In 2025, that intersection is where MSOS shines.

Tightening up of Oklahoma’s medical cannabis program has not only resulted in fewer cultivators and dispensaries, but patients too.

Oklahoma’s legal medical cannabis arrangements were hugely popular, but back in March 2023, Governor Kevin Stitt said that things were “way out of control” in Oklahoma; signalling a further tightening up of guidelines and monitoring. At that point, there were 6,975 growers and 2,893 dispensaries across the state. The number of registered patients was just north of 368,000 according to Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) Licensing and Tax Data.

A moratorium on new licenses for any dispensary, grower, or processor was established August 26, 2022, and is set to expire on August 1, 2026. A related crackdown also followed, with thousands of legal, and as it turn out, illegal businesses scrutinised. OMMA is also required by state law to inspect businesses once a year.

Fast forward to today and as at August 1, 2025, the number of growers had dropped dramatically to 2,680, the number of dispensaries to 1,615 and registered patients to 318,578.

State coffers are also taking a hit, with $51 million raked in with the state’s excise tax in FY24, dropping to $47.5 million in FY25. In terms of state and local sales tax, the figures were $67.5 million in FY24 and $60.8 million in FY25. Excise revenue goes towards supporting OMMA and any excess is appropriated at the Legislature’s discretion. State and local sales tax money goes straight to the state government and city/county – OMMA never touches it.

A report released earlier this year indicated that Oklahoma still had 12 times as many licensed medical marijuana growers than Colorado; even though the number of cultivation licenses in Oklahoma dropped from a record high of 9,178 in 2021 to nearly a third of that figure in 2024 – 3,138. As for medical marijuana dispensaries, the state has 5 times as many as Colorado and nearly double the number of that state’s medical and recreational dispensaries combined.

While the drop in business licenses is easily explained, the reduction in registered patient numbers is a little murkier. While it’s not unusual for states that introduce marijuana legalization for adult use to see participation in their medical cannabis programs plummet, in Oklahoma recreational marijuana is still illegal.

The Humboldt County
Board of Supervisors today voted 4-0 to expand – a little bit —
the types of grants available under the county’s “Project Trellis”
program, which offers support to the cannabis industry. The county
has some $600,000 in the kitty to give away this year, according to
staff testimony – money kicked back to local government by the
state, which collects state licensing fees on cannabis producers.

Supervisor Steve
Madrone was absent.

Project Trellis, in
its early days, was open for all sorts of projects that growers might
wish to undertake. That changed on April 15th of this
year, when the board voted to limit grants from the fund only to pay
back taxes growers might owe to the county – specifically, property
taxes and taxes due under the Measure S program. (Measure S has long
been suspended, due to the general failure of the industry, but some
growers still owe money from the early days of the tax.) In other
words, the board voted to prioritize getting the county paid first.

Today, though,
supervisors were asked whether they might want to loosen up the purse
strings a bit, in response to “feedback that there is a potential
need to consider other options for eligible expenses.” So staff
presented the board with a couple of options, if it so chose:

• Option A: In
  addition to paying property taxes and Measure S taxes, Project
  Trellis can pay fees owed to the county’s Planning and Building
  Department.
• Option B:
  More or less a return to the status quo before April 15. In addition
  to the above, Project Trellis funds could pay for “rent; leases;
  local and state application, licensing and regulatory fees; legal
  assistance; regulatory compliance; testing of cannabis; furniture;
  fixtures and equipment; capital improvements; training and retention
  of qualified workforce; consulting fees: independent, regulatory,
  bookkeeping; start-up costs/financial solvency.”

Ross Gordon, policy
specialist for the Humboldt County Growers’ Alliance, spoke in
favor of Option B, and gave a few reasons. First, he noted that the
purpose of the state funds flowing into Trellis was specifically for
“equity”
— to right past wrongs.

“The purpose of
the equity funds from both the state and county level is to provide
support to individuals who are impacted by the War on Drugs,”
Gordon said. “If the decision from the board is to limit the use of
those funds only to repaying county debts, it’s not really funds that
are being distributed to people impacted by the War on Drugs.”

Gordon also noted
that by limiting the use of Trellis funds only to pay back taxes, the
county was effectively penalizing growers who had kept current. If
you’ve already paid the county what you owe, you’re not eligible
for this grant.

Supervisor Mike
Wilson – a child of Southern Humboldt during the worst years of
prohibition – pushed back a bit on the idea that Humboldt
County growers had been historical victims
of the War on Drugs. Had they not also been its beneficiaries?

“I mean, there is
a basic construct that this wouldn’t even be an industry had there
not been a War on Drugs, at least not in this space,” Wilson said.
“And the investment in the infrastructure and the businesses that
all occurred due to the elevated prices because of the War on Drugs
— it was double-edged, I guess you would say. So a lot of people
wouldn’t have had the opportunity to own land and all the other
things that come with this had there not been this price structure
that was created because of the legal status of the product.”

But that was more or less an aside. His main question was
about how much more staff time would have to be devoted to grant
compliance, were the board to go the route of Option B. It’s a lot
harder to check whether grant money is being spent appropriately when
it can go to any of a long list of private sector suppliers; much
easier when its just a simple check written out to a governmental
agency.

When it was her turn to speak, Supervisor Michelle Bushnell hit
upon a happy compromise that seemed to answer both Gordon’s and
Wilson’s concerns. While she herself supported Option B, she said,
perhaps the board could modify Option A such that grant funds could
be used to pay a grower’s state licensing fees. All licensed
growers have to pay these fees every year, whether they are current
with their county taxes or not, so all licensed growers can apply.

After a bit more discussion, it became apparent that this was
acceptable to everyone, including the growers in the audience and
county staff, and so Bushnell made a motion to that effect. It passed
unanimously.

Source: Rick Kern / Getty

Former NFL running back Ricky Williams has been open about his mental health issues and the difference that marijuana made in his life.

During his eleven years in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens, he struggled with social anxiety, even wearing his helmet during interviews. But his journey toward healing and self discovery included marijuana, a long frowned upon substance in the NFL.

In an opinion piece for USA Today, titled Cannabis helped me after my NFL career. It can help more people if Trump reclassifies it, Williams urges President Trump to reconsider the strict federal regulations against cannabis for the medical benefits.

“Rescheduling cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III isn’t about politics – it’s about freedom,” Williams writes.

“It’s about giving people safe, legal access to medicine that works. It’s about empowering small businesses, creating good-paying jobs and aligning federal law with what’s already happening in most states.”

Williams also notes that because marijuana has not been declassified federally, most weed businesses don’t have access to banks.

“This reform is smart, strategic and long overdue,” Williams writes. “Schedule III would take the shackles off legal cannabis businesses, making it easier for them to bank, hire and grow. It would open the door for medical research, so we can learn more about how cannabis can help conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain and sickle cell anemia – illnesses that disproportionately affect Black and Brown communities. It would deliver real economic opportunity to entrepreneurs who have been shut out for too long.”

Williams went on to point out that reclassifying marijuana federally wouldn’t allow for legal use in all 50 states, but it would allow for cannabis policy to align with science and give doctors autonomy to prescribe it.

“Opponents claim that rescheduling is a backdoor to legalization or that it will unleash public health crises. This simply isn’t true. Rescheduling to Schedule III doesn’t legalize adult use nationwide – it just brings cannabis policy in line with science, allowing doctors to prescribe, researchers to study and businesses to operate without being punished under outdated federal rules.”

Williams noted that President Trump has an opportunity to make the country millions in tax dollars by helping cannabis reach those who need it most: veterans and those suffering from chronic pain.

“Mr. President, this is your opportunity to show leadership – not just to the people who already support cannabis reform, but to the millions of Americans who want smart, commonsense policy that puts people over politics,” Williams wrote.

“Rescheduling cannabis is more than a policy change. It’s a step toward justice. It’s a chance to strengthen our economy, support our veterans and give families access to medicine that works. It’s a move that says we’re ready to leave outdated drug laws in the past and focus on building a future where healing and opportunity are within reach for everyone.”